#whoa nelly this got long | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ganymedesclock · 7 years

Text

Character Analysis: Shiro

[ Lance ] [ Hunk ] [ Pidge ] [ Keith ] [ Allura ] [ Coran ]

Just for entertaining meta-ish purposes I’m going to do these in the order that the characters are introduced in the show. So that means we’re starting off with Fearless Space Leader.

When trying to take a comprehensive read of Shiro’s character, Kerberos and its aftermath- the missing year- leaps out. Indeed, the start of Shiro’s misfortunes is the first thing we see of him and in fact the first thing shown onscreen.

However, while it’s certainly a lie to say the missing year doesn’t play a big part in who Shiro is, it’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t remotely the only thing he has going on, and a lot of Shiro was defined long before the Galra Empire had anything to do with him.

Something that can be noted in s1e5 on Pidge’s recollection of the report on the Kerberos mission is that Shiro wears the same gray Garrison uniform as Commanders Iverson and Holt. However, we also see this uniform on many personnel in the instructors’ lounge Lance and Hunk sneak past in s1e1, and Shiro refers to “our commander on the Kerberos mission”, suggesting Shiro himself is not of that rank.

That said, his uniform does have a medal on the left side of the chest. This tells us that Shiro was decorated- reinforced in s1e1 as Lance refers to Shiro as a legend and his personal hero- glowing terms unlikely if Shiro’s only claim to fame was the doomed Kerberos mission.

This all tells us Shiro has been in the spotlight for a while. Furthermore, at age 25, he’s rather young to have such high honors. It suggests he’s a bit of a prodigy, which would further push his high reputation.

In short, Shiro is used to being under scrutiny. With what is most likely a mix of natural talent and the formidable tenacity and strength of spirit that carried him through his missing year, he’s distinguished himself from his peers and has been recognized. This is how he’s used to operating, and a trait denoted in the virtues of the Black Paladin itself- someone “whose men follow without question.”

This is a trait that has basically been a constant for Shiro- a decorated officer at the Garrison, the Champion of the arena, the Black Paladin with Voltron. Shiro has basically never been a nobody at any point in his life we’re aware of and this shows in his personality. He is someone who people reflexively turn to, who stands out from a crowd, and this is what he’s used to

What this means, is... a couple of things.

Shiro is something of a perfectionist about presentation

It is imperative to Shiro to make a good impression, particularly on strangers. He is not, by nature, a particularly uptight or fussy person- but in s1e2 when the paladins are all called to attention, Shiro is the only one who appears in perfect assembly- both in a timely manner and suited up. We can also see that Shiro sometimes, but not always, puts a damper on the team’s antics if he feels like they get “too silly” (particularly in season 1 when he is less familiar with them)

This makes a lot of sense. Shiro basically has military background- he is a trained pilot in a space program (yes, it is rocket science) and he is one who is used to commendation and standing out from his peers. He also has history of working rather closely with Iverson- who as we see, is something of a stickler. This also ties into something of how Shiro expresses his trauma and sentiments- or, rather, doesn’t.

His desire to clean up and make a good impression will often lead to him presenting a calm, put-together image. Not all of that is insincere, but Shiro also doesn’t completely realize when he is stifling himself- he sees it as a matter of responsibility. He needs to have his head together for the team- especially in a dangerous situation, he can’t afford to be at less than his best.

This is not at all that Shiro is not a playful or cheerful person, or that he’s incapable of easing up. It’s mostly that I think Shiro has a strong sense of on the clock verses off it- he has a sense of humor, and an inclination to goof around, as we can watch the team easily pull him into things like the spore ball fight- but Shiro’s reflex, as much as he can, is to try to present himself as the straitlaced proper soldier and it leaves him just a little bit stiff sometimes.

(I’m willing to bet he was kind of a teacher’s pet when younger)

Shiro is pretty much “the therapist friend”

Considering Zarkon and Shiro are counterparts who both at some point bonded to the same Lion, a certain amount of insight into one can be gained from studying the other. One of the major points of differences between Zarkon and Shiro, however, is the perspective of duty verses entitlement. Zarkon operates heavily out of the latter- because he is leader, he is owed the loyalty and toil of his subordinates. Their lives are his, and he has little qualms about taking them, or demanding that they give them, to serve his ambition.

Shiro views his relationship with his team much more as duty. Considering the allusion to royalty (Shiro is the head of Voltron, in a sense ‘crowned’), Shiro operates very much with the sense of ‘Noblesse Oblige’. Shiro’s position over the team comes with it a responsibility to the team.

He does take ownership of the team- but he does so in that he takes ownership for their welfare. “My team got captured by aliens once. I’m not going to let it happen again.” The first scene we see of him is that he tows Matt Holt by the arm to try and push him and Commander Holt away from the Galra cruiser. He speaks up to try and protect the team at his own expense, and as we find out in s1e3, did so again- destroyed his reputation to the other prisoners, painted himself as a bloodthirsty monster, and personally pushed himself first into a death match to try and keep Matt safe.

Very often, we can see that there is a soft side to Shiro and it comes out with other members of the team when they are uncertain. Much of his relationship with Keith seems to be that he has been there as a counselor and support- and he rapidly takes this up with Pidge, explicitly offering to be a keeper of her secret, and reassuring her when she panics. However, during s2e10, he also picks up on Lance describing himself as the team sharpshooter and specifically acknowledges Lance on that subject later in the mission, and as early as the first episode, he takes time to acknowledge the Garrison Trio (Lance, Pidge, and Hunk) for helping him escape quarantine.

Despite being the leader of Voltron, Shiro feels very strongly about letting others pursue their own goals- again, in s1e1 we see this with Pidge when he changes his strategy to accommodate her desire to look for her family, and then later when he defends Pidge’s right to leave the team.

While this overlaps a bit with Shiro’s perfectionist nerve and desire to present himself as a good soldier- it reflects poorly on a leader if his team is unhappy- it would seem that Shiro has an unrelated, but powerful motivation to support others and see them thrive.

Balance and the Black Paladin

Every Voltron Lion carries with it an elemental theme, but also a visceral, bodily motif. Furthermore, the four “limb” Lions are also sorted left from right, and arms from legs- there are thematic differences between the legs (support) versus the arms (action) but also the left side of the body (defense/fortification) and the right (offense/agility).

The Black Lion exists at the intersection of those categories. It connects to both arms and legs and holds them together- it is quite literally the core of Voltron.

This tells us something interesting about the role that Shiro plays. He is partially supportive, partially active, a mix between offense and defense. The Black Lion is the generalist and the negotiator between the disparate parts. Allura describes the Black Paladin as “someone who is in control at all times”- I personally read that as someone who is able to reconcile the very different and potentially conflicting components of Voltron. Shiro is usually the one who calls for the team to unite or separate, and the first attempt is done by his motivational speech.

However, balance is something of a tricky subject for Shiro. While his attentiveness and receptiveness to his team are very valuable traits, and a noble, compassionate quality that separates him from Zarkon the ruthless tyrant- it also can lead him to a degree of self-denial, which can potentially cause him to teeter the other way- stern and controlling, with his neglected issues tainting his perspective in ways he doesn’t realize.

Effectively, the Black Paladin is tasked with balancing the carrot and the stick. A leader that must be able to potentially reign in and command the team with authority- but also someone who has to be receptive and open to their team.

What’s interesting to me, is that Shiro and Zarkon appear on opposite sides of that balance. Zarkon has utterly fallen off one side- control and force of personality to the point that his own allies often resent him or hide valuable information from him. His sense of control has destroyed his receptiveness to the point that he can no longer even acknowledge the Black Lion as a living being.

Shiro, conversely, tends to default to over-compassionate to the point of, as mentioned, self-destruction. He is entirely too okay being a martyr for the success of the team and success of the mission- the way he talks about the Kerberos mission makes it rather clear he considers the Holts being in danger as, in some way, a personal failure, as if there was anything he could do about it. Having a long history as a prodigy child has probably set him up to a certain degree to feel that he has to succeed. And part of that is Shiro considers himself acceptable collateral- he’s strong, he can take it, he’s more worried about everyone else, Pidge is fourteen, they’re mostly cadets, he knows how Keith gets, Allura and Coran lost their entire civilization.

Compared to that, it’s so much easier to keep putting stress on himself because he’s a survivor, he can make it.

I’ve talked before about the fact that Shiro is self-destructive, but he’s self-destructive in a particularly insidious manner in that he doesn’t even see it as self-destruction. He’s self-destructive in the way of someone who loses an extra hour of sleep each night doing a friend’s homework for them, because he’s moved by their suffering.

Making it very likely Shiro will only realize quite how much he’s been shorting himself at a point where he actually crashes, hard. And that leads to my other point.

Fragility and the Black Paladin

While Black’s position as both head and heart of Voltron cement, in big glowing letters, that she’s The Leader, it also contains a rather dire warning.

The head and core of the body contain the vital organs. And without the arms or legs, those vitals are very poorly equipped to defend themselves.

I think that this is a very good place to mention Shiro’s trauma.

There were several facets to what Shiro experienced during his missing year, and what I think he’s carrying with him.

Loss of control- down to the most fundamental level. Shiro’s own bodily integrity was violated. I don’t think it’s very surprising that being strapped down to a table is one of the main images we have of what happened to him, and this appears to be a major trigger. This also ties in a bit to how Shiro tends to lean more towards compassion than control- I think that he is able to empathize as someone who has felt controlled by others, and is loathe to push that outside of certain scenarios where he’s more keenly feeling his own loss of control.

“The Champion”- I think this is often misread- that people imagine that somehow the bloodthirsty persona Shiro fabricated is an actual “dark entity” Shiro imagines and fears, and one projected out into the world by Haggar in the season 1 finale. Rather- I think that what Shiro struggles with is more what he was forced- knowingly- to do, both to Matt Holt and whoever came across from him in the gladiator ring. Survival is a very harsh motivation to live under.

Isolation- being separated from the Holts, and, thanks to spreading the reputation as a violent gladiator, it would seem that he may have felt alienated from the other prisoners. (that said, perhaps not as much as he believed, as despite knowing him as “The Champion”, the prisoners from s1e1 and s1e3 knew his name and trusted him to save them)

Failure- Tying into how a certain piece of Shiro’s identity is as the good soldier, the decorated officer- Shiro was unable to protect the Holts and was forced to do things against his will and personal values. Almost everything he set out to do did not succeed. His escape was not at his own hands. While seemingly insignificant relevant to the others points here, I think that also hit hard.

Where this comes back to fragility, and the danger of the Black Paladin alone- I think that Shiro uses a lot of the team, the other paladins looking up to him and needing him to a degree- as a coping mechanism. Engaging with them, working with them, he’s able to operate more closely to his pre-Kerberos self. In Voltron, he finds an identity as a hero, a force of good, a beacon of hope. Lance, Hunk, Keith, Pidge, and even Allura to a degree look up to him, and certainly the rest of the team (including Coran since I left him out the last time) just plain likes him.

It’s not a coincidence that Shiro tends to do his worst without that support and validation- or that Shiro’s role in the team and whether or not he’s worthy of it is something both Sendak in s1e9 and Zarkon in general attack.

There’s a thread of survivor’s guilt to Shiro- questioning whether or not he’s worthy of the Black Lion, and how when confronted by his own mortality, his response is to try and make sure everyone else will be okay without him. It doesn’t seem to be a very powerful thread, but it is a worrying one.

Shiro shows a lot of the textbook symptoms of PTSD- panic attacks, flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance. We also see coping mechanisms out of him, largely centered around maintaining a sense of control over the situation.

When Shiro grapples with someone who is able to significantly affect his situation and can’t or won’t yield to him for some reason (Sendak in s1e9, Black in s2e7, and Slav in s2e10 are good examples)- his response tends to be an immediate panic attack and a lot of hostility.

Black is a particularly interesting example, because we see him calm down basically on a dime as soon as he realizes Black is trying to tell him something- suggesting for Shiro, there’s another judgment placed on whether or not he thinks the other person is being reasonable, in which case his desire to hear them out (compassion) will overrule his desire to regain control of the situation.

This suggests Shiro, at his foundation, had a pretty good life before Kerberos, and this is a reassuring frame of mind that he comes back to- the universe is orderly. Things make sense and adhere to rules. We can see him actively attempting to manage and reduce his anxiety by identifying patterns in unpredictable things- during his captivity, he started timing the guard rotations. Being able to recognize the drone’s movements enough to predict its behavior ascribed a sense of control even though he could not practically go do something about that situation.

Black’s behavior is not threatening when it is reasonable, even if she still isn’t turning around to go back to the Castle. But when he can’t make sense of her rejecting him (was it Zarkon’s interference? Is he unworthy? Why right then?) that troubles him and his response is to go looking for answers.

Quite possibly, a good part of what troubled Shiro about the empire (though much of that doesn’t really need additional context) was that, as it is all ultimately rooted in basically just Zarkon’s ambition- it all seemed completely senseless. Shiro’s first attempt at talking to the empire is an appeal to reason- we represent no threat, we are unarmed, Earth is peaceful- and the response he’s met with is effectively no one here cares.

Shiro, the peer leader, the charismatic, bright, prodigious person, who is used to a world that makes sense and is orderly, was thrown suddenly into an empire that actively tries to style itself on selfishness and more or less vindictive whim.

And that majorly clashed with his sense of justice.

Justice, and Shiro’s temper

So I’ve talked a lot about how Shiro wants to take care of people and support others and that does make him out to be a sweet innocent boyscout who toddles through life just looking for people to help, but he really isn’t, and I think the major “edge” to Shiro is the intersection of his sense of responsibility and sense of the universe as orderly.

Basically, Shiro believes in justice. Not as an abstract concept, that the world is just and you sit back and let the good things happen to the right people- Shiro believes in justice as an obligation.

If you are able to do good, you should. If you are a leader, you take care of the people beneath you. If you have power, you use it and you use it responsibly. Like I said- noblesse oblige.

And if Shiro sees someone as unjust, he has no sympathy for them.

This might sound interesting, because Shiro was very patient with the idea of Pidge abandoning Voltron for arguably a selfish goal- but in that situation, Shiro softens his edge towards both Pidge and Keith, because he understands where they’re coming from.

He sees Pidge, first and foremost, as a fourteen-year-old girl fairly freshly alone (Colleen Holt is a presence, but Pidge is currently away from her) in the universe who wants to find her family. And he knows Keith is someone who has a lot of hurt about being left behind- but he won’t let Keith yell at Pidge, because Pidge’s quest is just, even if it leaves Voltron high and dry.

This tells us that Shiro’s sense of justice is rooted more in compassion than it is in his sense of order. Practically, Pidge is saying “screw the greater good, I want my family,” but Shiro relates to that- that the greater good is a cold thing and he does not want to involuntarily conscript anyone to that. Even when Pidge chooses to stay, and before the idea of Pidge leaving the team even is brought up, Shiro fully intends to give her both- he doesn’t force her to stick to the plan in s1e1, but rather actively tries to help her with her personal mission.

(This is something we see also in s1e5, where Shiro is on the side of responding to the distress beacon even though they’re en route to the Balmera)

Conversely- if Shiro does not have that personal understanding of where someone is coming from- if their behavior doesn’t seem reasonable and justified- what tends to come out is a mix of fury and contempt, and I think so far the clearest recipient we have of it is Lubos.

Lubos is effectively everything Shiro despises in a person- a leader who is adored by his populace and who responded by letting them worry about him and praise his name while in dire straits... when he himself was perfectly unharmed and comfortably seen to. The fact that Lubos’s attendant is in manacles and prisoner’s clothes while Lubos enjoys his movie pretty much sums it up.

And Shiro actually shoves Lubos forwards onto the ground when returning him to Ryner. There is nothing but scorn in Shiro’s voice. This is the basic failing of what it means to be a leader and there’s a lot of that same anger three episodes later when Shiro tells Zarkon “you’re no Black Paladin.”

We can also see Shiro’s sense of justice in a lot of how he responds to the Blade of Marmora. His initial response, to Ulaz- is very positive. Ulaz fits everything Shiro sees as reasonable. He’s blunt and to-the-point but that doesn’t matter.

Initially meeting Kolivan, that positiveness sours quickly. Because Kolivan doesn’t seem to care about Ulaz’s sacrifice- and then he’s more concerned about the weapon Keith is carrying than he is about the good of the universe- what they’re ostensibly there to talk about- and has no qualms putting Keith through the trial.

(This is another case in point of Shiro’s sense of small justice more than worldly justice- while holo Shiro demands Keith choose between the blade or Voltron, real Shiro pretty much adamantly denies that he or anyone has a right to take that weapon away from Keith, even if it means he’d basically have to singlehandedly fight his way out of the Blade base to Red in order to leave).

However... that initial anger towards Kolivan doesn’t last. Because Kolivan proves himself to be a reasonable person- he kind of redeems himself in Shiro’s eyes. (with the implication the Blade tended to Keith’s wounds after the trial, I wouldn’t be surprised if that had a big part in it.)

In summary

Shiro is a bit of a perfectionist, a very talented and charismatic person who’s spent a lot of his life in the spotlight and puts some meticulous thought into his presentation. He struggles with seeing himself as a failure, to a degree, and is a very compassionate person who cares about justice- mostly in a very interpersonal sense rather than a distant greater good.

As a traumatized person, he wants to feel in control of the situation, but does not want to assert control over others’ lives. That will not stop him from judging the hell out of you if he thinks you’re negligent in your duty for no good reason, and he can have some very harsh first impressions of people that he later comes to respect.

#voltron legendary defender #vld #Shiro #Voltron character study #readmore #whoa nelly this got long #was trying to make it as comprehensive as possible

820 notes · View notes

dontcare77ghj · 4 years

Text

Now In Color

Wanda x reader x Vision

After Wanda and Y/N's newly discovered pregnancies, the three had decided to call Westview's doctor for a home visit.

Doctor Neilson was a balding man, who's opinions were on the misogynistic side.

"Yep! Definitely pregnant. Both of you." The doctor determined after having pressed a stethoscope to both women's stomachs.

"Believe it or not, we actually figured that out already," Y/N said, shaking her head once the man's back was to her.

"This has just kinda taken us by surprise," Wanda explained, one hand clutching Visions and the other on Y/N's thigh.

"It's just kinda sudden. Quite suddenly, wasn't it. I mean, practically overnight. I mean, how did this even happen?" Vision stammered, causing the doctor to stare at him blankly.

"You see when a man, a woman, and a woman love each other very much."

"Well, we're just tickled pink or blue!" Wanda joked, interrupting the doctor, as the three rose from the couch.

"You're at about four months now. Is that accurate for the two of you?" He asked, receiving nods from both women. "I thought as much. We like to let the little ladies keep tabs on their growing babes with fruit." Neilson told Vision. "Makes it simple for them. At four months, the fetus is about as big as a pear. At five months, papaya. Six grapefruit, seven pineapple, and eight honeydew."

"So we both have pears?" Y/N questioned.

"You both have pears." The doctor confirmed with a nod. "The three of you must have been planning for months to sync the pregnancies up like this." He added with a chuckle.

"Hypothetically speaking, what size fruit would it be at say twelve hours?" Vision asked, causing the doctor to blanch.

"Pardon? Twelve hours?"

"Well, I think this line of questioning is fruitless." Wanda cut in with a forced polite laugh as she moved to stand beside the doctor.

"Hypothetically speaking, should we be concerned?" Vision asked, rounding the back of the couch, holding Y/N's hand in his.

"Hypothetically speaking, every new father-to-be gets nervous." The doctor patronized, slapping a hand on Vision's neck.

"Well, I have nerves of steel, so there goes your theory, Mr. Doctor." Vision said, pulling away from the man.

"Vis, why don't you see the doctor out?" Y/N suggested, wrapping her arm around her husband's waist.

"That sounds like a great idea." Wanda agreed, nodding at the two with a smile.

"Of course." Vision nodded. "Thank you so much for dropping by Doctor Neilson." He said, leading the doctor out of the house as Wanda and Y/N smiled at one another.

"Well, I'm just glad you caught me in time." The doctor commented once outside. "I'm taking the wife on vacation this afternoon."

"Oh, well, I hope you have a nice holiday," Vision told the man. "Hey, Herb!" Vision called to their neighbor.

"Listen, can you keep the news of the girls, you know, just between us?" Vision asked the doctor. "It's that everything's happening so quickly, and we'd like to keep the news just in the family now."

"Of course. Mum's the word." The doctor assured. "I'm off! Bermuda, baby!"

"Yes." Vision waved Neilson off before he was distracted by the loud sound of machinery to his right. "Hey Herb, I think you might've taken the hedge-trimming a little too far there, old chum!" Vision joked, watching as his friend cut into his brick wall.

"So, I have." Herb laughed, continuing his brickwork. "Thanks, buddy."

"Yeah, don't mention it." Vision said slowly, gnawing on his lip before turning away. "Huh. Darlings, the strangest thing just happened outside with, whoa Nelly!" Vision exclaimed when his wives turned around. "Are you both bigger?"

Wanda turned to look at her stomach but knocked the fruit bowl as she tried.

Vision sped over and caught the fruit before it hit the ground.

"What do you mean?" Y/N asked, looking down.

"I can't actually tell from this angle," Wanda said, gazing down.

"I can't even see my feet." Y/N sighed, looking up and at Wanda's own stomach. "Oh, God." She said, causing Wanda to look up.

"Yeah, we could be a little bigger." Wanda nodded, seeing the size of Y/N's stomach.

"I can't wait to be a proud papaya." Vision joked, proudly holding up the papaya.

"Not one of your best, Vis," Wanda told him with a grin.

"Ah, so you're admitting I'm funny?" Vision asked as Y/N took the fruit out of his hand and moved towards the kitchen.

"I don't think she ever said that." Y/N teased as Wanda followed her and stole the papaya out of her hands. "I'm not even sure those words have ever been uttered before."

"I've heard you laugh at my jokes before. At least once."

"That's because we didn't want to make you feel bad," Wanda said, cutting the papaya into small chunks.

"The first lesson we'll ever teach you, little ones, is to pretend that your daddy is funny," Y/N said to her bump, one hand on Wanda's.

"That seems rather dramatic, don't you think, darling?"

"No." Both women responded teasingly.

"You know what we should start soon?" Wanda questioned. "A nursery."

"I've noticed there are a large number of stores in the town square that cater towards babies and first-time parents." Vision informed the two.

"That's great! Perhaps we could go after lunch." Wanda suggested, snacking on the fruit before her.

"We'll need to make a list," Y/N suggested as she made herself a sandwich. "Of furniture, clothing, books, everything we'll need."

"I could write the list while you and Wanda have lunch." Vision proposed.

"That sounds like a plan." Wanda smiled at him sweetly.

"I'm gonna make myself a coffee first. Do you want a tea, Wand?" Y/N asked, grabbing a coffee cup.

"You might want to make a tea for yourself," Wanda said. "We can't have coffee while we're pregnant."

"None at all?" Y/N asked with wide eyes, causing both partners to nod. "You are so lucky I love you, little one," Y/N said to her bump.

Hours later, the three of you had returned from your shopping trip and were beginning to set up the nursery.

Vision was sat on the rocking chair, reading one of the many books on pregnancy he'd bought. Y/N was organizing the boxes of baby clothes, all of which everyone agreed they'd needed. And Wanda was using her magic to set up the rest of the room.

The three of you had had a long conversation about the theme of the nursery, which room they would have, and whether or not you would need one or two. Eventually, the three of you had come to an agreement on the nursery's theme. And you had all decided that the babies could share a nursery.

"Nesting, the overwhelming urge during pregnancy to clean, organize and prepare the home for the new baby." Vision read.

"See? You're an expert already. We've got nothing to worry about." Wanda assured, floating a mobile out of its box.

"We have nothing to worry about? We have two babies due at the same time." Y/N said, folding a purple baby grow. "They're gonna team up against us."

"We also have to worry about morning sickness, mood swings, aching backs and feet." Vision read before jumping out of the chair. "Darlings, you should probably sit down."

"Don't be silly. We're fine." Y/N soothed the android. "Women do this all the time. This is a natural part of life."

"We're excited, Vis," Wanda said as Y/N moved to stand beside her. "There's no morning sickness or mood swings, just excitement. And happiness, and, oh!" Wanda gasped. Y/N's stomach had brushed against hers, and suddenly, both women felt kicking.

"Kicking already?" Vision asked, dropping his book and pressing one hand to each woman's belly.

"It feels so weird. In a good way." Y/N smiled her hand atop Visions.

"It's kind of fluttery." Wanda giggled, her eyes shining with happiness.

After Wanda said that, the three noticed a quiet flapping sound in the room and turned to see the butterfly mobile had turned into real butterflies.

"Did I do that? I didn't mean to." Wanda said as Y/N reached out for a blue butterfly.

"Uh? Darling?" Vision asked, leaning his nose out, where an orange butterfly sat. "Hello, little fella." Vision chuckled as Wanda moved it off his face. "Well, if that was the first kick," He started as Wanda opened the window, and Y/N caused a gentle breeze to push the insects from the room. "That puts you two at about six months!" Vision gasped.

"And I thought you had super speed," Y/N commented, closing the window.

"I just can't keep up." Vision sighed. "Please don't misinterpret." He said as Wanda moved to stand before him. "I can't wait to meet you, little Billy!" He cooed, leaning down to Wanda's stomach.

"Billy?" Wanda asked, her nose scrunching up.

"Yeah. I just figured with two pregnancies, the odds of having a boy are at fifty percent." Vision informed her.

"Well, I was just thinking Tommy for a boy. You know, a nice classical, all-American name." Wanda explained.

"Yeah, Tommy, but there's also Billy, isn't there?" Vision said, causing Y/N to giggle.

"After Shakesphere?" Y/N questioned, raising a brow.

"Of course! You know, "All the world's a stage. All the men and women, merely players." Vision quoted.

"Well, I guess there's only one solution. Leave it to Y/N," Wanda said, and the two turned to the woman who raised her hands.

"I like both names," Y/N said sagely. "But if it's a girl. I like Luna." She told the two.

"Well, we ought to decide soon. I estimate the babies are due, it's not a constant progression, assumingly logarithmic, but were I to graph the fetal development thus far," Vision muttered to himself while Y/N and Wanda shared fruit out of a bowl.

"They're going to be here before you figure it out," Wanda informed their husband.

"Nearest I can conclude is that Luna and Billy,"

"Luna and Tommy."

"Are due Friday afternoon." Vision concluded, looking slightly scared at the revelation.

"In three days?" Y/N gasped, eyes wide.

"Maybe we should sit down," Wanda said, rushing out to the living room with Y/N and Vision at her side.

Wanda and Y/N sat at the kitchen island, nursing cups of tea (to Y/n's disgruntlement) while Vision sat at the dining table, a baby doll in front of him.

"I think we have an understanding." Vision said, staring the doll down. "Start the clock." Vision stated, setting the toy down, and when Wanda pressed the timer, he began to change it at rapid speed. "Done!" He announced, raising his hands.

"A new personal best!" Y/N announced with a grin as Wanda clapped.

"Yes!" Vision exclaimed proudly. "We are nothing if not prepared."

"Ooh!" Wanda gasped, her hand flying to her engorged belly.

"Sweetheart?"

"Darling?"

"Do any of your books talk about this?" Wanda asked, gently rubbing her bump. "It's not painful, but it's strange."

"A tightening sensation?" Vision asked, grabbing a nearby book and flipping through the pages.

"Yep, that's it."

"Yes. Where was it? Where was it? Aha! "Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, usually starts in the third trimester. Named after John Braxton Hicks in 1875." Vision began to recite.

"Sweetheart." Y/N cut him off as Wanda stared at him unimpressed.

"Sorry." Vision apologized. "Are you feeling any similar sensations Y/N?" Vision asked, rising to his feet as Y/N nodded.

"I just thought it was the baby moving," Y/N told her partners.

"This is excellent! This gives us a chance to work on our breathing exercises." Vision said, now standing before both his wife's. "It should go like this." He added before demonstrating the breathing pattern.

Both women copied his breathing a couple of times, but it didn't work.

"I can still feel it," Wanda told him.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh!" Y/N gasped, her hand clutching onto the counter tightly as the room began to heat up.

"Honey, turning it up a bit too high," Wanda said, fanning herself at the sudden temperature rise.

"I'm sorry, I just got so warm all of a sudden," Y/N said, wiping her forehead.

"Many women experience a change in temperature during pregnancy." Vision said before Wanda let out a loud grunt.

And that was the chaos began.

The kitchen tap began to run on high, the lights flickered, the fridge rattled, and the washing machine shook. All the while, the temperature remained ungodly warm.

"What the Dickens?"

"Oh, it's so warm."

"What is going on?"

"I think we should perhaps abandon the kitchen." Vision suggested, grabbing both women's hands and pulling them out of the moving kitchen.

The three made it into the dining room when the lights began to get brighter and brighter until they all burst.

The three were now standing back to back, hands raised and ready to defend themselves when everything got quiet.

"It stopped," Wanda whispered, afraid if she spoke too loudly, it would start again.

"Good," Y/N said as her body temperature and the room got cooler.

"I'll go check on the neighbors." Vision volunteered before rushing from the house.

As it turns out, the neighborhood did experience the after-effects of the women's contractions.

The weather had changed from a spring day to what felt more like a summer's day.

And many homes had lost their power.

"It appears the whole block is out." Vision informed the two as he reentered the house. "Oh, and be prepared to hear about the abnormal weather change."

"And all that was just from fake contractions." Wanda shook her head.

"Who knows what damage we'll cause when the show really gets rolling?" Y/N asked rhetorically.

"Do you think they know it's our fault?" Wanda asked Vision.

"Our neighbors?" Vision confirmed.

"Well, yes. With all the close calls we've been having, it seems the people of Westview are always on the verge of discovering our secret." Wanda explained, causing both her partners to stop.

"Yes, I know what you mean." Vision murmured.

"But it's more than that, isn't it?" Y/N wondered as she and Vision sat beside Wanda on the couch.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hart with dinner. Outside with Herb." Vision mused.

"The thing with Dottie," Y/N added.

"I think there's something wrong here, darlings," Vision told his wives.

"I don't think you're wrong." Y/N agreed while Wanda stared between the two.

"Yes, I know what you mean." Vision murmured. "The truth is, we are in uncharted waters." He said as he and Y/N sat beside Wanda on the couch. "And you know what? I am as anxious as you both."

"We just don't know what to expect," Wanda said, getting nods from both her partners.

"Nope." Vision agreed.

"Will they be human or come out red and gold?" Y/N asked, causing Wanda to smile. "Or will they be a bit of both?"

"If they're anything like their mothers Luna and Billy will be perfect." Vision promised.

"You mean Tommy." Wanda corrected with a smirk.

"Maybe."

Before the argument over baby names could continue, Wanda let out a loud gasp, causing Vision and Y/N to jump to their feet.

"Oh no, darling, are you all right?" Vision gasped, staring at Wanda with panic in his eyes.

"This is a real one!" Wanda exclaimed, leaning back on the couch.

"What?"

"I thought you said Friday afternoon!" Wanda demanded as Y/N kneeled in front of her placed a hand on Wanda's bump.

"Well, I didn't consider that the timings between developmental benchmarks could be quite random!" Vision defended himself as he began to float in the middle of the living room.

"Both of you need to calm down!" Y/N snapped, rubbing Wanda's stomach gently. "Breathe, both of you." She added before demonstrating the breathing techniques Vision had taught them.

Wanda began to follow along, and when both women turned to face him, Vision copied them.

As he centered himself, Vision was able to control his flight and stand on his own two feet. Wanda and Y/N, who needed help up, moved to stand in front of their husband took one of his hands each.

"Better?" Wanda asked, pressing Vision's hand to her stomach.

"Yes, darling, thank you, it's passing." Vision nodded as lightning cracked, and it began to pour in the living room.

"Oh, that's me." Y/N gasped, looking down. "I think my water broke."

"What?" Wanda and Vision gasped, now both soaked from head to toe.

"Why didn't you say you were feeling contractions?" Vision demanded as he pulled both women under a table.

"I wasn't!" Y/N exclaimed before letting out a whine, hand flying to her stomach. "I was fine until I touched Wanda's stomach!" She cried as Wanda took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Do you think the babies are connected?" Wanda asked as Vision gently placed his hand on Y/N's stomach.

"There is a great possibility." Vision nodded. "It would explain why both pregnancies have been moving at the same rate." He said. "I'm sorry, but is there any chance you could stop the rain, please, darling?"

"I think I'm the one causing this now," Wanda said. "My waters broke."

"Well, I was just reading about the advantages of water birth." Vision joked.

Y/N crawled from under the table, and while knelt on the floor, she flicked her wrists and stopped the water flow.

"Oh, thank goodness." Wanda sighed.

"Let me help you up, dears." Vision said, crawling out of the table and helping both women to stand. "There we are."

"Oh, what a mess." Wanda gasped at the ruined furniture.

Wanda caused the sliding doors to fling open, and Y/N created a wind to dry off the three and their home.

"That's much better." Vision commented. Before he could say another word, both Y/N and Wanda were letting out groans and curling over, causing him to rush forward.

"Sweetheart, do you think it's time to,"

"Call the doctor." Vision nodded, rushing into the kitchen while Y/N pushed Wanda into a chair and sat herself.

"Yeah."

"Yes, I do, dear." Vision said, picking up the phone before slamming it down in anger. "Damn, the phones are down, too. I better run." He said, rushing towards the dining room. "Except he might have already left for vacation."

"What now?"

"At a time like this?"

"Well, in fairness, darlings, the babies are approximately nine months early." Vision tried to soothe the women. "I better leg it. Will you be alright?"

"Yeah." Wanda nodded, breathing heavily through her nose.

"Y/N?"

"We'll look after each," Y/N said with a nod.

"I will be back as soon as I can." Vision promised, pressing a kiss to both women's temples before speeding out of the house.

"Disguise!" Y/N and Wanda called, but Vision was already gone.

"You two really know how to make an entrance, huh?" Y/N joked before a chittering sound caused her to freeze.

"That's coming from the nursery," Wanda whispered, slowly rising to her feet and beginning to make her way to the room.

"Why are you going towards the scary noise?" Y/N quietly asked as she followed after her wife.

The two were slowly tiptoeing towards the room, barely breathing, as they tried to catch sight of the noisemaker.

DING DONG!

The doorbell rang loudly, causing both Y/N and Wanda to jump.

"Don't!" Y/N stopped her wife from getting the door. "No-one knows about this." She said quietly, gesturing to their bumps.

"Oh shoot!" Wanda sighed, rushing to the coat closest and causing two overcoats to float out.

When both women's bumps were significantly covered, Wanda opened the door to reveal Geraldine standing there with a smile.

"Wanda, Y/N, what's up?" She asked, looking the two up and down. "It's one hundred and ten degrees out. Are you making a fashion statement? Didn't you feel the temperature rise?" Geraldine asked, making her way into the house.

"Hi, Geraldine. You know, now is not really a good time." Wanda said apologetically.

"No, no, no, they're foxy. You'll have to let me borrow it sometime. Both of 'em." Geraldine said, talking about the coats both women were wearing. "But first, I gotta borrow a bucket."

"A bucket?" Y/N asked, cocking her head.

"Not to wear, to use." She clarified. "Somehow, all the pipes in my ceiling burst at once, and I gotta bail myself out," Geraldine told the two.

"I think you'll need more than one," Y/N commented.

"Just stay right here," Wanda told the woman. "We might have a couple in the kitchen. Y/N a little help?"

"Of course." Y/N nodded before the two ran off into the kitchen.

"I think they're just under the sink!" Wanda called before letting out a little scream at a painful contraction.

"Guys?"

"Everything's fine!" Y/N called out as Wanda's and her coat changed. "Just stay there!"

"Are you alright in there?" Geraldine asked.

"Yes! Everything's fine!" Wanda called.

"We're just looking!" Y/N added before letting out a loud grunt at her own contraction.

"I'll come help!" Geraldine offered, and Y/N and Wanda could hear her footsteps rushing towards them.

"No!" The two exclaimed.

"No, thank you." Wanda corrected, pulling off her coat, urging Y/N to do the same, and covering her stomach with a fruit bowl.

Geraldine entered the kitchen and made a beeline to the supply cupboard while Y/N grabbed a book from the counter and hid her stomach.

"Would you look at that?" Geraldine asked, turning to face the married women.

"What?"

"Fruit." Geraldine grinned, walking towards Wanda's fruit bowl. "Thank you!" She said, taking an apple and throwing it to herself.

"Well, good luck with the leak," Wanda said as she and Y/N attempted to usher Geraldine out of the house.

"Oh, thank, oh! Say girls, I have got a question for you two!" Geraldine said, moving to the couch. "You know how I've been working that temp job, right?" She wondered, taking a seat. "Well, my boss, Mr. Haddox, he was going crazy yesterday." She began to recount, but neither woman could focus on her words.

Neither woman could focus on Geraldine because right behind her, a stork was stalking around the room.

"Oh, look at me going on and on like you got all the time in the world." Geraldine sighed as she rose to her feet. "Let me go on and get out,"

"Wait, no!" Wanda exclaimed before Geraldine could turn around.

"Tell us all about the temp job!" Y/N demanded.

"There's my girls!" Geraldine smiled, sitting back down. "So yesterday, my boss, Mr. Haddox, was going crazy working on the new slogan for that new breakfast cereal. You know, the one with the little marshmallow moon men?"

"Yeah, of course." Y/N absent-mindedly agreed as she stared at the stork, walking around the living room.

"Right, so it's about ten minutes before the big presentation, and Mr. Haddox has got nothin'. Nothin', that is, except the worst case of hiccups I ever did see." Geraldine continued her story as Wanda tried to vanish the stork.

But nothing happened. The stork didn't disappear in the cloud of red smoke. Instead, the bird flapped its wings almost angrily at the attempt.

"I'm telling you he couldn't get one word out, let a whole pitch." Geraldine laughed. "So I'm trying every trick in the book to help this poor man. I'm hidin' behind filing cabinets and jumpin' out when he least expects it, like, boo!" She exclaimed, causing Y/N to jump and Wanda to scream as she threw an orange at the stork.

"Jesus, you two." Geraldine sighed, clapping a hand to her chest.

The stork had run away after Wanda threw fruit at it, but it was now making loud chipering noises, causing Geraldine to jump to her feet.

"What was that?" Geraldine demanded, looking around the room fearfully.

"What was what?" Y/N deflected, tilting her head to the side.

"Did you not hear that?"

"I don't think I heard anything. Did you, Wanda?"

"No."

"It was like a chattering sound, like, um," Geraldine tried to explain.

"Oh, like a" Wanda made a chittering sound herself. "That was our new icemaker built right into the fridge." She lied.

Geraldine turned to face the kitchen before turning back with a smile.

"Oh! You're fancy." Geraldine complimented, settling back into her seat as Wanda and Y/N chuckled nervously. "Let me get back to this story." She said before launching back into her recount.

It was getter harder for Y/N and Wanda to hide the fact they were in labor. Both women were stifling grunts and whimpers, only managing to do so by clutching the other's hand tightly.

Vision had to be back soon, right?

"So now, at this point, I am helping Mr. Haddox do a handstand under the water cooler because you know why not try a little upside-down action. Drink those hiccups away. And wouldn't you know it, at that moment, in walks the client?"

"Oh no." Y/N gasped as the stork reentered the room.

"Oh yes. Oh yes." Geraldine nodded, oblivious to the bird beside her. "But you know me, girls, I keep my cool no matter what's goin' down. And I look at the client, and I look at Mr. Haddox's feet floating in the air next to me, and I look back to the client, and I say, "Gravity Os, launch into your day, the right way." Geraldine explains with a cackle, not noticing the stork pecking at her fish pants. At her loud laugh and her shifting her legs, the stork runs away, back into the nursery.

"Oh, thank you!" Wanda laughs in relief as Y/N sank back into her chair with a sigh.

"Yeah, and that's what Mr. Haddox said right before he told me to clean out my desk," Geraldine said, taking a bite of her apple.

"Oh, Geraldine." Wanda gasped.

"Surely he didn't fire you?" Y/N asked, shaking her head at the idea.

Despite neither woman really listening to Geraldine's story, she was still their friend. And they would hate for her to be disappointed like that.

"Oh, sugars." Geraldine sighed before a grin fought its way onto her face. "He hired me!" She exclaimed.

"Oh!"

"Congratulations!"

"I landed a promotion!" Geraldine reiterated, standing with a wide smile. "And now that I've gone all corporate, I need some office supplies. Which brings me to my question. Do ya'll still keep those in your spare room?" She asked, moving towards the old spare room, now nursery.

As Geraldine moved towards the open room, Y/N and Wanda jumped to their feet, Wanda putting her fruit bowl down and Y/N dropping her book.

"Because I was hoping you wouldn't mind sharing with your good friend," Geraldine said, entering the nursery. The nursery where the stork had hidden.

"Is that what I think it is?" The woman asked, staring around the room with wide eyes.

"A stork, yes, we can explain," Wanda said but came up blank with an explanation.

"No, the cribs!" Geraldine exclaimed, looking at the two cribs with a smile.

But she never got her answer. Not that she really needed one as Y/N and Wanda let out loud grunts of pain.

"Oh shoot! I think it's time!" Y/N gasped, her hands flying to her bump as she hyperventilated.

"The babies are coming." Wanda panted.

"You're pregnant? You're both pregnant?" Geraldine asked, staring at her friend's now exposed stomachs in shock.

"Oh God, where's Vis?"

Vision was still running around town. One thing he'd forgotten to do before having left home was to check for Dr. Neilson's address.

Dr. Neilson was still at home, dressed for his vacation but under the hood of his car.

"Ow!" Neilson grunted after he hit his head on the bonnet. "Bermuda awaits, and my car decides to poop out right at this moment." He sighed before slamming the bonnet down.

Before the doctor could further complain about the situation, the man jumped into the air as Vision appeared before him.

"Mr. Vision!" He gasped. "Is everything okay with the wives?"

"Yes. Yes, very much so. So long as we hurry." Vision said, grabbing Neilson's arm and hoisting him onto his back.

Without another word, Vision was running home, Neilson secured on his back, not noticing the fact that Dr. Neilson's wife had been sitting in the car.

"But Stan! What about my brand new two-piece?" His wife yelled. But she was talking to no-one.

Vision was already rushing her husband to his home, a home where he would soon be able to meet his children.

Back at said home, Geraldine was panicking. She had had no idea that her friends were pregnant, and now they were about to give birth.

"Okay, Wanda, I'm gonna get you to the living room. Y/N, I'll be right back." Geraldine promised, taking Wanda's arm and pulling it around her shoulders.

"No worries, I'll be fine. I'll just try not to pop the kid out in here." Y/N grunted, sinking down onto the floor as her wife was pulled out of the room.

"Let's get you comfortable," Geraldine said, grabbing pillow's on the couch and attempting to set it up as Wanda sunk onto the floor.

"I think I'm just going to lay down right here." Wanda panted, making herself comfortable on the floor. "Where's Y/N?" Wanda gasped.

"I'm getting her now. I'll be right back." Geraldine promised, propping pillows under Wanda's head before rushing back into the nursery. "Let's get you up, Y/N." She said, gently pulling Y/N to her feet as the woman groaned.

"With Wanda. I need to be next to Wanda." Y/N said through gritted teeth.

Geraldine didn't question Y/N's request as she laid Y/N next to her wife, assuming both women were feeling quite frightened at the moment.

And while that was true, there was something else drawing them together.

The babies in their wombs seemed to be drawn to one another. The babies were connected. And even now, as they were so close to entering the world, they wanted to be near each other.

They needed to be near each other.

"Where's Vision?" Geraldine demanded as she grabbed pillows for Y/N.

"He ran to get the doctor," Wanda explained as the vacuum began to run in the background.

"He'll be here soon," Y/N added with a grunt.

"There's not enough time for that!" Geraldine denied. "You know the breathing, right?" She asked as she began to run around the house. "Girls, I can't hear you!"

But neither woman could respond as the pain was becoming blinding. And it wasn't like Geraldine would be able to hear over the chaos happening around them.

Photo frames were spinning, the fire was roaring, a violent wind was making its way through the house, and both women were screaming.

Geraldine hadn't noticed any of the noise until she was rushing back into the living room and a light fixture crashed onto the table.

"I may be late to the party, but I imagine there is a logical explanation for this," Geraldine said, sitting before the women with a bucket and blankets.

"Oh, it's all perfectly natural!"

"Just like this! Everything's fine!"

"Hey, hey, hey. You are doing great." Geraldine assured. "You are doing great. The two of you are doing amazing. Look at me. Look at me." She demanded before demonstrating the breathing techniques.

"Wanda, I can't do this," Y/N grunted.

"What? No, because if you can't do this, I can't do this. And we're too close to turn back now." Wanda said, reaching over and blindly taking Y/N's hand.

"I'll say it's too late because it's time to start pushing," Geraldine said.

"What?" Both women gasped.

"Wanda, you're crowning," Geraldine informed her. "Are you ready? You're ready. Push. Push, Wanda, push." She cheered as Wanda squeezed Y/N's hand tightly and screamed.

The house was alive as Wanda pushed, and her screams seemed to drown out the chaos in the house as everything reached its craziest.

And when Wanda stopped screaming, and the house went quiet, a new set of cries permeated the walls.

"It's a boy," Geraldine informed the woman as she wrapped the baby up.

"Oh, hi." Wanda cooed as the baby was placed in her arms.

"Oh, Wanda, he's perfect." Y/n smiled, reaching over to grab his little hand.

Before either of you could say another word, the front door was slammed open, and Vision was now standing in the living room with Neilson behind him.

"Did I miss it all?" Vision asked, staring at his wives.

"Nope, you're just in time," Y/N grunted. "Please, someone tell me it's time." She begged.

"I think you're ready to push." Geraldine checked, causing Vision to rush to kneel between his wives and the doctor to move into action.

Y/N's labor was much less chaotic than Wanda's. The only side effect that happened was the wind that rushed through the house before their daughter was born.

"She's gorgeous." Wanda smiled as the baby was bundled up and placed in Y/N's arms.

"Hey, Doc, why don't you help me out in the kitchen there?" Geraldine suggested, wanting to give the three a moment of privacy.

"Everything's happened so fast today. It's like I've been flying." The doctor said as he followed the woman out of the room.

"Well done, girls." Vision said, brushing hair off both women's faces.

"Don't you want to meet your children as yourself?" Wanda suggested. Vision quickly looked around before dropping his disguise.

"You're so strong." Wanda cooed as she handed Vision the boy.

"Do you want to hold her?" Y/N offered their daughter to her wife.

"I'd love to hold, Luna," Wanda said, causing Y/N to smile.

"Hello there, little Tommy." Vision cooed at the little boy in his arms.

"Tommy?"

"Yes, Tommy." Vision smiled, causing both Wanda and Y/N to smile at him before Wanda let out another scream.

"What?" Y/N and Vision exclaimed, staring at Wanda in shock.

Vision handed Tommy to Y/N and rushed to lift Wanda's skirt.

"Oh! Good heavens! There's another baby coming!" Vision cried.

"Billy?" Wanda exclaimed as she handed Luna over to Y/N and began to grunt as the urge to push grew stronger.

"Push, sweetheart, push!"

"Thirty fingers and thirty toes." Nielson commended thirty minutes after the birth of the three children.

Because of Billy's surprise entrance, Neilson had had to triple check that both women were okay and that there would be no more surprises that day.

He had made sure there were no more children on their way any time soon, that Y/N and Wanda could both feed all three babies and that they were both recovering well.

Now Wanda, Vision, and Neilson were each holding one of the babies ea while Y/N lay on the couch, exhausted after the day.

"You've got two healthy baby boys and one healthy little girl on your hands." Neilson complimented.

"Thank you, doctor." Wanda smiled, rocking Tommy in her arms.

"And thank you, young lady," Neilson said, turning to Geraldine with a smile. "I think you might have what it takes to be a nurse."

"Allow me to walk you out, doctor." Vision murmured, putting Luna into her bassinet and taking Billy from the doctor's arms and putting in the bassinet beside her.

"Oh, all right. As long as we actually walk this time." He said, causing a sleepy smile to appear on Y/N's face.

"We do owe you a debt of gratitude," Wanda said as she neared the bassinets.

"Big-time," Y/N murmured.

Well, doctor Neilson, I hope you're still able to make your trip." Vision said, leading the doctor out of his home.

"Ah yes, my trip. I don't we'll get away after all." Neilson admitted with a sigh. "Small towns, you know. So hard to... escape." He said, more to himself, before leaving Vision standing alone.

"Yeah." Vision shook his head before turning back to his home. He was about to reenter the house when he overheard Herb and Agnes hissing to each other.

"What is she doing in there?"

"I don't know."

"Howdy neighbors!" Vision called, causing both people to turn and wave quickly.

"Hey!"

"Howdy!" Agnes called before turning back to Herb. "Did you see her go in?"

"She just went right in."

Vision's curiosity was peaked. Which she were his neighbors talking about?

"Remarkable day we're having, no?" Vision asked, walking over to the two. "Did you lose power too?" He questioned Agnes.

"Oh, sure did." Agnes nodded with a sigh before plastering on a grin. "But, Ralph looks better in the dark, so I'm not complaining."

"Hi, Herb." Vision said, looking at the man strangely.

"Hey, buddy." Herb nodded quickly, lowering his hand just as fast. Both Agnes and Herb were looking at him nervously, and it was unsettling Vision.

"Well, I'll just get back to the girls." He excused himself, turning away.

"Vision!" Agnes called, forcing him to turn back. "Is Geraldine inside your house?" She asked, shifting uncomfortably.

"Yes. Why?"

"Why are you not tired?" Y/N mumbled, her face pressed into the couch cushions.

"I must just be special," Wanda said, hinting at her powers.

"Not fair."

"Go to sleep, sweetheart," Wanda said, brushing hair off Y/N's face.

"No, I want to stay up."

"You're exhausted, Y/N. Go to sleep. I'll wake you if the babies cry." Wanda promised.

"Okay. I'll just rest my eyes." Y/N nodded, closing her eyes. Wanda gently pressed her fingertips to Y/N's temple and helped her to sleep. Ensuring that she only had good dreams as she slept.

"I gotta say, you two are such strong ladies." Geraldine complimented as Wanda moved back to the bassinets.

"Oh." Wanda tutted, waving the compliment off.

"Can you believe it? Twin boys and a little girl! You know they're going to be the most overprotective brothers when they're older." Geraldine said, causing Wanda to freeze.

Distant memories, memories Wanda had forced to the back of her mind, were resurfacing. Memories of her own twin.

Her own overprotective twin.

"I'm a twin," Wanda mentioned, eyes glazed over. "I had a brother. His name was Pietro." Wanda said, her accent slipping on his name. Wanda turned to stare back at her children with a smile before she began to sing a familiar lullaby. A lullaby her mother had sung to her and Pietro.

"He was killed by Ultron," Geraldine said, causing Wanda to freeze. "Wasn't he?"

"What did you say?" Wanda demanded as a single tear slid down her cheek.

"She's new to town. Brand new." Herb told Vision.

"There's no family. No husband." Agnes added.

"There's nothing wrong with that." Vision said with a shrug.

"No home," Agnes told him.

"What?"

"What did you just say?" Wanda asked, staring at Geraldine blankly.

"I said, you're such strong ladies," Geraldine repeated. "Should I say it one more time for good measure?" She asked, moving towards the couch. Where Y/N was still sleeping, unbeknownst to what was happening.

"Don't go near her." Wanda snapped, stopping Geraldine in her tracks. "What did you say about Pietro?"

"Pietro?" Geraldine questioned, tilting her head in confusion. "Hey, I'll take a shift rocking the babies." She offered, beginning to move closer to the bassinets when the babies started to cry.

"No, I think you should leave." Wanda shook her head, blocking the bassinets from her view.

"Oh, Wanda, don't be like that," Geraldine said, staring at Wanda as if she were the crazy one.

"What do you mean she has no home?" Vision demanded, moving towards his neighbors.

"She came here because." Herb tried to say but couldn't finish his own sentence. "She came here because we're all,"

"She came here because we're all what? What're you trying to tell me?" Vision asked, staring at the two in confusion.

"What is that?" Wanda asked, staring at the pendant around Geraldine's neck.

"What?"

"That," Wanda said as Geraldine held the pendant between her fingers. "That symbol."

"I uh, I'm," Geraldine stuttered, looking towards Y/N, hoping the woman would help her.

"Who are you?" Wanda demanded, moving to block her wife from Geraldine's gaze.

"I don't,"

"She came here because we're all," Herb began to say but stopped when Agnes spun to face him.

"Stop it!" She hissed, staring at him with scared eyes.

"Who are you?" Wanda repeated, staring at the woman in anger.

"Wanda." Geraldine shook her head as she began to take a step back. "I'm. Wanda, I'm," Geraldine stuttered, unable to tell her.

"Well, I better get going. That macrame's not gonna hitch itself!" Agnes said with a smile as she grabbed her bike. She gave Vision a wink as she rang the bell before rushing away.

"Herb?" Vision asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vision wasn't going to back down. He needed answers, but Herb wasn't willing to give them.

"Catch you on the flip side, Vision," Herb said, grabbing his trimmers and rushing back into his home.

Without a second thought, Vision rushed back into his house, his disguise dropping when the door shut behind him.

"Wanda? Where's Geraldine?" Vision asked, rounding the couch to stand beside a sleeping Y/N.

"Oh, she left, honey," Wanda told him, not turning around to face him. "She had to rush home." She added, continuing to rock the babies with a blank face.

Miles away from the Vision home, on the outskirts of Westview, there was a loud crackling that ripped through the air.

The crackling continued until Geraldine was thrown through the electric barrier, and she landed on the ground with a crash.

Within seconds Geraldine's prone body was surrounded by loud noises, and a light covered her form.

She was surrounded.

Taglist is open throughout the entirety of the series.

@x-uglyprincess-x @imthedoctorlove @loveinnoya @unknownalien3388 @bindythedemon @summersimmerus @buckmesidewaysandcallmesteve @natasharomanoffismywife @mcsteamy4ever @monxpeet @amywinehouseisgod @milleniumloki @buckybarnesplumwhore @kennedywxlsh @drpepperobsessed @madamevirgo @superbsccissorsdeanexpert @itty-bitty-witch @essenceproxima @severusminerva @okkulta @mrscasnovak @niki-is-a-thing @sunshinepower17 @pinkninja200 @el-writes-and-reblogs-stuff @iflostreturntoflynnrider

#wanda maximoff #wanda x reader #wanda maximoff x reader #vision x reader #wanda maximoff x vision #wandavision #wandavision x reader #scarlet witch x reader

210 notes · View notes

owl-house-incorrectly · 2 years

Note

The Most Unwanted Song Lyrics

[Intro: Dina Emerson]

Uh-oh, uh-oh

[Verse 1: Dina Emerson]

Yo, I'm ropin' up my saddle for the long, long ride

Every time I see the desert there's something inside says

Yo, yo, this is the life, give me open land and a big ol' knife

To get some bear, deer, even a snake!

I light me a fire, do the shake and bake

I say, "Yo, yo" I'm a cowboy now

The sun is hot and dry, gonna rope me a cow

I say, "Yo, yo" I'm loose and free

Whoa there Nelly, you're the horse for me!

[Chorus: Dina Emerson]

Rope 'em up boys

The desert is a callin'

Yahoo, yahoo, yahoo

(Saddle up fellas)

The desert is a callin'

Yahoo, yahoo, yahoo

[Refrain: Children's Choir]

Hey everybody, it's Christmas time!

Christmas time! Christmas time!

Jesus, Mary, and the manger

Christmas time, Family time

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

Easter Time! Easter Time!

Love, forgiveness, and the bunnies!

Easter Time! Chocolate Time!

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

[Interlude: Children's Choir]

Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go!

[Verse 2: Dina Emerson]

Out on the plains, just me and my mind

Took me a break to read some Wittgenstein

Born in Vienna in '89

He obsessed with theories of language and time

Like the Tractatus where Ludwig would claim

"The logic of our language is misunderstood"

Philosophy is based on a false pretence

So philosophy itself is nonsense, nonsense!

Philosophy itself is non-sense!

[Chorus: Dina Emerson]

Bedeutung ist tun

Es ist ein Sprachspiel

Nonsense! Nonsense!

Wörter sind Inhalt

Jawohl! Jawohl!

[Refrain: Children's Choir]

Yom Kippur! Yom Kippur!

Self reflection and atonement

Yom Kippur, that's what for

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

[Bridge: Children's Choir & Dina Emerson]

(Oh, say, "Can you—") Feel the embers glowing

And the turkey in the oven!

(America!) Hear the children singing

There's a turkey in the oven!

(Rockets red glare!) Candles are so pretty

And a turkey in the oven!

Do all your shopping at Wal-Mart!

(Buy spurs that jingle at Wal-Mart!)

[Refrain: Children's Choir]

Ramadan! Ramadan!

Lots of praying with no breakfast!

Ramadan, so much fun!

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

[Verse 3: Dina Emerson]

It's home, home on the big ol' range

Yippee tai oh, get along there stranger

Rope 'em, ride 'em, shoot 'em up good!

We're big and bad in the cowboy 'hood

I say, "Yo, yo" got a river to ford

With a life like this I never be bored

I say, "Yo, yo" I'm wild and free

Whoa Miss Kitty you're the gal for me!

[Chorus: Dina Emerson]

Woah, Miss Kitty

I say, "Woah" there

Woah, Miss Kitty

Yahoo! Yahoo!

[Refrain: Children's Choir]

Labor Day! Labor Day!

Schools are closed and

Pools are open!

Labor Day! All the way!

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

[Bridge: Children's Choir & Dina Emerson]

(Oh, say, "Can you—") Grandma's on the phone

Go and tell her that you love her!

(America!) Daddy's on the phone

Go and tell him that you love him!

(The Golden Land!) Sister's on the phone

Go and tell her that you love her!

Do all your shopping at Wal-Mart!

[Refrain: Children's Choir]

Veteran's Day! Veteran's Day!

Big parade with guns and soldiers

Veteran's Day! What's there to say?

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

Halloween! Halloween!

Candy corn for lunch and dinner!

Halloween, what a scream!

Do all your shopping

At Wal-Mart!

[Verse 4: Dina Emerson]

Look out there, it's an Injun band!

Coming this way, gonna fight for my land

And build a home town grocery store

American cheese, worth fighting for

Call it "dry gulch" O.K. Corral

Holiday spot dor you and your gal

To get some cool shit and desert rays

Cowboy livin' the American Way!

[Interlude: Dina Emerson & Children's Choir]

It's a cowboy living

(Go! Go!)

It's cowboy living

(Go! Go!)

It's cowboy living

(All the way!)

[Chorus: Dina Emerson]

Rope 'em up boys!

The desert is a callin'!

Yahoo! Yahoo! Yahoo!

Saddle up fellas!

The desert is a callin'!

Yahoo! Yahoo! Yahoo!

[Interlude: Nina Mankin]

People!

Coming together out of a desire to obtain political power!

Vice Presidential Candidate!

Twenty-seven electoral votes!

Central policy issues!

Two party system!

Struggle!

Gain control of the government!

Executive branch!

Military branch!

Foreign affairs!

Influence policy!

Promote ideology; fascism!

Promote individual interests;

George Stephanopoulous, Imelda Marcos!

Promote special interests;

Sugar, Beef, Bananas, Lumber, Pork bellies, Pork barrels, Coca-Cola!

The information superhighway!

Three thousand years of oppression!

Who enslaved people of color?

Who invaded the Caribbean?

Who murdered all the innocent children?!

You did! You! You! You!

[Outro: Group]

It may be you

It could be me

It's not enough

To wait and see

And when we all

Lock arms and sing

Then bells of freedom

Ring ding ding!

(It may be you!)

It may be you

(It could be me!)

It could be me

(It's not enough!)

It's not enough

(To wait and see!)

To wait and see

(And when we all!)

And when we all

(Lock arms and sing!)

Lock arms and sing

(Then bells of freedom!)

Then bells of freedom

(Ring ding ding!)

Ring ding ding!

(This was meant to be sent off anon. I keep seeing the anons having fun and thought I’d join in. Here’s the context: This song was written incorporating the results of a survey that asked about people’s least desirable elements in music. The resultant list included politics, cowboy music, bagpipes, opera, rap, children’s voices, tubas, and advertising jingles, so they incorporated those and other undesired elements into this 22 minute opus. (I have never actually read or watched this all the way through, so I don’t know what it says.)

Wow, this is simply brilliantly awful. I hate and love it, Thank you

#insaneillusionist #incorrect asks

4 notes · View notes

ask-the-barkerverse · 4 years

Text

MLP Headcanon Dump

Just realized that I never bothered to post this on here. Heads up, this is a VERY long post.

Svengallop's parents are Charity Kindheart and Bracer Britches. The two had a brief affair, but never officially dated and Sven was an accident. Charity loved her son, but passed away due to illness when he was a teenager, so Sven was sent to live with his father who never wanted him. This has a lot to do with Svengallop's attitude as an adult.

All pure blooded draconequui are able to become pregnant or impregnate a partner, regardless of gender.

Wind Rider is a womanizer and serial adulterer with several illegitimate children, including Helia, Lighting Dust and Cloudy Daze among others.

There are some ponies who eat meat, such as fish, pork and chicken (eating beef and venison would be considered immoral since bovines and deer in Equestria are sentient). It's not particularly common and is actually considered gross by the majority, not unlike humans who eat insects. Equestria also has plenty of vegan alternatives that exist in our world, such as tofu and artificial meat.

The comic arc "Siege of the Crystal Empire" was actually just a fanfic written by Mina the dragon.

Tree Hugger is a member of the Hooffield Family. She ran away from home as a teen because she was sick of the constant fighting with the McColts. After running away she ended up joining a hippie commune, which is how she became the mare she is today.

Ocellus is the daughter of Queen Chrysalis. She will be queen of Thorax's hive after he is gone.

It is a tradition in Equestria for nurses to add 'heart' to the end of their names once they graduate nursing school. For example, Nurse Redheart's birth name is Redlove and Nurse Sweetheart is Sweetcream. This is in honor of Nurse Cureheart, the nurse credited for curing Celestia's broken heart after Luna's banishment.

The baby brother Hoops mentions in "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" is actually Spiral Notepad, who is now a trans filly.

Yaks speak Equestrian (aka English) so badly only because they have their own language and Equestrian is foreign to them.

The Kirin are thought to be the result of Asian unicorns interbreeding with dragons, but this has never been proven.

Derpy Hooves and Dinky Doo are mother and daughter, with Dinky having been born to Derpy when she was still in her teens. (I know it's an old headcanon, but I'll always have a soft spot for it.)

Quibble Pants is a natural blonde.

Derpy Hooves' real name is Ditzy Doo. "Derpy" was a childhood nickname that just kinda stuck.

Derpy has an eye condition called strabismus, hence the crooked eyes.

Crackle is a pseudodragon, a species of lizard that disguise themselves as dragons. Despite having twice as many limbs and gems growing out of them, they are accepted by dragons as one of their own.

Flash Sentry and Spearhead are brothers and are both descended from a pony that escaped the Crystal Empire during King Sombra's reign.

Sunset Shimmer and Sunburst are cousins.

Discord created Poison Joke.

Toe Tapper and Torch Song are the parents of Coco Pommel.

Hoity Toity is part mule, hence the long ears.

Celestia was born with an all-pink mane and tail and would have gained more shades of orange and yellow as she grew, but she instead gained hues of green and blue when she took over Luna's duty of raising the moon after Nightmare Moon's banishment.

Wind Sprint's original father died in a sports-related accident, which is why Clear Sky found comfort and common ground with Quibble Pants who was able to distract her from sports for a while. Unfortunately, as we all know from the episode, this had no effect on Wind Sprint's persistent love for sports.

Celestia was technically the first pony who managed to pull off a sonic rainboom, but it wasn't the same as Rainbow Dash's since she lacked the colors of a proper rainbow. Over time it was forgotten, but Celestia's "rainboom" was the basis of the sonic rainboom being a myth in the first place.

Pinkie Pie and Applejack's respective families are both descended from the children of Chancellor Puddinghead and Smart Cookie.

Orchard Blossom is an actual Apple family member that Big Mac was impersonating in "Brotherhooves Social".

Rainbow Blaze (the rainbow-maned stallion from "Games Ponies Play" who was confirmed is not Rainbow Dash's father) is Rainbow Dash's older brother.

The final alternate future seen in "The Cutie Remark-Part 2" where Equestria is nothing but an apocalyptic wasteland is a result of Daybreaker coming to life and burning everything to the ground into pure ash. It got so bad that it ultimately left Daybreaker with no kingdom to rule anymore. (As horrifying as it sounds, the dirt that Twilight and Starlight were standing on in that scene included the ashes of hundreds of dead ponies.)

Pear Butter and Bright Mac were killed by Timberwolves on a day trip. Sadly, Granny Smith considers herself responsible for this as she forgot to warn them about the Timberwolves that day. As a result, this is also why Applejack is so good at fighting them off.

Due to their godlike status, Celestia and Luna are the only immortal alicorns. Ordinary royalty like Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, and Flurry Heart have longer lifespans than normal ponies but can still die of old age.

Screwball is the daughter of Nurse Sweetheart and her eyes only become swirly when she's exposed to Poison Joke. The effect it has on her is that it makes her see weird stuff and she used to be addicted to it, but ended up quitting altogether as the last time she used it (around the time Discord returned) caused her to see some pretty nightmarish imagery.

The episode "Yakety Sax" was just a bad fever dream Pinkie Pie had after eating too much Yak cuisine one day.

All the changelings in Thorax's hive are siblings born from the same queen. Changelings do not interbreed with members of their own hive, though they may form family units with their siblings and adopt grubs to raise, hence the family of changelings Ocellus was seen with in "Hearths Warming Club".

Whoa Nelly's real name is Jelly Nelly Bean. Her large size is the result of a very rare pituitary disorder.

Fluttershy's human world counterpart is a vegan.

Aunt and Uncle Orange are both parental figures to Babs Seed. Whether they're her biological or adoptive parents in still unknown.

The hippocampus (aka the seaponies from the 2017 movie) once existed as a separate race, but are believed to have been driven to extinction because of the Sirens, who destroyed their homes, depleted their food sources, and even directly preyed on them. This was of course before Queen Novo fled into the sea and formed the seaponies we know from the 2017 movie.

Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood had Scootaloo later in life as they didn't really plan to have a foal, hence why they're such thoughtless parents.

Mane Allgood is actually a cousin of Daring Do.

Bulk Biceps is Featherweight's biological father. He was formerly married to an abusive, neglectful, and alcoholic wife, resulting in a divorce and Bulk and Featherweight moving to Ponyville and leaving her for good.

Cheese Sandwich is the younger brother of Marine Sandwich. The real reason he ran away from home and stumbled into Ponyville by chance is because he wanted to get away from his psychotic older sister. (Based off of this.)

Cheese Sandwich and Mudbriar are cousins.

Limestone Pie's talent is mixing drinks.

Burnt Oak is the father of the pony versions of Timber Spruce and Gloriosa Daisy.

Rumble is a trans colt.

Granny Smith's real name is Maria Ann Smith, or "Annie Smith" for short.

Fluttershy is the oldest of the Man Six, while Pinkie Pie is the youngest.

Trixie's full name is actually Bellatrix Lulamoon. She prefers to go by Trixie as it's easier to remember.

Tempest Shadow didn't receive her cutie mark until she was an adult, AFTER the events of the MLP movie where she started using her horn to make fireworks.

The draconequus were once a race of creatures that went to war against ponykind after their prince (aka Discord) was turned to stone. The war resulted in many of them being wiped out and it's currently unknown if any besides Discord still exist today.

Kirin shed and regrow their horns once a year, similar to deer antlers. Shed kirin horns make a powerful ingredient in potions.

#just wanted to let people know this blog isn't dead #my little pony friendship is magic #mlp: fim #world buliding #headcanon #death mention tw #drug mention tw #barkerverse

45 notes · View notes

joshua-flipping-washington · 4 years

Text

EllieDina Week - Day 6: Redemption.

Shit, I apologize for this one being late again! But it got away from me, and ended up being my longest story yet. I hope that you guys enjoy .

Rating: Teen and up.

•○°●

Ellie stands stock-still on the worn front porch, the seafoam green paint that used to cover it in bright droves, was peeling off in little chips and flakes. Ellie raises her hand and closes it in a loose fist, her hand is shaking as she brings it forward and knocks on the dark blue front door. With a familiar three toned knock, she closes her eyes and takes a step back.

She counts backwards from ten, and draws in four big breaths and then exhales. Repeating until she feels herself start to calm down. " Dammit, Ellie- Calm yourself! It's just Dina and little Spud! We are just going out on a picnic, nothing too serious. " Ellie grimaced at her own words towards herself, she knew that she had every right to panic. Dina could have cut Ellie out of her and JJ's life, and just moved on. But she'd chosen to let Ellie prove herself, and Ellie would always be eternally grateful for that.

Ellie's green eyed gaze had drifted down to the porch at some point, so when the door went flying open she was quick to raise her head and brace for impact. She crouched down just in time for JJ to come barreling into her arms, giggling with delight as he wrapped his arms around Ellie. " El! I made yew something! " He excitedly moved back a bit, and presented Ellie a bracelet that was made out of twine, she smiled as she held her wrist out.

She watched him struggle for a moment with getting it tied onto her wrist, but once he did, she chuckled as he smiled proudly. His missing front tooth making it ten times more adorable than should be legal. Ellie turned her wrist over and examined the bracelet, it was covered in multicolored beads and had a few charms between a couple of the beads. She ruffled his hair, and grinned at him. " Whoa! This looks super badass, Spud! You made this all by yourself? "

" He made it at school. " Dina's voice suddenly sounded, making Ellie jump slightly and raise her head to stare up at the woman leaning against the door jamb with a loving smile on her face, and the basket for their picnic held in her hands. " He was asked to make a gift for the people who mean the most to him. " Dina raised the hand holding the basket, showing that she was wearing one as well.

Ellie looked back at the bracelet JJ had made for her, then she looked back at him. She sniffed, not at all oblivious to the tears that welled in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away, pulling JJ into a small embrace. " Thanks for the new piece, JJ. I will wear it with pride. I still- I can't believe that you are old enough to attend school! " She let him go, and slowly got to her feet.

JJ rushed back past Dina and inside the house as soon as Ellie had released him from the hug. " I forgot! " He shouted as he zoomed upstairs.

Ellie looked at Dina with her brow arched in confusion, but Dina just shrugged her shoulders. Letting her know that she had no idea what he meant by that. " He's a wild card, he could have meant anything. You know, he kind of reminds me of you, when you first came to Jackson. Not the stealing a whole bunch of jerky bit, but just your general personality when you opened up and started talking with me. "

Ellie's mouth fell open with a soft ' oh '. Her eyes shimmered as the memories all came flooding back, and she chuckled. " Well, looks like your work is cut out for you. Having to deal with a replica of tiny fourteen year old me. "

" Yeah, I guess that it is. " Dina said with amusement, she turned to face the stairs as she heard JJ come parading back downstairs. His backpack all packed up and clipped onto him, like he was ready for a weekend of adventuring. " Whoa! What's all that for, buddy? " Dina asked as she watched him walk back onto the porch.

" Nothing, it's a secret. " Was all JJ said, his missing tooth making the his S's sound like he was whistling. He marched down the steps and stopped at the bottom. " I'm ready! " He announced, looking at both Ellie and Dina expectantly.

" Well, alright- As long as it isn't another one of those mice from school. I told you that they are alive, and can't breathe inside of your backpack or pocket. " Dina spoke as she walked out the door, closing it behind her.

JJ gave a firm shake of his head. " No, is not a mouse, Mama. Promise. "

Dina let out a breath of relief, happy to not have to deal with THAT situation again. " Oh, thank god. "

Ellie looked confused at the mention of mice from school, and all it made her think of was shooting rats with a BB gun back in Boston. She walked down the stairs with Dina, gently nudging JJ's shoe with the toe of her boot. " Fine, keep your secrets, Spud! " She teased.

Ellie was trying really hard not to think about the fact that JJ was going to school every weekday and she was missing it, because she lived back where she used to. When Joel was still alive. The place brought back a lot of feelings, especially one's about all she'd done to fuck up her life. But thankfully, she wasn't ever home long enough to be constantly reminded of the past. She just longed for the days when she could cuddle with Dina and JJ in bed, forgetting all the horrors of the world.

JJ gently tugged on the sleeve of Ellie's flannel, pulling her out of her thoughts. " Let's goooo! I'm starving. "

A grin stretched across Ellie's face as the old joke came to her mind, and she couldn't resist. " Hi, starving! I'm Ellie. It's great to meet you. " She said as she shook JJ's hand with great force. Causing him to laugh and try to tug away.

" You are such a dork. " Dina said with a fond smile, beginning to walk in the direction towards the center of town.

Ellie follows after Dina, JJ trailing along beside her. His backpack making an awful lot of ruckus as he bounced around like the happy kid he was. She side-eyed the bag with suspicion, her mind practically teaming with curiosity. What on earth could a four year old have that's so big of a secret, it must be hidden in a backpack?

Dina stopped once they reached the front gates, talking to one of the guards on duty. She had talked with Maria before hand, just to make sure it was safe. But she still needed to let the guards know they were leaving out. She smiled brightly at them, grabbing Ellie and JJ's hands, and leading them out of Jackson's front gate.

Dina drew in a large breath, exhaling happily. " I know it seems dumb, but the air always smells so much more crisp outside the walls. " She laughed as JJ attempted to mimic her, she tickled his sides with wiggly fingers, causing him to shriek in delight.

Ellie couldn't keep the big smile off of her face, she gave a shake of her head in disagreement. " I don't think it's dumb, especially not when I know exactly what you mean. "

《》

The walk to the picnic spot had been a rather uneventful thing, but JJ's excitement about every little leaf, critter and river definitely made it worth it.

Dina came to a stop right on a gorgeous riverbank, a field of small bright yellow flowers surrounded them. She smiled as she saw the look of awe stretch across her sons face, but she definitely wasn't surprised to see that Ellie was just as mystified. " Ah, I see that you two love the view here already! "

Dina set down the picnic basket and opened it up, pulling out the small fleece blanket she'd brought for them to enjoy their picnic on.

JJ ran around near the waters edge, laughing and giggling as the water splashed up and licked his feet. " It's cold! Ellie, come! Play with me! " He says in excitement as he crouches down and starts splashing at the waters surface.

" Coming, Spud! " Ellie shouts as she jumps over a fallen log and squats down beside JJ at the waters edge, watching as he concentrates on catching imaginary critters. " Look! I caught a big one! " He says as he holds up his empty fist.

" Whoa, nelly! That fish is as big as you were when you were just a little Potato! " Ellie says in excitement, miming the size of the imaginary fish and placing her hands on her head in wonder.

" Alright, enough fishing you two! It's time to eat. " Dina calls out to them from her seat on the blanket, she had been watching them bond for about ten minutes, a loving smile on her face. Despite all they'd been through, Dina knew that Ellie was the missing half that JJ needed in his life.

Both JJ and Ellie rush over to the blanket, laughing as they flop down onto it.

Ellie was amazed by the amount of food that tiny basket had been able to hold, it was packed with fruit, cheese, fresh bread and jam preserves, beef jerky and a big thermos of water. " I have no idea, how you managed to bring this much stuff. But oh man, this is a feast built for a king. "

Dina shook her head with a snort, gently shoving Ellie by the shoulder, before handing out the plates. " Shut up, you dope. It's normal sized picnic basket. "

Ellie stuck her tongue out playfully at Dina, earning a slight kick from the other woman's foot. Oh… How much Ellie had missed this, just spending time and being in the here and now with Dina and JJ.

Dina served all of them the fresh fruit, bread with raspberry preserves, the cheese and jerky as well as a glass of water. They all sat in silence as they ate, listening to the sounds of the forest. The soft babbling of the river, the leaves brushing against each other as a breeze blows through them.

JJ was seated in Dina's lap, he was munching on a piece of apple, while talking excitedly about something he'd learned in school. And Ellie was just beyond herself, head over heels in love as she watched Dina listen to him speak with such patience, love and understanding in those beautiful brown eyes.

The sun was reaching that beautiful golden peak in the sky, and it cast it's golden rays on the both of them. It was a moment Ellie wished she could preserve forever, Dina's freckled face as she laughed and tickled JJ's side.

" I love you. " Ellie blurted out in a firm, matter-of-fact tone. " And I always have, I never stopped. Even when it seemed like I had, and I lost myself. I love you, and- I want things to be like they used to be. I want to wake up in the bed beside you, and prove to you… How much you mean to me. I want to be a constant in JJ's life, I don't want to watch him grow up from the sidelines. " Ellie sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose.

" And I know, I have no right coming out and saying all of this- But I've been talking about it all with Dr. Monroe. And- And I just needed to get it off my chest, I know that it's stupid- And that all of that is probably the last thing you want, after all I've done. " Ellie didn't realize that she was tearing up until one of the sneaky fuckers slipped down her cheek.

Dina stared at Ellie in shock, her brown eyes flashing with so many different emotions as she searches Ellie's green eyes for any hint that she was fabricating something, anything. But when she saw none of that, and only a look mixed with fear, adoration and love. " Ellie… "

Could Dina let Ellie back into her life like that? Part of her was so unsure, and felt that same fear creeping back up. But she shoved it back down, and told it to shove it. Ellie had been working for two years, to earn back her trust. And… Dina couldn't lie, though she still shielded herself and JJ. Ellie had earned that trust the second she started truly working to fix things in her life. The things that ran deep, and cut to the bone.

Dina's eyes softened as she reached her hand forward and gently caressed Ellie's cheek. " Ellie, you stole my heart the moment I met you. I can't say that it doesn't hurt, when I think back to that night. But- I think that with time, we can mend those wounds. " She leaned forward and pressed a loving kiss to her lips.

JJ giggled and scrambled out of Dina's lap, flopping down onto the blanket in between them. He pulled his backpack off and opened it up, pulling out a small sketchbook that Ellie had found for him. He opened it up to a page it seemed he knew by heart, and proudly showed it to the both of them. It had the words ' My family ' scrawled across the top in typical toddler fashion.

Ellie furiously wiped at her eyes as she observed the drawing, then she laughed and pulled both JJ and Dina into a hug. " Ugh, I love you both so much it physically pains me- Would be a shame... If you were stuck with me. " Ellie said as she pulled back and looked Dina in the eyes. " Dina… I never thought I'd find myself ever saying these words- Especially now. But- What better time than now. Marry me? You wonderful, gorgeous woman. I want to spend the rest of my life, with you and JJ. "

Dina really didn't think that she could be more surprised than she was at Ellie's confession. But she certainly didn't expect to break down in tears, voice thick with emotion as she answered. " Yes, I wouldn't want it any other way. You… Complete us. "

JJ was still a little to young yet to completely grasp the concept, but he was happy because his Mama and Mom were. They spent the rest of the day just spending time together, talking and laughing. They had been given a second chance to grow together as a family.

#elliedina week #ellie x dina #The Last of Us Part II #Ellie Williams #Dina TLOU2 #Sony Interactive Entertainment #Naughty Dog #video game photography #video game edit #rich the idiot writes

18 notes · View notes

mal-warebytes · 4 years

Text

The Brothers React: MC listening to music while cleaning their room

MC has a variety taste when it comes to music. They're pretty much into everything, no genre is unheard of for them to be randomly jamming out to. Their door is slightly cracked as they're trying to let a good breeze in, to air out their room as they're cleaning.

Lucifer: Music that is playing: Apocalyptica-Not Strong Enough

He can't help but to notice the cello. He's always been a fan of classical music but obviously this was different. The strings were absolutely beautiful and he just had to take a peek inside. The music was harder than what he is used to listening to, but the words struck a cord inside his mind. He watched as MC took long strides across the room lifting their arms up and "playing" an invisible cello. This amused him a bit and gave him the idea that maybe he should learn to play a new instrument. He'll end up ordering a cello and obviously find the best instructor in the Devildom.

Mammon: Nelly-Grillz

He's on his way down the hall out to do another photoshoot when all he hears come from MC's room is, " smile for me Daddy..." He stops in his tracks, backs up, peeks in the door. ' Who are they calling Daddy!? I'm the only one they should be calling Daddy!' He thinks this to himself as he then finally notices the music that is playing. ' Oh, they're cleaning. Wait, why would someone have a grill in their mouth?' He strains to hear what the song is actually talking about. 'Diamonds and gold? Actually I'm kinda feeling this. Is this the type of music MC is really into?' He makes a mental note to himself to look up mouth grills later.

Levi: Fall Out Boy- Nobody Puts Baby In The Corner

He was actually on his way to MC's room anyway to show them his new game he just got. Before he gets all the way to the door he hears the music coming out. " I keep my jealousy close~ 'cause it's all mine~ " He pauses before reaching MC's room. 'Huh?' He hugs himself up against the hallway wall and slowly scooches closer. MC is holding up a duster as a microphone and starts blaring out, " so wear me like a locket around your throat, I'll weigh you down, I'll watch you choke, you look so good in blue, you look so good in blue! " He quietly sticks his face into the crack of the door. " Keep quiet, nothing comes as easy as you, can I lay in your bed all day? I'll be your best kept secret and your biggest mistake " MC is on their tiptoes just kind of jumping in place without a care, obviously unaware of anyone watching them. He blushes slightly takes a few steps back. 'I'll just come back later.' He pulls out his DDD and tries to look up the lyrics that he heard, to figure out what you were listening to because he wants to hear the whole thing. For some reason he found the beat catchy and is curious to learn about what would make MC jump around like a happy lunatic.

Asmo: Rihanna- S & M

He was actually on his way to get MC's opinion on some new accessory designs he came up with. When he gets close to the room he hears familiar sound. "Is that RiRi?!" He throws the door open rest away and runs up to MC,who is currently using a hairbrush as a microphone, and joins in on the chorus. " Cause I may be bad but I'm perfectly good at it, sex in the air, I don't care I love the smell of it, sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me!! " Yeah he knows who Rihanna is, he basically wrote the whole damn song.

Satan: Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become

He was making his way to library when he catches a glimpse of MC in their room. They were currently using a broom as a combination guitar and microphone, while sweeping in between beats. He slowly creeps up to the door pulls out his DDD and hits record. " I can't escape myself *sweep sweep* so many times I've lied *sweep sweep* but there's still rage inside *angry sweep* somebody get me through this nightmare, I can't control myself! " He's definitely saving this as blackmail for later.

Beel: 50 Cent- Candy Shop

Obviously he's already in the kitchen, again, and starts to hear something on the other side of the wall. He gathers up all his snacks and starts to head back to his room but decides to peek around the corner to make sure MC is okay. The door is slightly cracked and he can see MC making their bed with a candied apple pop in their mouth. He hears the music in the background. " I'll take you to the candy shop, I'll let you lick the lollipop, go ahead girl don't you stop, keep going till you hit the spot, whoa " MC pulls the pop out of their mouth, gives it a little tongue twirl, kiss and pops it back into their mouth. Beel blushes slightly, quietly backs away from the door, "I don't think their talking about an actual candy store..." and quickly makes it back to his room. He has to think about what he just saw.

Belphie: A.F.I.- Miss Murder

He's actually been in MC's room the entire time. Curled up in a corner, completely unnoticed piles of pillows and blankets covering him. He wanted to find a good place to take a nap and since normally MC is out, he thought I'd be the best place to be. MC is folding clothes and putting them away in the dresser on the other side of the room, so they don't even notice him. He starts to wake up slightly when he hears MC singing to themselves. " Hey Miss Murder can I? Hey Miss Murder can I? Make beauty stay if I, take my life?~ " Not wanting to move or disturb them, he quietly buries himself again but just enough to where he has a nice little peephole to see what happens next. MC is shaking their hips slightly as they continue, " with just a look, they shook, and heavens bowed before him, simply look can break your heart. " He hasn't decided yet if this song is making him slightly uncomfortable or intrigued. He decides to go ahead and make a sly escape and exits the room without being noticed. Maybe next time he'll hang around but a song about a "miss murder" he'll have to figure that one out later.

70 notes · View notes

kasdeyathebitterwoman · 4 years

Text

Running Mate - Part 9

Hello, hello, hello! After a good while, part 9 of the running mate series is here! I hope you all like it! I have been taking requests and loving it, so if you have any Henry fix requests, I’d be more than happy to hear them!

Story idea: While running in the English countryside, Henry meets a fun documentarian and sparks fly.

Word Count: 4,032

Adult, 18+, NSFW

CW: sexual intercourse, penetration

@maeleeme @andyrazzledazzle @fanfictionaddiction99 @henrycavillluv32 @jhenno2002 @blossom-a @xceafh @oddsnendsfanfics @severuined

The rest of your time spent on the island was at the mercy of Henry’s schedule and Henry planned a lot for you. His version of relaxing was either playing video games, beating his brothers at board games, and/or walking everywhere. It’s not that you minded walking, but cars were invented for a reason! Regardless, you followed Henry anywhere he took you and he took you to several places. He took you to the north coast cliff paths where you walked with Kal for several hours one day. Henry told you all kinds of stories about growing up with his older brothers here. In return, you shared stories about life on the farm with your family.

Of all the places you explored, your favorite though, was a tie between the Mount Orgueil Castle and La Hougue Bie. They were two historical sites on the island, the latter being one of the oldest buildings in all of mankind. Henry played right into your love of history and schedule private tours of both locations. You hounded the tour guide for more and more information, ignoring the smiles and smirks from Henry.

You were also actively avoiding newspapers and social media. Paparazzi photos of the two of you on the beach the other night were circulating and causing a ruckus. While it didn’t bother you one way or the other, you knew it was bothering Henry. Especially because they were starting to say particularly nasty things about the both of you. There was much speculation behind the secrecy of your relationship, as if you owed anyone an explanation. Henry took it all in stride, but you could see what it was doing to him.

After La Hougue Bie, Henry took you to a little pub that was part of another historic site. The owner of the pub came out to speak with the two of you and you were able to grill him as well. Henry smiled the whole time, enjoying how focused you could be on something. When y’all had finished eating, it was late in the day. There was still time to do more, so Henry took you around Plemont Bay. The tide was coming in, unfortunately, so you weren’t able to explore the caves under the cliffs, but that was okay. The views from the cliffs themselves were stunning. You stopped occasionally to just take in the beauty. Jersey really was unlike any place you had ever been. Somewhere along the coastline, Henry stopped you.

“Come here,” he said, gesturing for you. You step lightly over to him and accept his open arms for an embrace. You loved the way his arms wrapped around you and the way you fit against him. You never missed an opportunity to be embraced by those trunk-like arms. For a moment, Henry let go of you and you turn around so your back is pressed against his abdomen.

“It’s beautiful here,” you say mostly to Henry, but also to no one in particular. Henry chuckles and leans down to kiss the top of your head.

“I’m glad you like it here,” he murmurs to you and you smile. Then you pull your phone out of your bag and open the camera to take a picture of the scene in front of you.

“It won’t do this view justice,” you say. “But I want evidence that I was here,” you glance up at Henry who is smiling at you. Then he pulls out his own phone and holds it up in front of you. “Your camera is facing the wrong way,” you say, pointing out the fact that it’s facing you and not the water.

“Nope,” Henry says, bending down to fit himself in frame with you. He situates his phone so he can snap a picture. Right as he’s about to you make a ridiculous face. The final product is Henry smiling sweetly while you are making a stupid face. Henry checks out the photo and laughs. He kisses you on the temple before standing back up. He looks down at his phone then shows you.

“That’s one heck of a face,” you say and Henry snorts, nudging you.

“Be nice,” he murmurs. “I don’t think you’ve ever looked better,” he adds in a sugary-sweet tone. You smirk up at him.

“I was talking about you,” you reply and Henry snorts again.

“Shut up,” he mutters as you bellow with laughter. He smiles wide at you, watching as you radiate with joy. Then he pulls you in and kisses you deeply, passionately. You accept his kiss and his embrace with equaled passion.

“Whoa nelly,” you say a little breathlessly, coming up for air. Henry smiles and chuckles a little.

“I’m sorry, I’m just,” he says pausing. “I am in love with you, y/n,” Henry murmurs, one hand gently caressing the side of your face. You smile at him.

“You told me this already,” you tell him, looking up with raised eyebrows.

“I know,” he smiles. “Here’s something I haven’t told you,” he looks down at you, smiling gently. “I am heels over head in love with you. I think you are the most incredible woman I’ve been with,” you can’t contain a snort at that declaration. Henry looks at your confused as your ears begin to burn red with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” you mutter.

“What?” Henry asks. You look up into his blue eyes and sigh.

“It’s just, well, Henry, I’ve seen the other women you’ve been with,” you begin. “I know that I’m not the prettiest or the smartest or the most accomplished,” you say, not noticing Henry increasingly furrowed brow. “I know that I’m not ‘the most incredible woman’; not by a long shot,” you explain, finally looking up at him. The expression he’s giving you makes you feel like apologizing for existing.

“Why would you think that?” Henry asks and you can hear every ounce of pain in his voice. You suck in a breath.

“Because,” you pause, unsure of how you want to proceed. “Because I’m not blind, Henry. I’m not ignorant,” you sniffle a little, holding back tears. “Like I said, I’ve seen who you’ve been with. I have seen the posts about Lucy and how you still talk about her in interviews,” you explain and watch Henry’s expression change from concern to something resembling guilt. “I’m not an idiot,” you start to say but Henry cuts you off.

“I never said you were,” he says and you shake your head.

“I know, I know you didn’t,” you reply. “What I’m trying to say is I’m not stupid. I know that I’m not an impressive woman on my own, that’s why I mask everything with sarcastic comments and humor,” you explain. “If I can keep them laughing, they won’t notice that I’m actually not that great,” you add, ashamed of yourself for even thinking it. You dare a glance up at Henry’s eyes and see they are storming. His jaw his rolling as he processes what you have just said.

“You are a successful filmmaker; you are a college graduate; you are an award-winning documentarian with a potential Oscar nomination for your first film; you have another major project in the works with a major production company,” he says not looking at you. Then his eyes dart to yours. “You are not any of the women I’ve been with before because you are,” he pauses. “You are y/n. The woman that makes me laugh constantly. The woman that has never once made me feel like a celebrity that owes her something,” he takes a breath and looks at you intently. “You got everything you have because you’ve worked, hard, for it. You are the most incredible woman I’ve been with because you are nothing like the women I’ve previously dated,” he says and you can’t stop the sob that escapes you. Immediately, Henry wraps you up in a bear hug. He strokes your hair and shushes you in his calming way. After a moment of overwhelming emotions, you pull back from and chuckle.

“Surprise,” you say sardonically. “My confidence is completely false and made up,” you attempt to laugh through your tears and sniffles. Henry doesn’t laugh, he just uses his hand to gently push your chin up so you are looking him in the eyes. “I told you. Because of you I have all these feelings and they confuse me,” you say, laughing a little. Henry smiles ever so softly.

“There is nothing confusing about the way I feel about you,” he says quietly. “I am in love with you - completely, undoubtedly, and irrevocably,” he looks at you with those blue eyes that could rival the water behind you. “And besides, I’m not the most confident bloke either,” he adds, smiling at you gently. You chuckle a little.

“That’s exactly something that someone who is Superman personified would say,” you mutter and Henry laughs. “I know you’re not perfect, but you’re damn near close,” you say looking into his eyes. He smiles at you, scoffing just a little.

“You’re pretty close to perfect as well,” He says to you quietly and you snort.

“Not even,” you reply and Henry shakes his head.

“You’re perfect for me,” he adds and you pause, looking up at him. A breeze brushed against your skin and you shivered slightly.

“If we’re not careful, there will be even more photos of us together in the rags,” you say to him, but he just shakes his head.

“I don’t care,” he replies. “Let them see us together. I’m yours, completely, and the world can just figure out how to deal with that,” he explains and you break out a beaming grin. “Come on,” he adds, reaching for your hand. The two of you begin walking again along the side of the cliffs and you feel something close to contentment radiate throughout your body.

Later that night, Henry invited Charlie and his wife out to dinner with the two of you. The four of you went to a local restaurant where everyone spent the night eating, drinking, and laughing. Henry took your sarcastic comments and snarky teasing in stride, often teasing you right back. When everyone was done, you all walked around the area. Henry and Charlie share story after story about growing up together, pointing out different areas that are the same and different from their youth. You loved seeing how happy Henry was with brother. He was almost a different person around his family and it was incredible to witness. The night ends back at the Cavill residence with you falling asleep in Henry’s arms. Your head rests on his shoulder while his arms wrap around your body loving. He holds you close, finding complete enjoyment with the fact that your small frame is pressed tightly against his. Gently, he strokes your hair, feeling as your whole body relaxes into his. He lets his hand softly caress your shoulder and down your back. Your body instinctively shivers at his touch. Henry can’t help but smile.

He knew how scared you were to admit your feelings. It wasn’t something that bothered him because he understood well what you were going through. He knew he was guilty of confusing lust with love and vice versa in past relationships. He’d made assumptions, had poor judgment and flat out been wrong. But he knew what he felt for you wasn’t misunderstood or mistaken. He was in love with you and it had nothing to do with your physical attributes. Yes, you were a naturally beautiful woman with external features that turned heads. But it wasn’t what made him fall in love with you. It was your sense of humor and the way you viewed the world. It was because of how much you loved history, family, and learning. Even the way you drank your coffee, holding the mug with two hands as if you needed to grasp the mug for dear life. Kal snored loudly and shifted in his sleep, breaking Henry from his trance. He sighed and shifted, pressing your body further into his. He fell asleep thinking of different ways he could make you feel as special as you made him feel.

—

When it was time to get back to England, it was done so with a heavy heart by everyone. Henry’s parents were sad to see you leave. Marianne told you repeatedly that you were welcome back at any time. Colin shook your hand and hugged you tightly, a move that seemed to surprise Marianne, Henry, Charlie, and Simon.

“What happened between you and my dad?” Henry asked when the two of you were on the plane headed back to England. You looked at him confused.

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“My dad doesn’t hug just anyone,” Henry states. “He’s normally very reserved, but you,” he trails off unsure of what he wants to say. You chuckle.

“What can I say, I guess he just likes me more,” you reply, smirking at him. He smirks back, scoffing. The rest of the flight proceeds mostly in silence. Henry is reading through a possible role to accept while you read through a book about ancient Peru. Back in England, Henry helps collect your research from his house then drives you back to your flat. The door barely has time to close before Henry is on you. His mouth immediately finds yours, his hands running up your back to your breasts. With his tongue, he parts your lips while your hands snake around his broad shoulders so you can lean deeper into his embrace.

“How long have you been waiting to do that?” you ask when he finally pulls away from your lips.

“A while,” he smirks and you laugh before pulling him back for another kiss. Without any effort, you tug on Henry’s hand and pull him toward your bedroom. In moments, you are both stripped of your clothes and you have pulled Henry down onto the bed. Your back arches and your toes curl into the mattress when Henry pushes himself into you. He lets out a sigh of relief as he feels your walls wrap around his length. “God, I missed you,” he breathes, rocking his hips into yours.

“You got your rocks off almost every night,” you say gasping a little as Henry goes deeper into you. “How on earth could you have missed me?” you ask before groaning a little. Henry smirks.

“The feeling of being inside you,” he begins, grunting as he thrusts. “And seeing what it does to you. That’s what I missed,” he says before pulling out and flipping you over. You are now on all fours with your ass in the air pointed straight up at Henry. He grabs a hold of your hips and pushes in past your folds.

“Fuck,” You groan loudly as you feel every inch deep inside you. Henry grunts as he pumps his hips rhythmically. Desperately, you clutch the sheets as Henry pushes deeper and deeper into you. “Henry,” you gasp. “Henry,” you repeat, feeling yourself climaxing quickly. Henry’s hands grip tighter on your hips as he continues with fast, repeating thrusts. You can feel yourself clenching around him. He feels it too and he moans with pleasure. With a final grunt and thrust, Henry finishes. He hangs on to you for a moment before getting up, not without a pop to your butt cheek. You yelp in surprise as you collapse on the bed, huffing and breathing heavily. Henry hands you a towel so you can quickly clean up, then lays down next to you, softly running his fingers up and down your back. You prop yourself up on your elbows and look over at the hunk of man that is laying in your bed, completely naked and exposed.

“So tell me, Ms. Award-Winning-Documentarian,” Henry begins, smiling at you. “What do you want to do for your birthday?” he asks. You squint at him.

“My birthday is still weeks away,” you reply and Henry bobs his head in agreement.

“Yes,” he agrees. “But I want to know what you want to do so I can plan for the exact opposite,” he says and you laugh.

“Honestly, do you want to know where I’ve wanted to go ever since I was a little girl?” you ask.

“More than anything,” Henry replies genuinely and you smile.

“Dollywood,” you say, sighing. Henry looks at you intrigued.

“Right. What on earth is Dollywood?” Henry asks and you giggle.

“I’m so glad you asked. It’s the hillbilly Disney World!” you exclaim. Henry’s reaction is a snort with some head shaking. “Dollywood is a theme park and resort created by Dolly Parton herself,” you explain. Henry nods is head though he clearly doesn’t understand.

“Why do you want to go there?” he asks. You glance at him and smile.

“Why does anyone want to go anywhere?” you toss back at him. “Dollywood just sounds like a magical place and it would be a dream come true to see Dolly’s real, humble beginnings in the middle of an empire that she built herself,” you say. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see a warm smile spread across Henry’s face. He leaned down to plant a soft kiss on the bare skin of your shoulder.

“My underdog loves an underdog,” he murmurs, leaving a trail of kisses along your shoulder.

“Mhmm,” you reply, giggling. Henry wraps his trunk-like arms around you and you rotate your breasts are pressed against his chest. You rain down a flurry of kisses across collar bone, feeling every breath and giggle that escapes him. Once you’re done, you look up at him and into his beautiful blue eyes when you suddenly realize you don’t want him to leave.

“What?” he asks, noticing the expression on your face.

“I just thinking about my birthday,” you say. “You’re going to take me somewhere like, Disney World instead, aren’t you?” you ask disdainfully and Henry bellows.

“Rats, you foiled my plan,” he replies, then he gently strokes the side of your face with one hand. “What’s really going on?” he asks and you sigh deeply.

“You’re going to take this the wrong way, but,” you start. “I kind of enjoyed waking up next to you,” you say as nonchalantly as you possibly can. Henry smiles.

“That’s it? That’s the only thing you like?” he asks teasingly.

“Yep, that’s it. Nothing else. Definitely not the way you touch me,” you say as Henry’s hand trails down past your jaw, across your collar bone and along your breast. “For sure not the way you kiss me or make me feel,” you add while Henry proceeds to lean down and kiss your jaw and then your neck. You smile at the sensation. Henry leans back up and looks you in the eye.

“You know you could move in with me,” Henry says to you quietly.

“Yeah, but that would require you having to clear out the closet with all your ex-girlfriends' things and I’d have to toss that unmarked box in the Thames,” you say and Henry scoffs. “Then I’d probably have to kill you because I just told you about that box,” you add. Henry bellows and you smirk up at him.

Reluctantly, the two of you finally get up out of bed. Henry puts his clothes back on and you get dressed in an old sweatshirt and shorts. Henry looks you up and down before pulling you close to him. He kisses you softly at first, but that kiss quickly turns passionate.

“For the record,” Henry states. “I’ve only ever lived with one other girlfriend and that was back in LA. So I’ve got nothing to hide or toss out,” he says.

“Oh, well, in that case. I was totally making it up about the unmarked box and the Thames,” you say quickly. Henry chuckles then gives you another sweet and passionate kiss.

When he’s finally gone, you stand in the living room and look around. Something is making you feel uncomfortable until you realize it’s the silence. Your place is too silent. Henry isn’t humming to himself. Kal isn’t getting into things and making a ruckus. Sighing, you collapse onto the couch.

Randomly, you pull out your phone and begin scrolling through apps. You check the email folder to see no new notifications. You check Facebook and find your sister in law, Rebecca, has posted several photos of your niece and nephews. Finally, you scroll through Instagram. On a whim, you open Henry’s account and see multiple reposts from your documentary account, promoting your film. Every post has an encouraging comment from Henry about how great the film is or how well it was produced. You smile at his obvious show of support and then you see it when you scroll back to the top. Somehow you missed it at first, but now you can’t unsee it. There is a selfie of Henry, standing with his back to a field of lavender. One of the touristy places Henry took you in Jersey was the lavender fields. It was one of the most beautiful places you had ever seen. Apparently, Henry had snapped a selfie of himself with his back to the field. And behind him, there you stood. You were facing the other way, so all that was seen was the back of your head, but there was no mistaking your form. He added only one hashtag to the image - #touristythings. You chuckle and double-tap the screen to like it.

While staring at the image, an idea occurs to you. Neither you nor Henry had made an announcement about your relationship and frankly, neither of you had any intention of doing so. However, clearly, Henry was comfortable sharing suggestive images of you so you decided to follow suit. Plus, it would be fun to see just how many people freaked out. Scrolling through your images, you found one that Henry’s assistant had taken of the two of you at Cannes. She’d sent you the image afterward and it made you actually laugh out loud. Henry was looking handsome as ever, but you were just a blur. Something had caught your attention at the last second and you turned, resulting in your face being obscured. You laugh to yourself as you type out the caption for the image.

“There’s a reason I stay behind the camera #picturesarehard”

You chose not to tag Henry because there was no mistaking him. For a second, you hesitate to upload the image. You saved the image as a draft and texted Henry.

Would you mind if I uploaded this image? You send the image along with the text and wait. Moments later, he responds.

I think that would no longer make you an ‘unidentified woman’ ;) he says and you snort.

A hit to my image that I’m willing to take ;P you hit send and chuckle at your own ridiculousness.

Oh yeah? Well, that’s a hit I’m willing to take as well he replies. You scoff at the message.

A hit you’re willing to take? you toss back.

Yeah. Being seeing with a soon to be identified woman who can’t even take a decent picture looks pretty bad for me

You read the message through two times before busting out with laughter. Shaking your head, you bite your bottom lip and type out a response.

Guess you’re going to have quite a bit of damage control to do on your image then you say, hitting send and chuckling. Navigating back to the app, you find the saved draft and click post. You know what’s at stake and the longer you think about it, the more you begin to realize you don’t care. Henry is the man you love and you were beginning to realize that significant parts of your relationship were being tested. You go back to your messages with him.

Ask me about moving in with you on our 1 year anniversary, you hit send and take a deep breath in. Your phone chimes.

Deal, Henry replies and you smile.

#henry cavill #henry cavill fanfic #long form fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #writing #meowpurrbooks writing #henrycavillxreader #henrycavillxfemmereader

92 notes · View notes

knimas · 4 years

Text

WHAT IS YOUR _ SONG ?

list the songs that you most associate with your muse experiencing the listed emotions

tagged by : @blgrntrsh

GENERAL THEME SONG : GUCCI LINEN – blackbear ft. 2 chainz ; my bed is draped in gucci linen / I never say, "I love you" to these women, no / Unless you is my mama, yeah / I take her shopping, tell her "You can have anything you want in here" / When I'm fucking, call me Papa, yeah / They saying I'm a problem yeah / I'm high as a bird, Nelly Furtado, yeah / No Nelly, no Nelly, it's getting hot in here, whoa / I make a lot a year, I see a lot of tears / I made a lot of girls cry, don't really know why

AMBIVALENT SONG : I HATE U I LOVE U – gnash ft. olivia o’brien ; I miss you when I can't sleep / Or right after coffee / Or right when I can't eat / I miss you in my front seat / Still got sand in my sweaters / From nights we don't remember / Do you miss me like I miss you? / Messed around and got attached to you / Friends can break your heart too / And I'm always tired but never of you / If I pulled a you on you, you wouldn't like that shit / I put this reel out, but you wouldn't bite that shit / I type a text but then I 'nevermind' that shit / I got these feelings but you never mind that shit

ANGRY SONG : DO RE MI – blackbear ; Yeah, if I could go back to the day we met / I probably would just stay in bed / You run your mouth all over town / And this one goes out to the sound / Of breaking glass on my Range Rover / Pay me back or bitch, it's over / All the presents I would send / Fuck my friends behind my shoulder / Next time I'mma stay asleep / I pray the Lord my soul to keep, oh / And you got me thinking lately / Bitch, you crazy / And nothing's ever good enough / I wrote a little song for ya, it go like / Do, re, mi, fa, so fuckin' done with you, girl / So fuckin' done with all the games you play

PARANOID SONG : AFRAID – the neighbourhood ; All my friends always lie to me / I know they're thinking / You're too mean / I don't like you / fuck you anyway / You make me wanna scream at the top of my lungs / It hurts but I won't fight you / You suck anyway / You make me wanna die, right when I / When I wake up I'm afraid, somebody else might take my place

HAPPY SONG : IV. SWEATPANTS – childish gambino ; I'm winnin', yeah, yeah, I'm winnin' (What?) / Rich kid, asshole, paint me as a villain / Don't be mad cause I'm doing me better than you doing you / Different color, my passport / Instagram my stack load / Hashtag my day wear, and your girl drank my day care / And I'm born rich, life ain't fair / Top of the holy totem / Ri-ri-ri-rich forever, a million was not the quota

BLAH SONG : IDK LOVE – jeremy zucker ; And lately I don't feel the same / Though I've been trying to / I don't know love no more / I don't know love no more / It's easier when you know / You'll be fine on your own

CRANKY SONG : SEROTONIN – call me karizma ; Break the fuckin' mirror 'cause I hate the image / Every single tear I cry is wasted liquid / I fucked too many girls to count, I ain't committed / I guess bein' an asshole was a bad decision / Break up with my girl because she doesn't trust me / I don't fuckin' blame her 'cause I trust in nothin' / Mama held a bottle, daddy doesn't hug me / All I ever wanted was someone to love me

MISCHIEVOUS SONG : LURK – the neighbourhood ; I want to be honest / I want to be bad / I want to destroy you / I want to move fast / I want the attention / I want all the cash / I want all the ass / is it too much to ask? / I want to be faithful / I want to be raw / I want to be ignorant / I want to know it all / I want to die someday / I want to live long / I want what I ask for / I get what I want

DEVASTATED SONG : HUG ALL UR FRIENDS – cavetown ; What's it like to be alone on a Sunday / Remembering the time you saw them just yesterday? / Sing me a song, tell me your thoughts / I could listen to you all night long / And I don't care about my sleeping routine / I fucked it up as it is but we've got so much time to kill / As the night rocks me to sleep / Life's too short to worry about things that we got wrong / So hug all your friends and let them know / You're not letting go / No I won't let go, oh-oh

LONGING SONG : I MISS THE OLD U – blackbear ; I miss the old you / I miss the old you / I used to hold you / I used to hold you / And that ain't cost nothing, baby / Real love don't cost a motherfuckin' penny / I miss the old me / I miss they way I used to be / I miss the old me

#☆ » 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄. | playlist.#[ this was really fun i loved this sm ]

4 notes · View notes

knightthunderis · 4 years

Text

New York and Karyson Wolfe

Chapter 2- New York and Karyson Wolfe

In an alley just outside Russo’s Grill in New York, Jamison Logan Reimeiko Thunderis McKagan Llewellyn threw the last of the night’s trash into the big trash dumpster outside.

[A few more hours here just to make this look good, then I can be glad to get home and back to my routine.] she thought. As Knight Thunder, she and her Knights had helped to bust Raymond Fitzgerald, one of the biggest mob bosses and drug lords around. For the last fifty generations, the Fitzgerald Crime family had been using their royal nobility and duchies to manufacture and run their illegal runners, claiming diplomatic immunity every time they got busted, so the International Crime busting Enforcers, or I.C.E as they were called, called on Knight Thunder and her Enforcers for help to bring the crime syndicate down by interrupting and catching the drug lord in the act of the transfer. Jamison went undercover at Russo’s with the rest of her Knights close by. But he was not just using Russo’s as his constant cover for drops. But he was also taking Russo’s for everything they had in exchange for ‘protection’ against unruly vandals. “It is just another glamourous night in New York on a Saturday night taking out the garbage to the dumpster.”

“It could be worse.” Alex said. “There could be...RATS! Rei, Help.”

Jamison laughed. “Alexander, you are such a scaredy-cat. Do not tell me that you are afraid of this little mouse family. They are just trying to get by the same as the rest of us.”

“Hey Reimeiko! Alexander!” Gregory snapped. “Quit slacking off out there. I know that I told you to take out the trash, but now, I am telling you to wait on that bachelor party that just walked in.”

[This was not my idea of spending this Saturday night.] Jamison thought sourly. [I want to drop my Reimeiko cover, go back to Jamison McKagan Llewellyn, my husband Tristan and the rest of the ThunderStar Crew. The last thing that I want to do is wait on a bunch of drunks who are going to be seriously grabby. I wish I were already gone.]

“Ah waitress, there you are.” one business suited man said. “We need your very best table.”

Jamison had her back to them talking to Alex, having not noticed them yet. “You know what, forget the table.” Another man said. “Bring us whiskey and lots of it.”

“Rei, please take this one.” Alexander pleaded. “I have got a date tonight and I will never make it out of here in time to go home, change and meet Tracy.”

“You really want me to take this bachelor party?” Jamison asked. “Well considering how they are dressed; the tip might be insane. But why do I get the rowdy tables?” But Alexander’s pleading gaze was her downfall. “Ugh, you so owe me one, Alex. Just go live your happily ever after for the both of us you dork.”

“I want to hear all about this tomorrow when you come in.” Alexander replied. “And Reimeiko, you are totally the best.”

“Are you still talking?” Gregory demanded. “I have seated them already. Now get to work and get over there before I dock your pay.” Ruffling, she headed over to the table where three of the men were sitting wanting to get the night over as quickly as possible. If it had not been for Knight Thunder and her Knights being called into bust the mob boss, she would have been gone from this place hours ago. But as it was, she had to stay in character until she would be able to clock out from Russo’s for good. Taking a deep breath, she turned and made her way over to the table.

“Hello gentlemen.” Jamison said. “I am Reimeiko Thunderis and I will be taking care of you this evening. The food and alcohol lists are both in the menus my manager gave you. The closest thing we have to fillet anything is Russo’s famous deluxe burger.”

“We will be fine with your best bottle of whiskey and four deluxe burgers.” Derrick Werner announced. Jamison lifted a questioning brow at the mention of four when there were only three of them present. He nodded behind her. She turned around to see Tristan Llewellyn, but in the form of Karyson Wolfe. As Reimeiko Thunderis, her heart got to pounding heavily.

[What the heck?] Jamison thought. [He, as Tristan, is supposed to be in Arkansas. I will have to check this out when I get the chance to break away from here.]

“I am sorry that I am late you guys.” Karyson said. “Thank you for your patience, Miss--”

“Reimeiko.�� Jamison blurted without thinking. “I am Reimeiko Christyne Thunderis.”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Reimeiko.” he said, putting on his most charming smile.

“The pleasure is all mine. It is nice to meet you too.” Jamison said, claiming her senses. “Let me get your orders in and I will be right back.”

Jamison went to turn the orders in and took a picture of the four men, Karyson included, then went into the back room to call and check in with Tristan to make sure she was not seeing things. She sent him the picture while waiting for him to answer the phone.

“That is super weird, Jamie.” Tristan replied. “You can tell by the group GPS where I am. I will get word to mom and dad and find out what they want us to do in this situation and they will update Reimeiko’s mom and dad about it too while I am thinking about it.”

“I will debrief them tonight after I get off here.” Jamison said. “I know I will need you and the Knights here on standby. I got a feeling; I am going to need you guys super close. Right now, I need to go my orders are up and ready.”

“The Knights and I will meet you at the New York apartment later tonight.” Tristan said. “Be careful Jamie. I love you and we will see you soon tonight or tomorrow.”

“I love you too Tristan.” Jamison said. She disconnected the call and stuck her phone in her pocket before taking the orders to the table. Later, a little after closing, Jamison was wiping down the bar when she was tapped on the shoulder. She turned around and came face to face with Karyson. She still could not figure out how the two personas were suddenly two separate individuals.

“I think that we are about ready to head out.” Karyson announced. “I just wanted to thank you and to apologize. I know we kept you late and my friends can be seriously demanding.”

“Demanding? That is one way to put it.” She replied. “But it was nothing, I could not handle. I have dealt with a big variety of characters before this.”

“I have a feeling that you could very easily take care of yourself.” He said with a smile. “If you do not have any plans tonight, then perhaps I can make it up to you by buying you a drink. We are about to head out to a club here in town. I was hoping you might have some recommendations on which one we might go to because we are not from around here.”

“I kind of figured you and your friends were not from around here.” She replied. “I was only here temporarily too; but I would recommend the hottest club in the jam, Destiny's Rose.”

“That sounds perfect. I know that the guys want to really go crazy tonight.” Karyson said. “And I cannot think of anyone better as a tour guide than you Reimeiko. Lead the way.”

“Okay, sure.” Jamison replied. “Let me finish up here and then I will meet you and your friends up front.” She quickly finished the clean up around the room, texted Tristan and the Knights about the change of plans, then went into the break room to change clothes out of her uniform and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and groaned. “I am so ready to get out of my uniform and back to my life as Jamison McKagan Llewellyn.” She changed into a deep green club dress and matching heels. She gathered her things into her bag as she would not be returning. “I am so ready to show this crew a good time their last night here.”

She stepped out to see Karyson and his party waiting for her. Derrick Werner was the first one to notice her, shocked at her new look but quickly gathered himself. “Whoa Nellie, you look great.” Derrick gushed. “I almost did not recognize you. That uniform was not doing you justice.”

“Yeah, the waitress is major hot.” Malachi Blanchard said with a bugged-out grin on his face.

“Her name is Reimeiko, and I doubt she appreciates you talking about her like that.” Karyson said angrily.

“You are right.” Malachi replied. “I am sorry Reimeiko. I meant to say that you look very lovely. Now let us get this party started.”

“So, she is going to be our tour guide and is coming with us?” Terrence asked seriously. “This goes completely against the rules of royal protocol you know right?”

“Actually, we are going with her and she is picking our next destination.” Karyson replied. “She knows the area whereas we do not, and I want to see as much of it as we can before we return. She was kind enough to agree to show us around. She is doing us a favor so play nice.”

(I had almost forgotten how commanding Karyson could be under the circumstances.) Jamison thought to Tristan. (What do your parents think about this turn of events where Karyson is concerned?)

(All we know is that something way out of the ordinary is going on and we will be sent to investigate it.) Tristan replied. (We know what the outcome for Karyson and Reimeiko is and my mom and dad are meeting with yours and the Universal Council right now. They should have a game plan for us soon.)

(So, for now, until we can get you and Karyson reconnected,) Jamison sighed. (Reimeiko is going to have to stay in the spotlight for now. Okay keep me posted.) A short time later, Jamison and the group arrived at the entrance of the Destiny Rose club and joined a long line of party goers waiting to get inside the club. “Here it is, the hottest club in town the Destiny Rose.”

“Yeah, I can tell by this line.” Malachi replied. “We are going to spend the rest of the night waiting for it.”

“Hey, I just knew where to go.” Jamison giggled. “How we get in is up to you guys. Though, I do know one of the bands they have playing here. They are one of the headliners for ThunderStar Enterprises and Universal.”

“Let me talk to the man at the door.” Karyson announced. He walked up to the doorman and began speaking with him. After a few minutes of the conversation, the doorman undid the velvet rope and gestured for Jamison and the group to follow and go inside the club Destiny Rose treated like royalty.

#kingliam2019 #texaskitten30 #trr1 liam MC (Reimeiko) KnightThunderis

2 notes · View notes

mooifyourecows · 5 years

Note

The playlist for 'royal pain in the ass' slaps man. How do you find such good music??

Incoming: I'm sleepy and sick and just wanna boringly ramble about my relationship with music rn, sorry, you've been warned

Im obsessed with music.

And I know everyone and their cat is enthusiastic about music, I ain't special, but when I say I'm obsessed I mean I'm obsessed. I dont like silence, makes me uncomfortable, so I've always worked really hard to fill up every moment with sound.

When I was a kid, I had a portable cassette player and I listened to the same Garth Brooks cassette on repeat for months. I used to sleep with headphones on before my parents got me a CD player for my room. It was a 5 disk changing player and I got more use out of that thing than I did of my own brain back then.

I didnt have my own CDs at first so I obsessed over listening to my parents' and my sister's instead. Queen's Greatest Hits, The Cherry Poppin Daddies, Alanis Morissette, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Eiffel 65, Sum 41, The Eagles, Sheryl Crow.

My CD player was on almost 24/7. I'd come home from school and go straight to my room to read... and music would play in the background. Music would play in the background as I did my homework. It played when I slept. When I played videogames that didnt have too much dialogue.

Constant music.

Then I started getting my own CD's. Nelly Furtado's Whoa, Nelly!, Maroon 5's Songs About Jane, James Blunt's Back to Bedlam.

I got a little mp3 player and I was able to ditch the bulky portable CD player and bag of CD's I used to haul with me on the school bus. I put all my music onto it and I took it everywhere I went, my most prized possession.

My favorite function on my brother's PSP was that you could upload music onto it and I would steal it and listen to Tenacious D and Weezer and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I found out I could play Halo 2 AND Green Day at the same time on the original Xbox and I used to play the Scarab mission over and over and over again until I had it, and Good Riddance (Time of your Life) memorized.

When Guitar Hero came out I holed myself in my room and spent hours everyday perfecting Sweet Child O Mine until it was the one and only song I could destroy my brother at on expert mode.

I used to ditch church and hide out in the parking lot listening to Foreplay- Long Time by Boston and Roundabout by Yes.

Every morning at 4 am during the week of the county fair, my mom and I would sing to Low Rider by War and Cows with Guns by Dana Lyons on the way to the fairgrounds where I'd listen to Aerosmith while I washed my show heifer in the dark.

Back when I used to ride 4 miles on my bike every day, I'd put Black Friday Rule by Flogging Molly on at the start of the worst hill so that I reached the crest right at the end of the guitar solo.

The first time I ever felt like a rebel was singing Big Balls by ACDC in front of my mom on the way home from school one day.

For my 8th grade talent show, my friends and I choreographed a dance set to a mashup of songs including Shakira's Hips Dont Lie, MC Hammer's U Cant Touch This, Aretha Franklin's Respect, and Foreigner's Jukebox Hero. We won the Crowd's Favorite vote.

In the middle of donating blood, the Mennonite lady watching over me as the blood was being drawn noticed I was frowning and asked if everything was alright. I asked the name of the song that was playing overhead at the moment. It was That's All by Genesis. I downloaded it when I got home.

My brother bought me a sound bar for my 17th birthday and I still use it to listen to music while I sleep today, almost 8 years later.

The easiest way to impress my younger cousins back in the day was to recite the "Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail's Black Knight, and Benito Mussolini and the Blue Meanie, and Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie, Robocop, the Terminator, Captain Kirk, Darth Vader, Lo-pan, Superman, every single power ranger, Bill S. Preston and Theodore Logan, Spock, The Rock, Doc Oc and Hulk Hogan" part from The Ultimate Showdown by Lemon Demon or the "a combination AK-57, uzi, radar laser, triple barrel, double scoped, heat-seekin' shotgun" part from Da Turdy Point Buck by Bananas at Large.

I absorbed songs from the people around me. Bolero (Ravel) by the London Symphony Orchestra and Indian Lady by the Don Ellis Orchestra from my dad. That was a Crazy Game of Poker by OAR and Warehouse by the Dave Matthews Band from my brother. Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen and Dog Days are Over by Florence + the Machine from my mom. Fat Lip by Sum 41 and One Way or Another by Blondie from my sister. Wish You were Here by Pink Floyd and Islands by The xx from my high school boyfriend.

My best friend from high school and I would go to Hastings and buy random CD's from the sales rack. That's how we ended up listening to Mott the Hoople on repeat one summer when her dad hired us to clean up a house for the next bunch of renters. We used to stop what we were doing every time All the Young Dudes would play so we could clap and sing along, "All the young dudes, carry the news! Boogaloo dudes, carry the news..."

I got my boyfriend hooked on Modest Mouse and we started collecting CD's to crowd the glove box of our busted Nissan Sentra and get stuck in the clicky CD player until I melted down and broke a butter knife ripping the entire stereo from the dash.

We went to Pink Floyd light shows at the planetarium and argued about whether long, meandering instrumental solos are shit or not (They're shit)

We went to Blue October concerts and met the band and danced to The Getting Over it Part and sang all the words of Into the Ocean.

We went to a Modest Mouse concert and realized for the first time that it was hipster music when we noticed a suspicious amount of people hula hooping.

We took long road trips and discussed how we would make an AMV out of One Piece's Dressrosa arc to the Glass Animals song Walla Walla.

Certain songs by the Dixie Chicks pluck me from my life and stick me right back into my 8 year old body lying in bed in the middle of the afternoon reading yet another Tamora Pierce novel and wondering if I'd ever be a writer.

The past 20 years of my life have been a constant journey of collecting music. I'm constantly rediscovering old music and falling in love with it all over again. More and more music keeps getting made and popping up on my YouTube or my Spotify or in commercials or movie trailers and I hunt them down and I browse the artist and I find artists similar to them and I keep listening and searching and finding and it's a neverending cycle that only gets better and better with every new discovery.

So yeah like....... that's how

#sorry #this is long and stupid #lmao #im sick #feel sorry for me #also im tired #my dog woke me up at 6 and im still awake #why #but anyway #music is good

17 notes · View notes

busterkeatonfanfic · 3 years

Photo

Chapter 31 Pt II

The song was winding down as she reentered the living room. She looked for Buster and saw him among a group of men, smoking a cigarette and talking. Judging by their heavy builds and ordinary looks, they were directors. Ramon Navarro bumped her and Orange Blossom went over her fingers. “Oh!” she said.

“Goodness, I am so sorry. Just a moment, miss, just a moment.”

When he’d returned with a couple cloth napkins and she’d wiped the drink from her hand, his profuse apologies gave her an idea. She threw back the remainder of the drink and said with a smile, “Give me a dance and call it even?”

The tall, dark man with the Spanish accent smiled gleamingly upon her. “Miss, I will gladly dance with you.”

She couldn’t tell if the drinks made her a better or worse dancer. In any case, she wasn’t as stiff. As the orchestra took up a cheerful rendition of “My Pet,” she shuffled her feet with energy and abandon. It was a quick dance and Mr. Navarro was smiling and gracious.

The orchestra took a break following their dance. The crush of guests seemed to double in size as the many orchestra members made their way to the foyer. Nelly located Bradford speaking to a tall, broad man with a large stomach. A thin, small pale man with dark hair and eyes stood with them. He seemed to be about Buster’s age and was about two shades, she reflected, from being terribly good-looking. Not that he was bad on the eyes as he was. Feeling quite free and happy, she introduced herself.

“Nelly Foster. I’m Bradford’s girlfriend.”

The men who shook her hands were Eddie Sedgwick and Irving Thalberg. Mr. Sedgwick, who took her hand second, smiled. “I know you. You’re the girl from Buster’s place.”

Even through the sheen of liquor, Nelly’s stomach felt like it dropped straight out of her body. She had never seen Mr. Sedgwick in her life; Buster always made sure Segdwick’s half of the bungalow was unoccupied before smuggling her over. All she could think of to say was, “Oh yes. I’ve visited once or twice.”

Mr. Sedgwick winked at her. “Say no more,” he said jovially, swishing a glass of what looked like Scotch and taking a sip.

Bradford’s arm curled around her shoulder, but it was too little too late. How many other people at the party knew about her and Buster? “Mr. Thalberg’s just telling us about this new thing called Technicolor they’ll be using in a talkie next year,” said Bradford. “It’s a musical too. Says they’ll need a lot of extras and we ought to try out.”

Nelly tried to listen as Bradford, also on another drink, carried on with enthusiasm with occasional remarks from Mr. Sedgwick and Mr. Thalberg, but all she could concentrate on was how exposed she felt. A thing like an affair never stayed quiet for long once a third person was in on it, a fourth if you didn’t count Buster’s butler. She nodded and smiled in the appropriate places. She couldn’t do anything else, knowing how it would look if she fled to Buster, which was her impulse. She wanted his reassurance that it was a case of mistaken identity with her and Mr. Sedgwick. It was a silly explanation to wish for, since that would mean the presence of another woman at Buster’s bungalow.

She did not have to wait long for Buster. “Whatever they’re saying about me’s a god damn dirty lie,” he said, strolling over to them. He took a puff from his cigarette.

Mr. Thalberg laughed and Mr. Sedgwick slapped Buster on the back. Buster pretended that the force was so great it bowled him over and not missing a beat he slipped and fell flat on his back. The whiskey in the glass in his hand rocked a little, but not a drop had spilled. He looked up at Nelly and pressed his glass into her hand to hold while he rose to his feet. She didn’t appreciate it. It was another gesture of familiarity that gave them away. She wondered if Irving Thalberg knew about them too. Mr. Thalberg and Mr. Sedgwick were too busy laughing to notice her discomfort, though. She had an awful gnawing in her gut that she didn’t think any amount of drink could assuage.

“Ready for that second dance,” Buster said to her in an undertone, once he was back on his feet.

“Mr. Sedgwick knows,” she hissed back, feeling pale.

Buster cleared his throat and took a sip of whiskey. He pretended to listen to Sedgwick’s retelling of an incident that had happened during the filming of Snap Shots, one in which Buster had convinced a number of the extras and crewmembers that he’d been run over by a car, the stunt being carefully orchestrated beforehand with the car driver. After several moments, he shrugged. “So he knows,” he said. His breath smelled like whiskey.

“If he knows then who else does?” she whispered, feeling galled. Even speaking to him in such a knowing way was a sign of a deeper acquaintance. She felt surrounded by booby traps.

“Just relax, alright? He won’t say nothing.”

Nelly wasn’t convinced. For the first time since they’d been going together, she found herself truly mad at Buster. It would seem that nothing would make him realize that they were treading on thin ice. She turned her head away from him and watched the other guests. No one was paying the slightest bit of attention to her. Gradually, she was able to settle back into a drunken indifference, although any pretense of enjoying herself had vanished. The orchestra was setting back up again. The blue-eyed singer passed by some of the guests a few feet from her and Gloria Swanson stopped him to talk. He was carrying a cocktail and laughed as she made a joke Nelly couldn’t hear. Like Irving Thalberg, he wasn’t bad-looking either despite his ears and being a bit on the stout side. His smile was nice, his eyes were nice, and most of all his voice was nice. When Miss Swanson let him go, Nelly was seized with a whim to introduce herself and ran to catch up with him.

“Sir,” she said, touching him on the shoulder.

He turned. “Why, hello.” He smiled.

“Sir, you’ve got the most wonderful voice. I’m a tremendous fan of your music. I’ve got so many of your records.”

“Oh,” he said, the white smile never faltering. “Well, thanks for that. You’re pretty kind.”

“I’ll let you get back to singing I suppose,” she said, not knowing what else to say. It would have been hard for her to further describe how his music made her feel. It was humming to herself in the prop shop during the summer of Steamboat Bill, playing bridge in Louise Brooks’ apartment, lying alongside Buster after they’d made love, and dancing a tight foxtrot on the rug in the confines of Buster’s bungalow all bound up in one.

“Oh, I can chat,” he said. “They’re giving our pipes a little rest for the next couple numbers. Gonna do a couple instrumentals.”

Almost on cue, the orchestra’s uneven murmuring cohered. The full ensemble burst into boisterous song. She recognized it as the Black Bottom Stomp after a few bars. Hardly thinking, she grabbed the singer’s hand. “C’mon, you ought to enjoy yourself too.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he said, his feet planted. “Slow down a little, kid.”

“I need to dance or else I’ll scream.” As soon as the words left her lips, she realized what was driving her wasn’t a desire to make Buster jealous or even sow suspicion in the minds of those who might have been looking askance at Buster and her; it was to conquer the nervous energy that had been building in her all day.

“Boy, if you insist,” the singer said. He handed the closest guest—Buster Collier—his glass and whirled her into the riotous press of bodies. They tromped up and down the length of the room several times. She let the horns and clarinet carry her away. The more her heart pounded, the better she felt. She didn’t look at any of the other guests, simply watched her dance partner who was grinning despite his professed reluctance. Like most of the men she’d encountered in Hollywood, he was a good dancer. Although sweat shone on his forehead, Nelly wasn’t aware of the answering moistness of her skin. She didn’t feel tired in the least, just full of strange energy.

When the song ended and their feet stopped moving, there was a round of clapping. Nelly looked around her. They were being applauded by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, John Barrymore, and at least one of the Talmadge girls; Nelly thought it was Norma rather than Natalie, but didn’t look long enough to confirm.

“Thank you,” she said to her audience, with a vague embarrassment mostly tempered by the liquor.

The singer grasped her hand and bowed, and Nelly followed.

“Well I simply must have the next dance with this lovely creature,” said Charlie Chaplin, winding his arm around her waist.

“Thank you for the dance!” she called after the singer, who was headed back toward the stage.

“Enchantée!” he shouted back, with a wave, smile, and befuddled shake of his head.

Rather than burn off like gasoline, the liquor head somehow soaked in more and Nelly leaned her head against Charlie’s shoulder even though a voice in the back of her head warned that he was a Dangerous Man. His shoulder was thin and slight, and he felt almost wispy compared to Buster. She began to feel like she was fading out until Paul Whiteman set the band in motion and a loud, energetic version of “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” rang out. She found energy to bounce up and down the room once more, clinging to Charlie, although her reserves had finally begun to dwindle. It was a relief to focus on each dance and each dance partner and not worry about Buster, but Buster would not stay away. At some point Charlie was no longer with her, another drink (her seventh? eighth?) was half-gone in her hand, and she was squinting with drunken brazenness at the crowd wondering why she shouldn’t ask John Barrymore to dance.

“Time to cool your heels,” said a voice. Fingers pulled the glass away from her hand. One of the fingers was shorter than the rest, missing a knuckle.

“I presume I can take care of myself,” she said, looking over her shoulder and aiming a beliquored glare at Buster.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but it’ll be quite a tale if they find me holding your hair in the bathroom while you’re upchucking.”

Nelly thought back to the first time he’d seen her in over her head and done just that. “Hmmph.”

Buster tossed the rest of her drink back into his mouth and an obedient butler standing at the wait nearby dispensed with the glass.

At that moment, Whiteman’s voiced boomed out. “I’d like to welcome The Rhythm Boys back to the stage. Over here’s Harry Barris”—he gestured at the dark-haired singer with the center part who’d been doing most of the scat singing—“This is Al Rinker”—pointing to the brown-haired singer with thick lips who had been on piano—“And to top it off, Mr. Bing Crosby.” At this, he inclined his head toward the blue-eyed singer.

“What an odd name,” said Nelly.

“Any odder’n Buster?” said Buster.

“Nobody’s odder than Buster,” she quipped, and he pinched her.

“Ow,” she said. Her worry about being seen being too familiar with him resurfaced. She was going to chastise him, but the saxophones, trumpets, and horns had started a familiar tune, shortly joined by the strings. “Oh, it’s this one,” she uttered. She could feel her eyes shining in amazement.

“It’s this one,” said Buster with a pleased smile.

She remembered that the band was a birthday present, the most generous, thoughtful present she’d ever been given, and wasn’t sure she wouldn’t cry if she spoke further.

Buster put a hand about her waist and folded her back into the dancers with him. The foxtrot he took up had a gentle rhythm to suit the song. The saxophones played a teasing melody that all the brass instruments and violins followed with a loud, plucky answer. It was one of the songs from the first record Buster had given her and they’d danced to it regularly. Buster always teased her with the lyrics, staring into her eyes as he sang, “She’s got eyes of blue, I never cared for eyes of blue.” Every time she looked in the mirror now and noticed the color of her eyes, she was reminded that she had become a weakness for Buster, a thought that made her spirits swell.

In brief pauses, The Rhythm Boys scatted. But-duh-dut-dut-dut duh-dut duh-dut-dut. Buster looked casual and collected. She was relieved there was no strong emotion from him, still worried one of his guests might put two and two together.

Shhhhhe’s got eyes of blue, went The Rhythm Boys in a singsong, their S sibilant. I never cared for eyes of blue But she’s got eyes of blue And that’s my weakness now!

Shhhhhe’s got dimpled cheeks I never cared for dimpled cheeks But she’s got dimpled cheeks And that’s my weakness now!

Oh me, oh my …

If they had been an ordinary couple going together, she would have leaned forward to kiss him, to thank him for giving her this.

Shhhhhe likes to bill and coo I never liked to bill and coo But she likes to bill and coo And that’s my weakness now

Buster’s hold on her waist was firm. As the Rhythm Boys sang “Shhhhhe likes” and “I never liked” and the instruments filled in the blanks with suggestive retorts, he leaned in and said, “…to pet and play.” Nelly blushed and went warm. He stroked her hip with his thumb and she put her mouth to his ear and told him to stop, but on purpose grazed her lips against it. On the next refrain of “Shhhhhe likes,” he finished “…to fuck and flirt.”

“Buster,” she said, but the warmth increased.

“You wanna go outside for a breath of fresh air?” he said.

“No,” she said, even though she wanted him with a sudden desperation.

“Sure?” he said. “We can bill and coo.”

She shook her head. “You go dance a little more. Perhaps you can see me out when Bradford and I leave.” Although she’d been at the party for less than three hours, it felt much longer. With so many cocktails, her body had begun to feel leaden.

When the song had finished and Buster had let her go, she left the crowd and used the washroom again, returning to the living room in time to see a slow dance in progress. Some couples waltzed gracefully like Norma Talmadge and Gil Roland, others like John Barrymore and Bebe Daniels, who had had too much to drink, were shambling.

I’ll be loving you, always With a love that’s true, always

Nelly scanned for Bradford and Buster. Bradford was in the far corner of the room talking again to a cluster of men, one of whom might have been the director Harry Beaumont; she couldn’t quite tell. Her eyes felt heavy. Buster wasn’t dancing, but was talking with Harold Lloyd, holding another glass of whiskey and looking composed.

Days may not be fair always That’s when I’ll be there, always Not for just an hour Not for just a day Not for just a year But always

The lyrics pinched her in the chest somewhere. She was struck by the ephemerality of the whole scene. It seemed only yesterday she’d been seventeen, dead bored with high school and dreaming of what lay beyond. As the years passed, most of her friends married and found their always, and she minded the grandchildren of her mother’s friends and haunted stages by night. Here she was a blink of an eye later, her life already a third lived. Always was an illusion, one that Hollywood said it believed in and didn’t, actors dying, divorcing, and becoming forgotten by the week. Yet the pinch was for what a pretty thought it was: not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year, but always. Every woman, she supposed, wanted something like that. She couldn’t bring herself to think that anything of the sort would ever be possible as long as the man she was seeing was married.

The song ended with a wistful singing of the strings, the brass providing a soft accompaniment.

“This here’s another slow number,” said the blue-eyed singer, Bing. “By a fella by the name of Jimmy McHugh. What a name, huh?” He paused. “His mama oughta have called himself something a little more traditional, something sensible, y’know? Like Bing.”

The audience roared at the joke.

He waited for the laughter to die down before finishing. “Anyway, this one’s called ‘I Can’t Give You Anything but Love’ and it’s a pretty one if I do say so myself. Grab your guy or your girl and hold ‘em close, folks.”

A clarinet warbled a sweet, jazzy introduction with the piano accompanying and Bing leaned into the microphone.

I can’t give you anything but love, baby That’s the only thing I’ve plenty of, baby Dream awhile, scheme awhile, we’re sure to find Happiness And, I guess, all those things you’ve always pined for

Nelly’s eyes flickered to the dancers and her stomach seized. Natalie and Buster were swaying close together, Buster’s hands gripping her small waist, her arms wrapped around his neck. They were a handsome couple, Natalie’s tiny frame setting off Buster’s modest brawn, both their hair dark and wavy. What gave Nelly the greatest pang, though, was the way that Buster looked at his wife. His face was all tenderness, something she was shocked to see given what she thought she knew about their marriage. She looked away, heartsick, and sought out Bradford. He put his arm around her when she approached, pausing just for a second or two to say hello before returning to his conversation with the director and the other men. She closed her eyes and nuzzled her face into the side of his chest. Tears stung behind her lids. Buster still loved Natalie. How she’d never realized this, she didn’t know.

‘Til that lucky day You know damned well, baby I can’t give you anything but love

“You okay, baby?” Bradford said, noticing that something was wrong.

She opened her filmy eyes and shook her head.

“What’s wrong?” Even in her unhappiness, she had to hand it to him. He sounded exactly as a concerned boyfriend would.

“Too much to drink, I think,” she said, quickly wiping away the tears from the corner of her eyes.

Bradford rubbed her arm. “Let’s get you home.” He dipped into the side pocket of his trousers. “Here’s my card.” He passed one to each of the three men. She watched them exchange pleasantries, and could see that Bradford was glowing with excitement and charisma. A wave of regret hit her for taking him from the party.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“No, I won’t hear of it,” he said, perfectly good-natured. “Wouldn’t want to wear out my welcome anyhow.”

There was no one for her to say goodbye to. Everyone but Buster was close to a stranger. Bradford’s arm through hers, they walked away from the room of partygoers and the beautiful noise of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. She tried to cheer herself up with the good parts, dancing with Bradford and Buster and Bing, hearing all her favorite songs, hobnobbing with stars. The orchestra was her birthday gift too, a dear secret only she and Buster shared. Even with these reminders, she still felt miserable. A part of that, maybe not an inconsiderable part, was the result of too much to drink. Her stomach ached dully. Her vision was dizzy. Her eyelids sagged. She thought with longing of changing into a clean nightgown, drinking several glasses of water, eating some crackers, and collapsing into bed. Bradford held the great mahogany door for her and she stepped out into the brisk May night. The air smelled like peonies and was cold against her bare face and arms. It made her feel a little better.

She and Bradford were a few paces away from the door and walking in the direction of his car when a voice from behind them cried, “Nelly, wait!” She turned to see Buster rushing toward them. “Where’re you going?” he said when he’d caught up to them.

A lump climbed into her throat. “I’m feeling ill,” she said, and it wasn’t a lie.

Buster looked confused. “Feeling ill?” He looked to Bradford. “Mind if I borrow her a minute?”

“Go right ahead Mr. Keaton.”

Buster took her by the arm and led her to a shadowy patch of topiary to the east of the front door out of hearing of Bradford. “What’s really the matter?” he said.

Nelly shook her head. “I drank too much.”

“Ah, gee. Wish you hadn’t. I was going to propose we slip off in a few minutes here.” He stroked her cheek.

She realized he was referring to amorous activities and she couldn’t help but be amazed by him. He’d just been enjoying a romantic dance with his wife and yet was scheming to seduce her at the same time. “We couldn’t even if I felt well,” she said. “It’s not safe.”

“Sure it is. I’ve done it plenty.”

With her brain sluggish with liquor, it took his words a few moments to make sense. He was saying he’d sneaked women into the Villa under his wife’s nose before. She felt horrible all over again. “No. Not tonight.”

“What about tomorrow? You gonna come to the premiere?”

Nelly had been so fixated on the party, she’d forgotten about the premiere of Steamboat Bill altogether and Buster’s offhand suggestion a few days back that she attend. She shook her head. “It isn’t safe. If Mr. Sedgwick knows about us, we can’t draw any more attention than we already have. We should be safer from now on.” She stopped short of telling him that coming to the party was a mistake too; she didn’t want him to think that she wasn’t grateful for her birthday surprise.

Buster searched her eyes and she knew he was trying to puzzle out her gloomy mood. “Okay, if you say so. Is this character gonna get you home safe?” he said at last, looking over at Bradford.

“Of course. He’s been the perfect beau.”

He narrowed his eyes. “See to it he don’t get too perfect.”

“Buster,” she chastened. She had to hand it to them, it was some damn Shakespearean plot they’d woven, Bradford in disguise as her paramour and she and Buster playing the parts of two star-crossed lovers.

Buster kissed her hand. “Can I call you tomorrow?”

She gave him a half-hearted smile. “You can always call.”

“Remind me to tune my ukulele before I sing you the birthday song,” he joked. He held her hand in his, running his thumb over her palm.

A wave of gratitude sunk her. Hiring the Paul Whiteman Orchestra had to say something about how he felt for her, no matter the doting way he looked at Natalie or his experience sneaking around with other women at the Villa. She leaned into his arms and put her hands around his neck. “Thank you for tonight and the band. I had the time of my life.”

He put a hand in the center of her back and touched her cheek with his free hand. “I’m a sentimental sap, that’s all,” he said, then in a quieter voice,“Can I kiss you?”

“Okay, but make it quick.” She glanced toward the front door. No one had come out since Buster, but she remained on her guard even though the drinks urged her to throw caution to the wind.

Buster leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her breathless. She tasted cigarettes and whiskey on his tongue. She tried to make her answering kiss say what she couldn’t put into words, what she’d thought of during the first dance they’d shared earlier, the stars, his lips, and a Paul Whiteman phonograph record crackling softly in the background. “No funny business with that beau of yours, you hear me?” he said when he pulled back. His voice was thick in the way it got whenever he was in a carnal mood. Nelly embraced him again. The lump in her throat held sadness as well as gratitude. She never wanted to let him go.

Minutes later, Bradford’s car was bouncing over the roads out of Beverly Hills. The night was black and starless. Bradford gushed about Irving Thalberg, Edward Sedgwick, and all the other directors and production men he’d flattered and wooed. He didn’t say a word about Buster and her. Her foggy mind drifted over Twelfth Night. Although she was having no trouble learning her lines for the play, she knew now why her heart had not been in it since she’d gotten the role of Maria. It had nothing to do with her ambition of being in talking pictures or that she was too overburdened at United Artists to play such a substantial role in a play. In her head, she ran over three of Viola’s lines again and again.

She never told her love, But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek: she pined in thought.

Viola had met Duke Orsino, but his love was still fixed on Olivia. Notes: Soundtrack to this chapter: “The Five Step,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyW73Zdqqzc

“Mary,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fse_J4WcAVY

“You Took Advantage of Me,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o01n3vVEss “My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGBzOuLmaAc “My Pet,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9nJZlg66io There’s no version I can find of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra doing the Black Bottom Stomp, but I imagined them playing a lively version like Jelly Roll Morton’s original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcgIrAyNGGM Similarly, for the “Darktown Strutters’ Ball,” I imagined them doing this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k22IKM3PFoQ “That’s My Weakness Now,” Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfVQpzQB3g And for “Always,” the George Olsen version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGRWlgXqcwU “The Darktown Strutters’ Ball,” “Mississippi Mud,” and “I’m Coming Virginia,” though they were extensively covered by black artists, are racist songs. However, I felt that omitting them would be a bit of whitewashing since songs like this were heavily popular and would undoubtedly have been in regular rotation for a popular orchestra. (Buster actually danced to “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” in coordinating his dance sequence in The Playhouse.)

#Buster Keaton #Fan fiction #RPF #Actor RPF #Silent film #Golden Age Hollywood #Bing Crosby

3 notes · View notes