#julia's mind radio

[jeridandridge]

I Want Something Bad

This wound needs more salt! College Years installment from anon request 🤍

This shouldn’t be as nerve wracking as it is. The alarm clock on your nightstand ticks away, the moonlight coming through the floor to ceiling window of your bedroom makes you sigh. Melissa was flying in tomorrow afternoon and for some reason you felt sick. Maybe because the last time you saw her it felt like a goodbye. Maybe because six months ago she was married and you were out of the country, unable to face those fears and desires you had regarding the woman.

Tossing and turning you shift to face your nightstand, hand resting on your pillow as you eye the silver picture frame that sits on the dark wood. Melissa had clung to you during graduation that day. Sat together in the chairs your heart jumped into your throat when her fingers laced with yours, eyes forward on the stage of the auditorium. Outside in the sun she wrapped her arms around your waist squeezing you so tightly you were sure you’d be bruised. Six hours later you were driving away in the dark headed back to your childhood home, tears in your eyes and your hands shaking on the wheel at the thought of her going off and marrying someone else. You still wanted her even now.

Morning comes sooner than you’d like it to. The warmth from the morning sun through the window warms you, hoping it was a good omen for the rest of the day. After a shower and a cup of coffee, you feel almost normal again as you get in the car for the Portland airport. During the drive your mind wanders, would Melissa be different now? You hadn’t seen her in almost a year, she was married and set to start teaching with a full life in Philly.

Getting closer to the pick up terminal you can’t help but smile when you see the redhead walking towards the car, sun glasses on and a Philly sweatshirt as always. Pulling into the line you put the car in park, hardly able to get out before Melissa is in front of you wrapping her arms around your neck. The smell of lavender hits your nose and her ring clad fingers bury themselves in your hair.

“Well hi,” you chuckle almost nervously, hands resting on her back.

“Hi yourself, big shot.” The redhead chuckles squeezing you tightly.

Letting go of your best friend you smile when she lifts her sunglasses, finally able to see those gorgeous eyes.

“I’m an intern not a big shot.” You chuckle putting her suitcase in the trunk closing it with a thud. “You ready to see what Portland has to offer?” You grin.

“Let’s get goin, hon.”

Settled in the car Melissa smiles at you, her hand reaching for yours where it rests on the center console. Eyes flicking down from the road you move your hand to reach for the radio,turning it up a bit to drown out the thought of that gold band and the man you despise. You felt as if it would burn if it touched your skin. “I’m happy you’re here finally. You ready to start work next month?”

Eyes on the road you miss the hurt in her eyes as she brings her hand back to her own lap. “I am, Kristin Marie even gave me a mug for my desk.” She chuckles.

“Aw, the wicked witch has a heart.” You tease. The thought of you being on opposite coasts hurt, but now you could throw yourself into your work opting to climb the social ladder at your current art gallery. Even if it was an internship you planned on running elbows with as many higher ups as you could.

The first afternoon and evening with Melissa goes well enough, you take her to your favorite coffee shop and bookstore knowing she’d enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Throughout the day you couldn’t help but dodge every touch she attempted to make on your arm or lower back, so much so that you almost dropped your coffee when her fingers brushed your elbow to rest her hand in the crook of your arm on the walk back to the car. You wanted her, you wanted her bad and you knew you could never have her.

You’ll just have to sit in it for this week.

“Hon, you better let me cook for you while I’m here.” Melissa breaks the comfortable silence as you two stand in the elevator going up to your apartment.

“I can’t turn down a Schemmenti meal.” You chuckle unlocking the door. “I stocked up on groceries last night.”

Inside Melissa goes through the fridge and cabinets pulling out everything she might need for a nice meal. It felt… nice, normal even after so much time spent having awkward phone calls two time zones apart to be moving around the kitchen together. As you wash the vegetables while the redhead prepares sauce, you glance up with a smile.

“So, have you managed to teach Joe how to cook anything yet?”

Melissa scoffs shaking her head. “No, he’s either at work or he comes home and sleeps.”

Turning back to the task at hand you hide your eye roll looking down at the cutting board. Typical. This was the man that threw a fit when he lost at beer pong for crying out loud. Of course he wouldn’t help his wife cook.

Melissa continues to stir, eyes landing on your back boring into your soul.

“I’m surprised you brought him up.”

Glancing over your shoulder you meet jade eyes. Composing yourself you shrug. “He’s your husband, I do know the guy.” You chuckle.

It’s quiet for a moment, the sound of the blade landing on the cutting board with each chop makes your palms start to sweat.

“You don’t like him.” Melissa states plainly, no malice in her voice as she keeps her eyes on the stove.

Biting your cheek you take a breath before lifting your head. “Hey,” you get her attention meeting her eyes with the best smile you can muster. “I’m happy for you, Red. I really am.”

It made you want to vomit saying those words but if it made her happy that’s all you care about. Jade eyes crinkle at the corner just as they always did, and that was the end of that.

Through dinner and the rest of the night you find yourself relaxed with your oldest friend. The tension that had been there is gone, even enough for Melissa to curl up into your side on the couch. Her right hand rests on your Jean clad thigh as you mindlessly watch a sitcom on tv, making comments here and there about the show. You wanted this all the time. You wanted to come home and make dinner with Melissa sod badly. To cuddle up with her on the couch after a long day so badly.

You’re brought out of your love drunken haze when the phone rings on the table behind the couch.

“You gonna get that, hon?”

“No, let it ring.” You hum not caring enough to answer the phone at ten o’clock on a Friday night.

The machine clicks, and a smooth female voice comes out. “Hi, sweetheart! I guess I missed you. I was calling to see if we’re still on for drinks Tuesday night. Give me a call soon, bye!”

As soon as you hear Lena’s voice coming through the speaker you feel Melissa stiffen against your side.

“Well she sounds like fun.” Melissa chuckles with a tight smile.

Keeping your eyes on the tv you shrug. “She’s a curator for the gallery, I’ve been seeing her for a couple weeks.”

“You didn’t tell me?” Melissa pulls back looking at you. “Cmon, hon. What she like?” She asks with a quirked brow.

You’d seen this look before many times all throughout college, she puts a smirk on but the excitement doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Well…” you start off in another cycle you’re sure will continue for as long as you know the redhead.

[formulafanfics13]

All Eyes On Me - Chapter 26

Masterlist

Disclaimer:

This fanfic will contain mature themes and topics (smut, abuse, power imbalance, drug use, alcohol dependency, control, and eating disorders). There will not be warnings throughout, so if you proceed with this fic, please bear this in mind!

The Monaco paddock was chaos wrapped in luxury- white yachts bobbing along the edge of the track, team motorhomes turned into champagne-drenched content factories, the air thick with perfume and engine smoke and the scent of money being burned by the minute.

The girls had landed yesterday afternoon, arriving in a blacked-out jet with iced towels, cucumber water, and NDAs signed before the wheels even hit the tarmac.

Now it was Thursday. The real work had begun.

They entered through the private driver-access gate with Julia and David leading the way, both in sunglasses, both on their phones, both already visibly annoyed by how behind schedule everything was.

The girls trailed behind them like gods disguised in workout sets, perfect hair, full glam, lips glossed, legs tanned, faces unreadable.

Martha in black, Lila in pastel pink, Barbara in citrus orange, Taylor in cobalt blue, Gigi in white with silver hoop earrings the size of small dinner plates.

Karen stood inside the paddock entrance with clipboards and a military-level schedule printout. She looked up and clapped once.

"Okay! Here's the rundown. You've all got separate media duties this morning, so listen carefully."

The girls blinked. Silently. Blank-faced. Polite.

Karen tapped her clipboard.

"Lila, you're with Red Bull first. You'll be doing the 'name a song in three seconds' challenge."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "Vodka?"

Karen ignored her. "Then you'll go straight to VCARB for the Jenga game."

Lila exhaled. "Of course."

"Taylor, you're doing 'Train Like an F1 Driver' for one hour with Alpine. You'll be working with their PT team and the two drivers. Then you're heading to Aston Martin for a running race against one of the mechanics."

Taylor blinked. "I didn't even run track in high school."

"Smile and pretend."

"Barbara, you're cooking pancakes in the Ferrari hospitality kitchen for a video with Carlos and Charles."

Barbara looked physically offended. "You want me to flip food?"

"It's scripted."

She sighed.

"Then you'll go straight to Haas for hot laps."

Barbara grinned. "Better."

"Gigi, you're doing 'American vs English Snacks' with Williams. Then you're going to Sauber for a 'What's In My Bag' video."

Gigi tilted her head. "Do I get to pick the snacks?"

"No. They're already chosen."

"What if I choke?"

"Then smile while doing it."

"And Martha," Karen paused for effect. "Hot laps with Mercedes, all three of them. Then a quiz video with McLaren. You'll be with both McLaren boys."

Martha said nothing. Just nodded once. Cool. Composed. Inside, she was already clocking every movement, every escape route, every bullshit setup.

The girls started to drift off toward their respective teams, each one pulled into a different content spiral, handlers clapping earpieces in, microphones being clipped onto collarbones, digital producers already shouting about lighting and brand mentions. David watched from the center of it all, arms folded, sunglasses hiding whatever interest he did or didn't have. Julia stood near the Mercedes garage, tracking Martha's movements like a hawk. Karen was already halfway down the grid on a radio call with someone about wardrobe approvals.

The show was live. The cameras were rolling. The illusion was back in full. Perfect girls. Perfect smiles. Perfect distractions.

The Monaco sun hit differently inside the Mercedes garage, hotter, heavier, buzzing with tension under the sleek black-and-silver canopy.

The AMG GT was parked just outside, its matte paint job practically shimmering under the light, the mounted cameras already blinking red. A low hum vibrated from the engine, still warm, recently tested. Perfect.

Three men stood waiting beside it. Lewis in his fireproofs, sunglasses on, smiling faintly. George beside him, arms crossed, full golden retriever energy. And Toto, in black Mercedes-branded slacks and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, watch glinting against his wrist, smirking in the shade like he wasn't the goddamn CEO of the operation.

Martha stepped into the garage like she'd been born there. Black VS-branded gym set. Hair slicked into a braid down her back. Gloss on her lips. Heels swapped for sleek trainers. Still bruised, still healing, but unreadable.

The PR girl rushed up beside her, clipboard clutched like it might explode.

"Hi Martha! We're set up for three hot laps. All pre-approved by your team. First lap will be with George, second with Lewis, third with..." She hesitated for effect, grinning wide. "...Toto."

Martha blinked. Slowly. She turned, raising a brow at the men in front of her. "Toto is a team principal and not a driver. Is this even safe?"

George coughed a laugh into his fist. Lewis smirked and pulled down his sunglasses just enough to look at her directly. "Toto used to be a racing driver," he said smoothly.

Toto, from beside the car, smiled. Just a little. "I'm very safe."

Martha cocked her head. "That's what they all say."

George grinned. "Come on, I'm first. Don't hold it against me."

The PR girl ushered Martha toward the car with a click of her headset, and Martha gave them all a final look over her shoulder, something halfway between a smirk and a challenge, before sliding into the passenger seat.

As the gullwing door clicked shut beside her, the garage erupted back into controlled chaos, camera crews repositioning, David's assistant hissing into her earpiece, Karen stalking by with a clipboard and three versions of the same disapproving face.

Toto stayed still, arms crossed now, watching the car roll forward toward the pit lane.

"Tell me she hasn't done this before," George said as he buckled in.

"She hasn't," Lewis muttered. "But she'll eat it up."

Toto didn't say anything, just kept watching the car with narrowed eyes.

Because he knew: This wasn't just a media shoot. This was the beginning of her return. And he'd be the one closing the door on the final lap.

The AMG rolled slowly out of the garage, cameras clicking, sun bouncing off the windshield like a spotlight on a stage.

Inside the car, Martha clipped her mic into the side of her top with one hand while bracing herself with the other. George Russell was already laughing before they'd even left pit lane.

"You ready?" he asked, throwing her a sideways grin, sunglasses still perched on his nose like he hadn't just floored a car like this two hours ago.

Martha gave him a look, equal parts daring and are you going to kill me? "Emotionally? No. Physically? Also no."

George cackled. "Perfect," he said. "Ideal conditions."

The second they hit the track, the car roared.

Martha shrieked, not in fear, but in total, chaotic disbelief. "GEORGE!"

He was already laughing. "I haven't even pushed it yet!"

"You're already doing a hundred!"

"That's in kilometres per hour!" he shouted over the engine.

"Oh my god."

The car slid through the first turn with precision, the camera mounted to the dash capturing Martha clinging to the side of the seat, one hand still gripping her mic like it could save her.

"So-" she wheezed, half-laughing, "how does it feel to be the most accidentally chaotic man in Formula One?"

George blinked. "Is that the first interview question?"

"It's the only one!"

He burst out laughing again, taking a corner like he was doing it just to make her squeal, which she did.

"Alright," George shouted over the engine, "next question!"

Martha composed herself for half a second, breathing hard through a grin, mascara smudging at the edges of her eyes from the wind and the tears of hysterical laughter.

"Is it true," she began dramatically, "that your skincare routine takes longer than a McLaren pit stop?"

George feigned offence. "HOW DARE YOU-"

Martha nearly fell sideways from laughing.

"I moisturise!" he yelled. "That doesn't make me weak!"

"It makes you dewy and I respect that!"

They tore through another corner, the G-force pressing them back into the seats. Martha squealed and cackled and tried to regain composure.

The camera caught everything. Wind in her hair. A real, sharp grin. The kind of laugh that looked like freedom.

By the time they pulled back into the paddock, the crew was waiting with towels, water, and two producers barely able to contain their joy behind the screens.

The moment George climbed out of the AMG, still grinning and covered in sweat, Lewis stepped up to the drivers side with a casual smile and a bottle of water.

"You good?" he asked, looking Martha over.

Martha laughed breathlessly, cheeks flushed, hair wild. "I think my soul left my body around Turn 8."

Lewis smiled, slow and soft. "Let's go find it."

She rolled her eyes, but the way she smiled back wasn't dismissive. She liked the way he said things.

Inside the car, the door clicked shut. The engine purred. And the entire world outside went quiet. Lewis adjusted his gloves like he'd done this a thousand times, which he had. But this time, it felt deliberate.

Martha clipped her mic back onto her top, lips glossed, sunglasses slightly askew. "Okay," she said, clearing her throat, "Lap Two. Guest: Seven-Time World Champion and full-time menace to skincare, Lewis Hamilton."

He grinned. "That's how you're opening this?"

She turned to the camera, stone-faced. "I'm a professional."

"You're a menace."

"I learned from the best."

He revved the engine, eyes flicking to her for just a second. "Flattery won't save you."

"Oh god."

And then they were off. The start was smooth, aggressive, yes, but deliberate. Lewis didn't show off like George. He didn't need to. Every turn, every downshift, every controlled flick of the wheel, it was calculated. Confident.

Martha gripped the edge of her seat, more for the tension than the speed. She turned toward him, trying to keep her voice steady. "Okay, first question-"

"Already failing."

She laughed, catching her breath. "First question: Is it true that you have more piercings than race wins?"

Lewis smirked. "Depends which kind you're counting."

Martha choked on a laugh. "Sir Lewis!"

He looked at her sideways, grinning. "You asked."

She caught her lower lip between her teeth, trying not to let the laugh twist into something else. Something warmer. "Okay, fine," she said, voice slightly breathless. "Serious question. Who's the better driver: you or Toto?"

Lewis didn't blink. "ME."

She turned her head sharply. "Really?"

He smiled. "Emotionally."

Martha rolled her eyes and grinned. The engine roared louder as they hit the straight, the car sliding effortlessly into speed, her hair whipping over her shoulders as she tried to stay composed.

"Okay," she said, voice tight but teasing. "Let's talk about Monaco."

"I'm listening."

"What's the best thing about this race weekend?"

He didn't answer right away. Just looked at her, sideways, sharp, smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You."

Martha's breath hitched just slightly, barely, but she felt it. "Very smooth," she muttered.

"I'm literally driving smooth."

"You're so annoying."

"You're glowing."

Martha shook her head, looking forward again, biting back the smirk. They took another corner, tighter this time, and Lewis's hand brushed her leg, not deliberately, but enough.

"I missed this," he said quietly.

Her heart kicked. "This?"

"This version of you."

She didn't respond. She didn't need to. The silence between them said it louder. As they rolled back into the pit lane, the car slowing under the shaded arch of the Mercedes garage, the cameras caught Lewis pulling off his gloves slowly, the same smirk on his face as when he started.

Martha unbuckled her seatbelt, fixing her hair like nothing had happened. Toto stood nearby, arms crossed, watching.

Lewis looked at Martha one last time and said, "Toto's got you next."

Martha raised an eyebrow. "Should I be scared?"

Lewis just smiled. "Probably."

The car was silent again. Lewis had barely stepped away before Toto slipped into the driver's seat, adjusting nothing. Not the seat, not the mirrors. Just clipped in, hands on the wheel, eyes on the road. The door clicked shut behind them, and the noise of the paddock fell away. It was the quietest the car had felt all day.

Martha re-clipped her mic out of habit, though her voice was already softer. Different. "Alright," she said, smiling faintly. "Final lap. Guest: Team Principal, ex-racing driver, and unofficial king of restraint, Toto Wolff."

Toto smiled just a little. "You flatter me."

She smirked. "I'm contractually obligated."

The engine started with a much smoother growl this time, not aggressive, not loud. Just there. Present. They rolled out of the garage like they weren't in a rush.

Martha settled into her seat. "So... Toto. How often do you drive?"

"Not often."

"Do you miss it?"

He thought for a moment. "Sometimes. But I enjoy watching more now."

"You sound like a dad at a ballet recital."

He glanced at her sideways. "I take that as a compliment."

She smiled, turning slightly toward him. "Do you ever get tempted to jump back in? Just for fun?"

He shrugged. "I prefer control these days. From the wall. From the office."

Martha nodded, looking out at the track as they gently picked up speed.

They weren't flying. They weren't filming for thrill. It felt more like a drive home.

She kept her voice low. "You're very calm."

"You're very brave," Toto said back without looking.

Her smile faltered, just for a moment.

He continued. "Most people wouldn't get back in this car, letting someone else control something that could be so dangerous, after what you've been through."

Martha looked ahead. "I trust you."

Toto's jaw flexed once. "Good."

A beat of silence passed, soft wind brushing through the windows.

She exhaled. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Is it weird to have all of us here? Like... does it actually bother you?"

Toto didn't answer right away. He took a corner cleanly, smoothly, before speaking. "No," he said simply. "I think you bring more to this sport than most people realize."

Martha blinked. "Even with all the chaos?"

He glanced at her. "Especially with the chaos."

She smiled again, slower this time. Realer. 

They drove a little longer in silence. Martha wasn't interviewing anymore. She didn't need to. Then Toto spoke again, casually, but clearly on purpose. "Susie will be here tomorrow."

Martha looked over, surprised. "She's coming to Monaco?"

He nodded. "She lives here with me and wants to meet all of you. She's been following the campaign since the first week. Very curious. Very invested."

Martha raised a brow. "In us?"

"In you," he corrected gently. "She sees what most people don't."

"What's that?"

"That this isn't just marketing. It's survival."

Martha was quiet for a beat. Then: "She sounds like a real one."

Toto smiled, taking another slow turn. "She is."

They drove the rest of the lap in calm. No jokes. No tension. Just warmth. Just quiet understanding.

As they pulled back into the paddock, the cameras reset, the crew shifted. But neither of them moved right away.

Martha turned toward him. "Thanks for this."

Toto met her gaze. "Any time."

She opened the door slowly, unbuckling.

"And Toto?" she said, halfway out.

"Yes?"

"I can't wait to meet your wife."

He smiled. Soft and knowing. "She can't wait to meet you either."

The AMG was parked back in position, cameras blinking red for the final wide shot. Martha stood between Lewis and George, the three of them shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the car, sunglasses on, all still glowing from speed, heat, and the kind of adrenaline that made your smile a little sharper than usual.

A camera operator waved, giving them the go-ahead.

"Three, two-"

Lewis was the one who took the lead, still smooth, still warm. "And that wraps our hot lap takeover here in Monaco," he said, voice velvety under the weight of years of media training and charm.

George chimed in next, eyes wide with fake innocence. "I was clearly the best driver."

Martha smirked. "You tried to kill me."

"I brought personality!"

"You brought trauma!"

They all laughed, the moment real, the cameras catching the warmth, the inside jokes, the ease. The undeniable comfort that had formed between them since that night in Miami.

Lewis turned to Martha with a grin. "Did we convert you?"

Martha looked directly into the lens. "No. But I survived. And I think that's enough."

The camera crew cut, pleased, giving the all-clear. Everyone relaxed. Shoulders dropped. Mics unhooked. Water bottles appeared from nowhere. Toto approached from just inside the garage, stepping out into the golden sunlight, sleeves still rolled, shirt somehow more crisp now than before.

"Very professional," he said, voice calm, amused.

George spun toward him. "You see me nearly kill her?"

"Several times," Toto replied. "Remind me never to lend you the team car."

Lewis laughed. "She handled it."

Martha gave a little bow. "Thank you."

Toto looked her over, eyes scanning without judgment, checking, not policing. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. "Yeah. Honestly? Pretty good."

He raised a brow. She added, "Bruises are almost gone. Ribs are healing way faster than expected. The car didn't kill me. No complaints."

Toto exhaled, just a bit, nodding. "That's good," he said.

George, still bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet, added with a grin, "I think the real healing happened spiritually."

Lewis turned to him. "What does that even mean?"

"I don't know, it sounded deep."

Martha rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're unwell."

"Correct."

They stood there for a moment longer, no cameras now, no performance. Just the four of them. Engines roaring faintly in the distance. Media crews shifting back toward hospitality. Monaco glittering like it always did in the late afternoon sun.

Martha had just finished taking a long sip of water when one of the PR girls approached her with a headset and the unmistakable air of we're behind schedule but smiling anyway.

"Hey, babe, McLaren's ready for you now. They're set up inside for the quiz. It'll be you, Lando and Oscar, ten questions each round, three rounds, filmed in the papaya room. Should only take about twenty minutes."

Martha gave her a calm nod, already moving, the sweat still drying on the back of her neck from the AMG but the adrenaline starting to build again. She knew the McLaren hospitality vibe: loud, fast, orange, and absolutely feral.

She followed the girl past the garages, through the paddock, and straight into the papaya palace.

Inside, the McLaren hospitality was bright as hell, orange everywhere, fan art on the walls, branded snacks in clear bowls, cameras already set up in the lounge area that had been temporarily converted into a filming zone.

Lando and Oscar were already there. Oscar sat on one side of the couch, legs crossed, sipping a monster like it was wine, deadpan as always. Lando? Fully sprawled out, one arm thrown dramatically across the backrest, sunglasses on indoors like he was in a boy band promo shoot.

The moment Martha walked in, Lando sat up like he'd been shot. Oscar's eyes flicked up, expressionless, but the corners of his mouth twitched.

"Martha," Lando said, voice way too cheerful. "Welcome to the best team in the paddock."

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "Says who?"

"Says me," Lando replied. "And the vibes."

Martha grinned, slipping into the seat between them as the camera crew checked audio and framed the shot. "I'm surrounded by children," she muttered, adjusting her mic.

"You're lucky," Oscar said. "We're hilarious."

"She's not ready," Lando whispered, eyes wide.

"I can hear you."

"We're always like this."

The cameras rolled. The lights were too bright. The quiz set was nothing more than a McLaren sofa, three papaya-coloured buzzers balanced on branded clipboards, and one poor intern trying to keep score.

Round 1 was General Knowledge. But this group? Had none

Lando sat on the left, legs crossed under him like a gremlin, wearing socks with little fire emojis on them. Oscar sat to the right, perfectly composed, looking like he was prepping for a college entrance exam. And Martha? Center seat. Legs stretched, mic pinned to her sports bra, sunglasses perched on her head like a crown.

The producer gave the signal. The host cleared her throat.

"Question 1: What's the capital city of Canada?"

Oscar buzzed first. Calm. Confident. "Ottawa."

"Correct."

Lando blinked. "Wait, what? It's not Toronto?"

Martha blinked. "Did you just say that out loud?"

Lando threw his hands up. "Everyone thinks it's Toronto!"

"Because everyone is wrong." Oscar deadpanned.

Lando squinted at him. "You've never even been to Canada."

"I- Mate we race there."

"Question 2: How many sides does a dodecagon have?"

Martha buzzed. "Twelve."

"Correct."

Lando turned slowly to her. "How the fuck do you know that?"

She sipped her water like it was wine. "Because I went to school."

Oscar smiled. "She's the smart one."

Lando groaned. "I feel attacked."

"Question 3: What is the smallest bone in the human body?"

Oscar buzzed. "Stapes. It's in the ear."

Both Lando and Martha turned to stare at him.

Martha pulled a face as if she was not believing this, "Why do you know that?"

Oscar shrugs. "I read a lot of Wikipedia."

 "You read medical Wikipedia?" 

Oscar, deadpan. "What if I need to self-operate one day?"

Martha clapped. "Icon."

"Question 4: What is the square root of 144?"

Lando buzzed like he meant it. "Uh... twelve?"

"Correct!"

Martha stared. "Did you just- math?"

Oscar muttered, "A new man."

Martha smirked. "A changed boy."

Lando smirked straight back at her, "A scholar."

"Question 5: Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?"

Martha buzzed in: "France."

"Correct."

Lando's jaw dropped. "What??"

Oscar didn't even look up. "You've been to New York five times and didn't know that?"

Lando whined. "I thought it just... appeared."

Martha looked into the camera. "You heard it here first. Lando Norris believes the Statue of Liberty spawned like a Minecraft object."

Oscar choked on his Red Bull. "That is so specific."

Lando grinned. "It's a statue! I don't know, I thought America built it!"

Martha leaned over to Lando's mic, completely serious. "France also invented mayonnaise. You okay with that?"

Lando fake-gagged. "That's disgusting."

Oscar calmly raised a finger. "France also invented the metric system."

Martha stretched, flipping her card and tucking her legs under her.

"I feel like we're learning so much about each other."

Oscar nodded. "Mainly that Lando's Google search history must be terrifying."

Lando grinned. "At least I'm entertaining."

Martha looked directly into the camera. "He is."

Oscar nodded. "In a concerning way."

*

The final question had been answered. Lando lost by two points. Oscar tied with Martha. Martha, of course, claimed moral victory regardless.

The crew called wrap, but no one stood up. One of the PR girls leaned in from behind the camera. "You guys actually finished ahead of schedule. We're gonna keep the cameras rolling a bit, just get some relaxed, behind-the-scenes clips. Chat, laugh, whatever. Just natural."

Oscar nodded, already settling into his reserved pose, legs crossed, hands resting in his lap, expression neutral. Media mode: activated.

Martha? Not so much. She turned toward Lando and within seconds, it began. "So," she said, lazily twisting to face him on the couch. "What do you actually do when you're not driving?"

Lando blinked. "Cry."

Oscar looked alarmed.

Martha burst into laughter. "Okay, valid."

"Also golf. I play golf."

"That's just crying in polo shirts."

Oscar turned to the camera, whispering, "Please cut this."

Lando grinned. "What do you do when you're not modelling?"

Martha shrugged. "Start fights in comment sections. Sleep in uncomfortable positions. Manifest brand deals I'm not qualified for."

Lando nodded solemnly. "A woman of culture."

Oscar blinked again. "You both need help."

Lando leaned in, eyes wide. "I once tried to make a grilled cheese with a hotel iron."

Martha clapped. "Same!"

Oscar turned to the crew. "Someone, please, unplug their microphones."

Martha laughed so hard she almost slipped off the couch. "Oh my god, wait a girl,  last year, DMed me saying she dreamed of licking your helmet, and I had no idea who you were."

Lando howled. "WHAT?!"

"She said, and I quote, 'tell him I'd polish his visor with my tongue.'"

Oscar audibly gagged.

"I didn't even respond," Martha wheezed. "I just screenshot it and sent it to our girls groupchat."

Lando was on his back now, legs flailing, laughing like he was being exorcised. Oscar looked off camera again. "I refuse to be part of this narrative."

"You're in it now," Martha said sweetly. "You're the moral anchor."

Lando wiped tears from his eyes. "You're the one they'll marry. We're the ones they'll warn people about."

"Speak for yourself," Martha smirked.

Lando raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I'm absolutely the divorce."

Oscar stood up. "I'm going to the food stand."

"You can't leave-" Lando called.

"I'm leaving. I'm taking my McLaren badge and going to find dignity."

Martha leaned into the mic. "And I will be auditioning for the role of his second wife."

Oscar turned back once. "Security will escort you out."

Martha winked. "Make sure they're hot."

The camera crew? Silently crying. The PR girl? Pale. The social media intern? Already saving every soundbite to their hard drive. And Lando? Still breathless, wiping his face. "Do you wanna just-like-never stop filming?"

Martha leaned back into the couch like she was born there. "Only if you promise to never let me near Oscar's safe space again."

"He's traumatised."

"I'm proud of us."

The paddock corridor was loud with radios and engines, but nothing compared to the screech Martha heard the second she opened the hospitality door.

Barbara was already in her socks, lying on the floor like a corpse, Gigi was perched on the counter eating someone else's protein bar, Taylor was in a lounge chair with her sports bra rolled up like a crop top, and Lila? Lila was in the corner with a Red Bull and her fourth coffee of the day, eyes wide, vibrating.

Martha stepped in like a hurricane disguised as a woman, still in her gym set, flushed from laughter, half her braid falling out, her mic pack swinging in her hand.

"I NEED TO DEBRIEF," she announced.

All four girls turned simultaneously. Gigi perked up immediately. "Where were you?"

"McLaren," Martha breathed. "Lando. Oscar. A quiz. I have stories."

Barbara sat up like she was being resurrected. "Spill it now."

Martha collapsed into the middle of the floor, legs spread, water bottle in one hand like a prop. "Lando Norris is my soul twin."

Taylor gasped. "Are we talking birth chart or unmedicated ADHD twin flame?"

"Both," Martha said seriously. "We're two brain cells in one body. Unsupervised. Dangerous. I had a six-pack from laughing."

Lila cackled. "You already have a six-pack."

"Now I have two."

Gigi grinned. "Do you think he's hot?"

Martha blinked. "He's... like a feral Victorian child who got left in a go-kart track and never went home. But yes."

Barbara nodded. "So, hot."

"Yes. Chaotic hot. Idiot hot. 'He'll ruin your life and then bring you a juice box' hot."

Taylor choked. "Is Oscar okay?"

Martha collapsed backwards. "Oscar needs therapy."

Lila wheezed. "What did you do?"

"I existed," Martha said dramatically. "And then Lando existed back. It was carnage. He sat there. Silently judging. Looking into the camera like he was filing an HR complaint."

Barbara howled. "I need the footage."

"You will DIE," Martha said, sitting up. "At one point, Lando told me he made grilled cheese with a hotel iron."

Lila clapped like a seal. "Oscar's probably lying in a dark room right now playing Rainforest Sounds on YouTube."

Gigi smirked. "So what I'm hearing is... McLaren Martha era begins now?"

Martha grinned. "It was giving... soulmates who steal road signs and eat cereal with vodka."

Barbara blinked. "Do we ship this?"

Taylor pointed her protein bar at her. "Only if you destroy him emotionally first."

Martha raised her water bottle like a toast. "To feral friendships and traumatised rookies."

All the girls clinked their drinks, water, Red Bull, stolen electrolyte packs, whatever was closest. The energy in the room pulsed again. No cameras. No chaos. Just them.

[nicnak20]

Boyfriends:

*When you and Nick's daughter is seen with her new boyfriend, Nicholas's protective instincts kick in- much to your daughter's chagrin.*

You glanced at Nicholas in the passenger seat, a comfortable silence settling between you after your grocery run. He was humming softly to the radio, his brown hair catching the sunlight through the car window – the same warm brown as his eyes, eyes that reflected a depth of kindness that always made you feel safe. Today however, there was a flicker in those kind eyes, a subtle tension you knew well.

“Julia’s home, right?” he asked, his voice casual, but you picked up on the underlying current of… anticipation? Concern? It was hard to pinpoint, but it was definitely there.

“Should be. Said she was meeting Sarah to study, but that was hours ago. Probably back by now,” you replied, unbuckling your seatbelt. You knew exactly what was going on in Nicholas’s mind. It had been brewing since Julia had casually mentioned, with the bright-eyed enthusiasm only a seventeen-year-old could muster, that she had a… friend. A boy. A boy named James.

You hadn’t met James yet, not officially. You’d caught glimpses of him in the periphery when you’d picked Julia up from school, a flash of dark hair and a broad smile. But Nicholas, had seemingly absorbed every detail from Julia’s excited descriptions – the way James made her laugh, his shared love for old movies, the way he apparently had ‘the kindest eyes’. You found it endearing, Julia’s burgeoning romance. Nicholas, on the other hand, seemed to be operating at DEFCON 3.

You opened the front door, and the sound of laughter spilled out from the living room. “Julia?” you called out, stepping inside.

And there they were. Julia, perched on the edge of the sofa, her cheeks flushed and bright, animatedly talking to a young man sitting opposite her. He had dark, slightly messy hair, a charming smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, and an easy, relaxed posture. James.

“Mom! Dad!” Julia exclaimed, her smile widening as she jumped up. “This is James. James, this is my mom and dad, Yn and Nicholas.”

James stood up smoothly, extending a hand first to you, then to Nicholas. “It’s so nice to finally meet you both,” he said, his voice warm and genuine. “Julia has told me so much about you.”

You smiled, taking his hand. He had a firm, pleasant handshake. “It’s lovely to meet you too, James. Julia’s been buzzing about a ‘James’ for weeks now.” You shot Julia a teasing look, making her giggle and blush further.

Then Nicholas took James’s hand. His grip was… firm. Very firm. You watched as Nicholas’s brown eyes, usually so warm and welcoming, narrowed slightly, assessing James from head to toe. It wasn’t a subtle assessment either. It was the kind of look you knew well – the look Nicholas gave faulty wiring, or suspiciously wobbly furniture, or now, apparently, his daughter’s boyfriend.

“James,” Nicholas repeated, his voice a little deeper than usual. “So, you’re the James.”

The air in the room shifted, becoming subtly charged. Julia’s smile faltered just a fraction. James, however, maintained his charming composure, his smile unwavering. “Yes, sir, that’s me. Hope I live up to expectations.” He chuckled lightly, but you could see a flicker of something in his eyes too, a subtle awareness of Nicholas’s scrutiny.

“Expectations are… subjective,” Nicholas said, still holding James’s hand a beat longer than necessary. He finally released it, but his gaze remained locked on James. “So, James, what brings you into our little corner of California?”

You stepped forward slightly, placing a hand on Nicholas’s arm, a silent reminder to maybe dial it back a notch. “Nicholas is just being… welcoming,” you said soothingly, smiling at James. “We’re always happy to meet Julia’s friends.”

“Of course, Ma’am,” James said, nodding politely at you, then turning back to Nicholas, meeting his gaze directly. “I moved here recently with my family. Just started at Julia’s school last semester.”

“And you and Julia became… friends quickly?” Nicholas asked, the word “friends” laced with a hint of skepticism.

Julia cleared her throat. “Dad, James and I are… dating. Like, boyfriend and girlfriend.” She said it quickly, the words tumbling out as if she was bracing herself for something.

The room went silent. You could practically feel the tectonic plates of Nicholas’s paternal instincts shifting beneath his calm exterior. His eyes widened, just slightly, but it was enough. You knew that look. It was the look of a protective bear realizing there might be a threat to its cub.

“Dating,” Nicholas repeated slowly, as if testing the word’s weight and implications. He turned to Julia, his tone softening, but still laced with that undercurrent of intensity. “Julia, honey, we didn’t know you were… dating someone.”

“Well, it’s kind of… new,” Julia mumbled, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “And I wanted you to meet him before… before it got too serious.”

“Serious?” Nicholas echoed, turning back to James, his eyebrows raising. “At seventeen? Serious?”

You stepped in again, gently nudging Nicholas aside. “Nicholas, come on. Let’s not interrogate the poor boy on his first visit.” You smiled reassuringly at James. “Why don’t we all sit down? Can I get you something to drink, James? Juice, soda, water?”

“Water would be great, thank you, Ma’am,” James said politely, his gaze flickering between you and Nicholas, clearly sensing the shift in atmosphere.

As you went to the kitchen to get water, you could hear Nicholas’s voice, low and careful, talking to James. “So, James, tell me about yourself. What are your plans after school? College? Career?” It was the dad-interview. You knew it well. You also knew it usually started with seemingly innocuous questions but could quickly devolve into a forensic examination of the young man’s life choices and future prospects.

You returned with a glass of water for James, strategically placing yourself on the sofa between Nicholas and Julia. The conversation had shifted to James’s interests – he mentioned he played guitar, loved photography, and was hoping to study film in college. He was charming, articulate, and seemed genuinely interested in what Julia had to say. On the surface, he was everything you’d want in a boyfriend for your daughter.

But Nicholas wasn’t convinced. You could feel it in the way he sat rigidly, in the pointed questions he interjected every now and then, in the way his eyes seemed to constantly be calculating, assessing.

The rest of the evening passed with forced pleasantries. You tried your best to keep the conversation light and flowing, praising James’s polite manners and engaging conversation. Julia, however, grew increasingly uncomfortable, her initial excitement fading into a palpable tension. Every time Nicholas asked a question, her shoulders would tense, her eyes darting between James and her father, a silent plea for him to stop.

Finally, James said he should probably head home, mentioning he had an early start the next day. “It was really lovely meeting you both, Mr. and Mrs….” he trailed off, looking at you.

“Just Yn,” you said with a smile. “And Nicholas.”

“Yn and Nicholas,” James repeated, smiling back. “Thank you for having me.” He turned to Julia, his smile softening. “I’ll text you later?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Julia said, her own smile returning, albeit a bit strained.

You walked James to the door, thanking him again for coming over. As you closed the door behind him, you turned back to find Nicholas standing in the living room, arms crossed, staring at the closed door as if it were a portal to another dimension filled with potential teenage heartbreak.

“Nicholas…” you began gently.

He turned to you, his expression a mix of concern and something else… something you couldn’t quite decipher. “Did you see the way he…?” he started, then stopped, shaking his head. “He’s… charming. Too charming.”

Julia groaned from the sofa. “Dad, please! You were so embarrassing! You grilled him like he was a suspect in a crime!”

“I was just getting to know him, Julia,” Nicholas said, his voice defensive. “As any father would.”

“But you were so… suspicious! He probably thinks you hate him!” Julia exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. “He’s really nice, Dad. He’s kind and sweet and he actually listens to me! Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“Honey, I am happy for you,” Nicholas said, softening his tone. He walked over and sat beside her on the sofa, taking her hand. “I just… I want to make sure you’re safe. That you’re with someone who’s good for you.”

“And you decided he’s not?” Julia retorted, pulling her hand away. “Just like that? Because you met him for an hour?”

“It’s not about an hour, Julia,” Nicholas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s… it’s a feeling. Something about him…” He couldn’t quite articulate it. It was more than just paternal protectiveness. It was an instinct screaming that something wasn’t quite right.

“Oh, here we go again,” Julia muttered, rolling her eyes. “Dad’s ‘feelings’.” She stood up abruptly. “I’m going to my room.”

You watched her go, then turned to Nicholas, concern etched on your face. “Nicholas, you were a bit… intense,” you said gently. “She’s seventeen. She’s going to date. We have to let her explore these things.”

“I know, I know,” Nicholas sighed again, leaning back against the sofa. “It’s just… I don’t like him. I can’t explain it. He just… feels… off.”

You frowned, looking at him. You knew Nicholas. He wasn’t usually this irrational. He was the most understanding and patient man you knew. For him to be so instantly distrustful of James… it was unusual.

“Maybe you’re just being a dad,” you suggested, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s in the job description, you know, scare off any potential suitors.”

Nicholas gave you a weak smile. “Maybe. But something feels different this time, Yn. Something… uneasy.”

Days turned into weeks. Julia and James were inseparable. You saw them around the house, laughing, studying together, holding hands. James was always polite, charming to you and even to Nicholas, always offering to help with chores, complimenting your cooking. He was the perfect boyfriend on the surface.

But Nicholas remained unconvinced. He watched James, his eyes constantly observing, analyzing. He became quieter around Julia, his usual warm banter replaced with a more reserved, watchful silence. Julia picked up on it, growing increasingly frustrated with her father’s apparent disapproval. Arguments became more frequent, mostly stemming from Julia’s exasperation with Nicholas’s “vibes” and Nicholas’s inability to articulate his unease beyond vague pronouncements of “something isn’t right.”

One Saturday afternoon, Nicholas told you he was going to run some errands, but you noticed he seemed… restless. He kept glancing at his phone, muttering something about needing to pick up a part for the lawnmower at the hardware store, even though the lawnmower was working perfectly fine.

Later that afternoon, your phone buzzed. It was a text from Nicholas. Just one word: “Call.”

You stepped into the quiet of your bedroom and called him. He answered almost immediately, his voice tight, strained.

“Yn,” he said, his voice low. “I think… I think I was right about James.”

Your heart sank. “What do you mean?”

“I went by the coffee shop Julia and James usually go to after school. Just… just to see them, you know? Make sure… everything was okay.”

“Nicholas,” you said, a note of warning in your voice. “You weren’t… spying on them, were you?”

“No, no, not exactly,” he stammered, but you knew he was lying. “I just… happened to be in the area. And… and I saw him. James. He was there. But… Julia wasn’t with him.”

“Okay,” you said slowly, your stomach clenching. “And?”

“He was… with another girl, Yn. Holding hands. Kissing her. It wasn’t just… friendly. It was… like he and Julia are.”

The air rushed out of your lungs. “Are you sure?” you whispered, disbelief warring with a chilling certainty.

“I’m sure, Yn. It was him. And… and it wasn’t just some quick peck. They were… affectionate. Like they were a couple.” His voice was thick with anger, protectiveness, and a deep, heartbroken sadness for Julia.

Silence stretched between you, heavy and suffocating. You knew Nicholas’s instincts were rarely wrong, especially when it came to Julia. And the uneasy feeling you’d also sensed about James, the charm that felt a little too practiced… it all clicked into place with a sickening thud.

“What… what are you going to do?” you finally asked, your voice barely a whisper.

“I don’t know yet,” Nicholas said, his voice grim. “But I’m not letting him hurt her, Yn. Not for a second.”

He hung up, leaving you standing there, a cold dread washing over you. Nicholas, in his quiet, gentle way, had been right all along. And now, the protective bear was fully awake, and James was about to face the consequences of his deceit. You knew Nicholas wouldn’t overreact in a way that would hurt Julia further. He would be careful, considered, but also utterly resolute. He was going to protect his daughter. And James, you suspected, was in for a very unpleasant surprise.

[poisonsage808]

Pardon the way that I stare

There’s nothing to compare

John Munch x Reader

The air smells fresher in New York today, the coffee tastes better and the birds sing sweeter. Finding yourself in a particularly good mood, you step around your desk and turn the switch on the radio up two notches. You hum along as you thumb through the morning report, counting off six of the thirteen names you needed. Not great, but not an awful start considering it was still early in the morning. While being an information distributor was never dull, it was always slow to start as your whisperers didn’t wake up until after noon. At least it left you with a few peaceful hours.

A gentle hand rasps at your open door, your secretary poking her head around the corner with a bored expression but a pleasant, sing-songy tone.

“There’s a detective here to see you.”

That explained things a bit, the best days were when he was desperate enough to need your help. The NYPD isn’t a fan of your work and you have a reputation as a hardass so you knock down the smile that threatens to lift your lips, waving a hand to your secretary. Busying yourself again, you don’t allow your eyes to drift to the footsteps that enter.

“Got a minute? I need some information.”

“That is the only reason you come here.”

The door shuts softly.

“That’s not the only reason.”

Closing the file you weren’t reading as if it was an inconvenience, you finally let yourself grin like a cat who caught the canary,

“In that case, I have all the time in the world.”

Winking at you, John invites himself deeper into your office, eyeing the multitude of photographs that stretch from wall to wall. All people that went missing in New York and were never found, dated back before you took over this shithole. He always circles the room like it’s the first time he’s seeing it before inviting himself to sit on your desk.

“First things first, what’ll it cost me?” He asks, a little too cocky.

Feigning a glare, you cut his pacing off just before he reaches his usual perch.

“I’m so glad you asked because the price has gone up, detective. You owe me a proper date.”

“You’re not gonna let me get away with that one are you?”

You take his tie in one hand and gently pull on the silk. He leans in expectantly but blinks in annoyed surprise as you flip it up into his face.

“No. You owe me big for last time. Big.”

Exasperated with you already, John manages to hold onto his smile. He knows you’re only partially upset about being stood up, the other half of your fury was already unleashed on him that night.

“I hear ya, Julia.” He teases. Before you can step away he steals your wrist, his thumb caressing the back of your hand. You try to keep your face passive but damn it if he didn’t know how to make you blush. “So? Can you help me out? I could really use your expertise.”

You sighed, conceding, “Of course I can. What do you need?”

“Anything you’ve heard on a Jason, Monroe. He was a professor at Penn State, spent his summers in Idaho and winds up dead here. We’ve spoken to staff, friends— no family though, or at least none on this mortal plane.”

As he talks about the lighter details, you move about the room and start plucking papers from various spots. The odds on whether or not you’d have something already on hand were low. Depending on how badly he needed the information, which, if he was coming to you meant pretty damn badly, you’d probably need to wake up a second informant to ask around.

“Have I mentioned how attractive it is to watch your mind at work?”

Ignoring him, you continue to thumb through the stack. Your fingers twitch on top of a bright pink paper, an advertisement for an open mic night. Brows furrowing, you hold it closer to make sure your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you.

“Hold on, you guys put the surname before don’t you? Is Jason a first name or a last?”

“Last. Why?”

“Open Mic Night at Jason’s.” You roll your wrist and turn the paper out to him, “Could be a relative.”

John shook his head but took it from you, letting his eyes roam on the words, “I just told you we already checked, he had no family.”

Drumming your fingers against the desk, you purse your lips. You were no detective and it was a longshot, but there were no shortages of deaths here. The man and his team must be at a loss, any theory was better than none if it helped close the case. And selfishly, it would bring you closer to your date with John.

“How did you ID the body?”

“Drivers license, why?” He tilted his head, trying to follow your train of thought. He didn’t like being left in the dark.

You shrug, forking over the idea, “People get pickpocketed all the time.”

“You think the body we have isn’t Monroe Jason? That, coincidentally, a different Jason— this one,” he holds up the flyer, “pickpocketed the former and that's the one we found?”

“Stranger things have happened.” You quirk a brow at him, as if to remind him this isn’t your job but his, “You haven’t confirmed who the body belongs to, haven’t had someone that knew Monroe ID him.”

John moves to the window, that stone hard look setting into his features. Deep in thought, he rubs a finger over his mouth.

“Look, if you don’t want to waste your time I could check it out for you. I don’t need to be right, unlike you,” you added cheekily, crossing your arms.

It helped pull him from the depths of his mind and smile again, albeit weakly.

“You stay far away from my case, sweetheart. My partner is having an aneurysm as we speak because I came to an informant, god help us if you come to the scene.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he walks back towards you. The tell tale sign he’s getting ready to say goodbye.

“So you’re gonna go?”

“I’m gonna go, even if it is a gamble, it’s better than what we have so far.”

You nod, blinking your gaze away from him. Pretending to be unbothered when he left was the harder part of your little meetings, stretched out as they were. No one but John Munch could walk all over you like a welcome mat and be invited in again and again.

It’s like he senses you’re already pulling away. He hates this dance just as much as you do, he’s said so himself, but he still refuses to stay to the end of the song. You know you can be scary when you want to be, have to be. However somewhere in this dance you’ve scared away John for something you haven’t done— something he won’t let you do. His self torture bleeds onto you, and he’s guilty for it every time he sees that look on your face.

Loosely caging you against the desk, he rests both hands on either side of you while giving you plenty of space to reject him.

“Tonight, 8 o’clock.” He says suddenly, patiently waiting for you to catch up with his words.

You hum, your lip quirking up ever so slightly. He hooks you in with a shared dream but you’re not easily convinced.

“Where will I be stood up this time?”

He’s not amused, tilting his head down slightly to look at you over the rim of his glasses.

“Not funny.”

“John,” you sigh, turning away.

Anger and bitterness creeps into your heart but is knocked away with every giddy beat. You refuse to let yourself get excited and he sees it. Shaking his head, his hands come to collect your cheeks. His touch is impossibly gentle, like you might break. He brings your attention back to him and the moment he wanted to keep you in like it was suddenly the easiest thing in the world. There’s something different about the way he leans in, not desperate or mournful. He kisses you softly and savors it, there’s no hurry or desire to rush out the door afterwards. He lingers, relishes every breath you take.

“Tonight,” he promises against your lips, “I’ll pick you up right here at 8.”

You blink your eyes open, surprised at yourself. The ghost of past events is still there, looking back at you expectantly but that undeniable difference is impossible to ignore. You blame your foolish heart now and you’ll blame yourself later if hope blinded you and made you weak.

“I’ll be here.”

And he smiles, downright beams. There’s a twinkle in his eye and joy with every reluctant step he makes to the door. He walks backwards, humming the song you didn’t notice had played again on the radio. You couldn’t get your grin to go away when he opened the door and left, it wouldn’t leave even when your secretary poked her head in moments after.

“Lyle is here.“ She’s overcome by your infectious smile, a tiny one of her own spreading but she’s smart not to comment on it, “He has something on Joel Maizel for you.”

Habit makes you stand up and fix your appearance as if you’d been trampled again, but there wasn’t a hair out of place or a winkle to crease. Still bewildered, you scoffed out a laugh and walked over to the window. You caught John strutting over to his partner, and managed to catch ‘why’re you so happy?’ from his lips. That certainly didn’t help your own smiling problem.

Moving back to your desk to collect the papers you didn’t need anymore, you forced your steely exterior into place. Reputation, you reminded yourself.

“Send him in.” You called to the open door.

And began to count the hours until you would smile again

[marchsfreakshow]

Candy Cane Kisses

Fluff/Suggestive

Okay. Christmas. Here we go. I could only think of Kit with this thought so..

Kit's favourite thing, minus his kids, was your kisses. He loved resting on the couch with his hands on your back, kissing you over and over. Getting drunk off your small moans, addicted to the feeling of your lips against his.

You originally started out as a babysitter. But, Kit being Kit, he fell for you. How easily you worked with the little ones, and made them smile with your own. He just stood there in awe, watching you help them put the Christmas decorations up. Happily humming the songs that blasted out of the radio. God...Kit could've just melted watching you have fun. Warm lights surrounding you as you helped Julia and Thomas string up popcorn strings around the windows.

"woah! Okay Julia, be careful there honey." You quickly yelled out, holding Julia tighter to your hip. She almost slipped out of your arms as you were rested on the ladder.

Kit immediately rushed over to hold onto the ladder. "You two okay?"

Julia nodded eagerly to her dad with a grin. It made you smile, and you easily continued, finishing off the decorations just as quickly as you started.

After an hour, you rushed the two little ones to bed, a candy cane hanging out of your mouth. The peppermint flavour sticking to your tongue and the roof of your mouth. It was sweet and somehow refreshing despite the sugar, not like you...or Kit, minded very much.

"You're doing such a good job with them suga'." Kit praised quietly, head resting on your shoulder, your back pressed against his chest. He loved this feeling, his hands pressed against your side and your front. Almost intoxicating, desperate to keep you in this position forever. "I might just ask you to stay forever if you keep this up..."

"Well, I wouldn't particularly mind." You chuckled, bringing the candy cane out of your mouth and licking your lips. In a bout of confidence, and an attempt to impress you, Kit held your hand and brought the candy cane into his own mouth. Momentarily sucking on it, just to taste your saliva mixed with the peppermint flavour of the sweet treat. Indirect kisses like that always made your knees buckle, and it only spurred you on to take the candy cane back from Kit.

You could feel the candy cane getting stickier in your fingers, so you placed it down on the kitchen counter, only for Kit to lift you up onto it, standing between your legs. "I like that taste darlin'. Peppermint and you.."

"c'mere then, I'm pretty sure you taste of peppermint too." You grinned, pulling Kit in by his shirt collar, just to kiss him. The sweet, minty taste of the candy cane instantly melded together as his tongue slipped into your mouth. A little groan was swallowed by Kit, his hands digging into your thighs. You were pretty sure this evening was going to lead to more than just a little makeout session now.

[canonically47]

social media headcanons for tdi gen 4 :3

nichelle: has instagram, twitter and tiktok. has a massive following which only slightly decreased after her hollywood fail. she posts pictures of herself and her friends on set or out in the city, and her story is always photos of herself with a song in the background or some important cause. she actually cares about those causes and boosts them as much as she can.

julia: has instagram, twitter and tiktok. tells people to kill themselves uncensored which has caused her to have her accounts banned so many times that she has lost every follower. somehow the super fans of total drama still found her current account and she is bathing in the attention she is receiving. whether it’s love or hate, she likes every comment, and insults haters.

bowie: has instagram, twitter and tiktok. he has a lot of followers due to being the first openly gay contestant, and also a lot of haters for that exact reason, whom he cusses out daily, and so do his fans. some argue he’s toxic; others may say he just doesn’t take anyone’s shit.

MK: has instagram, twitter, tiktok, reddit and tumblr. she uses anonymous or small accounts that never link back to her personally. nobody has found her accounts and it is driving them crazy. doxxes people.

zee: has instagram, tumblr and pinterest. he just posts pictures of himself or of nature that he’s taken. sometimes he gets on instagram live high out of his mind and rambles about the meaning of mankind’s existence for three hours, then it’s radio silence from him for months. he also likes a lot of posts that talk about how confusing gender is, which has led some fans to believe he may not be very cisgender. when asked “Hey Zee, sorry if this is too invasive but are you a boy or are you under the trans umbrella?”, he replied “idk i may be under the umbrella when it rains too hard haha”.

caleb: has instagram, twitter and tiktok. very active on social media and has a large following. he posts motivational gym videos and gets a lot of ‘sigma alpha males’ in his comments, which he deletes and blocks. he likes a lot of cute animal videos, especially cat ones. his most viral video is him with his four kittens and their baby mama.

ripper: has instagram and twitter. used to have reddit but deleted it after getting together with axel. he used to have a large following of mysoginistic boys but he’s deleted his accounts and created new ones to start fresh and try to he more mindful of what he posts. you could say axel has helped his mindset in a lot of ways.

axel: has instagram and twitter. posts pictures of her cats or of her and ripper. she follows some of the previous contestants, including duncan, leshawna, gwen, brick, jo, shawn and jasmine. also posts workout videos and has a lot of incels but also thirsty girls in her comments. people often harrass her or ripper upon finding out they are together because “he doesn’t deserve her” or “she can do better”.

chase: has youtube, instagram, twitter and reddit. fucking insufferable. follows every previous total drama contestant. obnoxious content. lots of hate. videos are made on him and they are not good. hope he dies.

emma: doesn’t have social media; took a break from it and deleted all her accounts after chase’s incel following found her and harrassed her because she left him.

priya: doesn’t have social media. she just watches training videos on youtube.

millie: doesn’t have social media because “it greatly affects her generation” and she is “better than that”.

damien: doesn’t have social media and is chronically offline. nichelle once asked him what he thinks about some tiktok drama and he asked, genuinely confused, what tiktok is. begs people at school to tell him what ‘rizz’, ‘sigma’ and all other slang means, rarely gets an answer and, when he does, it just confuses him more.

scary girl: doesn’t have social media accounts. she uses socials to stalk people, though. if anyone challenges her she appears in their nightmares that night. chase has made a video on her being some demon. even his haters agreed with him.

wayne: has instagram. posts pictures and videos about hockey or including him and his friends. his pfp is him and raj at one of their games. he replies to almost every fan that has found his account.

raj: has instagram. his private account deeply saddens and annoys his fans. he posts the same things wayne posts and puts a lot of pride stuff on his story.

[bipanicoverthegravessiblings]

Art by treein

Haven't seen a pure one-shot from you. Can you make a one-shot of a yandere Ashley who got rejected for prom?

I will certainly try! :D

TW: Mentions of alcohol and spiked punch, Character Death, Depictions of a dead body, Violence, Ashley Graves steps on the reader and not in a hot way, reader is kind of a dick

[One-Shot] Rejecting Ashley Graves’ Prom Invitation

The music echoed throughout the neon lit gymnasium, blaring from speakers you’re sure hadn’t been touched since last year’s prom. You and your peers were packed into the room like sardines in a can, but no one seemed to mind. Any chaperones assigned to make sure the students “saved room for Jesus” when dancing with their dates, were blackout drunk and slumped against the chairs set around the circular tables. It was essentially a free for all.

You stood by the snack table, about two foldout tables with light purple tablecloths draped over them….at least you thought it was purple. The only others provided were various color changing lights, and even then it still made it hard to see. What you could see was the mass of people gathered in the center as the DJ/Janitor played remixes of popular songs on the radio. Your own friends among the mass, dancing with their dates- faces flushed from the spiked punch.

Your smile for them faded slowly as the reminder of your current positioned dawned on you once again. You hadn’t come to prom alone, no- you arrived with your friends and your own date but…you hadn’t seen her since she left to use the bathroom. It wasn’t a very big gym, even with the people….she would’ve eventually found you. Then again it was dark.

You had looked for her earlier, even sneaking behind the bleachers to not find your date- but rather two of your classmates rawdogging it among the dust and cobwebs. You- you could’ve gone a lifetime not needing to see that. Having gone to find your friends after….that….made you discover that they hadn’t seen your date either. It was strange.

Maybe she ditched you. And before you could really do anything to fuck it up badly. You now know how the weird kids felt at prom, standing and observing from the snack table like a freak.

You glance down the lined up tables at the few other kids who decided to show up despite not having a date or friends to go with. It was pitiful really. Why go, you’re just outing yourself at that point. At least you had friends….who abandoned you for grinding against their dates- but you had them!

Against your better judgement, you looked among the dots of freaks for one in particular….wondering if she came.

Ashley Graves, the resident crazy chick. You’re 90% sure she’s an undiagnosed psychopath, with rumors of her doing heinous things floating around. Stabbing a girl’s eye out with a pencil for looking at her wrong, throwing her childhood pet hamster from her four-story balcony, being involved with her brother- that last one you didn’t believe for a couple of reasons. One, her brother was already dating a girl- Julia Lamb. You shared an English class with her and she’s really sweet, Ashley’s brother is lucky. Second reason is because Ashley had asked you to go to prom with her.

She slipped the card into your locker- you don’t know how she found out which one was yours but she did. The handwriting was illegible, with a scribbled drawing of you inside. It was…off putting. Like something a serial killer would make while on death row. You managed to find Ashley and break it to her gently that you wouldn’t be going to prom with her- mostly cause you didn’t have a fucking death wish- but then she went berserk. She took her dumb card and tore it to shreds, throwing them at your feet and shoving you over as she stomped away in a temper tantrum.

You don’t even know why she wanted to go with you, it’s not like you were friends. You had lunch with her one time, and it was mainly out of pity. You took the outburst as dodging a bullet and went with someone you actually liked.

And by hell, you were going to find and spend the night with her.

You moved away from the snack table, making your way to the locker rooms where the bathrooms were. No one was really paying attention, so you went into the girls one. Slowly- the music became muffled, and your eyes were no longer assaulted by neon. No- rather the darkness of the locker room- save for a single overhead light that flickered- giving it an ominous look. Your shoulders tensed, debating whether or not you should really check and see if she was still in the bathroom…but you didn’t want to spend this night alone. You push your fears down along with everything else you choose to ignore, making your way through the maze of lockers.

You preciously stepped over left behind equipment, scrunching your nose at the faint stench of sweat- until you paused. A light. A bright one at that. Turning the corner of a wall of lockers showed you the showers, and the faint sound of one running.

You were hesitant, worried to have another situation like under the bleachers….but you heard no indications of debauchery. The flimsy shower stream wouldn’t have been loud enough to cover it. So- you make your way over to the bright area, like a moth to a flame.

You wished you hadn’t.

You stared wide eyed at the floor. When making your way to the final shower stall, you hadn’t expected to find your date.

Well- at least not like this.

Her face had several lacerations, almost making her unidentifiable. Her blonde hair stained red at the ends with her own blood, as her dress. Her eyes were glazed over, and she looked pale. The sight was gruesome. You wanted to throw up, but you brought your hand to your mouth to hold it back. You supported your weight against the wall, heavy breaths leaving your panicking body as you asked yourself who could do shock a thing.

You learned quickly as you felt a blunt object hit the back of your head, sending you crashing to the wet tiled ground beside your date. Her watered down blood stained your hands and clothes, you stumbled to look behind you- the culprit’s figure being obscured by the bright lights behind them. They wore a slim dress with a ribbon around the waist- tied neatly at the side in a bow. At their side was a knife, though held in a way you could clobber someone with the handle. It didn’t register who this could be until you saw the ponytail.

“A-Ashley?!” You stammered, fearful for your life.

“Bingo-Bongo bitch!” She raised the knife, slashing it across your chest. You hissed in pain, trying to protect your body as she slashed at your back.

“Stop! Stop!” You pleaded, letting out sobs from the pain. She got tired of cutting into you and started digging her heels into your cuts, stomping you into the ground like you were nothing more than a bug.

“So THIS is who you rejected me over?!” She gestured to your date, still dead as a doornail beside you, “Well fuck you! I don’t need a hussy fucking asshole!”

She kicked you against the wall, the tip of her heel winding you over and over again as she let out hell on your abdomen.

“Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” She screamed over and over and over as she wailed on your body. How was no one coming to help you!? Could they not hear her over their shitty music!??

Blood dripped from your mouth, clutching your abdomen in pain as you looked up at her helplessly.

“Please….I…I didn’t mean to upset you,” you coughed out weakly, “Please….please don’t kill me.” You choked on your tears.

She watched you for a moment, whimpering pathetically for mercy, before she narrowed her eyes in disgust.

“Rot in hell.”

With that, everything went dark as you felt a hot, burning pain in your chest as she plunged her knife directly into your beating heart.

[thegriddleharkmusicblog]

List of songs on my Spotify playlist

Some people have requested to see the songs on my playlist so(this took longer than I thought it would) also not all of these necessarily “fit” some of them I just like to imagine griddlehark AUs to, I’m going to sort these some other time and probably take some out but it’s 10 pm here

I Hate Everything About You, Three Days Grace

Sk8er Boi, Avril Lavigne

Best of You, Foo Fighters

THE LONELIEST, Măneskin

Savior, Rise Against

Sugar, We're Goin Down, Fall Out Boy

Dear Maria, Count Me In, All Time Low

Atlantis, Seafret

Sweater Weather, The Neighbourhood

Line Without a Hook, Ricky Montgomery

Let Me Down Slowly, Alec Benjamin

There You Are, ZAYN

Stitches, Shawn Mendes

Only Love Can Hurt Like This, Paloma Faith

die first, Nessa Barrett

They Don't Know About Us, One Direction

Ghost Of You, 5 Seconds of Summer

Unconditionally, Katy Perry

Walk Me Home, P!nk

NAVE

Don't Give Up On Me,Andy Grammer

All of Me, John Legend

In the Name of Love, Martin Garrix, Bebe Rexha

better off without me, Matt Hansen

Clarity, Vance Joy

Hold My Girl, George Ezra

Don't Blame Me, Taylor Swift

Take Me to Church, Hozier

Another Love, Tom Odell

Soldier, Before You Exit

So Far Away, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Jamie Scott

Find My Way Back, Eric Arjes

Him & I (with Halsey), E G-Eazy, Halsey

Work Song, Hozier

Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis

I Won't Say (I'm In Love), Susan Egan(the one from Hercules)

Fire On Fire, Sam Smith

Grenade, Bruno Mars

The Drug In Me Is You, Falling In Reverse

Mercy, Shawn Mendes

All I Want, Kodaline

Haunted (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift

Control, Zoe Wees

What A Time, Julia Michaels, Niall Horan

Too Good At Goodbyes, Sam Smith

lovely (with Khalid), Billie Eilish, Khalid

If I Would Have Known, Kyle Hume

Running Up That Hill, Kate Bush

Love Is Gone - Acoustic, SLANDER, Dylan Matthew

idfc, blackbear

Nothing Breaks Like a Heart, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus

Half A Man, Dean Lewis

Make Up Your Mind, Florence + The Machine

What Is This Feeling?, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo

If We Have Each Other, Alec Benjamin

Meet you at the Graveyard, Cleffy

The One That Got Away, Katy Perry

I Think I'm In Love, Kat Dahlia

Happiest Year, Jaymes Young

I Don't Wanna Live Forever, ZAYN, Taylor Swift

Dusk Till Dawn (feat. Sia) - Radio Edit, ZAYN, Sia

Back To You, Selena Gomez

Happier, Marshmello, Bastille

The Story Of Us (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift

Dress, Taylor Swift

Allies or Enemies, The Crane Wives

A Match Into Water, Pierce The Veil

Disease, Lady Gaga

Red (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift

Skyfall, Adele

In The Stars, Benson Boone

Before You Go, Lewis Capaldi

Say You Won't Let Go, James Arthur

Built To Be Bad, Grace Gachot, Alex Sampson

Rewrite The Stars, Zac Efron, Zendaya

All | Wanted, Paramore

Breathe In, Breathe Out, David Kushner

Daylight, David Kushner

Sweet Oblivion, David Kushner

Treat You Better, Shawn Mendes

Hold Me While You Wait, Lewis Capaldi

Arcade, Duncan Laurence

Wait for lt, Leslie Odom Jr.

We Hug Now, Sydney Rose

Love In The Dark, Adele

The Moon Will Sing, The Crane Wives

You're Somebody Else, flora cash

Indigo, Sam Barber, Avery Anna

Only If For A Night, Florence + The Machine

Separate, PVRIS

I miss you, I'm sorry, Gracie Abrams

Let Her Go, Passenger

Fight or Flight, Conan Gray

Go Tonight, Krystina Alabado, Emma Hunton

This Is Love, Air Traffic Controller

Not Dead Yet, Lord Huron

I'm Your Man, Mitski

Kiss With A Fist, Florence + The Machine

Francesca, Hozier

Going to Marrakesh, The Extra Glenns

River, Bishop Briggs

Here’s a cookie if you made it all the way down here 🍪

[twistedtummies2]

ReCount: Top 15 Portrayals of The Evil Queen

Tomorrow, Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” will be coming out…aaand I don’t think I’ve looked forward to a movie LESS in my entire life. -_- Seriously, I was iffy about the idea, to say the least, right from the word go, but the more I hear and see of the film - completely disregarding behind the scenes foolery, JUST focusing on the movie itself - the more I feel my interest and confidence dwindle. And there wasn’t much of that to begin with. The most disappointing aspect to me is Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Again, putting aside all the behind the scenes stuff, and how one may or may not feel about Gadot as a PERSON (I know opinions there can be VERY strong), as an ACTRESS I was actually looking forward to that piece of casting. But the more I see and hear of her Queen, the less sure I am that she’s going to be worthwhile. Of course, the film hasn’t come out yet, and it’s unfair to judge completely, and it’s also worth stating that direction and writing are just as likely to blame as anything else…but regardless, any support I had for her there has faded away for the most part.

Thankfully, there’s more than an abundance of takes on the character to choose from beyond Gadot’s portrayal. “Snow White” is one of the most popular fairy-tales out there, and the Evil Queen is one of the most well-known and frequently adapted villains in the history of literature as a result. A while back I did a list of my Top 15 Favorite Portrayals of the Queen that have come around over the years. I thought it would be fun, with the newest film’s upcoming release, to look back on these other portrayals again, since it’s been a couple years and not everyone likely saw the older rankings. Maybe when the film comes out, Gadot will manage to make her mark among these malevolent monarchs…but I’m not holding my breath. In any case, with that in mind…here are My Top 15 Favorite Portrayals of the Evil Queen! Let’s see how many you all know. ;)

HONORABLE MENTIONS (Left to Right, Top to Bottom)

Judy Parfitt, from The Charmings.

This was a very weird attempt to turn the Snow White story into a 80s sitcom. Parfitt plays "Queen Lillian," who acts as the typical unpleasant mother-in-law figure that Snow White and her prince have to deal with. She also falls in love with Gomez Addams at one point. Bizarre.

Julia Roberts, from Mirror Mirror.

While I generally like this more comedic retelling of the Snow White story, I feel there's something somewhat lacking in Roberts' portrayal of Queen Clementianna, as the character is called here. I think it's an issue with the writing. Generally, though, I think there's still stuff to admire both about this character and this film.

Monica Belucci, from The Brothers Grimm.

This dark fantasy/horror film is kinda like a medieval Ghostbusters…sort of. XD Throughout it, the titular characters encounter creatures that will become figures in their famous fairy-tales in the future. Belucci plays the main villain of the story, “the Mirror Queen,” who is sort of a conflation of the Evil Queen and Rapunzel…leaning more heavily towards the former than the latter, obviously.

Patricia Medina, from Snow White and the Three Stooges.

This film has a major issue with tone, as the slapstick goofiness of the Three Stooges is sort of hamfistedly slammed against what is a more or less "serious" handling of the fairy-tale. It feels like the movie can't make up its mind what it wants to be. With that said, I like Medina's Queen, and elements of her portrayal have actually influenced me in some works of my own.

Eleanor Audley, from The Railroad Hour (1953).

Before she played Maleficent, but after she played Lady Tremaine, Audley voiced the Evil Queen in a radio version of Disney's Snow White. She does a fine job, as you'd expect. Interestingly, this was the second time this radio program attempted to adapt the Disney film; an earlier production featured Jeanette Nolan in the role. She's alright, but Audley is lightyears more interesting.

Tamsin Grieg, from Revolting Rhymes.

This two-part animated miniseries adaptation of the Roald Dahl book by the same name features a comical depiction of the Queen, who - before being crowned - goes by the name "Miss Maclahose." Unfortunately, this version disappears from the story pretty quickly and never actually receives any real comeuppance for her villainy.

CHOICES 15 - 11

15. Prince Raj, from Snow White With the Red Hair.

While this genderbent take on the Queen ranks at the bottom, do not misconstrue this to mean I dislike him, as he's quite possibly my favorite character in this anime. Raj is a vain and spoiled prince who starts off as a (somewhat comical) villain before eventually finding redemption and becoming a friend to Shirayuki, the Snow White character. In the Japanese original, he's voiced by Jun Fukuyama; in the English dub, he's played by Todd Haberkorn.

14. Queen Hedrian, from Denshi Sentai Denjiman AND Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan.

This take on the Evil Queen was the main villain of the former series in the Super Sentai franchise, and later became the secondary antagonist of the latter. She desires to destroy all things of beauty in the universe, so she can be the only beautiful thing left. The actress who played her, Machiko Soga, would later play the witch Bandora in “Zyuranger,” a.k.a. Rita Repulsa in Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. 

13. Charlize Theron, from Snow White and the Huntsman.

This version is known by the name “Queen Ravenna.” While I’m not a huge fan of this movie (and haven’t even bothered to watch its sequel), I genuinely think Theron was a well-portrayed and excellently-cast take on the Evil Queen. She’s both one of the most empathetic and yet thoroughly despicable takes on the character on the whole countdown, which is saying a lot.

12. Majorina, from Smile! Pretty Cure (a.k.a. Brooha, from Glitter Force).

This fairy-tale themed “Magical Girl” series features the Queen as one of the main villains of the show. In the original Japanese version, she is called Majorina (literally meaning “witch queen”), while in the English dub - entitled Glitter Force - she’s called “Brooha” (a pun on the Spanish word for “witch”). In the former she is played by Tominaga Miina; in the latter, the vocal chops are handled by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn.

11. Vanessa Redgrave, from Faerie Tale Theatre.

One of the most over-the-top takes on the Queen out there, in the best possible way. Redgrave is delightfully hammy, but still has her moments of menace, and faces one of my favorite defeats of any version of the character out there. Also, her Magic Mirror is played by Vincent Price: instant kudos there.

CHOICES 10 - 6

10. Diana Rigg, from Snow White (1987).

This rather cheesy, low-budget children’s musical movie is ultimately saved almost single-handedly by Diana Rigg’s turn as the villain. To be honest, this is one of the most perfect casting choices for the role the world has ever seen. Like Redgrave, she’s very hammy and often strays towards the comical, but she has her threatening moments and a pretty awesome (if somewhat confusing) final bow from the picture.

9. Hitomi Yoshida, from Grimms Notes: The Animation.

I finally figured out who voices this version of the Queen! This take on the character appears in the anime adaptation of the now-defunct game “Grimms Notes.” This is quite possibly the single most tragic and sympathetic version of the character on the entire list, which is saying a lot. The only reason she isn’t higher is because I wish we had even more of her; she only shows up in one episode.

8. Dianne Wiest, from The 10th Kingdom.

Here named “Christine White,” this version of the character is actually the new Evil Queen, following in the footsteps of the original from the classic fairy-tale. She’s still out to defeat a young lady, still uses the old poison apple gimmick, and generally clearly bears all the hallmarks of the classic Queen we all know, however, so I still think she counts. Another somewhat sympathetic take on the character who rides a fine line between cruel tyrant and tragic villainess.

7. The Queen of Fables, from DC.

If you’ve only seen the version from the “Harley Quinn” animated series, to be blunt, you haven’t seen the REAL Queen of Fables. Read some of her comics, there’s some great stories there. In the DC Universe, this version of the Queen believes that Wonder Woman is, in fact, the reincarnation of her old nemesis, Snow White. Weird, but certainly fun.

6. Anne Francine & Charles Hall, from Snow White Live!

Long before Disney brought “Beauty and the Beast” to Broadway, their first big stage version of one of their animated films was this show at Radio City Music Hall. It’s gone by several titles, but I know it best as “Snow White Live!” Anne Francine played the Queen in her beautiful, radiant form, while actor Charles Hall played the Witch following her transformation. Both are awesome.

THE TOP FIVE

5. Miranda Richardson, from Snow White: Fairest of Them All.

While this TV film adaptation has some problems, Richardson’s Queen Elspeth is widely considered one of her best performances, and easily a shoe-in for my top five. This take starts off as a sympathetic character, but becomes increasingly more despicable and deranged as the story goes on, as her yearning for beauty and love drive her to the point of madness.

4. Vil Schoenheit, from Twisted Wonderland.

If you know me well, you should have known this one would be on the countdown. In this Disney-Villains-themed gacha game, taking place at a School of Dark Magic founded by seven famous baddies, Vil is the analogous character to the Evil Queen. He is a worldwide celebrity who, despite his fame and fortune, still struggles with issues of self-confidence, envy, and pride. In the game, the character is voiced by Hiroki Aiba.

3. Sigourney Weaver, from Snow White: A Tale of Terror.

This horror film version of the story boasts one of the most underrated and delightfully complex versions of the Queen out there. Weaver isn’t by any means obvious casting in the role, but she does a phenomenal job. Like Richardson, this take on the character - known as Lady Claudia - starts off as a sympathetic character, but becomes increasingly more villainous and demented as the story goes on.

2. Lana Parilla, from Once Upon a Time.

Here named “Regina Mills,” Parilla’s Queen was something of a breakout character for this series. I actually love her more today than I did when the show first came out. Regina starts off as a straightforward villain, but as the series goes, she evolves and changes, going from a sympathetic antagonist to an anti-hero and ultimately to being one of the good ones. Her arc and her performance throughout are spectacular.

1. The Disney Version.

Was there ever any doubt? Through various incarnations, the original Queen - first voiced by Lucille LaVerne - is by far one of Disney’s most iconic villains, and the chances are good this is the first take on the character most people think of when they think of the story. She’s not as complex or sympathetic as other versions, but she doesn’t need to be: she’s a great baddy in a truly classic feature film, and that’s all she really needs to be to take the top. ‘Nuff said.

[ambernotember]

a chance to be your last - a bucktommy makeup playlist

This playlist is roughly divided into Tommy (songs 1-8), Evan (songs 9-22), Pining (songs 23-35), Getting Back Together (songs 36-56)

Titles and lyrics below the cut (it's pretty long my friends!) and if you listen to it in order, the very last lyrics you'll hear are "Testing, testing, I'm just suggesting / You and I might just be the best thing"

Tommy

Good as Gold, Greyson Chance I know you're hurting, and you're feeling sore / I know it hurts when you don't know where to go

Surrender My Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen But the benefit of all the broken hearts / That I broke before they could break me / Is a little bit of life regrets

Want You Back, HAIM I'll take the fall and the fault in us / I'll give you all the love I never gave before I left you

Let's Get Lost, Carly Rae Jepsen I was never one to want to / Put my trust in someone else completely / And I was always one to want to up and run / When someone said they needed me

Life We've Built, Emily James and Portair But I will know you always / If your air leaves my lungs / To lose is still to love / And I will feel you always

Everything I Had, Sub-Radio Everything I had / I want it, I want it, I want it back / I want it, I want it, I want it back / Anyway, I'm a mess if you can't tell / Getting older, ain't it real swell?

So Good Right Now, Fall Out Boy Drifting from the start, I ripped myself apart / I'll be whatever you need me to be, you need me to be / I cut myself down, cut myself down / To whatever you need me

Lover Come Back, City and Colour I'll never be as good as I'd like to be / Eternally restless, refusing to believe / But I think that we missed our connection (missed our connection) / I wanted to feel your affection (feel your affection) / Until my final day

Evan

Appreciated, Rixton 'Cause it's you who takes care of everyone else / You need to allow me to help / You are appreciated

I Really Like You, Carly Rae Jepsen Oh, did I say too much? / I'm so in my head / When we're out of touch / I really, really, really, really, really, really like you / And I want you, do you want me, do you want me, too?

Are We a Thing, Leidi And I was hooked on a different vibe / You came along and caught my eye / Now, all I want is you and I

Mess It Up, Gracie Abrams How could I think that all that I gave you was enough? / 'Cause every time I get too close, I just go mess it up

Hurt Somebody, Julia Michaels and Noah Kahan 'Cause it hurts when you hurt somebody / So much to say but I don't speak / And I hate that I let you stop me

Never Should Have Let You Go, Simple Plan So tell me what to do to make you change your mind / I wish that I could find a way to turn back time / 'Cause life's just not the same since you've been gone

Calling It Love, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Did you find the answer, have you heard enough / Did I say too little, did I think too much / Is it written or did you just make it up / Are we flying, are we falling, are we calling it love?

Somebody to You, The Vamps ft. Demi Lovato I used to be so tough / Never really gave enough / And then you caught my eye / Giving me the feeling of a lightning strike (yeah, you)

Means Something, Lizzy McAlpine Every time I think too much / It ends up crazy / But I don't know how to not think about you / Every time I trust my gut / I think I'm crazy

not going anywhere, Luz No one's ever known me like you do / Promise you don't have to be scared / I'm not going anywhere

Pablo Picasso, Matt Nathanson Now I'm out loud, proud / I'm swinging in your atmosphere / You set the bar, broke every record / Love like that changed me forever / Honest to god, pure work of art

Odds, Yu Ishii What are the odds that you stay here longer cause / 99 miles don't seem too far if that means / That we don't have to be apart

feels like, Veronica North I can feel you reaching out to hold my hand / There's never been anyone who understands me / Like you do, like you do

Trial Run, Meredith Shock Oh I wish you didn't say you had to be alone / And on your own / Without me / Oh I wish you didn't leave

Pining

Pennsylvania Skies, Lullanas Old flame / Why you gotta drive me insane? / Why you gotta drive me mad? / I thought I put you out / And now you're back

Keep Me Crazy, Sheppard It was love in a minute, God, I admit it / Let's make a break for the door / Be my baby / Keep me crazy, woah, oh oh, uh!

I'll Be There, Jess Glynne When all the tears are rolling down your face / And it feels like yours was the only heart to break / When you come back home and all the lights are out / And you're getting used to no one else being around

Anything To Be With You, Carly Rae Jepsen I feel like I know love / Some second chance almost slipped away / When it comes to me, boy / Fallin' for you is never over

On My Way, Sheppard It's like I'm burning from inside out and I / I think I know who to blame / We are the fever that's wild and dangerous / And I wanna dance in the flame

Redwoods, Logan Hill If you wanna be together / I think I know a place where we can go / And turn it into our place / I can take you to the redwoods

Western Wind, Carly Rae Jepsen Comin' in like a western wind / But could you give me peace of mind? / If I return to you in time, my golden arrow

Daylight, Taylor Swift I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you / I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you / I've been sleeping so long in a 20-year dark night / And now I see daylight, I only see daylight

The Roads, Jonah Kagen These roads are changing me /But they all lead back to you / 'Cause you're still in my skin

Cross My Heart, Marianas Trench And I do want to show you / I will run to you to you till I / Can't stand on my own anymore / I cross my heart and hope to die

Lonely With Me, Parachute Baby, you should never be lonely / But, baby, if you're gonna be lonely / Be lonely with me

Little Too Much, Natasha Bedingfield Everybody hurts just a little too much / Everybody hurts but it's never enough / It's wonderful to fall, let's love and risk it all / I'd rather love just a little too much

Come On Get Higher, Matt Nathanson I miss the sound of your voice / And I miss the rush of your skin / And I miss the still of the silence / As you breathe out and I breathe in

Getting Back Together

Never Gonna Let You Down, Colbie Caillat If you need someone to believe in / If you're reaching for a hand to guide you home / Just take my hand and I won't let you go / I hope you know

I Love You Will Still Sound the Same, Oh Honey So when our eyes have seen their better days / And our hearing starts to fade / Put your arms 'round my neck, and your heart on my chest / "I love you" will still sound the same

This Love (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift This love is good / This love is bad / This love is alive back from the dead, oh, oh, oh / These hands had to let it go free, and / This love came back to me

Something I Need, OneRepublic With broken words I've tried to say / "Honey don't you be afraid / If we got nothing, we got us"

Peach New Am, Emily James Now that you really know me / We’re singing like it’s karaoke / Dancing like the only ones here / Now that you really know me / You took my worries took my lonely

Steady as Stones, Woodlock So I'll be patient / I think you're worth waiting / And fighting for

Far Away, Carly Rae Jepsen I'd give this love a second try / First, I just imagined all your qualities and that's my fault / But if you could put my feet back on the ground / We could try to introduce ourselves

Without You, Parachute Doesn't matter where I go / Doesn't matter if I run / We were always gonna get too close / We were always gonna fall in love

This Time Around, Charlotte Leigh You make it easy / When you kiss me / Both feet in instead of one foot out / And I keep falling / Think I'm all in / Just so glad I didn't overthink this time around

Black and White, Niall Horan I want the world to witness / When we finally say, "I do" / It's the way you love / I gotta give it back to you

House Key, Scott Helman I want a back splash and a house cat / I wanna make a home for you / I want a TV and a Settee / I wanna live alone with you

Begin Again, Colbie Caillat| Yes, I know we've said a lot of things / That we probably didn't mean / But it's not too late to take them back / So, before you say you're gonna go / I should probably let you know / That I never knew what I had

I'll Get the Coffee, Kathryn Gallagher I didn't know that it could be easy / I didn't know that it could be good / Darling, you make it so easy / You make it so good

The Loneliest Time, Carly Rae Jepsen Then you spoke the words to me / When you left, I still need to unpack it / Let's save sorry for another night / 'Cause this time, love, we're gonna get it right

Still Into You, Paramore It's not a walk in the park / To love each other / But when our fingers interlock, / Can't deny, can't deny you're worth it / 'Cause after all this time I'm still into you

Weathervane, Hunter Metts You point / I follow / Left or right I’ll go either way / Or we could hold on till tomorrow / Cause the rain will come but your love won’t change / You’ll always be my weathervane

Tightrope, Nia Hendricks I won't make you stay / But I'll walk the line until it breaks / It's a risk I have to take / I know that we're not perfect / But we're gonna work it out

Best of You, Andy Grammer 'Cause the best of me loves the best of you / And all the rest, I can see right through / You trust in me and I'll trust you too / 'Cause the best of me, loves the best of you

Love They Say, Tegan and Sara First time you held my hand I knew I was meant for you / First time you kissed my lips I knew I was meant for you

Up, Olly Murs ft. Demi Lovato Hold on to what you're feeling / That feeling is the best thing / The best thing, alright / I'm gonna place my bet on us / I know this love is heading / In the same direction / That's up

Haven't Had Enough, Marianas Trench We just got the start wrong / One more last try / I'ma get the ending right

[fairyhagmother]

Hi! For the Saturday Sleepover ask game, what's your take on Lysistrata? What's something you've been reading lately?

Have a good day!! ^^

HAI!!!!!!

Ok so what have I been reading lately hmm I finished Julia by Sandra Newman a couple of weeks ago, after a six months slog. Not the book’s fault mind you! I just kept getting repeatedly sidetracked by life. It was really interesting and gave me a lot to think about!! I also started reading in hyperobjects by Timothy Morton for a project on wastelands I’m thinking about! It’s basically a book about imagining / thinking about cataclysmic change and it’s quite accessible so far.

I really love Lyssie! I read a fic ages ago where she was asexual and coming to terms with that and entered a lavender marriage with sejanus? Anyway I still think abt that fic and I liked it a lot!!!!! I fear she would get in trouble in the Capitol eventually tho..like girl watch out! the secret police!

I think she would come onto sej’s illegal clandestine radio show and they would chat abt banned music.

[cod-dump]

I present to you, Shadow 0-34, Julia "Jules" Conway, the electrical engineer of the Shadow Company. She's the chaotic repairer of the company, your radio doesn't work, go with her, the explosive circuit you planned didn't react, she knows thousand ways to make it boom.

Her callsign was a joke make by Graves when she presented herself, her name being Julia and her love for electricity just went correctly at being called Jules.

She's really sweet but chaotic, the definition of an orange cat, she would be working in her office fixing devices or climbing impossible places on the base.

Do you think Moose would like to be around her?

-🍵

Jules and Moose definitely work a lot together considering their jobs overlap. Moose can get a little testy when working with tech so they might butt heads but in a good natured manner. probably would hang out with her a bit, either in her space or in his. Moose would most definitely worry about her climbing around the base and would probably try to at least accompany her out of worry. Graves found them on a water tower once in one of their temporary bases and he lost his mind.

[synergysilhouette]

Update on my "Wish" rewrite

For those who were interested, I'm currently working on a rewrite of Disney's "Wish"--and it's an extreme re-write; I'm pretty much just keeping the overall concept of a kingdom of wishes. Make sure to check out my post for the characters (I'll leave the post down below; currently making changes). As for why it's taking so long:

As of this second, I'm trying to split the story into 3 acts, and working with that structure, I'm trying to work on the pacing.

I've made several songs, but I didn't wanna release them yet (though I will release them before the main story) since I'm still working out the plot; I don't want to post a song and then the story ends up being completely different from how it was originally planned. One of my favorites is the love song, which when I wrote it felt like the film's anthem, and in mind with the pop/radio theme we had for "Wish" with Julia Michaels writing it, I imagined it as an RnB, SZA-inspired song (not sure if that matters since you'll only see the lyrics, though; I have no means of composing/producing). Still polishing it, though!

Making changes to our protagonist. At first I imagined her as a hothead who's lesson in the story is moreso about learning not to let her anger guide her and not to be cocky, but I'm working on making her a more shy, reclusive protagonist, since I've wanted a shy Disney princess for a while and my writing was going back and forth between bold, headstrong sorceress and shy, pessimistic sorceress.

Villain issues. I had a main villain in mind, but I did want to alter the situation a bit (no spoilers!), and I wondered if I should have a different villain entirely.

The Dreamers, the protagonists' best friends, have their own lives, and I wanna showcase that rather than having them feel flat like The Teens. One of them already feels like he eclipses the other two, so I need to work on that.

My star. He's coming off more interesting than our protagonist, so I've gotta work on that--plus I'm worried that as of now, his relationship with her feels too strong, too one-sided to the point where it feels almost like a fixation or obsession with her, and I DESPISE that.

Hope that clears it all up. Lemme know if you have any questions! I may do a massive overhaul, but I don't wanna make new posts/big changes to my posts concerning this story until I have Act I completed and I'm CERTAIN that that's the direction I'm going in.

[hail-dondus]

Have to admit that I enjoyed the Chicken Run sequel, it was better than I expected. I’m not going to make a full on post as I have to be up in a few hours, but a few things:

Obviously I’m still mad about Aardman/Netflix replacing Julia Sawalha, and given that I grew up with the original film the change is just so jarring - especially since they used archive footage/recordings of her voice in the first film for flashbacks, which makes it even weirder for me personally.

I’m not going to complain about Mel Gibson being replaced as Rocky given the circumstances tbh

I LOVE the Paloma Faith song used, it’s a great song, but when I first heard it in the opening scenes of the film I was like “…???”, like it just sounded so… modern and pop-y compared to the first film? It’s a fantastic song, don’t get me wrong, but compared to the first film, where you had a rather old fashioned sounding song played during the film (Flip Flop Fly), it made this film seem more American than British, if that makes sense (which kind of irks me because one of the most charming parts of the original for me is how British it is)

Following on from my point above, whole film in general seemed like it was more modern and more set in present day, which in some ways is to be expected because there’s a 23 year gap between movies, but on the other, the original film felt almost timeless, like it could have been set in any decade. As far as I remember, the original didn’t have any televisions, it had a sort of old fashioned radio and while, yes, there was electricity (the pie machine, Christmas lights etc), it felt like it could have been set in an older year than 2000. Maybe that’s just me, I don’t know, but this film really went twenty times more modern and gadget-y

You know how in the first film, Mrs Tweedy picks out a chicken who hasn’t been laying any eggs, then we see the shadow of her beheading the chicken followed by what is clearly a roast chicken skeleton on the Tweedys’ dinner table? I thought it couldn’t get more fucked from that, but Aardman wanted to prove me wrong because what the fUCK

Have to say that the first film strangely never actually made me want to stop eating chicken, meanwhile this film made me feel sick at the thought of a chicken nugget 😭 it might take a while before I can eat chicken again 😔

Hopefully the chickens I eat are NOT mind controlled on a high tech farm to walk to their deaths

Miranda Richardson back as Melisha Tweedy, SLAAAAAAY 💅🏻

I can’t decide what’s funnier, her introducing herself as “Melisha Tweedy” despite getting remarried or her calling Dr Fry “my current husband”

ALSO DOCTOR FRY IS VOICED BY NATE THE GREAT FROM TED LASSO?!? 😭

I don’t believe Mrs Tweedy is dead to be honest, if being inside the pie machine when it exploded (after falling into it from a great height), flattened by a barn wall/door, and going headfirst into the chicken nugget machine and smothered in breadcrumbs couldn’t kill her than I doubt that the killer robot ducks that shoot lasers will do the job, especially given that they didn’t kill Rocky, a rooster 💀

Calling it now there’ll be a third film and she’ll be back, I’m calling it right now!!!

I SAW FEATHER MCGRAW FROM THE WRONG TROUSERS AT THE END LMAO FEATHERS YOU LIL SKANK THIS AINT YOUR MOVIE 🐧

Anyway, I thought it was better than expected - the first one will always be the best of course, but as far as sequels go, this one was definitely on the better end of the scale!