#Bus Tours Atlanta

[limorentalatlanta12]

A Party Bus Alpharetta To The Airport Is A Great Way For Corporate Employees And Even Small Businesses

A Party Bus Alpharetta To The Airport Is A Great Way For Corporate Employees And Even Small Businesses

There Are Plenty of Great Reasons to Rely on a Quality & Affordable Party Bus Rental. The Trick Is in Finding the Right Atlanta Party Bus Company to Ensure Safety, Support, And On-Time Arrival. Why would you ever consider hiring a, party bus rental near me? After all, you drive. You try to work every day. You travel the California freeways without an issue. You know how crazy it can be on five…

[oliviasmith5341]

Discover the Best Winery Bus Tours in Atlanta for Wine Lovers

Atlanta has long been known for its bustling urban life, rich history, and vibrant culture. But for those who love wine, the region also offers an unexpected treat: winery bus tours that explore the scenic vineyards of North Georgia and beyond. Just a short drive from the city, wine enthusiasts can discover some of the best wineries in the Southeast, all while enjoying the convenience and luxury of a winery bus tour. In this article, we'll guide you through the essentials of winery bus tours in Atlanta and how they offer an unforgettable experience for wine lovers.

The Appeal of Winery Bus Tours

Wine tasting in itself is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, but when paired with the convenience of a winery bus tour, it becomes even more enticing. These tours provide a safe, comfortable, and social way to explore multiple wineries in a single day without the worry of driving. Plus, with a professional driver at the wheel, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the wine.

Convenience and Comfort

One of the most significant advantages of a winery bus tour is the convenience it offers. With many of Atlanta's best wineries located in the scenic North Georgia mountains, navigating the area on your own can be challenging if you're unfamiliar with the roads. A winery bus tour eliminates the need for driving and directions, allowing you to focus on the experience.

No Need for a Designated Driver

Wine tasting often involves sampling multiple wines at each stop, and this can quickly add up to more than a glass or two. Rather than worrying about who will drive, a winery bus tour ensures everyone can partake in the fun without concern. This is particularly important if you’re touring with a group, as everyone gets to enjoy the day without having to designate a driver.

Social and Fun Atmosphere

Winery bus tours are not just about wine; they're about creating an enjoyable day out with friends, family, or even new acquaintances. The bus ride between wineries can be just as fun as the tastings themselves, with plenty of opportunities to socialize, play music, or even participate in wine-themed trivia or games. For larger groups, the shared experience of a winery tour creates lasting memories.

Exploring North Georgia’s Wineries

Atlanta is a gateway to some of the Southeast’s most stunning wine country. North Georgia, in particular, is home to a wide range of wineries, from family-owned vineyards to larger, more established estates. Each winery offers a unique selection of wines and a distinctive atmosphere. Here’s what you can expect when you embark on a winery bus tour from Atlanta.

Chateau Elan Winery

Chateau Elan is one of Georgia’s most well-known wineries, and for a good reason. Located about an hour from Atlanta, it offers an array of wines, including muscadines, chardonnays, and cabernets. The winery is also home to a luxury resort and spa, making it an excellent option for those looking to extend their wine tour into a weekend getaway.

With sprawling vineyards, luxurious tasting rooms, and a variety of events throughout the year, Chateau Elan is a must-visit stop on any Atlanta winery bus tour.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wolf Mountain Vineyards offers stunning views alongside award-winning wines. This family-run winery focuses on producing European-style wines, including sparkling varieties, reds, and whites. In addition to wine tastings, visitors can enjoy gourmet dining at their in-house restaurant, making it an excellent stop for a long, leisurely afternoon of wine and food.

Montaluce Winery & Restaurant

Montaluce is another top destination for wine lovers in North Georgia. This Tuscan-style winery is renowned for its high-quality wines, which include everything from classic reds to refreshing whites. The estate’s restaurant is also a standout, offering farm-to-table dining experiences that pair beautifully with the wines. If you’re looking for a blend of elegance and rustic charm, Montaluce is the perfect spot.

Yonah Mountain Vineyards

For those seeking a more intimate experience, Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a hidden gem in the Georgia wine scene. Situated at the base of Yonah Mountain, this family-owned vineyard offers guided tours of its wine caves, along with tastings of their boutique wines. The breathtaking views and personalized service make it a memorable stop on any winery tour.

Planning Your Winery Bus Tour

Before embarking on your winery bus tour, there are several things to consider to ensure that your experience is as enjoyable and seamless as possible. From choosing the right tour operator to selecting the wineries you’ll visit, careful planning will make a big difference.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

There are several winery bus tour operators in Atlanta, each offering different packages and experiences. Some operators focus on smaller, boutique wineries, while others offer tours of the more popular, larger estates. When choosing a tour operator, be sure to consider the following factors:

Group Size: Some tours are designed for small, intimate groups, while others can accommodate larger parties. Depending on your preference, choose a tour that matches the vibe you’re going for.

Duration: Winery bus tours can range from a half-day trip to a full-day excursion. Consider how much time you want to spend at each winery and whether you’re interested in a quick tasting or a more in-depth experience that includes vineyard tours and food pairings.

Amenities: Some buses come equipped with added amenities like comfortable seating, entertainment systems, or refreshments. If you’re looking to make the ride itself part of the experience, opt for a tour that offers these extras.

Setting the Itinerary

While some tour operators offer pre-set itineraries, others allow you to customize your stops based on your preferences. If you’re a fan of sparkling wines, for example, you might want to visit wineries that specialize in bubbly. Or, if you’re looking for an experience that combines wine with food, look for wineries that offer on-site restaurants or picnic areas.

Preparing for the Day

A winery bus tour is meant to be a day of fun and relaxation, but it’s important to come prepared. Dress comfortably, as you’ll likely be spending time both indoors and outdoors. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if you’re visiting during the warmer months. Additionally, make sure to stay hydrated and eat something substantial before you start tasting, as wine can be surprisingly potent over the course of a day.

Wine Tasting Etiquette

While winery bus tours are all about having a good time, it’s essential to follow basic wine tasting etiquette to enhance the experience for yourself and others. Here are a few tips:

Pace Yourself: Don’t feel pressured to finish every glass of wine. Most wineries will offer a “dump bucket” where you can pour out any wine you don’t want to finish. This allows you to taste more without overindulging.

Ask Questions: The winery staff are often passionate about their wines and are more than happy to answer questions. Don’t hesitate to ask about the different varieties, the winemaking process, or the history of the vineyard.

Respect the Environment: Wineries are often set in picturesque natural environments. Be mindful of your surroundings and clean up after yourself to preserve the beauty of the vineyards.

Why Winery Bus Tours are Perfect for Group Outings

Winery bus tours are a great way to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy a day out with friends or family. They’re ideal for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, or even corporate outings. Here’s why a winery bus tour is the perfect group activity:

Bachelorette Parties

Wine tasting is a popular choice for bachelorette parties, offering a sophisticated yet fun way to celebrate with the bride-to-be. Many wineries offer special packages for bachelorette groups, including private tastings or vineyard tours.

Birthday Celebrations

If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate a milestone birthday, a winery bus tour is an excellent option. The combination of beautiful scenery, delicious wine, and a fun social atmosphere makes it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Corporate Outings

A winery bus tour can also be a great team-building activity for corporate groups. The relaxed setting allows colleagues to bond outside of the office while enjoying a day of wine tasting. Many wineries also offer private event spaces, making it easy to incorporate meetings or presentations into the day.

Conclusion

Winery bus tour in Atlanta offers wine lovers the perfect blend of convenience, fun, and luxury. From the stunning vineyards of North Georgia to the comfortable ride on a party bus, these tours provide an unforgettable experience for anyone looking to explore the region’s best wineries. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a day out with friends, a winery bus tour is the ultimate way to sip, savor, and enjoy the beauty of Atlanta’s wine country.

[atllimousineservice]

Book the luxurious the bus for the sightseeing tour in Atlanta. Our bus is premium qality services also provide the guide for the tour. We make the tour is memorable. Book your bus now. Contact us.

[jojomiwbvb6]

The Shower Scene, Part 3

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 4

Warnings: this is a work of fiction. smut (18+) MDNI, NSFW. Sexting, Sexual Tendencies, Swearing, Degradation, Brat Taming

Author's Note: bet your ass I'm destroying you all. Links coming soon. Part 4 will be "cumming" soon.

--

You sat backstage with your head against the wall. Another workday, another city. You were left in the dim light, alone with your thoughts and the screaming of the crowd and the loud thrums of guitar through the heavy speakers.

Only the thoughts of yours and Noah's secret situation would return to your mind.

You haven't been able to hide the straining tension and the absolute cravings for him you have in the dark.

Noah noticed you eyeballing him one day on the bus. You quickly looked away, but the damage had been done. Every time you turned around, Noah took advantage of teasing and taunting you from as far away as possible.

He would give you the hottest glares, then turn away with a completely different expression as soon as he did. He'd smirk at you and bite his lip, turning his head to smolder you.

When no one was looking, he winked at you and curled his fingers in the air. When Jolly looked towards him, he changed his expression and quickly dropped his hands.

You were so sick and crazy over it but you tried to hide it.

A week or two went by, only a few little chances to interact with Noah completely went by with no opportunity to touch or even get a secret word in. You hadn't had a moment alone with him at all.

Ever since that night in the bathroom on the bus, you ached to know just what he'd do if you teased him again. He was teasing you with his glares and gestures. Noah knew exactly how he was making you feel, and you knew it.

The next tour week was coming up, with one day off in Atlanta, Georgia. But that off day was 5 days away-- a wait you weren't sure you could handle, if Noah even decided to spend it with you.

"Hey, (Y/N). You good out here? Why are you by yourself?" Bryan peaked out at you from the stage entry.

"Oh, just enjoying a moment of peace before the chaos." You shrug.

"Alright. Just making sure everything's cool," he softly smiled and returned to the side stage, resuming collecting pictures.

--

In your bunk that night, you lie awake, staring at the ceiling not so far from your face. You scroll through your phone, noticing a snap from a few people, Noah being one, sent a half hour ago.

Biting your lip with excitement, you wonder what it is. You open the Snapchat.

Noah laying in his bunk, furrowing his eyebrows and squinting at the camera. The picture looks so normal, yet so delicious. Every time he made that face, it flipped a switch in you. You weren't sure if the picture was only for you. Still, your eyes devoured the photo.

You looked away at the ceiling again, closing the snap. An idea pops into your head, filthy and obscene. Should you? You weren't sure, but you knew that it would get the reaction you craved so desperately.

You can't help but smirk and your stomach flips. Convinced of your plan, you get up quietly from your bunk, pads of your feet hitting the cold bus floor.

You walk out of the bunk area and to the same bathroom Noah had you panting and soaked to the bone several nights previously. As the door shuts behind you, you rest against the door and breathe deeply, anxious at what you're about to do.

You look at yourself in the mirror, fixing your hair. You bite your lip, testing how you look.

Deciding you are ready, you slip out of your top and the bralette you wore. You caressed your breasts and teased your nipples until they were taut and pointed. Pulling up your phone's camera, you snapped a few different pictures.

Excitement pulsed through you, ready to throw Noah through a struggle until the end of the week.

Pulling down your pajama pants, you angle the camera at just the right angle to make your ass look fat and juicy, just to make Noah want to take a bite of you.

At every thought of what Noah was going to get to see, your panties are wet and you're aching. Just because of this, you turn around and angle the camera at your covered pussy, throwing your hand on your thigh. Snap, picture.

Taking your underwear off, you take a shot from the back and from the front. And another of your whole naked body.

You get dressed again, and return to your bunk quietly.

Looking through the pictures, excitement rolls through you. You sort through them, deleting ones you don't like and picking from the ones you do.

As you're looking, you decide on the least hot one, of your tits. A slow burn, you decide.

You move to the chat box on Snapchat with Noah. You didn't think he'd be awake. Opening your gallery and clicking on that one photo, your stomach flips and you press send.

Your eyes close and you pass out, bus rocking you to sleep with the bumps in the road.

--

You wake up to voices and movement. Your curtain is ripped open and you squint hard.

"Wake up, (Y/L/N)! We are late to the venue. Get dressed and ready to load-in asap." Jolly says to you.

"Aye-aye, Captain Karlsson." You mumble, stumbling out of bed and to the bathroom.

You check your phone momentarily while you get yourself awake. Notifications popping up on the screen. One notification stands out to you: Noah Sebastian, with the yellow ghost on the side.

Your heart does a flip along with your stomach and you grip the sink and hold your breath. You race to unlock it and open the snap. It's a chat. If it's possible to get more nervous, you do.

Your finger hovers over the button, scared to see what it says. You slowly swipe to open the chat. You see that he's saved the photo.

There's one sentence below that:

You're playing a dangerous game, princess.

You gasp, locking your phone. Your teeth sink into your lip.

A sharp rap comes to the bathroom door. "Get outta there, some of us gotta piss!"

"S-sorry!" You stutter and fling open the door to a grumpy Matt.

Exiting the bathroom, you spot Noah getting off the bus. Of course you missed him again.

--

Once again, the day repeats itself with high tension and hard work. The brutal day exhausts you, rushing to make everything work and on time.

Noah is nowhere to be found around you today, socializing with everyone else.

In-between sets, you're setting up the stage with your fellow crew. In the few moments before Bad Omens approaches the stage and your feet have left it, you're opening your phone back up and Noah's chat. You open the gallery, smirking to yourself, and you select your next choice: your pretty panties on display with your ass all up in the camera. Holding your breath again, you click send.

It takes several minutes. The stage music begins to play, and you know that they're about to go on. The blue arrow turns white and you know he's seeing it. You see "typing..." Pop up next to his name and you hold your breath.

Swiping, you see his bitmoji peeking from the bottom. His message pops up and a few seconds later you hear the crowd screeching. He saved this photo too.

You're gonna fucking regret this, you dirty little girl.

You suppress a moan. You fucking hope so.

You run around backstage as needed. One requiring that you assess a problem with a cable processing a cab that wasn't functioning properly. On stage, Noah's eyes catch yours.

He holds the eye contact, breaking your focus from your work momentarily. He looks so wild and tortured when he looks at you. He wants to tear you to pieces and you can feel it in your gut.

When you go backstage, you send the next picture unmercilessly, excited to enrage him further. You fantasize about how hard you're gonna get him.

--

You finish the night on the bus couch. You look at your Snapchat, Noah not opening your snap yet. You huff anxiously.

Noah enters the bus with Ruffilo, laughing about something. His eyes land dangerously on you. You have a feeling he has plans for you. Sitting down on the opposite couch, he glares at you hotly and opens his phone. Your core aches.

You see the light flash in his face. You watch your phone for the confirmation of your message being opened, stomach flipping. You see the blue arrow fade to white again. Looking up, you make eye contact with a Noah who is clearly hiding his expression. Danger glints in his eyes. He goes to his phone, typing furiously, brows furrowed.

You dirty fucking girl. You think you're gonna get away with this? Right in front of my friends? I'm gonna make you regret every fucking second when I get my hands on you.

You look up at his hungry eyes. He has a hint of anger on his face that makes you so wet. You bite your lip at him and bat your eyes. You smirk. You see his fist clench. He's about to stand, when Folio requests his help.

Noah sighs quietly. "Sure," he says.

A new message from Noah.

This isn't over.

You text back. Oh, Noah, you have no idea.

--

Over the next few days, you keep the pictures flowing into his inbox. He kept threatening your demise, even sending a hot picture of his chest and a little smirk playing on his mouth with a hot pressure in his sweats.

You saved it, just for your eyes.

"God, Noah," you mumbled to yourself.

Finding the last picture, of your complete open pussy and breasts sitting perfectly perky on your chest, you send it straight to Noah.

From your bunk, you can hear Noah groan and turn it into a yawn. A message pops up on your phone.

This is the last fucking straw. What a fucking slut you are. All for me. I'm gonna ravage your little cunt and leave you bruised and used just like you're begging me to.

You almost moan out loud, gasping and soaking yourself.

I double dare you to try.

You taunt him, trying to get his animalistic nature to come out.

You're about to get on my bad side, naughty girl.

Give it all to me, baby. You say back.

Careful what you fucking wish for.

[wlntrsldler]

poisoned mercury | close as strangers (post chb)

a/n: okayyyy so i didn't give them an angst ending but i had to give into the angst monster at least once for this series so here's a bonus chapter for poisoned mercury. miscommunication galore. long distance is hard! two dumbasses in love!

song: close as strangers by 5sos

series masterlist | previous | next

"i'll talk to you tomorrow, yeah?" luke whispered, trying not to wake his bandmates up. the tour bus was large enough to house them while they were on the road, but it didn't really give the privacy he hoped for. chris was just across the narrow walkway from him and luke could hear his soft snores through the thin curtain that separated them. 

luke felt his heart hammering in his chest when you didn't reply to him. he could still hear your breaths through the phone and you were just talking to him a second ago, so he knew you were still awake. you both had equally busy lives which meant that your phone calls were getting shorter and shorter each day. luke knew it was because you were booked with school and tournaments for field hockey and he was always exhausted after each meeting now that the band was working on their second album. luke knew all of this, but it didn't stop him from missing you. he was lucky to get a ten-minute call with you nowadays. 

"baby?" he tried again, chewing on his bottom lip. he turned to face the ceiling of his bunk, the light from his phone casting a shadow on his face as he waited for you to say something. anything. "can i call you tomorrow?" 

you sighed, "i don't know, luke. i have a busy day. it's a travel game tomorrow so i don't know if i'll be up late." 

"oh," he cleared his throat, trying to hide his disappointment. he felt a little stupid that there were tears pooling in his eyes. so you can't talk tomorrow, it shouldn't be a big deal, right? except that luke felt like you were pulling away from him. little by little. and he didn't know how to stop it. it wasn't like he could drop everything to show up at your doorstep and fix things with you. if it was up to him, he would do it in a heartbeat, but you'd probably get mad at him for it, for abandoning his responsibilities as the lead singer of the most popular band in the world. not to mention the boys would be livid and mr. d and his mom would be equally furious. 

"sorry, maybe next week?" 

"yeah, sure," he replied, thankful that you weren't on facetime tonight. he didn't want you to see his face. "alright, i'll let you get some rest. go kill it tomorrow. g'night, five star." 

"goodnight," you said, ending the call as soon as the last syllable left your lips. 

luke groaned quietly, tossing his phone on the foot of his bed. he knew long distance was going to be difficult. it's been months since he last saw you, months since he was at camp half blood, sleeping in your bed and waking up to the feeling of your lips peppering kisses on his face. maybe he shouldn't have gotten so attached so fast, but it wasn't like he had a choice in the matter. 

he got out from his bunk, tucking his feet into his slippers and made his way to the living room area of the bus. he sat on the couch, peering out the window to watch the empty roads ahead. they were on their way to nashville to meet with a producer that mr. d recommended. the second album was almost done, but it was missing something and none of them wanted to put out a record that didn't meet their expectations. 

mr. d was already in tennessee waiting for them. he'd flown in from houston a few days ago with luke's mom and the rest of the poisoned mercury team while the boys were in atlanta for a movie premiere. they decided that a road trip was needed to de-stress after the glitz and buzz of the red carpet. it was nice to have some alone time with the boys. in their tour bus, luke felt like they were back in connecticut, just four friends fucking around, writing music, and eating junk food until their stomachs hurt. 

he turned on the tv, switching to some random channel that he wasn't paying attention to. he just needed some noise to drown out his thoughts, but that didn't seem to work. all he could think of was you, his five star, and how much he missed you. luke wondered if you were having second thoughts about this whole thing. maybe he'd been too optimistic about things; maybe you weren't on the same page as he was; maybe you realized that it was too difficult to be with him. 

a shiver ran down his spine as he spiraled into his thoughts. admitting to himself that something was wrong between the two of you left a bitter taste in his mouth because he didn't want to believe it. he saw you as his endgame, like nobody else in the world could compare to you, and to think that you may not feel the same about him... well, it was a difficult pill to swallow.

he wondered if he came on too strong, showed his cards too early, and seemed too clingy and lovestruck before it was deemed appropriate. you'd only been together, officially at least, for four months, most of which were long distance, but luke knew he was a goner for you way before that. 

he silently cursed as the chill of the december air hit his skin. he should've worn a hoodie. he grabbed the small throw blanket draped over the armchair and placed it around his shoulders. he wished he got to see you over thanksgiving break because maybe you two wouldn't be in this rocky situation right now, but your coach ordered you and clarisse to stay on campus over break to sharpen your skills since you missed summer training. luke and chris were less than pleased with the idea, but they knew it was out of their control. 

luke fell asleep on the couch that night after succumbing to the tiredness in his body. the sun was beginning to rise by the time his eyelids fluttered shut. he hoped that he'd wake up to a text from you, but when he woke up to the sound of the bus screeching to a halt in nashville, he realized it was the hope that kills. 

-

“are you guys going to the fall concert?” silena asked, poking her head out of the bathroom. she was part of the planning committee for the unc fall semester concert and she’d been stressing over the logistics of it for weeks. 

“lena, if we even tried to miss it, you’d kill us,” clarisse chuckled, putting on a coat of mascara. “you’ve been talking about this since we got back.” 

the three of you were getting ready in your dorm. you and clarisse were roommates this year, thank gods for athlete privileges, and silena lived in the building next door in a single since she was an ra. how she had the time to be an ra, be a member of the music festival planning committee, and be a full-time student was truly beyond your comprehension. 

“lena, calm down. it’ll be good,” you squeezed her shoulders as you passed by behind her, grabbing your lipgloss from the counter. “and even if it sucks, half the people in the crowd are either drunk or high or both and will probably not remember it.” 

“true,” she snorted, curling the final piece of her hair. she unplugged her hair curler and gave herself one last look in the mirror, “i’ll see you guys there? i gotta go make sure shit didn’t hit the fan.” 

you and clarisse nodded as silena said her goodbyes. you dabbed on some lipgloss, glancing down at your phone every few seconds. clarisse side-eyed you, unable to hide her smile, “you waitin’ for a text?” 

“shut up,” you rolled your eyes at her teasing tone. she didn't really know that your relationship was a little muddy at the moment. you weren’t the best at talking about your feelings and it felt wrong to talk about your relationship drama when clarisse and chris seemed to be going strong. “they’re supposed to land in los angeles ten minutes ago.” 

“their flight probably got delayed, y/n,” she replied, “happens all the time.” 

“no, i know, but just wanna make sure they’re safe, y’know?” 

clarisse crossed her arms over her chest, “they’re safe or he’s safe?” 

you ignored her question, opting to busy yourself with the weather app on your phone to avoid any follow-up questions, “how are you not checking your phone for a text from chris right now?” 

she shrugged, “he always knocks out on long flights so i don’t expect a text until he gets to their hotel.” 

“how are you and chris, by the way? i know we live together and shit, but i feel like we haven’t gotten to talk about it in detail since we’re always so tired from school and practice.” 

“we’re good,” clarisse hummed, “just miss him loads, though. i haven’t seen him since we left camp– what? four, almost five, months ago?” 

you were in the same boat, kind of. you and luke hadn’t seen each other in months and you were getting antsy. they’d been on the road for the past few months, meeting with producers and fulfilling their contractual obligations. they hadn’t been in a set location long enough for you to be able to fly out to see luke, even just for a weekend. 

at first, there were movie dates where you’d order each other food and eat and watch the movie on facetime together. there were weekly phone calls and daily texts, but nothing compares to the real thing. being with luke in person was something that you were craving. camp half blood spoiled you with having him all for yourself and now that you were back in school and he’s out in the world, it was beginning to weigh on you. 

you missed him. a lot. 

you missed kissing him and feeling his lips break out into a smile when you’d mumble something stupid. you missed feeling his arms around you, hugging you from behind while you got ready for the day. you even missed waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of him scribbling random lyrics on pieces of scrap paper he found in your room when he slept over. 

long distance is hard and sure, luke wouldn’t be the type to cheat or do anything to jeopardize your relationship, but it still didn’t stop a knot from forming in your stomach every time a picture of him or the band popped up on your social media with a gorgeous singer, actor, or model that they ran into on the red carpet. what if he realizes one day that he wants someone who lives the same life as him? wild and adventurous, not tied down by school or sports? 

a part of you felt silly for being so insecure about things. it was too early in the relationship to have this conversation, isn’t it? you knew that your avoidance of the topic was starting to affect your relationship with luke, as much as you wished it didn’t, but what if the minute you voice your concerns, he’ll realize that being with you was more than he bargained for? after all, you weren’t the same five star with all the time in her hands, care-free, and relaxed that he met at camp. there was a chance that luke would call it quits on this if you said anything and it felt like too big of a risk to take. 

your phone buzzed on the counter, indicating a text.

from: luke <3 

‘landed and jetlagged. gonna sleep for a few. enjoy the concert babe!’ 

you hearted the message and slipped your phone into your back pocket after sending him a quick goodnight text. the three dots popped up for a second, then in a blink, they disappeared. read at 8:43 pm. 

“you ready?” 

you snapped out of your thoughts at the sound of clarisse’s voice. you nodded and grabbed your small purse before heading out the door. you ran into a group of your teammates who were heading to the amphitheater across campus for the concert. the walk seemed to fly by as they cracked jokes and shared stories about random things. you stayed silent for the most part, only laughing along when it seemed like the right time, but your mind was somewhere else. your mind was in los angeles. 

by the time you got to the venue, you and clarisse separated from the group to enter the vip tent, courtesy of silena. a small crowd was beginning to form in front of the stage, taking up the grassy field. charlie was already at the tent, sipping on an ipa when he saw the two of you. his face broke out into a wide smile, giving you and clarisse a quick hug before leading you to the seats he saved. 

“season’s looking promising for you guys, charlie,” you commented, accepting the high noon he offered. “the team’s looking good out there.” 

“thanks,” he beamed, “don’t think we’re on the level of national champs just yet like you guys, but we’re trying!” 

“you guys are doing great,” clarisse chimed in, “the energy in the stadium is electric this year. makes me love college.” 

“are you telling me the papers and tests aren’t what makes you love college, la rue?” charlie teased. 

she snorted, “oh yeah, because i just love staying up until 1 am writing a paper on greek mythology for classics 101.”

the three of you fell into a comfortable conversation about the class you were all taking. it was a prerequisite class that most athletes choose to take because the professor was flexible with deadlines when it came to athletes. it was helpful especially when a team has to play beyond their season for tournaments or championships. about ten minutes before the opening act got on stage, silena rushed into the tent.

“guys, please you need to come with me. i need your help,” she said frantically. she was nervously tugging on her ‘staff’ badge around her neck, already halfway out of the tent as she waited for the three of you to follow her. “please, it’s an emergency.” 

“woah, lena, what’s going on?” you asked, getting up to comfort her. you followed her through the crowd, grabbing clarisse’s hand to keep her close. 

silena shook her head, continuing her march through the sea of people, “just come with me, i’ll explain when we get backstage.” 

you and clarisse looked at each other, feeling bad for silena. she put in her blood, sweat, and tears into this concert and you knew that she would beat herself up over it if something went wrong. silena always put her all into the projects she’s passionate about, but sometimes things outside of her control happen and unfortunately, she blames herself for it. 

in the whirlwind of ‘excuse me’s’ and ‘sorry’s’, the four of you managed to make your way backstage. it was chaotic. people were running around everywhere making sure everything was set for the opening act. the girl who was opening the concert was waiting by the wings, her guitar strapped across her chest as she took some deep breaths. the crowd wasn’t full yet, but you knew that if you were in that position, you’d still be sweating buckets. going out there on stage to perform for strangers was nerve-racking. you didn’t know how luke did it. you admired that about him. 

“lena, are you gonna tell us what’s going on?” clarisse questioned, picking up the pace of her steps to match silena. 

silena stopped in front of a door, slowly turning to face you and clarisse. suddenly, her stressed facade faded as she twisted the doorknob, “why don’t you see for yourself?” 

if you weren’t so confused about what was going on, you would’ve seen charlie lift his can up to his lips to hide his smile at how proud he was of his girlfriend for her acting skills. when the door opened, your heart stopped. 

luke was here. 

he stood in the middle of the room beside chris with a nervous smile on his face. he was wearing a black leather jacket on top of a white tank top and black pants. his poisoned mercury chain hung from his neck, shining under the overhead lights. his hands were stuffed in his front pockets, shy and timid, as he waited for your reaction. 

clarisse screamed when it hit her that chris was actually here. she ran to him and nearly tackled him to the floor. chris wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and laughed as she giggled into his neck. the two of them shared a heartfelt reunion before rushing out of the room to get some privacy. the sound of the door shutting behind you made you blink.

luke cleared his throat, right hand scratching the back of his neck, “hey, five star.” 

the nickname brought you back to your senses. you ran to him, engulfing him in a tight hug with an ‘umph.’ at first, luke was tense under your touch, unsure if you’d be happy with his surprise, but quickly, he melted into you. he buried his face in the crook of your neck, sighing in content as your familiar scent surrounded him. he felt sparks coursing through his veins as you hugged him tighter and all he could think about was how good it felt to have you in his arms again. his mind was still reeling at your reaction. he didn’t expect you to run to him like this, especially not when it felt like you’d been avoiding his calls over the last few weeks. 

“what are you doing here?” you asked him, pulling away to hold his face in your hands. your eyes twinkled as you raked over his face, still in disbelief that he was actually in front of you. “you’re supposed to be in la.”

luke couldn’t stop the lopsided smile on his face, “well, i lied? we were in nashville recording with your dad and he mentioned that he didn’t schedule a session for us this weekend in case me and chris wanted to take a trip to north carolina, so here we are.” 

you ran your thumbs over his cheekbones, whispering, “here you are.” 

“god, i missed you so much,” he said, voice breaking. “you have no idea how hard it’s been.” 

you gulped, your hold on his face faltering a bit. if luke wasn’t on edge, he wouldn’t have noticed the falter in your step, but he felt the slight hesitation in your actions. your warm touch slowly peeled away from his face and he instantly regretted saying those words. here he goes being clingy again. he removed his hands from your waist, clearing his throat. he sat on the couch, motioning for you to sit beside him. he tried to keep his hands to himself when you left a space between the two of you. 

“i still can’t believe you’re really here,” you said, staring at him. you wanted to lean over and hold him in your arms again, but there was a weird tension in the air that made you feel queasy. “i feel like i’m dreaming right now.” 

“i hope you’re not mad that i’m here,” luke looked down at his lap, flexing his hands. he had to keep his hands busy or else he’d surely reach for yours and he didn’t want to come on too strong. he had to keep his distance. he didn’t want to scare you off any more than he already did. “there was just an opening in the schedule and i-i wanted to see you.” 

“i’m not mad at all.” 

“good, good,” he replied. silence. he forced himself to look up from his lap, twisting his body to face you. he bit his bottom lip, trying to build up the courage to ask his next question. “are we okay?” 

“we’re okay.” 

“okay because i feel like things have been different between us lately,” he pursed his lips, looking at you with sad eyes. his tongue poked out the corner of his lips, eyes darting between you and the wall behind you. “i don’t know. i feel like we haven’t talked in ages, y’know? and i know you’re busy and you have a great life here that i’m not really a part of, but uh, i wanna be, y’know? i don’t know much about school or field hockey, but it’s important to you and you’re important to me so i wanna hear about it.” 

he was met with more silence. luke continued, “maybe i’m asking for too much when i ask you to let me be a part of this life, but uh, i miss you? and i just feel like i’m losing you and that’s the last thing i want. so you gotta give me something, five star. tell me what i can do to be better.” 

“if you need me to back off, i’ll do it, you know? you call the shots. you tell me what you need from me, and i’ll do it, okay? i just– i can’t lose this. i don’t wanna lose you,” luke mumbled. “maybe this is all in my head too. i don’t know anymore.” 

you shuddered, lip quivering, “i feel like i’m holding you back.” 

“what?” 

“come on, luke,” you flicked away the tear that trickled down your cheek, “you’re out there in the world doing what you love. meeting new people. living your life and i don’t want to hold you back from that. we met each other when i didn’t have all these responsibilities and who i was at camp is not who i am here and i know you love those impromptu adventures and trips and spontaneity. a-and i can’t give that to you.” 

“you deserve someone who can live this life with you and i’m stuck here for two more years, luke. i can’t do that,” it was getting hard to breathe. your throat felt like it was closing up, cutting off your airflow. you’d been putting off this conversation for weeks. it didn’t feel right to talk about this over the phone, and you thought that you had a few more weeks to figure out what to say to him when you saw him for winter break, but he was here now. “you deserve more than facetime calls and text messages, and that’s all i can offer.” 

“is this–” he paused, licking his lips. “is this not what you want anymore?” 

“what?” 

“this, us? is this just not what you want anymore?” 

an involuntary laugh escaped you as you wiped under your eye, “castellan, i don’t think i could stop wanting you even if i wanted to. and you know when we first met, i really wanted to.” 

luke moved closer to you, just an inch or two, trying to gauge your reaction. you didn’t move away, which he took as a good sign, “i’m confused. why do you sound like you want to end this then?” 

“i don’t want you to settle for this,” you sighed, “i know what you deserve and it isn’t this.” 

“bullshit.” 

you furrowed your eyebrows, looking at him in disbelief, “what?” 

“i’m sorry, five star, but that’s bullshit,” a small smile was tugging on his lips. he reached over to place a hand over yours. his fingers traced your knuckles, running the pads of his fingers across the familiar ridges of your skin. “i don’t understand how after all this time you still don’t realize that all i want is you. it’s ridiculous, really.” 

“it’s ridiculous?” 

“it’s ridiculous,” he chuckled wetly. his other hand rubbed at his eyes, clearing his foggy vision. “our situation isn’t ideal, i know that, but i’d take long distance with you over anything else with anyone else. don’t you get it, five star? you’re it for me. if this isn’t what you want anymore, i’ll accept that. but if you’re only doing this because you don’t think i want this… five star, i want it all with you. long distance. phone calls. text messages. weekend trips when we can get them. distance has nothing on how i feel about you.” 

leave it to luke castellan to make you blush. you shyly looked at him, eyes twinkling with something more than either of you bargained for when you first met in that secret spot you call yours, “how do you feel about me?” 

“i’m not gonna say it right now because i don’t want to have the first time be while we’re in a fight,” luke laughed. the air was starting to clear. “but i have a feeling you know.” 

“i know,” you squeezed his hand three times, “i do too.” 

“will you put me out of my misery and kiss me please?” 

“always so fucking dramatic,” you scoffed, playfully rolling your eyes, but you leaned over and pressed your lips to his.

[lifelaughloveharrystyles]

Ross Lynch: givemewhatuwant

*on tour with the driver era 2024*

“Y/N do you know where we are at?” Garrison calls from the back of the bus with all the boys.

The Driver Era has been on tour for about a month now, traveling all over the east coast showcasing their phenomenal songs that they made from scratch. I had the amazing opportunity to come on the tour as one of the equipment managers. This has been my biggest dream in my career, working at “The Doors Rock Shop”. It’s a well known instrument company in Atlanta Georgia where people would go to get a guitar and a crystal at the same time. I got this amazing job with touring The Driver Era with my cousin Poppy who is with us on tour as one of the tour photographers.

“Y/N!” Ryland shouts from the back. I look outside to see we are about to arrive to the venue in Asheville North Carolina. “we are about to pull up to the venue guys!” I said looking to the back of the bus and I see Ross in the hall with just pajamas pants on. “Word! i’m ready to stretch my legs and get out and move.” Ross said stretching his arms looking like he just woke up from a nap.

Ross and I have gotten really close on this tour. i’m normally not on their bus, i travel in a large van behind the bus with the crew. We haven’t stopped talking to each other whether it’s in person while im helping carry his beautiful gibson to him when he goes in for his solos or text. We make these jokes everytime I have to give his guitar to him in a show and I always make a bet with him about how many girls will scream “take your shirt off!”. Secretly I was jealous I couldn’t be those beautiful girls making him smile and shake his hips like that and pleading to take his shirt off for me. Having him as a friend is the best, I just know he could never like me that way. I’m his equipment manager, I lift speakers and drums for a living and he’s a fucking rockstar sex god. I mean look at his recent ex. like how can I compare to Jaz Sinclair. I have to be just a friend to protect myself from that energy.

Everyone ends up scattering across the venue to start their projects for the day. The show starts at 8 so I scramble around to the strings van to transfer the instruments to their spots on the stage so the boys can start soundchecking and tuning their guitars to the songs.

“Y/N why is it you’re always the one carrying the most stuff in the building when Greg is suppose to do that because of your knee.” Riker says from the green room where I walked in with a coffee for myself and him. “Riker i’m telling you Greg is so fucking slow I can’t bear watching him take 45 minutes to set up a guitar stand. I gotta get the shit done so I can actually enjoy myself for the day.” I express to him and i’m frazzled pinging from one corner of the stage to the other figuring out all the wires and amps so they can start their sound check.

“Y/N take a deep breath or a certain someone is going to come in here and see this and raise hell.” Riker laughed as he secretly points in the direction of Ross and Rocky’s green room. I roll my eyes and wave him off not believing a word he said.

Riker thinks he’s slick with trying to hook me up with Ross ever since we started the tour. i’ve seen the small hints of asking ross to come to me when he can’t find the setlist or where his extra picks are. Riker is basically our tour mom, he is making everyone smoothies and making sure everyone is hydrated before every show. Besides Ross, me and Riker have been attached to the hip.

“Shut up Riker before I grab a pair of scissors and cut your bass strings” I jokingly threaten him with a huge smile on my face.

“Oh God Riker what did you do to piss Y/N off again?” Ross said coming out of the side stage with a vintage baseball cap that says “i’m a local celebrity” with a white tee and baggy light washed denim pants. he slings his arm over my shoulder making us sway to the random song playing on the speakers. I look up to see him already looking down at me with that infamous smile he wears. “Nice Hat pretty boy.” i laughed and flicked the bill of the hat. “So which songs are we playing tonight? any newbies?” I smile back at him really hoping he’ll play one of my favorite songs at the show tonight. “Yes Y/N we are playing givemewhatuwant and Natural if that’s what you’re asking.” he chuckles and pulls away from me to pick up his guitar to start sound checking. I squeal and jump off the stage and start jogging to the doors to get the rest of the equipment “YES ROSS YOURE THE BEST” I scream at him and blow him a friendly kiss as I run out the door.

*Ross’ POV*

Y/N is the most precious and loving human I have ever met. she just brightens the room when she walks in. Whether it’s her bubbly personality or just her energy she radiates, it’s one of the reasons why I love having her close by. She makes me feel like life is worth living again. Heartbreak after heartbreak, I felt like love isn’t an option for me anymore. I have thousands of people falling at my feet but it never fills the void of feeling unloved. Hookups and one night stands can only do so much to the point even sex isn’t appealing to you anymore. Ever since Y/N walked into my life, it’s has taken a complete 180. I feel lighter. happier. I wake up excited for the day knowing I get to see and talk to the most beautiful woman I have ever met. She doesn’t compare to any girl I have ever been with or even seen. Befriending her was my first hit in the game and i’m ready for the home run. I want her to be mine. I need her to be my girl. I feel like I can’t live life without her by my side. she completes me in a way I have never felt before. I’m worried i’ll scare her away if I confess what i’ve been feeling inside. I just need to rip the bandaid and just go for it, be a man and express this to this wonderful girl.

*10 minutes before showtime*

*Y/N POV*

“what’s our bet tonight Ross?” I ask him walking up to the band. I just finished helping set up the stage for The Driver Era after Valé’s performance. She did amazing as she does every night. Tonight however the energy feels a bit off. Ross looks like he’s in his head about something and I just don’t know what. Everything went smoothly today and the crowd already has such a good vibe for the night, there’s nothing else to worry about. “Ross? You good?” I asked while rubbing his arm while he looks off in the distance.

“Yeah i’m good, just in my head a bit. Nothing to worry about, probably stage fright.” he has a fake smile plastered on his face to try and not worry me. I know him better than anyone that he is in his head about something and it’s definitely not stage fright.

“Do you need to talk before you go on? you are not good. you can try and fake smile at me but you know it’s not going to work. What’s going on in that head of yours?” I step forward to see his full face instead of the side and look up in those beautiful hazel brown eyes he adorns on his face. he sighs loudly and closes his eyes before opening them he says. “Y/N there’s been a lot of shit going on in my life and ever since I met you, it seems like everything disappeared when you walked in the room. You make me so happy and giddy to the point I get antsy when I don’t see you first thing in the morning. You light up my life and I know we only have known each other for a month but I feel it. My God I hope you feel it too so I don’t feel like the biggest idiot before this sold out show. I like you Y/N, I don’t want to wake up without you by my side. Please tell me you feel the same.” he pleads and grabs

my face in his hands and put his forehead to mine.

“Just shut up and kiss me Ross. I’ve been waiting way too long for you to say those words. I just need your lips on mine before you-“ he slams his lips on mine before I could sentence my sentence. I wrap my arms around his neck melting in his arms loving every second of this moment.

“Ross let’s go! you’ll have plenty of time to make out with Y/N after the show, come on!” Rocky shouts from the side stage making us break away from our heavy kiss. I smile and push him towards his brother. “Lucky for you i’m going to be in the pit with Poppy helping her take photos. I promise to get the best angles, I might sneak a couple just for my entertainment.” I smirk and he laughs and kisses my cheek and runs on stage right on his cue.

The boys are rocking out and came out full throttle. I’ve been helping poppy this show because one of the extra photographers called out and couldn’t make it. I can already feel the energy in this knowing it’s gonna be a great night. “ Y/N why has Ross been staring and smirking at you all night? Did he finally have the balls to do it?” She smirks at me side glancing to the stage. I look up and sure enough he’s staring at me with hooded eyes with his hair clinging to his sweaty forehead. He squats down to my level and curls his finger for me to come closer. I take a step towards him and he whispers “you are making it incredibly hard for me to stop this show and take you backstage to have my girl strip that skirt off so I can fuck that beautiful pussy.” he kisses my earlobe and pulls away before I could even react. my jaw drops and I step back and look at poppy and she’s busting out laughing at my reactions and hugs me and squeals in excitement. She always said from day one that Ross will end up falling over me. I brushed it out because of stupidity and insecurities. Now i’m like ‘fuck she’s right…. again’.

“That man is already planning the wedding in his brain and he hasn’t even gotten in your pants yet. I saw the kiss when I was setting up. “ She says while snapping pictures of the band while they play “Natural”. I get excited and dance and sing along. I decide to tease ross a bit, i shake my hips to the beat and drag my palms up my stomach making my shirt ride up a bit. He notices and bites his lip and tilts his hat down and looks at me with sultry eyes. I wink at him and flick him off. he smirks and proceeds to perform the rest of the song.

The show finally ended and the boys are celebrating in the green room with a couple of drinks. I finished my job for the night when I start searching for Ross to actually start my night. I feel hands wrap around my middle and I instantly melt when I smell fresh body wash and sandalwood. “Let’s go to the bus, I promise to keep my hands to myself” Ross mumbles kissing my neck with his hands roaming my hips pulling me closer to his warmth. I chuckle and turn my head to see his face and tease his lips with mine before I dart towards the direction of the bus. I hear his laughs behind me when I get up to the door to the bus.

he meets me inside and starts teasing my neck again guiding me to the back of the bus. He closes the sliding door and locks it in place. I arch my neck towards him in a way to let him know I want his lips on me. He starts sucking on my neck behind my ear. he kisses all the way to my lips and he slams his lips on mine. I moan and run my fingers through his hair and tug at the ends. He groans in my mouth and starts unzipping my corset like top. I gasp when I feel the cold air on my bare back. The shirts comes loose from my body and falls at our feet. “Beautiful” He whispers to himself when he see my breasts in full exposure. He starts peppering kisses all over my breasts and he cups his lips around my nipple and start sucking to drive me wild. I moan a sound that has never escaped from me before and I tug his face up to mine “Just fuck me already Ross. I need you so bad. Feel how wet I am” I whimper grabbing his hand and pressing it to my core. he rubs his fingertips against the sensitive nub and I moan loudly biting my lip. He shrugs his pants off and throws his shirt somewhere while I undress myself as fast as I can. “I wanted this to be slow and make this moment last as long as possible but I can’t bear anything anymore. I need to be inside you baby.” Ross said as he slips on a condom with a groan. He pushes the tip towards my entrance and I close my eyes waiting for the first push. “Look at me Y/N. I need to see your face” he pleads. I open my eyes the same time he enters me and I gasp at the size of him. He slowly thrusts in and out letting me get used to his size.

“Faster Baby. Fuck you feel so good” I scream as his pace picks up. he grabs my leg and throws it over his left shoulder slamming his hips into the back of my thighs. He presses a hand against my stomach and I moan feeling him deeper inside of me. “Fuck baby I can feel it. My god your pussy is perfect. You’re so tight, you were made for me” He groans fucking me harder making me slam a hand on the window beside me. “Ross i’m so close. please let me cum. fuck baby” I moan in his ear and drag my nails down his back. “Yes baby. Let go for me. Cum all over my cock. Make a mess of me. “ he slams his hips into mine as we both hit our climax at the same time. he thrusts slowly while we come from our highs. I breathe heavily and rest my head on the armrest of couch. Ross slowly lays his head on my breast letting some of his weight fall on me. I run my hand through his hair and just smile wanting this moment to never end.

“Whatcha thinking about beautiful?” he asked slowly pulling out making me wince. “Just realizing how did I get this lucky? I don’t deserve you.” my eyes start tearing up looking at his eyes and studying all of his features. “You don’t deserve me? You got it all wrong baby. You are the most beautiful human I have ever laid my eyes on. We are meant to be here in this moment for a reason and I know down the road we will look back at this time and just laugh and smile about all these memories we have made together. I want to make memories with you forever Y/N. l- I love you so fucking much I can’t hold it in anymore.” He rambles sitting up on the L shaped couch and pulling me to his chest. I breathe in his scent and close my eyes. “Ross, I love you so much it makes it hard for me to breathe. I’ll love you to the day I die.” I look up at him and he slams his lips on mine putting a hand over my heart to feel the thumps of my rapid heartbeat. Our lips move and he slips his tongue in and our tongues dance along together lazily.

We finally had the energy to get up after 30 minutes of lazy kisses and just appreciating the moment we just shared. Everyone comes back to the bus after the celebratory shots.

“So where did both of you guys run off too earlier?” Garrison asked slipping on a hoodie and a crochet bucket hat I made for him in Wisconsin. “I don’t kiss and tell but it was definitely fun for sure.” Ross winks and pulls me to sit on his lap.

“They fucked in the back of the bus. there’s a hand print on the window to prove it.” Ryland said smirking into his tequila soda. I roll my eyes and tap the bottom of his cup to make it spill all over his neck and shirt. “Y/N what the fuck dude!” he shouts snatching napkins from Riker. I laugh so hard I snort and then that makes everyone in the bus have a laughing fit. I lean my head back on ross’ shoulder and he kisses the top of my head whispering “I love you” in my ear. my eyes start drooping and I fall asleep on the love of my life and already can’t wait to wake up to experience this life with him.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 14B: Where Do We Go Now?

Soundtrack: “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses, 1987 [click here to listen]

Now and then when I see her face She takes me away to that special place And if I stare too long, I'd probably break down and cry

- Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)

Tucson || July 1988

It didn’t matter what Colum or the label or anyone else said – all recording studios looked the same on the inside.

Sure, there were always small differences. The really comfortable couches at Sound City in Los Angeles. Electric Lady in Manhattan still had the really cool paint scheme that Jimi Hendrix himself had designed. Muscle Shoals in Alabama oozed coolness.

But this studio, whose name he couldn’t and didn’t care to remember, nestled down a back street in Tuscon was…tired.

Almost as tired as Jamie.

The “quick three week tour” had stretched to eight weeks, with no end in sight. Theater shows had been upgraded to arenas. Playing to thousands and thousands of ecstatic fans. Pouring their hearts out night after night after night, and squeezing in radio promos and sound checks and business meetings during the day.

Fucking exhilarating.

Everybody wanted a piece of Print – their music, their story. Jamie still hadn’t granted too many interviews this tour, but the press ate up every word he said about sobriety and music and forgiveness. Insatiable for details about the woman he had met in rehab, and written all the new songs about, and refused to name publicly.

Print was making more money than they knew what to do with. The label had sprung for a private plane, and nobody in the band missed the rickety and smelly tour bus (except Claire, because it was still all so new to her, which Jamie added to the list of thousands of reasons why he loved her). Their hotel rooms were bigger. Catering in the dressing rooms was much nicer.

Fucking exhausting.

So many people wanted a piece of Jamie every day. Ian and Angus, to run through the new material that just kept pouring out of them. Colum, to talk ticket sales and adding second and third nights in each city. The suits from the label, who kept finding them in Dallas and Kansas City and Detroit, slapping Jamie’s back and pushing terrible ideas for duets with pop stars or contributing to a movie soundtrack or pleading to do the acoustic set in a special for MTV.

And on top of that, some dirtbag reporter from the National Enquirer had figured out who Claire was, somehow got a hold of her personnel file from the hospital, and tracked down her shitty ex-husband for an exclusive interview. Splashed her life all over the tabloids, complete with very grainy photographs of the she and Jamie together, holding hands, on a rare day off in Nashville when he took her to a few honky-tonks. The one saving grace was that thankfully, nobody at The Ridge had said a word about anything about her time there, or the time they shared together.

Claire took it all in stride. She always understood. Holding him in the bathtub of their suite in Denver as he shook from another panic attack. Smiling over a three AM hamburger at a diner in Topeka. Whimpering as he came off stage in Atlanta, sweaty and keyed up from singing about her, hoisting her in his arms for a long kiss against the lighting equipment at side stage, heart stuttering to see his eye makeup smudged against her cheeks.

The man he was on the last tour – unhappy, unfulfilled, so deep in an addition he didn’t care to acknowledge – would not recognize the man he’d become on this tour.

“In ’86, we played seventy eight dates. We had a number one record. I bought my house, and my motorcycle, and my car.” Quietly he sipped coffee in their suite in Seattle, watching the city wake up, running his thumb over Claire’s shoulder as she settled against him in front of the window.

“You had everything you had always dreamed of.”

He snorted. “I was a mess. All I could think about during every show was how to find a girl or a bottle or a baggie as quickly as possible. And the crew would always do that for me.”

The crew respected his – and Claire’s – request for no drugs or alcohol backstage this tour. What the techs and roadies and production crew did on their own time, in their own hotel rooms, with whoever they wanted to – Jamie didn’t care. But for everyone to help with, to respect, his sobriety was a gift. And he never stopped saying thank you.

“If only those reporters could see you now – Jamie Fraser swaggering off stage for an Evian.”

He smiled. “And to kiss this beautiful doctor who for some reason keeps following him around. Because he loves her, more than any man has ever loved any woman.”

He wanted to provide for her. To shelter and protect her. To never leave her side ever again.

She didn’t need him to do any of that, of course. They’d talked about it many times. But she wanted him to do that. And the fact that she chose him, kept choosing him…that was why they kept going. Kept each other sober. Kept holding each other up.

They’d agreed that this time on tour was for her to understand this part of him – and to help both of them decide how and where they would live once the tour was done.

Which is why the radio silence from Boston, four weeks after mailing the letter from Philadelphia asking, politely, just what the hell was going on…was so fucking crushing.

The stress of that – and the grind of touring – did make it just a bit more difficult every day.

Thankfully Colum had scheduled a week-long break at the end of the month. Angus was already planning a trip to Aruba with the two groupies, who truth be told had grown on the rest of the band. Ian was planning to spend the week with his wife, Jamie’s sister Jenny, and their kids.

And Jamie and Claire – well, they’d be getting married.

Only a few people knew, with good reason. Ian and Jenny, of course. Alec and Faith, in New York. Colum. Dougal MacKenzie and his wife Gillian, who had helped both Jamie and Claire so much at The Ridge. Uncle Lamb, who would officiate. And Claire’s friends Joe and Gail Abernathy, who had quite literally saved her life by getting her to The Ridge in the first place.

The service would be simple. Exactly what they wanted – what they needed.

And after that…well. They would truly be husband and wife.

But there was a lot to do – a lot to take care of – between now and then. Not the least of which was, wrapping up this recording session.

The time laying down acoustic tracks in Philadelphia last month was very well spent. They weren't so rusty. But the guys were eager to hear the songs in electric form. And since they were in Tucson, and Colum knew Bobby Higgins – who not only owned this studio, but who had also produced that really killer Ratt album in ’84…

“OK, Jamie.”

Jamie took a deep breath, and looked up through the glass at Bobby, hunched over the console in the control room.

“Ready for take two?”

Jamie looked left, to Angus – and right, to Ian.

“Yup.”

“OK – this is In My Veins, take two.”

Jamie grit his teeth.

Caught Claire’s eye in the control room.

She smiled.

He relaxed.

Angus counted in on his drumsticks, and then started the heavy beat like they’d discussed.

Four bars – and Jamie’s guitar and Ian’s bass joined in.

--

“That was really, really great, Jamie.”

Claire handed him a new bottle of water, cap already twisted off. He drank it in four deep gulps.

“I know you’re not shitting me. So thank you.”

Quickly she looked over her shoulder – Angus’ cheeks were being loudly kissed by the groupies, and Ian played around with his bass, and Colum and Bobby were deep in conversation in the control room.

“Where are you?”

She had pulled him away before, when the panic attacks were coming, and he knew she’d do it again right now if needed.

He wiped his mouth with the back of a sweaty hand. “About an eight out of ten.”

“Do you need a break?”

He met her eyes. “I need a meeting. Been thinking about my old friend Jack Daniels all day.”

“Did you see something?”

He sighed. “I’ve only played electric a handful of times since I got back from The Ridge.” He looked down at the gorgeous Stratocaster strapped across his chest, fist flexing. “I got this guitar because the black tone and white trim matched the label on the bottle. Stupid, I know. But it’s all I could think about today.”

“Not stupid. We’ll deal with it. You should call Alec. And I can find you a meeting.”

He leaned in, and kissed her forehead. “I love you. I’ll call him. And I need to sell this guitar.”

She nodded. “We’ll find a charity.”

He kissed her again. “I love you.”

She kissed him quickly, and returned to the control room.

Grateful that Jamie had turned away to talk to the guys, when Colum tapped her on the shoulder, and slid over an envelope postmarked Boston.

“Mail call. Do I want to know?”

She shook her head, folded the letter, and slid it into the back pocket of her jeans. “Is there a Yellow Pages I can borrow?”

[harlowsbby]

Midnight memories

“You know you really do have a big head Jack.”

“Oh geez thank you so much baby for the compliment that I didn’t ask for.” He said sarcastically and you laughed and laid your head on his chest.

It was currently two in the morning you were all on your way to Atlanta for Jack’s show later that day, while everyone else was fast asleep on the tour bus Jack and You were wide awake in the back talking about anything and everything.

Jack was laying on the bed while you sat on top of him, both of your legs on wrapped around his torso while played with his Kentucky chain.

“I’m happy you joined me on tour baby girl.” He smiled down at you and started rubbing your thighs in small circles.

“Why’s that?”

Your attention no longer on his chain but now on him waiting for his answer.

He blushed slightly and turned his head to the side, he’d always get so nervous whenever you’d look right at him your eyes practically starring into him waiting for his answer.

“I get lonely when you aren’t here baby and I’m sure Neelam and everyone else are grateful you’re here, I tend to get grumpy when I miss you.”

You laughed and leaned forward now laying on top of him, you brought your hand up to his curls and started twisting them softly, he took your hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

“I love that I’m here too Jack it’s been really fun so far, and I miss you like crazy whenever you’re away on tour thank you for inviting me.”

“You don’t have to thank me baby you know you’re always welcomed.” His hands traveled down your back before resting on your ass he smirked and started massaging your ass and you moaned slightly before pulling his hands off.

“We aren’t doing this in here especially with everyone else being just right outside that door.” You said sternly and he threw his hands up in defense.

“Damn I can’t even love up on my girl anymore that’s wild.” You glared at him and flicked his nose slightly and of course Jack being the dramatic man he is thought it was the end of the world.

“Damn baby that hurt now you definitely gotta give some of that ass for hurting me.” You smacked your lips and pulled the blanket on top of the both of you.

“Just get some sleep Jack and when we get to the hotel you can get as much of this as you want.”

“You promise?”

“I promise Jack, now let’s sleep.”

“I love you baby.”

“I love you more Jack.”

( just a little something 💗 )

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Carter Sherman at The Guardian:

In her first speech dedicated exclusively to abortion rights since becoming the presidential nominee, Kamala Harris spoke on Friday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, blaming Donald Trump for the abortion bans that now blanket much of the United States. Harris spoke days after news broke that two Georgia mothers died after being unable to access legal abortions and adequate medical care in the state. “Two women – and those are only the stories we know – here in the state of Georgia, died, died, because of a Trump abortion ban,” Harris said. She repeatedly referred to “Trump abortion bans” in the speech. “Suffering is happening every day in our country,” Harris continued. “To those women, to those families – I say on behalf on what I believe we all say, we see you and you are not alone and we are all here standing with you.”

In the weeks since becoming the Democratic nominee for president, Harris has made reproductive rights a central part of her campaign. She has toured the country to highlight the healthcare consequences of the 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade, which paved the way for more than a dozen states to ban almost all abortions. On Friday, Harris blamed the former president for Roe’s demise because Trump appointed three of the supreme court justices who overturned the landmark decision. She also also condemned Republicans for repeatedly blocking Senate bills that would have guaranteed a federal right to in vitro fertilization, a popular fertility treatment that had its future cast into doubt after Roe’s overturning. “On the one hand, these extremists want to tell women they don’t have the freedom to end an unwanted pregnancy,” Harris said. “On the other hand, these extremists are telling women and their parents they don’t have the freedom to start a family.” The raucous crowd grumbled loudly at Harris’s words. “Make it make sense!” someone shouted.

Although Joe Biden won Georgia in the 2020 presidential election, becoming the first Democrat in decades to take the state, Democrats seemed unlikely to recapture it until Harris replaced Biden as nominee. Now, Georgia is once again a swing state. Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina and a major Trump surrogate, has said that Trump must win Georgia if he wants to win the White House. Meanwhile, Harris in August embarked on a two-day bus tour of the state and giving her first major network interview there. The deaths of the Georgia mothers, Amber Nicole Thurman and Candi Miller, were first reported earlier this week by ProPublica and occurred after Georgia enacted a six-week abortion ban. Georgia’s maternal mortality review committee looked at both women’s cases and deemed their deaths “preventable”, according to ProPublica.

[...] “Under the Trump abortion ban, her doctors could have faced up to a decade in prison for providing Amber the care she needed,” Harris said on Friday. “Understand what a law like this means. Doctors have to wait until the patient is at death’s door before they take action.” Harris met with Thurman’s mother and sisters on Thursday night. “Their pain is heartbreaking,” she said.

During Friday’s speech in Atlanta, Georgia, Vice President and 2024 Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris excoriated Donald Trump for his role in allowing abortion bans to take effect in several states including Georgia and Missouri as a result of appointing three right-wing judicial activists onto SCOTUS to overturn Roe as a result of the Dobbs ruling.

See Also:

HuffPost: Kamala Harris To Women Denied Abortion Care After Roe: 'We See You And You Are Not Alone'

Vox: Kamala Harris and Oprah humanized the consequences of state abortion bans

Abortion, Every Day: Kamala Harris’ Abortion Speech Broke New Ground

[ausetkmt]

February is Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and celebrating the essential contributions of Black people in the story of America. National and local events and online celebrations will take place throughout the month to focus attention on Black people's achievements and history. 

Since 1976, the US has marked the contributions of Black people and celebrated the history and culture of the Black experience in America every February. Read on to learn more about Black History Month and the ways in which you can participate.

The story of Black History Month

Born as a sharecropper in 1875, Carter G. Woodson went on to become a teacher and the second African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915 and eventually became known as the "father of Black history."

On Feb. 7, 1926, Woodson announced the creation of "Negro History Week" to encourage and expand the teaching of Black history in schools. He selected February because the month marks the birthday of the two most famous abolitionists of the time -- Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Feb. 1 is also National Freedom Day, a celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the US.

By the 1940s, schools in Woodson's home state of West Virginia had begun expanding the celebration to a month, and by the 1960s, demands for proper Black history education spread across the country. Kent State's Black United Students proposed the idea of a Black History month in 1969 and celebrated the first event in February 1970. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the US bicentennial. 

The excellent history site BlackPast has a full biography of Carter Woodson and the origins of Black History Month. 

Visit a Black or African American history museum

Almost every state in the US has a Black history museum or African American heritage site. The country's first and oldest is the Hampton University Museum in Hampton, Virginia. Like many other museums, it offers a virtual tour and online exhibits.

One of the most famous of these museums is the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The museum, which is located steps away from where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, allows you to sit with Rosa Parks on the bus that inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, among many other powerful exhibits.

African-American heritage sites include historic parks and other significant locations and monuments in Black history. Some of the most popular include Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, the epicenter of US school desegregation. You could also consider visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

If there's no museum or heritage site near you, keep an eye out for the Black History Mobile Museum, which traverses the country all month and through the summer. Throughout February you can find the mobile museum in several states, starting in New Jersey on Feb. 1 and making its way through 12 other states. See the full list of 2023 tour dates here. 

Learn about Black music history by listening online

Marley Marl and Mr. Magic were superstar rap DJs for WBLS FM in the 1980s. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

From spirituals and blues to the rise of jazz, R&B and hip hop, Black music has been entwined with American culture for centuries. 

There are lots of ways to learn about and experience the power of Black American music online. One of the most extensive and free resources is the Black Music History Library, created by Jenzia Burgos. The compendium includes an array of Black music sources, with links to music samples, full recordings and interviews, as well as books and articles.

Another remarkable Black music website is the #312 Soul project. Originally launched as a month-long series on Chicago's Black music from 1955 to 1990, the site publishes original stories from Chicago residents about their personal experiences creating and enjoying Black music.

For snapshots of Black music between 1982 and 1999, check out the Hip Hop Radio Archive, a collection of radio show recordings from commercial, college and independent hip-hop stations. Of particular note are classic radio shows from New York City's WBLS, featuring Rap Attack with Marley Marl and Mr. Magic.

Online streaming music services also curate collections for Black History Month -- Spotify has an extensive collection of Black music in its Black History is Now collection. Tidal and Amazon Music also include special Black music collections on their services.

Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants

Becoming a customer of local Black businesses helps protect livelihoods and supports Black entrepreneurs.

If you aren't sure which businesses in your area are owned and operated by your Black neighbors, several resources can help. Start off by learning how to find Black-owned restaurants where you live. 

Several directories have now been created to highlight and promote Black businesses. Official Black Wall Street is one of the original services that list businesses owned by members of the Black community.

Support Black Owned uses a simple search tool to help you find Black businesses, Shop Black Owned is an open-source tool operating in eight US cities, and EatOkra specifically helps people find Black-owned restaurants. Also, We Buy Black offers an online marketplace for Black businesses.

The online boutique Etsy highlights Black-owned vendors on its website -- many of these shop owners are women selling jewelry and unique art pieces. And if you're searching for make-up or hair products, check CNET's own list of Black-owned beauty brands.

Donate to Black organizations and charities

Donating money to a charity is an important way to support a movement or group, and your monetary contribution can help fund programs and pay for legal costs and salaries that keep an organization afloat. Your employer may agree to match employee donations, which would double the size of your contribution -- ask your HR department.

Nonprofit organizations require reliable, year-round funding to do their work. Rather than a lump sum, consider a monthly donation. Even if the amount seems small, your donation combined with others can help provide a steady stream of funds that allows programs to operate.

Here are some non-profit organizations advancing Black rights and equal justice and supporting Black youth:

Black Lives Matter 

NAACP 

Thurgood Marshall College Fund 

Color of Change 

Black Girls Code 

The Black Youth Project

Attend local Black History Month events

Many cities, schools, and local organizations will host events celebrating Black History Month in February 2022. Check your local newspaper or city website to see what events are happening in your area -- for example, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore and Louisville, Kentucky, have extensive events planned this month.

If you can't find anything in your area or don't want to attend events in person, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, is offering a handful of online Black History Month events throughout February.

Watch Black history documentaries and movies

Black is King is an elaborately staged musical directed, written and produced by Beyoncé. Disney

You can find movies and documentaries exploring the Black experience right now on Netflix, Disney Plus and other streaming services. 

The CNET staff has compiled a selection of feature films and documentaries for Black History Month 2023, including the wonderful Summer of Soul and Black is King. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu all have special collections of streaming movies and shows for Black History Month.

PBS also offers several free video documentary collections, which include smaller chunks of Black history for all ages. The collections include subjects like the Freedom Riders, the 1963 March on Washington and the Rise and Fall of Jim Crow.

Find Black authors and stories for yourself and your children

There are so many great books written by Black authors you should read -- not only during Black History Month but all year round. So, where do we start? Try your local library. Many will have Black History Month collections for both adults and kids.

Libraries will also often have Black History Month book recommendations by age. The San Diego Public Library, the Detroit Public Library and DC Public Library, for example, have programs and collections to browse for adults and children.

Next, try Black booksellers. The Noname Book Club, dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, has compiled a list of Black-owned bookshops across the US. The club also highlights two books a month by writers of color.

Dive deeper into Black history with online resources

The National Archives includes many primary resources from Black history in America. Rowland Sherman/National Archives

You can find remarkable Black history collections on government, educational and media sites. One of the best is the aforementioned BlackPast, which hosts a large collection of primary documents from African American history, dating back to 1724.

The National Archives also hosts a large collection of records, photos, news articles and videos documenting Black heritage in America. The expansive National Museum of African American History & Culture's Black History Month collection is likewise full of unique articles, videos and learning materials.

The New York Times' 1619 Project tracks the history of Black Americans from the first arrival of enslaved people in Virginia. The Pulitzer Center hosts the full issue of The 1619 Project as a PDF file on its 1619 Education site, which also offers reading guides, activity lessons and reporting related to the project.

You can buy The 1619 Project and the children's picture book version -- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water -- as printed books.

[spgothkidsheadcanons]

hi:) making a request for a henrietta x goth lesbian reader!! they’re all hanging out and the boys are silently fighting over the reader, but the moment henrietta makes a move, the reader like IMMEDIATELY shows interest.

I LOVE HENRIETTA SO MUCH IF SHE WERE REAL ID MARRY HER

This was so funny. It kinda gives a little more backstory of my headcanons of them and being grown up.

~~~~~

It had been too long since the goths had actually been around each other. Everyone dispersed after highschool, and with the parting of ways came the familiar drifting of friendships. Not that they didn’t speak with each other, but they only spoke once or twice a month, usually to inform each other of how adult life was going and how their careers were. Michael was the lead singer in a band, Henrietta was an indie model/aspiring clothes designer and Pete was a semi-popular painter with a healthy sized following, and each of them hardly had anytime to follow through with their plans on being close until the end. Which was okay, because they’ve settled on monthly meetings back in their hometown just to catch up.

Pete was the first to arrive seeing as he stayed in South Park. He shared a house with his uncle and saw no point in moving away. Too nervous for big cities and too lazy to go to college, he stayed in his quaint little town, going about his daily life as usual and never complaining, happy to stay where he’s comfortable.

Michael was second, seeing as he moved just a few cities away. He ended up in Denver, Colorado, a large but humble town. There is where he found a few people who needed a singer for their band, and he applied and forgot about it. After getting the job and releasing an album or 2, their band, The Velvet Pulse, began to rise up the chart, and Michael was satisfied with his future.

Henrietta was the last to arrive. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in fashion design. There was never a large variety of gothic clothes that she could wear comfortably, so she decided to start her own brand. She picked up modeling for some indie clothes brand on the side, finally content with her life.

They met at the Benny’s, as they always did. Everything still looked the same, the wall behind their normal booth still stained yellow from their underage smoking habits, remnants of the times they were the closest with each other. The lights were still obnoxiously bright, the menus were sticky, the coffee burnt. It was disgusting to outsiders, but to the Goths who had come back after so many years away, it was home. Michael sat beside Pete, Henrietta in the bench across from them. The trio were happy to finally be back together, even if they only had 5 days to visit.

“And then we went to New York, and kinda traveled down the east coast.” Michael was telling the two others of how his current tour was going. “The only reason I’m here is because after our show in Atlanta, I kind of maybe snuck away and got on a flight over here. The bus is on its way back, but I wanted to go ahead so I could spend a few days back home before it got here.” he finished, taking a swig of his black coffee. Pete and Henrietta smiled, greatful that the tall goth was still humble. “So when you said you were joining a band, did you expect for it to take off?” Pete asked, lifting his own mug to his lips. Michael shook his head, brows furrowed in thought.

“Not really, but I didn’t care for the fame. I was honestly just bored and sent in an application. Don’t get me wrong, I’m appreciative for where we are now, but I do hate not being able to go in public anymore.” Michael lamented, shrugging his shoulders. “That’s the price you pay, though.” he added, looking down at his cup. “Well, I’m very proud of you,” Henrietta said, shooting a smile at the man, “And Pete, I’m proud of you. Your art is amazing. I’ve been keeping up with your posts on instagram and I’m always blown away.” she turned towards the red and black headed goth. Pete grinned shyly, his cheeks turning red over the compliment. “Thanks, Henri. That means a lot. How are things going with your business?” Pete asked in return. “It’s going, that’s for sure. I started selling some of my finished clothing to some boutiques in LA, and that’s really taken off. Overall, I’m pretty happy about how things are going.” the woman replied, tracing patterns on the table infront of her.

The three continued chatting, not stopping even with the bustling of people around them. Every now and then, the old waitress, Betty, would come and refill their mugs. She had become timid in her older years, no longer fussing at the trio and acting cold to them for just drinking coffee anymore. Instead, she welcomed them warmly, seemingly happy to see her once annoying customers. “How are you kids?” she asked, stopping by their table for the 3rd or 4th time. They struck up conversation, reminiscing on how they used to act hostile towards each other, laughing about the good old days. “Well, I’m glad that you’re all back in town again. My niece is coming to work in a few minutes, she just started and I’m still training her. I hope you don’t mind if she stops by with me.” the waitress informed, before walking over to another table.

Michael, Pete and Henrietta dived back into their own conversation, once again not paying mind to anyone around them. They were absorbed in each other’s lives, wanting to know everything that one another was doing. They could have stayed like that for hours, drinking their bean water all day and all night. Well, that is, until they heard a timid voice that pulled them from their conversation. “Would you like some more coffee?”

The voice wasn’t the same as the old lady’s, and they all turned their attention to the person it came from. At the end of the table stood a young woman, no older than 22. Her (h/c) was pulled up away from her face, a few strands of loose hair falling against her forehead. Her eyes, warm and inviting, were a beautiful (e/c) hue, complimenting her (skin tone) skin. She wore the same blue waitress outfit, complete with a pair of white shoes. In her hand, she held a freshly brewed pot of coffee, a soft smile playing on her lips. Michael couldn’t take his eyes from her, and red began to creep over Pete’s cheeks. The pair stared at her, unable to find the words to talk, stricken by her beauty. Henrietta glared at the duo, a silent way of telling them that they looked like idiots and they needed to get it together.

“Yes, please, if you don’t mind.” the woman finally piped up, drawing her friends out of their love dazed states. The new waitress happily refilled their mugs, turning away from them and moving to the next table. Henrietta grabbed her coffee cup, bringing it up to her mouth. “You guys looked like complete idiots.” she noted, taking a sip of her drink. Now boths men were blushing, looking down at the table while mentally beating themselves up. “Dude, she was beautiful.” Michael finally said, coming to his senses. Pete could only nod, not being able to get her eyes out of his mind. Henrietta rolled her eyes, shaking her head at them.

“Would it be weird to ask for her number?” Michael asked, a grin crossing his face. Pete’s head snapped up at that, his eyes casting a glare to his taller friend. “I don’t think you should. She probably wouldn’t be interested in you.” the shorter male noted, drinking from his cup. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Michael asked defensively, his attention turning to Pete. The man shrugged in response, setting his cup down. “Well, you’re out on tour for months on end, you barely answer your phone as it is, I just don’t see how that would work out.” Pete replied, casting a glance to Michael. The curly haired ravenette raised his eyebrows incredulously, scoffing at his friend’s words. “Listen, you can be jealous or whatever, but I think I have a better chance with her than you do.” he noted, playing the same game Pete was. Michael’s retaliation only added fuel to the fire that was already forming, and soon, the two men were bickering quietly with each other, giving reasons as to why they would be better and reasons the other didn’t have the chance.

Henrietta sighed, her eyes rolling once again. While Michael and Pete were distracted with each other, the goth woman scanned the room, looking for the new waitress. Her eyes landed on the young woman behind the bar, washing dishes as she listened to the older waitress training her. Quietly, Henrietta slid out of the booth, not gaining attention of the two men who were still quietly arguing, and made her way to the bar. Perching herself on the seat infront of the two waitresses, she waited until they took notice of her at the bar.

It was only then that Michael and Pete had turned to Henrietta, wanting to see who she thought the waitress would pick, and noticing that the goth woman was gone. They looked to each other, brows furrowed before scanning the room. Hearing the familiar laughter of their friend, they both turned towards to the bar in time to see the young waitress writing something on a napkin, passing it to Henrietta before giving her a shy smile. The goth woman stood from the bar, walking back over to the booth where she was previously sat. The two males attentions were on her, watching as she nonchalantly picked up her cup, raising it to her lips. “The answer is neither of you. She’s a lesbian.” Henrietta smirked behind her cup, flashing the napkin the waitress had given her, a name and a phone number written in pink on the white paper. The men could only gawk, their cheeks turning red in embarrassment at the fact they acted like stray dogs fighting over a piece of meant. At the end of the night, they left, Michael and Pete having apologized to each other and now playfully giving the silent treatment to their female friend, who turned and shot the waitress a wink before leaving the building.

[atllimousineservice]

How to Plan an Unforgettable Party Bus Experience in Atlanta?

Atlanta, the vibrant heart of Georgia, offers an array of entertainment and nightlife options, and what better way to experience it all than on a party bus? Whether you're celebrating a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette party, or just looking for a memorable night out, a party bus adds an extra layer of excitement. In this guide, we'll delve into the essential steps to plan an unforgettable Party Bus Rental Atlanta GA experience, ensuring that you and your guests have a night to remember in this bustling city.

Choose the Right Party Bus Company:

Selecting the right party bus company is crucial for a successful event. Look for companies with a good reputation, reliable vehicles, and positive reviews from past customers. Make sure to inquire about their available amenities, such as sound systems, lighting, and seating capacity, to ensure they meet your needs. Make sure to rely on one of the best Atlanta Sightseeing Bus Tour services to get a full tour in hassle free manner and without worrying about the location.

Determine Your Itinerary:

Plan your itinerary carefully to make the most of your time on the party bus. Consider the places you want to visit, whether it's trendy bars, clubs, or scenic spots around Atlanta. Coordinate with the party bus company to map out the route and schedule, allowing enough time at each location to enjoy the experience fully. Plan your event or part to go with the limo services for a better experience.

Customize the Experience:

Personalize your party bus experience to suit your preferences and occasion. Many companies offer customizable packages that include add-ons like decorations, refreshments, and entertainment options such as karaoke or a DJ. Discuss your ideas with the company to create a tailored experience that reflects your unique style and vision.

Safety always comes first:

Prioritize safety when planning your party bus experience. Ensure that the company adheres to all safety regulations and carries proper insurance. Verify that the driver is licensed and experienced in operating party buses. Encourage responsible behavior among your guests, including adhering to seat belt rules and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Confirm Details in Advance:

Double-check all details with the party bus company in advance of your event. Confirm the reservation, itinerary, and any special requests to avoid last-minute issues. Provide clear directions and contact information to the driver and communicate any changes promptly.

Conclusion:

Planning an unforgettable party bus experience in Atlanta requires careful consideration of several factors, from choosing the right company to customizing the itinerary and ensuring safety. By following these steps, you can create a memorable and enjoyable outing for you and your guests, exploring the vibrant city of Atlanta in style.

[panickinganakin]

stepping stones to hell ch.1 (ronance fic)

a ronance fic in which robin buckley is the drummer for famous band corroded coffin

rating: mature for language word count: 2,010

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

“Good morning,” Steve said, taking the seat across the table from Robin. She was focusing on the nail brush in her hand, trying very hard not to get the black polish on her fingers. 

“Eddie always makes this look so easy,” she grumbled. 

“Here, let me help,” he offered. Steve reached across the table and took the nail lacquer. He moved his hand steadily, being careful to not get paint on her skin. 

“How’d you sleep?” Robin asked. She glanced out the window and watched as the trees passed in a blur. Last night Corroded Coffin had a show in Atlanta and now they were traveling toward Chicago. She knew they were almost there but traveling on the tour bus always made her feel uneasy. She never slept great on the bus, not even when she had a two hour performance on the drums each night. 

“Okay enough, I suppose. I would ask you but I heard you leaving your bunk at six this morning. Have you had coffee?” he dipped the brush back into the bottle before moving on to the next nail. 

Typical question. Even though Steve had been her best friend since the summer of her junior year of high school, he was the band's manager now. He was always asking them about their caffeine intake, their water drinking habits and somehow always finding food to shove in everyone’s face. She was grateful to have him on the road, that she couldn’t deny. 

“I have. I also ate some toast and I’ve already started drinking water.”

“Nice,” he grinned proudly. “Okay, I don’t want to spring this on you but we do have interviews today.”

Robin shrugged, being careful to keep her hands flat on the table. They did interviews frequently on tour and at this point she was used to it. It didn’t make her anxious the way it did at first. She was good at letting the guys take the lead so she normally got away with minimal talking.

Steve sucked in a breath, “Okay don’t be mad.” She raised an eyebrow and he continued, “It’s an article on just you.”

Robin looked up at him quickly, “What? Why?”

“Well, the magazine wants to do an article on women in the industry. They have a few questions for you. They want to do a feature specifically on you and how successful you are. The band of course, but how you rose to fame and how you’re making a place in the industry.”

Different thoughts ran through Robin’s brain. The music scene was known for being misogynistic, especially to females who weren’t fronting the band. Not to mention feminism was lacking seriously everywhere, not just in music. She felt honored and wanted to speak up but doing an interview alone made her feel sick. She was so used to letting everyone else do the talking. She was content with being partially silent. 

“Come on, Robs. It’ll be great,” she knew Steve was just trying to be encouraging but she felt nauseous. 

“What if the interviewer twists my words? What if I say something and he takes it the wrong way? What if this is a trap to try and make the guys look bad,” she started spilling out her worries. 

Steve wrapped his hand around Robin, rubbing the palm of her hand. “Hey, listen. That’s the point of this isn’t it? Your first concern is making the men in the band look bad? That’s not going to happen because they aren’t bad. And I doubt they’ll be asking about them, this going to be about you and what being a woman in this scene is like. Also, the interviewer isn’t a man. This is a fully female run magazine.”

Weight seemed to lift off her shoulders learning that information changed things. “It is?” 

“Yes. I think it’s a great opportunity and I already agreed to you doing it. I’m sorry I didn’t ask first. If you decide it’s not for you, we will cancel.”

Robin bit the inside of her cheek in thought. How many shows had they played when young girls and women came up to her after the show asking for her signature on posters or drumsticks? How many times had she heard a variation of ‘You inspired me to start playing music.’ 

Even if this was out of her comfort zone she knew she needed to do it. She could picture women reading the magazine and feeling hopeful. Not just her article but knowing that a magazine fully operated by women was possible. Robin nodded slowly, “I’ll do it. Of course I’ll do it.”

Steve smiled big, then continued with painting her nails. “I think this is a great idea. They’re going to meet us at the venue. We are set to meet at three.”

“Good morning,” Eddie joined them in the front of the bus. He walked over to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water. He joined them at the table, leaning down to kiss the top of Steve’s head before sitting next to Robin.

“Did you say yes?” Eddie asked her. 

Robin jerked her head toward Steve, “You told Eddie already?”

Steve shrugged quickly, “He may have been around when I took the call.”

Robin rolled her eyes before elbowing Eddie in the side, “Yeah whatever. You two are insufferable.”

Robin didn’t mean that, of course. She was so glad Steve was happy. He and Eddie had come out almost three years ago as a couple and not only did it make Robin feel over the moon for her friend; it also made her feel safe. 

She had come out years ago to Steve but had been nervous to tell anyone else. However, now the whole band knew. Everyone had been so loving and accepting of Eddie and Steve and her as well when she told them. She had truly been blessed in finding the group.

Life was funny in the way it led you to people you needed. She remembered the day she had started drumming. 

“I still don’t know why we are going to see them practice,” Robin took large steps to stay caught up with Steve. They had parked a few houses down the road from whoever’s house the practice was at.  

“Because Eddie asked us to.” He stated matter of factly. 

“When have you ever done something because Munson asked you too?”

Steve’s cheeks turned pink and Robin had almost confused it as a blush but decided it must have been because they were practically running down the sidewalk. “This is their first practice since Jason broke Gareth’s arm.”

Robin flinched at the memory. She hadn’t been there when it happened but she remembered how scary Jason was in those weeks after Chrissy Cunningham died. It was too easy to picture the scene in her head. “That doesn’t explain why we are here.”

“We are here to support our friends.” 

Robin tilted her head, slowing her stride. Is that what they all were? I mean, it was true they had been through a lot of shit together. After saving Eddie and helping clear his name of course they were more than acquaintances. But, it wasn’t like they were always together. She knew then she was missing something. Something she knew all too well about herself. She knew it wasn’t her place to push any further and knew when the time was right she would understand everything after Steve had that talk with her. 

They had finally reached their destination except no one was playing music. They were standing around, the mood was obviously dull. “What’s going on?” Steve asked Eddie as he and Robin approached the practice space. 

“Gareth’s doctor said he can’t play anymore.” Eddie said flatly. 

“This is so fucked up,” Gareth said. He walked past a metal garbage can and threw it down before using the garage entrance to the house to leave the group. 

“Like, ever?” Robin asked, confused. 

“Yeah. They said his bones grew back funky, I can’t remember what they called it. They told him if he played he risked losing all use of his arm in the future. I told him we would figure it out. We could find something for him to do. He’s a part of the band,” Eddie choked up and paused. He let out a sigh and shook his head. 

“Robin can play,” Steve said quickly. 

The group looked at Robin and Robin laughed, “What? No. I can’t.”

“Oh whatever you play the- that thing,” Steve shrugged. “Which means you can probably play the drums.”

Robin rolled her eyes and shook her head, “No, I can’t.”

Gareth walked back into the garage. His eyes were puffy but there was no sign of tears. “Why not? What if I taught you? You already know notes and rhythm, the rest can come with time.”

“How can you train me if you can’t play?”

“I don’t need to play if you can follow directions. Come on, Robin, at least try. We have a gig next month and if you can just learn a few things. Please? If there’s still a chance of us making it… I can help write songs and help manage merchandise or something.. Please?” he asked again. 

Everyone was staring at her now. She wasn’t sure if she could learn enough to play in a month. She wasn’t sure if she even wanted to be in a band. And, on the off chance that they did start to actually go somewhere she sure as hell didn’t know if she wanted to tour or be famous.

She looked at Steve, the only person she had ever really cared about or trusted. He gave a small nod and she took a breath, “Fine. I’ll try but.. I don’t know. It feels wrong? I don’t want to take your place?”

“You could never do that. I’ll still be a part of the band just in a different way.”

It was history after that. Gareth taught her how to play the drums and Robin was surprisingly good at it. It took her awhile but she did play the gig. The gig also got them signed. Everything happened so quickly after that but she practiced all the time. She even taught Gareth how to play the keys which they incorporated into the tour so he could still play with them. 

She had been so scared at first he would resent her and her time in the group would be short lived. However, he had been a good sport the whole time. He had been her biggest hype guy other than Steve. And, the two of them had grown pretty close. They were a big family and Robin couldn’t imagine what she would be doing now had she not agreed to playing that day. 

“Can we swap out? I gotta piss,” the driver called from the front of the bus. Steve looked up and passed Eddie the bottle of nail polish. 

Steve had gotten his license to drive buses shortly after they signed just in case it was the only job he could manage getting. It was still a wonder how Eddie was able to work it in the contract with the label that Steve could be the band manager. 

“Sure man,” she could hear Steve say as he walked to the front. 

“At least the interview won’t be awkward. Familiar faces and all,” Eddie said reassuringly. 

Robin raised an eyebrow. Did Eddie think that all women just knew each other? “Right,” she said, not questioning him any further. 

He finished up on her nails then clapped his hands together, “Come on. We have to pick out your outfit,” he stood, holding his hand out for her to take. She hesitated then took his hand. 

“It’s just an interview, right? No photos?”

“That I can’t say. I don’t think they talked about pictures but most times you have a two page feature there are photos involved.”

“Two pages?” Robin’s mouth widened in shock. 

Eddie rolled his eyes, “Come on. Clothes.”

ch 2

[izzystradliniscute]

Izzy Stradlin magazine interview-Kerrang #421

IZZY STRADLIN's out on his first solo tour since quitting Guns N' Roses, and he's finding out that without his erm, unpredictable former collegues, gigging, and living, is easy. Backed by a mellow, cool and rockin' band, Izzy hits the UK this week. PAUL ELLIOTT hits Bonn, to find our hero wandering around a hotel lobby... wearing a parka!

JUST A few days after Axl Rose was found guilty of assaulting a fan at a Guns N' Roses concert which subsequently ended in a riot, former GN'R guitarist Izzy Stradlin walks freely through a hotel lobby in Bonn, Germany's capital. Nobody hassles him, snaps a photograph or picks a fight. Even GN'R fans might struggle to recognize the dreadlocked Stradlin in his new parka coat. There's just Izzy, no bodyguards or crowds. Izzy Stradlin couldn't be happier about walking out on the biggest rock'n'roll band in the world. Later that day, onstage with his new band Ju Ju Hounds in a Bonn hall a little bigger than the Marquee, Stradlin looks relaxed even though he's still getting to grips with the role of frontman. And he smiles now and then, something he didn't do too much of during the last of his six years with Guns N' Roses. At Wembley Stadium in September of 1991, Stradlin stuck close to his backline while Axl howled and buzzed around like a dog chasing its own tail. When Guns' set finished, Izzy was first out of sight. In Bonn, he talks to the crowd in their native tongue and clearly relishes playing and sharing jokes with the 'Hounds. "It's cool," he says, "real cool. These gigs have been more exciting than doing the stadiums with GN'R on the last tour. All the people are right there - it's an instant, spontaneous response, y'know? it feels real good." The gigs are of course more low-key than Guns N' Roses' controversial 'Get In The Ring' shows, which is just the way Izzy likes it. "There's less drama, which I prefer. It's kinda nice, y'know, being able to make plans. It's nice not to get phone calls like, 'This gig's cancelled, your drummer just took off'! These new guys carry on, but put it this way, we don't have any babysitters - so if you're gonna drink, you gotta get your shit together and get to the bus on time. "The first year of getting sober, I got used to watching my friends drink and snort. I haven't been around it lately."

SINCE IZZY hasn't touched alcohol for three years, Ju Ju Hounds drummer Charlie Quintana retires to his room to drink a bottle of cognac. The Ju Ju Hounds are wiser than most rock'n'roll bands. Guitarist Rick Richards plied his trade with the Georgia Satellites for many years, until they lost their record deal and split. Richards was the working the bars of his native Atlanta when he got the call from Izzy. he looks like he's seen it all, and spins a great yarn over dinner. Rick also plays a mean slide, and is in many ways the star of the show, knocking out great leads with the obligatory cigarette stuck to his bottom lip. Rock'n'roll is in Rick Richards' blood. Charlie has toured with Bob Dylan and enjoys winding up the fans waiting outside the Bonn gig by jumping behind the wheel of the tour bus and threatening to run punters over, yelling, "I don't need a licence - I'm from Texas"! Jimmy 'Two Fingers' Ashhurst (Which two fingers, you may wonder. "It depends!") used to play bass for the Broken Homes, and was the first person Izzy turned to when he was putting the band and the brilliant '...Ju Ju Hounds' album together. Jimmy seems to be laughing most of the time, although he wasn't laughing when he read Bret Easton Ellis' 'American Psycho' recently!

CURRENTLY, THE Ju Ju Hounds' live set includes several covers; The Rolling Stones' 'Jiving Sister Fanny', The Faces' 'My Fault', The Maytals' 'Pressure Drop', of course... but no Guns N' Roses songs. "No," Izzy shrugs. "In Australia, there was a guy in just about every front row yelling

for 'Dust N' Bones' or something, and I'm hitting a chord every time they shout, going, 'What?!.' "I can understand people wanting to hear that stuff - we were gonna rehearse some songs - but in GN'R, I didn't have any singles out. I wrote 'Patience' but I didn't sing it. We just figured, 'Fuck it'." "I don't miss those GN'R songs cos the stuff we've got now is better - better written, better to play. It's totally freeform; we break things down, extend them. If I come in late on a verse or miss it, we'll just look at each other and Rick'll keep going, do a solo or something. "It's real good; once the momentum's there, whatever happens, happens. Last night, I couldn't see the set-list and started two songs wrong. We can sound bad! "In Stockholm, we started with 'Bucket O' Trouble' and everyone was in a different fucking key, man! After the first few bars you could feel your stomach turning; it was bad. I was looking over thinking, I don't know who's in the right key, but when we came to the verse, somehow everybody went back to the right key, the A. It was just one of those things. Rick's going, 'Maybe we should just do that every night, start it out all fucked-up and then click into the A!'. It happens. You gotta flow with it."

NOW YOU'RE back on the road, do you miss the drug high, or the buzz of being in GN'R? "Well, in GN'R I wasn't singing, I wasn't fronting the band, which is a little different. So now, carrying the vocals for most of the set as well as playing has pretty much replaced the buzz. "Even if you're tired, a crowd can lift you up; you feed on that energy. And when we're not touring, dirtbikes are my fix. When we went back to Indiana for a week off, it was 15 degrees outside, cold, but I rode the bikes with my dog Treader chasing me all over fields and shit! That makes me feel good again, cos when I got back from Australia, where I picked up that flu virus, I was pretty haggard. Riding bikes beats sitting around doing krell or something." 'Krell' is rocker slang for cocaine, inspired by the movie 'Heavy Metal', in which long-trunked monsters from the planet Krell descended to snort the Earth! " A lot of the time when I was using (drugs), I'd just end up with a guitar, writing or recording some pretty depressing songs. I thought they were good at the time, and a couple are not too bad, but a lot of the shit I listen back to and think, ugh, that's fucking depressing, or I think of the state I must have been in; lips all cracked, been up for five days, voice gone. Once you got doing you'd never stop. "I could stay up for four or five days straight doing krell and smack or whatever, up and down up and down, writing songs all the time and recording on my eight-track. But give me a bottle of whisky and send me to a club one night, and I'm the guy in the alley throwing up and rolling around. "It just didn't work; it just poisons me and I don't know why. I got Indian blood, and my mom says that's why I can't handle liquor, but it's still a thing I did for a long time. Everybody drinks around me now, but it doesn't bother me. I mean, I don't see these guys throwing up in alleys after gigs or falling down steps. "Most people drink, and for them it's no big deal, but it fucked me up. Now when I look at it, there's like tour life and civilian life. I try to keep two different realities. "When I stopped using, for the first few months I didn't sleep normal for a long time. Somebody told me it takes about a year for your body patterns to get back to normal. I sleep good now."

DID YOU at any point continue using drugs simply to feed the creative process? "Yeah, but there were times when I'd been up for three days working on a song and it still wasn't finished! I heard this one song back, and I'd done, God, five guitar tracks on it, and two or three of the tracks were the same melody played on just one string. And I heard this shit back and I was going, 'Garbage', y'know? "When GN'R did 'Appetite For Destruction', I hadn't really cleaned up, but I'd cleaned up enough to record during the day, then go out at night and drink and do krell and stuff, sleep in till noon, come back in and record. So during the actual recording I wasn't getting too wasted. "For the 'Use Your Illusion' albums, I was sober doing those tracks, and it was just frustrating. When you're sober and you gotta be someplace at four, and when other people come in at six or seven, and they're, like, not quite together, you find yourself thinking, why the fuck was I here at four? "For the basic tracks on 'Illusions', I was done with my stuff in about four or five weeks. That was easy. "For the new record, me and Jimmy and Rick and Charlie would be in the studio at noon, so by one o'clock the amps were warmed up and cranckin' and we were jammin', and after jammin' for a coupla hours we'd start tracking. We finished up the whole thing, including moving base three times from LA to Chicago to Copenhagen, in four or five months, and we had an album which to me rocks as good as any of the stuff I did with GN'R. "That wouldn't have happened like it did had I still been using and all that stuff, but at the same time there have been some songs that came out pretty quickly when I was using; sometimes they come out easy."

'APPETITE FOR Destruction', arguably the hard rock record of the '80s, changed Izzy Stradlin's life irrevocably. Izzy's recollections of the album and GN'R's rise to superstar status are hazy. It is, after all, five years since the album was released, and Izzy's hard drug intake at the time was pretty fucking serious! "I'm real bad at remembering songs, even ones I've done," he chuckles. " 'Paradise City', 'Sweet Child O' Mine'. That was a point where we were on tour with Aerosmith, and David Geffen (founder of GN'R's label) flew out to a gig and he says, 'You guys are rich and famous now'. And we were like, ''We are?! We're still living in a tour bus and in hotels, so what's the difference?'. "I haven't heard 'Appetite...' in years, but I was pretty happy with what it sounded like back then, and fuck, it sold millions of copies, man! "With 'Appetite', I just think of seven or eight months of absolutely no notoriety or any real popularity, and then a few Number One singles, and this explosion, and now you're a pop star. "Well, fuck this, gimme a six pack and a gram of coke and gram of smack and I'll go write some more songs! Isolation was the next point from there. It was great, but it was a load of bullshit being a pop star, so we just isolated ourselves and ignored that crap. After a few months of isolation, that didn't work either. It was time to go back to the Mid-West and hook up some old friends..."

So Izzy quit GN'R for peace of mind, and wound up forming the coolest rock'n'roll band in the world that ain't the Black Crowes.

[jmrothwell]

"You two are so obvious." / rulie

also for @invisibleraven who asked for the same thing ^_^

Fire to my Bullet

(Part 3 to Dangerous Hands)

“You sure this is how you want to do this?” Julie asks for what must be the millionth time as the two of them stare at the front door of her Dad’s house. 

The others had gone inside a while ago and were bound to start asking questions soon. If they weren’t already. Reggie can’t seem to get his body to cooperate with the plan. 

Originally when he’d suggested they let everyone know about his and Julie’s relationship at Ray’s bi-weekly family dinner it sounded like a great idea. Everyone would be there so they wouldn’t need to have multiple talks and long drawn out anxiety laden waits between them. This way it would be quick, like removing a bandaid. . .or being decapitated.

“Relax,” Julie calmly says, her fidgety hand on his back giving away her own nerves. Though she’s probably safe from the death sentence he feels he is walking into. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah.” He agrees in spite of how certain he still is that someone–Flynn or Tia at the top of the list–is going to kill him. Scratch that Tia is the top of the list. He’s had suspicions Flynn, and Willie, already know to some extent and they just hadn’t done anything. Yet.

“C’mon” Julie says, gently nudging him forward and he manages to get his leaden feet to move just as Luke and Carlos duck out the front door to ask what’s keeping them.

Dinner rushes by him in a blur. He’s sure it’s delicious as Tia’s cooking always is. Truthfully he can’t taste anything. Far too preoccupied with trying to look far more relaxed than he actually feels. His nerves only grow worse with every suspicious glance his way. 

Julie clears her throat, in a definitively trying to get attention way, as people are finishing up and before Tia or Ray go into cleaning mode. All the eyes shift to her and all the blood drains from his face as his heart decides to run away from him with his soul. Leaving him an empty husk of a man. 

Julie’s fingers lace with his under the table and manage to tether him back down, firmly grounding him with her grip. He squeezes her hand back realizing she may need grounding just as much as he does. 

“Reggie and I have something we need to tell you.” Julie says as everyone else’s attention shifts their way. Reggie swallows hard, trying to mentally capture everyone’s fond smiles before everything turns to shit. 

“Finally going to tell us your dating?” Luke laughs around another mouthful of food and everyone else around the table send him varying levels of disapproving looks or telling him off. 

“You knew?” Reggie asks, even though the answer is blatantly obvious by how everyone reacted to Luke’s joke. Which he only just now realizes wasn’t even a joke. 

“How long have you known?” Julie asks, her grip on his hand tightening. 

“Since Atlanta,” Willie quickly says with a shit eating grin, and Reggie thinks he’s the only one not surprised by that answer. He’s sort of half expected that for just as long. 

“And I thought I figured it out early.” Alex says, and after further pressing from practically everyone else continues with. “I sort of put it together in Chicago.”

That answer does initially surprise Reggie. Thinking back, though, Alex had acted really weird for that portion of the tour. He just thought he was going a little stir crazy from all the time stuck on the tour bus.

Julie on the hand looks the most surprised out of everyone. Her expression actually gets Reggie to smile a little. It’s much closer to how he expected everyone else to look.

“Jules, are you seriously surprised?” Flynn asks, gesturing with her arms. “You two are so obvious even your Dad and Aunt picked up on it.”

“Well, I don’t know how I feel about that.” Tia says, looking slightly placated by Flynn’s sheepish apology. “ But they’re right Julie. The way you two were constantly looking at each other, running late, or leaving early. It was obvious something was going on.”

Everyone continues exchanging stories of how they discovered his and Julie’s relationship. Reggie’s muscles seem to finally relax under everyone’s playfully teasing jabs. Though he can’t let himself fully relax, not yet. He can tell Julie’s tensing up beside him and moves his hand from hers to grip her thigh. Hoping to provide some small comfort.

Neither of them are prepared when Carlos turns the teasing to Ray, asking if he’s ready to be a Grandpa. 

Julie’s fingernails are suddenly biting into Reggie’s forearm. He barely notices, too focused on not accidentally doing the same to her leg. There’s a barely audible squeak from Julie’s throat he just manages to hear over the sudden pulsing in his ears. 

Ray isn’t even halfway through his retort–which Reggie misses entirely–when the table falls silent. The quietest he’s ever seen anyone from this particular group ever be. All eyes are back on the two of them. 

Reggie knows his poker face can be lacking sometimes. Knows Julie’s is even worse. He’s fairly certain they look guilty as hell. It’s all but confirmed by the mixture of shocked expressions aimed their way. 

He’s dead. He’s so fucking dead.

[statickingofevil]

Xero (Edsel Dope) about Wayne´s family support.

Credits below.

Wayne’s family has expressed their support for this as well. What did they share with you about Wayne as you and the band set forth with plans to honor him?

Wayne's family made it very clear to us that they hoped for Wayne's spirit and for the music of Static-X to live on. They hoped for his unfinished works to be fully realized through the original line up of the band and for Ken [Jay], Tony, and Koichi [Fukada], to continue on with Static-X for as long as they wish.

It was very emotional seeing his family on tour. I really didn’t know what to expect at first, because this is such a unique situation. Wayne's sister Aimee came to meet me on the tour bus immediately after our show in Atlanta. She just wrapped her arms around me and we both just started to cry. I totally lost my shit, and I couldn’t get it together. I was just sobbing and I felt such a connection to her and I could feel the love that she had for her brother being projected onto me … It was so emotional, and I felt like I had just received the ultimate form of approval for what I was doing.

That was the moment that I realized how incredibly personal this all really was. I mean, from the start, I took this all very seriously and I was incredibly committed to respecting Wayne and making sure that people understood that my role was not to replace him, but to represent him on the 20th Anniversary tour. But it was his sister Aimee’s love that really brought it all home for me.

A few weeks later, Wayne's mom (Darlene), dad (Richard), brother (Jeff) and his other sister (Lisa) came out to the show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it was more of the same. Wayne's father actually pulled me aside, and he just looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Keep doing this.” He told me that I was making him proud and that I was doing a better job than he ever could have imagined. I didn’t know what to say to that. It choked me up. I just hugged him and thanked him for the support and tried to hold it together.

My experience with Wayne's mother was something that I’ll never forget. She put her arms around me and hugged me so tight that all I could do was imagine if the roles were reversed, and it was my mother hugging Wayne and thanking him for keeping my spirit alive. That’s some heavy shit. So much emotion, so very personal. I’ve been playing music and touring professionally for a long, long time. I’ve made lots of records and I’ve had lots of what I would define as incredible, memorable moments, but this is by far the deepest, most meaningful thing that I’ve ever taken part in.

⸺

"Wayne is currently on the minds and in the hearts of the metal community in a very unique and special way. His memory / legacy is more celebrated than it has ever been before.

I personally get to see the joy, the tears, and the incredible sense of healing that is occurring on the faces and in the hearts of Static-X fans, each and every night, around the world.

I’m not attempting to be a spokesperson for Static-X, but I will share that I have personally met Wayne’s parents and siblings, as they have attended a number of these shows.

I have personally seen their tears of joy and their expressions of gratitude and approval for the way that Tony, Ken, Koichi, & Xer0 are celebrating the music and memorializing the life and legacy of their son and sibling, Wayne Wells Static.

I’m including a candid photo that I snapped of Static-X drummer Ken Jay embracing Wayne’s father, while Tony Campos, Wayne’s mother, Wayne’s siblings and friends share some personal time together. Words cannot express the love and respect that I’ve experienced out here."

Credits: https://www.rockconfidential.com/edsel-dope-addresses-static-x-rumors/

Read More: Static-X's Xer0: Wayne's Family Has Made Tour Incredibly Personal | https://loudwire.com/static-x-xero-reunion-tour-interview/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral