#but Agent Dee ain’t listening

[writebackatya]

Gandra: Black Heron, what exactly is F.O.W.L.’s plan?

Black Heron: It is evil! It is so evil! It is a bad, bad, plan! That will hurt many people! That are good! I think it’s great cause it’s so bad!

Gandra: …I see. I think.

[cardest]

New Orleans playlist

Hungry for some po boys? Feeling the Mardi Gras vibes for this weekend? This is the ultimate NOLA playlist, right here. Play the songs here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC182dTlE-Gii6ZOO5ZrN1Z1T

Louisiana and New Orleans, all in the one awesome playlist. If there are songs I left out, let me know and I can add those. Or come meet me at Le Bon Temps Roulé  and we’ll listen to this NOLA playlist together with drinks.

LOUISIANA & NEW ORLEANS

001 Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras 002 Earl King - Ain’t no city like New Orleans 003 John Lee Hooker - goin’ to Louisiana 004 Crowbar -  Wrath Of Time By Judgment 005 True Detective - Theme (The Handsome Family - Far From Any Road) 006 EyeHateGod - New Orleans Is The New Vietnam 007 The The Meters -  Chicken Strut 008 Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die (from Live And Let Die) 009 The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar 010 Lucinda Williams - Crescent City 011 King Hobo -  New Or-Sa-Leans 012 Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting 013 Down - Underneath Everything 014 True Blood Theme Song (Jace Everett - Bad Things) 015 Corrosion of Conformity -  Broken Man 016 The New Orleans Jazz Vipers - I Hope Your Comin' Back To New Orleans 017 Willy DeVille - Jump City 018 Left Side - Gold In New Orleans 017 Necrophagia -  Reborn through Black Mass 018 Johnny Horton -  The Battle Of New Orleans 019 Dr John - Litanie des Saints 020 Foo Fighters - In the Clear 021 Redbone - The Witch Queen Of New Orleans 022 Jucifer - Lautrichienne 023 Danzig - It's a long way back from hell 024 Harry Connick, Jr. -  Oh, My Nola 025 The Gaturs - Gator Bait 026 Jon Bon Jovi - Queen Of New Orleans 027 Cyril Neville -  Gossip 028 Carlos Santana - Black Magic Woman 029 Gentleman June Gardner - It's Gonna Rain 030 Eddy G. Giles - Soul Feeling (Part 1) 031 Tool - Swamp Song 032 Beasts of Bourbon -  Psycho 033 Seratones - Gotta Get To Know Ya 034 Chuck Berry -  You Never Can Tell 035 Grateful Dead - Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleoo 036 Pale Misery - Hope is a Mistake 037 Exhorder - Homicide 038 King James & the Special Men - Special Man Boogie 039 Chuck Carbo -  Can I Be Your Squeeze 040 Amebix - Axeman 041 Tomahawk - Captain Midnight 042 Waylon Jennings - Jambalaya 043 Heavy Lids - Deviate 044 Red Hot Chili Peppers -  Apache Rose Peacock 045 Necrophagia -  Rue Morgue Disciple 046 Johnny Cash -  Big River 047 Albert King -  Laundromat Blues 048 Meklit Feat Preservation Hall Horns - You Are My Luck 049 Le Winston Band  - En haut de la montagne 050 Dr. john - I Thought I Heard New Orleans Say 051 Down -  New Orleans is a dying whore 052 Samhain -  To Walk The Night 053 Creedence Clearwater Revival -  Green River 054 Southern Culture on the Skids -  Voodoo Cadillac 055 Bonnie, Sheila -  You Keep Me Hanging On 056 Warren Lee -  Funky Bell 057 Elf - Annie New Orleans 058 Cannonball Adderley - New Orleans Strut 059 Doug Kershaw - Louisiana Man - New Orleans Version 060 Willy deVille  - Voodoo Charm 061 The Animals -  The House of the Rising Sun 062 Porgy Jones -  The Dapp 063 Lost Bayou Ramblers - Sabine Turnaround 064 IDRIS MUHAMMAD - New Orleans 065 John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillen No. 2 066 Hank 3 - Hillbilly Joker 067 Nine Inch Nails -  Heresy 068 Talking Heads - Swamp 069 Irma Thomas - I'd Rather Go Blind 070 Mississippi Fred McDowell -  I'm Going Down the River 071 Dee Dee Bridgewater   - Big Chief 072 Dr. John  - Creole Moon 073 Agents of Oblivion -  Slave Riot 074 Steve Vai - Voodoo Acid 075 Saviours -  Slave To The Hex 076 Kris  Kristofferson -  Casey's Last Ride 077 JJ Cale - Louisiana Women 078 Cher - Dark Lady of New Orleans 079 LE ROUX - Take A Ride On A Riverboat 080 The Melvins -  A History Of Bad Men 081 Floodgate - Through My Days Into My Nights 082 Opprobium - voices from the grave 083 Quintron & Miss Pussycat - Swamp Buggy Badass 084 Child Bite - ancestral ooze 085 Sammi Smith - The City Of New Orleans 086 The Explosions - Garden Of Four Trees 087 Bobby Boyd - straight ahead 088 Bobby Charles - Street People 089 Wall of Voodoo -  Far Side of Crazy 090 Rhiannon Giddens - Freedom Highway (feat. Bhi Bhiman) 091 Elton John - Honky Cat 092 Serge Gainsbourg - Bonnie and Clyde 093 Fats Domino - I'm Walking To New Orleans 094 Cruel Sea - Orleans Stomp 095 Down -  On March The Saints 096 Danzig -  Ju Ju Bone 097 The Neville Brothers ~ Voodoo 098 Megadeth -  The Conjuring 099 Miles Davis - Miles runs the voodoo down 100 Elvis Presley - King Creole 101 Led Zeppelin - Royal Orleans 102 The Lime Spiders -  Slave Girl 103 BIG BILL BROONZY  -'Mississippi River Blues'   104 Kreeps - Bad Voodoo 105 Dirty Dozen Brass Band -  Caravan 106 Kirk Windstein -  Dream In Motion 107 Eletric Prunes - Kyrie Eleison - Mardi Gras 108 Merle Haggard - The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde 109 Corrosion of Conformity -  River of Stone 110 THE ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN (MAIN TITLE) 111 Zigaboo Modeliste - Guns 112 ReBirth Brass Band - Let's Go Get 'Em 113 Inell Young -  What Do You See In Her? 114 Jimi Hendrix - If 6 as 9 (Studio Version) Easy Rider Soundtrack 115 Deep Purple -  Speed King 116 Exhorder - The Law 117 Crowbar -  The Cemetery Angels 118 A Streetcar Named Desire OST - Main Title 119 WOORMS - Take His Fucking Leg 120 steely dan - pearl of the quarter 121 Tabby Thomas - Hoodoo Party 122 Black Label Society -  Parade of the Dead 123 Dwight James & The Royals - Need Your Loving 124 Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (2012) The Rampant Hunter (Soundtrack OST) 125 PanterA - The Great Southern Trendkill 126 Ween - WHO DAT? 127 Earl King - Street Parade 128 Ernie K-Doe - Here Come The Girls 129 Dejan's Olympia Brass Band ~ Mardi Gras In New Orleans 130 Body Count -  KKK Bitch 131 Goatwhore - Apocalyptic Havoc 132 C.C. Adcock - Y'all d Think She Be Good To Me (from True Blood S01E01) 133 The Meters - Fire On The Bayou 134 Dr. John - I Walk On Guilded Splinters 135 Balfa Brothers - J'ai Passe Devant ta Porte 136 Ween - Voodoo Lady 137 King Diamond -  'LOA' House 138 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Born On The Bayou 139 Dax Riggs -  See You All In Hell Or New Orleans 140 Professor Longhair - Go to the Mardi Gras 141 Dixie Witch -  Shoot The Moon 142 Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away 143 Fats Waller -  There's Going To Be The Devil To Pay 144 Mississippi Fred McDowell -  When the Train Comes Along with Sidney Carter & Rose Hemphill 145 Treme Song (Main Title Version) 146 Tony Joe White - Even Trolls Love Rock and Roll 147 Nine Inch Nails -  Sin 148 Exodus -  Cajun Hell 149 NEIL DIAMOND - New Orleans 150 James Brown - Call Me Super Bad 151 Jimi Hendrix -  Voodoo Child ( Slight Return ) 152 Allen Toussaint - Chokin Kind 153 Dash Rip Rock  - Meet Me at the River 154 Hawg Jaw- 4 Lo 155 Hot 8 Brass Band - Keepin It Funky 156 Hank Williams III - Rebel Within 157 Dejan's Original Olympia Brass Band - Shake It And Break It 158 Jelly Roll Morton -  Finger Buster 159 The Royal Pendletons - (Im a) Sore Loser 160 Little Bob & The Lollipops - Nobody But You 161 Gregg Allman - Floating Bridge (True Detective Soundtrack) 162 Michael Doucel with Beausoleil - Valse de Grand Meche 163 Dolly Parton - My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy 164 Othar Turner & the Afrossippi Allstars – Shimmy She Wobble 165 Jucifer - Fleur De Lis 166 Soilent Green -  Leaves Of Three 167 Ides Of Gemini -  Queen of New Orleans 168 Betty Harris -  Trouble with My Lover 169 Lead Belly - Pick A Bale Of Cotton 170 Candyman Opening Theme 171 Goatwhore - When Steel and Bone Meet 172 Acid Bath - Bleed Me An Ocean 173 Pere Ubu - Louisiana Train Wreck 174 Walter -Wolfman- Washington - You Can Stay But the Noise Must Go 175 Alice in Chains -  Hate To Feel 176 Body Count -  Voodoo 177 Live and Let Die - Jazz Funeral 178 Smoky Babe -  Cotton Field Blues 179 Professor Longhair - Big Chief Part 2 180 Lewis Boogie - Walk the Line 181 James Black - Theres a Storm in the Gulf 182 The Balfa Brothers - Parlez Nous A Boire 183 The Jambalaya Cajun Band - Bayou Teche Two Step 184 The Deacons -  Fagged Out 185 Thou - The Changeling Prince 186 Black Sabbath -  Voodoo 187 King Diamond -  Louisiana Darkness 188 Doyle -  Cemeterysexxx 189 KINGDOM OF SORROW - Grieve a Lifetime 190 Hank Williams III - Louisiana Stripes 191 FORMING THE VOID - On We Sail 192 BUCK BILOXI AND THE FUCKS - fuck you 193 Down in New Orleans - The Princess and the Frog Soundtrack 194 Trombone Shorty & James Andrews  - oh Poo Pah Doo 195 Whitesnake -  Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City 196 The Dirty Dozen Brass band - Voodoo 197 Joe Simon - The Chokin' Kind 198 Down -  Ghosts along the Mississippi 199 AEROSMITH  - Voodoo Medicine Man 200 Nine Inch Nails -  The Perfect Drug 201 The Byrds - [Sanctuary III] Ballad Of Easy Rider 202 The Iguauas - Boom Boom Boom 203 PJ Harvey - Down By The Water 204 Louis Armstrong - Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans 205 Dr John - Right Place Wrong Time 206 ESTHER ROSE - handyman 207 Lightnin Slim - It's Mighty Crazy 208 Slim Harpo - Blues Hangover 209 Irma Thomas - Ruler Of My Heart 210 WEATHER WARLOCK - Fukk the Plan-0 211 Superjoint Ritual - The Alcoholik (Use Once And Destroy) 212 Stressball - dust 213 Trampoline Team - Kill You On The Streetcar 214 Xander Harris - Where’s your Villain? 215 Dukes of Dixieland - When The Saints Go Marching In 216 Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - Su Su 217 Danzig - I'm the one 218 EyeHatteGod - Pigs 219 Hank Williams Jr - Amos Moses 220 The Cramps - Alligator Stomp 221 Crowbar - The Serpent Only Lies 222 Shrüm - drip 223 Thou  - The Only Law 224 DR. JOHN - Babylon   225 Garth Brooks - Callin' Baton Rouge 226 Wild Magnolias - All On A Mardi Gras Day 227 NCIS New Orleans TV Show theme 228 Skull Duggery - Big Easy 229 Harry Connick Jr. - City beaneath the sea 230 Elvis Presley - Dixieland Rock 231 Tom Waits - I Wish I Was In New Orleans (In The Ninth Ward) 232 Neil Young - Everybody's Rockin 233 Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals - Delinquent 234 CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Wolf Named Crow 235 Widespread Panic - Fishwater 236 Lillian Boutté - Why Don't You Go Down to New Orleans 237 Bryan Ferry - Limbo 238 Scream - Mardi Gras 239 EyeHateGod - Shoplift 240 Better Than Ezra - good 241 Duke Ellington - Perdido (1960 Version) 242 Bob Dylan - Rambling, Gambling Willie 243 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - sAve my soul 244 Le Roux - So Fired Up 245 Concrete Blonde - The Vampire song 246 Boozoo Chavis - Zydeco Mardi Gras 247 Idris Muhammad  - Piece of mind 248 Les Hooper - Back in Blue Orleans 249 Doug Kershaw - Cajun stripper 250 DOWN  - Witchtripper 251 Soilent Green - So hatred 252 Professional Longhair - Big chief 253 Willie Nelson - City Of New Orleans 254 Tom Waits - Whistlin' Past The Graveyard 255 Brian Fallon - sleepwalkers 256 Patsy - Count It On Down 257 Into the Moat - The Siege Of Orleans 258 Bruce Cockburn - Down To The Delta 259 Jello Biafra · the Raunch and Soul All-Stars - Fannie Mae 260 Exhorder - Asunder 261 Cane Hill - Too Far Gone 262 The Slackers - peculiar 263 Crowbar  - A Breed Apart   264 COC - Wiseblood 265 Necrophagia - Embalmed Yet I Breathe 266 EYEHATEGOD - Fake What's Yours 333 Alan Vega - Bye Bye Bayou 666 DOWN  - Stone the crow

I don’t beads by the way! Hit play here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-iHPcxymC182dTlE-Gii6ZOO5ZrN1Z1T

[ancientwastedlores]

The Support System (Ch: 9)

STORY SUMMARY: The Avengers have managed to collect all the infinity stones across the universe, and are currently keeping them in far corners of the world, only for research and to see if they can improve the planet and its people. Reader is a researcher with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, as well as a field agent. Loki is currently serving time for his actions in New York City in 2012, and struggling to gain acceptance from the Avengers, when reader decides he just needs a PR manager of sorts. 

PREVIOUS CHAPTER AO3: The Support System

A/N: Find this chapter on AO3 here. Fic requests are welcome! 

Warnings: excess alcohol consumption. 

Audience: general.

______________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 9:

The night of the karaoke arrives, and it’s quite something.

The Avengers are all gathered in the bar, sat on a semi circle couch facing the platform. A few drinks in, and the night has officially begun. Clint starts with ‘Mad World’, which sets quite a sombre tone, much to Tony’s annoyance.

‘Hey, this is a FUN night’ he says, going up to the mic. ‘This is how it’s done’.

He proceeds to deliver an amazing performance of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’, earning a round of applause from everyone.

Thor, who hadn’t told anyone what he was singing, took the stage next. ‘Hello’ he says, tapping the mic. You’re sure he’s only doing that because he saw someone on TV do it. He clears his throat and gives Vision the signal to start his track. Beyoncé’s ‘Who Run the World’ comes on and everyone loses it. Your eyes and ears are adjusting to watching Thor, Mighty God of Thunder, dance while saying Girls Run the World. Everyone howls and raises their drinks to Thor, spilling a bit here and there, and you join in. 

The night continues, with Nat giving a stellar performance of ‘Oops, I Did It Again’ and Bruce practically fawning over her. You put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from possibly sinking to his knees and crying, because he is quite an emotional drunk.

Sam goes next, with ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ and you notice he’s quite a good dancer. And singer. God damn. Everyone joins in on the chorus, which only adds fire to Sam’s performance. Tony has started dancing while sitting now and you laugh.

Bruce, showcasing a vocal range no one, including Natasha, knew he had, sings Brian Reitzell’s ‘I Put a Spell on You’. Tony’s feeling this new voice, his head bobbing to the beat.

While Pepper goes up to sing ‘Cheap Thrills’ you realise the way you’re sitting for the first time. You don’t quite know how it ended up that way, but you’re on the floor cross legged with your drink, leaning against the couch. Loki is on the couch, and you’re sitting between in his legs. Whenever his legs sway to the music, it moves you as well, and you didn’t notice until just now.

You don’t see why this is worth thinking about, but you can’t deny it feels kind of nice.

Steve takes everyone by surprise by singing ‘Rolling in the Deep’, and no one quite knows how to respond as he triumphantly does an epic mic drop and walks to his seat.

Rhodey, who admits to having done less than zero practice, takes the stage to rap ‘DNA’, which he actually does flawlessly.

‘I call bullshit on the no practice’ Tony yells, once Rhodey is done. Rhodey shrugs and takes his seat again.

Wanda sings ‘Havana’, and while she isn’t a great singer, you discover she’s an amazing dancer. Everyone whistles at the end of her performance, and she bows.

‘You’re up, kid’ Tony gives your shoulder a gentle push. You down the rest of your drink and stand up.

You’ve had quite a few, and are officially tipsy. You take the mic and nod to Vision. Celine Dion’s ‘Ashes’ comes up on the stereo, and everyone sits in stunned silence as you sing, because no one knew you could ever sound like that. Sort of like the reception Bruce got.

You hit the high notes perfectly, and you can feel fireworks in your body. Ever the dramatic, you even make a point of falling to your knees when singing ‘…and when I pray to god’ the first time. The second time you say it, you literally fall flat on stage with an arm stretched upwards, causing everyone to laugh.

You finish and are met with applause and whistles. You bow and look at Loki. He’s smiling widely at you. You start to walk back to your spot and Loki stands up. You look at him questioningly and he winks at you, walking to the mic to take his place.

You had no idea he had prepared anything. You sit back down on the floor.

He nods to Vision.

‘Yo listen up, here’s the story, about a little guy…’

You’re gagging. Is he really doing this!?

‘…cuz he ain’t got nobody… to listen’ there’s a pause, and before the beat drops, Loki shifts to his Jotun form. ‘I’m Blue aba dee aba dye…’

Tony loses it. He’s howling so much you fear he may puncture a lung. Thor stands up to dance, and soon everyone is laughing and cheering Loki on. You’re still on your spot on the floor, but lying down laughing, tears coming out of your eyes.

‘…and a blue corvette, and everything is blue for him, and himself and everybody around, cuz he ain’t got nobody… to listen’ he stretches his arm out and drops the mic.

Everyone around you, positively drunk, is still laughing. Thor pats Loki on the back so hard, he almost falls down.

‘I think we have a winner guys’ Tony shushes the group. ‘It’s gotta be Loki’ everyone cheers. Loki shifts back to his Asgardian form, and thanks Tony.

Vision is now playing other music, so people get up to dance. Loki helps you up from the floor, which you are still lying on.

‘I can’t believe you did that, that was amazing’ you yell over the music. He laughs. ‘I’ve been practicing before you come to get me from my room at night’. ‘I had literally no idea!’ you exclaim, still shouting. ‘And you’re so beautiful as a Jotun!’

You see his expression to change one of surprise. ‘Really?’

‘Yeah! Gorgeous!’ you yell. ‘I can’t scream anymore; do you want to move to the bar?’ He smiles. ‘Absolutely’.

The two of you sit at the bar, watching rest of them dance.

‘Thank you’ Loki says. ‘What for?’ ‘For this’ he looks around. ‘I wouldn’t even dream of spending the evening with the Avengers, singing and dancing, if it weren’t for you’. 

You smile warmly at him. ‘It’s my pleasure’.

xx

Around 2 AM, the last of the Avengers bids a loud good night before heading to their rooms. You yell back a good night and continue your conversation with Loki, who is actually drunk.

‘Okay, okay so…’ you finish the drink you were working on. ‘HOW did you get the idea that you want to dance around as a blue man to a song about blue people?’ ‘Honestly… I was hoping the alcohol would carry me through it’ he confesses. Both of you laugh hysterically. ‘Tony absolutely went mad when you shifted, I mean, Loki…’ you squeeze his knee with your hand and lean forward to emphasise your point, ‘He LOST it’. He laughs harder. ‘I saw, and you were on the floor clutching your stomach’. ‘I WAS!’ you say, laughing all over again.   ‘And Thor, oh wow, did you see Thor!?' he says excitedly, now really enjoying it. ‘WOW, that was a night’.

You’re trying to catch your breath too. There’s silence for a while, until the two of you are able to get it together. You pour yourself another shot and Loki grabs your arm.

‘I think we’ve had enough’ he looks at you. You raise an eyebrow. ‘You’re drunk and I’m not’ you say. ‘You aren’t drunk?’

You shake your head. He withdraws his arm and lets you take the shot, surprised that he should feel the buzz before you. He is a god, after all.  

‘You’ve had the same amount as I have’. ‘Yeah, I have an annoyingly high capacity’ you say. ‘It’s not healthy, but at least I don’t make a habit of this’.

Loki narrows his eyes at you. ‘I feel like every time there’s a party like this, you try to get drunk’.

‘Which isn’t a lot, so I don’t have a habit’. ‘It’s a habit if you indulge in it to the point where…’ ‘Loki…’ you warn.

He keeps quiet. You get down to put the bottles back in the cupboard. He watches you place the clean glasses on the showcase, and wipe the bar down. Why this is your responsibility, you don’t know, but you decide you need to do something to ground you before getting annoyed at the line of questioning. 

‘Why do you have so much anger inside you?’ he asks softly.  ‘Excuse me?’ ‘I just…’ he purses his lips, as if re-thinking if he should do this. He decides to go for it. ‘You seem lovely to everybody, but I can’t help thinking it is to hide something’. ‘I’m not a complicated mess to figure out,’ you say. ‘I’m nice because I want to be, if you think there’s anything more to that, you’re wrong’. ‘Alright… I’m sorry’ he says. ‘Can I help you clean up?’

You shake your head and continue wiping the bar down. He gets up to leave, then turns around.

‘Can I still sleep in your room?’ he asks in a small voice. ‘Yeah, I’ll be right there’.

He gives you a small smile and continues on his way out. As soon as he’s out, you plop down on the bar stool and stare at the glass counter top. Tears are forming in your eyes, and this time, they aren’t happy ones.

You reach below the bar and pull out another bottle, pop it open, pour a glass, and down the whole thing in one go. You put the bottle back, realising none of it can help. The floodgates are open. You spend the next few minutes holding your head in your hands, crying loudly and screaming, knowing no one can hear you. You need to let it out. You’re breathing heavily now, and feel like you might have a panic attack. You tip your head back and take a deep breath. Closing your eyes, you continue to take deep breaths. You can’t walk into your room with Loki in it, sniffing, making it obvious that you just cried.

After your heart rate slows a bit, you wipe your face with some tissues, finish wiping the bar, and head to your room.

 Loki’s already in bed, you can’t tell if he’s asleep yet. Tired, and a bit sore, you kick your shoes off, remove your jacket and jeans, and get under the covers, facing away from Loki. As soon as you settle in, you feel him turn around and move closer. His hand circles around your stomach and he pulls you into him. ‘It’s okay’ he says.

You aren’t the tiniest bit comfortable with this role reversal, but are too tired to protest and fall asleep almost instantly.

xx

You wake up to Loki’s chest. Your first instinct is to pull away, but you know that’ll wake him up, so you stay. His chin is resting on your head; his long arms are wrapped around you. You don’t know at what point during the night this happened, but don’t particularly feel like complaining. 

After several minutes pass, you try to gently pull away now, trying your hardest not to wake him, but he does.

‘Oh, hello’ he looks down at you. ‘Good morning’. ‘What’s happening?’ you ask. ‘Oh’ he removes his arms from around you promptly scoot back. ‘You don’t remember?’ ‘No?’

‘Well…’ he gets up. You were dreading you had sex, but Loki and you are both fully clothed, ‘You blacked out for about an hour before you woke up screaming… I tried to ask you what’s wrong and you went on about some nightmare. I tried to calm you down and you started crying…’

‘Did anyone else hear that?’ you ask. ‘No. You actually insisted I put a protection spell on the room because you were convinced that…’ he pauses. ‘…that you were being chased’.

You look at him in utter disbelief.

‘The spell also blocks out noise so… no one heard you. Don’t worry’. You draw the blankets up to your chin. ‘Loki, I am so sorry’.

He gets back into bed to put his hand on your head. You don’t stop him. He runs his fingers through your hair, which makes you feel a lot better.

‘I might know the answer to this one, but… do you want to talk about it?’ he asks.

You’re still staring at him. After what seems like several minutes, you shake your head. ‘No’.

He scoots closer and gives you a hug. ‘It’s no trouble. I’ll listen anytime you want’.

A traitor to yourself, you allow your head to rest on his chest as he holds you close.

‘Please… don’t tell Tony about this’ you ask. ‘I won’t breathe a word to anyone’ Loki promises.

xx

Upon further consideration and thought, you decide that what happened last night was that you finally got drunk. Perhaps not the high you were expecting, but it finally happened. Apparently all it took was Loki asking a simple question.

You finish your cold shower and step out to dry your hair. You look at yourself in the mirror. You almost don’t recognise the person in there. The pair of eyes that blink back at you are red and puffy. You look away immediately and leave the washroom to put on your clothes and go for breakfast.

xx

‘LOKI!’ everyone cheers as he enters the room, a reception you’re sure has him inwardly leaping and doing cartwheels.

‘Okay, I gotta say…’ Tony walks over to Loki and throws an arm around his shoulder. ‘Our badass, unusually tall Smurf here killed it last night, and as promised, the prize’ Tony moves his arm and turns to face Loki. ‘Literally anything you want to do, we do next weekend’.

‘You grant him too much power’ Thor calls out between stuffing his mouth with pancakes. Loki laughs. ‘I’ll have to think about that. Thank you, Stark’.

Tony smiles and heads back to the table to continue his meal. You take your seat and he looks at you.

‘What the hell happened to you last night?’ ‘What?’ you ask, hiding your face. ‘Your eyes are red. HEY, did you get drunk last night!?’ he grins. ‘NO’

‘It finally happened!’ Tony grabs your wrist and gets up on his chair, raising your arm all the way up. ‘Our child has become an adult!’ ‘Please shut up’ you groan. ‘Tell me, what tipped you over the edge?’ he sits back down. ‘I don’t know, maybe I had too much’ you say, reaching for a stack of pancakes. ‘How do you feel about the hangover?’ Nat asks. ‘I don’t have one’

‘BOO’ Bruce yells from the far corner of the table. A quick look at him informs you that he is currently suffering a hangover. You smile to yourself and proceed to eat the pancakes.

People are ticking their plans off for the Sunday, and you’ve already tuned out.

[loremonster]

Prompt: Dee and Kenny get into a lively and impassioned debate over whether boobs or butts are superior.

Set Before NKS 01

Readmore in consideration to dash-clogging

[Sent, 10:22] so[Sent, 10:22] t or a?

Kenny was bored. It was the last week of summer vacation, with the first day of Middle School fast approaching. Orientation was tomorrow, his class schedule would be arriving in the mail soon, and the period of sleepovers whenever and not getting his sorry ass up until noon would be replaced with the daily pattern of the bus stop and classes.

The rest of the guys were wrapped up in some end of summer bullshit with Eric, trying to cram their last week of freedom with as much adolescent crazy as possible. Kenny had been right there with them for a chunk of it, but things had escalated, as they do, and he’d ended up with an iron rod through the eye. 

At least brain damage blocks out some of the pain in the last few seconds. Take out a chunk of the frontal lobe, suddenly I don’t give a fuck about anything anymore. 

He’d flipped on a local radio show to keep abreast of what the fuck was happening in town, just in case things got bad crazy for his friends… but for now, he was content staying in his room, idly texting one of his other buddies who had listened to Eric’s last ditch summer fun plan and walked the fuck out, and browsing the web for a new bikini babe to put on his phone’s home screen. 

[Received, 10:23] Ass. Ass until the day I die. 

Dee’s response briefly sat atop his screen, making his eyebrows raise up beneath his tightly drawn hood. The fall chill was coming, but it wasn’t cold enough for his parents to turn the heat on just yet. They’d wait for as long as possible to save money on the energy bill, and only heat the house enough to keep pipes from freezing. He shuffled his shoulders up inside his coat, curling up a little tighter on his bed beneath his Sports Illustrated (swimsuit edition) posters. 

[Sent, 10:23] rly dude? i get that ur buttlord an all b cmon[Sent, 10:23] titties[Sent, 10:23] soft round bouncy boobies with perky pink nipples[Sent, 10:24] ud take an ass over that?

This wasn’t the first casual debate he’d had with the effectively mute kid over text. Granted, they usually argued over tactics in their partnered work as Buttlord and Mysterion… arguments Kenny soundly won nearly every time. Dee was a lot of things. A strategic thinker? Not one of them. 

[Received, 10:25] Everyone has a butt. Asses can be soft like boobies but have a little muscle underneath, so it’s always a firm handful for grabbing, and they’re a lot less likely to have surprise surgery scars.[Received, 10:26] Also its on the backside, less chance getting caught staring[Received, 10:26] Asses forever, boob boi

The barrage of ‘evidence’ from Dee got him to stop scrolling on his web browser, switching wholesale to the messenger app and staring more and more seriously at the words on the screen. 

[Sent, 10:27] well evryne has titties 2, technicly[Sent, 10:27] if u got nipples u got titties[Sent, 10:28] and all titties r good titties[Sent, 10:28] even if you cant stick ur weiner btween them[Sent, 10:29] and nipples give u a thing to focus on[Sent, 10:29] boobies = best

[Received, 10:30] HAHA[Received, 10:30] he spends 2 minutes describing perfect playboy breasts[Received, 10:31] and then back peddles to make the ‘inclusive’ argument[Received, 10:31] meanwhile u can stick ur dick between any set of butt cheeks AND REACH AROUND TO MASSAGE THE BOOBIES AT THE SAME TIME[Received, 10:32] Buttz win bitch

A sure sign that Dee was getting into an argument; he dropped his capitalization and spelling habits. 

[Sent, 10:33] dude if i start with the inclusive argument asshats start screaming UR GAY[Sent, 10:34] screw a dude for habits, nipples r cute and u’ll never change my mind

He smirked, and decided now was a good time for eggplant spam. 

[Received, 10:36] You done?

Nope. Eggplant for days.

[Received, 10:39] I’m just gonna wait until you’re done.

Then you’re gonna be waiting a fucking long time, ain’t ya? I ate a used tampon to get unlimited texting on this phone, motherfucker, and now you shall face my purple wrath. 

[Received, 10:41] K, gonna go get my workout in, BBL

Oh, shit.

[Sent, 10:41] No no no[Sent, 10:41] ur the only one active rn[Sent, 10:42] do not condemn me to the boredom[Sent, 10:42] fite me Assmaster

[Received, 10:43] Asses are beautiful and fun to grab[Received, 10:44] And a firm ass is a good indicator that a person gets a healthy amount of exercise[Received, 10:44] Big titties are a good sign that someone either got work done or has back issues[Received, 10:45] I’ll take healthy over painful, thx

[Sent, 10:46] BLASPHEMY 

Kenny didn’t even realize he was grinning, certain the utterly hyperbolic argument was about to start back up… but he didn’t get a response right away. His all-caps cry remained as the newest message for a full five minutes; a time in which he started off mildly annoyed… and then concerned. 

[Sent, 10:53] dude u ok?[Sent, 10:54] i didnt mean it truce alright?

Still no answer. It was weird; Dee usually announced when he was dropping out of a one-on-one text conversation. It was a courtesy Kenny had gotten used to, even if it was kinda weird for a guy friend to observe the social niceties over text. 

A sense of dread grabbed the bottom of his spine, making him sit up a little straighter in bed as a vague anxiety worked it way between vertebrae like the many tiny legs of a centipede. Each individual tip prickled his skin along the way. 

Finally, there was an answer. 

[Received, 11:02] Text Wendy. We have a situation.

Creeping dread was shed off with a heavy exhale, but the next inhale brought in a more serious sense. Dee’s situations were a regular issue… and when the kid suddenly stopped answering, Kenny had been well and truly worried that one of those situations had gotten to him before they could do something about it. 

They weren’t just partners. They were friends. He cared about the guy. Cared enough to put his immortal ass in front of government agents and take the occasional bullet for the fucker. Sudden radio silence was shit that made him paranoid, but now that tension could turn to something a bit more proactive. 

[Sent, 11:03] on it

[blackrosesfanfic]

Chapter 194

Cammie

Rollie falls back on the couch. "You letting April get the boys?"

"No." I snap.

"Shit. You passionate about that shit."

I cross my arms. "I just don't want to start it. What did you come over here for? That?"

"Me and Kirby just came."

"I don't see no damn Kirby."

"He on the phone."

Trey walks into the living room. He sits my phone down. "What's up?"

Rollie sits up reaching his arm out. "Shit. Just came through."

"Why you had my fucking phone that long?" I say unlocking it.

"April gonna take the boys."

I sit up. "Tremaine! Why the fuck would you do that?"

He narrows his eyes at me. "You know damn well as I do she gonna come here and sweet talk your ass into letting them go. Why fight it? She not coming until tomorrow."

"You already told her yes?"

"I didn't. I'm about to."

I wanted to fucking kick him. "What did you have my phone for?"

"You gonna get the boys ready?"

"No." I snap.

"Jayla, at least pump some extra milk."

I sit back in the chair. "Oh you need me for that but you don't need my fucking permission to fucking send my boys away?"

Trey starts walking out the room. "Sure as hell don't need your permission to do shit with our kids. Our."

"Leave me the fuck alone." I spat. "Bitch ass."

"Yeah." he says walking on out of the room.

I kick the chair. I thought I would at least have his fucking support in the decision to send my children off. I don't fucking want to do it. I look at the number calling me then I sit up really fast to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Cammie. This is Kent. Are you doing well?"

I shrug. "Yeah. How are you?"

"I am doing okay. Listen I know you just had your baby but I'm against the wall here. One of my dancers can't perform. What I'm asking is will you be out of recovery in time enough to be my main dancer?"

"I'm not understanding you. I'm not in recovery. My son is months old. So what exactly are you saying?"

"I need to know if you are willing to be my main dancer on Dancing with the Stars."

I jump up. "Of course! That's what you want?"

"Yeah. Now do you have a choreographer already in mind to replace you? I could..."

"Yes, I have one! O my gosh."

He exhales. "Sounds amazing."

"You telling me. I... Thank you, Kent."

"No problem. I'll be contacting you shortly with the dates. Things will change only a bit. You know photos and things. Interviews and commercials."

"Yes. Okay."

"Take care."

I fall back on the couch then I call MiMi. "Bae, the fucking game done changed."

"Like fucking fucking?"

"You bullshitting me."

She sucks her teeth. "I thought you had some make the sex great again advise."

I roll my eyes. "So guess who gonna be a main dancer on Dancing with the Stars and guess who gonna be here choreographer."

"You? No for real, Cammie." She retorts.

"Yes, me! And you!"

MiMi sighs. "I'll see you when I come kiss your toes. Clean them up for me."

I laugh. "Bae, for real though."

"Dee! Cammie gonna be a main dancer now! Yeah."

"Umm... You know this means we both have to be in California?"

"California?" She says like she never heard of it.

I jump in. "California. For like months bae."

"Who gives a fuck?"

"So now is a great time to start seeing less of your baby little by little." Rollie says.

I fall back down. "This nigga fucked up my mood. How about Trey going to decide it's his fucking fatherly right to send my children wherever he wants."

"And what can you say that ain't gonna cut him deep?"

"Exactly. I'm over the shit. He doing it cause he mad that I was talking shit about those damn rumors."

"I mean though. Those are some pretty harsh things to over look. Bitch, describing details and that video looks a bit convincing. Bestie, you letting his ass be mad about that?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm trying not to fight with him. You know he has to leave tomorrow and he always gets bitchy."

She laughs. "So true... Anyway! You got good news!"

"Right!"

"Bae, I'm about to be on TV."

I chuckle. Trey walks into the room. I stand up. "I'm going with you to Texas."

"No. You not fucking going with me."

"Who the fuck are you to just tell me? I don't know what your fucking problem is."

He turns around walking away. "Right now you. I'm not doing this shit with you."

"Who the hell you gonna do it with then? Fuck bitch."

"Shut the fuck up, Cammie."

I kick the table then sit down. "What the hell?"

"Was that Trey?" MiMi asks.

"Yeah."

"Yo, how the fuck you let him talk to her like that?" Kirby snaps by the door.

Rollie looks away from TV slowly. "He didn't touch her."

Kirby was livid. "The fuvk nigga? I know you playing the cool brother and shit with your brother in law but you too fucking chill."

"Bitch, you go fuck with it." Rollie says looking at TV. "I stay to myself."

"Oh really though." I snap.

He chuckles. "Leave me alone. Go fix your marriage."

"Fuck him." I say. "MiMi call me back."

"I'm coming over."

"K."

 Trey

I walk into my bedroom from the bathroom. Lane is stretched out on the floor playing with his tablet. Any other time this would be fine. Him sitting down being quiet is rare. But this instance he is supposed to be doing what I told him.

"Lane!"

He jumps. "Daddy?"

"Go get your mama."

"Go get Mommy?"

"Yes. Tell your mother to come here."

He stares at me. Knowing Lane he is trying to decide whether or not he is going to listen to me. He says something unrecognizable than he says mommy and start running out of the room. Damn I hope both boys aren't bad.

"Mommy said no." he pouts.

"Why?"

He stares at me for a minute. "Mommy not listening. Mommy said no."

"Go get her Lane."

"Mommy mad."

As I'm watching him he shrugs his shoulders. So is he telling me he doesn't know why she mad? Why the hell am I relying on a 2 year old to get shit done. I reach for him before I start talking. He was expecting it and he turns around quickly but falls. I pick him up off of the floor and sit him down on the sink. He going to see his grandma so he needs a fresh haircut. He hits my hand. I put his arms down by his side. He kicks me as I start brushing his hair. Little rat. I put the clippers down then get in his face. He is not intimidated a bit. He takes the brush then he starts brushing my hair. I stop him when he reaches for the clippers.

"Fuck no boy." I say popping his hand.

"Ouch." he says then springs forward.

I try my damnest to catch the fool before he hits the ground. I look down expecting to help him off the floor. This boy runs out of the bathroom full speed. I sigh. The fucking truth is that I'm ashamed to fucking go in the other room after I showed my ass for no reason. I rather be a bitch alone then in front of everybody. But Cammie not coming and Lane not gonna push the issue. I don't blame a 2 year old. He smart.

"That bullshit, Trey!" Lane shouts.

"Daylan!" I snap walking into the bedroom.

He was gone. I sigh then walk out into the hallway. I wish I could call Ma and tell her to tell Cammie to come here. But Cammie mad at everybody. I realized after I put my foot in my mouth that she is going to be alone tomorrow. Take her kids and leave town. That's mighty fucked up of me.

"Jayla." I say low trying to only get her attention.

"What you say fuck boy?" Kirby retorts loudly.

I turn to face only Cammie. "Jayla."

"Bae. I'm so fucking excited. You think they for real?" MiMi asks walking in the room.

"Yeah." Cammie says dryly.

"Fucking buzz kill." MiMi says taking Minnie. "That bit couldn't change you, stank? Sitting there smelling you like it's cute."

Cammie crackles a smile. "I swear she wasn't stank in my lap."

"How you know with Trey all in your damn nostril?"

"There go Mommy." Lane says running up to Cammie.

Cammie snatches her phone from him. "How do you even know the password? Oh... Hey, Ma."

"You sound so dead to be having good news." April says.

"Well you coming to take my babies and..." She cuts her eyes at me then she rolls them.

"Tremaine, why are you being weird? Just call me back. Damn, annoying asses always flip flopping." the phone goes black.

I kneel down in front of Cammie. "Just come talk to me."

"Tremaine if you got something to say then say it. I don't feel like going back and forth with you. You said your peace earlier."

"What the fuck you mean?" I snap on accident.

"Nigga really?" she spats back tilting her head at me.

We all kinds of fucked up. I forgot who mad at who and who should apologize. I stand up.

"Say whatever the hell you got to say. I can take whatever."

"This not even about what I got to say. Why you so willing to hear my bullshit suddenly?"

I shrug. "If it fucking rocks your boat."

"What?" she says standing up. I try to wrap my arm around her waist. "Don't even."

"The fuck?" I say pissed at the level she went to to avoid my touch. Its not that fucking necessary.

"You know what Tremaine." she says putting her hand on her hip. "I sit around here listening to bullshit having to have the fucking skills of fucking Sherlock Holmes to figure shit out. You would think my fucking husband would take the damn time to tell me what's what. Fuck no! I'm tired of feeling like the fucking secret agent that has to sneak around and try not to hurt your fucking feelings. Gotdamn it." she says throwing her hands up. "I'm not some fucking stalker ass bitch who you don't want to know your every move. I'm your fucking wife and I sure as hell am not playing no other role no more. So the next time you think I might have heard a rumor you better come fucking talk to me your gotdamn fucking self. So then I can tell other people... Oh yeah he told about that already. And fuck you for thinking I want to follow your ass because of some damn video I saw a year ago! Yes bitch I already know you fucked her and when."

I sigh and walk away. Well damn.

"What?" MiMi says standing at the hall bouncing the baby. "What was all of that?"

"Looks like Cammie came through right quick." Rollie says chuckling.

MiMi sucks her teeth. "Repeat what happened."

"She said too much." Rollie snaps. "Blah Blah blah... Pick your face up."

"Rollie you not shit." MiMi says.

"Shut up." Cammie snaps.

I start to walk into the bedroom. Lane was standing in the hall holding his dick in his hand. I stop and stare at him trying to figure out what going on. I shrug.

"What are you doing?"

"A bug!" he points.

I go to him and grab his arm. "Boy, go fucking pee in the other bathroom."

He runs down the hall. "Awh!"

"Lane!" I say. Fuck it.

"What?" Cammie retorts.

I look back at her. "I don't fucking want you anymore."

She raises her eyebrows. "So we single?"

"What the fuck?" I snap sitting on the bed. "What the fuck is your problem? You want that?"

"You the one walking around with fucking secrets and attitudes. What you want me to think?"

"I don't fucking know."

She shrugs then starts to walk out. "Very fucking well."

I don't know what that means but my heart feels weak as shit like it means it's the end. I stand up from the bed.

"Jayla, if you felt like that..."

"Tremaine!" she snaps spinning around. "I didn't think nothing until you blew up on me about your fucking outside shit and me fucking wanting to go somewhere with you. You fucking act like I've been following you around and you tried of the shit. You even sent my sons away like I fucking did something to you."

I'm just picking at an open wound and don't know how to stop it. In no way do I want my Jayla feeling like she the bitches from my pass. I don't fucking know. I sit back down now that she has stopped. Lane runs into the room now completely naked dragging his pajamas. The environment can't even continue to be tense with this little man around.

"A bug."

"The pajamas?" I reply.

He had some damn bugs on his fucking pajamas. So when I asked what he was doing his answer should have been putting on my pajamas. Not yelling about a bug and running down the hall. I look at Cammie. She was watching him. I walk over to her. Can we try this again?

"I'm not trying to..."

"I don't care about your efforts."

I start to snap at her but I kiss her cheek. "I would love for you to come with me tomorrow. We haven't done anything together in a while. We haven't been alone... I don't remember how long."

"Keep talking cause that's only the surface."

"Bullshit." Lane says throwing the pants.

"Lane, stop saying bullshit. Go get some draws then I'll help you." Cammie barks.

Lane shakes his head. "I don't know."

I step between Cammie and Lane. He was putting his shirt on ignoring Cammie. If the boy wants to put on clothes without draws that's his problem. Cammie was back to her attitude. I get closer to her. She pushes me stepping away from me at the same time.

"Sex not solving this."

"Sex? Ba... What? Who trying to fuck you?"

She steps back more. "You can talk away from me."

"Damn..."

"Damnit." Lane giggles.

Cammie glances at him. "Let me get the belt."

I glance back at him. He had a smile on his face. "For Daddy. Daddy bad."

"Can we make up now because I'm over this. Either I go with you or I'm going out of town by myself." Cammie says about to walk out.

"Where you going if we making up?"

She doesn't let me touch her. "No, I'm serious. No makeup x."

Lane screams. We both look his way. He had successfully put both legs in the pants. He pulls them up twisted to the side. He was satisfied even with that. I'm surprised they are on the right way. I look back at Cammie. She was gone. I step into the hallway.

"What's your news?" I yell.

"I mean I'm kinda rich." Rollie shrugs. "Not your rich. I will have my name in a movie?"

I shrug. "Rollie man, I don't give a damn."

He throws his arms up. "You needed my news, brother."

"Lane." I say walking back in the room. "Let me cut your hair."

"No thank you." He waves.

"You not going to your grandma house tomorrow if you don't let me cut your hair."

"Nanma? Nanma Rose?"

I walk into the bathroom. "You not going to Grandma Rose's house tomorrow if I don't cut your hair."

"I want my hair."

"All of it?" I gesture to him. "Let me fix it then."

He walks so slow to me. "Damnit."

"Grandma Rose cut your butt for saying bad words."

"In church!" Lane says popping his butt then fake crying.

I laugh. "Grandma spank your butt in church?"

"Hug grandma." he says laughing.

"What are you talking about?"

He grabs the brush and brush his hair. "I go to grandma?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." he says happily.

[djvanwells]

InterCom RIPEcast Guest Mix by Space Cowboys We are starting a series of guest mixes spotlighting various artists outside of the Bay Area and kicking it off with a guest mix from Tampa Bay's InterCom (@intercom-dj). Intercom has pulverized dancefloors from coast to coast with his unique brand of impious vibrations since 1999. Stupefying crowds from Black Rock City to Lakes of Fire, Intercom’s influence on the Burning Man music community has stretched from memorable performances at the Freakeasy and Hookahdome to those at Dewie Decibels and Gon Kirin. In Detroit, Intercom spent years leaving audiences in a pile of their own excrement during monthlies for SanctumFM. Also pairing his caliginous vibe quite appropriately with the devils and ghouls at Theatre Bizarre, where he has performed since prior to the inception of their mainstream epoch. Intercom has opened for and supported such belligerence powerhouses as Deekline, Keith Mackenzie, Stanton Warriors, Freq Nasty and Radiohiro. Here's what he had to say about the mix: "The space cowboys have been a continual inspiration musically and it's an honor to have the opportunity to be featured by them. I hope this can get folks a-wiggling, even through quarantine! " Track List: Boss - Disclosure Funked up - Ondamike Be Happy (Cup & String remix) - Deekline Feels Like (Cakeboy Remix) - Amber Angell,Cakeboy,Kouncilhouse Say It Louder(Original Mix) - Wasted Crew Slack(Original Mix) - Underground Utopia Total Recall(Skool of Thought Remix) - Rico Tubbs,Skool Of Thought Lose Your Mind(Beatslappaz Remix) - Beatslappaz,Plump DJs Listen Up Feat. Red London(Chris Royal Remix) - Chris Royal,Highup You Ain't Bout This Life(Original Mix) - Macho Louder Feat. Javo Scratch (Original Mix) - FM-3,Javo Scratch,Slip 187 Eat It Up (Preview Mix) - Skeetle Dee & Skeetle Dum Ghettoblaster(Original Mix) - Bradley Drop Talk(Tony Quattro Remix) - Tony Quattro,Wuki Fatima(Original Mix) - Stealth Kartel The Bomb(Original Mix) - K-Deejays Something About You(Original Mix) - DJ Icey Hit The Dancefloor(Original Mix) - Deibeat Flip The Switch(Original Mix) - DJ Fixx The Baddest(Original Mix) - 219 Boys,Corrine IGGY (Original_Mix) - DJ Fixx C.R.E.A.M. (Kickflip Mix) - Agent K More from InterCom: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/intercom-dj Facebook: facebook.com/DJInterCom/ Instagram: instagram.com/intercom_dj/

[blackrosesfanfic]

Chapter 204

Alex

“Gossip corner.” Jamaal says handing me a cup.

I look into it trying to figure out what it is. I give up and sip it. “Gossip from… about? Why does it concern me?”

“Guess who pissed their player off for the last time… Scott. Lindor has no agent.”

“Fuck out of here. Why would he fire his agent in the middle of a possible trade?” I snap.

He sits a piece of paper in front of me. “He heard of a fly ass female agent that will get him the amount of money he wants for the possible trade he is negotiating with his team. Doesn’t want to talk to anyone else.”

“Jamaal, you are fucking gay.”

“Next hot topic… Cammie.”

I pick the paper up. “Tell me after I speak with my client.”

“Lindor.” Some woman answers. Jamaal puts the phone on speaker.

“Alex Roberson.” I say back.

“Yeah, this Lindor. This Alex Alex?”

I nod my head. “You gave me your number. You want to get me updated or just stale a little more while your career goes to shit?”

He chuckles. “Only thing going to shit is my money. Ain’t shit wrong with my career.”

“Get traded to the wrong team and we will find out.”

“No shit. I’m good right now. I can stale a bit. I rather do all the talking at another time, you feel me?”

I nod my head. “You have my number now. I’ll be here.”

“Yeah, I will definitely be getting at you.” He hangs up.

“He is a dick. Like just fucking say that you can’t talk right now.” I say rolling my eyes. “What’s the next topic?”

He shows me his tablet. “Some super fan posting shit about Cammie’s relationship with August Alsina.”

“Shut the fuck up. What relationship does Cammie have with August?”

“It’s not up to date. This is an old relationship but the song behind it suggests that it was more than a friendship. Could possibly be still going on.”

I stand up. “Now Jamaal… Oh my fucking word.”

He shrugs. “Rumor.”

“No that is some shit that could ruin that rocky shit they have that appears so cute.”

“Damn it appears cute? Hating any? Are we not cute?”

I chuckle. “Nigga ain’t nothing cute about me in a relationship. Do you not know how I am in relationships?”

“You haven’t had a real relationship since high school. Do you know how you are in relationships?”

“At times this gets a little stalkerish. Like just a tad bit.”

“Your parents only have one child and I am around them more than that one child. They like to talk about you. I like to listen.”

I look him up and down. Nigga likes to listen to everyone’s gossip no matter how boring or repetitive. Fucking lame ass girl. I could easily fire back with the obvious shit. Call him gay and comment on how fucking much he gossips. But he fucking knows all of that and I say it hourly. I might be the fucking boring one.

“How are you in a relationship?” I ask raising my eyebrows.

“Obsessive. Insecure. You know the usual male shit.”

I laugh. “Last time I try to be serious with you.”

“Because my truth will scare you away. Plus I wasn’t fucking lying.”

“Only thing would scare me away is HIV or fucking herpes.”

He looks at me with a straight face. “Marriage, kids, and a lifetime of sharing debt.”

I smirk. “Marriage? Kids? Jamaal?”

“I knew coming into it.”

“Shut up. You still not being serious. I never talked with my parents about kids or marriage. We don’t fucking sit at the fancy table and sip tea while sharing stories. That is your relationship with them. You don’t even know my relationship with them.”

“I’m being dead ass serious. You selfish ass shit, baby. You and kids? You would not make a good…”

I throw my hands up. “Get out of my fucking office. You and your gossip ass shit.”

“Chill.”

“Motherfucker saying shit like I wouldn’t be a fucking good mother. Fuck you bitch. I do what the fuck I want and I get shit done when I decide to fucking do it. I should have known this shit would be too good to be true. A fucking fine ass man with good dick and everything with it. Too fucking soft to follow through. Damn. Bye. You the reason why I don’t talk about kids, marriage, and fucking commitment. What the fuck for? Disappointing.”

He turns around then keeps turning making a damn circle in the middle of the floor. His face looked deeply confused. It was sort of funny how confused he looked. What don’t you understand about get out? Why are you so damn confused? But I have an attitude and I don’t want to be nice to him. I don’t even want to show him a smile.

“Motherfucker, you went in a gotdamn circle! Out!”

“Your rant catch my ass off guard so bad had me moving before I thought about it.”

I throw up my hand and go to my desk. “Bye, Bitch.”

He chuckles a bit. “Sitting and having weekly gossips with your mother and play dates with your father taught me all about you and your damn fits. Don’t fucking mean shit, Alex. You avoid your parents because their love makes you sick and their overbearing love for you drives you crazy. You don’t dislike them cause they are shitty parents. You control your father’s fucking career, his marriage, and his relationships with all his friends. How the hell are we fucking different? We are gotdamn sports agents. We have to know the gossip before the gossip gets to social media. Which fucking means seconds now a days. Shut your whiny ass up. I wasn’t about to say bad parent. I was going to say bad role model because you so damn spoiled. Shit. And thank you for the compliment.”

“I did not compliment you.”

“I do quote, ‘I should have known this shit would be too good to be true. A fucking fine ass man with good dick…’ Did I fucking hear wrong?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes. I clearly said but you too fucking soft.”

He shrugs. “You don’t want a nigga with more power than you darling. Your father is a fucking Dolomite. Black fucking Scarface. A fucking powerful ass man in everyone’s eyes but who’s back pocket does he sit in?” he leans over my desk. “Shall I stroke your ego?”

“Yes, because I’m pissed off at the thought of what you could have said.”

“What kinda ego trip you need?” he says reach across the desk towards me.

I slap his hand. “You not getting no fucking pussy. I would be fucking rewarding you.”

He chuckles standing up straight. “I’ll leave your office.”

“So what are you, Jamaal? You stalk me then do what? Like…” I narrow my eyes at him. “What the fuck is this to you? I don’t fucking get why you want to be my fucking dog for the rest of your life. You think I’m going to change and start being nice to you?”

“You know what this is to me. You know that it is all to…”

“Impress your fucking mother.”

He shrugs. “Why not with a beautiful, successful female that even has my mother in their fucking orbital. You are an amazing woman.”

“But I’m not a fucking role model? I sound like a fucking good ass person for all to tell their daughters to be like. Sounds like you need to kiss my ass.”

“And I will.”

I turn my chair away from him. “I’m done going in circles with you. I say something to fucking degrade you and you fucking make it into a fucking… I don’t know. Just go.”

“I’ll make reservations at the Rooftop and see if your friends are available to accompany you.”

“Bye, bye now.” I snap.

  Cammie

“So Bae, tomorrow night I am coming to LA and we are going to fucking party. Why shouldn’t I be able to live like Khloe when my fucking bitch is fucking hotter than Kim K?”

I chuckle. “You got the game all wrong. Now what makes you think that I have the time to party with your ass?”

“Umm… Bitch I am in Atlanta at your damn house. I know that MiMi is flying to LA tomorrow to bring you stuff out of Caden’s bedroom. She fucking came by here. And I know the onsley reason that fucking Dee would ever trip about MiMi flying anywhere is because she going to party.”

“You need to mind your own business. If you knew so much you would know that Dee trips about everything MiMi does without him. And you would also fucking know that MiMi’s birthday is this week and that’s why she coming. I just wanted Caden’s outfit that the Obama’s gave him so I can have his pictures taken and sent to them.”

She sucks her teeth. “Whatever.”

I giggle. “Oh so you don’t actually know nothing.”

“Are you going to fly me out to LA or not? You know I have never been. You know I want to be famous.”

“Not for having an affair with a fucking married ass celebrity or getting bulldozed by one either.”

“Wait, what does that mean?”

She cracks me up. I just don’t know if I want to deal with her in LA. There are so many things that could happen and so much she could get into. Ugh. It’s just not practical to bring that troubled ass child here. But I don’t have a fucking real ass excuse that will not sound like I’m being too controlling. I just don’t know.

“What about your damn baby?”

“You know she in Charleston. For like the next month or so. I just can’t deal with her.”

I make my eyes big. “We are built from 2 different sheets of fabric, bitch. Nobody keeping my boys for a month or so. What does the so even mean?”

“I don’t know. Until I send for her. She needs Jesus.”

“Oh does she. Too bad the same person that raised you raising her. Cause Jesus ain’t help your ass. You not bringing any trouble.”

She snaps her hand. “I’m fucking leaving Kain ass right in fucking Atlanta at his homeboy’s house where he has been for a week. That shit cut loose. Fuck him. I ain’t bringing shit to LA but my ass and empty cup.”

I sigh. “Bitch that’s the problem. I’ll call you and let you know.”

“Please!”

“Bye.”

“Ugh… Whatever.”

That fucking thing has problems. She knows the second Kain finds out she is in LA he is going to magically appear where she is and the shit will be pass due. Not fooling me with that shit. I can’t believe she sent her damn child to fucking Charleston for an indefinite time. Talking about a month or so. That bad ass child. I call my mother.

“Hey, Sweetie.”

“Eww… I’m sweet now?”

She chuckles like I’m too much. “Shouldn’t be long before you have your boys. Is that why you are calling?”

“No.” I snap. “Why are you keeping that girl’s child when she is fully capable of taking care of her own child? She is staying in my house rent free with not one bill. Where is her time going because she don’t know how to spell job.”

“Darling don’t worry yourself over that girl. I don’t mind spending the time with my grandbaby at all. I am the one that has always had her when they lived here. Nothing has changed.”

“The fact that you can’t spend her home if you like.”

She huffs. “Girl, she has a nanny. I’m not dealing with her alone. Plus she goes to her other grandma part of the week. Unlike your favorite mother I know how to share.”

“Oh whatever. You know she not even my favorite mother. Stop acting. You never called requesting time. You about to find out really fast that my kids don’t be away from me long. And when they do…”

“Let me guess… you not nice. Jayla, I raised you. I was married to your father my whole youth. You not the only Roberson woman I know either.”

“Just making sure you know.”

She sucks her teeth. “Let me tell you how Caden showed out. He got into this swing they had at the indoor park and he was just chilling.”

I laugh. “He was chilling, Ma?”

“We tried to remove him 3 times. Each time he would wake up with a red face and his fist balled up to his chest. Just mean. After that we couldn’t touch him or he would get mad. Finally April gave him a bottle and he was so focused on that he forgot to show off as he was taken from the swing.”

“April should have known he would love that swing. She has him one at her house that he loves. I can’t put him in anything like that at home with Lane around. For some reason he only tries to be involved with Caden when he is home.”

She is tickled by that. “Sounds like your brother. He used to try to put you in his toys all the time. A couple times I thought about locking you in your room but your father was too much of a worry wart for that. ‘There could be a fire’. He was the one that would not let you out of his sight.”

“Oh, did I ever tell you about Trey locating Dad’s car he sold long ago. Still in perfect condition. I’ll send you pictures.”

“No, don’t.”

I shrug. “Okay, I got them.”

“I had a lot of first in that car. I am too attached to it. That wouldn’t be good for my marriage.”

“Sorry. I mean sorry all the way back to me being a child. I never realized how much you were going through. I was just focused on me.”

She sniffs. “I can’t Jayla.”

I suck my teeth. “I was just trying to…”

“I’m driving and it’s raining. Now I’m crying. It’s just not a safe conversation.”

“It’s not. So let’s talk about this party I’m having in a month. It’s like to celebrate life. I’ll send you the details. It will be a cute classy party. Not anything wild or TV worthy even.”

She sighs. “I would do wild, TV party.”

I chuckle. “Stop sounding like your daughter. Bye for now.”

“Bye, thank you.”

“Bye.” I say.

She pauses. “I love you, Jayla.”

I roll my eyes. Bye already. “Love you too.”

“Who the fuck you talking to?” Trey snaps scaring me.

“Tremaine? Why you come in here like that?”

He stands in front of me. “Who was it?”

I toss my phone to the end of the bed. Nigga always worrying about who on my phone like I’m talking to someone sexually. Don’t even know what I could have said that could have sounded like I was talking to someone strange.

“Hello?”

“What?” I say looking up at Trey.

He did not just call someone on my phone. I just know he didn’t.

“Oh no, I… Ma’am? She has it on silent. Yes.” Trey says then chuckles. “Okay. Alright. Love you too.”

“Oh you a bullshitting ass liar. I know that wasn’t my fucking mother.”

He puts the phone down. “Why do you have only her on silent?”

“Old habit.”

“Jayla, she trying. We got to have this talk? You sounded like saying I love you disgusted you earlier.”

I frown. “Um… old habit.”

“Yeah.” He says walking out.