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starvine · 3 years

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first date headcanons

attack on titan (modern au)

summary: some first date headcanons with some of the attack on titan characters.

warnings: none, just fluff :)

eren jaeger: movie

a little basic but it’s all eren could come up with

besides, it was between a movie and dinner and dinner felt too formal so y’all decided on a movie

he’d let you pick the movie tho

he might argue with you if it’s something stupid and claim that it’s horribly written (as if he knows a thing) but that’s it

eren would make sure to get the BEST snacks. spicy food? check. candy? check. popcorn? check. fruits? check.

he just wants to impress you (even if he did have to confide in his friends for some advice)

he just really likes you

during the movie, you guys would start shifting closer to each other, both a little too timid to move all the way all at once

but you guys would make commentary throughout the movie, laughing when things seem too cliché or when a character says something funny

half way throughout the movie, you guys aren’t even really paying attention it it

you’re too busy throwing popcorn at each other and trying to catch it in your mouths, feeding each other candy, and giggling at each other

it’s intimate in its own relaxed way, which makes eren realize how perfect you are

you both could make the most out of a pretty average first date situation and make it into a beyond amazing first date

and that was all he needed to ask you on a second date before he dropped you off at your car, walking with you to make sure you got there safely

and ngl you’d be a bit of a fool to say no to eren

armin arlert: aquarium

sweetheart is so nervous

before he came to your apartment to pick you up for your date, he was a little nervous wreck

he was fidgeting with his fingers, playing with the buttons on his shirt--he probably accidentally opened one by accident

but once he saw you, he felt fine

it was as if he physically melted, you just make everything okay

once you guys got to the aquarium, he would NOT shut up

he was probably pointing things out, telling you fun facts, asking you what is your favorite marine life

“oh, you like pufferfish? that’s cool! i like them too. they’re very... puffy.”

he’s like a child in a candy store

but while he’s rambling about how the digestive system of a sea cucumber basically cleans the ocean, he’s wondering how he should make a move

he doesn’t want to scare you off or anything, but he doesn’t want you to be disappointed

but while you guys are looking at one of those large fish tanks, the ones where you walk through a tunnel, you guys just sort of stand there and watch in awe

or rather armin watches in awe while you look at him, a soft smile gracing his pink lips as his eyes dart across the illustriously blue colored glass

and when he feels your pinky latch onto his, he’s a little shocked that you had made the first move

he didn’t not expect it per say, he just thought that he would be the one to make the first move

but his overthinking got in the way

and when he turns to look down at your intertwined pinkies, he caught you sending him a delicate smile that made his heart squeeze until he felt as if every part of him was on fire

but it was him who finally held your hand fully

he just needed you to give him the extra push

mikasa ackerman: book store

it’s a very calming atmosphere, which is something you’d both need for this first date

mikasa is probably pretty anxious for the first date, and wants to make sure you’re okay and enjoying yourself while also making sure she’s okay and enjoying herself

so the calming scent of the book store and the quietness is perfect for her to multitask between mediating the two

you’d both be tasked with picking each other books and then buying them for each other

so initially mikasa was nervous because she wasn’t sure what to get you but then you asked what she liked to read and so that allowed her to ask the same, making the situation less stressful

and all while you two are walking from isle to isle, eyes scanning the various book titles and covers, she sneaks glances at you and how pretty you look

and the fact that you seem very deep in thought, heavily concentrated on getting her the right book, makes her feel less concerned on whether or not you’d rather be with her or not

the answer is obviously a yes but mikasa has a hard time understanding that sometimes

so when you give her the book you bought for her, making sure to lightly touch her fingers while you hand it to her, she already knows that another date is what she wants you both to have or else she’ll probably explode

and based off of how flushed she looks, the possibility of her exploding is not highly unlikely

you guys will sit at this little table in the corner of the store, reading your books

i can picture mikasa annotating certain lines that remind her of you, making mental notes to show you later

overall, the date is pretty lowkey and very sweet

connie springer: dave + busters/bowling

ok there’s not much of an explanation for this one besides the point that if feels right

like connie is pretty energetic and i feel like you can learn a lot about a person based off of the games they’re drawn to

hence the arcade

i think connie really likes those racing games or the zombie shooting games

he also claims he’s really good at ski ball (he’s not, he’s trash)

so a good portion of the date consists of you just laughing at him the whole time cuz in all honestly he’s not the best at games but he enjoys them for the fun of them

he’d definitely cheer you on when you were playing or try to mess you up if it was you two against each other

but either way he’d give you a hug or a pat on the head after every game

even if u beat him

he’d probably try to sneak a kiss when you guys were in one of those shooting games that requires a booth and the curtains drawn (does that make sense?)

it’s not really romantic like at all, especially since it smells like a million different people in there, but it’s very low stress so in all honesty that’s what makes the kiss nice

and after you guys had used up all your tokens, you’d combine your tickets and pick something together

your prizes would mostly consist of candy and him insisting he get you a plastic gem ring so you can always remember your first date together

it was also his little, strange way of asking you for a second date

levi ackerman: art museum

unlike connie, he’s not super energetic

so a museum is right up his alley

levi’s a bit awkward, he doesn’t really know how to talk to you

and especially since you’re lovely, his words jumble together and he gets all flustered

so a nice, quiet museum exhibit is perfect for him

it’s a nice balance between casual and formal, so you both dress nice but aren’t restricted by the need to be super polite and stuff

he’d probably like it when you try to imitate the poses that are shown in the paintings or sculptures

just imagine the soft chuckle he’d be unable to prevent from escaping his lips which then melts into a soft smirk

beautiful, beautiful lad

he probably wouldn’t join you though, he doesn’t want to embarrass himself

he just smiles at you and stares at the art, reading the background info they give on those little plates near them

but he would notice when you stare at him

he could be looking at some art made during the dutch golden age, but as soon as your head slightly tilted in his direction, his cheeks would HEAT up

you almost asked him if he was feeling alright he was so red

but as the date went on, levi really just thought about how much he enjoyed your presence

and he’s not a wicked talkative guy so being able to feel comfortable with someone even if you aren’t talking or doing much is pretty important to him

as the date concludes, levi finally works up the courage to place his hand on your shoulder, asking if there was anything else you wanted to see before the museum closes for the day

his face might be bright red, but the smile you give him makes him feel a little less embarrassed

what can you say, you’ve got charm 💅

hange: the fucking zoo

ok i won’t lie when i got the idea of hange taking you to the zoo for your first date i thought it was so funny and idk why

like they’d be so excited that they’d nearly forget that they’re on a date with you

they’d drag you around from exhibit to exhibit, pointing out the exact breed of tortoise or some really strange fact about the zebras without looking at the little description panel in front of the exhibit

it’s pretty comical

but then randomly, when you guys are sitting down and eating some fries from one of the concession stands, they start going on a rant about animal cruelty and how a lot of zoos don’t treat the animals properly

and you’re just sitting there like “what 🧍‍♀️” cuz they’re mood changed so quickly LMAO

and as soon as their rant started, it finishes and they’re rushing you to the reptile exhibit

they’d probably try to figure out if they could hold one of the snakes

you’d have to drag them out of there before they start harassing one of the workers into letting them hold a snake

they’d also give all of the animals names only to forget them in 2 seconds

“hey, robert, it’s good to see you again!” “hange, i thought you named them dante?” “oh... did i? 😁”

however there’s probably like one animal they absolutely despise and idk why but i feel like it’s parrots

y’all would be walking through this rainforest exhibit, birds flying from tree to tree and the whole time they’re cursing the birds under their breath for no reason at all

just an angry person walking through a rainforest exhibit, cursing out birds

pretty normal if you ask me

however, the date itself is pretty casual and almost feels like you guys are just hanging out

or it would if they didn’t ask you out on another date before dropping you off at home, kissing your cheek as their farewell

pieck finger: café

very simple and quaint

i feel like pieck has a coffee addiction and always puts her in a better mood

so what better place to go on a date then a café?

she’s definitely an iced coffee drinker, and will occasionally go for a hot drink but usually iced coffee is her go-to

and if you get a coffee or tea that she also happens to like, you’re already practically golden in her eyes

since pieck has a very soothing and lowkey nature, i can see the date being much more just like a conversation with someone you’ve known for forever instead of interview-y which is something i’ve found coffee/lunch/dinner dates to be a bit like

but pieck knows how to keep things interesting and she’s a pretty calming person to be around so all is well

i also can’t see her getting super nervous before the date

she seems pretty calm unless in high-stress situations, but even then, she’s pretty level-headed

but since she’s so calm, it makes you wonder if she really cares for the date

and of COURSE she does, she’s so excited about it

it’s just the way pieck is

but as the date continues, she’d probably start to tease you by playing footsies under the table

you gotta keep the date interesting, you know?

you guys would talk about your interests, family, friends, shows you’re watching

literally just anything and everything that’ll allow you guys to get a feel for each other

and if all goes well she’ll definitely suggest another date ;)

also don’t expect to leave without her either writing something cute on your cup, pressing a lip-stick stained kiss to your cheek that matches the one surrounding the rim of her cup, or a promise that your game of footsies will continue next time you see each other

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zmalkarnar1 · 4 years

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What About Us? Part II: Oikawa x Male Reader

Here is the second part of the Oikawa x Male reader I posted the other week. Wasn’t satisfied leaving it where it was.

Again, if you aren’t ahead in the manga there are spoilers. Enjoy.

“Iwa-chan, I have to get this done!”

“No. You need a break Y/n.” Iwaizumi said, pulling Y/n away from his computer and through his pigsty apartment.

“But Iwaizumi, just another thirty minutes...no, just another hour and I can be done with this piece,” Y/n whined, pulling back towards his pc.

“Y/n, we agreed to meet with Hanamaki and Matsukawa for lunch. We would’ve been there already, but I swear you’re as bad as Trashykawa, forgetting everything except your art.”

“Just a little bit, I just need a little more time,” Y/n pleaded, trying to pull away from Iwaizumi.

“Y/n. I will carry your ass outside and drag you by your ear.”

“But Iwa-chan…”

“Now,” he said, arms crossed, exasperated as if he was dealing with a child. He probably was. Y/n wilted under Iwaizumi’s gaze, and slowly got up, shoulders slouched. Iwaizumi hung his arm around him.

“It’ll be fine. Some time with friends will do you good.

Giving d/n a pat goodbye, Y/n let Iwaizumi lead the way to the restaurant they had promised to meet their friends. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Y/n’s eyes gazed at the surrounding cityscape, the final vestiges of winter fading away as the new birth of spring sprouted forward. Iwaizumi was right; he needed a break. Though he’d never admit it to his friend. Even his walks with d/n have been little more than fever dreams to him, everything was focused back on his work.

“Man, it's nice out. You should have told me the weather was this great,” Y/n teased knowing full well Iwaizumi had done just that.

Iwaizumi stopped and stared deadpan at Y/n. He’d forgotten that Y/n was sometimes just as bad as Oikawa, well, not quite as bad. At least, he’s gotten worse ever since they left high school. Iwaizumi always let it slide; he figured it was how Y/n dealt with all the stress piling up on him. Y/n was always cheerful, and a bit of a tease, but Iwaizumi knew that more often than not, it was a façade, a smokescreen. He was hiding his pain, just like he did in high school. Iwaizumi wasn’t fooled however.

“You’re really tired, aren’t you?”

“Huh? No more than normal,” Y/n said, that ghost of a smile returning to his face. “Why’d you ask? Worried about me?”

“Yes, I am. Trashykawa told me how you’ve been working yourself into a mental breakdown,”

“Oikawa, that snitch!” Y/n cursed under his breath. He should have known Tooru was going to rat on him to Iwaizumi.

“Yea, he is, but you really can’t keep on like this. Ever since he went back to Argentina you’ve been even more of a recluse. You barely even check your texts!” Iwaizumi said

Y/n sighed, letting his walls lip for a moment. Iwaizumi was right. He was always consumed with work. He loved his aft, his animation. He loved that his work was enjoyed and held dear to thousands around the world. Despite the high demands of his employers, and the fact he barely survives week to week, he still loved art. But now it was something else.

Ever since he had met Tooru that winter, it's like he was woken up from a trance. After they left high school, all throughout college, everything had happened so fast. His mother sick, his father leaving; Y/n was exhausted and broken down. Before Oikawa showed up, he was barely alive, just walking through each day, one after the other, barely recognizing the world around him. He had lost so much, and, Y/n admitted, work allowed him an excuse to bury his exhaustion and pain deep inside, trapped behind a wall so thick he became numb to the emotions roiling inside of him. His pain and tears hidden away, his work was the perfect escape, despite the endless tasks his job required. It was his way to shy away from the world. Better to be busy than alone.

It wasn’t that he didn’t cry, or feel the loss of his family, he just didn’t want to confront it, not alone like he was. He didn’t want to feel so hollow, so torn, alone. So he worked, and worked, until Tooru showed up on his evening walk one winter day, and the dam that had begun to leak from overwork and exhaustion burst. His memories and old feelings he left unresolved boiling to the surface. And now he couldn’t get his mind off of Oikawa. Oikawa, who sent him a text encouraging him each day, a word of support awaiting him on his phone each morning as he woke.

And every week, Tooru found time to call him, sharing volleyball stories and giving Y/n a chance to destress from work. Each call happened during Y/n’s waking hours, which meant Oikawa must have been getting up at ungodly hours just for a chat. With Y/n’s unresolved feelings with Tooru came all his damned emotions, threatening to tear him apart, and the last thing he wanted to do was show weakness to his friends again.

So, Y/n did the only thing he knew, throwing himself into a job that was slowly killing him. He stopped responding immediately to Oikawa’s morning texts. He let the past two calls go to voicemail. Too busy with work, deadlines with animes being pushed up. He could talk next week.

Y/n vaguely remembered talking with Oikawa for a few minutes before making a weak excuse about work again. In truth, he really didn’t want to handle these emotions right now, and as stressful as work could be, his art allowed him to be numb and bury them all away. But since Tooru kept coming back, it was getting harder and harder to hold them in check.

“You know Y/n, you’re going to have to deal with your feelings and emotions eventually,” Iwaizumi said

Y/n stumbled, “What? What do you mean?”

“Even a blind man can see that you’re hiding your feelings for Oikawa behind your work. You’ve done that for years. You’re going to have to face him eventually.” Iwaizumi said, shrugging. Perhaps Y/n wasn’t as good an actor as he thought.

“This coming from you? All your emotion is wrapped up in violence,” Y/n scoffed.

“At least I’m a stable, functioning adult.”

“Hey! I’m functioning!” Y/n argued

“You’d forget to buy food if I didn’t stop around every once and a while.”

“That only happened once!”

“It’s not my fault the two of you have the emotional intelligence of a toddler.” Iwaizumi said

“Iwa-chan, so mean” Y/n whined in imitation of Oikawa

“Don’t be like him or I’ll whack you!” Iwaizumi laughed, “Anyways, you really are going to need to find some way to work through your emotions. You’ve held in everything that’s happened since high school and your mother’s death. Consider this an intervention.”

“I know,” Y/n said, aware that he was right. “Food first. Emotions can wait.” Forever, if Y/n had his choice. “How’s work with the national team going?”

“It’s busy. Honestly, I’m always a little worried that Ushijima is going to break Hinata’s face one of these days at the rare times the team is actually together.”

“Must be fun though,” Y/n hummed.

Y/n let Iwaizumi ramble on about his work, glad to be off the topic of the emotional wreck that is his life. He didn’t really listen, and he knew Iwaizumi could tell, but he couldn’t focus on the words. Oikawa was back in his head, and he kept wondering when he’d be able to move past it all.

By the time they made their way to the restaurant, Maki and Mattsun were already there. They already had drinks. Apparently they’d been waiting a while. How late was he? As he went to sit next to Iwaizumi, Makki was already teasing him.

“You know, I remember when you’d get all flustered why you were even a minute late to class,”

Y/n blushed, “Oh shut up Makki. At least I passed all my classes. What was your Algebra II grade again?”

“He’s right. Remember when Y/n panicked when he forgot about the English test?” Mattsun said,

“Oh, I won’t forget that,” Iwaizumi laughed, slapping Y/n on the back, “Was so afraid of failing he skipped class, hiding in a broom closet, and somehow managed to lock himself in.”

“Stop it!” Y/n whined, “I left my work for this!” The others just laughed. It was all in good fun, he knew.

As their food came and went, Y/n allowed himself to step away from work and enjoy an afternoon with old friends. He still kept his walls up though. He was strong enough to not fall apart in front of his friends.

“So how is Oikawa?” Mattsun asked, bringing up the topic that Y/n had been purposely avoiding for the entire lunch.

“He’s fine, I guess.” Y/n said, “Big game coming up in a week or two.”

“You guess? Aren’t you talking to him every week?” Makki asked

“Y/n here has been ghosting him because he’s afraid that he likes him again,” Iwaizumi teased

“Iwa-chan, stop it!”

“Oh, stop pretending you don’t care for him. We can all tell you’re still inexplicably obsessed with Oikawa.”

“Stop it!” Y/n begged, a slight blush forming, “Can we change the topic. Please?”

“Ok, we’ll stop teasing you. For now.” Iwaizumi said, as Y/n nodded gratefully.

Y/n left the restaurant with Iwaizumi, heading back to take d/n for his afternoon walk to the park.

“What are you going to do Y/n? You really can’t keep on like this.”

“I know. I’ll figure something out. Thanks Iwa-chan,”

“I can walk with you and d/n for a bit if you want,” Iwaizumi said, “I have nothing else planned today,”

“No thanks. I need to think this through on my own,” Y/n said, waving farewell to Iwaizumi.

And then he was alone again, walking d/n down the very path that brought him to his fateful reunion with this old boyfriend, and shattered the illusion he had been living under. If he could even call it living.

“What do I do, d/n?” Y/n whispered, scratching the dog’s ears before throwing his tennis ball again, watching d/n rush through the dog park after it.

I still like him. God I don’t want to feel like this anymore.

Y/n took a seat on the new spring growth of grass as d/n came bounding back to him. The animal, sensing Y/n’s discomfort, sat down next to him and dropped his head on Y/n’s shoulder.

Y/n chuckled, scratching his ears again, “Thanks d/n.”

Sitting together with d/n, Y/n knew what he had to do. Before he did anything else, he needed to resolve things with Oikawa, however they played out. He took out his phone and rang Iwaizumi. He was going to need a big favor.

Oikawa sat down in the locker room before the game. It was the biggest game of the year. Biggest game since the Olympics the previous summer. This game would decide if him and his team would enter into the Men's Volleyball Club World Championship Tournament. Tobio was sure to be there. Oikawa would too, in order to show his former underclassmen that he was now the superior setter.

Yet for the first time, his mind wasn’t entirely on the game. No matter how he tried to settle in and prepare as normal, his thoughts drifted back to Y/n./ Y/n had been ghosting him. Not fully, but even when they did talk, he had been distant and full of excuses in order to slip away. And then suddenly he texted saying they had something they needed to talk about.

Oikawa was worried. Has something happened? Had he pushed too hard? He wanted to give him space, but he was worried for his old friend. His love. Was Y/n okay, or was it that he just didn’t want to talk with Oikawa anymore? Was their relationship truly and fully broken? Never had Oikawa been so distracted from volleyball. He knew he dealt with the break up by throwing himself further into the game. But now that he’d had that chance meeting, he couldn’t deny it; he still loved Y/n. Because no matter what happened, he was always the one who supported his volleyball dream, and was there for every win and every loss. He left the locker room, his thoughts still lost and confused.

Y/n cheered, poster in hand, as the players emerged onto the court to warm up. He had watched the Olympic games, but this was his first time seeing a league game. It’s not like they showed Argentine Volleyball League games in Japan. When the game started, he only had eyes for Oikawa

Tooru’s game was off. Y/n could tell that something was bothering him. He could see him make mistakes, however slight, preventing his team from getting into a rhythm. A toss too high, one too close to the net. The game was still close, but Tooru’s team just couldn’t seem to take the lead. Y/n felt a little guilty. Was it him, his ghosting, his late night message, throwing his old friend off?

It can’t be. Nothing has ever broken his focus from Volleyball before…

Oikawa muttered to himself. He wasn’t playing well. By no means was it bad, but his tosses refused to leave his hands the way they should. They were always just a touch off. Too low here, too far from the net there. And then he’d scramble, overcompensating for the next one. And his team became unhinged.

Their receives became shaky, and their spikes wild as they began to rush. A setter's job was to restore balance to his team. That’s what Blanco would have done. But today, Oikawa was spinning them closer and closer to disaster. He was the farthest he’d ever been from reaching his goal. He couldn’t get Y/n off his mind. Even his serves faltered.

They went down the first set. It was okay. It was only one set. The second they brought to a deuce, but fell a few rallies later. His chances of making the Club World Championship this year slipping further and further away. And still Y/n invaded his thoughts. They’d have to be perfect the rest of the match.

But things started off the same way. Oikawa’s first serve slamming down just outside the line. 0-1. The next few rallies were short, but slowly and surely they fell behind. 7-9. Oikawa’s toss went just a breadth too high again, and the spike was dug, blasting back down on their side of the court. 7-10. The serve came at them, their libero flying it high up above the team. A good receive, if a little off center. Under it right away, Tooru set it to his middle blocker, already in the air. It was good, and the quick passed through the block, only to be dug before it could reach the floor. Back at them, barely dug, Oikawa’s team scrambled to get it over, a chance ball for their opponents. The toss flew up, the block in place and shutting down the avenues of attack. The spike came down hard anyways, blasting off the block and heading towards the stands.

Oikawa was after it a split second later, diving into the group towards the sign boards, he blasted the ball back up in the air to his team. But as he scrambled up, something in the second row caught his eyes. He usually ignored the crowds during games like these, but a poster was written in Japanese, and he couldn’t help but stop to read it, even as his team were barely treading enough water to keep their heads above the stormy surf of the match.

Go Tooru, Go. Rule the Court.

Only one person would create a banner like that for him. Still on his knees, he brought his gaze up and me e/c eyes sparkling down at him, Y/n’s smile full and invigorating, cheering his name. “Go Tooru, go!”

Oikawa froze. His mind went blank. Every time he tried to bring it back to the game, it fell apart. Only one thought remained.

Y/n is here. Cheering for me. In Argentina, in the front rows, watching and cheering for me. He came all the way across the globe to watch me play.

For the first time that he could remember, Oikawa completely forgot about volleyball as the rally ended, him still staring up at Y/n. He completely forgot about volleyball. At that moment the only thought going through his mind was that no matter what happened, him and Y/n were going to be okay. Then he heard his voice again, screaming over the crowd.

“Remember Tooru, the team strongest as a group of six is the stronger team!” Y/n called out.

All the frustration and worries wracking his mind fell away and he was back into the game. With Y/n at his back, nothing could go wrong. And he remembered Iwa-chan’s words. Stronger as a group of six. He’d been trying to force everything on his own, just like when he was a kid.

Tooru stood up, shaking his head and dusting off his jersey. Looking back up to Y/n he gave him the warmest smile he could and a simple nod. Then, he was back to the game.

“Sorry,” he said to his team as he returned to the court, “but I’m back now.”

His team only nodded, seeing something change in his eyes, and the match truly began.

Y/n looked down into Tooru’s dazzling brown eyes, eyes he always seemed to get lost in. Then he realized the rally was still going on, and Tooru was still on his yankees, staring up at him as if he were a phantom. Y/n’s heart fluttered and a tear threatened to fall from his eyes. Had Tooru really forgotten about the rally? For him? Indeed, when the ball finally slammed down a moment later, Tooru was still looking up at him. Yes, Tooru really did forget about volleyball for him. Maybe, just maybe, this could work.

Maybe he does think about me as much as I think of him.

Then he was on his feet and flashed Y/n the brightest, most genuine smile he’d even seen from Tooru, his eyes enrapturing for a moment. As Tooru nodded to him, returning to his team, Y/n knew he still liked Oikawa Tooru, and it was okay.

The rest of the game flew by and Tooru melted into the match. With Y/n’s eyes at his back, he and his team flowed into each set and roared back to life, ruling the court. And every few points, Tooru turned to lock eyes with Y/n, to ensure he was still there, that he wasn’t a dream plaguing his mind. It only helped to serve to rekindle Y/n’s feelings for the brunette. It wasn’t just about volleyball. Maybe it never was.

Oikawa’s serve slammed down for another ace, ending the fifth and final set. Y/n cheered him on as his team won entrance to the Club World Championship. After celebrating with this team, Tooru ran over towards the stands, yelling for Y/n, but it was hard to hear over the screams of the crowd. Y/n took out his phone and pointed to it, screaming “Call me later!”

Y/n knew he had to spend some time working with his team, but knew Tooru got the message as he nodded and waved before trotting off. Y/n could wait one more time. He could wait once more. When Tooru was done with his team he’d come for Y/n and then...then they’ll see. Leaving the stadium, Y/n made his way to his motel, to await Tooru’s call.

What am I doing here? Halfway across the world? To do what? Confess I still love him? Why’d I let Iwaizumi get into my head?

Y/n sat in his motel room, doubt beginning to wrack his mind. He had rejected Oikawa, ultimately, by refusing to come with him again. And now, here he was, in Argentina, unable to speak the language, with no idea what he was doing, following erupting emotions he never dealt with and can no longer control. In fact, they were driving him crazy, he needed to deal with this. All he could do was wait, and he hated it.

Oikawa joined his team in their locker room. They were already celebrating, jostling each other and him, but Oikawa had thoughts only for Y/n. Even their post game meeting was a blur to him. As it ended, Tooru immediately grabbed his phone. It was flooded with pictures from his game, including a few of him on all fours gazing in disbelief up at Y/n.

“Iwa-chan will love this one,” the message below the picture read.

No! I can’t let him send that to Iwa-chan. He’d tease me for weeks.

Tooru rushed out of the locker room, not even bothering to change, his team looking at his back knowingly. He was lucky it was a home game. Even as he rushed to his car, his phone was already dialing Y/n’s number.

“Y/n, where are you at?”

“Back at my motel,” Y/n answered

“Where? I’m coming!”

With Y/n’s motel and room number, Oikawa hit the roads of San Juan to find him.

Y/n waited. Tooru was on his way. He needed to deal with this, whatever the result. But now that he was finally shifting through his emotions, the loss of his family, the loneliness, the stress of his dream tearing him apart, he began to falter. Now that he finally recognized his feelings for Tooru, he was afraid, terrified of what was to come. It made him miss the numbness of his work.

He was scared Tooru didn’t want him like he hoped he did. He was terrified that he did, and it would fall apart. He was afraid of being weak in front of Tooru again. And with those thoughts rushing through his mind, his neurons firing doubt through his brain, Tooru arrived.

“Y/n, I’m here, open up!”

The door opened with a slow whisper, but Tooru burst in, slamming the door open past Y/n, engulfing his (shorter/taller) friend into a crushing bearhug.

“Y/n, I can’t believe you came! What are you doing here? I thought you had work!?”

“Can’t breathe. Tooru, let go.”

“Sorry. But why are you here?”

“You’re all sweaty too! Couldn’t you have at least changed out of your uniform,” Y/n whined as Tooru finally let him down.

“I just had to rush over. I didn’t want you waiting for a second longer. So? I thought you didn’t want to leave Japan? Did you enjoy the game? Thanks for coming!”

“One question at a time Tooru,” Y/n laughed, “like I texted, there’s something we need to talk about. And I wanted to do it in person.”

“So, what is so important you had to fly across the globe for me?” Tooru teased

Here Y/n began to stutter, and then stop. He couldn’t do this.

“You aren’t ready yet, are you?”

Y/n shook his head.

“That’s okay. I can wait,” Tooru said, his voice quiet and gentle, stepping back to give Y/n a little space. “How about we go grab some food and head to my place. I have a spare bedroom. Might be more comfortable than this dirty motel,”

“Y/n only nodded, grabbing his stuff.”

“Hungry?”

“Starving. I used just about all of my spending money on the plane and game ticket. I haven’t had much for food.” Y/n admitted.

“That’s some planning,” Tooru laughed, “You used to try to have every detail planned out.

“Oh, shut up and drive.”

The two made their way to Oikawa’s place, eating the takeout Tooru had ordered and picked up on the way.

“How’d you get off work?”

“I, uh...spent an all nighter, or two in order to catch up. Maybe three? I don’t really remember much of it. Iwa-chan was less than pleased.” Y/n admitted, scowling when he remembered the scolding Iwaizumi had given him.

“I bet he wasn’t. What did he do?”

“Nothing fun. Speaking of Iwaizumi though, you’re a snitch. You told him,” Y/n accused.

“What? Me? I never!” Oikawa argued, dramatically trying to protest his innocence, his arms flailing around wildly.

“Hands on the wheel! I know you told him!”

“Fine, I did.” Tooru sighed, his tone getting serious, “I was worried.”

“It’s okay. I got payback.”

“What?”

“Iwaizumi and crew are going to love some of those photos,” Y/n said, smiling

“You didn’t! Please tell me you didn’t Y/n!”

“Oh, I did. Expect some hard core teasing,” Y/n laughed as Oikawa groaned.

“Come on, we’re just about there.”

To Y/n’s surprise, Oikawa’s apartment was very nice, and immaculate. Y/n imagined it would be a disaster area, much like it was when they were kids. Maybe Oikawa had grown up a bit. More than Y/n had apparently.

Tooru jumped into the shower to clean up as Y/n settled into the spare bedroom, that night they watched a movie in relative silence and turned in. Taking out his phone, Y/n began texting Iwaizumi.

Y/n: I can’t do this Iwa-chan.

Iwaizumi: Y/n, you have to deal with this, and everything else. You can’t keep bottling it up.

Y/n: Iwa-chan, I’m scared

Iwaizumi: Do you still love him?

Y/n: I think so.

Iwaizumi: Then talk to him!

Y/n: But I don’t know. Does he still love me?

Iwaizumi: No buts! I saw that photo. He is, and always has been, completely in love with you.

Y/n: Ok, ok, I’ll tell him.

Iwaizumi: Good. If not I will fly over and beat both of you till you figure this out.

Y/n slept alone in Oikawa’s spare room. He had it in case family visited, which they did from time to time.

The following day, Oikawa took Y/n sight seeing through the city of San Juan. Y/n enjoyed the sights and spending time with Tooru. However, with each passing moment his stress and fear continued to build. His gaze shifted away and each time Oikawa could see it, breaking him, what Tooru knew he should have been able to see years ago. When the day came to a close, they found themselves back in Tooru’s apartment, sitting quietly on his couch. Tooru was going to give y/n as much time as he needed.

“Tooru, I…” Y/n stopped and sat back, an exhausted sigh breaking free. Tooru could tell he was holding back tears.

“If you’re not ready yet…”

“No.” Y/n interrupted, “It’s just...I never…” Y/n sniffled, choking back his tears. Tooru’s heart began to throb in pain. He wanted nothing more than to hold Y/n in his arms, to caress him, and make his pain and fears vanish into the night. But he didn’t want to push Y/n if he wasn’t ready.

“Sorry. I promised myself i wouldn't cry,”

“You’re hurting still, aren’t you. It’s okay,” Tooru said, reaching his hand out to Y/n’s and squeezing it, hoping to reassure him.

“I just didn’t want to be weak in front of you again. It’s always like this. I hate being so weak,”

“Weak? Y/n, you aren’t weak!” Tooru argued

“Yes, yes I am. All I do is hide from everything,”

“You’re the last person I’d call weak,” Tooru said, turning his h/c friend so he can look into his pained, but pretty e/c eyes. “Y/n, I’ve seen you push through school, with top marks, virtually alone. As your dad practically abandoned you, it was you who helped your mother, even as she was sick. You who, despite everything, came to school with a smile, never late, never missing an assignment, a club meeting or practice of yours, or a single one of my games. You bore everything on your shoulders alone, often to the detriment of your health. And never once did you complain or let it break you, never once did you allow yourself to show your pain to anyone. I know now, deep down, how much pain you were really in, and you hid it so well. I was completely oblivious to it, selfishly obsessed with my own doubts. Y/n, you are my definition of strength.

“Tooru,” Y/n whispered, no longer able to hold back his tears.

“And you know what. It’s okay to be vulnerable sometimes. It’s okay to let it out. That doesn’t make you weak. You’ve been my pillar so often, will you finally let your walls down with me?”

Y/n couldn’t hold it in anymore. He fell into Tooru’s chest sobbing. His unresolved emotions from his mother’s death, the stress from his deteriorating finances, even the anger he never really dealt with resolving Tooru, all of them came flooding to the surface. And, of course, the love he still felt and buried deep beneath his skin. He allowed it all to overwhelm him finally. He could deal with it as long as Tooru was there.

Tooru held him, so gently, understanding that, despite how strong his love was, he was brittle and wounded, and whatever he needed, Tooru would provide. So he held him close and gentle as a babe and let Y/n cry it out. He rubbed his back when Y/n muttered, “I needed you, and you were never there.” Tooru understood. Part of this was because of him, because he failed to see how much pain Y/n was in during their third year.

“It’s okay, you can be vulnerable with me. I’ll never see you as any less.” Tooru whispered. “You can be as strong as you want, or as weak as you need to be Y/n, I’ll always be here. Just please, stop numbing yourself.”

They laid together until Y/n stopped crying. And then, as Y/n didn’t pull away, or talk, only snuggled closer to Tooru, he held him tighter. Together they remained in each other's arms until the early morning hours.

Tooru smiled, looking down at Y/n who had fallen asleep in his arms. He was tired. Mentally drained. Tooru would be whatever Y/n needed to be. And he’d wait, however long it took, for Y/n to forgive him and return to this permanently. He stayed awake the entire time, running his hand slowly through Y/’s blonde locks. He continued to caress him until Y/n shook awake. It was nearly two a.m.

“Tooru…” Y/n yawned, bringing his hands up to rub his eyes, “what time is it?” “Two a.m.”

“What!?” Y/n pulled away from him and Tooru freely let him pull away, already missing his warmth. “I thought I was just dozing off for a few minutes.”

“Oh, you dozed straight to sleep.” Tooru laughed

“Sorry,” Y/n said, turning away, “About this...I,”

Tooru interrupted him before he could go any further, “Again, it’s okay. I’ll be what you need me to be, and nothing more until you’re ready.”

Y/n nodded, sitting up straight, “We need to talk,”

“You ready?”

“Yea. About us.”

Tooru waited for Y/n to continue, but he went quiet. “What about us?”

“I don’t want to wait. For you. For you to finish with volleyball. To have room in your heart.”

“Y/n,” Tooru sighed, fear rising in his chest, afraid that Y/n was going to ask him to give up volleyball, to give him the ultimatum he always feared. He couldn’t choose between them, “I’m not going to stop my career,”

“I know. I don’t want you to. But I can’t wait either. I want more.”

“More?”

“I want to try again. With you. Us. I don’t want to wait. I can’t,” Y/n said, “So, is your offer still on the table?” “...you’re sure?” Tooru whispered, hoping that he wasn’t asleep on his couch, that this wasn’t just another nightmare meant to torture him.

“I am. I need to know. Ever since we met at New Years, everything came to a head. Realize I was drowning myself in my work, using it as an excuse to ignore everything else. I did that in college too. I’ve ignored the feelings of my mothers death, my dream, and you. But when you showed up…I can’t do it anymore. But I need to know. I want more. Is there any way we can work? Yes or no, I need to know before I move on. That’s why I’m here.

“You aren’t kidding right?”

“No. So, is your offer still open?”

“Yes!” Tooru yelled, pulling Y/n into another crushing bear hug and pulling Y/n down onto the couch on top of him. “Of course my offer is open. And I want nothing more than for us to work. But I can’t be here all the time either,”

Y/n looked away, fearful for just a moment,

“But, that said, if you give me the chance, I will do everything I can to make you feel loved, to be your pillar, to hold you when you need to be vulnerable. I won’t abandon you like before. I’m stronger now. I’ve learned to balance volleyball and the rest of my life. I can make this work. I promise.”

Y/n smiled. “Then maybe, maybe I’ll be alright,”

“Can I kiss you?” Tooru asked.

“Yes.”

Tooru flipped Y/n over so his back was on the couch, Tooru looming over him. He cupped Y/n’s cheeks, pulling them in together, locking their lips. And Y/n’s fears, his pain, they weren’t gone, it didn’t vanish in a puff of smoke like a fairy tale, but with Tooru he knew he could be weak. He could allow himself to feel again. With Tooru, he knew he just might be okay.

As their lips parted, Y/n felt Tooru pick him up and carry them to his bedroom.

“You’re tired,” he said, gently placing Y/n on the bed and pulling the covers over them. “Rest now. We’ll get the details tomorrow. Sleep my darling, sleep.” Tooru pulled Y/n in close, head to his chest, and together they fell asleep in each other's arms.

“Y/n, don’t go! Not now! Please,” Tooru whined as Y/n tried to make his way to the airport security.

“Tooru, I left d/n with Iwaizumi. I imagine he’s sick of the animal. Plus, I still have to wrap up a bunch of things before I can move.”

“But we just got together n/n,” Tooru whined, pulling Y/n in for a kiss, asking for entrance with his tongue, which Y/n denied.

“Not here. At home. When I return. Then you can have all you want,” Y/n teased

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“But what if I don’t want to wait?”

“It’ll be a few weeks still. I’ll come back and then we can have some fun,” Y/n said, teasing, moving to whisper in Tooru’s ear, “Then we can figure out whatever citizenship work we need to do if we decide this works.”

“Fine, fine. Just a couple of weeks. And call me every day!” Tooru whined, reluctantly letting go of Y/n.

“I love you Tooru,” Y/n said, as he moved away to get through security.

“I love you too Y/n.”

One year later:

Oikawa’s serve blasted into the back corner of the opponent’s court. The libero dove for it, making contact, but the ball went spinning out of control, well out of reach of any of the opposing team members. The set came to an end, 25-19. There was only one set left.

Y/n cheered for his boyfriend before looking back down at his notebook. He had promised not to work today, but he snuck in some of his art without Tooru noticing. He was working on his own manga. He had yet to get anything officially off the ground. Most of his work had been denied, but he knew that in the writing business, that is the norm more often than not. It was okay. He would continue to work until he made that dream a reality. As for his animation, he still worked from home in their shared apartment, but had lightened his workload. And in a lucky break, one of his supervisors left and recommended him as her replacement. He now almost made something resembling a liveable wage.

He was lost in his art. He knew that Tooru would be meeting with his team between the sets and could sneak in a bit of editing and drawing. Despite being in the front, right behind the bench, he was sure he’d be safe from Tooru’s eyes. But he was so absorbed in his art, he didn’t notice when Tooru came striding up to him, hands on his hips glaring at the artwork.

“You were supposed to be taking a day off, Y/n,”

Y/n jumped, and slowly closed his sketchbook, trying to hide it beneath the chair, “What do you mean Tooru, I am” he smiled, pretending to be innocent.

Tooru sighed, “You’re as hopeless as I am. Come on,” he said, grabbing Y/n’s arm and pulling him onto the court behind the bench.

“Tooru, what are you doing, the fifth set is about to start!”

“Don’t worry, both teams agreed to a short disruption, come on,” Tooru said, pulling him onto the court.

“Tooru, why are we on the court?” Y/n asked, blushing, unused to being in the spotlight with crowds staring down at them, many as confused as him.

“Look up.”

Y/n followed Tooru’s finger up to the screens above the court. Usually showing the game on the court, or replays, the screens now read the words, “Will you marry me, Y/n?”

Y/n turned to glare at Tooru, “Really. You are proposing to me during the middle of a volleyball game.” “Yes. I wanted to show you that I love you just as much as I love volleyball,” Tooru said, “Maybe a little bit more even,” Y/n sighed, “You know, this is a low move. I almost have to say yes, with everyone watching.”

“I’m sorry,” Tooru whispered, “Are you really that uncomfortable?”

“You’re lucky you already knew I was going to say yes,” Y/n muttered, knowing they had discussed the possibility in detail over the past month or so. Y/n shook his head and pulled Tooru in a kiss on the middle of the volleyball court. “Does that answer your question?”

Tooru pulled Y/n into another hug, leading him back to the bench as the crowds cheered. Y/n watched from the bench as the fifth set continued forward. He still wasn’t where he wanted to be yet, but Y/n knew that he and Tooru were going to be alright. He would let Tooru help rebuild him. He could make it through anything as long as he had his husband by his side.

Here’s the ending. Not sure I like it, but it’s what came out. Again, sorry it’s so long. Too all those who distract themselves through work. Hope you enjoyed.

#oikawa x male reader #tooru x male reader #haikyuu x male reader #oikawa tooru

128 notes · View notes

farty-city · 3 years

Text

inside bo burnham review no one asked for

i enjoy other peoples commentary and i was writing down my first thoughts anyway so here it is

inside

first song/intro song

i like the phone screen on him, very reflective of how we have had phone screens on us

“roberts been a little depressed” osnskjdnfs

they were right “daddys made you some content so open wide” hjbfafn

intro

oh my god he looks awful

but like in a cute way

maybe

healing the world with comedy (second song)

the canned and queued laugher no exactly… is it a symbol or is it just funny.. who's to say.

it think its a good first song, establishing he knows what he is doing is kind of useless

“the indescribable power of your comedy”

he looks like marc maron rn

i like the synthed voice and synthesizer

the jesus allusion … yeah

“i'm a special kind of white guy”

this feels like he knows how he is perceived by fans.. Make happy was too much

his fucking dancing fksjdnfksj

i think he did a good job looking manic

the lasers lmao

Side 1

Bo made a huge gamble releasing this like,,, what if you just stumbled upon it and this was ur first introduction to him..

I bet its like when i comment dumb things on instagram comments and get that rush of hehehehe

NO NOT BO DEVELOPING BILLIE EILLISH VOWELS

Also this is exactly what he wanted like,, he just wanted to make his things and not deal with the crowds so..

To think i was like finding scraps of him performing at largo and stuff and now,, so much content

life imitates art

the way he's literally what he wrote hgbkdf

there is no authenticity with cameras

suicide ?

facetime with my mom tonight

the blue light.. Yeah

o hblue like sad

i don't know how i feel about the electric music but i guess its no different than whatever else i listen to

this is sad wow

still catchy etc

side 2

i wonder if here will be any fart jokes

that is how the world works (songs)

the huge mess and then him in a sweater

this is reminiscent of that walmart muppets

he became tim minchin with a sock puppet

the “yes… yes sir” stoppp

jkgdsnfijwkensfosnf

qbejfnjne

nerjgnoejns

bo making a political statement and a metaphor for activism and then making it weirdly kinky

brand consultant (bit)

man bun

i have to believe he filmed it with the beard because quarantine vibes and also bc he was tired of being seen as a child

white womans instagram (song)

i did not like that intro

BO AND GLASSES THANK GOD

the daisies wow just wow

underwear

“white womans instagram” or “bo burnham becomes a girlboss”

i like that he didn't lose his cadence like the way the rhymes are you can still tell its him

i don't get the mom part sorry

is it like how people are very superficial but also very personal on their instagrams

this part was legit sad

side 3

i wonder how he felt with cameras constantly on him

Although this is the point hes trying to make

lol seinfeld moment (bit)

unpaid intern (bit and song)

“barely people somehow legal” was so smooth woW

omg he was scatting

he was a man who would scat

oh my god what great news

the react clip omg

i cant believe he did that oh my god

observation/critisism and response to the “can anyone shut the fuck up”

and as i realized what he was doing he was like “i have this need for everything i make to have a deeper meaning” oh my god

now the question is how long will this go on?

jeffrey bezos (song)

idk its catchy

and then theres him like sleeping and talking which kind of is part of the jeff bezos song

bug eyes salamanders hehe

sexting (song)

i do believe this is just a silly song

the earrings tho omg

sounds like post malone hbkjdsnfskj

idk its still about like intimacy in quarantine and that stuff..

the knife (bit)

i know hes copying like other youtubers but like,,, what

stuck in a room (song)

the intro is very funny and relatable

classic bo i love it

i will say this special has been more reflective but i suppose it has to be

“look whos inside again”

i like the end too, this is all a fabrication

this is the clip where hes staring at the projection of himself from his old youtube videos which is sort of more like an ending to the “stuck in my room” song

sorry (song)

i love the 80’s style music and its like zumba

oh this is like an apology song

“father please forgive me for i did not realise what i did, or that id live to regret it” what a catchy line

i would say this is another more “classic” bo song where its self aware and funny

“my closet it chalk full of stuff that is vaguely shitty”

camera falling

this deserves its own bullet because its silly

i'm turning 30 (bit and song)

i remember him talking about this on a podcast and like,, damn i didn't know this also happened LOL

i really like how he did the lighting

“stupid fucking ugly boring children”

suicide talk (1)

this is interesting i like the use of the projection

this is something that could never have happened onstage

just like with the it being projected on him

i guess it could but it would have to be done differently and probably hed have to make it funnier to make it more engaging

intermission

i just checked this is about the halfway point.. Mh

i don't wanna know (song)

“i thought it’d be over by now”

i wish this was longer but i kind of like how its just a little snippet and then the cut

video game (bit)

“i guess i’ll cry again”

“is the dude big or is the room small” lol

hm depression

feelin like shit (song)

ohh the lighting is fun again

this is the tone shift i suppose

the feels like supalonely and the new kind of music

atl

panic attack

everything all of the time (song)

feels like brandon rogers

i enjoy this

this feels like “welcome to youtube” grew up

“a little bit of everything all of the time”

“apathys a tragedy and boredoms a crime”

ok olivia rodrigo

finishing the special (bit)

these feel like diary entries but as standup

interesting choice

jeffery bezos (2)

Why the seaweed suit

Where did he get that

the digital space (bit)

suit up, gather what is needed, and return to the surface

damn

pirate map anfdkjfnskjd

this was so stupid (affectonate)

that funny feeling (song)

the campfire vibes

kenny loggins

i don't get it..

is it about childhood, is it about the present?

i think its talking about the end of content?

“the end of culture”, to quote make happy

change and not liking it

“we were overdue, but it will be over soon”

if the second half of the special is like a panic attack this song is like a momentary pause before it gets worse

“so ive been working on this special”/breakdown

this was .. uncomfortable and genuine which i'm sure is why he kept it

all eyes on me (song/rant)

another sad thing to watch.. damn

me trying to tell if the audio was from make happy

i think he was trying to make it as if the audio was from make happy

this feels.. familiar

and obviously that is the point

“come on in the waters fine”

the use of autotune during the talking part... yeah

sad that he was gonna make another special… and it would have been totally different than this

i’ve decided i like the homage to make happy

It feels like hes made peace with it

the montage of him waking up and the “i think i'm done”

and then of course the ending where he's watching it over to remind us that its all fabricated

possible ending song/ “i promise to never go outside again”

ngl he looks good in the shirt with the haircut hehe

which i feel like is what he wants up to notice

and then like not think after we saw all his breakdowns

“i want to hear you tell a joke when no ones laughing in the background”

i really like the medley

Final thoughts

I want a blooper reel, but this doesn't seem like the kind of special

I also wonder if the songs will be on like apple music, but again, doesn't seem like the kind of special

I'm happy for him, he got to be honest and open and show us the sort of panicky stuff

this self aware comedy is exactly the stuff that i think will be making a comeback in the next decade. John better be pulling up with more deconstructed comedy.

I hope this has given him peace

#i am so sorry for clogging the feed #bo burnham #inside #inside bo burnham #make happy #what.#words words words #bo fo sho #oh bo

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talesmaniac89 · 4 years

Text

Choices - You Chose Dean

New to Choices? Start Here

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Summary: Choices is an interactive Supernatural choose your own adventure story where your choices determine the outcome and whether it’s a Dean x Reader or Sam x Reader. Go to the intro to start your story now!

Triggers: None really, some mention of Dean putting himself in harm’s way.

Choice: [You chose Dean Winchester]

Y/N = Your Name

—

“Right… So, to make sure we’re ready…” Dean said with a sigh, eyeing the signs as they passed by. The tense tone and hard voice of a soldier enough for you to tell you were quickly closing in on the farmhouse in question.

“There’s supposed to be five demons in there. We’ll have to take ‘em all out fast. Try to catch them off guard,” Dean spoke over the music, echoing the earlier plan and case details. Though you didn’t mind. It was better to be prepared. Know the case inside out. Especially when you were dealing with those slimy black-eyed bastards. They tended to try and wiggle their way free if you left them even the slightest bit of breathing room.

According to the briefing, the five demons had made themselves a cosy little home in the middle of farm town USA. Happily living their best evil little lives and causing havoc wherever they went. But they weren’t big shots. So, the fight shouldn’t be too hard for three experienced hunters. In, out, find a motel for a snooze if necessary and home in time for lunch tomorrow.

“We’ll have to split up. (Y/N), I think…” Dean started, those infuriatingly striking green eyes glancing up at you through the rear-view mirror and nearly leaving you tongue-tied. Damn him and his… Gorgeous fucking bastard. You couldn’t even think straight. Dean Winchester did things to your mind; filthy, explicit, breathless things. Leaving you mentally winded and unable to string two words together with just a flash of green or a blinding smile.

Yet you somehow still managed to get the protest out before he finished his sentence. The stubbornness of a hunter tackling the wanton daydreamer in you to the floor and wrestling the not-so-innocent devil on your shoulder into submission for long enough to let you find your voice again.

“I’m not sitting this one out Winchester,” You snapped back. Allowing your annoyance to mask the way the hunter always left you winded as you shot down Dean’s attempt to keep you out of harm's way. Like he did every hunt. Disguised as you either taking on the research-, backup- or otherwise removed from action roles.

Though he always failed. You were just as unwilling to see him hurt as he was to see anyone hurt. There was no way in hell you’d be able to sit a fight out and risk the man you loved (oh so very secretly and silently mind you) get hurt because of it.

“Alright… But you’re staying behind me,” Dean sighed after a moment. Clearly sensing the fight brewing as he backed off quite easily. Plus, even the infuriatingly protective hunter had to agree that 3 against 5 were still better odds than 2 against 5. No matter how much he wanted to go in, guns blazing, alone to keep his little brother and you out of harm’s way.

“Ok, so… We’ll head in the front, while Sammy goes around back?” You clarified; happy he’d dropped the fight for once. And doubly happy since you’d be right there by his side. Able to protect him and the heart you’d silently slipped him without him noticing.

“Yeah, after, we paint some Devil’s Traps outside. Give ‘em nowhere to run,” Dean’s voice was all business again as he revved the engine, green eyes hard as you sped down the old country roads. Straightening in your own seat, you felt the adrenaline start coursing through you. It was show time, and you were planning on kicking some serious demon ass.

---

“Nice place they’ve got here…” Raising an eyebrow, you kept your eyes on the dilapidated farmhouse through the trees as you stepped out of the car, hidden just out of view from the demon hideout. Unable to stop the disgusted shudder that crawled up your spine as snapshots from some of the goriest movies you knew flashed in front of your eyes.

It looked like something from a classic horror movie. You could nearly hear the Deliverance banjo music in the background as your eyes scanned the rickety porch and rotting wood. It was the kind of place you’d normally scream at the characters on the screen to run away from. Not in fear, but in pure exasperation. After all, nothing good was ever found in old abandoned farmhouses. The demons in the one in front of you just helped prove your point.

Following Dean to the back of the car, you kept your angel blade by your side as you busied yourself stocking up on holy water and enough iron to make Tony Stark jealous. Taking extra care to ensure everything was safely strapped to your body, and that none of the ‘pointier’ weapons would end up turning on you if you took a tumble. Though you knew you’d most likely just end up sticking to good ol’ reliable and angelic in your hand. The silver white blade thumping against your thigh matched your heartbeat. Adrenaline already coursing pleasurably through your veins from the thought of the upcoming fight.

You needed action, and you needed it fast. The nearly uncomfortable buzz in your body seemed to be reacting violently to the evil in the air, culminating in an itch in your bones that nothing but gunpowder and steel could scratch. So, as you finished building your wearable arsenal of guns, knives and all things pain-inducing, you glanced over at Dean, lips parted to get the show on the road. However, Dean wasn’t moving next to you.

The gun he’d picked up first still heavy in his palm as he stood frozen, watching you. Worry making the green summer days in his eyes cloud over like a sudden midday storm. The barely hidden pain in them squeezing at your heart as you readied yourself for words you knew would come.

“You don’t have to…”

“Yes, I do Dean,” You sighed, unwilling to even let him finish his usual attempt at making you sit the hunt out. The same frustrating song and dance as always, yet you couldn’t help the way your heart followed the rhythm of it. The kind, protective streak that made the hunter ask you that same question every time you set out to fight another monster was, after all, part of why you loved him.

Always so willing to carry every burden on his own shoulders, yet hiding that small, fragile part of himself that showed how everyone’s burdens were taking their toll. Keeping his own pain, his own burdens, hidden until he was alone in the bunker. Or at least, until he thought he was alone. You’d caught him more than once. Tired green eyes squeezed shut as he rested his head in his hands, gasping for breath through the onslaught of guilt and hurt. Strong shoulders shaking with unshed tears and the weight of the blame he placed on them.

He wanted to keep you safe. Not just you, but the whole god damned world. Still, he was just one man. One soldier in a war that had been raging since the beginning of time itself and he never put down his weapon. Always ready to jump back into the fray. Even as his armour cracked, and his blade dulled. Even as he collapsed under the weight of it all.

The family business; his life since childhood had forced him to hide away his fears as weaknesses. Shaping himself into a shield instead, as he readily threw himself into harm’s way if he believed it could save someone else. Dean Winchester lived like he had a death wish, even though he feared the unknown darkness that was waiting on the other side. Always a little too ready to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

Never seeing that he was greater than the sum of his sins. That he was good.

Never willing to believe that the world was a better place with him in it. Though to you it was. Hell… Without him in it, the world would just be a black and white imitation of its formerly vibrant self.

Because you knew the truth that he spent every waking moment trying to hide from the greedy world that just kept demanding more of its one-man army. That behind the soldier, there was a man with a big heart and a need to be loved. A young boy who was denied a childhood. A broken big brother that always blamed himself for pulling Sammy back into the life. A friend willing to sacrifice anything just to see you smile. And, a beautiful soul, who hurt and mourned deeper than anyone else whenever you failed to save someone.

Dean Winchester was a complex man.

He wasn’t just a hunter, brother, friend or secret keeper of your heart. Dean was a heartrendingly beautiful story with untold depths, a full unexplored universe. With all the nuances and colours that painted a picture of his painful history in scars, heartbreaks and timid smiles that he felt guilty for letting slip.

A story made up of all the stifled emotions and locked in screams, that easily brought those who knew him to tears. Peppered with small verses of agonisingly fragile hope and the long forgotten innocence of a childhood he never got to have. Hidden and hard to decipher among the many self-deprecating jokes and harsh rejections, yet not lost to you as it was to many others who saw the man as unfeeling and cold. Dean just had to grow up a little faster than most, it didn’t make him a monster, it didn’t make him any less human.

And you didn’t want to add new bruised and battered sentences to that story. You never wanted to be the reason for him to ever get hurt. So, as always, you told him the same thing you’d repeated for an immeasurable number of former hunts. Speaking into the quiet air around you as you grabbed one of the spray cans from the trunk.

“We’re in this together Dean. I’ve got your back, you’ve got mine. Forever,”

---

Straightening back up with a stifled groan you admired your work.

If all else failed and hunting didn’t work out, maybe you could turn to street art. The Devil’s Trap was expertly painted, if you’d say so yourself. Which you did. Albeit silently and in your own head, as to not alert the demons in the farmhouse to the right of you.

The trap you’d been assigned was the closest to the Impala, another attempt from Dean at keeping you safe. Yet, it was also the most likely escape route if the demons turned cowards and tried to run for the hills.

The sliding door just a few steps away to your right was not a planned entry point. So, they’d be most likely to try and use it to scutter away like the scared little black-eyed rats they were if it came down to that. So, your work had to be perfect. Allowing yourself just one more careful look over the symbols, you stepped back. Turning on light feet to carefully, and silently, re-join Dean by the front door.

The worry in green eyes had once more been replaced by steely determination once you made it back to the front of the farmhouse. Squaring his jaw, he watched you quietly jog up to him before just as soundlessly signalling for Sam to start moving towards the back door with a raised hand and to fingers pointed down the path around the house. His own eyes moving to lock onto the front door, weapon at the ready while he relayed the wordless orders. Missing the small nod from Sam as the younger hunter stayed crouched and quiet, moving before Dean’s hand even had time to straighten out and silently relay his next orders.

Lifting his hand to you, you frowned at the straight palm facing you. He was asking you to wait outside for his signal. To let him walk in through the front door first and act like your shield in case something went wrong.

Looking at him you gritted your teeth to keep the angry whisper at bay. Gripping your angel blade a little harder, you chose to instead just silently shake your head at him in protest. Catching his eye as he glanced away from the door to make sure you caught the order you tried to silently plead with him. But this time he wasn’t backing down.

His own wordless reply was just a repeat of the single hand gesture that was supposed to be your command and role in the coming battle. Green eyes leaving yours to cut off every silent argument you had as he kept his shoulders tense and jaw squared.

Your stubborn hunter wasn’t going to let you argue this time as he slowly but surely started moving forward, towards the door. Leaving you standing in the gravel, fuming silently.

—

Make your choice below to move the story along:

What do you do?

[Follow him in] or [Wait outside]

—

Confused or New to Choices? Start Here Choices is an interactive Supernatural choose your own adventure story where you pick your Winchester brother and go on a hunt for one of 8 different endings in total. Four for Sam and four for Dean (2 happy and 2 bad endings per brother). Go to the intro to start your story!

—

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marvella15 · 4 years

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Astaire & Rogers Rewatch Part 2: Gay Divorcee

• Once again, background info first.

After they were a smash hit in Flying Down to Rio, Astaire and Rogers were quickly paired up for another film. Gay Divorcee is an adaptation of a successful stage musical (Gay Divorce), which Astaire had starred in immediately prior to coming to Hollywood. It was the only major production he did on the stage without his sister. More on this later.

Why the name change? Execs didn’t think a gay (happy) divorce was appropriate but a happy divorcee was acceptable.

Back in the day, the only way I could watch classic films was checking them out for a dollar from my local library. When I checked out Gay Divorcee, the librarian commented that title certainly had a different connotation today than back then. This meant nothing to me as a young person at the time but now I think about that moment every time I think about this film.

• Our characters/actors: Guy (Fred Astaire), Mimi (Ginger Rogers), Aunt Hortense (Alice Brady), Egbert (Edward Everett Horton), Tonetti (Erik Rhodes).

• What kind of name is Egbert??

• “I’m on my vacation. I’m not gonna do any dancing.” Unless there’s a beautiful woman to woo, of course. Or a check to pay.

• The bugle call is heard for the first time in the Astaire/Rogers films when he begins his solo. It will pop up several more times in the next films but it originated as something funny from Astaire and Rogers’ rehearsals. In Roberta and Follow the Fleet, art imitates life in a way when the bugle call becomes a signal of their past partnership/connection.

• Guy’s gentle mocking of Mimi’s repeated calls for a porter will come back later in this film and be slyly referenced again in Swing Time.

• Heh:

Guy, hopefully: “You didn’t say goodbye.”

Mimi, coldly: “No, I didn’t.”

• The subtitles very incorrectly indicate Egbert says “asked” each time he repeats what the English messenger said when delivering Guy’s coat. Egbert, in his attempt to mimic the English accent, distinctly says, “arsed.”

• Love this exchange:

Egbert: “What’s her name?”

Guy: “I don’t know.”

Egbert: “Where does she live?”

Guy, more emphatically: “I don’t know.”

Egbert: “My, what an interesting romance.”

• Astaire often thought his singing voice sounded better right after he’d had a drink or a smoke. So he usually does one or the other (often the latter) in scenes right before singing.

• Already his speaking-singing style is to his advantage as he sings “Needle in a Haystack” while finishing getting dressed. It seems natural and effortless, the way we all sing to ourselves sometimes.

• Love how he leaps over the back of the couch and the way his tapping kicks up with the four horn blasts in the song. No one makes a more stylish exit than Fred Astaire lbr.

• Mimi, having been blocked in by Guy’s car: “Would you mind moving your car, or don’t you want it anymore?”

• And here he repeats her call for a porter to break the ice and it works. She may think he’s a little nuts but she’s clearly interested. When he asks when he can see her again, Rogers lets a look of longing and regret flash over her face. Neither the audience or Guy know yet that she’s actually still married and trying to discretely get a divorce. Going out with another man would ruin everything but this charming dork is tempting.

• Buuuut she’s not so interested that she cares at all about destroying his elaborately packed picnic basket when given the chance to speed away. And he’s so into her already, he also couldn’t care less.

• One of my favorite lines here from Guy:

Egbert: “Guy, you’re not pining for that girl are you?”

Guy: “Pining? Men don’t pine. Girls pine. Men just… suffer.”

• Ok, the “Let's K-nock K-nees” sequence is something I skip every time because it’s pointless and insane that young Betty Grable is somehow into Egbert. And that opinion has not changed.

• Hortense and Egbert are part of the comic relief but I have always found them annoying. Thy do have some good lines though:

Egbert: “You can’t have a clandestine affair between three people.”

Hortense: “Oh, that’s what you say.”

• “Your wife is safe with Tonetti. He prefers spaghetti.”

• I like that Guy legit almost leaps over the second story railing to follow Mimi before thinking better of it. He's got it bad.

• “Night and Day” is the only song from the stage musical to make it into the movie and it’s also the first dance duet Astaire and Rogers have performed since the “Carioca.” And it is worlds different and stunningly executed. Future films won’t make audiences wait nearly an hour before pairing up Astaire and Rogers for a dance.

• Although Mimi asks Guy to let her leave, she smiles instantly when he again asks her to stay. The whole time he sings to her and for most of the dance, she’s very obviously conflicted and Rogers portrays that beautifully. Some of it is the choreography but most of it is her acting. Just one of many, many examples of, as one film historian put it, Ginger Rogers realizing that “the acting did not stop when dancing began.”

• If you think I’m going to shut up about Astaire’s singing, you’re dead wrong. “Night and Day” is a love song with lines like “this torment won’t be through, ‘til you let me spend my life making love to you.” When Frank Sinatra sings that line, it’s seductive. When Fred Astaire does, it’s a sentiment straight from his heart.

• Astaire’s look when he grabs Rogers’ hand and the music kicks up as he does a little dance. Love it.

• This dance is incredibly intimate. When he twirls her in close for the first time, they lean together, noses almost touching. Her dress is pressed to his suit in several places.

• Each time they move apart, they come back together slowly, her arm gently on his shoulder, his around her waist. When they’re side by side, again noses almost touching they’re so close, a smile spreads slowly on her face and he responds in kind.

• It’s after that moment that, for the first time in the dance, he lets her go and they dance together without either holding the other, a signal of their characters’ growing intimacy and partnership. Any other “attempts” by Mimi to leave are all playacting within the dance. She is right where she wants to be.

• Two movies before a song will induce it, Astaire and Rogers dance cheek to cheek for a few brief seconds in “Night and Day.” As the music turns triumphant, he smiles and she looks a bit rapturous. He doesn’t take his gaze off her for a second and she meets his look without breaking it even after the dance is over.

• Love the tiny wiggle of Astaire’s fingers as the music dies down, his leg still lifted in the final pose of their dance.

(gif credit)

• The implications of his offer of a cigarette as her chest is heaving a bit and after such an intimate moment are, um, obvious. 😏😏😏

• A lot of this movie is about sex or the suggestion of sex. “The Continental” involves kissing while dancing. Mimi must pretend to be caught in an affair in order to get a divorce. “Night and Day” mentions “making love.” When Mimi instructs Guy to meet her in her room at midnight, he’s shocked but he shows up and more than once goes to embrace her since he assumes that’s why he’s there. But, as usual in Astaire/Rogers films, the sexiest moments are tied up in the dancing and “Night and Day” is one of the clearest examples.

• Mimi may have thought Guy was her corespondent because he “said the right words” but there’s something to be said for how suave and charming he was in their dance. Mimi had no trouble believing he might be a hot guy who was hired to help women convince their husbands they were having an affair.

• As Rogers starts to sing “The Continental,” Astaire looks at her so warmly right before the shot switches to a close-up where he’s supposed to stare affectionately at her. But his genuine look before the switch is better.

• Rogers’ dress change before “The Continental” is a good one. That negligee and hairstyle were not the most flattering and her new dress is one of my favorites.

• “The Continental” is very different than the “Carioca” even though it’s meant to replicate it in many ways. But Astaire’s control over the choreography is much more evident. He and Rogers switch from the prescribed motions of the dance to more energetic pieces seamlessly. Several times he sneaks smiles at her that appear to be Astaire himself, rather than solely his character, such as when they turn towards each other with their arms outstretched for the first time or when she begins marching forward first and he follows.

• The “three steps to the right, three to the left” move that will be integral to the choreography in Swing Time, shows up here first.

• Pretty sure he nearly gets punched in the face when they link hands and spin so each has one arm in front and one behind.

• Kissing her hand, rather than her lips, in response to the lyric “you kiss while you’re dancing,” is just the start of a longer conversation about (the lack of) kisses in Astaire/Rogers films. More later.

• The affection on both their faces in the close up near the end of the dance as they twirl around one another (in a slight mockery of the kissing other couples were doing) is very sweet. And I love the final move when he spins her towards him on that last beat and instantly smiles broadly. It’s a look I’d expect to see during rehearsals when you’ve finally done a tricky move perfectly.

• For some reason, RKO thought what people wanted was several more minutes of this song without Astaire or Rogers, and they were wrong. At 17.5 minutes, “The Continental” was the longest musical number on film until the ballet sequence in An American in Paris outran it... by one minute.

• When Astaire and Rogers do rejoin the dance briefly, you can see how well they flow together. Critics and historians have often noted that Rogers wasn’t the most technically perfect or trained of Astaire’s partners but she looks pretty damn perfect. They switch from formal dancing to tap to spins to twirling down steps and she doesn’t ever look out of her league for a second.

• And this is somehow only their second film and third on screen dance together! And yet they already look incredible??

• In the morning, Mimi and Guy’s relationship is so obviously cemented and we know it not by grandiose declarations but in the small action of her grinning and calling him “clown” after he jokes about the arrival of their breakfast.

• So Mimi’s husband shows up and doesn’t buy Tonetti is her lover for a second because duh. She calls Guy out from hiding to kiss her as proof she’s having an affair of some kind. And he obliges… by kissing her cheek somewhat ridiculously. 🤦‍♀️

• Their final dance as they get ready to leave takes them around the room. I love how he leaps over the couch, not unlike he did back when he was pining for her in “Needle in a Haystack,” and then slides across the rug to reach her in time for the next step.

• “The Table Dance” that ends the film is another carryover from the stage production. As Astaire guides Rogers from the table down to the floor, her foot doesn’t stop on the chair as his does. It goes from table to floor in one motion. For one beat both of her feet are touching nothing. The move relies entirely on his control and her trust in him. Not an easy ask, not only because of the maneuver but also because Astaire’s stage partner did hurt herself during this dance at one point and the injury eventually led to the end of her career. Maybe that’s why Astaire quickly glances down at the chair on each rotation.

• And in the final seconds, the music becomes jaunty and the pair look at each other and grin with complete sincerity. For just half a second before he grabs a hat, Astaire looks at her with that same softness you see in other moments. The way she leans into him as they exit is in character, yes, but it’s like two friends thoroughly enjoying themselves, which they were in both respects.

• So movie two finished! If you think these posts are already getting long, just you wait. Roberta is next and it’s one of my favorites.

#fred astaire #ginger rogers #the gay divorcee #classic hollywood #old hollywood #fred and ginger #astaire and rogers rewatch

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carrickbender · 4 years

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A late Sunday seven

- If you haven't done so, consider this a friendly reminder to vote. No excuses! You know exactly whats at stake, so get it done. And by doing it earlier than election day, you should be able to see if yours was scanned in and accepted. Ok, done with that PSA.

- Overheard in our kitchen:

H: Did you hear they finally found the murder hornet nest up near Blaine?

Me: Yeah, they couldn't have picked a towne more deserving.

I guess the Discovery Channel was there too, so stay tuned for some murder hornet drama. Its bound to be a stinger.

- A topical joke: So the kids are going around the room in Mr Toms 4rd grade class, talking about what their parents do for work. Everybody takes their turn, except for one kid, who seems very shy. Finally, he tells the class that his dad works as a sample collector at the sperm bank. The teacher, embarrassed a bit, asks the young man after class, "Now, is that actually what your father does for work?" The kid replies, "Actually, no. I said that because I was too embarrassed to say he works for the Trump 2020 campaign".

- I met my nutritionist this week, and she's very enthusiastic about me trying a plant based diet. As part of my new insurance's approval of me having surgery, I have to lose a certain amount of weight and keep it off, which is totally cool. Its her enthusiasm about a diet that she herself does not embrace that I find, well, annoying. But, we are going to find something that works and helps me get down the road.

- The new Borat is irreverent and biting and I laughed like hell. The scarry part? That was a real political rally in Washington state. One of the main speakers was our 19th LD rep from here who told me, during a exchange, to shut up. One of the other main speakers was the GOP candidate for governor, who helped an accused rapist evade prosecution because he didn't believe the victim(plot twist- the accused was convicted on evidence later). Sooo yeah, art imitates life, right?

- Sooooo H and I are, pretty much like everyone else, fans of the Great British Baking Show. And I cant get over how much Alice reminds me of someone I dated named Tera. The only reason I bring this up is that Tera died earlier this year. She was truly one of the smartest and most passionate people about her trade, nursing, that I've ever met. Funny, vivacious, just an amazing human who had a body that kept trying to kill her. And finally, she had enough and let it die. I havent really mourned our friendship(I havent even posted on her fb memorial wall). Our relationship was a nightmare, but our friendship was a joy. So yeah, Alice...

- This week I'm going to take some time and regroup before the proverbial shit hits the fan on the 3rd. I have a bunch of bookwork to do, loose ends to tie, and I have tracks that need work which I've been neglecting. Thank you all for keeping your proverbial porch lights on during this very dark time. Things may get a little rough, but the path of righteousness and truth isn't always an easy walk. And as we continue with seeking good trouble, learning how to follow and help lift others voices who haven't been heard, remember to pause. Reflect. Be kind to you. There comes a point where your vessel needs to be filled in order to help other pilgrims in their journey. Im taking my own advice, and I thank you all for being yourselves and making my world a better place. Much love, and many blessings!!!!

#me #this is my life #singer/songwriter #washington state #dad life #bidenharris2020 #just vote #get off your ass #murder hornets #yikes

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blog-sliverofjade · 4 years

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Of Doms & Subs 1: Can't Stop Here, This is Wolf Country

Pairing: Angus Hopper x OFC

Summary: What's a submissive female to do when she fights her nature and goes on the run as a Lone wolf to avoid being assimilated into a pack?

Word count: 6238

Master List

“Please, please, please let me get as far as Tacoma,” I begged the flagging gas gauge of my trusty old lime green Jeep. Experience told me that it was wishful thinking because traffic was bound to hit before Everett. There was undoubtedly a Seattle pack and the fewer the stops in their area, the smaller the chance of getting picked up by the local werewolves.

A schoolbus drew parallel to me in the left lane so a giant cartoon lupine mascot filled my peripheral vision. “Can’t stop here, this is wolf country,” I muttered.

If I barrelled through, gas up in Tacoma, then I could avoid the dreaded I-5 parking lot in both Seattle and Portland on the Friday of a long weekend. Even though I started out in the British Columbia Rockies my destination was the central Oregon Cascade mountains, it was faster to cut across lower British Columbia, down the I-5 corridor, and then back across the Willamette Valley.

This route also happened to avoid the territory of the famous Adam Hauptmann and his pack. Oh sure, he was the perfect gentleman in the media and his wolves were seemingly well-behaved, but you know what they say about things that are too good to be true. I was submissive and had no delusions about where I’d end up in the hierarchy. Hell, humans had taught me that long before I was Changed two weeks ago. And female werewolves were inevitably absorbed into a pack because some old grand high poobah declared that we couldn’t fly solo.

So why was I zigzagging all over the Pacific Northwest instead of rolling over like a good little bitch? Having been submissive for over thirty years, I’d long ago learned avoidance is the best way to avoid conflict. When that didn’t work, an acerbic tongue and short temper kept most people from getting too close to abuse that aspect of my personality. Too many people think that passivity is a synonym for doormat.

My luck, or rather fuel tank, ran out in the U District. Red and blue lights lit up the rearview mirror just as I squeezed through a yellow light towards a gas station. “Please don’t be for me, please don’t be for me,” I chanted as I pulled into the lot.

“Of course not, when has everything gone your way on this godsforsaken trip.” I lowered my window, plastered a meekly congenial if slightly vapid look on my face, and gripped my license and registration in a sweaty fist.

“Good evening.” The officer bent to look in the window. We both stilled the instinct we caught the other’s scent. I dropped my eyes immediately, partly to avoid staring at the scar that marred his face, and offered the documentation. Please don’t ask any questions, I prayed silently.

“Are you traveling by yourself, Ms. Jones?” Whatever deities that haven’t been listening to me can go shove it.

“Yessir. I’m headin’ back home to Oregon from visitin’ family.” Mostly the truth. I did stop in Vancouver to visit my brother. I put the Southern drawl on fairly heavy. The twang and the manners to go with often smooth the way with people in uniform, even if I hadn’t lived South of the 44th parallel in fifteen years.

“Oh, you have family here?” Must remain calm. Normal, even breaths will help control the heartrate.

“Vancouver,” I smiled. So what if it was Vancouver, Washington and not Vancouver, British Columbia?

“BC?”

“Yessir.” His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at the blithe lie.

“You must be a member of the Portland pack,” he said, eyeing my ID a little too closely for comfort now.

“Yessir.”

“I’m just gonna go run these.” My dad was a cop and his face would go blank like that whenever he was gathering evidence of my brother’s or my misdeeds. This was so many flavours of not good.

The wolf watched him walk back to his car. She liked the way he smelled. Familiar and right. Like family. If she could, she would have trotted right at his heels. At that thought, the human half kicked in and started up the engine, slammed her into gear, and peeled back out towards the onramp.

“Smart. Real smart, what’re we gonna do now?” I tapped the steering wheel in a staccato rhythm with my thumbs in time to the rock blaring from the sound system. “No license, no registration, he called your plates in before saying hi, he has your address and…” I grabbed my phone and shut it off. If the conspiracy theorists were right, they could track me via the phone. Is it paranoia if they really are out to get you?

I crossed over to the 405 and stopped in Bellevue for gas, otherwise I’d be making my getaway on foot. I leaned against the Jeep, ignoring the damp that seeped from the cold metal through my clothing, and debated the merits of taking the really scenic route of 101. Or would they expect me to leave I-5 and thus making it the safer choice by hiding in plain sight? My head was starting to hurt from trying to outthink them.

The gas fumes seared my nose so I couldn’t smell the driver of the Mazda 3 that pulled up behind me until he approached the squeegee station between us. Studiously avoiding eye contact, I screwed the cap back on and nestled the nozzle back in its hook. Slowly, no sudden moves.

I slid behind the wheel and as the engine turned over a cop car blazed into the station to block me against the Mazda. It looks cool in the movies. Less so if you’re the one trapped. I shut off the engine, folded my arms, and leaned back in a huff. My license and registration slipped through the three-inch gap at the top of the window. I snatched them up and tossed them in my purse without pausing in my attempt to mentally set his car on fire. Unfortunately, lycanthropy didn’t come with pyrokinesis. In the movies fiery explosions usually follow when there are confrontations in gas stations. Too bad life wasn’t imitating art in this case.

“I take it you know the law.” The scarred officer was not referring to any statutes written by man. “You can either come and meet our Alpha or I can arrest you and then you can meet him.” There was no threat in his words. He sounded as if he were inviting me over for dinner, which might actually be the case. I resisted the urge to hit the steering wheel. It would likely crumple now that I had preternatural strength.

“Fine. So where am I following you to meet your lord and master?”

“Matt here will be your driver,” he gestured to the guy who’d blocked me in. Mazda Matt leaned against his car door with his arms folded across his chest, watching the exchange with a slight smirk. “Shane will follow in your car.” A third man I hadn’t noticed before was mirroring Matt’s pose on the other side of the car.

I sighed and glanced at my phone. Even if they let me use it, who would I call? Hi big bro, I’m being kidnapped by werewolves. Please send in the National Guard. Tanks work against werewolves, right? I kicked open the door, forcing the cop to quickly sidestep. With a snarl on my lips, I chucked the heavy mass of keys attached to a carabiner at Shane. Damned werewolf reflexes. If he’d been human they’d have struck his temple and probably dropped him like a stone.

Matt came forward as if to take my elbow and escort me. “Touch me and I break your scaphoid. They’re a bitch to heal even with regeneration,” I snapped. Just because my wolf was happy about getting taken to meet their leader didn’t mean I had to be. He drew back his hand, but he did open the door for me and waited till I buckled up before shutting the door. Why buckle up if I could survive a trip through the windshield? It’d still hurt like hell.

“So I heard you’re from Portland,” Matt said as we merged back onto 405 in an attempt to fill the silence that was thick with my seething.

“Look, I’m no doubt about to get grilled on all this anyway, so let’s skip the twenty questions, ok?” He shrugged and didn’t seem put out by my rudeness.

Eventually he turned on the radio. I fiddled with it until finally settling on 107 the End. I tried to suppress a smirk at his frown. Judging by his pre-sets he liked the music just fine. Not so much me taking control of it. If some strange wolf was driving my Jeep, Mazda Matt could suck it up. He should be glad I didn’t put it on country out of sheer spite.

Thirty minutes later, due to traffic as opposed to distance, we pulled up in front of an expansive house partially obscured by trees. I shuddered to think of the market value for the area. They seemed to be having a party due to the sheer number of vehicles parked beside the house. Shane pulled up as I trailed behind Matt to the door.

The door opened to a large mudroom with hooks for coats and cubbies for shoes. About half of them were in use. Curiously, there were two utilitarian shower stalls that would have looked right at home in a locker room. I followed Matt’s and Shane’s examples and removed my shoes, tucking them into one of the shelves.

“We’re having a barbecue on Saturday, so a bunch of us are already here to watch the game,” Shane explained from behind me as I followed Matt down the hallway. The sounds of men cheering or jeering at a TV screen echoed up from the basement. My human half was worried about being in a house with a bunch of strange men. My wolf on the other hand was curious and delighted by the mixture of scents that spoke of wolves.

How to play this? Be a general pain in the ass and risk the consequences? Or be a good little submissive female and not only risk being assimilated, but also subordinate to everyone else. I always believed in playing to one’s strengths, which meant plan A was go. Besides, I’d never been accused of having the sense God gave a squirrel.

Matt stopped by an open doorway and gestured for me to enter. The man standing behind the desk was certainly not what I was expecting of an Alpha. For starters, he didn’t look like an arrogant asshole. Secondly, he was maybe an inch taller than me, and I was considered fairly short. Underneath his wine, or perhaps blood-red dress shirt he was thin. The only hint to his status was the intelligence lurking behind his dark eyes, which I merely glimpsed before lowering my own.

“Welcome, Eleanor,” he came around to shake my hand. I didn’t know if it was proper protocol or if he somehow knew that I was recently Changed and was sticking to familiar, human customs. His grip was firm, not crushing like some men, and not too gentle as if he was afraid of breaking me. It was a bit startling to actually be able to shake his hand properly instead of my hand simply being engulfed by his as was the case with most men.

“I am Angus Hopper, Alpha of the Emerald City Pack. You’ve made good time considering you left Revelstoke early this morning.” Oh that was neatly done, putting me in my place by hinting that he knew more than I suspected, but not exactly how much. “Have a seat,” he leaned his backside against the desk and gestured to one of the comfortable looking chairs. It was an order, not an invitation. And why was I reminded of being called to the principal’s office as written in a Penthouse letter? Shoving aside x-rated thoughts involving school uniforms and corporal punishment, I tried to look as non-threatening as possible.

“Been sittin’ in a car so long I’d rather stand if’s all the same.” Eyes down, properly polite, and heavy on the Southern accent to hide any attitude.

“I imagine,” he said with a small smile. “So tell me how you came to be living in Portland, a city currently without a pack.” Crap on a cracker, there’s no lying my way out of this one. How does a city that size not have a werewolf pack?

“I was Changed two-weeks ago,” I sighed and sat in the other chair in defeat, the one he had not indicated, forcing him to shift slightly to face me. If he didn’t want small acts of defiance, then he shouldn’t have multiple options available. “I was solo hikin’ in Glacier National Park an’ doin’ a little boulderin’. One slip an’ I ended up with a broken spinal column at the bottom of a ravine. By the time John found me, it was Change or die. Chose what I thought was the lesser o’ two evils. Stayed with him through the full moon an’ then headed home.”

“Does John have a last name?” Angus asked with a frown. My wolf worried that he was displeased with us. I worried what that might mean for us if he was.

“He said he’s old an’ the old ones don’t like to give their last names.” I had to consciously square my shoulders, which had subconsciously rounded under his frown. He nodded as if the answer wasn’t a surprise to him.

“And he was willing to let you go so soon?” he asked with an arch of an eyebrow. It really should be illegal for such a simple gesture to lend an irresistible quality when he was already handsome. Or that could have just been my imagination because it was hard to read expressions from peripheral vision.

“Not as such no,” I admitted reluctantly. “I waited till he went out huntin’ then I booked it back down the mountain.”

“Why did you feel the need to run?” he asked softly. Even if I was brave enough to look him in the face I doubted that it would give any clue as to what that tone was in his voice. I wasn’t necessarily a coward, but I was never comfortable discussing my personal life, let alone with strangers. Focusing on the rug, or the bookcase, was easier than looking at him.

“I got a job to get back to an’ I really wasn’t fond o’ the idea o’ bein’ stuck in the backwoods with a crazy old mountain man who’s also a werewolf.” He was silent, obviously waiting for me to continue. “I got the feelin’ that even if I was fully in control he wouldn’t let me leave.”

Angus folded his arms in thought. “Do you know where John lives?”

“There’s a map in my glove box. I could show ya the route to the cabin we stayed at. There’re no roads, an’ it’s a bit of a hike in.” Despite my best intentions to the contrary, I was cooperating. I blamed my wolf, who was eager for his approval. The Alpha obviously did not like what he was hearing, but it was rapidly becoming apparent that I was not his quarry so I was more than happy to keep him on that trail. He caught the attention of either Shane or Matt behind me, and a moment later a door shut. “But I did get the feelin’ that he moves around a lot.”

“Eleanor,” he began.

“Ellie, please.” Angus did frown at the interruption, but hearing my horrible legal name, which the cop must have told him, was like having my fur rubbed the wrong way.

“Ellie, you’re not in any trouble,” he said soothingly, as if I were a startled horse that might bolt. Perhaps that analogy wasn’t too far off the mark considering I was practically vibrating with the need to run for the Jeep. “The manner of your Change was highly unusual, bordering even on breaking our laws.”

“The law says that no one may be Changed without their explicit permission. I was coherent enough to give it.” Ha, that caught him off guard. That’s right, the newbie knows the rules of the game. I might not remember anything else around the accident, but things like a weird, hairy mountain man offering to save your life by turning you into a monster tends to stick in a person’s memory.

“That is true, yes. However, the second law is that before someone is Changed they must undergo rigorous counseling and testing to determine whether they can become stable wolves,” the Alpha explained. I forgot for a moment and stared into his dark eyes in shock that someone would make the choice deliberately rather than out of desperation. I quickly looked away once the surprise faded.

“A newly Changed wolf lacks control for their first few full moons and requires supervision for the first year,” he continued as if there was no breach of protocol. “A pack is necessary to guide new wolves.” He sounded like he had given this speech many times before. Luckily, he didn’t succumb to dry monotones.

“Which’s why I was goin’ to pack up an’ move somewhere rural enough I could run off a little steam,” I countered. “Nurses are always needed everywhere.”

“This is not just a ‘little steam,’ pup.” I suppressed a flinch at his growl, as well as a snarl of my own at being called ‘pup.’ He took a deep breath, whether to calm himself or to continue his lecture I didn’t know because the sound of the door opening interrupted. Shane handed Angus the familiar map, folded in my own fashion that in no way resembled its original creases. Those things are impossible to refold properly, anyway. After carefully moving a few items, he unfolded the map over his desk and handed me a pencil.

“Here’s the trail head.” I pointed to the circle already marking the spot on Highway 1. “He follows the main trail through this valley.” I pointed at the trail, which was already marked from my planning before the trip from hell. The accent softened as I talked and forgot to maintain it. “At about here he branches off at different angles each time so that his trail, not being well worn, is hard to pick up until you’re further out and know what you’re looking for.” I marked an X where I’d gotten lost and decided to just keep following the river down until I found either a trail, humans, or the highway. “Follow the river up and at the very edge of the park he’s got a cabin right about here.” I drew a paw print on the spot. “With the climb in elevation, it would’ve taken me about two days before… before. Downhill with a light pack, I made it in around eight hours.”

“Does that say ‘Dogtooth Range’?” Shane asked with a hint of a wry smile.

“Could’ve been worse. He could’ve gone for the really obvious with either Grey Fang or Fang Rock,” I smirked and pointed out the so named peaks on the other side of the park. He snorted a chuckle.

“You didn’t go to the authorities.” It was a statement, not a question.

“And end up in a secret government facility?” I scoffed. “No thank you.”

“Where did you stop to rest?” asked Angus.

“I didn’t.”

“Fatigue can be as dangerous as alcohol,” he frowned.

“Have caffeine, will travel,” I quipped.

“Even though your endurance has improved, you still need rest. Exhaustion erodes control.” And back into lecture mode.

“Like I said, I’m a nurse. Pulling doubles, even triples, isn’t unusual,” I countered.

“You passed through the territories of four different packs.” Someone had probably pulled my credit card history to follow my route in retrospect. That was fast work, and most definitely illegal. “How did you avoid detection?”

“Didn’t stop more’n absolutely necessary,” I shrugged. “And when I did, I tried to not get out of the car. Drive-thru, avoided pumping my own gas where I could.”

With a few taps Angus called someone on his cellphone. He had to swipe his fingerprint to unlock it, first. It even had one of those heavy-duty cases, which was probably a good investment for a werewolf. “Hello, Angus.” It was still weird how much my hearing had improved, especially back in civilization.

“Hello, Bran.” Aw, son of a biscuit. I really did not want to show up on the Marrock’s radar. Angus gave a concise report of everything that had happened to me since the accident, as far as he knew, including the pathetic getaway attempt. I sat back down for the uncomfortable reprise.

“Send me the map and I’ll have Charles look into it.” I wasn’t certain how I felt about having just signed John’s death warrant. The old werewolf wasn’t too specific when he talked about the Grand High Poobah of North America, but he was clear that any time the Marrock sent someone blood was spilled. “How is she getting on with your pack?”

“She’s a touch overwhelmed so I thought it best to wait before introducing them en masse.” I glared at Angus from under lowered lashes, which is harder to do than you would think without looking coy or drunk.

“If she chooses, escort her to Eugene. Otherwise I will send someone to fetch her here until she decides where to settle,” Bran said. My scowl deepened and I opened my mouth to tell them exactly what I thought of their plans. Shane shook his head almost imperceptibly in warning, though there was more empathy than condemnation in the movement.

“Please give my greetings to Anna and Charles.”

“I will.” The call abruptly ended from the other end. Our King of the Werewolves was not one for drawn out goodbyes. Angus took a couple of pictures of the map and sent them off with thumbs flying across the screen fast enough to make a teenager jealous. Then he did the most supernatural act I’d seen out of a werewolf yet: he carefully folded the map along the original fold lines before handing it back to me.

I doubled it over and shoved it in my back pocket as I stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I would like to make it home in time for my shift tomorrow night.” Although I kept my eyes on the bookshelf, I could feel his stare boring through me till my knees threatened to turn to Jell-O. Locking one’s knees is a surefire way to eventually pass out, but is effective in the short term.

“I’m afraid that you will have to change careers. Even old wolves can have problems around so much blood and the vulnerable.” The bastard actually managed to sound regretful.

“I have neither the money nor the inclination to go back to school. Not to mention I’m a little old for that.” Must not growl at the Alpha, I mentally chanted for the benefit of my human half.

“Loans can be arranged, and I’ve known werewolves who were alive when the Magna Carta was signed and earned their doctorate two or three times over.” He sounded so cool and collected as if we weren’t discussing what was the beginning of what was theoretically to be my extremely long life. “The more immediate issue is how much control you have.”

“If I don’t get my act together by this time next year I’m put down.” Don’t know why I spared him when it would have been so much more fun to watch him squirm.

“Not only that, but you must be able to shift form and back at will.” People go through that much pain willingly? “New wolves need a pack to teach them control and to prevent unnecessary bloodshed when the wolf takes over until control is regained. We cannot afford one mistake lest we all disappear into secret government facilities at best, or hunted down and exterminated at worst.” Angus’ voice achieved a deeper timbre that coiled through the room like some living thing as he seemed to be losing patience. “You will stay the night here. In the morning Shane and Matt will escort you to Eugene to be presented to the pack there.” Ooh, presented like a gift. Who could resist such a command? Oddly enough, my wolf did not like this plan either, but not because of the authoritarianism.

“And if I don’t want to join a pack?” It’s difficult to arch an eyebrow effectively while avoiding eye contact. But not impossible.

“That is not an option,” he shook his head. “Even if you were not so new, our females are so rare they not allowed to become lone wolves.” That’s what John had said, but I hoped that it was a lie to keep me from leaving. The whole damn lot of them were so possessive it’s a wonder they even realized they were in the 21st century. And I didn’t belong to anyone. Not any more.

“Fine. But I’ve driven from here to Eugene many times so I think we can dispense with the escort.” I waved vaguely over my shoulder to where Shane still lurked by the door.

“That is non-negotiable. As a dominant male and even more so as an Alpha I have a responsibility to see a submissive female delivered safely to another pack.” Oh bloody hell. John was right. They could tell from one’s energy, no matter how much I tried to hide behind my sass. “Not all dominants that you might meet along the way would be as tolerant of your attitude as I am.”

“More arbitrary rules from on high,” I said flatly and folded my arms. “Tell me, is His Furriness one of those at the signing of the Magna Carta? No wonder ya’ll’s thinking’s so medieval.”

Angus grabbed me by the back of the neck and snarled in my face. Reflexively, I stiffened and closed my eyes to avoid looking at him. His grip was tight, but not painful. One quick twist and he could snap my neck. I was pretty sure that was one injury from which there was no recovery.

“The Marrock set down our laws for reasons you cannot yet comprehend. You don’t have to understand our ways yet, but before God you will show respect,” he snarled. There wasn’t anything I could say to that, so with an involuntary shudder I went limp in his grasp as my wolf temporarily took over. Well, there were things I could say, but self-preservation and my wolf stayed my tongue. After a minute, he released me, stepped away, and turned his back. The strength I had just experienced first hand was evident in the taut lines of his wiry shoulders.

My heart pounded in my throat while in the back of my head my wolf howled her anguish at having been chastised. As a result, my self-preservation went right out the window. “My respect is earned, not freely given. If I’d realized that my choices consisted of which pack I was going to be the lowest bitch in, I’d have told John to bugger off.” At least he’d have made sure that it was quick and clean.

The Alpha breathed deeply and was quiet for exactly ten seconds. Basic relaxation techniques to manage the beast within? And they thought they could teach me something in that area? When he was done, but not noticeably calmer, he turned around to lean against the desk again. “We have a rigorous screening process to avoid situations like this. Dominant lone wolves are the last people who should be teaching pack structure to a submissive female.”

“Please stop using that term.”

“‘Female’?”

“Used as an adjective, it refers to a person. As a noun, it denotes something less than human. An animal.” Like breeding pairs. Good thing I never wanted to procreate anyway.

“Get used to the terminology.” If he were human, he’d have developed a new frown line from this conversation alone. “In the constant struggles for dominance, females and submissives are the center of a pack since they do not rise in rank, except for when their mate does in the case of females.” If I didn’t like ‘female,’ I despised ‘mate,’ which seemed a ridiculous term for a species that couldn’t bear children. “With submissives, dominants don’t have to constantly watch their back. And the pack will unite to protect these weaker members.” Oh if he thought I was weak, he had another thing coming. “Female submissives are so valued that any pack would welcome you.” ‘Submissive’ as a noun was definitely not an improvement. “But none would tolerate your disrespect for long.”

“That’s exactly why I should just be on my merry way,” I said brightly. “I’m really more trouble than I’m worth.”

“Nice try,” he smirked. “Dinner is in thirty minutes. You’ll want to freshen up.” True to my nature I wanted to deny hunger despite not having eaten since well before the border crossing. I’d worn the same clothes for the past twenty-four hours straight, which included a frantic run down a mountain through unfamiliar woods, and my hands still smelled like gasoline.

I was still noticing just how many interesting smells I was covered in when a tall, perky blonde swept through the door. She must have practically been listening down the hallway, not that, that was necessary. Everyone in the house had probably heard me mouthing off. I’d forgotten about that. Great first impression.

“Please show Ellie to the guest suite.” Mickayla gave a sloppy salute, earning a scowl from her fearless leader, then cocked her head in silent invitation to follow her.

“You’re up on the second floor,” she said as she led me upstairs. “Hopefully you’re not afraid of heights after your accident,” she grinned.

“Are you kidding? I’ve always wanted to try free climbing, but was too scared. Now I totally want to,” I said.

“Don’t mention that to any of the guys or they’ll have kittens.” Her golden laugh bounced through the stairway.

“Now I’m picturing a bunch of them at the base of a cliff with a giant trampoline like in cartoons when there’s a fire,” I chuckled and she joined me.

“This is you,” she waved a welcoming arm through an open doorway. “Matt already brought your backpack and duffel up.” My bags were indeed sitting on a low, wide dresser against the nearest wall. The queen bed with its elegant down comforter faced the door. A door on the right led to a bathroom, although I had no idea how I was going to be able to do my business in a house full of people who could hear through walls.

“Thanks.”

“No worries. You need anything you just give a shout. Wait, you’re new. No actual shouting necessary, just a sort of ‘hey’ so we know you’re not talking to yourself,” she winked.

“Um, Mickayla?” She turned back to me. “What’s it like being in a pack?”

She stepped into the room with a small smile and shut the door behind her, for all the good that would do. “I don’t know this John, but sometimes wolves go lone because they can’t handle being in a pack.”

“Yeah, he did seem more than a little biased.” I dug out the Ziploc of toiletries and the bundle that was the last clean outfit I’d originally saved for the last day of the drive home, but didn’t dare stop long enough along the way to change.

“Think of a healthy pack more as one big family.” Mickayla flopped onto the bed with one leg tucked up under her, yet kept her voice low enough to not carry. “Complete with the usual amount of dysfunction and bickering. They’re really like a bunch of brothers, uncles, and cousins who are all trying to protect the little sister.”

As she talked, I leaned against the bathroom doorway and started to brush my teeth. They had fuzzy sweaters from the energy drinks I’d downed to stay awake. “But then again, I’m married,” she continued. “If you’re single then the unmated ones will all come sniffing around. It’s not that bad!” she laughed at my expression of dawning horror. “Even if any of them would push their luck and call down the wrath of their Alpha, the closest dom would thrash them, or if they couldn’t, tag someone in who could. Mind you, I’m only talking about the Emerald City Pack. I was Changed two years ago because my mate, Matt, was already a wolf. Before that there were no other girls for I don’t know how long.”

“They weren’t kidding when they said that women are rare,” I said around the toothbrush and foam that probably made me look rabid. She laughed again, although it was hard to tell whether it was at my surprise or the toothpaste.

“We’re more functional than not here. But there are some stories out there of Alphas who went bad. I don’t know much about the Eugene pack, but I haven’t heard any horror stories either,” she shrugged. “You know, it’s funny, women are supposed to be huge gossips, but most werewolves are men and we all gossip worse than any housewife.” I laughed and promptly choked, so I shut the bathroom door and started the shower as I finished brushing.

“You’re going to need to get over that modesty.” Mickayla’s voice was easily heard through the door and over the running water.

“Oh?” I asked archly. She couldn’t see the glare through the door as I undressed.

“It’s incredibly painful to shift while wearing clothes. So pack runs, full moons…”

“I’ve just been told I have to switch careers, move to a new city, am no longer allowed to leave town without a babysitter, and when it comes to my place in a pack my only option is which one do I want to be at the bottom of the pecking order in. Oh, and all the single guys will be eyeing me like a juicy steak. Now you’re telling me I have to become an exhibitionist? No thank you, I’m going to maintain whatever little control over my life I have left.” It took all my willpower to not punch something. If I had to move and look for work there was no way I could afford to replace anything in this bathroom, too.

“If the pack’s good, you’ll be on a pedestal, more or less, not the low man on the totem pole.”

“Great, I always wanted to be Princess Peach stuck in the castle,” I muttered sarcastically. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

“Ellie, I promise that it’s not as bad as it seems,” she said before leaving.

I stood lost in thought in my office for some time after she left, bathed in the complex layers of smells that confirmed her story. Mountain air, evergreens, sweat both old and nervous, gasoline, fast food, and no small amount of stress. Amidst the melange was a thread of fear. If it was any stronger, I would have called Alan, the pack’s only submissive, to come and help calm her before everyone got riled up trying to fix whatever upset her. But under the circumstances, her fear was to be expected. And he was working tonight.

Tension had been running high in the pack ever since we went public. Another submissive to ease the strain would be a boon, and a second medic would not go amiss. Her presence would stir up a rash of dominance fights among the unmated males until she starting seeing someone. That is, if she could be housebroken. Time would show whether her defiance was born of ignorance or emotional pressure. Her knowledge of our primary laws would suggest the latter, though I preferred to avoid premature conclusions.

A younger wolf, or one who wasn’t as high in the hierarchy, might find such calculations cold, especially in regards to a submissive female whose Change had been particularly traumatic. But you don’t get to be an old Alpha without assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your pack members and determining how they can best be used for the betterment of the whole.

As much as I was loath to let her leave, even if the Marrock hadn’t mandated, protocol and courtesy demanded that the Eugene pack have right of first refusal. Appropriate that Eugene was also referred to as the Emerald City, but we had claimed the name before the Portland pack had relocated there. Ordinarily I would have my second, Tom, call to arrange things with the other pack, but the unique situation and the fact that he was on duty called for a personal touch, even if my third, Shane, wasn’t preparing for the trip. Besides, their Alpha, Colin, would be pissed if I dropped this grenade, no matter how attractive or useful she was, in his lap without warning. No, not a bomb. Panicked ferret, maybe. Still not pleasant, but not as disastrous. And they could be cute, when they weren’t baring their teeth.

Stifling a sigh, I found Colin’s cell number in my phone and called him up.

Notes: This was written two years ago and was my first fan fiction and my first attempt at writing over 10 years.

Matt and Shane live in Redmond, thus why they were able to carpool so quickly. It was sheer luck that they spotted the lime green, mud-splattered Jeep as they headed down the 405 after Tom asked them to try and track her while he covered I-5 South. Of course, Ellie didn't know that, nor does she think it's lucky at all.

Ellie was hiking along the easterly side of Glacier National Park of Canada in BC, not too far from Revelstoke, which has some great hot springs, by the way.

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vivalamusicaltheater · 4 years

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Types of art reposters, ranked by how much I personally hate them

Hey so I haven’t personally had art reposted bc I’m a small artist and not that good in terms of technique yet (this isn’t self deprecation, just an acknowledgment that I’m not that great at anatomy and lighting and shading and such yet), but I see art reposters all the time on Instagram and (occasionally, not actually that often) here, and I’ve seen the negative effects art reposts have on other artists and I’m big mad about them, so I decided to make this list. This is gonna be a long post so if you want to be salty with me (or genuinely don’t know why I think art reposting is bad and want to find out) just know that this is gonna be fairly long.

Disclaimer (and I know this may seem obvious so I’m sorry to everyone who already knows but I feel like I have to put this here because I’ve actually seen people confused about this): reposting is not the same as reblogging. Reblogging is a function on tumblr (the little black arrows in a square right next to the like button at the bottom of posts) where you can share an artist’s work to your blog. Reblogging is good because it provides an artist with more exposure, as you probably have people following you that don’t follow them, so the more people who reblog someone’s art the more people see it and the more attention the artist is able to get, and because reblogged art provides a direct link to the original post and the artist’s blog. This way if someone likes an artist’s work they can go directly to the artist’s blog and see if they have more work they like. Reposting (saving someone’s art to your device and uploading it to one of your accounts) is bad because it takes away that direct link to the original artist. This means that is is way harder for the original artist to gain exposure for their art and often leads them to be discouraged when they see a repost of their art that got way more attention than the original, which can make them a lot less motivated to make more art. That out of the way, time to rank reposters.

13) People who directly tag/provide a direct link to the artist and provide proof that the artist allowed them to repost their work/that they allow all their work to be reposted

I don’t actually hate you if you do this. I don’t really understand why you’d want to repost someone’s art instead of just reblogging it or putting a link on your Instagram story, or retweeting it if you’re on Twitter, but by directly linking to the artist and showing that you asked them about it or know for a fact that they’re okay with it, you’ve shown that you respect the time and effort they put into their work so thank you for being a decent human being.

12) People who directly tag/provide a direct link to the artist

Ok so you didn’t actually ask permission (or at least if you did you didn’t let anyone know that you did) so I don’t respect you as much as the people who do ask for permission to repost artwork, but at least you did provide a direct link to the artist so you’re not as bad as you could be.

11) People who provide the artist’s correct username and what platform they’re on but don’t directly link to the artist

Again, good that you provided their username and where to find them, but because you didn’t directly link to the artist, many people will just be lazy and like your post and move on, or like your post because they don’t have whatever social media the artist is on. This takes away notes that should go to the original artist, which frustrates me. I don’t flat out hate you but you’re on thin f*cking ice

10) People who provide the artist’s correct username but don’t specify what platform they’re on

Hey if you do this, especially if you post art that was originally found on another platform, it makes it significantly harder to find the original artist. People are even more likely to just like your post and go on with their days instead of checking out the original artist. This barely counts as credit and you have got to do better.

9) People who credit the wrong person

Usually when people do this it’s an accident, so I don’t hate you nearly as much as some of the other people on this list, but not taking the time to make sure the information about the artist you provided is correct is lazy and shows you don’t respect their work as much as you should. By the way, if you credited the wrong person on purpose so the original artist wouldn’t find out you were reposting, I hate you a LOT more.

8) People who ask the original artist for permission to repost their artwork but don’t actually wait for them to say yes before doing it

If you do this it’s clear that you are entitled and asked the artist for permission not because you actually cared about their answer but because you wanted to be able to say that you asked for permission. It’s clear that you don’t actually respect artists, and I hate you.

7) People who credit the right person but purposefully put a / right after the @ sign so it doesn’t actually tag the original artist

The only reason I don’t hate you for doing this is if the original artist knows you’re reposting their work but specifically said they don’t want to be tagged because they don’t want to deal with the notifications or something like that. If that’s not the reason than you’re likely just doing that so the original artist doesn’t get a notification that they were tagged in a post and thus doesn’t see that you reposted their work. That’s cowardly you’re a coward and a loser and I hate you.

6) People who don’t credit at all, but don’t claim to be the original artist and it’s obvious they’re not

If you don’t even bother to try to credit the artist then it shows you don’t care enough about their labor and just expect an endless supply of art that you can repost and get thousands of notes for even though you didn’t go through the effort of drawing it. I hate you with a passion. Credit artists you sack of sh*t.

5) People who say “credit to the artist!” or “credit to google/pinterest” or “I don’t know who made this but dm me if you do!”

Listen. The fact that you’re only my 5th most hated type of art reposter is not because I don’t hate you on an ASTRONOMICAL level, but because there are (unfortunately!) people who repost in worse ways than you do. “Credit to the artist!” is NOT actually giving credit to the artist because you’re not telling your followers who the artist is!! It’s not credit if you don’t specifically name who it came from!! I see this so much and I hate it I hate you if you do this. Similarly, “credit to Pinterest/google/some other website!” is not credit either!! A website did not draw that art, a person did and I will drop kick you off a cliff for refusing to acknowledge that!! Finally, and I think you can probably see where this is going, “I don’t know who made this but dm me if you do!” is, you guessed it, not crediting the original artist! The fact that you are so lazy as to not find the original artist but you also ask your followers to do it for you? Unbelievable!! The level of entitlement!! And these happen so much!!! I hate you I hate you I hate you.

4) People who repost work from artists who have specifically stated that they don’t allow reposts or who refuse to take down reposted work after the original artist asks them to

If you respect artists so little that you repost their work knowing they don’t want you to or refuse to take down their work after they ask you to, you are a horrible person. That art does not belong to you, you did not take the time to make it, and I HATE you so much for thinking you’re entitled to it. “Well then they shouldn’t have posted it on the internet -” shut UP that’s how they choose to share their talent! Art is art even if it’s not displayed anywhere, but artists who post their art on the internet are kind enough to share their talents with the world. Maybe the artist put their work on the internet so that they can find people interested in commissioning them, which helps provide them with funds that could be necessary to their survival. Or maybe art is something they do for fun that they could very well stop doing because of people like you who feel like they own sh*t just because it was posted on the internet (hint: posting artwork on the internet does not equal consent for everyone to use it)! I hope you have a sh*tty life. I hate you.

3) People who say “I’m not gonna credit, what are you going to do about it?”

If you do this, you’re most likely a troll, and most DEFINITELY an awful awful human being. If I met you in real life I would actually physically fight you regardless of whether I thought I could win or not because I hate you that much. Step on a rusty nail and learn basic respect for people’s time and effort. I hate you. (Also, if the original artist finds out what you’re doing they can at least file for copyright and hopefully get their work taken down. If you’re an artist whose work has been reposted by someone like this I’m deeply sorry for you and hope these reposters get all the sh*tty things they deserve in life).

2) People who pretend to be the original artist even though they’re not

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but definitely not in this case. If you have the AUDACITY to take credit for the work someone else put their time and effort into and accept all the praise and attention that the original artist should be getting, I hate you so unvelievably much. How is it possible to be that awful of a person? You are stupid and I hope you lose your job or something else similarly awful. (Again artists if you have ever experienced this I’m so so sorry for you).

1) People who repost art for the sole purpose of making fun of it

Congratulations, if you do this you are the worst asshole on this list of huge f*cking assholes. Not ONLY are you creating all the usual problems that come with reposting but you ALSO have the nerve to call someone’s art bad?! There is a SPECIAL place in hell for you. Likely if you do this you also make fun of marginalized people or kids, as most “bad art” blogs feature lgbt+ artwork done by lgbt+ people, or art of people of color, or children’s ocs that have like rainbow hair and vampire fangs and wings or something. I don’t CARE how bad you think their anatomy is and I don’t CARE if they have the “calarts art style” or “tumblr art style” the fact that you are taking the time to repost something somebody spent time on and criticize it is despicable and I hate you more than I hate anyone else besides bigoted people. I also don’t care if you think it’s a “joke”, if the original creator of the art ever found your repost it could be really harmful to their self esteem, and could cause them to stop making art, which means they’ll never have a chance to get “better”. Doing this is a personal attack on someone’s passion and I hate you so incredibly much for it. If you want art that you think is good so bad then f*cking make it yourself. What’s that? Oh you don’t make art you just think you could do better even though you’ve never drawn in your life/you just know what “good art” is? Sit down and shut the f*ck up. I hate you.

(Disclaimer #2: this category obviously does not extend to things like art that is racist or transphobic or anything like that. There’s a difference between calling out something that is genuinely harmful and mocking artists for drawing things that make them happy. The former is good the latter is bad.)

Anyways that is my list of art reposters ranked by how much I hate them! If you are any of these kinds of art reposter besides 13, 12 and maybe 11, then congratulations I hate you and hope you have an awful day!

#long post #artist problems #personal #this doesnt even correctly convey my level of hatred for art reposters. i hate them so f*cking much. make art yourselves you sh*tstains

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kathyprior4200 · 4 years

Text

Smile, My Dear Annie!

TO COMMENCE, JUNE 2020

For many years, orphan girl Annie wishes her parents would return for her and get her out of the orphanage from the strict Miss Hannigan. Warbucks appears on Bert's radio show, offering money to help find Annie's parents. Annie and the girls get excited and dance to "You're Never Fully Dressed."

But then, something goes terribly wrong. The radio starts glitching and through the static, a demonic voice can be heard. Dad jokes, electro swing, and broadcasts of murders start appearing on all the radios. A mysterious brown-haired mixed radio host named Alastor arrives, claims to be desperate for money and food.

Grace encourages Warbucks to adapt Annie, and Annie hopes to be able to leave the orphanage. But things turn south when Hannigan's brother and his girlfriend pose as her parents. Even worse, a new serial killer is on the loose, hungry for revenge and entertainment.

No one knows what will happen with the strange supernatural occurrences and the rush for people to raise her. But one thing's for sure...

Annie isn't safe anymore.

Now she must reunite with Grace, Warbuck and her friends and escape the greedy couple...if Alastor doesn't end up finding her first...

The scene starts off with a brief snippet of Alastor's death in New Orleans in 1933. In Hell, he desires to go back to New Orleans to broadcast more murders and eat individuals who were cruel to him. He notices how some lower class demons get influenced by his radio broadcasts. After hearing from an overlord that "humans would be good bait to use in war," he gets an idea.

With the help of I.M.P. Alastor gains access to Earth, but he accidentally ends up in New York instead. He looks over and sees his old radio he used to listen to when he was a kid. (It even had his name engraved on the side). Apparently, several people bought it from an antique shop in New Orleans and added it as a stage prop, after thinking it was “cool” that it had been cursed. As the radio was part of him, it allowed him to take on his physical demon form on Earth once he reunited with it. Annoyed in shadow form, Alastor emerges from the radio and proceeds to kill everyone at the show. The radio gets smashed by falling debris before Alastor can reach it, breaking his darken heart. He flees the gory scene and the survivors wake up, not remembering what had happened (due to the radio being destroyed). (off screen, he uses his blood to create his human body disguise).

Scene shifts to Annie. Annie first lives in an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, who forces them to clean the building all day. Annie hopes that her parents will return for her, and she keeps half of a locket as her treasured possession, to remind her of them. Annie adopts a stray dog named Sandy, but gets taken back to the orphanage by police.

Annie travels to Warbuck's mansion where she meets the many servants and bodyguards. Warbucks lets her stay and takes her to the Radio City Music Hall to watch a movie.

Warbucks appears on the radio show, offering money to help find Annie's parents. Annie and the girls get excited and dance to "You're Never Fully Dressed."

But then, something goes terribly wrong. The radio starts glitching and through the static, a demonic voice can be heard. Dad jokes, electro swing, and broadcasts of murders start appearing on all the radios. A mysterious brown-haired mixed radio host arrives, claims to be desperate for money and food.

(Alastor actually died the same year and, with the help of imps, traveled to Earth through radios in a disguise in an attempt to get back to New Orleans).

Hannigan, her brother and his girlfriend search through Annie's belongings and plan to use the locket to pose as her parents. But Alastor's shadow steals it away from them!

The more Annie spends time with Alastor, the more suspicious Grace and some of Annie's fellow orphans get. Sandy, the dog, growled and sensed evil in Alastor from the beginning, but Annie told Sandy not to be mean to “our new guest.” Like Charlie in Hazbin Hotel, Annie dances and sings with the disguised demon, getting more influenced when the radio is on. (no romantic love). Alastor's demon reflection is revealed in mirrors. Kate notices it and warns Annie that a "monster lives inside him," though Annie doesn't believe it.

Not having to worry as much about environmental threats and survival, Alastor begins another killing rampage, hunting deer and selfish adults while broadcasting again. He carves sigils onto their flesh, ensuring they become his slaves/prey back in Hell. The radios around him additionally served as hiding places for him after murders.

Meanwhile, the newspaper gets a new heading "Random Serial Killer on the Loose." Another headline reads "Similar Kill Count to the now deceased New Orleans Deer Devil Cannibal," triggers back memories, making Alastor go insane. After debating on several terms such as the "Bayou Killer," "Devil of New York," among others, the public comes up with "Brusier of Broadway."

Alastor broadcasts murders, dad jokes, and news, influencing others to tune in and listen. All the orphans are influenced by it…Alastor gaining more power. Sandy barks loudly, briefly snapping them out of their trance. Hannigan was follows Sandy into the room, threatening to butcher him. Hannigan, in a drunken haze does something redeemable for the first time: she yells “Stop having fun, get to work, and turn that thing off!” The static and noise was giving her a headache, the pain overriding the trance powers. Despite the girls trying to stop her, Hannigan smashes the device against the floor, the girls shaking their heads. “Whose drunk now?” she retorts.

The other girls later tell Warbucks and Grace that Annie had been kidnapped by Rooster and Lily. The police begin a search. Rooster attempts to kill Annie and he knocks his sister away. Before Rooster can reach her, he is brutally stabbed by Alastor. Alastor reveals his plan to possess Annie and several others in both Hell and on Earth to create a diverse army to take down racist individuals, providing him with food and entertainment. (He only harms adults). His human disguise falls away and Annie watches in horror as he begins to eat Rooster and Lily. Punjab rescues her and destroys the radio before Alastor possessed her and she reunites her with Grace and Warbucks.

Alastor would get distracted and a bit scared of Sandy the dog (as he had died due to rabies, being shot in the head and getting attacked by dogs).

A local church and police forces arrive and team up to defeat Alastor. He gets shot several times with guns and reels back when several silver crosses are held up. Not too far away, the imp portals begin to close and weaken...dragging him back to Hell (similar to how Dr. Facillier did but was more accepting of his fate and smiled the whole time). Annie lives with Grace and Warbucks and her friends arrive for the party. "Brusier of Broadway Vanquished in Less Than a Week."

Annie didn't listen to the radio for several years afterwards. The scene ends with Alastor singing "You're Never Fully Dressed" on a radio in Hell, the old locket next to it, then saying "stay tuned, folks."

Transcript

Annie Script

Scene 1

Molly: Annie. Annie I can't sleep.

Pepper: Shut up! How am I supposed to get any sleep around here?

Sally: She cries all the time.

Duffy: And she wets the bed.

Molly: I do not!

Pepper: What are you doing in our dorm? You should be in the baby room.

Annie: She's ok you guys. You can stay here with me Molly.

Molly: I couldn't sleep Annie.

Annie: When I can't sleep. I think of my folks

Molly: (looking at Annie's locket) You're the only one who has folks here. Mine are dead.

Annie: I think of what they're like and how someday soon they're going to come and get me.

(Song: Maybe)

Maybe far away, Or maybe real nearby. He may be pouring her coffee, She may be straightening his tie. Maybe in a house All hidden by a hill. She's sitting playing piano, He's sitting paying a bill. Betcha they're young Betcha they're smart Bet they collect things Like ashtrays and art. Betcha they're good - Why shouldn't they be? Their one mistake was giving up me. So, maybe now it's time And maybe when I wake, They'll be there calling me "Baby". Maybe. Betcha he reads Betcha she sews Maybe she's made me A closet of clothes. Maybe they're strict As straight as a line - Don't really care As long as they're mine. So, maybe now this prayer's The last one of it's kind; Won't you please come get your "Baby"? Maybe.

Scene 2

Miss Hanagen enters

Miss H: Did I hear singing? Who's happy? Well?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Sure. Well if you're so wide awake you can get up. Get outta bed and clean up this place. This room had better be regulation before breakfast my little pig dropping or kill kill kill!

Annie: But it's the middle of the night.

Miss H: (imitating Annie) But it's the middle of the night. And if this room don't shine like the top of the Chrysler building your backside will understand?

Orphans: Yes Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: What do you say Annie?

Annie: I love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Why anybody would wanna be an orphan is beyond me.

Molly kicks Miss Hanagen's foot.

(Song: It’s a Hard Knock Life.)

Annie It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! Orphans It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! 'Stead of treated - we get tricked! 'Stead of kisses - we get kicked! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Got no folks to speak of, so! It's the hard-knock row we hoe! Cotton blankets - 'stead of wool! Empty bellies - 'stead of full! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Annie Don't it feel like the wind is always howlin'? Kate and Tessie Don't it seem like there's never any light? Molly Once a day don't you want to throw the towel in? Orphans It's easier than puttin' up a fight! July No one's there when your dreams at night get creepy. Duffy No one cares if you grow, or if you shrink. Pepper No one dries when your eyes get wet and weepy. Orphans From the cryin' you would think this place would sink! O-o-o-o-oh...! Empty belly life! Rotten smelly life! Full of sorrow life! No tomorrow life! Molly Santa Claus we never see. Annie Santa Claus - what's that? Who's he? Orphans No one cares for you a smidge, When you're in an orphanage! It's the Hard-Knock Life! Molly (Imitates Mrs. Hannigan): "You'll stay up, till this dump shines Like the top of the Chrysler Building! Kill, kill!" Orphans (Molly) Yank the whiskers from her chin! ("Little Pig Droppings!") Jab her with a safety-pin! ("Rotten orphans!") Make her drink a Mickey Finn! ("Nobody loves you!") I love you, Mrs. Hannigan! Molly "Get to work!" "Scrape those beds!" "Scrub that floor!" "Polish my shoes!" "And I mean... start... NOW!" Orphans (Molly) It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! ("Mud in your eye!") It's the Hard-Knock Life for us! ("Egg in your bear!") No one cares for you a smidge, ("Hair on your chest!") When you're in an orphanage! Orphans It's the Hard-Knock Life! It's the Hard-Knock Life! It's the Hard-Knock Life! The... Hard-Knock... LIFE!

Scene 3

(Annie jumps in the washing basket)

Annie: Cover me up good.

Duffy: All you ever do is run away.

Sally: Oh my goodness, oh my goodness.

Pepper: You're gonna get us into trouble.

Nell: I'm gonna tell.

(Miss H entering)

Miss H: What are you all standing around for? There's the kitchen and the bathroom to clean before lunch and if you skip the corners there will be no lunch. And we're not having hot mush today.

Orphans: Yay!

Miss H: we're having cold mush.

Orphans: OOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhh!

Miss H: What?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Where's Annie?

Molly: She had to go bathroom.

Miss H: (imitating Molly) She had to go bathroom.

(Mr. Bundles enters. Miss Hanagan tries to look pretty.)

Mr. B: It's heavy today.

Miss H: It shouldn't be.

(Orphans try to warn Mr. Bundles not to give them away)

Mr. Bundles: You sure look pretty today, Miss Hanagan.

Miss H: Oh Mr. Bundles thank you. I will be right here when you get back.

Orphans: Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh!

Scene 4

Annie gets out of the basket and happily walks along loving her freedom when she sees a group of naughty children chasing a dog with tin cans tied to its tail. She runs after them.

Annie: Beat it kids what did he ever do to you? She punches one and they all leave.

Annie: You're ok now you dumb dog.

(Song: Dumb dog)

Dumb dog, Why are you following me? I ain't got a crumb dog, How about lettin' me be? I ain't gon-na feed you, Ain't got a scrap for you. Need you? Don't give a crap for you. Dumb dog dumb-er than they come dog. You're the most presumin' dog That a human could know.

(Dog catcher drives down the street and tries to take the dog.)

Annie: Hey, Mister, that's my dog!

Dog Catcher: Oh yeah? Where's his collar, his lead, his registration?

Annie: I left them home by mistake. Please don't take him to the pound. My father's blind and this dog leads him to work. If he can't get to work we'll all starve sir.

Dog catcher: What's his name?

Annie: My father's name?

Dog Catcher: The dog's name.

Annie: Oh the dog’s name? Well…his name is ...Sandy. Right Sandy.

Dog Catcher: Call him.

Annie: Call him.

Dog Catcher: That's right go over there and call him.

(Annie moves a few meters)

Annie: Sandy!

(Dog doesn't move)

Annie: Come on boy, Sandy, Sandy, Sandy!

(Dog comes)

Annie: Good boy!

Dog Catcher: You got yourself a dog kid. Go home and get his leash.

Annie: I will sir.

(Police man takes her by the ear back to orphanage)

Miss H: (gruff voice) Annie!

Police: Look who I found.

Miss H: (softer for policeman’s benefit) Oh Annie I was so worried.

Policeman: I knew you would be a big hearted woman like you

Miss H: How can I ever repay you?

Pepper: Kissy, Kissy, kissy.

Miss H: Kill, kill, kill.

Scene 5

(Orphans are very excited to meet Sandy)

Orphans: Ooooohhhhhh!

Molly: What's his name, Annie?

Annie: Guess.

Molly: Fiffi?

Pepper: This mutt’s no Fiffi.

(Song: Sandy)

Fifi, That ain't a name for this mutt. So how about Champion? Champion you're anything but. We could call him Tiger, But there's no bite in him, Tiger! Kittens would frighten him. Rover! When you think it over, Rover is the perfect name for this dumb look-in' dog. Sandy, Sandy's his name if you please. If you don't be-lieve me ask anyone of the fleas Residing on Sandy, True he ain't pedigreed, Sandy, there ain't no better breed. And he really comes in handy, 'Specially when you're all alone in the night And you're small and terribly frightened it's Sandy, Sandy who'll always be there!

Duffy: She's coming. Quick!

(They try to hide Sandy under laundry)

(Miss H approaching Annie)

Annie: I love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: And you will love the paddle closet Annie. And this (Grabbing Sandy) Will love the sausage factory.

Orphans: Oooooohhhh!

Miss H: What?

Orphans: We love you Miss Hanagen.

Miss H: Shut up!

Scene 6

Grace: Miss Hanagen, I'm Grace Farrell. The New York Board of Orphans sent me. Miss H: Well My goodness, won’t you come in. Welcome to our happy home. She pretends to be nice to orphans .

Miss H: What did you say your name was?

Grace: Grace.

Miss H: Aptly named.

G: I'm here to inquire about an orphan.

H: Look Grace I can explain the whole thing. You see...what happened...she escaped in the laundry and I know I should have called Mr. Donatelly but I saw red so I called the cops instead. Anyway she's back and she's fine. No harm done huh?

G: Miss Hanagen, whatever are you talking about?

H: Wait a minute, honey are you peddling beauty products? Coz clearly I don't need no beauty products G: I'm the private secretary of Mr. Oliver Warbucks

H: Oliver Warbucks the millionaire?

G: Oliver Warbucks the billionaire.

H: My Lord!

G: Mr. Warbucks would like to invite an orphan to spend a week with him.

H: Isn't that nice. What sort of orphan did he have in mind?

(Annie sticks her head in through the door)

G: Well, friendly, intelligent…

(Annie: (whispering) Spells out MISSISSIPPI)

G: And happy.

(Annie laughs out loud. Miss H, slams door.)

H: How old?

G:Age doesn't really matter..7

(Annie raises her hand until right age guessed)

H:7

G: 8

H:8

G:9

H: 9

G: 10

(Annie makes stop gesture)

G: 10 is perfect. Oh I almost forgot. Mr. Warbucks prefers red headed children.

H: 10 year old red head, No, sorry. Ain’t got it!

G: What about this child?

H: Annie? You don't want Annie.

G: Why not?

H: She's a drunk!

G: Fiddle sticks! Annie, how would you like to spend a week with Mr. Warbucks in his house?

Annie: Oh boy, I would love that!

H: Slow down, hold on. You can have any child you want in the whole orphanage except Annie.

G: Why?

H: Because she's got it coming to her and I don't mean a week in the lap of luxury. This brat's got to learn her place!

G: Her place!

H: And Annie's entirely too cheeky.

G: Well Mr. Warbucks loves cheeky orphans.

H: Tough.

G: I assume your objection is something to do with Mr. Donatelly and the board of New York Orphans?

H: Don't assume nothin sweetheart.

G: Well Mr. Warbucks and Mr. Donatelly are like that.

H: Is that a fact?

G: Yes and he was at the house just the other day and he was saying how many people he had lined up for your job.

H: Is that a fact?

G: Yes that's a fact. It's an awful time to be out of work isn't it Miss Hanagen?

H: It's terrible.

A: Leapin Lizards!

Miss H (imitating Annie) Leaping Lizards.

Annie: Come on Sandy. This is my dog. He's real nice and he almost never jumps up on people.

(Sandy jumps up on Grace)

G: He's a really sweet dog Annie but I'm not sure Mr. Warbucks would approve.

Annie: Then I can't go.

G: What?

Annie: She said she would take him to the sausage factory.

H: I'm not a sucker for dogs.

G: We'll take the dog!

Annie: Oh boy!

Scene 7

(Annie is awestruck(

Grace: I have an announcement to make everyone. This is Annie and she'll be staying with us for a week and this is her dog Sandy.

Annie: And he'll be staying with me.

Servant: May I take your sweater?

Annie: Will I get it back?

Servant: Of course dear.

Grace: Now Annie, what would you like to do first?

Annie (looking around): The windows, then the floors. That way if I drip...

Grace: No Annie, you don't understand. You won’t have to do any cleaning while you're with us.

Annie: I won’t? How am I gonna earn my keep?

Grace: You're our guest Annie.

(Song: I think I'm gonna like it here)

Grace: Cecile will pick out all your clothes Cecile: spoken: Blue is your best color, no red I think. Grace: Your bath is drawn by Mrs. Greer. Mrs. Greer: spoken: Salts?...No, bubbles, I think. Grace: Annette comes in to make your bed. Annette: spoken: The silk? No the satin sheets, I think. Annie: I think I'm gonna like it here! Grace: The swimming pool is to the left Annie: spoken: Inside the house? Oh boy! Grace: The tennis court is in the rear Annie: spoken: I never even picked up a racket. Grace: Have an instructor here at noon spoken: Oh, and get that Don Budge fellow if he's available. Annie: I think I'm gonna like it here. Grace: When you wake ring for Drake Drake will bring your tray When you're through Mrs.Pugh Comes and takes it away. Grace and servants: No need to pick up any toys Annie: spoken: That's okay, I haven't got any anyway. Grace: No finger will you lift my dear ALL: We have but one request Please put us to the test Annie: I know I'm gonna like it here Used to room in a tomb Where I'd sit and freeze Get me now, holy cow Could someone pinch me please! Grace: spoken: She didn't mean it. (Singing) We've never had a little girl ALL: We've never had a little girl Grace and servants: We hope you understand Your wish is our command (Said together) Annie: I know I'm gonna like it here Servants and Grace: We know you're gonna like it here ALL Welcome

Scene 8a

(Mr. Warbucks marches in)

Mr. W: Has the painting arrived?

G: Yes sir.

(Painting is held up for him. It's the Mona Lisa)

W: I don't like it. Send it back. Any messages?

G: Yes. President Roosevelt called 3 times. He said it was urgent.

W: Everything is urgent to a Democrat. What else?...Wait! There's something interesting about that woman's smile. I might learn to like her. Hang that in my bathroom.

G: Mr. Warbucks I'd like you to meet...

W: Why do I smell wet dog?

(Annie comes out from hiding with Sandy )

Annie: Because we gave Sandy a bath.

W: What's this?

G: This is Annie, sir. This is the orphan who will be staying with us for a week

W: Orphan. What are you talking about?

G: Sir, it’s a press story for the papers remember? It's only for a week.

W: This doesn't look like a boy. Orphans are boys

G: Oh you didn't say you wanted a boy sir. You just said an orphan so I got a girl.

W: I want a boy.

Annie: I've got an interesting smile too sir. Don't you think you could like me too sir? Hang me in the bathroom?

W: Take them back now!

G: Oh Sir but she only just got here.

Annie: That's ok. We'll be ok. It was real nice meeting you anyhow. I sure do like your place.

W: Thank you Annette.

Annie: Annie. I've had a really swell time. The driver came in a car the size of a train Mr. Warbucks and we made Drake sneeze and I played your pipe organ and Sandy got a bubble bath. And well I've had enough fun to last me for years. It’s really a swell idea to have an orphan stay for a week Mr. Warbucks. Even if it’s only for your image. Even if I'm not the orphan I'm glad you're doing it.

W: I'm glad you approve. Let's get to work.

G: Are you sure you need a boy? Couldn’t she stay? It’s only for a week.

W: Whatever but just for the week.

Scene 8b

(Miss Hanagen is listening to the radio)

Male voice: I Love you.

H: I love you too.

Male voice: Kiss me as only you can.

H: Oh you devil!

(She kisses the radio. Orphans see and laugh)

H: Get away!

(Song: Little Girls)

Little girls Little girls Everywhere I turn I can see them Little Girls Little Girls Night and day I eat, sleep and breathe them I'm an ordinary woman With feelings I'd like a man to nibble on my ear But I'll admit, no man has bit So, how come I'm the mother of the year? How I hate Little shoes Little socks And each little bloomer I'd have cracked Years ago If it weren't for my Sense of humour Some woman are drippin' with diamonds Some woman are drippin' with pearls Lucky me! Lucky me! Look at what I'm drippin' with Little girls! Little cheeks Little teeth Everything around me is little If I wring Little necks Surely I will get an acquittal Some day I'll step on their freckles Some night I'll straighten their curls Send the flood Send the flu Anything that You can do To, little (little, little), little (little, little) Little girls Some day I'll land in the nuthouse With all the nut and the squirrels (giggle) There I'll stay Tucked Away Until the prohibition of Little girls

Scene 9

(Rooster and Lilly appear)

H: Rooster.

R: Sis.

H: You're supposed to be in jail.

R: They let me out early.

Lilly: On account of his good behavior.

R: I want you to meet a friend of mine. Lilly St Regent.

L: Named after the motel.

H: Room Service.

R: This very afternoon I got my nose on this beautiful horse 8 to 1. All I need is 5 bucks to tide me over.

H: Not even a nickel for the subway.

R: Oh come on sis.

H: I bet you miss stick fingers here can lend you a lousy 5 bucks.

L: I beg your pardon. I'm short but I don't stoop to what you're incinerating.

H: Give me back the goods toots.

(Jewelry is pulled from Lilly's pickets and top.)

H: Ok Rooster if I loan you 5 bucks will you take this dumb hotel and just get the heck outta here?

R: I'm sorry sis. Not even a nickel for the subway.

L: You and her have the same mother? (

she takes something on the way out) Hanagen checks her bag when they leave and her purse is gone.)

H: (Screaming) Rooster!!!!

Scene 10

(Warbucks is practicing squash and Annie runs back and forth for fun)

A: Thanks so much for having me to stay. Mr. Warbucks. I’ve had the greatest time and Miss Farrell has been just so kind and all the staff. You know she really thinks you're sliced bread but you don't notice.

W: Sliced bread huh?

A: I've had enough fun to last a life time that it won’t even matter when I go back to that stinking orphanage.

W: How do you remain so positive?

A: I sing a little song and everything seems better.

(Song: Tomorrow)

Annie The sun'll come out tomorrow... Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow, there'll be sun! Just thinkin' about tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'Til there's none! When I'm stuck with a day That's gray, And lonely, I just stick out my chin And grin and say... Oh... The sun'll come out tomorrow So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow Come what may! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're only a day away! To-morrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're only a day... A-...wa-a-a-ay!

Grace: (spoken) C'mon, Annie, let's go to the movies! Annie: (spoken) Let's go see the stars! Grace: Cowboy heroes, Cops and robbers, Glamour and strife, Bigger than life! Sitting in the darkness, What a world to see! Let's go to the movies, Annie, wait and see. Betty Davis is probably lying, And Greta Garbo is probably crying, While Robert Taylor Is locked in her dying embrace. Chico and Groucho And Chaplin and Lloyd Are all super. Sweet Mickey Mouse, Shirley Temple, And dear Jackie Cooper. Annie: Let's go to the movies... Annie and Grace: Let's go see the stars! Grace: Fred and Ginger Spinning madly... Songs and romance. Life is the dance. Sitting in the darkness, Popcorn on your knee! Give the maid the night off! Warbucks: (spoken) Turn the kitchen light off! Grace and Warbucks: Let's go to the movies, Annie, you and me! Ushers: Welcome to the movies! Welcome to the stars! Welcome to this Grand illusion. All of it's yours Right through these doors! Every plot's a dilly, This we guarantee! Welcome to the movies Wait and see. Female Chorus: Let's go to the movies (See the movies) Let's go see the stars. Red lights holler Big Depression What do we care? Movies are there! Only happy endings (Boy gets girl, yes) That's our recipe! Welcome to a lovely M-O-V-I-E! Male Chorus: Let's go to the movies (We love to go, to RKO, Columbia, Universal) Let's go see the stars (Jack Warner and, Sam Goldwyn and, MGM and Paramount) Both: Dreams of glory, Cast of thousands, Bigger than life, Bigger than life! Only happy endings, That's our recipe! So, welcome to the movies Wait... And... See!

Scene 11

(Warbucks and Grace having breakfast. Warbucks reading the paper not paying much attention to Grace)

W: I'll have to close the factory in Pittsburgh. Miss Farrell.

G: About Annie…

W: What about Annie?

G: Couldn't we keep her? You haven't seen that horrible orphanage. I can't bear to send her back there. I can't.

W: Get a hold of yourself! What's come over you?

G: She wouldn't be a bother. I'd take care of her. You have plenty of room here. The staff adores her. We could take her on, well as your ward couldn't we?

W: Absolutely not! I'm a business man. I love money, I love power, I love capitalism. I now and never will love children!

G: Watching you with her last night. I though well maybe...

W: Grace…

G: Yes?

W: I've just noticed something.

G: Yes.

W: You're awfully pretty when you argue with me.

G: Thank you sir but…

W: Oliver…

G: Oliver...Do you really just love money and power and capitalism? You know they're never going to love you back.

W: You're teeth are crooked.

G: I'll have them fixed.

W: I like them crooked.

G: I'll leave them.

W: Thank you.

G: I could have the papers signed this morning.

W: It means a great deal to you doesn't it?

G: Yes. It means a great deal to me.

W: I’ll do it myself.

G: I could just kiss you.

W: Grace!

G: Yes?

W: Get her a gift.

G: That's a great idea.

W: Something from Tiffany's. A new locket.

G: Oh and you be careful when you go to that orphanage. That woman has claws and fangs.

(Warbucks laughs)

(Song: We got Annie)

Grace: We got Annie. Gardener: We've got Annie? Grace: Yeah! She's like the shine on your shoes, Or hearing a blues that's great. Makes you relax, Like a big tax rebate! We got Annie! Servants: We got Annie! We got Annie? We got Annie! Mrs. Pugh: And Benny Goodman's got swing. Bing is a king, by far. Mutt has got Jeff, And Eleanor, F.D.R.! Grace: We got Annie! Asp: We got Annie! Punjab: We got Annie! Asp: We've got Annie! Grace: We got Annie! (Whispers) Annie.

Scene 12

W: Miss Hanagen, I presume?

H: Yes.

W: I want to talk to you about Annie.

H: You want to return her and forget it? Or trade up?

W: I want to adopt her.

H: would you excuse me for a moment (goes into room and screams) (Returns)

H: Won’t you come in? Welcome to our happy home.

(She pretends to be nice to the orphans Warbucks hands her papers)

H: You know something? For a Republican you are sinfully handsome.

W: Thank you.

H: Why I just go absolutely weak at the knees over men like you.

(Noticing his diamond button)

H: My God! Is that thing real?

W: Miss Hanagen, just sign the papers.

(Song: Sign)

Warbucks Miss Hannigan! You need to sign a paper. Miss hannigan Mr. Warbucks, do you know something for a Republican you are sinfully handsome. Warbucks Thank you. Miss hannigan Why I just go absolutely weak in the knees over men like you. My GOD, is that thing real? Warbucks Just sign the papers. Miss hannigan Don't you wanna see the bedroom, my little billiard ball? Warbucks Sign. Miss hannigan I make a very dry martini. Warbucks Right here. Miss hannigan I make a very wet souffle. Warbucks Just your name. Miss hannigan Don't be so mean, you mean ole meanie. Warbucks Come, my dear. Miss hannigan Let's you and me make, why shouldn't we make haste? Warbucks I have an appointment at 1. Miss hannigan This way... You ever been to Bonus Ires? Warbucks Where? Miss hannigan A hunger for the Argentyne? Warbucks ArgenTINE. Miss hannigan Let's me and you fill up our diaries Warbucks What? Stop! Miss hannigan Buy me a ruby Warbucks No! Miss hannigan Why shouldn't you be mine? Warbucks Come Miss hannigan I've got your numbah Warbucks Close Miss hannigan Ya like to rhumba Warbucks Madam, while Miss hannigan I'll call you Ollie Warbucks We Miss hannigan My hot tamale Warbucks Pry through this Miss hannigan And now I've gotcha Warbucks File Miss hannigan My cucaracha Warbucks From my pri- Miss hannigan Oh! Warbucks -Vate Miss hannigan Ooh! Warbucks Eye. Miss hannigan Ay ya ya! Warbucks You spend your evenings in the shanties, Miss hannigan You had me followed? Warbucks Imbibing quarts of bathtub gin. Miss hannigan Bronchitis. Warbucks And here you're dancing in your scanties. Miss hannigan Great gams. Warbucks With some old geezer called Little Caesar. Miss hannigan He's an uncle! Warbucks You lock the orphans in the closet. Miss hannigan They love it! Warbucks You hock their Christmas souvenirs. Miss hannigan Drink? Warbucks You steal the funds you should deposit Miss hannigan It's fresh... Warbucks You make them grovel, while you buy lavaliers. You'll Miss hannigan Must you upset me Warbucks Sit Miss hannigan Why don't you pet me? Warbucks Out this Miss hannigan It's you I crave now Warbucks Century Miss hannigan Let's misbehave now Warbucks In some Miss hannigan You wanna smoochie Warbucks Deep dark Miss hannigan My little poochie? Warbucks Penitentiary Miss hannigan Jail!? Warbucks Sign. Miss hannigan I guess I'll never know the feeling Warbucks You'll rot in jail Miss hannigan Of running fingers through your hair. Warbucks In Sing-Sing. Miss hannigan I guess this means no Buenos Aires. Warbucks Will you sign?! Miss hannigan Well I don't need ya! Warbucks That's fine. Miss hannigan So just forget me! Warbucks The dotted line Miss hannigan Forget my sweetness! Warbucks Don't whine! Miss hannigan Forget you met me! Warbucks You can't decline! Miss hannigan This day is sorta Warbucks Just sign! Miss hannigan Like Britain Waterloo. Warbucks Sign! Miss hannigan Why didn't you say so in the first place. Swine!

Scene 13

W: Annie I want to talk to you about something serious

A: You don't want me anymore right?

W: On the contrary I do. Good lord. Annie can we have a man to woman talk?

A: Sure.

W: What I'm proposing would involve a long term...well agreement. Actually maybe you want to know more about me before you make up your mind

A: Ok

W: Let's go for a walk.

A: Ok.

W: I was born in Liverpool in a rail road switch house. My younger brother died of Pneumonia because we didn't have money for medicine. Well I decided then and there that one day I would be rich. Very, very rich.

A: Good idea. (Warbucks is pacing up and down and Annie is copying him)

W: In those days America was the land of opportunity. I worked on a ship as cabin boy when I was 12. By the time I was 21 I made my first million and in the next 10 years I turned that into 100 millionaire.

A: Wow.

W: That was a lot of money in those days. I was ruthless, hurt a lot of people. Making money was all I ever gave a damn about until now. It occurred to me no matter how many houses I have, how many Rembrandt unless I have someone to share them with I might as well be broke and still living in Liverpool. Annie do you understand what I'm trying to say?

A: Sure...kinda...not really.

W: Damn.

(Hands her the present of a locket)

A: You've given me so much already Mr. Warbucks.

W: I signed the papers today. It's official.

A: What is? It's so pretty but...

W: Let me put it on you.

A: It’s a really swell locket Mr. Warbucks, but if it's all the same to you I’ll keep my old one.

W: It isn't all the same to me. Your old one's broken. This one's engraved. You didn't even look at it. “To Annie with love from Daddy Warbucks.”

A: Mr. Warbucks, when my folks left me at the orphanage 10 years ago they left a note saying they’d come back for me as soon as they could and they kept the other half of this locket so I'd know it was them when they came. I'm gonna find them someday, Mr. Warbucks. I'm gonna have a regular mother and father like a regular kid. I am! I don’t mean to hurt your feelings. You've been nicer to me than anyone in the whole wide world but I've been dreaming of my folks for as long as I can remember. And I just gotta find them.

W: Then I'll help you. Grace, get me J Edgar on the phone right now. Grace, get me the chief of police. Drake, get me Walter Winthrop. Ponjab, get me William Randolph Hurst and San Jay, get me a drink!

Scene 14

(Orphans are listening to the radio)

W: This is Oliver Warbucks and I'm offering a $50, 000 reward to find orphan Annie's parents. 987 5th Avenue New York City. Drop Page. Johnson's minty fresh toothpaste will have you smiling from ear to ear with minty goodness all day. Did I just read a commercial?

(Song: You're never fully dressed without a smile)

Healy: (spoken) This is Bert Healy saying... Hey, hobo man Hey, Dapper Dan You've both got your style But Brother, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile -- But Brother, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Who cares what they're wearing On Main Street, Or Saville Row, It's what you wear from ear to ear And not from head to toe (That matters) So, Senator, So, Janitor, So long for a while Remember, You're never fully dressed Without a smile! Boylan Sisters: Ready or not, here he goes Listen to Bert Tap his smilin' toes Healy: (spoken) Ah, the lovely Boylan Sisters Boylan Sisters: Doo doodle-ooh doo Doo doodle-ooh doo Doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo doo Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile But, brother You're never fully dressed You're never dressed Without an Connie Boylan: S- Bonnie Boylan: M- Ronnie Boylan: I- Connie Boylan: L- Boylan Sisters: E. Smile darn ya. Healy: (spoken) Yes, this your old softie, Mrs. Healy's Boy Bert, saying until next time, bon soir, buenos noches, guten Nacht, bueno sera, and gosh, I almost forgot, goodnight. All: That matters.

Tessie spoken: So, for all of the "Hours of Smiles" Family, this is Bert Healy saying... (Singing) Hey hobo man, Hey Dapper Dan, You've both got your style All orphans But brother, you're never fully dressed Without a smile Your clothes may be Beau Brummelly They stand out a mile But brother you're never fully dressed Without a smile JULY Who cares what they're wearing on Main Street Or Saville Row It's what you wear from ear to ear And not from head to toe. KATE That matters All orphans So, Senator, so, janitor So long for a while Remember you're never fully dressed Though you may wear the best You're never fully dressed without a Smile Smile Smile! Smile darn ya, smile.

Hanigan: Do I hear happiness?

(Molly steps on her foot)

H: They never miss.

Scene 15

(Hundreds of couples are crowded outside the Warbucks’ mansion)

Couples Oh Annie darling yoo hoo!

Grace: It’s amazing how many dishonest people there are in New York.

(Annie walking in)

A: Have you found my parents yet?

Grace: No Annie. I'm sorry.

A: I guess they're dead. I think deep down I've always known that. I guess I just wanted to believe that I wasn't just any old orphan. I wanted to believe that I was special.

W: You are special. Don’t you forget that!

Scene 16

(Rooster and Lily on the doorstep of orphanage. Rings doorbell)

H: Yeah.

R: Are you the lady who runs this establishment?

H: Unfortunately.

L: 10 years ago we left our little baby girl on the front step.

R: We were starving. There was a job managing a motel but only if we had no children.

H: Rap it up, I'm listening to the radio.

L: We never meant to leave our little Annie.

H: Annie?

R: Now we have a hardware store in New Jersey we can take care of her.

L: We've always loved her.

H: You're Annie's parents?

L: Our house isn't fancy but it's home. We live over the store.

R: There's a yard out back.

L: We have chickens.

R: And a rooster.

(They take off disguises)

H: Rooster! My God I would never have recognized you. Come on.

(Looking around to make sure no one is watching)

R: If we can fool you, we can fool Mr. Money Bags.

L: 50,000 smakos.

H: You'll be the death of me, Rooster.

R: Come on sis.

H: What's in it for me?

R: A split of the money. A 3 way split

H: I want half.

L: Half!

H: Half!

R: Alright 25 for you and 25 for me and Lilly.

L: Rooster! Wait and see what she's got first to see if it’s worth 25,000.

H: What do you want?

L: We need specifics on Annie. Details.

H: You want details I'll give you details! I've got specifics on every kid in this dump. It’s just a question of finding the right box.

(Looking through boxes.)

H: Annie wears a locket round her neck. She says her parents have the other half to one day come and claim her with. Years ago her parents were killed in a fire and the cops brought me all their junk. Well baby brother if Annie's parents can claim her with that locket so can we!

(Orphans overhearing)

L: 50,000 big ones!

R: And the kid, we'll drop in the river.

Molly: They're gonna do something bad to Annie! Pepper!

Pepper: (reading magazine) HAVE YOU CLEANED THE CAN?

MOLLY: LISTEN TO ME! I MEAN IT!

Molly: Listen you guys, we gotta do something.

Pepper: You want a knuckle sandwich?

Molly: We gotta warn Annie!

Pepper: Scrub!

H: It's in a sealed envelope. (to Lilly about boxes) Make yourself useful.

(They find the locket)

(Song: Easy Street)

Rooster: I remember the way Our sainted mother Would sit and croon us Her lullaby Miss Hannigan: She'd say, kids, there's a place That's like no other You got to get there before you die Rooster: You don't get there By playing from the rule book Hannigan: You stack the aces Rooster: You load the dice Hannigan and Rooster: Mother dear Oh, we know you're down there listening, How can we follow Your sweet Advice to... Rooster: Easy street Easy street Where you sleep till noon Hannigan: Yeah, yeah, yeah Rooster and Hannigan: She'd repeat Easy street Better get there soon. Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: Easy street Easy street Where the rich folks play Yeah, yeah, yeah Move them feet Hannigan: Move them ever-lovin' feet Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: To easy street Hannigan: Easy street Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: When you get there stay Rooster: It ain't fair How we scrounge For three of four bucks While she gets Warbucks Hannigan: The little brat! It ain't fair this here life Is drivin' me nuts! While we get peanuts She's livin' fat! Rooster: Maybe she holds the key That little lady Hannigan: To gettin' more bucks Rooster: Instead of less Maybe we fix the game With something shady Lily: Where does that put us? Hannigan: Oh, tell her. Rooster: If you want: yes! Rooster, Hannigan, and Lily: Yes! Easy street Easy street Annie is the key Yes sirree Yes sirree Yes sirree Easy street Easy street That's where we're gonna... be!

(Orphans running to find Annie at Warbucks’ mansion

Duffy: Oh my goodness, we're never gonna get there!

Pepper: Wait. Look there's 5th Avenue!

Molly: We're at number 1, we gotta find 987.

Nell: Ooooh my feet are killing me!

Molly: We gotta keep going!

Scene 17

(Rooster and Lilly disguised as Annie's parents talking to Warbucks)

R: We were starving, we needed the job, that's why we left our baby girl.

L: We left her on the doorstep of the Hudson St Orphanage.

(Annie comes in)

L: Oh Annie! (rushes to hug her) Look Ralph, she still has the locket.

(She puts the other half of the locket on)

.L: We've finally found you

W: I suppose you heard about the reward?

R: Reward? What reward?

W: On the radio.

L: We don't have a radio.

Grace: How did you know Annie was here?

R: That kind lady at the orphanage told us.

L: I have the birth certificate right here (handing it over) I've kept it close to my heart all these years.

A: I'll go pack.

L: You want me to help you, baby?

A: NO thanks...Mum.

(Warbucks writes a check)

R: Sir we're just so thrilled to have Annie back. We don't need the money

L: (snatching check) We are poor. We could use it to buy food. A warm blanket for Annie.

W: Put it in your pocket, Mrs. Mudge.

(Annie packs with Grace)

A: Do you think the stores would take all these clothes back?

G: But don't you want to keep them?

A: My folks, they're poor. All these clothes might make them feel bad. Could you maybe take them to the orphanage and give them to my friends?

G: Sure.

(Annie sings Maybe) “Bet you my life is gonna be swell. Just looking at them it's easy to tell.

Warbucks seeing her leave sings “It will be fine”

Annie Betcha my life is gonna be swell. Looking at them it's easy to tell. And maybe I'll forget how nice he was to me, And how I was almost his baby... Warbucks It'll be fine, nothing to fear. She'll be as happy as she was here. Things have worked out much better than planned. It makes you smile to see fate take a hand. And I know I'll forget how much she meant to me And how she was almost my baby... Maybe...

Scene 18

(Outside the mansion Miss Hanagen pretends to be blind and gets into the car.)

H: You got it? (She grabs the check) I better hold onto it for safe keeping!

L: Give it back!

(Annie realizing the plot)

A: Mr. Warbucks help!

(They cover her mouth)

Scene 19

(At the mansion Orphans rush in)

W: What's this?

Molly: Mr. Warbucks?

Pepper: I think he's a highness.

Molly: Your Highness, we're friends of Annie’s.

W: Annie’s gone. Her parents came to get her.

Duffy: But they weren't her real parents, Your Highness.

Molly: They was bad people.

Pepper: it's a swindle.

W: Leapin Lizards!

(Warbucks gets on the phone)

W: The orphan Annie has been kidnapped. I want all of your best men on it!

Scene 20

(Annie in car)

A: Mr. I think you better pull over. I gotta go.

(No response)

A: When ya gotta go ya gotta go.

(They pull over)

H: Make it snappy.

(Annie kicks Miss Hanigan's foot and grabs the check and runs, ripping up the check)

L: Get her!

R: I'll kill her!

H: He's really gonna kill her. Rooster no! She's just a baby!

(Rooster grabs at Annie’s feet then he tries to strangle her but Hanigan knocks him out. The police arrest them.)

Scene 21

(Annie is reunited with Grace and Mr. Warbucks)

(Song: Together at Last)

Warbucks and annie Together at last! Together for ever! We're tying a knot, They never can sever! Annie I don't need sunshine now, To turn my skies to blue -- Warbucks and annie I don't need anything but you! Warbucks You've wrapped me around That cute little finger. You've made life a song ... You've made me the singer! Annie And what's the bathtub tune You always "Bu-Bu-Boo?" Warbucks Bu-Bu-Bu Ba-Ba-Ba But you Annie Yesterday was plain awful Warbucks You can say that again Annie Yesterday was plain awful Warbucks But that's Annie Not now Warbucks and annie That's then Annie I'm poor as a mouse, Warbucks Ah ha! I'm richer than Midas. FDR Oliver, marvelous! Warbucks and annie But nothing on earth Could ever divide us! And if tomorrow, I'm an apple seller, too-- I don't need anything, anything, anthying I don't need anything... But you! Servants Annie Annie Annie Everything's humming now Annie Annie Annie Good times are coming now Since you came our way It's Christmas, Christmas everyday We dismiss Bad times, sad times Now they're all yesterday news Since Annie Kicked out The blues Annie Annie Annie Look what you've done for us Annie Annie Annie Turned on the sun for us Grace Have they sent the cheese? Drake Yes and ice camemberts and bries Grace Judge Brandeis ALL Annie Annie You filled our life with a song They're two of a kind The happiest pair now Like Fred and Adelle, they're floating On air now And what's the title of the dream Warbucks I don't need anything Annie Anything ALL Anything I don't need anything But you

End

#annie #annie 1982 #musicals #hazbin hotel #alastor

12 notes · View notes

autisticandroids · 4 years

Note

2, 6, 12, 14, 27, 47.... foods questions

2. Grilled cheese or PB&J?

pbj, always. i like grilled cheese, sometimes. there are some truly delectable grilled cheese sandwiches out there. and it’s hard to beat a grilled cheese with your tomato soup on a cold night.

but peanut butter is the forbidden fruit.

my mother is allergic to a great many things. this has influenced my taste in two ways. some of the foods she can’t eat, i have developed a serious distaste for. shellfish, salmon, most preparations of eggplant, etc. even some things which she dislikes because even though she’s not allergic to, it seems that she ought to be, like coconut, i hate.

but sometimes it went the opposite way. some of these forbidden foods - tamarind, pumpkin seeds, sesame, cherries - i covet. peanut butter is in this second category.

though i must say, i don’t usually go for jam on my peanut butter sandwiches. i tend to go elvis style, banana slices and honey. occasionally i will treat myself to a fluffernutter, a monstrosity which, if you have never lived in new england, i gleefully invite you to google.

6. Top three cuisines?

okay. i’m officially declaring that this will be americanized versions only. i’ve traveled a lot, over the course of my life, and i’ve always eaten like a king, even in countries whose national cuisine is universally reviled. but i feel like it’s unfair to compare that way, you know? so this is gonna be just for stuff i eat in america, or make at home.

- italian food, but only the way they do it in new haven, connecticut, and surrounding areas.

- chinese food because if you told me right now if i could never eat another bao i’d die on the spot, actually. this is also cheating a little because some of the chinese food i cook myself is a lot more like chinese-chinese food than americanized chinese food, since i’ve actually been to china and stuff, but even if i were to never cook my own chinese food again and only ate at american chinese restaurants it would still be on here.

- third is hard. third is hard. thai food? polish food? indian food? vietnamese food? it’s hard. i think i’m going to have to go with japanese food. i would be a hypocrite if i didn’t, because i just spent two hours making a passable imitation of takoyaki, with vegetarian fish chunks.

i feel kind of odd about this, because i’ve always had the sense that americanized japanese food is even further from japanese-japanese food than most americanized cuisines, because it’s so limited in scope. like, american japanese food is pretty limited to either sushi, or trendy street food/ramen places.

i always had the impression that, for example, while american chinese food is very americanized, and really only reflects the cuisine of guangdong, it might at least have something to do with what immigrants from guangdong were eating at home during the early waves of chinese immigration. i have similar impressions with other immigrant cuisines. but i do not have this impression with american japanese food, since it was really limited to sushi and whatever side dishes sushi places sold, and the expansion of things like ramen shops and street food in the last few years seem to be driven less by immigration and more by a rising trend of mainstream western culinary orientalism and weeabooism. so i feel like it’s probably incorrect to claim japanese food is one of my favorite cuisines since the american version of it is so limited.

also, just realized that i would die for a good banh mi right now so i’m changing my answer, vietnamese food.

12. What do you get on your bagels? What WOULD you get if you had access to anything you wanted?

you can’t go wrong with a good egg and cheese. i nearly always get an egg and cheese. they’re unbeatable.

sometimes, in a certain mood, i will get strawberry cream cheese instead. sometimes, in a very certain mood, i might get just plain cream cheese, but that’s unusual.

it really does not matter what you get on a bagel. what makes or breaks a bagel sandwich is not the filling, but the bagel itself. a good bagel could make sawdust and coffee grounds delicious, and no filling on earth can save a bad bagel.

there are, of course, mediocre bagels in the world, but those are best treated with the same respect as ordinary sandwich bread, and filled accordingly.

14. Favorite mug you own

i don’t own a ton of mugs, but since, i’m home with my parents right now, and they have a whole collection, i’ll give me favorite of theirs, which is my mom’s spock mug.

what makes this mug special is that it’s as big in terms of volume as a cappuccino mug without actually being one. instead of being as wide or wider than it is tall like a cappuccino mug, it has the same proportions as a normal mug, just scaled up. this makes it easier to hold, and easier to drink from, while still being fucking huge. plus, the wide mouths of cappuccino mugs when compared to their height mean that anything held in them goes cold in five seconds flat, while this mug has the upright shape of a traditional mug and so holds heat longer.

also, this mug has spock on it.

27. What section do you immediately head for when you walk into a bookstore?

i’m not a huge bookstore person? i’m very hesitant about acquiring new material possession which have a finite term of usefulness, even moreso if i have to actually pay for them, and i am well aware that i will read most books only once, and some not at all. for actual reading material, i tend to prefer libraries or ebooks, to keep from adding more unmanageable clutter to my disastrous living space. libraries especially, since they’re free, and also i have a deadline to either read the damn book or give up on it.

in libraries, i tend to head for either the y.a. or adult genre fiction sections, since that’s what i go for, though usually when i come into a library i already have a book in mind. i also tend to head to audiobooks. i love audiobooks, they’re wonderful, i’ve gotten through so many books that way.

however, when i do go to bookstores, i don’t go to the stuff i would normally actually read. in more chain-y, new-book bookstores, i tend to go to the novelty books, the kind of stuff libraries don’t have. coffee table books with pictures of cats, comic collections, joke books. and i tend to check out the displays, see what’s up.

i’m also way more likely to go to the nonfiction sections of these kinds of bookstores than used bookstores or libraries, for two reasons. first, because i tend to think nonfiction makes for good gifts. if you give someone a book it comes with strings attached, no matter what, but those strings are different for different kinds of books. a novel comes with an obligation to read it cover to cover, and not just read it, but enjoy it, or at least come up with an interesting opinion on its contents. a nonfiction book does not have to be enjoyable, merely informative, and it’s a lot easier to be informed by a book than to like one. plus, most of the time you don’t actually need to read the whole thing, because although they do tend to have overall arcs and maybe overarching arguments, a lot of nonfiction books can be informative even if consumed in small chunks. second, because in chain-y, new book bookstores, the nonfiction section tends to be glutted with the sort of fun, digestible pop-nonfiction that i tend to read if i must go for nonfiction, while libraries and used bookstores run more towards the drier, probably more informative but less enjoyable sort.

in used bookstores, i tend towards a different pattern. what i look for in used bookstores is stuff that’s interesting because it’s old. cookbooks, art books, fifty cent science fiction novels. i especially like very old history and social science books; near my college there was a used bookstore that had an entire shelf of psychoanalysis books, and another of histories of like, medieval european art and design, all written in like the forties. the kind of stuff that’s out of print so wouldn’t be in a new bookstore, but is probably outdated, inaccurate, useless, and unpopular, so it isn’t in too many libraries either.

47. How do you top your ice cream?

i’m not a huge ice cream person? like, ice cream gives me a stomach ache pretty much uhhhh always. if i’m having it in my house, scooped into a bowl, i don’t generally top it with anything, ditto with stuff i get from an ice cream shop, but the most common way i eat ice cream is actually in like, bar form? like you know those dove bars, like a bar of vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate. does that count?

i definitely like stuff mixed into my ice cream, i’m a fiend for cookie dough and brownie chunks. maybe my favorite ice cream flavor ever came from a local ice cream shop which has tragically since shut down. it was called kettle crunch and it had chocolate covered potato chips mixed in.

i guess i always get toppings at like, those trendy froyo places that go by weight and have a buffet of toppings? but honestly, when i go to those places, i rarely get any actual froyo. usually i just fill my bowl with popping boba because they always have it and i love it. i get some fruit too, and sometimes i get some of the candy, like a few gummy worms or a kit kat. but the popping boba is the star of the show.

ok now i’ve gotten distracted researching buying popping boba online. apparently it’s not hard, but it seems like a lot of the time it comes in seven pound bucket. like i could get a small amount of the common flavors, but i have just now right now discovered that there is such a thing as chocolate popping boba and i’m losing it because it only comes in seven pound buckets but i need it.

also, chilli pepper popping boba, which has the same problem, but also holy fuck.

#food //#asks #jazzypizzaz

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pollylynn · 5 years

Photo

Title: Compilation WC: 900

He doesn’t love the first manufactured moment between Nikki and Rook in Heat Wave. It was a cranky response to a persistent note from his editor, from Cannell and Connelly both, from Alexis that Nikki didn’t seem to like Rook much. So he’d written it into the first damned chapter: A direct-from-factory accidental personal space invasion complete with unexpected sparks.

He doesn’t love it for the cliché factor, and hanging a lantern on it by having Nikki comment how cliché it is did not increase his love for it one little bit. But he also doesn’t love it because she does too like him. She just shows that she likes him by pretending to not like him very much, and what kind of fool can’t see that?

Except, ok, none of the above save possibly Connelly from time to time falls under the heading of any kind of fool. So maybe if he’d spent less time sulking and more time actually addressing the damned note, he wouldn’t have to live with the eye sore of a cliché in Chapter 1.

But the other thing about it—the other way the damned thing dogs him—is the sudden onset of life imitating art. He honestly can’t tell if he’s imagining it. And if he’s not, if it’s new. And if it’s new, what’s actually going on.

It’s not like they’ve shied away from very not-accidental personal space invasion from the start. Hell, she’d handcuffed him—twice—within twenty-four hours of meeting him, and whatever Little Miss You Have No Idea claims to the contrary, that was at least partially recreational for both of them. For his part, he’s done the casual lean in, listen in. He’s lured her into the close confines of an elevator and gloated about it, and he’s maneuvered her into evening wear and his arms on a dance floor.

Those kinds of moves have all been . . . legible to him. It’s how they show they like each other by pretending not to like each other. But lately there’s been something else. There’s been her reading over his shoulder and him reading over hers. There’s been the sudden—tragically outside-his-head-voice—realization that she smells like cherries, and just today, just now, they’ve lived through the iPod incident.

He needed her to hear it. Right away and just like that: Earbuds and the track he’d hastily edited together into his lyrical circumstantial case. For once, it was urgent, not some not-accidental move on his part or hers. But all the same, there it was just seconds later. In the midst of everything awful—just so awful—a moment with the world falling away, but for the two of them. There it was: Unexpected sparks and the worst kind of cliché,

It’s on his mind now—music and her and an elegy for the mix tape, because that’s exactly what his brain put a pin in right then and there. Had she ever made a mix tape? Had anyone ever made one for her? Is she—oh, God—is she too young for mix tapes?

It’s on his mind, so he does the math, and he doesn’t think so. He thinks she probably must know a little bit about hovering, muscles tensed, over a boom box waiting to hit Play and Record simultaneously the absolute instant the radio DJ fades the song up. And she must have used the eraser end of a pencil to rewind her fair share of cassettes.

But even if she hasn’t, surely the concept can’t be lost on her. Even if it was CDs for her and tapes for him, she has to know that peculiar pleasure, doesn’t she? He wants to know and he’s afraid to ask and who even is he lately?

Afraid to ask is for other people. That’s what he tells himself, day after day, when he strides in and plops down in his chair. He tells himself that today’s the day he’ll come out with it: Best mix tape you ever got. Contents and your personal rankings. And bear in mind, Detective, there will be follow-up questions for embarrassing inclusions and misguided rankings. Go!

He rehearses it. He repeats it sotto voce in the elevator between the lobby and the fourth floor. He tries to psych himself up from the passenger’s seat, but day after day, he doesn’t come out with it. He doesn’t challenge or inquire or so much as hint. He . . . fantasizes.

He writes playlists in the back of his mind. They’re beautifully balanced things. There’s sexy R & B followed by annoying ear worms. From there, he launches into straight up windows-down, classic rock, then sing-along power pop, with old-school punk hot on its heels. He plans interstitials like he used to do when he was at the top of his mix-tape game—dialogue from movies and TV shows and two-second snippets from lesser songs that didn’t deserve a full slot on the roster.

He doesn’t come out with it, because he’s afraid she’ll laugh. He’s afraid she’ll roll her eyes at the very idea of the mix tape as a dying art form. He’s afraid she’ll tell him he’s such a cliché.

He doesn’t come out with it because he wants the possibility—the eternal possibility—of a mix tape he’ll make for her.

A/N: This, my friends, is nonsense. Way too early for this. But the mix tape idea would not shut up. Hmmm.

images via homeofthenutty

#Castle #Caskett #Castle: Season 2 #Castle: Famous Last Words #Kate Beckett #Richard Castle #Fic #Fanfic #Fanfiction #Fan Fic #Fan Fiction #writing #Hmmm

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selenecrawford · 6 years

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Selene Crawford: The calm before the storm, the lovers, the warning

nWarning: Cursing (yes this time we have foul language), and violence.

Before I start Im happy to those who liked the story. I want to thank @colivara @ikesenhell @datemasamunemaiwaifu @masa-little-kitten because you inspired me among others fan fic writers to make this story. As always comments, likes, re blogs are appreciated. If I made you smile, is all I need. Thanks ^^.

With the slam of the door Masamune barked angry at the phone.

“What the fuck was that all about? And who is that guy? What was that for?” he felt bad for Selene.

“It was necessary, Dragon, I know that girl better than you and she won't tell you all, that's why I said that,. Listen, she is in danger and you need to protect her just the same way she will do whatever it takes to protect you.” said Ian on a more serious tone.

Taking the cellphone from speaker Nobunaga started speaking.

“Listen Masamune, Selene had been getting death threats for weeks. Whoever is wants her dead and so far we need to be on guard to protect her. Just so you know we have a truce with Shingen so don't be surprised if you see them more often around. Right now, make sure Selene its OK and bring her to work on Monday. We would go on a plan to help her. She is a lot like you Masamune, and she needs you now more than ever.” after Nobunaga's brief information a lot of things fell into place, a lot of questions answered.

“I will protect her, just next time that old man pull another one like that tell him I will rip him a new one.” with this Masamune hung up.

Giving a deep sigh Masamune closed his eyes. Selene must be mortified. He then walked to the guest room and knock on the door.

“Selene can we talk?”. No response.

Masamune opened the door and found her hiding under the comforter.

“Go away! I hate everyone!”

Risking getting yelled at again Masamune went to the bed and sit next to Selene.

“Selene, I don't care what the old man says. Although, I will rip him a new one when I met him. But right now, we need to talk. Why you didn't talk to us? To me?” Masamune already knew the answer but he wanted to take her away from that moment.

Selene sit looking toward the window, she couldn't face him. She felt humiliated, but she understood that life was not fair at all. Yet, she dared to hope just for this once destiny will be on her side. Gathering some courage she started talking.

“Ian, Lancelot and Kincaid adopted me when I was 15. Kincaid found me at the police station after I blew up that car. Yes, that is still true.” a dry chuckle escaped her lips.

Masamune didn't move, he let her speak, she needed to understand that he was there for her, but it pained him how much they resemble.

“Kincaid offered a deal to the judge in order for me to start from the bottom. One year in juvenile then I will be in their care. I didn't had an option. I was angry, tired and alone.” Selene took off the covers from her. “At the time I thought I had what it takes to be the most ruthless person on the planet. Kincaid decided to train me in any martial arts possible, Ian teach me how to use firearms and Lancelot told me how to get information and also how to be a lady. Here I was, thinking big and when the time came I just failed. I...” her voice trembled with the memories of that night.

This time Masamune moved and make her sit between his legs. He just hugged her letting her choose her own pace. He caress her back and waited.

“My first job was to kill a man who was doing charity work to help homeless people. When the time comes I couldn't pull the trigger. I went back home and told them that I just wanted to live a normal boring life. Pathetic uh?”

“ No it's not, killing takes courage is one of those things you can't undo once its done.” Masamune gave her a gentle squeeze and rest his chin on the top of her head.

Selene was rest against his chest, he felt warm. And after a couple of minutes of silence she broke the silence again.

“I know how to arm and disarm a gun, I learned how to make a bomb, but I can't for the life of me, make friends or ask for a hug.” Selene closed her eyes.

“And yet you are a terrorist when is comes to eat meat.”

“Oh my God you are not letting that die, don't you?”

“Nope, never. Even if it will take me the rest of my life I will teach how to eat a delicious Medium Rare steak.” he kissed the top of her head and smiled. “Selene everyone have their secrets and no one is perfect. I'm not judging you and I will never do it. Right now you need help and we are here. I am here all you need to do is take my hand. I'm never letting you go.”

Selene turned around to face Masamune, his eye was looking at her with a deep shade of blue. She could see and feel his resolve. And she still was afraid. So many what if? So many scenarios and yet she couldn't hope to be on other circumstances without him. Her heat skipped a beat, and a warmth sensation started to envelop whole. Here she is in a dangerous situation and all she could think off is on him. Would she dare to hope for love? So far, everything had always been sad. Her parents, her life, her failed relationship with Malcolm, and then she met him. Masamune Date, a ball of pure energy and mischief. Always smiling, cooking or making sure everyone had a plate in front of them.

Selene extended her hand an touched his right cheek, then brush softly his eye patch. Smiling softly she dared to ask.

“What happened?”

“When I was a kid I got sick and lost my eye to the sickness. But a couple of years later I got into an accident and lost it.”

“So, we are two hard heads aren't we?” Selene saw it, the mask that Masamune use for the world but not for her. Right now he was the same as her a kid full of doubts and fears.

“When I lost my eye my father, thought I will never be the same, I...I shut everyone out and didn't let them near. My father, he enrolled me on martial arts classes and I met Master Tosai. He helped me work to get better. I started to see things from another point of view. I had two choices, either I sit down at the crossroads and let life passing by or I keep walking and make most of it. I choose the later. Life is better when you smile and share your food with others.” he finished with a shrug but it was not lost to Selene he struggled to opened up.

“After that I tried to join the army and the police but I guess one eye is not enough. I didn't let that also defined me so I end up being a bodyguard for the Oda family. Nobunaga and I finished being friends and when he established his law firm he called me and invited me to be part of the group. The rest is history I guess?” Masamune lower her eyes and avoided Selene's look. He also was hoping Selene will accept his past, will accept him. “Well I don't know you but all this talk is making me hungry. I'm going to cook something I will let you know when is ready, try to rest a bit.” he was getting up when Selene took his hand.

“ I like to cuddle and I don't know how to french kiss..”

“I can work with that. Plus, I can teach you how to french kiss if you still want to learn.” he couldn't stop smiling at her face illuminating with a shy smile while at the same time her cheeks turn in rosy red.

“Wanna help me in the kitchen?”

“Sure.” Selene was getting out of bed when Masamune surprisingly got her on his shoulder and slap softly buttocks. “Hey, put me down I'm not a sack of potatoes.” Selene couldn't help it and started giggling.

“Wait what, did someone said something? Hahaha.” Masamune kept walking with Selene on his shoulder.

“This is a travesty.” replied Selene imitating Lancelot's British accent.

“Let me down.” the giggles continued until they arrived to the kitchen.

The two started making the food between jokes, teasing and kisses. Once the food was served they continued their banter and talking about their favorite things. At night they were at the porch looking at the starts and enjoying the night on its own.

“Selene, just one more thing...”

It was a full moon and Selene look at Masamune's face. His face was relaxed and with a tender look on his eye. “Yes?”

“Closed your eyes.” was his only request to which she obeyed him.

Masamune closed the distance and started kissing her lips softly, when he noticed she was responding to him he started nibbling softly her lower lip until she opening her mouth a little bit more. Teasingly he alternate his lips, his teeth and his tongue to explore her mouth slowly. The assault became a little bit deeper with his tongue teasing hers initiating a dance together. Selene felt touch by how he was kissing her. At some point she had to broke kiss and panted to recover her breathing to normal. Touching her forehead with his, Selene smiled. He was as agitated as she was and giving her a big boyish smile. She gave her a nuzzle with her nose to his and Masamune frown.

“What was that?”

“A Eskimo kiss.” Selene smirks trying not to laugh out loud at his surprised face. “ I guess there are things you are oblivious too.”

“ I guess, tomorrow is back to work. I will take you to work and back, so if you need anything...”

“So you are my bodyguard?” Selene body tense up suddenly.

Masamune noticed the change and sighed. “In a word yes, your “guardians” let us know about the threats. We don't want to see you hurt. It's for the time being.”

Selene looked to the side and evaded Masamune's gaze. With he on her tail she won't be able to investigate on her own.

“I know what are thinking, and the answer is no, you are not investigating this alone. If you want to investigate, I'm with you...”

“But what about your work?” interject Selene.

“Most of it is to corroborate information we already have and Mitsuhide can handle it. Selene don't shut us out. Don't shut me out. Remember the food taste better when you share it with someone. The same goes for anything else. You don't have to do this alone why you...” he stopped at the sight of her eyes. The same stubborn look he always gives, but something else he couldn't see at the time.

Masamune hugged her trying to let her know how much he was there for her. Grasping his sleeve. Selene thought of her options. Her time to keep this under wraps was over. And what if they wanted to hurt them? Great now she was overthinking. Clearing her thoughts she decided to play by the rules this time.

“OK, I won’t let you guys out, just promised me don't being reckless,please?”

“Kitten I...” that look again on her eyes. Fear something he learned to hide so well. “OK I promised.” Kissing her forehead they hugged each other for a couple of minutes until temperature went down a few grades.

“Come on, let's get some hot chocolate.” once again Masamune took her in his arms.

“Wait, why are you...? Date, I can walk you know?”

“Well indulge me, on Monday we are going back to work, besides you belong here in my arms and I want to spoil you as much as I can.” Masamune's tone playful and with no room for more discussion.

Selene relaxed against him and kissing his cheek.

Sunday passed by in a blur, between watching movies, hearing music and talking. Masamune teased Selene as much as he wanted, he savored his time with Selene, each minute that passed by confirmed the words Nobunaga told him on Friday. Beautiful, smart, simply perfect. The rest of the day went by and he did all he could to spoil her. The next morning, the place felt silent, looking around Selene took one last look and smiled sadly. For some reason she felt, this was the going to be the last time she was going to see this place.

“Well, its time to go.” Masamune took a last look at the house and at Selene's reaction. He was wearing a suit of Royal Blue color, black shoes with a black vest and gold and black stripes tie. He simply looked breath taking.

Nodding in awe Selene turned around and both went to the car.

“So how do I look?”

“Great. Those colors always suit you.” in fact he looked just dashing, gorgeous, highly...Blushing Selene bit her lower lip and look one last time to the house. It was then she heard the a low whistle that was becoming louder rapidly.

“Masamune we need to get out of here NOW!!!!

Both got into the car a blue Mustang RTR and went of the garage just in time to get out off the house while the missile approached and impacted the house blowing it up. Putting the car on drive they started to leave as soon as possible in order to prevent another attack. Looking around, Selene spotted the helicopter passing by, but in the other direction. Not waiting to know if they were being followed Masamune accelerate only leaving the dust behind.

@elievalentine @datemasamunemaiwaifu @unstoppablelinda @colivara @mikamiw @yeshasays @la-piperina @louveau @masa-little-kitten @epicdragonlady @notsafefortum-blr @xathia-89 @kimi00twin @jennacat84 @sengokuotaku82

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animesshadow · 6 years

Text

Natza Week - Day 2: Wisdom

“I am starting to regret splitting up our team right about now”

An irritated red-haired knight stated as she was hiding in a dungeon-like tomb while observing her surroundings. Next to her was a man with pink spiky hairs and a scarf around his neck. Contrary to his teammate, however, he didn’t seem to be the slightest bit concerned about the sheer mass of dark mages in their vicinity that were actively searching for them.

“Don’t say that Erza. It’s a rare time for us to spend some quality time clobbering bad guys. Just the two of us.”

Natsu commented seemingly excited about their situation. The desire to just go out there and smack his foes together with Erza was basically written on his forehead.

“You always surprise me with your overly optimistic way of thinking in situations like this.”

Erza sighed but she couldn’t hide a small smile on her face when she got reminded of Natsu’s simpleminded, yet adorable positivity and excitement even in situations like this once again.

“But still, if you had not ignored our plan and just charged in like that, we wouldn’t be in this situation”

She was obviously troubled by the thought of having to yet again explain why they failed a mission for the most laughable reasons.

“You always worry too much Erza. All we have to do now is beat those dark mages and get the artifact that they stole. Easy peasy.”

Typical Natsu plan right there. If it wasn’t for the fact that they are trying to avoid getting their attention, Erza would have probably chopped his head by now.

Erza just pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed loudly.

“There are too many Natsu. They know this place better than we do. We couldn’t possibly avoid at least some of them running off, alert everyone and run away with the one artifact that we are trying to secure”

The situation seemed dire. Even the experienced S-rank knight could not come up with a quick plan that allowed them to bypass the dark mages without them getting alerted first. Natsu seemed to think for a few seconds and then just smiled over at Erza

“Most of the time you are the one to take action and usually your last minute plans make sure we win the fight. But this one time, just follow my lead okay?”

Natsu confidently suggested. Erza was still skeptical though. What could Natsu come up with that she hadn’t thought of? But they had to do something now, no matter what. They couldn’t hide here much longer. Those mages would find them eventually anyway. To be honest, Natsu wasn’t the most tactical fighters in the team. His general strategy was always to overpower his opponent and grow stronger on the battlefield itself. Perfecting that could, however, be considered a wisdom in itself.

“Alright, fine, but if we end up failing to get the artifact and fail this mission, you will have to explain everything to everyone.”

“Sure will!”

There was still no trace of a plan to be seen though.

“And I will personally punish you for your reckless actions.”

The emotionless, low-pitched voice and cold glare she threw upon Natsu made him instantly shiver in fear and crush his confidence for a second. He knew oh so well how Erza punishes him when he does something stupid. No matter how close the relationship grew in the past few years, that fear has never even faded the tiniest little bit. It was that attitude that kept him in check when he needed it most of the time though. But that also made Natsu trust Erza so much. She would always be honest and punish him when he was acting thoughtless but that also meant that she would openly compliment and reward him when he was doing good. She was wise enough to always see through his actions and judge them accordingly. Natsu could always trust Erza to be honest with him, no matter what. Even with her armor on, the cold iron wall that he felt between her and the rest of the world was nonexistent anymore. Just the pure Erza, no facade or anything like that. Around him at least. From outside it may look like an abusive relationship but it was the bond of true trust and companionship that allowed them to be so free around each other. Erza always showed Natsu how she truly felt about him, whether it be anger, pride, or love. A bond those two could not share with anyone else, even in Fairy Tail. Not to that extent. It had already grown beyond that.

Natsu took a deep breath to calm his fears and put on a toothy smile again.

“Fine, as long as you kiss the pain away afterward. But don’t worry! This plan if fool-proof. Just follow my lead this time”

“Wha-... Okay fine. Just tell me what you have planned”

A small blush formed on Erza’s cheeks because of Natsu’s unusually bold first sentence. She just cast those thoughts aside for now and got ready to take action.

“This is a dungeon, right? In other words, we are underground”

“Yeah, so?”

Erza could still not understand what Natsu had in mind.

“You will see soon enough. Let’s just finish them quick. I don’t want the Ice-Princess to finish his part faster than we do”

The fact that he still thought about beating Gray should not be a surprise but Erza was truly fascinated by how Natsu just always wanted to beat him at everything. He sure had some silly ambitions. Seeing Natsu as his usual self even when they assumingly about to fail the mission was one of the traits of Natsu Erza loved about him.

“Ok! Let’s do this!”

With that said, Natsu dashed out of their hiding spot with a tremendous battle cry that was amplified by the echoes in this dungeon.

“Fire Dragon’s Roar!”

A massive fireball lit up the entire place. However, Natsu didn’t aim it towards the dark mages but shot it on the roof above them instead. Neither the dark mages nor Erza had any idea what was happening but Natsu continued to shoot fireballs at certain places on the ceiling.

Soon after, those places crumbled and began to crash as the damaged ceiling gave in to gravity. Massive rocks and boulders fell down and formed massive walls of rocks.

Now Erza got what Natsu had in mind. She immediately requiped into the Heaven’s Wheel armor and shot a large number of swords into the ceiling. Every place that got hit by swords or fire crashed down and formed a new wall.

“Now those punks can’t run away and take the precious artifact away!”

Natsu exclaimed loudly, followed by a confident laugh, certain of his victory.

Every pathway way now blocked by boulders. There was nowhere for the enemy to run. A confined battle arena with no escape.

“It was unwise of you to make us your enemies. We will kick your butts in now. I’m all fired up!”

Erza simply nodded in agreement. Both of them, standing back to back now, dashed in opposing directions. Natsu and Erza were far beyond the capability of these dark mages. Each of them getting brutally taken out by firefists or steel weapons. Pretty sure that’s the moment they all regretted their life decisions.

A short while later, all the rogue mages were laying on the floor unconscious. If it comes to magical power, those mages were no match for Erza-Natsu-Duo. Those two were far beyond their league.

“Ahaha see, it worked perfectly”

Natsu put his hands, puffed out his chest and celebrated loudly. With each laugh, small sparks mockingly flew out of his mouth.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to come up with a plan like this, Natsu”

“You may be experienced in the art of battle. However, young Scarlet, when it comes to the Wisdom of Recklessness, you have still a lot to learn. Keep this lesson in mind”

The great and wise Natsu placed his fist on his palm and made an exaggerated bow, imitating that of a true master.

“They tell me, oh wise Natsu-dono~”

“?”

There was something off about Erza’s strangely cheerful voice. It made Natsu feel chills down his spine. A knot formed in his throat that forced him to swallow in anxiety.

“How do you suggest we leave and find the artifact now after you blocked every path?~”

“?!”

... He didn’t think about that.

A dangerous smile indeed. Combined with the shadow cast over Erza’s eyes, Natsu could feel all of his previous pride and wisdom fade in an instant. Right about now, Natsu missed the beautiful and heartwarming smile she usually had when they were together. Her stern but loving attitude or even the possessive yet protective hug she always gave him when other girls tried to approach him was a more preferable choice.

“Ehh, you know... I didn’t think that far ahead...”

A nervous smile masked the fear of the storm that was headed his way.

“A dragon once said ‘A wise man never knows all, only fools know everything’ “

A desperate try to avoid the unavoidable. He messed up.

“Shut up!”

She shouted angrily and chopped the top of his head with an armored hand. Natsu was on his knees, holding his head in pain.

Shortly after, however, Erza reached out her hand to Natsu. Her previous angry attitude seemed to have faded.

Erza sure did notice Natsu’s genuine try to come up with a good plan this time. He may not be the wisest, but he doesn’t need to be. Just being that adorable little dragon that would fight any opponent that threatened his family was enough for her. Still, Natsu giving his best not be completely simple-minded and trying to improve himself for her sake didn’t go unnoticed. She was eternally grateful to have such a precious partner by her side. A partner, she couldn’t imagine out of her life anymore. A dragon that she would keep close to herself forever.

“It wasn’t the smartest plan you came up with, but I guess it did prevent them from getting away with the artifact. Now get up my dragon of wisdom”

A bit taunting but still mostly appreciating her cute little dragon.

“Once we clear this barricade of rubble and get what we came for, I will get a delicious cake. Your treat.”

Natsu’s eyes were sparkling again. His usual enthusiasm and excitement back to where it should be. He took her hand that she offered to help him back up on his feet. It may have been only a few seconds but Natsu did notice that she requipped the cold gauntlets away before she reached out to him. Even as a fire mage, the heat of holding her hand was not comparable to any fire he was able to create. He wanted to hold it forever and never let go. But for now, it was enough to be able to finish this simple mission with her.

#natza #natza week #natsu x erza #day 2 #wisdom #erza scarlet #natsu dragneel

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