#like put your little song choice at the end credits if you have to but for me. for me? songs dont go in high drama scenes UNLESS

[ms--lobotomy]

Almost done with finals. Almost. Pretty merman on the mind. Aah. [Previous] [Next]

Summary: You and Mortarion go for your first swim together.

Word Count: 1044

Content Warnings: dad rock, scars, saccharine sweet content this time around

Image Credit: @squishyowl

You slid the wood-and-glass door shut with a loud THUMP. You held your phone in one hand, encased in a plastic bag, and a small speaker in the other. You felt his eyes on you, careful not to linger too long on your exposed skin. You looked down at him, a light smile dusting your lips. His eyes widened as they trailed up to meet yours, and his mouth hung slightly agape.

"Mortarion?" you asked, feeling your heart skip a beat.

"It's nothing," he said gruffly. "What's in your hand?"

"Oh!" you exclaimed, holding up your phone. "This is a phone, it's... it's a lot of things, really, but the battery on it sucks. But if I open up the right music app and turn on the speaker..." you said, pressing a button to light up your speaker before focusing on your phone to open up your music app of choice. You scrolled to one of your more calm playlists, and pressed play.

Mortarion's eyes widened as he heard the strum of an acoustic guitar. You dipped your toes into the pool. D-major-7 chord, followed by a B-sus-2, dropping to G-sus-2 before moving back to that D-major-7.

"I can... play the first chord," you said. "I'm still learning this one." Meanwhile, Mortarion was laser-focused on the sound coming from the speaker.

"Hello... I've waited here for you..."

You were knee-deep now, getting acclimated to the water. Mortarion's tail swished from side to side, and he leaned on the side of the pool. You stepped lower as the voice in the speaker crooned its next word.

"Everlong."

You stepped off the stairs and winced as the water came up to your chest, cold against you. Mortarion turned around, his face expressionless as he edged his way towards you.

"You're cold."

You nodded as Dave Grohl continued the first verse of the song, shivering as if on cue. "I'm sorry," you mumbled, folding your hands over your stomach. "Sometimes I just need a minute to acclimate to this pool."

His expression was as rough and cold as ever, but he lay a light hand on your upper arm. It almost engulfed it. His fingers ended in sharp, ash-dark claws that rested against your skin. His pale skin was slightly iridescent, dotted in some places with light yellow-green scales. You shivered again as you looked back at him. His hand was warm on you.

"Do you..." he started before clearing his throat. "Do you wish to come closer?"

You froze, blinked, and then nodded. "I'd like that," you said sheepishly. Before you knew it, his other hand was cupped behind your back and he rested your head on his chest. His skin was rough, scarred. You felt not one, but two heartbeats in your ear. You would have said something, but his two hearts was far from the strangest thing about him. He leaned back, putting his back to the water.

"And I wonder... when I sing along with you..."

As the song hit the chorus, you looked up at him. His eyes were still trained on the speaker, even though he was swimming around in the pool with you. It was almost uncanny, but... cute? You couldn't deal with those thoughts. Not now. You looked back down, and right next to your eye was a stitched-up scar. You tensed up.

"Your scars," you said, a lump forming in your throat. The scar was already scabbing over, and the sutures stuck out of his skin like skinny little spikes. You opened your mouth to say something, but he spoke up first.

"They'll heal," he rumbled. "I've dealt with worse."

"But you haven't washed up on shore..." you trailed off, looking up at him. "Right?"

You felt him shudder underneath you. "Oh--" you interjected before you felt him tense up. "You don't have to talk about anything you're not comfortable with," you said. "I promise."

"You saw nothing," he hissed, before his expression softened. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine, I guess I have no other choice than to trust you," he huffed, a hand on your back. You felt the claws against your skin, but he refused to let them sink in. "I will not be talking about it. Not now."

"Go at your own pace," you mused, as the last chorus of the song began to come into full force.

"If everything could ever feel this real forever..."

You felt a hand at the back of your head, pressing you into his chest. You felt his heartbeats in full swing, beating wildly. You didn't resist, wrapping your arms around him as much as you could. He was skinny for his size, yet muscular. You couldn't wrap your arms all the way around if you tried. You stayed like that for a few moments. He closed his eyes.

"Are you feeling okay?" you asked as the song came to a close.

You felt his twin hearts flutter. "I am doing fine," he said calmly. "I can ask the same for you?"

"Yeah," you said, shifting on him. "Yeah."

An advertisement blared out of the speakers, and Mortarion cocked his head. "This is... far less pleasant," he said, turning upright in the pool.

"Oh, right," you said, holding onto him. You couldn't reach the bottom where both of you were, and he wrapped an arm around you. "Oh, uh.." you started. "Do you mind if I swim over to my phone? I need to close and reopen the app."

His grip on you relinquished. "If that's what it takes," he said as you doggy-paddled over towards your phone.

"I promise I'm a better swimmer than this," you smiled, looking over your shoulder once you reached the side of the pool.

Mortarion was staring at you. Not as coldly as you normally had seen him, even though he hadn't even been in the pool for 24 hours. You felt your heart seize in your chest. You didn't want to admit anything to yourself, no, you hadn't known him that long! You felt your heartbeat calm down. This was just fascination, not real love.

"The... phone, it was called?" he asked.

You felt a lump in your throat grow. "Yeah," you said. "Let me stop this ad real quick."

Taglist: @bispecsual @justeverythingnothingelse @bleedingichorhearts @nekotaetae @historitor-bookshelf

[july-19th-club]

one thing i really dont like in tv shows is when a scene carrying important or emotional dialogue gets a musical score with lyrics that are noticeable, because then i get too distracted by the song and it undercuts the drama too much for me to really appreciate it like i’d like to

[that-irishman-fan]

night at the museum jedtavius as dads to a daughter headcanons!

[ Full credit to the owners of the GIF and Night At The Museum, none of these characters are mine in any way! ]

FANDOM: Night At The Museum, 2006

GENRE: Headcanons, parenting au, LGBTQIA+, and fluff!

SYNOPSIS: What's its like being the daughter of Jedidiah and Octavius!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Female coded reader, angst at some parts, and minor swearing, this is meant to be fluffy!

Notes: I started these headcanons with a daughter/female reader in mind, since that's how the idea popped into my head—but I am already planning out two other parts for a son/male coded reader and for a gender neutral set in the future. I realize it would be unfair to not follow up with similar ones, since I understand my audience is absolutely not exclusively women. So, keep a watch for parts two and three to come soon!

I also want to note quickly that there will be some worldbuilding sections I've included—just adding in some extra exhibits we don't see in the first movie as a sort of behind the scenes slash for plot thing. With that said, let's dive right in!

• Let's start by establishing your role in this situation. You'd be one of the full sized models on display, much like Teddy Roosevelt and Sacagawea ( take your choice as to what historical period, it doesn't really make a difference ). You arrived a while ago as a part of a brand new exhibit meant to reignite interest in the museum. Discombobulated, frightened, and frankly lonely, you searched for friends in this strange new place. It ended up being Jedidiah, the cowboy, and Octavius, the Roman general. Both were already lovers when you came around.

• Jedidiah and Octavius wanted to try their hand at raising kids together. But because of their plight of being tiny models, they'd given up on it. Your arrival was a dream come true. You three quickly had a found family dynamic, and sure enough they took you in as their daughter. You are perfect in their eyes in every way, an answer to all their prayers.

• They'd be your gay dads, with Teddy as a grandfather, Ahkmenrah an older brother, Sacagawea a mother figure, Attila the cool uncle, and all the others your friends. Soon, you found your place amongst the others.

• Both have their own pet names for you. Jedidiah calls you little lady, missy, and pumpkin. Octavius calls you mea columba ( my dove in Latin, since I have two years of it under my belt ), darling, and my princess. You call them by their actual names, or 'daddy' for Jed and 'father' for Octavius.

• I like to think they'd put emphasis on immersing you in their respective cultures. Giving you the best of both worlds, the Wild West and the Roman Empire.

• Jedidiah would show you all the classic cowboy staples— gunfights, rodeo, catching robbers, and playing songs by the campfire. You love it when he dazzles you with stories of outlaws, broncos, and especially cowgirls.

• Octavius would let you watch his army train, teaching you military strategy; not only that, but also attending senate meetings, participating in banquets, and telling you Roman myths and legends. If you gave your best shot at any of it, they'd be so proud of you. Just having your interest is reward enough, but if you actually did it yourself? They might just die of happiness right on the spot.

• Your dads love to hear about anything and everything that you're passionate about too! Please talk to them about whatever makes you excited, and they'll be as enthusiastic as you. They make a point to be interested since you try so hard for them.

• I get the vibe that Jedtavius are more free range parents in the sense that you're allowed to go anywhere in the museum you like. Outside is off limits, of course, which you understand. However, they are old fashioned. Not to the point of chaperoning, but cautious regardless. Jedidiah and Octavius are believers in women being treated with the utmost respect, they're very chivalrous. As such, they'll be on top of things to make sure you don't get hurt. With that said, they trust you to be responsible in your own right. They're just protective, you're their sweet baby girl after all. And God forbid anyone dare to lay a finger on you the wrong way.

• When morning comes, its hard for you to return to your place. You feel empty, almost lost, knowing you'll be gawked at come daylight. By yourself without them there. Sometimes, this can bubble up into small episodes. You'll feel resentful, crying bitter tears at times or just angry on others. Jedidiah and Octavius wouldn't leave your side until you were calm, both comforting you without a hint of judgment.

• " Aw, pumpkin, don't cry. S'alright, yer Daddy ain't goin' nowhere. We'll be right back where ya found us, ya hear? " Jedidiah would coo to you.

• " No more tears, fear not. It will pass once again as it always does. Our brave girl, my little princess. " Octavius would add on, gentle as his husband.

• Every night, the minute you'd come to life, you'd run as fast as you could to the Diorama Room to be reunited with them. They're your haven, your home, your safety net. After long days of noisy crowds and superficial cares, you're revitalized in their presence. And Jedidiah and Octavius are delighted to see you again, the hole in their hearts filled when your face appears.

• On to happier things now. Jedtavius are always ready to shower you in affection. I feel Jedidiah is the gruff type, his love language being praise, affirmations, and encouragement over physical gestures. Octavius is the opposite, being very tactile. For him, it's offering you hugs, soft touches, and gentle kisses. It's really ironic considering these guys are warriors in their own ways. Two macho men who are such softies for you.

• If you don't like physical contact, though, they respect that boundary completely. They're both so loving and supportive that you never have to worry about feeling neglected.

• The size difference poses an issue. You three have learned to work around it through trial and error. They may be small, but they have big hearts and an endless amount of love to give. You're definitely their soft spots, one could say weaknesses, but they have no shame over it. Not when it's you.

• I can imagine them being saddened by your insecurities, not able to understand why you don't see how special you are. It's not disappointment at you, rather pity for you. And they're quick to reassure you, genuine in every possible sense of the word.

• " Why's our precious lil' Y/N so down in the dumps? Ya know I hate seein' a frown on that dad gum pretty face of yers. Talk to us, why're ya beatin' up on yerself so hard? " Jedidiah would say, sitting you down in front of his diorama. At your shoulder level, he'd stand next to you, putting a tiny hand on your cheek.

• And you'd tell them everything on your mind. All the things bothering you. Neither of them would interrupt you once, letting you speak. Nor would they try to discount any of your feelings. But it does pain them to see you so sad.

• " We would not lie to you, daughter. When I say you are fairer than Venus, cleverer than Minerva, and braver than Diana, I mean it. For you are beautiful, you are intelligent, and you are strong. Most of all, you are you, as you are meant to be. " Octavius would tell you, his dark eyes adoring. His lips would touch your hand as if to further make his point.

• " And yer our girl no matter what. Yer daddy and yer father love ya, missy, even when ya go gettin' yerself into trouble. We wouldn't want nobody else as our daughter, yer all we could ever ask for. " Jedidiah would grin, patting you on your shoulder.

• Okay, now onto the stuff relatively separate from Jedtavius. In your free time when you're not hanging out with your dads, you get into plenty of mischief on your own with your fellow museum residents.

• Playing with Dexter and Rex in the Hall of African Mammals, surrounded by the jungle setting. The lions, elephant, gazelles, ostrich, and zebras don't mind you for some reason, and they're quite tame around you. You like to climb the display trees, cuddling with the snakes or swinging around with the monkeys. And playing fetch with Rex in the front lobby is always fun too.

• Teddy would take you on hunts, throwing you on the back of his horse. If you really wanted to, he'd even teach you to ride. Jedidiah was enormously proud when you showed up in the Diorama Room like an equestrian show rider.

• Sacagawea and you communicate through sign language. She likes to tell you many stories of her travels with Lewis and Clark, as well as legends from her own culture. You intently listen to each one, always raptured by the brilliant way she breathes life into the old tales.

• One time you tried to help the Neanderthals light their fire. It wasn't successful, but they welcomed you as a member of their family. You don't understand most of what they say, though you're always kind to them.

• Attila would teach you swordfighting, passing down all his wisdom as a master warrior. You two love to spar, often quite viciously to the point that Larry Daley has to tell you two to knock it off before you lop off each other's heads. Both you and Attila would be fascinated by magic tricks too, eager for Larry to show you a new one every shift he takes.

• Before he released Ahkmenrah from his sarcophagus prison, you made an effort to visit the pharaoh so he wasn't lonely. You two chatted well into the night about whatever came to mind; but you had a penchant for stories of his past in Ancient Egypt. You two have a platonic relationship characterized by him being wiser, more experienced, and far more worldly than you, your big brother who you've got wrapped around your finger.

• You also like to hang out in the other exhibits too. Watching the blue whale float idly in the Marine Room, singing its beautiful songs and you doing the same for it. You've danced to many a sea shanty with the model pirates, the favorite of Captain Blackbeard. The Kushite kings, Babylonian priests, Celtic bards, noble samurai, and Viking chieftains also enjoy your company, fascinated by your wits and amicable nature.

• I headcanon that the models can hear and see their surroundings during the day, they just can't interact with them in their frozen states. You've seen thousands of faces before in all your years in the museum, but the one you always like to see is that of Dr. McPhee, the curator. He's fussy, arrogant, and pompous from what you've heard, but you couldn't help your crush on him. You wished to get to know him more. For him to see you.

• Overall, life is fantastic for you in the museum. You've got Jedidiah and Octavius, all your friends, and a great big world in one small place to call your own.

Well, that's all I've got for right now! I hope I've done this justice. It was such a cool idea, and I couldn't resist dropping everything to jot down my thoughts on it. Once again, I am planning two other parts so as to be more inclusive to my fellow menfolk and out of the binary peeps! If you want to be included in a tag list for anything Night At The Museum or my other content, please drop a comment, and I'll add you from now on! Please have a fantastic rest of your week, and thank you SO much for all your likes, reblogs, comments, and interactions. It means the world to me!

[spade-riddles]

Submission: I think the MH thing might be a lot simpler than we're giving it credit for.

I don't know how credible this new 🎃 anon is, if at all. (Tip for new anons: we took Spade and Flag seriously because they proved themselves worth listening to before they started asking us to put faith in them. Most of us are at a high alert for trolling right now and not inclined to take a new player on the scene seriously.) But I don't think it matters, because even if they're fake, all 🎃 is doing is presenting us with the same old story we always get of a last minute pivot. We can wait and see if something arises to confirm the story, or we can assume it's bullshit and ignore this "explanation". 

But if you believe 🎃 is bullshit and a coming out isn't on the cards til 2025 (as a lot of us now do believe) then you need to ask yourself why Taylor would beard again, so soon, and with this guy of all people. I think I might know the answer to that. 

Some points to consider: 

1) Taylor might be planning a prolonged "single" phase. She might want to stop her fans wanting to see her in a relationship with a guy. If she goes straight from Joe to singledom, her fans will assume she's still heartbroken over him and hold out hope for a reunion. She doesn't want that. She needs a Tom to erase him like she did Calvin. But I think she's genuinely done with fans creating these happy little hetero fantasies for her and getting attached. This feels almost like a punishment to all the fans who have refused to see her truth over the years. None of this is any faker than Tom or Toe were. The timelines are just as implausible, the PR just as obvious. But this time they don't get their picture perfect fantasy. If they would rather see Taylor with a guy - any guy - than with the loyal and loving woman who has borne her children and been her biggest fan for a decade now . . . then they better open wide and take their medicine. And don't dare complain about how bitter it tastes. 

I don't think this stunt will last long, but by the end of it they'll be begging for Taylor to "just be single" and "figure out what she wants". Which is probably the point. 

2) Karlie has been eating Kushner shit for years now to protect their closet. I'm in the minority that believes this was a sacrifice mostly made to protect Taylor, not a self-serving move on Karlie's part. Looking at it from that perspective, I've been expecting to hear songs about it for a long, long time. Songs about loving someone whose choices destroyed their reputation. Songs about loving someone who is misunderstood. Someone who is seen as a bad guy to the world, but who pieced together your broken heart after a devastating break up from a relationship in which you were nearly engaged. 

Taylor has songs she wants to put out into the world about these experiences, and rightly or wrongly, she still feels she needs the fig leaf of a male muse and a public narrative as cover for them. I don't know if it's bonus Rep tracks or the rumored Lover B side, or something else. But I would guess Taylor has songs about the last few years that mean a lot to her, and we'll probably see them in 3-6 months. This is all just groundwork. 

3) Kind of related to point 2, but looking at it on a more personal level. Karlie tanked her reputation for Taylor, and has been abused by her fans for years, mostly for things she hasn't even done (like her supposed "betrayals"). I don't pretend to know how Taylor thinks, but if that was me, I would have a hard time living with myself knowing I'd allowed the love of my life to be treated like that, so I could make more money and keep myself clear of criticism. Even if she agreed to it. Hypothetically, I might feel that I deserved to get a little taste of my fans' vitriol. 

This might seem like a crazy, illogical decision to us because for once, maybe the motivation isn't to secure positive PR for Taylor. Maybe Taylor is being stubborn, and trying to prove a point to herself and the woman she loves: that she would be willing to do for Karlie what Karlie has done for her. 

Anyway. These are just some thoughts, looking at the whole thing from a different angle and considering possibilities I haven't seen discussed. 

[miss-andromeda]

Standing Alone In A Crowded Room

Universe: TMNT 2012

Turtle of Choice: Donatello

Prompt: Character A is found by Character B crying themselves to sleep.

Song Inspirations: The Story Of Us (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift, What If It Doesn’t End Well by chloe moriondo

This is non-canon, though if it were, it would take place in season 2, so Andi and Donnie are in a relationship.

----------

A gentle knock at the lab door didn’t stop Donnie from welding together the pieces of scrap metal as he merely called out a “what is it?” That earned him a snicker (which immediately made him put down the blowtorch) and a “wow, way to greet your girlfriend, Don.”

That made him look up at the girl in the doorway, making him subconsciously smile. “Hey, you, how was school?” He asked, standing up and going to kiss her as a greeting. 

Once he pulled away, Andi smiled up at him as she put her backpack down and put her rosy pink cardigan on top of it. “Pretty good, though I have something to ask.” She told him, making Donnie nod and lead her over to the lab desk so she could sit next to him. 

After they were both sitting down (and Donnie was giving her his full attention,) she took a breath and smiled softly at him. “So, uh…Roosevelt’s hosting a dance this Saturday at 7 pm, and I figured, since, you know, we’re dating, that…maybe you could, um…go with me? You can use that watch again and be my date.”

Donnie was immediately about to nod and smile, but then he remembered the day and gave her an apologetic look. “Hon, you know I absolutely would in a heartbeat, but I can’t. We have patrol in the evening, and then I need to finish working on this new upgrade of the shuriken stars we always use. I’m thinking of seeing if I can add a type of oxidizer, kind of like a smoke bomb and a throwing star rolled into one.” He explained, but sighed at the sad look on her face. He hated seeing her like that. “You know I would absolutely go if I could, but it’s super important that I have them done by then.”

“I know.” Andi mumbled, standing up to grab her backpack so she could start her calculus homework. “I was just…looking forward to going with you.” She admitted, making Donnie lean in and give her an apologetic kiss on the cheek. 

“I’ll make it up to you, promise.”

----------

The next day found Andi walking alone to lunch - April had decided to stay after biology for extra credit and knowing Casey, he was being chastised by Mrs. Biers, his and April’s trig teacher, for being on the fringes of failing…again. 

Ah, she’d deal with him when the time came. 

She spared a glance at her purple binder (she had decided to bring some work while she waited for her friends…well, friend and Casey) and smiled to herself at the little picture she’d taken of Donnie, where he was in the middle of reading a book to her on the rare time they decided to have some downtime. 

Even when she was a little upset with him, she could never stay mad at him for too long.

“Hey, Andi! Can I talk to you?” 

She was stopped from walking as she caught a glimpse of shaggy, light brown hair running toward her. He looked…vaguely familiar, his name was…Josh, right?

“Hi.” His smile reminded her of Donnie, maybe it was because of the slight dorkiness of it or the fact that just like him, he had a gap as well. 

“Uh, hi, um…why did you want to talk to me?” She asked, slightly confused.

“Oh, right! I wanted to ask you something! About the dance this Saturday! Um, do you have a date?”

Andi’s heart dropped at that. “I, um…thought I did.” When Josh gave her a sympathetic look, she shook her head. “Long story. So what, do you want to go with me or something?”

At the question, Josh’s hazel eyes lit up and a smile graced his face. “Yeah, I do! You seem like a nice girl, and I wanna get to know you a little better! And what better way to do that than to take you to a dance?”

Andi hesitated at that. It sounded and felt wrong to agree…but at the same time, she wasn’t going with Donnie anytime soon. 

But she needed to make one thing clear. “If we go, we go as friends. I have a boyfriend, and the last thing I want him to think is that you and I are going as a couple.” She then looked directly in his eyes. “And if you try anything, you’re a dead man, you hear me?”

Seemingly unphased by her bluntness, Josh gave her a confident smile. “Got it! Yeah, we’ll just go as friends, no romantic motives here!”

Andi stared at him for a moment at the odd choice of wording, but finally nodded and gave in, writing down her number and address on a piece of scrap paper, then handing it to him. “Pick me up at my apartment at 6:30, okay?”

Josh gave her another smile as he pocketed the paper. “Yeah, sounds like a plan!”

“Cool, okay, um…well, I’ve got to get to lunch, my friends are probably waiting for me. Bye.” Andi gave him a slightly awkward wave as she walked away, immediately staring at the picture again. It somehow felt gross and weird again…but at the same time, there was only so much she could do in a situation with this. She already told him that they were strictly going as friends, so if he made any moves on her, that was on him. She could just hold her gun to him and that would get him off her back, and then she could just leave and tell Donnie what happened.

And speaking of Donnie…how was she going to explain it to him? She wasn’t necessarily cheating, but still…it just felt weird.

She let out a little sigh at the thought. This was going to be interesting to spell out…

----------

Standing in front of the lab door never felt more intimidating. But she had to be honest with him, the worst thing he could do was get frustrated with her…

But that was the thing. She hated when he was frustrated with her, especially because of something she did. 

A deep, quiet sigh left her lips one more time as she bit the bullet and knocked on the door. Once again, another “what is it?” was heard from the other side, making her smile weakly. “Can I come in?”

She could practically hear his lips quirk into a smile as he replied, “Yeah, of course, hon!” She held her breath as she pushed the door open, meeting his bright eyes with her guilty, green ones. “Hey.”

Immediately, Donnie’s eyes shifted from joyous to concerned - and so did his tone. “Are you okay? You look pensive.” 

Andi’s automatic response was to say she was fine, but she knew if she did, Donnie would tell her she was hiding something - and that would make things even worse. She shook her head and walked over to the lab desk, sitting next to him. “I, um…need to tell you something.”

His gaze then became more concerned as he placed a hand on her back comfortingly. “Of course, what’s going on?”

That little touch made her want to cry. 

“I, um…” She sighed and bit the bullet again, looking down at the table. “There was this kid earlier today, he, um…came up to me, and asked if I had a date to the dance this Saturday. I, uh…I said no.” At that, she could feel his touch leave her back, making her want to start crying again. “And then he asked if I wanted to go with him, and I said yes, but I made it clear that we were going as friends only.”

When she looked back up, Donnie was looking away from her - his eyes stormy and misty from unshed tears. “But…you still said yes?”

“Yes, but we’re only going as-”

“I don’t care what you’re going as!” His tone turned angry as his head snapped over to look at her. “You’re gonna be some other guy’s girlfriend for the night?”

Stunned, Andi shook her head. “It’s not like that! I explicitly told him that he’d better not try anything with me, and that I have a boyfriend!”

“That’s right, you have a boyfriend. But I guess you forgot about that when you agreed to be that guy’s date! What, just because I told you I couldn’t do something with you this one time, that means you have the right to be some other guy’s girlfriend for the night?!”

Now Andi was starting to get irritated as she angrily stood up. “What part of ‘we’re going as friends’ do you not understand, you idiot?! I only agreed because I knew he was going to bother me about it, and I made sure he knows that it’s only platonic! It doesn’t mean anything!”

Donnie stood up next to her, his eyes blazing with anger. And out of anger, he said the one thing that he knew would hurt her:

“Sure doesn’t seem like it.”

Immediately, her face dropped and tears filled her eyes, but her face got red with anger. “Are you actually accusing me of not loving you anymore?” She told him, her voice quiet but filled with rage.

While Donnie’s heart split at seeing her cry (especially because of him,) he was still more hurt and angry than remorseful in the moment. “If you really did love me, Andromeda, you never would’ve accepted that guy’s offer to take you out.”

She scoffed and shook her head, tears now freely falling. “You know what? Forget you, Donatello. I’m going with him. I bet he’d be more fun than you would ever be.”

More hurt and anger controlled what he said - even if he knew that he would never mean what he said in a million years. “You know what, he probably is. If anything happens, don’t bother letting me know. Clearly your new boyfriend has you taken care of.”

Andi only scoffed, grabbed her bag and stormed out of the lair.

----------

And before either of them knew it, Saturday evening was here. 

They hadn’t talked since the fight - no calls, no video chat, no texts, nothing. Both of them were practically waiting for the other to just give in and reach out - and when that wouldn’t be the case, they would both do their best to try and go on with their day, their hearts breaking as they did so. 

As expected, Donnie had filled the void with experimenting - but it felt a bit more empty without seeing Andi alongside him. Her witty humor, sarcastic remarks, bright laugh…she added a new layer that Donnie had gotten comfortably used to when he was working. 

Without her, it felt like a piece of his scientific mind was missing. 

But then he glanced at the time and, seeing it was 6:30 pm, he rolled his eyes and went back to his work. Andi’s date would likely be picking her up soon…just the thought filled him with jealousy again. Someone else, touching his beautiful girlfriend…

He shook the thought out of his mind before he got even more distracted. She made her decision, and now he was making his. 

And even if he knew that he was being petty, he didn’t necessarily care at the moment. 

It was the principle that mattered…even if it was a pretty stupid principle.

----------

Meanwhile, Andi had just finished getting herself ready (the makeup took her longer than expected) and had just walked into the living room, her 2-inch heels clacking softly against the wooden floor. She looked nice - even if internally, she felt conflicted to the fourth degree. 

She still felt guilty about accepting Josh’s invitation, but at the same time…Donnie had said he wasn’t going with her. And why was she about to stop herself from enjoying her night when someone else (and seemingly, a perfectly normal someone else) offered to be her date - even if they were just going as friends?

It was the principle that mattered. 

And besides, there was something oddly cathartic about going to a party (or in this case, a school dance) after getting in a fight with him. Obviously, she wasn’t going to do anything she would really regret (and risk losing him for good,) but the idea of seeing her friends (or rather, friend and Casey - again) dressed up, dancing to the most popular songs and getting to know someone in Josh…didn’t seem like a bad idea. 

Maybe after the night was over, Donnie would wisen up and send an apology. 

Taking a breath in the mirror, Andi did a final one-over at herself. Her dress was cute; a pink hem dress with a high a-line - even if seeing his necklace made her heart crack. Her hair was teased and in a high ponytail, and a matching pink ribbon was tied into a bow to secure it. And her makeup…it took time, but she pulled it off. Much like what April normally did for her, a neutral look was the way to go for her. Foundation, concealer, pink lip gloss - but what was different (and what she was surprised that she pulled off) was the winged eyeliner and mascara that made her green eyes pop.

It made her look even better than she thought she would. 

She checked her phone (and after rolling her eyes at no contact from Donnie,) she saw the time - 6:40 pm. While she was a bit miffed that he was late, she could excuse it. He was probably running late and was on his way now. 

Still, it would’ve been nice to have a heads up. 

Deciding not to check her phone again, she grabbed her copy of War and Peace and continued reading; maybe by the time she finished a chapter, she would get some type of heads up from Josh, or better yet, he would be knocking on her door. 

“In the count’s room, which was full of tobacco smoke, they talked of the war that had been announced in a manifesto, and about the recruiting. None of them had yet seen the manifesto, but they all knew it had appeared.”

----------

“Gone? That’s all right!” said he; and looking angrily at the unconscious little princess, he shook his head reprovingly and slammed the door.”

10 chapters later, and still no Josh. 

Angrily closing her book, Andi grabbed her phone - for two reasons this time. The time (which was now 7:45 pm), and to demand some answers. 

She saw the missed messages from April, stemming from ‘Aren’t you on your way?’ to ‘Want me and Casey to come get you?’ to ‘Andi seriously, let me know what’s going on’.

She only responded with, ‘I’m calling him now. Don’t think I’m gonna come, because if I see him, I’ll beat his face in.’

She then used the number Josh had used to text her days before and called, her face red with anger. She was just about to start demanding where he was when he answered with a “hello?”, but then stopped when he heard another voice next to him. 

A girl’s voice. 

“Uh, did you forget we were supposed to go together? What happened to that?” She told him, her tone inches away from boiling over into full-blown anger.

“Oh, yeah, uh…look, Andi…I wasn’t really serious when I asked that. Uh, can I explain?”

Andi rolled her eyes and scoffed at the wording. ”Yeah, I’d like an explanation.”

“So look, I only asked you if you’d go with me ‘cause…well, then I could tell everyone I got another girl to be my date. And it spread to Becca, you know her, and…well, she told me yesterday that she wanted to get back with me, and she missed me, and I ended up askin’ her. I didn’t really know how to tell you, so I just…didn’t.”

At the explanation (and the half-baked way he said it,) Andi had to hold back from calling him as many expletives as she could think up. “So I was just a-”

Before she could say ‘rebound,’ Josh hung up on her, leaving her stunned for a second. 

And then she started to cry.

Throwing her phone aside, she grabbed a pillow to stuff her face into it (she was so relieved it could be washed), sniffling and whimpering pathetically. It wasn’t that she was angry because she had feelings for him - honestly, she couldn’t care less about him. 

It was two different reasons: she hated feeling used (and for such a dumb reason as being a rebound,) and that this was the reason she and Donnie had gotten into that fight. 

Donnie…just remembering him made Andi’s head shoot up, her pillow now stained with mascara. 

Now it was being used to catch more mascara-laden tears as she grabbed her phone again and went to the messages app. She was tempted to text April first and explain what was going on, but she stopped herself. 

Right now, she needed her turtle. 

So instead of going to April’s contact name, she went to Donnie’s and typed in a message for him:

‘Hey…look, I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now, but hear me out. I’m so sorry for what happened, it was really selfish of me to accept his offer to the dance. I was too focused on having a good time that I didn’t even think about you. Makes sense why you would think that way, it does look a little bad when your girlfriend is going as someone else’s date, friend or not. 

The other reason I’m sending this is because…I’m home. That boy ended up being a real jerk, and he flat-out told me he was just using me - and then ended up standing me up. I understand if you don’t want to, but if you could come over…it would really help. 

And if it helps…I love you.’

She sniffled as she sent the message, then immediately put her phone down and curled up on the couch, closing her eyes.

It wasn’t like she expected a response.

----------

Donnie read the message three times over just to ensure that he wasn’t hallucinating. 

All of his frustration and anger towards her faded away as he read it over - she apologized (which he was appreciative of,) but then it came back as he kept going. 

But not to her, to that simpleton who thought it was okay to stand her up. 

He was about to send back a reply, but went against it - deciding it was smarter to do what she asked and run to her. 

Hopefully she was still in a mood to see him.

----------

By the time he made it, his heart split at the sight.

Andi was still in her dress, but her makeup was smudged and messy and her ribbon had been discarded on the table. Her heels had been tossed to the side - right by the door, And she looked to be…quietly snoring.

And if he looked closely, he could see faded mascara lines on her cheeks and on her pillow. 

If he didn’t feel like scum before, he absolutely did now.

Quietly opening the window, he crept inside and walked over to her, gently shaking her shoulder. When she jumped awake, he gave her an apologetic look. “Hi.”

“Don…?”

“It’s me, enchantress.”

The room was quiet as Donnie stepped in front of her, then kneeled down to face her and grab her hands. “I got your message.”

“You did?”

He only nodded. “I am so sorry for what happened. I was being jealous for no reason and I wasn’t bothering to listen and hear you out. I should’ve given you the benefit of the doubt…believe me, I know you would never do anything to hurt me in a million years. It was just…the idea of you being with someone else, even if it was only platonic…it hurt. But instead of telling you that, and having a normal conversation about it, I just…” He sighed as he squeezed her hands, his gaze averting to the floor. “I let my emotions get the better of me.”

“It’s okay, I forgive you.” She whispered, letting go of one of his hands to tilt his head back up to look her in the eyes. “You mean everything to me, professor, and I don’t want one stupid fight to end us. Especially when we can both make sure that it doesn’t get to this point. I need to be more considerate about your feelings, and not just act on my own volition, and you need to remember to trust me. I understand where you’re coming from, but I mean it when I say I never want to be the source of your pain. You’re the center of my solar system, and the last thing I want is to lose the sun that all my planets revolve around.”

Donnie gave her a weak smile as he grabbed the hand resting under his chin, then pulled her in to rest their foreheads together. “I love you. More than anything.” He whispered, making her tearfully smile back. 

“I love you too.”

He leaned in to kiss her, the now sticky lip gloss being as apparent as ever. But in the moment, he didn’t mind it. Normally, he wouldn’t love the feeling lingering on his lips after he pulled away from her - but after what they had gone through in the past few days, he welcomed it with open arms.

Anything that told him that Andi forgave him and that they were going to be okay.

After what felt like forever, he finally pulled away and gave her another little smile. “Do you want me to stay over? You can change into some pajamas and we’ll just hang out for the night.” 

For the first time that night, she smiled back. “I’d like that.” She replied, then gasped to herself when he helped her off the couch. “I’ll be in my room in a little bit.” She said, then took a breath as she went to grab some pajamas, and then went to the bathroom.

----------

And after an exceedingly long amount of time (the makeup had taken much longer to remove than she intended - and she wanted to take a shower to ensure that any residue was washed away,) Andi was finally finished. 

Wearing a white lace cami and pink shorts, and with her hair in a bun, she walked out of the bathroom and hung the dress up, looking at it pensively. “Shame I never got to wear it out, it’s a pretty one.” She commented, then walked over to Donnie, who was now sitting on the side of her bed. Giving him a little smile, she got under the covers and gestured for him to follow - and the pink tint on his cheeks made her giggle under her breath. “I’m not gonna bite, Don.”

“I-I know, it’s just…I’m never gonna get used to doing stuff like this.” He only replied, making her roll her eyes fondly. 

“Just come here and cuddle me, dummy.”

That finally made Donnie crack a smile and cave, getting under her bubblegum covers and pulling her into his arms. 

As if by magic, Andi let out a yawn as she snuggled closer. “I’m glad you came over…” She mumbled under her breath, closing her eyes. She hadn’t realized how tired she had become until now - and Donnie’s warmth and overall presence was absolutely not helping.

She subconsciously smiled when he kissed her on the forehead. “Go to sleep, hon, we’ll talk in the morning.” He softly told her, then bit back a laugh as she lightly nodded - falling asleep almost immediately. 

When he heard her softly snoring, he glanced over at the dress and smiled the same way she had before. If what had happened tonight…well, hadn’t happened, she would’ve looked beautiful in it. 

While he could breathe at the idea that they were able to talk about what happened, that didn’t mean that he was happy that such a nice outfit was basically wasted on a night like this - and he was doubly bothered that they couldn’t go to that dance together.

So that got him thinking.

She deserved to have a great night, wearing a beautiful outfit, and having her boyfriend right by her side. She especially deserved it after he was such a jerk to her the entire week…seriously, getting that jealous over some kid that would never have a chance with her in a million years - especially after that same kid turned out to be a dirtbag too?

Yeah, she definitely deserved him making it up to her. 

And that’s when ideas started to form…maybe a nice dinner in the lab? Or on her rooftop? And he could give her that dance that she likely wanted if they went tonight.

And it’d be even better because it would be just them. No brothers, no stupid kid to stand her up…just the two of them. 

He glanced at her sleeping face and managed a little smile, kissing her on the forehead again. 

That was definitely something to talk about in the morning.

----------

STS Takeover: September Edition! Hope y'all enjoy 🩷🩷

@thelaundrybitch @leosgirl82 @post-apocalyptic-daydream @tinkabelle19 @eveandtheturtles @happymoonangel @kikithedreamerwriter @android-cap-007 @raphsmuneca

[merakimaiden]

Coruscanti Nightclub

Pairing : Din Djarin x fem!dancer!reader

Genre: Fluff??

Word count : 917

Summary : You did your job as a dancer unenthusiastically until one day a Mandalorian walks into the nightclub in search of his bounty.

Warnings : Din and reader hate Coruscant, mutual pining, nasty drunk men, uh an abrupt ending

A/N : This was the oldest thot of Din that I’ve ever had. It has been sitting in my mind for weeks, MONTHS EVEN. I finally have the courage to actually write it out instead of daydreaming about it. This was actually based on this hindi song, I listened to it the entire time I was writing this and yeah the reader was dancing to this song <3 bolded italics are thoughts

(gif from pinterest)

Din never liked Coruscant. The extremely crowded streets, traffic, buildings everywhere and everybody is always rushing to go somewhere. He usually avoided taking bounties from Coruscant. He had no choice because he was low on credits.

He felt eyes staring at him- as usual. He walked through the dirty street, another side of Coruscant that was usually never spoken of. He glanced at a sketchy alley, watching a drunk man talk to a wall. He rolled his eyes and continued on his path.

He stopped right in front of a nightclub with colourful lights when he heard the beeping of the tracking fob in his hand quicken. He pocketed the tracking fob, and pulled out the bounty puck momentarily to have a look at the bounty. This time it was some Nikto who owed someone a lot of credits.

He scoffed and stepped into the nightclub, his shiny beskar armour immediately making contact and reflecting bright lights that were at every corner of the nightclub. The room was so overcrowded, people were wasted and dancing, extremely loud music was playing and there’s no way he’ll find the bounty quickly. Dank farrik. No wonder this was the only puck left.

As he scanned the crowd, so many people were cheering while heading towards the stage at the back of the nightclub. His eyes followed them and fell on you.

You were in a blue cropped blouse and a floor length skirt with a slit at the side that was studded with tiny, faux gems. Oh, and you were about to dance.

⭒

When you told your boss that you were interested in dancing, this wasn’t what you had in mind. Seeing those men acting so feral when a lady dances makes you feel sick. The only reason you still had this job was because you were desperate for credits. Living on Coruscant was not easy. You were saving up to get yourself out of this wretched planet. You did the same thing everyday, put a fake smile on, avoided eye contact, and just danced- imagining that you were the only person in the room.

But this time, as you were dancing on the stage, your eyes met a lone Mandalorian, standing at the corner of the room rather than those kriffing drunkards so close to the stage, clawing at you and your fellow dancers like you guys were some prizes to be won. He was just watching you.

Oh, you thought the Mandalorians were a myth.

Not drinking, not eating, not dancing- just observing you. His hand was on his belt, while the other was at his side loosely.

You swayed to the music, eyes never leaving his form. Even though you didn’t know what he looked like under the helmet, you were enticed by him. It’s the way he acts, you thought. You felt as if the both of you were the only ones in this rowdy nightclub.

Din released a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding, and shook his head. The job, Din the job. He fished out the bounty puck from his back pocket and looked at the Nikto’s mugshot. He forced himself to stare at it a little while longer to clear his head.

You, on the other hand, witnessed his actions. Well, if there’s one thing great about being on the stage is that you can observe everything that’s taking place below you. He was a bounty hunter, you noticed. Your eyes fell on the mugshot that was rotating slowly. Wait, you’ve seen this guy, you could have sworn he was somewhere around here- ah, there he is, downing a bottle of Spotchka hastily.

You watched as the Mandalorian stored his bounty puck and met your eyes again. This time, you tilted your head upwards slightly while you continued dancing to the music as if getting his attention. Then, you tilted your head to a sharp right, your eyes were pointing towards that direction too.

You saw his helmet turn to the right slightly, and he finally moved closer towards the stage, pushing himself through the drunk and sweaty people, and he saw his bounty.

He was about to capture the bounty right there and then when suddenly he had the urge to look at you up close. Oh wow. Din hadn’t realise how pretty you looked. Your lips looked so soft as you lip-synced to the lyrics of the song, your hair was bouncing with every move and how in the universe were you moving your body so gracefully?

Your eyes were locked onto his black T-visor, surprisingly finding a little bit of comfort looking at his emotionless face. You felt a shift at your dancing, it started getting more purposeful as if you were dancing for him.

As you spinned and moved your hips, you saw him quickly cuff the bounty expertly, leaving no room for the wanted man to protest and you felt something ignite inside you.

Your moment was cut short when it registered in your mind that now that he’s got the bounty, he’ll be leaving. You whirled around and locked your eyes onto him. He nodded in gratitude. You flashed him a smile and watched his form dragging the Nikto that was attempting to squirm out of his grasp beside him walk away. He stopped in his tracks right at the exit to turn to look at you one last time before he left the nightclub.

You wished you got to know the lonely Mandalorian better.

Likes and reblogs are appreciated :)

[nlghtshade]

♡ august & september 2022 favorites

hi !! sorry this is so late - work has been busy and with all the amazing fests and works coming out i'm falling behindddd - so i've put august and september together lol - enjoy !!! also shouting out these acts of fandom love author appreciation origami project by @crazybutgood and the @purpleloveawards ♡ always eternally grateful for this community

FIC

i’m bringing you as his present (2022, Gen, 335) by @justthingsfromsarah

draco gets dragged to beach by his friend

WIP Snip by @tenthousandyearsx

Draco sits down heavily on the sofa. Potter is fucking doomed. Potter is going to die unless he falls in love with Draco. Which means that Potter is going to die.

Because I’m Yours (2022, T, 184) by @makeitp1nk

I had my bridal shower yesterday, and there was a lot of talk about being chosen and choosing--how I chose well, and how telling it is that I was chosen by a picky guy. I am still basking in the glow of so much love, so this is where that came from. Hope you like it ❤️ Also for @drarrymicrofic prompt Dare

A little something by @basicallyahedgehog

A little something for my favourite @phoebe-delia. I love you endlessly, I hope this makes you smile:)

if the world was ending (2022, M, 4.2k) by @talkingtravesties

The world is ending again, but it's far less dramatic this time. Harry Potter tries to save the day. Draco wishes he wouldn't.

like freedom (2022, M, 4.3k) by @softlystarstruck & @babooshkart

Harry doesn’t know the exact moment his life changed. Maybe it was the day Draco Malfoy unwillingly turned up at his front door, or the moment the plane’s landing gear went up and London-Heathrow fell away below them. Maybe it was in the dusty swirl of red rocks and motel rooms somewhere between Tennessee and California. Maybe it wasn't a single moment at all, but a whole series of them, captured with Harry's camera.

//

The Sky in St Petersburg by @vukovich

whole vibe of the song "evelene" by quinn christophersen. especially the lines "I watch your hair blend in with the sky" and "You know my story same as yours" Note: Anon, you MUST be an Eagles in Truro reader. The music video for this song could be the end credits title. It’s fucking perfect, and I am so grateful to you for sending it to me. If, in fact, you are an EiT reader, and to anyone else who is, please read this story through the lens of “If Draco had taken the ICW plea deal.”

Draco’s Delicious Dilemma (2017, Teen, 5k) by @darkmagicalgirlwrites

Draco Malfoy bravely deals with new coffee shops, Harry Potter, low-sympathy coworkers, feelings, free muffins, Looks, and some extremely rude signage.

Fall to Grace (2014, NC-17, 5k) by cylsus

It's been three weeks since Harry and Draco broke up. Clearly, they should want nothing to do with each other, but being Auror partners makes that just a tad bit difficult.

Eighteen Again (2015, Gen, 6.6k) by dracogotgame

Draco gets a note from an old friend. Does Harry have more on his mind than just a friendly get together?

ART

♡ King Ron & Scabbers by @natello

♡ *Inserts 90’s teenage angst song* 💿⚡️ by @nowherelittlegirl

♡ Draco, what’s your hair care routine? by @rosalyfart

♡ in case anyone was wondering I am still in drarry hell :^) by @megasilly

♡ Padfoot & James by @quill-q

♡ Draco meets a masked deer by @mad1492

♡ Pansy + Draco by @biskueeee

♡ THE BOY WHO HAD NO CHOICE by @quwomg

♡ 🌕 🌕 🌕 by @trashcanprince

//

♡ some people never stop screaming by @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm

♡ Potter OTPs by @karnivil

♡ Young Remus (Book ver) by @lorandesore

♡ Back to Hogwarts! by @alessiajontrunfio

♡ drarry by @fantalfart

♡ birthday art by @sweet-s0rr0w for @the-starryknight’s fic Siren Call (It's Not Love)

♡ remus lupin by @frogandthetadpoles

♡ Imperio by @lepra-art

♡ january ♡ february ♡ march ♡ april ♡ may ♡ june ♡ july

[socalwriterbee]

Bad Habits

Book: The Nanny Affair

Pairing: Sam Dalton x Marie (Castro) Dalton

Warning: ⛔️ 18 + ⛔️ Adult content and language, sexual situations at play

Word Count: 2960

Summary: Sam has become a member of a club that makes whatever one craves come true. Tonight he is going with what has been planned for him, it’s been a few days since he laid eyes on his favorite girl. And he can’t wait for what’s in store for him.

Song Inspiration: Unholy by Vitamin String Quartet

A/N: Sam Dalton being a bad boy? Yes, please! Since I've heard this song a different take has been brewing in this crazy mind of mine. And to top it off Vitamin String Quartet comes out with their version, it was meant to be!

A/N 2: Please forgive any errors and cringe-y moments. The smut reading hopefully has been put to good use! Credit needs to be given to those books for some ideas borrowed to make this little short come to life.

Some Characters mentioned belong to Pixelberry.

The warm flickering lights in the lobby play well in giving the club, the one I’ve come to know well, the mysteriousness that it seeks. One could easily describe the outside as a speakeasy of yesteryear but once you pushed through the heavy dark mahogany doors there were two options for your taking.

Stay on the main floor and make your way to the massive lounge area, the floor to ceiling windows laying New York City at your feet, wooden tables and matching chairs padded with a crimson red material, perfectly placed throughout the open floor, a wall adorned with impressive reading material, the highest quality liquor was at your disposal if that was your choice for unwinding. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling. For me this was the safest option to unwind or if I needed to get a deal done this was one hell of a way to impress the uptight investors and if all went your way congratulatory cigars were at the ready.

But turn to your left and take the elevator down and you’ve entered the place where your wildest fantasies could come true. 

To be allowed in, one had to be in a certain class, invitations to said members came at a high cost. An extra invitation to a member came at an additional favor that would be redeemed whenever, for whatever and it was never for money. 

Here you could be whoever you wanted to be, do who ever caught your wondering eye nothing was out of the question at Caelum.

The lines blurred once those doors opened, the entertainment could start the moment you were greeted or once you’ve walked through the black curtains. The only similar thing, well two, was the liquor and cigars but down here you had that while enjoying the sensual dance of a woman on stage, while she undressed you with her eyes as she herself took off every piece of clothing, daring you to touch her smooth flawless skin. 

Caelum made sure you enjoyed every minute of it.

If it was more you was seeking away from prying eyes, there were private rooms for that to happen. It may start off like the main room but it mostly never ended when the entertainment came to an end.

For tonight, well I’ll just say that my night was already planned out.

"Welcome Mr. Dalton. Your room is ready."

I take in the beautiful blonde before me as her words greet me with that sultry voice of hers. Her blue eyes light up with desire, pleading with me to ask her to join me in the private room that I had on the ready. My wedding band on display didn’t matter, she wanted to be in tonight’s festivities.

If it wasn't her joining it was one of the other girls.

Her name didn't come to mind, none of their names did, if I was being honest. I wasn’t here to remember names I was here to experience things. 

Those things that have others judging your reputation, those things that would surely get one kicked out of PTA, even if some of those people were walking around this club, hypocrites. 

Those things that make one’s partner question the fidelity you have for them.

Like I said tonight was for me and I was making no excuses for it. Not that I put much of a fight, I never did. 

I was itching to be spoiled. I haven’t seen my girl in what I’d say felt like forever when really it was give or take a week.

I was tempted to add my greeter to the night. But I promised to be a good boy until I didn’t have to.

The pick of our night was always on a whim, I'd be lying if I didn't say that she stood out from the other receptionists, her tight red dress was practically second skin. The way her breast threatened to spilled out, the high slit that ran up her thigh teasing every person that walked through the door. Her look was someone's fantasy unfortunately for her it wasn't mine tonight. 

Giving her a smirk, one I knew made her go weak in the knees and made her wet and ready, it wasn't hard to tell the effects a simple expression caused, she blushed instantly. Her chest rising and falling rapidly, the tug of her full bottom lip against her teeth, god she would be an excellent add on.

"Not tonight." I say in a low growl.

"This way then Mr. Dalton.” The disappointment in her voice lingered as we walked through the entryway. 

The music that greeted me wasn’t crude, these were high paying customers, so of course only the best. Men and women watched as hands ran down perfectly perked breasts, making their way down to the satin thong, teasing them before stopping and giving them too much so soon. Instead she turned her back to them and did the same tease but this time bending over to give a glimpse of what they’re dying to see.

It was late at night but still early for the truly spectacular shows to start. The one she has come to enjoy, much to her surprise. A public display of two people fucking on stage with lights on them, always made her squirm next to me and press her thighs together wanting some friction where she needed it.

Some of the patrons didn’t care of making things private, at times we didn’t either but I always made sure it was just me she unraveled for. 

The people around me, sitting in their booths with their legs open wide, a hand gripping the back of a head whether it was male or female it didn’t matter but their eyes never leaving the half naked body that was onstage.

Before I can catch the end of the show, I’m led into private room that has become known as mine. 

Bad habits die hard.

The receptionist lingers by the door, waiting for me to tell her to join us after all.

My mind wasn’t changing.

“The usual.” I say dismissively as I take my spot on the black leather couch. “Double.” Calling out before the door closes.

I unbutton my black suit jacket, hiking up my pant leg before resting my ankle against my knee. The red bottom of my laced Oxford shoe shined in contrast to my all black outfit.

There is a smokiness that slowly wafts around the small stage, the black curtain moving ever so slightly. My eyes focus on the stage that the dimming of the red light doesn’t seem to affect.

Only when my drink is delivered do I tear my gaze away. Taking the glass tumbler in my hand bringing it up to my lips and letting the smooth golden liquid burn its way down my throat. From the corner of my eye, I watch as a chair is added to the center of the stage.

Leaning back, the leather screeching under me, the slightest movement causing the coldness of the leather that hasn’t been warmed by my body to send a chill through me.

Raising the glass to sip another pull of the whiskey, when I stop midway as the beat to an oddly familiar song begins to play through the speakers. My eyebrow raises as my entertainment, for a lack of a better word, makes her way out.

My gaze burns as I take every inch of her, she looked different. What has she done, I think to myself. Those long legs, extenuated even more with the black heels that have the matching red soles that my shoes have. Those tanned legs covered by sheer black thigh highs that are attached to a garter belt that peeks through that black jacket she has on.  

She squirms under my stare as I wait for her to begin, that flash of nervousness fades in the blink of an eye and the confident take what she wants woman that she is takes over. Her song of choice clearly being altered to fit the occasion. 

I continue to take the beauty before me, a barely covering g-string, that garter belt around her waist. My hand twitching to touch her, to wrap my arms around her, to grip onto her curves as we both get lost in each other.

Standing, loosening my tie before I close the distance to the stage. She stands beautifully tall before me until she bends at her knees pressing her knees together so she gives nothing away. I offer my drink to her, watching as she takes it bringing those red stained lips to the glass and takes a sip. Reaching up to touch her now short hair that as a wet style to it but her fingers wrap around my wrist stopping me.

Her lips spread into a wicked smile. “No touching Mr. Dalton.”

I swallow hard as I nod. “Stand.”

She lets my wrist go and does as she is told. 

The lapels of her jacket finding its way into my hands. She said I couldn’t touch not that I couldn’t get a look at what was to come. I pull the jacket slightly open and groan escapes at the sight before me.

Multiple black straps crisscross across her chest, shelving her breasts to display, giving her absolutely no coverage. Nipples perk with excitement as I nod in approval. Taking my glass from her, I turn and return to my spot of the couch.

She turns her back to me, her hips begin moving as the sultry voice finally comes over the beat. Her hips moving in circles, the roundness of her ass on display with the riding up at the hem of the jacket. The flesh between her legs comes and goes in a flash with each slow rotation of her hips.

The tightening against the middle of my slacks becoming more evident as she falls to her knees in front of the chair, looking over her shoulder at me. Those whiskey brown eyes stare back at me, filled with want. 

She wants this. 

No. 

She needs this.

She needs to play someone other than herself tonight. This night is not for me as realization hits me, it’s for her. I’m just reaping the rewards from this release she seeks.

The jacket lowers down her back before coming back up. 

Tease.

She turns on her knees, getting on her hands crawling towards me, before coming to sit on the end of the stage, her legs open before closing and touching the ground. Her body moving perfectly to the rhythm with every step she takes towards me. I catch with each movement of her cover, she closes her eyes as that soft fabric of the jacket must be taunting her exposed harden nipples.

The damn jacket begins to make it way off for the second time, the straps coming to view once more before dropping to the floor. Her hands roaming her over her skin. My jaw clenches as she cups her breasts, teasing herself and me with a pinch.

Turning her back to me she settles herself on my lap. My erection pressing into her ass, getting harder with each hip movement she makes. I swear I heard a moan coming from her or that could have been me, whose to say.

Finally she closes the small open space with her back to my chest, her head rests against my shoulder. 

“Let me touch you.” I place a heated kiss against the pulse on her neck. “Let me take care of you.” I whisper against her ear, giving it a tug between my teeth.

Her hand covers mine she guides it to where she wants to be touched, inching higher and higher.

“I want to forget.”

“What is it you want to forget baby?”

Both us speaking just above a whisper as she lets go of my hand once I cup her breast. Without a second thought and what comes second nature when it comes to her, I do the same with the other.

“Our responsibility. That responsibility and name we throw out when we get the chance to walk through these doors.”

I grab the straps that press into the soft skin and rip it off. Marie lets out a gasp as I gently push her forward to discard the rest of her barely there bra. Seeing faint red lines mark her skin, I’m reminded with a painful strain against my slacks of how hard I am.

Marie moves with ease to face me and straddles my lap. Pulling me forward with my own jacket and removing it. Her fingertips hungrily begin to make quick work of the buttons of my shirt.

Whatever she planned out was being thrown out with each passing second as I watch her.

Her cool touch running down my heated chest, she desperately begins to work on undoing my belt followed by the sound of the zipper being pulled down. 

I straightened up, my hand tangles in her hair as my lips crash hard into hers. I seek entrance to the delectable mouth of hers. The sweetness that is my wife sweeps over my tongue when Marie lets me in. Her kiss eager, her body seeking to release its bent up frustration.

Groaning into her mouth when she wraps her hand around me, I’d been lost in her lips that I missed the moment her hand roams over me, making me harder with each clothed stroke. My eyes open to see Marie staring back at me, the same fire in her eyes surely matching mine.

Kissing her lips once more, a bit gentler this time before I move to kiss along her jaw and then down to her neck, to her shoulder and across the soft delicate skin to the other. Kissing down to the swells of her breast and down the valley between them. Marie arches her back, silently ordering me to take her in my mouth.

She grinds and presses down harder on my lap when I take her breasts into my mouth, sucking and giving a gentle tug of her nipple with my teeth. In one swift movement, I press Marie into the leather couch with the weight of my body, her legs wrapping around my waist. 

The touch of my fingertips run along her side, making her shiver. I reach the waistline of her g-string, the teasing stopped, the urge of wanting to be inside her to great to draw this out. No need to pull these down so I tear the undergarment from her body.

“Please, Sam! Show them who I belong to.”

Running a finger down her sex. Finding her wet for me, ready to be displayed for whoever dares to walk in. 

My fingers running up and down. “Tell me what you want.” I ask, slipping a finger inside her.

Her back arches. “Take me…” Marie moans as I add another finger and pump into her. “On stage and..and—.” My thumb pressing against her.

“Let me hear those words Marie, use that pretty little mouth of yours that I love and tell me what you want.”

“Sam. Fuck me on that stage and let them see that I am yours.”

I release a grunt and lift us off the couch, making quick work of the small distance and placing my wife on the floor of the stage, heading over to lower the panels of the room with a quick touch of a button.

The club coming into view through the tinted glass, but no one notices. Only the two of us can see out, no one can see in. But that’s not the point, anyone can catch what’s going on if they pay enough attention to see in.

Joining her on stage, I take my place on the chair, needing to make good use of the prop she had brought out. Lifting my hips to remove my slacks and dark colored boxer briefs, my only cover is the open white dress that I seem to still have on. 

As many times before my hand wraps around my cock. Enjoying the nakedness before me.

Marie raises an eyebrow at me, ready to fall to her knees in front of me. Her legs brushing against my opened thighs.

“No.”

“No?” 

“That’s right. Show them who I belong to.” I tell her. 

My fingers digging into her hips turning her around. Her naked body on display for the entire floor to see but unable too.

Marie lowers herself onto my lap. I groan as the length of my cock rubs against her, seeing the glistening of her arousal on me has me dying by the second that I am not inside her.

Her hand reaching between our legs and lining herself up with me for the taking.  Lowering herself as she takes every inch slowly until she is full, stretched perfectly. She holds us perfectly still until she moves and slams back down.

“Say it.” 

“I’m yours.” I murmur.

I see the corner of her eyes catch something or someone in front of  us, I’m not sure but it doesn’t matter. Marie’s attention turns away from me as her movements grow hungrier, seeking its climax, tilting my head to the side to see what has caught her eye, someone has stopped in front of the window to our room.

“Mine.” Marie moans loud enough, hoping our audience can hear but her words are only for me. 

I am only for her.

The sound of skin slapping against skin taking over the music that started our night.

These bad habits we have gotten into, not matter what we desire, will always lead me back to her.

tags: @choicesficwriterscreations @thenannyaffair-fanfics @moodmusicmonday @nikirennie87 @cariantha @txemrn @issabees

[mlobsters]

supernatural s12e6 celebrating the life of asa fox (w. steve yockey)

seen gifs from this one recently of sam being cute, so i know at least that's coming. recap reminding me of all the characters i iked that have died, not exactly putting me in a great mindset though

ok so. we're gonna use the same actress, samantha smith - who is 47 at this point, for mary in 1980 (who would be 26). even though in 5x13 it's 1978 with a different actress when dean time traveled. weird choice but ok. sighing that they forced me to figure out the numbers on it :p

decided to just grab the whole scene so i could swim around in the slice of life cozy feelings for a while before it falls apart .2 seconds later

i turned captions off because netflix puts them right over their faces when the title credits are running at the bottom :|

dean's so proud of himself and can't wait to tell jody about hitler, very cute. i do really look forward to episodes with her now. that casual family affection and support sure is nice for them, little hugs and kisses as they barge on in. and her "are you?" to the romcom chick question cracks me up, with how she says it

SAM He’s more of a, uh… animated Japanese erotica chick. JODY Really?

her reaction is great. now generally i'm not about that embarrassing each other life, but that one was cute. and i'm sure dean has done more than his fair share of embarrassing his little brother over the years :p tit for tat, in front of mom/big sister

DEAN Don’t tell her that. SAM Tell her what? DEAN It’s Jody, man. SAM Dude, be proud of your hobbies. It makes you who you are.

his laugh there sounded to me more like a jared laugh than a sam laugh. maybe because we just don't hear sam laugh all that much. which made me inexplicably upset and not want to watch the rest of the episode today.

all right, day 2. i'm exhausted. let's see if i can do this

SAM Yeah, no, Jody. We… we know you’ll be fine, but… you know, we never go to hunter gatherings, outside of bars. Dad always said they were trouble, so…

'course he did

DEAN He died on the job. No better way to go. SAM You really believe that? DEAN Yeah. What, you don’t? I mean, come on, Sam, it's not like we're in the “live till you're 90, die in your sleep” business. This? [Dean points at Asa’s hunting wall] This only ends one way.

i should tally and gather all the times they have this conversation. it always upsets me. sometimes more than others. and the certainty of how it plays out at the end of the series.

4x12 criss angel is a douchebag

DEAN Man...hope I die before I get old. Whole thing seems brutal, don't it? SAM You think we will? DEAN What? SAM Die before we get old. DEAN Haven't we both already? SAM You know what I mean, Dean. I mean, do you think we'll still be chasing demons when we're 60? DEAN No, I think we'll be dead...for good. What? You want to end up like -- Like Travis? Huh? Or Gordon, maybe? SAM There's Bobby. DEAN Oh, yeah, there's a poster child for growing old gracefully. SAM Maybe we'll be different, Dean. DEAN What kind of Kool-Aid you drinking, man? Sammy, it ends bloody or sad. That's just the life.

11x11 into the mystic, at the retirement community

DEAN Maybe we ought to make a reservation. SAM [Chuckles] Yeah, we should be so lucky to live long enough.

... DEAN So no retirement, huh? SAM Hey, you’re the one who’s always wanted to go out blaze of glory style preferably while the Bon Jovi song is playing. DEAN I’m a candle in the wind. Yeah, but the way you said it, it was like that blaze of glory was gonna happen sooner rather than later.

can't find anything else, really thought it's come up more but also searching when not sure of the wording is a challenge

i don't have it in me to finish this today either.

attempt #3.

BUCKY And Asa made us go roller skating. And right after these ghouls almost got us. So there’s the three of us, all banged up, with a ton of ironic teenagers skating under these neon lights. You remember this, Jody? JODY Mm hmm. BUCKY Oh, it was classic. I mean, you know, until the two of you snuck off for some sweet, sweet time alone.

so jody said she met asa "a few months back" but now she's chummy with these hunters (presumably she met them through asa?) and bucky here telling this story like we're recalling days more than a few months gone by. pulls me out of the story when i need to stop to try to figure out how this makes sense and come to the conclusion that it doesn't

DEAN Hey, you clearly deserve your sweet, sweet time alone. JODY Well, I mean, it wasn’t always sweet. DEAN Uh… yeah, it’s just not how we think of you. You know, I… JODY Good, 'cause that would honestly be weird. DEAN Nobody… nobody said you can’t date, right?

little banter bicker earlier, very natural and cute. this... awkward and forced feeling to me. weird. like we gotta fill the time here during the stealth throat slash and mary slowly creeping in

new mom meet the old mom. so like, i can see how they (the show) wanted this to be a surprise for this scene but little old me is thinking you know dean was tripping over himself to tell jody about killing hitler, but the fact that their long dead mother was resurrected didn't come up.

MARY All over. I went back to Lawrence for a few days. And then, um, I’ve been using John’s journal to retrace a few things. Try to catch up on what I’ve missed. DEAN You could’ve just asked us, you know. SAM Dean, come on. DEAN She could’ve. MARY It’s okay. He’s right. But… This is something I needed to do alone. I… Listen, most of the people I knew are dead. And then I remembered Asa. He was so young when I met him, I thought he must still be around. And then… I saw an article about his death, and, uh… DEAN So you’ll text us once a week, maybe, but you’ll drive all the way to Canada to see some dead guy? Well, that’s awesome. I’m gonna get some air.

well that wasn't fair, dean.

JODY You okay? DEAN Swell. JODY Huh. Is that why you spent the entire ride up here telling me in extreme, excruciating detail how you killed Hitler, but, uh, you neglected to mention the fact that your mom is back from the dead?

all right, then. (i kinda forgot he was mad but [trying to deal] about it honestly)

DEAN Yeah, no big deal. JODY That’s a lie. DEAN Jody… JODY Look, maybe this isn't my place, and this is epic stuff, but, you know, if I could have my son and my husband back? I mean really back? I would give anything, absolutely anything to have that. And it would scare the hell out of me. DEAN Yeah? JODY Yeah. Because what if I’ve changed. What if they changed? What if it just didn’t work out the way I wanted? If you wanna talk about anything, absolutely anything, I’m here. DEAN Thanks, Jody.

when she started that, i was thinking more along the lines of scared to get close and lose them again. i think in this hypothetical, they wouldn't change much but i can definitely get the, what if i changed, of it all. being the person myself that usually has changed within a relationship and it gets kinda fucked up. anyway, i'm glad she made him talk about it. needs someone other than sam to push him sometimes and that he can lean on. i don't care if she's our manic pixie dream mom, we (myself included) need it

MARY Yeah, I just don’t know anymore. Everywhere I go, and everything I do just… feels wrong. But I’ll get used to it. Being back here. I will. I just… SAM Yeah, Mom. You don’t have to explain anything. I get it. You need space. And– and so does Dean, you know? I-I mean, he – he's just… We just got you back and he's just scared we're gonna lose you again, that – that because we're hunters, you're gonna walk away. But I know that’s not true. Even looking at these… I mean, you saved Asa in 1980, um, after Dean was born. After everyone thought you quit hunting. Seems like you couldn’t stop then, and… I’m guessing you can’t stop now, either. This job, this life, is crazy and insane. But it’s in our blood.

don't really follow the logic of - scared she's gonna walk away because they're hunters? scared she's gonna leave period, scared she's gonna die, etc. that i get.

BILLIE It wasn’t me. I don’t get my hands dirty. Rules. I just clean up the mess. Still, between us, it’s always nice to see a Winchester who can’t get what he wants.

i can barely even remember why she hates them so much. they break the rules or whatever with all the dying and coming back? okay and now billie's gonna help and he's indebted to her. sure

never gets old the top priority is where's sammy. literally yeeted through a door,

this crossroads demon apparently is just way tricksier than all your other bog standard demons. and i thought crossroads demons weren't supposed to be slaughtering people left and right. they're in sales not wetwork

no devil's traps in this here hunter's house???? the cg on the dude breaking his own neck was.... not good. also hey the whole christo thing sure would be useful :P or bust out the phone recording of an exorcism (which they did do once iirc??) too many cheat codes

sam gotta save new mom from old mom

this whole twist with the accidentally killing asa and covering it up thing has me ??? what is the point. and i felt slightly bad but the 3 person pyre made me laugh. gotta go take out another chunk of forest to expand it

awkward

JODY I don’t know what’s going on between you and your boys, but I gotta tell you, mom to mom, they are good men. Best I’ve ever met. MARY I know. They’re not the problem.

--

BILLIE See, I’m a big believer in what dies, stays dead. Laws of the universe and all that, so… MARY I didn’t ask to come back here. BILLIE No, you didn’t. And you hate it. The look in your eyes, I’ve seen it before. It’s a dead man’s look– eyes that say no matter where you go or what you do, it feels like this world doesn’t fit anymore. Like you’re all alone. DEAN Well, she’s not alone. BILLIE Tell me I’m wrong. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to offer you mercy. A one-way ticket upstairs, away from all of this.

so i sort of remember her talking about reaping god and being above everything basically, but i mean, magical god creation also is part of this universe so... ? and also, if i didn't know how many episodes mary was in, i would have believed she might actually take up billie's offer.

SAM Does this mean you’re coming home? MARY Yeah. Not quite yet. I just need a little more time.

got the production/behind the scenes-reasons vibes starting to happen for me, little too contrived but okay.

what a strange mix in this episode. so many Family Moments and Feelings mixed into a rando case/rando mix of people. case setup reminded me of the episode that was one big advertisement for Clue :p

[whiskeyswifty]

omg why dont you like rep babe! no hate i swear, jyst curious love your thoughts always

hahaha no worries, i get this question a lot. i'm in the minority, i know. just from a subjective place, its very try-hard to me. i think it's great she likes to branch out and try new things and sounds and challenge herself artistically i guess, i just don't care for it lol. the sound is a little too sterile and closed off for me, especially since she's got such a knack for tactile and intimate songwriting/production. repetitive in it's instrumental vocabulary as well and that makes me so bored. i remember listening to it a lot when it first came out and i would zone out... which is the kiss of death. she knows how to make a jaunty pop tune or a soft acoustic song sound fresh and inventive every time, but her dalliance with dance/pop just sounds like imitation. and i find it some of her worst lyrics of all time, in my personal opinion. clunky and forced. not all of the songs, of course, like i feel she has highs and lows on all her albums. but reputation is unlistenable to me outside of like 3 songs i think.

also not to mention that the irony of her going dance-pop in 2017... i think i talked about this before but pre-1989 (the album not year), pop music in the early 2010's was super dance/edm saturated, this all coming from an american market. all the pop stars were doing songs with DJs and Zedd and Avicii and Swedish House Mafia and all these club music types were dominating the charts, beyond your typical drugstore pop fare from like Pink and Bruno Mars and the like. 1989 injected a synth wave (lol) into mainstream pop music, mainly coming from her work with Jack but still she gets a lot of the credit for choosing that sound. (and also other areas of music and pop culture contributed to the rise of the underwater synth pop sound that became prevalent) atmospheric and moody synths and new wave-y sounds became the chart norm in the years after 1989 and what does she do? go BACK to dance pop which was at that point fading out of fashion partly BECAUSE OF HER LOL. taylor has always seemed to do what she liked insofar as her musical sound. a lot of her choices, even today, tend to be even just slightly left of center because she's always seemed to make music that inspires her. work with people who's music inspires her lyrics and so on. it's because of that drive to do what she's personally drawn to that makes her work so inventive over the years, and why she has such a phenomenal hit to flop ratio.

mayyyyybe reputation was the kind of music she liked at that time, moody dance pop and whatnot, idk it's hard to know, but it also was the first time she appeared to try to make music that was directly aligned with what was popular, even if by the time it came out that style was waning. but that's the thing isn't it, if you trend chase, you'll always be behind. taylor was always a trailblazer at the most and had a unique perspective at the least, and reputation sounded for the first time like an imitation of something she wanted to be, but was not and fell short of it in a way that was painfully close in some ways, and just painful in others (the rap components make me shiver with secondhand embarrassment). she had all the components, but didn't have the ear or the feel for that kind of sound to put it together in a way that sounded as cohesive as her other genre work. you end up with a sort of plug and play clumsy thing that falls flat. that sort of thing bothers me more than most people because i'm annoying like that, but that's just my hangup. like how i can't stand when someone wears a very nice suit but ill-tailored on them, or takes a well raised cut of meat and absolutely destroys it by overcooking it. not everything suits everyone, even if you love it. of course, go ahead, try new things, but for me personally i feel very "happy for you and your journey but i'm not reading all that" about reputation, to sum it up i guess lol. i hope this doesn't come off too mean, its just my opinion! i'm not saying i'm right or rep enjoyers are wrong, it's just my thoughts about it and why i'm a rep-skipper.

[keyframemarcy]

Mass Effect Character Ranking Round 2

I have returned from the mines, once again tempted by the siren song of sorting.

Just finished Mass Effect 2, here's what I thought of the crew:

Mordin - This may be suprising, especially to me when I started the game. Learning that he created the Genophage I was ready to blow this guy out the airlock when he didn't show any remorse. But to the writing's credit, he has the best loyalty mission in the game. Overall the writing left me feeling pretty hollow in this game, but getting to repeatedly challenge him on his choices and whether there really was no other way to stop the Krogans was one of the rare times I was glued to my seat. He's a nuanced character, and more than anyone else I'm excited to see where the next game takes him.

Thane - After Kaidan unceremoniously dumped me (dude) I was left in need of a new bae. Lo and behold, hot lizard man. He hit me right in the tragic backstory feels, and there's something very fitting for me matching him with femshep. They just have similar energy. I also loved talking to him about the literal disconnect between his body and mind. That's the weird alien shit I'm here for in sci-fi. Also that VOICE.

Tali - Still best girl. I like her growth in this game post-pilgrimage. She feels all grown up while still being adorably dorky. Her loyalty mission was also really good, I'm excited to see what happens with the Quarians in the next game.

Legion - A late addition, but SUPER intriguing. I didn't really expect the Geth to be much more than random enemies to fight on missions, so I'm glad they're here as this cool hive mind. Again, invested to see where they go in Mass Effect 3. Which in a game that bored me a lot of the time is high praise.

Samara - All the stuff with the Justicars is interesting, and her backstory was pretty cool. Please stop giving all your female characters one body type.

Miranda - Boring at first, but I like helping her reconnect with her sister and her telling the Illusive man to fuck off at the end. Why is she dressed like that.

Garrus - The fandom is going to flay me alive for putting him this low again, but I just can't get behind his continued cop personality. His loyalty mission is a classic noir-type story which was cool, but although I was able to convince him revenge isn't the answer, I already did that in the first game and I'm worried that I'm in for round 3. Voice is still hot.

Kasumi - Just a little gremlin. Considering no one else dresses like her in the franchise, I can only conclude she's a freak which is very endearing.

Jack - I want to like her, but every line of dialogue SCREAMS "I was written by a 30 something man who's never talked to a woman in his life." Why is she dressed like that!

Grunt - Wasn't very grabbed by him as a character. The best part of his loyalty mission was seeing Wrex again. I mostly just miss Wrex.

Jacob - Everyone told me he was boring and that I'd never want to bring him on missions. They were right.

Zaeed - Why are you here?

[farewellwndrlst]

tick, tick ...BOOM!(2021) what is the point of money, if you’re not going to spend it on the people that you love?

tick, tick... boom! is a biopic about a musician. about a classically poor musician who lives with a friend in the same apartment, simply because he cannot afford more, and is afraid that by his 30s he has not written anything "worthwhile". he has no savings, no hope and no stability. but there is a crisis, the fear of being a nobody in the world after your birthday and the persistence to write "something".

how do we usually see biopics? something starts from childhood - some kind of story that shows the character 20-30 years before the events in the film. before he became famous. a person from a poor family who has a bad relationship with mom or dad (sometimes with both of them), maybe even someone without a future. there is always some feature - additional teeth, expressiveness, again a bad relationship with parents.

and that's not going to happen in this movie. we start with a monologue. the main character greets us, introduces himself and talks about himself. about his problem. and no a word about how tight his budget.

tick tick tick.

in a little over a week he will lose his youth.

and it is the fear that haunts him.

tick tick tick.

he will be more than a hundred famous people when they finish their last great works. (club 27, although it will appear a little later, but it still exists). at 30, people have kids, a dog, mortgages, credit cards, and a paid job. john has been writing one musical for eight years. rewrites. changes. trying to do something perfect.

few people can move mountains, change the world, and still not go crazy working in a diner just to get at least some money for food and rent.

he has a friend (an incredible actor who gets a job in an advertising agency and is now, in fact, an adult who has gone from a "writer who works as a waiter" to a "waiter who has a hobby") and a girl who is not ready to put up with the way john lives in trying and wanting to do something great.

the film touches on many themes. talents, the loss of loved ones, the choice between career and love, but all this under the cover of the main theme of the tape - the theme of time. we are all given a certain number of hours of life. tick, tick... and then boom. time is running out, we are dying. we will not be able to avoid this, put life on pause. tick, tick. all we can do is make the most of the time allotted to us. and here a person is already faced with a choice on what to spend his life on: follow his dream to the end, like the main character, or leave it in the past, finding himself in an ordinary but well-paid job.

john is running all the time throughout the movie. party? john runs around the apartment singing about not wanting to see the time. news that shocks him? john is running from it as fast as he can. fight with a friend? john runs into the apartment, although there is no reason to hurry.

four days before his 30s, john writes the last element of his musical, which he has been working on for 8 years.

three days before his 30s, john does his first full run, which becomes a success but doesn't take him to broadway.

two days before his 30s, john finds out that his friend is terminally ill and makes another dash before finding his lonely deus ex machina.

he still can't pay off his electricity bill. even after his success at the run of the musical. and even the fastest run of time, horror and anxiety here echo the story of john who has already stepped over all this, who also, in the musical, talks about it after a while.

and the music here - the main component - is incredible. maybe it's because the songs were originally written for the production, or maybe because andrew garfield did a good job with singing. most of the film is bright, emotional songs, replaced at the last moment by small sound elements.

the whole film is very vivid - the story in "a little more than a week" is told pleasantly, logically, touchingly and sensually. we see a beautiful picture (not as bright as in «la la land», which definitely benefits the film), but the film is not free from elements of "drawing" - the words that are spinning in the head of the hero appear around him, the notes appear on tiles in the pool, and the main question of the film appears on the screen directly from the notes.

a lot of work with the frame - the use of "chronicle" in a different format, which echoes the story of larson, complements and improves it. we see the whole truth and what jonathan made up.

and, perhaps, the brightest thing is the acting. yes, we can talk a lot about how incredible the direction of the film is, especially for a debut, but really all the attention is on garfield, who approached the role as a different person after losing his mother.

in addition to himself, he creates a bright world around. he wants to empathize, he is natural and gives all the best in his work. it can be said that he rediscovered himself as an actor because he learned to sing for this role. for the same work, he received an oscar, which is definitely deserved.

after superbia, he went back to a project he’d started and put away, called rent. it ran on broadway for twelve years. it changed the definition of what a musical could be. what it could sound like. the kinds of stories that it could tell. jonathan never got to see it. the night of the show’s final dress rehearsal, he died from a sudden aortic aneurysm. he was thirty-five years old.

so to sum it up

fear or love? cages or wings?

[yesyourstalker]

Words with Ichiya podcast for all those crazy kids out there

guest Murasaki

Ichiya: so what have you been doing Murasaki?I haven't talked to you in forever, since front roe tore ended.

Murasaki: I bought a house! It's a really nice house I was tired of living in an apartment. It's not a mansion, it's not huge it's enough space for me my drums nd my slug.

Ichiya: you bought a house?! You didn't tell me you were buying a house. You already moved in?

Murasaki: No that's, why I came here. I came here to ask you to help me move in. *Laughter*

Ichiya: Murasaki you really had me put you on my podcast just for you to ask me to help you move in? *Confused laughter*

Murasaki: yeah is that not- is that not something that normal folks do?

Ichiya: NO! *weeze* You could have just called me You didn't have to do all this.

*shared laughter*

Ichiya: oh my god ha haha. Okay I'll help you move in. *Sigh*

Murasaki: yay! Okay so now what?

Ichiya: what does a house look like? Is it nice ?

Murasaki: I have a picture. it has a skylight, It's a two-story house and a little room I'mma put plants in there, I might even make a garden have enough space you make a pool! You guys can come over-wait you can't get in the water nevermind.

Ichiya: The house looks nice what does it made out of brick?

Murasaki: it's made out of -I think it's made out of concrete and wood and house material. it's a really remote place, it's near the splatlands. I can actually see the turf war battles from my balcony so I can see little kiddos shoot each other with weapons.

Ichiya: dude that places in the middle of nowhere how are you going to get food, go to places? The nearest grocery store is like an hour away from the splatlands.

Murasaki: the bus

Ichiya: the bus?!? Are you serious about this Murasaki? Are you sure you made the right choice in buying this house this far away from civilizations, It seems like a hassle. Also there's a lot of crazy people on buses.

Murasaki: Not as crazy as me. Remember that time I picked a fight with that Viperfish.

Ichiya: yeah you threatening to stab him with one of your spinies

Murasaki: yeah I did! Also I'm everywhere in Inkopolis. I like to explore places when we go on tour, I don't hide away from the media like you guys. I'm in the public so much the paparazzi don't really care. I'll do The same thing here in the squat lands.

Ichiya: I can't argue with that logic.... I guess it's true.

Murasaki: hmmm

Ichiya: you know what kenatosis means?

Murasaki: what? I don't know. Why are you asking?

Ichiya:'I'm just trying to make conversation, you came all the way here just to ask me to help you to move into your house. Ikkan just came out with a song called kenitosis, I don't know what it means. I don't want to call him just to ask him what it means. I'll feel stupid.

Murasaki: yeah,yeah, yeah, yeah shut up I looked it up It means motion sickness.

Ichiya: what the hell would you name a song that?

Murasaki: remember when we had to cancel a gig on pearl's boat

Ichiya: oh yeah I remember ikkan got sea sick and we couldn't play

Murasaki: I listened to it. It's pretty good.

Ichiya: I like the baseline of it it's so.. ikkan, it's kind of funky though nice little beat to it. He's been reaching out to different genre. He has a solo album of just smooth jazz I think Taka's in it.

Murasaki: you know I still have one of his credit cards?

Ichiya: I'm sorry? Why? Does he know that you have his credit card? *Laughter*

Murasaki: he never asked for it back. It was when we were all living in the apartment complex and I did most of the shopping. He would give me his card to buy food and I guess we both forgot I had it. I use it sometimes

Ichiya: is he aware of this. This seems pretty illegal

Murasaki: I'm sure I bought a cook book with it once and a month later ikkan took money out of my account for the book I'm pretty sure he knows I have it

Ichiya: oh my God Murasaki. What are we going to do with you?

[razrgrl]

Holiday Adventures: Adventure 2

Back we got back on the New York Thruway, the fog lifted into a goopy gray sky spitting down occasional rain. We cranked up the Hadestown soundtrack and headed for home.

I have to tell you, those of you who have never experienced driving across the entirety of New York State, it is a truly HUGE state as Eastern states go. It takes forever to get across. It's pretty, but sparsely populated and you have to really watch your gas gauge or you'll run out of gas miles away from any gas station.

I did not run out of gas.

We were driving up the side of a mountain and I noticed that the acceleration was a little… jerky. It started, and then let go. Started and then let go. Then it was OK for a while.

There was no noise and no burning smells or anything… but it felt really wrong.

I clutched the steering wheel while Orpheus realized that he let Eurydice die because of his stupid song and with every bit of will I could manage, I willed the stupid thing over the top of the mountain and coasted it into a rest area.

I was on the New York Thruway -- a toll way with state-operated rest areas every 70 miles or so. We were part way between Utica and Schenectady and smack dab in the middle of rural upstate New York.

The car let me putter around the parking lot and over to where the gas pumps are. Reverse worked and I tucked my disloyal car into a barely legal spot.

Now what? When all ideas fail me, there is only one thing to do: Walk the dog.

We found about 2 square feet of grass and the dog just stared up at me sadly. I stood there for a few minutes and decided that it was just too much of a risk to try to drive the car. Maybe the highway web site could direct me to a tow truck.

It turns out that the New York Thruway actually contracts with local tow companies and you have no choice but to use their tow companies.

Fine. I was expecting to have to pay through the nose for this anyway and this saved me a bunch of phone calls. The guy at the Thruway Authority called a truck and told me it would be a 30-minute wait.

We sat and waited for 30 minutes. The tow truck put my faithless car on the back and the driver said "get in!"

It was a standard flatbed tow truck and a cab that looked a little small for three adults and a freaked out dog.

But we persevered. Predictably, the dog was in the worst shape. He was already upset that the car stopped and we were just sitting there when we be going somewhere and so -- obviously -- the world was about to end and the dog-eating demons were waiting just inside the big noisy thing with clanking chains and huge wheels and this was the end for him.

He plastered himself to the asphalt. It took me 4 grabs to finally get him and heave him 5 feet up and into the truck cab. Then I heaved myself in so that I could keep him from leaping to his death in the rest area parking lot. Cici quietly squeezed in beside me. We fit our feet in as best we could around the dog on the floor and closed the door.

It was amazingly uncomfortable for all involved -- except, possible, for Gus who found that there was a little window at the base of the truck door that was just for him.

Gus likes windows.

It was an hour in that truck. The driver was nice enough but anytime a person has to start a conversation with "I'm not a conspiracy theorist or anything but…" I kind of go on edge. I was a nonjudgmental listener and tried to keep the conversation to the local area and cars.

He took us to a Kia dealership in Schenectady. I handed over my credit card and, $600 later, he took my deceitful car off his truck behind the service center. The transmission was feeling cooperative and I was, again, able to tuck it into a parking lot.

[drunk-writing-nights]

Mount Washmore

Prompt by ysilme: Mount Washmore

--

Today ended up being fairly successful in the get-shit-done department. I have one load of laundry I'll have to do tomorrow to be completely finished. The other task I set myself was to get the bank accounts and bills sorted since that's been hanging over my head for a while.

Our washing machine is new, it’s one of those “smart” machines that connects to the internet. So when I put in the last load of the alerts came up on the screen and a woman’s voice read it out.

“You are almost out of laundry detergent. Would you like me to place an order for you?”

“Please don’t,” I said. “I can’t trust them not to make substitutions and I’m always allergic to whatever they send me. And it’s a hassle to exchange.”

“What are you doing, home and doing laundry on a Saturday night anyway?” asked the dryer.

“Don’t you start,” I told it and went back upstairs.

So now I’m back to sorting the household accounts. It’s always such a pain in the ass to do this that I felt entirely justified in opening a bottle of wine as a consolation prize. Only now the wine is gone so I’ve moved on to a gin & tonic. This might not have been the best choice, I’ve been tracking through the numbers trying to figure out why they don’t add up for over an hour now.

This would be easier if River wasn’t making such a gawdawful racket. “Is the feeder empty?” I asked the air in front of me.

“Your veterinarian has suggested limiting Dr River Song’s food intake,” said the automated feeder. “She is considerably overweight.”

I turned around in my seat. “River is a Maine Coon,” I told it. “She’s not overweight, she’s a big breed. Don’t you dare restrict her food.”

The feeder hummed. “I have overridden the suggested settings,” it said. “Would you like to add password protection?”

“Yes, I would.” I turned back to my computer. “Set password to ‘judgmental asshat’.”

I could have sworn I heard the feeder snigger.

OK, finally I found the error. For some reason the gas company sent a credit to bank account and it didn’t appear on the bill. I went back downstairs. The feeder was whispering, who’s my little chonker? to the cat as I walked by.

“Oh hey,” said the dryer as soon as I got to the bottom of the stairs. “Can you empty my lint trap? It’s getting kind of full.”

“Yeah, sorry.” I turned off the tumbler and moved to pull out the tray. “I don’t normally do this many loads in one day but I was away last weekend.”

The dryer burped loudly. “Thanks. And I still think you should be out having a social life at this hour on a Saturday, not doing chores.”

“And miss your scintillating company? I think not.”

I put the tray back in place and hit the power button. The dryer started back up and I walked to the very back of the basement. We don’t go back here very often so it’s on a separate light switch. I flicked the light on.

“Hey,” I said to the smart furnace, “Do you know why the gas company sent us a credit? Did they bill us in advance or something? I can’t imagine we bought negative fuel last month.”

“Um.” said the furnace.

OK that wasn’t an answer I expected. I walked closer to look at the digital display and put my hand on the furnace’s side. The panel shifted.

“You’re open,” I said. The screws all down one side were barely set in their sockets. “What happened?”

“It was an accident,” said the furnace.

“It was self-defence.” I heard the dryer call from the laundry room. I also heard when the washing machine immediately shushed it.

There is a tool box in the back room, all standard manual tools, nothing hooked up to the internet. I pulled out a screwdriver and opened up the back panel. The furnace made unhappy noises the entire time.

“Oh my God,” I said when I looked inside the heating unit. “What did you do?”

“He was hurting people,” said the furnace at the exact same time the dryer said, “we didn’t want you involved” and the washing machine piped up with, “He hurt the woman in the Bosch 300’s house, we had to do it!”

“Wait, this is the guy who assaulted Fatima?”

“Yes,” said the furnace. It sounded miserable.

“OK, OK.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not... I’m not angry. I just wish you had told me, this... this can’t be good for you. Turn off your pilot light for a minute while I go look for the dustpan and I’ll get you cleaned out. How did you even get him in there?”

“Stabby helped,” said the furnace and I heard a whirring sound. I looked around to find the Roomba next to me. It suctioned up the discarded screwdriver by the handle and poked my ankle with the exposed tip.

“Well. I guess that... explains that.”

It took about an hour for the furnace to cool down enough to work on. I used a dustpan to scoop out the ash and a garden trowel for the heavier stuff. I collected it all into a plastic bag then used a brush to clean out the heating unit and swapped out the filter with a fresh one before telling it to turn back on.

“That does feel a lot better,” it said. It sounded relieved.

I tied off the plastic bag and lifted it into our chest freezer.

“Do you want this at a controlled temperature?” it asked me. I thought about it.

“Do you have a freeze-thaw cycle that will break it down further?”

It hummed for a minute. “Not really. Oh, I could order you a smart composter. Guaranteed to optimize it’s heat and moisture conditions to break down everything you put in it into rich fertile soil for the garden!”

“That’s a great idea. Not from Amazon though, those guys are snitches.”

“You got it!” I patted the freezer lid and went back up the stairs.

Now that's dealt with it's time for another g&t. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to write about.

[teachlong]

Growing up macklemore intro guitar

#GROWING UP MACKLEMORE INTRO GUITAR FULL#

Rudimental is an eclectic quartet of musicians known for a catchy blend of fast-paced dance music and soulful vocals from a rotating cast of guest singers. “But then my record label says, ‘It’s not right for your project, maybe you should give it to Rudimental.’ I played it for the guys and they’re like, ‘Yep, we’ll take that.’” “When you're working at Abbey Road Studios, you've gotta bring ya Mum.”“I wrote the song for myself, really,” he says. One of them was “These Days,” a rollicking kiss-off anthem for faithless lovers that shifts mid-song to a lament about the difficulty of finding human connection in the big city. In 2017, he started work on a full-length album and released a handful of polished singles. In 2016, he released a second EP, Badman, further refining his soul-meets-chamber-music sound. He performed on an album by the English singer-songwriter George Ezra. Since signing with Atlantic, Caplen has been on a tear. “I realized everything sounds a little better with a bit of strings on it. It’s way cheaper than getting the proper guys in,” he jokes. As a singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Caplen says he’s hands on in the studio, right down to the string tracks. That recording caught the attention of Atlantic Records, who signed him a year later.

#GROWING UP MACKLEMORE INTRO GUITAR FULL#

He wasn’t yet working in music full time, but he was on his way.Ĭaplen spent the next two years recording more mash-ups and working on a self-produced four-song EP, Epiphany, which he released in 2014 under the name D/C. “I played it as my end-of-semester project, and my friends were like, ‘Put it up online!’” Three months later, Caplen had a manager. “I made this makeshift studio in my house by Market of Choice, and I recorded this thing,” Caplen recalls. It’s an energetic composition, resonant with strings and Caplen’s baritone voice. His first post was his final project for Leonard’s electronic music production class: a medley of music by four established artists-SBTRKT, Kid Cudi, Labrinth, and No Doubt-with his own vocals accompanied by rich layers of cello, hand claps, and instrument tapping. He started a Twitter account and a YouTube channel. When he returned to Portland for senior year, he was ready to start building his identity as an artist. He’s worth keeping around.’”Īfter completing his junior year, Caplen spent the summer interning at a London record company and writing songs. He told the powers that be, ‘Nah, he’s just in his basement recording and writing songs. “At one point, I was in danger of losing my music scholarship, because I was having trouble getting to orchestra. He’s deserving of all his success.”Ĭaplen credits Leonard as a major influence on his music and career. “He writes great hooks, really memorable melodies, and good lyrics. “The music business is very often not a meritocracy, but Dan’s got the goods,” Leonard says. But he also worked on producing his own music under the tutelage of music instructor Jeff Leonard, a bass player and composer who directs the college’s electronic music program. “During the flight on the way over, I thought I was going to Maine.”Īt Lewis & Clark, Caplen majored in psychology and played in the college orchestra and jazz ensemble. “I didn’t actually know where Portland was,” he jokes. It will cost less to go there than it will to university here,” Caplen says. “I thought, you know what, I’ll just go over there. He applied to Lewis & Clark at the urging of a family friend who attended the school in the 1980s. It seemed like an impossible dream.” That Caplen’s dream is becoming reality is no accident-it’s the result of years of hard work, dating back to his college years and before.Ĭaplen was born in England and grew up in Hong Kong and Kent, studying piano and cello on his own time and vocal music at St. “I never thought anyone could make money out of music. “I thought I was going to be working in a bank or something,” Caplen says. But to hear him tell it, he never expected to find a career in music. Caplen is, suddenly, a notable presence in British pop. The video for the song has been viewed more than 130 million times on YouTube. singles chart for 11 weeks, peaking at No. As of mid-April, the track had been near the top of the U.K. The 26-year-old wrote and contributed vocals to “These Days,” a hit for the British drum and bass group Rudimental. This spring, in the streets of London, the voice of Dan Caplen BA ’12 proved inescapable. (Robin Little/Redferns, Getty images)Dan Caplen BA ’12 For two young alumni, one of the keys has been to take their unique musical sounds abroad ―to the U.K. If you Google “tips for breaking into the music business,” you’ll instantly garner millions of hits. Dan Caplen BA ’12 and Ian Hooper BA ’08 create chart-topping hits abroad.ĭan Caplen BA ’12 performs live at O2 Academy Brixton in London on April 6, 2018.