#out of all the trivia from this movie this was by far my favorite

[homestuckreplay]

Well, it keeps happening! Homestuck has put out its third update in as many days, and this one is SO much fun (I keep saying that, but 'fun' is genuinely the best word to describe this thing so far). I love when Being On The Internet is well represented in stories, and John's computer does this right away. John and his chums having incomprehensible matching usernames, John's filenames for his failed programs, and the 'graphic design is my passion' tier wallpaper are all excellent, but easily my favorite joke in the comic so far is Pesterchum having five generically upbeat and happy mood settings and one Evil Angry Mood Setting.

It was definitely a surprise getting to see a whole conversation between John and turntechGodhead, who I guess is officially our second character! They definitely have a bored and disaffected tone compared to John, like they're trying to keep emotion out of their messages, whereas John is 50% Goofing Around and 50% movie trivia. Once again I haven't seen this movie, and while the conversation explains it well enough that I can follow the joke, I'm still missing some nuance (for example, is John exaggerating or being literal when he says it was the 'fifteenth day in a row' Howie Mandel peed in his juice?)

I LOVE the panel on page 28 where, after just seeing the view from outside John's window, we're flipped around and we see it reflected in John's glasses as the shadow of the window crossbar falls on his face. He's just looking up and smiling hopefully and I find myself wondering again about the title - John seems like a happy kid who enjoys messing around in his room, but is he really stuck at home? We learn in this update that he can leave his room, go downstairs and see his dad, but not necessarily that he can leave the house - maybe something always interrupts him when he tries? Is he gazing at the front yard because it's a magical land he wants to visit but can't? We hear about the importance of the tire swing, but there's no indication that John has ever used it.

That's probably an absolute reach and an absurdist interpretation, particularly as everything on page 30 feels so relatable. The bedroom being both a place John is trapped as well as his only safe space pretty well reflects my experiences being a kid, and ignoring a friend's incessant messages even while strictly not having better things to do is something I still do all the time. John is an easy character to connect to, and manages to be an everyman at the same time as being a distinctly Weird Kid (so far, at least, though he could develop more into one or the other as the comic continues).

Bring on the next pages! I'd love to hear from John's other friends soon!

[cheeseyberg]

Part 4 of this post

Part 4 of this post

He has to act quick; Eddie is climbing out of his van and Steve has maybe 30 seconds to come up with a strategy to let Eddie know he's interested in him. If Eddie and Robin can plot and scheme behind his back then so can he, and if he can mess with Eddie a little bit to make up for the plotting and the scheming then all the better. He would like to be the one making Eddie stammer and stutter and blush for once, and now he has the advantage thanks to Max.

"Stevie! Fancy meting you here," Eddie shouted as he walked into Family Video. "Max asked me to drop her off to return some videos, and since I'm so generous and caring, I couldn't say no."

Steve shot out a hand to cover Max's mouth just as she was opening it to refute Eddie's claim that she was the one who asked for the ride or that they were her movies, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you Eds. Since you're so generous and caring I'm a little disappointed you didn't bring me a coffee. We could have had coffee together while Max picks out her next rentals." He looks down at Max, raising his eyebrows and hoping she can read in his face that he's offering them in exchange for her cooperation.

"You want to have coffee with me?" Eddie asks nervously.

"I'd love to have coffee with you! What day were you thinking? I'm working tomorrow afternoon so we can maybe meet for breakfast at the diner tomorrow morning." Steve can feel Max trying not to laugh under his hand and he drops it to shove her into the nearest aisle. "Go pick your movies, Max."

"Wha... I ... Wait, what is happening?" Eddie stammers as he watches Max wander away.

"You asked me if I wanted to have coffee with you and I agreed. What do you think is happening?"

"I think I'm losing it," Eddie mutters. "Um, okay yea, I'm free tomorrow morning. We can get breakfast at the diner. Did you mean, like everyone? Is this a group breakfast?"

"Not really interested in a group hangout for this, Eds." Steve starts piling movies from the return bin on the counter.

"For what?"

"For breakfast, keep up Eddie. You seriously should have brought some coffee. Not that I'm not loving the adorable head tilt you do when you're confused."

Steve can see Eddie's ear blushing bright red as he mouths "adorable?" to himself.

"Steve do you only have one copy of the new Nightmare on Elm Street; I don't see it on the shelf?" Max is standing on her toes to peek over the horror rack at Steve. No, not at Steve! She's looking at the pile of returns he's sorting and sitting right on top is the movie in question. Steve decides Max has just cemented her spot as favorite child for life. Steve glances at Eddie, who is watching them but hasn't looked down at the movies on the counter yet.

"Max, it's sitting right here on the top of my return pile. Didn't you just return this, why are you asking for it again? And who even let you rent this, you're not old enough to check out R rated movies?" Steve looks back at Eddie, putting his hands on his hips and giving his best 'can you believe this kid?' face, and catches the tail end of his frantic head shaking and can it hand motions that he's giving Max.

"Oh, that wasn't mine, that was Eddie's rental." Max supplies helpfully.

Eddie is fully red now, not just his ears. He's also looking at Max like he wants her to explode. "Just that one! I had to return that one and since Max asked me to drive her over here anyway, I just thought it would be the good time to return mine too. Like efficient. I'm very efficient, and um… eco-friendly. Why make two trips you know?" Eddie's voice gets higher and higher as he rambles.

"That's true, when I think of Eddie Munson, I think eco-friendly. Eddie "Efficiency" Munson, eco-warrior." Steve teases.

"Anyway, about breakfast tomorrow, is this like a trivia team captains meeting? Like a strategy session on how to keep the gremlins from getting out of hand, because I'm worried about Erica and Dustin taking it too far if I'm being honest."

"We can talk about whatever you want to talk about Eds, I'm sure it will come up." Steve is back to sorting his returns by genre and keeps his eyes on the pile, affecting an air on nonchalance.

"I'm ready," Max announces as she slides her video across the counter towards Steve. "It's my free one right Steve?"

"Of course, it is, actually I think they're free for you all week." Steve winks and slides it back over.

"Come on Captain Planet, I've got things to do. Take me home." Max shouts over her shoulder at Eddie as she heads towards the door.

"What, don't call me that!" Eddie cringes and turns to follow Max out. "See you tomorrow morning Stevie, 9:30 okay?"

"9:30 is perfect, it's a date." Steve turns back to the computer to finish waiving Max's rental charge and smiles to himself when he hears Eddie's sputter and Max's cackle as she pulls him out the door.

Part 5

@charliechaplintheawesome @flwerkitty @dbquills @zerokrox-blog @bidisastersworld @respect-snails @estrellami-1 @4nemo1egend @archermightbegay @blackpanzy @fictionalenigma @practicallybegging @anaibis @starman-jpg @thesuninyaface 

[tyrantisterror]

Fantastic Rants and Where to Find Them

So, back when the Herbie Porber movies were still being made, Warner Brothers saw the cash cow on their hands and decided they had to lock that shit down as much as possible to make sure they could milk it until its teats were chafed and withered to nothing. To that end, they bought the rights to every book the Terf Queen had written by that point - which included all the Henry Pansley wizard school mystery books, but also two gag books set within the Henry Pansley world: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which was presented as an in-universe biology textbook for wizard children, and Quidditch Through the Ages, which was an in-universe book of trivia for a fake magical sport.

And at the time everyone with a brain who'd read those two books was shaking their head and thinking how dumb those corporate executives were to do that because, like, those aren't novels or novelas or short stories or narratives of any kind. They are, and I cannot stress this enough, a fake textbook and a fake trivia book about fake things written in a slapdash manner as a cheap gag. They existed for three reasons:

First, to sell something Herbie Porber related at a significantly lower price point than the actual novels so the Terf Queen could get more of that sweet, sweet Scholastic Book Fair money by having something poor kids could buy.

Second, to give a portion of the proceeds raised from that poor kid book fair money to charity so the Terf Queen could get some nice tax writeoffs.

And as a distant third, to expand the world-building of the Henry Pansley setting a teensie bit.

Now, as far as I'm aware, they succeeded at the first two well enough - tons of kids bought those cheap-ass thin as shit paperbacks when I was a kid, myself among them. Well, ok, I only bought Fantastic Beasts and skipped Quidditch because even during the height of my Herbie Porber fan days I thought the Terf Queen's imaginary sport was really fucking stupid and every time it popped up in the books I was bored as shit and tried to skim it as quickly as possible to get to the interesting stuff. I think I looked over the book once in a Barnes and Noble and thought, "Wow, I knew I thought real sports were boring as shit, but it turns out fake ones are even more so."

But back on track - goal number three was... kind of successful, I guess? Like, I don't know if you know this, but bestiaries of fictional animals are one of my big interests. I love a big book of made up creatures, and have collected many in my long life of thirty-four years. And as I said, I got a copy of Fantastic Beasts - technically several, because those cheap ass paperbacks disintegrated if you read them more than once, and I haven't met a bestiary that I haven't poured over several times, no matter how shitty. And despite how often I read it, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was, well... pretty mid, honestly. It's a book that's 99% world-building, and like all of the Terf Queen's world-building, it's overall mediocre and undercooked.

Like, in pure Herbie Porber style, it's mostly concepts that have been done in fantasy fiction and mythology dozens of times before with no real original spin on them whatsoever, often stripped down to their most recognizable elements alone. There are a smattering of original ideas that are actually interesting an novel, a few more original ideas that have potential but don't seem very well-thought out as is, and then some that are clearly just there to be a joke and are amusing for, like, a second, but also would quickly become annoying if they were given any focus.

I'll give a very me-specific example. As a fan of vaguely medieval european fantasy tropes, one of the metrics by which I judge a bestiary is "How does this handle dragons?" Because, like, I don't know if you know this, but I love dragons a lot, and the sheer variety of dragons in fiction is one of my favorite things in the world. There is a smorgasbord of different dragons a person can choose from just in folklore and mythology alone, and that variety is reflected in a given bestiary, the higher I think of it.

The Terf Queen's bestiary gives us ten dragon breeds... and they're all more or less the same except for scale color and minor variations in size. Oh, and their names, which are all based on different dog breeds because the Terf Queen thought that was funny. It's the worst of both worlds because it gets your dragon-loving hopes up that there'll be lots of unique dragons but no, they're just different colors, ho hum. Even the Chinese Dragon sticks to the same basic bitch wyvern body plan as the rest, when, you know, Chinese dragons have SUCH a different body plan than any of their European counterparts. It's downright insulting to the variety and creativity of this iconic folkloric archetype to reduce it to such a samey-set of monsters. Absolutely the most disappointing dragon entry in any bestiary I've ever read, just infuriating.

BUT, BACK ON THE INCREASINGLY DERAILED TRACK: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was never meant to be a "great" book. Remember goals one and two: it was a cheap cashgrab, a gimmick, a gag book. It was meant to be a disposable bit of fun - "Tee hee, here's a goofy textbook from this goofy wizard story that you kids will likely grow out of in a few years, you can read it in twenty minutes and not feel bad when you pitch it because there's very little substance to it, and it only costs three bucks."

The Terf Queen doesn't write textbooks, gag or otherwise, she writes novels, narratives, and in its original form Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was clearly just her fucking around with something whimsical and stupid for shits and giggles (and money, sweet sweet money). The original version of it was published with notes in the margin written by Henry Pansley and Donnie Stoat themselves, the two wizard hooligans writing little jokes and messages to each other with further references to other characters from the series, both to add more humor and because, again, the Terf Queen writes novels, and it was clear she couldn't commit to the "fake textbook" bit without working in some characters riffing it for her own sanity. And that makes it work as a gag book - you get a few laughs from the wizard hooligans playing MST3K with their shitty textbook, learn a little about the (undercooked and poorly thought out) ecosystem of the wizardy world, and then when you reach the back cover the spine of your cheap as shit pulp paperback book falls apart and, unless you've got a weird obsession with bestiaries, you throw the dying book in the garbage without a second thought. Three bucks spent well enough.

BUT, TO GET BACK ON THE INCREASINGLY DERAILED TRACK AGAIN: Warner Brothers bought the rights to this cheapo cashgrab gag textbook, and goddamn it, they were/are determined to squeeze Herby Porber's sore teats until every last drop of money milk spills from his chapped and bleeding nipples. They announced they were going to make a Fantastic Beasts movie towards the end of making the Herby Porber novels into films, and everyone with a brain sat there and thought, "Well, that's going to be a stupid cashgrab. Bet the Terf Queen's laughing her ass off at how dumb it'll be, too."

But the Terf Queen was not laughing, at least not for long, for once the Henry Pansley movies wrapped up, she was left with the horrifying knowledge that people didn't care for her non-wizard books all that much, certainly not enough to keep her rolling in sweet, sweet money. She needed that mega millionaire cash, and she needed it in abundance and she needed it quick. So when Warner Brothers asked her to write a movie based on her cheapo cashgrab gag textbook, she said, "Yeah, I can make a novel out of that! I - I'm a talented writer! People love my writing! They definitely love my writing and they'd love to pay money for things I wrote that don't directly feature Henry Pansley!"

So now she had to pretend that Fantastic Beasts, the cheapo cashgrab gag textbook about made up animals in a made up world, has a narrative. Not just any narrative, but a grand, sprawling narrative, one to rival, nay, SURPASS Herbie Porbie and the Seven Books of Wizard-Themed Coming of Age Nonsense. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, she assured us, was to be a magnificant tale, and one she planned all along, and CERTAINLY not a marriage of convenience to a completely stupid idea for a film that she was desperately sculpting into a narrative it had no ability to support for the sake of trying to recapture her already passed glory days as a writer.

And I think, in retrospect, this is a great illustration of the Terf Queen's great character flaw. She just can't fucking admit to a mistake, even when it's obvious to everyone that one was made. She will hop on board a sinking ship and keep doubling down on trying to get it to sail even as the water is up to her neck. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a serious narrative now, not a gag textbook written to wring a few more dollars from school children goddammit!

Recent editions of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them took out the Herbie and Donnie commentary, by the by. They also added many of the new half-baked monsters that were introduced in the movies, in a shoddy attempt to pretend this was the plan all along, and that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was always meant to be the seed of something great.

But it wasn't, and no matter how hard the Terf Queen pretends otherwise, it's obvious it wasn't. It's a cheapo cashgrab gag textbook, and that's all it really had to be, until greed and ego demanded otherwise.

[bluelocksource]

Raichi Jingo’s trivia (source: twt & Egoist Bible).

"Fight to the last!! Keep exchanging shots!! Are you guys even strikers!!?"

☆ Character's colour: Lightning yellow.

☆ Weapons: Gorgeous shooting technique (self-proclaim).

☆ Birthday: 11th October.

☆ Current age: 17 (2nd year of high school)

☆ Zodiac: Libra.

☆ Birthplace: Nagasaki Prefecture.

☆ Family: Father. Mother. Older sister. Himself.

☆ Current height: 182 cm.

☆ Foot size: 28 cm.

☆ Dominant foot: Right foot.

☆ Blood type: A.

☆ Motto: "There is no path ahead of me, (but) there is a path behind me." (this is an excerpt from a poem called ‘The Itenary’/’The Journey’ by Takamaru Kotaro.)

☆ Team before joining BLUE LOCK: Ikarigaoka High School football club.

☆ Starts playing football: At age 7.

☆ Favorite food: Shrimp tempura bowl. “It tastes better if you mix the batter with dashi.”

☆ Disliked food: Kazunoko. “The smell and the texture are nasty.”

☆ Favorite animal: Chameleon. “Do you see how they move their eyes around? Isn’t that cool!”

☆ Favorite season: Spring. “I can’t wait for spring.”

☆ Favorite color: Red.

☆ Favorite football player: Takashi Inui. (Sexy football)

☆ Favorite song: “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi.

☆ Favorite manga: Baki series. “Boys will immediately gets excited when reading this!"

☆ Favorite movie: The Expandables . "This movie can make you feel stupid."

☆ Fixation: “I'm my own festish.”

☆ Hobby: "Thinking about how many people on this Earth thinks how great I am."

☆ Mushroom shoots vs Bamboo shoots: Mushroom. “Everyone chose bamboo, right? Then I choose mushroom!”

☆ What goes best with rice : Karaage (Japanese-styled fried chicken). “There's disagreement? Come here, I’ll end you!”

☆ Ideal type: Someone who takes a step back and is supportive of him. "Just leave the rest to me!”

☆ What makes him happy: When complimented (anything about him is fine).

☆ What makes him upset: Being made a fool of. ”Fool how? Say it.”

☆ What he thinks his strength is: All of him. ”Huh? Who’s laughing!?”

☆ What he thinks his weakness is: “I’m at loss, I don’t have too many weaknesses… Oi! (Those who laugh) Raise your hand!”

☆ Best subject: P.E. (so far no one beats him in shuttle run)

☆ Dislike/weak subject: Other than P.E.

☆ What made him cry recently: "When I'm about to kick an empty can out of frustration, my shin accidentally hit a guardrail, then I cried."

☆ Usual sleeping time: 7 hours.

☆ What he usually ends up buying from convenience store: Famichiki (fried nuggets from Family Mart).

☆ Place he washes first when taking a bath: Sideburns. "I’m very particular on how I want to grow them."

☆ Number of chocolates received from previous Valentine: 10.

☆ What will he do if received 100 million yen: Live in New York.

☆ What age he stops receiving presents from Santa: At age 10.

☆ What was his last wish from Santa: Super powers. "Something like ‘I wanna be good in football’, ‘Super strength’, ‘Swift foot’. Of course, I didn’t get any of that but I manage to improve my skills."

☆ What will he do during his last day on Earth: Climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty. “That would be nice."

note: i want to apologize in advance for any mistake made in the translation!

[twistedtummies2]

Fifteen Days of Disney Magic - Number 6

Welcome to Fifteen Days of Disney Magic! In honor of the company’s 100th Anniversary, I am counting down my Top 15 Favorite Movies from Walt Disney Animation Studios! To introduce today’s entry, I have only this to say: “Most Everyone’s Mad Here.” Number 6 is…Alice in Wonderland.

This is the other film, alongside “The Great Mouse Detective,” where I feel – if you know me well – it’s high placement will not remotely be surprising. Whereas, if you don’t know me well, it will likely be VERY surprising. Honestly, I can settle why “Alice” is so high on my list with a single sentence: Lewis Carroll’s “Alice” stories are my favorite books, and I personally think the Disney version is the best movie treatment of the books, as well as one of my personal favorites. That’s really all I NEED to say. But you came here to hear me ramble, I think. Possibly. Maybe. So I guess I have to. :P The history of Walt Disney and “Alice” is actually pretty fascinating on its own, leaving the movie alone: this, alongside “Peter Pan,” was one of the first movies Walt wanted to make, and was actually considered for his first feature film, and then his second, way back in the 1930s. Ultimately, Walt went with “Snow White” for his first film, but he never gave up on “Alice.” It’s pretty clear that Walt loved the story, because even before the Disney film ever got put into development, he’d used Wonderland as the basis for several of his earlier works. There were the famous “Alice Comedies” he produced during the silent era, which were not so much directly based on the books so much as just inspired by them, but are still worth noting. Later there was one of the best Mickey Mouse cartoons ever made, in most people’s minds, “Thru the Mirror,” where Mickey goes through the Looking-Glass, dances with the Queen of Hearts, duels the King, and has to deal with a multitude of animated objects. Initial treatments of the “Alice” story were much darker and more surreal than the final product; most notable was a treatment of the film by artist David Hall, which has sort of become legendary amongst Carrollians and fans of Disney trivia and lost media alike. However, it wasn’t until artist Mary Blair came onto the project – and after World War II drew to a close – that Disney finally felt confident in making the movie. Interestingly, when the film finally came out in 1951, it was something of a disappointment: critical reactions were lukewarm, at best, and it underperformed at the box office. However, over the years – with subsequent re-releases and exposure through various forms of merchandising and rides at the parks – the film gained a bigger and grander following. Nowadays, “Alice” isn’t exactly considered a great Disney classic, but it’s definitely not considered a failure.

In fact, in some ways, one could argue it’s one of the single most influential Disney movies of all time. It was certainly influential on later renditions of the story: coming from somebody whose obsession with the Carroll classics is well known, I can say with certain fact that the Disney film is actually far more responsible for the public perception and love of Alice today than perhaps ANY other version of the stories, including the books. (The only other possible contender is the video game “American McGee’s Alice” and its sequel, “Alice: Madness Returns.” Incidentally, RIP “Alice: Asylum.” May flights of EA idiots sing thee to thy rest.) A lot of things in this film that weren’t in the books now seem to just be accepted as common knowledge: for example, the Cheshire Cat in the books was an ordinary orange or gray tabby cat. The popular purple-and-pink design you’ll find riffed on in some fashion throughout so many interpretations was ENTIRELY the invention of Disney; it never existed before them, to my knowledge. Similarly, characters and story elements that are in the books but WEREN’T in the Disney film tend to be forgotten, even if they’ve been used and reused in tons and tons of other adaptations: there are plenty of versions of the Duchess and the Gryphon out there, but since neither of them are in the 1951 movie (nor the 2010 feature made by Tim Burton, for that matter), most people forget they even exist.

Even beyond other versions of Alice, however, the film has had a huge impact on pop culture, and even Disney itself, than most other films in the canon. Heck, at Disneyland, right now, there are no less than four rides that all reference “Alice in Wonderland.” Four! And that’s not even counting any other shows or attractions, or even any of the other rides at other parks. Nor is it counting video games, nor the numerous other Alice reimaginings that have come out and in some way been influenced by the 1951 picture JUST from Disney’s vaults alone, nor the ABUNDANCE of merchandise – both official and fanmade – based on this one movie. It isn’t a film that has the depth of plot, character, and thematics as something like “Beauty and the Beast” or “The Lion King,” nor is it as historically important as movies like “Snow White,” but I think “Alice” makes up for it by just being fun. It’s a fun, weird, psychedelic ride through the wilds of the imagination, and really, that’s always been what “Alice” SHOULD be, at the end of the day. Really, given my love of the story, in general, the REAL question should be not why “Alice in Wonderland” ranks so highly for me…but why isn’t it even higher? All I can say is, perhaps the films that do rank above it will offer some explanation… The Top 5 are upon us! The countdown continues tomorrow with my 5th Favorite Disney Movie! HINT: It’s the Only Modern Movie on The Countdown.

[el-im]

do you have any tips for last year of uni, the first two years were online so haven't really made any close friends or connection with people. How to bare through it and grow too ?

oh hello. and oh boy. yes.

get a library card from the local library. even if it isn't the closest to you/campus, they likely have an online collection/hoopla access/etc. which may prove beneficial either for research or pleasure. i've had no companion so constant as my library books, and they stave off the feeling of isolation which will inevitably (even in the best of times) creep up on you. they will also give you something to talk about. "what are you reading?" asked by/to me has always led me to the best people.

go to events on campus. (i do not necessarily mean clubs, which affront me personally. i spent too much time participating in clubs in high school that the thought of continuing to do so at the collegiate level left a sour taste in my mouth. you don't have to go in for organized fun.) go to all the movie screenings you can, even the ones which don't sound at first like they may interest you. see the plays. go watch the english majors read their poetry in the union building and read the campus paper (if you have one), keeping an eye out for the events they cover, which may recur regularly. if you find one which seems interesting--seek it out. invite the person who sits next to you at your 8am lecture and makes snide comments about the professor you both hate. try not to bond over meanness. be genuine, and earnest.

go to events off campus. there's always a magnificent adjustment period where you're getting to know the place you've found yourself in. either it's new, and you've just arrived there, or otherwise you're new. even if you're attending a university in your hometown, you'll find that the options open to you are broader. you'll learn which bookshops and cafe's the other students frequent--what everyone's favorite thai place is, and which one to avoid altogether. know the best place to get coffee, or tea, and stick by that place with conviction. keep an eye out for posters around town, look up events at local theatres. go to everything that's free.

i have a lot of difficulty talking to people. i'm uncomfortable almost everywhere and will seldom speak to anyone unless they've spoken to me first. i think this is... fine, though maybe not ideal. the only advice i can give as far as meeting people and making friends, because i'm not terribly good at it, is: pry, pry, pry. ask questions about the things they mention, and get to the heart of things. if they talk about some hobby they enjoy, ask how they discovered it. ask about how their weekend went, and when they tell you what they did, ask about minutiae: ridiculous, unimportant details. treat every silly thing with seriousness, as though everything is worth investigating. (most of it is.) ask the girl in your english class what she's doing with a TI-84C in her bag--but be careful with that one.

ask people out in groups, if you're a little hesitant or uncomfortable. a couple of friends of mine go to trivia on wednesdays, and we started going before we knew each other terribly well. the group setting takes some pressure off you individually, and gives everyone something to talk about when you're back in class. create a community, and run with it.

if something touches you--say so. if you admired someone's presentation, take the time to write them a note about how a particular point hadn't occurred to you before, and has changed the way you thought about the subject. if someone does something you think is admirable, tell them. remember people are delicate things, and that almost everyone is nervous and uncertain. hearing that something they did in some way registered with you will always be a relief and an excitement. mostly, we are scrounging around the world looking for people to take notice of us, and invest some energy into trying to know us. with few exceptions, i've found these extensions toward other people are treasured and reciprocated.

write thank you notes. to friends, to teachers assistants who help you out, and to professors, if you feel they deserve them (most do not). learn how to write good thank you notes. ("do not start with the thank you" in and of itself has made me a better person/writer)

read the posters, and the event guides, and the lecture series announcements. go to at least a few lectures offered by visiting experts. the subject matter is unimportant. ask them questions, if you come up with any.

i spent the first two years of a four year program studying online from 2 or so hours away from the campus i was technically assigned to. i feel like i've been playing catch-up, and everyone else was better situated than i was when i did finally make my way to campus. it was lonely at first, and difficult, but it doesn't have to be. i am sending you all the love and the well-wishes i can rack up. it's more than alright to be nervous, but be excited also. read a lot, watch a lot of movies, try not to order the same thing twice at any restaurant. be honest with people, and don't worry about coming off as overly sentimental or cloying. if you like people--tell them so. explain why. do not squirrel yourself away out of trepidation. you are worth knowing, and people will be grateful that you've made an effort to ensure you're close to them. bring a warm coat if you're going out to meet friends in the afternoon--you may find yourself still out in the evenings, and cold. keep your hat on, and know you may end up many miles from where you've started. keep a record of it all. pictures and notes.

i hope you have a beautiful, eye opening, hilarious, and moving year. i suspect you will.

[eridan-amporaa]

Also I wanted to like- speculate/discuss on what these guys' Sylladices and Strife Decks would be (Strife Decks will be in a separate ask bc uh. This got long lol)

Streber - wire puzzle, to fit with his love of inventing. When Streber attempts to take an item out, he will be presented with a mess of wires he needs to connect to the right nodes. When solved, he gets the item

Radford - movie trivia. Simple enough, though has comedic potential if someone else tries to use it and is immediately stumped by some b-movie horror knowledge only Radford knows

Ross - I feel like Ross would go for something straightforward, like Array. However if he or his dad are musicians I could see him having a Simon Says-like Modus where the card plays a string of notes and Ross has to copy them back

Roy - idk why but I see him having something money-related, probably bought by his parents. My idea is that he can "deposit" items freely, but to take them out he needs to either pay for it with money or an item of equal or greater value to the item he wants to take out (there'd be an "eject all" button that spits out both the items and any deposited money so it's not like, completely impossible to access anything). Roy swaps this out with a far less convoluted Modus the first chance he gets lol

Robert - idk why but I feel like he'd go for one of the board game ones? Like Jenga or Operation. Something simple, but fun

Speaking of the board game Modi... I imagine similar to Jade's grandpa, Pump and Susie's parents got them a bunch of board game Modi for Christmas, and the two just picked their favorites

Susie - Pictionary. Easy enough and fits with her love of art, even if it's a bit obtuse at times

Pump - Ouija. Works like Aradia's, just in English. Due to his connection to Heir of Light Skid, to Eyes, or both, the spirits usually end up giving him what he wants, making it a relatively easy Modus for him to use

Skid - I had a bit of trouble coming up with something for Skid, because I wanted to have it be spook-related in some way while not just giving him another Ouija board. I then realized... Maze Game Modus! Skid drags a dot through a maze, and when he reaches the end he gets his item. If he fails the maze a loud scream will play, and sometimes he intentionally fails just to hear it. It's based off the Scary Maze Game :>

Sometimes Skid and Pump also swap Modi for fun!

I couldn't come up with anything for Kevin or Ethan, unfortunately. Maybe Kevin could have like a gumball or capsule machine Modus, where he turns a crank and gets a random item, but I have no idea what to do for Ethan

i love all of these!! maze game modus is so funny to me actually

i think kevin would prolly have an array modus actually, eventually his terrible luck using any fun-ish modus would get the best of him i think ;u; maybe he'd get the gumball one back postgame but its just not practical when you have the worst luck on in paradox space lol

ethan... hm. not really sure what he'd use, prolly something spooky. maybe something based on excavation? he canonically collects bones in the forest so it kinda fits. like. big block o dirt/stone wtvr pops out and he has to break it open. maybe he'd have some sort of tool to help with that (chiselkind?) in his strife deck just to be safe

ross would prolly have a music-based modus, yeah. i made one up kinda recently (its what i would use lol), melody modus! each item is assigned a short tune which you have to repeat to get something out. you get to pick the tune, tho. i can see him using video game songs for it - zelda theme, green hill zone, white space... megalovania-

rob could get the memory modus, i think hed be good at that one

roy would prolly end up borrowing a spare modus from susie - prolly jenga modus, seems abt right

[thefinalboss387]

My Ghostface Ranking

Hello everyone!

I’ve been in a big Scream mood lately (and always), so I figured I’d do a ranking of my favorite killers in the Scream franchise.

This will include the killers from all three seasons of the TV series, as well as Scream 1-6. I also included Jason, the opening kill of 6, because why not lol. Comes to 17 killers total! (I didn’t include the killer from the one-shot Halloween Special of the TV Series, as he didn’t even resemble Ghostface unlike the others). SPOILERS for all of that by the way!!

My rankings are very different than a lot of the ones I’ve seen floating around the internet, so please be respectful of my opinion! I love all most of these characters and any differing opinions are 100% valid!

17. Jamal “Jay” Elliot - TV Series, Season 3

I have to admit, I enjoyed season 3 of the TV Series. It was cool to see the perspective shift to a lower-income neighborhood, and having a more diverse main cast. With that said... Jay was unfortunately a very underwhelming killer and character as a whole. A lot of this comes down to Tyga’s performance. His line delivery was so wooden despite his emotional backstory and motive. His killer reveal happens as he lay there dying, which took away a lot of the stakes and gravity of the moment. The character had a lot of potential, but unfortunately I don’t feel that it was tapped at all.

16. Jason Carvey - Scream VI

Yeahhhh, Jason was never going to make it far up this list. I was hesitant to even add him at all. He is one of the opening kills of Scream VI, but what the character brought to the table for his limited screen time was really fresh and interesting. In the opening scene of the movie, we have Ghostface commit a murder and then unmask himself??? It was cool to follow a Ghostface Killer’s perspective, watch him interact with Tara while secretly plotting her death, describe how his first kill felt, etc.

15. Quinn Bailey - Scream VI

I actually really liked Quinn. Her quirky, sex-positive roommate character was extremely fun and endearing, and turning the trope around to make that sex-positive character the killer was a fun twist. Unfortunately, though, I feel like Quinn became less interesting after her killer reveal. She was just kind of.... angry, and lost a lot of her fun quirkiness. She is the only killer that I feel got less interesting after revealing themselves as a killer. I also believe she was only actually responsible for one kill (Gale’s boytoy), which is disappointing. Ultimately, I feel it would have been a better move NOT to make her one of the killers, keep her the fun quirky friend she was pre-reveal, and allow more much-needed focus to the film’s other two main killers.

14. Charlie Walker - Scream 4

In most of the Ghostface partnerships, there is usually a mastermind and a minion. Charlie is one of the more obvious examples of the “minion” type, and unfortunately very much gets overshadowed by his partner - more on her later. Charlie himself is fine - I don’t particularly love OR hate him? It was a fun twist to see the Randy-type horror trivia nerd turn out to be the killer, and I did enjoy his flirty dynamic with Kirby. I am personally of the belief that Charlie was behind the mask for most of the movie, doing Jill’s dirty work so she could keep her hands clean. He was an efficient and brutal Ghostface who unfortunately did not get much time to shine post-reveal.

13. Stu Macher - Scream (1996)

I know. I know. Don’t kill me. I’m sorry. Stu, I feel, is usually somewhere in the top 3 on everyone’s Ghostface rankings. And I get it. Matthew Lillard’s performance as the character is great. Stu is extremely entertaining, freakin crazy, and fun to watch. But beyond that.... I’m sorry, he just didn’t have much importance in the grand scheme of things. He was little more than Billy’s minion. He had some of the greatest lines in the franchise, but also... his motive was peer pressure. As charismatic and amazing as his performance is, I just can’t justify putting him any higher on this list.

12. Richie Kirsch - Scream (2022)

While we’re on the topic of Ghostface Killers with incredibly high charisma, here’s Richie Kirsch! I honestly really like Richie. He’s very likeable, both pre- AND post-reveal. His “toxic fandom” motive is interesting. I also really enjoy that he and Amber never really show any signs of wanting to betray or kill each other, and seem to genuinely respect each other. This is also the only Ghostface team that I really don’t think the mastermind/minion dynamic applies to, as they seem to be on pretty equal footing. But a lot of what I find interesting about Richie comes with subtext. Upon rewatches, there is so much subtext surrounding his character. How he claims to never have seen a Stab movie, but then stands there in shock and awe in the background when he first meets Dewey, and watches Stab movies and Stab analysis videos in every second of idle time we see him have. The chemistry and body language when Richie and Amber “meet for the first time”, and the looks they give each other when Amber half-jokingly throws suspicion on him. Richie was overall a fun and compelling character, and Scream VI expanding on his backstory and the depths of his toxic fandom was really interesting.

11. Piper Shaw - TV Series, Season 1

Piper was the killer in the first season of the TV Series. Seemingly, she started off as the show’s answer to Gale Weathers: a true crime podcaster that came to Lakewood to investigate the recent string of killings, and the town’s history of previous killings. She befriended Emma, the show’s main character, and became something of a confidant to her, a shoulder to cry on. In the end, Piper was revealed to be the killer, the daughter of a man who (supposedly) famously killed a bunch of teens decades ago.... and Emma’s secret half-sister. She was carrying out a vendetta she had against Emma’s mother for abandoning her as a child. Although Piper isn’t given a whole lot of time to shine post-reveal (her final revelation/fight scene is only a few minutes long), she is mentioned a lot in season 2. In a lot of ways, she is the mastermind of the show’s first two seasons, even after her death in season 1. I feel like I would’ve liked Piper a lot more if we got to spend more time with her and better understand her, but alas....

10. Mickey Altieri - Scream 2

Of all the “minion” Ghostfaces, Mickey was the one that got the closest to being a mastermind type. Even though he was pretty much under Mrs. Loomis’s thumb, he had his own motive, his own goals and ideas, his own agency as a character. He also dealt some serious psychological blows to Sidney. Mickey was a solid Ghostface that left a lasting impact on Sidney and the franchise as a whole - even if he largely goes unrecognized for it. He was the only Ghostface that wanted to get caught, and wanted to undergo a big, high-profile court case where he used violence in cinema as a defense. I’m not sure how well that motive has aged for this day and age, but back when Scream 2 came out, that was a very hot-button issue and I could very well see a court case like that getting huge media attention.

9. Ethan Landry - Scream VI

Honestly... I was surprised when I found myself putting Ethan this high up the list. I liked Scream VI, but my biggest issue with it is that, since the movie has three main killers to contend with, it unfortunately means that none of them really get the development or focus that they should. And if you haven’t been able to guess yet by the Ghostfaces ranked below Ethan, I tend not to appreciate the “minion” killers as much as the masterminds. But, here is also where a new trend will start to become apparent on this list - I have a big weakness for mentor/mentee, parent/child types of relationships.... even villainous fictional ones. I had a pretty rough childhood, my adulthood is spent largely trying to mentor youth and be the adult I always wanted when I was a kid, and I love exploring those types of dynamics in fiction - even dark, twisted versions of it. I realized I loved Ethan the moment his father said that there’s a very special bond between a father and his “first son”, and that look of heartbreak and jealousy came across Ethan’s face. That quick look said everything you needed to know about his character. This sweet, awkward, emotional kid was getting up to some dark shit just to finally win his father’s approval and love. Ethan wasn’t a killer at heart, not really. He was just a lonely, unloved boy changing himself to be what his father wanted. That’s tragic. I really would’ve liked to see this batch of killers get more screentime and development, most especially Ethan. I think the character has a lot of potential - but, like some of the others below Ethan on this list, that potential never came to light.

8. Amber Freeman - Scream (2022)

Amber is just so FUN. She’s got that manic Stu energy, she is wildly unpredictable, but also has a lot more depth and agency than I feel Stu got. A lot of what I said about Richie also applies to Amber: There is a lot of subtext to unpack in earlier scenes of the movie between her and Richie before they reveal themselves, I think it’s rad that the two never really show signs of wanting to kill or betray each other, and they seem to be on pretty equal footing instead of taking on mastermind or minion roles to each other. Beyond that, Amber is just SO entertaining to watch, especially after her reveal as the killer - which, by the way, her reveal itself perfectly encapsulated just how chaotic her character was. You never really knew what she was thinking or what she would do next. A few times in the climax, she fell into a sobbing fit begging for mercy or declaring himself the victim to throw people off their guard, only to immediately snap back into killer mode. There was never a dull moment with Amber! AND HOW FREAKING COOL WAS HER DEATH SCENE???

7. Billy Loomis - Scream (1996)

This.... is another placement that I feel a little guilty about, and am afraid I might get hate for haha. A lot of people have Billy at #1 on their rankings. He’s the original, after all! The one that set everything in motion! And for the record, I do love Billy Loomis. A lot. He is a great character, and he paved the way for an entire franchise of Ghostfaces following in his footsteps. He came off as extremely threatening, extremely scary, and definitely was a great villain. My main issue with him is, both in AND out of canon, Billy is a bit overrated to me? The way he is talked about online, in forums, discussion videos, even in the movies themselves - especially with Sam’s visions of him in two movies now - almost seem to deify the character as some brilliant, almost supernatural, force of evil. In reality, he was a goofy, bumbling teenager that made a lot of dumb rookie mistakes, constantly got battered up in fights, etc. His effectiveness in the original movie was BECAUSE he was so “real”. Anyone, even your boyfriend, could secretly be a psycho out to get you. As much as I love Billy, and as much as I respect the legacy he started, there are definitely others in the Ghostface mask that have personally affected me more.

6. Beth - TV Series, Season 3

Beth is pretty unique for a Ghostface Killer. Jay, her partner, is the one with the motive, with the personal grudge, the goal to achieve. Beth’s motive is that she is a sociopath and just wants to kill people. Despite that, though, Beth is the mastermind of the duo. She listened to Jay’s problems and convinced him to be her partner and kill alongside her, so that she could be the horror villain she always wanted to be. Beth is the resident horror fanatic that all Scream media must have, dishing out the rules to survive and throwing out horror references, and this continues well after her reveal as the killer - and the horror commentary only becomes more fun with lines like “No wonder Jason never runs after all those stupid counselors. This is freaking exhausting!” With Jay betrayed and killed off before her reveal as his partner, Beth gets a lot of time to shine, with almost half of the final episode devoted to her final confrontation. She was genuinely a lot of fun as a character and as a killer. (But I hate that she’s the only Ghostface in the franchise that doesn’t have a full name!)

5. Nancy Loomis AKA Debbie Salt - Scream 2

Mrs. Loomis was the Ghostface reveal that shocked me the most. I genuinely did not see that coming. Laurie Metcalf is a great actress, and pretty well known, but her part in the movie pre-reveal was so small that she was barely even on my radar. And what a performance! Laurie Metcalf comes off as genuinely freaking unhinged in this film, and her eyes are so expressive and full of madness. She has, in my opinion, one of the best fight scenes in the franchise on that stage with Sidney. As I said in Ethan’s entry, I have a weakness for those mentor/parental relationships, and one thing I love about Mrs. Loomis is how maternal she comes off as... even though she tends to completely screw over the young men she has such love for. She speaks so lovingly of her son Billy, her entire motive is avenging his downfall and death, even though she abandoned him and helped to cause that downfall in the first place. She takes Mickey under her wing and speaks proudly of his accomplishments and potential, even though she betrays and kills him. She’s deluded herself into thinking she is a nurturing, caring mother figure while completely deflecting her own worst qualities and actions onto others. Blaming Sidney’s mother for her own abandonment of Billy and the psychological damage that caused him, and blaming Sidney for everything resulting from that, is only further proof of that delusion.

4. Kieran Wilcox - TV Series, Seasons 1-2

Kieran is the only time on this list that I like the “minion” killer more than the “mastermind” killer. And even though he definitely takes an almost subservient role to Piper, after her death he is forced to step up and become more of a mastermind type. In season 2 of the TV Series, he is the sole killer, and we learn that he had a hand in a few of the deaths of season 1 as well. His kills are easily some of the most brutal in the franchise, and it quickly becomes apparent that he is far more gruesome than Piper. He poses as Emma’s boyfriend for the bulk of the show, though he secretly was dating Piper and spoke of her almost in a worshipful tone - he even ends up dragging her corpse out of the lake and keeping it in his “lair”. He had mental issues, but Piper honed them and taught him to let out his aggression by killing. With Piper being an adult podcaster and Kieran being an underage high school student, there is definitely a lot of creepy undertones here, but it shows some depth to Kieran’s character and motive. In the end, he was ultimately a victim to Piper despite how awful he himself grew to be. He stepped out of her shadow and became a formidable killer in his own right, even killing the mayor of Lakewood, framing Emma herself for the murder, and manipulating Emma all steps of the way to distrust everyone around her.

3. Detective Wayne Bailey - Scream VI

I LOVE Detective Wayne Bailey. From what I can tell, I’m very much in the minority there, and I hear all of the complaints against his character. He’s hammy and over the top. I agree, but I don’t see how that’s a bad thing? Stu is VERY over the top and the majority of the fandom (myself included) loves him for it. Bailey checks a lot of the boxes I typically love in characters. He has those parental relationships with THREE children that all go a long way in defining the core of his character. He orchestrates and manipulates quite a lot, and I tend to really like the manipulative mastermind villains. He’s a corrupted cop, those are always fun in fiction. He seeks to avenge his oldest son’s death, but like Mrs. Loomis, he is completely oblivious to his own part in that death and the ramifications of his own actions. He fueled Richie’s love of Stab and horror, illegally got him Stab evidence for his collection, and basically bankrolled his murder spree. He sought to avenge his oldest son, while in the process killing Jason and Greg, two people who respected and revered Richie and wanted to complete his life’s work - he even mocks them for it. He uses his surviving two children as soldiers in his personal war, and ultimately gets them killed as well. He is so obsessed with avenging Richie that he neglects to appreciate the children he still has (see the “bond between a father and his oldest son” moment and Ethan’s reaction), even though part of his scheme involves openly mourning Quinn’s fake death. He claims that the Stab movies are “a little dark”, despite causing some of the most brutal kills in that dark franchise. He completely lacks self-awareness and is SUCH a toxic and awful example of what those mentor/parent relationships can look like, which is fun to explore in fiction. Yet, like Mrs. Loomis, he’s deluded himself into believing that he’s a good parent. Also, that bodega scene with the shotgun is SO INTENSE I LOVE IT

2. Roman Bridger - Scream 3

I’ve always loved the manipulative mastermind villains in fiction. Darth Sidious. Xehanort. Petyr Baelish. Wilson Fisk. Walter White. That’s not the sort of villain I ever expect to encounter in something like Scream. Yet, we got something along that vein with Roman Bridger. Similar to Piper, Roman was the illegitimate sibling of Sidney, and sought revenge for being abandoned as a child. He turned young Billy Loomis against Sidney and her mother, took him under his wing (there’s that mentor angle again!) and taught him how to successfully get away with murder. Roman didn’t directly murder Maureen Prescott, he directed someone else into doing it for him. When Billy moved on to trying to kill Sidney, and the resulting fame that arose from that, Roman finally took measures into his own red right hand and started another killing spree. He was the director of Stab 3, and began killing his actors to draw Sidney out of hiding, kill her, and frame her for his crimes in the process. One thing I appreciate about Roman is that he didn’t carry out his kills the same way as any other Ghostface on this list. Even when getting himself more directly involved as a killer, he directed people. He used a voice modifier to trick people and get them to go exactly where he wanted them. In some cases, he created a dangerous situation and then manipulated people into effectively getting themselves killed. He didn’t just stab people, he manipulated them, he blew them up, he turned them against each other. To be honest, Roman may even be my favorite Ghostface. I go back and forth between him and the #1 on this list a lot. Their order changes depending on the day and my mood. He scratches a lot of itches for me and I love his character. His final fight against Sidney is my favorite in the franchise and gives both of them time to shine.

1. Jill Roberts - Scream 4

But then there’s Jill. The other big shock I didn’t see coming - the other being Mrs. Loomis. Jill was the new main character, the new Final Girl, the new Sidney for a new generation. Until it turned out that that’s exactly what she WANTED. She may not be the level of mastermind that Roman was, but she had all of her friends, the police, the media, all fooled into thinking that she was the next Sidney. She had Charlie fooled into thinking that he would be the famous survivor, the Randy, alongside her. For a brief moment, she actually got what she wanted and WON. She betrayed and murdered her partner, she survived the Act 3 bloodbath at the house, she beat the living shit out of herself to sell her story and make her status as the survivor believable, and moved on to the hospital and a whole other fight scene. There is nothing I DON’T love about Jill. She was a great, and extremely effective, villain. She had, in my opinion, the greatest motive of the franchise. There’s some truth to it - in the age of social media and viral videos, she very well could have become rich and famous overnight, with movie deals and legions of fans. She also has some of the greatest Ghostface lines ever. “I’m gonna slit your eyelids in half so you don’t blink when I stab you in the face.”

[jules-has-notes]

The Sing-Off, s.4 ep.5 — Movie Night

Even before movies had spoken dialogue, they had musical accompaniment. Music can convey or enhance the emotions of a scene, and make a film more impactful. (And when one of your show's production partners is under the same umbrella as several film studios, you can license some of their music pretty easily.)

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Group opener

What's not to love about a catchy song full of big, dramatic moments from a movie about dancing? It's a fabulous way to kick off the "movie night" episode. The arrangers and choreographers clearly had fun with this number, and the singers turned it into a giant party.

Details:

title: (I've Had) The Time of My Life

original performers: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (featured in Dirty Dancing)

written by: John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz, & Franke Previte

arranged by: The Sing-Off arrangers

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

the ballroom-inspired choreography

pairing up members of different groups whose voices blend well

the delightful incongruity of goth-punk Tony doing perfect pas de bourrées

Sarah Vela's gorgeous tone on ♫ "Never felt this waaay" ♫

the choreographers sparing some of the vocal percussionists by letting them enter in the last group so they don't have to dance as much (Keeping two different beats with your mouth and your body is hard.)

I figured out how to make a cropped gif for that cute moment between Geoff and Jules.

Trivia:

In order to achieve the cool silhouette effect at the beginning, Tim Foust had to stand (and sing) in a very uncomfortable position.

Once again, one of the Vocal Rush chaperones recorded a rehearsal for the kids from the audience. It's a little fuzzy, but Earl's bright orange shirt, Eli's red pants, Tony's studded black cap, and Honey's red hair make them all pretty easy to spot. Layne is in all gray at the far left. Geoff's one of the blurry dudes near the front on the right, but I'm not sure which one because it seems like the blocking changed a bit before filming.

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Theme reveal

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Order of performances

Home Free — "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison (featured in Pretty Woman)

Vocal Rush — "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins (from Against All Odds)

AcoUstiKats — "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger (featured in Risky Business)

The Filharmonic — "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith (featured in Armageddon)

VoicePlay — "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds (featured in The Breakfast Club)

Ten — "Skyfall" by Adele (from Skyfall)

Ultimate sing-offs

AcoUstiKats vs. VoicePlay — "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (from Rocky III)

Vocal Rush vs. Ten — "Fame" by Irene Cara (from Fame)

Home Free vs. The Filharmonic — "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins (from Caddyshack)

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VoicePlay performance

[Here is a longer version that includes the intro package and judges' comments.]

A theme like "movie night" is tailor-made for the theater kids of a cappella. Give them characters and a story, and they'll give you fantastic entertainment. The only stumbling block for this song was that the reality show format hindered them from following their own instincts. Jewel pushed them to be even more "emotional" than the previous episode, which steered them away from giving a performance more true to themselves.

Details:

title: Don't You (Forget About Me)

original performers: Simple Minds (featured in The Breakfast Club)

written by: Keith Forsey & Steve Schiff

arranged by: VoicePlay

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

the costumes — a great balance between representing the characters from the movie and their own personalities

Layne subtly snapping them in rather than counting out loud

the gradual layering to fill out the sound

the downward harmony run on the first ♫ "Rain" ♫

everything dropping out when Eli kicks off the polyphony, then building back up one by one

the insistence in their voices during the final section

Trivia:

The judges' biggest critque was that VoicePlay didn't include enough of the song's iconic ♫ "La-la-la-la" ♫ hook. Geoff revealed on Twitter that their first draft of the arrangement did include more of that part, but the producers made them change it.

Shawn Stockman also touched on the fact that they'd been pushed from the beginning into arrangements that framed them more as Honey and her backup singers rather than a group of equals with diverse talents. (Not the only group with that issue.)

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Ultimate sing-off vs. AcoUstiKats

[Here is a longer version that includes the intro package and judges' comments.]

Since all six groups were paired off for battles this episode, they at least got to avoid the fraught selection process. Being able to rehearse against the same groups all week also allowed everyone to really hone their arrangements and interactions, resulting in performances that were more collaborative and fun to watch.

Details:

title: Ultimate Sing-Off – Eye of the Tiger

original performers: Survivor (featured in Rocky III)

written by: Frankie Sullivan & Jim Peterik

arranged by: VoicePlay & The AcoUstiKats

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

Honey and Ron playing rock-paper-scissors for who gets to go first

Earl knocking Eli and Geoff's "teeth" out, and Tony's shocked reaction 😲

the ridiculously disproportionate tug of war 💪

Earl's dancing pecs leading straight into a Latin dance beat

the AcoUstiKats making their 12-man "wall of sound" into a physical barrier

Eli fending off the encroaching threats with a Matrix-style dragon kick (and some help from Earl)

the melodramatic tableaux when the final "brawl" breaks out

ending it all on a glorious major chord

Trivia:

It didn't end up in the final episode (for reasons that will become obvious), but this performance got a standing ovation from the audience and the judges.

The groups apparently gave themselves the portmanteau of "CatsPlay", which is just adorable. 😺

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Judges' choice

Eliminated: VoicePlay & AcoUstiKats

Despite the show framing the "ulitmate sing-off" segments as battles with a winner and a loser, the judges bafflingly chose to cut both halves of the showdown between VoicePlay and the AcoUstiKats. It seems that the groups working together to create a more cohesive performance resulted in the judges pitting the three supergroups against each other instead.

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This episode was filmed on Geoff's birthday… which means they got kicked off on his birthday. 😒 At least that meant they got to go home and rest for a few days before coming back for the finale?

[purplesurveys]

1749

How old were you 10 years ago? I was 15.

The last time you went out to eat, where did you go? I already talked about it in detail in a previous survey but my workmates and I went to a wine bar for Trina's despedida. We went to a nearby bar after for more filling bar chow cos all they had in the first place were light finger food meant to be paired with wine.

What did you order? For the wine bar, we got a few bottles of wine, clams, a cheese plate, and fries; for the bar, we had chips, sisig, and mac and cheese balls.

Think of the last film you watched. Who was your favourite character? I can't remember the last movie I saw because I rarely watch any anymore; but the last anything I watched was Prison Playbook. I'm only one episode in, but my favorite has been the sweet dude who was part of the same inmate batch as the main character. Least suspicious character so far, and it helps to know that his reason for getting incarcerated was merely because he didn't pay back the loan for his mom's surgery.

Do you use Twitter? How about Tumblr? I do use both, although I'm much more active on Twitter because all I do here is take surveys on weekends and the occasional weeknight.

What colour are the walls of the room you’re in? They're white.

What would you like to say to the last person that hurt you? I have not felt hurt by my loved ones for a very long time now. That feels pretty great to realize!

When was the last time you felt disappointed? Who/what cheered you up? I was soooo bummed last Friday – I had booked a visit to a museum, but I didn't expect the traffic to be absolutely awful (it was mid-afternoon, when roads would be relatively more relaxed) that I got to my destination 40 minutes after my reserved slot. It was also the last timeslot for the day, so it wasn't like I could just join the next batch of visitors.

I figured it'd be stupid of me to even show up lol, so I just went to the food hall next door, which also ended up sucking because there was no cell signal inside; I couldn't even use my data. At least I got a delicious spicy tuna poke from my visit.

Do you have a friend whose name starts with ‘L’? Describe him/her. There's Lea and Leigh. Lea is SUPER friendly, I love love love having conversations with her so it's a shame we see each other so rarely; I also see her as headstrong, ambitious, and intelligent. Leigh is creative, gentle, and a really talented singer.

When you opened your eyes this morning, what were your first thoughts? Holy shit I suck at waking up, I must have missed Jungkook's set at the Global Citizen Festival and I hate myself. Then I checked my Twitter (it was 7 AM by that point; they advertised the set as starting at 4 AM, Manila time) and apparently he was still in the middle of doing Seven LOL. Man did his set three hours late so I got to still hang out with him for a few minutes AND see the teaser for 3D!!!

Have you received any compliments today? Nah.

Describe one of your favourite items of clothing. Where did you get it? My brown sleeveless maxi dress - just Shopee, haha.

Name one of your favourite foods that starts with the letter A. Arancini.

Is there anyone from your past that you sometimes miss? Tell me about them. Only people I can think are Sofie and my grandpa. Sofie was my best friend in high school and we were each other's biggest confidantes. She was born overseas but since her parents were incapable of raising her and were separated, she was sent back here from childhood, and that's how she ended up in my school by around Grade 7. She had hair as thick as mine, loved makeup, and got me into Audrey Hepburn. We grew apart in college and saw each other a grand time of Once before she migrated to the UK this time last year. Our relationship post-drifting-apart has been wholesome and there's been absolutely no grudge or bad blood or whatever. I was raised around my grandpa routinely telling me random trivia and general knowledge, and I think I got my love from learning from him. He is a gifted writer and he apparently used to write my grandmother poems when they were younger, and is into history. If there is one thing he can't handle well, it's alcohol, and I have my fair share of trauma from what I've seen of him when he has had too much to drink. Nevertheless I think of him fondly, especially for the person he was without his brandy. He died in 2015 from a sudden heart attack when he was visiting family from our province.

How long have you known the last person you text messaged? Since 2020.

Do you know what the person you miss is doing at this moment? Probably on his lunch break.

Has anyone told you that they love you today? Yes.

In the last week, what’s the kindest thing that someone has done for you? My sister making me instant noodles when I asked her.

Is there a song that makes you cry every time you hear it? We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal has been a little rougher to listen to these days. So has Love Letters.

If someone read your mind right now, what would they hear? They would hear remnants of Le Sserafim's Fire In the Belly because I can't stop thinking about it lmao.

Do you have any favourite jewellery that you wear every day? Yes, my purple heart charm necklace that Reena gave me.

What colour are the eyes of the last male you talked to? Dark brown.

Are you wearing anything orange or red? Yes.

Who was the last person you said “hello” to? Idk, I think my sister.

I like to think there is always something to smile about…so, tell me, what’s your reason to smile right now? News about my potential resignation has apparently spread at work so I'm just happy that I'm not bearing it on my own anymore. They know I have plans to leave and they know I'm not too thrilled with my promotion, so at least I don't have to worry about violent reactions when the timing is finally right to step back and step out.

Also, Jungkook new single on Friday.

[aluvian]

15 Questions, 15 Mutuals

Tagged by @novasforce! Thank you so much for tagging me. Mwah mwah mwah! 💙💙💙

1. Are you named after anyone?

No! My middle name, Elizabeth, is in honor of my beloved aunt. I am very attached to my middle name. I think my first name (Brittany) was the most popular girls name the year I was born. I was, however, almost named Leia. God, what a missed opportunity lmao.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Earlier this morning, thanks to this Trigun meme. I was laughing so hard I legitimately started crying, and a couple of my coworkers popped into my workspace to ask what was wrong hahahahaha. I literally haven't stopped thinking about it. Living in my head rent free!!!!!!!

3. Do you have kids?

Not unless you count all the baby goats I've delivered and raised for the last 9 years, lmao! But in all seriousness, I love children. I get along with them so well. I have no desire to have any of my own, though. I am far more suited to the role of Cool Aunt. 😎

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Sometimes. It depends on who I'm talking to.

5. What sports do you play/have played?

None. I am not an athletic person in the slightest. I was on the basketball cheerleading squad in middle school, but I don't know if that actually counts.

6. What's the first thing you notice about other people?

How they treat other people around them, especially people in any sort of service industry.

7. What's your eye color?

Blue. I have blue eyes that rival those of Trinity, Brienne, and Scully.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. Life is such an enormous bummer these days. I need happiness wherever I can get it. But I do enjoy a good scare every once in a while. My favorite horror movie is Alien.

9. Any special talents?

Umm, not really? I'm extremely good at trivia. It's a guaranteed victory if I'm on your team. I'm extremely competitive and out for blood when I play.

10. Where were you born?

The horse country capital of Florida, Ocala.

11. What are your hobbies?

Cosplay, cooking, playing videogames, collecting comic books, Disney pin trading, reading, raising goats and emus

12. Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have the most wonderful little wizard, my dog Merlin. He's the cutest and bestest boy ever! If you follow me on Twitter, you've seen many pictures of him.

13. How tall are you?

5'10"

14. Favorite subject in school?

Any of the sciences. Science is the subject of all time for me. Marine biology, zoology, astronomy, and astrophysics are probably my most favorites. I also love history of all kinds and english/literature.

15. Dream job?

I have a few. Anything related to animal husbandry. I'd sell my soul to be able to work with elephants. Shark biologist. I would want to study either tiger sharks or greenland sharks. English teacher in Japan. I'm teaching myself the language and love it so much. It would be an honor to teach over there.

Tagging (there's no pressure!): @jewish-mulder @baronessblixen @moghraidhtrinity @genderqueer-klinger @ussfaramir @frogsmulder @swinging-stars-from-satellites @freckleslikestars @blackmelange @vienna-salvatori @viksworth @kriscynical

[xthelastknownsurvivorx]

get to know me

thanks for the tags @historicallysam and @14carrotghoul!

I tried to find favorites other than writing/rwrb since I'm sure most of ya'll know/can guess that much about me (then spent way too long trying to make this pretty lmao)

Animal: A pair of cardinals made their nest right outside of my house and it's been a lot of fun trying to spot them when I hear their distinctive cheeps

Movie TV Show: Cheating here and giving my favorite TV show instead because I don't really have a stand out favorite movie atm. Fun fact, my upcoming story reincarnation college au is based on this Thai drama until we meet again because if there is one thing I'll do it's put firstprince into my favorite situations ;)

Season: Fall by far — love the leaves, all the activities, and the weather (when it's actually nice and not just extended summer or early winter)

Character: Tough choice but I had to go with Hua Cheng from tgcf (heaven official's blessing) because I have been kind of obsessed with this man since reading the series.

Color: love my deep reds

Hobby: I don't talk about it a lot on here but I love dancing, mostly hip hop and kpop choreographies. If you recognize the studio from the picture, feel free to message me and we can gush about our favs together

Book: Noteworthy is my second favorite book after rwrb and imo has a very similar brand of humor and explorations of identity. Highly recommend if you love sarcastic bisexuals of color

Song: "Trivia 起: Just Dance" has a special place in my heart and I'm always immediately transported back to what it was like listening to the song the few months after its release. The picture is from an iconic performance of the song on tour

Drink: My go to boba order is usually just a simple matcha boba but I also love fruit-flavored teas, brown sugar boba, and pretty much anything else.

passing this on to @inexplicablymine @jazzerdoc @daisymae-12 @adreamareads @athousandrooms and anyone else who wants to join in!

[beyamour]

Act III, “Trivia”

You shouldn’t be too curious, and I’m not trying to be a mystery. While I take pleasure in scanning through written poetry, it’s been quite some time since I made the effort to start reading a book and saw it through to the end. One of them has a plot that particularly stood out to me and I find it to be comforting, making it my personal favorite. The title is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry because its lessons have influenced the way I try to live my life at this very moment.

I watch movies and TV shows in my spare time these days! In light of this, if you’re interested in reading my reviews of the titles I’ve already seen, please be ready to do so, but do lessen your expectations because I’ll do my best to be honest and straight to the point despite it being poorly made. Action, horror, and thriller tend to be my favorite genres, but I can’t bear anything that involves paranormal scenes because I’m not very good at jumpscares of ghostly figures or haunting demons.

My all-time favorites have to be the Marvel universe, so any title from their set would do, along with anything from Disney or Dreamworks. Up until this point, I’ve grown to enjoy watching animations! But for the time being, I’m still stuck watching John Wick. It’s just that good, at least from my experience.

Oh, but strangely enough, would you believe me if I said that I also enjoy watching true-crime documentary films that are followed by unsolved cases? This was caused by BuzzFeed Unsolved and the obsession further fueled by The Ghost Files.

I casually watch Korean drama and anime, which means I also read the manga if I can’t be bothered to wait until it gets animated to know what happened. These are once again my personal favorites: Judge, Blue Lock, Danganronpa, Chainsaw Man, Great Pretender, Jujutsu Kaisen, Another, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, and Horimiya.

Regarding my musical preferences, my playlists typically include a mix of Korean, Western, and Japanese pop! Depending on my mood, I listen to different artists, but I love them so much that I can never have enough of their releases: Chase Atlantic, Taylor Swift, and Rina Sawayama. I have songs from Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd, Coldplay, Ado, and Eve that I come back to from time to time.

As far as K-POP groups go, these three are my favorites because I consider the members to be my home: aespa, TXT, P1Harmony, XG, and RIIZE. You WILL hear me talk about them a lot, and I have no plans to lessen that. However, since I often listen to K-POP music, it’s possible that I missed some artists here whose music I also like.

[dolleate]

Act III, “Trivia”

You shouldn’t be too curious, and I’m not trying to be a mystery for you to perceive. While I take pleasure in reading through written poetry, it’s been quite some time since I made the effort to start on a book and saw it through to the end. One of them has a plot that particularly stood out to me and I find it to be comforting, making it my personal favorite. The title is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry because its lessons have influenced the way I try to live my life at this very moment.

I watch movies and TV shows in my spare time! In addition to this, I often make reviews regarding the titles I’ve already seen, but I wouldn’t count on it being well-written. Action, horror, and thriller tend to be my favorite genres, but I can’t bear anything that involves paranormal scenes because I’m not very good at handling jumpscares of ghostly figures or haunting demons.

My all-time favorites have to be Marvel, so any title from their universe would do, along with anything from Disney or Dreamworks. Up until this age, I’ve grown to enjoy watching animations regardless of how many times I’ve already seen them! If you’re looking for recommendations to watch, here are some of what I can contribute because I personally couldn’t recover from how good the experience was watching them the first time: American Psycho, Deadpool, Venom, Spiderman, and John Wick.

Oh, but strangely enough, would you believe me if I said that I also enjoy watching true-crime documentary films that are followed by unsolved cases? This was caused by BuzzFeed Unsolved and the obsession further fueled by The Ghost Files.

I casually watch Korean drama and anime, I also read the manga if I can’t be bothered to wait until it gets animated to know what happened. These are once again what I would recommend to you: Judge, Blue Lock, Danganronpa, Chainsaw Man, Great Pretender, Jujutsu Kaisen, Another, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, and Horimiya.

Regarding my musical preferences, my playlists typically include a mix of Korean, Western, and Japanese pop! Depending on my mood, I listen to different artists, but I love them so much that I can never have enough of their releases: Chase Atlantic, Taylor Swift, and Rina Sawayama. I have songs from Coldplay, Ado, and Eve that I come back to from time to time.

As far as K-POP groups go, these are my favorites because I consider the members to be my home: aespa, TXT, TWS, and I’LL-IT. You WILL hear me talk about them a lot, and I have no intentions to lessen that. However, since I often listen to K-POP, it’s possible that I miss some artists whose music I also like.

[lesamisagainstnapoleon]

modern ami headcanons

Feuilly has had the same phone case for six years. It's green with "Poland" printed in capital letters inside a heart, and Feuilly refuses to give it up. "It's not protecting your phone, Feuilly!" "Yeeaaahhh, it definitely is. Anyway I can't afford one" "THEY'RE LIKE TEN BUCKS FEUILLY I CAN GET ONE FOR YOU--" "really, I'm good, thanks :)" (as he drops his phone and the case gets a new crack)

Bahorel is famous for arriving to class late, and always in a new way. The students (and secretly, the professors) all look forward to his daily entrances. Sometimes he's on roller blades, other times he's hopping on one foot and wearing a giant purple wig. On days when he's sick and can't make it to class, everyone feels a little less energetic and happy to be there.

Combeferre is adamant about helping people with their studies. "I don't really want to bother you but--" "SHOW ME THE ASSIGNMENT" He gets legitimately SO excited when people ask him for homework help. One of his favorite people to help is Gavroche, who has a bit of trouble with long division. Combeferre always makes studying seem fun and enjoyable, and the people he helps always leave the sessions with a little more confidence in their future grades.

Jehan enters monthly poetry competitions. He's literally always writing poetry, whether in a little notebook he always carries with him, or on his phone, or on the nearest ami's sleeve. Courfeyrac has one jacket covered in Jehan's poetry. It's his favorite thing to wear, he says, and he'll never wash it so the poems don't wear off. Jehan has won a bunch of competitions before, and usually spends the money on some more plants for his flat, or on a gift for one of his friends.

Joly is the best nurse ever. When one of the amis fall sick, he bakes up a giant container of cookies (depending on what the sick ami's preference is), grabs a stack of movies and two bottles of ginger ale, and heads to the sick ami's place to take care of them. Aside from practically force-feeding them liquids and telling them to blow their nose ("you'll feel better!!") every five minutes, he's amazing at making sick people feel better.

Enjolras is literally the best cook. You might not think it to look at him, but he can make a mean dish of lasagna or a superb shepherd's pie. Every few weeks, he has the group over to his place for his newest recipe, and whenever one of their birthdays rolls around, he "accidentally" ends up making their favorite meal for the gathering. "Oh, I just felt like making it--" "Come on, Enj, you made it for me. This is my favorite." "Aw, nah, I just felt inspired to make it--" "Enjolras"

Bossuet has a google doc that he fills with dad jokes. So far it's three hundred pages, and he adds new ones practically every day. No conversation with him is complete without him pulling up the doc and reading one of the jokes out loud, accompanied by many groans and eye rolls. People who meet him for the first time must pass the trial of hearing at least five of the jokes in a conversation before he can consider making them his friend. Each joke is so cringe-worthy it's hilarious, and Bossuet marks his favorites by changing them into bright pink text.

Grantaire takes his sketchbook literally everywhere. There's no place the amis go that he doesn't bring it. He's constantly sketching random things-- a woman at a restaurant who was reading a book, a dog who followed them to one of their meetings, a butterfly that landed on the tip of his bottle. He makes sketches of the amis, too-- laughing, playing video games together, watching movies, having a popcorn battle or a pillow fight. He'll often randomly leave one of the sketches of the amis with one of them, tucking it in the hood of their sweatshirt or under their plate for them to find later.

Courfeyrac knows, like, so much movie trivia. It's impossible for the amis to watch any movie without him rattling off something about this or that location, or oh did you know that in this scene he actually broke his toe which is why he yelled like that? None of the amis know how he gets so much trivia, but somehow he does, and while it's interesting it also gets slightly annoying when he's interrupting for the forty thousandth time to tell about that actor's wig and how they dropped it in the water accidentally. "Courfeyrac I love you but could you please let us finish this scene in peace, this is the saddest part and you just told us that the actor belched during the first take of it, puh-leeze can we just watch for a minute"

Marius gets extremely giddy when he's nervous about things. The amis will be entering one of their classes in which they have a test and Marius will suddenly latch onto one of their arms and start giggling madly while saying, "I remembered the funniest thing yesterday--" and the amis will just look at each other like "he's losing it again" and then as Marius babbles incoherently about how his dog sneezed when he was a child one of them will just pat his back and as Marius sits down and starts talking faster and waving his arms and laughing really loud because "HAHAHA, MY SHOE JUST SQUEAKED GUYS AHAHAH" they'll just nod at each other before giving Marius some Benedryl they've hidden in a cookie or something so he can calm down. Then they'll take the test and as soon as he finishes he just passes out

Gavroche is the most popular kid in his fifth grade class, mostly because he is constantly telling the teacher they should be eating candy instead of learning. (This may or may not be encouraged by Courfeyrac, who has gotten several emails concerning Gavroche's behavior but who only further inspires Gavroche to keep going). He also constantly draws goofy faces on the whiteboard when his teacher is not looking, resulting in uncontrollable snickering until the teacher turns around, sees it, and bursts into laughter herself while also trying to scold Gavroche, who looks at her with angel eyes and acts like he's been in his seat the whole time.

Eponine is a master at laser tag. Whenever the amis are looking for something to do she's always like "Oh I know I know, laser tag!" and they all internally groan because oh gosh she's about to slaughter them again. She sneaks around and you have no clue she's there until she hits you. Screams of terror often fill the air when she strikes, because she'll lurk around a corner and then leap out, a terrifying smile on her face, before targeting whatever unfortunate ami has stumbled across her. She always wins. Always. (Jehan always loses but that's because he doesn't want to take out his friends).

[reyescarlos]

let me take your heart (love you in the dark)

summary: Settled into his new life in Austin, TK takes pride in having a handle on all the recent changes that have come his way. The latest recruit to the 126, however, threatens to undo all of that instantly. As he and Carlos grow closer on and off duty, TK quickly discovers that some fires aren't meant to be tamed.

completed word count: 28.6k || rated: e || chapter 2 of 2 || read on ao3

Oh, I love to watch your body lie Makes me feel better, Makes me satisfied

“Are you excited about tonight?” TK asks as Carlos’ fingertips lightly thread through his hair.

They’ve spent the vast majority of this afternoon tangled up together, Carlos making good on his word from the night before. The two of them have been getting lost in each other since TK dropped in this morning. It’s been easy enough to pass the time talking and now watching a movie on the couch. TK is resting comfortably with his head in Carlos’ lap, the film largely going ignored.

“Anxious, I think, is more accurate. I want everyone to have a good time. Hosting the team for the first time is kind of a big deal.”

TK offers him a soft smile.

“It’s just game night. We’re all going to have a great time.”

Carlos frowns a bit.

“I hope so. I want everyone to be comfortable while they’re here.”

TK sits up a bit to kiss his jaw.

“Speaking from personal experience, I can say you’re a very accommodating host. Five stars all the way. They’ll be more than comfortable,” he says. “Well, as long as we don’t let it slip that you went down on me on this very same cou—“

Carlos puts a hand over his mouth before TK can finish his sentence.

“You’re horrible,” he laughs and TK does too, pressing a kiss to Carlos’ palm.

“I promise, I’ll keep that little bit of trivia to myself,” Carlos vows.

He lowers his hand and TK latches onto it, interlacing their fingers. Carlos’ thumb brushes the back of his hand automatically.

“I assume you’ve mapped out how you’d like tonight to go over? Menu, itinerary, the whole nine yards?” TK says.

“As a matter of fact, yes. There will be drinks, tapas, and, one of my personal favorites, Ropa Vieja.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“It’s my grandmother’s recipe,” Carlos says. “I’ve made it more times than I can count.”

“I like how close you and your family are.”

Carlos shrugs. “We’re closer in some respects more than others. But, yeah, food is definitely one of the things that binds us. I think the ranch is a close second.”

TK smiles at this.

“I still can’t believe you grew up on a ranch. I can’t stop picturing you surrounded by animals like Dr. Doolittle or something.”

That’d been one of the first few things TK had learned about Carlos that very first night they texted.

Carlos laughs.

“Being able to communicate with them would have been helpful quite a few times. Life on a ranch is a far cry from New York City. But, you’ve found your way in Austin. There’s still hope for you to fully embrace some lifestyles down here.”

“I’m getting accustomed to one local in particular, so I think I’m on the right track.”

Carlos smiles and kisses him. TK’s stomach erupts with butterflies as he kisses him back sweetly.

“Speaking of, do you want to hang out this weekend?” Carlos asks as they pull apart. “There’s a food festival I wanted to check out. I thought, maybe, you’d like to go too.”

“I’d love that, yeah.”

It’s easy to forget, in moments like this, that they aren’t a couple. They are merely coworkers and friends and occasionally—quite frequently—lovers. It’s not an actual relationship even though all the building blocks seem to be in place.

The sex, without question, is always incredible. The best he’s ever had, he’d venture to say. But truthfully, it’s little moments like this that TK has been growing particularly fond of.

He and Carlos can talk about anything, can laugh and tease each other. There’s a comfort there that TK cherishes. With Carlos, he feels safe and wholly himself.

It’s equal parts reassuring and terrifying, to be made to feel as if he can fall for someone again.

Carlos shifts their position to lie down on his side. TK adjusts to his side as well, his back pressed against Carlos’ front. The other man wraps an arm around his middle and TK smiles to himself at how naturally they seem to fall into place with each other.

Carlos sighs softly and snuggles in closer to him, his face tucked in against the side of his neck. It does something complicated to TK’s heartbeat to feel his breath and skin so near.

They don’t speak for a while, just remain pressed on tightly against each other as the movie continues to play. But TK’s focus still isn’t on the screen. His thoughts wander, conjuring up some make-believe world in which all of this is real and means something more than this transient state of sporadic hookups.

TK can tell the precise moment the other man falls asleep. Carlos’ body feels heavier against him, his breathing a bit deeper. TK places his hand over the arm Carlos still has around him.

He closes his eyes and draws in a breath as he too begins to drift, his breaths syncing with Carlos’.

He wakes with a start some time later as Carlos springs up off the couch behind him.

“Dammit,” Carlos mutters.

TK sits up and rubs at his eye.

“What happened? What’s wrong?”

Carlos has a panicked look in his eye as he focuses on TK.

“I didn’t mean to sleep for that long. Or at all, for that matter. I need to prepare for tonight and it’s already so late.”

TK gets up and walks over to him.

“It’s okay. There’s still time.”

Carlos doesn’t look so sure. TK has seen, in some flashes, the way Carlos’ anxiousness creeps up at times. It happens at work if he overthinks a judgment call.

Carlos heads into the kitchen, TK following closely behind. Carlos is like a hurricane blowing through the room, pulling ingredients from the fridge and cupboards.

It puts TK on edge so he can only imagine how quickly Carlos’ mind must be racing now. TK isn’t sure how exactly to help, but he feels the urge to do something, even if the effect is only temporary.

“Carlos, you need to relax,” TK says, wrapping his arms around the man’s waist from behind as he stands at the counter.

Carlos sighs softly and TK feels a slight tremble in his body. Curious to see how he’ll react to him again, TK kisses the base of his neck. Carlos straightens his shoulders.

“I need to focus on making dinner. Tonight has to go perfectly. It’ll set the tone for future hangs.”

He can hear the genuine worry in Carlos’ voice. All he wants to do now is free him of any concerns.

“Everyone would be just fine if we ordered pizzas. It’s sweet that you want to prepare something, but you don’t have to go through all this trouble.”

Carlos twists his neck enough to look at him.

“Order pizza? Over the option of a home-cooked meal? Hello, I’m Carlos Reyes,” he says, angling his body and extending his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. Apparently we’ve never met before.”

TK rolls his eyes and laughs, placing a kiss on Carlos’ cheek.

“Total control freak. You’re stressing yourself out for no reason, is all I’m saying. Tonight is supposed to be about having fun. It’ll hardly matter to everyone what’s on the menu. So again, I say, you need to relax.”

“What I need is for you to stop distracting me. I can still make this work,” Carlos counters, but there’s no bite to his words as he playfully flicks the back of TK’s hand.

“You think this is a distraction, huh? Baby, I could be so much worse,” he purrs in Carlos’ ear.

TK bites down gently on Carlos’ earlobe and sucks softly as he undoes the man’s jeans. Carlos goes still and makes no objections so TK keeps going, slipping his hand past the waistband of Carlos’ boxer briefs.

Carlos sets the spoon in his hand down and grips the edge of the counter with both hands as TK takes a hold of him.

“TK,” he says softly, shoulders hunching over slightly.

TK skims the tip of his nose along Carlos’ cheek and to his ear again.

“You’re so set on taking care of everyone else tonight. Let me take care of you.”

TK can hear Carlos’ breath catch as he begins to stroke him with a feather-light touch.

“The team will be here in about an hour,” Carlos says, his voice wavering much like his resolve, apparently, as he still makes no effort to stop him.

TK lets out a breath, his thumb gently teasing Carlos’ already wet slit. He hums softly, the pad of his finger smearing along the tip. Carlos curses under his breath.

“That’s plenty of time for the things I want to do to you. I’ll loosen you up. I’ll get you to stop worrying so much.”

TK takes his hand back out, and Carlos whimpers at the loss. TK has him right where he wants him. He leaves a trail of soft kisses down his neck before stepping away.

Carlos turns around at once, and TK can see just how badly the man wants this, how easily he’s surrendering himself to TK. His pupils are dilated and with his pants undone and the unmistakable imprint of his hard cock in his jeans, TK just wants to ruin him and send him over the edge completely.

TK takes a hold of Carlos’ hand and leads him out of the kitchen and to the stairs. He’s far too comfortable inside Carlos’ house. He walks around as if it’s a second home.

He kisses Carlos hard as they enter the man’s bedroom, cradling his face as he walks them over to the bed. TK shoves Carlos down against the soft bedding and climbs on top of him.

He grinds down, grinning at the feel of Carlos’ cock alongside his own. TK leans in and kisses him slowly, swiveling his hips over Carlos’ again. A low moan comes out of the man instantly.

“I need you,” Carlos breathes against his lips.

It feels good to be trusted like this and so clearly desired.

TK pulls back to look at him, stroking his cheek softly with the side of his thumb.

“Whatever you want. My mouth, my hands, just say the word.”

Carlos’ face flushes a bit.

“I want what you promised downstairs. I want you to take me out of my head.”

TK smiles at this and switches gears, pushing Carlos’ shirt up and leaving a trail of kisses down his torso.

“I can do that.”

Carlos tucks a hand under his chin and forces his gaze gently. TK holds still, fingers still bunching the fabric of Carlos’ shirt as the man speaks.

“I’m not sure if you’re fully understanding what I mean when I say that.”

TK’s head tilts to the side a bit. He supposes he doesn’t, but he’d like to know.

Carlos licks his lips and sighs, apparently psyching himself up.

“TK, I want you to fuck me. That’s what I want…need right now…if you’re willing.”

TK’s eyes widen for a moment, but he quickly recovers. He wants that just as desperately, has wanted it for weeks now.

“Whatever you want, you’ll get,” TK repeats slowly, looking him right in the eyes. “I’ve got you.”

Seemingly assured, Carlos settles back against the pillows. TK’s up for the challenge and quickly adapts to taking the lead. He finishes what he started downstairs and gets Carlos’ jeans off completely.

He gets them both undressed, his eyes once again taking in Carlos’ perfect body. It’s been weeks and TK isn’t sure the shock of having Carlos like this will ever wear off. Selfishly, he hopes to be the last person Carlos is with, intimately or otherwise.

The thought comes out of nowhere. TK pushes it aside. That isn’t what this is. They’ve never hinted at more and he can be okay with that.

Or so he has to believe.

TK grabs supplies from Carlos’ top drawer, quick to coat his fingers and Carlos’ entrance with lube. Carlos shivers and TK savors that reaction to him. He takes his time, rubbing the tips of his fingers around Carlos’ rim, unable to tear his eyes away as he watches Carlos open up to him.

He checks in with Carlos, makes sure he’s doing alright as he slips the tip of his middle finger in. He rubs a soothing hand over Carlos’ thigh and basks in the ways the other man responds to him, the way his breath hitches as he gradually slides his finger all the way in.

He leans forward and kisses Carlos, their tongues meeting as TK works him up to take a second finger. Carlos’ hands are in his hair by the third finger, tugging gently as he thrusts forward against the digits.

TK can’t help but to stare as his fingers dive in deeper. Carlos is so tight around him, it makes his cock twitch in anticipation. He stays on task though, wanting to make sure Carlos is properly prepped for him.

TK curls his fingers slightly, his eyes trained on Carlos’ face. The man winces a bit and immediately TK stops.

“Are you okay? Did that hurt?”

Carlos sighs and steadies his breathing.

“In a good way. Keep going.”

TK doesn’t hesitate. He slides his fingers back in and curls the digits just like before. Carlos’ mouth hangs open as he arches his back, his eyes fluttering shut. TK leans in and kisses his abs and chest as he continues to stretch him.

Carlos’ breaths grow shaky, a slight tremble in body as he moans.

“That’s it,” TK coaxes as Carlos rocks forward and fucks his fingers. “Just beautiful. You’re doing so well.”

Carlos takes a hold of the sheet, his hand balling up the fabric. TK watches the tendons in his arm flex. It makes him ache between his legs. Carlos is leaking and muttering softly, clearly blissful. TK could watch him like this for hours, but he wants more. He can clearly see Carlos needs more, too.

“Touch yourself,” he rasps, surprising himself.

Carlos opens his eyes and looks at him through heavy lids. TK can’t explain it, but he feels desperate to see this all of a sudden.

“Let go of the sheet and wrap that hand around your cock instead. Now.”

Carlos does as he’s told immediately and TK watches hungrily as the man loosens his grip on the sheets and begins to pleasure himself. TK thrusts his fingers in deeper and teases Carlos’ prostate. Carlos bites back on his lower lip, his eyes fixed on TK as he works himself over.

“So hot and well-behaved. I bet you could come from this right now if I told you to, hmm? Just make an absolute mess of your own hand.”

Carlos shudders. TK takes that as confirmation.

Carlos buries half his face in the pillow, his wrist flicking harder as he whines. He’s ready and TK is too.

TK places a kiss on his hip.

“Next time. I know what you need now. I didn’t forget,” he assures.

He slips his fingers out of Carlos and gently touches his wrist to get him to stop jerking himself off. Carlos’ eyes look dazed, his breathing a bit heavy.

“Are you good?” TK asks.

Carlos nods and licks his lips. His voice is coarse when he speaks, but his words are clear.

“Amazing. Please, don’t stop.”

Relieved, TK kisses his jaw and strokes his cheek.

“Good. Get on your stomach for me then.”

Carlos is compliant and turns over at once, getting himself settled, his hands anchoring to the bedding, back dipped slightly, enough to put him on display. TK has to squeeze a hand over the base of his own cock to calm down. Carlos is so obedient and eager. It’s driving him mad.

He gets the condom over his length and slicks them both up. He palms at Carlos’ ass as he aligns himself. Slowly, he inches forward, letting out a string of curses as he fills him.

“You feel so good, babe, shit,” he hisses, Carlos snug around him.

He stays still, letting Carlos acclimate to his length. TK’s fingers lightly card through Carlos’ curls until the man begins to roll his hips back onto his cock. It’s truly indescribable and TK can’t get enough already.

They fall into an easy rhythm with each other, going slow and steady. TK lets Carlos set the pace, matching his intensity as bit by bit he grows used to TK inside of him. Carlos’ thrusts eventually grow wilder and as he starts to beg him for more, TK finds himself becoming bolder too.

One hand splays at the base of Carlos’ neck, holding him down as he fucks into him, his other hand gripping his hip tightly to further keep him in place.

The room fills with the sound of their ragged breaths and pounding flesh.

Carlos lets out a sharp cry, tugging at the sheets beneath him as he grinds against the bed. His sounds grow muted just then and it takes TK a second to realize Carlos is biting the sheets as he essentially fucks them, his hips rutting up repeatedly against the fabric bunching beneath them.

He takes every inch of TK without protest, thrusting himself back against TK’s cock, his hips shifting marginally each time. It leaves TK speechless, reducing him to hard grunts and moans.

“Right there, fuck. Right there,” Carlos chokes out, and TK doubles down on the spot, his thrusts unrelenting as he tirelessly drives himself deeper and deeper with each return.

TK can feel the telltale signs of Carlos’ orgasm building, the way he clenches around his length, the uptick in his voice as he calls out.

Carlos’ body shudders hard against the mattress as he hits his climax and TK doesn’t break his stride, for Carlos’ sake as well as his own. Carlos is babbling incoherently and TK feels as if he’s soaring. This has far exceeded anything he could have dreamed up.

He comes a few moments after Carlos, pleasure pouring out of every cell and flooding his senses.

He stays buried inside Carlos for a moment as he catches his breath and gets his head on somewhat straight. Slowly, he pulls out and properly disposes of the condom. He kisses Carlos' shoulder softly.

Carlos rolls over and lies on his back. His chest looks like a sunrise, a warm reddish hue in the center from all his exertion. His face is covered in a sheen of sweat. He looks well and truly satisfied.

TK has never seen a more beautiful sight.

His eyes take in the mess Carlos has made on the sheets and his own body. It gets TK’s heart pumping hard all over again to see him wrecked like this, to know that he’s responsible for it all.

Unable to stop himself, TK grips Carlos’ hips as he inches towards his frame and works to lick him clean. Carlos’ nails scratch against his scalp as he goes and TK cannot seem to get enough of his taste, only stopping when he’s cleared away every last drop.

He looks up at Carlos who reaches for his pendant and tugs him forward with it. TK goes easily, straddling his hips and kissing him deeply. Carlos doesn’t seem at all put off by the taste of himself in TK’s mouth, and TK can hardly put into words how incredibly sexy he finds that to be.

His hands encircle Carlos’ wrists as he pins them above the man’s head as he continues to kiss him. TK’s tongue slips into his mouth and explores. Carlos just seems to melt against him, no qualms with being trapped like this.

TK likes the control, more so the trust Carlos has in him to himself over like this.

TK loses track of how long they stay like that. He eventually sets Carlos’ wrists free and is immediately treated to the man’s hands roaming his naked body, his back, his ass, his thighs. If he had it his way, they’d spend the rest of the night just like this, but—

“We have to get up,” Carlos mumbles against his lips, bursting his bubble.

TK groans; he hates the fact that he’s right. He looks at the time on Carlos’ nightstand. They’ve only got about twenty minutes or so before the others start showing up and they need to make themselves presentable again.

An irrational part of him wishes they could call off game night, tell the team the gathering is canceled so he can continue picking Carlos apart all night. But he knows they’ve pushed this as far as they can this evening.

He pecks Carlos’ lips one more time before begrudgingly climbing off of him and standing up with a heavy sigh.

Carlos moves to get out of bed as well, but takes a moment to grab his jeans and dig in his pocket.

“What are you doing?” TK asks, amused at the sight of Carlos standing up now on shaky legs.

Carlos rakes a hand through his hair and licks his lips as he pulls up something on his phone.

“Accepting defeat,” he replies, putting the phone to his ear. “Hi, I’d like to place an order for delivery, please.”

~*~*~

Downtime between calls lends itself to a lot of time for the crew to hang around the station. TK and the guys kill time in the weight room. It’s become an unofficial place for them to openly talk about their lives or have venting sessions and get advice. It seems only fitting that today’s gathering inspires another such huddle.

Paul shakes his head as he looks at his phone and sets the device down.

“Everything alright?” TK asks from where he is on the treadmill.

“Another one bites the dust,” Paul grumbles, laying back on the workout bench. “Bad date last night. We’ve officially called it.”

Carlos stands behind the weights as a spotter. Mateo should, in theory, be doing crunches on the exercise ball, but he busies himself with bouncing on it a bit as he sits instead.

Paul fills them in on the date, fixates mainly on just how different the woman’s tastes were from his own as they dined.

“If we aren’t compatible when it comes to cuisine, I don’t think we would stand a chance. Best to learn this early on,” Paul says.

The group laughs and Paul does too, shaking his head with a sigh.

“There must be something in the air,” he says.

Mateo agrees, mentioning he’s been in a bit of a drought himself.

“What’s the latest for you, TK? You seem to be over that guy in New York,” Mateo notes.

TK had brought up Alex what feels like a lifetime ago in this very same room the last time the guys sat around talking about relationships.

The only difference was Carlos hadn’t been part of the team then.

TK looks over at Carlos for the briefest of seconds and is unsurprised to see well-masked confusion in his eyes.

“That was months ago. I’m definitely over it,” he assures.

The demise of his relationship in New York had admittedly left a mark on him, making TK cautious about jumping in headfirst or seeking anything official. But he could say with full assurance that he felt nothing towards his ex and hasn’t thought about him either.

“What about you, Carlos?” Mateo pivots. “Bet you have good luck. Gotta fight the guys off with a stick, am I right?”

TK tries not to look overly interested, but his curiosity is certainly piqued.

“It’s hit or miss,” Carlos says as he continues to spot Paul.

Mateo scoffs. “You’re jacked like Thor. Smart like Banner. Friendly like Peter,” he rattles off on his fingers. “You’re just trying to make the rest of us feel better.”

“I’m flattered you think of me as a one man Avenger,” Carlos laughs with a shrug. “I don’t know, I haven’t had much luck when it comes to relationships. The men of Austin must not be into dating superheroes.”

Paul sits up and raises a brow. TK feels the hairs at the back of his neck stand at attention immediately.

“But you are seeing someone, right? Unless you’ve been getting mauled by a bear or something, I’d say someone’s responsible for those scratches you’ve been sporting,” Paul says, wiping sweat from his brow.

Carlos’ hand quickly flies to the nape of his neck, his eyes wide.

Mateo is grinning so widely he looks like the Cheshire Cat and TK is stuck trying his best not to look alarmed.

“Carlos, you sly dog. I knew you were holding out on us,” Mateo booms, holding out his hand to give him a low five.

Carlos ignores Mateo’s hand, his mouth opening and closing as he looks between Mateo and Paul.

“I…it’s casual,” Carlos says, schooling his features. “Let’s focus though, yeah? We’re here to talk about Paul, not me.”

“Way to throw me under the bus, man. That’s foul,” Paul jokes.

It’s enough to take the attention off of Carlos and TK can see the relief flood through him. He knows Carlos’ body well enough to read the tension and see it melt away bit by bit as the conversation switches back to Paul’s dating life.

TK breathes a bit easier too. Of course Paul would take notice even though they’ve been good at covering the marks they’ve been leaving on each other. TK can admit he’s been reckless, but it’s hard not to get carried away with Carlos.

“We need a guys’ night out. Let the ladies—and fellas—,” Mateo amends, “of Austin know we’re on the prowl.”

Paul throws a towel at him and laughs.

“I’m down though. It’ll be fun getting out there with you all. Who knows, maybe our luck will change.”

“TK? Carlos? You guys in, too?” Mateo asks.

TK meets Carlos’ eyes for a quick moment before they both focus back on the others.

“I’m in,” Carlos replies with a nonchalant shrug.

TK hates the thought of them being “on the prowl”, but for the sake of appearances, there’s no valid reason for him to say no.

“Yeah, me too,” he echoes weakly.

~*~*~

At the end of their shift that day, TK finds Carlos at the rig, washcloth in one hand as he cleans the fire engine alone. He’s got a determined look on his face and TK knows him well enough to tell something is on his mind and he’s looking to keep himself busy.

TK joins him, picking up a rag of his own. Carlos catches his eye and smiles at him. TK does his best not to melt on the spot at the sight of it.

He wonders if Carlos’ mind is taking him back to their first night together, what they got swept up in inside of this very truck they’re cleaning now. The irony doesn’t escape him.

“Can I ask you something?” Carlos says.

TK looks over at him, takes in the deep furrow of his brows. He lowers his hand at once and gives Carlos his full attention.

“Of course you can. What’s up?”

Carlos seems a little unsure of himself now that TK is focused on him. He shakes his head slightly.

“It’s really not my business, I know. But Paul mentioned someone back in New York? I was just wondering…is that something I should know about?”

TK frowns. Carlos deserves to know.

“Before my dad and I came down here, I was seeing a guy named Alex. Things were serious, but it ended pretty horribly and kind of made me swear off dating,” he says, giving the most comprehensive yet edited version of events he can muster up on the spot.

Carlos seems to sit with that for a moment.

“You guys have been down here for a while now. You haven’t dated since? Just hook ups?”

“Honestly? I haven’t even been interested in anyone. Except for you, of course,” he says, extra sure to keep his voice low. “I just…I don’t know if I’m ready for like, labels and all that after everything. Dating is kind of a nightmare. You’ve been through it too, right? Finding someone you feel ready to take a chance on is rare. Actually making it work is even harder. And he made me feel like..,” he trails off and shakes his head.

TK thinks back on the failed relationship that brought him to Austin in the first place. That had been one of the worst experiences of his life. TK had walked away from that relationship feeling as if he wasn’t worthwhile. He certainly hadn’t been enough to keep Alex interested or faithful, he thought. As much as he hates to admit it, it’s skewed the way he sees himself.

But as he looks at Carlos now, he can’t help but to feel a flicker of optimism in his stomach over what could be.

He and Carlos haven’t put a name to whatever this is between them and, if he’s being honest with himself, TK isn’t quite sure he can trust himself with something as good as Carlos’ heart long term. He’d be bound to find a way to ruin it and that’s not something he’s confident he can recover from. TK has been able to pick himself back up over the last few months. If this ends in disaster, there’s no way he’d be able to claw his way out. Carlos means too much to him.

He sighs and searches Carlos’ face.

“A part of me thinks I could get it right someday. I don’t really know though. I’ve gotten it so wrong in the past.”

Carlos doesn’t say anything and for the life of him, TK can’t even guess at what he must be thinking.

“We’ve never really talked about our dating histories before, have we?” Carlos says after a beat.

TK frowns and looks away. Things have been so good with Carlos, he hasn’t really wanted to look behind him but rather march forward.

“We don’t have to,” TK says. “I hate thinking about New York. Life has turned around for me a ton here in Austin,” he continues, letting his hand discreetly brush against Carlos’. “Thanks mostly to you. I’m really glad you transferred. I’m really glad that I know you. Between you and the rest of the crew, you guys have made this place feel like home…especially you.”

Carlos smiles softly at this. TK watches his chest expand as he draws in a deep breath before getting back to cleaning. TK follows suit, neither of them saying anything further.

“Reyes! TK! Y’all polish that thing much longer, there ain’t gonna be much paint left. Hit the showers. It’s time to go,” Judd calls from across the floor, dressed in his civilian clothes, his duffel bag hooked on his shoulder.

Carlos sets the rag in his hand down.

“You heard the man,” Carlos says. “Time to wash up.”

Carlos’ eyes track his body and TK feels his pulse quicken. It sounds an awful lot like an invitation to something they absolutely shouldn’t be engaging in at work, especially during the day.

Carlos steps away and TK, too stunned to move just then, watches him head off towards the locker room. Belatedly, TK takes a step to follow, but is derailed as his father appears.

“Will you be ready soon?” Owen asks.

TK’s eyes trail after Carlos before focusing back on his dad.

“You go ahead without me. I don’t feel like heading straight home just yet.”

His father studies him for a moment.

“Everything okay?”

TK nods. “Yeah, no worries. I promise. I might just hit the weight room for a bit.”

Owen nods once and pats him on the shoulder.

“Alright then. I’ll see you when you get in.”

TK lets out a relieved breath as he watches his father leave and he makes an immediate beeline after Carlos.

When he arrives, the locker room is empty. He can hear running water in the showers a few feet away. TK undresses quickly, wraps a towel around his hips and grabs his shower caddy.

The showers are dead quiet aside from Carlos’ stall and the water stemming from it. It calls to him like a siren.

He knocks quietly on the shower door, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one has come in. He turns back quickly as Carlos opens the door.

It’s very hard to worry about anything else when he’s staring at Carlos’ wet, naked body. His eyes drink in everything at once, from the sopping curls to the droplets racing down his torso. It makes TK harden beneath his towel as he swallows thickly.

Carlos smirks like he knows, though TK supposes it’s obvious. Carlos has had quite the effect on him since day one.

“Come here,” Carlos says quietly, hooking his fingers into TK’s towel. He pulls him inside by the waist, closing back the shower door.

TK's heart is full-on jackhammering as Carlos tugs the towel loose and hangs it up.

He can’t think, let alone speak, as Carlos walks over slowly to him, his eyes raking over his body. It makes TK antsy to touch him; he doesn’t hesitate once Carlos is near enough.  

He snakes his arms around Carlos’ waist, dropping the caddy and kissing him hard. Carlos’ hands venture down his back and to his ass. TK gasps against his lips as Carlos squeezes him roughly and presses their hips together. Carlos grinds down on him, his hard cock meeting with TK’s own. He shivers despite the warmth of the water running down his body.

“What about the B team?” TK whispers, some small ray of common sense trickling through the fog in his mind.

Carlos shrugs, trailing his fingertips down TK’s torso. TK clutches the man’s hips to stay steady.

“Guess you’ll just have to be very, very quiet then, now won’t you? Don’t give them a reason to come looking.”

The thought of getting caught should terrify him, should make him exercise some modicum of sensibility.

But Carlos’ lips are at his neck, his tongue dancing on his skin and TK couldn’t care less if anyone sees them now. If he’s being honest, the thought of being seen kind of—definitely—turns him on. His arms drape over Carlos’ shoulders, his fingers twining in his hair as the man begins to kiss him. He opens his mouth to Carlos, sucks softly on his tongue as they both grind against each other.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think Carlos could ever be this reckless during waking hours, but he’s grateful for whatever wild streak has apparently possessed him this evening. He supposes after their first hookup being in a fire truck, they’ve long since thrown being responsible out of the window. But this feels like far more of a gamble. It’s a risk he’s willing to take, however.

Carlos thrusts forward sharply and TK is forced to bite back the moan that threatens to come out. It gets trapped, a wounded sound, in his throat.

“Good boy,” Carlos says approvingly in the small space between their lips.

TK shudders against him at the praise. Carlos knows him too well now, understands perfectly how to get under his skin with two simple words.

He kisses Carlos heatedly, pouring everything he can’t say just then into it.

All too soon, Carlos is pulling away. TK pouts and tries to pull him in closer by the hips. Carlos simply shakes his head and turns TK around. Only then does Carlos return to his body, pressing him up against the wall.

“I have something else in mind for you,” he whispers, his breath caressing his ear gently with such a lethal promise.

TK doesn’t ask any questions. This position can only mean one thing and he prays his assumption is correct. It’s proven to be right just a moment later as Carlos gets the cloth between his cheeks and begins to clean him.

“Carlos,” he murmurs at the feel of the man’s fingertips gently brushing his rim.

His forehead thuds softly onto the tiles as Carlos’ lips latch on to the juncture between his neck and his shoulder and sucks. TK’s eyes squeeze shut, his cock heavy between his legs as Carlos keeps up his ministrations until TK hears the distinct sound of the washcloth meeting the ground.

“Remember. Not a sound,” Carlos says against his ear. Though his voice is quiet, there’s so much authority in it. All TK wants to do is obey.

TK’s jaw clenches, his palms splaying across the tiles as he attempts to clear his mind enough to focus.

Carlos kisses down the valley of the spine and it’s truly a wonder to TK that he’s even still standing. His knees feel weak, his body practically boneless as Carlos drops to his knees behind him. The first touch of Carlos’ hands to his ass sends a jolt through his entire body.

They’ve barely even started. How is he meant to survive this? Without making a sound, no less?

TK nearly gives away the game as the tip of Carlos’ tongue circles his rim. His mouth hangs open at once, eyes watering as Carlos licks his way into him. TK rocks back, gently riding his tongue.

He lowers his hand to his leaking cock, biting hard into the soft flesh of his lower lip as he begins to jerk off. Carlos licks into him with such precision it takes the air out of TK’s lungs. He gives himself a tight squeeze, his legs shaking as he fights to stay in control of himself.

He wants to scream, whine, beg for more, but he can’t do anything other than keep his responses bottled up. He’s never been too good at that and this is a test of his willpower like no other.

Carlos’ tongue is relentless, delving inside him and searching, exploring, taking him apart so acutely it makes TK feel delirious. TK quickens his pace on himself, his hand twisting and turning against his length. He lets out a shaky breath, the tension in his stomach knotting tightly.

It’s excruciating to stay quiet. Tears run down his face, a sob that can’t escape sitting dormant and burning in his chest. If they were back at Carlos’ place now, he’d be able to sing the man’s praises at full volume. Instead, all he can do now is tighten his grip on his own cock and swallow down the instinctual sounds his body desperately wants to make.

His legs tremble, his knees liable to give out at any second as his orgasm flares up and overtakes him at once. Carlos’ strong hands are rough as they knead his ass, spreading him wider as he continues to prod and suck.

TK almost shouts, but catches it quickly, just a broken whimper taking its place as he comes all over his fist.

Carlos doesn’t let up, his tongue curling in his ass as he rides out the wave. He grinds back onto Carlos’ tongue, chasing every bit of the high as his orgasm washes over him. TK keeps his face rested against the shower wall as his brain comes back online slowly.

He isn’t even aware that Carlos has gotten up until he feels the man pressed up on him, all hard muscle and warmth as he settles his chin on TK’s shoulder.

“You did so well. I’m impressed.”

TK shudders, his legs feeling far more like jelly than anything else.

“I wanted to be good,” he hiccups, blood still rushing loudly in his ears.

Carlos rubs his side and kisses his shoulder twice and the space just under his ear. TK sighs at the intimacy of his touch and kisses.

“And you were. So, so good and beautiful for me, TK. I’m proud of you. You were amazing.”

TK closes his eyes at this, elated with the praise. He hadn’t even thought himself capable of staying quiet. But whatever Carlos asks of him, TK will always be determined to make it happen.

Carlos turns him around to face forward again. TK’s eyes drift down to Carlos’ spent cock before looking back up at him.

“You were busy,” he notes, his voice completely shot.

“I’m good at multitasking,” he says with a half smile. “You have no idea what it does to me, seeing you like that,” he continues, shaking his head. “It’s the sexiest thing ever.”

He leans in and gives TK a soft kiss on his forehead, brushing his cheek with the pad of his thumb. TK smiles to himself at the gesture, one hand on Carlos’ hip as the man speaks.

“Let me get you cleaned up and take you home, okay?”

TK nods and lets Carlos direct him, too spent to even speak anymore. He’s swallowed back so many moans and whimpers, TK doubts he even has a voice left.

With gentle hands, Carlos cleans him and TK is struck, certainly not for the first time since they started hooking up, at how much range Carlos possesses.

One moment they can engage in the hottest and filthiest scenarios he’s ever experienced, and in the next, Carlos handles him with such care like he’s something precious.

With Carlos, he could have it all. TK feels sick with want.

~*~*~

As they step into the club Carlos suggested, TK can see why Carlos had sworn by this place. Admittedly, TK hasn’t given Austin that much credit, stuck in his thinking that New York was a far more fun city.

Their first stop for guys’ night had been to the 126’s usual dive bar, but it was clear very early on that they’d need a much livelier setting. Carlos recommended one of his go-tos, an LGBTQ+ spot he enjoyed but hadn’t had much chance to visit recently.

It sounded like a good option to everyone as the honky tonk had been a bust. From the music and lights bouncing off the walls and crowd of beautiful people surrounding them, TK takes back every doubt he’s harbored that Austin was no match for his hometown’s nightlife.

The guys are able to secure a small table, the four of them crowding around and people-watching as they acclimate to the energy in the room. It feels electric and alive with possibilities.

“Good choice,” TK says to Carlos.

“Yeah, you sure we’re still in Austin?” Paul jokes.

Carlos rolls his eyes playfully.

“You guys have been doing this city all wrong since you got here. You’re lucky I’m around now to teach you a thing or two,” he teases.

Paul scoffs good naturedly, but TK can’t help but to find deeper truth in Carlos’ words.

“I need a water,” he says.

“I’ll come with you,” Paul replies.

They make their way over to the bar where a beautiful lady wiggles her fingertips in greeting to Paul from the other side. TK in turn wiggles his brows mischievously at Paul as he flags the bartender and they order.

“We’ve been here all of five minutes and you’re already luring them in,” he muses as the bartender steps away.

Paul rolls his eyes, but TK sees him look back at the woman who keeps him in her sights. The bartender returns and sets their drinks down.

“I’m heading to the table. You, go get her number or at the very least, her name and a dance.”

He gives Paul a gentle push and sends him on his way, smiling to himself as he discretely watches Paul. Whatever he’s saying to this lady is working as she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and tips her head towards the dance floor.

TK grabs his water and returns to the table where Mateo has somehow acquired a glow stick necklace in his absence and is bouncing along to the music with such enthusiasm, TK knows it’s going to be hell dragging him out of here when they’re ready to leave.

TK is practically itching to get out on the dance floor, the three of them ditching their table in favor of dancing. They bump into Paul and the girl from the bar, Mateo grinning from ear to ear at the sight of them.

It feels good to cut loose, though it’s extremely difficult not to just throw his arms around Carlos with the other guys so distracted now. The way the lights bounce off of Carlos as he moves to the beat is intoxicating.

It’s impossible not to stare and TK knows he’s not alone in that sentiment. He’s all too aware of how many guys in this room are taking notice of Carlos. He can’t blame them, necessarily. But he sure does begin to feel bothered by it nonetheless.

He does his best to tune it out and dares to get as close to Carlos as he can without being conspicuous. He can still feel the stares even though Carlos keeps his eyes on him throughout each song change.

They eventually reclaim their table which surprisingly hasn’t been poached in all their time on the dance floor.

“I’m going to get a drink. Do you want anything?” Carlos asks.

TK shakes his head and watches Carlos maneuver through the crowd, his broad shoulders impressively clearing space for him to pass. Paul rejoins them and Mateo is quick to ask for details about the girl he was with. TK tries to focus on them. It’ll do him no good thinking about Carlos’ body now.

This sage advice only lasts for a few seconds at a time as TK’s gaze keeps wandering back over to Carlos who is now standing at the bar, getting the bartender’s attention. He places his order with her and is apparently too wrapped up in the task to notice a man approaching him. TK feels like he’s watching NatGeo with the way this guy locks Carlos in his sights and seeks him out.

Try as he might not to care, TK feels uneasy with what he’s seeing. Physically, this stranger has a lot of the same characteristics as him: similar build, hair color, even a mutual appreciation for bold print short sleeved button downs.

In another life it would be comical to see this doppelgänger of sorts that clearly has the same taste in guys as him. But watching it in real time now, it troubles TK to think that if Carlos has been drawn to him this whole time, there’s a possibility he’d take an interest in this other guy too.

Suddenly the room feels too cramped, but he’s powerless to do anything other than stealthily look on as the man settles in beside Carlos and strikes up a conversation.

Carlos shakes his head at the guy, and laughs at something he says. It’s clear, even from a distance, that this stranger is working hard to keep Carlos’ focus on him. TK hates the fact that it seems to be working.

Carlos doesn’t move off or cut the conversation short. He’s replying now and the other guy seems enthralled by whatever he’s saying.

TK stabs at the ice in his glass with his straw and looks away. He’s seen all that he can bear to and it’s enough to make him feel sick.

By the time TK dials back into what Paul and Mateo are saying, he finds it difficult to follow along with their conversation. Luck is on his side; with them being on the other side of the table and the club as a whole so rowdy, neither of the guys seems to notice.

TK tenses as someone comes up beside him. He doesn’t need to look over to know it’s Carlos. He’s far too attuned to his body now.

“You okay?” Carlos asks, leaning in a bit to be heard over the music.

It’s then that TK finally glances at him.

“Peachy,” he says, plastering on a smile.

He sets his glass down before pushing off from the table.

“I’ll be right back,” he says to the table at large, gesturing to the bathrooms before taking off.

He hates how moody he’s being, how short he was with Carlos over something that’s truly not his fault and is more than likely just in his own head.

What he wants now is some kind of a solace, a moment to get his head on straight and be alone for a little bit.

He bumps into so many people in his pursuit of the restroom, mumbling apologies as he goes. He just has to keep his feet moving.

TK feels a hand at the hem of his shirt; a gentle tug of the material stops him in his tracks and he turns. Carlos’ expression is hard to decipher. TK isn’t given much time to parse it as he’s pulled into the bathroom at once.

The music from the club is much more muted now behind the door. There’s no other sound in the room and it makes TK keenly aware of how heavily he’s breathing and how hard his heart is pounding.

Carlos stands before him now, his eyes fixed to his face as he speaks.

“Hey, what’s going on with you tonight?” Carlos asks gently.

TK crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head, avoiding Carlos’ gaze.

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

Carlos steps closer to him just then, his hands settling on TK’s biceps. TK hates how needy he’s clearly been for Carlos’ touch all evening. He fights the urge to shiver at the warmth and familiarity of Carlos’ hands, doing his best to ignore how much he wants to feel him all over.

It has sucked, quite frankly, spending so much time taking in Austin’s nightlife and being unable to so much as hold Carlos’ hand all evening.

They’ve been together this whole time yet still, TK misses him.

It’s getting much harder than he’d been anticipating to go about public life acting as if he and Carlos aren’t intimate, as if some very real part of Carlos hasn’t latched itself to his heart. It’s all so confusing and so much more than TK can really pick through right now. All he knows is, he’s upset and frustrated. But Carlos is touching him for the first time all night and that’s enough to get him to steady his breathing and relax a bit.

“Look at me. Please?” Carlos presses.

It takes TK a few seconds, but he relents and finds Carlos with the most curious of expressions on his face.

“Seriously, what are you thinking right now? Are you mad at me?”

TK frowns, shaking his head and looks down again.

“No, of course not. It’s…I don’t know. It’s stupid.”

Carlos cups his cheek and gently forces his gaze.

“If it’s affecting you like this, it can’t be. Just talk to me, sweetheart. You can tell me anything. You know that.”

TK sighs and bites back on his lower lip, trying to piece together his thoughts and staunchly ignore the way his heart skips a beat at the pet name.

“I got…jealous seeing that guy hitting on you at the bar. It—I shouldn’t even be upset, but I didn’t like it. I just wanted to tell him to fuck off…to get him the hell away from you. So many guys have been looking at you all night. I—”

TK swallows hard and grinds his teeth. This all sounds so ridiculous and childish, but it’s too late now to backpedal.

“I don’t have a right to act like this. You’re free to talk to or hook up with whoever you want to. That was the point of tonight, right? To put ourselves out there and meet people?”

The thought makes TK sick to his stomach to consider, but it’s the truth. Carlos isn’t his; they aren’t exclusive. TK definitely didn’t go into this guys’ night hoping to find anyone. But if Carlos wanted to, he’d respect that, no matter how much it hurts to think about.

“I’m not used to being casual,” Carlos says slowly. “This has never been my speed. If we had talked about it earlier, I would have told you that. Maybe I should have regardless,” Carlos mumbles.

He draws in a deep breath as TK stays in place, unsure of where this conversation is leading.

“I don’t want to hook up with some random guy just because he happened to make me laugh for two seconds. I haven’t been seeing anyone else since we started…,” Carlos trails off and shakes his head. “Maybe you have, I don't know. We’ve never talked this out.”

Carlos looks down briefly.

“You’re the one I want to leave here with tonight…every night. I don’t know what this is, but I like being with you.”

Carlos pinches his lips together and looks away again. TK feels like the biggest jerk in the world. Of course this actually means something to Carlos too. It feels like a lot to process all at once, but it’s good to hear.

He takes a step forward and holds onto Carlos’ hand, linking their fingers.

“I’m sorry for being such an ass.”

Carlos glances back at him then and shakes his head.

“You aren’t. This is tricky. Tonight’s been testing my patience too. I don’t like seeing other guys checking you out or flirting with you either,” Carlos says, kissing his forehead. “Trust me, I get it.”

Carlos pulls in a breath and sighs.

“Really?” TK asks, unable to hide his disbelief.

Carlos’ brows furrow deeply.

“That surprises you? Need I remind you of my shameful behavior with that poor bartender a few weeks back? Not exactly my finest moment.”

TK hadn’t put much thought to it after they’d returned to the stands. But he remembers how Carlos had been in bed that night, almost as if staking some claim to TK in actions.

“I really like you, TK. I don’t ever want that to be a secret to you.”

TK doesn’t want them to be a secret anymore, but he keeps his mouth shut. There are certain things he can’t say and now most definitely isn’t the time or place.

“I really like you too,” is all he can manage to say back.

Carlos still looks a bit troubled.

“We’re okay,” TK assures, reaching up a hand massaging Carlos’ neck.

He can feel the tension in the other man’s body lessen bit by bit.

Carlos nods. “Good.”

TK kisses him softly and this seems to relax Carlos most of all as he melts against TK’s frame and kisses him back. A good kiss is enough to recalibrate them. As they pull away from each other, TK feels far steadier than when they first entered the room.

“We should head back out,” Carlos says, resting his forehead against TK’s.

TK takes a moment to cling to this alone time, even if they are in arguably the least desirable location possible right now.

He plays softly with Carlos’ hair and gives him one last kiss before they head for the door.

TK’s stomach fills with dread with each step they take. Once they cross the threshold, they’ll be entering back into a world where they have to pretend.

He wishes he could stay in their private bubble forever, where everything is just as he wants it to be.

~*~*~

TK can’t sleep that night.

He picks up his phone, his eyes squinting against the bright light as he pulls up his messages from Carlos. The time in the corner tells him he should have been asleep hours ago. It’s not enough to stop him from typing up a text. Carlos won’t see it until morning anyway, but he needs to get these thoughts out of his head now.

TK: I keep replaying tonight over and over. I know we said we’re cool, but I’m still really sorry for acting like that. I haven’t liked someone like this in…a very long time. You matter to me in a way I wasn’t ready for. I don’t exactly know what to do with what I’m feeling.

TK sighs and sets his phone down after hitting send, the regret immediate. He can only picture what Carlos’ reaction will be in the morning, seeing these random 3am ramblings first thing. TK buries his face in his hands and groans. He startles as the bed vibrates with an incoming text.

Carlos: I wasn’t expecting someone like you either. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. I just need to know if you’re sure you want to keep doing this.

If you aren’t, that’s okay.

There’s no pressure either way.

TK stares at the messages, struck by the fact that Carlos is even still awake right now. Has he been kept up by these thoughts too? Replaying tonight in his head? TK debates for a moment as to whether he should call him up, but he decides against it. He feels bolder saying this through text. If he were to try to say any of this out loud, TK isn’t so sure he’d be brave enough to do it.

TK: I can’t give you up. I don’t want to. I wish I did have some answers though. I’m sorry. All I know is that I like being around you.

I haven’t been seeing anyone else either, by the way.

I should have said that earlier.

It’s only been you this whole time.

I want to keep it that way. For it to just be us.

TK chews on his bottom lip as he sees Carlos beginning to type. But the three dots appear and disappear repeatedly. It almost makes him regret not calling now. Perhaps he’d have better luck at knowing what Carlos is struggling to say.

Carlos: Thanks for letting me know. I’d like that too.

TK stares at his phone, brought up short by how brief Carlos’ text is. He sees the other man is typing again and hope blooms that he’ll say more. It wilts quickly as the message comes through.

Carlos: Get some sleep, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.

~*~*~

Last night’s conversation left a bad taste in TK’s mouth. It’s made all the worse by how closed off Carlos appears today. He didn’t greet TK with his usual warm smile but rather a halfhearted uptick of his mouth that actually looked forced and painful.

Today has been a series of back to back calls, a true test of the 126’s endurance and focus. TK tries to tell himself that’s why Carlos isn’t his normal self, but it feels personal when he sees Carlos able to joke here and there with the others.

Carlos feels distant and TK isn’t quite sure how to bridge that gap between them. The divide came in under the cover of darkness, leaving TK without a clear idea of how to battle against it.

“Nice job out there,” TK says as the 126 packs up after responding to a fire in an apartment complex.

Carlos truly had been great, saving a young girl from where she was miraculously okay after having been trapped inside her bedroom. Her parents were in tears thanking Carlos the second he appeared with her in his arms.

Carlos looks at him and mumbles a quiet word of thanks.

TK frowns, suddenly feeling itchy under all of his gear.

“Are you alright?” he tries again.

Carlos takes his helmet off and TK can feel butterflies in his stomach at the sight of the man’s curls, matted down in some places and sticking up in others. It’s adorable, to say the least. Only Carlos could pull off helmet hair this well.

He almost says as much, but Carlos’ expression is closed off. TK gets the sense he isn’t in a joking mood.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

TK’s brows furrow. He steps closer to Carlos, his voice low as he speaks.

“Is this about last night?”

TK reaches for his hand, but Carlos pulls it away.

“We’ll talk later, okay?”

TK is ready to object, pushing past the sick feeling in his stomach over his rejected attempt to touch Carlos when he hears voices behind him.

His father and Marjan approach, closely followed by the others. TK looks back at Carlos in time to see him retreating to the truck. TK stands there for a moment, looking at Carlos’ surname on his turnout until he disappears inside the truck.

He lets the others go ahead of him, ensuring he won’t get seated close to Carlos on their drive. It isn’t much, but Carlos clearly wants space and TK is too scared of making that sudden need permanent.

Back at the station, things still feel off. TK keeps his distance as Carlos hits the weight room with Marjan and Mateo. He figures it’ll be much easier to sort his thoughts without watching Carlos work up a sweat and staunchly ignore him like he has managed to do all shift.

TK joins Paul on the ground floor instead as the man works on folding laundry.

“Need a hand?” he volunteers.

Paul nods and tosses him a shirt from the top of the pile. TK is immediately glad to keep his hands busy, but his mind still wanders to Carlos and the unease that’s now expanding between them.

“Thanks for last night,” Paul says. “I appreciated you all coming out.”

TK smiles. “Of course. What are friends for, right?”

He reaches for another shirt.

“Yeah…friends. Speaking of which. You and Carlos,” Paul says. “What’s the deal there?”

TK’s face flushes, caught completely off guard.

Paul holds up his hands.

“Look, I’m not trying to pry and that the segue wasn’t nearly as smooth as I was hoping it’d be but… It’s just—last night, I couldn’t help but notice some kind of tension. And today, you guys have barely said a word to each other. Since he transferred here, you two have gotten pretty damn close. There’s always been a vibe and I’ve been picking up on some things.”

The urge to lay it all out is overwhelming, but this isn’t his secret alone to tell— even if Paul has very clearly clocked the fact that they’ve been hooking up, or at the very least are less than average coworkers. He won’t betray Carlos’ confidence.

“We’re just friends. I don’t—I don’t know. We hang out a lot and it’s been really nice getting to know him.”

Paul nods to himself and TK relaxes.

“But you like him as more than a friend.”

It isn’t a question. TK supposes that’s fair. He feels as if he’s halfway to loving Carlos already. TK figures such a thing leaves a trace that can be seen by anyone.

“I do. Very much. So much that it kind of scares me sometimes.”

There’s little use in denying it; at least this he can fess up to. And it feels good to finally have the words live outside of his head after all these weeks.

“But I don’t know what to do about it. I’m all over the place and I don’t want to wreck what we have by saying too much, so, it’s fine.”

Paul shakes his head, grabbing another shirt to fold.

“You could make it better by telling him everything.”

TK looks over at Paul quickly at this.

“I don’t know what the whole story is between you guys and honestly, it really doesn’t matter. It’s obvious you all have a connection. I caught that early on and from what I’ve been seeing since, it’s only been growing stronger. If whatever this is between you guys matters that much to you, define it. Let him know where you stand because I don’t think you’re in that place alone at all.”

I don’t know what this is, but I like being with you, Carlos had said.

TK has already fallen. Maybe it isn’t too far-fetched to think Carlos has in the exact same way too.

~*~*~

TK knocks three times on Carlos’ front door and runs the palm of his hand against the front of his jeans. For all his visits to Carlos’ place, he’s never been anxious before. Excited, eager, horny, yes. But never uneasy. Never afraid of what state he’ll find Carlos in on the other side of the door. Or fear that his presence isn’t a welcomed thing.

Turning up unannounced after their shift probably isn’t the best strategy, but delaying this conversation is what’s gotten them into this awkwardness in the first place, he knows.

The door opens and instantly Carlos’ brows furrow in confusion at the sight of TK on his step.

“Sorry for showing up like this. I just—I think we need to talk.”

Carlos’ expression grows grim, his eyes casting about TK’s face as if he can find an answer to what this is about there.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“Everything is okay, I promise,” TK reassures, taking hold of one of his hands and bringing it to his chest.

TK takes comfort in the fact that Carlos doesn’t recoil at his touch nor has he sent him away.

Instead, Carlos visibly relaxes at this and takes a step back to let TK in. TK leads them over to the couch and his mind runs back to the first time he came over here, how hot and heavy things were.

When all of this started, it was purely physical, but TK’s been falling hard along the way and finding such a deeper meaning in their connection.

Looking at Carlos now, he’s not sure how else he thought this would have ended up.

“You said things are alright, but you’re starting to make me nervous again,” Carlos says.

TK blinks twice and clears his throat. “I just got lost in my thoughts for a sec.”

“Care to let me into your head a little then?”

This seemed easier to talk about in theory, but TK reminds himself of the fact even if Carlos views their dynamic differently, if for some reason he doesn’t want more after everything, he’ll let him down easily.

“Am I what you want?” he asks. Carlos looks confused for a moment. “I mean…God, this already isn’t coming out right.”

TK sighs and tries again.

“You don’t do casual, but that’s all we’ve been so far. I’m wondering, are you really happy with this? I’ve been thinking a lot about our talks recently and realizing how much I’ve been failing to see things through your eyes, what you’ve been hinting at all this time.”

He searches Carlos’ eyes and sees worry in them as if TK is getting too close to uncovering something he’d rather keep hidden. TK can’t help but to push it for that very same reason.

“You want more than what I’ve been giving you.”

Carlos looks away, his brows furrowing. He’s quiet for a moment. TK doesn’t rush him to say anything, just sits alongside him and lets Carlos sort through what he’s thinking.

“On one hand, I am happy because I get to be with you and that’s what I want. But I do wonder…what exactly are we? Neither of us wants the other to be with someone else. We haven’t been with anyone else and don’t care to be. We talk about personal things, we hang out all the time,” he says, stopping short there for a second.

“Sounds an awful lot to me like a relationship, but you don’t date and I don’t know where that leaves us. So yeah, I’ve been making do with what I can even if I don’t know what to call it. I don’t really know how to read this. So, I guess I just wanted the option that let me have you.”

TK closes his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Carlos shakes his head. “It’s on me too. I should have spoken up. We kind of stumbled into this. I don’t think either of us knew what we were getting into…or just how serious it would get. At least that's what it’s been like for me.”

TK reaches for Carlos’ hand.

“It’s been you this whole time in every sense for me. I honestly meant that. Carlos, I—,” TK draws in a breath and squares his shoulders. “I know it’s right with you. I’m just terrified of screwing up because if I mess this up, and I lose you, I don’t think I could ever bounce back from that.”

It sounds pathetic to his own ears, but Carlos deserves his honesty.

“There’s a version of me that you haven’t met yet. And I don’t know how much that’ll change what you’re feeling right now. But you have me. God, Carlos, you’ve had me right from the start.”

Carlos searches face and moves closer to him. TK’s gaze doesn’t falter. He’s been laying it all on the table from the moment they sat down and has no intentions of leaving here without making everything he’s been feeling clear.

“I can’t imagine there’s a side of you I won’t adore. Whatever it is, I’m staying put,” Carlos says. “As long as you’re in this, I am too.”

TK’s eyes close for a second as he lets Carlos’ words seep in. When he looks at him again, Carlos hasn’t wavered.

“That very first night…you said you don’t want to jeopardize your place on the crew or have any of the others find out. I get that. I respect it. Hell, I agreed at the time too. But now…well now, I’m not worried about them knowing. Are you? Because I don’t want to be the guy you occasionally hook up with. I want to be your boyfriend,” TK says quietly.

A wide smile overtakes Carlos’ face. He leans in and rests his forehead against TK’s, stroking his cheek.

“Boyfriends. Yes, please. I want official dates. I want that title and everything that comes with it, so badly,” he says.

Carlos presses his lips to his and at once, TK’s mind quiets as it always does when he’s this close to Carlos. Now, more than ever, there’s nothing holding him back from chasing after this completely. He deepens the kiss, fingers threading through Carlos’ hair and tugging sharply. He delights in the moan that echoes out of him, feels it right between his legs at once.

TK nips at Carlos’ bottom lip before getting up from the couch, one hand extended. Carlos takes it with ease, lacing their fingers as TK leads them up the stairs to Carlos’ room.

It’s all so second nature, yet another reminder how effortlessly they’ve been blending into each other’s worlds since that late night down at the station that officially changed everything.

TK backs him up against a wall once they enter the bedroom and kisses Carlos as he undoes his jeans. He gets down on his knees, his lips leaving a trail of kisses along Carlos’ body as he goes. He mouths against Carlos’ erection through his boxer briefs once he’s on level, focusing pointedly on the wet patch already formed there.

Above him, Carlos mutters under his breath, his fingers gently carding through the front of TK’s hair. TK is diligent, his tongue teasing even through the barrier of cloth.

TK’s fingers hook into the waist of Carlos’ boxer briefs and glides the material down, his mouth watering at once at the sight of Carlos fully erect and leaking right before him. He peers up, noting the darkness and hunger in Carlos’ eyes.

Carlos angles TK’s head, keeps one hand tucked under TK’s chin. He guides TK to open his mouth with his thumb. TK can’t look away, watching with a growing need as white beads pearl at Carlos’ tip.

Carlos sighs lightly as he looks down at him.

“You still drive me absolutely crazy.”

TK smiles at this callback to their very first night together. In all the weeks since, TK still has a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact that he could have any impact at all on Carlos. But he refuses to question it or trade it for anything in the world.

He remains obediently in place, eager for whatever will come next. He watches as a smooth glide of Carlos’ hand against his shaft gets another spurt at the head of his cock, right into TK’s waiting mouth.

A tremor goes through TK’s body as the first drop of cum touches his tongue, hot and so distinctly Carlos. TK is quick to swallow it down.

Carlos curses under his breath as TK peers up at him expectantly. Carlos pets his hair, threads his fingers through, letting his nails lightly scratch his scalp. He tugs sharply at the hair on the crown of his head. The move makes TK’s cock twitch at once.

“You want more, huh?”

TK’s face is serious as he holds his gaze and says, “I want it all.”

Carlos curses again softly and resumes stroking himself, stepping closer still and slowly feeding TK his cock. TK simply slackens his jaw to take him as far as he can. Carlos’ mouth falls open, fingers gripping tighter on TK’s hair.

TK swallows around him, his head bobbing as he lets out moan after moan, his cheeks hollowing.

TK mouth is a mess of both their fluids. He can feel the blend running down his chin, but he doesn’t care. His only objective now is to bring Carlos to a blissful and satisfying finish.

Carlos’ body sags against the wall, but TK holds on to the back of his thighs to support him. Carlos is mere moments away, he knows, this man—his boyfriend—fucking steadily into his mouth. Carlos’ moans grow sharper, his fingers grasping more firmly onto TK’s hair. His body shakes and it’s so addictive, TK savors it all.

His cock is heavy between his legs, but he doesn’t even think to touch himself. His sole focus remains to be Carlos. His tongue laps dutifully against his cock as he massages Carlos’ balls and that’s the tipping point.

Carlos comes with TK’s name on his lips, his face flushed as he spills into TK’s mouth. TK takes it all, doesn’t bat so much as an eyelash as he swallows down his boyfriend’s release.

“Oh my god,” Carlos pants, his eyes fixed on TK.

TK slips him out of his mouth, wiping at his chin with the back of his hand.

Carlos’ lashes are wet as he strokes TK’s face and breathes heavily.

“Come here,” he croaks and TK stands up at once.

Carlos pulls TK into him immediately, arms wrapping around his body as he presses their chests flush together. He kisses TK heatedly and walks them over to the bed, lowering himself down first to let TK settle on top of him. TK delights in the journey Carlos’ hands take in running down his chest to his hips.

Carlos undresses him, kissing him in between as each article of clothing is removed until they’re both naked and pressed together once again. TK feels Carlos shudder against him as his erection brushes up against Carlos’ cock.

TK shivers in return at the feel of Carlos’ roaming his body, down his back and to his ass. He lets Carlos touch him as he pleases, but he grows curious.

“What do you want right now?” he asks softly.

Carlos bites on the corner of his lower lip and avoids his gaze. The move makes TK all the more intrigued.

“You don’t ever have to be shy about what you want,” TK says, kissing down the length of his neck briefly. “Especially with me.”

Carlos looks at him then and grips his hips. TK can’t help but to rock forward instinctively. Carlos sighs.

“I want to watch you touch yourself,” he says, brushing hair off of TK’s forehead. “I want to watch you come and I want you to mark me when you do it. Can you do that for me?”

TK traces his fingers along Carlos’ jaw and nods. Not only can he do that, but TK knows he’ll relish in every second of it. He takes a hold of himself, watching Carlos’ eyes darken at once. TK grinds his ass to Carlos’ cock. His eyes roll shut at the feel. The night is only just getting started; he knows he’ll be able to have Carlos inside him later.

For right now, he’s got direct marching orders and TK has every intention of making this as pleasurable for Carlos as humanly possible.

His eyes meet Carlos’ and it’s clear as day from the way this man looks at him that he’s so deeply wanted, cherished even. To think he almost ran the risk of depriving them of official titles, of claiming all of this that’s just been waiting for him.

Carlos rubs his palms against TK’s thighs as he begins to jerk himself off. TK bites back on his lower lip as he takes in Carlos’ expression, seeing how fully aroused he is by this. His eyes are practically dark slits now, focused solely on him.

TK can feel Carlos harden under him as he goes, soft murmurs falling from both of their lips as TK continues. TK’s face heats up as Carlos calls him beautiful, his boyfriend’s hands outlining his body and up to his chest. His thumbs rub gently against his nipples and TK can’t help the whimper that escapes him.

Carlos’ touch has always been unparalleled, but there’s something to this now, essentially putting himself on display, that’s making TK all the more sensitive to it.

Carlos pinches his nipples, rolling the hardened nubs between his fingers. TK cries out in pleasure, grinding his ass harder against Carlos’ cock as he picks up the pace on himself, his eyes rolling shut.

He’s overstimulated in the best way possible. His cock is leaking, his fingers slick against his shaft, but he doesn’t break his stride. He opens his eyes and keeps them locked on Carlos, aroused by the hunger in his gaze. He'll never grow tired of how connected he feels to him.

“So hot,” Carlos breathes approvingly. TK feels as if he’s on a different plane of existence entirely now.

He gets up on his knees, his free hand holding onto the headboard to keep himself steady. He pumps his hand faster yet, feeling himself tipping closer to the edge.

“You’re right there, babe,” Carlos coaxes, twisting TK’s nipples one last time.

TK lets out his sharpest cry yet and comes hard, showering Carlos’ chest and stomach with his release. His hand doesn’t let up, wrist flicking back and forth to work every last drop out of himself.

Carlos writhes against the sheets, moaning TK’s name, so thoroughly turned on it only adds to TK’s sense of relief in finishing.

TK shudders, his breath catching in his throat as he reaches his end. Carlos rubs his back and sits up to kiss him. TK gets his fingers in Carlos’ hair, whimpering softly against his lips.

Carlos pulls back and flops back against the bed, his chest still glistening with TK’s release. TK stares in awe, unable to wrap his head around the fact that he gets to have this.

“Yours,” Carlos says quietly, seeming to read his mind.

TK pulls his gaze away from his chest and to his face again.

“This works both ways. I’m all yours too, Reyes. No take backs.”

Carlos smiles widely at this and sits up again to kiss him. TK gets swept up in it immediately, his nails scratching down Carlos’ back as he slips his tongue into his boyfriend’s mouth and explores for a few moments. TK’s mind is practically buzzing, his whole body hot and sweaty. It’s hard to even think.

“I’ll be right back,” TK says against Carlos’ lips, stealing one quick kiss before getting off of him.

Carlos settles back against the bed and ruffles his curls, taking a deep breath. TK takes a mental snapshot before leaving the room and heading for the bathroom.

His reflection is a shock to him the moment he turns on the light and sees himself in the mirror. His lips are a harsh red, his eyes bright and a little wild, hair in disarray. There’s such color in his cheeks that only darkens when he begins to blush. Through it all though, TK realizes he looks genuinely happy.

He looks away and focuses, cleaning himself up before wetting a cloth for Carlos.

He returns to the room and sits on the side of the bed, gently wiping Carlos clean. He catches his eye a few times as he works, a swooping sensation spreading in his chest and stomach each time.

“Thank you, babe,” Carlos murmurs, his fingers circling TK’s wrist and pulling him to lay beside him.

TK sets the washcloth aside and snuggles against Carlos, resting his head on his chest. He listens to his strong heartbeat, marveling at the way thuds a bit faster because of him.

“So…when and how exactly are we telling the team about us?” Carlos asks after a time, his fingertips skimming down TK’s arm.

“Well, Paul definitely knows there’s something going on between us, so that’s one less person to worry about. He kind of helped bring me up to speed on us.”

“I’m in his debt then,” Carlos says, pressing a kiss to his temple.

TK looks up at him, chin resting on Carlos’ pecs.

“Maybe we can tell the others tomorrow at game night? You can just start making out with me during Catan. They’ll catch on then and I get another excuse to kiss you. It’s a win/win.”

Carlos laughs heartily.

“And your dad, hmm? You suggesting I make out with you in front of him at work?”

TK raises a brow. “Kissing is literally the most tame thing we’ve done at the station. It’s a better alternative to everything else we’ve gotten into, no?”

Carlos’ face turns pink as he no doubt thinks of their hookups at the 126.

“You’ve got a point there,” he concedes.

“I’ll handle my dad. He’s been saying nothing but good things about you since you interviewed with us. I’m sure he’ll probably throw a parade over this.”

Carlos smiles, his thumb sweeping across TK’s cheekbone as he turns them over. He slots perfectly on top of TK as if he was designed just to fill this space.

It gets TK’s heart racing faster, especially as Carlos’ eyes drift to his lips with such longing. TK’s mouth doesn’t seem to be the only part of his body Carlos is craving as his hand settles between TK’s legs and gently strokes him.

TK laughs airily, his breath catching at the feel of Carlos’ thumb circling the head of his cock. Carlos takes his time, his touch deliberate. It changes TK’s buoyancy into something far more urgent and carnal.

“Please,” TK rasps, not even sure what he’s asking for just then, but downright desperate for more. He’s not above begging.

“I need it. I need you,” he continues, gripping Carlos’ arm and staring at him.

Carlos’ nod is subtle, but TK catches it all the same and floods with relief as Carlos spreads his legs wider, his fingertips searching.

TK tightens his hold on Carlos’ bicep, feeling pressure beginning to build in his stomach. It’s never been like this with anyone before, this instantaneous reaction and constant need.

Carlos seems to understand and feel it too as he ruts up against TK, his cock rubbing TK’s entrance. It’s enough to make TK shiver, his nails biting into Carlos’ skin as he thrusts forward. He feels greedy with his desire to have Carlos inside him; the teasing is getting to TK so badly, he’s leaking.

Carlos curses under his breath and is quick in grabbing supplies from his nightstand. It’s all so routine, yet still TK’s excitement rises just like the very first time they did this.

He relishes in Carlos fingers opening him up, his hips rolling forward over Carlos’ hand, letting him in deeper.

TK cups Carlos’ face and kisses him heatedly, his soft moans filling the room. This is all he’s wanted since day one. TK pulls back enough to look at him, his eyes searching Carlos’. He’s certain the hunger he finds there can be found in his eyes as well.

He’s desired. He’s wanted. They’ve got an entire night before them now to explore each other and nothing thrills TK more than the knowledge that they’ll both make good on this time.

He hooks a leg around Carlos’ waist, the heel of his foot locking him in at his lower back. A slow smirk spreads across Carlos’ gorgeous mouth, calculating and devastating as he works a condom over himself and aligns with TK’s entrance. TK bites back on his lower lip, heart racing as he tries to clear his mind and memorize every detail of this moment. This is hardly their first time together, but there’s weight behind it now. Meaning with official titles that makes TK want to savor it.

“Tomorrow, I’ll share you with everyone else. But tonight,” Carlos says as the head of his cock eases in, one hand holding firm at TK’s hip.

TK’s eyes roll shut, his mouth falling open as his boyfriend fills him. He feels Carlos everywhere at once. It’s overwhelming and perfect. Carlos’ name falls from his lips in a whisper, TK’s hands clutching at his shoulders. He opens his eyes once again to find Carlos staring right at him.

“Tonight you’re all mine.”