#ready w a 'im just disappointed' speech

[if-you-like-pina-colada-s]

I think one of my favorite things ever is when a dc show is not Justice League centric and/or there's an episode where it's not JL centric. Maybe it's focused on the younger heroes, the villains, or something. And when the JL does make a minor appearance (most likely one of the trinity, be it Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman) they show up looking like disappointed parents.

It's just so funny to me. Like, Batman's "bat-glare" suddenly looks a little too much like a mother's glare, Superman looks like he's 0.5 seconds away from turning the situation into a lecture about "truth and justice", and Wonder Woman looks like she's got a bottle of wine waiting for her back home and wants to get this over with. It's just so funny to me.

[dollslayer]

Champagne Problems

Bartender!Bucky x Reader

Summary: When your ex-boyfriend makes a surprise appearance at your sister's wedding you find help from an unexpected source.

W/C: 4,642

Warnings: NO MINORS, Smut, oral sex (f receiving), unprotected sex, swearing, alcohol consumption

A/N: Hey! I know it's been a minute (sorry), I wrote this for @saiyanprincessswanie's writing challenge using the bartender au! If you like this please reblog and comment and check out my other fics!! Cheers!

Main Masterlist

You sighed internally before slapping on a smile for yet another group picture. Your bridesmaid dress was itchy and you already regretted spending the entire night in it, as the reception was just starting. But it was your sister’s day and you decided that if what she really wanted was for you to wear this itchy monstrosity to honor her wedding then damn it, you’d do it. So you leaned in close with the rest of the wedding party and posed some more.

When the photographer had finished with his photos you were ushered to the family table and wedged between your mother and your aunt. You mentally cursed your sister for seating you with them because they were going to spend the entire night trying to set you up with someone while simultaneously lamenting that you’d dumped your boyfriend of 4 years just a month earlier. Your mother wanted grandchildren so badly, you didn’t know why she couldn’t just settle to get them from your sister.

“Sweetheart, you and Steve were so good together though! Remember when he surprised you at Christmas with that puppy? I don’t know how you let a man like that go…” Your mom chided.

You grabbed the attention of a passing server and grabbed the champagne off their tray. If you were going to have this conversation again you needed liquid courage to do so. You downed it in three sips and your mom scoffed at you.

“Mom, we've been over this. I didn’t ask him to do that, we agreed we weren’t ready for a dog. Ugh, oh my god, anyways, we just didn’t work together. Sometimes things don’t work out, Mom. You’ll still get grandkids, just not from me.” You patted her on the shoulder but she just pursed her lips and looked past you to your aunt.

You wanted nothing more than to get wasted but you couldn’t do that to your sister. You wouldn’t get blackout drunk, but you were definitely getting drunk tonight. The reception was being held in a hotel and the wedding party had a block of rooms reserved so it’s not like you had to drive. You just had one thing to do before you did that.

The moment you’d been dreading had finally arrived, the toast. You held your freshly topped-off glass of champagne and brought your fork to it to get everyone’s attention. Someone handed you the mic and you hesitated before taking it and nervously cleared your throat.

By what you assumed could only be the grace of God you managed to deliver the perfect toast about finding the right person and soulmates and anything else you might find in a hallmark card with only minor stumbles. Everyone clapped and your brother-in-law wiped a stray tear and everyone finally dug into dinner. You just hoped that would mean your mother would be quiet about Steve for the next 20 minutes and then you could escape to the open bar.

____

You almost made it through dinner scott-free and sat back to watch your sister’s first dance. Just when you thought you were in the clear it was your aunt that threw a wrench in your plans. She was three glasses of wine deep and had that glassy look in her eye when she grabbed your elbow and pulled you closer. She spoke to you in a low voice while trying not to fumble her words.

“Listen kiddo, I know your mom is hard on you about Stevie but she just wants what’s best for you. What you two had… it was so good even I liked him! I don’t like anybody y’know that. So.. so why don’t you jus’ give ‘im another chance, make your mom happy? Couldn’t be that bad, could it? Maybe he’ll even… surprise you”

You mentally blocked out her words halfway through her speech, hoping neither of you would remember it by the end of the night. Right now you just had to get her to stop so you could get away from the table. You didn’t think you could take one more second of being shamed for leaving Steve.

You smiled sweetly and nodded in understanding towards her words.

“I know, Aunt Linda. I know. Sometimes things happen, I love mom but I’ll find someone else.”

With that you patted her on the shoulder and took off in search of the bar.

There were two bars and you wanted to go to the less crowded one. Looking around you had spotted it just past the dancefloor and made a beeline. Weaving through the now open dance floor and escaping the invitations to join your family you finally made it and leaned heavily against the countertop with a sigh.

“Rough night?” Your eyes follow the gruff yet amused voice and find that it belongs to a very handsome man with a defined jaw, clear blue eyes, and long hair that was tied back.

You smiled and rolled your eyes.

“You don’t know that half of it. Nothing like a wedding to remind you how single you are” You joked.

“Ah. Yeah, that’ll do it. That’s rough. You look like you need a drink, what can I get you?”

“Dealer’s choice. Just no vodka.” You requested.

He smirked and nodded, perusing the lines of bottles that were in front of him. He bit his lip as he concentrated on what to make and you tried not to stare. You watched him get to work on your drink and couldn’t help but notice the way you could see his muscles move underneath his dress shirt.

He turned back around and proudly presented you with something fizzy in a highball glass.

“My own concoction, I even used the non-watered down liquor. Just for you” He says with a wink.

You try your best to hide your shy smile and accept the drink.

“Thank you, how sweet of you.” You tell him.

“It’s nothin’. So how’s a gal like you single? If you don’t mind my asking. Seems pretty impossible to me.”

You're caught somewhere between flattery and embarrassment and just hope it doesn't show on your face. You take a long sip of your drink and gear up to answer him.

“Well, I just got out of a 4 year relationship, actually. He’s really sweet but he always had a tendency to steamroll my needs and just do whatever he was going to do. Eventually that shit adds up.” You sigh.

“Like for example - last year we had talked about getting a dog and I said I wasn’t ready, we’re just both way too busy and then on Christmas day he shows up with this puppy! And then I’m the villain for telling him no! The puppy ended up going to a good home but he did stuff like that all the time. It just became too much. Anyways now my mom won’t get off my ass about leaving him.” You shook your head.

“A puppy? Wow, that’s… intense. That’s a lot, I’m sorry. You finish that drink and I’ll pour us both a shot” He laughed.

You nodded in agreement and downed the rest of the cocktail. He held up two shot glasses and extended one to you.

“A toast, to… wait. I don’t even know your name!”

His shoulders shook as he laughed and he answered you.

“I’m James but you can call me Bucky” You made a face at that.

“What kinda name is Bucky?” You asked before giving him your own name.

“Whatever, I’ve got two shots of tequila, you want one or not?” How could you say no?

“A toast,” You continued, “To you and your weird name, Bucky.”

He laughed and you clinked your glasses together, then against the counter before downing them in one go. You tried your best not to make a face and looked up at Bucky to find him extending you the lime chaser, which you took gratefully.

“Hoo… I could use like, 3 more of those to get through tonight. So, how’d you get into bartending?”

“I needed somethin’ to put me through school and I figured this beats stripping. Though, with some of the customers we get sometimes I’m not so sure”

You laughed at that and Bucky went on to tell you anecdotes of all the crazy people he’s had to serve, disastrous weddings, and the time he got a lapdance from the bride herself. You hadn’t even realized how much time had passed but you were enjoying talking to him, forgetting your mission to be drunk.

The two of you kept swapping stories and were getting to know each other a bit more. He let you vent about Steve and just listened, it was refreshing to talk to someone and not be told what it is that you should be wanting. When you pictured the night you didn’t picture yourself confiding in the bartender tonight but if you were honest you were enjoying yourself. It beat awkwardly dancing with your family and enduring more disappointed remarks from your family.

You had hoped you could hide out at the bar and spend the entire night unscathed when the double doors to the ballroom opened. Your heartbeat in your ears as time slowed down around you as a blond head of hair made its way through the archway. Your laughter died in your throat when Baby blue eyes found you across the room and you froze like a deer in headlights. No. Nononononono this isn’t happening.

Time has somehow come to a halt while simultaneously hurtling forward since you can’t get yourself unstuck from this moment yet fail to realize that Steve is now standing right in front of you. His hair is swept back perfectly and he flashes you that million dollar smile of his that shows off his dimples perfectly. You scold yourself for checking him out but damn did he always clean up nice.

“Hey, sweetheart” he says shyly, as if he’s not crashing your sister’s wedding to get with you.

“What…? What are you doing… here?” You ask quietly, trying to avoid a scene.

Before he can answer you your mom comes up behind Steve and squeezes his shoulders tight, all with a big, bright smile on her face. Of course. How did I not see this coming?

“You made it!” She exclaimed as she leaned up to kiss his cheek.

“Of course, sorry to have missed the ceremony but there’s still plenty to celebrate, right?” He asked with his signature boyish smirk.

Shock was still in full effect on your features as you stood stock still. But that shock was soon giving way to anger as you slowly pieced together everything that was happening. Your mom had brought back Steve to try and get you back together and Steve was steamrolling you again.

“I… I, can’t. I can’t-” You started

“Sweetheart, how many of those have you had? You need some water.” Steve motions to the drink in your hand and you feel the anger running through your veins about to take over. You have to move this out of the room. Now.

“Why don’t we move this to the hall?” You suggested quietly.

You didn’t give him a chance to respond before you started moving towards the exit but you did spare one last panicked glance towards Bucky. He looked confused and his brows were quirked in a way that made him look upset, almost. You sent him a pleading look before turning back around and preparing yourself to deal with this shitshow that had slowly unfolded before you.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Hold. You got this. Your hand begins to push the door open when Steve’s much larger one covers yours and gets the job done. An action that you once would’ve thought was sweet, one that you would’ve made you swoon, even, is currently pissing you off.

You two made your way to the hallway and you looked around before you started in on him.

“Okay, what the hell, Rogers? Crashing my sister’s wedding? Really?! I don’t give a shit if my mom put you up to this I-”

“Sweetheart, please. She thought you might be having second thoughts and maybe us seeing each other would… patch things up. We just want what’s best for you, sweetheart” Steve attempted to console you, reaching out to try and rub your arm but you pulled back.

“No! I am so sick of you running me over! You never listened to me or what I had to say and this is exactly why I broke up with you, Steve! You’re being so fucki-”

“Hey, babe, everything okay out here?” Bucky’s voice surprised you but not as much as his lips pressing a kiss into your hair and his arms wrapping around your waist.

You had to crane your neck to look back and up at him. It took all of two seconds for you to piece together what you’d hoped was the truth. Bucky raised his eyebrows at you as if to say “come on” and in all your desperation you went with it. You supposed that his formal uniform made him pass for a regular guest.

“I, ah, yeah, yes. Steve here was just leaving, right?” You asked him.

Steve raised his eyebrows in a stunned expression, mouth slightly open in disbelief. His hand reached out towards your shoulder but Bucky pulled you back gently.

“Doll, are you serious? Who even is this guy? Does your mom know about this?”

“No, she doesn’t. It’s… new…” You told him.

“Right,” Bucky cuts in, “It’s new so we weren’t telling anyone just yet but she figured I should at least be here for the reception”

“Seriously?” Steve scoffs, “Man bun? What does he have that I don’t? C’mon, you know what you and I have is real.”

“What you and I have is over, Steve. You never listened to me, always pushed me further than I was ready for. We’re done, it’s over. I’m sorry for whatever Mom told you”

Steve took a harsh breath inwards and you watched him try to decide whether he should walk away or blow up. Based off of the veins popping in his forehead, he was opting to blow up.

“Listen, I don’t know what you’re up to but-”

“She said it’s over, punk. Move along” Bucky cut in. He took a protective step in front of you and pushed his shoulders back, squaring up to Steve. Steve seethed quietly and you two exchanged very tense glances.

“I’m telling your mother about this. I doubt she’ll be happy to hear you brought some random person to your sister’s wedding.” Steve spat.

He walked past the two of you and bumped shoulders harshly with Bucky. Bucky’s jaw tensed and his grip on your waist tightened but he didn’t retaliate. Instead he took a step back to get a proper look at you.

“You okay?”

“Why did you do that? You didn’t have to.”

“I know, but you looked like you could really use the help.”

“Well… thank you. I appreciate it, more than you know. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you weren’t there.” You laughed to yourself a little and added, “We’re not even together 5 minutes and you already have all my emotional baggage”

Bucky laughed at that and shook his head.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it. I’ve got some crazy exes too. So what now? You going back in?”

You became a little flustered at that but moved past it with a sheepish grin.

“No,” You shook your head, “I think it’s best for everyone if I just go up to my room and avoid a whole scene.”

“Well at least let me walk you up. I wouldn’t put it past that creep to follow you.”

“What about the bar?”

“We’re overstaffed and the party’s winding down anyways. They’ll get on without me”

“Alright then” You accepted and started off towards the elevators.

You two were standing in the elevator waiting for the doors to close when you spotted the doors to the ballroom open. Your mother was looking around, her face a picture of anger. Lucky for you the doors closed before she could look in your direction and you let out a sigh of relief.

“You know as far as fake boyfriends go I’d say you’re pretty good”

“Just good? C’mon I had that guy on the ropes.”

“Yeah alright,” You relented with a grin.

You exited the elevator car and made your way down the hallway until finally you reached your door. You fished your keycard out of your wallet and turned to Bucky.

“Hey… do you wanna… maybe come in? Hang out? I know you’ve got work but if you’re overstaffed maybe…” You trailed off. There was a beat of silence and you felt regret instantly, thinking you’ve asked too much of him. “Y’know what nevermind, you don’t have to, I’m sorry I-”

“I’d love to hang out with you, if you’re okay with that. Plus it’s probably better I wait to get back until the wedding’s over. Can’t really show my face as your boyfriend and then get back behind the bar, can I?” He said with a soft smile.

“Suppose you’re right,” You swiped the card and cracked open the door.

You stepped inside and felt like you could finally breathe again. You kicked off your heels and went to turn on the lights. You reached back to get the zipper of your dress but couldn’t quite get there.

“Will you get my zipper?” You asked Bucky. He nodded and came closer to you.

You could feel his warmth radiating from him when he was this close. Your nostrils filled with the heady scent of his aftershave. He smells so good. He unzipped you halfway and left the rest for you.

You thanked him and grabbed your change of clothes and headed to the bathroom. Relieved to finally be free of the itchy monstrosity of a bridesmaids dress you sighed and put on a tank top and pair of shorts. You realized the tank top showed a little more of your cleavage than intended but you shrugged it off and exited the bathroom.

Bucky’s eyes landed on you and he took a sharp breath in but tried to play it cool. It half worked, you caught him staring a little bit and giggled to yourself. When you looked at him again he was undoing his tie and the first two buttons of his shirt. Wonder what he’d look like if he unbuttoned just a few more… You stopped yourself in that line of thinking and joined him on the couch.

“I think your phone’s gonna zap itself into an early grave with the way it’s been going off” Bucky said as he pointed to your phone on the table.

You picked it up to find you had several missed calls from your mother, one from Steve, and one very long text message from him that was already inducing a headache. You opened it, forgetting you had read receipts on. Oops. You weren’t going to read this now in front of Bucky, so you shut it off and put it aside.

“So how are you feelin’?” He asked.

“Better now that I’m out that damned dress. As for my family, they'll get over themselves. I don’t know why who I’m dating is such a big deal to them anyways.”

“You do look more comfy now that you’ve changed. If you don’t mind me sayin’ you’re just as gorgeous now as you were all dolled up”

You felt heat flood your cheeks instantly and eked out a thank you. You and Bucky talked for an hour more or so and in that time you’d found yourself nodding off with your head on his chest. On instinct he brought your whole body closer to him and put his arm around you. If you were less sleepy you’d be embarrassed but right now you didn’t care.

Bucky had moved slightly and inadvertently jolted you awake. You shot up and realized that you’d cuddled your way into Bucky’s side and now the embarrassment was catching up with you. You instantly scooted back to give him some space.

“Sorry, I uh, didn’t mean to cuddle you” You said while avoiding his gaze.

You felt a hand on your thigh and finally looked up to find him smirking at you.

“I didn’t mind it. It’s getting late though, I should get back.”

You were slightly disappointed but nodded your head. You rose and followed him to the door. He went for the handle but turned around when you grabbed his hand. He stepped away from the door and was in your personal space. You looked up at him with a shaky breath.

“Thank you, again, for what you did. It was really sweet of you.” He smiled down at you and brought one hand to your face. Oh God, I didn’t prepare for this. Your heart was beating just a little harder as you looked into his clear blue eyes.

“For you? Anytime. I had a really fun time with you tonight.”

“Me too.”

With that his other hand came up to cup your face and he kissed you sweetly. It wasn’t until you kissed him back that he pulled away.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to, I don’t wanna make you uncomf-”

You grabbed him by the shirt collar and brought him in for another kiss. This time more demanding but just as sweet. He let out a small moan and you swear you could’ve melted. His tongue explored your mouth while his hands moved their way down your body and brought you even closer to him. You could feel that he was hard and it only made you want him more.

Without breaking the kiss you started to move backwards towards the bed until finally you were just at the edge of it. You broke apart for air and searched his eyes only to find his pupils blown wide in lust. You cupped him through his pants and he groaned. He was big. Maybe even bigger than Steve.

“We don’t have to do anythin’ you don’t want to do,” He breathed out. You shook your head and kissed him again.

“I want you, I’m sure.” You panted out.

“I don’t have a condom”

“Doesn’ matter, I’m on the pill” You told him. With that his hands were up your tank top and you’d helped him to remove it. He worked on his shirt next and while he fumbled with the buttons you took off the rest of your clothing.

Bucky was every bit as devastating as you’d thought he’d be and you let out a genuine sigh. His toned muscles rippled throughout his arms and torso and you watched him remove his boxers and you’re not entirely sure your jaw hadn’t dropped. He noticed you gawking and chuckled as he leaned down to join you on the bed.

“See somethin’ you like?”

He didn’t give you the chance to answer though, he pushed you backwards onto the bed and kissed you again, this time trailing his kisses all the way down your body. He stopped and took his time to admire each of your breasts, licking and biting your nipples. You’d gasped in surprise and pleasure. He moved his way down finally to your pussy and looked up at you.

“Can I? You could only nod and let out a shaky breath as you sat up on your elbows and watched him get to work. He kissed and caressed your thighs until finally his fingers were prodding at your entrance. He groaned at how wet you were and pushed two fingers in. You let out an obscene moan and your hands went into his locks. His tongue lapped at your clit before he sucked on it, all the while pumping his fingers in and out of you in search of your G-spot.

You’d pulled his hair out of his bun and guided his tongue where he needed to be. Finally getting the right angle you were whimpering in pleasure, back arched almost to a point of pain. He’d finally found the spot he’d been looking for and your eyes shut closed in pleasure.

“Please,” you begged, “Please don’t stop I’m so close”

You pushed his head harder against you and his fingers sped up. It was only a matter of moments until your toes were curling in pleasure and you writhed on the bed in the aftershock of your orgasm. Bucky continued to lap away at you until you pushed him off. He came back up to eye level with you and had a wolfish grin.

“Who knew you’d make such noises? God it was so hot”

You pulled him in for another kiss and reached down to grab his cock. You pumped it a few times before you moved down to return the favor when he stopped you. You looked up at him with brows pinched in concern.

“Don’ worry about me, I just wanna feel you”

He moved you beneath him and you spread your legs apart for him. You were still sensitive in your post-high when his tip brushed your clit but you didn’t mind the bolt of pleasure. He aligned himself with your entrance and looked you in the eye as he pushed all the way inside of you slowly. You let out an involuntary moan, trying to accommodate his full length.

“You good?” He asked.

“I’m good, you’re just...big” He smirked at that.

“Can I move or do you need a second?”

“No, you can move, please move.”

One hand on your hip and the other on your breast he started thrusting in and out of you at a steady pace. You swore you could feel every bump and ridge of him with every inch he put into you. His pace picked up and he kissed the column of your neck, finding the one spot that drove you crazy. Your small mewls turned to full moans and he began fucking you harder.

“‘M not gonna last much longer” He told you. You didn’t say anything in response, just brought him in for another kiss and grabbed a handful of his ass to push him further inside you. He chuckled at that and took the hint.

He was going the hardest he had so far and you were holding on for dear life and loving every minute of it. His panting breaths were heavy in your ears and you reached down to toy with your clit so you’d cum together. His thrusts were getting a little sloppier and your hand moved faster, quickly approaching both your peaks. He let out an almost pornographic moan as he came, He fucked you through his orgasm and not a moment later you came for a second time. Your bodies melded together as you rode out the last waves of each other’s orgasms.

Finally Bucky stopped and held himself with one hand, trying to catch his breath. You were slightly dazed, trying to compute how your night had ended up like this. Bucky rolled over onto the bed and you felt the mess between your thighs. You looked over to him with a hazy smile.

“So, I know we’re doin’ things a little backwards here but, maybe I could take you out some time? If you want?”

Your smile grew even wider and your heart felt so light in this moment.

“I’d like that”

You didn’t know what tomorrow would hold or how to even begin cleaning up the mess with your family. You’d deal with it all in the morning, for now you’d just bask in the afterglow with your fake boyfriend and be grateful for chance meetings.

[gracestone]

1/3 It's the fact that Gina really lost herself in the 1st half of S2 when she was still pining over Ricky. I was a Rina stan but it really hurt to see how lost and confused Gina was in 2.01 to 2.06. The way she talks about what shes going thru (in)directly to Carlos in 2.04, Kourt in 2.05, and Ash in 2.06 pained me 😭 I really didn't know how much more I could take seeing my girl like that. As much as I loved Rina in S1 and part of S2, I hated the fact

2/3 Ricky made Gina feel confused, feel like she doesn't matter, gets nothing back, and made life really hard (all of which are her own words in these convos). The next person we see her open up to is EJ in 2.08 and he's able to be there for her like Carlos and Ash in ways that are significant to her. With EJ Gina's constantly reminded of how much she matters. The only time she doubts herself w/ EJ is in 2.12 and that wasnt even his fault (thx Jamie😅). 3/3 Plus those doubts are there in the 1st place mainly b/c of her past feelings for Ricky. Thankfully Nini and Ash come thru for her and shes able to turn it all around by the end of the night. I can already imagine canon dating PW constantly reminding e/o how much the o/ means to them in S3. 🙏🏽🕯S3 just feels like a good one for us. Im ready for the angst AND the love. Lol Jamie's miscomm just showed me PW can SERVE that angst when needed tbh. Sofia and Matt are gonna kill it next season😂

Yeah, Ricky never meant to make Gina feel that way, but he also couldn't change the fact that he didn't reciprocate her feelings. And because he has this habit of coasting instead of doing the hard thing by putting in the work, he just hoped that this whole situation would resolve itself if he just ignored it long enough. After all, that's how this whole thing started: he thought he should try to put himself out there and Gina made that easy by showing interest in him with her cheek kiss. Gina also made it easy for him to coast his way through her confession by not wording the confession in a way where he was expected to give her an answer. Because she didn't bring it up again, he just let it be and hoped he wouldn't have to address it and outright reject her. But because Ricky is always so wrapped up in his own feelings, he has a hard time seeing how the people around him are feeling, and therefore he didn't see how much his silence was confusing and hurting Gina, and ultimately did more harm than good.

Gina, on her end, also tried her best to not show anyone how she was feeling. She actively hid her hurt and confusion until she couldn't do that any longer and came clean to Ashlyn in 2x06. And even before that we could see that it was something she wanted to talk about but was scared of opening up about, because she kept hinting at it in the scenes with Carlos and Kourtney you mentioned. She did something similar when she was planning on leaving in 2x05 by continously dropping hints in her conversations with everyone, including her speech for Carlos. Ricky not giving her clarity and leaving her hanging had really burned her, because he was the first person she'd opened up to and that really backfired on her. So she needed time to feel comfortable doing that again. As you said, it really was heartbreaking to watch her want to talk about her feelings so badly while at the same time constantly defaulting to hiding her feelings because she didn't want to get burned again 😭

It's such a well told story because it shows how our actions can impact people negatively even if our intentions aren't bad. I'm sure Ricky didn't mean to hurt Gina by not giving her a clear answer. He probably hoped that it'd be less painful for her if he didn't vocally reject her and that she'd get the message by seeing him with Nini. But we saw that this wasn't the case and that it just left Gina with this spark of false hope, which only led to her getting disappointed over and over again while having to figure out all over again what Ricky's interactions with her meant. Not to mention the amount of self-doubt and low self-esteem that came with that. Gina needed all of season 2 to work her way out of that place again and I wouldn't be surprised if there are still things related to what happened with Ricky that she'll have to work through in season 3. But at least she knows she's not off-putting and has people like EJ, Ashlyn, Carlos, Kourtney, and Nini around her who keep reminding her of how amazing, brave, and powerful she is, and how lucky they feel to know her and how much she matters. And hopefully Ricky will eventually get to a place where he can apologise to her and be the friend she deserves.

Sorry for basically saying what you were saying in more words, lmao. I genuinely can't stop myself from going in detail sometimes 😂 But yes, I totally agree that EJ would never willingly make her feel like she doesn't matter or like he doesn't want to be with her. He's really good at making the people who matter to him feel appreciated, so I'm sure we'll see even more of that with Gina in upcoming seasons than we already have so far. He's already called her brave and amazing, and even when she's not around her he describes her as "the best" 🥺 We saw how adorable he was when hyping up Nini in 1x01, so I can only imagine what he'll be like with Gina going forward. He also knows what it feels like when the person you have feelings for doesn't seem to reciprocate them and how insecure that can make you, so I'm sure he wouldn't want Gina to ever feel that way because of him. And Gina probably feels the same way about him, especially now that she knows how easily Jamie was able to get in his head (to be clear, I don't think Jamie meant to do that, but we're talking about EJ's POV here) and make him doubt her feelings for him.

I feel good about season 3 too! I really see no reason to worry, because I feel so confident EJ will stick around for the rest of the show. And I totally agree that Matt and Sofia can really nail the angst, so even if EJ will consider going to a college out of state and break our and Gina's hearts for a little bit, I'm sure we'll all be able to appreciate the angst for how well acted it'll be. We're (probably) gonna suffer (for a little while) but we're gonna be happy about it. Especially when the pay off is worth it, just like it was in season 2.

[churchyarddirt]

Girl! You already knew I love your blog. Can i have Muzan x Reader where Reader is an uppermoon who Muzan like to mess around ( you know sexy time ) with but Muzan also messed around with other demons as he please. Thank u.

Tysm! I love your blog too ^w^ you didnt specify if you want headcanons or scenarios so I'll stick them up together, but mostly headcanons

Y/n was upper moon 5, not too strong but compared to other demons - much stronger

Y/n became upper moon 4 years ago, at first Muzan hadn't payed much attention to her.

But unlike our demon lord, Y/n was head over heels in love

From the first time he cupped her cheeks and said "Y/n...You've been doing a pleasant job, you deserve to be amongst the upper kizuki, dont you think so?" He asked her one delightful night, Y/n was just done eating her weekly meal, she devoured over 49 people. So we can way she was one bloody mess

Even though Muzan hadn't felt anything towards her, he knew he liked her by appearance, he found her attractive

"You will start off as upper moon 5, do not disappoint me..." Muzan's deep voice echoed trough the Minka, he brought up his hand towards her eyes, gently brushing the air between them. Y/n's eyes got certain kanji after all "Y-Yes...Muzan-sama"

Y/n did amazing job but hadn't interacted with Muzan much, since she was new she wasnt summoned to most meetings and even if she did Nakime was the one here, reporting information to Y/n

Of course due to Muzan's temper, Y/n had to get punished for a small misunderstandings.

Basicaly she met Tanjirou and Nezuko and just ignored them, when they were really big threat and were on hunting, Y/n just simply forgot that all demons were ordered to kill them, she proceeded to eat humans somewhere else. And of boy how angry Muzan was

Y/n was sure she would die but he didnt kill her, just called her useless and paethethic

Veins popped on Muzans forehead "You call yourself an upper moon and you made such a blind mistake" he scoffed, his expression was displeased but Nakime and Y/n knew this was just 5% of anger that he felt "I-Im so sorry Kibutsuji-sama, I just forgot and went on w-" Y/n bowed on the flood, Suddenly he appeared in front of her "Who allowed you to speak?" He questioned, making Y/n gulp, looking up at him and by this way automatically giving him good access to her neck. Muzan suddenly gripped onto the females neck and picked her whole weight up, to face him. They had quite noticeable height difference so her feet hanged in the air. Muzan frowned

"What will happen if you will make similar mistake in the future, will you...." he cut his sentence mid off, Y/n's thoughts were something different, defiantly not what he expected

'Yeez...Should I be scared or aroused', 'I honestly dont mind him choking me' 'I hope it wont end soon' at this point Muzan knew that what Y/n felt for him wasnt just strong admiration

If it was another demon he would be disgusted, but for some reason he was quite amused Y/n felt this way. His face was now not frowning, but blunt. He had zero emotions, but he was in deep thinking, he slowly and gently removed the force from her neck, now choking her lightly 'Yes...there much better...why isn't he speaking?' Muzan read thoughts, he observed her. A pleasant smirked formed. He released her from his grip turning around and leaving her alone "If you will make mistakes again...there would be more severe punishments" he commented before gesturing Nakime to teleport her away

Ever since then we could say they both shared similar feelings towards each other, just no one of them showed it correctly

As time passed Y/n developed her style, she always had a lot of cleavage, not like daki but still cleavage.

One day Y/n was teleported to upper meeting, there she officially meet every upper demon member, she hit it off well with Douma - He was so curious and friendly with her after all!

Not long after Muzan appeared, wearing his vest suit and white clothing, with black pants, the casual and glamourous outfit of his. Y/n noticed no one bowed but rather just greeted him "Good day Muzan-sama~" Douma shouted, Muzan probably had good relationship with them

My my how wrong you were

Trough out the meeting he removed the heads of several upper demons, and they all didnt bother. Woah

Muzan leaned onto the table "Tell me your Acomplishemnts" he commended, his expression was always blunt and hard to read, he didnt seem interested in their speech at all "Y/n..." Muzan interpreted Akaza's speech, making you focus all your attention on him, he slowly patted on the wooden pattern "come here" he ordered, his expression unchanged.

'DOOES HE WANT ME TO SIT ON THE TABLE NEXT TO HIM-HGHGJ?!'

Muzan grinned at your thoughts "Continue akaza" he said with more pleased tone, sucking in the stressful and negative tention away. All other moons were more at ease.

You did as he said, and of course your thoughts did their best job at amusing Muzan, all the scenarios of him claiming you over and over on this table really intrigued him, no demon had ever dared to think so boldly of him, and not to mention he liked the way you looked, Muzan didn't mind.

"Disccust and prepare teams for attack on hajimeri hill" Muzan ordered, the demons started separating into teams and making a plan, they often worked together. You assumed you had to join them so you jumped down from the table, ready to leave.

However as soon as you started to walk Muzan quickly forced you back with his hand. He forced you to go under him, you could feel your ass pressing into the table harshly, your eyebrows frowned out of confusion, Muzan had small grin before griping your throat again

This time he wasnt too harsh, justcright to your liking. His fingers gently massaged your neck, making you close your eyes.

Oh how you wished this lasted forever

"You do know one of mine abilities..." He asked, making you open your resting eyes "...is the ability to read minds of my demons?"

This sentence

THIS ONE SENTENCE

made you regret you were born 'He read all my fantasies, all my dirty thoughts-' your mind was one messy place now. You tried to look away but his finger that was gently massaging your neck suddenly was harshly pressed onto your chin, keeping you in place

You couldn't comprehend your emotions "I'm so sorry I will stop-" Muzan's nails imtefierd with your skin, making you gasp. He was filling you up with his blood again

Before you could speak again he connected your lips together. It wasnt a messy kiss, just a small peck. But of course this wasnt the way he wanted to kiss you, you would find out soon.

From that day on he teased you and touched you as he pleased

At first it was just a constant need to have you close to him, now he groped you and touched you all the time

Whenever there was another upper moons meeting he would have you on his lap, and you always knew you were leaving the last.

Your most memorable memory with him was when he invited you to his house

And hardcore fucked you in front of his sleeping pretend wife. It was amazing quite/silent sex

Once Muzan ripped your top clothing off and groped you for 2 hours straight while you sat on his lap, you were glad you two were alone.

Whenever he wanted for you to give him attention he would come to you from behind, push your hair down and press you closer

But one day, he stopped messing with you in front of other demons, he didnt touch your ass or ordered to sit on his lap anymore.

You thought it would bother you that much, but it honestly made you...sad?

That's how it was for a week. Another meeting was held. Like always your stayed the longest. You tippy toed your way to Muzan that didnt seem to notice your presence at all "Muzzn-sama" you muttered, he lazily turned around to face you "Take a sit..." he ordered with a long sigh

You took a seat on his table, you were about to ask him what was wrong but he hugged you before you could utter a word.

Sure you two cuddled after sex in bed but this type of affection wasn't in your life. He pressed his face in your chest as his hands wrapped around your waist.

"I want you all to myself" he said, not emebrased or too happy. All you could is was just to accept it and gently brush his head

He didnt grope you around others but he was effectionate other ways, like hugging your waist, his hand on your hip/waist/shoulder. You could see the connection

But one thing bothered Y/n

It was Daki

Muzan called her special demon and even cupped her cheeks. Y/n wasn't pleased with it!

One night she headed to the forest with Muzan, all he did was cup her cheeks "I can do as I please Y/n, You should just be quite about it. Green doesn't suit you" he mocked her, Y/n was displeased but there wasn't anything she could do

Muzan held her hand firmly in his, even though he liked teasing Y/n, he knew that if there was a demok women who would bear his kids - It would be Y/n

Bonus

Y/n took a seat at his office, she was summoned by him. It wasnt the first time she was here, making herself at home she ordered his maid to make her a tea "Its good to see you my Muzan-sama" she greeted him with a yawn "Y/n...didnt I told you my opinion about you wearing short skirts" Muzan questioned her, his eyes still carved into paper work, oops. After he made it clear that she belonged to him, muzan hated seeing her wearing too revealing clothes "I didnt punish you, and I wont" this sentence made Y/n smile. But she knew he will want to receive something from her later. "I've been so good to you lately, you've been walking around as you please" he said in mocking tone "Y/n dont you think you are too selfish?" Y/n giggled at his words "So what are our conclusions" he asked, taking another paper. When he aske it, the answer always was 'I will change Muzan-sama' or 'I understand that I failed and I will do as you please' but Y/n was too goofy that day. Like a tiger she made her way closer to him, she sat bare ass on his table in front of him. Her legs on his papers. This made Muzan look at her instantly "The conclusions..." she questioned before gently cupping Muzans cheeks "That you are the best thing in my life" Muzan was dumbfounded, her little joke resulting in brutal make out session on his lap

[2ugars]

ੈ♡˳ high school senior!hyuck + soccer player!hyuck all in one!!!!

ps - the high school that i’m basing off their high school is mine, which is an international american curriculum high school that has like . a very small hs population.

a lovable and troublemaker senior who interacts quite a lot w his underclassmen — a bit too much than what’s probably considered necessary

he’s always been loud n friendly even before senior year but for some reason it? sky-rocketed?

like

u would expect seniors to stop tryin to make friends n stuff because they’ll have to leave for college at the end of the year nyways……

but NOPE

donghyuck’s a whole other species so he. .

makes friends .

A Lot of them

some of them r accidental on the other person’s part

there was this one time where hyuck forgot his pencil case and he was asking around

and some guy in junior year was like Here u go!!!!give it back to me after school or smth :)

as promised,, donghyuck Forgot to give it to him after school but he DID give it back the morning after w a bunch of teabags

donghyuck: some tea 2 relieve ur stress! also !!!!!!!      U r invited to my bday party :)

donghyuck: and my future wedding

donghyuck :D

junior: Whjat

hyuck’s that one senior who somehow knows everyone’s names?

he’s crazy

the type to say people’s names whenever he converses w them

he does it to seem closer nd to put them at ease? in a way?

has a unique handshake w 75% of the high school population

how does he remember all of that

muscle memory???????? who knows at this point

someone raised their hand during class and he flinched in his seat because he Really Wanted To Do The Handshake w them

he wouldn’t call it popularity, how a lot of people know him

“they’re just . familiar w me,” he would tell jeno

“that’s called popularity u idiot”

“n .   No”

it takes him a while to let it sink in that he IS popular but he still doesnt like to call himself that since he thinks it’s awkward nd a lil off-puttinng

so he just calls himself annoying in the end lmao

“i realized,” he rells renjun one day, “that i’m most likely the most annoying senior ever. more than mark was, even, and that’s saying a lot!”

renjun hums to show that he’s listening when, really, he’s not

“it’s the perfect plan,” donghyuck continues. “i get all of them to love me this year, and when i leave, the entire secondary school will have no choice but to mourn my absence—“

“was that your plan all along?” jaemin interjects with a laugh

“of course not. the kids love me without me having to try much. but it’s a pretty good plan! i could pass it down to chenle, or something.”

renjun later tells chenle to continue to never listen to hyuck

chenle, although puzzled, agrees

hyuck’s in varsity boys’ soccer as midfield

what u would call a hidden leader

was originally appointed captain by the coach but turned it down almost immediately

Hates disappointing people

especially people who are depending and relying on him

he isn’t sure he’s ready for that much weight, being an official leader

however when the ream found out he turned down the position of captain, they made him vice-captain next to sunwoo

donghyuck: “i won but at what cost”

mood maker of the team

screams a lot on the bench in the times when he’s pulled from the field to take a break

“U GO FELIX”

“LOOK AT MY BOYS GO!?!??!?!?!”

“OOF them THIGHS”

“JEEOOONNGGGIIIIINNNN that’s my little boy. Wow. i think im tearing up”

does this not only in games but in practices !

hes quite a chatterbox

please shut him up

i’m kidding please don’t

“look alive guys!!!!!! last one to run ladders buys sushi!!!!!!”

usually ends upbeing the last one

he says he does it on purpose

he’s lying he hates running ladders

“SPREAD OUT I NEED YALL LIKE A SMOOTH LAYER OF BUTTER ON TOAST! THAT MEANS NOT CLUMPED!”

he joked that if it weren’t for soccer, he’d be on the cheer squad

won mvp in junior year and the sportsmanship award for three years running

NOT ONLY DID HE WIN SOME SPORTS AWARDS.......

HHE ALSO WO N!!!!!!!!the hearts of the middle school boys’ soccer team

it’s because he’s the coach assistant during the ms soccer season

he started coaching in his freshman year

surprisingly gets shy when the boys, in all their wide-eyed awe n wonder, call him Coach Donghyuck

“nnnnnnnNNNNNOOOO O OO O  Dont say that call me hyuck instead omg plwase.  NO SIAN DONT CALL ME COACJ NO”

to hyuck’s confusion and jaemin’s pure delight, hyuck’s managed to steal the hearts of the middle school girls’ soccer team as well??

he took some chopsticks from the school cafeteria because he forgot his own at home

when he finished eating lunch, he didn’t want to go all the way to the tray drop-off since it was so far from where he and the dreamies sat

and renjun’s being more annoying than usual that day and is purposely making hyuck to hurry the HECK up so that they could do some modern language homework

of course, hyuck is lazy and doesn’t want to walk that far, renjun, gosh dan g it

so he goes to a middle school girl he’s had a few random, short convos with in his bus and... .. .

“hi louise! is it okay if i place my chopsticks here for you to take it to the tray drop-off?”

the young girl startles but at the sight of donghyuck, she smiles brightly. “oh, hi, coach!”

her greeting sparks up excited hi’s and hello’s from the other girls that donghyuck acknowledges with a smile of his own

(he doesn’t bother correcting them about the title)

(he knows that no matter how many times he’ll gently scold them into not calling him coach, they’ll still persist without fail)

(so he takes it in, albeit reluctantly and with his ears turning red every time)

“that’s totally fine!” louise says.

“thaaank you!” he sings, placing it neatly beside her plate. “you’re the best. see you in practice!”

and honestly

the reason why the middle school girls love him is because he stayed after school to study one day

and when he was done, he watched one of their games that was on the home field

he was on the sidelines shouting encouragements and generally just . Screaming his lungs out

you could probably imagine how the opponent team wa s thoroughly confused as to who the boy was and why exactly he was shrieking bloody murder

after the team won, he walked over to their team huddle and, after asking permission of their coach, gave them high fives and praised them and gave them light-hearted pointers before giving them a huge HUGE smile

yeah

apparently that’s enough to have a whole armada of boys and girls willingly take your chopsticks to the tray drop-off after lunch

he likes to brag about it every once in a while

anyways hyuck is just

a really good and nice senior

who the underclassmen respect and appreciate lots

when the seniors graduate, hyuck hides his tears by laughing so much

like it’s kind of concerning how much he’s laughing renjun thinks the boy’s going to choke on his spit at this point hyuck please sto p laughign

NOTHING FUNNY IS EVEN HAPPENING HYUKC PELAS E

like hyuck started laughing when the closing speech of the graduation ceremony begun

the boys thought it was because he probably farted or heard someone else fart since he was trying so hard not to make a sound

liek all you could hear coming from hyuck was wheezing and little hiccups

and jaemin, who was sitting next to him, had to pinch hyuck’s thigh constantly with how violently he’s shaking with silent laughter

hyuck was covering his face the entire time and jaemin, widely grinning, finally pried his hands away

only his grin slowly wavered when he saw the other boy’s face

jaemin: “oh”

renjun: “what do you mean oh? the teachers are looking at us, we might not even be able to graduate if he keeps laughing, shut him u—”

there wwere tears staining hyuck’s cheeks and snot was basically running down his nose and he was laughing like a maniac and oh no, he’s losing it, renjun get tissues, what the actual HEK

the closing speech ended with a new tissue box emptied and a tissue rolled up into hyuck’s left nostril

the others were crying, too, but they were smiling

jisung approached them with wet eyes and the same awkward stance where he keeps his hands clasped in front of him and hyuck tearfully joked that he looked like That Meme and made jisung cry instead of laugh and chenle started laughing because of it but ended up crying too

HAHAHAH THE SE BBOYS BEIN CRYBABIES (imcrygin too at the thought of this i love ht em. s o mmmcuhhchl)

hyuck couldn’t help but pull the dreamies into a hug before he gets swallowed by their arms, affections, and surprisingly, their smooches

“ABOUT TIME Y’ALL PUNKS RETURNED MY LOVE”

[megalony]

Before the lies- Part 2

Another part of my new Roger Taylor series that his a prequel to my other series Liar which I hope everyone is enjoying.

Permanent taglist: @marshmallowmae @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @luvborhap @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly

Series taglist: @caborhapch @im-just-a-musical-prostitute @scarsout @luckytrashgooprebel

Series masterlist

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The past two months had been up and down for Roger to the point he didn't know if he was coming or going anymore.

Roger thought the first night was it, he thought that after that Sarah would want nothing more to do with him when the reality was quite the opposite. The pair of them seemed to be joined at the hip after their initial meeting at the bar. She met him after she'd finished work and he was done with his classes for the day, they'd go for a drink and then back to Roger's place since his flat housed him and him alone.

It was hard for Roger not to tell Brian that he was hooking up with his sister since they had become good friends since starting the band but it was for the best. This was between Roger and Sarah, it wasn't anything to do with Brian and Roger didn't want to tell him if he was going to get funny about this. Roger had no way of knowing if Brian would get upset or angry or annoyed at his sister being 'friends with benefits' with one of his friends especially since Roger was younger than both siblings.

So, after Roger had done his gigs with Brian and now Freddie and John who had joined them after Tim had left, Roger would meet up with Sarah. Sometimes they just met for a drink and a chat, she liked a lot of the things Roger did and was into the same kind of music as he was. They shared an interest in books and politics and could generally get along rather well so talking was good. Roger didn't have that many friends who were girls and the guys didn't get along with him nearly as well as he seemed to get along with Sarah.

Although, something did seem to be out of place and Roger couldn't seem to get past it for the life of him.

The hookups were just a bit of fun. Roger didn't want to commit to a relationship with everything going on in his life at this moment in time. He had a lot of studies to keep up with, he had work down the market with Freddie and then he had gigs with the band. A relationship took up the small-time he had for himself and it would just add more weight onto his shoulders that he didn't want nor need.

The drummer enjoyed unwinding with Sarah down the pub or her coming to his flat for their 'hookups'. But there was something about Brian's sister that unnerved Roger just a little.

Roger was all for fun, he could drink himself under the table for fun, play pool or snooker or get into a debate or an argument or just go out on a jolly with mates. Sarah was the next level up that Roger wasn't really ready for nor did he know what he was meant to expect. She was the kind of forceful that Roger had not come across in someone before and he didn't know what to do about that.

He wasn't the kind of person to like being pushed around and Sarah seemed to know that, but this wasn't her pushing him around. This was her being herself. Sarah didn't like taking no for an answer, when she came to the flat she hardly left if Roger said he was tired and wanted to go to sleep, she stayed and they did have a good time. But it was getting to the point where Roger was beginning to wonder and worry what would happen if he were to say no to her about anything.

Sarah liked to be in charge of anything and everything, she liked to suggest, or rather enforce where they went for drinks, who they hung out with and what they did. Which was fine to a point because whatever she suggested, Roger ended up having a great time. But even when they had their hookups she controlled it. She insinuated things, she started kissing Roger, if Roger tried to take charge she simply took it back. If Roger wasn't sure or simply didn't really feel like it she always found a way to change his mind.

More so, recently Roger had realised Sarah wanted more than he could offer her and he soon wondered if turning her down would flare up the controlling part of her to a point he couldn't take. Roger didn't want a relationship, he liked Sarah he really did but he didn't like her in the way that could develop into love. He couldn't see a relationship with her because they were too different yet too similar at the same time. They liked the same things and that was great for friendship but they clashed horns in ways that wouldn't work for a relationship. If Sarah felt she needed more from him than he could offer then Roger would have to stop the sex part of their friendship because it wouldn't be fair on his part to lead her on. Roger couldn't keep being intimate with her if she wanted more because he would be leading her on only to disappoint her in the end and that wasn't fair.

Turning his head sharply when he felt a hand resting on his shoulder, Roger couldn't help but smile when he noticed the gleam in Freddie's eyes. The singer reaching out and taking the cigarette from the drummer in a way he wasn't used to.

Roger was used to Sarah suddenly coming up behind him, her arms snaking around him as she waited for the cigarette to be placed between Roger's lips before she decided to take a drag from it herself. She never asked and she never held the cigarette and waited that extra second like Freddie did, just to be sure it was alright and it always was.

"I think drinks are in order, my round darling. Coming?" Freddie questioned as he passed the half-finished cigarette back to Roger who took a long drag of smoke. Feeling the nicotine sinking into his veins and calming his rocketing system down. Roger couldn't stay back for the drinks tonight, they had had a really good show but he needed to go and meet Sarah. The drummer needed to tell her that as much as he valued her as a friend, he didn't think being intimate was the right thing for them to do.

"Sorry Fred got a date." Roger responded, passing the cigarette back to the singer before patting down his pockets just to be sure that he had everything that he needed.

"Ooh, anyone we know?" Freddie questioned, leaning against the brick wall of the pub behind them as both Brian and John made an appearance. If Roger spilled who it was now he would never leave. Brian would give him some kind of lecture about this being his sister and them being friends so if anything happened Brian would thus be stuck in the middle. But if Brian didn't know and he was never involved in their private life, then how could he become stuck between the two?

"Nope. Catch you tomorrow boys." Roger waved his hand off at them before he made his way down the backstreet of the pub to get back onto the main road. He could vaguely hear them calling to him before he disappeared around the corner. His head hung down to watch the pavement disappearing beneath his feet as he tried to mull over what he could say to Sarah. Roger valued her as a friend, he would never want to upset her or ruin what they had built up these past two months. She was his friend, he valued her a lot and he didn't want to lose her just because he didn't feel okay to commit to a relationship.

A nervous smile pulled at Roger's lips when he rounded the corner of his apartment building to find Sarah just getting out of her car upon arriving at the right time they arranged.

Roger didn't like the sudden feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach when her lips pressed to his own. It alerted him that he needed to stop this before it went any further. He said nothing when she took his hand, both of them heading up to the second floor as Roger fumbled around to grab his keys. Opening the apartment, Roger walked in after Sarah, both of them discarding their jackets and shoes before heading over to the sofa.

Things didn't turn out the way that Roger planned for them to.

He had many different speeches lined up in his head but each one was diminished by Sarah when she seemed to either change the subject or just get Roger talking on a different subject entirely.

That left Roger where he was now, laid in bed with Sarah right beside him, her head perched on his chest as he closed his eyes for a moment. He needed to talk this out now before he lost the bottle and lead Sarah on to a point where it would become immoral and she would hate him when he turned down a relationship with her. This wasn't fair, Roger would be abusing their friendship and relationship if he continued to have sex with her when she clearly wanted more from him than he could give her.

When Sarah reached for Roger's hand and entwined their fingers, he locked eyes with her. His expression falling and alerting her that something was not right with him. Her eyes narrowed as her head tilted to the side, wondering what was wrong with him.

"You alright Rog?"

"I... I really like you honestly I do... but I, I can't be in a relationship with you. I'd love to stay friends, but this," Roger pointed his finger between them as he gently let go of her hand, pushing himself so he was sitting up rather than lying down. "Isn't fair to you if you want more." Roger was not an unfair person and he would never use Sarah for sex if it was going to lead her on. Truth be told he'd much rather stay friends with her than have friends with benefits, it was easier and somehow he knew it would make him feel safer.

The drummer bit his lip when Sarah moved so she was sitting up beside him, taking a moment to think things through and comprehend what he was telling her. She had told him last week when they last saw one another than she wanted a proper relationship with him, thinking that the drummer would want the same.

Obviously not.

"Alright... so you don't want a relationship. Come on Rog, why quit all this? I don't mind staying this way, it's all part of the fun." She clearly didn't understand what he was trying to tell her as she crossed her legs beneath her. Moving to put her hair up in a ponytail as Roger glanced down to his hands before back up to her. Reaching out to take her hand in his own.

"I'm not going to use you, Sarah. I don't want to lose you as a friend but I can't keep doing this, if you or I meet someone else this would have to stop anyway. It won't be much different anyway, will it?" A shudder ran through Roger when her nails suddenly dug into his hand causing his eyes to widen and glance down to their entwined hands. His muscles tensing as he noticed something in her eyes change and for the first time, Roger didn't feel safe around the woman sat next to him.

The sense of vulnerability that Roger had felt the first moment they had kissed came flooding back to Roger and he was beginning to realise why. Sarah held a rather dominating personality that wasn't the best to deal with and the way she was acting now made Roger wonder if she would do something out of impulse because he clearly wanted what she didn't.

For the longest moment, Sarah said absolutely nothing as she held onto Roger's hand creating crescent moons into his skin with her nails to the point he knew she had drawn some blood. And for that long moment, Roger really thought he wasn't safe in his own home. He thought she was going to lash out or hit him or do something wrong because she was mad that he didn't want to be in a relationship with her and he couldn't have sex with her because it felt immoral. She was Brian's sister after all, he would never lead a girl on especially not one who was related to one of his close friends.

But all of a sudden, she let go of Roger's hand. Her composture regained once again and the look in her eyes disappeared to the point Roger wondered if he had imagined it.

"Alright, if that's what you really want."

Roger had never seen such a smile before that came onto her lips as soon as the words passed through them. Something about the way she was looking at him told Roger that what she had said didn't hold any meaning. Of course it didn't, she wanted Roger and he was refusing, she didn't like to be told no. Maybe Roger had just done the wrong thing.

[gingywritesimagines]

Twin Trouble

Title: Twin Trouble

Fandom: Newsies

Pairing: Mike x fem!reader

Request: “Is there anyway you could write a Mike or Ike x Fem!Reader? Maybe something a bit fluffy? There’s really not much with the twins out there but they’re such cuties. Sorry for the lack of context to the request, I’m drawing a blank on plot ideas at the moment.” - W anon

Description: You and Mike have been dating for a while and the newsies see this as an opportunity to prank you with his twin brother. Unfortunately for them, you’re the one person who can tell the two boys apart.

Warnings: pranks (?), language, overuse of commas as per usual

A/N: this is based off of my prior experience with dating someone who has a twin, except it’s a bit more cheerful… and it actually has a happy ending. Also, I agree completely, the lack of Mike and Ike content is gross. Enjoy!

It had been just a few months since you and your favourite newsie had started going out. Mike had sold you papers every morning since before you could remember. You two became friends very quickly, and one day Mike realized that his feelings for you were much stronger than friendship. It took him a whole year to work up the courage to ask you out to dinner (with encouragement from his brother, Ike, the only other newsie who knew about you two). The way his face lit up when you said yes, after all that time of pining, proved just how relieved and how happy he was. Now, most people would assume that that glow had only lasted until the end of the date, but all these months later and Mike’s smile was still as bright as the sun. You were finally his girl and he couldn’t be happier, especially since you got along so well with Ike when he’d first introduced you two. However, the more evident this joy was, the more Mike’s fellow newsies got suspicious. He still hadn’t told anyone other than Ike about you, and the other boys were all very perplexed as to why their friend was so much more cheerful than usual. They knew the only way they were going to get answers was to ask his brother, so a few of them launched a plan.

Racetrack woke up early that morning, sneaking over to Mike’s bunk and tying all of his clothes together before moving to get himself ready. As the boys woke one by one, Mike noticed the state his clothes were in and grumbled- it was going to take him forever to untie them and get to the circulation gate. Ike offered to help his brother, but after a quick you’s can’t both afford to lose a day’s pay speech from Jack, he joined the other newsies in filing out of the lodging house and into the streets of Manhattan. As they reached the gates of The World, Race started to snicker.

“What’s so funny, Racer?”

“I tied Mike’s clothes together.” the blonde giggled.

Ike’s eyes widened, but he wasn’t quite sure why he was surprised- this was Racetrack Higgins after all, “Wait, what?”

“I tied his clothes together.” Race repeated, “I’s needed to talk to ya alone so I messed with his stuff to give us alone time to talk.”

Romeo piped up, arching an eyebrow, “Ya couldn’t just ask ‘im to talk?”

Albert stepped forward, shaking his head, “That was the plan, but Race had other ideas.”

“The plan?” Ike asked.

Elmer nodded from his spot ahead of them, “Ya brother’s been actin’ funny, Ike. We wanna know why.”

Ike realized what they were talking about almost immediately, and he hoped that wasn’t evident on his face as he tried to lie his way out of the situation, “Funny? Mike ain’t actin’ funny. What’re ya talkin’ about?”

“Wait, Mike’s been acting funny? I didn’t notice anything.” 

The boys all turned to see Davey standing behind them, a confused look on his face and his little brother Les at his heels.

Most of the boys muttered their hellos to the Jacobs brothers, but Race just rolled his eyes, “You’s tellin’ me you ain’t noticed Mike smilin’ all dopey while lookin’ at nothin’?”

“Or his face lightin’ up like the fourth a’ July no matter what’s happenin’?” Albert added. 

“Or him mutterin’ to himself all the time? Or him disappearin’ once sellin’s over for hours and comin’ back lookin’ like he just won the lottery?” Elmer pressed.

“Wait.” Davey put his hands up and thought for a moment, “Mike’s been doing all that?”

“Yes, he has.” Jack confirmed, ushering the boys through the gate since the Delanceys had just unlocked it, “Has been for tha past few months.”

“Months?” Davey gulped, “Gee, I- I never noticed.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t spend as much time with ‘im as we do.” Jack shrugged. nudging Ike, “So you gonna tell us why or not?”

Ike gulped as he contemplated his options; on one hand, he knew Mike had a reason for not telling the boys about you, and he had trusted Ike with the secret of your relationship- he couldn’t betray his brother’s trust. On the other hand, though, Mike never really said that it was a secret, and he never made Ike promise not to tell anyone. Before Ike could make a decision, however, Davey spoke up again. 

“Well, I’m not certain, but it sound to me like Mike is acting this way because of a girl.”

Ike froze as the other newsies whirled around at Davey’s statement.

“What did you just say?”

“I think Mike might be in love.”

The boys turned from Davey to Ike, waiting to see what he had to say. Ike simply sighed, “If he finds out I told you’s about his girlfriend, he’s gonna kill me.”

There was a pause in the conversation before a single voice cried out, “His WHAT?!”

Ike spent his day selling with Race, telling him everything and selling as much as he could while Race ran off to tell the other boys. Being the last one at the circulation gate, Mike didn’t get to leave with his brother and ended up selling with Crutchie- who was kind enough to sit on a wagon and wait for him to arrive. It took all of five minutes for Mike to convince Crutchie to sell at his usual selling spot; he wasn’t about to miss out on seeing you just because Race thought he was funny (and yes, he knew it was Race. Who else would tie all his clothes together?). This new position allowed Crutchie to get some extra information on you that Race and the other boys couldn’t- such as how Mike’s face molded into pure bliss as you approached, and exactly what you looked like as you skipped towards him.

“Mikey!” You greeted, beaming as you threw your arms around his neck.

“Hiya, gorgeous!” Mike beamed back, his arms wrapped happily around your waist.

“I missed you!“ you giggled, handing him a small basket, “My mother made you these, in case you get hungry during selling.”

“Snickerdoodles!”

“Just for you! So, how’s the headline today?”

Mike chuckled, shaking his head, “I already told you, baby, headlines don’t sell papes-”

Before he could finish, a loud voice pierced through the air, “IKE!!”

Both Crutchie and Mike turned around in confusion to see Ike, Racetrack, and about 15 other newsies marching their way.

Ike stepped forward, gesturing accusingly at his brother, “Ike, what the hell is you doin’ with my girl?”

Mike stared, still very much confused, “What? I’m Mike, you’re Ike, and she’s my girl.”

“Ike, don’t be ridiculous, she’s my girl. Right, babe?”

You glanced between the two brothers, completely confused, “Ike, what are you doing? What are you talking about?”

Albert stepped around them, gesturing to Ike, “Your boyfriend here is worried that his brother is stealin’ you from him.”

“But that’s not my boyfriend.” You shook your head, pointing at Mike, “That’s my boyfriend. I can tell; his dimples are more subtle. Plus he’s got that cute button nose.”

You poked Mike’s nose, giggling as he smiled and blushed at your actions. The rest of the boys gawked at the scene, completely stunned.

“You’s can tell them apart?” Race muttered in shock.

You nodded, “Well, of course! It’s not that hard; Ike’s dimples are more profound, Mike has more of a button nose, Ike tends to wear more blues while Mike normally wears browns and reds, and their hairlines are totally different-“

As you rambled on, the newsies stared at you like you were speaking Chinese at high-speed. The boys had lived with Mike and Ike for years but they’ve never been able to tell the two apart, and here you were- a girl who’d been dating Mike for only a few months- getting telling them apart down to a science. It was so easy for you, and as you explained it, the boys wondered how they’d never noticed these things before. While the other boys stared in shock, Mike looked at you with more love and adoration than he knew was possible. He knew you could tell him and Ike apart, but he never knew you’d noticed all those little things about him. He watched as your face lit up with love at every new detail you mentioned and he could tell that you not only noticed the little things, but they were part of why you fell in love with him. His heart was so full from these discoveries that he almost burst. He couldn’t wait until your rambling was over, Mike just had to show you how much he appreciated this.

“Plus, they both have very different tastes; Ike prefers chocolate chip cookies, but my Mikey just loves snickerd-”

Before you could even finish your sentence, Mike grabbed your waist and gently pulled you closer, trying to squeeze every ounce of love and appreciation he had for you into a single kiss. You, of course, didn’t hesitate to kiss him back, cradling the back of his neck in one hand. The other newsies smiled, happy that Mike had found someone that he loved so deeply, and disappointed with themselves for trying to mess with that. All in all, it was a moment of pure peace and happiness... or it was until Racetrack piped up from his spot between Specs and JoJo, eliciting laughter from everyone present:

“Alright, alright, get a room!”

Taglist: @berry-kitten-paws @tina20213 @fandomsneverdie14 @mcoomcoo

[statetalks]

What Republicans Are Not Supporting Trump

South Carolina Rep Tom Rice

Rices vote for impeachment stunned those familiar with the South Carolina lawmakers record as a staunch Trump defender, especially during his first impeachment. 

I have backed this President through thick and thin for four years. I campaigned for him and voted for him twice, Rice said in a statement Wednesday evening. But, this utter failure is inexcusable.

Rice voted for motions to object to certifying Bidens Electoral College victories in Arizona and Pennsylvania last week, votes that came after security teams cleared the building of rioters and members returned from a secure location. Rice told local media he waited until the last minute to cast those votes because he was extremely disappointed in the president after the riots and that Trump needed to concede the election. He also said last week that he did not support impeaching the president or invoking the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. 

Rice, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, has supported the Trump administrations position 94 percent of the time over the past four years. He represents a solidly Republican district in the Myrtle Beach area that Trump carried by 19 points in November. Rice, who has had little difficulty holding his seat since his first 2012 victory, won his race by 24 points in November. 

Trump Breaks Silence With Cpac Speech

Most notably, these state and local parties launched a barrage of censures or other forms of condemnation not long after a violent pro-Trump mob inspired by the former presidents lie about a stolen election and egged on that day by Trump himself stormed the Capitol intent on disrupting Congress as it formalized President Joe Bidens win. Many of the efforts were aimed at the small number of Republicans who voted in favor of impeachment or conviction after House Democrats moved swiftly to impeach Trump on the charge of “incitement to insurrection.”

In Louisiana, the state GOP censured one of its U.S. senators, Bill Cassidy, moments after he voted to convict Trump. North Carolina’s state GOP passed a similar measure aimed at Sen. Richard Burr just days later.

In Illinois, Larry Smith, chair of the LaSalle County Republican Party and a leader in the effort to censure Rep. Adam Kinzinger after he voted to impeach Trump, told NBC News that local GOP leaders in his state are overwhelmingly still pro-Trump, and that the detractors amount to a splinter group by comparison.

I think they’re stunningly naive or have completely misread the tea leaves, he said of Republicans who believe they can leave Trump behind.

He pointed to comments from Kinzinger in The Atlantic in which the lawmaker expressed hope that the segment of the GOP base ready to move past Trump could grow to 35 or 45 percent by the midterm elections.

Former Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice

Enough! Donald Trump should not be President, the former Secretary of State said in a post following the surfacing of the 2005 audio. He should withdraw.

Rice did not elaborate on who she would vote for in November, but wrote, As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.

Schwarzenegger released a statement on Saturday announcing that he will not be voting for Trump.

For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for President, the Austrian-born actor shared via Twitter. Like many Americans, Ive been conflicted by this election I still havent made up my mind about how exactly I will vote next month.

Former Gop Presidential Candidate Carly Fiorina

Fiorina said in June she would be voting for Biden instead of Trump in November.

“Ive been very clear that I cant support Donald Trump. And, you know, elections are binary choices,” Fiorina, who voted for Trump in 2016, told The Atlantic. When pressed whether she would vote for Biden, Fiorina replied, “Im not voting for Trump, but its a binary choice. So if faced with a binary choice on a ballot: yes.”

“I think this moment calls upon Joe Biden to be a leader. I am encouraged that Joe Biden is a person of humility and empathy and character. I think hes demonstrated that through his life,” she said.  

Academics Journalists Authors Commentators

Reuel Marc Gerecht, writer

Michael Gerson, columnist and speechwriter for George W. Bush

Peter Mansoor, military historian

Meghan McCain, commentator, daughter of Senator John McCain

Charles Murray, political scientist and commentator

Ana Navarro, strategist and commentator

Tom Nichols, national security affairs scholar

Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape; founder of Andreessen Horowitz

Mike Fernandez, founder of MBF Healthcare Partners

James Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International

William Oberndorf, Chairman of Oberndorf Enterprises

Republican Voters Not Sure If They Want Trump To Run Again

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa Republicans in this Midwestern battleground fiercely miss having Donald Trump in the White House, but, when asked if they want the former president to seek reelection a second time, in 2024, hesitation abounds.

Thats a good question, said Jose Laracuent, 59, who lives in suburban Des Moines. He set the bar in many ways, and I think theres other politicians who can build on what hes already built. Laracuents wife, Shelley, was more decisive. Id like to see another generation. Both spoke with the Washington Examiner while attending the annual Lincoln Dinner fundraising gala for the Iowa Republican Party, headlined by potential 2024 contender Nikki Haley, a former United Nations ambassador.

Publicly, Trump is undecided on a third presidential bid, although he regularly alludes to another campaign. Privately, the former president is telling confidants he plans to run, and this month began hitting the road again for his signature rallies and pre-rally festivals. Trump remains extraordinarily popular with grassroots Republicans. Yet, there are signs even these loyal voters might want fresh leadership in 2024, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis topping Trump in a recent straw poll.

If he runs, Graber added, I think hell be tough to beat in Iowa.

Washington Examiner Videos

List Of Republicans Who Opposed The Donald Trump 2020 Presidential Campaign

This article is part of a series about

This is a list of Republicans and conservatives who opposed the re-election of incumbent Donald Trump, the 2020 Republican Party nominee for President of the United States. Among them are former Republicans who left the party in 2016 or later due to their opposition to Trump, those who held office as a Republican, Republicans who endorsed a different candidate, and Republican presidential primary election candidates that announced opposition to Trump as the presumptive nominee. Over 70 former senior Republican national security officials and 61 additional senior officials have also signed onto a statement declaring, “We are profoundly concerned about our nation’s security and standing in the world under the leadership of Donald Trump. The President has demonstrated that he is dangerously unfit to serve another term.”

A group of former senior U.S. government officials and conservativesincluding from the Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43, and Trump administrations have formed The Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform to, “focus on a return to principles-based governing in the post-Trump era.”

A third group of Republicans, Republican Voters Against Trump was launched in May 2020 has collected over 500 testimonials opposing Donald Trump.

One Voted Last Week Against Certifying Electoral College Results

Ten Republicans voted Wednesday to impeach President Donald Trump, exactly one week after a violent attack on the Capitol by the presidents supporters. 

The Democrat-led House voted 232-197 to approve one article of impeachment against Trump, charging the president with incitement of insurrection. 

The GOP lawmakers who voted to impeach the president from their own party included Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-highest-ranking Republican in the House. Cheneys vote has prompted House Republicans to call on her to step down as conference chairwoman.

While many in the group have a history of breaking with their party, the yes votes included several with a strong record of supporting Trump and one, South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice, who voted last week against certifying President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory in two states. 

Most Republicans in the House opposed impeachment, with many arguing the hurried process would further divide the country. But for these 10 Republicans who supported impeachment, the fact that Trump incited the riot at the Capitol was indisputable. 

Four Republicans did not vote on impeachment, including Texas Rep. Kay Granger, who recently tested positive for COVID-19. The others were Reps. Andy Harris of Maryland, Greg Murphy of North Carolina and Daniel Webster of Florida.

Here are the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump: 

Loyalty To Trump Vs Trumpism

The battle for Trumps endorsement in the Ohio race to replace GOP Sen. Rob Portman, meanwhile, asks whether personal loyalty to Trump or a record of support for his nationalist policies matters more to both the president himself and to voters. 

J.D. Vance, the venture capitalist-turned-author of Hillbilly Elegy, is considered all-but-certain to announce a run for the GOP nomination. But he is already on the receiving end of an anonymous text-message campaign informing Republican voters in Ohio about Vances numerous disparaging comments about Trump during the 2016 race, including a time he called Trump an idiot.

During the 2016 race, Vance also said he couldnt stomach Trump, that Trump was unfit for the presidency, and that his policy proposals ranged from immoral to absurd.

An ally of Vances noted to HuffPost, however, that many Republicans did not support Trump in 2016. The Vance confidante, who asked for anonymity for professional reasons, said that Vances support for reshoring American manufacturing, tougher immigration enforcement and cracking down on the power of Big Tech show his commitment to Trumps ideas.

When Timken sought Trumps endorsement for her Senate bid, however, Trump reportedly backed off plans to endorse her after close advisers urged him to wait longer before settling on a favored candidate.

A few days later, Timken resigned as party chair ahead of her Senate run. And a few weeks later, as a Senate candidate, she for Gonzalez to resign.

Republican Officials Calling For Trumps Removal

Below are the few Republicans currently in office who have so far demanded Trumps resignation or removal from office.

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey

Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican whos retiring in 2022, became the second GOP senator to say Trump should step down. The best way for our country is for the president to resign and go away as soon as possible, he told Meet the Press on Sunday.

Toomey also said in an interview with Fox News this weekend that he believed the president had committed impeachable offenses, though he hesitated on whether impeachment proceedings and removing him from office was the best course. I dont know whats going to land on the Senate floor, if anything, he said.

Sen. Pat Toomey : I do think the president committed impeachable offenses. But I don’t know what is gonna land on the Senate floor, if anything.

The Recount January 9, 2021

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski became the first Republican senator to demand that Trump leave office. She did not mention impeachment or other methods of removal, but she was unequivocal in her censure of the president.

I want him to resign. I want him out. He has caused enough damage, Murkowski told the Anchorage Daily News in a Friday interview.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott

Vermonts Republican governor, who was just sworn in for his third term, was among the first prominent Republicans to demand Trump resign or be removed from office by his Cabinet, or by Congress.

Republicans Voting For Mrs Clinton

Richard Armitage, former deputy secretary of state

Ex-President George HW Bush

Richard Hanna, New York congressman

Hank Paulson, former treasury secretary

Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser

Chris Shays, former Connecticut congressman

Meg Whitman, prominent Republican donor; CEO of Hewlett Packard

William Bennett, former secretary of education

Former Ohio Gov John Kasich

Kasich, who ran against Trump in the 2016 Republican primaries, headlined the opening night at the DNC.

More:Michelle Obama goes ‘high’, GOP’s John Kasich blasts Trump and other top moments from the DNC’s opening night

Kasich has long been critical of Trump and started his remarks by standing at the intersection of two gravel roads, noting the country was at a crossroads. 

“Sometimes elections represent a real choice, the choice we make as individuals and as a nation about which path we want to take when we’ve come to challenging times,” he said. “America is at that crossroads today.”

He noted that he was a proud Republican and has disagreements with some of Biden’s policies, but those differences were part of the fabric of America’s political system. 

More:John Kasich’s DNC speech was filmed at a crossroads near his Ohio home

Miles Taylor Former Senior Trump Administration Official

Taylor  is one of the highest-ranking former officials from the Trump administration to back Biden.

Taylor, who served as chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen  until he left in 2019, was featured in a video produced by the Republican Voters Against Trump, saying what he saw from Trump “was terrifying.” 

More:Former senior Trump administration official endorses Joe Biden

In the video, Taylor stated, “Given what I have experienced in the administration, I have to support Joe Biden for president. And even though I am not a Democrat, even though I disagree on key issues, I’m confident that Joe Biden will protect the country and I’m confident that he won’t make the same mistakes as this President.”

The Latest Sign Of Donald Trump’s Hold On The Gop

Analysis by Lauren Dezenski, CNN

A vast majority of Republicans are still all in on former President Donald Trump — and a new CBS/YouGov poll reveals just how deep the obsession within the party goes.

89% want a Trumpian take on economic issues.

88% want to follow Trump’s example on immigration issues.

77% prefer Trump’s model for how to treat the media. 

The Point: Bad news for those searching for signs of a non-Trump path within the Republican Party. Right now, the vast majority of GOP members are still very big on the former President — and not much else.

Former Secretary Of State Colin Powell

Powell, former secretary of state to President W. Bush spoke at the second night of the DNC, saying Biden “will be a president we will all be proud to salute.”

“With Joe Biden in the White House, you will never doubt that he will stand with our friends and stand up to our adversaries never the other way around,” Powell said. “He will trust our diplomats and our intelligence community, not the flattery of dictators and despots.”

Powell has been an outspoken critic of Trump, calling him “dangerous for our democracy” in June.

Other Republicans Who Will Not Vote For Him

Robert Bentley, Alabama governor

Jeb Bush, former Florida governor and candidate for the 2016 nomination

William Cohen, former secretary of defence

Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota governor

Carly Fiorina, former candidate for the 2016 nomination

Darryl Glenn, from Colorado, running for the Senate

Kim Guadagno, lieutenant governor of New Jersey

Michael Hayden, former CIA director, former NSA director

Gary Herbert, Utah governor

Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor

John Kasich, Ohio governor, 2016 presidential candidate

Susana Martinez, New Mexico governor

George E Pataki, former New York governor

Tim Pawlenty, former Minnesota governor

Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state

Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor; former Homeland Security secretary

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, 2012 presidential nominee

Brian Sandoval, Nevada governor

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor

Ignore The Hype Of Republicans Threatening To Break Away Over Trump

Anti-Trump Republicans get lots of media attention. That doesnt mean they are relevant within the Republican party

Over 100 Republicans, including former officials, threaten to split from the Republican party, the New York Times declared on Tuesday. The next day the Washington Post upped the ante, headlining that the 100 Republicans were vowing civil war; the columnist Jennifer Rubin proclaimed the beginning of the stampede away from the GOP.

Sounds exciting, but what has really happened?

On Thursday, a group of some 150 former Republicans published A Call for American Renewal, a manifesto with the stated aim of building a common sense coalition for America. The call itself reads mostly like the US constitution but with a distinct anti-Trump undertone. While the former president is never named, the manifesto warns against forces of conspiracy, division, and despotism, opposes the employment of fear-mongering, conspiracism, and falsehoods, and rejects populism and illiberalism. It emphasizes the importance of the constitutional order, rule of law, and pluralism, while implicitly supporting immigration and explicitly celebrating our diverse nation. So far, so good; but is this anodyne statement worth all the hype?

Active office-holders, with power and relevance, are conspicuously absent from the signatories

This is the Republican party of an imagined past, harkening to a moderate, noble era that never really existed

Arizona Senator John Mccain

McCain, who ran as the partys presidential candidate in 2008, announced he would not be voting Republican and would write in a candidate through a statement on Saturday.

I have wanted to support the candidate our party nominated, he said in a statement. He was not my choice, but as a past nominee, I thought it was important I respect the fact that Donald Trump won a majority of the delegates by the rules our party set. I thought I owed his supporters that deference.

But Donald Trumps behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy.

McCains daughter, Meghan, previously told PEOPLE she shed tears when Trump clinched the GOP nomination for president at the Republican convention. She also said she would be writing in a candidate and voting for her father.

Republicans Are Overwhelmingly Sticking With Trump Yet Again

Days before his second impeachment trial, Trumps influence over the Republican Party remains as entrenched as ever.

Anna Jacobs is a Doha-based researcher on US politics and foreign policy.

On January 13, Donald Trump became the first president in US history to be impeached twice. Ten Republican members of Congress, including the third-most powerful Republican in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, broke rank and voted with the Democrats to charge the president with inciting violence against the government of the United States.

This took place exactly one week after Trump supporters organised a violent insurrection to take over the US Capitol Building and block the certification of Bidens Electoral College win, an effort that was supported politically by Republican members of Congress and senators who voted against certifying the electoral college win.

The FBI is also currently investigating the role that some Republican members of Congress may have played in aiding and abetting the January 6 insurrection, which led to five deaths and multiple injuries.

The final vote tally in favour of impeachment was 232 to 197. Every single Democrat in the chamber voted for impeachment, along with 10 Republicans. 197 Republicans voted against the measure, a testament to the now-former presidents continued popularity within the Republican Party.

New Poll Shows Republican Support For Donald Trump Is Plummeting

Donald Trump wields an enormous amount of power over the Republican party.  The power doesnt stem from his ability as a politician or his oration abilities. The GOP cedes power to Donald Trump because his supporters are incredibly fervent.

The actions of many Republican lawmakers following the November election showed just how scared they were of encountering Trumps wrath. The ice began to thaw, though, when the 45th president lost his ability to use Twitter.

And following the January insurrection, support for Trump among Republicans is plummeting. A recent survey conducted by Echelon Insights showed that Trumps popularity from GOP voters has dropped by 20% since December.

In the survey, 45% of Republicans said they would like to see Trump be the candidate for their party in 2024. Just two months ago, this number stood at 65%.

While 21% of voters wanted Trump to be convicted and impeached, 30% of Republicans want to see him banned from ever holding office again.

And while Trump would certainly like to run for president again in 2024, his path to the Republican nomination might not be so easy.

I Was Doing My Job: Capitol Officer Defends Shooting Ashli Babbitt During Riot

Former President Donald Trump ripped the Senates $1 trillion infrastructure package Saturday as a disgrace, warning that he was prepared to withhold his support for any Republican that was on board with it.

Joe Bidens infrastructure bill will be used against the Republican Party in the upcoming elections in 2022 and 2024. It will be very hard for me to endorse anyone foolish enough to vote in favor of this deal,Trump warned, taking aim at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on his negotiating prowess.

If Mitch McConnell was smart, which weve seen no evidence of, he would use the debt ceiling card to negotiate a good infrastructure package, Trump hissed.

Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer is pushing to pass the package on Saturday, fulfilling one of President Bidens signature campaign promises.

The fiery statement came just hours before the Senate voted to invoke cloture and advance the legislation on Saturday, bringing the bill one step closer towards final passage.

The Minority Leader appears to have brushed aside Trumps rebuke, voting with 17 other Republicans to break a GOP filibuster aimed at blocking the bill.

It is not the end, but it takes us closer to the end, said Sen. Tom Carper after the cloture vote. 

Which Republicans Have Deserted Donald Trump

US election 2016

A tape recording of Donald Trump making disparaging remarks about women has sparked howls of condemnation from Republican colleagues. More than 30 senior politicians have said they can no longer back him.

Here’s a list of some of the leading Republicans who have deserted him since the tapes were revealed.

But it’s not the first time Mr Trump has lost support from colleagues. Republicans have been deserting him for months over various scandals.

So who is on the “Never Trump” list and who’s still on Mr Trump’s side?

Republican Voters Back Trump But Not Lockstep Behind 2024 Bid

Republican voters hold former President Donald Trump in high esteem and tend to agree with his dubious claims about the 2020 election, but those sentiments are not translating into overwhelming support for a third White House bid.

Republican pollsters studying post-election surveys are settling on two seemingly contradictory conclusions they say are compatible. Republican voters prefer Trumps brand of conservative populism, what pollsters are calling Trumpism, over the traditional Republicanism of the preceding era; the former presidents agenda benefited their bottom line. But a growing segment of these same voters, frustrated by the perpetual chaos of the Trump presidency, would prefer a conventional, disciplined politician represent the party in 2024.

His working-class populism has redefined the identity and agenda of the party, said Republican pollster Brock McCleary, who advised Trumps reelection campaign. There is merely a segment of Republicans who like Trump but are open to discussion about who can best defend and advance Trump populism in the years to come.

GEORGIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES HE WON’T SEEK REELECTION AFTER FIGHTING TRUMP’S REELECTION FRAUD CLAIMS

Both are true, veteran Republican pollster Frank Luntz said, regarding the mindset of this significant cohort of GOP voters.

source https://www.patriotsnet.com/what-republicans-are-not-supporting-trump/

[lacnunga]

due to the recent attention quincey and my strange love child has gotten, i’ve decided to do a post of my ‘character building’ aka ‘me just aimlessly rambling at Q in tumblr chat and getting overly invested in our hopeless little loser’. enjoy (or dont idk idc)

Naruto oc Gear

·         platonic bff w/ kankuro

·         i feel like they deserve a mullet. they're completely oblivious to why other people Hate it. they think it's cool.

·         "it feels swishy kank. kank. feels like Wind Country style. kank why are you laughing?"

·         nobody understands why someone 'cool' like kankuro hangs around with this dork

·         its like kakashi and gai. kankuro just shrugs - "dude is a good listener. and they write valentines cards to karasu. they're a weirdo and i love them so back tf off'

·         gear:: nyah

·         kank: what?

·         gear, staring at him through their souless glasses: you know, nyah *makes kitty motions*

·         *gear proceeds to be drop kicked all the way to fire country border*

·         also, nobody know whether gear is male or female or...other?? except their doctor, who enjoys keeping it a secret from a frustrated kankuro.

·         gear has promised him a years worth of buying hi hamburger steaks if he manages to find it out, so kank has some incentive

·         its been nearly ten years...no luck

·         temari doesnt understand the friendship, but its not the weirdest thing her fam is involved in so

·         gear is v scared of gaara though, especially when gaara, in a bid to 'understand his family better' tries to get to know him. gear tries to avoid gaara, but he's. always. there.

·         kank in the end tells gear to Just Talk to Gaara, there's like a 50% chance he won't kill them (if only for kank's sake)

·         wind forwards to a v awkward interrogation session where gear tries to explain the appeal of fireworks and the concept of second hand embarassment

·         no wait

·         i just had a brilliant idea

·         gear is the pioneer of light up ninja sandals

·         are they practical? no way

·         are they weirdly satisfying? hell yeah

·         (when too many shinobi got caught in the field bc their sandals lit up, by decree of the kazekage they can only be worn in the village

·         and preferably never, according to Temari)

·         also gear is a big fan of shino. why? (because I love shino) but Actually because kankuro is still bitter about losing to him

·         so when gear meets shino they make it their mission to become Great Friends, aka the Hoopiest of Froods

·         Rub In That Salt. Can You Taste It Kank? All That Salt.

·         their name is now Gear, or in the japanese version, Giya ギヤ (aka just Gear in katakana - hell, if it works for Lee.) fter visiting konoha kank is sulking bc gear went on and on about how shino was a Cool Guy and had Flair and a certain je ne sais quois ( doesnt know what that means, but it sounds adoring and he Hates it. Gear is his friend, not Shinos)

·         Especially when he remembers that Shino kicked his asssss

·         eventually gear gets ticked off and commisions a cake with big writing on it 'STOP SULKING, KITTY'. kank is weirdly frustrated that gear has remembered his favourite flavour cake

·         gear makes him sarcastic friendship bracelets

·         though gear and shino bond over the fact that nobody knows what their faces/eyes look like. its sort of like an Achievement Unlocked.

·         Gear is then integrated into the Aburame family as a honors member

·         Gets home made pies when ever they visit

·         Kankuro is jelly as usual but does not argue over the pie

·         when shino demonstrates his kikaichuu technique, gear waves their arms around making obnoxious buzzing noises. shino sniggers.

·         hell most things can be forgiven for pie

·         gear actually becomes very good at mimicking the kikaichuu noises so when they go back to suna gear makes the noises when kankuro is least expecting it. the suprised punches to the nose are so worth it.

·         I can just see kankuro just spazzing out before just decking this nerd in the face!

·         Ok but Kin adopts them and loves them but just...just hates their fashion sense more then anything in the world

·         she just eyes their mullet with a twitching brow. gear is holding onto their visor with all their might and watching out for any kunai that might come close to his fabulous mane.

·         lets face it, if shino and gear had a bit of a 'snip snip' training accident, kin wouldn't be disappointed

·         and of course if gear becomes friends with shino, they gotta get along w/ team eight as well. kiba is eyeing their hair with a strange mixture of envy and incredulity. hinata draws gear up some new face-masks. they love them, even the pink floral ones.

·         hinata, handing over the masks: d-do you like them?

·         gear, choked up and holding back sobs: they're fine

·         Gear has a habit of coming to Kank in the middle of the night with the weirdest shit. They knock on his door at three in the morning looking like they're about to cry.

·         G: Kank I've done something awful I'm a murderer

·         Kank is basically ready to help bury a body

·         K:okay okay don't panic what did you do?

·         G: *whispering* I eat eight spiders a year kank. EIGHT SPIDERS. HOW MANY SPIDER ORPHANS HAVE I LEFT TO GRIEVING SPIDER WIDOWS KANK. I'm a MONSTER.

·         K:...go home.

·         K: Spends the night googling 'is it true you swallow eight spiders a year?')

·         i have the idea that gear was a really plain child. you know the kind that never really got noticed and people just realised they were there when they tripped over them.

·         and they finally got sick of it when they graduated the academy like

·         'well now im just going to be so Extra you wont have a choice but to notice me fuck you'

·         now thats not to say they realise the mullet is a bad idea, however it does have the extra incentive of people going 'oh hi- DEAR LORD WHAT'S THAT ON YOUR HEAD'

·         plot twist, they look so completely ordinary under the glasses and mask that even the people who saw their face don't remember it the second they look away

·         surprisingly gear makes an excellent undercover operative

·         Just take off the mask and goggles and visor, fashion their hair a lil, and put on a plain kimmon and BAM Gear is an under cover cop

·         exactly. kankuro is really weirded out by the idea that any of the sort of twenty yo people he passes on the street could be gear

·         Kankuro was terrified of gaara but boy o boy does Gear just raise the steaks a lil

·         They could be anywhere

·         Behind that bush, near the bush, IS THE BUSH

·         one time gear was on a mission with their team and they got separated. in the fight, gear lost his mask, broke his glasses and his visor got tossed. when they returned to their team they had to spend the whole journey back convincing them that 'YES this is me i swear see? im wearing the same underwear!' 'how would we know what underwear you started out wearing?' 'I THOUGHT WE HAD A BOND'

·         they meet kankuro on the way into town and gear is just like 'here, kank is my buddy, he'll tell you im me'

·         'well kankuro-sama, is this Gear?'

·         K:...im gonna be honest i cant fucking tell

·         K:but are they wearing blue boxers with ducks on them?

·         Squad captain: WHY DO YOU-???

·         Kankuro: THINGS HAPPENED OK THEYRE WEIRD AND JUST- DO THEY OR DONT THEY?

·         Gear: *shit eating grin*

·         Temari actually thought those two were together for a long time and they both just missed her euphemistic references to their ahem 'friendship' until Gaara mentions they couldn't put romantic partners on a team together and Kank just

·         ucking falls off his chair like

·         K: Wait what? Since when have we been romantic partners?? News to me??

·         When he talks to Gear about it they seem unfazed just straightfaced tell Kankiro that 'you make my kokoro go doki doki'. Kank doesn't speak to them for a week

·         Aka Gear is once again relegated to the sofa

·         Gear seems to say 'so worth it' a lot

·         Most of the time it really isnt

·         Gears surprisingly good a dancing, specifically the fancy pants type dancing.

·         So bc Kank is the kazekage's brother he's invited to a fancy do somewhere and he brings along Gear as his +1 bc hes a loser w/o a bf/gf. before the do he's just pointedly asking Gear like 'look do i need to teach you how to dance? because there will be dancing. fancy dancing. it will be Expected of You. do you want a dance tutor. are you sure? Are You SURE?'

·         Gear is just waving him off 'Relax kitty, its cool' Kank is just mentally preparing apology speeches for Very Important Peoples' crushed toes

·         the night comes along and Kank is making awkward small talk with some girl who roped him in when suddenly he's yanked away from the convo by Gear

·         before he knows it they're on the dancefloor and SURPRISE gear is waaaay better at dancing than kank's stiff penguin shuffle

·         gear takes great pleasure in dipping him really low at the end

·         and they never let kank forget about it

·         so i dont know if kankuro went to the ninja academy but lets assume he does

·         *did

·         so he and gear are in the same class

·         but gear is of course always forgotten

·         until one day kankuro notices them because IDK he runs into them and knocks them over or something

·         so somehow they hang out that day and kank realises 'yeah this kid is a good one i could hang out with this dude like forever. mine now.'

·         and the next day kank tries to find Gear except

·         the fucker is so Unnoticable

·         kank is just standing in the middle of the room scratching his head trying to figure out who the fuck he was talking to yesterday. gear of course doesnt have their sparkling personality yet and so is too shy/embaressed to go up to kank and remind him that 'hey this is what my face looks like'

·         eventually they do hang out again though

·         and the same thing happens

·         kank gets fed up and brings in his face makeup and like draws reminders on gears face

·         gear is fine with it, just wandering around all day with purple paint on their face

·         except ppl keep making fun of them so kank wears the paint as well as like a solidarity thing

·         of course gear finds his own look at the end of their academy days but kank carries on wearing the paint from then on(also gear used to be the kind of person who cried really easily and the paint showed it ALL up. they weren't too keen on walking around with tear tracks and smudges on their face, so mullet it is lol)

·         sad idea

·         gear is kankuro's first and best friend

·         sure, kankuro has other friends, but no real Friends outside of his fam later on, bc when he was smaller every interaction with other kids was coloured by him being related to the Sand Demon

·         kids didn't want to be friends with him bc they were scared for their lives (and kank threw himself into his puppet making for something to do bc puppets werent to emotionally fickle as kids)

·         so he latched onto gear and they became integral parts of their lives without even realising it

·         one day, gear leaves on a mission. they dont come back. they're declared MIA

·         it varies between villages but generally its one-two months before a MIA ninja is declared KIA

·         kank isnt worried about gear. gear is a tough dude, they'll come back.

·         a week passes and kank isnt worried

·         two weeks passes, and he's getting twitchy, spending more and more time hunched up in his studio, tinkering with his puppets

·         three weeks passes without a sign from gear, and he's wrecked seven puppet prototypes in senseless death battles and he doesnt want to think about why he's become so snappy and easily frustrated

·         (temari pops in on him every so often, forcing sandwiches and energy drinks on him even as he ignores her, whittling down a wooden ball joint with singular concentration)

·         the fourth week draws to a close and kank is visiting the mission room every day, lingering inside the doorway, scaring returning genin teams with his impatient aura. he's making trips around the hospitals in case they had an unidentified body turned in (he knows gear by their scars even if their face just wont stick)

·         saturday rolls around and kankuro is dragging himself down to the morgues, the crematoriums, clamping down on the threatening waves of despair - he asks by name, by description, by the rate of decay on any bodies returned by scavenging teams sent out across the sandy oceans

·         there is no sign of gear, not a peep as the fourth week draws to a close, the deadline for Suna mia operatives

·         he goes to the records office to bear witness as they change the status on gear's paperwork, and he feels hollow, like karasu as the red ink is drawn through the status box

·         he returns to his house, silent. temari is there, waiting, with a worried furrow between her brows (he thinks he even saw gaara, who was so changed since the chuunin exams, peer at him through his bedroom doorway opened just a crack, that emerald stare assessing, before retreating again)

·         he closes the door to his workshop with a calm firmness, blocking out temari's questions

·         kankuro stares at his puppets, propped up on various stands and in the corners, half assembled carapaces that seemed to mock him with their glassy stares

·         he snaps

·         kankuro thinks this is what gaara must have felt like, pulled under by the whirlwind of emotions as he rampages, trashing models and ripping up drawings and smashing incomplete headless, armless bodies. it feels like there isn't enough destruction to match the hole gear's death has left in his own chest and he only stops when his fist pulls its punch instinctively, barely an inch to karasu's face, those lovingly sanded planes and features carved with years of practice and patience

·         now karasu is left, his friend before, during, after Gear, and he never thought there would be an 'after Gear' - gear was only a chuunin, they didn't leave the village on any dangerous missions, not like the sand siblings

·         kankuro doesnt leave his workshop for three days

·         on the third he comes out, with karasu and gathers his supplies. he leaves for the funeral, to send off his friend

·         when they had visited konoha, he's seen their Memorial to the dead - a great stone slab, with their names carved into it, the oldest names almost worn away with time and touch. suna doesnt have a memorial - the souls of their shinobi are memorialised at the Oasis

·         the spirit oasis lies a few hours run outside of the city of suna, towards the east - once, or so the tales go, the oasis was part of a giant aquaduct that fed the blooming gardens of a wealthy empress, a long time before the establishment of the hidden villages. now, the oasis is a forest of crumbled stone and faceless statues, a giant pair of stone legs, broken at the knee marking the entrance. past there runs a river, mysterious in its crystal clarity - many suna scientists have tried to find the rivers origins and where it disappears to, but it remains one of the sand's greatest mysteries

·         it became known as the spirit oasis by the first kazekage, who saw the electric blue lights bob and weave above the rushing waters at night - he took it as a sign, and saw, from the top of the tallest ruin, the great crater that he would build his village in.

·         it is to the oasis that the suna shinobi go to remember their dead, and to let them go. it is where kankuro went. it is where he ended up kneeling beside the gently gurgling river, amongst the offerings of food and sake left behind from the visits of other shinobi. bells tinkle melodious in the soft winds, accompanied by the flutter of the shimenawa papers. he looked into the water, so clear he could see the mosaic tiles on the bottom of the aqua duct, and tried to imagine the corpse of his friend, buried somewhere under the grains of sand, lost, decaying until only his bones are left, to be collected one day many generations down, or simply to be forgotten until the gods reclaimed their peoples. kankuro imagines gear's spirit, their soul, instead, bobbing along in this river, laughing and dancing in the night, blue, bright, electric

·         "I- Geez, I can't believe you're making me say this, you idiot. I guess, I miss you. It hardly feels like you're gone. It's been, huh, i don't know how long. For me, weeks, since you've died, but I guess it only really hit me some days ago. You- urgh, you really always need to have the last word, don't you, G-"

·         Kankuro froze as the wind moaned. It was the wind, right? He knew the reports from the shinobi who had visited this place - odd sounds like groans and moans of the deceased spirits, and the embittered jounin who simply waved the tales off as the sounds the wind makes as it howls through the archways and pillars of the ruins.

·         he strains his ear for any other sounds and- there, again. It doesn't sound like the wind, he decides. it sounds like a person, a flesh and blood person. he rises to his feet, slowly pulling a kunai silently out of his pouch. he's ready for an attack as he makes his way through the labyrinth of ruins, following the sounds of grunts and pants of pain. he turns a corner and finds his quarry.

·         a fellow suna shinobi, judging by the tattered dull flak vest. brown hair matted to the head with crusted blood, the shinobi is slumped over a large piece of the ceiling that had fallen down centuries ago. as kankuro approaches, the shinobi gestured weakly with their own kunai, dripping blood onto the weeded tiles.

·         "who..." the shinobi rasps out

·         kankuro doesnt have to hear any more than that word - he recognises the voice, knows it because it's been cycling around his head with endless quips and puns and sarcastic riddles over the past few days. it was a voice he didnt think he'd ever hear again, and now that he has-

·         he dropped his kunai with a metallic clutter and swiftly crouched in front of the shinobi, casually brushing away the brandished knife that couldn't have speared a paralysed mouse. slowly, his hands grasped the drooped chin and he straightened the slumped head, so he could look the shinobi in the eyes.

·         they were brown and bruised around the edges. they stared back at kankuro for a moment, almost dead, before a spark of recognition lit up in them, and they crinkled up. the blood-tinted mouth stretched up too, showing a set of battered teeth. one hand come up to tug at kankuro's hair.

·         "...hey kitty. was the service...good?"

·         kankuro laughs and leans forwards, so his forhead touches the other.

·         "you're- you're a fucking idiot. you asshole-"

·         Gear just grins.

·         ………..

·         also i had an idea about gear's family

·         since they're hoity toity ima imagine they're an Old Clan

·         they were maybe friends of the first kazekage, and howsabout they built the water delivery system for the village

·         sooo even though they're not really relevant anymore (especially with the rise of more modern technology etc) they're still trying to regain that 'friendship'/allience whatever they had with the first kazekage

·         they consider themselves one of the village founders bc of their water systems but they're Not Really. basically the family is pretty stuck up and gear's parents are pretty peeved that Gear doesnt care more about his family history/doesnt conduct themselves with dignity

·         Gears parents are snooty plumbers

·         family name = 水瓶座/mizugameza

·         aka Aquarius/water bearer

·         not their original name but they rebranded themselves all fancy like after doing the village plumbing lol

·         gear is actually kind of embarassed about their family's attitude which is well known (and sometimes mocked) around the village

·         they prefer to just be known as Gear minus family name hence Kankuro didn't actually know which family Gear was a part of until quite a bit into their friendship

·         Gear ur a beautiful child I'm glad u were made

·         gear deserves all the happiness

·         the only reason im glad they're not canon is so they're spared the boruto ending

·