#same goes for best director honestly

[narumi-gens]

“the academy has a gender bias and a genre bias working against Greta and Margot’s favor” and “the academy loves Ryan Gosling and probably tripped over themselves in the rush to nominate him in a showy comedic supporting role in a movie that was a box office hit” are two statements that can both be true at the same time.

[tonycries]

Hope They Catch Us - G.S.

Synopsis. When you’re on-screen, it’s always a rivalry to see who’s best - you just never thought that it would be the same struggle in bed.

Pairing. Actor! Gojo Satoru x Co-Star! Reader

Content. MDNI, fem! reader, rivals-to-lovers, co-stars to lovers, unprotected, oral (fem receiving) slight exhíbitionism (stuff with cameras), marking, praise, Satoru is actually down BAD, cúmplay, tabloids, lowkey fluffy at the end, pet names, swearing.

Word count. 5.5k

A/N. YA GIRL IS BACKKKK ;D Also happy belated three months to this blog hehehe.

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---

You hated him. Oh, how you hated him. All because of a red-hot rivalry that had sparked ever since the two of you took the industry by storm. And everyone from Hollywood’s bigshots to your adoring fans knew that no matter where Gojo Satoru goes, you were sure to never be within a ten-mile radius. 

Well, usually. 

“I…shit- I’m in love with you.” 

Because avoiding Gojo like a plague really isn’t saying much when said plague was currently sitting right next to you. Eyes boring into yours, signature smirk plastered on his face while he rattles off a disgustingly sweet confession - all on the set of your latest movie. 

Somehow, in a cruel twist of fate, your co-star. 

And to add insult to injury, this wasn’t just any movie - it was only set to be the biggest romance film of the summer. So not only did you hate to tolerate Gojo, you had to pretend to be in love with him. 

Perfect. Great. Wonderful. If only the check wasn’t as tempting as it was, you think he would’ve successfully driven you to an aneurysm already. Especially considering that the scene tomorrow was-

“CUT!” 

That snaps you out of your little reverie, bringing you back to the still very ongoing film shooting. You risk a glance at the disgruntled director, cheeks aching from the sappy fake smile you had to hold for this scene.

“Something wrong?” you bat your lashes deceivingly innocently. You knew exactly what was wrong. And one look at Gojo - dressed to the nines and huffing sulkily at being interrupted in the middle of his monologue - told you that he did as well.

“It just doesn’t feel real.” The director shuffles his script, voice dropping to a sigh at your confused gazes. “The spark, it doesn't feel real.”

“What?” you silently thank your years of acting for keeping your voice steady. You squirm in your seat the longer the silence stretches. This cozy little café they rented out too tight, Gojo’s fingers intertwined with yours too hot. Too soft. 

“C’mon. You are in the perfect romantic set-up.” the other man gestures wearily at the café, at the dim-lighting and the proximity of your seats. “So why do you two look like you want to just- strangle each other?”

“Ooo kinky~”

It’s the first time Gojo’s spoken up since the scene was ended early and honestly that was enough to have you fulfilling the director’s suspicions. 

“That.” you give him a pointed stare. “That is probably why.”

And that just draws out such an infuriatingly light chuckle from Gojo, as he sprawls all over his chair with the audacity of someone that owned this entire set. “Lighten up. You’ve told us, n’ in the next take I’ll fix it. Easy peasy.”

If only it was that “easy peasy”. The director was anything but satisfied, running a hand through his hair frustratedly. “It’s not just me, even the public is worried whether your ‘feud’ will get in the way of such intimate scenes. You-” he jabs a finger your way. “-better pretend like you want to kiss him senseless and you-” whirling now to Gojo. “-better act like you’ve wanted nothing more for years- Not to mention tomorrow’s sex scene-”

Ah, right. The sex scene. 

How could you forget? It might not be a walk in the park to giggle and make heart-eyes at Gojo, but to actually pretend to have sex with him? All on camera? Curse whoever wrote this damn script. You could’ve almost laughed at the universe’s absolutely awful sense of humor if it hadn’t been for your paycheck - and the next words that tumble out of Gojo’s pretty mouth. 

“We’ll ace it, you just watch.” 

You hurriedly snap your eyes to meet Gojo’s, sending him a look that says “behave”, in a way that very much makes him not want to. Twinkling with such dangerous mischief that makes your stomach flip as he hums, “Or- I’ll ace it.”

God, was it a battle to remain professional. The only thing stopping you from snapping back being the way he squeezes your hand mockingly reassuringly - to which you send him a death grip back, of course. 

“Oh? Care to elaborate, Mr. Gojo?” the director asks, eyes flitting between the two of you. And you can’t even laugh at the rest of the staff for almost toppling out of their seats in an attempt to hear his answer - because you are, too. Mind whirling as you lean closer, wondering just what nonsense would come out of Gojo’s mouth. 

“Well, you could say…” he trails off suspensefully, like the smug bastard he is. Looking right in your eyes as he flashes an unfairly pretty smile your way. “I’m irresistible like that.”

Exactly the type of nonsense that would come out of Gojo Satoru, of course. And one glance at the director told you he was thinking the same thing. He was going to be the death of you. You can’t help but breathe out shrilly, “You fucking-”

“My apologies, director, but our leads have a scheduled interview soon. Rest assured, we will be early on set for filming tomorrow.”

You were definitely giving Nanami a raise after this. 

Because if looks could kill then Gojo would be six feet under and you’d be dancing on his grace already - and you let him know. A little over twenty times, actually, as the both of you are hastily escorted away from the set for an “emergency interview”. 

It was a flimsy excuse, you both knew, but Nanami hadn’t exactly felt like cleaning up a crime scene today. Instead, settling for a swift escape, the director calling out after you two to “Look like you’re gonna rip the clothes off each other tomorrow.”

Rip the clothes off each other, huh?

With the way things were going, you couldn’t be surprised if you ripped him a new-

“C’mon, sweetheart~” Gojo gets out through giggles, that familiar cackle echoing in the narrow hallway leading to your trailer. “Y’know I was just having a little fun with that ol’ man.”

He saunters unhurriedly behind your brisk pace, easily blocking the way you swing the door shut in his face. Letting it shut with such infuriatingly smooth nonchalance. 

“Fun?” you scoff, jabbing an accusing finger right in the middle of his sculpted chest.“Do you even realize the mess you could’ve made?”

“Easy there, m’not insured for these pecs just yet.” Gojo clasps your hands together. Some strange little part of your skin burning at the touch in- anger? Something else? But you don’t think too hard about it, because he’s plowing on, “Besides, a little teasing never hurt anyone.”

Such a shame he was so pretty with the stupidest mouth.

“A little teasing? You practically declared to everyone in that room that we’re gonna fuck this up.” you move to pull him down by the collar instead, clearly unimpressed.

But oh you shouldn’t have done that - because he’s so close now. Too close. Hot breath fanning your face, looking so smug as he murmurs unrepentantly, “Do you?” Chuckling lightly at your little head tilt, “Do you think we’ll fuck it up?”

You clench your jaw, trying to keep it all together. “...No.”

“Exactly. We’re good then.” he winks. 

“No. We’re not fucking ‘good’.” you grit out. Wondering exactly how difficult it might be to bother the director into completely recasting the male lead for the movie. Looking up at that million dollar smile and- yeah, it would be very difficult. “You’re so insufferable. I don’t know why they cast you.” 

“My good looks? My charisma? The way I’m the-” he trails off with a sigh at your glare. “Well, you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine, sweetheart.”

“At least I can act and-.”

He whines dramatically, cutting off your rant. “Me too!” 

This conversation was so ridiculous - but, hey, the great Gojo Satoru always did bring out the worst parts of you. 

“Nuh uh.” 

“Yuh uh.” 

“Then why are you so stiff when acting like you’re in love with me?”

Somehow, that makes Gojo shut up. Mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water - gasping out a strangled little, “B-because- well-” And if you didn’t know any better you’d say that was a light blush dusting his ears.

Only for a split-second, though, because he’s grabbing you gently by your shoulders, more seriously than you’d ever seen him. “Fine. Listen, we both want the same thing right? To have pretend-sex and ace this film to win like five Oscars?”

And maybe at the heat of his newfound proximity, maybe at the way he was looking at you so goddamn intensely - you feel something hot and prickly pooling in your stomach. Swallowing thickly, you manage to get out, “I’ll be the one winning the Oscars...but yes.”

Gojo’s gaze roams all over you - from the quirk of your eyebrow to the dress hugging you so sinfully tight. “Then we’ll do it. Ace the scene.”

Traitorously, a shiver runs down your spine. And because the universe loves to play jokes on you, Gojo notices - of course, he does. Eyes lighting up with amusement and something you really didn’t want to decipher as you blink up questioningly, “How?”

“Method acting, silly.” he rolls his eyes, as if he wasn’t implying something that wasn’t seen in even the cheesiest of romcoms. “Think of it as running lines.”

If there was ever a moment where your life flashed behind your eyes then this just might be it. 

“You-” you gulp, so hot all over. “You better shut the fuck up and pray your face is insured because-”

At this, Gojo throws his head back and laughs - loud and boisterous. And usually you’d have a thing or two to say about keeping his voice down so as not to let anyone outside hear, but shit you were mesmerized. Damn, a weird little part of you kind of understood why directors loved him onscreen. 

“Feisty,” he muses. “But how can I shut the fuck up when they’re second-guessing the two best actors in the game?” 

“The best? Me, maybe.” you lean in closer, mouth as bitchy as ever - even when you’re so obviously crumbling bit by bit under his gaze. And he knew that. “But not you.”

“Well, only way to find out is with tomorrow’s scene, right, sweetheart?” 

He drove you mad - everything from his heady cologne, to the way that overpriced button-up clung to him like second skin. But, don’t pull away - how could you? Not when he inches closer ever-so-slightly. Not when he lets those overpriced glasses slide down his nose, eyes locked so heavily on you.

Fighting to keep your words steady, “There’s nothing special about that scene, just fake moan in front of the camera, right? We don’t need any…‘method acting’.”

Gojo only raises a brow in amusement, lips curling into a grin that really makes you too aware of his little dimple by the corner. “Then why…” His eyes flicker down from his hands, searing on your shoulders, to yours - still grabbing his collar, just grazing the soft skin of his neck. Not pulling away. “...can’t you let go of me, sweetheart?”

And then you’re kissing him - or maybe he’s kissing you, you really don’t give a fuck. The only thing running through your mind being that shit this was Gojo bane-of-your-existence Satoru, and he tasted so…sweet. Like those cheap lollipops he often snuck on-set. Strawberry, you think.

But you don’t get to confirm, because suddenly he’s pulling away mere millimeters. Whispering hotly, absolutely dripping with something dangerous, “Sooo, is that a ‘yes’ to running lines?”

“Ugh, shut up.” your lips ghost his. “And just fucking kiss me.”

And, well, Gojo doesn’t have to be asked twice. Because it only takes a split second for his lips to find yours again. 

Yeah, definitely strawberry lollipops.

You hadn’t filmed any of the kissing scenes just yet, but damn you didn’t expect him to be so hot and messy - like he was drunk off of you. Licking at the seam of your candied lips, groaning softly like he wanted more more more-

“Sh-shit, Goj-” 

“Call me ‘Satoru’ when we’re fucking.” he cuts you off. “Or, my bad. When we’re ‘running lines’.” 

Shameless. Though, you guess you weren’t any better - not as you press yourself closer running your hands all over his sinfully thin shirt, feeling every bump and curve of his abs. “You talk too much, Toru.” you hiss, muffled against his lips. 

Oh that cute lil’ nickname had all the blood rushing to Satoru’s cock, you were so unfair. 

“You little minx.” Like a little punishment, he’s biting down on your bottom lip, tugging lightly at your surprised squeal. “You’re gonna regret that.”

“Hmm, I doubt it.”

And then your back is hitting the couch before you can react, bouncing lightly at the sheer force. And you’re so swept up in him - the way he hovers over you, arms looping around your waist, his knee wedging between your legs - that it almost hurts for you to pull away.

“Patience.” you huff out a laugh at Satoru’s disappointed whine, eyeing those pretty pink lips mere inches away from you. You just wanted them on yours. So badly. But no, there was something more important you had to do right now. “Jus’ thought we should record our little rehearsal, whaddaya think?”

“Record it?”

“Record it.”

“Record it, hmmm?” he’s whispering, more to himself than you. Fumbling with the zipper of your dress. “So you’re sayin’ we tape it, let the camera see how pretty you look all fallin’ apart f’me.” Kissing down your neck, letting the flimsy fabric fall down, “N’ then we improve for the pretend sex. Shut all those snobby directors up by giving them the best fucking sex scene they’ve ever seen.”

“Y-yes?” you mutter, as he starts tweaking your hardened nipples through your bra, clearly having way too much fun with this. “Unless-”

“Fine by me.”

The fabric hits the floor before you even realize what’s happening. Head spinning too much from the idea of being fucked on camera - by Satoru of all people, it takes you a second to realize that this bastard fucking ripped your dress off. 

“You probably broke-” 

“I’ll buy you a new one.” muffled, as he kisses down your navel, blindly fumbling with his phone. 

“It was expensive.”

With an impatient sigh, Satoru sets the camera up on the coffee table beside the couch. “Five new ones.” Angling it just right to perfectly capture you - in all your disheveled, horny glory, and Satoru, smugly seating himself between your thighs. 

“Ready?” he asks, finger hovering over that damn red button.

Well, it’s just for rehearsal, right? Right? 

“Do it.” you manage to get out, voice getting stuck in your throat at the faint ding! that rings throughout the heady room. “For my Oscars?”

“For my Oscars. N’the camera’s gonna know.”

And whatever retort on the tip of your tongue dies when he rocks his hip against yours, grinding his cock against your soaked panties. Rock-hard and so damp with precum already - so big that any and all rational thinking flies out the window.

Which is probably why you’re letting out such a pretty gasp, ‘S-Satoru, I want-“

“What?” And Satoru only flashes you a devilish grin, hands spreading your legs as far as they’d go on the couch. “This?”

He licks a long, long stripe up your inner thigh, all the way till he just meets the hem of your drenched panties. Teasing. So hot and depraved in the way he breathes in your scent. 

“Oh fuck, sweetheart.” Satoru grunts, looking down in awe at the damp fabric, so flimsy and see-through with your sweet juices. You slick beading through so sloppily, just a hint of the state you were in. “You don’t know how you drive me mad.”

Rip! 

He’s so fucking starved that he’s just tearing your poor panties clean off. Throwing them behind him to God-knows-where before spreading your swollen folds with his thumb, showing off just how wet you were for him. 

“You’re a tease.”

“And you’re fucking addictive. Look how fuckin’ wet you are. For who, huh?” he slurs, breath hot against your cunt. Circling your entrance just barely with his fingertip, teasing you like he was addicted to those frustrated moans coming out of your pretty lips. 

“S’for you-” you whine, “All for you, Satoru.”

“Exactly what I wanted to hear.”

And that’s all that needs to be said before he’s burying himself nose-deep. Drunk off your pussy as he licks long, languid movements. And it wasn’t enough - never might be, actually, because only one taste and Satoru was like a man possessed. 

Bullying his tongue between your folds, just dipping into your sloppy hole in a way that had your slick smearing all over his pretty face. Letting out such deep groans that had you clenching around his hot tongue. 

Shit, if you knew that this was the way to shut up the great Gojo Satoru then you would’ve done it a lot sooner. Because for one in his life, Satoru’s too entranced with something else to run his mouth, so fucking satisfied between your thighs. 

“Fuck- hah- think I like you better w-when hngh- you’re like this, Toru.” you purr, breath hitching as he bullies his tongue between your folds. 

Maybe you were an idiot - maybe you were a genius, because that only sets him off more. 

And suddenly Satoru’s pulling your body closer onto his hot mouth, like you were weighless. Pushing himself so impossibly closer while he makes out deeper with your wet cunt. 

“Ah! Hngh- Satoru-” you keen, tugging at his soft locks. As delirious as Satoru was pussydrunk. Drinking in all your cute lil’ whines of his name, angling your hips to lick all over like he couldn’t decide between fucking your sloppy hole or toying with your poor, ravaged clit. 

“Mhm?” he murmurs, the vibrations making you squeal.  Eyes rolling to the back of his head as lets your sweet juices slide down his throat. “Ya like this?” Stretching you out on his tongue, thrusting in and out of your sloppy hole. Over and over- “Like when I tonguefuck your pretty pussy?”

“Ngh- love it- s’good. Ah fillin’ me up s’good.” you squeal, bucking your hips desperately into his pretty face, broken little whimpers leaving you at each rough push of Satoru’s tongue. 

And oh Satoru thinks he wouldn’t mind being on his knees every day if it meant he got to taste you like this. “Tell the camera too, sweetheart. Practice how you’ll come around my tongue.”

Those words send a jolt up your spine - or maybe it was the way Satoru was sucking harshly on your clit. “F-fuck off.”

“Mhmmm, n’ this is why I’m the better actor..”

Ugh, this fucker. And with that you fight to turn your head - looking right in the camera. Feeling so fucking lewd as you let out such pornographic moans.

“Yeah- feel s’good.” you whimper, “Wanted this for so long, ever since I first saw- ngh- you-”

And shit were you so fucking evil - at least warn a guy! Because that has Satoru’s heart lurching, almost jumping up from between your legs before it hits him with a pang - ah, right, you were just quoting your character’s lines. Of course.

Well, two can play that game.

“Yeah?” he mutters into your folds. Two fingers plunging knuckle-deep in your pussy, massaging your plushy walls. Roaming around for that one spot he knows will have you falling apart so deliciously. “Can’t believe I waited s’fucking long. Y’know how hard it was to hold back? With you wearing all those slutty skirts f’me?”

Your body is jerking violently, both at his - practiced - words, and the way he was devouring you like you were his favorite meal. His favorite taste.

So eager and in-character with the way he was setting such a dizzying pace on your poor cunt. Slick trailing down from his fingers, all the way to his wrist. So sloppy and- Pressing down. Hard. “Found it.”

And you can only sit there and take it, such cute little whines of Satoru’s name leaving you as he leaves no mercy. Jaw grinding deeper and deeper, maddening. Aching as he rolls and swirls his tongue against your clit over and over. And you were so-

“Close?” Satoru’s grunting and smacking his lips against your own. Truthfully, he didn’t even have to ask - if the way you were trembling and squeezing so fucking tightly around him was anything to go by. “Go on darling. scream my name. Show off f’the camera like you do best.”

“Sh-shit. Toru- fuck yes-” you’ve got an iron-tight grip on his hair now, pulling and angling him as you pleased for more. Barely able to let out those strained lil’ moans, definitely not with the way he’s dragging your sloppy pussy all over his face. Fingers cramping up from how rough he was going - but still not stopping. 

“Go on. Cum f’me.”

And then you are. Letting out such a teary, strangled moan of Satoru’s name as you cum all over his face. 

And it’s not just for the camera either - because this orgasm is probably the best one you’ve had in a while. So hard that you don’t even realize you’re arching and rocking your hips into Satoru, white-hot pleasure behind your eyes, blood roaring in your ears. Using him. 

And he doesn’t stop you. Why would he? You were so pretty falling apart all because of him. He wishes he could see this more often…

“S-Satoru.” you mewl, overstimulated. Jolting with each flick of his tongue, trying to close your legs but you can’t - he won’t let you. Greedily lapping up all your sweet juices, everything that you give him. 

“Nope.” he drawls, finally pulling away, delicate strings of your slick snapping as he does. Looking so fucking drunk off of you that it makes your cunt quiver exhaustedly. “C’mon now, sweetheart, you were s’pposed to say my character’s name. S’how the scene goes.”

Oh. Shit, you got too caught up. But one look at Satoru - eyes half-lidded, hair disheveled, your juices glistening all over the bottom half of his face so prettily - tells you he was much the same. 

“Well…” you huff, voice shot. “According to the script you were supposed to stuff that-” pointedly eyeing the achingly hard cock straining his pants, “-in my mouth first before eating me out. So here we are.”

With a chuckle, he rises slowly. “Touché.” Looking you straight in the eyes - and probably into your very soul - as he pops his fingers into his mouth. One by one. Groaning at the taste of your sweet sweet juices while he sucks them clean. “But I don’t think I’d last one second with those pretty lips wrapped around my cock.”

And it almost makes you want to tease him for it - one of Hollywood’s biggest It Boys but you can’t handle a lil’ blowjob? But all of that gets stuck in your throat as Satoru starts peeling off his shirt ever-so-slowly. 

Shit, you think. All mouthwatering curves and dips, all the way from his toned, milky shoulders down, down, down to those neat tufts of white peeking out from the hem of his underwear. Sculpted like he was handcrafted so meticulously - a fucking masterpiece, you had to admit. 

One that made you wish you took a longer look at all those shirtless magazine covers instead of throwing them out. One that had your thighs squeezing in such anticipation.

And Satoru seemed to be admiring you just the same, eyes locked on your pussy, the way it glistens and clenches around nothing - so ready for him. Distinctly aware of how pathetically needy you were being in front of the blinking camera, you crane your head to glance at it. Was it really capturing-

“Now now, first rule is to never look at the camera during this scene.” Only for Satoru to squish your cheeks together, forcing you into an embarrassing little pout as he turns you back to face him. “Look at me.”

And oh you can’t not look at him. 

Especially when he tugs his pants down, just enough that his throbbing cock springs out, so fucking long and pretty. Smearing glossy precum all over his abs, flushed your favorite shade of pink, rock-hard and so so angry. Shit, he was so hard it looked like it hurt. 

“Satoru…” you breathe, legs wrapping around his slutty waist to pull him closer. Only needier despite that little nagging voice wondering how the fuck you’d take his sheer size.

“Sweetheart?”

“I remember he didn’t do a lot of waiting in the script.”

And God were you right - but Satoru doesn’t think he could’ve kept this act of restraint up any longer even if you weren’t. Too impatient, too starved, his sanity dancing away from him with each second his fat cock wasn’t stuffed inside your pretty cunt. 

“Mhm.” he purrs, one hand reaching down to drag his fat head up and down your slit. Heavy balls squeezing painfully at the way your lip wobbles in frustration. Up and down up and up and- “You’re right.”

And then it’s like something snaps.

Because it only takes a split-second for Satoru to start splitting you apart on his massive cock. Big fat tears pricking at your eyes at the feeling that he was pushing all the way into your lungs. 

“Sh-shit, s’fuckin’ tight-” he lets out a low grunt at the slight resistance, taking everything in him to not just fuck into your snug pussy and use you like his little plaything. “You gotta hah- relax, pretty girl.”

You needed to relax more - to breathe maybe, just something. You weren’t even in the right state to wonder whether that little nickname was in the script - and God was Satoru thankful for that. Because all you can think of is how you never imagined what the bane of your existence would look with his cock stuffed in your dripping cunt - but now that you’ve seen it, you think you’ll imagine it for many lonely nights to come. 

“Hey, now. Don’t get camera-shy just yet.” Satoru gives your ass a playful smack. “After all, this is only the best- part-”

Each word is punctuated with shallow, mindless little thrust to fit himself inside your dripping pussy. Such cute lil’ whines leaving your swollen lips that he really can’t help but tease you a bit. Leering down at your fucked-out face with a smirk, “Or- my bad. Forgot such a scene would be hard for a rookie.”

Oh, did he know how to press your buttons just right. 

Because immediately, you’re blinking away the delirious haze in your eyes, voice so adorably shaky - but determined - as you grit out, “Bring it on, you B-list wonder.”

That’s all that has to be said before he’s finally bottoming out inside you, mercilessly. Inch by fucking inch. You gasp as his twitching balls smack your ass so lewdly, feeling his veins beat in such a slutty lil’ thump! thump! thump! against your heavenly walls. 

“T-Toru- big- ngh- too fuckin’ big. M’gonna break mpf-” his lips claim yours. Partially because it’s been way too long since he’s kissed your pretty lips, and partially because Satoru might just cum right then and there if he let you run your mouth. 

So he lets his hips do the talking instead. 

Cooing into your mouth at each little ah! ah! ah! every time he stuffed you full of his dick, quick, experimental thrusts to try and find that one spot he knows will have you falling apart so prettily.

“Sounds so beautiful, sweetheart.” rocking his hips faster into yours. So hard you were sure he’d leave marks. “No camera in the world can pick up how fuckin’ perfect ya are. Can’t ngh- pick up those cockdrunk lil’ heart eyes.” Angling your chin just so that your sinful expression is caught on camera, “Shit do ya even know you’re doing those? Might just make me lose it for real tomorrow. Might just make me sneak you off to the dressing rooms n’-” Manicured fingers digging into your hips while he fucks you in jagged, purposeful strokes. Hitting that one spot. Hard. “Fuck you all over again.”

You flinch as he uses you like some object. Dangerously liking it more and more as he smugly hits that magical spot over and over- 

And it was so sloppy - so filthy with the way Satoru still had remnants of your slick all over his lips, matching the way you were soaking his cock. Fingers moving down to draw erratic little patterns on your clit, making it even messier. 

Close - too close. 

So, so desperate and debauched.

“C’mon. Show the camera. Tell the camera how much you love it.” 

“Ngh- f-fuck you.”

“Oh? Who’s fucking who now?” he’s laughing at your absolutely wrecked state. You can feel Satoru twitch inside you as you mumble out such delirious little praises to the camera - were they coherent sentences? You’ll never know, because the next words that fall from his lips have your mind reeling. 

“God, m’addicted to you, my girl.”

“That’s not- ah- in the script, Toru.” you hiss. Close. 

“I know. And neither is that.” he leaves such uncharacteristically gentle kisses down your neck. Miles away from the relentless place on your poor, abused pussy, fucking you deeper and rougher every time despite already bottoming out. “Does it have to be?”

“Th-that doesn’t ngh- make sense.” you gasp into his open mouth. 

“Doesn’t have to.”

Maybe it’s the way Satoru’s panting those words against your lips. Or maybe it’s the way he’s looking right in your eyes while he says them - like it would kill him to pull away. Maybe even that fleeting little kiss he leaves against your lips. 

Because before you know it, you’re cumming and cumming so hard that you wonder whether you’d make it out alive. The only thing you can do is throw your head back and take it, thighs quivering, Satoru’s names spilling from your lips in such broken little whines while he thrusts so sloppy. Once. Twice. 

“Ah- this is gonna have me fallin’, huh?” And then he’s letting out such a low, muffled moan of your name, filling you up with rope after rope of his cum. 

What? 

It’s so messy - his cum overfilling your poor pussy, spilling out and coating his twitching balls. Shit, you can’t even worry about whether it would stain that overpriced couch below you. Not when Satoru’s whispering out sweet- lines from the script?

“Fuckin’ beautiful underneath me. Always was.” Hips still fucking into you - not even thinking at this point. “Always will be. Such a vision onscreen, sweetheart.” So thick and hot, and dribbling all the way down your legs with every movement.

And then Satoru’s lips are finding yours again, tasting so unfairly sweet while he drinks in all your cute breathless gasps. “Such a vision f’me.”

Those weren’t from the script either.

Something soft. Something scary. Something that has you looping your legs tighter around his waist, letting him collapse onto you. Pulling him closer, in fact, because now that you know the weight of his body on yours, it just felt so right.

It takes a moment of silence for you two to catch your breaths, the still rolling camera being the last thing on your minds. Neither willing to speak first, because shit Satoru might’ve gone to countless red carpets and film sets but this - you are what strips him away from all the glamor and fame. Until he was just, well, embarrassingly Satoru.

The Satoru that was now shifting shyly in your arms, trying to get up. “Uh- Hell of a way to run lines, huh? Better check the camera n’ see where to impro-”

He might be one of the biggest actors in modern Hollywood, but Satoru didn’t fool you - not one bit. So without a word, you’re tugging him back to rest against you. Heart lurching just a little bit as he buries his face in the crook of your neck. Like a little hideaway - from the camera, from the world, hell, maybe even from you.

“Y’know,” he flinches ever-so-slightly at your teasing tone, giving you a playful bite. “I have one area of suggestion and it might just be that you’re too good at ‘running lines’.”

“...Good enough to win those five Oscars?”

“No.”

“Then guess I better prove it to ya, huh? Is the camera still on, sweetheart?”

Just then, some weird little part of you thinks that, hell, maybe you don’t hate Gojo Satoru after all.

Not anymore, at least. 

---

The Enemies-To-Lovers Trope of The Century?! Hollywood’s Biggest Rivals Sport Matching Hickeys (And Smiles) On-Set of Upcoming Film.

Oops! Gojo Satoru's Phone Wallpaper Accidentally Exposed: Surprise, Surprise It’s His Leading Lady! More on Page 6.

“No Comment. Though, I Have Moved Trailers. Twice.” Anonymous Manager Speaks on Latest Movie Rumors.

Director Is All Smiles As He Raves About Upcoming Romance Movie. “Hell, If I Didn’t Know Any Better I’d Say They Were Really-”

A/N. Plagiarism not authorized.

[totallyboatless]

It is time, friends, for another Pip's Weed Essay game. The rules: I'm about to take an edible and start writing a mini-essay in one sitting. I edit a tiny bit as I go, but for the most part this is on the fly. I've thought about this topic a lot, but haven't outlined it. I'll let you know when the edible hits, but there's a chance you'll realize it before I do. (PIRATE FRIENDS STICK AROUND - this is Pip from the future, I get pretty high in this, but anyway I'm here to tell you that this goes in a very unintended OFMD direction that i'm still reeling from. Anyway back to Past Pip)

Edible ingestion commencing, time: 7:37pm Mountain Time

I polled my followers for the topic, so today we're going to talk about:

Fixing the Puck Problem

I've read and seen A Midsummer Night's Dream more than any other Shakespeare play. At this point I don't know if I've seen it so much because it's my favorite, or enough opportunities for me to see it have lined up that it's become my favorite by default. It's easily the Shakespeare play I know best. I haven't seen a staging that I fully disliked, but there are two elements of this show that I feel like are rarely handled the way I want them to be.

Problem one:

Puck will never be as funny as Bottom

It's common to consider Puck to be the main character of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He's at the very least the most famous character in the play. Puck is a dream role, and obviously with his being a fairy, he's usually directed to be weird and whimsical--and a lot of the time, playing for laughs. It makes sense, he's a trickster, it's built into his nature.

But in modern day, his lines and actions don't translate as well as Bottom's. In all of the times that I've seen A Midsummer Night's Dream, I've *never* seen a production where Bottom fails to steal the entire show away from Puck. I've had multiple experiences where I could feel the director wanting me to laugh at Puck; I could see the reasons for the direction, but it just wouldn't hit. In those same productions, I've laughed so hard at the Bottom scenes that I cried.

I'm thinking particularly of the 2010 production with Judy Dench reprising Titania (honestly still in shock over seeing that lolol) and the 2019 Bridge Theatre production (which you can find streaming, it's *incredible*).

In the 2010 show, the Puck actor kept doing what honestly felt like a Woody the Woodpecker impression lol. He would pause for laughs and they just...wouldn't happen. Meanwhile, Bottom was set up with the kind of success that let him steal at least one scene from fucking Judy Dench.

In the 2019 Bridge Theatre production, I genuinely like the direction they gave Puck--he's a weird little twitchy Irish punk doing fucking aerial silk shit. But even with a unique vibe and a fun performance, it's still not enough to outshine Bottom.

Basically my thing is that I want to get to the end of A Midsummer Night's Dream and feel more connected to Puck. I *want* him to be my favorite. And there's just absolutely no way to make him my favorite if his core purpose is to be funny. Puck is supposed to be a larger-than-life being--the audience is never going to buy that when he's not even the largest character on the stage.

The second problem is smaller, and in fixing it there's also a fun chance to fix the Puck problem:

Problem two:

The audience usually doesn't understand why Titania and Oberon are fighting.

If you've gotten this far you're probably already a nerd who knows this, but gonna pose the question like I've done for other people I've seen the show with: Why are Titania and Oberon fighting? What's the core reason?

Bc you're a fucking nerd you probably yelled CHANGELING! Which yes, good for you, if I had become the Shakespeare professor I wanted to be but didn't have the money to become, you would be in my class and I would throw a snickers at you for a reward.

But the thing is, a *lot* of people who only know the play casually don't know. And most productions don't assist them in knowing.

Elaboration for non-nerds: Titania had a "and they were roommates" totally not at all lesbian relationship with a human women who was pregnant. The women dies in childbirth and Titania takes the child to raise, and she cherishes him more than anything, which is an extremely straight thing to do. In the play, the character is only referred to as the changeling. Oberon gets super jealous of this kid and wants to steal him away and make him join the Wild Hunt so that he can have Titania's full attention back, because he's got that issue creepy men get when they have kids and then are like "I'm jealous of my son because he's making it less likely for me to fuck my wife" and it's like "dude calm down with this projection of an Oedipal complex."

If you're not a coward and read Titania as in love with the changeling's mom, then Oberon's issues are maybe slightly less creepy, but like not really

So that's it really. Titania loves this kid of her sapphic lover that died. Oberon is jealous about it. He decides to play a trick on Titania both as a way to get revenge, and also as a distraction so he can steal the kid.

But the issue is that 1.) all of this is communicated in a long and kind of boring speech, and 2.) the changeling literally never has a line and also no stage directions

The 2010 production had a hot dude chained up and writhing on stage in a kind of hot dance snake movement thing when Titania talks about him, but most productions never even have an actor cast as the changeling. I was really shocked they didn't have anyone for the 2019 production, given how much I love most of the rest of their choices.

OKAY SO. We now have the two problems: Puck isn't the fan favorite even though he should be; and most people in the audience have no fucking idea about the changeling.

(THIS IS HIGH PIP FROM THE FUTURE I FORGOT SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS PROBLEM: If you do know about the changeling/follow along with that plot, it's *very* hard to root for Titania and Oberon when they reconcile. Which can be fun and cool and a little hot even maybe if you're going all dark, but thIS IS A PLAY ABOUT HORNY FAERIES HAVING A GOOD TIME so I won't be having that. I want this play to make me like that Titania forgives Oberon so easily. Okay Past Pip, take it away)

lol okay yeah weed friend has landed, I just wandered away for a minute with a desperate need to put taquitos in the air fryer. Time stamp: 8:16.

OKAY FOR REAL NOW LET'S GET INTO:

Pip's Most Ideal Staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream Which Fixes the Problems in Theory

The Staging:

First off I want the production to be in the middle of the literal woods where there's pretty lights in all the trees and people are sitting on blankets and have snacks and drinks and drugs and whatever they want, and the whole staging has the actors weaving through the audience. Not just theatre in the round, full immersion

I also want people to not fully know where the production is, just that it's on the outskirts of the forest, and then the actors emerge from the woods at a designated time and bring the audience to the secret stage section. And ideally this would be like a park on the outskirts of woods so that there would also be people there who wouldn't know what the fuck was going on. And ideally some of the fairy actors convince them to come along and the people go having no idea what they're about to get into. That's how A Midsummer Night's Dream is meant to be experienced in its purest form: with actors dressed as fairies trying to seduce unsuspecting strangers to follow them into the woods to an unknown location where they'll probably be offered drugs.

TAQUITO TIME

Taquitos acquired.

Puck's direction and motivation:

When Puck is first introduced, it's by a fairy called Peasblossom who's otherwise not a big part. Peasblossom lets the audience know who Puck/Robin Goodfellow is by basically going stan-mode and being like "holy shit you're famous." PB literally starts listing his greatest hits.

So picture with me: instead of an extremely fairy-like whimsical Puck, I want a Puck that wanders on-stage like a burnt-out rockstar. Cigarette in one hand, beer in another. Probably on a cocktail for faerie super magic mushrooms. Just fully numbed out. In this moment, Puck feels way more human than faerie--and I want the performance to be in a way where that feels off. To have it be communicated in manner and clothing, and the juxtaposition of PB recounting Puck's glory days, that Puck hasn't always been like this. This isn't a faerie trickster in his prime. This is a man who's lost all sense of fun and is going through the motions.

That's what happens, right, when you become just a little too famous?

Puck is the only one of the main characters who gets to the end of the show and is entirely alone.

(my favorite thing about being high is how *good* it makes food taste, these taquitos are not fancy but with the power of the devil's lettuce it's so good--oh my god I have Dr. Pepper)

(I'm back with the Dr. Pepper. I'm having fun, are you guys having fun? If you've made it this far i kiss u)

So Puck is alone at the end of the play while everyone else of import is either with their lover or with their theatre-kid-found-family. And it's largely because Puck lives between worlds. He's not powerful enough to be fey royalty; he's Oberon's right-hand man, but he's not Oberon's peer. But the lower fey court are also not his peers -- they treat him like a celebrity, he can't actually connect with them. He's not allowed to frolic and play with them anymore, not really.

With this interpretation and direction, we now have a Puck whose action in the plot can lead to a happy ending (keep with me), and whose existence isn't just to be quirky and whimsical for the audience. Instead it's a Puck with a motivation: he's lost all joy in his job, he's disconnected from him community, and Oberon only treats him like a fuckbuddy so he's sexually frustrated. (Oh right yeah I was supposed to write about how Puck is in love with Oberon. He is.) That's all fucking sad, bro! And you know from the Pip that traveled into the past that this play is fun and should be fun!

Now for the final part, where we put in the special ingredient to tie this particular Puck direction into the happy ending:

LET'S 👏 GET 👏 GAY 👏

Do you guys (gn) remember the changeling? It was like possibly an hour ago, the time-warp this particular edible always sets me on has fully set in. It's possible this essay is like 5k words long. It's also possible it's only 500 words long. I wish I was lying when I told you I don't know.

Anyway, the changeling. Let's make him a fuller character and let's give him to Puck wrapped up in a sexy, charming bow.

Picture this: The Changeling, from now on capitalized as a character, shown on stage in Titania's court. Locked up like a princess in a tower because Titania is desperate to protect him. And the Changeling is all *sigh and flutter big beautiful princess man eyes* because he wants to explore what's out there. Because he's a man who's grown up and been forced to live between two worlds. He's not fey royalty, he's not Titania's actual kid and she kind of honestly treats him more like a momento of her lesbian lover than an actual adopted kid. He can't be one of the fey court, because he's not fey, and also he's not allowed to frolic and play with them.

That should sound familiar to you if I did it right.

Puck and the Changeling, both feeling the same sort of empty spot. So let's smush them together.

Give the Changeling all of Peasblossom's lines. It makes more sense for a detail I left out before, too--Peasblossom doesn't recognize Puck they see him for the first few lines. Once they do they're all like "omg you're the dude that makes people horny for each other and also some other trickster things." They know all of Puck's stunts, but they don't know what he looks like? It's clearly an exposition device, but it's a weak one (sorry, Shakesy). He's the rockstar of the fey world. You'd have to be living under a rock or, I dunno, locked away like a beautiful man-princess --

(Okay you know where I'm going and I have to stop there because I'm cry laughing, I swear to you -- I swear to fucking god, guys, I wish I was joking -- I thought I was being cute and clever saying "man-princess". Not because of irony. IT'S BECAUSE I FORGOT THERE IS A WORD FOR A PRINCESS WHO IS A MAN AND THAT IS A PRINCE. Okay i should clearly wrap this up lol)

In this staging, the Changeling clearly doesn't want to be locked up. So...he finally finds a way to sneak out. He goes on a romp through the forest and that's when he runs into Puck (this is the scene where we first meet Puck). The Changeling wouldn't recognize Puck, though he's have heard of him. He probably loves stories because what the fuck else does he have to do, so he's asked the fairies to tell him about Puck's adventures over and over. Meanwhile, Puck wouldn't recognize the Changeling because Titania has been keeping him so under lock and key. It allows an opportunity for them to connect on more of a peer basis as they--

Holy fuck. Wait. Hold on. Is the Changeling Stede. Is Puck Ed. What the fuck. Did I write an AU on accident. I don't even like AUs very much (sorry AU writers it's not personal it's just not my thing).n ANYWAY sorry for the pirate aside. God this is properly off the rails now.

They like each other, you get it. And now Puck has someone he wants to impress. There's not a lot of opportunities to give the Changeling more lines, but that doesn't mean he can't appear on stage. He can stay with Puck (hiding from Oberon whenever he's there, leading to some good chances for physical comedy) and go on the nighttime adventure of his dreams.

This leads to a fun, unique choice: having Puck fuck up the love flower juice plan on purpose. So that he can show this hot dude following him around with wide enthusiastic eyes the kind of things he's capable of OH MY GOD THIS IS ED AND STEDE I SWEAR THIS IS NOT ON PURPOSE I AM JUST NOW SEEING THE PARALLEL

Okay we're nearly at the end I promise. We just have one more problem to solve: How are we supposed to root for Titania and Oberon to get together when Oberon literally publicly humiliates her and then steals her adopted son and forces him to join the Wild Hunt even tho Titania REALLY doesn't want him to? Well, the first one is easy, Titania and Oberon are so fucking kinky, and Oberon likes getting cucked (remember he's only jealous of the Changeling, never the lesbian).

The second one is also easy. Make it the Changeling's choice. Leaving Titania and joining Oberon's court means two things: He gets to be with Puck, and joining the Wild Hunt allows him to go on exciting adventures. If Titania saw that the Changeling wanted this with the staging that both Titania and Oberon look over and see Puck and the Changeling making out right after Titania's spell is broken. Then Oberon can jokingly delivers the line about having stolen the Changeling, realizing that the plan worked but in the most ridiculous way possible. And how could Titania not find joy in all of that?

It makes me so much more glad to see them get back together.

Puck's closing soliloquy is his most famous, but I like his last big monologue right before it better. There's a very important line he says that communicates an important shift within the context of his particular staging:

And we fairies, that do run

We.

Puck isn't a lonely, washed-up rockstar anymore. He's part of a "we." Not just the Changeling, but the other fairies, too. Puck and the Changeling act as bridges for each other, to be part of each other's worlds in a way that feels like a whole -- OH MY GOD IT IS ED AND STEDE

Puck being alone on stage isn't so sad anymore, after all that. Because Puck, who starts off the play with so little sense of belonging, now has so much to go back to.

And that's it, that's my ideal staging of this play. Honestly, I really, really want to direct it. I have no experience directing but I have the audacity to think I could do it lol. No resources, tho

OH ONE LAST THING HELENA NEEDS TO BE INTO PUP PLAY

also the lovers are all in a polycule, that's just a given, any other staging is cowardly

alright bbye

[exit]

final time stamp: 9:25 PM, not rereading, just hitting post. We die like Mercutio.

[klbwriting]

Not Romeo, Not Juliet

Chapter 2: Great Stage of Fools

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Todd x f!reader

Warnings: bullying

Summary: Jason goes to auditions and at Dick's urging, tries to make friends, it doesn't turn out well

When we are born we cry that we are come / To this great stage of fools

— KING LEAR, ACT 4 SCENE 6

               Jason had hoped to just coast through this theater class.  He would get some side part like Fortinbras or Marcellus, in fact he was auditioning for those parts, not working super hard on getting anything right, just knowing he would be in the show and have a group of people who, so far, weren’t that bad.  The other seniors, two guys and a girl, were alright and made him feel welcome as soon as he joined their row in the auditorium prior to auditions. 

               “You don’t look the theater type,” one of the guys, Jackson, said.  Jason glanced over at him and shrugged as the other guy, Matt, muttered something about Luke Evans.  “Ya, but Luke Evans is British, that’s why does theater.”

               “My guardian signed me up, thought it would help me mellow out,” Jason said, trying to make conversation.  This whole situation sucked but he might as well make the best of it, that’s what his therapist was always telling him anyway.  He was reading over the few lines he was doing for Marcellus, ignoring the eyes of the girl, Chelsea, on him. 

               “What is with the white hair?” she asked finally.  The guys stared at her.  “Do you die it like that?”

               “No, was in an accident over the summer, turned some hair white,” he said, very practiced in that response after the first couple days of school.  He was getting a little tired of it honestly and couldn’t wait until everyone just forgot about him being new.  She nodded and turned back to her book, throwing looks at him as she tried to read her lines. 

               “Jason Todd, Matt Peters,” called the theater director.  Jason and Matt stood, going to the stage.  “Ready for Marcellus and Horatio, Act 1, Scene 1, lines 70-90.”  Jason brought the script up, checked where that was and put it down.  He already knew the lines, had read Hamlet quite a few times, and didn’t want to bother holding the book.  Matt started to look nervous, still holding up the script to read.  As the scene started Jason felt himself slipping away.  He was someone else, he didn’t have to be weird, zombie, ex-vigilante Jason keeping a lid on his emotions and his anger.  He could be this guard, seeing ghosts and just trying to get by without losing him mind.  Ya, he could do that. 

               “Good now, sit down, and tell, he that knows, Why this same strict and most observant watch…” he started.  The words flowed out of him, and he found himself really getting into it.  When the scene was stopped, he stood quietly, watching Matt eye him curiously.

               “Where did you come from?” he whispered to him as they walked off the stage.  Jason shrugged.

               “Homeschool,” he answered.  He sat back in his chair, pulling out Frankenstein, and starting to read that.  He could hear the others discussing him but tried to ignore it.  Then he heard them mention someone named YN and he stilled, thinking back to the alley and her bandaging his hand.  Not the same person probably, but the name just sprung her face into his mind, and he had to shake himself to get back to the present. Weird. 

               “Hey Jason,” Chelsea called.  He looked over and saw them all facing him.  Great, ganging up on him, lovely.  “So this show is going to be in the citywide high school Shakespeare competition in December, and we were thinking of going to check out the competition, Gotham Academy is having an open mic night fundraiser for their theater program on Friday night, how about you come with us?”  Jason was about to say that sounds terrible when he thought about Dick that morning.

               “You should make some friends, it wouldn’t be so bad to have to hang out here if you invited people over,” he had said over breakfast.  “Plus, you’ve never really been allowed to have friends since you were like 10, why not make some now?”  Jason had to admit he was right, once you became Robin it was hard to be friends with anyone, you just worried about them finding out, or them getting hurt.  He wasn’t Robin anymore, he was just Jason, and that thought, being just Jason with no friends, did kind of suck.  So fine, why not?

               “Sure, what time and where we meeting?” he asked.  Matt handed him a crumbled flyer that read Gotham Academy café, Friday night, 8PM.  “Just meet you guys there?”

               “Yes, it’ll be very fun,” Chelsea said.  They were dismissed, the roles would be posted on Monday.  The other seniors walked him out where he saw Dick waiting for him at the car.  “Is that your dad?”

               “No, that’s my older brother,” he said, heading over to meet him.  Dick let him in the car and then joined him to drive.  “Keeping tabs on me, mom?”

               “Yes, I am,” Dick said honestly.  “How did auditions go?”

               “Fine, met a couple people, we’re going to some open mic night at Gotham Academy.  Something about a Shakespeare competition?” Jason said, leaning his head back to the chair. 

               “Good, friends, friends will keep you out of fights clubs,” Dick mumbled.

               “Not likely.”

               Friday rolled around and Jason was heading out when Dick handed him a tracking device.  He glared and snapped it to his leather jacket.  If he didn’t Dick would just have one implanted anyway.

               “You know that’s fucked up right?  I’m not a puppy,” Jason said, grabbing his book and wallet. 

               “I know, but you’re also prone to not being where you say you’ll be,” he said.  Jason grunted.  One time he sneaks out and suddenly he’s never going to be trustworthy again. 

               “You know, sometimes I wonder if Bruce wouldn’t be better at this,” Jason snapped.  Dick sighed, not saying anything.  Jason knew he should take it back, but he was annoyed now so he just left instead, taking the bike from the other night and heading over to Gotham Academy.  It was still warm in the late August evening and Jason didn’t really want to be inside at some café, so he was pleasantly surprised when he parked and saw chairs set up on a grassy lawn next to the school.  There was a staging area on raised pallets and several people were already seated with coolers and bags of food from local restaurants.  He felt more relaxed knowing that he wasn’t going to be confined to a closed in area with people he didn’t know and probably wouldn’t like. 

               He paid for a ticket and moved among the folding chairs, finding the others from school.  They had two coolers and pulled a water bottle for him from one.  He sat down, not sure what he actually expected.  Seeing YN walk on stage at the beginning of the show wasn’t it though. 

               “Hello everyone, and thank you for coming to our open mic night fundraiser to help fund this year’s Shakespeare competition show ‘MacBeth’,” she said and a round of applause sounded.  He looked around, seeing a decent size crowd there, more than he thought would show up for a theater program.  He clapped at first, then noticed the others weren’t.  He frowned as they shook their heads at him. 

               “What?” he asked as the first act started.  They leaned in close so no one would hear.

               “That is YN, she was runner up for best actress last year for her role in The Tempest, she lost to Amber, she graduated last year, but she also caught Amber screwing one of the judges at the afterparty and told the Gotham City theater council.  Got the award taken away.  I mean, so what if Amber wanted to make sure she would win?  She was winning anyway, YN is not talented,” Jackson explained, glaring over at YN who was sitting off the side of the stage, watching the show, checking her notes every now and then.  Jason just nodded and looked back at them. 

               “Ya, we have a great surprise for her after the show, she’s going to regret being such a bitch last year,” Chelsea said.  Jason frowned but didn’t say anything, just sat back to watch the rest of the show.  Maybe these guys were not who he wanted to be friends with after all.  He sat quietly as they headed for the final act, which was YN.

               “Thank you everyone again for coming, as MC I have the honor of the final performance and I’m taking a request from one of our freshmen ladies who really just wanted some Taylor Swift tonight,” she said.  There was a keyboard setup and she sat down at it, playing some chords to a song Jason didn’t know.  Then she was singing, and Jason wasn’t sure if he ever wanted her to stop.

He was sunshine I was midnight rain

He wanted comfortable

I wanted that pain

               Jason listened, staring at her.  He had never heard this song before, but he doubted anyone sounded as good as YN at it.  She felt these words, felt this heartbreak and Jason could feel it through her.  It was intoxicating and he wanted to talk to her, wanted to know her, wanted to make this heartbreak stop.  He didn’t realize that something was placed in his hand until he saw what the other seniors were doing.

It came like a postcard

Picture perfect, shiny family…

SPLAT

               The water balloon hit her square in the face, breaking and dousing her in Koolaid, the red staining the soft purple shirt she was wearing.  Two more went flying and landed on her body as she stood, eyes focusing on the group from Bludhaven Prep, narrowing at the sight of the water balloon Jason had just realized was in his hand.  He looked down at it and then at her.

               “O shit…” Matt said as YN launched off the stage, giving chase.  Jason was slow to react, diving over people as he followed the other three towards the parking lot.  She caught up to him, tackling him from behind, forearm around his throat.  He ran couple more steps before falling to his knees so he could flip her over his head as gently as he could.  She landed on the grass with an ‘oof’ and stared up at him.  She growled, turning around and getting on her knees.

               “Listen…” he said before the fist hit his face.  He reeled and grabbed her fists before she could throw another.  “Hey!  I didn’t know they were going to do that!”  She glared, looking at the bandage on his hand, the cut on his palm healing slowly, and recognition dawned on her.

               “Jason?  Really?  You’re with those assholes?” she asked.  He shook his head.  “O so you don’t go to Bludhaven prep?”

               “Well ya, I go there now,” he said.

               “And you’re in the theater program?” she asked.

               “Yes, I just auditioned a couple days ago…” he said.

               “And the first thing you do when joining them is all decide to come here and ruin my open mic night?” she asked.  Then she stared at him, remembering where he had seen her, where they met.  “Did you tell them where I live?”  He made a face, confused. 

               “No, I didn’t even know you went to Gotham Academy, I was just here because they said they wanted to check out the competition and I was trying to make friends,” he explained.  You looked around, there was a crowd slowly gathering around you two. 

               “Get out of here, and I never want to see you again,” she said, shoving him back.  He stared at her for a moment, seeing her looking around, her face shifting from humiliated, to hurt, and then, her eyes falling back on him, rage.  “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!”  In that moment he wished Dick had left him in the ground.  He knew from her eyes that he had made an enemy for life.  He ran to the parking lot, got on his bike and drove back to the penthouse, unable to get her hurt expression out of his head.    

[rodlaveraryna]

graf cup brainworms

we! deserve! a wta! laver! cup!

i mean, just look at the wta rankings. a wta laver cup would be a lot more competitive and balanced and fun than the atp version and it would also be grounds for a bunch of great player interactions that we deserve, so i'll be going over teams :)

graf cup is named after legend steffi graf, one of three singles players in the open era to win a calendar year grand slam. the other two are rod laver, who the laver cup is named for, and margaret court, a bigot. it will be held in berlin at uber arena, same location as the atp version. yk, if this was real.

also, i have no clue how teams are made for the actual laver cup. i just made these teams because i can. i'm the tournament director of this nonexistent tournament. what are you gonna do?

team europe

edit 4/23: i had no idea navratilova was such a piece of shit lord… alternative captain suggestions are much appreciated

team roster: ― iga swiatek ― aryna sabalenka ― daria kasatkina ― jasmine paolini ― mirra andreeva ― paula badosa

notes team europe:

― i NEED daria and natalia to give us some bomb ass graf cup vlogs. i just know they would give us the best interviews and behind the scenes look at how it all goes.

― aryna and jasmine are both great in singles and doubles so that's def something they can use to their advantage

― honestly seeing players i like interact with each other was like. a major part in selecting these teams. idk i just feel like everyone here is so lovely and amazing and that's only going to be heightened because of the not super competitive atmosphere

― i have a massive soft spot for mirra. i think everyone who knows her does. i would love to see the whole team just absolutely adoring her

― iga and aryna becoming friends??? maybe??? i like my rivalries sweet off court and fiery on court so it'll be nice seeing them interact

― can't forget the best friendship in tennis aka sabadosa!!! lowkey i don't ship them because they just remind me of me with my best friends but i think a really close platonic relationship like that is SO important and valuable and i'm really glad they have each other like that.

team world

team roster: ― coco gauff ― elena rybakina ― ons jabeur ― zheng qinwen ― emma navarro ― leylah fernandez

team world notes:

― emma and coco feel like they would be a great pair. they're both close with ben it seems so i feel like they would be friends. also they're professional american tennis players. to use some terminology from @fritzes, american idiot solidarity

― the difference in vibe between coco and elena will be absolutely hilarious. i think they'd get along don't get me wrong it's just funny they seem so opposite to me. would love to see them play some doubles together that would be so fun...

― honestly i feel like all doubles permutations in this team would be so funny. if any of these people actually played doubles together (besides coco/emma/leylah with each other) i would be like "what the fuck is she playing doubles with her????" and i think that's beautiful.

― not to make too many comparisons with the laver cup but team world here isn't just america ft. canada. that shouldn't be a super tall order because this is team WORLD but we've all seen the trends for teams in the mens version.

― everyone loves ons yall. including team europe. we all just love ons so much.

― i'm ngl i don't have too many ultra specific notes for this team i just think it'll be good vibes and good tennis. it'll also be very appealing for me personally because i love all of these players and i know most of tennisblr loves them too :)

[crushonwoo]

Darling

pairing : junhui x fem!reader genre : actor au, series, fluff, smut warnings : size kink, cream pie, unprotected sex, praise kink, sub!jun, softdom!reader, slight indication of pain kink, choking, cockwarming summary :your best friend minghao attempted to throw you a surprise party for your 21st birthday and you finally meet his twelve best friends. a/n : I was supposed to post this on jun’s bday but got to lazy oops.  ALSO TEXTS IN BOLD IS JUN SPEAKING MANDARIN  teaser | one

A package was thrown at a distracted Junhui. “You got a package.” Was all Seungcheol said before he left the room to deliver the remaining mail to the other members. Jun is thrilled by this since the only package he has been expecting is the script and schedule for his upcoming movie.

Being the great friend he is goes to find Vernon since he knew he would want to be a part of this. He finds him in the living room with Wonwoo. “I got the Darling You script.” Jun announced and gained the attention of both of them.

“Wait, you’re gonna be in the movie?” Wonwoo asked shocked that he now just found out that his friend will be in a movie about his favorite book.

Junhui just nodded and opens the package and took out the script and began to skim through it with Vernon doing the same from beside him. Every now and then he’d ask Vernon for some help regarding the definition on some of the words. Jun eventually handed the script over to Vernon to look over. The actor grabbed his schedule and was pleased that the director was able to work around the tour schedule.

“No way!” Vernon had shouted gaining Jun’s attention. “You have a sex scene!” Junhui quickly looked down at the script.

Sure enough there it was. Jun’s character has sex with y/n’s character. “Oh god I forgot about that, I didn’t think I’d get the part so I just signed it anyways!” Jun began to panic at the thought of having cameras film him in an extremely intimate act. “Do you think they’d get a stunt double if I asked?” Of course Junhui knew that he wouldn’t be completely exposed in front of a camera he was still terrified at the thought of pretending to have sex with his coworker in front of so many people.

Vernon laughed at Jun. “I’ll do it!” He eagerly shouted, he’d love any opportunity he could get to being close to y/n. “We all know that carats are going to love you after this movie! They will probably hate y/n though.” Vernon couldn’t help but to voice out his thoughts which only scared Jun more.

“Oh god I’m going to have to see y/n naked!”

“Are you seriously complaining right now?” Vernon’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Oh right I forget you’re a virgin.” His voice was barley above a whisper as if he was telling a secret.

It was Jun’s turn to gasp in shock. “No I’m not stop saying that!” He then hits Vernon’s head.

“Well fucking one person twice doesn’t really count especially if you couldn’t make her cum.”

His face heated up with embarrassment and anger so Jun turns his entire body to face Vernon ready to attack him for his blunt words. Wonwoo being completely quiet until now only chuckles at his friends and takes out his phone to record the two to show the rest of the group later.

It’s a bittersweet moment for Jun when the tour finally came to an end. Bitter because he finished touring and won’t be seeing his friends so often. Sweet because he is about to go to LA with Joshua for a movie he gets to play a lead role in. Of course Jun had left all his packing until the night before his flight leaving Joshua to scold him for causing him to stress out about the situation. “Jun, why were you packing bed sheets?” Joshua continued to question the actor regarding his packing. “I told you we can buy everything when we get there, we just need to take necessities.” He had commented as he pulled a flashlight out of Jun’s luggage. “Where do you think we’re going? You’ve already been to LA!” Jun only shrugged as he watched his older friend empty his entire suitcase. “We have to start all over.”

Honestly if it wasn’t for Joshua, Junhui would have missed his flight and missed the table reading he’s currently at waiting for his costar to arrive. She wasn’t late it’s just everyone decided to show up extremely early. Jun was scared of getting lost and being late so he too showed up a half hour early. Everyone was here and waiting patiently speaking amongst themselves. Jun felt like the odd one out, because everyone here has already worked with one another on other projects. So Jun is the new kid keeping to himself and pretending to be busy on his phone with his notes app open. 

“Hello everyone!” Your sweet voice interrupted Jun’s typing. “I decided to buy some treats from my favorite bakery for everyone as a celebration to our first table reading.” Your hands were full of boxes and you began to struggle with closing the door.

Before Jun could react and put his chivalry into action, four different sets of hands rushed to remove all the boxes from your grip. “Y/n you didn’t have to!” The director spoke as he got up from his seat and hugged Jun’s costar.

Seeing you in photos and seeing you in person is completely different experience. Jun can understand why everyone (Vernon) was obsessed with you, but in person Jun could see it for an entirely different reason. Especially as you took your time greeting every single person in the room. You were kind and overflowing with confidence with each conversation that you have tailored to every individual person. You stood before Jun with a shy smile the complete opposite of what he witnessed from your previous conversations. “Hi, I’m y/n. I’m really excited to get to know you Jun.” She stuck her hand out for Jun to shake, which he did, he even sent her his very own shy smile. “Sorry I looked you up as soon as the cast came out.” Jun noticed how your nose scrunched up in embarrassment from the information you told him.

“Oh, um that’s okay, I looked you up too.” Which is only half a lie because Vernon just gave him a lecture about who you were and showed your Instagram page. Which made Vernon jealous once he saw that you had followed him. Of course Jun followed you back and his fans without hesitation voiced out their opinions on it and began to speculate. “My friend is kind of in love with you.” Jun blurted out not knowing how else to go on with the conversation.

And you giggled, amused with the random information. “Oh really, is he in your band?” You carried on the conversation before taking a seat right next to Jun as everyone helped themselves to some of the tasty bread.

Jun nodded. “His name is Vernon, he’s from New York.” Jun could not stop the word vomit. Vernon is going to murder him when he arrives on set. “He’s a rapper in the group, I’m part of the performance unit.” He continues and grows even more embarrassed. Your genuine smile had only encouraged him to keep going.

Before you had a chance to comment the director had decided to start the meeting. Going over the schedule of when they’re going to be filming certain scenes. Jun began to fidget in his seat when they informed everyone that one of the sex scenes is going to be filmed at the end of this week. That was not enough time for Jun to mentally prepare for that. They went over the schedule quickly and moved onto the script. The entire cast read their lines and the writers would make adjustments. It was a good script and Jun felt so lucky to be a part of this.

The two of you had created the type of relationship that every director dreamed of their two costars having. It was all thanks to you of course. Since you made it a habit of inviting Jun out to the city to show him all your favorite restaurants, even inviting Joshua to ensure Jun was comfortable. You would even invite him to your place to go over scenes you would be filming the next day. Like right now, only you both got distracted and went to target only to stumble upon the album section. Jun had pointed out his album. You both had a few hours to kill before needing to be on set so of course you bought it. Which is how you ended up live on your Instagram to do an unboxing. “Jun they're asking which version this is.” You nudged his shoulder wanting him too answer since you didn't know.

“It’s the carat version.” He answered in English since most of the viewers were your fans. Jun tried to respond to the comments as best as he could but they were popping up so fast that he wouldn't be able to finish reading the sentence. 

“Ooooo, Jun you look so good on the cover.” You showed the cover to the camera even as going as far as putting your hand behind the album. Jun could only chuckle and brushed off the compliment. He watched you put the album down and moved on to the photo cards. “Aww, I didn't get you. Who are these people? They’re really cute.” Again you showed the camera the cards.

Without hesitation Jun answered your question. “They aren’t too important they're just staff.” You raised your eyebrows at him not believing him at all. “Its a way for us to say thanks for their hard work.” He lied easily which you giggled knowing he was lying since the comments were telling you. “Besides you're an ot1 fan, it means you only like one group.”

“Who are these men.” You held them to the camera and you read the comments. “Hoshi, Scoups, Jeonghan, and Vernon, hey isn't Vernon the one you said has a crush on me?” His eyes widen knowing that Vernon will definitely get back at him for telling you about his crush on you.

Jun quickly ended your live. “Y/n that was supposed to be a secret!” You just laughed as you started to open the pack of just his cards.

“I feel like I'm collecting Pokemon cards like in middle school.” You stated as you looked at every single card. “This one is my favorite, you have a really cute smile.” Jun noticed how you always complimented him, at least ten times a day and it always got him getting shy and growing red. 

Jun liked the attention from you, maybe a little too much since his dick would twitch after every single one. “Our fans usually put their favorite one behind their phone cases.” 

You grabbed your phone. “Guess, I gotta buy a clear phone case to show you off.” Jun didn't think as he gave you his clear phone case and handed it to you. “You’re so sweet Jun, here we can trade.” You handed him your white phone case and you centered his photo card and put your phone in the case. “Look it's so cute!” You showed him and he smiled liking the thought of you taking his photo everywhere with you. 

“Oh no.” His group chat was blowing up. He always muted the chat whenever he was with you but the amount of messages that kept showing was alarming and he knew the boys have heard about the live.

sol : ur dead to me

sol : unsubscribed from our friendship

sol : I am now a jun anti

scoups : LMFAO SINCE WHEN DID I GET DEMOTED

hosh : honestly I didn't expect you to break my heart jun I expected more from you

wonu : what did I miss ?

hao : ???

han : okay but which one of us did she call cute

sol : yeah tell us 

shua : @ hao and wonwoo Jun went live with y/n and called scoups, soonyoung, Vernon, and jeonghan staff, then y/n revealed that jun told her about Vernon’s crush on her

hosh : don't forget about how he told her she's an ot1 

jun : I can explain

jun : shes my friend not yours = ot1

jun : she called me cute bc she's an ot1 so stop

gyu : do you like her ?

jihoon : he definitely likes her

sol : honestly don't blame you but ouch im sad

jun : no comment

jun : im busy leave me alone

wonu : busy rehearsing those sex scene aren't you ;)

hosh : I forgive you GET IT JUN

gyu : I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT JUNHOE

hao : that's bc ur the ultimate man whore

deekay : Vernon look away

kwan : CHAN LOOK AWAy

dino : and i oop

sol : heart been broke too many times

scoups : just us a condom ?

“What's going on? Are your friends mad?” You peaked at his phone but he wasn't worried since the texts were in a different language. Jun just shook his head no. “Good, come on we gotta go.” The walk to the set Jun felt his nerves bubble up from his stomach and spread to his throat. Today was that scene. “See you in there.” You smiled and waved before you went towards your trailer and he went to his. 

Jun couldn’t help but to question if you were feeling as nervous as he was about having to film a sex scene with someone you had met the beginning of this week. It was basically soft porn. He knew this would also be your first time filming this type of scene from a conversation you had a couple days ago so that information helped him feel a little better. He changed into the skin toned briefs needed for the scene and threw on the robe before walking to set to get his makeup done. You sat in the chair next to him in a robe similar to his. The type you'd get at a luxury hotel, white and fluffy. You didn't see him since you had your eyes closed and lips puckered as your makeup artists worked on you. 

He sat patiently in the chair as his own hair and makeup artist worked on getting him camera ready. You finished earlier than him so you waited and chatted with his artists. “Im not lying I swear!” He wasn't really paying much attention to the conversation since he was so worried about touching you the wrong way or doing something wrong in front of so many people. “I don't know how to do my own makeup, well just the basics, I can't even put on fake lashes or do eyeshadow.” Your laughter got his attention, he always thought you were the prettiest when laughing. All it took was for Jun to have an outing with you once to be wrapped around your finger. 

“You’re all set Jun.” You smiled and got up with Jun and walked with him to set after he had thanked both the ladies.

You both met up with the director who wanted to go over the scene before they started filming. “Remember it’s supposed to be hot, fast, and rough.” He had said ending the small huddle. “And lots of passion!” He shouted as you both walked to your chairs to drop the robes.

Jun wasn’t insecure of his body and never has been, he was however scared of what you would think of him. It was almost unspoken how you both turned your backs to each other to drop the robes. You were also extremely nervous and slightly terrified since this would be the first time you'd be dressed in something so little in root of an entire movie se filled with cast and crew members. You were just amazing at acting like you were the most confident person alive. It was silent as you both turned towards each other to walk on set to start filming the sex scene. 

There was no hiding the fact that it was extremely awkward as you both got into position against the wall. Jun’s hand pressed against the wall next to your head as his other hand grabbed your leg to wrap around him. He refused to look down at your body knowing that as soon as he loses eye contact he would get hard and possibly ruin everything. He just couldn't risk that. “Action!” The director shouted and a second later your lips met for the first time and Jun had to force himself to not enjoy how soft and plump your lips felt against his. 

He knew he fucked up as soon as he pushed himself deeper between your legs and felt your cunt against his dick. The thin clothing on both of you didn’t leave anything to the imagination. He knew it was only a matter of time until he grew embarrassingly hard from just grinding alone. Your hands were everywhere rushing to grab any part of his body you could to show the camera how eager you were for him. It wasn't until you let out a fake moan followed by an out of breath I love you when he jerked away from you and rushed off set apologizing to everyone as he yanked his robe back on and left the building. 

Joshua rose from the couch at the sound of the front door. “You’re back already?” He questioned Jun’s appearance. Body still covered in the robe and slippers. He watched him pace back and forth. “Is everything okay Junhui?”

“I messed up.” He admitted as soon as he realized he had actually ran away from filming. “Oh my god I’m going to get fired.” He began to panic which led to the older one to join him.

“Jun what happened?”

“I don't know, she said she loved me and I got hard and so I ran away!”

“So? Thats her job, to act out the script!” Joshua shouted in disbelief. “She will probably forgive you for abandoning her and leaving her alone in front of everyone in little to no clothing right?”

Jun’s eyes widen at the realization. “Oh god, I’m an asshole. Can you take me to her place so I can apologize?” The guilt set in and Jun could only hope that his actions didn't effect you.

Joshua being the good friend he is nodded. “Just maybe change and look presentable?” He teased his younger friend who agreed and went to go change. “Call me when you want me to pick you up.” Jun thanked Joshua for the ride before shutting the door and walking up your driveway. He had no idea what to say. Sorry, you got me really hard when you said you loved me and so I was about to cum in my pants. Definitely not that.

He knocked and waited patiently for you to answer your door which didn't take long. “Well fuck me.” Jun muttered under his breath when his eyes landed on you with wet hair and a silk pink robe. Clearly just finished having a shower. “Sorry, I just wanted to apologize about today, if you're busy I can come over later.” Jun went to walk away before you grabbed his wrist tugging him inside your home.

“Jun, you’re so dramatic. I’m not busy, now tell me what happened today.” Your voice was sweet which only added to his guilt knowing you didn't deserve what he made you go through today.

He let out a sigh as you led him to the living room. “You know I have never filmed anything like that.” You nodded remembering the conversation. “Well a certain body part was enjoying it a lot more than it was supposed to and I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.” He admitted not making eye contact and refusing to take a seat on the sofa. “I’m also sorry for running away, I was embarrassed and didn't want anyone to see.” 

“Junnie, its okay, it happens.” You walked up to him and held his cheek in your palm. “It was my first time filming something like that too, hell I also got a little excited.” Jun felt hypnotized, from your soft touches to the way you’re looking up at him. “Maybe we should practice.” You offered which led to your other hand pressing against his chest and slowing going down to his abs and staying there waiting for him to say anything. “Do you want to practice Junnie?” 

“I’m not . . . good.” 

He felt embarrassed as he spoke out his insecurity to you, scared to receive a negative reaction from you. “That’s okay, I’ll help you Junnie.” The nickname you rarely use and your gentle tone is his undoing. 

Jun doesn't think as he rushes his lips to greet yours in a soft kiss. You are addictive, and Jun cannot get enough. He feels your tongue swipe across his bottom lip. Everything about this kiss is soft and innocent, the complete opposite of what happened on set. Jun feels your hand lower from his stomach to palm his semi causing him to let out a small moan at the contact. Your tongue enters his mouth from the moan and your tongues explore each others mouths. Jun can't think feeling so overwhelmed with the sensual kissing and you caressing his cock. This time you moan into his mouth at the feeling of him growing harder in your open palm.

“Oh Junnie, you’re so big.” You whisper to him as his lips leaves yours so he can rest his forehead against yours to watch you palm him through his sweatpants. He felt so thick and large in your small hand and you looked forward to the feeling of his cock stretching you out. Jun couldn't help but to thrust against your hand at your words. “Do that again.” You removed your hand to wrap a leg around his waist to feel his girth against your barley clothed crotch.

Jun watched as your pink silk robe revealed your white lace panties. He grasped your thigh to help you have balance before he did what he was told to do. “Fuck.” He whispered as you moaned into his shoulder. Breath almost as warm as your pussy. He continued to grind himself onto you, position similar to earlier on set. He wasn’t sure if the wet spot on his sweatpants were from you or him, he didn't care everything felt so amazing.

Your plump lips attached onto his jaw and trailed open kisses until you reached where his jaw connected to his throat, right below his ear, you gently sucked and licked. All while continuing to moan directly into his ear. His other hand wondered to hold onto your waist, his thumb rubbing the skin directly under your breast. You weren't wearing a bra. “So hot when you speak mandarin.” You tell him right before you lick a stripe from the base of his neck up to his ear before softly biting his lope. Jun’s hips faulted at the new feeling. “Junnie please fuck me against this wall.” You have never been known for being patient especially in a situation like this.

“Whatever you want y/n.” Jun’s voice a lot deeper than usual as your greedy hands goes to remove his shirt, him still holding most of your weight against him and the wall. His shirt is removed so he goes to untie the robe, but leaves it on, Jun quickly attaches his mouth to your bare nipple. He bites and sucks for a moment before he parts. “Hold on baby.” You attach your arms around his neck and both legs wrap around his waist as his hand push his pants low enough to free his achingly hard cock and kick the rest of his pants off. Jun pushes you back against the wall tugs onto you flimsy panties with enough force to rip it apart so he can rub his pink tip to your entrance.

Your juices spread onto his tip and your head falls back and hits the wall with a soft thud. “Put your fat cock in me Junhui, please fuck me.” You moaned out as you pulled his hair. He eased the head of his cock into you. “Such a good boy for me Junnie.” You were breathless as he continued to lower your pussy onto him. He stretched you out so much that it caused a fiery pain that was pleasurable for you. “You feel so good in me, keep going baby.” Jun loved your praises as well as the new pet name.

He continued to softly thrust in and out of you at a slow pace both of you enjoying the feeling of each other. “So fucking beautiful.” Jun grunted as he watched his cock disappear into you just before coming out glistening in your wetness. “So tight and warm.” You felt so full and deliciously stretched out every time his hips met yours forcefully. The sound of squelching and the feeling of his veiny cock rubbing against your inner walls had you moaning for more. The power behind the thrusts had your eyes water from the overwhelming amount of pleasure you felt.

You wanted to feel more of him so you eased one leg onto the ground for him to try a new angle. “I love the way you feel inside me baby.” Jun wanted wanted to please you in any way you wanted as long as he would get another praise from you. You grabbed one of his hands and led it to your lifted leg for him to hold and squeeze at your thigh. Then you grabbed his other hand and led it to hold your neck. “Squeeze baby.” Jun would do anything you'd ask of him, so he squeezed the sides of your throat like you asked and stared into your eyes as he did so. His cock twitching inside you at the sight of your mouth open with silent moans and your eyebrows furrowed in pleasure. The pleasure he is causing you. “Right there Junnie, like that keep going I’m gonna cum.”

He nodded against your forehead eyes staring deeply into each other. “Please let me cum inside you baby.” He begged however it was like you understood his words since you nodded and moaned against his lips before sealing them in another wet kiss. Your fingers toyed with your clit moving at a faster pace than his thrust feeling the tight knot forming wanting to come undone. Jun bit onto your bottom lip as his cock twitched for the last time before his cum shot into you. He continued to fuck his hot seed into you moaning as he bit your lip hard enough to draw blood. The pain causing you to reach your own climax. “Fuck you’re so good to me.” Jun continued to thrust into you fucking you through your orgasm and firmly held onto your neck squeezing in sync with every thrust. “So good to me.” He whined into your ear as his thrust slowed to a stop as his cock grew soft.

Before you could say anything he lifted you into his arms staying inside of you. He carried you to your obnoxiously large mattress wanting nothing more than to have you sleep in his arms with his cock still buried deep inside you. It was a new feeling for him and he was addicted. “You were such a good boy Junnie, made me feel so good.” You sighed as you rested your head against his chest letting your eyes fall shut. Jun felt a flutter of pride knowing that he made you feel good. He laid on his back with you laying on top of him. Your weight lulling him to a sleep.

next

[melhekhelmurkun]

Watched The Shining by Kubrick last night, and I can honestly understand why Stephen King hates it so much. It’s definitely not the best adaptation of the book at all, and the film really did destroy all the characterization the book goes through for each of the characters.

He might’ve been a bastard and a drunk, but Jack Torrance did love his wife and son, and the book does show that. It’s only towards the late middle and end that he really goes psychotic, and that’s mainly because of the hotel itself essentially possessing him and bringing out the worst of him. I am in no way excusing his actions, because he is an attempted murderer and an abusive father, but he did love Wendy and Danny, and he wasn’t a psychopath. Ultimately, it was his love for his son that stopped him when he managed to catch up to Danny, and it was what made him try to kill himself in an attempt to save his family. Unfortunately, at that point the Hotel was too powerful, and it didn’t matter if Jack was alive or dead; it just needed his body. The movie really failed to show his descent into madness; it just jumps right into crazy, with nothing to show the man he was before everything at the hotel happened. It also failed to show that the Hotel - the ‘manager’, as was stated - was truly what was behind everything. Had the Torrances not gone to the Overlook, would Jack have snapped and killed his family? It’s a possibility, but a low one - it’s more likely that Wendy would’ve ended up divorcing him, or he would’ve carried out his suicidal thoughts.

Wendy Torrance was not a weak woman - she not only had the courage and drive to stand up to her husband when he went batshit crazy, she locked him in a pantry, stabbed him, and went up multiple flights of stairs while very badly injured… and then she lived to be happy afterwards! She survived having her back broken by her husband when he tried to kill her, and lived a happy life afterwards! I can name maybe three people in my life who I am confident could do that. Kubrick’s decision to depict Wendy as an emotionally fragile woman was just demeaning to her character. Shelly Duvall did an incredible job, however, and I respect her immensely for it. That’s not an easy role to be put into in any way, especially not when you’re working for a nightmare of a director who decides that the best way to get results is to psychologically torture the star actress. She depicted the movie version of Wendy perfectly. I was cheering for her the whole way.

And then there’s all the other changes which I can understand from a filmmaker’s perspective as being more logical to making a movie, but they did change the story quite a bit. Having Jack use an axe rather than the roque mallet was an understandable change, as it was more recognizable to the public as a dangerous weapon, however… it meant that most of the important scenes, such as when Wendy’s back gets broken, never happen. You can’t exactly do that with an axe, can you? But that scene is one of the most impactful (pun not intended) and important to the book, at least in my view, since it shows her resilience and her love for her son, as mentioned in the above paragraph about her character. The choice to use the axe also meant that that Dick Hallorann died when he should not have.

That man, the chef with the Shine, was more important to the book, I think, than any character. He was the first to tell Danny that he wasn’t alone, that there were more people out there who had the same abilities he did, and that it wasn’t a bad thing. He was the one to tell Danny of the strange happenings at the Overlook, and to tell him that the visions might be scary but ultimately he didn’t think they could hurt him - which ended up being a major part of Danny’s choices. The main part of the reason Danny went into room 217 (237 in the movie) was because he remembered Dick telling him that the visions couldn’t hurt him, that all he had to do was look away when he saw them. And then there was how Dick came all the way across the country to help Danny when he was called. He pledged to help that boy if needed, and when he was needed, he came immediately, and ended up saving the remaining Torrances. His refusal to let that boy and his family die was such a big part of the story.

I can also understand the decision to turn the hedge topiary into a hedge maze. Making bush animals move is not at all easy, especially for a movie made in the 80’s. However, the animals were also fairly important to the story; they were the first real visual of Jack’s descent into madness, and then later a big factor of his possession by the Overlook; when he refused to believe that he’d seen them move, he essentially shut down any possibility of belief that there was something wrong at the hotel. By the end of the book, we sort of find out that the hotel itself was influencing his willingness to believe that, but his initial refusal did push that along. Once someone has made up their mind about something, even something they’ve seen with their own two eyes, it’s often very difficult to get them to change it, especially in a scary situation. The topiary was the first big turning point in Jack’s psyche.

Then there’s the decision to change his death scene - having him freeze to death after getting lost in the hedge maze and suffering a mild heart attack. It was… definitely a choice? In the book itself, after Jack ‘kills’ himself (again, the Hotel was possessing him fully at that point and no longer needed him alive, just needed his body, so him fighting back and bashing his own face in really did nothing in the long run but was a rather important scene - see the paragraph on Jack Torrance for clarification) the boiler in the hotel begins to overheat. The Hotel (possessing Jack’s body) goes to release the steam from it to prevent it from exploding - the problem here is that Jack was told by Watson that the boiler would blow long before the pressure gauge reached its red zone, because it was so old. But since it was not Jack present in that body but the Hotel itself, it had no idea about this and believed the boiler was now safe, as it had managed to reach it before the needle hit the red… and then the boiler exploded. Having Jack freeze to death in the hedge maze (and thus forcing us to experience that absolutely ridiculous final scene where we see him frozen) was a much less final and impactful death than that of the boiler exploding. With the explosion, his body was destroyed, and so the ‘manager’ of the Overlook was destroyed (the ghost/demon). It was a finale; the evil perished, the good guys got away, and everything was right in the world. With the freezing, it was much less final, and much less satisfying.

Objectively, if you separate the book from the movie, the movie wasn’t terrible. I did like it, and I had a lot of fun watching it. But as an adaptation, I found it VERY lacking. I can understand why King hates it so much.

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

Doctor Who, but Chronologically 28

Fun fact! If we were watching normally in a normal order, Rose would have just left, and this would be a Christmas special. But we're not. Instead we suffer on.

Last episode was 1913 - this time we're jumping a whole year, to 1914. Small jump! So this shouldn't be too weird. After all, we had a lot of discussion in the previous episode about what 1914 would be like.

It's Twice Upon a Time. Lol

OKAY so there will be a LOT of new questions here, Jesus. We begin with old Hartnell footage! Fun! Which fades into David Bradley playing the First Doctor as he refuses to regenerate and tries to die instead. Turns out Capaldi is here doing the same thing?!? So interestingly, we've now seen Capaldi's first AND last episodes. Fascinating.

("708 episodes ago", reads the caption, showing Hartnell grouching about. "Lol", says I.)

Anyway, there are two (2) main threads here, and one is the relatively minor but fairly fun (albeit very hole-y) sci-fi plot; the second is Double Doctor Fun, but unfortunately this was written by Steven Moffat who thinks 60s Man = Misogynist UNLIKE CAPALDI OBVIOUSLY so it goes, um, badly. I'm getting ahead of myself, hang on:

Mark Gatiss is pulled into the same moment in time as the Doctors because they're causing a timeline error. He was, in fact, about to be shot in the head by a German soldier in WW1, but then time froze around him, so he climbed out of his crater and got pulled here; I can't help but feel the director could have made some better choices, though, because on climbing out of the crater we're treated to multiple shots of other soldiers just drinking tea and chatting in their trench rather than, you know, helping Mark Gatiss. This is not how we work as a team, lads. Where's Tim when you need him.

It emerges that glass people are taking people from the instant before they die, harvesting their something, and then returning them to their timestream to die and avoid fucking up history. Harvesting what? Well, for zero reason other than "The Plot Requires It", we don't find out right away. But both Doctors climb aboard Capaldi's TARDIS (there are some fun quips about the size of the windows that must have given several folks on Gallifrey Base a dry orgasm) and promptly get abducted by a spaceship shaped like a Sims plumbob. It's the glass people.

... and then Bill turns up.

... and Capaldi FREAKS THE FUCK OUT.

Because it turns out that Bill! Is dead! After having turned into a Cyberman! And choosing to die to save others!!

MASSIVE NEWS. What a strange choice to tell us this before showing her conversion and death. Honestly, you'd almost think this is a terrible viewing order for this show.

Except this Bill is a copy, but with all her memories, so this kicks off a running theme about how memories maketh the man except the Doctor disagrees. But this Bill also says she didn't die because she pulled a woman in a puddle called Heather so now I have a LOT of questions.

The glass people show them the original forms of the Doctor from Hartnell to Capaldi, and call him the Doctor of War because Moffat really loves his Mary Sue elements. They escape the plumbob, jump into the original TARDIS ("Aren't the windows the wrong size?" asks Bill), and run away to try and find out who the original person was that the main glass alien is mimicking. This is to find out what the glass people are actually harvesting. For literally no reason at all, the glass people didn't just tell them that.

Meanwhile! The First Doctor is a raging misogynist who keeps suggesting the women clean the TARDIS, and Capaldi is in an agony of embarrassment trying to stop him! And it's funny, sure, these are good actors, but FUCK OFF AND DIE IN FIRE. That is NOT the First Doctor. The First Doctor was a gentleman who respected all the women he knew and met, and his favouritest and best friend in all the world was Barbara, and like fuck did he devalue them like this. It was the men he used to devalue and see as brainless useful muscle. Meanwhile, it's fucking Capaldi who straight up abuses the women he meets including his companions, and it's Matt fucking Smith who yells "Do as you're told and go back to the TARDIS!" at Amy (who complied meekly, let's all remember.) This is absolutely fucking enraging. Hartnell was LESS SEXIST than anything Moffat puts out, and yet here's Moffat acting like he's a bastion of progression fuck off fuck off FUCK OFF

(ahem)

Actually I'm not done because then there's a "men's browsing history" joke Jesus FUCKING Christ okay I'm done

Anyway, after a last bit of misogyny for good measure, which Bill somehow wins by looking the First Doctor in the eye and going "I'm a lesbian and I get more pussy than you", making David Bradley's monocle fall out in spite of him not even wearing it at that point, they land on a sort of fantasy red war torn forge planet inhabited by mutant octopuses. Capaldi inexplicably tries to make Bill stay in the TARDIS. Naturally she puts up token resistance and then obeys.

Anyway, Capaldi goes up the tower. There's a Dalek! We know those, we saw them by the Pandorica in the second episode, and also once in the Doctor's dream journal in the last episode. This one is called Rusty.

"Remember when I shrank down and went inside you and showed you that Daleks are bad?" says the Doctor. "Good times."

I don't remember that. That has not happened yet. Intriguing.

Anyway, Rusty the Good Dalek shows them that the original glass alien woman is a researcher from the year five billion and 12. What they're harvesting is memories, so that the dead can then be resurrected of sorts to speak again through the glass bodies.

"Oh," says the Doctor. "Not evil."

One can't help but feel most of this episode was extraneous and could have been avoided if the glass aliens had just... said that.

Anyway, Bill is also glass, and also knows all of this, so again, she could also have explained this.

They return Mark Gatiss to die in a crater. Except the Doctor shifts the timestream by a couple of hours, so the 1914 Christmas Armistice kicks in and saves him, which is just as well, given that the rest of the army was uselessly drinking tea like 20 yards away. It's genuinely quite moving. Also it turns out he's a Lethbridge-Stewart! Nice touch. The First Doctor has a moment of sagaciously staring into the middle distance and saying "So this is what it means to be a Doctor of War," which is nauseating but you know, fine. He wanders back to his TARDIS and regenerates into Robin Hood in the TARDIS files.

Meanwhile Capaldi heads back to his own. Last conversation with Bill, who tells him that the most important thing about a person is their memories. "Look," she says, "I'll prove it," and turns into Clara.

Except??? It turns out??! The Doctor had somehow FORGOTTEN CLARA (so many questions)

Then Nardole turns up as a glass alien too, so I presume that means he's dead and all. "I have glass nipples and invisible hair," he volunteers, and I think I will never not have questions about Nardole.

Anyway, the Doctor flies away to regenerate alone. He has a great monologue, right, and Peter Capaldi is of course an absolutely superb actor, just completely nails it, except for the fact that the monologue does not remotely suit this Doctor.

"Never be cruel!" is his opening line.

Yes you read that right. Mr "Clara you're so ugly and stupid." Mr "If you try to fight off your abuser you're a child who needs to grow up." Mr "I mock and belittle women until they cry and then accuse them of sulking." Mr "I make fun of people's cultural artefacts." That guy. That guy's opening line is "Never be cruel!" Followed swiftly by "Always try to be nice! Never fail to be kind!"

Fucking hell.

Here's a good bit though:

"Never tell anyone your name. No one would understand it anyway. Except children. Children can hear your name, if their hearts are in the right place, and the stars are too. But nobody else, ever."

Fascinating! We have heard nothing so far about the Doctor's real name.

Also he includes "Never eat pears!", so but for a deleted scene in Human Nature/Family of Blood this is a two-parter about the Doctor not liking pears.

And then; Regeneration!!! The first one we've seen!! We saw Capaldi's first episode, but he was post-regen then; this is our first on screen. Destroys the TARDIS, lads. Just completely fucks it up. Doors everywhere.

And we get Whittaker! A ring drops off her finger. Wonder if that was important?

Anyway she immediately crashes the TARDIS and falls out to her death

SO MANY NEW QUESTIONS?!?!?????

“She” (an unknown person) is returning (perhaps River returned as Missy. Maybe Me? Maybe Clara???!)

There is something on Donna’s back

An entire planet, Pyrovilia, just… disappeared, somehow. (Maybe because the TARDIS is exploding??? Saturnine was also lost, and that WAS because of the TARDIS exploding. The lion man’s planet was also lost but he was a bit of a knob about it if I’m honest.)

Amy is maybe dead (she’s not)

The Doctor has been cubed (he’s out, but how?)

River is possibly blown up  (unless she’s Missy)

The TARDIS has blown up  (It’s fine now. Except it’s sort of melting now because it’s corrupted, but it’s fine again)

The universe appears to have ended  (the universe is back again)

The Doctor has employed(?) Nardole

(And Nardole was “reassembled???” NEW INFO: Nardole had glass nipples and invisible hair?? WHAT THE FUCK IS HE)

There’s a vault in the TARDIS and it contains Missy but we don’t know why (sometimes she knocks for the bants)

What has happened to all these companions and where are the new ones coming from?

There’s an immortal Viking girl now. Her name is Me and she’s now looking after the people the Doctor abandons

What’s With The Silence?

Why was Rory entirely unconcerned by the entire world suddenly going silent when that is Not Normal and should have been, at the very least, extremely disconcerting?

What did the Doctor do to Queen Lizzie One?

Who is Captain Jack Harkness? (Is he the one who gave the companions a warning about the lone cyberman?)

Why is Amy seeing a one-eyed woman in a vanishing window?

What’s with the Doctor’s future involving getting shot by an astronaut?

Is Amy pregnant and why is it inconclusive?

Who is Sarah-Jane Smith?

How is the Doctor Bill’s teacher and why/where does he have an office?

What is going on with the Cyber War and the Cyberium???

Who did the Doctor lose to Cyber Conversion?

What happened with the Other Cyber War?

What happened with the Third War that deleted the void?

Why does Rose seem particularly important?

What’s with the Weeping Angel statues, and why can’t you blink at them?

What order do these Doctors go in? (Eccleston, Tennant, uncertain, Smith, Capaldi. NEW INFO: Whittaker)

Which companion just… forgot the Doctor, and how?

Yaz and Vinder are about to die as Mori/Mwri/Muuri

There is a Lupari shield around Earth.

What’s a Time War?

What’s the Rift?

What’s Bad Wolf?

What happened with Amy’s pregnancy?

In which war did the Doctor become a war criminal, and how?

Who is the Master?

Why has Amy forgotten Rory?

Is Rory plastic or not?

Why is the Doctor sulking on a cloud?

How exactly does the Doctor have a cloud?

What exactly happened with Strax to, uh, tame him?

Which friend killed Strax?

Which friend brought Strax back?

Where did this lesbian lizard and human couple come from?

What happened with Clara as Souffle Girl and the Daleks?

How does Clara actually join?

Why so many Claras?

Why is Missy apparently in robo-heaven?

Why is probably!Missy pushing Clara and the Doctor together?

What is Trensilor and what happened there?

Who is Handles?

The Doctor is about to be dissolved by a beautiful geode man

The universe is being crushed by the Flux

Will the Doctor open the fobwatch?

Sontarans are invading Earth again

Who is Kate?

Who is Osgood? Another name of Clara’s again?

The fuck is the deal with the Grand Serpent

Does Martha get to go to an ice cream planet with 12-fingered massage aliens?

How did the Doctor forget Clara?

Who is Bill's puddle girlfriend Heather?

How did Nardole die?

When does Bill get Cyberman-ed and die?

When does the Doctor shrink and enter a Dalek called Rusty?

Whittaker is falling to her death rn

Was that ring relevant?

Does anyone know the Doctor's name?

[uglypastels]

Last year I did a course in novel adaptations in uni and honestly, while the course itself was put together horribly, it did leave me with some info that makes consuming media much more bearable.

Adaptations of a story are inherently a different story. No matter how accurate or not. They could be a word for word reenactment of the words you once read on a page, it's not the same thing. And it never will be.

Each media product is the result of people working on it together at a certain point in time. With books its a smaller team, but you have a writer, an editor, proofreaders, designers, publishers. They all create something that eventually is seen as a cohesive piece. Something that is there to tell the story those people wanted to tell with the influence they had in their contribution.

And the same goes for other media; writers, directors, actors, editors, etc. They all work together to create something. This might be inspired by a previous work, but they are not making the same product.

They adapt it to a new setting, a new media, a new era, time, place, point of view, whatever.

With the Percy Jackson show, because of course this is what made me want to write this but it goes for anything, one can go into the details of what they changed or what was left out, I can't lie that i sat on the couch unphased as i noticed them skip/change things, but what should always be asked in these situations, or i should rather say, what is much more interesting to consider, is WHY. Why were changes made?

It could be a budget issue, it could be a solution to overcome format differences between paper and screen, or even the specifics of a studio or streaming service. Simple logistics of things (i.e. could percy really jump off the st. Louis arch and survive?) The storyteller might have decided to vocalise a different point of view, emphasise a new aspect of the story, address another topic that they recognise in the plot. Were they influenced? By whom? Who was "in the room" to make the decisions- since 1 person could make the difference on how things come to be. When was it made (since everything is a product of its time)? Current trends/tropes, social issues, discussions? What is their vision of the entire piece of work?

You might not agree with those choices, fine, but i doubt if it was completely up to you that you would make a 100% "accurate" adaptation everyone would agree with. I'm sure there would be dialogue changes, pacing differences, biases towards characters and wanting to make them more/less vocal, casting choices that might not be fitting the discriptions exactly but the actor is perfect to you. You were influenced by things you entire life, brave of you to assume you wouldn't have an effect on anything either.

I mean, just look at fanfiction...how accurate of an adaptation is any of that? But we still eat it up every day, don't we?

People learn, grow and adapt, and so does their work. You do not make a book the same way you make a show or movie, and you dont make any of these the same way now as you would 20 years ago, so it is impossible to expect them to be the same.

And maybe it's for the best, since now you get to enjoy the stories and characters in multiple ways, from different perspectives.

[canmom]

Man, it is refreshing to find someone else who wasn't impressed by Frieren's demon arc. It is not like I disliked it, I do like this kind of shonen action bullshit, it is fun. But to me it seems like a step down to the earlier episodes, the show downplaying its own strong points to do common action. It is surprising to me so many people seemed to love it as much as they did, it is the lowest point of the show so far for me.

Mmm. 'Didn't dislike it, but a step down' is a good summary - it deemphasised what made the show stand out narratively, to try to be something else. If I was in the mood to watch Kimetsu no Yaiba or Jujutsu Kaisen I would! Fortunately, we seem to be getting back on track with ep 11 - I'll be writing that up once I've watched another 4-6 more episodes. I'm getting pretty near the end of the first cour, so I might watch up to there.

Bit of a weird cour length at 16 episodes, but honestly that's good - I'd love to see 'seasonal' anime be more able to break free from the pacing constraints of 'it must always be 12-13 episodes'. Sometimes that's not the best way to slice up a manga!

One thing I do appreciate about the simultaneous success of Frieren and Dungeon Meshi is that they're both fantasy anime which don't do the isekai thing and put some effort into establishing a setting which feels like people live there. They're both very overtly RPG-influenced, but neither is actual litRPG, which is very much to their benefit. Ryōko Kui's passion for lovingly constructing her fantasy setting goes without saying. I'm told the Frieren manga sketches its setting rather loosely, but the anime is doing a whole lot to flesh it out as a place people live, because they let Seiko Yoshioka go absolutely nuts.

I was chatting with kvin on the sakugablog server (senpai...!) and he mentioned one particular instance - there's a scene Eisen is tending to the graves of his family. In the manga it looks like this:

Nondescript piles of dirt with a rock on top that are just next to his house. (Also, oof, this colouring. I thought this was a fan colouring at first but no that's official.) When we cut forward 50 years, we see Eisen leaving flowers: they're in big wrapped bouquets like you'd buy at a supermarket. The little Minecraft hut hasn't changed at all.

In the anime, it looks like this:

Not only do we have the recurring use of fields of flowers as a symbol of remembrance, there's clearly been some thought put into the design of the grave markers - even if we're not told what the spherical stone might mean, it obviously means something, and you have the stone as a symbol of permanence. There's those little ritual plates for offerings. And, significantly, it's clear that Eisen has added to these graves over the intervening 50 year period: the graves in the later time are larger, with more stones. The area around the grave site has more flowers and another tree that's grown. It's clear he's been carefully tending to this site his whole life. It's that kind of attention to detail that really makes this anime shine.

It's clear this anime was a real labour of love, and I don't want to deny that there is a lot to praise in the demon arc. I didn't mention it in my post, but the scene where Frieren commands Aura to kill herself (after Aura's mind control attempt backfires) is impressively brutal - apparently episode director Nobuhide Kariya acted that scene out with an umbrella, complete with expressions. (The expressiveness of the acting does a lot to foreshadow the demons having more complex characterisation, too. I hope.) It's just quite a weak storyline off the bat, so the execution can only do so much to elevate it.

Honestly, skimming the manga a bit, I'm all the more impressed by this adaptation. Admittedly, some of it is down to a weak scanlation that doesn't read very well, but it really doesn't have the same impact at all on paper. It's not just the fight episode - throughout, the anime staff clearly gave themselves freedom to interpolate and expand in ways that end up making the manga feel like a rough draft.

...actually come to think of it, they did a similar thing with Bocchi. The manga is a 4koma (by all accounts a good one), and they fleshed it out into a more substantial story with a strong emotional arc and also all the wacky experimental animation gags you could hope for. So I guess that's kind of just how Keiichiro Saito rolls! But it's really impressive how adeptly this team is able to handle such a completely different register. Bocchi and Frieren could hardly look more different on the surface.

Anyway, I'll save any more comments for the next part of this impromptu liveblog.

[trashmouth-padfoot]

Mauraders but make it a high school band.

McGonagall is the band director, she has to be. She played saxophone in her high school years and learned the clarinet, trumpet, and piano during her uni years.

Sirius is a trumpet, his mum and dad make him take private lessons (“If you’re going to do something as embarrassing as playing in the damn band, then you’re going to be the best fucking one there.”) so he’s like a god send at it. He fucks around and plays the euphonium and mellophone, but trumpet is his home base. Definitely the main soloist. He also does solos during marching season (competing w James) and never understands how his mic works. He can’t find the on button or the clip never stays on his bell, it’s all around bad. (Remus had to help him once. Remus has never used a solo mic for himself in his marching career)

James is also a trumpet, and also takes private lessons, but by his own accord and want to do so (Monty and Effie go to every band event James has, best band parents ever). Him and Sirius are always fucking around and doing dumb shit during band. He’s always making some extremely inappropriate joke and Sirius always claps back instantly (“Hey, can you do me?” “Oh?? When and where?” *smirk* *zips Sirius’ marching jacket*) He’s the only one that can work a solo mic. Whenever he messes up, he verbalizes some random ass noise before starting again. It pisses Minnie off. Sirius cackles at it every time.

Peter is a piccolo (started on flute) , people get on his ass and make fun of him about it but he’s a damn good piccolo player, he always has the piccolo / flute solos. He’s still mates with James n them and is the very definition of an instigator like yes, yes, play Scatman in the middle of class, go on you two, piss off McGonagall, it’s hilarious. In marching band, he’s always a soloist, and his mic never works (Sirius and James turn it off whenever they have water breaks to fuck with him. Peter doesn’t realize until Minnie yells at him)

Remus is a percussionist, a drummer at Heart. He fucks around with traditional grip sometimes and he’s the best damn one they have. He’s a god at drums, and isn’t as great at mallets but he’s still damn good. He always agrees to learn some dumb meme song to satiate James and Sirius’ dumb pranking needs (They learned the Imperial March once, and played it as Minnie walked out of her office and into the band room. Minnie loves them). He plays the quints in their marching band and plays Jig 2 whenever he can because fuck you its not hard. The rest of the line eat it up. Sirius thinks it’s hot as fuck whenever Remus does some sick lick on the drum or a stick trick (Sirius just has a thing for Remus, honestly). Remus thinks that the brass and woodwind instruments are revolting; he scowls heavily whenever James or Sirius empty their spit onto the floor. The two think it’s hilarious. (“I’m so sorry I emptied my spit onto your precious, pristine floor.” “You should be.”)

Regulus plays clarinet, piano, and alto sax. Walburga and Orion make him take lessons too (same reason) but Reg is much more humble about his skills and isn’t always jumping the gun to take solos. He plays piano for their jazz band and is the best one there. (Regulus has piano player hands too. James spends like half a minute just staring at Reg’s hands as he plays during a practice and after registering that James thinks that Reg is hot, Sirius goes, “And you get on my ass about having a thing for Remus’ hands when he plays? Hypocrite.” James is all blushy for the rest of practice.) The one who wears hoodies to band camp during the summer and scares everyone, Minnie scolds him every year but he never shows up in a short sleeve and shorts. Both Black brothers have to braid their hair for marching band, and sometimes they braid each others hair, just quietly sitting in one of their rooms with each other and relaxing. He pretends he hates his brother but whenever they’re announcing awards or ratings or anything like that, he’s always holding Sirius’ hand anxiously, sitting close enough but not too close. Sirius loves it. (Sirius doesn’t run away and get disowned and all that jazz in this AU, but he practically lives at the Potter’s. He has almost a full wardrobe there, he stays the night there for weeks at a time, and he practically avoids the Black household like it’s the plague, but he still goes home every once in awhile, especially before games or competitions or for trumpet lessons. It’s pretty common for Reg and Sirius to argue whenever Sirius does come home) (One time Reg went to James’ to look for Sirius and was utterly shocked when James let him know that Sirius was at Remus’. Regulus befriended Remus to piss Sirius off and actually stayed mates with him)

Lily plays baritone sax (started on alto). She’s always the first to help the underclassmen and one of Minnie’s obvious favorites (Minnie claims to not take favorites, they all know she’s lying). She used to hate James’ little pranks and now enjoys them a little bit, especially the harmless ones that don’t disrupt practice time. She volunteers all the time, it’s a shock how much time she dedicates to the program. After a while, she realized that James was always volunteering with her and that’s how she realized James had a thing for her. She’s like best buds with Remus and he lets her play the quints all the time (James loves it even though Lily has no sense of rhythm.) She has to braid her hair for band and has no idea how to do it. She always asks around and Reg usually does it for her (James once asked Sirius to teach him how to French braid so he could potentially braid Lily’s hair [“Or Reggie’s?” “Oh my- shut up. Shut up.” “I’m not wrong!” “Shut up!”]. Sirius teaches him but the moment he offers Lily, he fumbles it astronomically bad. He fucks up the braid extremely bad; it’s loose in all the wrong spots and it looks like a fourth grader did it, and Regulus comes and laughs at him before fixing the braid for Lily. Sirius makes fun of him for this for about a week.).

When James and Lily were just about to finally get together, James panicked and went “Just so you know I definitely also have a thing for Regulus Black. Like- like god he’s hot- oh god why did I say that- oh my god- I’m so sorry.” And Lily just stared and went “Oh? Me too.” And then the two manage to bag Reg, somehow. Sirius was pissed for like ten minutes before giving up on caring. (One time during practice, Regulus put his hair up in a ponytail and James tripped over himself Bc he was staring and brought him and Sirius down. Sirius laughed at James for it.)

When Remus and Sirius get together, it shocked no one. Everyone’s like “But I thought you two were already together? You guys cuddle on the bus rides and sneak off together before practices and McGonagall gets on you guys about PDA all the time what do you mean you just now got together? I thought you two have been dating for months.” Sirius thinks it’s hilarious, Remus just wonders how obvious he was being for everyone but Sirius to know for so long.

[eddie-sweetheart]

🏕 Camp Lovers Lake - Chapter Two 🏕

An Eddie Munson x Female Reader summer camp story. Set just before the beginning of season 3 of Stranger Things, with a few diversions from the original plot of the series.

🏕 Chapters List

Pairing and tropes • Eddie Munson x Female Reader - fluff, forced proximity, slightly slow burn, summer camp clichés ♥︎

Summary • June, 1985. Close to the city of Hawkins, Indiana, the placid waters of Lovers Lake stand as the perfect background for the homonymous summer camp, where you’re about to be a counselor for the last time before senior year and then, hopefully, college. Your brother Dustin Henderson won’t be with you this year, as he’s chosen to attend Camp Know Where until July - but with your best friend Robin Buckley at your side and the unexpected addition of Steve Harrington to your duo, the upcoming months seem to promise endless fun and exciting adventures nonetheless. However, as you get closer to Eddie Munson, resident metalhead and drug dealer who’s been forced by his uncle to work at Camp Lovers Lake after another missed graduation, your plans for the summer might have to go in a completely different direction.

Warnings • Cursing, possible mentions and/or depictions of violence, sexually suggestive language. Having no idea where this is going myself, you’ll need to be 18+ to read this fic just in case!

Chapter notes • Here we are with a bit more Eddie action :) Couldn't wait any longer to post it, so I really hope you like it!!

Chapter word count: 5.2k

Being a counselor at a summer camp is great, honestly: spending time with your friends surrounded by nature and doing all different kinds of activities with little to no supervision from the directors team really outweighs the inconvenience of having to keep an eye on a few dozens of overexcited and hyperactive kids - since, as it goes without saying, setting up bonfires and going on hiking trips is not the full extent of fun tasks that keep counselors occupied. 

In that same set of tasks, however, mandatory kitchen duty is included - and it surely isn’t the most entertaining one.

“Amazing” Robin groans as she checks the daily schedule pinned outside the Headquarters, a piece of peanut butter and jam sandwich still in her hand from breakfast. “Kitchen duty. All day”.

You lean closer to the board from behind her back, making some space for yourself as a few other counselors move away to get started on their assignments. “At least we’re together” you observe, patting Robin’s back. “Just imagine if you had to mince onions and clean dirty dishes with Jason Carver”.

Robin shivers in disgust. “I still wonder why he and his fellow jock friends would bring their annoying selves here and not at some sort of sports gathering for stupid, pumped-up boys”.

“Guess they didn’t get admitted” you reply with a shrug, “and I also guess we don’t want to be kicked out. We’re late already, let’s go”.

You slightly tug on Robin’s t-shirt to bring her away from the board and she follows you with a groan, moping behind you as you both make your way to the back of the Headquarters. 

The kitchen is placed, in fact, next to the meeting room, and it faces the woods surrounding the camp. It’s small but well furnished, complete with a full pantry that is locked at all times due to the numerous (and, sometimes, successful) attempts at secretly grabbing a snack that often send the young campers on nightly missions. The counselors, instead, have full access to the pantry keys during the day, as they have always proved themselves to be quite responsible in terms of food management - their attention being completely dedicated, unbeknownst to the directors, to the secret alcohol stash that is hidden by three planks on the farther left corner of the room’s floor.

As soon as you and Robin enter the kitchen, indeed, your eyes momentarily travel to that exact spot, as you wonder when the first night-drinking meeting with the other counselors will occur - but Mrs. Janet, the cook, is quick to get you and your friend’s attention.

“Good morning, kids” Mrs. Janet begins, attentively eyeing the two of you and another couple of guys that have been assigned to kitchen duty as well. “This morning, we need to get everything ready for lunch by 12. You-“ she says, pointing at the boys at your side, “will prepare the sandwiches and afternoon snacks for group A, which is going on a hike later. You two, instead, will help me with the mac and cheese and fruit salad for group B and C” she concludes, nodding at you and Robin.

The following hours go by faster than you would have thought. You spend your time chatting with Robin, washing and cutting up apples, pears and peaches, and Mrs. Janet even lets you turn the radio on for a little while. Every now and then, your eyes go over the clock above the fridge and soon you’re delighted to find out that it’s finally 11:55.

“Good job, everyone” Mrs. Janet exclaims, clapping her hands as she goes over your stations to examine the results of your efforts. “Boys, pack those sandwiches and take them over to Harrington. He’ll make sure the kids will have them safe and sound in their backpacks. You girls, follow me” she adds, grabbing the pot where the mac and cheese has been cooking so far and heading towards the main building through a door in the back of the room. “We’ll set the table, serve everyone and then you can go on break”.

“Yes Ma’am” you and Robin reply in unison, following her into the large room and taking all the plates and cutlery you need from a chest of drawers near the kitchen door. 

As you quickly set up the long wooden tables, the Headquarters start filling up with kids and counselors from groups B and C. Group A, along with Steve and three other counselors, is nowhere to be seen, as they must be already on their afternoon hike around the lake.

You and Robin take your place behind a table set up for the occasion near the kitchen, opposite to the main door of the dining room. Robin is in charge of spooning up the mac and cheese and serving it to the campers that are starting to line up in front of your station, while you have to carefully place one tiny bowl packed with the fruit you’ve cut on everyone’s tray.

Much to your displeasure, after having served the majority of the campers, you’re met with the arrogant stare of Jason Carver and two of his inseparable goons, Andy and Patrick, who look like they have been copy-pasted from their self-declared leader: with their camp t-shirt sleeves rolled up to their shoulders, backwards baseball hats and mean sneers, they fill the air around you with the strong smell of their hairspray and aftershave.

“Hello, ladies” Jason debuts, staring Robin straight in her eyes. “Could we have some mac and cheese, please?” He asks, in an apparently polite tone.

“Sure” Robin replies, a fake smile plastered on her face that she extends in Patrick’s direction, as well. The guy lowers his gaze, shying away from her inquisitive stare. You don’t bother to look, taking a deep breath as you patiently wait for them to head over to you for their fruit and, finally, go away.

“Thanks” Jason replies, as Robin serves the three boys, dropping the food a bit too sharply on their plates.

They should be going now, but Jason doesn’t move. The other two intently look at him, waiting for his next move.

“Can we have some more?” He says, now reciprocating Robin’s fake smile.

“I’m so sorry” Robin replies, dropping any façade of politeness, “but you’ll have to come back later to see if there’s any left. We have to feed everyone first”.

Jason’s glare turns into ice. “I said” he repeats, his tone cold and determined, “Can we have some more, please?”

Robin puts her free hand on her hip, pointing the dirty spoon at him ready to get her say, but you can’t hold your annoyance in anymore - so you reply, first.

“Who do you think you are, Oliver Twist?” You burst out to him, earning a rageful glare from Jason and a surprised stare from Patrick, Andy and Robin as well.

Jason is about to argue back, but his reply is interrupted by some snickering further down the line of campers that are still waiting for their lunch. Both your gaze and Jason’s follow the noise and you catch a glimpse of Eddie Munson and Gareth, who are poorly trying to hide their giggles.

“Do you have something to say, freaks?” Jason barks at them, his neck and cheeks violently blushing.

Eddie Munson turns slowly towards him, the dark, curly hair framing his face waving lightly with the movement. “Oh, no, Carver” he replies with a full-on, mischievous grin, a heavily ringed hand placed flat on the table as he leans forward, “it’s just that red looks so good on you” he adds, clearly hinting at the blotches of reddened skin that are covering the jock’s features. 

Jason blushes even more, just as his rage becomes more palpable, but this time he does not engage: he directs another burning glare in your direction and then turns around to walk away and sit at the counselors table, Patrick and Andy loyally following him. On his way to the table, however, Patrick looks at you with a clearly annoyed expression, that you pretend to ignore completely. 

The rest of the queue finally runs smoothly again and everyone, Eddie and Gareth included, get their food and go on with their lunch. 

— 🏕 —

“What was that?” 

You turn your head towards Robin, covering your eyes with your free hand to protect them from the strong sunlight. In the other hand, you’re holding the second ham and cheese sandwich that you’ve managed to snatch from the leftover pile in the kitchen - that is, your lunch for today. 

“What do you mean?” You ask her back, your feet dangling nervously in the water beyond the edge of the pier, where you’ve been sitting for the first half of your two-hour break. 

Robin sighs before biting down on her own sandwich. “You know exactly what I mean” she says with her mouth full, “that thing you did with Jason back there”. 

You shrug. “I didn’t like his attitude, and I believe he shouldn’t always be allowed to get away with it” you state, avoiding the inquisitive gaze of your friend. “He’s just… so arrogant and entitled, it drives me crazy. Plus, I only made a comment” you add, “I didn’t insult him or anything”.

Silence falls between the two of you, the only sound in the background being the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves on the trees and the distant echoing of the kids’ laughs and excited screams. 

You finish your sandwich and lay down on the smooth wooden surface of the pier, your feet still dangling in the fresh water of Lovers Lake. Robin does the same and you two keep quiet for a few minutes, enjoying the summer sounds around you. 

Then, Robin turns her head towards you and speaks again. “It would be totally normal not to be indifferent to Patrick, you know” she tentatively observes, “I mean, I would still be mad at him, if I were you. He treated you like shit and I would completely understand if you wanted to tear him apart every time you see him - hell, I want to tear him apart for how he behaved”.

You smile at Robin’s demonstration of loyalty and when she notices, she smiles too. 

“I guess I’m still not over the anger, yeah” you finally admit, frustratingly kicking one foot in the water and causing little droplets to rain on your legs. “I just don’t understand how he can hang out with that… gang, and with Jason. He completely changed and now he’s so… mean, he’s even worse than Billy Hargrove” you blurt out. 

Robin looks at you in surprise. “I hate Patrick too, but… How can he be worse than Billy Hargrove? I don’t even think that’s possibile, that boy is evil”

You pick at your nails before letting out a sigh, that actually sounds more like a giggle. “Well…” you whisper, “at least Hargrove is hot”. 

Robin smacks her hands on her face with a groan, as you let out a heartfelt laugh. 

“God, I swear that you heterosexuals are surely one piece of work” she states, looking at you with surrender in her friendly eyes as she extends one hand to hold yours. “But apart from that, you know we can always find the time to talk shit about your ex boyfriend, right?”

You squeeze her hand and lightly nod your head, as the flashes of your past relationship with Patrick quickly go through your mind once more. 

You met Patrick when you were both sophomores, as you shared a few classes together. At the end of the year, he finally worked up the courage to ask you on a date - and, happily, you said yes. 

During the summer before junior year, you started going out more and more often, until one day he kissed you outside the cinema, after the 8 pm screening of Firestarter - which he had chosen specifically because you had confessed to him your love for Stephen King. 

He had the honor of being your first date, your first “real” kiss (as you had decided that pecking your freshman crush on the lips for less than one second during a round of spin the bottle at a birthday party didn’t count), even your first time. And even if later you had to admit to Robin that you kind of expected sex to be way more satisfying and longer than 10 minutes, it was still a nice memory to share with him. So, you went as far as to say that you loved him - and, apparently, he reciprocated. 

But as soon as September 1984 came and he joined the basketball team, everything changed. Suddenly, on the first day of fall, he started ignoring you, avoiding you in the hallways while he talked with his new athlete friends and flirted with the cheer squad. 

After two full days spent in bed crying your eyes out (Robin still swears that you could have replaced them with two ping pong balls and no one would have noticed the difference), you managed to confront him, earning a laugh and a break up in response. No explanation, no apology. 

Since that day, every time he accidentally crossed your path in the corridors he was always met with a burning gaze - until it cooled down in an icy stare, and you finally moved on. 

His new popularity and attitude, however, made him insufferable still, so it was no surprise that having to see him and his new friends here at camp could sometimes stir some anger-fueled feelings in you - especially since you have always suspected that Jason Carver and the rest of the basketball team have played more than a side role in Patrick’s behavior towards you.

But, as Robin has just told you, it’s okay to feel like this. And this closeness, this feeling of knowing that you have a friend that sees you and understands you with no judgment in any shape or form brings a wave of gratitude to your chest. 

“Thank you” you tell Robin, squeezing her hand once more. 

“That’s what friends are for” she replies, squeezing back. 

“How long do we have left?” You wonder, finally extracting your sunglasses from the front pocket of your shorts and putting them on, as the early afternoon light has now become unbearable. 

Robin quickly glances at her wrist watch. “Half an hour or so” she states with a yawn. 

“Cool” you reply stirring your arms, your skin glittering in the summer sun. “Let’s get some more fresh air before we have to get back in that hole of a kitchen”. 

— 🏕 —

The rest of the day goes by at a reasonable pace. 

Around 3 pm, you and Robin head back to the kitchen and help Mrs. Janet get everything ready for dinner, which is held later on at 6 pm. Thankfully, this time it’s the boys’ turn to serve the campers in the Headquarters, so you and Robin get to enjoy a quiet meal in the kitchen, away from the echoing noise of the kids in the main room.

This, however, means that you are now both on dishwashing duties. There is no dishwasher to help you in your task, so you have to do everything by hand - but it isn’t as bad as it sounds, because Mrs. Janet leaves you the keys and lets you finish everything up by yourselves, the best excuse to keep on chatting and listening to the radio.

And that’s exactly what you’re doing - jamming and singing to Beat Itby Michael Jackson with your arms elbow-deep into soapy, warm water - when you’re startled by a knock on the kitchen door.

“Good evening, you two” Steve’s voice greets you as he makes his appearance in the room, leaning against the door frame with one hand propped up on his waist.

“Glad to hear you’ve refrained from calling us ladies” Robin replies sarcastically, but she smiles at him nonetheless. “We’ve surely had enough of that for 24 hours”.

Steve sighs and rolls his eyes, moving away a strand of hair from his handsome and slightly sunburnt face as he comes into the room, grabs an empty glass and fills it with water from a bottle on the counter. “And here I was, all kind and polite, planning to ask you how your day was”.

“Besides a close encounter with Carver and his gang and the endless entertainment of kitchen duty, it was actually fine” you reply, moving away from the sink and grabbing towel to dry out the few remaining dishes you’ve carefully cleaned up. “How was the hike? Made any new friends?”

“It was extremely hot, but it was fine” Steve replies, sipping on the water, “I was teamed up with a few girls and another kid, Jeff. He’s a bit weird, but seems cool - he’d get along with Dustin I think”.

“It’s cute how you go around dashing that smile to every breathing female just to end up befriending children” Robin jokes with a sneer, putting a pile of clean trays away on a shelf. 

“Teenagers” Steve clarifies before smirking in her direction with a playful expression in his eyes as he straightens up. “So you think I’m cute and my smile is dashing?” He questions her, causing Robin to immediately look away muttering a low “Ew” to herself.

Your chatter is interrupted by a sudden noise coming from outside. You can’t hear very well what’s going on, but it seems like some of the kids are screaming in the proximity of the lake. You all know it’s surely nothing to worry about, as things like pranks and dares happen almost everyday, but Steve moves towards the door nonetheless, inquisitively gazing into the early night.

“I think I’ll go check that out. Anyone coming?” he finally announces, turning towards you and looking with particular intent in Robin’s direction.

Your friend turns towards you with pleading eyes, silently begging to spare her from Steve’s request, but as soon as she notices that you’re still struggling while deep cleaning a huge pot in the tiny kitchen sink, she groans loudly. 

“Alriiight, I’m coming” she sighs, heading towards Steve as he flashes her another smile. “You owe me” she silently mouths at you, one finger pointed at your face as she makes her way outside, one hand clinging to the wooden door frame.

“Thanks” you reply, “and… Robin, maybe you should let him know” you’re quick to add before she disappears behind the building. You see her pondering your suggestion and nod unconvinced. Then, she’s gone.

Now you’re that you’re left alone, your attention is brought back to the music, which has never stopped playing in the background from Mrs. Janet’s old radio. Once you notice that Angeleyes by ABBA is on, you can’t help but dance a little to its notes while you finish up cleaning the pot and whatever’s left in the sink, letting the soapy water flow down the drain in a bubbly spiral. Humming to the lyrics, you give a final check to the room before turning off the radio and all the lights, grabbing the keys to lock the door on your way out.

With your back to the thick trees behind you, you close the wooden door to the kitchen, the chirping of the crickets being the only sound that you can now hear. You don’t really mind being so close to the woods: after all, it’s definitely not your first time (nor your first night) camping at Lovers Lake. However, you can’t help but quickly fiddle with the keys in your hand, reaching the bright and comfortable room of your cabin now being your first priority. Just before turning the right key into the lock, however, you notice an empty glass on the windowsill next to the kitchen door.

“Ugh, Steve” you groan, as you take a mental note to scold him in the morning while grabbing the glass.

Suddenly, a tree branch snaps behind you, causing a rush of adrenaline to run through your whole body like electricity. You gasp as you turn around swiftly, your heart beating so loud that you can feel it in your ears, and you find yourself bumping into someone in the dark. The glass in your hand escapes your grasp, shattering on the ground in a mess of sharp shards.

“Woah, hey, hey, hey” Eddie Munson exclaims as he puts his hands up in defense, “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you”.

You look up to him, your now hyperactive brain registering his features in order to make sure that he’s not some monster from the woods who’s come to make you his prey. 

His deep brown eyes are glittering in the dark blue of the summer night, round and wide as they stare back at you with curiosity. His mouth is slightly opened in a suppressed chuckle, his plump lips curved in a tilted smile that causes two dimples to lightly pierce his cheeks. The rest of his features perfectly fit the frame of his face, which is complimented by the long, wavy hair styled in a messy (but apparently soft) shag and fringe.

He’s still wearing his black ripped jeans, the camp t-shirt that covers his torso tucked in the front and held in place by the buckle of his belt, which reminds you of a pair of… handcuffs?

“Hey, you okay?” He suddenly asks, his amused expression now turned into a concerned frown as he slightly leans forwards so that his eyes are on your level.

You blink back into consciousness, hoping that it’s dark enough that he doesn’t notice your cheeks, flushed red with surprise at being caught off guard. 

“I’m fine” you mutter, bending on your knees to collect the pieces of the broken glass on the ground, “You just startled me a little”. 

“Yeah, uhm, sorry ‘bout that” he replies, following you down to help you clean up. “You should be careful with these” he quickly adds, carefully picking up a shard, the heavy rings on his fingers glittering in the moonlight, “you might end up hurt-“

Too late. You hiss in pain as a few droplets of blood stain the leaves on the ground and you drop the piece of glass responsible for the cut on your left middle finger. 

“Shit” Eddie curses, “is it bad?”

You examine the wound and sigh of relief once you notice that it’s actually pretty small. 

“No, thank god” you reply, meeting his eyes once again, “a bandaid and some disinfectant will do, I guess”. 

“Bet it’s one of those tiny fuckers” Eddie states, as he places his hands flat on his thighs to rise up again. “You can barely see them, but they bleed like hell”. 

“I hope so” you say, avoiding his gaze to hide the embarrassment of your repeated clumsiness as you turn towards the kitchen door, “But I should probably get it cleaned up anyway. Can you and throw that away in the meantime, please?” You add, nodding at the ground. 

“Sure” Eddie replies with a nod, and you leave him behind to deal with the shattered glass. 

Once you’re in the room, you head straight towards the sink, fully turning the faucet handle to your right as a splash of ice cold water hits your hand, blood flowing crimson red out of the cut. It hurts a little, but it’s mostly a relieving feeling. 

Once the wound seems clean and you’re certain that there is no need for stitches, you turn the water off and open the cupboard above the sink. Taking a step back with your injured hand turned upwards to prevent more blood from flowing, you examine the space looking for the first aid kit. You spot the white and red box it in the very back of the cabinet, but as you try to reach it… well, you can’t.

“Need some help over there?” Eddie asks, walking inside the kitchen and almost startling you for the second time in a row.

“Uhm, could you… could you grab the first aid kit for me?” You ask him, mentally scolding yourself in order to lose that never-been-alone-with-a-drug-dealer awkwardness, “it’s too far back and I can’t reach it”.

“Theeeere you go” he replies with an almost singsong tone, quickly grabbing the box above you after throwing a handful of broken glass in the trash. 

You shyly smile at him as he hands it over, openly staring at you while you fiddle with the lid and finally grab a much needed bandaid.

“So” he says, leaning back on the counter with his arms crossed on his chest, his tattoos clearly visible on his skin. “What’s your name?”

A bit taken aback by the unexpected question, you hesitate a second before replying. “I’m y/n. Henderson.” You finally say, your eyes focused on peeling away the paper strips from the bandaid before carefully placing it on your finger.

Eddie slightly tilts his head and nods, an upside-down smile forming on his lips. “Nice to meet you, y/n Henderson” he replies, “I’m Eddie Munson. Glad to make the acquaintance of the one who managed to humiliate Jason Carver in front of his own ridiculous trolls”.

“He had it coming” you state, examining your wrapped up finger with satisfaction before finally turning towards him with a small smile. “Even if I have to admit that it was you who gave him the final blow”.

Eddie chuckles lightly, looking down on you with a mischievous grin. “Always a pleasure”.

“So”, you tentatively ask, trying to fill the silence that has dropped in the room as you push yourself up to sit on the counter, “did you need anything from the kitchen?”

Eddie’s head snaps up as he suddenly remembers why he was lingering in the dark outside the Headquarters. “Yes, yes I was” he exclaims, clapping his hands once, “Beer. I was looking for some beer”. 

You tilt your head curiously. “And what makes you think that there’s any alcohol hidden in a summer camp filled with minors?” you ask, slowly losing your shyness as you realize that he’s apparently less menacing than you expected.

Eddie raises his eyebrows at you, smirking. “Come on” he states, his long fingers drumming on the counter next to you. “I’m new here, but I’m definitely not stupid”.

You shake your head with a surrendering smile as you point towards the hiding place in the corner. 

“Thank you” Eddie croons, spotting the slightly different flooring pattern and lifting up the trapdoor that hides the alcohol stash, which is kept in a small cooler. He kneels down, grabs a can of beer and pops it open, delight flooding his face as he takes a sip. 

You glance at him sideways, noticing how his tall figure nonchalantly occupies the small space of the kitchen, his back and wide shoulders just barely leaning backwards as he tilts his head to get another swig.

“What made you want to become a camp counselor?” You finally ask him, curiosity getting the better of you. “Beside the free alcohol, that is”. 

Eddie turns to you and rolls his eyes. “My uncle did. He forced me to sign up after I failed to graduate… Again” he groans, gesturing mid-air with his free hand and shaking his head with loathing as his tone gets louder. “Damn Ms. O’Donnell. It’s her final that gets me every time. Always her goddamn final”.

“She’s unreasonably strict, I can give you that” you tell him, trying to hide your amusement at his theatricals.

“Yeah, well, at least this is a good chance to expand my range of connections” he says, dropping the act. “Good for business, y’know”.

You look at him quizzically, not making the immediate connection.

“Come ooon” he exclaims, looking at you with a knowing smirk. “You know exactly what I do. I saw you staring at me when you where talking with Harrington”.

As the realization dawns on you, you can’t help but blush violently as you try to stir the conversation in another direction. “You- You know Steve?” you mutter as casually as you can. 

Eddie scoffs, sneering. “Rich parents, popular, chicks love him, probably a big douche? Everyone knows him. And I’m sure he told you that we’re sharing our cabin. You know, while you were staring” he adds, teasing you again.

“I wasn’t staring!” You blurt out, causing an amused look to form on his face - then, the perfect idea for a barely credible excuse suddenly pops up in your mind. “Actually” you add with nonchalance, “I was wondering how you know Gareth”.

Eddie ponders on your question, narrowing his eyes while he looks at you. He finally settles on giving you the benefit of the doubt. 

“He’s in my D&D club. Hellfire Club” he states, letting the words linger in the air with a casual wave of his hand as the drops the now empty can in the trash. 

“Dungeons and Dragons?” 

Once you mention the full name of the game he’s clearly referring to, his eyes widen and his smile brightens into a full grin. 

“You know D&D?” He exclaims, crossing his arms and leaning towards you. 

“I mean, I don’t know how to play” you clarify, smiling in surprise at his excitement, “but my brother Dustin is obsessed with it, has a whole party and everything. They meet at his friend’s house basically every day and since I’m always on pick up duty I have to endure a detailed recap of each campaign meeting in the car. So yeah, I know how it works… generally speaking” you conclude, observing how he’s trying to contain his enthusiasm. He clearly loves that RPG stuff.

Eddie shakes his head, the amazed grin never leaving his lips. “You’re missing on a lot of fun, you know” he tells you, placing one arm on the counter beside you and slightly rocking back and forth. Stillness is, apparently, not one of his best qualities.

You look at him with a soft chuckle, eyebrows raised. “Well, one day I might decide to actually learn how to play” you reply, when suddenly you catch a glimpse of the clock and realize that it’s definitely past bedtime. “However” you quickly add, jumping off the counter and heading towards the door, “right now I’m missing on a lot of sleep, so I think I’ll go to bed. Big day tomorrow, we’re going on a hike”.

“Me too, apparently” Eddie observes, following you outside into the dark, “Group B?”

“Yeah. You?” you nod as you turn off the lights, close the door behind the two of you and lock it for good. 

“The very same” he states, dragging on the “very” as if he’s almost singing while he starts to walk away. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then, y/n Henderson”. 

“Guess so” you echo him with a wave. “Good night, Eddie Munson”. 

Eddie turns around and, as he keeps walking backwards, bends into an exaggerated bow. Then, he disappears among the trees. 

— 🏕 —

Hope you enjoyed this chapter :) Feedback is always welcome!

Taglist • @meaganjm @emwhite1

[asordinaryppl]

A3! Seasonal Event - Anniversary Game: Episode 5

Kumon: What do you mean!?

Iwakami: Honestly, I feel like the management is starting to get sloppier due to the recent lack of visitors…

Iwakami: There’s a rumor amongst the part-timers that if this goes on, Chess Garden will be turned into a golf course.

Kumon: No way…

Azami: (I knew the number of visitors was declining, but I didn’t think it was that bad…)

Iwakami: That’s why I want this event to be a success! If there are more customers, the rumors will disappear, too.

Azami: I get what’s happening now.

Kumon: Yeah, we’ll also do everything we can. Our company’s been supporting Chess Garden for a long time now, after all!

Iwakami: Y-Yes. I heard that the events MANKAI Company participated in were all well-received.

Iwakami: That’s why the owner is so excited about this event!

Azami: (He looks really happy when he talks about Chess Garden. He even came up to me and asked for my help…)

Azami: Looks like you care a lot about Chess Garden.

Kumon: Right! We can tell just by talking to you!

Iwakami: … I’m shy, and I get anxious easily, so I took on a part-time job hoping it’d help me change.

Iwakami: I interviewed at various places, and wasn’t hired anywhere… until Chess Garden.

Iwakami: In the beginning, I didn’t understand chess at all and I couldn’t communicate with the customers, so I ended up making a lot of mistakes.

Kumon: I see. You weren’t used to it, so you got nervous. Must’ve been tough.

Iwakami: Yes. But I’ve gotten much better thanks to the owner and everyone else on staff. I’m really grateful to them.

Iwakami: As I studied the books the owner had lent me, I started liking chess more and more.

Iwakami: This one in particular was especially helpful!

Azami: (That’s the same book Sakyo gave me.)

Azami: (This guy really did his best even though he wasn’t used to working, and he got better thanks to the people he’s surrounded by.)

Azami: (I was probably like that when I first joined the company, too…)

Iwakami: I love Chess Garden, the owner, and my friends. I want to learn more about how fun chess is, and I want to teach that to the customers, too.

Iwakami: That’s why, I don’t want Chess Garden to disappear…

Azami: I see.

Kumon: So that’s what’s going on.

Iwakami: I’ll also do everything in my power to make the Anniversary Game as exciting as possible! I’ll hand out flyers, for example…

Iwakami: Also, I’ll make a prayer that it’ll be sunny all day on the day of the event!

Azami: Yeah. If it rains, the event might not be held at all.

Kumon: Then, I’ll make a teru teru bozu!

Iwakami: T-Thank you very much…! If there’s anything else I can do, please don’t hesitate to tell me!

-

Kumon: Iwakami-kun’s such a hardworking and good guy!

Kumon: If I had entered high school a year later, I’d be his senior too.

Azami: Aren’t you his senior now, too, even though you graduated?

Kumon: I guess that’s true.

Kumon: … While listening to Iwakami-kun’s story, I remembered what it was like when I first joined the company.

Azami: Same. Lots of things went wrong when we first started acting too.

Azami: We weren’t alone, though. We had the Director and everyone else supporting us…

Kumon: Yeah! We were able to do our best, and keep doing many things, ‘cause we had everyone with us!

Kumon: Also, I totally get wanting to protect a place important to you, so I want to help, too.

Azami: Yeah.

Azami: (Is there anything we can do to help protect Chess Garden…)

-

Azami: (I started reading the chess book Iwakami was reading as part of my role study…)

Azami: Why’s this so hard…?

Banri: Yo, Azami. Watcha readin’?

Azami: A chess book. Got it from Sakyo.

Banri: Oh, yeah. You’re gonna be in the upcoming Chess Garden event. Well, do your best.

Azami: … Say, Banri-san.

Banri: Hm?

Azami: Didn’t you also participate in a Chess Garden event? There’s something I wanna ask you about that–

previous episode | masterpost | next episode

[eternal-echoes]

Things I’m excited for when the Cruise arc gets animated

(Posting them under the cut to spare anime-only fans some spoilers)

1. Anya’s angel and devil

(I’m a bit disappointed that they haven’t made another appearance)

2. Twilight’s expectations on how Handler would have reacted to him going on a Cruise ship 

(it would take the whole screen on the anime instead of a little panel)

3. The boat!!!

4. Loid Forger being an all around good husband

“Forgive us for having fun while you’re working.” 

He’s still attentive to her even when they’re about to go on separate ways. 

5.  Gram’s sneeze

6.  Gram saying “joba” (he’s soo cute!!!)

7.  The Director’s savagery

8.  Yor knocking out a man with a small button

9.  Anya begging for skeleton keychain

10.  Yor’s acrobatics

11.  Twilight’s outfit (Omigosh this colored)

12.  Baby Gram bullying Mr. Grey

13.  Anya sleepwalking

14. Twilight and Anya going soft and missing Yor

(Tho what I’ve noticed that soft moments like these are best done in the black and white pages of the manga)

15. The Fireworks 

16.  Yor being a killing machine

17.  Yor’s battle line

“What? Yes, I killed them. Why wouldn’t I? I’m sorry but…When you point a blade at someone… You don’t get to complain when one is pointed back at you. Same goes for me, too.”

That’s so savage

18. Yor remembering Loid’s word to her that energized her back up to battle 

19.  Anya’s Lightning Bolt

20.  The climactic battle

21.  Yor hugging Olka and baby Gram

22.  Anya’s jump

23. Twilight jumping

24.  Resort Island Family trip

(honestly, it was hard to imagine how this dialogue sounded like)

25. Loid stealing a glance at Yor and Yor being too tired from fighting last night to feel his gaze

26. Yor pushing Anya too hard during the wave and Twilight coming into the rescue

(I’m still surprised how Twilight didn’t react at all at Yor’s superhuman strength here. I guess he was just really focus on getting Anya to safety.)

27.  Last but most definitely not the least, the big TwiYor moment

[thefilmsnob]

Barbie: **** out of 5

As I was leaving a screening of Barbie amidst a sea of elated fans, I overheard someone saying, “That was so much better than I thought it would be.” Honestly, I didn’t share the sentiment. That’s because I was certain it would be great the second that I learned it was Greta Gerwig’s next project. A wonderful actor and writer, Gerwig eventually directed her first film Lady Bird in 2017 followed by Little Women in 2019, both extraordinary works and two of the best reviewed movies of the last decade. I wasn’t excited for Barbie; I was excited for Gerwig’s third feature.

That feature is half of the ‘Barbenheimer’ cultural phenomenon. Never in a million years would I have pictured Gerwig, the de facto Queen of Indie Films, at the center of two blockbusters vying for box office dominance…in the same week! What’s more, her film is actually winning the financial battle against Oppenheimer, the second film in that portmanteau whose director, Christopher Nolan, churns out blockbusters like Mattel churns out plastic dolls.

One such doll, Barbie, is the star of this film and an American institution launched in 1959 whose instantly recognizable brand floods the hallways of countless stores. Some might view the film as cynical commercialism—this two-hour showcase definitely won’t hurt sales—but, that opinion is reductive. The opening scene alone defies expectations and reminds us of the exceptional talent behind the camera, including co-writer Noah Baumbach, who’s even more ‘indie’ than Gerwig, and both her creative and romantic partner.

You may not know the people behind the camera, but you do know the star in front of it. Possessing otherworldly beauty (narrator Helen Mirren has a killer line about this) and exceptional acting skills, Margot Robbie’s casting is a no-brainer, which is ironic considering how inclusive the cast is; dozens of Barbies inhabit Barbieland, composed of various races, body types and gender identities. That goes for the Kens as well. But, Robbie plays Stereotypical Barbie, a crucial aspect of the story that the film makers stress often, mainly to highlight a standard that impressionable, vulnerable young people experience so often.

And so, the perfect Barbie played by the perfect actor lives a perfect life in a hot pink utopian society where the Barbies hold all positions of power while the Kens, including Beach Ken (a priceless Ryan Gosling), chill at the beach and try, unsuccessfully, to woo the ladies. The nonchalance of Barbie’s rebuff of Ken speaks volumes about this social hierarchy. Robbie’s Barbie has a daily routine, executed as if a child were controlling her, rituals that include sipping from an empty cup and floating from bedroom to driveway because what child would walk her doll down every stair?

This occurs on a meticulously constructed set, realized by designers Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer. Built on a solid foundation of whimsy and charm, this community—whose geographic and temporal relationship with the ‘real world’ wisely is left ambiguous—is the product of stunning practical effects in place of tempting CGI. Like in recent films, interestingly, such as Beau is Afraid and Asteroid City, the set resembles a colourful diorama, at once fantastical and tactile. It’s a world of make-believe you can otherwise almost reach out and touch, just like the toys that inspired it.

But toys don’t have sudden preoccupations with mortality like Barbie does during a dance number, handled with perfect comedic timing by Robbie. She’s also horrified by newly flat feet and patches of cellulite. It’s around this point when the story shows it has more on its mind than just brand promotion. That trend continues as Barbie consults Weird Barbie (the delightfully weird Kate McKinnon) who’s an outcast yet the wisest of them all. Lurching about, contorting herself and giving those big-eyed, alien-like looks that McKinnon has mastered, she tells Barbie to find the girl who’s controlling her in the real world.

With Ken stowing away in Barbie’s convertible, the two arrive in Los Angeles’s Venice Beach, enveloped in neon spandex. There’re some standard fish-out-of-water moments played for laughs, sure, but Gerwig and Baumbach also use this framework to explore a myriad of social issues with the same amount of fervor used to entertain. After being ogled relentlessly at the beach, Barbie is cat-called by some construction workers, but that cliché is subverted as Barbie simply and unexpectedly explains that she lacks genitalia. It’s brilliant.

As with Gerwig’s previous films, it’s difficult to pin down a specific message; she explores numerous issues and isn’t one to tie things up in a neat little package. The stories have feminist underpinnings, but they’re never reduced to simple dichotomies like ‘women are good/men are evil’. Yes, men are portrayed as misogynists occasionally or embody corporate greed in the case of the idiotic Mattel executives led by a pompous Will Ferrell as the CEO. We also see the dangers of an impressionable air head like Ken learning of the patriarchy and introducing its flaws to Barbieland, hopefully bringing attention to how insufferable bro culture can be. Yet, Gerwig’s brand of feminism is sympathetic to male struggles too, especially toward the end, even if much of their behaviour is rightly judged.

Mattel isn’t even immune from judgment; the writers get away with a surprising amount aimed at the company, specifically regarding their toys’ negative influence on body image and self- esteem. For a film maker to resist the pressures of both studio executives and the heads of the represented brand, especially with the huge stakes of a blockbuster production, is truly remarkable and a testament to the audacity of Gerwig who’s unwilling to sacrifice her artistic integrity. Mattel also deserves some credit for acknowledging their shortcomings and vowing to do better. Everyone wins here.

That includes the audience, most importantly. Not only are we treated to hilarious, candy-coloured entertainment, but we’re given a smart film for adults that kids will also enjoy and whose insight will benefit both. It challenges corporate power, the patriarchy, beauty standards and stereotypes while promoting inclusion, autonomy and self-confidence, mostly in creative and entertaining ways though, occasionally, unlike Gerwig’s previous films, a bit too overtly if not altogether preachy. America Ferrera, with a soulful and honest performance as the Mattel employee Gloria, gives a tirade about society’s ridiculous expectations of women; it’s hard to refute her argument, but the delivery feels too familiar in this otherwise unique experience.

It’s an experience that relies heavily on its two leads, both marvellous. Gosling eschews his usual dead-eyed intensity for a relaxed turn as a lovable nitwit and does so effortlessly (no offence). It’s Robbie’s (Barbie) world, however, and we’re all just accessories. The roll is deceptively complex, requiring an actor with more than just beauty to be at once effervescent and existentially preoccupied. Both her performance and the story are capped off with one final word that recalls a line (also the final one) by Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut, appropriate considering Barbie begins with an explicit reference to another Stanley Kubrick masterpiece. It’s a word that Robbie announces with aplomb when it would otherwise be whispered with embarrassment; a word she wields like a weapon, charging forward into a new life in the name of unapologetic femininity.

[eemcintyre]

"Stretch" (2014) review

Aka ✨ why this movie is one of the most underrated ones I've ever seen and why it is some of Patrick Wilson's best work ✨

"If you like stories about chance and coincidence, here's one you've never heard" gives me the chills every time 😮‍💨

Patrick Wilson is one of the most underappreciated actors of his time, like, not only do his other projects demonstrate that he has drama, romance, instruments, and singing down ✨, but here he is finally given a chance to flaunt his impeccable comedic timing, vocalizations, and expressions

Idk maybe I just love movies with narration (ex., "Heathers," "Jerry Maguire," "Amelie," "Eloise at Christmastime," "Megamind," "American Made," "The Outsiders," etc.)

But jokes aside, I will defend Patrick Wilson's narration throughout the movie no matter whAT ANYONE SAYS YOU CAN PRY IT FROM MY COLD DEAD FINGIES; IT IS AT TURNS FUNNY AND RELATABLE AND PROFOUND AND WE GET TO KNOW THE MAIN CHARACTER BETTER 😤😤

It does start a bit slow, especially if you aren't as invested in Patrick Wilson as I am 🙃🫠 but if you stick with it and pay attention to the subtle comedic elements in the meantime 👌🏻

This movie is not afraid to be a bit irreverent, which is a modern and mainstream rarity

Stretch and Charlie are so cute together; I wish more of their interactions had been kept in the final cut because when I think of the quality content that we missed 😩💖

"Who gains weight in their neck?" "Sexy people." "Three months of Rosetta Stone- I HATE THE FUCKING FRENCH." "We was gettin' all romantic, watching Titan-tic..." and so, so many more

Honestly, Karl is an integral part of this film as well- he may seem overtly cartoonish to some, but again, we get to know the main character better through him, as his presence gives us a visual of Stretch's inner struggle; he contributes to the dark humor vibe, and Ed Helms was clearly having the time of his life (as was the entire cast)

Speaking of which, stellar casting all around, especially those who were cast against type; love when directors give that stuff a chance. Everyone was made for their role

Dark humor, satire of Hollywood, homage to 80s films

The Navstar scene. If you know you know

Same goes for the post-Candace club exit scene with the valet, the wannabe rapper, and the sex club exit scene (there's a man wearing only balloons. need I say more). I mean, the whole movie is basically the best part and I'm trying not to make this review me just naming every scene and going "yes. this is good" but these are some of the most standout parts

The soundtrack may be atrocious overall, but the exception is the song at the end (although I was disappointed when I read that it was originally supposed to be "Telephone Line" by ELO but they didn't have enough in the budget because that would have gone so hard) 😩💕

Speaking of the ending, why is it so incredibly pure and sweet to me that it would almost make me cry if I weren't medicated? 🥺 Something about the setting of the diner, exuding vintage charm and glowing in the sun the quiet morning after the previous night of chaos, and the serendipity of how Stretch and Charlie finally reveal how much they've obviously liked each other for a while, and after all of the danger and depravity, everything ends soft and gentle and alright 😊💖

This film is somehow so sleazy and wholesome at the same time- against the backdrop of drugs, sex clubs, threats of violence, and constant swearing, it's ultimately a story about overcoming cynicism and self-destruction, getting your "mojo" back, taking control of your life, and allowing for the possibility that things happen for a reason ✨ Honestly? 10/10