#sarah arlington

[subsidystadium]

The Kansas City Royals are showing how NOT TO go about asking for taxpayer help with a new ballpark

In November of last year, the Kansas City Royals finally told the world that they would be leaving their current ballpark for a new one in 2030! The plans included the ballpark being downtown and the total cost being around $2 billion. The Royals owner, John Sherman, claimed in a letter to fans that a new ballpark was financially necessary for the team’s future success. He also mentioned that a…

[kedsandtubesocks]

game changer

MLB pitcher!Joel Miller x F!Reader

summary: back from your first semester of grad school your parents lovingly drag you out to celebrate with an old family friend - but what unfolds there (and after) cracks you wide open

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY MDNI, no outbreak/modern AU & Joel has both his daughters, dad’s friend!Joel, unspecified age gap (reader’s age is not mentioned but is a drinking aged adult & Joel is in his early 50’s), light use of gendered language, yearning & flirting, some light angst, brief alcohol consumption, masturbation (f), smutty thoughts, heavy makeout, spicy themes, allusions to smut (p in v), Joel’s dirty talk, one use of “good girl,” one light ass smack, reserved but soft!Joel, start of secret relationship, lots of baseball talk

word count: 9.1k (I’m sorry)

a/n: i know, i know another non-typical AU for Joel but I blame my sports girlie heart & baseball season so here we are lol big thank you to @swiftispunk for always putting up with my sports ramblings LMAO im so sorry Han ily, special thanks to @burntheedges @undercoverpena @tightjeansjavi @msjarvis because this truly wouldn’t be here without y’all - you don’t know how much you babes mean to me & I can’t thank y’all enough…now to you, if you’re reading this too I also can’t thank you enough ♡

You barely have any solid memories of Joel Miller, even if he was your dad’s oldest friend. And if you were being honest, you remember his brother Tommy more who smiled so warmly and seemed to radiate warmth.

Now you stand before Joel Miller’s face on the side of the Globe Life field along with the rest of the Texas Rangers professional baseball team.

It’s a cool evening in Arlington. Everyone seems to bask in the weather that feels perfect for a night of baseball.

Home from your first grad school semester, you didn’t think you’d be going to a game. But your parents explained how good the tickets were, and that even if you didn’t care about the game, you could just enjoy the stadium. So with the promise of free food and a nice night out, you were sold.

Now you’re here.

“Yesterday Joel said to head to the side entrance, that’s where we can check in.” Your dad eagerly explains and stunned you simply follow along like a confused duckling.

The sea of jerseys sweeps you into a sports wave until you’re deposited in a new space. Your jaw almost drops.

The VIP suites sit at the very side edge of the field, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.

The seats are incredible. Everything feels deluxe but comfortable. Someone calls out to your mom, and soon enough the rest of the Miller family approaches.

Tommy’s married now and his wife Maria is lovely, so is their baby. Joel’s daughters, Sarah and Ellie, are older. Time sucker punches you in the gut seeing how much time has passed, but you warmly greet everyone. You realize how long it really has been since you saw any of them.

You greet everyone warmly and appreciate all their surprised welcome seeing you back.

“Joel’s glad y’all were finally able to make it. Been talking about it since yesterday.” Tommy explains.

“Yeah us too! Just worked out that we all could come out and enjoy this with someone back home now.” You mom teases, but it’s warm.

Even though you were cities away, the new workload just kept you so busy.

You’re grateful to be here too. Even though your mind still swirls trying to grasp all of this.

You knew your dad’s friend made it big as a professional baseball player. Joel and his family left Austin to move to Arlington after he signed for the Rangers. So you rarely saw them. But with your mom’s job recently relocating here, your dad talked non stop about maybe seeing more of the games. It never really clicked that your family knew a professional sports athlete. Plus you never cared too much for sports to even look more into it.

Now as the game starts with a wild explosive and electric opening, you feel like you’ve slipped into another reality.

Then Joel’s entrance arrives, and your heart jumps out of your chest. The stadium erupts in a wild frenzy. The music for his arrival is western themed, grand and epic.

“All of this is because the league calls him Cowboy Miller.” Your dad explains.

The nickname was given to him not just because of his very southern twang, but Joel’s cold demeanor on the mound along with his wild style of pitching. All this led to him being deemed a Cowboy.

You understand why.

A serious air of power radiates from Joel while he approaches the mound.

Wearing a jersey with the number two on it, he’s older, more distinguished than the last time you remember him. Grays pepper his beard and the shadow of his baseball cap highlights the wrinkles flowing across his face.

He’s handsome, utterly gorgeous. His shoulders look broad, pure striking mountains, in his white jersey.

It’s like your mind finally registers and settles into the reality he’s a man, a full grown and incredible man.

And he really is incredible.

Even though he’s older for a pitcher, he still possesses dazzling talent. You even clap loudly when he strikes one of the batters out.

Your eyes never leave him. Joel sternly staring down the batter is terrifying. His legs look strong as he whips the ball fast to the home plate. Your eyes can’t help but flicker to his ass when he walks back to the dugout.

He’s gorgeous.

But cold reality crashes into you when your dad brightly yells. Joel is your dad’s friend, and that thought sours the bubbling feelings in your chest.

So you try focusing on the game, which actually turns out to be rather fun. The vibe of the stadium, along with the atmosphere of the game itself, is easy to melt into.

At one point someone gets a hit off Joel and he has to run to cover first. He’s surprisingly fast. Seeing him catch the ball, get the out, is so impressive and hot as fuck.

After that the Rangers switch pitchers.

As he leaves the mound, the stadium cheers at Joel’s exit. Very politely he nods, raising his hand in a quick goodbye to everyone. Then he scans the crowd.

It’s admirable seeing how he instantly finds where his family is. Joel’s roughed face melts soft with a small crooked grin hearing the applause they give him. He even spots your dad proudly cheering.

Joel’s eyes then lock with yours. Still walking towards the dugout, his face stays on you while his focus narrows in a cloudy confusion like he’s trying to recognize you.

Then his eyes go wide as realization sinks in.

You weakly grin back. It’s all you can do before Joel is fully gone from your line sight. Your heart thumps erratically within its cage.

The Rangers unfortunately lose by three. Once the game ends, you decide to swing by the merch store.

“Guess the game made you a fan huh?” You mom perks up noticing you eyeing the jerseys.

You shrug easily with an eased grin.

After this the Rangers have a five game stretch at home.

You only know because after the game you check for all things about the team, about Joel. You haven’t brought yourself to look at any videos of Joel yet. But you did discover from the team's instagram that he has one too.

Early the next morning, still lounging in bed, you scroll through Joel’s instagram page. It seems very professional, like it’s run by a social media manager primarily using it to promote Joel without being too personal.

You’re not paying attention, still a bit too focused on your phone, when a knock comes at the door.

Your face scrunches up confused. Then terror sucker punches you when you see who’s at the door.

No way.

Opening the door Joel stares at you, but this time wearing striking thick black rimmed glasses. They make him incredibly distinguished. Instead of seeming like a professional baseball player you’re reminded of a studious professor. And without a baseball cap on, you’re given sight of his soft glorious curls and the light gray streaks dancing among them.

He’s knockout beautiful.

Of course, you’re still in your mismatched lounge clothes and barely look like you’ve left bed.

He says your name, greeting you with a curt nod. You swiftly greet him with an awkward hello.

“Are you going for like a Clark Kent thing?” You blurt before you can stop yourself.

Joel’s face scrunches up as he sighs.

“Gotta take a break from my contacts s’all.” He admits with a grumpy reply.

But it’s his thick twang, the familiar southern accent - that sweeps you breathless.

“How do they even let you pitch?” You lightly tease, and

Joel rolls his eyes.

“Good to see ya too.” He rumbles, finally greeting you.

Now realizing he’s still standing in your doorway, you let him in.

Joel explains how he wanted to come by, visit your folks, catch up, and thank them for getting to stop by.

You’re the one early thanking him.

“The tickets were incredible. And you did amazing the other night.” You add sincerely.

“Oh, yeah thanks. Glad we won.” Joel nods.

“So they let you just roam around?” You ask slightly stunned still seeing him here in your family kitchen.

Joel scoffs. “Ain’t gotta be at the stadium till later.”

“So, was uh…surprised to see ya at the game.” His tone now reeks of trying to just make small talk.

Weakly you grin back explaining it was a nice change from your days on campus.

“So…back from school, huh.” That awkward thick small talk tone of his gets worse especially as he asks how’s it going and what you’re doing.

For being a talented professional pitcher, right now he simply seems like just some guy…

Just your dad’s pal.

The thought brings a strange acidic taste in your mouth.

You explain school is going good and how you’re here just visiting until the next semester starts up again.

Politely he asks what you’re going to school for. You tell him about your program, explaining all the classes you’re taking and even about the undergrad classes you help TA for.

Joel nods, quiet. You wonder if this sounds boring to a man who professionally plays baseball everyday.

“You’re damn smart.” He then whistles low, and his compliment jumpstarts your heart.

“Haven’t read a book since… shit can’t even remember when.” Joel muses.

“What? They don’t have you take baseball quizzes for pitching?” You joke, but it falls flat. Joel just gives you a dull look.

However his lips twitch faintly, like he’s fighting a grin, and it makes you grin.

“Though, I’ve heard you could maybe work on your slider pitch.” You add.

From the clips you’ve seen and the comments you’ve read, that's the one thing others have commented on, along with how unbearably handsome he is. ESPN even named him one of sports top most eligible bachelors.

“Oh?” Joel’s eyebrows rise up fast. Crossing his hands over his chest, Joel turns towards you more.

“Suddenly you’re a sports analyst now, huh?” The way his voice perks up confidently, matching your edge of playfulness, causes something to get stuck in your throat.

“Y’gonna start telling me how to pitch too? Just like your old man used to.” Joel adds still with that same tone and even chuckles.

But his words slice through you. Swallowing hard, you steel yourself tight.

Thankfully the sound of the front door unlocking arrives. Your parents are home.

“You’re fantastic, Joel. Glad I got to see it live.” You tell him earnestly looking him straight in the eye, as if to stare him down and remind him unwavering you’re a grown adult. Even if you’re in lounge shorts and holey t-shirt, you try holding your head high with as much grace as you can.

With that you head to tell your parents Joel is here then quietly slip back to your room.

Eventually your mom knocks on your door and pops her head in.

“There’s another game tonight. Wanna go?” She offers.

You decline, explaining you want to rest and catch up with a few shows you’ve been neglecting. Thankfully neither of your parents pressure you to join them.

With the house to yourself, you now search for as many videos of Joel you can.

Even slowly starting to understand baseball at a base level, you realize Joel ‘Cowboy’ Miller really is spectacular. You hear about his time playing for The University of Texas and how adored he is by his alma mater.

Then heat crawls up your chest when you see clips of him drenched in sweat, heavily breathing, or even licking his lingers to help with the ball grip.

You quickly turn the videos off before you get yourself worked up.

This has to be just a simple infatuated infestation. You simply need to try to shake it off.

The last home game the Rangers play the Minnesota Twins and Joel isn’t pitching. You again decide to sit this game out. You just have to detox yourself of Joel Miller.

Until you’re invited to a dinner cookout at his home. You thought about maybe playing sick, but with how hungry you are, you see this just as an opportunity to get a nice meal.

Your dad casually mentions Joel’s house has a pool, a nice bonus. He just forgot to mention how huge the Miller house would be.

Though gorgeously grand, it’s still surprisingly cozy. In the backyard you spot Joel at the grill and it makes your head spin. The weathered old burnt orange Texas longhorn shirt he wears looks cozy and casual, sits on him beautifully highlighting his shoulders.

You slip into the pool hoping it will cool you off. But your eyes always find Joel who now laughs with your dad.

Joel’s eyes suddenly flicker to yours, catching you staring red handed. Immediately you sink back into the water.

There’s more people here than expected and you feel a bit out of place. After drying off, you decide to head inside for a drink.

The soft Texas evening illuminates the home in a gentle glow. The music from outside floats in a soft hum making the room feel like it’s underwater.

Ellie told you the house was free for you to roam and from the quick tour she gave, you caught a glimpse of something you want to see more.

So letting yourself maybe take another peek, you walk back to the small alcove carved in the wall. It’s honestly a rather quiet achievement exhibition compared to other grand trophy rooms you’ve imagined.

There are honestly more pictures of Sarah and Ellie, along with Tommy and the rest of the Miller clan, decorating the main hallway of the house. All of it suits Joel.

His UT longhorn jersey is framed on the wall. There are a few awards clustered together, a couple of magazine covers where he looks so dashing in his uniform.

But what makes your heart float are the framed drawings of Joel with a baseball on the mound that range from adorable scribbles to a rather good pencil sketch. These had to be Ellie and Sarah’s work.

“If you’re thinkin’ about stealin’ somethin’ maybe go for the jersey. I can always get another one.”

Joel’s drawl trickles out, and you almost jump out of your skin. Turning to the side he walks to where you are. You hate how exposed you feel just being caught in his gaze and also obviously browsing in his home.

“Nah, I was hoping for a World Series ring to steal and sell but.” You shrug playful, knowing now he’s gone to the Series but never won.

Joel makes a low hissing sound like he’s injured.

“Damn, y’hit low.” He chuckles low.

You grin triumphantly.

“Don’t worry. You’ll get a ring someday.” You say simply.

“Sound sure about that.” He replies.

“Cause it’s true.” You nod. “You’re pretty great.”

Even with your limited knowledge of baseball, it’s easy to see how great he is. Joel is incredibly talented, a shining star stitched in accomplishment. Yet you can tell hasn’t let it go to his head. He’s anchored by his loved ones, and it’s admirable. You even tell him that.

“I…thanks.” He stumbles for a moment, deep dark eyes a bit cloudy as he searches your face with his voice thick and rumbled.

“What game has been your favorite?” You suddenly ask, wanting to know more about him.

His eyebrows furrow and his deep eyes glaze over a bit distant, creating a face of thought that looks adorable.

Then he nods with a soft grin remembering.

“One of the first games the girls gotta go to.” He paints a picture of seeing his daughters, sitting with their uncle Tommy, wearing too large adorable Texas Rangers jerseys.

“One of the best games I ever played.” He adds gently.

He really is a rare beauty of a man with a gilded heart of gold.

“And you? Your folks talk about ya nonstop. Tell me about grad school. And none of that simple ‘it’s good’ crap.” The quick playful mimic he does of your voice makes you laugh warm and bright.

So you tell him about your favorite moments from lecture and the fondness you have for simply embracing subjects you love so much.

Joel stares fully focused on you. You swear his eyes twinkle like stars might be sowed right in his deep earth depths.

He opens his mouth, eager to continue the conversation. Until the kitchen comes alive with more people entering inside. The bubble breaks, but electricity still brews under your skin.

The next day the Rangers have a game at Globe Life Field you go.

Even if Joel isn’t pitching, you want to experience this world he loves so much. You’re however surprised to find Joel is starting.

Your dad explains how one of the pitchers planned for today had to rest. So Joel will simply be the opener before the rest of the bullpen steps in.

Your heart doesn’t rage wildly as it did like seeing him the first time. Now you feel almost drawn to Joel. You focus on his stance on the mound, so disciplined and almost hauntingly serious.

The Arizona Diamondbacks batter hits the ball solid. It flies straight at Joel, and fear sinks its fangs into you.

Until with fast reflexes Cowboy Miller catches the ball eased. You and the stadium erupt wild.

The Rangers win one to four. On the high of the game, you head to the jerseys again in the shop.

“You should get one!” Your mom urges.

Your fingers itch, almost begging you to grab the jersey that says Miller on it. But something continues to hold you back.

On the drive back home, you now see all the great reaction clips and memes of the game. There's a particular one of Joel catching the ball that includes a great western music overlay, like he’s a hero in an old cowboy movie.

Feeling brave, you send the reel to his Instagram profile. You even add underneath the message “now you just gotta work on that slider pitch.”

You send it. Think, hell at worst the poor social media manager will see it and not even give it the time or day. He must get so many messages anyway.

When you get home, you see the message has been read.

But also, a new profile has followed you.

JM_8712

The profile also sent you a message.

JM_8712: ain’t nothing wrong with my slider

No way.

This can’t be who you think it is. You message back saying this possibly can’t be the real Joel Miller because he doesn’t seem like the type to even know how to send a gif.

JM_8712: think ur so funny huh

The account sends a simple gif of someone rolling their eyes.

Then another message flies in.

JM_8712: ur dad get those damn nachos he kept bitchin about with Tommy?

It feels like one of Joel’s changeup pitches knocks you out.

Because it’s really him messaging you. When you even go to double check the blank profile just to make sure, it barely follows more than twenty people and you spot Ellie and Sarah’s accounts among those profiles.

Warmth unfolds from your chest, dangerous and electric. This is Joel’s personal private account.

Unknowingly this all kicks off something you never thought would have ever started. You and Joel start talking.

The messages flow between you and him, back and forth, at first just talking about the games. Then, when the Rangers leave to travel, the messaging increases.

Joel sends you pictures of the places he travels, the food he eats, the vacant stadiums he gets to enjoy.

You devour it all with a greedy eagerness. However it dawns on you that you’re sliding down a slope too slippery to stop.

For the rest of the summer you earnestly check your messages on the app.

One evening, on a stormy delayed game against the Dodgers, your messages don’t send through. The weather is getting worse in Los Angeles.

“They’re gonna reschedule the game. Storm’s not letting up.” Your dad comments glumly.

You just hope Joel is alright.

Instagram finally alerts you of a message and your heart jumps.

Joel.

JM_8712: sorry connections shit

Then he simply sends you his phone number.

You wonder if you’re seeing things.

Trying to keep calm you text the number a simple message asking if he’s alright.

When your text alert chimes, it rattles your brain.

Yeah im good thanks

Then another message follows. It’s a photo from the locker, bags packed like he’s ready to leave.

Looks like room service for tonight

It’s Joel. You’re texting Joel right now.

It feels like a step deeper into a current you never want to leave.

Texting seems to shift the energy between you and him, a transmutation you never could have imagined.

You text Joel good morning and he tells you good night. You and him bond over a love of music. He’s got incredible taste while also complimenting yours. You stay up late on game days when pitched and now feel your throat dry up knowing you’re getting to know the man on the mound.

The desire brewing more for Joel mixes with the summer heat and melts the days away. Soon enough summer dwindles away, and your new semester approaches.

The drive back to your apartment is a good couple of hours. Funny enough Joel is also traveling today for a game. Stopping for gas midway, your phone goes off.

You think at first it must be one of your parents.

But instead it’s Joel.

You scramble to answer.

“Hey,” his voice sounds incredibly richer and deep on the phone.

“Y’doin’ alright?” Joel asks hesitant.

That catches you off guard.

“Oh yeah, just finished putting in gas actually. Why, what’s up?” You relax more into the conversation now curious to why he called asking that.

Joel sighs.

“Sorry I just…your last text uh, it just got me worried.”

Now you’re really curious about what you texted him. It had been half an incomplete response you sent. Even from your side it seemed abrupted and strange.

Sighing, you apologize that you didn’t even realize you had done that. In the rush of wanting to get out on the road you must have just sent the text.

But it suddenly hits you. Joel called because he was worried. That thought rips into you with a ferocious rawness.

“Okay yeah,” Joel says a bit clumsily. “I’ll…let you go.”

“No, it’s okay.” You quickly reassure him. “How’s the traveling going?”

“Good, just finished rewatching one of the inflight movies.”

“Please tell me it was Field of Dreams.” You tease him with the iconic baseball film as you head back on the road. Just now with Joel on the phone.

On speaker, Joel scoffs echoing in your car all around you. You realize this might be a bad decision trying to stay focused driving while also talking to him.

“Funny.” His thick drawl is dry but so softly teasing just below the surface.

“Was some new movie Sarah told me to watch but…fell asleep.” Joel admits low.

Thinking of him asleep on the plane clutches at something warm and deep in you.

Yes you can admit how badly you want Joel, how you picture what his calloused fingers would feel like on you, in you. But you also are finding yourself aching for more now…

Like falling asleep beside him while watching a movie, or sharing a meal with him and teasing him over his dry sense of humor.

It’s dangerous falling deeper like this.

Especially now in a blink you realize you’ve been talking to Joel this entire drive to your apartment.

“Shit sorry.” He realizes it when he sees the time. “Y’should’ve told me to fuck off. Don’t gotta waste your time talkin’ to some old ass like me.”

He rarely comments on his age, and his words sink hard into your gut.

“Trust me… I’m glad I get to talk to you.” You truthfully tell him.

“You’re the one who probably has better things to do than talk to me.” You add slightly dejected. The words even sting your lips.

“Like watching Field of Dreams.” You quickly add some light humor trying to dispel your heartache leaking in.

Joel snorts.

“Definitely would rather chat with you than watch that.” Joel mutters, but his world electrifies your skin.

“I’m flattered knowing I can beat Kevin Costner.” You joke. When he snorts amused, warmth fills you to the brim.

Someone in the distance calls out to Joel, and you know your time with him is limited. It’s confirmed when he sighs.

“Gonna be landing soon. Ya make it to your place okay?” He asks.

“I did, thank you. And thanks for keeping me company on the drive.” You smile to yourself.

“Don’t mention it. Uh, glad you made it back safe.” Joel replies and his words make you melt.

You say his name quick.

“Can you just… Text me when you make it to the hotel?” Just to know he’s safe. It’s simple, but it feels as if the words weigh a ton.

A moment passes.

“Yeah, will do.” Joel agrees.

He doesn’t text you. Instead Joel calls you when he gets to the hotel.

“Saw a full on fuckin’ fight at the airport when we landed.” Joel rambles immediately, and you learn how much of a secret gossip he is. While Joel breaks down all the details of what he saw, you realize he wanted to tell you about this.

A light burst in your chest because you want to tell Joel everything too.

And when your next semester starts, you tell him all you can.

The texting stays but evolves into more frequent phone calls. Joel listens to you with a gruff saint’s patience. He faintly picks up the names of your professors, even the name of your roommate. At one point he even stays on the phone with you when you cook dinner.

Joel calls during the stretch of waiting at the airports, a few times after games. Sometimes he rants about his teammates, sighs about his frustrations when they lose or when he ends up not doing well on the mound.

While every inch in your body still hums for Joel, it’s steady now - like you’re slowly accepting these emotions fully into your bloodstream and part of your existence.

You adore Joel, maybe more than you want to admit.

During a rare night out with your friends from class, feeling nice in your favorite outfit, courage courses through you. After posting a few photos from your night out, you also post a rather nice selfie.

You pray Joel sees it. Then you get a bit tipsy, and it takes all your willpower not to text Joel.

But the alcohol burns in you. Once you’re back at your apartment, in the safety of your room, you pull up your favorite video.

It’s a spring training video the Rangers made of the team preparing for the upcoming season. The video ranged from showing the guys on the field practicing, to them in the weight room.

There’s a nice small segment just on Cowboy Joel Miller. Specifically he’s training with a few weights and when you first saw it, your throat got so dry.

Joel is drenched in sweat. The simple worn navy blue shirt sticks to his body, highlighting the tone of his arms and width of his shoulders. Curls wet with sweat stick to his forehead. His concentrated face is sinful.

But not as hot as the sounds he makes.

The grunts, the soft growls, the exhales he gives lifting the weights… they drench your thoughts with images of him fucking.

You’ve never done this before, never gotten off on his videos. You never wanted to fall this far.

But it’s so hard when your body feels molten, so wet hearing with his groans directly in your ears. Your fingers trail down to relieve the throbbing wet ache between your legs.

Imagining Joel’s sweaty gorgeous body pressed against yours, picturing his thicker fingers in you, getting to taste him on your tongue - you come incredibly fast.

The next morning a text and a somber guilt wait for you.

Joel of course had messaged you.

Looks like you had fun last night

So he did see your pictures. A blistering heat crawls in your throat.

But reality sinks in fast. You got off to Joel. You don’t want to feel guilty. You reason there’s probably others who have maybe done it. But it does quietly eat at you.

So much that you don’t even reply to Joel for the whole day trying to sort your mind out. He’s the one that eventually calls you.

“Y’go out on a date or somethin’?” Joel asks about the night out, and your mind sputters to a halt.

“Oh uh, no. Just went out with some friends in class.”

“Oh.” He replies quick. “Well, looked like fun.”

You agree and thank him.

“But yeah, no dates for me.” You weakly laugh.

“Yeah? Any reason why?” Joel presses.

Because you’re partially head over heels for him, but you can’t admit that yet.

“No one’s asked me recently that’s all.” You reply simply. You’ve done the dating apps, had the headache mess of ghosting and awkward dates.

Joel snorts. “Pretty thing like you? Hard to imagine.”

His words, like a change up ball that drops wildly in the air, disorient you.

“Trust me, it’s real.” You dryly reply.

“And you? You must be seeing some famous celebrity in secret huh?” You teasingly ask.

You’ve seen the ESPN clips of the beautiful reporters flirting with him, cooing at how handsome he is. He probably could snag a supermodel or other famous person.

Joel barks a hollow laugh of a thing.

“No, none of that.” He answers.

“Ain’t not time for that or…mainly…haven’t found anyone who’s got the patience for me.”

Your heart sinks.

“Wait, what do you mean?” You quietly press.

He sighs.

“M’ older, a single dad. My schedule ain’t perfect. And those that have tried to uh… pursue something haven’t always had the best intentions.”

His voice trails off somber. You wonder how many just wanted him for his money or fame.

A grim cloud seems to settle above you.

“You’re a great guy Joel, an incredible one.” You earnestly tell him. “Those who can’t see it don’t deserve you.”

“And I have to say it but…you’re a real catch.” You go for the obvious baseball pun.

Joel’s chuckle is a beautiful low gruff treasure.

“That was bad.” You can almost picture him shaking his head. “But thanks…same uh, same goes for you. You’re smart, gorgeous. Someone will come around to see you’re worth it.”

You’re drowning in his words. They feel too much.

He ends up having to quickly end the call with his manager calling, and you’re thankful for it. Because this blooming rawness in you feels like it’s getting too much, yet not enough.

Joel’s compliments are sincere. But many feelings tangle you up. It hurts, like you’re stuck in a rose bush trying to get comfortable within the thorns.

Then, the universe decides to pull you away from Joel.

Classes kick up and the workload piles on. You’re exhausted. It even gets harder to reply to Joel as swiftly as you did. You even miss a few of his phone calls and don’t even call him back.

The days blur together.

Then, one morning you find a text waiting for you.

hope you’re alright

You want to cradle that message.

When you call Joel, it’s like not a day has passed between you and him. Your heart soars hearing his voice again.

“So uh…” Joel begins cautiously, and you’ve never heard him this nervous almost. “We’ll be heading your way into town soon.”

That’s right.

Caught up in the semester you completely forgot the team would be playing the Astros soon. Excitement immediately rises in you.

“Hope ya can come out and see us. And if ya do, let me know.” Joel suggests and you swear his voice sounds shy.

The minute the conversation ends, you try checking for tickets. But they’re a pretty penny. You jokingly circle the top section, the highest nosebleeds, and text him saying he needs to try and find you from here.

He texts back immediately.

Don’t worry about the tickets. Just head to will call and let them know you’re with me. Got it covered

That might be one of the hottest things you’ve ever read.

Game day can’t approach any faster. Your parents even mention the upcoming game when you call to check up.

“You should try to go!” Your dad urges, eager.

A part of you has wondered if Joel mentioned you to your dad. You’ve kept quiet, not saying a thing about whatever this is with Joel, and you now think so did Joel.

You take a small comfort in that.

When game day does arrive, you head to Minute Maid Park alone. Your closest friend and classmate couldn’t make it, and neither could your roommate. But for some reason, you’re slightly okay with being here by yourself.

At the ticket window, you nervously say that you’re here for Joel. Like if nothing they verify your name, and with an ease slide tickets your way.

Not just any tickets, but seats right by the Rangers dugout.

Still stunned, but now slightly lost, you can’t help but feel stranded in the stadium.

“You okay, sweetie?” A lovely voice comes and when you turn, you find a sweet older motherly woman. She wears a Texas Rangers jersey and another younger woman stands besides her in the same jersey. They both stare at you concerned.

“You lost?” The younger woman asks sympathetically.

It must be that obvious. The motherly older woman politely asks to check your tickets to point you in the right direction. She perks up.

“Aw look at that! You’re sitting close to us! Come on, we’ll show ya around!” She beams warmly.

“Wait, are you sure?” You ask worried.

“Oh of course,” the younger woman reassures you with a smile. “The stadium is so huge and besides, us Rangers fans gotta stick together.”

She then winks, noticing the Rangers shirt you bought and wore for the game.

You find out Malinda, the older woman, is the mother of the first baseman. And the other lady, Casey, is his wife.

Kindly, this sweet family adopts you, guiding you towards the section literally right besides the dugout on the other side of the net.

You’re stunned in shock yet again.

Even though your tickets are a few rows away from the two sweet ladies, they reassure you you’ll be fine sitting with them.

It’s beautiful and comforting.

“So, who are you here for?” Casey asks with a friendly gossip like whisper. “These seats are for friends and family, and I haven’t seen you around before.”

But then she quickly reassures you don’t have to explain if you don't want to.

You with a weak laugh you’re here to see Joel, adding that he’s a family friend. Her eyes go wide.

“Oh wow! And he warmed up today too so he might pitch!” She says excitedly.

Joel had texted you before the line up was confirmed that he would be warming up.

Don’t know if I’m gonna get put in but just in case

Even if he didn’t, you told him you just wanted to be there to support him.

With the Rangers being the visiting team, they bat first. You want to root for the guys to get a hit and get on base, but you also already selfishly want to see Joel.

Three outs come and the Rangers switch to take the field. No sign of Joel.

In fact he doesn’t show up until the fifth inning, and it happens so casually. Joel simply walks out from the dugout and takes your breath away.

The team wears their cobalt blue jerseys and the color flatters Joel marvelously.

It feels like seeing him for the first time all over again but through a deeper lens you can’t explain.

You clap and cheer with pride when he manages to strike out the first batter. Then the second.

Two strikeouts back to back.

Joel told you back in his younger days he struck out seven hitters in a row. Now for him to get two, much less strike out the third batter, is something to applaud and admire. And the Rangers fans here, including yourself, cheer loud when the team heads back for the next inning.

“Cowboy Miller in his golden age.” Someone off to the side whistles appreciatively.

You don’t fight the syrupy fondness swallowing you whole.

“It’s rare that a more…seasoned pitcher like Joel still is relied on,” your new friend Casey explains. “But it’s hard to see why not. Everyone’s been saying like he’s almost found a new groove and still has so much power.”

He’s a force you’re terribly in awe of.

Seeing the whip of how strong his body still pitches the ball with a dizzying speed, how handsome he looks under the baseball cap, you want to savor this as much as you can.

Joel manages to get two more strikes out in the second inning. Then by the seventh they get a hit off him but thankfully, no runs come in. Cowboy Miller ends the inning striking out the final batter. You, and the other Rangers fans present, erupt wild.

He did amazing.

Laser focused, locked in on the game, he doesn’t search the crowd or even glance up and you understand. The game gets intense when the Astros manage to hit a home run in the eight. In the end the Rangers win because of an error.

But it’s still a sweet victory.

You relish and warmly celebrate it with your co cheerleaders for the game that made you feel so welcomed with them. You’re about to head up and leave, start looking for an Uber ride home, when Malinda calls to you.

“Sweetie? Aren’t ya gonna wait with us and greet the guys!?” She asks with warm curious sweetness.

You can’t say no.

The commotion sweeps you into a neon coated excitement. There’s a special area sectioned off, almost in a backstage-like section that connects to the entry way for the visiting teams. You’re surprised at how many others wait here.

The team slowly trickles out of the locker room and into the hallway. You’re hilariously reminded of a class being let out.

Then the world then melts away when Joel walks out. Focused on his phone you almost want to call out to him, but your voice gets caught in your throat.

Putting his phone away Joel finally glances up and spots you.

Even with his baseball cap on, you see his eyes widen for a fraction. Your body reacts on its own moving towards him. But he also walks fiercely towards you.

The world blurs away for a moment and then without even thinking, you’re embracing him.

It happens so naturally you don’t even realize what you did until you blink and it’s like you’ve been thrown into cold water.

Panicking, you’re about to pull away until Joel’s arms slowly wrap around you.

“Good to see ya too.” He says low gruff but you’re taken out by the knees grateful your body doesn’t give out.

He smells of sweat, of the dirt on the field, and something sharply Joel, and it’s wonderful.

Quickly you draw yourself away to proudly tell him how amazing he did. Joel waves you off with a gruff noise as his eyes refuse to meet you, almost bashful.

It’s been so long since you’ve seen him this close, been in the same space as him. And it feels so different.

“Alright, dinner?” Someone says, and when you turn, you’re stunned to see it’s the team manager.

Guess this means you’ll be saying goodbye.

“Headin’ home?” Joel asks when he notices you staying back once everyone funnels outside.

“Uh yeah, gotta grab an Uber first. Didn’t wanna drive down here and deal with Houston traffic along with awful parking during a game.” You joke, and Joel snorts.

“Let me take ya back then.” He offers, and you almost drop your phone.

You scramble out reassuring Joel it’s fine.

“Besides, don’t you have dinner to go to?” And where would he even get a car to take you.

“S’fine. Would rather make sure you get home safe anyway.” He then tells you to hang tight then goes to grab one of the rental cars the team has on ready.

Because of course they do.

Your blood hums wild knowing Joel is taking you home, that you’re going to be alone with him. Even in this glimmering dusted dream you still want to tell Malinda and Casey goodbye and thanks for treating you so kindly.

You wish them well and even welcome their warm goodbye hug.

“Wish you could come to dinner!” Casey frowns.

“Maybe next time.” Her mother in law says bright.

Next time.

“Yes hope to see you at more games.” Casey grins and the possibility bubbles iridescent in you.

With a goodbye to them you wait for Joel. There are still a few others of the wives or girlfriends hanging around while the team sorts out where to go.

You haven’t turned to give them any attention. However something crawls on your skin like you’re hyper aware of being watched.

“Did you see how she hugged him? Probably just using him, poor Joel.” One of them whispers.

“She’s not even that pretty.” Another one giggles.

“Oh then you know he’s maybe just using her then! And if that’s the case then good for Joel.” The other replies with a searing joke that makes your stomach sick.

Joel returns, keys in his hand. “Ready to go?”

You weakly grin back.

You should be basking in this moment of finally getting to be alone with Joel, of getting to see him drive you around. Once in the car he took off his cap allowing you sight of his soft hair. The darkness of the car, the warmth of the city lights flickering by, all coat him glorious. Yet those comments from earlier fester poisonous and sour any hope of enjoying this.

You stay rather quiet while giving him directions to your place.

Joel however is surprisingly talkative.

“So you’ll have to give me recommendations of places to go around here.” His voice even sounds just traces softer, higher almost - like he’s happy being here.

And it kills you.

“Y’seem quiet, you okay?” He notices it of course, ever aware.

“Yeah, just a bit tired. Didn’t know the game would take that much outta me.” You lie.

Eventually you arrive at your apartment complex.

“Your place is nice.” Joel admires as he helps you out of the car like the Texan gentleman he is. He even follows you to your door.

You graciously thank him again for this night and for taking you home.

“You sure you’re okay?” He asks again.

You walk a few steps away from him. The night all around is still quiet, feels soupy with how much hangs in you.

You refuse to cry about this, don’t want to get emotional. If anything, you deserve to treat this like an adult.

“Joel…” you start cautiously, already hating the way your voice wavers.

“Yeah?” His voice stays steady, unbothered, but his eyes furrowing say otherwise.

“What…what is this? What are we?” You ask as steady as you can, but your tone continues to crack.

Joel’s eyes brow furrow and his mouth closes, tightening his jaw.

“Just…good friends.” He replies simply, almost cold. “Just showing my pal’s daughter a nice night.”

There it is.

Your soul deflates. So all the times you’ve felt like this might be something, maybe it's just been you wishing it would be.

So salvaging whatever dignity left, you nod.

“Thanks again, Joel.” You reply briskly and return walking towards your door.

He says your name. It stops you dead in your tracks.

“Why? Why d’ya ask that?” He asks, pressing firm and hard.

You turn back to him, and a deep scowl is etched on his face.

“It doesn’t matter.” You answer.

“The fuck does that mean?” He snaps a bit sharp.

“It means what it means.” You fire back.

“Bullshit. Why did you ask that?” Joel growls out firmer.

“Even if I told you, it doesn’t matter.” You repeat.

“Stop sounding like a fuckin’ owl.” His voice rises hard and fast, like a hand slamming on the wall.

It startles you, makes your eyes water and something in you shakes. Mainly because you know this is beginning to taste like the end. The smallest trace of hope is dissipating right before you.

You blink back tears, and immediately Joel’s face falls.

“Honey, I’m sorry-”

Shaking your head, you cut him off. Not even the sweet pet name he effortlessly uses can shake you.

Through gritted teeth you tell him to go.

“Not when you’re this upset.” He urges.

Through tears a sad water laugh escapes you and Joel’s eyes go cloudy.

“I’m realizing…I’ll never be anything to you then just your friend's kid, huh?” Your voice is waterlogged and you can’t fight it.

“You are.” He states simple and straightforward.

You nod, swallowing back the heartache boiling over.

“Can’t be anythin’ more than that.” Joel adds through mutter.

“Why?” You now ask him. Under the amber light of your apartment’s hallway the most frustrated cloudy look hardens his face.

His eyes scan your face then he steps closer towards you

“Don’t act dumb, sweetheart.” His voice rips out low cruel, slightly harsh.

You’re not and you tell him that.

“I…” the words you’ve held locked up so fiercely in your heart now sneak out from their bars to escape.

“I’d give anything to be yours, Joel.” You croak barely realizing you even said that.

He inhales, and his face goes taunt.

You wait for the sharp reply, even brace for it.

Instead Joel swoops in, kisses you wild like a sudden storm, and presses you against the door of your apartment.

Greedily, you claw onto him not wanting to ever let this go, to let him go. Your mouth begs him more to invade and consume. And he does so with a steady hunger.

The clamor into your apartment is messy, but at one point Joel cautiously stops to look around.

“My roommate’s visiting family…” you reassure, kissing his neck and softly under the side of his jaw with delicate cautious lips.

“Just you and me.” You whisper soft.

Joel takes command the minute you lead him to your room.

“Thought about this. Fuck, think about ya all the damn time.” He growls against your neck as he slides your bra off and runs a callous hand over your chest.

“Fucked my fist that first night you went swimmin’ at m’house.” Joel’s words make you whine and then his lips lick against your skin trying to savor you.

“Me too.” You admit through a whimper. “Touched myself thinking of you.”

Joel freezes.

“Tell me,” he says rather calmly, deadly almost.

Your syrupy lust begins fading away when you realize what you said, what he asks for, and what your answer will be.

Your lips and eyes shut close.

Then Joel’s warm breath, like a ghost, crawls against up your chest and tickles against your ear now.

“Come on, honey,” his voice is utterly decadent with a plea. “Tell me, please.”

You swallow hard telling Joel you don't want him to get weirded out.

He hums against your neck already starting to suck a mark against your skin. Your eyes roll back, and the embarrassment is quickly fading away.

“Promise, I’ll be okay.” Joel reassures you with a mumble against your skin.

So with a shaky voice, you weakly admit how you touched yourself to videos of him.

He groans.

“Baby, oh fuck, fuckin - shit.” Joel sputters out hard, like he just got kicked in the gut, and you’re worried until his lips smash into yours.

He devours you.

You’re swept into a tangled dizzying frenzy. Your clothes practically get ripped off as do Joel’s while he clutches onto you and licks into your mouth.

“That’s my girl. Knew you’d be m’good girl.” He says almost drunk and you’re done for.

You fall into the chasm with no hopes of turning back. But you don’t want to.

Joel feels like a god carving open your universe. You want to consume him and want him to consume you. He becomes your center of gravity.

In the aftermath, you’re left basking in Joel’s warmth and never want to leave.

Even though you were in his arms, Joel had to sit up to take a call and now scrolls through his phone. Your fingers trace his beautiful back.

You’re thankful for all the soft lamps you bought that now melt him into a dreamlike glow.

“Joel.”

He hums a gruff gentle noise that says he’s listening.

“I don’t…” you begin softly, then tell him your doubts. You don’t want him to think you’re simply using him for his status or money.

“Joel… you could quit or retire tomorrow and work with your brother as a contractor and I’d still always want you the way I want you.” Your deliciously aching limbs, the soft afterglow, all of it has you speaking soft and freely.

You never wanted Joel because of his fame or even because of the forbidden taste of him being friends with your dad. You wanted Joel for deeper reasons, some that have carved out a chasm in your heart.

You explain this all to him best as you can without rambling or sounding silly.

Joel sighs.

“Y’shouldn’t.” His voice is a hollow rumble. “I’m old, friends with your dad. We shouldn’t be doin’ this.”

Now a bitter venom spills in you.

You glare at his back, how his shoulders slump defeated while you sit up

“I'm an adult, Joel. And if that’s all you’re worried about then sorry it’s a shit reason.” You launch back.

Over his shoulder he glares at you.

“If…” you swallow hard. “If you’re the one who wants to leave, because i’m that young, or you really don't want this or don’t feel what I feel, then fine. At least tell me that.”

“But I care about you. And I want to make this, us, work.” You finish firmly, even with how much emotions clash in your chest.

Joel sighs again. His eyes face turns away now down downcasted.

“Didn’t wanna want you the way I do. You’re so bright, fucking’ smart and so g’damn gorgeous.” He softly admits.

A pause settles between him and you.

“Y’could be with someone younger, less complicated.” Joel admits low.

“Don’t want anyone younger or less complicated. Just want you.” You reassure with a soft steady mutter.

He goes quiet again.

“Used to not get bothered when I started leavin’ away games by myself. With Tommy married and the business booming, then the girls startin’ to have their own lives…I didn’t mind doing this alone.”

Underneath his words you catch it, his rusting loneliness.

“But then…these past few months…and now today seeing ya waitin’ for me…” he says clipped, like the rest of his words are caught in his throat and he can’t free them yet

Joel turns, and his eyes bore into you.

The silence stays as you stare unflinchingly back at him.

He doesn’t need to say anything else. You don’t think you have to either. Like a magnetic pull, it’s effortless moving towards him. Joel’s warm large calloused hand, seasoned from so many seasons of hard work, of pitching, cradles your face. You kiss him with every inch of your heart.

Even after spending the night, you’re surprised Joel hasn’t left yet. He even comments about figuring out lunch plans with you.

“You have another game today, Cowboy.” You comment.

The term makes his eyebrows rise, and the most coy smirk tugs his face making him look so charming.

“Got today off to rest, ya little shit.” It’s affectionate. “Besides my back ain’t what it use to be and after goin’ more rounds with ya this morning-”

In the middle of your living room you rush to kiss him.

The rest of the day unfolds like a dream drenched and stitched from every domestic fantasy you’ve ever had. Joel stands in your kitchen when you make him a quick lunch and you laugh apologizing that your fridge isn’t MLB diet certified. Joel steals your last saved snack after that joke.

Cuddled snug on the couch with him, you try watching a movie but Joel, so greedy and handsy, ends up fucking your brains out with his tongue.

When dinner rolls around, you order from your favorite local takeout place and Joel pays for everything. You ignore all the work you need to do for the week and don’t care. You’re here at this moment and want to stay crystalized in it for as long as you can.

But tomorrow is the last day before the team leaves to Miami to play the Marlins.

While showering with him, you wrap yourself against Joel’s back already dreading his leave. He seems to sense it too because his hands squeezes yours.

Against your shower wall he glides into you tender and slow, almost trying to draw out every inch of this.

Later that night, you try staying up but the day begins settling in. Your eyes flutter trying to fight sleep.

He mutters your name soft while his fingers run soft against your side.

“Hm?” You answer, trying hard to fight your tired eyes.

“Don’t want ya to think i’m ever using you, honey. You’re not just some young thing keepin’ me company.”

His words are simple, but they erupt so much in you.

Joel had been spooning you from behind, but now you immediately turn around to burrow your face against his chest. You reassure him and his arms tighten around you wonderful chains you wish never break.

But the next morning arrives.

“Gonna come to our last game here?” Joel asks while he packs up.

“Don’t know, I heard you guys still have that really old guy who might be pitching.” You say with a shrug.

His face frowns hard, but Joel moves to playfully smack your ass while you laugh. He quickly draws you in for another kiss.

You have class tomorrow and work you need to jump on, but you go to the game. Joel doesn’t play, but you don’t mind. Getting to hug him goodbye one last night in the shadow of the stadium is worth it.

“Text ya when we get to the airport.” Joel promises, secretly placing a soft kiss on your head.

That night when you get home you order not one, but two Joel Miller jerseys.

[ohraicodoll]

can we get a headcannon from joels pov on how he found himself getting emotionally close with red?

Joel wasn't sure when exactly the switch in his head happened. When he stopped seeing Red as just a tag-a-long that helped make the job of watching Ellie easier and when he started to care for her.

He'd agreed to letting her come because of Ellie, because he could see the girl needed someone after the horror of Henry and Sam, and he'd relented. But in his mind he wasn't going to get attached.

He knew the attraction part of it started early. It was hard to ignore, but there was no shame in admitting to himself that he found her gorgeous in her rage and violence. A carnivorous flower.

It was akin to finding something dangerous beautiful. A jaguar behind a thin pane of glass.

Maybe it was that first time they got drunk that he started to see her as a person. It was the first time she talked to him and had a conversation and not clipped words and grunts and stutters. Her voice was raspy but easy with liquor and for once he wanted her to keep talking just to listen. For a second it felt just like before the Outbreak, talking to a pretty girl at a bar about all the things they liked.

She wasn't just a weapon or an asset after that. She was a woman that had interests and likes and had a family and a partner before everything. Things started to click between them, a bridge built.

That was when they started getting on the same page, able to communicate silently. He realized that she didn't just have Ellie's back but his as well.

Then the panic at the close calls. The cabin. Her coming out in only a towel and patching him up, kneeling between his thighs and still baring her teeth. The aching want that had flooded him at seeing her there.

Finding her on the living room floor afterwards, awake and annoyed and uncomfortable, had been the tipping point. He wasn't sure what made him brave enough to proposition her. The loneliness, the image of her naked skin with the stars tattooed on her chest, the excuse that it would be just sex and it wasn't a big deal.

But he'd been wrong and he realized he was tumbling into the abyss the moment his fingers were between her thighs. And when she finally made a sound, unable to keep it in, it was over for him. He was drowning in everything, trying to cling desperately to the life raft that was his excuses. No kissing, it's just sex it's just sex it's just sex.

Her eyes found his and her skin was flushed and for a second she was vulnerable, unmasked, and he couldn't help himself.

He still clung to his excuses every time he found her in the darkness. Every kiss on her skin, ever moan swallowed by her mouth, every time her nails raked across his scalp. But it was the aftermath that did him in.

Joel had a hard time letting go of her after, her warm body in his arms, and somehow he got addicted to her voice. He knew it was something only he and Ellie got and relished in it, somehow finding he was willing to offer tiny pieces of himself in exchange for listening.

They talked about music, about his brother, smuggling, him growing up in Arlington before moving to Austin. He dodged around Sarah, his ex-wife, all the pain. She mentioned being a military brat, of all things, moving a lot, touching only briefly on a potential group she had left and the different areas she roamed when she was alone. Not much, but crumbs for each other, passed from one set of lips to the other.

He tried to keep a distance during the day. The light made everything too real, too blatant, so he kept his distance and rough tone. They used their anger as a shield. But the anxiety started to twist and grow with every close call.

She'd later tell him he was dealing with panic attacks but it felt like he was dying at the time. Every fear strangling him and squeezing around his heart until he couldn't breathe. Joel tried to hide it like a wounded dog but she noticed because of course she would. She always did.

Dread started to seep in because the fear tasted familiar and he knew that somewhere down the line he had tumbled too far. That losing Red just like losing Ellie would hurt and he didn't know if he could do it.

He had tried to give some part of himself to Tess but couldn't ever do it, even when she asked and pushed past the line of partner into more. He couldn't give it to her and even if she said she was fine with only sex, he knew she wasn't.

But he found he was already giving pieces of himself to Red and she hadn't even asked. Something that hadn't happened since Sarah's mom. It was terrifying.

When he tried to push her away, push her to Tommy and wipe his hands clean, it was like she clawed him on the way out. Raked her talons across his flesh and made him bleed to remember her by. It was the first time in a long while that they had a warm, clean bed to sleep in and he was spending it awake most of the night, alone, trapped in the cycle of both Ellie and Red's voices and Sarah's disappointed eyes.

Joel couldn't follow through with it. It all cracked that night, the wall he'd tried so hard to put up turning to dust in his hands. He couldn't leave Ellie and Red, couldn't bare to pass them off to someone else and never know what would happen to them. He wanted Ellie's chatter and laughs, Red's glances, her voice late at night. He wanted them with him.

Joel Miller was an admittedly selfish man and he wanted it all.

So he let himself tumble down after them.

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - June 4

Happy June!!! It’s my favorite month of the year. So here’s a bunch of fic to enjoy and start the best month--be sure to leave comment/kudos for your authors! 

~*~ 

the soul stands ajar by starvels (dinosaur) 

It's snowing on the mountainside, the 5th time they have the argument about whether either of them have a soul anymore.

rumors all around (say her body is fantastic) by starvels (dinosaur) 

“For the record,” Steve tries again. “It wasn’t about my underwear,” he pauses. “But mine are very nice as well.”

Cherry Ride by copperbadge

A SHIELD agent named Roger Stevens told Tony that his nickname was "Cap". Tony didn't connect the dots until it was much, much too late.

Second Chance Lives by raeldaza

Tony's gonna die of palladium poisoning anyway, why not join a pointless expedition to recover Captain America’s body? And after, well, why not dedicate his last few months to making sure an American hero settles into his new life? What else is he going to do, get drunk at parties?

In Tandem by RurouniHime

“Want a blood test,” Steve manages, because on the third night of their Week, he can think more clearly than he’s been able to for days. Tony’s scent is strong in his nostrils, cloying in a strange, sleek way he yearns after like a tune he nearly recognizes. “If you’re getting sick—”

“God.” Tony shifts bodily up into him, clenching around him. “Yes, Mom.”

Object: Matrimony by BladeoftheNebula

Omega Tony Stark craves adventure and an escape from the life his parents have planned for him in New York. He places a listing in a marriage catalogue to seek a match with an alpha out West, and Sheriff Steve Rogers answers his advertisement. But finding a nice alpha doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing from there...

- A Mail Order Bride AU -

Heart in Hand by janonny

Steve had been thinking — that was all he was doing, thinking, not moping, as Bucky described it — about the best way to make his feelings clear to Tony. He wanted it to be perfect. He needed it to be the best demonstration of sincere interest that Tony had ever received.

Bucky called it procrastinating, but Steve called it strategizing.

And this Courting Ceremony? It was perfect.

Now he just needed to figure out what to get Tony as a Courting gift. And what to wear. And what to say. And what to do.

 -

Or the story where Tony, an Omega, holds a much belated Courting Ceremony. Steve joins up and loses his mind a little.

Sense of Memory and Desire by iam93percentstardust 

On the verge of his heat, Tony gets asked to star in a perfume ad. He agrees - but only if his alpha gets to be his costar.

Sweet domesticity by masterlokisev159

Steve and Tony have always had their moments, it's just part of being together. They drive each other crazy but at the end of the day they’ll always have each other's backs, in and out of battle. In sickness and in health. 

That last one isn’t complicated for Steve. Today isn’t an exception.

One Nation Indivisible by theladyscribe

They ask Steve to lead the Pledge at the memorial service for the Battle of Manhattan, and of course he agrees.

Pro Patria by Sarah K (tears_of_nienna)

Tony visits Arlington and finds that he's not the only Avenger there.

Concerto Memorial by TariCalmcacil

Steve just wanted to spend Memorial Day thinking about his friends. He didn't realize that Tony had the same idea when he dragged him to DC for the National Memorial Day Concert.

Or: how Steve stopped seeing Tony as an annoying acquaintance whom wasn't quite as awful as he originally thought and started seeing him as a friend.

Stuff We Did by Captain_Panda 

When the end comes, there is no last act of defiance from the great Tony Stark.

The "Up" AU prequel to Married Life.

To Stay or Go? by iam93percentstardust 

The lawns of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters are kept immaculate, the hedges sculpted into interesting shapes of fantastical animals and mythological figures. Sarah, however, is more interested in the mansion at the end of the long drive. Sprawling and large enough to fit over a dozen of her small apartment, the school cuts an imposing figure against the skyline. Sarah shivers, reminding herself, as she looks back at the boy drawing in a notebook in the passenger seat, that this is necessary.

My Better Half, My Saving Grace by ChocolateCapCookie 

The five different ways Steve Rogers loves Tony Stark

A Forever Thing by midnightsnacks

Tony jumped up, ready to throw his drink right into the strangers face when a strong hand grabbed his wrist and held him in place. He looked up into unforgettably bright eyes. So, not a stranger then.

Are we satellites? by starvels (dinosaur) 

In between sunrises on the road, Steve is speaking, eating, stepping into diners to save people like coming back to his childhood home.

And Tony, Tony is watching him. Tony is relearning being awake.

-

A cross country roadtrip where Steve and Tony find the typical American town, a fuckton of trees and finally, finally, find the right questions to ask each other.

[theonlyadawong]

my understanding of val and sheila - a chorus line

(warning! this post is super long. also, im not a writer. so.)

in val's monologue she talks about how she was a better dancer than the people that got cast, it was just that she wasn't as conventionally attractive as the other women, so she didn't get cast. val then says, "but after a while i caught on. i mean, i saw what they were hiring," and then she looks to sheila, who has a knowing, proud look on her face. the immediate reaction to this is that sheila is getting cast because of her fuller figure, which is not untrue, but it is also val calling out sheila for relying on looks and being an inadequate dancer. remember, this is the sheila who stops dancing upon getting placed upstage, the sheila who always has a snarky remark about thr audition ready to go, the sheila who by the end, admits that maybe this is the end for her broadway career. sheila represents the women who val was losing jobs to, the ones she was better than, the ones who relied solely on their figure to get jobs, which is why val so blatantly calls sheila out in the middle of the audition. when you remember that val was losing jobs because of women like sheila (or more specifically because of the system which values conventionally attractive people more than those deemed "ugly." that being said, val doesn't take her anger out on the system, she takes her anger out on sheila) suddenly, sheilas jokes about only knowing choreography when she was in the front are not funny anymore, they're infuriating.

on the flipside of this, sheila is a woman who has been working for years, and she's tired now, and despite not being that old (she's only 30) she knows the business will not accept her as she ages. this is something val proves to her when she announces she got plastic surgery, and it did, in fact, change her life for the better. in fact, val's exact words are, "keep the best of you, do the rest of you." while this isn't directed at sheila at all, it is a sentiment that im sure strikes her in her heart, because it's something she's been thinking about herself (before "what i did for love" she has the line, "hell im 30. i mean, how many years do i have left to be a chorus cutie? 3? 4. if i get my eyes done.") also, when val is asked her age she says, "old. no- 25," which must be yet another blow to sheila, as she's the oldest woman on the line, and to hear the person who upstaged you call themselves old when they're only 5 years younger than you must burn.

(also note that sheila and val have similar introductions

SHEILA: I'm Sheila Bryant. Really Sarah Rosemary Bryant, which I really hate. I was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. And I'm gonna be 30 real soon, and I'm real glad.

VAL: Well, as far as I'm concerned, I'm Valerie Clark, but my parents think I'm Margaret Mary Houlihan. Couldn't you just die? I was born in the middle of nowhere, a little town called Arlington, Vermont. Bye-bye

ZACK: How old are you?

VAL: Old. No- 25

both women hate their birth names, and you easily could make the point that sheila associates her birth name with her home life, specifically her parents, which she states she tried to avoid, meaning they have the same reason for taking up stage names. then they both say where they're from and then they state their age. sheila states hers with faux confidence, as she knows she will soon be aged out of the business, while zack has to force val to share her age, she even prefaces it by saying she's old, despite the fact that she's not, because she too is feeling the years creep up on her. (again, she's not old, nor do i think either of these women are old, but show business is loaded with misogyny).

it is also important to note that both women express the desire to move out of dancing. val says she's gotten into acting, and sheila admits that she might consider teaching. the difference, however, is that in leaving to teach, sheila would essentially be giving up her career (see cassie's line in her monologue, "and what i really don't want to do is to teach other people what i should be doing myself." this line is cassie stating that being a dance teacher would be a miserable last resort for her), while val would still be in the business, just a different part of the business. but still, both have realized dancing is not for them.

sheila also has the line, "and then your 25, and then you say 'just a couple of years more.' hell im 30..." and then she continues on about not having left to be in the chorus. while this line is about herself, this is also something that im sure resonates with val, as she is 25, and here she is auditioning for the chorus, and here's sheila telling her what her future will look like. this fear that sheila has, it's in val too, which is why shes forced herself into acting, it gives her another avenue to perform, but it is not a guaranteed path to success, it's just something to keep her in the game a little longer.

at the end of the day, sheila and val are the same person just at different times in their life, and im sure in five years, val will be someone's sheila, and a younger woman will be her val, and the cycle will continue.

and in the end, both of these women's feelings toward each other and themselves are validated when val gets cast and sheila doesn't.

[princesssarisa]

"Little Women" Posthumous Reunion: Final Resting Places of the People Behind the Novel and Its Adaptations

As a fan of the YouTube channel Hollywood Graveyard and the "Posthumous Reunion" pages on FindAGrave.com, I thought I would make a similar tribute to the people behind Little Women and its best-known screen adaptations. This is a guide to the burial sites (if they exist) of all the adaptations' leading actors and creative team members who have died, as well as those of the Alcott family and their friends, for anyone who hopes to visit them someday.

@littlewomenpodcast, @joandfriedrich, @thatscarletflycatcher

Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, Virginia, USA

John Davis Lodge (John Brooke, 1933 film)

Cementerio de Benalmádena – Benalmádena, Spain

Paul Lukas (Friedrich Bhaer, 1933 film)

Ceder Hill Cemetery – Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Katharine Hepburn (Jo, 1933 film)

Cimitero Flaminio – Rome, Italy

Rossano Brazzi (Friedrich Bhaer, 1949 film)

Cimitiére Communal de Montrouge – Montrouge, France

May Alcott Nieriker (real-life Amy) (site unknown)

Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale – Glendale, California, USA

Edna May Oliver (Aunt March, 1933 film)

June Allyson (Jo, 1949 film)

Elizabeth Taylor (Amy, 1949 film)

Robert Young (Mr. Laurence, 1978 miniseries)

George Cukor (director, 1933 film)

Mervyn LeRoy (director/producer, 1949 film)

Max Steiner (music, 1933 and 1949 films)

Adolph Deutsch (music, 1949 film)

Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills – Los Angeles, California, USA

Jean Parker (Beth, 1933 film)

Leon Ames (Mr. March, 1949 film)

Holy Cross Cemetery – Culver City, California, USA

Mary Astor (Marmee, 1949 film)

Inglewood Park Cemetery – Inglewood, California, USA

Samuel S. Hinds (Mr. March, 1933 film)

Kensico Cemetery – Valhalla, New York, USA

Henry Stephenson (Mr. Laurence, 1933 film)

Mortlake Crematorium – Richmond, Greater London, England

Pat Nye (Hannah, 1970 miniseries)

Mount Hope Cemetery – Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA

Lucile Watson (Aunt March, 1949 film)

Oak Hill Cemetery – Lawrence, Kansas, USA

Alf Whitman (real-life Laurie)

Pleasant View Cemetery – Lyme, Connecticut, USA

Joan Bennett (Amy, 1933 film)

Savannah Cemetery – Savannah, Tennessee, USA

Elizabeth Patterson (Hannah, 1949 film)

Shiloh Cemetery – Shiloh, Illinois, USA

Mary Wickes (Aunt March, 1994 film)

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery – Concord, Massachusetts, USA

Louisa May Alcott (author and real-life Jo)

Abigail May Alcott (real-life Marmee)

Amos Bronson Alcott (real-life Mr. March)

Anna Alcott Pratt (real-life Meg)

John Bridge Pratt (real-life John Brooke)

Elizabeth Sewall Alcott (real-life Beth)

Henry David Thoreau (possible real-life Friedrich Bhaer)

Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park – Dallas, Texas, USA

Greer Garson (Aunt March, 1978 miniseries)

St. Leonard’s Churchyard – Hove, East Sussex, England

C. Aubrey Smith (Mr. Laurence, 1949 film)

Valhalla Memorial Park – North Hollywood, California, USA

Mabel Colcord (Hannah, 1933 film)

Westwood Village Memorial Park – Los Angeles, California, USA

Janet Leigh (Meg, 1949 film)

Cremated, Ashes Held Privately or Scattered

Frances Dee (Meg, 1933 film)

Douglass Montgomery (Laurie, 1933 film)

Peter Lawford (Laurie, 1949 film)

Patrick Troughton (Mr. March, 1970 miniseries)

Jean Anderson (Aunt March, 1970 miniseries)

Dorothy McGuire (Marmee, 1978 miniseries)

Richard Gilliland (Laurie, 1978 miniseries)

William Schallert (Mr. March, 1978 miniseries)

Virginia Gregg (Hannah, 1978 miniseries)

Angela Lansbury (Aunt March, 2017 miniseries)

Michael Gambon (Mr. Laurence, 2017 miniseries)

Sarah Y. Mason (screenwriter, 1933 and 1949 films)

Victor Heerman (screenwriter, 1933 and 1949 films)

Merian C. Cooper (producer, 1933 film)

Donated to Medical Science

Spring Byington (Marmee, 1933 film)

Unknown (Not Made Public or No Information Online)

Ladislas Wisniewski (real-life Laurie)

Richard Stapley (John Brooke, 1949 film)

Stephanie Bidmead (Marmee, 1970 miniseries)

Frederick Jaeger (Friedrich Bhaer, 1970 miniseries)

John Welsh (Mr. Laurence, 1970 miniseries)

John Neville (Mr. Laurence, 1994 film)

David Hempstead (screenwriter, 1933 film)

Elmer Bernstein (music, 1978 miniseries)

[sgt-morgan]

🌅Whiskey Sunrise🥃

Pedro Pascal Masterlist

18+ only Warnings are chapter by chapter.

The Family Affair is the biggest band out of Nashville in a while. Sporting a set of two siblings from Arlington, Texas; Llewyn and Sugar Davis and Tommy and Joel Miller created a sensation, spearheaded by the elder Davis, that would go on to shape country music for the next seven years. Then the band has a falling out via there very own Sonny and Cher. Sugar leaves longtime on and off boyfriend since childhood, Joel, and splits up the band. Years go by, and the band only ever sees each other in passing so that the children of the group who are closer than siblings, Sarah and Ellie, can see each other. Joel and Sugar haven’t spoken since, so what happens when their ex frontman and Sugar’s brother Llewyn dies, rocking the group to its core. Old emotions are dredged up, sorrows are shared, and scheming teenagers will force Sugar and Joel to make nice, but will they be able to rekindle a romance that spans decades?

Playlist

Chapters:

Whiskey Sunrise🥃🌅

I Don’t Hurt Anymore🖤💐

Sweet Thing 🏞️🎶

TBA 4/28

[lies-unfurl]

Febuwhump 2024 Masterlist

Last month, I completed my goal of doing one of those monthly fic challenges by posting a story a day for @febuwhump. A full list of my stories lies beneath the cut:

Day 1: Helplessness break (Murderbot, gen)

Day 2: Solitary Confinement wait (Sam Wilson, gen)

Day 3: Bite Down on This bite me (Sam/Bucky)

Day 4: Obedience unspoken (Bucky & Rumlow)

Day 5: Rope Burns displacement (Sam Wilson, gen)

Day 6: "You Lied to Me" Arlington (Sam/Riley)

Day 7: Suffering in Silence split screen (Sam/Bucky)

Day 8: Why Won't it Stop? relentless (Bucky Barnes, gen)

Day 9: Bees buzzkill (Sam/Bucky)

Day 10: Alt Prompt 10, Last Man Standing victorious (Murderbot & ART)

Day 11: Time Loop unceasing (Sam/Bucky)

Day 12: Alt Prompt 5, CPR staying alive (Steve/Bucky)

Day 13: "You Weren't Supposed to Get Hurt" separation anxiety (Sam/Bucky)

Day 14: Blood-Stained Tiles traces (Steve & Bucky)

Day 15: "Who Did This to You?" crossfire (Sam/Bucky)

Day 16: Came Back Wrong corruption anxiety (Murderbot & ART)

Day 17: Hostage Situation home and hearth (Sarah Wilson, gen)

Day 18: Too Weak to Move off-script (Sam/Bucky)

Day 19: "Please Don't" plea (Bucky/Rumlow, non-con)

Day 20: Alt Prompt 7, Last Words missed connections (Sam & Bucky)

Day 21: Alt Prompt 9, Lightning Strike maybe once, maybe twice (Sam/Bucky)

Day 22: "You Weren't Meant to be There." lost and found (Steve & Bucky)

Day 23: Presumed Dead unknowns (Sam & Steve)

Day 24: "I'm Doing This Because I Care About You" inside (Bucky & Pierce)

Day 25: Waterboarding tide lines (Sam/Bucky)

Day 26: "Help Them" inaction (Murderbot, gen)

Day 27: Left For Dead autophobia (Murderbot & Dr. Bharadwaj)

Day 28: "No... Not Like This" begging you for a little sympathy (Sam/Bucky)

Day 29: Not Allowed to Die autonomy (Bucky Barnes, gen)

Bonus: Alt Prompt 3, "Found Footage" a thousand words (Bucky Barnes, gen)

[janeykath318]

Steve’s Christmas Miracle Chapter 4

Natasha was already approaching him, looking very ready for business.

“Am I about to see my future?” he asked nervously.

“Your potential future,” she corrected. “This is what could happen if things continue the way they are. What you do with this intel is up to you, soldier.”

She gave him one of those half smiles she was known for.

“Man, I’ve missed you, Nat,” Steve told her. “Lead on.”

In the blink of an eye, they were in a local soup kitchen, filled with hungry poor and homeless people. Steve looked around in confusion for a little bit before he recognized his future self. Future Steve looked gaunt and disheveled, Hair and beard grown long and untrimmed. The worst part was the absolute dead expression in his eyes.

Steve turned pale.

“Yikes. That’s me?”

“In the flesh. Your depression spiraled out of control and you wouldn’t let anyone help you. Now, you’re on the streets. Sam and Bucky stop by to check on you and try to persuade you to come home with one of them, but you refuse, like the stubborn ass that you are.”

“You know me too well,” Steve said dryly. He watched his future self eat soup with no expression and started to feel a little unease.

After letting him stew over this scenario for a few minutes, Natasha whisked them away to a cozy church, cheerily decorated with Christmasy floral arrangements. Bucky was dressed to the nines and stood at the altar, hand in hand with Sarah. Steve couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy for his friend, but then deflated when he didn’t see himself at Bucky’s side. He scanned the pews.

“Where am I?” he asked Natasha worriedly. “I should be here, no matter how homeless I am. I would never miss Bucky’s wedding!”

Natasha gave him a sad look.

“You’ll soon find out,” she promised. “We have to backtrack in time a bit.”

Steve startled at the next sight: the cold, silent chill of the morgue. A body bag lay on the table and Steve felt a looming sense of dread at what was coming next.

The door swished open and the medical examiner entered, followed by Sam and Bucky.

“Here he is, gentlemen. I hope for your sakes we were wrong.”

He unzipped the bag, revealing a haggard white face that Steve recognized as his own. He felt a little sick.

“That’s him,” Sam said hoarsely.

Bucky swore and made a strangled sob-like sound.

“I am so sorry,” the doctor said. “Would you like a few minutes alone?”

“Yes, please,” Sam sighed. “Just one thing: how did it happen?”

“Drowning. It appears to be accidental. We found no signs of struggle on him. Tox report was negative as well. My condolences.”

“Thanks, Doc.” Sam acknowledged.

Left alone, the two men stood staring down at their dead friend, tears streaming down Sam’s face and Bucky looking so crushed that Steve had to look away. He never wanted to see that look on his friend’s face ever again.

“Dammit, Steve! Why wouldn’t you let us help you?” Bucky bit out, choking on another sob. “End of the line, my ass!”

“He saved so many people, helped so many people,”Sam murmured. “Why couldn’t we save him?”

Sam’s question echoed in Steve’s mind as he paced in agitation. Was this what he was headed for? Becoming so lost in his own head that he ended up a pitiable stiff on a slab and hurting his friends even more? He ran a hand through his shaggy hair in agitation. (It really needed a trim, he noticed.)

“I think we’ve seen what we needed here,” Natasha said softly, with a light comforting touch on his arm. “There’s one more moment to show you.”

With a slight woosh, they left the morgue behind and ended up in the grassy fields of Arlington National Cemetery. It was lightly snowing and the rows and rows of neat headstones stood quiet and neat, stretching into the horizon. A small group of people stood around one stone, quietly paying their respects.

Sam was holding hands with a pretty woman that Steve didn’t know, and Sarah and Bucky were there as well with Cass, AJ, and a toddler girl who had dark curls and Bucky’s chin. Steve couldn’t help but hope that that part of the possible future came true at least. Bucky would be a great dad.

Natasha urged him forward and he could make out his name etched somberly in the stone.

“I’m glad they didn’t try to put up some gaudy nonsense,” Steve remarked. “This feels appropriate.”

“Then I won’t show you the statue they put up in Brooklyn,” Natasha said dryly. “Otherwise, yes, Bucky and Sam made sure your wishes were respected.”

“Sorry you couldn’t be here to meet your goddaughter, Steve,” Bucky was saying. “Stella’s a handful. You would have loved her. Merry Christmas, punk.”

“Merry Christmas,” the rest of the family echoed and then slowly made their way toward the gates, leaving behind a fresh wreath and complete stillness. Steve felt a wave of loneliness wash over him at the sight and it hit him with intense certainty that He didn’t want to miss out on the special moments with his found family. He’d spent so much time grieving and punishing himself that he’d lost sight of those he had left.

“So, tell me Steve? What is holding you back from entering into life again?” Natasha asked him bluntly.

Steve pondered for a bit.

“It’s just……..I…….feel like I shouldn’t be happy when you and Tony didn’t get to have your life. Also, I’m tired of losing people.”

“Oh, Steve,” Natasha sighed. “I made that choice of my own free will and have no regrets. Tony did the same. You promised me you’d finally get a life. I only get the one chance to haunt you into finding happiness, since you wouldn’t take my matchmaking when I was alive.”

Steve laughed weakly, the images of what he’d seen over the course of the evening swirling in his brain.

“You know, maybe If I’d have met Someone like Darcy at a different time in my life, I would have reconsidered,” Steve admitted. “But I was too insecure and shy when she was alive. Whatever happened to her anyway?”

“Hit and run,” Natasha sighed. “They caught the driver, but Darcy died of her injuries the next day. It was just a few days before Christmas.”

“Oh, man. Will she remember what happened?”

“Most likely not, given how traumatic it was and that it’s been eighty years. The files are there for her to ask if she wishes, but she hasn’t asked yet. I think that might change soon. But don’t worry about her. She’s in good hands.”

“I believe that,” Steve smiled through the lump in his throat.

“Can I get a hug, soldier?”

“Sure,” Steve smiled. “We didn’t really have a proper good-bye, did we?”

They embraced and Steve started to feel the closure he’d never gotten after her death.

“Thanks for this, Nat,” he whispered. “It was a wake up call I needed.”

They vanished again and returned to his cabin. Darcy and Peggy were looking expectantly at him.

“You look a little dazed, Captain,” Peggy observed. “How was it?”

“Rather grim,” Steve reported shakily. “Not a fan.”

Three women chuckled and Darcy patted the couch.

“Sit down before you fall down,” she ordered and Steve obeyed. He liked the bossy type.

“Is this good-bye for good?” Steve asked.

“Unless you have any further questions, yes,” Darcy told him, looking a bit sad at the prospect of parting.

“Just one,” he asked. “Would it be possible to see my last memory of Darcy at the diner? It’s probably not relevant, but it would be nice.”

Peggy and Natasha looked at each other.

“Well…….it’s not in the script,” Peggy mused, “but also not against the rules and Darcy might need to see it too, since she doesn’t remember.”

Darcy perked up.

“Ooo! Pretty, pretty please?” She pleaded.

“The point is that it’s very much NOT pretty,” Natasha warned. “But we can show you the lead up. We’ve got to hurry, though. Our time is running out.”

Steve and Darcy found themselves back in Charlie’s Diner, which was empty except for skinny Steve slouched at a table. Darcy was cleaning up tables and shooting glances at him surreptitiously.

“Wow, you really were crushing on him,” Peggy observed with a grin. “But I can’t blame you in the least. He was pretty darn cute.”

The bell rang and another man came in, stumbling slightly.

“This is the creepy ogling dude,” Darcy whispered to Steve.

Past Steve looked up frowning, warily watching the man as he approached Darcy and leered at her.

He didn’t seem to comprehend that Darcy found his attentions unwelcome and started slurring pick up lines at her.

Skinny Steve jumped out of his seat and confronted the man.

“Didn’t ya hear her say no, pal?” he hissed. “Leave the lady alone!”

Steve watched his younger self wrestle the man out the door and shook his head.

“If he hadn’t been so plastered, that might have ended badly,” he observed.

“Aww, but you were still my hero,” Darcy sighed, gazing at Steve worshipfully. He blushed, something that hadn’t happened in a long time.

“You okay, ma’am?” he heard his younger self ask Darcy.

“Yeah, thanks. That was real gutsy of you.”

“Don’t mention it. I hate creeps like that. Will you be okay walking home?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m just across the street and I’ve got my trusty nightstick with me. I’ll be fine. Thanks, though!”

“Famous last words!” Ghost Darcy hissed at her last self, making Steve winced a bit.

Young Steve looked like he wanted to say more, but it wouldn’t come out and he finally left after bidding Darcy goodnight.

“That’s where I chickened out,” Steve admitted. “And it looks like it cost you your life.”

They watched Darcy close down the diner, grab her coat and hurry out into the darkness. There was a squeal of tires, an ominous thud, and then the sound of a car peeling away.

Darcy stared into space for a few minutes, lost in the memories that had returned.

“No, Steve,” she finally spoke. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. I’d walked that same street hundreds of times and never had a problem. If you’d have been with me, there would have been two deaths and then who would have stopped Hydra?”

“But your life mattered, too,” Steve said quietly. “The diner was never the same after that. I don’t want people to forget you.”

“Aw, Steve, you’re so sweet,” she sighed. She turned toward Steve and faced him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

“You know how you can remember me?” she asked.

“How?” Steve gulped.

“By living life to the fullest, like I did. Not letting loss cheat you out of loving again. Also, donations to animal shelters would be nice. I loved volunteering back in the day.”

Steve looked at her and thought he would have promised her the world.

“Time to go, Darcy,” Natasha reminded her, breaking the moment.

Darcy reluctantly stepped back. “Please, Steve. Live again.”

“I will, Darcy. I will,” he told her, leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek.

“Thank you all,” he told them. “I needed this. I’ll do better, I promise. Man, was I lucky to know such amazing women. Good bye, Peggy.”

“Take care, Steve,” Peggy told him, eyes soft.

“See you in a minute,” Nat winked at him. “Though it had better be a long minute. I still want that namesake, you know.”

Steve chuckled. “Hmm. Can’t promise that, but I would definitely like that one day. Good bye, Nat.”

Steve didn’t know ghosts could cry, but Darcy definitely had a couple tears rolling down her face, which he gently wiped away.

“Hey, you did great, Darcy,” he told her. “You deserve a promotion for this, if heavenly messengers have ranks.”

“I always cry at the end,” she sniffed. “It’s so annoying. Good-bye, Steve. Remember what I said.”

“I will,” he promised, “Good bye, Darcy.”

She squeezed his hand one last time and then Steve was waking up alone Christmas morning.

[ao3feed-fitzsimmons]

Feels Like The World's Gone Crazy

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/KIxc8yW

by Cleo_Queenie

Contrary to popular belief, Steve Rogers was not on the moon.

He was in Arlington, Virginia.

aka. The events of the falcon and the winter soldier though the eyes of (a retired) Steve Rogers and Jemma Simmons.

Words: 1905, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of Take Me Back To Yesterday

Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV), Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Steve Rogers, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz, Alya (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez, Sarah Wilson (Marvel)

Relationships: Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons, Steve Rogers & Jemma Simmons, James "Bucky" Barnes/Sarah Wilson (mentioned)

Additional Tags: Family Feels, Grandparents & Grandchildren, Family Bonding, Angst, Closure

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/KIxc8yW

[adultswim2021]

Space Ghost Week

Space Ghost Coast to Coast #60: “Lawsuit” | August 21, 1998 | S05E03

Yet another unique opening; this is meant to look like a more staid network program; I get an 80s primetime soap vibe, such as Dynasty or Falcon Crest. Honestly, I’m not sure what the actual reference is, if anything. Snard describes the theme as Mork-and-Mindy-esque. The final credit says it was created by the Arlington Sisters. 

This is an Evan Dorkin Sarah Dyer episode, and it’s a pretty good one. I had my suspicions when the characters referenced “Harvey”, referring to Birdman. Man, those two really should’ve gotten a piece of that Harvey Birdman.

This one is rather scripted; a huge chunk of the episode is comprised of animated characters talking to one another. Dr. Nightmare, a villain from the 1960s iteration of Space Ghost, shows up in Tad’s monitor on behalf of Jan, Jace, and Blip; Space Ghost’s old teen and primate sidekicks. He’s now Dr. Nightmare, Attorney at Law (Jesus, just cut those two a check already). Another way you can tell it’s a Dorkin/Dyer script: they actually care about the 1960s lore of Space Ghost and you can tell they get a lot of joy out of including old characters in their episodes.

Jan and Jace are suing for back wages, trauma, and accuse Space Ghost of preventing them from enrolling in school. Eventually Greta Van Sustren shows up to talk to Space Ghost about representing him in the upcoming case. She’s wearing a cool jacket. 

In addition to the references to the 60s show, we also get several references to past episodes; Cameron Diaz, Flip Orley, Sean Medlock, The Hoover Dam, and Paris France are all in talks to sue Space Ghost. Flip Orley was the magician that was on the Late Night episode, and Sean Medlock, hilariously, was the aggrieved Space Ghost fan who got on the show via a haiku contest and was disgruntled because he was lead to believe that he’d be the focus of the entire episode. He now has a substack under the pseudonym Jim Treacher, and is reportedly a massive wad.

Among the funny moments are: Brak, the little fella who shows up “from time to time” as Dennis Miller put it, shows up briefly to pointlessly reference I’m not Rappaport. The beginning of the episode actually has a lot of the show’s funniest jokes: Space Ghost’s spit-take, his invoking the name “Jack Lord”, and accusing Dr. Nightmare of stealing fizzy lifting drinks all tickle me. I need to confess that I stole the fizzy lifting drinks line in high school for an unfunny sketch I wrote. I also love the bit where Space Ghost meets Greta Van Sustren and then blinks, using Zorak’s blinking sound-effect. Zorak gets pissed. 

Shout out to Matt Harrigan and Isabel Gonzalez who play Jace and Jan respectively. Isabel is the insanely beautiful woman who portrayed Fran Drescher in “Woody Allen’s Fall Project”. Dave Willis also has a brief turn as Jace’s post-puberty voice.

MAIL BAG

from peopletellmeilooklikehansolo:

Space Ghost's dialogue at the start of Terminal is lifted from Terms of Endearment. When I saw the movie a few years ago I was smiling inappropriately as soon as I recognized the words coming out of Debra Winger's mouth. (she's speaking to her sons while dying "in hospital")

THANK YOU! I can’t believe I missed that. I’ve seen the movie and somehow didn’t make the connection! It was a somewhat recent watch, even, and I easily could have connected the two. My main takeaway from that movie was the cool photo of Jack Nicholson in the astronaut outfit, which is shockingly hard to google. Where is that prop?

[taylorswiftstylequestions]

Hi Sarah, what if she sings Clean as the next surprise song? Imagine the absolute chaos this would trigger in the fandom.

Hi! She did mention in a TikTok comment that she would probably play it again on tour because her first go around was not in an ideal key but I think this is too soon for that from Arlington 2.

[ofstoriesandstardust]

Ok I cried laughing thinking abt Bradley and Rebel accidentally taking their future kids to this but then I somehow started laughing even harder thinking abt Mav and Carol accidentally taking little Bradley and little Rebel to this and them having even more shared trauma to be bonded by (Ice probably had to try really hard to get them to agree to go to a museum with him after that experience) https://twitter.com/ycsm1n/status/1637975831594106880?s=46&t=CT450UoZP68uNRBaIDk43A

I'M FUCKING YELLING THIS DEFINITELY LIVES IN THEIR NIGHTMARES

sometimes i think about Ice taking Rebel and Rooster to D.C. with him while they were in high school and he definitely tries to get them to go the Smithsonian and they outright refuse

it gets worse because Ice and Sarah take them to the Arlington National Cemetery and then Rooster cries at the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

[gabicna]

CNA Training in Arlington TX: Your Gateway to a Rewarding Healthcare Career

**Meta Title**: CNA⁢ Training in Arlington TX: ⁢Your ⁤Gateway to a Rewarding Healthcare Career

**Meta Description**: ⁤Looking for a⁢ fulfilling ​career in healthcare? CNA training in Arlington TX can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to kickstart your journey. Read on to‌ learn more about the benefits, practical‌ tips,​ and real-life experiences of becoming a ⁣Certified Nursing Assistant.

—

**Introduction**:

Are you passionate about helping others and looking for a rewarding career in healthcare?⁣ If so, becoming a Certified Nursing⁣ Assistant (CNA) ‍could be‌ the perfect path for ‌you. CNA training in Arlington⁤ TX ⁣offers a comprehensive program that equips individuals with the ⁤necessary skills and knowledge to provide‌ essential ​care to patients in various ‍healthcare settings.

In this article, ‍we will ​explore​ how CNA training in​ Arlington TX can be your gateway to a fulfilling healthcare career. From the benefits‍ of pursuing this ‍profession to practical tips and real-life experiences, we will cover everything you need to ⁣know to embark on this exciting‌ journey.

**Benefits of CNA Training in Arlington ⁣TX**:

– **High Demand**: With the increasing aging population, there is a ​growing demand for healthcare professionals, including CNAs, in Arlington ⁣TX. By completing CNA training, you will be in⁣ a prime position to secure a job in this thriving industry. -⁣ **Job⁤ Stability**: Healthcare is a recession-proof industry, ‍offering CNAs job stability​ and security. Whether you choose ⁣to work in a​ hospital, nursing home,⁣ or home healthcare setting, there are plenty ​of opportunities for CNAs. -‍ **Personal Fulfillment**: As a CNA, you will ​have the opportunity to make a​ positive impact on the lives of ⁢patients by providing compassionate care⁢ and support. The sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others ⁣can ⁣be incredibly rewarding. – ​**Career Growth**: CNA training can also‍ serve as ‌a stepping stone to further your‌ career in ⁣healthcare. With additional training and certifications, you can advance to roles such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered⁤ Nurse (RN).

**Practical⁤ Tips for CNA Training**:

– **Research Programs**: ‌Look for accredited CNA training programs in Arlington TX ‍that ⁢meet the state’s ‌requirements. A reputable program ‍will ⁤provide you with the necessary knowledge and ​hands-on experience. – **Prepare for the Exam**: To become a certified CNA, you will need to pass a state competency⁣ exam. ‍Study diligently and ⁣practice⁤ essential skills such⁢ as taking vital signs, assisting with daily activities, and communicating effectively ⁣with patients. – **Gain Experience**: Consider volunteering or working as a nursing assistant or‍ caregiver to‍ gain practical experience before starting ‌your ​CNA training. This hands-on experience will be invaluable in preparing⁤ you ‌for the demands of the role. -‍ **Stay Updated**: Healthcare practices and regulations are constantly evolving. Stay informed about industry developments and continue your education to enhance your skills and knowledge as a CNA.

**Real-Life Experiences**:

To provide a firsthand perspective on‌ the journey to becoming ⁤a CNA, we spoke with Sarah, a recent graduate of a CNA ​training program in Arlington TX. Here is​ what she had to say about her experience:

“Completing CNA training was one of ‌the⁢ best decisions I’ve ⁢ever made. The ⁤program provided me with the skills and confidence to care for patients with compassion⁣ and professionalism. I am grateful for the⁢ opportunity to ⁢make a difference ​in⁢ people’s lives ‌every day.”

Sarah’s story highlights the personal⁣ fulfillment and sense of purpose that comes with ​being a ⁣CNA. If you are ⁣passionate about helping others and looking for ⁢a meaningful career, CNA training in Arlington TX could be the first step towards making your‌ dream⁣ a ‍reality.

CNA training in Arlington TX offers a ⁣promising ⁣pathway to a rewarding healthcare career. By pursuing this ⁢profession, you can enjoy ⁢job stability, personal fulfillment,⁣ and ‍opportunities for career growth. With the right training, dedication, and passion ​for caring ​for others, you can⁢ embark on a fulfilling ‍journey⁤ as​ a Certified Nursing ⁢Assistant.

Whether ‍you are just starting ‌your ‌career⁤ in healthcare or looking to make ‌a career change, consider ⁢enrolling in ⁤CNA training in Arlington TX to ‍kickstart your journey towards ‍a brighter‌ future.‍ Start‌ your journey today and make a difference in the lives of those in ‌need.

— This comprehensive ​guide to CNA training‍ in Arlington TX is designed to provide valuable information to‍ aspiring healthcare professionals.⁢ By following the practical tips and advice shared in ⁤this ​article,⁢ you can ‌set yourself up for success ‌in your ⁤journey to becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. Take the first step ‌towards ⁢a fulfilling career in healthcare by enrolling in‍ CNA training and making a positive impact⁢ on the lives‍ of others.

https://cnatrainingprogram.net/cna-training-in-arlington-tx-your-gateway-to-a-rewarding-healthcare-career/

[shootwithsarah]

Professional Headshot Photographer Arlington TX Capturing Your Best Look :

Stand out with a professional headshot from a top photographer in Arlington, TX. Shoot With Sarah specializes in capturing your best look, providing high-quality portraits that make a lasting impression. Perfect for business profiles, social media, and more, our headshots highlight your unique personality with polished and professional results.

[darlagold-mysore]

Ace Dental Studio: Leading Dental Office Near Me – Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Schedule an appointment at ACE Dental Today!!!

Contact Us Today!!!

When searching for the best dental office in Arlington, TX, look no further than Ace Dental Studio. Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing top-notch dental care, ensuring that every patient leaves with a smile. Whether you're new to the area or simply looking for a dentist near you, Ace Dental Studio offers comprehensive services tailored to meet your needs.

Why Choose Ace Dental Studio?

At Ace Dental Studio, we pride ourselves on being more than just a dental office. Our mission is to deliver exceptional care in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Here are a few reasons why we're the leading dentist in Arlington, TX:

Experienced and Skilled Professionals Our team comprises highly trained and experienced dentists who are passionate about their work. We stay updated with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques to ensure our patients receive the best possible care.

Comprehensive Dental Services From routine check-ups to advanced cosmetic procedures, Ace Dental Studio offers a wide range of dental services. Whether you need a cleaning, a filling, or a complete smile makeover, we've got you covered.

State-of-the-Art Facility Our dental office is equipped with the latest technology to provide efficient and effective treatments. We invest in modern equipment to ensure our patients benefit from the best possible care.

Patient-Centered Approach We believe in personalized care and take the time to understand each patient's unique needs and concerns. Our friendly staff is dedicated to making your visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Our Services

Get in Touch with Us!!!

At Ace Dental Studio, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services to cater to all your oral health needs:

Preventive Care

Routine Check-Ups and Cleanings Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health. Our thorough examinations help detect any issues early, ensuring timely treatment.

Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatments Protect your teeth from decay with our preventive treatments. Dental sealants and fluoride applications are effective ways to strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities.

Restorative Dentistry

Fillings and Crowns Whether you have a cavity or a damaged tooth, our restorative treatments like fillings and crowns can restore your tooth's function and appearance.

Root Canal Therapy If you're experiencing severe tooth pain, a root canal may be necessary. Our skilled dentists perform this procedure to save your tooth and alleviate pain.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening Achieve a brighter, whiter smile with our professional teeth whitening services. Our treatments are safe, effective, and provide long-lasting results.

Veneers and Bonding Transform your smile with veneers or dental bonding. These cosmetic procedures can correct imperfections and enhance the appearance of your teeth.

Orthodontics

Braces and Invisalign Straighten your teeth and improve your bite with our orthodontic treatments. We offer traditional braces as well as Invisalign for a more discreet option.

Emergency Dental Care

Prompt and Efficient Treatment Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Our team is prepared to provide immediate care for issues like toothaches, broken teeth, or lost fillings.

Convenient Location and Hours

Located in the heart of Arlington, TX, Ace Dental Studio is easily accessible to residents in the area. We understand that our patients have busy schedules, so we offer flexible appointment times, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate your needs.

Patient Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our satisfied patients have to say:

"Ace Dental Studio truly lives up to its name. The staff is incredibly friendly and professional. I always feel at ease during my visits." – Sarah M.

"I had a great experience at Ace Dental Studio. The dentist explained my treatment options clearly, and I felt confident in the care I received." – John D.

"I never enjoyed going to the dentist until I found Ace Dental Studio. They make every visit a pleasant experience." – Emily R.

Insurance and Payment Options

We believe that quality dental care should be accessible to everyone. Ace Dental Studio accepts a wide range of insurance plans and offers various payment options to fit your budget. Our staff is happy to assist you with any insurance or payment questions you may have.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Your oral health is important to us. Don’t wait any longer to get the care you deserve. Contact Ace Dental Studio today to schedule your appointment and experience the difference.