#we actually got some good Warren content this week so I just had to

[eli-rx]

8-10/31 (?)

Warren and his lovers

I’ve been reading X-Factor and thought they gave Talented Mr. Ripley vibes

Reference under the cut

[artdecosupernova-writing]

Small Stories Hour: Darkspace Portent

Chill

↳ "Uh…so actually..."

"No!" Esther yelped, laughing around her mouthful of ice cream and hitting Warren's shoulder with the back of her hand. "Don't you dare."

Warren gingerly placed the next spoonful onto his tongue and made a face, smacking the creamy frozen treat around his palate before ultimately deciding his first instinct had been correct. "Yeah…sorry, you talked a big game but I'm not feeling this." He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and dug around the contents of the cup for a piece of blueberry and gave it one more try, chewing through the odd combination of the tart fruit and the caramel ginger ice cream. "What…the hell kind of health-nut bullshit is this? This isn't dessert, this is fraud."

Esther laughed again and stomped her foot. "Don't! Oh my god, you're never gonna let me live this down, are you?"

Warren grinned at her, casually sweeping his eyes over the shadows cast on her face from the sunset through the trees on the other side of the street. "You swore up and down on this weirdness, calling me all sorts of names for not believing you, so I think this deserves at least a week's worth of retaliation."

Stirring her own melting honey-topped ice cream around in its cup, Esther groaned. "I guess it could be worse."

"It could be, and it just might be. I just hit an almond." Warren made a show of gagging.

"Stop eating it if you hate it so much, then!" She snatched the cup from him. "Who invited you anyway?"

"You did," he said, tossing the spoon in the trash as they passed. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "The words were 'wanna grab some fraudulent ice cream, you fucking child?'"

Esther laughed again. "Well, you're definitely being a child about this."

They stopped at the pier and watched the fishing boats bobbing along with the current down the shore. Esther combined their ice creams and finished them herself, letting out a loud belch after the last bite that echoed across the bay.

"Mm, real humbling, Esther," Warren quipped.

"Wanna go to my place and make out?"

Warren inhaled sharply, observing a particularly large boat that circled the dock, blocking some of the smaller ones from view. "What's the second option?"

Esther shrugged. "I got a cold mouth."

Warren risked glancing at her just as she winked and stuck her tongue out, a wicked smile crossing her pretty features. He chuckled, ignoring the shiver that bolted through him. "Jesus Christ, woman..."

"If you're not up for that, we could watch a movie or binge that new show, uh…what's it called..."

"Back up a second," Warren said. "Were you being serious?"

Esther looked at him, holding her purse under her arm and tilting her head. "…Was I?"

Warren idly stroked his stubble and took in the way her eyes manifested an amber glow when exposed to direct sunlight. A vague and persistent something tugged at the back of his brain as he noted her minimal use of makeup and the small beauty mark under her right eyebrow, but he couldn't focus enough to place the nagging or give it any mind.

The corners of his mouth turned up. "Were you?"

"I mean, I'm cute, you're cute…I think we should be cute together."

"That's pretty damn bold of you, girl."

"Got somewhere to be?"

Warren cleared his throat and surveyed the area for nosy passers-by. "…You know what? I don't. I'll meet you at your place in twenty."

The sun had long gone by the time they sat in Esther's bed in their underwear after an awkward but fun time getting to know each other that much better, bowls of vanilla ice cream in their possession. The second episode of the latest popular show started on her laptop, perched precariously on Warren's knee. He accidentally dropped a bit of the cold chocolate syrup on his chest.

"Shit."

"You're right," Esther sighed. "Nothing beats the old-fashioned stuff."

"Never doubt me again, Washington. I know what's good."

"Yeah you do."

Warren snorted and shoved her with his elbow. When they finally cleared out the bowls, he wrapped an arm around her and she snuggled against him, settling down to binge the next five episodes of the show before they agreed to talk about what transpired at a later time and fell asleep in each others' arms.

Though, it took Warren a good hour to actually get to sleep at all.

[somersetmummy]

(A/N): This fic takes place immediately following book 1 chapter 11 (after being rescued by Sam from Sofia's closet). Not going to lie, I originally posted this monster fic (7000+ words) on Wattpad as a whole (my first fic, I didn’t know better!) so I’ve taken the opportunity to re-write and condense but thought it read better as two parts. 

Series/Pairing: The Nanny Affair (M!Sam Dalton x MC Katie Hide) 

Original characters - all property of PB: Katie Hide (MC), Sam Dalton, Mason & Mickey Dalton, Jenny Blake, Robin Flores (Part Two only)

New characters: (Present in Part Two) Serena-Rose Warren, Tessa Finch, Lucinda Hansen 

Rating/Content warning: 18+ Light sexual language

Word Count: 1880

Summary: Driving home together, Nanny Katie Hide and her boss Sam Dalton get a little hot and steamy after she receives an offer of a night out with the girls. 

Find Part Two here.

Part One -

The companionable silence within the car provides a stark contrast to the chaos of rush hour on the streets outside. Sam leisurely meanders through the traffic seemingly taking care not to rush the journey, enjoying a rare opportunity for the two of them to steal a fleeting moment to themselves. With their fingers laced together resting on his thigh, as his other commands control of the steering wheel, she steals a lingering glance in his direction relishing in the flutters which catch in her stomach as he notices her watching him. His lips curl into a comfortable smile in reply of her unspoken affection and it takes all his might to keep his eyes on the road.  

In the footwell below her feet the distant hum of a phone, neglected in her bag, buzzing faintly to itself punctuates the quiet once again, as it has been for the last ten minutes. Tired of being ignored, the buzzing transforms into a piercing ring causing its owner to startle and refocus. Untangling her fingers from Sam's she reaches down to collect it, her frustration at being interrupted quickly forgotten when she sees her friend's name on the home screen.  

"Finally!! So you are alive!" Jenny squeals down the phone without restraint.  The smirk on Sam's face is unmissable as he recognises the shrill voice on the other end of the phone. Katie returns his glance with an eye roll of her own as she braces herself for an interrogation.

"Ok, ok I get it, I'm here now. What's up?"

"You need to ask that gorgeous boss of yours to give you Friday night off, we're taking you out and I won't take no for an answer! It's about time we had a girls night, we've barely seen you since you've been living it up with that sex god."

Katie winces hoping Sam hadn't heard that last bit, subtlety was never Jenny's strong suit. She knows she doesn't need to consider her answer, just thinking of how much she's missed her friends the last few months sparks a pang of guilt deep in heart. A night free from the drama of fiancés, stolen glances and torturous longing sounds perfect.

"That actually sounds great Jen, I'll try my best to come. Aren't we pushing it to get a spot at any of the good places though if we're leaving it this late..."

Jenny scoffs, feigning disbelief that Katie would think she didn’t already have a master plan. If she wasn’t her best friend she’d feel a little insulted.

"You don't think I'm already all over that?! And I mean literally, I've got Josh on the case for us and I definitely got all over that!" 

The smugness in her voice carries her words and Katie can't help but giggle as she pictures how her unabashedly forward friend would've convinced her current flavour of the month Joshua Demarco, to use his connections to get them access to the hottest new bar in town. She'd no doubt that while a few flutters of eyelashes and some kind words would have sufficed, it was more likely that Jen would have insisted on giving him something more in return. And that something would most definitely not have been PG. 

As the more outgoing and vocal half of their partnership, Jenny has always had a way of charming everybody she meets, her connection with people is effortless, something which Katie finds both admirable and terrifying. 

While some could argue that Katie too could charm and impress people effortlessly, she is undoubtedly more comfortable in the background, observing and understanding how things work before weighing in. She notices the details, picking up on key points of conversation, getting to know people on a personal level and drawing on their connections to help assert herself. Jen needed to be visible at all times, she was like the sun, drawing people in to her warmth and reflecting her own energy back at them in return. 

"I'll leave it with you then Jen, just text me with the details and I'll see if I can make it. And I don't mean the steamy details of you and Josh, you can save those to share with me over cocktails!" Sam's intensely brooding gaze falls upon her, no doubt trying to glue together the pieces of conversation he'd just overheard. She turns to him realising he probably already suspects there’s a further story to be told. They’d not yet shared much about their lives beyond the penthouse but he’d heard enough to know that she could be easily influenced by her impulsive friend. 

"Jen I'd better go, speak soon."

Returning the phone to the depths of her bag, she catches Sam's eye, his expression warm but curious, clearly waiting for her to elaborate.

"Would you mind if I took the night off on Friday? Jen's asked if I can meet her and some friends, we haven't seen each other for ages...."

Unsure where the feeling comes from, the urge to say more rushes over her like a wave crashing on the shore. It’s the same as the feeling of nervousness she had that night a few weeks ago at the diner, almost like first date nerves. Perhaps, she realises,  they’ve resurfaced because her whole life has been tangled with his for the last few months, she's not really sure how to break out of it and step back into her own, or whether he'll let her. 

"Obviously I'll make sure I get the boys dinner sorted, the place tidy, laundry done and get them to bed before I head out....and I won't stay out late, I wouldn't want to cause any disruption....unless you've got any pressing work or meetings which means you'll be home late... I can cancel, I know it's short notice..."

"Woah, who are you, Cinderella?!"

The mirth in his tone instantly relaxes her as she realises he's only teasing. While attempting, and failing, to look defiant her nose inevitably crinkles, unable to contain the laughter bubbling to the surface at the silliness of her outburst. He leans over gently resting his hand on her knee to placate her, stroking her delicate skin with his thumb.

"Of course you should go out with your friends."

"Really?"

"Definitely." He continues, "as much as I would love to keep you to myself I know that you have a life of your own to live too and you, more than anyone, deserve to go out and enjoy yourself."

Sweeping his hand into her own, she gracefully brings it to her lips, tickling featherlight kisses along his knuckles.

"Thank you....but I don't know that you'd really want me to let my hair down if you knew how our girls nights usually play out..."

A wicked smile casts on her lips as she looks at him from under her long eyelashes, she continues to caress his hand, her lips teasing his skin with every word. He struggles to keep his eyes on the road, his mind racing with the many possible indiscretions which he imagines could take place on girls night, especially with Jenny at the helm. The visions in his mind entrance him and he can't decide whether he wishes he was part of them, or that she wasn't.

"I see, a bit of an every man for himself situation is it?!" 

He pulls her hand over to his lap where he secures it on his thigh under his own. His hope that by keeping his hand on hers he can keep her grounded to him before losing her to the inhibitions of the impending night out.

"Let's just say it'll be a hot mess of short skirts, high heels, cocktails and getting sweaty on the dance floor."

Realising that the car has come to a stop at a red light she turns to Sam looking him straight in the eye as she slides her hand brazenly up his thigh. She can feel his pants straining to contain what's growing within them while his chest visibly rises and falls more rapidly, struggling to control the pulsing hunger running through him. 

"But don't worry, we usually only break a few hearts".

Unable to restrain himself any longer, he launches across the centre console, holding her head in his hands and devouring her mouth with his hungry wet lips. She lets herself fall deeply into his kiss, smiling against him as she thinks to herself that she should ask for time off more often.

The light turns to green and then red again, disgruntled drivers behind sounding their horns in annoyance as the immaculate silver Audi blocks their path, but neither occupant notices as they loose themselves in one another.

Her gentle hands press against Sam's muscular chest, marvelling in the ripples beneath her fingers, before sliding them up into his hair pulling him deeper into the kiss. He keeps one hand firmly at the back of her neck, anchoring her to him while the other roams down the curves of her body, his thumb tweaking a now erect nipple before grasping at her hip.

Intruding on their entanglement, the sound of the in-car phone system echoes around the plush detailing of the car, with 'Home' appearing on the display. Breaking apart in surprise, they finally catch a breath. Sam rests his forehead intimately against hers as he gives the voice command to answer the call and Mason's innocent voice pours out of the speakers.

"Hey dad, are you gonna be home soon? We're staaarving." It's impossible for Katie not to break into a smile as she thinks about the boys at home with Carter, no doubt teaching him all sorts of tricks which she'd never let them get away with. Sam notices her thoughtful smile and matches it with his own as their minds work as one imaging the same scene. Their eyes once again meet as they resign themselves to the intimate moment being lost, instead committing it to memory to recall again when the urge to immerse themselves in thoughts of each other inevitably come to call.

"Yeah buddy, I've just picked up Katie and we're heading home now."

The smile in Mason's voice is evident as his tone becomes more upbeat. 

"Oh great, Katie's with you?...Hey Katie!"

"We missed you today, why'd you have to spend the day with Suck...I mean with Sofia anyways?!" Mickey interrupts, his fear of missing out pushing him to insert himself in the conversation.

Sam and Katie stifle their giggles at Mickey's slip of the tongue, aware of the microphone above their heads. Sam places a soft kiss on Katie's forehead before pulling away begrudgingly as she in turn adjusts her position, smoothing over her now crumpled skirt. 

"Hi boys, I missed you too. I was just helping her with some grown up work stuff, definitely not as fun as a day with you monkeys though.”

Much to the relief of the drivers behind them, Sam's already breezing through the now green light towards the penthouse, this time with more urgency as the sky above begins to melt into dusk.  

"How about your dad and I pick up some pizza on our way back...."

Without even a moments hesitation the twins excited voices burst through the speakers once again.

"Score!"

Tag List:  @shewillreadyou @txemrn @silma-words @thefrenchiemama @secretaryunpaid @sfb123 @fanjessfic

[spidernerdsblog]

Love Is The Biggest Spell : Chapter Four

A/N : Chapter four is here. I know I'm late with the updates blame it on my lazy ass. A near death experience and a heartbreak triggers the witchy side of yours as the day of you getting back your powers approaches near. Hope you like this chapter. Feedbacks and suggestions are always welcome. Happy Halloween!

Pairing : Warlock Tom Holland x half mortal reader

Summary : Witches are forbidden to fall in love with mortals. But what if your long lost love returns to you as a mortal, can you defy your heart? Any spell any magic seems useless in front of the magic of love. Let's join our lovers in their magical conquest beyond life and death as they fight for their love unravelling dark mysteries of the past along their way.

Warnings : just witchy stuff.

Mini Playlist : Secret love by Little Mix

The song ended and you were brought back to reality. You slipped away from Tom's embrace averting your gaze.

“I think I'm drunk enough for today.” You smiled awkwardly face flushed red. 

"Yeah, you should go home now it's already quite late. I can drop you if you want." He offered. 

"No it's fine I can go with Jane."

"Okay then goodbye."

"Yeah goodbye and be safe." he cautioned. 

"Yeah I will." Giving him a tight lipped smile you went to the counter where Jane was sitting and watching you both the whole time. 

"That didn't look like your boyfriend." Jane quipped. 

"Shut up" you scoffed. 

"Where is he by the way?" 

"Probably drunk somewhere. Can we go now?" you paid for your drinks and headed back to your home. You both walked down the street giggling while gossiping about your life problems.

“You know you can’t string along to both of them, you have to let one of them go.” Jane said out of nowhere.

“I'm not stringing along anybody.” 

“Yes you're Cole has always been your backup plan if things didn't turn out well with your other flings. Think about it carefully Y/N. Stop wasting your time in a relationship that has no love in it” You listened to her quietly because it was true you were confused and had no idea what to do. You reached the crossroad from where one path leads to Jane’s house and the other to yours it was time for you both to say goodbye.

"See you tomorrow at the shop. Give me a call when you reach home" Jane said

"Yeah bye." You waved her a goodbye and continued walking. The road to your home brushed past a short stretch of the mystic forest. It was quite late so the road was pretty isolated. It may appear a little scary for the weak of heart but the dark never scares you. You enjoyed it's mysterious anonymity. But tonight it was different because tonight someone was waiting for you, hiding behind the veil of darkness lurking around those huge trees with your death sentence. 

"There she is. She does look like Amber." Laura remarks. 

"She is Amber, Laura." Angourie rolls her eyes. 

"Let’s finish the job we came for shall we?" Zendaya said with a menacing look in her eyes. Three of them held on to each other’s hands and chanted the incantation closing their eyes. 

"Vos omnes ministri odey et destructiones et seratore discorde. Et qui libiter opera facitis et tractibus, quod eat noce. Vos conjurae idec nos conjuo et odit fiat mier alve, Y/N." 

"Coming back in a mortal's body, poor choice Amber." Zendaya tsked sighing. 

"Let's see how many days this weak body of yours can sustain." She gave a devilish grin. The spell started doing it's job as you suddenly started to feel a little dizzy, stumbling a little while walking but you somehow managed to reach your home. Next day you weren’t still feeling any better but went to the cafe anyway. 

"You look like shit, everything ok?" Jane quipped pointing at your tired appearance. 

"Yeah I’m fine just a mild headache, still a little hungover I guess." You said busy wiping the counter. 

"So what’s the plan for Halloween?" 

"What are we five that we will go trick or treating?" 

"No but you are turning 25." Jane reminded you. 

"I don’t know, I just don’t feel like celebrating, birthdays have become really boring for me." You shrugged. 

"Hey girls." Your two new regular customers walked in with a jovial smile on their faces. 

"Hey," you said weakly. 

Jane and Harrison went for a kiss which soon turned into a passionate one. 

"Ugh! Guys get a room." You scrunch your face disgusted. They pull away laughing. 

“This is exactly how I felt when I used to be stuck between you and Cole.” Jane giggled. You scoffed rolling your eyes.

"So what’s up?" Harrison chirped 

"Nothing just that our girl is turning 25 this Halloween and she’s been a buzzkill because she doesn’t want to celebrate it." 

"Your birthday is on Halloween?" Tom's eyes lit up. 

"Fascinating isn't it? The spookiest birthday one could imagine."

"It's indeed special and this year there is going to be a blood moon on the night of Halloween which occurs every 25 years." 

"There’s still time for my birthday guys and before that we have our decade dance at the college. And the theme is the good old 90's" you sighed with content. 

"Yeah the minimalist era, quite liberating." Harrison agreed. Meanwhile Jane noticed something as she looked at you with a worried face. 

"Y/N your nose, it's bleeding." Tom and Harrison's attention shifted to you. 

"What?" You raised your finger and swiped it near your nose to find blood on it. 

"Are you okay?" Jane placed her hand on your shoulder with concern.

"Yeah I guess so."

"Wait let me see." Tom cradled your face with his large calloused palms surprising you with his sudden move. 

"Did something like this happen to you before?"

"Not that I remember." You looked at him totally weirded out. He let go of you, realizing that he was making you uncomfortable. 

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired and sleepy." You closed your eyes, holding your head sighing.

"I think you should go home and take some rest. We can drive you home." 

"No it's fine I'll be ok." 

"Y/N don't be stubborn Tom is right, I'm here I can handle it for today."

"Okay let me go and change then." You went back to the store Jane accompanied you. Tom turned to Harrison. 

"It's a blood curse." 

"But who did this?" 

"There's only one who I know is capable of doing this actually three." Tom ticked his jaw frowning. 

"We need to break the curse or she will grow weaker."

"A regimen of salt water baths and reversing candles over the course of a couple weeks would do the trick. But the problem is she doesn't believe in these things and will think we are crazy."

"Then we have to find someone whom she will listen to without saying a word.''

"It has to be her mother. Haz once we take her home whenever you get the chance use compulsion on Mrs. Warren and compel her to  persuade Y/N to follow the ritual. I know it's wrong but we don't have any other option."

You walked out changed from your uniform to your normal clothes Jane was holding you. 

"C'mon love I got you." Tom wrapped his arm around your shoulder and took you to his car. He made you sit in the back seat then he sat beside you. You leaned your head on his shoulder closing your eyes as Harrison drove the car. The whole drive Tom had his hand wrapped around you in a comforting manner as he frowned deeply with concern in his eyes. Reaching your house he helped you get out of the car and carried you inside. 

"Oh my God! What happened?'' your mother panicked. 

"She wasn't feeling well." Tom informed. 

"Take her to her room." she ordered. 

"Sure Mrs. Warren." Tom carried you to your room. 

"Sorry but who are you guys?" Martha directed her question to Harrison. Before he could think of an answer Erica answered for him.

"They are Y/N's new classmates, aunt I have already met the other one you weren’t here that time."

"Oh I see thank you for bringing her safely back home."

"Oh no need to thank us she is our friend it's our duty to look after her."

Tom made you lay down on your bed tucking you inside your blanket and gently stroked your forehead as you fell asleep. After making sure that you were sleeping soundly Tom got up and went to your bathroom and dipped his hand in the water of the bathtub swirling it in a circular motion and chanted. 

"If truly she is cursed today, let water wash the hex away. If truly she is cursed today, let water wash the hex away.'' 

He stepped out of your bathroom  and saw Harrison standing beside your bed. 

"Job done." Harrison reported to Tom. 

"Yeah I also enchanted the water now only she needs to take a bath as soon as she wakes up." 

"I think we should go for now."

"Yeah I also have some unfinished business to attend." Tom looked at you for one last time placing a soft kiss on your forehead. 

"You will be as bright as the sunshine tomorrow, my love. I'll never let any harm come your way in future." Saying that he left with Harrison. 

"I’m not leaving them so easily Haz. They are going to pay for what they did to Y/N." Tom grumbled while he searched for a perfect spot in the forest to execute his plan. 

It was around evening Laura was strolling in the forest. An eerie silence prevailed; only the distant calls of coyotes could be heard in short intervals. Tom and Harrison were hiding behind the trees waiting for Laura to approach the exact spot where they wanted her to be and the moment she was at the spot. 

"Abi in malem cursem." Tom muttered.

"Aaaahh!!!" Laura screamed in pain as she felt something pierce her foot holding her to the ground the more she struggled to set free the more it hurted and blood came gushing out her foot. Tom and Harrison appeared from behind the trees.

"Tom what the heaven!! Why are you doing this to me?" Laura cried out in pain.

"You know very well why!" He barked.

"We did what was needed to be done, that half breed doesn't deserve to be alive. She's a disgrace to our community."

"If she doesn't deserve to live then so do you!" Tom focused on the trap which doubled up the pain making Laura scream on the top of her lungs. 

"Tom let go of my sister!" Zendaya yelled panting as she came running to her rescue.

"Give me one good reason for not doing the same to you." he spat. 

"Tom have you gone out of your mind! You will go against your own kind for a mortal?" 

"You know very well what I'm capable of Z which includes draining every ounce of blood from Laura's body."

"The coven will not spare you."

"So will you for trying to kill an innocent girl and you know the punishment Z."

"You're not gonna do that, are you? She asked in disbelief because in spite of the sour relationship with the mortals the coven had set rules against hurting innocent humans. 

"Oh I might take this matter to father but I have a better offer. Let's make a deal I leave her and you have to do what I say." 

"What do you want me to do?" 

"You are in position to question Z. Just say yes or no."

"Okay fine, I'll do whatever you want me to do. Now let her go." 

"Good." 

Tom mumbled a reversing spell which set Laura free from the trap. She collapsed on the ground holding her foot Zendaya ran to her aid. 

"And stay away from Y/N because next time I will not be this generous." he warned and turned to leave. 

"You are making a grave mistake Tom trying to protect that weakling.'' 

"That’s none of your business Z.'' 

After you woke up your mother under Harrison’s compulsion made you complete the curse removal ritual, you were now sitting in your bathtub body dipped in salt water surrounded by numerous scented candles with an utterly bored expression on your face.

"I'm never going to get drunk again." You muttered to yourself picking up an extinguished candle in your hand from beside you. You zoned out eyes trained on the wick of the candle and suddenly the candle caught fire, you snapped out of your daze as the flame flared in its intensity. 

"Holy shit!!" you shrieked dropping the candle in the water panicking. You blinked a few times holding on to your head. You tried to convince yourself that you were just tired and seeing things as you got out of the water hurriedly. 

..............

The next day you were fresh as a daisy, full of energy. You went to visit your dad at the registrar in the morning. 

"Hey dad what's up?" 

"Nothing peanut just editing and stuff with the articles." 

"Can I help?" 

"Yeah sure why not this is all gonna be yours after a few years anyways." You sat on a chair and started arranging the articles in order. 

"This case is really blowing my mind though!" Fred blew out his cheeks in agony pacing back and forth in the room. . 

"What case?" you frowned. 

"These." He placed some police investigation reports on the table in front of you. You examined each of the reports. 

"People going missing in mystic woods, what's so tricky in this?" 

"Observe the pattern of the incidents it's always once in a month and the place of disappearance all near the Runeshire winery which are jointly owned by the Holland's and Osterfield's. I suspect they have something to do with these missing people."

"Holland as in Tom Holland?" you questioned him. 

"Yeah how do you know him?" 

"He is in my class." 

"What?!" 

"Yeah he and his best friend Harrison joined our college a few weeks back. But they seem to be really good guys."

"Appearances can sometimes be deceiving, always remember that Y/N."

"If only I could get access inside their estate and try to find some evidence." He mumbled. 

"I can do it for you. I have books to return to him anyways." You offered. 

"Honey they are kind of shady. I can't allow you to go there all by yourself."

"I'll be fine dad. Tom is a good friend of mine and I trust him. And I also believe they have nothing to do with these cases. But for your satisfaction let me go and check they will not suspect anything if I go so just tell me what I need to do." and as per your father's instruction you were now standing in front of the Holland's residence. 

Ivy and ferns grew through the crevices of the old winding stone path, which led directly to the colossal structure. The mansion loomed proudly behind creaky iron gates, flanked by rows of skeletal trees crowned in crimson, swaying gently to the chilly autumn wind. You walked inside admiring the surroundings at its threshold stood the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the clear water melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence. It was a big mansion more like a palace from Victorian times quite old which gave out some eerie vibes. You took a deep breath gathering some courage and rang the doorbell. The door opened and a young boy appeared from behind. He was most probably in his teens and shared the same facial resemblance to Tom. Must be one of his brothers you assumed as you introduced yourself.

"Umm Hi I'm Y/N Y/L/N. A friend of Tom. We are in the same class. I came to return these to him." You showed him the books.

"Who's it Paddy?" You heard a male voice enquire from inside.

"Umm one of Tom's friends."

"Which friend?" Harry walked to the front door and a wave of shock coursed through his face seeing you as if he saw a ghost. His eyes were slightly widened still trying to process what he was seeing.

"Hello." You greeted the curly haired brunette timidly.

"Oh hey! Y/N!" Harrison chirped from behind breaking Harry from his daze.

"Hey Haz." You finally felt relieved seeing someone familiar.

"Come in!" 

"I thought you would never ask." You quipped giving a quick glance to Harry and Paddy. Harrison led you inside the house and you were stunned at the grandeur of the interiors. The house was stashed with exquisite and expensive articles each item worth hundreds of thousands of dollars you thought. 

"Is this a living room?" you questioned in disbelief looking at the size of the room.

"Living room, parlour whatever you want to say." Harrison half shrugged. 

"Dude two of my houses could fit in here." You chuckled.

"Tom's in the shower you can wait here or I can take you to his room if you want." he gave a sly smirk. You understood the reference a sly smirk forming on your face as well. 

"No thanks I'm fine waiting here Harrison anyway I had some work on this side of the town so thought to stop by and return his books that's all." 

"As you wish." he shrugged. 

"I heard we have a very pretty guest in our house." You turned to look at a red haired middle aged woman, a warm welcoming smile adorned her face. 

"She is Tom's mother." Harrison whispered in your ear. You straightened yourself. 

"Hello Mrs Holland nice to meet you. Sorry for dropping in without prior notice didn't mean any trouble."

"It's totally fine dear. It's good to meet you."

"And I really want to thank you too for lending these books. They came really handy with completing our assignment." 

"I'm glad they came into good use." Her eyes twinkled as her gaze shifted behind you. 

"Oh Tom! look who is here." You turned to find Tom coming down the stairs. 

''Hey Y/N" he said breathily. His eyes sparkled seeing you all bubbly and cheerful after last day’s incident.

"Hi Tom." your heart fluttered as you soaked in his freshly showered appearance. He looked so radiant in trousers and a black shirt sleeves rolled up giving quite a view of his strong veiny arms, his hair slightly wet beads of water dripping from them. He smelled good which intoxicated your senses. You shook off your thoughts and spoke up. 

"Just came to return these sorry for not calling you beforehand." Before Tom could say something you were interrupted by another male voice. 

"That's fine dear you are always welcome at this house." You turned to find a middle aged man. It wasn't hard for you to deduce that he was Tom's father. Tom was having a hard time at your sudden visit to his house because nobody knew about you as well as of him venturing out to the mortal world in search of you. He gulped nervously seeing his father. 

"Let me introduce myself Dominic Holland, owner of Runeshire winery and Tom's father."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Holland." You gave a wide smile. 

"Tom why don't you go and give a tour of our winery to your lovely friend."

"Sure-sure father." Tom stuttered. 

"Come with me Y/N you'll love it.”

Tom gave you a tour around the whole estate. You walked past some picturesque vineyards chit chatting about his family history and how they started this business. Then he took you to the warehouse where their intoxicating delicacy is being produced and stored. Lines of barrels of wine stacked together a fruity aroma looming in the room which itself gave away about its best quality.

"And this is what we make our living out of." Tom announced proudly as you looked around intrigued.

''Come with me, I'll show you something" He showed you a wooden door which led to a secret cellar downstairs. 

"You sure you aren't going to kill me for dropping by your house unannounced?" you joked looking at him skeptically. He rolled his eyes and shook his head smiling. You followed him downstairs. The cellar was filled with more barrels of wine. 

"These are the finest wines of our winery aged to perfection and only reserved for the family and inner circle." 

"Great!" 

"Wanna taste?"

"Am I allowed?" 

"You are kind of an inner circle now, so yes." He shrugged. He went to grab two wine glasses and ran the tap from the wine barrel to fill the glasses. He handed you one. You clink your glasses and take a sip from it.  You never had anything like this before in your life, the rich taste just touched your soul,

"Mmm this. is. so good!" you praised.

"Here." He handed you a bottle of wine.

"What's this for?" you knitted your brows. 

"I went to your house that day empty handed, not a nice impression in front of your parents I guess." 

"You are not my boyfriend Thomas." You narrowed your eyes smirking.

“But son of the owner of the Runeshire winery kind of against our reputation.” he grinned.

“Okay I’m taking it.” It was time for you to leave your job of sneaking around them was done and you were more than relieved that you didn't find anything suspicious.

"It was nice having you here wish you would have stayed for lunch."

"I would love to but not today I promised my mom to return early. Maybe next time. Bye then see you later." 

"Bye love." He walked you back to the front gates and bid you goodbye.

Tom entered his house blushing smiling to himself you just made his day  but the happiness was short lived because he was met with questioning stares from his family wanting explanation of what just happened. 

"So when did you plan on telling us?”

"Father, I just thought it wasn't the right time."

"How can you be so irresponsible, Tom , going into the mortal world? and you took Harrison with you too." 

"Father it's Amber I had to go."

"I know you have a soft spot for her but she is a mortal."

"Half mortal father, she is a half witch too."

"That doesn't change the fact that she is not one of us, mortal blood runs in her body she will age and die eventually one day. What will you do then?" 

"Dark baptism." Agatha interrupted in between. 

"What do you mean Lady Layman?" 

"Get her baptised in the name of our Dark Lord, I’m sure he will grant her powers and she will be just one of us."

"She would never agree to this." Tom said dismissively. 

"Then you have to make her agree to this Thomas or else you have to forget her forever." Tom's father gave him an ultimatum. 

..............

Tom and Harrison were sitting in his room thinking about what to do now as Zendaya appeared.

"Well well all this hush hush to keep her a secret gone to waste. Guess what Amber just blew her cover herself oh sorry Y/N was it?" Zendaya jabbed. 

"Z for once in your life can you stop being a mean bitch you are?" Harrison scoffed. 

"Aww can't my ex would be fiance's lady love do this much for him? oh sorry my mistake she already has someone else in her life."

"Are you done?" Tom asked irritatedly. 

"Because I think it's time for you to do what I said." 

"What do you mean?" Zendaya frowned.

"Did you forget about the deal we had? It’s time.'' 

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing you don’t like. Just need to see how good your seduction skills are." 

"You are not serious are you?" Tom just stared coldly and she got her answer.

"Okay fine." 

It was the day of the decade dance at your college. Everybody dressed themselves taking inspiration from the 90′s era neon colours, halter neck crop tops, slip dresses, skater dresses, button down shirts, drainpipe jeans etc. You were sitting alone at the bleachers because your boyfriend was nowhere to be seen after he left you to get some drinks. You watched Jane dancing having fun with Harrison. You felt happy that finally she found her the love of her life.

Secret love playing......

“What’s with that long face?” Tom quipped.

“None of your business.” you snickered.

“To that I would like to remind you that I'm always ready to be your boyfriend’s replacement.” He offered. You arched a sly brow at him.

“Shall we?” “Okay fine.” you sighed holding onto his hand.

When you're with him, do you call his name Like you do when you're with me? Does it feel the same? Would you leave if I was ready to settle down Or would you play it safe and stay?

You weaved your fingers into his long slender ones another hand holding on to his shoulder. His other hand went to hold you around your waist swaying sideways to the music.

Girl, you know this We got a love that is hopeless

Jane's words kept replaying in your mind. “You can't string along with both of them you have to choose.” but you can't be unfaithful to Cole. He doesn't deserve this. It is a passing affair you will get over it, you have to you thought. You witnessed the lifestyle Tom is used to and you are no match to him. So thinking of a thinnest possibility that you can be together is futile. 

Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that Why can't we be like that? 'Cause I'm yours

Tom was happy for a reason. After tonight one of the bonds that's keeping you tied up to this world will soon be torn apart. The only remorse he feels is that you will get hurt in the process. He is being selfish he knows, he was always selfish when it came to you. But he knows whatever is going to happen is for your own good. You promised him you would come back and that is what he is doing bringing you back to your real self, to him. The music stopped and you stepped away from him.

"I think I should go and find Cole its being quite long he didn't return." 

"Yeah sure." You went to look for Cole but he was nowhere to be found. The only place left for you to check was terrace on the West Wing. You went their and saw Tom walking back from that direction

"Hey!" you called out .Tom was startled at first then he questioned you back. 

"Hey where are you going?" 

"To see if Cole is there or not. I couldn't find him anywhere.'' 

"I think you should not go there." 

"Why?" 

"Uh nothing just some couple making out quite passionately, really weirded me out.” He chuckled.

“let's go inside Y/N, Cole isn't there." He ushered you back to the hall.

"It's okay I don't feel awkward with  people making out. I'll quickly just go and check." 

"But Y/N! Wait!" Before Tom could stop you the damage was already done. You couldn't believe what you were seeing. It was Cole with some girl, their lips practically glued to each other, tongues slipping into each other's mouth moaning and panting. You felt disgusted at the view. Never in your life you thought that Cole will do such a thing to you. Jane was right you were wasting your time on him. All this time you were questioning your moral compass for having feelings for another man and he turned out to be the unfaithful one. 

"You bloody cheater!!" You spat. Cole was startled as he broke the kiss bug eyed to find Zendaya smirking devilishly at him wiping the corner of her lips with her thumb. 

"Who the hell are you?!" He pushed her away. He looked between you and Zendaya in confusion. 

"But- but how can this happen? It was you then where the hell she came from?." 

"You fucking Liar! Just stop with your good act already" you snarled

"Y/N I swear I don't know where she came from." Cole grabbed onto both of your hands desperately trying to make you understand but you were overcome with anger as you pushed him hard. 

"Go to hell!" You stomped off from there with Tom following you. 

You were fuming with rage. And getting drunk you thought was the last resort to get over this heartbreak. You walked up to the drinks counter and started gulping down shots one after the other. You felt that wasn't enough for you as you took a whole bottle of vodka and started drinking from it. 

"Y/N wait no!" Tom snatched the bottle from your hand. You glowered at him angrily. Which made him step back from you in fear, your eyes scared him. They weren't your usual eye color instead they were replaced with burning red hot fiery orbs. He remembered Helena's warning about not to instigate you and the dangerous consequences it can lead to. He quickly hugged you, caressing the back your head soothingly and pecking your forehead. 

"Ssh, Ssh It's alright love.”

“I don't know what's happening to me.” you mumbled face buried into his chest.

“There's nothing to get upset about, calm down, everything will be fine. He doesn't deserve you. I'm here don’t worry" He whispered sweet nothing in your ears trying to cool your temper. You eventually were back to your usual self making Tom heave a sigh of relief. But you were still drunk as you were blabbering random shit. 

"That's enough for today we should go home now." He dragged you out to the corridors. 

"No!" You snatched your hand from his grip. 

"C'mon love, don't be so stubborn let's get you home. You are not in your ownself." He frowned. You walked up to him stumbling a little looking at him with doe eyes. Tom hold on to you trying to steady you down.

"Has anyone ever told you how ridiculously cute and handsome you are?" Tom found the drunk you cute and funny as he played along.

"Yes, you Y/N 25 years ago." he chuckled. 

"Really?.. Then did I kiss you after saying that?" 

"No, Y/N."

"Then I definitely owe you a kiss, my cutie honey bear." You grabbed his face with your hands pouting your lips to kiss him. 

"Y/N you are drunk we should not do this." he pulled his face away.

"Why not? If that moron can kiss someone else, why can't I?" you whined.

"And I know you want this too, what do you think I don't get why you're always there around me? We girls know way before when a guy is interested in us." Tom gulped nervously and suddenly you felt nauseous as you threw up near the bushes outside the corridor. After you were done your body was totally drained out Tom picked you up in princess style and carried you back to his car and took you home.

Tom carried you his hands across your body as you leaned onto him. He rang the doorbell and Erica opened the door. She tsked rolling her eyes seeing you in such a disoriented condition. Without a word she motioned Tom to take you inside. He carried you to your room and laid you on your bed and then stood outside the room so that Erica could change your clothes. Erica came out after a while. 

''You have kind of become a body bearer." Erica chuckled making Tom smile. 

"This is what I was warning you, she is a little impulsive when she gets upset. Thankfully uncle and aunt are not here to see her like this" she sighed. 

"She's just angry. Cole shouldn't have done that." 

"Thanks for looking out for my sister." 

"She's a good friend of mine" 

"Oh C'mon stop with the good friend act already, I know you like her."

"Uh no, no it's - it's nothing like that." he stammered. 

"You really think I'm gonna buy that." Erica arched her brow. "That longing stares, that mutual pining I have gone through it all at one point of my life honey, I know." 

"Gonna say your goodbyes?" She asked. Tom scratches the back of his neck unsure of what to say.

"Go ahead." Erica said assuring him. He walked inside your room and sat beside your sleeping figure. 

"Hey darling." he cooed softly placing his hand on your cheek gently brushing your hair away from your face. You looked so innocent and pure which melts his heart. 

"Sleep well and I'm sorry for tonight." he turned to leave but felt a pull in his hand as you sat up grabbing on to his wrist. 

"Stay. Pleaase…" you made a sad face. And how can he leave you like this. Without a second thought Tom got in the bed lying down beside you. You snuggled close to him resting yourself on his broad chest holding on to his hand. He cradled you in his arm gently threading his fingers through your hair. He stared at you intently. His face dropped as he sighed deeply, a sense of guilt growing in him. Because he was the one behind your bitter fallout with Cole. As per their deal Zendaya with the help of glamour spell turned herself to look like you and lure Cole out. Poor Cole never got the slightest hint that it was Zendaya who was dancing with him the whole time not you. 

"You're being extra clingy tonight Y/N." Cole chuckled. 

"Not my fault if my man looks extra delicious tonight." You said with lust blown eyes. 

"Just wanna savor onto these tender lips" you kissed him fervently. And then dragged him out of the hall to the terrace and grabbed onto his shirt slamming your lips to his devouring him. But alas if he would have known that he is being tricked so that his image gets maligned in your eyes. So that you start hating him and break up with him.

He knew whatever he did today was wrong he hurt you but your bonds with the mortal world had to be broken because as soon as they will come to know about your true identity they will try to kill you and he won’t let that happen this time. And after what he witnessed tonight, the slightest hint that he got of that your powers are soon going to come back was enough for him to know that he can't risk it anymore. The door was open as Erica came in to check up on you and found you two all cuddled up. She tapped on the door gently with a smirk. Tom was snapped out of his thoughts as he hastily tried to sit up. But Erica stopped him waving her hand and mouthed to him. 

"It's ok.. Take care of her." he nodded smiling. Erica went away closing the door. Tom sighed, turning his attention to you, still gently stroking your hair and closed his eyes dozing off to sleep. After so many years he is finally going to have a good night's sleep in your warm embrace . 

……….. 

You squinted as the sun rays hit your face, fluttering your eyes open. The sheets were cold as you got up to an empty bed. You went downstairs and heard some noise coming from the kitchen. You made your way to the kitchen to find Tom cooking breakfast.

"Am I still drunk or my sister turned into you." You joked. 

"Good morning." 

“Morning” you yawned. “Didn’t know you were a chef too. I'm a horrible cook by the way.” you chuckled.

“Yeah Tom offered to help and I couldn't refuse the offer of getting one day off from cooking duties.” Erica chuckled from behind. You went up to her and whispered in her ears.

"Why is he here?" 

"Because your clingy ass didn't let him go. Thank God your parents are nit here."

“You let us sleep together on the same bed?” you seethed.

"You know he seems to be a nice guy." 

"Seriously I just broke up with my long time boyfriend last night and you are trying to set me up with another guy the next day?"

"And I’m glad you finally broke up with that dumbass. And I also know you secretly like Tom. C’mon I’m just being a supportive sister."

“You're unbelievable” you scoffed and went back to the kitchen 

"Hey I don't remember much of it from last night but if I did or said anything wrong I'm sorry."

"Hmm apart from trying to kiss me and almost puking on me it's ok I don't mind." your face turned red in embarrassment.

“It's okay darling, glad to know that you find me cute.” he handed you your breakfast giving you a subtle wink mischievously.

“That cheeky bastard” you thought.

…………………………………………………………………..

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Taglist: To be added send a message or ask I'll be happy to add you in the following chapters.

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

I Could Be Your Sometimes Part Six

Previous Part | Next Part | Masterlist Rating: Explicit - 18+ Only Notes: Set before the series; not beta-read Thank you to everyone that’s liked and read this!! Warnings: Eventual infidelity and sexual content. If you dislike this, please don’t read. Thank you. Chapter-specific warnings: None Pairing: Andy Barber x Reader Summary: Why did that name sound familiar?

"Jesus christ, you look fine,” Nora rolled her eyes as I did a small spin for the camera. “Are you sure?” I asked, taking a step back to make sure Nora could see the entire outfit over FaceTime. it was the third suit I’d tried on, and I was no closer to deciding what I was going to wear. “Hon, I love you, and I know you want to look professional, but you’re driving me crazy. Besides, I’ve never seen you look unprofessional,” Nora added, resting her chin on her hand, “My vote still goes for for the grey suit. I mean the one you have on now is a good look, but the waistcoat might be pushing it, ya know?” I looked down at said waistcoat, tugging at the bottom of it. “I guess,” I grumbled. Nora rolled her eyes. “Just-- Don’t be so worried about it, kid. Go over your notes a couple of times if it’ll make you feel better, but besides that, relax, okay?” "Alright. See you in the morning, Nor,” I smiled. “Night, worry-wart,” Nora stuck her tongue out at me before hanging up the call.

I turned away from my phone to look myself over in the full-length mirror in my room. Nora was right, the waistcoat was definitely just a touch too much.

-- I arrived at the DA’s office at 9 - the talk wasn’t set until 10:30, but I preferred to get an unfamiliar conference room early, get a better feel for the space, go over my notes, even if it meant making small talk for a few minutes beforehand. I knew that Nora would arrive soon enough, it would be fine. Nora had made the right call - I was wearing a light grey pantsuit, as well as a white button down. I’d decided to chance it with a cup of coffee, but I hadn’t spilled a drop (yet - I always dropped a ‘yet’ on the end of that statement. With me, there was always a chance).

The receptionist that had shown to the conference room had reassured me that there wasn’t any other conference booked for the space, so I wouldn’t have to worry about needing to find somewhere else to go over my notes. I set myself up at the end of a conference table, close to the screen. “Oh-- I hope I’m not interrupting.” I looked up to see a man standing in the doorway. I glanced at my watch. 9:40 - still plenty of time. “No, not interrupting at all,” I flashed him a smile. He came into the room, letting the door close behind himself. “Here for the seminar?” He asked. “Yes, I’m actually running it. I’m from Tactician,” I said. The man’s brows rose, and he came closer, holding his hand out to me. “Neal Loguidice,” He introduced himself. Why did that name sound familiar? “Hi,” I greeted, shaking his hand. “May I?” He asked, gesturing to the seat beside mine. 29 other seats in that conference room and he wanted to sit in the one directly beside mine. “You’re just trying to see all my notes in advance,” I teased before nodding to the seat and adding, “Go right ahead.” Even if I wanted to tell him that he had plenty of other seats to pick from, I definitely couldn’t. I lowered myself back into my seat, pulling my chair in to give Neal room to slide in behind me. He settled in beside me, opening his laptop and notebook. We worked in amiable silence for a few minutes before he spoke up again: “Andy said that your firm was instrumental in his defense for the Warren case.” Apparently he’d mentioned that to a reporter, too, and Nora had been called for a comment. It had started a wave of requests for information regarding our trainings. “Yeah, I cut back on that section of the presentation for you guys because I figured you’ve had to hear a lot about it lately,” I said. Neal chuckled, shifting in his seat to look at me. “Well, I appreciate that,” He smiled. I returned the smile. He was... Cute. He had dark, warm eyes; his neatly-coiffed hair seemed a little at odds with his five o’clock shadow. Neal and I got talking - about work, about Newton, about his case load and how many requests for proposals I’d taken on the last month. “You’re here early.” My attention was drawn away by Andy coming through the door. He had a cup of coffee in one hand, his laptop tucked under his arm. His eyes darted from me to Neal, and his smile wilted to something a little less hospitable. I glanced at the time. “I mean, we do start in fifteen minutes,” I pointed out, “Being late would be a pretty bad look, Barber.” Andy set his things down at the seat across from mine, glancing between me and Neal. “I don’t think I’ve ever been into Harvey’s,” Neal said, continuing the conversation we’d been having. I turned to look at him again. “They’re not too far from here, over on Cedar and Sixth? Food’s not too salty, and they’re open pretty late.” “You would know,” Andy muttered just loudly enough for us to hear. I looked up at the ceiling, refusing to look at Andy. When I looked at Neal again, I found his brows raised, curious. I shook my head a little bit. "My late-night go to is usually Chinese food. There’s a place around the corner  from here that’s got some of the best dumplings I’ve ever had,” Neal went on. "I love dumplings! Why are we talking about them?” Nora asked coming into the conference room, a cup of coffee in hand. She caught sight of Andy, smiling. “Morning, Mr. Barber.” “Morning, Ms. Abrahms.” Nora beckoned me toward her, and I excused myself. “You look settled in,” She commented. “Well, I’ve been here for almost an hour and a half, so,” I commented, tucking my hands into my pockets. “And your shirt is coffee-free. I’m incredibly impressed,” Nora teased. I leaned against the wall, shrugging. “For now. My shirt’s coffee free for now.” Nora grinned, shaking her head. “Your pitch skills are incredible but your hands would be less shaky if you drank less coffee.” “My pitch skills wouldn’t be as incredible if I drank less coffee. Keep up, Nora,” I teased. I peered around her, waving people in as they began to trickle into the room. -- “That was excellent,” Lynn was pumping my hand with politician-like photo-op efficiency; I was vaguely aware of their PR person taking a picture of us, and Nora muscling in beside them to get one for herself. “We appreciate the opportunity to come and work with you guys,” I smiled. Lynn patted my shoulder before dropping my hand and excusing herself. Half of the attendants had already filed out of the room. I stepped back over to my laptop, closing it and beginning to pack my things away. "Well, that was informative," Neal said; he had yet to get up from his seat.

"I'm choosing to take that as a compliment, Mr. Loguidice," I glanced at him. He chuckled, nodding. "It was certainly meant as one. And please, it's Neal," He said, standing and drawing himself up to his full height. "Well, then, thank you," I chuckled, pulling my coat on. "Back to the office?" He asked. I nodded. "I have work to do." "No time to stop for another cup of coffee or... Or lunch, maybe?" Neal asked, gathering his laptop and notebook before he turned to look at me. I arched a brow, shifting my bag on my shoulder. "Something from the seminar that I didn't explain clearly enough?" I asked. Neal smiled a little. "If that'll get you to say yes," He nodded. "Ready to go?" I turned to see Nora standing with her things, Andy close behind. "Andy has offered to take us out to lunch at Harvey's," She added. I shot Andy a glance before turning back to Neal, tipping my head to the side. "I've been meaning to try Harvey's," Neal said simply, hand brushing over my shoulders as he stepped past me, "I'll grab my coat." Nora and I turned to watch Neal leave the room; neither of us missed the split-second narrowing of Andy’s eyes as Neal passed him. -- Lunch was incredibly awkward - at least, I wasn't sure how it could've been worse. Andy and I had taken the seats across from one another by the window, and Neal had slid in beside me before Nora had the chance. Nora had mostly been able to keep the conversation moving throughout. But when there had been the odd... Lull, let's say, I could see Neal and Andy almost sizing each other up. As soon as we'd sat down, Andy had done as he had a few weeks ago, hooked his foot around my ankle and kept that contact up. Neal had pressed in close on my side, thigh pressed against mine, arm nudging me now and again to draw my attention - usually away from whatever Andy was saying. When he’d done that, Andy’s leg would brush against mine, reminding me of our anchoring where the others couldn’t see. I didn't know what their game of cat and mouse was, but I didn't think I liked being part of it. -- (8:39 PM) AB: Busy? I glanced at the text on my phone and rolled my eyes. Of course I was busy. I'd lost three hours of my day to giving that seminar at his job. (8:42) Yep (8:45) AB: Hungry? 

(8:45) Nope

(8:46) AB: Need some company? I hesitated in answering that one, typing out a few different answers and deleting them all. I finally settled on sending, (8:52) I think you meant to send that one to your wife.

--

For all of the efforts I had made to put distance between myself and Andy both physically and emotionally, my attraction to him hadn’t budged. If anything, it had gotten worse. My stupid brain had gone beyond obsessing over the details of our conversations - I had dreams about the guy. They weren’t odd ones, either, where there’s some whacky circumstance and you just happened to notice him in the background. They usually had to do with touching him, kissing him, being in less-than-innocent and incredibly compromising positions with him. I’d out a cap on fantasizing about him in my free time, but apparently my subconscious hadn’t gotten the memo. It probably didn’t help that I hadn’t been with anyone in a while, and that Andy was incredibly attractive, and still talking to me, despite the fact that my recent texts and had been snippy or flat. But maybe it was the fact that when we were together, we did touch. I thought about our hug when we’d gone to dinner weeks before, and his foot hooked around my ankle, holding my attention in a way neither Nora nor Neal knew about. I could’ve pulled away from him, kept my...Leg to myself, but I wanted that contact. Even with Neal at my side, nudging me now and again, I wanted it from Andy. It wasn’t about the touches themselves. I wanted him.

[a-deadly-serenade]

overall this season was pretty decent. i have some thots whats new so im gonna share them below the cut if anyone’s interested :)

so!! first off i’ll say that there were a lot of things i did really enjoy from season 4!

the action was super fun as always!! i loved all the crazy enemies and callbacks! the skeleton fight and all those little goblins they kept killing throughout were a nice touch ;) sypha’s use of her powers is INSANE her ice-chainsaw?? her WALL of fire?? electric balls?? come on. and the animation was NICE. i really wanna know who did most of the fight scenes bcuz the style is so different and it just POPS but in a really good way? 

my favorite fight has to be ofc when everyone is REUNITED yes im basic. but the THEME song going off and well, im a whore for sotn references and i CAME when i saw the leap stone ref w the winged cape or when alucard turned into a hoard of batss AND THEN HIS WOLF FORM OOOOHH BABY!!! actually episode 9 is just a straight banger.

STRIGAAA. STRIGA. oh mama i was sweating during that fight. mad kudos to her va for them growlsss

carmilla vs isaac was a lot of fun and i loved the visuals but my hype was instantly ruined when i saw her kill herself 😭but thats smth i’ll complain about later.

not all the lines were bangers, some of sypha’s swearing seemed even a bit too much at times, and it was especially jarring to be having a face-to-face death-math with literal Death and hes acting like a naughty little 5 year old thats just learnt to swear. maybe cut back on the fuck-isms? just a bit? BUT when they hit they did GOOD. “the fuck what now?” yes

ISAAC. you weren’t in this season as much but man do u still shine through. i loved his introduction back in the town where he has his night creatures digging graves and rebuilding the city 😭 and then the conversation he shares w his flyman?? obsessed.

Hector chopping his finger off and giving lenore and carmilla a good ol FUCK YOU!! as he helps isaac. we love to see it

Trevor and Sypha’s “I love you!” “I know.” <3

DEATHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

oh! alucard actually having a story & purpose in the plot? :) luv it love to see it. that being said... the Plot. 

its... ok? it’s kind of split up into 3/4 parts, as the story progresses, one eventually merges with several of the others kind of? cohesively? while leaving the other to sort itself out.

now, i didnt have too many qualms with it, it was pretty straight forward. dracula is going to be resurrected and we have sypha and trevor looking in on it, while alucard helps the nearby village and hector and isaac go on about bringing on their inevitable showdown. however, the way the story was paced and some of the decisions they made... werent so great.

st. germain for example, brought the ENTIRE momentum from the last few episodes to a halt. you have sypha and trevor fighting through heaps and heaps of monsters only to find themselves back in Targoviste where they meet the mysterious Zamfir!! and Alucard!! he’s been asked to help save this village!! all jam-packed with crazy action and animation that leaves you fired up!! and then episode 5 comes to a screeching halt and we spend nearly the entire thing on st. germain’s backstory and explaining his motives for the rest of the season

like. imma be real with you chief: he didnt need to be here lol. you could have just left varney as the main vamp in charge of bringing back big daddy drac and he could reveal to his.. idk henchmen or something that he’s death. but u gotta fill them ten 20 minute slots somehow!! he just fell so flat and unfortunately, a lot of the side-characters suffer from this this season.

i enjoyed great and zamfir, i love their desgins esp, but they really could have been fleshed out more. zamfir is shown as nothing but a spoiled brat the majority of the time she’s on screen but they wait till she’s about to die to try and turn her character around? huh? greta is given a bit more screentime but this sudden confession of feelings in the last episode felt so... huh?? why couldnt she just be dedicated to her people and show that u can love someone w/out necessarily being their partnr? i thot that was her whole thing; taking care of her people. it’s like. where did this come from. they cant have known each other more than a week at most dog 😭

it sucks they dedicated to much time to scenes that didnt really need to be there where we could have gotten this proper development, like maybe have a scene zamfir and sypha connect over struggles they’ve dealt with in the past and that has her open up about how traumatizing dracula’s attack on her city was. u could have expanded upon her role in the court and WHY she worshipped the monarchy so much instead of making it a throwaway gag about her being “crazy”. but why have that when we could instead spend the first 5 minutes of said episode watching a monotonous back-and-forth b/w varney and that big burly russian vampire who’s name im sure mor than 98% of the audience cant even remember? 

just a lot of fat that needed to be trimmed so that the actual MEAT of the story could be slow cooked to perfection. people really arent kidding when they say less is more. 

another big problem i had was there... i dont even know what to call it, re-humanization? redemption? of Lenore. like lmk if im wrong but she manipulated hector, yeah? coerced sex to slip on that ring that binds him to her?? orr whatever weird shit warren’s into. but the way they interacted, ESPECIALLY in their first major scene together was sooo uncomfortable to watch lol at first i thought perhaps hector was only playing along because well. hes enslaved to do her and carmilla’s bidding. but no, he actually LIKES her. he spares her when isaac comes around, he says that he wants to keep her as his own. and in the meantime, lenore finds time to complain to a man that’s been beaten and enslaved how upset it makes her that carmilla got angry at her 😭 or says thats she tired of isaac keeping tabs on her and wants to escape this ‘cage’. to  aman thats literally been imprisoned since youve known him 😭her death is seen as peaceful, calm, they even try and tug at ur heartstrings by swelling this sad, dramatic music as the sun rises. really? LENORE?

and carmilla’s death happened WAYY too early imo. she was the villain for practically 3 seasons and this is how she goes? isaac couldnt get more than a stab at her? his night creatures couldnt take a nibble? HECTOR couldnt even be given a chance to do somethng like come on

the resolution was... strange? it was cute!! and happy!! but i dunno if they really needed to have lisa and vlad coming back, but, like i said; it was cute! definitely not the ending i was expecting. 

i’m glad that they put their focus back on what made the show so much fun and that was the FIGHTS. they definitely helped add some much needed spice to things when scenes started to drag, but im a gal that really luvs a good story and even though reviews were raving that this season helped closed the lid on all the themes theyd been exploring, i just didnt really see that. which isnt necessarily a BAD thing, i knew i wasnt gonna find some deep introspective themes in this hack n slash horror-fantasy, its just what can turn somethng like this from an ok show to a GREAT one. 

in the end, im glad they stopped at this one and im curious to see if they really DO go ahead on making spin-offs. bcuz unfortunately, i will always be down for som new castlevania content

[kurt-nightcrawler]

Feather

Summary: you had a crush on pigeon boy

Word Count: 1.8k

You sighed. You were so hopeless. 

It started out as an innocent crush. He was very attractive and surprisingly, not a total asshole. 

Then time went on, and your “innocent crush” was going to have to get a name change. Six months of silent pining, stolen glances when he wasn’t looking, laughing a little bit more when he made a joke, watching him train with Kurt— you were going to fall for him hard, and when you’d finally hit the ground you would most likely be crushed. 

-

“If I were stuck on a deserted island… hmm… I would pick… Kurt.” 

Your friends were playing some game in your room. You weren’t paying any attention. Instead, you were thinking about Warren. Your history teacher said you’d need to pick partners for a project next time you had class. You really wanted to ask Warren to be yours, but that would be so awkward! Some girl he never really talked to and only knew because of his big friend group wanted to work with him on a project? Yeah, no thanks. He’d probably pair up with Ororo. 

“(Y/N).”

“What?”

“Who would you pick?” Jubilee asked. 

“Pick for what?” 

“If you were stranded on an island, who from the friend group would you pick?” Jean explained. 

“Warren.” 

“Dang!” Jubilee exclaimed. “She didn’t even hesitate. I bet she’s thought about it before.” 

“He has wings— He could fly— We wouldn’t be stuck…” God, you got flustered so easily.

“Uh huh… Look, everyone knows Warren’s hot. You can admit it.” 

“He’s… cute.” You stated awkwardly, trying to not let your big, fat, crush seep through into the conversation.

That was the thing. You’d somehow managed to keep your crush a secret from everyone. I mean everyone— telepaths included! You had absolutely no idea how you did it, but if they did somehow know, then they never did anything to prove so. 

-

You were sitting in the shade under a tree, book in your lap, but ignored for the piece of metal in your hands. It was one of Warren’s feathers.

Since they could shoot out and pierce things, he was encouraged to use them during training, leading to his feathers being reused by Hank for scrap metal for his next big project. You managed to steal one and hide it in the bottom of your sock drawer for two weeks before taking it out and using it as a bookmark. Sometimes you thought about getting a handle or something put on one end to make it a dagger, but you never did. 

You ran your thumb over the tip absentmindedly. Carefully though, so you wouldn’t cut yourself. You were so lost in thought you didn’t even notice when Peter snuck up behind you.

Not noticing Peter was like not noticing a natural disaster. It was near impossible to do. 

“Whatcha got there?”

“A book,” You responded, quickly placing the feather down as a page marker and slamming it shut. 

“I saw something shiny. What was it?”

“Nothing! Just my bookmark.” 

“Can I see it?”

“No.” You held the book tightly in your hands, afraid Peter would try and snatch it. 

You did not, however, think about how he could have just pulled the feather out with super speed since part of it stuck out. 

“Hey!” 

Peter admired the metal feather in his hands. “Where did you get this?”

“Doesn’t matter. Just give it back!” You tried to reach it from Peter’s hands, but he was too fast, dodging you every time. 

“Is this Warren’s?” He asked.

“I said give it back Maximoff!”

“No. I wanna know why you have one of Warren’s feathers!” 

“Hank gave it to me.” You could tell Peter was going to run off with it any moment, so you did the only thing you could think of to slow him down. 

You kneed him in the crotch. 

“Ow!” He balled his fists, causing the feather to bend.

“Peter no!” You cried.

“Why’d you do that? That shit hurt.” You wanted to cry. That feather was one of the most important things you owned and now it was bent. 

“You bent my feather!” 

“Maybe you shouldn’t have kicked me in the dick.” 

“If you had given it back like I asked, I wouldn’t have needed to!”

“Well-” He was hunched over in pain, “-here, take it back.”

You grabbed the feather and your book lying on the grass and ran inside. 

-

You tried to bend it back into place, but you had no success. You screamed in frustration. Why did Peter have to be so nosy? You just could not have nice things, could you?

You stared at the feather. It looked pathetic, all dent and beaten. Just like your stupid one-sided crush. 

You dropped your head against the table, shielding it from view. You didn’t make any sniffling sounds or choked sobs and hiccups as tears fell down your face. You kept the heartbreak hidden. 

Just like your feelings.

-

You didn’t speak to Peter at all. You never really needed to, and when you did need to you just... didn’t. Simple as that.

Peter got mad you weren’t speaking to him. He didn’t see the big deal. Why did the feather have so much meaning to you? You weren’t that close with Hank, and you rarely ever spoke to Warren. He couldn’t figure out why you got so upset.

“It’s your turn, Pete! Ask someone.” 

You avoided his gaze perfectly. If Peter chose you, you would have literally no way to escape conversation. You mentally pleaded for him to not choose you. 

“Uh… (Y/N).” But you were not lucky. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.” You regretted your decision soon as the word left your lips, but you really didn’t want to talk to him any more than you had to. 

“I dare you… I dare you to tell me why you’re so upset over the feather.” Everyone was confused by his statement. What feather? What kind of dare was this?

“Come on, that’s not a real dare.” You argued.

“Well, it’s my dare I’m giving you. You have to answer.” 

“No.” 

Warren whispered something to Jubilee, but you couldn’t hear. It just made you more unfocused in the moment.

“(Y/N), I gave it back. I’m sorry that I broke it.” 

“Sorry doesn’t fix it! I spent hours trying to fix it and I couldn’t, okay? You stole it and wouldn’t give it back.” 

“You kicked me in the dick!” 

“Because you were going to run off with it!”

“That— That doesn’t mean you can just kick me in the dick!” 

“Wait. You kicked him in the dick over a feather?” Warren asked. He probably thought you were some pathetic child, hurting people over some feather.

“Hank gave her one of your feathers and I broke it. Not on purpose!” Warren’s face shifted from confusion into soft realization. 

“Oh… I could just— I could just give you another one right now.” 

Your eyes were wide, nerves racing. “You don’t have to do that.” 

“Nonsense,” He plucked a feather out without even flinching and held it out for you. 

“Thanks…” You held it tightly in your hand and tried to mask your emotions. 

Your heart was racing— he gave you a feather! He gave you one of his feathers! You were never going to let it go, and you would probably be buried with it. 

“Do we all get feathers?” Scott joked. 

“Piss off Summers.” You couldn’t help but smile a bit. Only you got a feather!

-

You framed it and hung it on your wall. Stepping back, admiring your handiwork, you felt a rush of happiness come over you. The feather was everything to you at the moment.

“Wow. You framed it.” You turned around and looked at him. Warren was standing in your doorway. You felt a little embarrassed, he was probably going to think you were some creep for framing it. You should have just been content with the dent one! Why’d you have to go and cause a scene? 

“It looks nice.” 

“Thank you…” 

“Can I ask you something?” 

I’d let you run me over with a truck. Of course, you can ask me something. You can ask me anything!  “Yeah.” 

“Why’d Hank give you one of my feathers?” 

“I um, I stole it…” You sheepishly admitted, avoiding eye contact. 

“You could have just asked me for one. I wouldn’t have cared.” 

“Oh no. I could never— That would be weird. This situation is kinda weird.” 

“Oh.” He sounded disappointed. “Why did you steal it from Hank?” 

You froze for a moment. You could not let him know about your undying love you’ve been harboring for six months. Wait— Did you call it an undying love? Were you at that level now? Oh god… 

“I just… I think your wings are cool. I think they’re cool. The feather was cool. Um… yeah.” 

“Oh. I thought they like, freaked you out, or something. You’re kinda quiet around me.”

“What? No! Never, I just, suck at small talk.”

He nodded, “You’re chatty with the rest of our friends.” 

You were panicking. If you couldn’t explain yourself, Warren would live the rest of his life thinking you hated him! You couldn’t live with that.

You had to coBeforeme clean about the truth. 

“I’m in love with you.” 

He didn’t say anything at first. You were ready to jump out the window and fall to your death. 

Then he spoke. “Oh.” 

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m just gonna—” You motioned to the window, ready to have the floor swallow you whole. 

Before you could even take one step, Warren grabbed your hand. “Please don’t do that.” The emotion was evident in his eyes. 

You were going to open your mouth and speak, but you couldn’t. His lips were pressed against yours, moving together. Your free hand cupped the back of his neck, ghosting the ends of his hair. He wrapped his other hand around your waist pulling you closer, your chests touching. You didn’t want to stop, afraid that if you did, you’d wake up from some dream. 

But Warren broke away to breathe. Your eyes bore into his. Neither of you wanted to speak, unsure of what to even say. 

“I didn’t do that just because you were about to jump out a window. I mean, I did, but I also like you. A lot. And I thought you were maybe intimidated by me because you were fine around everyone else but you never really said anything to me. Then I thought, maybe I’m not trying enough, but then I also thought, space is good and you may not want anything to do with me and—” 

You kissed him again. You broke apart after a few moments of lingering lips. 

“I didn’t mean to cut you off, but you were rambling, and um, I thought you wouldn’t mind. I’m sorry.” 

He blushed and shook his head, “No, you’re— you’re fine. Great, actually.” 

“Oh?”

“Yeah,” He nodded his head slightly. “Um,” He glanced at your lips and then looked up into your eyes. He slowly leaned in and you followed.

[samsexualdeancurious]

Thanks For Listening | Chapter Two

Square: Free Space

Pairing: Sam x Reader

Words: 1,576

Warnings: hurt!Reader, pining, eventual smut, dirty talk, voice!kink, unprotected sex.

Summary: Sam hosts two podcasts - a secret one for hunters called the War Room and a public one with fellow hunter Y/N called Criminal History. Y/N and Sam have never seen each other, let alone met, but that doesn’t stop Sam from worrying when Y/N suddenly goes missing.

Betaed by @manawhaat 

Written for @spnkinkbingo

Header by me and Mana

Masterlist - AO3

---

"The manager said she never checked out of her hotel room. Her bags and stuff are still here but her car is gone."

Sam leans his elbows on his desk. "Fuck."

Charlie keeps talking. "That Allen guy checked out, though. Think you can track him down through your network while I keep asking around here?"

Thank Chuck, something to do. "Yeah, I'll start making some calls."

"I'm going to head over to the police station. She used her FBI cover, right?"

"Yeah. Agent Warren," Sam says, recalling one of her texts from her arrival in the town. "And her partner Agent Sanders."

"Good to know. Go make those phone calls. I'll update you on what the cops tell me."

After hanging up with Charlie, Sam begins making calls to a variety of hunters. He starts with ones he knows fairly well, specifically those who tend to hunt in the western states, and works his way out from there until finally - finally - he finds someone who can give him the number he needs.

"Hello."

The voice is gruff but Sam gets the feeling that man is young - probably mid-twenties.

"Is this Allen Burton?"

"Who's asking?" The man is clearly cautious, a common trait among hunters no matter how young they may be.

"This is Sam Winchester."

He can practically hear Allen straightening up, snapping to attention. "Shit. Sorry. Hi. I, um. I didn't know it was you, sir."

Sam can't stop himself from rolling his eyes. Great. Another fanboy 

"What can I do for you?" Allen asks.

Sam gets straight to the point. "Where is Y/N?"

There's an audible gulp. "She, uh - she's in the hospital."

---

Charlie finds her in the ICU of St. Mary's Medical Center in Colorado.

"She's going to be fine," Charlie assures him. Sam has collapsed into a chair in the library, overwhelmed with relief. "She's in a medical coma right now but the doctor says she should be ready to wake up in a few days. I'm going to stick around until she does."

Sam's glad he's alone in the library right now - no one can see the way he frantically scrubs at his eyes, relief flooding through him. "Did the doctor say what happened?"

"He doesn't know for sure - top secret FBI stuff, ya know - but he said she lost a lot of blood and had a pretty nasty head injury. They actually transferred her here about a day after she was admitted to that hospital in Utah. That's why I didn't find her when I looked there. St. Mary's has a better trauma center and ICU, and the doctors in Utah wanted to make sure she was getting the best care possible. Ya know, with her being FBI and all,” Charlie smirks. “So they had her sent here."

That fact makes Sam feel better. He's still itching to grab the Impala keys and drive out there, even though he knows Dean would kill him for taking the car without asking, and Y/N probably wouldn't want him there anyway. After all, they haven't even met in person yet.

At least she'll have someone familiar around when she wakes up.

"I'll have her call when she's ready to," Charlie offers, oblivious to Sam's inner turmoil.

"Thanks, Charlie. I really appreciate you doing this."

"It's not a big deal. She's my friend, too. Plus, it's easier to keep her cover if I stick around. I can't believe Allen just left her."

At her mention of the young hunter, Sam grits his teeth. Allen had dropped Y/N off at the hospital, spouted off some story about her being injured on the job, and then left town without a backward glance or letting anyone know what happened. Apparently, Allen wasn't even there when Y/N was injured. They were separated once inside the nest and he found her unconscious in a pool of blood.

"I've been letting people know that Allen isn't a reliable hunting partner," Sam tells Charlie. "It's not that I want him to hunt alone or anything. I just want people to be aware."

"Smart. I'll let my own network know. I'm gonna go grab some food and find a room for the night. I'll text you an update in the morning."

---

Charlie keeps Sam informed on Y/N's condition over the next few days, including that the doctor has decided to take her off the medication keeping her unconscious. He has to fight to keep himself from pacing a hole in his bedroom floor, deciding to focus on editing a few bonus episodes of Criminal History to stay busy.

On day four, his phone rings in the middle of lunch. He snatches it up when he sees Charlie's name on the screen, ignoring Dean's curious glances.

"Hello?"

"Hiya, Chief."

The relief that washes over him at the sound of her voice is like a physical weight being lifted from his chest. "Y/N," he says, abandoning his sandwich and instead hurrying to lock himself in his office. "You're awake. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry for worrying you." Her voice is soft, a little embarrassed.

"It's not your fault. You're only human. What happened? Allen couldn't tell me."

Y/N sighs. "Allen and I were separated and a couple of vamps got the jump on me. I guess I hit my head pretty hard 'cause I don't remember anything after that. I'm sorry, Sam. I should've been more careful."

"Hey." Sam keeps his tone low and soothing. "It's okay. You're okay. Just promise me something?"

"Okay?"

"If you're ever facing a case like this solo again, please call me."

Sam doesn't try to hide the desperation in his voice and she clearly picks up on it. When she speaks, her tone is soft and genuine.

"I promise."

Sam nods, practically falling into his office chair. He finds himself staring down at the planner he left open last time he was in here - the one where he uses to organize and schedule everything that deals with Criminal History.

"How long does the doctor want you to stick around?" he asks.

Y/N huffs. "A few more days for tests and stuff so he can make sure I'm definitely okay. Then he wants me to take it easy for at least another week. I'm gonna die of boredom."

Sam smirks. "Not if Charlie brings you your laptop. We've still got a show to run, partner. That means research."

Y/N groans. Sam rolls his eyes. She would be perfectly content if Sam did all the research and prep and she just had to read his notes and record. 

"That head injury didn't change too much," he teases.

"Shouldn't being in the hospital excuse me from research?" Her pout is audible.

Sam chuckles. "Have Charlie pick you up a new phone so you don't end up stealing hers. I'll talk to you later."

---

You hate to admit it but Sam is right. You definitely would have died of boredom without being able to do research for the podcast.

The emails full of article and video links that Sam sends end up being a welcome break in the monotony, especially since he’s decided to do most of the research for you (this time). It's not the most exciting existence but it's definitely better than having nothing to do. Sam’s regular phone calls certainly don’t hurt.

Charlie heads back to Utah to make sure the vamp nest has definitely been taken care of but returns to the hospital once you're discharged and drive you to a nearby motel where she’s rented you a room. She hangs around a few more days after that - no one says anything but Sam probably asked her to. He can be a bit of a worrywart sometimes. You don't mind the company, though.

After Charlie leaves and you're given to okay to resume everyday activities, life pretty much goes back to normal. You take on minor cases, working solo or with hunters you're familiar with until you're feeling back to normal. You still talk to Sam on an almost daily basis - if not over the phone, via text - and ignore the happy butterflies in your stomach every time you see his name on your phone.

When you stumble upon a hunt that sounds an awful lot like a wendigo in Colorado, Sam's words from the hospital flutter across the back of your mind and you find yourself calling him before you even realize you're doing it.

He waves away all your insistence that he doesn't have to come help you, the sounds of a duffel being hastily packed clear in the background of his voice.

"Dean and I will be there in about 9 hours," Sam says. "Maybe sooner, with the way Dean drives."

Dean. Of course Sam would bring his brother. You've heard good things about Dean - especially about his hunting abilities - but a part of you really wanted this to be just you and Sam, and that part of you can't help feeling disappointed.

“I don't really want to bring Dean," Sam continues. "But wendigos are a pain in the ass, especially this time of year. The more hands on deck, the better."

Okay. Good point.

"I'll meet you in Aspen," you decide, ignoring that part of yourself that still wants to ask him to leave Dean behind. "We can head up to the campsite from there. Let me know when you're getting close?"

"Of course."

--

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--Team Forever: @mrswhozeewhatsis @books-and-icecream @laughing-at-the-darkness @tumbler-tidbits @imsuperawkward

Team Sam: @saxxxology

Team TFL: @wonderfulworldofwinchester @kickingitwithkirk @muchamusedaboutnothing @ellen-reincarnated1967 @linki-locks11

[theliterateape]

What Your Preferred Presidential Candidate Says About You

by Peter Kremidas

Hi. Well are horoscopes bullshit or what?

You know what isn’t? This 100 percent accurate assessment of your personality based on what presidential candidate you prefer. No I did not include all of them, I’m not a psychopath.

What Your Preferred Presidential Candidate Says About You

Joe Biden - You are incapable of seeing that the film “The Boy In The Striped Pajamas” is just a cynical setup for a meaningless grand tragic moment that uses the holocaust as a prop. When you imagine a Nazi holding hands with “a black” (your words), it makes you cry. Or you’re Jim Carey in awe of what this man can do with his face. If none of this describes you, then you are a moth drawn in by his teeth.

Amy Klobachar - You ask kids what they want to be when they grow up and then roll your eyes at their answers.

Bernie Sanders - That one part in Return of The King when Aragorn, the first king of men in ages after the long reign of Denethor The Steward of Gondor, says, “My friends, (Pause, “huh? what?” say the faces of Merriodoc, Pippen, Samwise, and Frodo) you bow to noone,” and then they all bow to the hobbits? It breaks you every time. You’ve got a good heart and also you think that inspiring young voters while scaring the ever loving shit out of old voters is a sound political strategy. You shop ethically.

Michael Bennet - When you first saw the character Mr. Makey on South Park and heard him say “M,kay?”, you thought to yourself, “I would follow that man into hell.”

Elizabeth Warren - You were basically Hermione when you were a kid. Fuck you. Also, so we’ve all had the experience of knowing that somebody didn’t understand what we just said because, upon finishing, there’s just a stare, a pause, and then they start nodding before saying “Yeah!” followed by something not related to what was just said but totally related to what they had previously said. You know that thing? It happens to you often. But to be fair you talk like Ira Glass and they were trying to mentally place where they’ve heard that voice before and that’s probably why they couldn’t focus on your words. Fuck you.

Andrew Yang - You have a real dope idea for an app, bro.

Pete Buttigieg - You just can’t fucking wait to talk about Shakespeare, can you? You can’t sleep without an NPR podcast playing in the background. You have a cabinet full of United States Vice President Bobbleheads. You’re especially proud of your rare mint condition Spiro Agnew because it actually reminds you of something something progressivism something accountability something Trump sigh. You want to see Donald Trump lose a debate. Badly.

Kamala Harris - There was this one time where you said, “Come on, guys. Not all cops are bad.” And then there was this weird pause and one of your friends said “Well, sure, Dayna, but I’m talking about systems, not individuals.” And then someone said, “Yeah, Dayna.” And then you got this look on your face and you said, “Oh.” And you looked like such an idiot and you really drank too much that night. Stuff like this actually happens to you often. But other than that you’re real chill. You want to see Donald Trump lose a debate so bad that he cries, shits his pants, and then starts a physical fight which he also loses.

John Hickenlooper - You’re a republican who accidentally read a real news.

Corey Booker - You consider yourself the office rebel because when they started charging for coffee you started bringing in starbucks every morning for everyone. Eventually the office stopped offering any coffee at all and now it’s all on you to pay for all the coffee everyday, soldier. You did it. People have been asking you to stop. You did it. Despite all the crazy predicaments you constantly get yourself into, you always have good advice and book recommendations.

Beto O’Rourke - When some starts speaking Spanish to you, you smile and nod your head and actually get this look on your face like you’re actually listening. You let them get through the whole fucking thing, smiling and nodding the whole time and then when they’re done you hold your palms to the sky like a balanced scale to heaven and say “Hey, sorry, compadre! No Hablo Spanish!” And then you smile like you’re such a cool person for knowing “hablo” you fucking phony. You don’t know a good senator when you see one. You want to see Donald Trump win a debate, apparently.

Marianne Williamson - You really hated The Hobbit prequels and you need your message to go to the very top. Your dildo is made of crystal. You also have a crystal made of dildo. Because, when you think about it, isn’t everything made of dildo, as it is of this Earth?

Bill DeBlasio - You’re the rare New Yorker who both hates Amazon and doesn’t smoke weed.

Julian Castro - You’re the first among your friends to discover new good music. You have good taste in it, too. And movies too, where do you hear about this stuff? I cannot overstress your eye for good media content. You should really be a writer. Have you ever thought about that? You’re a C-Span junkie who has been saying “I fucking told you so” for the past week and a half and seriously people get it, calm down. And/or you’re his parents.

*Eric Swallwell - Your children’s hands are permanently disfigured from playing catch with lit torches.

Kirsten Gillibrand - You’ve asked to speak to the manager when we go out to restaurants and stuff a lot since we’ve met and for real I’m starting to think it’s you. You think Reece Witherspoon is the hero in “Election”. At one point in your life you let it be known to an authority figure that you have something to say, and you thought they were being, honestly, like really super unfair at the time. But whatever. If they wanted to be immature, that was their prerogative, and no you were not done speaking, and you do not give neither a care nor a fuck on Earth.

Jay Inslee - Yes, it’s organic.

Tulsi Gabbard - “No kidding?” you said, “I love Hawaii. And yeah, to your point, I definitely don’t love war, if you get what I’m saying...which is, um...yes, that. That is what I’m saying...I mean, yeah.” You gulped down a slug of cold brew, anxious to get out of this conversation with your boss. “Fuck it, yeah, I support Tulsi Gabbard.” You concluded, “Why the fuck not, right?”

Trump - Your motto, “Hey, if you want to make an omelette, you gotta pay off a hooker, encourage a dictator to cheat for you, and torture a few kids.”

*I don’t know how to put this into the context of this bit, I just have to tell this story. In a post-debate interview on msnbc, he once again appealed to giving the reigns to power to a younger generation, and not people like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, who have been in power for, and this is really what he said, “dozens of decades”. Plural. Like, more than a mere one dozen decades.

[electricbluebutterflies]

i have a kabby prompt if you so choose.... in polis after ALIE, abby doesn't want to talk or cry.. she just wants sex. she begs marcus to make her feel something else, make her forget. marcus can't do it, not now, knows it's not what she needs and abby breaks down in the process. they end up sleeping.

Aka let’s play fast and loose with the s3 finale and shortly thereafter. PG13-ish, content warning for implications of dubcon (neither involved person was consciously aware of their actions), and also on ao3.

She has become a monster.

In the immediate aftermath of regaining consciousness, as she processes the weapon in her hands and the blood that might not be hers on her clothes, Abby is in shock. She knows there is that cute little word for it, and she knows recent events are far more complex than she is currently able to deal with. Neither of those background-noise details calm her as she searches the room for her…

Not lover, not yet at least, god no. They got one good kiss before everything went to absolute shit, and from there she… actually does not know what may or may not have happened between them. Her body is sore in certain places, yes, but her body is also sore everywhere else so that’s unhelpful. Will she wake up in a few days or weeks and know what she did while she had the chip? Until this fear passes, she hopes not. She hopes…

She finds him from across the room, and there is no one else in the world, and she runs and she falls and she crashes.

Everything she is still sure of is tangled up in this broken man, in his bloodshot eyes and shaking hands. She envelops him and she never wants to let go, and she-

“I’m here,” she murmurs over and over. “I’m here.”

What she did while controlled is a mystery; what he did even more so. She does not care, as she forces herself to be strong. This is a new dimension, perhaps even more frightening than the hell that surrounds them. Marcus has been a constant presence almost her entire life, stubborn and stoic and perfectly composed… except around her. Every time she has seen him break has been because of her.

She’ll be the death of him. She knows it now, feels it in the shifting of his body against hers, the deeper breaking he refuses to do in front of other people but won’t be able to fight off much longer. If he can die, it will be because of her, and it will be an unworthy sacrifice, and-

“Come with me,” she murmurs. “We should… we should…”

Chaos as it is, they slip away. They will return to the epicenter later, face the fallout of circumstances far beyond their control, but for now there is nothing to be done and Abby feels no guilt in departure. Until the dust settles she is unimportant - she felt the gun in her hands, the impeccable programming in her veins, and there will be no partial survivors for her to patch up. If she is wrong, she won’t be far, but she needs to breathe and she needs to get out of her skin and she wants and she wants and-

She pushes herself up on tiptoe in a hallway and kisses him hard enough to bruise because she can, because she wants to go numb and what other purpose is there in collision. Because she screwed up again, got herself attached to something else with a beating heart, and she has a certain feeling that his badly bandaged wrists are somehow her fault. She runs her tongue over his lower lip, desperate for something, anything. This will do nicely, once they’re somewhere behind a decent door. Not how she planned this step in whatever they are, but it will do.

But here is not the right place, and she breaks apart and leads on. She can’t remember them ever being this quiet with each other. There were those good months of shared workspace - can she miss something that only ended a few weeks ago? - and they were civilized to each other then, but not quiet. Trying to run things was a collaborative effort, countless little conversations about every little thing because they had no faith in themselves and absolute faith in each other. This, this is…

She doesn’t know where she is anymore in this rabbit warren of a palace, but if she had to guess, she’d assume they’ve wandered into the visiting diplomats’ wing or something. She does not know, does not care beyond there is an empty room with a door that locks from the inside. Somewhere out of the way enough for what she wants, for making each other numb, for-

She kisses him again, and this time he does not allow her to deepen it. This time he backs away, and the pain in his eyes breaks what’s left of her heart.

“This won’t help,” he murmurs.

“Then tell me what will.” Hands on her hips, glaring at him, reminded of a long history of sparring. If he wants a fight, she can easily give that too. “I was not me, Marcus. There are missing days of my life. I am terrified, and I don’t… I want to forget. Let me forget with you.”

“I can’t.”

Well that’s annoyingly vague, she thinks, and his overall presence isn’t making her feel any better. “Why? Give me one good goddamn reason why you won’t lay me down on that bed behind us and fuck me until I can’t focus on anything that isn’t you.”

He takes a step back and several deep breaths, visibly bracing himself. “There are… for one, this is hardly the right time.”

“We just survived the impossible. And given the fantastic array of shit that seems to happen to you in particular, I don’t think there will be a right time.”

“You’re visibly exhausted.”

“How much energy do you even think sex requires? I’m not asking you to show off, I just-”

“I don’t know what happened during… during that. What my body did while my mind wasn’t in it.”

“I don’t either. That’s the point. I want to go numb and I want to feel present again and I want-”

“That might help you. It might make things worse for me.”

Shit. So she probably did do something. She knows he didn’t exactly take the chip right after she did, but-

“What did I do? How did I hurt you?”

“You kissed me. It felt like you. I wanted it to be you. But you were… aggressive. Your timing seemed odd. And that’s how I figured it out.”

Abby turns away, curling into herself. She can’t look at him right now. All the scenarios she’s considered in the past twenty minutes, but not that, not the unforgivable, not…

“What happened after that?” She has to know. She doesn’t want to, but she has no choice.

“They… they tried to use you against me in another way. They were going to kill you. They restrained me, painfully, and they meant to make me watch you die. And that’s when I broke. After that… I don’t know what happened when we were both gone.”

“But you survived me. And you’re still willing to be alone with me.”

“Yes, because that wasn’t you. I know you, Abby. I’d like to think I have some idea how you love. And when the time comes, I know you will be different.”

“How can you let me kiss you when I-”

“Not. You.” He’s drifted closer somehow, and he puts a hand on her shoulder. “I can see the difference.”

“But you won’t…”

“Not because of that. It might… I do want you. I do trust you. Someday soon, I want to find out.”

“But not now,” she hisses, still feeling like she’s missing something.

“Not now. But only because we’re both tired and have seen too much. Not because of you, Abby.”

She turns to face him and oh, it is easy to fall and let herself be held. This, apparently, is within his limits. He is solid and he is hers, still racing manic energy but less so than the last time they touched, and she still wants so many things, and-

“Will you at least stay with me?” she asks, because even that feels like too much. “If I decide this is where I’m staying until the next disaster, or at least for tonight?”

“Yes.”

“And if I want you next to me on that bed? If I want…”

“Of course.”

There is a gentleness in this man, she thinks as she breaks the embrace and walks over to sit on the edge of the bed and take off her boots. Still a new blossom of a thing, this softness in an unlikely place, but undeniably present. Marcus, standing just out of reach and waiting for her to finish her process before he replicates it, has become everything he is capable of these past few months. And he chooses her, chooses to lie with her in her wreckage, and she cannot find words for any of it.

She shifts her body to the far part of the mattress and watches as she can. He has a jacket to shed as well, made harder by the layered bandages on his wrists. She ought to replace them with something clean, she thinks, but she will worry over that come morning or when he asks for her her help, whichever comes first and not a moment sooner. When those wounds heal, she will see them - she’d like to think she’ll see his details every day for a long time yet - and be reminded of his sacrificial heart. She will...

“You could move closer if you want,” he suggests.

She does. She fits well on his side, resting her head on his shoulder. She could get very used to this part, if he lets her.

“If I kiss your cheek, will you freak out on me again?”

“Depends on what else you do in that moment.”

So, innocent is alright. She feathers a few kisses across his face, because she can, and a heartbeat one on his lips before she retreats. Not pushing, not going anywhere, just a little playful affection.

“Not-me didn’t do that,” she murmurs.

“Not-you didn’t understand boundaries,” he replies. “Thank you, for...”

“Don’t. You know when to stop me, Marcus. That’s part of why I love you.”

He makes some kind of contented noise as she closes her eyes and crashes, and for now they are enough.

[annakie]

Notes on a blog cleanup.

I’ve been going back through my earliest blog posts (I joined this hellhole in May, 2011) to try and find a particular post I made, and decided to do some cleaning up of the early-blog cringe. Then I got a little addicted to it. 

So I started keeping this running log of notes as I went through.  Enjoy.

Basically the first few months my blog was more or less just a Doctor Who blog.  Just going back reliving those early Doctor Who memories, back when Season 7 was airing... and tumblr was at the height of the Doctor Who craze.  I’m only deleting the cringe-est of cringe posts from back then.

Fuck, this is making me want to rewatch Doctor Who.  I haven’t rewatched Doctor Who in like a half dozen years.  Probably more.  I mean I still keep up with the show when it airs but except for a few select episodes (mostly The Husbands of River Song, I’ve seen that like five times, it’s so good) I almost never actually go back and rewatch episodes.  This is a bad idea.

Also remember when we all felt the need to comment completely useless things on people’s posts who clearly didn’t care or add to the conversation.  Did a lot of that.  Deleting a lot of this unless it’s something I actually want to remember for some reason.

Any proof also that I may have liked Bedknob Cumberbund.  Only a few Sherlock posts but yikes?  Was that me?  Luckily no SuperWhoLock so far, but not surprising because I watched Supernatural enough to catch up to it and watch like season 8 live, and I think I tapped out mid-season 9 and was never THAT into it.

Adam Baldwin Appreciation Post... DELETED.  Yikes.

Apparently I once tagged something “otp3”?  *facepalm*

Found a post I reblogged where someone was DEMANDING CREDIT if someone reposted any pics from a set of pics of an actor because they spent a lot of time working very hard.... removing the watermarks from the pictures.  Imagine demanding credit for stealing the credit from someone else’s work.  Nowadays I’d just block the OP if I saw that on my dash. 2011 tumblr was a lawless time.

Getting in a few months to where I THOUGHT I had started tagging my posts, but instead I was reblogging with other people’s tags when that was able to be automatic.  I keep finding posts with like super thirsty tags that I am 99% sure were not mine, and deleting the tags or usually just the entire post.  Also lots of times I just kept tags that were like “mine” for things I clearly did not make myself.  Been kinda lazy about fixing this.

A LOT of “this post has been hidden for possible adult content” posts, and there’s no way to either see the post or delete the post.  Neat.  Also I’m sure almost none of them were anything objectional because even back then I didn’t relog NSFW stuff ever?

Oh no I’d reblogged a “Wake me up when September ends “joke” post.  Sorry Greenday.  Deleted.

Fuck, I’m rewatching Doctor Who.  How did this happen?  I’m on Aliens of London already?  This is so bad.  Why am I doing this?  Oh, nostalgia.

God I used to be so salty about Doctor Who / people who were assholes about Martha Jones.  I’d actually forgotten just how bad I was about that.  On the other hand, holy shit people were assholes about Martha Jones and I’d forgotten how shitty people were in her tag.  Even back then I’d block those OPs but still.  Yikes on both sides.

I’ve deleted over 300 posts now and I just made it to October 1st, 2011.

This is giving me the opportunity to go back and tag a bunch of posts as personal posts though so that I have a better record of what I was doing back then, which is nice.  I didn’t really start tagging personal posts as much until probably 2012.  Finding some pretty good memories that I’m glad I am tagging for keeps.

Hahaha remember when Netflix was going to rebrand the dvd side of their business as Qwickster?  My blog does.

Tags on a HIMYM post about shipping Ted and Robin more than Barney and Robin?  Definitely not mine. Ick.  Also remember having good feelings about HIMYM before the finale gut-punched your love of the show out of you?

October 15, 2011 I reblogged a post about Elizabeth Warren.  I was clearly ahead of my time.

There’s so many posts now that are just broken because the posts are deleted or because things were reblogged as links.  Remember when that was a thing?

Anyway I’m on Boomtown now and uh, Micky Smith is still great?  I can’t believe people hated him after the first episode where he was (understandably, humanly) cowardly.

Early December 2011 and I’m getting real tired of my own fandom wank.  I cared so much about a fictional character.  Kind of not regretting deleting more of this but hey I wrote a lot of essays, why not keep that proof?

Also I’ve started requeueing some good posts from way back when now, so expect a blast from the past on your dash starting a couple of weeks from now.  It’s a bit hard finding stuff that’d be considered truly good even today since gif size was so much smaller back then.

Seeing so many old familiar names of mutuals on my dash is nice though.  I miss some of these people... and a few are still around.  Hi there, friends I made through Doctor Who in 2011!

January 11th 2012 - I was watching Supernatural and damnit I reblogged something SuperWhoLock.  I hate you, January 2012 Me.  (OK actually I don’t because January 2012 me made a courageous decision that changed my life for the better in so many ways, but I’m still judging her choices in tumblr posts.)  At least the blog overall is starting to go down to like 60% Doctor Who and 10% Parks and Rec and 30% Other, including some socially conscious posts.  The cringe has lessened, but still there.

Also I’m on The Parting of the Ways, and yeah season 1 of New Who was just as uneven as I remembered it.  Eccelston did the best he could with what he was given, which was sometimes great, and the rest of the main cast was admirable as well.  Mickey, still underrated.  Captain Jack... still amazing.   And the Doctor did him so, so wrong by leaving him behind.  Gah. 

Anyway, in two nights I’ve now gone back over 750 pages of 15 posts per page, I’m on page 2488 of 2981.   I’ve deleted over 600 posts (40 pages worth) because they were dumb, bad, irrelevant, broken or just something I no longer want on my blog anymore.  I’m still only in mid-January, less than 8 months after this blog was started, but also I think I’m getting near the point of where I set up a queue and did a lot less post-spamming.  I may pick this project back up sometime next week, since I’m about to have a very busy rest of the week. I think the worst of the cringe is past, though.

[theliberaltony]

via Politics – FiveThirtyEight

More than just the four early states will decide the 2020 Democratic primary. After all, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina only make up about 4 percent of the total delegates awarded, whereas the 16 states and territories1 that vote next on Super Tuesday contribute more than a third. But because these four states vote first, they play an outsized role in winnowing the candidate field and setting the course for the primary. Understanding the state of play in each contest is crucial to understanding where the nomination race stands and where it could go.

Back in early October, I found that the polls varied a fair amount in the early states, but Sen. Elizabeth Warren was on the upswing in Iowa and New Hampshire, with narrow leads over former Vice President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Biden had a slight edge in Nevada over Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders and a hefty lead in South Carolina. Now, roughly two months later, things have shifted: South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg has supplanted Warren as the leader in Iowa while the four leading candidates are in a very tight race in New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Biden’s lead has increased in Nevada and has remained large and stable in South Carolina.

First up, Iowa, where even though Buttigieg has a lead, the top four candidates are within striking distance of one another. In an average of all Iowa polls taken in the last six weeks, Buttigieg leads Warren by about two points, 21 to 19 percent, but the top candidates are all within 5 points of each other. In New Hampshire, Buttigieg and Warren are essentially tied at roughly 18 percent, but the race is even closer as the top four candidates’ polling averages are within 2 points. For now, at least, the top four are in the same order in both states: Buttigieg, followed by Warren, then Sanders and Biden. (In the table below, we included anyone who made the November debate and is still running as of Dec. 6 — although, as you can see, they’ve all got some serious catching up to do.)

Buttigieg leads close races in Iowa and New Hampshire

Polling averages in Iowa and New Hampshire over the past six weeks for candidates who qualified for the November debate and are still running

Iowa New Hampshire Candidate Average Candidate Average Pete Buttigieg 21.4% Pete Buttigieg 18.3% Elizabeth Warren 19.0 Elizabeth Warren 17.9 Bernie Sanders 17.2 Bernie Sanders 17.0 Joe Biden 16.4 Joe Biden 16.6 Amy Klobuchar 4.6 Tulsi Gabbard 4.2 Andrew Yang 2.9 Amy Klobuchar 3.1 Tom Steyer 2.6 Andrew Yang 3.1 Tulsi Gabbard 2.2 Tom Steyer 2.7 Cory Booker 1.4 Cory Booker 1.8

Averages based on polls of likely Democratic voters conducted between Oct. 28 and Dec. 6, which includes six polls of Iowa and five polls of New Hampshire.

Source: Polls

Buttigieg’s rise in Iowa and New Hampshire, which we started to see signs of in September and October, has now created a four-way race at the top of the polls in these states. So what’s helped catapult him into the lead? Although there isn’t evidence that rigid ideological “lanes” have developed in the primary so far, Buttigieg’s budding support from centrist and center-left Democrats probably has helped him rise to the top in Iowa and New Hampshire. And there’s evidence that it has come at the expense of Warren and Biden. In Monmouth University’s early November survey of likely Iowa caucusgoers, for instance, Buttigieg was tied with Biden for the lead among moderate or conservative Democrats (each with 26 percent) while also leading among somewhat liberal Democrats with 23 percent, ahead of Warren’s 20 percent. And in a late November survey of New Hampshire from the Boston Globe and Suffolk University, Buttigieg edged out Biden 17 percent to 16 percent among moderate Democratic primary voters; Buttigieg trailed among liberal voters but still attracted 12 percent of them to Warren’s 23 percent and Sanders’s 24 percent.

Still, if the actual results in Iowa and New Hampshire ultimately look like recent polls, that would be very unusual: Since 1992, no Democratic primary or caucus in any state has had four candidates win at least 15 percent of the vote statewide. Of course, there’s still roughly two months before Iowa votes on Feb. 3, so the field could shift once again; after all, Buttigieg’s lead in both states is very small. It would be a little unusual, too, if he or someone else won both Iowa and New Hampshire. Only twice in the past seven Democratic presidential contests has the same candidate carried the two together: Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

But perhaps it’s not surprising that Iowa and New Hampshire polls mirror each other. After all, both have electorates that are close to 90 percent white, and the leading candidates save Biden predominantly appeal to white voters. That may help explain why Biden is having some difficulties in these very white states despite leading in the national polls. I’ve discussed how, because of their outsized influence early on, losing Iowa and New Hampshire could hamper Biden’s campaign, especially if the same person were to win both. However, it’s possible that a muddled outcome in which the four leading candidates run close together would be survivable, even if Biden does finish third or fourth in the first two states. Of course, the polls in these states are so tight that even if Biden doesn’t win, he could still outperform expectations in them, which might position him to roll through the rest of the primary, considering what the polls show in Nevada and South Carolina.

In the polling averages of these two more diverse states, Biden holds a solid 9-point advantage in Nevada and a massive 25-point edge in South Carolina. And should Biden’s leads hold up, the two later-voting early states could serve as a nice stepping stone going into Super Tuesday on March 3, when a number of states with sizable nonwhite electorates go to the polls.

Biden leads in both Nevada and South Carolina

Polling averages in Nevada and South Carolina over the past six weeks for candidates who qualified for the November debate and are still running

Nevada South Carolina Candidate Average Candidate Average Joe Biden 29.0% Joe Biden 38.0% Elizabeth Warren 20.1 Elizabeth Warren 13.3 Bernie Sanders 19.7 Bernie Sanders 12.0 Pete Buttigieg 7.3 Pete Buttigieg 5.7 Tom Steyer 3.6 Tom Steyer 5.0 Andrew Yang 3.1 Cory Booker 2.0 Amy Klobuchar 1.8 Andrew Yang 1.7 Cory Booker 1.1 Tulsi Gabbard 1.0 Tulsi Gabbard 1.1 Amy Klobuchar 1.0

Averages based on polls of likely Democratic voters conducted between Oct. 28 and Dec. 6, which includes four polls of Nevada and three polls of South Carolina.

Source: Polls

Throughout the primary, Biden’s continued support among nowhite voters has given him a leg up in both Nevada and South Carolina. His strength among nonwhite Democrats is most apparent in South Carolina, where Biden hopes that the majority black primary electorate will serve as a firewall should the earlier elections go badly for him. And so far, so good: A mid-November survey from Quinnipiac University found Biden at 44 percent among black voters in South Carolina, way ahead of Sanders’s second-place mark of 10 percent. In Nevada, Biden has the lead among nonwhite voters, too, but it isn’t nearly as sizeable. A November poll by Fox News found Biden up just 28 percent to 26 percent over Sanders among nonwhites, which could be due to Sanders’s strength among Hispanic voters (Sanders led Biden 31 percent to 24 percent). So part of Biden’s strength in Nevada isn’t just an advantage among nonwhite voters; he’s also got a small advantage among white voters there, too, leading Warren 23 percent to 21 percent.

Unlike Biden, Buttigieg’s low to nonexistent support among nonwhite voters might make it tough for him to break through in Nevada and South Carolina. In that South Carolina Quinnipiac poll, Buttigieg polled at 6 percent overall but didn’t register any support among black voters. Similarly, that Fox News survey of Nevada found Buttigieg at 8 percent statewide but with only 2 percent support among nonwhite voters. Similarly, Warren has also struggled to win nonwhite support in either state, attracting only 8 percent of black voters in the South Carolina Quinnipiac poll and 12 percent of nonwhite voters in the Nevada Fox News survey.

Polling in the first four states has shifted quite a bit in the last month and a half as Buttigieg has moved up, but polling in Nevada and South Carolina underscores just how difficult it will be to dislodge Biden from the top of the field as long as he maintains strong support among nonwhite voters. And of course, there still could be a few more shifts in the early state polls between now and then. As past campaigns have shown, late surges aren’t unheard of — but neither are late slides. Democrats also aren’t locked in on who they plan to support. Two polls from November, for instance, found that a majority of Democrats hadn’t yet made up their minds. Voting might seem like it’s just around the corner, but there’s still a ways to go.

[finderskeepersff]

46.

What a god send this rocker is, I don’t think I would get much done if it wasn’t for this rocker. I just pop that thing on and it rocks Cartier back to sleep, he’s become a little whiny now. Well he cries when I am not rocking him or he’s alone, it’s a pain. Even now I am in the bath, I have him in the rocker just being rocked while I do this. I thought if I am here, I can see him from where I am. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t say it’s hard, it was nice to have people here. When Olivia stayed behind, she helped but she left a few days ago now but I enjoy my son, he is very much my pride and joy. Cartier is not a bad baby, he is actually good but he’s crying a lot, trying to figure out what it is can be difficult but he just wants cuddles from me. Feeding can be draining, like constantly up and down but I was like fuck this shit, I bought another bassinet and kept it downstairs, it saved me from going up and down. Cassius did come and see him the day before, he came for a few hours. It actually gave me the chance to have some me time, he did well but he felt like Cartier wouldn’t feed from him but it’s because he loves the breast too damn much so I am switching it up. Helen said that is ok to do, he needs to get used to the bottle. Let’s just say Cassius and I haven’t spoken about that night, Celine is still alive and she went back with Leyton but he didn’t want to go back, I made him. He said that I need someone to look after me, the day I need Leyton to look after me then I know I am failing at life.

I am so nervous, this is the first time I am stepping out with Cartier, I hope to god Cartier is nice to me. He seems content, I have fed him, dressed him and he is all snuggled up in his car seat. I just need to make sure I have everything with me, especially for the baby. I have extra outfits, extra diapers, wipes, extra baby bottles. I just feel I have packed more than I should have but I want to make sure I got everything I needed, even if I am carrying extra weight. Placing the baby bag next to the car seat “you’re set” I said to myself, let me just get my bag and also the tickets. Walking around the car seat and walked up the steps, I left my bag upstairs as I would. Today is Cassius birthday, he is thirty, which is a big age and something to celebrate and I am of course doing something for him. I am not that evil, I am giving something to the father of my child from Cartier of course. It’s not like you are thirty every year anyways, grabbing my bag from my bed. Looking into my bag and seeing the tickets in there, thank god they are. My mind be everywhere so I do be forgetting like shit with things recently.

I grunted out as I clicked the car seat into the back seat, who said a Range Rover was a great idea, that person was a fool. That is me of course “hey neighbour!” stepping down from the step, looking down my drive “oh hey Wheezy!” I shouted waving at him “are you going out!?” nodding my head “yes, I am fine. I just need to get a few things, don’t worry!” I don’t need him, not exactly “but I should come with you? That is my part!?” shaking my head “it’s fine, it’s just some things. Thank you though” waving at him “ok, call me if you need anything” turning to the car, stepping on the step and placing the pacifier in Cartier’ mouth. That should keep him quiet, seeing as he is awake but quiet. I hope he falls asleep anways, closing the car door. Cassius took his Bentley, I mean as he would. He took some of his clothes to his apartment he decided to get, I haven’t been there yet but he sent me the details of it and I did text him saying I will be coming so don’t go out.

I paused staring at the card “what shall I even write” I said to myself, looking across me at Cartier just staring at me “you have been a good boy, I am so proud of you my little handsome boy. Once I write this card then I will feed you” I kind of like this quiet boy, he is just so intrigued with the outside. Let me just write to Cassius first “mhmm to Cassius, happy birthday to the best dad, from Cartier” I said to myself as I wrote out the card, I think that will be enough “the things I do for you” pushing the card down in the envelope “Sofia?” looking away from the stroller “Gio, oh my god!” getting up from the seat “imagine seeing you in Star fucking bucks” he said as we hugged “I know, you look so well Gio. Where the hell you been though?” I haven’t heard from him in a while “well I went away for a while, I was in Barcelona. That place is beautiful and let me see him, you look so fucking bomb Sofia. Wow, you’re like so beautiful. You have gained in the best parts too” Gio looked into the stroller “awww look at him, little light skinned. He is so beautiful, hey Cartier. I did your bedroom oh no, ok I am moving” he moved back “thanks for that” placing the pacifier in Cartier’ mouth “like I was saying to my partner, I said I need to contact Sofia because I want her to be a designer. Like you don’t even need to come to the office, maybe once but you can bring baby with you too” sitting back down “let me get a drink, I will be back” smiling at him, I like Gio.

Shaking Cartier’ baby bottle, I need to feed him before he really screams crying “look at you, shake that bottle too much. Your boobs are shaking” I laughed “lucky you’re gay then” watching him sit across me “there is other men around you know, they all can’t be gay” he got a point “how is motherhood? The birth went ok? Did Cassius come back?” Gio was around then, when I was alone “erm he did come back, he was there for the birth. We aren’t together exactly. He is around for Cartier, so that is a bonus. Also the birth was dreadful, I went through pain, I fainted. He took it out on me but I don’t regret it, look at him. He is my heart, he is like the perfect cuddle buddy. But it’s going ok Gio, thanks. How is the business? Is my spot still there?” I thought he may be like fuck you “oh yes of course, so all you need to do is say yes. You can work from home, like honestly. Then come to the office once a week. I have hired some new workers too and they work from home. Business is great, well some rich guy from Barcelona sought me out to do his Villa so that is why I was there. It was amazing, but I do want you to consider it” it seems like a fair deal “if you give me another month then why not, I will” Gio clapped his hands.

I had to park my car so far down, it’s so central where Cassius apartment is so I got the stroller out and walk to where he lives. First time being here, it seems like a nice place and I am impressed. Looking up at the building, it’s huge actually. I didn’t think Cassius would spend so much money on himself, he never spends money on himself to live lavish anyways. Walking towards the double doors, two white guys were walking out as I walked in “after you” they both held the double doors open for me “thank you so much” smiling at them both “thank you” I said to them again, I mean I could have done that myself. I forgot what floor he said again but I think I need to be buzzed up or something, walking over to the desk “hello” the guy walked over to the desk, he is moody “Cassius Warren, he should be expecting me. Do I just go up or?” I dragged out “I will have to ask him, just wait here” I assumed so, see he can spend money on himself when he wants too.

Pushing the stroller down the lobby, he did say number forty six, well he said anyways but I will try it. Pressing the buzzer on the door, imagine if it’s some random guys place and I got it wrong. The door got dragged open “Sofia!” Ethan spat “Ethan” didn’t think he would be here “come in, Cassius is just in the toilet. Probably just making it stank” Ethan opened the door wider for me, turning in the stroller “awww it’s little Cartier, is he asleep?” he asked “he is asleep, luckily for me anyways” looking around his apartment, as soon as you walk in the kitchen is right here, it’s very nice. Lots of booze around though “just go through, like it’s a open planned bedroom, living whatever shit” letting out an oh “you can go now, come back later” looking behind me at Cassius “sure, good seeing you Sofia” smiling at him “I didn’t think you would come, when you said you was coming I did think you was playing” shaking my head “it’s your birthday, I ain’t forget. Happy Birthday, you’re officially old now” Cassius looks well now, he is gaining a lot of weight too.

Unbuckling Cartier “pick him out” grabbing the baby bag “but it’s awkward, you always do this to me” grabbing his birthday bag “the longer you are, the longer you won’t get to see what Cartier slash me got you” walking off into this bedroom and living area, I am intrigued on how that even looks. Poking my head around the corner seeing the living area and on the other side is the bed “this is actually so cute Cassius, did you pick the colours?” he can’t have, this looks too good “oh no! Also we have a cleaner in this place, that is why it is so clean” I should have known “thought it was too clean for you” placing the baby bag on the coffee table, he has a big TV, does he need it any bigger, my god “I did it” sitting down on the couch “see it’s not that hard, he’s asleep still. That is a blessing” first time out with Cartier and he’s been so damn good “have you been out then?�� Cassius sat next to me carefully with our son in his arms “I just went to get a few things but he was good, so how is the birthday boy? Have you done anything yet? You’re thirty now” Cassius chuckled, more like a nervous chuckle “big thirty, nothing feels different but I just had my friends over. We had some drinks and that’s it, now you’re here. My family are coming to see me too, but yeah that is it” least he has people around.

“Well here is your birthday gift, he’s in your arms” I joked, Cassius laughed looking down at him “he’s a perfect gift, when he is not playing hell. He ain’t doing it today, he knows it’s my birthday and you was supposed to be born near my birthday, you lied to me son” smiling at them both, kicking the birthday bag slowly towards Cassius “let me have him, you can look in your bag or lay him down on the couch. He will be ok” seems like the only thing to wake him is milk, when he wants feeding he will let us know. Cassius is so tender with Cartier, he made the effort of getting up and laying him down and then making sure he has a blanket over him “you didn’t have to get me anything, just come with Cartier was nice enough” Cassius sat back down next to me again “well you’re not going to be thirty again, it’s a big age” Cassius side eyed me “you keep saying big age, stop it” he dragged over the birthday bag, I think I am personally impressed by myself with this. He pulled out a black jersey “what is this” he said holding it out “you remember that I like Brooklyn nets?” he turned the Jersey around “and it says Warren, thank you” he placed it at the side of him before going back in the bag “I got Cartier a matching jersey so father and son can match” I grinned, he looks so impressed already and I love it.

“It’s very weird to get cards, I mean even more so that it’s a card calling me dad. That is like emotional, my first dad card” Cassius said while staring down at the birthday card “thank you Sofia” he leaned over and placed the card on the coffee table “there is a second card, is that right?” he asked, nodding my head “it is, open it” he takes his damn time with things sometimes “I will” he leaned down to get the second card, this is the main gift for him and I hope he likes it. He ripped open the envelope “what is this?” Cassius smiled looking at me “open it and find out” I question myself on does he deserve it but he does, he has done a lot for me in terms of what he has paid for “no way?” he held up the ticket “yes way, I was thinking on what do I get someone like you and then it hit me. You like Brooklyn Nets and I asked Kyle and he said you never been so I got you a VIP suite, you and Cartier and go together. He will be at least two months then so all is well. I know I did say I would never go to that place but I will be in New York then so it will work out” Cassius stared down at the ticket “this is amazing Sofia, thank you. I ain’t think like you would have done anything so I am amazed, I would hug you but that is pushing it. Thank you so much, it means a lot that I get to do that with Cartier” I am so pleased with myself.

[lelandrussell-blog]

How One Courageous Choice Changed the Course of My Life

"You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both." ~ Brené Brown

I’ve had an amazing life with many wonderful moments. I've also experienced challenging Transitions, moments when I had to face the fact that a phase of my life was ending.

One of those Transitions came in the late 1980s when the business that I'd been building for years with a close-knit team was no longer viable. What had been working, no longer worked. An era was ending.

Ready or not, I was now in Transition. William Bridges, the author of The Way of Transition, says there are three phases: Endings, The Neutral Zone, Beginnings.

The Neutral Zone was the most challenging for me. It was difficult living in limbo between a known past and an unknown future. I felt like I was locked in a car stuck in neutral. No matter how hard I tried, I could not engage the gears. I could not move forward.

The best advice I’ve ever heard about how to break free from the Neutral Zone came from Steve Jobs:

“Have the COURAGE to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”

Listen to The Whispers

Late one night I was explaining my predicament to my older and wiser mentor. "I'm trying as hard as I can to figure out what to do, but I'm stuck. I'm worried about my future. I'm losing faith."

After a pregnant pause, she leaned over and spoke softly in my ear. "The solution is simple, Leland."

“Stop the noise for a while and listen to the whispers. If you don’t, you will miss many important messages.”

I took her advice. By relaxing physically and mentally, I stopped the noise in my mind. I learned to cultivate calm and listen for the whispers. It took a while but finally, I heard one message very clearly: "Do something totally new. Do something bigger and better than you’ve ever done before.”

Unfortunately, that was all I got ─ a message with three key words: "New, Bigger, Better." It certainly lacked the specificity I was hoping for. It did, however, cause me to focus my thinking on a key question: What would be totally new for me?

I pondered that question for several weeks with no results. Then, another whisper, one word: LEADERSHIP. That was broad, but it was enough for me to shift my mind out of neutral and engage my creative gears.

I moved into learning mode. I read some great leadership books, like On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis, and The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership by Sally Helgesen. I subscribed to respected periodicals, like the Harvard Business Review. I attended conferences that focused on leadership.

At my first conference, there were compelling presentations and drill-down workshops on a wide range of topics. Hearing diverse perspectives about leadership from some of the smartest people in the field really fired my neurons, but it also left me feeling overwhelmed.

Absorbing so much knowledge in one dose had a definite downside — once my cognitive capacity was surpassed, the additional knowledge was just noise.

After the conference, I reflected on what happened. Was the problem merely too much knowledge in one dose? Maybe that was a part of it, but I sensed there was something else — the way I was "downloading" the knowledge. Everything was flowing into one big file folder in my mind in no particular order. It was a mess.

After doing some research, I concluded that the real problem was between my ears. I had no mental model, no master cognitive framework to help me organize, prioritize, and apply the knowledge I was downloading. This core concept ultimately affected everything that followed.

Something Bigger and Better

By learning relentlessly about leadership, I was following through on the first part of what my heart and intuition had whispered to me: “Do something totally new.” But I had not yet addressed the second part of the message: “Do something bigger and better than you’ve ever done before.” I wondered what that could be.

There were several possibilities and they all aligned around the theme of leadership and the critical importance of mental models.

To put what happened next into context, let's time travel back to 1989. It was the beginning of an era of unprecedented change unleashed by the end of the cold war. The world had become more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous than ever before. What did this mean for leaders?

I remembered feeling overwhelmed by too much knowledge during my first leadership conference. I suspected that leaders might be having a similar problem dealing with the avalanche of new knowledge about how to manage change. That insight triggered the choice that changed the course of my life.

I would design and deliver an innovative leadership forum. It would provide leaders with a mental model for responding to the global change forces unleashed by the end of the cold war.

Looking back, it’s clear that it was a courageous choice because I was a novice in the field of leadership. I had no scholarly credentials or personal contacts who could give me advice. I was on my own sailing into the unknown.

In short, I had no idea HOW I would design and deliver an innovative leadership forum. I did, however, have self-confidence and I believed what W.H. Murray, the Scottish mountaineer, had said:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”

The bold idea was to create a macro mental model for responding to global change. I soon came up with one — The GEO Paradigm™.

"GEO" was an acronym for the three global change forces reshaping the world: Globalization, Empowerment, and Orchestration of Technology.

"Paradigm" is a way of perceiving the world. It frames the boundaries of your attention and defines the rules for success within the boundaries.

After that, just as W.H. Murray predicted, magical things began to happen.

My friend, William Shatner, agree to support the idea financially and be the spokesman. His involvement led to major organizations — Motorola, General Electric, Northern Telecom, and several others — becoming sponsors. Then, Fortune magazine agreed to promote it.

With that extraordinary support in place, thought leaders from a variety of fields agreed to contribute their insights. I spent several months conducting video interviews with over 80 of them — CEOs, prominent authors, top executive educators, and even a presidential candidate, Bill Clinton.

The format for the forum was, as intended, truly innovative. A multidisciplinary creative team helped me actualize the vision of a one-day "Knowledge Concert". The key GEO learning points were illuminated with panoramic multimedia sequences, thought leader insights on video, music-image videos, and stage scenes with live actors. All of this was grounded by short, single point presentations, small group dialogues, and an elaborate 100-page "Handbook for the Future" with application knowledge organized under three tabs — The Future Now, Blueprints for Success, Resources for Action.

When we delivered the GEO Paradigm™ Knowledge Concert to over 600 senior leaders, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Click here to see a 2-minute video overview of the forum.

When we asked participants what most appealed to them about the GEO Paradigm™ Knowledge Concert, the responses fell into three categories:

The ‘stickiness’ of the G-E-O acronym. It accomplished exactly what I had intended — it embedded a macro mental model that helped leaders make sense of the world that was then unfolding.

Actionable Knowledge for Mastering Change. Fortune magazine described the forum as an “advanced corporate education program to prepare senior management for the challenges of change.”

A Synthesis of Emerging Leadership Practices. One of the attendees summed it up this way: “They’ve have taken years of experience, results, and good concepts, and put all into a one-day presentation. It’s an amazing event.”

What A Difference A Day Makes

The ‘word of mouth’ about the one-day forum triggered ripple effects that continued for several years. Here are a few examples:

Over 1000 organizations around the world licensed the leadership development video —Tearing Down the Walls: The GEO Change Forces — that was created from the Knowledge Concert™ content.

General Motors licensed the GEO Change Forces video as the centerpiece of a series of change management workshops that ultimately reached 57,000 GM managers.

AT&T invited me to deliver a keynote address for a national leadership meeting on managing change. They also licensed the GEO Change Forces video to use in a series of large-scale events that the CEO held across the country to ‘rally the troops’ to deal with the challenge of change.

National associations in a variety of fields engaged me to customize GEO Paradigm™ Knowledge Concerts for their annual conferences and produce follow-up video learning packages for their members.

Last, but certainly not least, was the founding of GEO Group Strategic Services. Its initial mission was to help leaders meet change-related challenges and opportunities.

The firm has been the most enduring ripple effect. GEO Group Strategic Services is now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

There are three leadership lessons in this Knowledge Byte:

EXPECT TRANSITIONS - At points in your life, you will experience the challenge of Transition, moments when an era of your life is ending. A Transition has three phases: Endings, The Neutral Zone, Beginnings. The Neutral Zone is the most challenging because for a time you will be living in limbo between a known past and an unknown future.

CHOOSE COURAGEOUSLY - When you are in Transition, you must decide where to go next. Steve Job's advice is to “have the COURAGE to follow your heart and intuition." Brené Brown points out that "You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both."

CHOICES HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS - A choice you make during a Transition can have ripple effects that go far beyond what you might imagine. In my story, one courageous choice changed the course of my life. But every choice, even small ones, also have ripple effects.

________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading this GEO Knowledge Byte™. I'd appreciate hearing from you.

If you add a comment below, I’ll get back to you.

Leland Russell | Founder & CEO | GEO Group Strategic Service

[spacetimewraithwrites-archive]

For the one-word Warren-birthday-snippet-thing: Chill (any definition, lol)

Chill

“Uh…so actually….”

“No!” Esther yelped, laughing around her mouthful of ice cream and hitting Warren’s shoulder with the back of her hand. “Don’t you dare.”

Warren gingerly placed the next spoonful onto his tongue and made a face, smacking the creamy frozen treat around his palate before ultimately deciding his first instinct had been correct. “Yeah…sorry, you talked a big game but I’m not feeling this.” He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and dug around the contents of the cup for a piece of blueberry and gave it one more try, chewing through the odd combination of the tart fruit and the caramel ginger ice cream. “What…the hell kind of health-nut bullshit is this? This isn’t dessert, this is fraud.”

Esther laughed again and stomped her foot. “Don’t! Oh my god, you’re never gonna let me live this down, are you?”

Warren grinned at her, casually sweeping his eyes over the shadows cast on her face from the sunset through the trees on the other side of the street. “You swore up and down on this weirdness, calling me all sorts of names for not believing you, so I think this deserves at least a week’s worth of retaliation.”

Stirring her own melting honey-topped ice cream around in its cup, Esther groaned. “I guess it could be worse.”

“It could be, and it just might. I just hit some of the almond.” Warren made a show of gagging.

“Stop eating it if you hate it so much, then!” She snatched the cup from him. “Who invited you anyway?”

“You did,” he said, tossing the spoon in the trash as they passed. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “The words were ‘wanna grab some fraudulent ice cream, you fucking child?’”

Esther laughed again. “Well, you’re definitely being a child about this.”

They stopped at the pier and watched the fishing boats bobbing along with the current down the shore. Esther combined their ice creams and finished them herself, letting out a loud belch after the last bite that echoed across the bay.

“Mm, real humbling, Esther,” Warren quipped.

“Wanna go to my place and make out?”

Warren inhaled sharply, observing a particularly large boat that circled the dock, blocking some of the smaller ones from view. “What’s the second option?”

Esther shrugged. “I got a cold mouth.”

Warren risked glancing at her just as she winked and stuck her tongue out, a wicked smile crossing her pretty features. He chuckled, ignoring the shiver that bolted through him. “Jesus Christ, woman….”

“If you’re not up for that, we could watch a movie or binge that new show, uh…what’s it called….”

“Back up a second,” Warren said. “Were you being serious?”

Esther looked at him, holding her purse under her arm and tilting her head. “…Was I?”

Warren idly stroked his stubble and took in the way her eyes manifested an amber glow when exposed to direct sunlight. A vague and persistent something tugged at the back of his brain as he noted her minimal use of makeup and the small beauty mark under her right eyebrow, but he couldn’t focus enough to place the nagging or give it any mind.

The corners of his mouth turned up. “Were you?”

“I mean, I’m cute, you’re cute…I think we should be cute together.”

“That’s pretty damn bold of you, girl.”

“Got somewhere to be?”

Warren cleared his throat and surveilled the area for nosy passers-by. “…You know what? I don’t. I’ll meet you at your place in twenty.”

The sun had long gone by the time they sat in Esther’s bed in their underwear after an awkward but fun time getting to know each other that much better, bowls of vanilla ice cream in their possession while the second episode of the latest popular show started on her laptop, perched precariously on Warren’s knee. He dropped a bit of the cold chocolate syrup on his chest on accident.

“Shit.”

“You’re right,” Esther sighed. “Nothing beats the old-fashioned stuff.”

“Never doubt me again, Washington, I know what’s good.”

“Yeah you do.”

Warren snorted and shoved her with his elbow. When they finally cleared out the bowls, he wrapped an arm around her and she snuggled against him, settling down to binge the next five episodes of the show before they agreed to talk about what transpired at a later time and fell asleep in each others’ arms.

Though, it took Warren a good hour to actually get to sleep at all.

[is6621]

Battle of the Band’s... Music Streaming Services by Emily Gabree

This week, Spotify announced that the company has filed an antitrust complaint to the European Commission against Apple. Spotify makes some pretty substantial charges against Apple, alleging that their App Store policies are a way for the tech behemoth to stifle competition in the market, and that these policies are far and above just a cost of doing business on Apple’s platform.

Spotify Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Ek, states in a post on the company’s website that the complaint asks the European Commission to focus on three main areas: (1) Whether apps can compete fairly on Apple’s platform, (2) Whether consumers are "locked-in" to Apple’s platform and payment system, and (3) Whether app stores impose unfair limits on marketing, promotions and communication with users.

This is not the first time Apple has drawn criticism from app makers because it draws a fee of up to 30% of apps sold in the App Store. However, most developers have accepted this setup in order to leverage Apple’s secure platform and reach the millions of iPhone users globally. Therefore, this lawsuit is a pretty big deal - proving that companies are finally willing to step up to the fruit. Let’s break down both sides.

Spotify:

One of the biggest complaints that Spotify has against Apple’s App Store policies is the 30% revenue share that Apple requires apps to pay if digital goods or services are purchased in the app using Apple’s secure payment system. Spotify believes that this is a “tax” that they are incurring because their app competes with Apple Music. In fact, the company has gone so far to say that once Apple launched their music app and became a direct competitor, Apple had an incentive to disadvantage Spotify (and other rival services) through frequent and extreme restrictions and policy changes.

In his post, Daniel Ek claims, “What initially felt like a mutually beneficial partnership, increasingly felt very one-sided. Apple’s conduct stands apart from that of such rival app-store operators (i.e. Google) for being particularly exploitative and punitive, with the ultimate costs passed on to customers who may get stuck with less competition and choice.”

The key difference between Apple’s App store and others is not the revenue sharing itself – which based on what I could find seems to be fairly consistent across Google, Apple, and Android. Instead, it’s based on how users of the apps actually make purchases. Apple requires apps to use their payment system and bans apps from linking to outside payment sites. While Apple claims this is for user security, Spotify claims this is leading to systematic unfairness across their platform.

Spotify doubled down on their allegations, launching a website called “Time To Play Fair” on the same day they announced the lawsuit. This site outlines a timeline, as well as Spotify’s perspective on how Apple mistreats companies that compete with Apple products in the App Store.

App Store sales have become a crucial part of Apple’s revenue model. Yahoo finance estimates that roughly 12% of Apple’s 2019 fiscal year gross profits could come from their App Store. This is also a clear part of Apple’s strategy going forward, as customers are no longer upgrading their phones at the same annual pace as previously seen. Additionally, Bloomberg forecasts that the app economy is expected to grow from $82B in 2018 to $157B by 2022. Therefore, Spotify’s lawsuit is a direct shot at the company’s long term strategy.

Apple:

Yesterday, Apple fired back. The company posted an official statement on their website disputing not just Spotify’s accusation that Apple unfairly charges only apps that compete with their products, but also Spotify’s claim that Apple is blocking access to products and updates within Spotify’s app itself. Apple highlights that the company has approved and distributed over 200 app updates requested by Spotify. They also claim to have only requested adjustments when they felt that Spotify was trying to circumvent the rules that every other app follows.

Apple believes that Spotify’s motivations are not focused on the customer, but instead driven by financial motivations. Within their address, Apple states, “After using the App Store for years to dramatically grow their business, Spotify seeks to keep all the benefits of the App Store ecosystem, including the substantial revenue that they draw from the App Store’s customers, without making any contributions to that marketplace. At the same time, they distribute the music you love while making ever-smaller contributions to the artists, musicians and songwriters who create it – even going so far as to take these creators to court”

In Apple’s response, we learn that 84% of the apps in the Apple App store do not pay anything to Apple when users download or use the app. For those apps that do pay, the revenue share is 30% in the first year, and 15% in subsequent years. This was built by design, and the rules outlined in their reply apply to all – not just apps that compete with Apple products. Daniel Ek insists in his post that Spotify does not want “special treatment”, rather the company wants a “consistent set of fair rules and restrictions”. While it appears that Spotify is getting the same treatment as other apps that meet certain rules laid out by Apple, the focus here will likely be on the word “fair”.

Apple claims that it’s revenue share is in exchange for connecting a third-party’s services to its users, using the App Store billing system, and its developer tools that allow Spotify to build its iPhone and iPad applications. However, what is actually fair in this scenario? Should Apple require apps to use their payment system? How does that requirement impact customers either positively or negatively? These are all questions that EU regulators will be faced with then going through the anti-trust lawsuit. All of this could also become intensified at the end of March when Apple is expected to announce new content services.

Regulators:

This comes at a time when agencies and politicians in the US and UK are also taking a microscope to antitrust laws and the tech industry. EU regulators have continuously showed concern about how much technology platforms control online, and how they may rig the game to their own advantage. Though the cases are slightly different, regulators in Europe recently ruled that Google’s inclusion of the Chrome browser pre-installed on Android devices gave it an unfair advantage. This could pose a significant risk to Apple’s App Store future if similar issues are deemed to be taking place by the EU Commission.

Regulators within the US have also called on Apple to level the playing field. Though Apple has been a minor point of Senator Elizabeth Warren’s focus to break up big tech, she did point directly to how Apple products compete in their iOS store. "Apple, you’ve got to break it apart from their App Store. It’s got to be one or the other. Either they run the platform or they play in the store. They don’t get to do both at the same time," Warren told The Verge in a recent interview.

What does IS6621 think? Which company has the best legal and ethical case? Is Apple not playing by the rules? Or does Spotify just not like the rules?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-13/apple-faces-spotify-antitrust-complaint-to-eu-over-app-store

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spotify-apple-app-store-164634805.html

https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/13/its-time-to-play-fair/

https://timetoplayfair.com/the-case/

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/03/addressing-spotifys-claims/