#loved the whole double date dynamic here i think they all go out on fridays for drinks at the tavern and to play genius invocation tcg | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

colorseeingchick · 4 years

Text

Oh Baby! A series (Sugawara x Fem!Reader)

Summary: Sugawara loves to play-hide-and-seek with your nieces and nephews, almost as much as he loves them. But this usually light game has real stakes when you, your brother, and your sister-in-law decide to get involved. What does Suga win in this special game?

Warnings: Fluffy fluff, mentions of pregnancy

Word Count: 4k

A/N: I have severe baby fever and time is a construct. This is on the longer end but I think its worth it :) Hope y’all enjoy! <3

Tired. That was the only possible way you could describe the way your husband looked as he stepped through the door of your brother’s home. His tie loose and shirt half untucked- he radiated exhaustion. But right here and right now, there’s something important that’s about to occur. And Sugawara Koushi would be at its forefront.

“This is for you, Koushi-ojisan.” Your eldest niece, Tsubaki, bowed as she offered a folded piece of paper to your husband, who froze in the process of sluggishly sliding on his house slippers.

Suga shot you and your sister-in-law a questioning glance as he hesitantly received the piece of paper. Your sister-in-law feigned an innocent look, and you just shrugged your shoulders, pushing yourself to hold back your mischievous smirk.

“Ne, what is this Tsubaki-chan?” The initial tiredness that had weighed down on his face had receded, being replaced with a burning curiosity and loving smile.

“It’s to make our game of hide-and-seek more fun. You’ll play with us today, right Ojisan?” Tsubaki shyly smiled at her uncle, a plea subtly being communicated through her gaze.

Of course he would play with his nieces and nephews. Even if he wanted to say no (which, obviously, he would never do), how could he ever reject those eyes?

You and Suga had been married for quite a few years now, but you had been together for a long time before that. Soon after you two started dating, Suga had become best friends with your older brother. Moreover, you were very close with your brother’s girlfriend as well. So the four of you were inseparable.

That continued into your married lives. You and Suga would invite over your brother and his wife once a week on Friday, spending the time to go out to restaurants, do game nights, or just watch movies. However, as time went on, the family dynamic shifted as your brother had his first child. And then the next one. They were now up to 4 kids, the oldest being 7 years old, the youngest at 2. Double dates became Ghibli Studio binges and babysitting time.

Not that either of you minded, though. Your nieces and nephews were all angels, and you and Suga both loved caring for children. You and Suga had been trying for kids of your own for a while, but for the longest time, things didn’t seem to be in your favor. Suga knew that you felt responsible and that it weighed down on you, so he always kept his spirits high for you both. But you knew your beloved husband too well- he wanted a baby as badly as you, if not more.

“Of course I’ll play with you guys,” Suga ruffled her hair, tightly holding the paper in his other hand.

“I’m assuming Sumire-chan, Fumio-chan, and Mizu-chan are already hiding then?” He asked, glancing around the room to see if he could see any poorly hidden heads or tiny movements.

“Y-yes...When you find them make sure you ask them for their papers, okay?” Before Suga could answer, she quickly turned around and scurried to the kitchen and grabbed her father’s leg, tugging on the fabric. “Did I do okay Otou-san?” She whispers quietly.

Her father gives her a big smile and nods, patting her head. A hint of a smile pulls up at your lips as well. Tsubaki was the oldest of the group, and such a good older sister to her siblings, but she was yours and Suga’s lil princess. When you asked the kids to help you out when you arrived at the house that day, she was the most enthusiastic about making her Ojisan happy.

Suga opened the folded piece of paper in his hands, very curious as to what this was all about. On the white piece of paper, in his niece’s bubbly and straight handwriting, was written:

“for giving us another.”

His eyebrows scrunched up in confusion, and his head instinctively tilted. That told him absolutely nothing. But he could conclude that there was some bigger message. They were all too small to come up with something like a scavenger hunt/hide-and-seek game, so he knew it was the doing of the three suspicious-looking adults watching him intently.

What are you all planning? Suga asked with his eyes, eye contact jumping between all three of you. Hide and seek was the kids’ tradition with Suga. Without fail, they would beg him to play EVERY Friday when you guys came over. And without fail, he would always agree. It was his game with the kids. But it seems like the adults had a hand in the game this time around. It was a competition with them, too. Alright then, game on.

Now, there are some things you have to know about this household’s version of hide and seek. The kids have numbered them as rules and made a nice little poster to go along with them, that way everyone would know them.

Rule 1! Suga Oji-san will always be the first one to seek.

Because, for some reason, Suga Oji-san was also a master hide-and-seeker, there was an extra rule when he was seeking.

Rule 2! When Suga Oji-san is seeking, he has to do it in 15 minutes, or else we win!!

“Tsubaki-chan!~ when does my time start?” He calls out to the little girl, but his eyes are trained on you.

Tsubaki looks up to her father because she forgot to keep track (oops).

“You’re down a minute, Koushi,” your brother responds, leaning against the table in the kitchen.

“You know, if you don’t find all the kids in that time, you may not get all the pieces of paper,” your sister-in-law chimed in, teasingly, at which you chuckled.

Suga quirked an eyebrow, his competitive spirit really getting riled up now. “Tsubaki-chan, are you gonna come help me find the others?” He put his bag down by the door itself and started to quickly move towards the stairs.

Rule 3! Once found, you have to help the seeker find the other hiders.

Tsubaki scurried back to her Oji-san, happily (but quietly) saying, “Let’s go find Sumire-chan and Fumio-chan,” as she pulled his hand, leading him up the stairs.

Suga knew that he genuinely couldn’t lose this time around. Sure, he could usually find the kids easily because they rotated through the same spots, but he always made a spectacle of trying to find them, loudly expressing how lost he was. Sometimes he would even lose on purpose. But not today, knowing that the adults would hold to their word of not letting him see the last piece of paper if he wasn’t in time. Sumire, first on the list of kids to find, had also gotten better at hiding now that she was older, and Suga wouldn’t be surprised if her father helped her find a new hiding space.

“Ne, Tsubaki-chan, do you know if Sumire-chan is hiding in the spare guest bedroom?”

“Oh uh, I-I don’t know…” she pushed up her glasses and tugged on her sweater.

He’s taking that as a yes. “Let’s go check.”

Usually, she hid under the bed or burrowed beneath a pile of pillows that sat by the headboard, but she was in neither location. Suga pursed his lips, hands falling to his hips. “Sumire-chan is almost always in this room! But I can’t find her anywhere. She must be a master hider, I swear,” he proclaims, leaning against the wall. The closet door that was mostly closed didn’t mask the muffled giggle that carried in the air.

“Tsubaki-chan, is that a… monster in the closet?” He gasps dramatically, as he pushes the door open slightly, just in case Sumire was behind the door. The giggling from the closet mixed with Tsubaki’s as they found Suga Oji-chan’s commentary hilarious.

There, hiding in the corner of the closet with spare pillows and stuffed animals covering everything but her face, Sumire was now giggling uncontrollably.

“I’m not a monster, Oji-san~~~!”

“You’re right,” Suga responds as he pulls the pillows and stuffed toys off her body, pulling her arms lightly to help her stand up, “you’re Sumire-chan!” he cheers, pulling her into a hug, which she joyously returns.

“Sumire!” Tsubaki whisper shouts. “The paper!”

“Oh! Oji-san take this~!” she pulls the piece of paper out from her overall’s front pocket and holds it up to him.

Suga takes the paper and opens it to read-

“Thank you”

-written in neat cursive, resembling his sister-in-law’s writing.

“For giving us another” and “thank you.” Yeah, I still have no idea what this means. He just has to find the other two pieces, then. No point in overthinking.

“Tsubaki-chan, did Otou-san give you the timer to carry?”

Yes, there is an official stopwatch they carry for this game. That’s how seriously they take hide and seek.

“Mmhm! You have 8 minutes left, Oji-san.”

“No time to waste, huh? Ok, let’s go find Fumio-chan then.” He slides the pieces of paper into his pocket and offered his hands for the little girls to hold, although Sumire opted to just hold his two fingers instead- it was easier for her smol hands (I love when children do that 🥺💖).

As you put your mug into the sink while carrying out conversations with your brother, you watch Suga and the two little girls descend from the stairs, their tiny hands gently clasped in Suga’s. As they reach the bottom they dash to your brother, leaning against his legs. Suga makes eye contact with you and smirks lightly, his competitive spirit shining through.

“Found Sumire, hmm?” You taunt, knowing that he took a little longer than usual. This game that usually had no stakes had insanely high stakes, which Suga had no cognizance of, so you try to be as unassuming as possible.

“I did!” He taunts back, but his eyes drop to her and his voice softens. “She did a good job hiding, though.” You turn just in time to see her whole face light up. Your heart bursts at the sight. You both would die for these kids. From when Tsubaki was born to Mizu’s first steps, you and Suga had been there to see a lot of it and raise them in part.

“The next target is Fumio. But I have no idea where he is!!” Raising his voice at the last part, he looks around dramatically, eliciting a giggle from the two little girls.

Fumio is almost always in the kitchen- during hide and seek and even outside the bounds of the game (baby loves food). Suga monologues, opening the pantry and turning on the lights.

Would he go somewhere entirely different to throw me off?

Well, no. The point of the game IS for Suga to win (this time around).

So where is he?

The girls let out another round of giggles when Suga opens the fridge to look for Fumio, and you and your brother can’t help but chuckle as well.

“Ne, Ni-san,” Suga calls to your brother. “Can you give me a hint to where Fumio-chan might be?”

“I don’t know,” he pulls his mug away from his face. “Do you think I should help Oji-san?” He looks down at his girls.

Little Sumire nods her head aggressively and Tsubaki quietly responds, “Yes!”

“Koushi-kun. You remember when Fumio was like, 2 and would crawl everywhere?” your brother starts.

How could any of you forget? The kid ended up hiding unintentionally in all the worst places. Underneath desks, behind the couch, inside the dishwasher- it was endless. But there was one place above all he loved to hide…

Suga’s eyes met your brother’s, lighting up with understanding.

“Fumio loves helping put away the dishes, right Tsubaki-chan?” Suga walks around to the other side of the kitchen, where you were now standing next to all the cupboards filled with cooking pots.

“But sometimes he puts himself away, with the pots, too.” He was right. Fumio would put a pot away and push it all the way to the back of the cabinet, only to crawl in after it. How he found the spot comfy, none of you understood. But it made for some very cute photos.

“Fumio thinks he’s a pot!” Sumire chimes in.

“So I should check where all the pots are, shouldn’t I?” With that, Suga opens the (already slightly open) cabinet, to reveal a little boy with his hands over his mouth (concealing giggles) and a pot on his head. Suga smiles and lifts the 3-year-old out of the cabinet, pot sliding down and covering the child’s eyes.

“Look! Fumio-chan is a pothead!!” Sumire cries out.

All three of you burst out laughing, your brother almost spitting out his hot chocolate.

“Su-Sumire-chan don’t say that okay? It means something different,” you try and talk without dissolving into giggles again.

“Hmm? But he has a pot on his head. What else could it mean?” She looked extremely confused and you couldn’t even fault her for it.

“You’ll find out when you’re older,” your brother’s classic way of shutting down unwanted topics (for now).

Fumio, on the other hand, was just glad to be in his uncle’s arms, surrounded by his favorite pots.

“Oji-san, here!” Fumio giggled as he held the piece of paper up above his head with both hands. Suga pulled the boy against his body, opting to hold him with his left arm, while receiving and reading the piece of paper with his right.

“To play with”

-was all that was written on the small piece, this time clearly in your brother’s handwriting.

“Thank you for giving us another… to play with.” Suga’s hand goes slack as his eyebrows furrow in thought. What did I give them to play with? Did I buy them a toy recently? Was I supposed to buy them something!?

The little boy in Suga’s hand notes the pensive look his Oji-san had-- leading to the boy’s decision to poke his Oji-san’s face, right on his beauty mark. “You have to find Mizu-chan!!” He cries, his smol finger gently pressing into Suga’s cheek.

Your brother gently tilts the watch in Tsubaki’s hands. “2 minutes, Koushi.”

“2 minutes!” A lot more time actually elapsed than he expected. “Let’s go find Mizu-chan then! Come on, Tsubaki-chan, Sumire-chan!”

Suga hands Fumio over to you, taking the pot off his head and placing it on the table. He reaches his hands out to the girls again, both of whom accept gladly. And with that, he bounds back into the living room where your sister-in-law still waits.

“One minute, Oji-san!” Sumire calls out this time, genuinely concerned her uncle won’t make it in time.

But there’s another unspoken rule that’s been accepted by all the participants that ensures Suga’s success.

Rule 4! The baby gets to be found last.

Mizu was just 2 years old. He didn’t understand the concept of winning or losing. He just liked it when other people played with him. But the older kids did understand winning. And just like Suga, they were quite competitive. This rule was made to teach them that being nice to those who can’t play as much (like a baby) is more important than winning.

With this stipulation, Mizu consistently hid in the same spot for every single game. Without fail, in the small woven basket used to house all the family blankets, the baby boy would sit in silence, his mom right next to him on the couch it lays adjacent to.

Suga was gonna draw it out, though. If it's not a show for the kids, then was there really a point?

You and your brother (who now had his turn at holding Fumio) watched as Suga ran behind the TV, searched beneath the table, and moved pillows on the couch searching for the baby of the family.

“30 seconds!”

“I have no idea where Mizu is! What should I do?”

Sumire’s face is flushed with worry and excitement as she runs up to him and grabs his hand with both of her own, pulling him towards the blankie basket. “Oji-san! He hides here usually! Hurry before time runs out!”

You sit down onto the arm of the couch as Suga stares at the woven basket.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2…”

“Found you!!!” Suga pulls the cover of the basket away, triggering an endless stream of baby giggles from little 2-year-old Mizu. Suga picks up Mizu and his stuffed bear that he had been clinging onto.

“Oji-san wins!!” Sumire jumps up and down, hopping onto her mother’s lap. Tsubaki opts to sit on the floor, ready to watch what was to come. At this point, you and your brother are also sitting on the couch, your anxiousness raising in your belly.

“So where’s that last piece of paper….” Suga scans the baby for any pockets when he realizes it's tucked into the ribbon around the neck of the bear in his hands.

“I’ll take him,” your sister in law says as she gently puts Sumire on the side, grabbing Mizu from Suga before sitting down again.

Suga slides the slip of paper out from the bear’s ribbon and sits onto his knees, retrieving the other pieces of paper from his pockets.

“Ready for the big reveal?” He asked the kids in tone of voice, but the adults through eye contact. Although he had no doubts all the adults already knew the message.

Tsubaki nodded in agreement while Fumio’s eyes were trained on his Oji-san. Sumire was fidgety.

“Alright! So it says, ‘Thank you...’ ‘for giving us…’” he places the little slips onto the floor, leaving a gap for the 3rd piece. “...Something ‘to play with.’ Let’s see what I gave you guys to play with.” The final piece was now being flipped over in his fingers. He was killing himself with the suspense. “Thank you for giving us another-” he drops the last piece into line with the others, “-FRIEND… to play with…”

Though the words came out of Suga’s mouth, he didn’t process what they had meant right away. For once, the fun and playful Koushi oji-san had dropped his usual playful demeanor for one of complete shock.

A...a friend?

Your nerves were now skyrocketing as you felt your brother squeeze your arm in a calm and reassuring manner. You get up, arms hugging yourself as you slowly approach Suga, who was dumb struck on the floor.

But before you could speak, Tsubaki spoke up, scooching towards Suga, tugging on his arm sleeve.

“Oji-san, remember when I asked you if you and Y/N Oba-san had any babies I could be friends with, and you told me we would have to wait a while?” Suga’s eyes moved to the little girl, wide in surprise. In honesty, her words caught you and your brother off guard as well.

She remembered that? It was a conversation from around when Fumio was a few months old, and you and Suga had been trying so hard for a child then. She asked Suga if she could play with your kids, somehow convinced that you guys were hiding your own children from meeting her. It crushed you both internally, but you had smiled as Suga told her “Oba-san and I don’t have any friends for you now. But I promise we will give you another friend to play with as soon as we can! You might have to wait for a while though.” He had ruffled her hair and smiled, but it was pained. Though she was young and didn’t understand why, she knew that what she had said had hurt Koushi oji-san, one of her favorite people. You assumed your sister-in-law had told her to just not ask you or Suga about it again, but you never assumed she actually held onto the memory.

Suga just looked at Tsubaki, waiting for her to continue.

“... well… Oba-san said that she has a baby in her tummy… and that when it comes out we can be friends… so we wanted to say thank you for keeping your promise, Oji-san.”

Everything goes still. Even the small children sitting in the room, Mizu now sleeping on his mother’s shoulder while Fumio and Sumire hugged each other, aware of the frozen air...

...until Suga lets out a shuttered breath. You look at him, watching tears stream down his eyes, and you exhale a breath you didn’t know you had been holding.

“Yes, Tsubaki-chan, I told you we would keep our promise,” he jumps up, pulling her into a hug and spinning her around. She starts laughing and he laughs too. Before you know it your body starts shaking from giggles and tears that can’t help but escape you. You can hear your sister-in-law crying as well, and feel your brother’s arm pull you into a hug, a bright smile plastered across his face.

Your sister-in-law had come with you to your doctor’s appointment 3 weeks prior to confirm the pregnancy. However, you wanted to hold off on telling Suga just to increase the chances of the pregnancy carrying through. You couldn’t bear the thought of telling him only to lose the baby mid pregnancy- that would absolutely crush him. So while waiting, you decided to come up with a fun way to tell him, getting your nieces and nephews in on the plan in the process. Although your brother and sister had known, neither had really processed the information. And neither had you. Not until this moment.

Suga put Tsubaki down and approached you, face completely tear-stained and smile bright as the sun. You always somehow got lost in his beautiful features, and now you felt lost in the happiness radiating off of him. You let him engulf you in his arms, kissing your forehead while his tears rolled onto your face.

“We finally did it, love.” He whispers.

You push your face into his button-up shirt, inhaling his cologne and the reminiscent smell of detergent.

“We did,” you murmur against him.

“Wait, Oji-san and Oba-san are gonna have a baby?!” You hear a surprised Sumire ask loudly. Evidently, she had been a bit out of the loop and Tsubaki one-san had to fill her in a bit.

“Yes, Sumi, we are having a baby,” you respond, turning your head to look at her but not letting go of Suga.

You watch the realization dawn on her, turning to Fumio. “Fumio there’s another baby coming!” She jumps up and down once more, spreading her excitement to the little boy who starts clapping and jumping with her.

“Ba-by! Ba-by! Ba-by!” the two cheer while Tsubaki tries to shush them, Mizu still fast asleep.

“Alright you two, shhh! Time for dinner. You can cheer more after dinner,” your sister-in-law chides as she heads to the kitchen.

“Who’s ready for some ramen?”

“Ra-men! Ra-men!”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once dinner was over, a movie was watched, the children were put to bed, and dishes put away, you and Suga say bye to your brother and sister-in-law.

“Goodnight Ni-chan!” you say as you watch him close the door.

“Night Y/N-chan, Koushi-kun.” He waves a final goodbye.

As you approach the passenger side of the car, you feel a hand lightly tug your wrist. You turn around to have Suga wrap his one arm around you while guiding your face to his as he gives you a slow and loving kiss. As you pull away, Suga buries his face into the crook of your neck, his smile pressed against your skin.

“We’ve waited for so long, Y/N… and now it’s finally happened.”

You pet his hair and snuggle against his head. “I know, Koushi. And it will be wonderful. You’re going to be the best dad out there.”

“And you’re gonna be a wonderful mom.”

You both stand there for a minute, bodies warm in each other’s embrace and hearts warm in the realization of your shared dream.

“But you know, our baby’s gonna be really lucky,” you giggle.

Suga pulls away to look at your face. “Why is that?”

You put a hand on your stomach.

“Baby is going to have a lot of wonderful friends to play with, always.”

179 notes · View notes

allthefilmsiveseenforfree · 3 years

Text

Dangerous Minds

Those of my readers who haven’t known me long may not know that I was once a corps member of Teach for America. I taught 10th and 11th grade English for about 5 weeks, then I was told on a Friday about my “involuntary transfer” to another school in the district, where I’d be teaching 7th and 8th grade English instead. I went from having about 110 students to about 190. My classroom had no books (textbook or otherwise), no pencils, no paper, no markers or chalk, but it DID have one of those folding lamps that come out of the ceiling at the dentist’s office. The kids had been in there for 5 weeks with a rotating roster of subs; they’d done no schoolwork of any kind. I was teaching in a very poor area of the city, and my students were predominantly Black and Hispanic. One of my 10th graders wrote his first personal essay about getting shot the previous year. I say all this to tell you that when Chad asked that I review Dangerous Minds, the 1995 adaptation starring Michelle Pfeiffer of the true story of Louanne Johnson’s experience teaching in inner city schools in California, I was prepared to laugh it off as a cringey, Lifetime-movie representation of my experience. Is that what I got? Well...

For the most part, what I got was a ball of anxiety in my chest. It’s well-worn territory, obviously. A teacher bonds with their students from the wrong side of the tracks, and ends up learning just as much from them as they learn from him/her. Usually poetry or music features heavily as a tool that can set the students free from the depressing circumstances of their lives. Depending on the rating, usually a student dies, and the teacher learns just how Important their job is, so they commit to it even harder even though it pays no money and garners no respect from the administration who just doesn’t “get it.” But these cliches and stereotypes and broad strokes exist because at their core, they’re true, and they make me anxious and uncomfortable and I can’t laugh at them or Michelle Pfeiffer being a Nice White Lady because I’m too busy being angry about the systems we put in place that straight up abandon so many kids, all in the name of white supremacy.

Some thoughts:

Oh we’re starting right off the BAT with “Gangsta’s Paradise.” Fantastic news. Two things I associate so strongly with this song is skating around the skating rink in 2nd grade and buying the Weird Al cassingle of “Amish Paradise” and wearing it out.

Ooh, the score was composed and performed by Wendy & Lisa! Love that, you don’t see nearly as many film scores as you should composed by women.

God, the salary is $24,700 a year and Louanne acts as though that is appealing - I can’t tell if that’s because it was 1995 or because teacher salaries are so dismally low that this feels like a good salary?

This scene in which Louanne goes into her classroom for the first time and the kids are all shouting at her and getting in her face and sexually harassing her and throwing paper balls at her is giving me stress hives.

Also her friend Griffith (George Dzundza) saying, “You wanna teach, so teach! All you gotta do is get their attention” is rather disingenuous. Trust me, you can have their attention, and still not be able to teach.

I’m excited to see Sally-Can’t-Dance from Con Air as Raul (Renoly Santiago). He’s honestly fantastic in this, with a tough exterior but a sensitive and gooey inner sweet boy. All of the teens give pretty solid performances, but he’s a real standout.

I recognize this is based on a true story and Louanne Johnson’s lived experience, but I am not sure it’s wise for any teacher, regardless of grade or subject, to be teaching her students how to fight each other. Or taking them to dinner on what looks to outsiders like a date. I know some people have a problem with the bribery (giving her students candy for speaking up in class) but I have no problem with it - you get paid to do all the dumb stuff you don’t want to do at work, why shouldn’t kids be compensated for going to school if they don’t want to be there? External motivation goes a long way to building up internal motivation.

Mm I do love me some Courtney B. Vance, but he’s such a quiet, condescending ass in this. It’s a different vibe than I’m used to seeing in a principal in a movie like this.

Ooh, Griffith grading papers and saying “What a fuckin’ idiot” is a real mood.

“Since when has the Board of Education done anything for us? We barely get fuckin lunch” is legit. The lunches my students were served in summer school were some of the most horrifying things I’ve ever seen. One day it was spoiled milk, white bread, and pickles. And one of my students put his in a microwave that was hidden in the back of my classroom behind some dividers and left it for a week. And just so you know, as stomach-churningly awful as that sounds, the day I found “pickle man” as my student called him, isn’t even in my top 5 worst days teaching list.

I like Griffith, and I’m glad Louanne has a friend, but frankly I’m not that interested in these interludes between them - they really feel like they slow down the momentum from the scenes of her in the classroom slowly earning the kids’ trust. The pacing is kind of a mess, because the most dynamic sections all revolve around the kids in the classroom, and I feel like that only makes up about a third of the movie.

One thing I know for sure is you do not get in the middle of a fight between students. I have a friend who worked in the same district I did who interrupted a fight and got punched in the face because of it. And her principal blamed her.

Oh wow the way the soundtrack picks up when Emilio finally engages in the class is some kinda cheesy. And it continues through the rest of the scene to a distracting degree. Oh Wendy and Lisa, I hoped for better.

Can I just emphasize that to reach these kids, Louanne uses her experience as a LITERAL MARINE by demonstrating she can kick all their asses, and then she bribes them by paying for 25 kids to go to an amusement park for the entire day with her?

Also, even if they like and respect her now, I call bullshit at any scene in which ALL of the kids are A) sitting in their seats or B) silent, and especially C) both.

Um suddenly feeling some weird vibes with Louanne and Raul having a dinner date at this fancy restaurant by themselves. Also, the double standard here is pretty telling - there’s no way this scene makes the movie if Louanne had been a male teacher and Raul was a female student.

Wait wait wait, she’s also loaning Raul $200? Like, is this why I didn’t make it as a teacher? Because I wasn’t a former Marine taking students to amusement parks and fancy dinners and lending them money? I was 25 and could barely afford rent. Maybe teachers who have enough money to take care of themselves are better equipped to take care of others. Idk, I’m just spitballin here.

Oh “Gangsta’s Paradise” is happening again! We already heard the whole song over the opening credits but now it’s happening again about 3/4 way through. I mean this song is definitely the best thing about the film, so I get it, but it feels weird that they think we wouldn’t notice it playing to completion twice.

Michelle Pfeiffer is doing everything she can to make this movie feel less cheesy and more real. Like, you can tell she’s really trying with her performance. Of course, it’s not like the character is a huge challenge acting-wise, but she is definitely committed to the part and can walk the line of both accessible and tough.

This scene where Louanne tells her class she is not going to be there next year, that what happened to Durell and Lionel and Callie and Emilio made her too sad to stay has not aged well at all. And it’s certainly true to life, and I say that as someone who did the same thing. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s a reality - the fact that I’m a nice white lady is exactly the reason that I can choose to leave when things get too hard. Just because the kids convince her to stay at the end in this very rushed “all’s well that ends well” way doesn’t sweep this scene under the rug, and it shouldn’t.

Ope, “Gangsta’s Paradise” shows up one last time in the credits for good measure.

Side note: after the film, I researched Louanne, and she’s still teaching, which honestly made me emotional (in a good way). And I’d like to point out the racist ass bullshit the studio and screenwriter Ronald Bass pulled by changing the poems the students read to Bob Dylan lyrics when Louanne originally used rap lyrics from popular artists in ‘89-’90 to teach the kids about poetry.

Did I Cry? No, but I did get heartburn from anxiety flashbacks.

This genre of film is easy to mock and parody because it tells the same story and hits the same beats to the point that they’ve become cliche. Ultimately, the truth at the heart of the movie (which is the un-nuanced and candy-coated depiction of Johnson’s real memoir, My Posse Don’t Do Homework) is that high schoolers crave someone who will see them and validate them, someone who is willing to put in the effort. The quality of the package that truth is wrapped in varies, and this one certainly leans in hard on stereotypes that feel like cheat codes rather than any real illuminating depictions of living teenagers. But as cringey as it is to watch, maybe it’s not a bad thing to remember that all people - including those who are trapped in poverty and all the cruel injustices that entails - want to be seen and valued for who they really are.

If you liked this review, please consider reblogging or subscribing to my Patreon! For as low as $1, you can access bonus content and movie reviews, or even request that I review any movie of your choice.

#121in2021 #dangerous minds #dangerous minds review #michelle pfeiffer #renoly santiago #courtney b vance #louanne johnson #movie reviews #film reviews #patreon review

7 notes · View notes

kerwritesthings · 4 years

Text

The Exquisite Taste of Love

Summary: Everyone’s love language is different and special, getting to share that with the one who you call your heart is something else entirely

Word Count: almost 5.2k (Oops? But not really!)

Warning: tooth rotting sweetness, a touch of naughty and a whole lotta of love

Author Notes: What started out as inspiration from a gif, because the muse likes her pretty, evolved into the idea of a cute little Valentine’s Day blurb which then morphed into a bit of a love letter to the folks in this crazy corner of fandom who have been my biggest cheerleaders when it has come to my writing, with such open arms and friendship. My Valentine’s Day gift to them (and even to the rest of you) – but specially for @whenidance, @parkerdavis, @sinplisticshawn, @fallinallincurls, @illumecherry, @hollandraul - y’all will notice little special fun in here for each and every one of you. My little love language gifts to you <3

This, as always, falls again in line with this little world I’ve created, but again can be read as a stand-alone one shot piece, however I would recommend taking a read so you understand the build and the dynamics – the masterlist of everything can be found here.

“Can we do a baking night, like a date night?” he inquires, slinging himself against your back and nuzzling into your neck as you finish packing the cookies scattered across the kitchen island into Tupperware. You tried to get a jump on it this year, it’s your tradition to always gift your friends and family little homemade treats for Valentine’s Day. This year, you included adding in plans for special batches for some of Shawn’s team and his family, as well as a surprise for Shawn himself. Tonight’s adventure was for the folks whose items must hit the mail to get their treats in time.

“Wait, did I hear you right?” you giggle. “You, you’re asking to do something in the kitchen? By choice? That has nothing to do with trying to mix drinks?”

“Hey,” he whines, drawing out the y, licking sloppily at the side of your neck. “Can’t get better if I don’t try to learn right? And this is fun stuff, not like chicken or broccoli or pasta.”

“Baking is a lot more precise though than cooking. You need to follow recipes and instructions down to a tee,” you explain. “But you’re right, you won’t get better without trying it more. We’ll start with something a little on the easier side. I was going to do salted caramel cheesecake brownies and chocolate covered strawberries for your family to drop off on Friday. We can make them together.”

“Yay,” he replies, blowing a raspberry against your skin. “What else do you have to do?”

“Nothing else tonight thank goodness, these baby Linzer tarts and chocolate cherry truffles were enough,” you tell him as you package up the last of the chocolates. “I still need to make chocolate pretzel drops and spritz cookies for my office. The boys are going to get the crazy squares they inhaled the last time they were here, so I’m going make those for them. Need to figure out what to send the rest of your out of town contingent. Maybe Nanaimo bars. I may have something up my sleeve for you too, but you will have to wait and see on that.”

He shifts you about in his hold, pressing you into the back of the island before kissing you soundly. “I love that all my folks are now tangled up in your traditions, especially when they don’t need to be.”

“Of course, they do,” you state so matter of factly with a smile. “They’re a part of my life now too. You love them, so. Hell, I even have come to love some of them, despite me questioning why on a few.”

He laughs, swinging you around in his arms before sitting you down on the island before cupping your cheeks. The next thing you know, he’s kissing you again, “I love you. Now let’s plan out the next couple days of your crazy baking adventures.”

The next night while he’s locked away in the studio, Skype session with some of the LA crew you think, you at least get the dough made for the spritz cookies, settling in the fridge to chill, and the crazy squares done for his friends here at home. You’re elbows deep in coconut shortbread when you hear him padding down the hall.

“Ok whatever that it, it smells amazing. Coconut, vanilla and what else is in that?” he asks, hopping on the counter behind you. His long legs start swinging and his socked heels tapping against the cabinets like he’s a child.

“These my dear, are the Nanaimo bars. Or at least my version,” you explain, pushing your hair back off your face with your forearm not to get dough all over the place. “More coconut, vanilla and caramel than chocolate. It’s a coconut vanilla shortbread base, it’ll have a vanilla bean studded caramel custard in the middle. That’s in the fridge already, then I’ll do a chocolate caramel coconut topping for them. Figure little taste of Canada to send out to the rest of your folks.”

“I have no idea how you do it, but it looks and smells yummy. Think we can find candles that smell like this somewhere? That’s a scent I could get used to around here. Could sneak one on the road too, have for when I’m missing you,” he replies, poking his nose in some of the new Tupperware you have on the back counter by him. “What are these? They smell different, they’re not that.”

“Those are the crazy squares. It’s basically like a kitchen sink cookie, but in bar form. And since your friends are human garbage disposals when it comes to eating, I think it’s a good choice,” you get out through a laugh. “Oatmeal, chocolate chips, pretzels, potato chips, peanut butter and a little bit of toffee.”

“My little baking machine,” he comments with a tiny grin, stealing a small bar from the container he was sniffing in. “Damn, these are really good.”

“Shawn,” you yell, flicking the towel that was over your shoulder at his knee. “Those are gifts! No eating the presents. You’ll get your own treats.”

“’M sorry, but not really,” he mumbles through a mouth full of crazy square. “Ooh! We need cards to go with these.”

“What? No, baby we don’t,” you try to explain. “The gift is the goodies.”

“Nope. Cards. Have to,” he says, hopping down from the counter then hip bumping you. “At least for my parents, my sister, and then of course Didi and Tomas too. Maybe a stupid one for Cez to make him laugh.”

He drops a kiss to the tip of your nose, “I’ll handle it. Where did you stash all that extra craft stuff from when you had the A and all her girls over? The fancy scissors and all the paper?”

You have no idea what he’s up to, but you know you’re not going to be able to get him off this train. “Clear bin. Guest room closet, right hand side,” you describe. “Should be the one right on top.”

He scurries off and you just have to roll your eyes, biting back the giggle bubbling up. He’s such a softie. You love it, despite your reticence on his need for cards.

While you finish off the trays of bars, get the spritz cookies in the oven and start the chocolate pretzel drops, he’s stationing himself in the living room cross-legged in front of the coffee table. He’s awfully quiet, minus a hum here and there. You only hear the shuffling of papers and the click swish from scissors. You decide to let him be and have his fun, it gives you the time to finish off more than you were planning for the night.

When you’re done, you come out to a living room that’s just exploding with cut out hearts, but no Shawn. There’s a chain of them hanging from around the television, scattered piles over every table like confetti, a few bigger ones at the center of the coffee table in front of the couch.

“So, I may have been a little sneaky,” he confesses from behind you, arm wrapping around your hips to draw you towards him. “I made a few to use as cards but I wanted to do something a little randomly special for you early, since you’re doing all this baking for everyone when you really don’t have to.”

“You are such a squish Shawn,” you whisper, before leaning your head back on his shoulder. “It’s adorable. I love it. Thank you, sweetie.”

“Love you,” he murmurs into your hair.

There’s a massive vase of white roses and jasmine when you walk into the house the next night after work, sitting smack in the middle of the kitchen island, another cut out heart, this one bubble gum pink with silver writing on it, propped up against it.

So you can take the time to smell the roses, and the jasmine too. Can’t wait to bake with you later. Be home by 7 – xo S

“What is he up to now?” you mutter to yourself, not hearing anything in the condo other than the click of your heels on the kitchen tile floor. You find another bouquet in the living room, a smaller version in your bedroom on your bedside table, a new jasmine candle in your bathroom next to a tiny glass holding a fresh sprig of jasmine along with a tiny white rosebud and even a little spray of them on your desk in the guest room that doubles as your home office. You should be getting everything ready in the kitchen for the big bake, but you sit on the end of the bed needing a minute. You pick up the phone.

“What’s wrong?” Didi responds quickly. “You never call unless something’s wrong. Wait, did he propose finally? Is there a ring? You’re not pregnant, are you? Shit girl I told you...”

“Damnit Dee. No, breathe,” you try breaking through on your best friend’s babble. “There is definitely not a baby. Shit’s sake. Not doing things reverse order. Plus, there’s new album and tour and life. So no, not that. And. When there’s a ring, it’ll be a FaceTime, not a phone call. He just. Last night it was cut out hearts everywhere. Today, I come home. The condo’s filled with white roses and jasmine. Everywhere.”

It’s quiet for a moment. “You cry yet?” she asks softly.

“No,” you sniff. “Close though. I think I only mentioned this once. Of course, he remembers and then goes and does something like this.”

“He’s your person, girly,” Didi replies. “And a mushy lovey fucker for you at that.”

Your best friend is right. He is. “Thanks D, I needed this. I gotta go though I’m sorry. I’m attempting to teach him brownie baking tonight. I still need to change and get everything ready before he’s back at 7. I’ll text you.”

Quickly you throw yourself together as best as you could, changing and pulling everything you need to together along with moving the flowers in the kitchen to the living room. You’re rinsing off the strawberries when you hear his keys hit the lock.

“In the kitchen,” you call out when the door shuts.

“Good day?” he asks, head leaning in to place a kiss against your shoulder, his lips cold against your skin exposed by your tank top.

“Better when I got home,” you reply, leaning your head against his still pressing against you. “You’re a crazy boy, and I don’t even know how to say thank you for it. They’re beautiful. All of them.”

He kisses your shoulder again, before shifting to trail his lips up your neck, nibbling at your ear before a lingering kiss to your cheek. “Love you is all,” he states casually. “Let me change and then I’ll be back in for my lesson.”

While he’s gone, you decide to get the strawberries out of the way first. Brownies will be the more complicated of the two, so to start easier will be a good idea. He comes back in as you’re breaking up the chocolate bars into a large glass bowl.

“Chocolate covered strawberries first,” you begin. “They’re the less difficult of what’s on the agenda and we should get them dipped and set in the fridge before the oven gets on and warms the kitchen. Normally I’d melt and temper the chocolate over a double boiler, but not fussing with that tonight. It’s breaking it up, adding a little bit of oil and melting it in the microwave. Then we just dip away. I’ll finish on the milk, why don’t you get started on either the dark or the white, then I’ll do the other when I’m done.”

The both of you find a rhythm, breaking and chatting, sneaking in a kiss here or a prolonged touch there while you get the chocolate ready.

“Now, that those are melted. We pat the strawberry dry to make sure the chocolate will stick,” you explain, showing him the first one. “Hold it closer to the end of the stem and swirl, leave a little bit showing and let it drip the extra chocolate off, then place it down on the wax paper. Once they’re all dipped, we can drizzle another color chocolate over it with what’s left.”

“This isn’t so bad,” he declares after a few rows of berries are done. “Though, I think I know a way to make this a little more fun.”

He dips his finger around the edge of the bowl with the dark chocolate, pulling some off the glass. He eyes you carefully, crooking the chocolate covered finger at you.

“Shawn,” you question.

“C’mere,” he requests. You move slowly over, his non chocolate covered hand grabbing a strong hold against the curve of your hip. He takes the chocolate laden finger, tracing your bottom lip first, then the dip between your collarbones, chocolate sticking carefully against your skin.

“Dessert before dinner, yum,” he whispers, a breath from your lips before sinking into them. Licking his way into your mouth, you can’t help but slide your hands into his hair and moan. It was dirty and deep from the start, but when you flick your tongue against his, you feel his grip on your hip tighten even more.

He breaks from you first, trailing his lips down your cheek, across your neck to latch onto your collarbone and the chocolate he left there. You don’t want him to leave a mark, but secretly, you’re hoping he does.

“Baby,” you whine, hands gripping at his hair harder as he bites and sucks along the line of your bone. At this rate you’re going to be so bruised. He nips his way back up your neck before sipping at your lips again, leaving you breathless.

“Mmm, well you’re quite delicious, I think like this baking thing,” he grins like a cat who got the cream.

“It’ll be my turn soon, don’t you worry,” you proclaim, trying to stir the rest of the chocolate back to life. “Let’s finish these off before the chocolate starts gets too firm.”

He slides behind you, leaning in flush against your back, “I could make a really bad joke here, you know.”

You feel him, half hard and snug against your ass.

“Baking, Shawn. We’re baking,” you remind him with a sigh, while arching back to tease him. “You’re the one who asked for a baking date night. There will be more of that after if you’re lucky and you behave.”

He bites at your earlobe, grinding into you once. “Can we keep some chocolate for later then?”

You push back at him, “Says the one who isn’t always keen on chocolate.”

“But it’s chocolate off you, it automatically tastes better and makes me want more of it,” he proclaims with a cheeky smile, sliding over to the sink to wash his hands.

You make quick work of the last of the berries, getting the trays into the fridge so you can finally get going on the brownies.

“Salted caramel cheesecake brownies next,” you say as you pull the bricks of cream cheese from the fridge and the blocks of butter off the back counter. “Two different batters, but they’re both pretty easy. We start with the brownie batter first, then whip the cheesecake batter, swirl the dulce de leche through that, then swirl that into the brownie batter. Drizzle it all with a little more caramel, then sprinkle on some flaky sea salt before popping them into the oven.”

“It’s unfair how you make it sound so simple and easy,” he notes, watching you measure out cocoa powder. “I see that recipe and it’s like 38 steps long.”

“Not that many. Come over here, I promise let me show you, it’s not hard,” you slide your arm through his to pull him closer.

“That’s what she said,” he quips, poking at your side. The two of you plug away step by step, first on the brownie mixture, before starting in on the cheesecake. While you trust Shawn to continue keeping an eye on the whipping cream cheese in the stand mixer, you break out the jar of dulce de leche you’ve had warming slowly in a warm pan of water on the stove.

“Now that it’s done, and once this is a little cooler, we’ll drizzle some of this in there to make a ribbon through it before adding it into the pan with the brownie batter,” you describe, popping the lid carefully off.

You dip your pinkie into the warm sugary syrup, “Mmm liquid gold. This is perfect.”

Shawn snags your hand before you get a chance to wipe it on the towel, popping your pinkie into his mouth.

“Damnit Shawn,” you husk out as he works at your finger with his tongue. While he’s preoccupied, you quickly poke another finger from your left hand into the jar. Payback, you think, is a bitch. You slide your pointer finger down the line of his jaw before taking it down the line of his neck. His eye pop open and grow wide, sliding your finger free.

You don’t give him a chance to say a word, latching onto his jaw. His hands grasp you immediately, one lacing around the back of your head to hold you to him, the other square on your ass. You take your time, just as he did earlier, licking and nibbling your way through the sweet caramel until you hit his skin.

“Sweetheart,” he moans, almost bordering on a growl, when you hit that spot on his neck that drives him crazy. The hand on your ass draws you closer to him, sliding his thigh between your legs. You keep at that spot, you know there’s nothing coming up so if you do mark him up, which you want to do badly, there’s no real repercussions.

“Shit, baby,” he whines, needy and desperate as you keep up your assault on his neck. You make quick work on the rest of the dulce, sliding right back up to exactly where you know you can get him keening. Kitten licks at first, then tiny bites soothed by a bit of sucking. You keep the pattern up for a few passes, his skin warm under your tongue, warm until you know they’ll be a bit of a reminder tomorrow.

“Fuck,” he bites out, drawing you up and away from his neck to bring you up to meet his eyes.

“Something wicked this way comes,” you smirk, licking at your lips.

He dives for your mouth, hot and hard and fast until you’re both out of breath.

“Now, think we can keep our hands to ourselves to get these in the oven?” you pant. “And when your mother asks how we made these together, we do not tell her about the soft-core porn action in the kitchen.”

He kisses you sweetly, softly, “I think it would be a fun story though.”

You roll your eyes, pushing at his chest, “Brownies, swirling, salting and into the oven. C’mon.”

You both manage to keep your hands, and your lips, to yourself for the rest of the process. You cannot help but chuckle, watching him salt the brownies ever so carefully. “It’s like icy snow,” he proclaims, grinning like a little kid.

Once in the oven, you split clean up duty and then start to pack up the berries off the trays.

“I feel bad that I can’t go with you to drop this all off tomorrow, but there’s no way I can duck out early enough,” you lament, shifting the berries about to make sure they’re not going to be smushed in transport.

“The fact you made all this for them, from scratch no less, is more than enough,” he insists. “I normally just send flowers. Which I’m still doing for both of them. This is just over the top extra awesome.”

You can’t help but smile, “They’re my family now too. Well, close enough you know? I love them…”

He wraps you in a hug, “I love that you consider them yours, cause they are. Absolutely, they’re your family. Now, let’s finish this and go cuddle on the couch until the brownies are done.”

Before leaving for the office, with Shawn still cozy in bed asleep since you’re up a good deal earlier than normal today, you slip out the red box you’ve had hidden in the back of the pantry out onto the kitchen counter. Inside, a few smaller red containers, filled with his treat surprises for the day.

You steal one of the blank hearts from the dining room table, a white one, for a note.

For my darling, the first of a few surprises for you today. Despite your recent affection for chocolate, here’s a little something to start your day. Through the day you’ll find little things here and there, just small little sweets that I know you adore, maybe as much as me. Because my heart, you have mine and I want to spoil you a little today. Love you valentine xo <3

You prop the note against one of the larger containers, this a perfect square. The first time you ever made him your lemon lime scones, it was one of first nights you stayed over. He waxed poetic about them for days. You knew they had to be a part of his treat trail today. This time though in a mini version. The second box, a smaller thinner one, you slide into his guitar case, filled with rolls of homemade strawberry fruit leathers. A third box, shortbread thumbprints with sour cherry jam, you place in his studio by his journal. The fourth, in a tin on top of the corner chair in the living room where he leaves one of his guitars out always, most difficult of the treats you made for him - tequila laced gummy bears. The final, and a last minute addition made last night when he was half dozy on the couch and thought you were boxing the brownies, a few chocolate covered caramels that you leave by his keys at the front table as a nod to last night’s funtivities.

You grab the bag filled with the baked treats for your office and head out the door. When you finally arrive at your office, a few minutes late because of your hiding duties at home and setting up your treats for the team in the kitchen, you’re greeted by a bouquet of blush peonies and antique roses.

“Came in just a few minutes ago,” Rosalie, the office receptionist tinkers gleefully, peeking her head into your office. “Do we get to see that boy of yours today? That would be a lovely Valentine’s Day treat.”

Rosalie, who is old enough to be your grandmother but has the energy level of a teenager, absolutely adores Shawn. They’re thick as thieves, getting along together immediately. She mothers the heck out of him when he comes to see you, helps him sneak things into your office, the two of them gang up on you to make sure you’re fed and hydrated when you’re pulling late hours, and is an absolute godsend when you work remote if you’re out on the road with him.

“Not sure,” you smile, smelling one of the blooms. “I know he’s heading out to Pickering at some point to see his family. Not sure what he’s got up his sleeve or has plans on for later. I’m being surprised. Best not poke at him and ruin whatever he’s got going.”

“Just let him know his smiling face is missed around here ok?” she nods, heading back towards her desk.

You snap a quick photo of the flowers and fire off a text – Happy Valentine’s Day indeed. They’re so pretty, thank you! <3 ilu :) xo

You’re knee deep in trying to clean out your inbox when your phone chimes. A selfie, his bed head in full force and he’s smiling around one of the scones in his mouth. Omg you made me the Sprite scones! AND THEY ARE TINY BABY SIZED ONES I CAN FIT IN MY MOUTH ALL AT ONCE! Followed by alternating string of lemon, soda cup, green and yellow heart emojis.

He finds the thumbprints next, a photo of a cookie next to him giving you a thumbs up, more emojis again this time alternating the cherries, red lips and red heart. Where did you find the sour cherry jam? I haven’t been able to find it anywhere. OR DID YOU MAKE THIS TOO?!

Immediately after was a boomerang, the tin of strawberry fruit rolls, rocking and rolling back and forth. Followed by strawberry emojis between kissy face smileys. These taste exactly like you do after we go strawberry picking in the spring and you sneak berries along the way when you think no one is looking. But I always am.

It takes a little longer for the next find. You’re in the middle of a conference call when your phone starts buzzing. A gif of a worm with a sombrero on, tipping back on a bottle of tequila. How the hell did you make me seriously boozy af gummy bears? They’re as big as my thumb! I can’t have these before heading out to the ‘rents. I’m drunk already from just smelling them.

You have to mute your line and laugh heartily. This right here made it all worth it. His reactions are priceless. You’re so glad the little surprises are making him this silly happy.

The next one, about half an hour later, is a voice memo.

“You sneaky, naughty little minx,” he husks out, voice deep. “Chocolate caramels. You knew exactly what I’d think of, didn’t you? I’m in the car trying to get out and through downtown, but now all I can think about since finding them are your breathy little moans, your hands in my hair and your mouth at my throat. Fuck baby, you definitely left the best for last. I snuck them in the car to have one on the ride, but there’s no way I can even try one now.” He pauses for a beat; a hard sigh escapes his lips. “Just you wait until later. Now, I need to get out of this tangle you’ve got me in before I get home to my parents. I’ll be back by the time you get home from work. I love you sweetheart.”

Thank god you didn’t put that on speakerphone. He sounded like pure wicked sin, plain and simple. He’s got you in knots now too. You just need to get through the rest of the day in one piece. Thankfully, your boss kicks the entire office out early, partially because of her own plans, and partially because of the long weekend stateside. You’ll take it. Hopefully you can beat Shawn home to be able to maybe shower and change before he gets back.

A cute video comes through as you walk out of the office, from his sister. “First off, I’m mad at Shawn for not bringing you with, but then he said you had work. So, I let it slide. A little at least. Then he let us open the goodies. You made all our favorites! You’re the best. Please come visit, or let’s plan another girls’ night and we’ll kick him out of the condo! Wait wait, hold on. Someone else wants to say thanks!” She pans her phone to the kitchen and flips the camera around. “Sweetie, thank you so much for all the treats. You will need to send me the recipe for the brownies, they’re delicious. I still don’t believe Shawn helped you with all this, if that’s the case, congratulations for getting him in the kitchen willingly. And without disaster, I hope at the very least. I’m hiding some so maybe there’s still some left when Manny makes it home. Let’s figure out dinner all of us together next week. Love you!”

Warmth spreads through you as you navigate your way back home after that one. You’re floating at this point. However, you did not luck out in beating him back as you walk through the door. There’s a litany of white pillar candles of all different heights and thicknesses everywhere in the living room, flickering as if they’re just lit. There he is, ensconced in the corner of the couch, guitar slung across his lap. He smiles, patting the open cushion next to him.

“I will spare you from the ultimate perfect yet cheesy Canadian Valentine’s Day, singing some Celine Dion love song to you,” he jokes, pressing a lengthy kiss to your temple. “But I did dig through someone’s playlists to find something. Mind you, this is only part of your gift, which will never rank up against all that you did for me today. That was, just, ridiculous and perfect and sweet. So damn thoughtful, babe. I loved it.”

He leans over to quickly press a kiss at the corner of your mouth before diving into the song.

“The dawn is breaking, a light shining through. You're barely waking and I'm tangled up in you,” he sings. “I’m open, you're closed. Where I follow, you'll go. I worry I won't see your face light up again.”

Your breath sticks in your throat. Your brain scrambles slightly, eyes clouding up. You miss him sing the chorus the first go, the blood rushing through your ears.

“I'm quiet you know. You make a first impression. I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind. Even the best fall down sometimes, even the stars refuse to shine. Out of the back you fall in time. I somehow find you and I collide,” he continues. “Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find you and I collide.”

You sniff as he finishes, shifting his guitar out of his hands to move behind you before throwing yourself into his lap, arms tight around his neck. “So, you’re going to need to record that for me, so I have that to sing me to sleep when you’re out on tour. Honey, that was just…”

You trail off, leaning your forehead against his, trying to catch your breath and your words all at once. His hands a steady hold on your waist, fingers trailing up and down slightly.

“Just when I think you’ve permeated every part of my heart already, you go and do something like that,” you profess honestly. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he whispers against your lips. “So much.” He draws you closer, arms tightening around you. His heartbeat a tether to yours, a steady rhythm in time with each other’s beats.

TAG LIST: @whenidance, @parkerdavis, @sinplisticshawn, @hollandraul, @fallinallincurls, @itrocksmysocks, @rainbowshawn, @lasingphomustra, @illumecherry

#shawn mendes #shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes fanfic #shawn mendes fanfiction #shawn mendes fic #shawn mendes oneshot #shawn mendes story #shawn mendes fluff #shawn mendes blurb

128 notes · View notes

namjuicyy · 4 years

Text

Sweet Night

.: Sweet Night :.

Taehyung x Gender Neutral!Reader

Your best friend is due to get married on Friday and you’re his best person. But what happens when the dynamic changes?

ficswithluv | masterlist | requests are open

Words: 4.3k

WARNINGS: mentions of depression; a disgusting amount of pining; reader and Tae being absolute idiots; implied smut (so Tae’s cheating);

S u n d a y

It was so cliche; being forced to share a bed in this tiny log cabin with your best friend. Seokjin just assumed that because you and Tae were so close you'd both be more than happy to share a double for the weekend. Hell, you'd done it ever since you were little and still sometimes to this day, so why would this weekend be any different? It shouldn't be. Yet there you lay in the darkness, wide awake and listening to Taehyung's breathing as he slept behind you, holding you close to his body as he had done every time you shared a bed since you were children. Arguably it's your fault he can't sleep without cuddling something - but you refuse to accept that accusation.

You weren't quite sure when things began to change for you; when you stopped seeing Taehyung as the greasy little boy with a boxy smile who used to terrorise the neighbour's cat under the guise of loving it and began seeing him as a beautiful young man, who wore that same smile whilst terrorising you. You didn't know when you started to fall helplessly and irrevocably in love with him. It just seemed that one morning you woke up and - poof! - feelings. What you didn't know was that there was a storm raging behind you inside the mind of the very man you had fallen for.

He was awake, eyes open in the darkness and staring at the back of your head as his mind screamed at him in the silence. Like you, he assumed his best friend was asleep and did his best not to disturb you with the never ending torture he was putting himself through. You'd gotten softer as you got older. There was more of you to grab, more of you to snuggle into. Your hair smelled like the cherry blossoms on Jeju Island and it took him back to the Spring you'd spent together on the island while the blossoms were in bloom. Pink petals fell on your hair as they blew off the trees. You turned to look at him and he could have sworn he was shot in the backside with one of Cupid's arrows. You were the most beautiful, most perfect creature he had ever laid his eyes on. He was able to pinpoint the exact moment he realised he was in love with you - it was then. When you were enthralled by the beauty of the nature surrounding you and paying no mind to him. When you were smiling brightly and taking photos with your own camera. He had to take a photo of you while you were so happy; so serene and peaceful.

You weren't allowed near his phone after that day, which was peculiar for the two of you as you'd both been so open with one another since the beginning. The reason for this was his home screen was that picture of you; his absolute favourite picture of you. You were so lost in the blossoms you hadn't noticed him taking your picture and though you were looking at his camera you weren't registering that it was in his hand. He caught your face lit up and partially hidden behind the raining petals while staring directly into his soul with adoration in his eyes. It was that picture he made sure to look at every time he did something on his phone. And it was that picture that remained in his data every single day for two years straight.

But God forbid he ever told you how he felt. Neither of you wanted to ruin this perfect relationship you had with each other and both of you assumed that confessing would do that. You both would rather each other in your lives as a friend than not at all. Which was, perhaps, an even worse thing to do as both of you were miserable and constantly pining after one another.

The members tried to get involved - tried to force you two to confess to each other on multiple occasions; and you almost did. However, the announcement of his most recent girlfriend stopped you and landed you in a month-long episode of depression. He was still with her - they were actually engaged, which was odd considering he was sharing a bed with you right now. Yet nothing would ever happen between you. In your eyes he was in love with her and in his eyes you didn't love him like he loved you.

You remember the day he told you the bad news.

"We're actually getting married." He announced over dinner when it was just the two of you.

You spat your drink out over him. "M-married? As in, in love forever, will one day have 2.5 kids in a three bedroom apartment crawling with dogs and dirty nappies married? Not married as in fake married to shut your parents up married?"

Tae laughed, his boxy smile making you melt. "As in through sickness and in health, richer for poorer until death do us part married, yes."

The richer for poorer line didn't sit well with you. "You asked her already?" He nodded in response. "And she said yes?"

"Don't act so surprised - I am quite the catch you know."

"What else is wrong with the girl besides the obvious?"

Tae groaned, "___."

"I'm sorry. Congratulations are in order, dude! I'm pleased for you." That was a blatant lie. He'd only been dating her for two years. He was only twenty-five... well, twenty-seven in Korean age which made more sense when you thought about it, but still.

"I actually wanted to ask you something."

"You want the funeral song played at the wedding? Sure thing."

"___!" Tae sighed but he was grinning a little at your joke. "We're going to be having a more Westernised wedding than traditional Korean. Obviously we will have the traditional Korean elements like the paebaek but we're going to be taking a more Western spin on it. So I was wondering if you would be my best man - or rather, best person."

You grit your teeth and swallowed the lump in your throat. Force a smile, force a smile! "Of course, Tae-Tae. I'd be honoured."

Cut to you crying on Yoongi's shoulder at 4am because you couldn't bear to go through with the role you had been given yet had no option but to go through with it. You couldn't breathe. You felt like you were trapped and the worst part about it all was that you made this prison yourself. The bars were made with all the words you never said with a lock made from the silence you hid behind. You could scream and scream and scream all you wanted but it was almost too late. You were too late.

This weekend getaway was a macabre farewell to Taehyung's "single" life given that the wedding was on Friday. Everything was all planned out and ready. Rehearsals had been completed. Outfits were chosen. He was really going through with this.

You turned in Taehyung's arms to look at his sleeping face only to be met with his eyes fully open and staring at you.

"I thought I could feel a creep watching me." You teased.

"Your snoring kept me awake. I was thinking of all the ways to kill you so I could get some peace and quiet."

"Oh wow, you can think? I wondered what that burning smell was."

"Hey! I'm smart, you know."

"Oh yeah? What's your IQ?"

"130."

"Alright fine."

"Not just a pretty face."

"I wouldn't even call you that."

"You're cruisin' for a bruisin', young lady."

"Ooh 'young lady'. Sorry, daddy. I'll try to behave."

The smile that was once on Taehyung's face slowly disappeared. He wasn't his usual bubbly self and he hadn't been for the last few weeks. Every time you asked him what was wrong, he automatically answered with "pre-wedding jitters. I'm fine." You knew Taehyung, though; and he wasn't fine. You've seen him when he's fine and he certainly isn't fine now. "Talk to me." You demanded gently. He hesitated. "You know I'm just going to keep asking until you tell me the truth."

"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by marrying her."

"Are you in love with her?"

He was silent for a moment. "I do love her. I'm just not in love with her. That title belongs with someone else."

"So if you aren't in love with her - which you should be, by the way, if you're marrying her - then why would you marry her when you could be perfectly happy with someone else?"

"I don't want to hurt her - and I don't want to throw away my future and the possibility of being a dad one day for a chance with someone else when I'm fairly confident they don't love me back."

"Have they told you that they don't love you?"

"Well... no."

"Well then, there you go."

"They also haven't told me that they do love me like that, though."

"What do you want, Tae?"

"I want... happiness. I want to get married to someone I actually adore rather than someone I couldn't say no to."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't tell you the whole truth. I didn't tell anyone. I didn't ask her to marry me. She asked me to marry her. I couldn't say no to her and risk losing the relationship I grew comfortable in."

"Why lie?"

"I didn't want to be judged. I know you wouldn't I just... I don't know. It felt like the right thing to do."

"Tae-"

"I know' I need to make a decision. I just don't want to. I'm comfortable here."

"Here?"

"In this room where no one can get me in a warm bed next to someone who means the world to me." You didn't know what to say so you decided to remain quiet. That sounded somewhat like a confession but you couldn't get your hopes up. What if it wasn't a confession? What if he was just being his usual, beautiful self? You still weren't confident enough to ask him or tell him your own fragile truth. He was so brave for laying himself bare like that. How could you ever compare? "Would it be alright if I pulled you closer?"

Actions spoke louder than words did, so instead of waiting for him to pull you towards him, you snuggled into his body allowing your head to bury itself in his neck. Even for you two this wasn't normal best friend behaviour.

Do it. Your brain egged you on. Tell him. Now! Yet you still couldn't do it. Even though you had the perfect opportunity to, you just couldn't confess everything to him. You couldn't be as brave as he was just now. What was wrong with you?

"It's your turn." He told you, as though he could read your thoughts. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

"It's empty up here, Tae. You know this."

"Hey." Tae pushed you away a little but gently so as not to offend or startle you. "I'm the only one who's allowed to pick on you.

You didn't know who leaned in first. It could very well have been you but time seemed to alter as your lips moved towards one another. They connected; it was gentle at first but things soon began to heat up. You allowed Taehyung to use his tongue as he kissed you, as your bodies pressed together ever tighter until there was no room left. You've read that kissing your best friend was supposed to feel like kissing a sibling - it was meant to feel disgusting and wrong - yet you both couldn't pull away from each other as though strong magnets had been placed in your lips and connected as you kissed. In fact, though you could feel your heart racing and his hands wandering your body, your brain cleared itself of everything. It didn't allow you to concentrate on the fact that you were kissing the man you've loved for a long time. Nor did it remind you that said man had a fiancée waiting for him at home; whom he didn't love and could never. It never occurred to you to tell him to stop even when he started to slot himself in between your legs, when you let him cum inside you and when you held each other to sleep that night finally holding one another as you'd wanted to for years.

You were disappointed on Monday morning when he wasn't beside you when you woke up. You were dejected to discover he wasn't even in the house and you were upset when you found out he returned home alone.

T u e s d a y

Taehyung hadn't spoken to you since Sunday night when you both gave yourselves to one another. To be completely honest, you hadn't tried to get in contact with him either. Sunday had felt so right that you had assumed, perhaps foolishly, that he would end things with his fiancée and would come crawling to you dismayed at hurting her but excited for your future together. You thought you'd see him Monday evening after spending time with her yet you were well into the late hours of Tuesday evening and you'd not heard a peep. Not a single word from him or about him from any of your mutual friends. You didn't know what was going on but you knew that things were awkward between the two of you - and that the wedding was still going ahead. You knew this because his fiancée had sent you a reminder three minutes ago via email that tomorrow was the final wedding rehearsal and that everyone had to be there.

T h u r s d a y

You didn't show up to the final rehearsal - how could you? You had slept with the bride's fiancée and that was the ultimate crime you could commit. How could you show your face to everyone after consenting to such an insensitive act? How could Taehyung more importantly. It was his fault just as much as it as yours and yet his conscience had allowed him to turn up unashamedly pretending to be the dutiful future husband while little did his precious bride-to-be he had been balls deep in someone else.

There was a knock at your door not three hours after the wedding rehearsal had ended and much to your surprise, Park Jimin stood there holding a bag of Tupperware boxes containing your share and the leftovers of the wedding feast. The moment he saw your puffy eyes and your distant smile he knew something big had happened. He had no idea how bad the damage was, but "Tae looks exactly like you do." He told you. "He wasn't himself at the wedding rehearsal but he wouldn't tell me why. Which isn't like him. What happened? Did you two have a falling out or something?"

"Not exactly."

It took Jimin all of three seconds to piece together what would have happened. If you hadn't had an argument, but you both aren't speaking and you didn't show up to the rehearsal today it could only mean one thing. "When did it happen?"

"Sunday night."

"Have you spoken since then?"

"No."

"Why?"

"He obviously doesn't want to, Jimin. If he did then I may have shown up today or at least I'd know where I stand with him. If he wanted me around he would have made an effort but he obviously doesn't. Anyway, it's probably for the best that the slut that fucked her best friend five days before his wedding doesn't show up. I couldn't face tomorrow before all of this happened, how am I supposed to now?"

"By talking to him? Calling him? Ask him to come over so you can talk face-to-face."

"I don't know if I can. It still wouldn't change anything, would it? He would still marry her tomorrow."

"You don't know that."

"I do. That's it now. He no longer wants me around."

Jimin, by the time he left your place that night was absolutely furious. He was angry at you for moping around and not contacting Tae. He was angry at Tae for even getting married to that woman in the first place when it was obvious he was in love with you; and he was livid at Taehyung for not contacting you after the both of you slept together to hash it out and see where your relationship was going to end up. So he contacted Tae himself and gave him an earful down the phone.

Taehyung had no intention of changing his plans.

F r i d a y

You were meant to be at the wedding today but of course you couldn't do it. Simply bringing yourself out of bed should have been enough today let alone watching the man you were desperately in love with marry someone else. Everything hurt; your head, your bones, your heart. How could something as simple as someone getting married take such a toll on your body?

Midday rolled around - the wedding should be starting now. You poured yourself another glass of wine and tried to bury yourself in a horror movie. Your usual self-care movie featured couples happily in love and you couldn't do that to yourself. So instead you opted for movies where couples were horrifically killed in multiple different ways. Yes, this will do just nicely.

Your phone had been ringing all day to the point where you put it on silent and turned it over so you couldn't see the display screen and see which member of the wedding party was trying to get in touch with you today. Going awol was the best thing you could do. Lying would have hurt you more, and turning up may have been deadly. Instead you kept your curtains closed and your phone as far away from you as possible.

That was when you heard it - rapid knocks at the door that forced you out of your blanket burrito on the couch and towards the front door. Had you known who it was you wouldn't have answered the door. Had you known more trouble would come by opening the door you wouldn't have left your spot on the sofa.

Her.

On your doorstep Tae's fiancée stood wearing her puffy, princess wedding dress and makeup running down her face. You know how much money was spent on the artists to put her face together and there it all went rolling down her cheeks.

"Where is he?" She sobbed at you.

"If he's not with you, love then I haven't got a clue."

"He's normally with you when he's hiding from me. He must be in here somewhere."

"Well," you stepped aside, "you're more than welcome to come in and look for him but all you'll find that's keeping me company is my own filth."

"So if he isn't here then where is he?"

"I haven't spoken to him since Sunday, honey. I've no idea. Now, please can you leave so I can wallow in self-pity and you can go ahead and get married?"

"Don't you get it, yet? The wedding's off! He left me at the altar. No one can get in touch with him. No one knows where he is."

This wasn't like Taehyung to just disappear without telling anyone where he was. You knew him better than anyone. At a time like this, if no one could find him it meant he needed to think. He always went to think sat in the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. Since moving to Seoul from Daegu, he had always enjoyed the traditional palaces because of how quiet they were, and how you couldn't hear or see the modern world. It was serene and peaceful and when he had taken the right precautions to cover his face he was unrecognisable and left alone. You had no doubt he'd be there.

"I know."

"Would you go to him?"

"No. I'll tell Jimin where he is and Jimin can go."

"___, please. You're the only one he listens to and talks to. Please."

You relented and did as she asked. Maybe if you could save their relationship the guilt would stop eating you alive. Though, of course, this wasn't guaranteed and there was an even higher chance that you'd end up hurting a lot more for this - and even lose Taehyung forever; but this seemed like the right thing to do. So you showered quickly, dressed and left the house with wet hair making your way to the palace.

You were entering the grounds taking in the smells of nature when you noticed the cherry blossoms. You hadn't realised they were in bloom yet. You were so preoccupied in your little problems you'd forgotten the seasons still changed around you. The palace was so much more beautiful now there was a dusting of pink sprinkled around the grounds. You could fully understand why Taehyung enjoyed coming to this place to think and relax.

You saw him sat there - to you he stuck out like a sore thumb but the tourists completely ignored his presence. Knowing he'd run if he saw you, you took the longer route to get to him, joining him on the bench without asking too afraid he'd get up and walk away before you had chance to say your peace.

"Shouldn't you be getting married now?" You asked him when you'd been sat beside him a little while.

"I wondered how long it would take for you to get summoned. Who was it? Jiminie? Namjoonie-hyung?"

"The woman you left at the altar."

"Ah."

"Though I have to say, I didn't think I'd see a woman in a wedding dress on my doorstep... ever. Thank you for that first."

"You're welcome - I know it's what you've always wanted."

"So why did you do it? Why aren't you getting married today?"

"I had too much to think about."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Taehyung," you said sternly, "don't you dare. You fucked me not even a week ago then shut me out of your life to the point where I thought you didn't want me in it anymore. You then proceed to shut everyone else out, leave your bride at the altar so she comes knocking on my door looking like an absolute mess and dragging me out of my blanket burrito to bring your moping ass back to her, and you aren't even offering me an explanation to tell me why all of this has happened. Neither of us are leaving until I get the answers I'm looking for, Tae. Even if it means we're sat here all night. You're opening up and that's final."

"I fucked up big time, didn't I?" He asked quietly. "You don't have to say it - I know. I've ruined everything because I was afraid. I was afraid to hurt her, afraid to hurt you. Eomma got so excited when I told her I was getting married and I've disappointed her."

"You definitely haven't disappointed your mum, Tae. Not by not getting married anyway. She knows you will one day - she just wants you to be happy and loved. That's all any of us want."

"I got scared." He told you. At this point tears were beginning to form in his eyes. He pitied himself and his decisions of course, but those tears weren't for him. The tears were for everyone he thought he'd disappointed but hurt in the process. "I had what I thought I wanted but when I had that I discovered it wasn't what I wanted at all. I thought I loved her - I thought I wanted to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her. It turns out, though, I wanted you instead... and then I had you - finally! Do you know how long I waited to have you? Everything became too real, though, and it freaked me out. It showed me that I wanted you... that my feelings for you hadn't gone and that I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life but I couldn't end it because I couldn't hurt her and I-" He took a deep breath but he began to sob. "I just wanted a forever, and now my forever's falling down and I can't stop it. I'm sorry, ___. I'm so, so sorry!"

His head fell on your shoulder as he wept harder, drawing more attention to him than perhaps he intended but still people didn't realise who he was. Or if they did they let him be which you were grateful for. There was a huge part of you that couldn't believe Tae had just confessed. After all these years of pining and wanting him finally he could be yours. All you had to do was tell him. "Tae, you have absolutely no idea just how much I adore you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you - maybe even marry you if things go well. I love you. I want you too. But you're still engaged."

Taehyung blinked. "I'm not. She doesn't know it yet but I'm ending things with her. You're right, it wasn't fair of me to do that to her. She deserves better than someone who only wants her because he's too afraid to be lonely."

"I'm proud of you, even if you are the world's biggest idiot sometimes."

"Would I - would I ever have a chance with you? You know, when I'm not officially engaged."

"Do you not want to spend some time being single first?"

"I was pretty much single with her. It feels like I'm about to hurt a friend - not a fiancée."

"Take me on a date first and we'll talk about it. And no, before you ask McDonald's does not count as a date."

"You're such a loser."

"Yeah but you love me."

"And you love me."

#ficswithluv #bulletproof bingo #fwlbingo #kim taehyung #kim taehyung x reader #taehyung x reader #bts au #kim taehyung fic #taehyung fluff #taehyung angst #taehyung smut

10 notes · View notes

bittysvalentines · 4 years

Text

Cafes and Triumvirates

From: @hargreeves-and-wine

To: @omgtranspoindexter

Summary: Love is a mosaic, if one takes the time to think about it. The way we feel for those who love is comprised of all the moments we share with them. In sickness and in health, for better and for worse. Over the course of a day, Chowder, Dex, and Nursey find themselves dwelling on moments that make them fall in love with their partners all over again.

Rating: T

Content warning: One mention of offscreen (but legal) drinking.

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you enjoy this fic!

Chowder - The Morning

Wiping down the windows was a chore normally despised by anyone who had ever worked in a restaurant. There were always the streaks that could never be properly cleaned away, no matter the angle at which you wiped them. Reaching up to get the top edges would often result in the cleaning liquid running down your arm. Hell, it only took a bug that was flying haphazardly for your hard work to be ruined.

Yet Chris regarded it as the second best part of doing the opening shift; the first, of course, being the pastries and cookies that were delivered first thing in the morning from Bittle’s Kitchen down the block. From their perch 15 inches off the ground, they were able to reach and clean the windows with ease. Each swipe of the squeegee helped reveal another slice of the daily lives of the other residents of Samwell Street.

There was Lardo, putting the finishing touches on a large mural she had been commissioned to paint on the side of the Knight, O’Meara, and Wicks Law Office. Further down the way, they could see Ransom and Holster walking their troop of dogs and a cat (who, Chris had been told, was raised around dogs since birth before the men adopted her). Even from behind the glass and fairly heavy front door of the Samwell Stoop, they could hear Holster’s joyful voice bouncing off of the cobblestones of the street.

Only one sight, however, could bring a full on grin to Chris’ face at this hour of the morning. Just in front of the pane of glass, Dex was busy checking off the week’s supplies that had been brought in the delivery truck while Nursey was bringing down a large box of milkettes and creamers with one arm. The moment that Dex turned around to confirm something with the driver, Nursey snagged a butter tart from the platter the former was saving to give to said driver.

“Well, thanks again, Johnson,” Dex finished as he handed a paper back to the driver. “We actually saved you a little something for your- Nurse! What the hell?”

Nursey shrugged as they offered out the other half of the tart. “Did you want one?” They, thankfully, had the good grace to swallow before speaking.

“You are simply unbelievable, stealing a gift of all things.” Despite his chiding, Dex indeed took the offered tart and popped into his mouth before giving Johnson the rest of the platter. “Now you better take this before my idiot partner gets their hands on more of them.”

As Johnson got into his truck and pulled away, Nursey hugged Dex from behind and pecked his cheek. “You know, you’re adorable when you blush,” they murmured, only causing Dex to turn an even darker shade of red.

With a friendly tap on the window pane with his squeegee, Chris got the attention of both of his partners. They honestly didn’t mean to be a voyeur; in fact, they weren’t sure if they could be one since they were dating the two of them. Still, Chris figured they would appreciate being informed that they weren’t alone.

“Oh shit, Chowder!” Dex abruptly pulled away from Nursey and hurried inside the cafe with one hand behind his back. It was only when they climbed down from the stepstool that Chris saw what Dex was hiding. “You didn’t think we’d actually forget to save one for you, did you?”

The moment they’d taken a bite out of the butter tart, Chris was crushed in a tight hug between the two of them. Nursey’s aftershave and Dex’s cologne enveloped them in a feeling that could only be described as home.

Dex - The Afternoon

“What do you mean you’re out of maple pecan pie?”

Will, who was using his break in the back room to be out of his binder for a while, could just hear the complaint. As he peeked outside to see what was going on, he could see a guy who stood at a height of about 6’4 at the counter, staring down Chowder. Just behind them, Derek was handing a girl her cup while watching the situation at the same time.

“Look, sir.” Chowder may have been slightly dwarfed by this man, but one didn’t become a goalie by showing their fear. “We only get so many pies delivered at the start of the day, so if we run out, we run out. Of course, I could go over to Bitty’s Kitchen, use my own money to get another pie, and let my partner here take over this massive lineup all by himself. Would that satisfy you, sir?” The conversations in the cafe had given way to silence as the patrons turned to watch.

The tall customer only folded his arms and doubled down. “I paid for a slice of pie, and I demand that I get what I paid for,” he huffed, doing his best to give Chowder something that resembled the evil eye.

Nursey feigned wiping his hands on his aprons, but Will could see that he was actually cracking his knuckles. “You haven’t paid for anything yet. My partner here has tried being civil, but it’s clear you’re not listening.” Even though they weren’t quite at the customer’s height, Nursey had a way of commanding attention when it was needed.

“Is it so wrong to expect a slice of pie with my coffee?”

“If you want pie, then go and get it yourself.”

“I demand to speak to the manager!”

“You already are, asshole.”

Though it was a crisp fall afternoon outside, there was clearly a gathering storm within these four walls. Will had fully emerged from the break room and was about to approach the counter when Chowder silently motioned for him to stay back. It was almost scary to see the perpetually chill Nursey standing with such contempt behind their eyes.

The tension in the air was finally broken when the customer stalked off, muttering something about “ungrateful millennials” as he pushed the door open. Then, Nursey relaxed their stance and turned to the crowd. “I can help someone over here!”

Before too long, Will was due to get back behind the counter. As Chowder passed him on the way to their own break, the two of them stopped to briefly hold hands. A similar blush coloured both of their cheeks when their eyes met.

“You were brave.” Will murmured, longing to wrap his partner in a hug.

Chowder shook his head, though they squeezed Dex’s hand back. “You’d have done the same.”

Once he was behind the counter, Nursey gave him a look as if to say “I’m okay, I’m alright.” Still, Will decided to give their hip a little bump since anything beyond that would probably be seen as unprofessional. While they were technically their own bosses, Will insisted that the three of them treat one another as coworkers as long as they were on the clock. They just happened to be coworkers who snuck in kisses when they had the chance.

Nursey - The Night

It’s been said that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, but as far as Derek was concerned, the way to a person’s soul was through their taste in music. They had read a study once that said people’s moods and taste in music influence one another in a type of pseudo-dynamic equilibrium. Or something like that. Derek wasn’t a chemistry student for a reason.

Chemistry journals didn’t, however, cover what to do when there was the slight catch of you and each of your partners having wildly different tastes in music.

In order to keep outright Armageddon from erupting, the three of them had hung up a calendar in their break room with a schedule for who gets to play music when. Chowder was assigned to Mondays and Thursdays, Dex had Tuesdays and Fridays, and Derek chose Wednesdays and Saturdays. “I guess God gets to pick the music on Sundays,” they joked since none of them would be there anyways.

This particular Saturday had been more stressful than usual with the confrontation earlier. On top of that, it was a deep clean day, so Derek, Dex, and Chowder had been up to their eyeballs in checklists of things that had to be refilled, wiped down, and rearranged. By the time they had finished, it was around eleven at night, a whole three hours after the Samwell Stoop normally closed. So the trio treated themselves to a cuddle pile on the couch in the breakroom.

“Nursey,” Dex whined softly, dragging out the Y. “Can you change your playlist to something less… intense? I’m getting flashbacks to that bootcamp I did back in college.” Although it probably wasn’t intentional, he let his head slump against Chowder’s shoulder, who leaned against him in turn.

With a quiet “Chyeah,” Derek pulled themselves away from his partners to grab his phone. It was probably a bad idea to have the aux cord right behind the counter, but they and Dex usually had the impulse control to not check it. Emphasis on usually. Chowder sometimes struggled a little bit more, but it was decided that it was better to be chewed out by a patron for checking their phone than to have the whole store subjected to an unexpected voice memo of Dex drunkenly singing along to “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.”

For the record, he had scored an 82 on their friend Whiskey’s karaoke machine that night.

So after much deliberation as to slow down the mood, the lively harmonies of the Jackson Five were switched out for the light crooning of Jason Mraz. Though they would take the secret to their grave, the playlist was actually the one that Derek had used for sleeping back in his college days. It was more lonesome than they had realized to truly be on their own in the world. So these songs were the ones they fell asleep to, hoping to have pleasant dreams instead of their usual fitful nights.

Nowadays, they used it for times that they needed to destress. Music wasn’t really a good idea in the bedroom anyways since it was noisy enough with three of them in the bed. Another secret that their would never dare disclose was how their found Chowder’s chainsaw-like snoring actually quite adorable.

“This slow enough for you?” they joked as they tucked the wires back into their little storage cup (one of the mugs that could no longer be used due to the broken handle). Yet, when Derek looked up from behind the counter, they were greeted by the sight of Dex and Chowder slowly swaying to the melody in one another’s arms. Their eyes were closed as they nestled into the crooks of their necks, and Chowder’s hand fumbled around for Dex’s before their fingers were intertwined.

Poetic enlightenment often eluded Derek when they needed it most, but this moment must have been something extraordinary.

Sun and Moon

Forever in a cyclar chase

Yet neither is ever alone

For stars and clouds are one and the same

Keeping them company

In the wide open sky

While they had never gotten any complaints for their writing volume, it was the closing of Derek’s leather-bound notebook that got their partners’ attention. They broke their hand clasp and reached out towards them at the same time. “Derek,” Chowder murmured, their voice serious, yet gentle as it always was when they used their legal names.

Although they were a quarter inch taller than Dex (they do know how to use a measuring tape, thank you very much), Derek allowed himself to be enveloped in a tight hug between their two partners. “I love you… Will, Chris, both of you… I love you so much.”

Outside, the stars were indeed shining alongside the moon. Most people had either turned in for the night or had dimmed their lights and shut their curtains. Yet in the relative darkness, the Samwell Stoop was a glowing beacon, its yellow brilliance spilling out of the windows. If Derek still had their notebook out, he might have written about how metaphorical it all must have been to an outsider. But they didn’t need words right now; they had everything they could have needed right beside them.

#chowderdexnursey #bv2020 #bitty's valentines #omgcp fandom #omg check please!

11 notes · View notes

dio-roga · 5 years

Photo

After years of stalling, this is finally seeing the light of day and thank actual jesus for that. There’s more fic out there than you’d think for the best boys, but like all things, sturgeon's law’s in effect when it comes to quality (big time actually, around 35 fics on this list from a rough 350 in existence). I read them all so you don’t have to.

Higher rank the better (though obviously YMMV) and the rest should just be ordered by word count. I have a place in my heart for everything on this list so no matter where it is or what I say about it, trust me, if it’s here, I think it’s worth your time.

Will do my best to keep things up to date. I F5 tabs like you wouldn’t believe. Love you guys ❤

[SSS RANK] ABSOLUTE TOP SHELF

ego, opinion, art & commerce 24parts

We hopefully all know it, we certainly all love it. The canon-compliant, rock-band road-trip AU that’s destined to rule the entire ship one day; the cryde child of prophecy. Go in hard and this’ll take you away like nothing else. The only thing not absolutely perfect about this fic is (like the rest of us) you’ll have to wait for the ending. I know waiting sucks, but please don’t let it stop you bingeing this story right now. I am not exaggerating when I say it’s better than most published books you’ll ever read.

let your heart hold fast niente

Literally the best finished cryde fic ever written as of time of writing this. The boys have grown up. Clyde’s a writer, Craig’s distant, and familiar circumstances bring them crashing back together. The cast of characters are a complete joy, it’s fully drenched in canon, and sports an amazingly rich post-series lore with all manner of cute nods and easter eggs for fans of the show. Nothing short of a masterpiece. Written with such love. Treasure your first read of it.

[SS RANK] AMAZING READS GAURANTEED

Pulling Mussels SekritOMG

A divisive fic maybe, but a classic all the same. Get ready for a fresh take on normal fic conventions to be sure. Personally? I’d consider it top shelf, no question. But to others? They might end up absolutely hating it. A strange midlife odyssey wherein a fed-up, lonely Craig begrudgingly reconnects with an out-of-shape, stagnated Clyde. Memorable to say the least, packed to bursting with detail and personality; go in with the right mindset and its glorious set pieces with burn themselves into your memories. Possibly the fic I’ve re-read the most ever.

Darkness Falls Vampiracy

Do you like cute, gorgeously written things? Set during the three days of Stick of Truth, it tells the behind-the-scenes story of Craig’s growing infatuation with the Lord of Darkness. Everything about this is clever and charming and just generally heart-warming. Best read after playing the game for maximum enjoyment, feel smart and accomplished as you pick out all the references. This fic’s adorable and pure and can do no wrong.

Chicken Vampiracy

The gateway fic? Huge question mark? This story is cryde personified. Like the author distilled the ships very essence into this amazingly funny and light-hearted story about the boys playing the world’s most drawn out game of gay chicken. It’s impossible not to love this story, it’s perfect for what it is, and will leave you feeling happy by the end every time. What more could you want? Show this one to your friends and they’ll finally ‘get’ cryde.

the remains of our sky traiyadhvika

I’ll level with you fam, this story will emotionally cripple you, prepared or not. The writing is precise, sublime, and utterly heart-breaking. It tells the story of how Craig deals with the aftermath of Clyde’s death on Everest. Obviously a heavy topic, but I can tell you with complete confidence that this fic not only does the subject matter justice, but also manages to tell a story of love and hope despite it. Like Butters said, it’s a beautiful sadness. This fic had me obsessively researching mountains for weeks, and anything that can light that kind of fire in you is something special.

C & C, The Mystery Duo Darkyfoot

There is nothing in here but pure fluff, joy and happiness. This story will lighten your soul and brighten your heart. It tells the tale of the boys discovering a life-long obsession for hunting mysteries, and will resonate with anyone who’s ever held a strong passion in their lives (which is probably most of you, if you’re hunting down SP fics to read). The written equivalent of a warm blanket and a steaming hot mug of cocoa on a cold winter’s night.

[S RANK] THE REALLY GOOD STUFF

Equality Donkerblauw Fluweel

A good chill-out fic? Cataloguing a series of parties over the summer in which Clyde starts cozying up to Craig after much alcohol is consumed; and like a good drink, the fic mixes all its elements together nicely. It’s nothing ground breaking, but it’s got a super relaxing flow to it, and will brighten your mood by the end. It nails the party atmosphere, so if you’ve got no-where to go this Friday night, maybe pour yourself a little something and give this one a read.

Craig Likes Vanilla (Ice Cream) themuffintitan

The cuteness equivalent of porn. If you’ve got a list of cliché ‘aww’ scenarios, chances are they’ll play out in this fic. If hand holding and sharing an ice-cream make you melt (hahanotfunny) then this one’s definitely for you. For a fairly simple story about Craig and the squad visiting a waterpark, it’s remarkably detailed (check that word count fam), and has a killer summer atmosphere to boot. It certainly made me hit up a park last July. The writing does let it down in a few areas, but overall you’ll probably be too busy enjoying the ride to notice.

The Silent Lie Donkerblauw Fluweel

Guilty pleasure? Okay you caught me red-handed. This fic’s practically porn. Read all about how Clyde learns to surrender his heterosexuality as Craig massages away all his football injuries in the steamiest way possible. If I’m being totally honest? The story’s pretty obviously there to frame the smut, and writing can be a bit all over the place. But I can’t deny it just works. It’s hot AF. Come here for the sexies and you won’t leave disappointed. Read it after dark. ;)

Press Play flappySp00kster

Arguably unfinished, but the only thing missing is apparently a mostly superfluous epilogue. We’re in full AU territory here as Clyde hooks up with Craig on a dating app during a rough-patch with his long-time, and now ex, girlfriend. Your mileage may vary obviously as the story’s not canon compliant; however the boys behave like you’d imagine and the romance is nicely fleshed out and unique. Bonus points for a bit of kink in the sex scenes, which is rarer than you’d expect for this ship.

What Happened in 1637 pinkfloyd1770

One of the most strikingly unique stories out there; it’s essentially a flower shop AU in which Clyde embraces his Dutch heritage and sports and encyclopedic knowledge on tulip facts. Written in medias res during a seemingly long since established relationship with Craig, this fic merely offers a look into this unique take on the couple as they go about their lives. The detail is stunning, and you’ll find vivid mental pictures coming to life in every scene. If you can get past the fact Craig bottoms (let’s pretend he was feeling generous that evening) then you’ll certainly be charmed with this one. (1637 is the year the tulip bubble finally popped. In case you were wondering.)

Around My Head wendybirb

Are you looking for something that’s light and fluffy? Maybe you like reading Clyde’s inner monologue as he fumbles around high-key pining over his best friend? Perfect, sign yourself up to this fic; it’s a quick and easy read that’ll give you your daily dose of wholesomeness from one of my favorite authors. Nothing overly flashy or complicated here, just boys being cute and kissing.

hey there demons traiyadhvika

This spooky affair is thankfully a lot less of an emotional roller-coaster than it’s cousin ‘remains of our sky’, but that’s not to say it doesn’t grab you and refuse to let go. Have you ever wondered what Craig and Clyde would be like trying to host one of those dorky haunted house shows? Bonus points in that Craig can legitimately see ghosts? It’s a fresh concept that’ll really get your mind racing with the cutest hosts you could ask for. Kept me glued to my seat, ready to throw down if any bad spirits came between the best boys. Slept with the hall lights on for a couple nights ngl.

As Good a Reason as Any Vampiracy

The last of the sacred trinity that also includes Chicken and Darkness Falls, the only reason this fic isn’t ranked higher is because it’s also the authors shortest. Watching Clyde try anything and everything to spend more time with Craig is as endearing as it sounds, and the only thing that sucks is that it doesn’t overstay its welcome; when honestly, you’d like the fic to stay for dinner and spend the night. Quality everything. No joke made my heart flutter. Read it and know true happiness.

Kiss It Better dokidave

A one and done story of Craig trying to cheer Clyde up after a difficult day. This fic’s a nice double whammy if you’re looking for some hurt and comfort mixed in with some steamy sex scenes. It delivers exactly what is says on the box; don’t expect too much in the way of plot of development, but certainly feel free to gush over the sappy sweet character moments. A good pick-me-up fic if you’re having a lousy day.

Take a Chance (You Say It's Your Birthday) Miaou Jones (miaoujones)

So here we have Craig being drunk and vulnerable, while Clyde’s radiating raw sexuality as he dances for Craig’s camera. I’m usually all about Craig giving off that top energy, but the way this story frames (hahakillme) the whole dynamic is very soft and endearing; you can fully understand why Craig’s the one feeling thirsty this time around. This is a fic that really knows how to set a mood. Read it and feel like you’re being pampered.

You Make It Easier glowworm888

Pure comfort; Clyde’s feeling understandably miserable about the thought of growing up without his mom, and Craig’s doing his best to help Clyde cope. Wholesome dumb teenagers looking out for each other and low-key falling in love. I dare you not to feel all happy inside as Clyde slowly begins to feel better as Craig looks after him. Adorable throughout, the ending is very much them. Another good read for making a crappy day a better one.

Miss you x Vampiracy

A true hidden gem by one of the best authors in the whole fandom; we have here the best fic in which Clyde doesn’t even appear. The whole schoolyard gang give their two cents on Craig’s spiraling mental state as he tries desperately to justify a typo to Clyde during an obsessive summer-long texting marathon. Legitimately funny from start to finish, with buttery-smooth dialogue and a big soft ending that’ll have you grinning ear-to-ear for completely different reasons. Love it, cherish it, and dream of more. Vampiracy ̶ we’ll miss you x.

[A RANK] SHORT AND SWEET

Whatever Gets You Through The Night Miaou Jones (miaoujones)

There’s a lot of mixed feelings for me in this fic. A love-letter to Clyde and his parents, in which Craig gets caught up on the whole ‘love’ part of it, having trouble fully expressing himself due to some heavy personal baggage. The Donovan’s really shine in this story. Betsy’s alive and massively comforting, Roger’s family values personified, and Clyde’s being a sweetheart to end all sweethearts. It’s confronting, more than a little emotionally messy, but it’s none the less a story that’ll stay with you. Check the comments for a hidden stinger.

Some Dieting Donkerblauw Fluweel

Clyde’s self-image problems are the focus this time around, doing a commendable job pushing the ideas of healthy progress, properly looking after yourself and feeling comfortable letting others help out. It’s a good length for the story it is, and although the writing gets a little spotty in parts you’ll be unlikely take too much notice. Like Clyde, this one’s hearts in the right place.

If Time Could Stand Still WeCryde

I used to stumble across this story semi-regularly back in the day, wondering if I’d missed it before realizing we’d already been well acquainted. The amount of show rather than tell is fairly distracting, with the entire meat of the relationship relegated to backstory. There’s still something here though. Perhaps in the way it deals with long-distance relationships and just distance in general. Maybe the hopeless romantic in me resonates with the plight of two idiots with thousands of miles between them. See if it works for you?

The Edges of the Atmosphere Miaou Jones (miaoujones)

There should be some sort of law that states that confessions in cryde stories have to be some level of stupid or convoluted. These two are physically incapable of expressing such feelings to each other in any standard normie way. So enjoy some classic spaceman Craig tropes while Clyde juggles being cute and awkward like a pro. Trigger warning for some racy hand-holding action; we’re talking interlocking fingers here.

Standby Flier Cheesebirb (Hi Mark ;)

So upfront, this story isn’t even a romance quite honestly. It’s just a cute bromance sort of affair at most, in which the boys share a hotel room together while waiting on a flight back home. You could quite certainly interpret it as the start of something deeper, as the fic gladly provides hints to support it; however there’s nothing to see here apart from the two personalities bouncing off each other, and sometimes that’s enough. A memorable little story that might resonate that little bit extra if you’re a frequent traveler.

Bust and Boom Azul_Bleu

Clyde fumbling with the realization that he’s got the hots for Craig isn’t new ground, that’s about the only ‘downside’ I could give this story. What it does with this premise however is deliver some pitch-perfect characterizations, snappy pacing, a good variety of settings, and some surprisingly touching moments given its brevity. It’s also loaded with lines that stand up off the page and stick with you and those are always worth their weight in gold; the author really squeezes a lot out of the short word count.

Forts Can Be Fun wendybirb

In which little Craig builds a pillow fort and little Clyde is invited. It’s a soft story with some cute exchanges, if you’re looking for a more innocent kid-cryde vibe then this one can scratch the itch. Short and sweet by definition. Go read it and give yourself a little smile.

Ennui dsfgajkh

This simple story’s a real blink and you’ll miss it; detailing some introspective thoughts Clyde’s having about the monotony of small town life and his fascination with his much more interesting best friend. At nearly a decade old, this story pre-dates Pandemic, which solidified the usual stoic Craig tropes that came after so it’s an awesome little time capsule back to those days where apathetic Clyde and flamboyant Craig was as good a guess as any. There’s a line about skittles that makes it worth the ten minute read.

Neighbors Vampiracy

So remember that time that Vampiracy wrote one of the most realistic and precious depictions of little Craig and Clyde playing with toy trucks in the backyard, but then it got buried in the depths of tumblr? Try not to smile when Clyde beams over the prospect of making a new friend and being able to show off the hole he’s dug; I completely and utterly dare you. Bratty Craig is my spirit animal and I’d die for more adventures with him at the Donovan house. I’m such a sucker for cutesy pre-school fluff I swear; just like you will be when you’re done reading this.

Shine On How You Shine On Miaou Jones (miaoujones)

Real talk? I’m a sucker for all things Brokeback Mountain, and this fic’s just neatly slotting in Craig and Clyde as the cowboys sharing a rough and confusing night in a tent together. The story is exactly what you’d think if you’ve read the original, and it hits all the same thematic beats. Guilty pleasure alert in full here. If you’re in the mood for hearing Clyde Twist tense up as Craig Delmar spits on his hand behind him then I won’t judge if you don’t. I’d unironically read ten more chapters.

Two Weeks toddintops

Yeah-yeah I know I’m stretching the definition of fic with this one, it’s barely a half thousand words; but hey, better five hundred words that make you feel something than ten thousand that leave you feeling the same. A short, sharp dose of angst with some beautiful art accompanying, what have you got to lose? Something about Clyde’s smile, coupled with the bittersweet lines near the end has always managed to stay with me. Maybe it’ll strike a chord with you too.

UNFINISHED (BUT STILL GREAT)

Ask Craig obitotxt (Password is 12345)

Hop on board the angst express; with the last stop being yourself when you realize the story comes crashing off the rails and never hits the end. Is the fact this blog never reached a conclusion one of the great tragedies of our modern era? Yeah, kinda. Fact is, this is probably the only cryde-centric askblog-formatted story out there; and yeah, it’s hyperbolic at times, but goddamn if it doesn’t make you feel something. Packed to the brim with boys being boys, memorable moments and just so much heart, you’ll be pressing F (and F5) for days after you reach the final unfinished pages.

One More Year llexxii

And here’s a weird way to recommend something: you probably don’t want to read this one. It’s very long, it’s very dead, and it has a fairly submissive Craig coupled with a rather unlikable rendition of Clyde. So why’m I even talking about this, and really, I’ve not got much of an answer for you. Just that this fic, despite everything, has some consistently excellent writing. The flashback scenes to Craig and Clyde as young kids are total gems. There’s stuff to love here, and maybe it could have been something great; if nothing else, maybe check it out as an interesting look into the ships history.

Turn It Around, Get a Rewrite wendybirb

This one hurts, in just about every respect. Prepare for angst story wise as we follow along with the life and times of Craig, reconnecting with a clearly troubled yet desperately pining Clyde, who seems scared shitless about his dying claims to heterosexuality. I genuinely love this story. It’s raw and emotional and angry and sexy, it comes across messy and real and does an amazing job making you care about the boys while also showing their more frustrating attributes. I’m still holding out hope it’ll one day take its place with the greats, but until then, the hardest gut-punch is always that “unfinished” tag.

January White (Love Is a Stain) Dovakiin

Here we’ve got a different kind of tragedy. The usual formula is a promising author burning out after an amazing opening run, but here we’ve got a story that never even made it past the kickoff. It’s such a shame. The eponymous metaphor and the solemn tone throughout is honestly pretty captivating; I would love to see how this take on the characters would have played. Spare ten minutes from your day and give yourself something to reflect on with this abandoned beginning.

NOT FULL CRYDE, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH

ask MARSH and BROFLOVSKI jovishark

You know what? Fuck it. I’m putting this one here and no one can stop me. This ask blog is practically fandom required reading at this point, and I couldn’t in good conscience not mention it. Stan and Kyle answer your questions, the plotline reads like something from a CW show, and Craig and Clyde don’t even end up together. I love it genuinely. If you pressed me, this story might be what got me into the fandom; pressed me harder, it’s what got me into cryde (again ironic as cryde isn’t endgame here). Always worth a read or a re-read. Pretend Craig and Clyde sorted things out in college if you need to.

Brace Yourself skyline

Okay so it’s a style story, let’s get that elephant in the room well and truly pointed out from the outset. If it’s a deal breaker for you that cryde isn’t the focus, then move along, but I guarantee for those that stay, there’s a charmingly written cryde side-ship playing out in tandem to Stan’s quest to win over his super best friend. There’s a lot to love about this story, the writings sharp and surprisingly powerful at times, and the characters are a joy to watch. Watching the cryde story unfold from Stan’s POV is a unique experience that you won’t really find anywhere else.

Remove Before Flight skyline

So remember Brace Yourself from literally just one entry up? Okay, same concept, same author. This is a different timeline in which Kenny’s the lucky protagonist trying to win Kyle’s heart, but like before, you’re treated to an enjoyable cryde sub-plot playing on in the background of the K2 drama. The writing’s still on-point, the characters are still great; if you liked the authors other story (which I’d advise reading first), you’ll definitely enjoy this one too. It’s cute how Craig and Clyde always seem destined for each other in this universe.

#cryde #fanfic #clyde donovan #craig tucker #cryderecs #we should probs be friends if youve read them all #❤️

38 notes · View notes

takemedancingmaine · 5 years

Text

Adrenaline

“I cannot believe that you’re considering spending $200 on a ticket,” I said.

“I really want to see her.” Cleo shrugged as she stirred the macaroni for our macaroni and cheese on her cooktop.

“I know that you have this obsession with Ariana Grande but $200?” I frowned from where I was sitting on her counter.

I loved Cleo’s apartment. She never turned on her overhead lights. She used twinkle lights and lamps, she even had a lamp that looked like a paper lantern. There was always at least one candle lit in her apartment whenever she was home. She had copious amounts of blankets on her sofa and an excessive amount of pillows on her bed. Cleo loved being comfortable and made it into a decor style. It worked well.

Then there were the posters and photographs on her walls. She had photos of her travels from the time she got her camera when she was sixteen and started travelling the country and the world beyond. She had a large map of the world with pins all over. There was an extra large pin for Chicago because it was her home, and for Thailand, because it was where she fell in love with the world.

I enjoyed being in Cleo’s apartment. The scenes in the photos and the comfort of the decor made it feel exotic and homey at the same time. When I was living here I was stressed about finding a place while somehow, simultaneously being here calmed me down. Whenever we weren’t going out or with the group, I would come here just to spend time in the apartment. Even though my tenure here was brief, s small part of myself still felt at home here.

It could be that it also reminded me of the two of us living together in college, of all the late nights talking and watching television, of the adventures we dreamed and the adventures we made a reality. Cleo and I shared a lot of firsts with each other. Our first failing grades and first time living in an apartment, first time almost setting that apartment on fire, first time learning how to use a fire extinguisher… we learned so much and grew up together. Alone time with Cleo reminded me of that.

“Well, yes. Also, it would be for a date,” she said now. I came back to Earth from inside my thoughts when she said that.

“A date?” I raised my eyebrows.

“Remember the girl from a month ago?” She asked me, looking over as I bit a carrot in half.

“The girl that said she didn't want to see you again after you had a great time?” I clarified.

“That's the one.”

“Wait.” I dropped the carrot that had been in my hand. “You saw her again?” I asked.

“Twice, yeah,” she said sheepishly, knowing I was upset that she hadn't told me sooner.

“What?”

“We met on Tuesday for dinner and on Friday for drinks.”

“So after her saying she didn't want to see you again she just, what? Changed her mind?” I picked up the carrot that had fallen onto the counter and took a bite. I watched Cleo closely as she turned and poured the pasta into the colander in her sink.

“She sent me a text last week saying that yes, she had changed her mind,” Cleo said over her shoulder. She brought the pot back over and began making the cheese sauce. I didn't know whether to say something or wait for her to say something.

“She explained on Friday that she was scared.”

“Scared?”

“Yeah.” Cleo shrugged.

“Of?” I prompted. It was unusual that I was having to prompt her to say anything. Typical Cleo would have already spewed out the whole story, thrown in unnecessary details, said it all and more by now.

“She said she just got out of a long term relationship when we met up last time,” Cleo explained now. “She said that she wasn't ready to open herself up again, especially to someone she could really see herself with, but also that she couldn't stop thinking about me.”

“She said she could see herself with you?” I asked, my voice increasing in pitch. I looked closely and saw that my friend was blushing. It had been a minute since she blushed over a girl like this.

Cleo nodded.

“I don't know, Ruby,” she said. “It just seems kind of effortless with her. She likes the same music and we’ve read the same books. She likes sushi almost as much as I do,” she laughed, “and we haven't even kissed yet. I mean, I really want to, but I'm trying to do it all on her terms.”

“What's her name?”

“Natalia.” Cleo looked absolutely precious, her cheeks still flushed pink and a tiny smile falling to her lips as she said her name.

“Well,” I took a deep breath, “I am up for giving her a second chance.”

“Yeah?” She asked.

“I can see why she would be scared.” I nodded. “You're a catch. That's intimidating as hell.”

“Ruby.”

“Cleo.”

“I mean, I am a catch, but still.”

I laughed.

“Plus I gave Niall a second chance and that is working out well,” I said now.

“Wait, what?”

“It's nothing,” I waved it away. “I didn't realise that our first date was actually our first date so we had to have a second first date. But we're talking about you and Natalia. Tell me everything.”

“I'm so unsurprised that you didn't realise Niall had asked you out. I mean, that's probably the most you thing that's ever happened.” Cleo finished making the cheese sauce and dumped the pasta back into the pot, stirring it all together.

“You and Natalia.” I prodded, ignoring her.

“Fine,” she huffed as she poured equal portions of the mac & cheese into bowls for us. “So, she grew up in Argentina, which is really amazing. She has so many stories about it, Ruby,” she said. “I could listen to her talk about it for ages. Anyway, her family moved to Naperville when she was sixteen and despite having to learn the language and assimilate into the school system, she got into U of I and studied business.”

I was handed my bowl and Cleo jumped up to sit next to me on the counter, her own bowl beside her. I dug in while she kept talking.

“She works as a corporate partnerships coordinator for the Chicago Fire. She says that because she is now fluent in three languages that it helps her so much when it comes to talking to partners on the job, to describing things and sorting out details. She's also just around our age. She turns twenty-seven sometime in October, I think is what she said. She lives out in West Loop, kind of near where Ana and Harry are, but further west than them.”

“She seems really great, Cleo,” I said. “When do I get to meet her?”

“I have no idea,” Cleo said. “But I think you'll really like her.”

“If she keeps making you blush like that, then she'll probably stay in my good graces.”

Cleo laughed and nudged my shoulder with hers.

“Now we’ve just got to get Liam and Louis partnered off and the whole group can be doubled.”

“Louis is married to the bakery,” I said, not in an unkind or negative way. “And I honestly am still trying to figure out how Liam is single.”

“Right?” Cleo asks, her eyes wide as she agrees with me. “He's gorgeous and he's fiercely loyal. Plus, he's a teacher. That's super honourable.”

“You're just saying that to pat your own shoulder because you're also a teacher.” I smirked.

Cleo shrugged.

“Seriously though, do you think it's because of his side hustle that he just hasn't had the time or something?” She asked.

“That could be it,” I admitted. “But I think he and Louis are both happy as they are. Well, I know Louis is. Liam is still a mystery. Maybe it'll change once he's finally in the condo he's been stressing over.”

“He still has to show it to us once he closes on it,” I pointed out. “Not even the Styles’s own their apartment. I wonder if it'll feel different.”

“Probably, just like a different air?” She asked.

“Yeah, it just smells more final or something.” I smiled.

“What does that smell like?”

“Bank loans and adulthood.”

“That sounds about right,” she laughed.

There's a short lull as we each take a bit of our food.

“How are things with you and Niall?”

“We’re really good,” I told her. “When Mehar was here she said that she liked that Niall and I didn't complete each other. That we’re companions.”

“Sounds cheesy, but okay.” Cleo smiled.

“That's what I thought,” I told her. “But, if anything is cheesy tonight it's this mac & cheese.”

“I'm glad I bought the good kind.” Cleo nodded.

“I mean, if I'm gonna splurge on calories, I expect nothing less than the best,” I tell her.

Cleo laughed and we fell into an easy rhythm of asking questions about Natalia and Niall, laughing together, and eating more mac & cheese than either of us would like to admit.

I loved spending time with just Cleo. When we were with the group it was a different dynamic, on that I also loved, but sometimes Cleo and I would say something that even Louis wouldn't understand and we'd share a look.

The two of us have a history. It didn't mean she was a better friend than any of my other friends, but it was our shared history that added to the comfortability that existed between us. They had heard the stories, but Cleo had lived them.

We ended up together on her couch watching YouTube videos and eating a mixture of vegan cookie dough and popcorn. We were snuggled under blankets and my head was on her shoulder.

“Seriously, when do I get to meet Natalia?” I asked in between two videos.

“I'm going to move at her pace, but literally the moment she green lights meeting you guys I will be annoying you so much to come out and get to know her.”

“Are you worried?”

“That she’ll get freaked out and run?” Cleo asked.

I nodded.

“A little,” she admitted, “but I keep thinking about how she came back the first time when she couldn't stop thinking about me. I got under her skin, in a good way. I keep holding onto that.”

“I think that's a good sign,” I agreed. “I like seeing you like this.”

“You've seen me date one person more than once before,” she defended herself.

“Yeah, but it's been a while,” I said. “Your dating app escapades and stories will become no longer, and then where will I seek out entertainment?” I complain. “I'll have to start enjoying books and movies and television again. All of the tales of Cleo will crumble and dissolve into darkness.”

“Shut up.” She pinched my arm, gently. “I'll still have stories.”

“So you say,” I keep on. “But everyone knows that these stories will pale in comparison, will be lacking lustre and life, will be but shadows of their-”

Cleo pushed me off the couch and I ended up on my butt on the floor wedges between it and the coffee table. My words were cut off with an ‘oomph’ when I hit the ground.

“Heyyyy,” I whined.

Cleo was giggling at the sight of me on the floor.

“You're awful.”

“I'm the best,” she said through her giggles.

“Sometime--I don't know when--I will get you back for that.”

“I'm sure you will, Rubes, now get back up here and let's pick a video.”

I crawled back up onto the couch and resumed my position lounging against her, content as we chose another video to view.

I was back in the dream.

I kept telling myself it was the dream. All of this was just me in a dream.

There was no way that I was being followed. The dream had probably just altered after my not having it for so long. I was more than likely still asleep on my couch. I had probably just dreamed that I’d woken up and started over to Niall’s. We were supposed to do dinner together, but it was going to be later because he had to finish the last few notes on a project, which gave me just enough time to go home and nap for twenty minutes before heading over to his.

Clearly, I was still asleep.

But then why had the dream changed since I'd last had it?

This time I knew where I was and I knew where I was going. It was dark like it always was in the dream, but when I pulled my hand from my pocket and looked down, my watch was on my wrist. It was never there in the dream.

I was awake.

I was only a block and a half from Niall’s and the sound of footsteps behind me had sent a chill so cold up my spine I thought I was going to literally freeze into my spot on the sidewalk, feet mid-stride and everything. I didn't though, which was a huge improvement over the original dream.

I looked over my shoulder. It was a man in a dark hoodie, with the hood pulled up. Which was not something I should be worried about. It was misting outside. I hadn’t bothered with my own hood, but I had also already taken my makeup off and put my hair in a bun. The weather wasn’t a worry for me, I was accustomed to it.

Still, the sight of a man with his hood pulled up walking behind me on an otherwise empty and dark street had caused my heart to jump up into my throat. I took a deep breath and pushed it down, telling myself that it was fine, that everything was fine, and that I was worrying over nothing.

I thought through everything Brian had taught me over the past few months. I was in a well-lit area. I had an umbrella I could use if I needed it. I could even probably make it to Niall’s ahead of my follower if I sprinted. I also knew how to handle myself if I was attacked from behind or otherwise. I was strong, physically and mentally.

I swallowed my fear and willed myself to keep walking and not panic. I forced my pulse to slow down as I altered my pace and noticed that the man behind me didn’t bother trying to change his stride. That was a comfort in itself.

I was still freaking out though.

Until I got to Niall’s street and when I turned onto it, the man behind me didn’t. He kept going straight.

I felt myself let out a shaky breath before I hunched over, putting my hands in my knees and pulling in another deep breath. It took me a few moments but I pulled myself together and made it the rest of the way to Niall’s.

It took me a minute to stop shaking so that I could send a text to let him know to come down and get me. During that time, I tried my hardest to pull myself together as best as I could before Niall came out through the front door to greet me.

“Hey, I just got home a few minutes ago,” he smiled as he came up to me, “so the food is still really hot.”

Food. Right. We’d agreed on Chinese takeout before he left work. He picked it up on his way.

“Ruby?”

I took a deep breath and looked up at him when he reached out to me and put a hand on each of my shoulders. His eyes clouded over with concern. I was still focusing on breathing evenly, but I could feel that my face was flushed and knew my eyes were probably blown wide from my stressor before.

“What's wrong?”

“I just… I can't… And then the…” I was stuttering, unable to finish my sentences and thoughts. Niall didn't look panicked, but he was searching my face for any signs of what was causing me to act like this.

I just kept thinking through what I would've done had that man actually been following, had he attacked me. I could see the moves in my mind. Unlike my dream, I could feel in my bones that I would've done what I had been taught by Brian. I knew I would've done it.

It wasn't that I was scared by how weak I was. I was horrified by how I had been thinking of ways to defend myself from a harmless person that was just walking by. I had thought through ways to hurt someone who was just going about his business.

That was what scared me. That I had intended to hurt someone who had no intent to hurt me.

Then there was the problem of my adrenaline. I had been on such high alert that my nerves were frayed and now that the danger was gone, I had no energy left to hold myself together. It wasn't just these past three minutes either.

It felt like the last four months of my constantly being on guard around my friends, my family, and even myself were just snapping into me and like a rubber band that had been stretched so much for so long, I was far too useless at this point and unable to keep anything in place. The lie that I had told to protect myself felt like it was coming back at me and ready to punch me out.

I hadn't realised how physically exhausted I was or how mentally taxing it had been. I noticed here and there, but now it felt like every single moment of fear and paranoia and brokenness was crashing down onto me.

Because the threat was non-credible and my adrenaline was not used in aid of self-defence, it was being used to fuel the crippling pressure I get all over.

“C’mon, let's get you inside,” Niall said now. His voice sounded like it was coming from very far away, and distorted like I was hearing it through water. He still looked confused, but he was confident as he led me into his building, his arms around me, holding me safely.

In the elevator, he wiped my cheeks with his thumbs and it was then that I realised I was crying, that that raspy sound was my breathing echoing around the small room as I struggled to hold myself as together as possible.

Apparently, I wasn’t doing a very good job. After a sob wracked through me, Niall moved so that my face was pressed against his chest and his arms wrapped around me, holding me close to him. I fisted my hands into his sweater as I held onto him.

When the elevator opened I didn’t think I could move to get out. The physical exhaustion had settled over me. I was useless at this point.

Without me saying anything, Niall kneeled down and picked me up from underneath my knees, holding me bridal style and carrying me to his apartment. He didn’t put me down once we crossed the threshold. Instead, he carried me over to his couch and sat down, cradling me to him as he pulled a blanket around us both.

I felt myself let loose and I just started weeping, not holding anything back as my tears soaked through Niall’s sweater. He made me feel safe, even while I was falling apart in his arms. He began rubbing soothing circles on my back, his cheek resting against the top of my head. He didn’t say anything. He just held me while I cried, and cried, and cried. My sobs echoed throughout his tiny apartment, but he held steadfast, didn’t falter, didn’t distance himself.

I don’t know how long we stayed like that, with him holding me while I cried, but it felt like ages when I finally hiccupped and my tears slowed. My eyes were still closed, but it felt like what I assumed a hungover to feel like. My head felt like it had been run over by a truck and my body felt as if it had been beaten with a sledgehammer. I was as limp as a jellyfish. If Niall hadn’t been holding me I would have puddled into an amorphous pile on his floor.

He let me speak first. I don’t think I would ever forget that he let me speak first, that he left it up to me to decide when I was finally ready to talk. He didn’t have to prompt me. I just knew he was willing to listen, his words weren’t necessary.

Now that the tears had stopped and my hiccups paused as I forced deep breaths into my body, I felt myself as I was: broken. I had been naive to think that I was getting better simply because I was ignoring the problem, ignoring the signs. My naivety had cost me the illusion and was shattered, a shadow of who I was.

“It was maybe a week or so before you got here something happened,” I worked out. My voice was scratchy and hollow. Not only did I feel like a shadow of myself, but I also sounded like one as well. “I was walking home from a night out with everyone. It was probably only eleven, but I don’t really remember exactly. I was only a few blocks from home. It’s a walk I’ve made hundreds of times no problem. It’s a walk I still make all the time, without a problem. Everything was normal, except, back then I had been having problems with my front door lock.”

I could feel Niall’s arms stiffen around me, but he still didn’t say anything.

“It had been going on for probably over a month.” I took a deep breath to hold back the tears. I thought I had been all cried out, but apparently, I wasn’t. Still, I bit them back and soldiered on with my story.

“At first it was just that it was sticky and took an extra jiggle, then it was that I had to pull my key our a little bit and then turn it, and just the day before it happened it took me close to fifteen minutes of swearing and yelling at my door, trying and failing to turn my key even a little bit before my door finally opened. I had made a note to text my landlord, but it was only a day later and he hadn’t gotten to it.

“Anyway, when I was walking home that night everything was fine until I turned onto my block, and someone was behind me. It was fine. I even felt guilty for thinking the worst of them when I got really afraid of what could happen. And then I made it through my gate and was at my door, putting my key into the lock I had just remembered didn’t work properly, and I heard my gate creak open again behind me.”

When I paused to catch my breath this time I felt Niall’s arms tighten around me. Him being there for me really helped push me forward, really helped me to say the words aloud for the first time. I mean, I’d told Brian it had happened at home. Had told Brian I had been attacked. I had not sketched out the scene for him, had not told him move-by-move what had happened. This was different. This was harder. It would’ve been impossible with anyone but Niall.

“The worst part was that I knew what was going to happen and I had no way of preventing it. I had no idea how to save myself from what was about to… from what did… He grabbed me around my throat so that I couldn’t even scream. I wasn’t able to do anything because of the fear and because after a little bit of a struggle I was starting to grow weaker, was starting to see spots from the lack of oxygen. I couldn’t even think to do what he was telling me to. When I heard the switchblade open I was able to finally force myself to move and hand him my bag out of my sense of self-preservation. He gave one final squeeze, one that bruised my ribs and severely damaged my throat and then was gone. Vanished into the night.”

Niall’s breathing was steady underneath me but for one hitch when I’d mentioned the word switchblade.

“My throat was bruised for over a week. I hid it with makeup and scarves and turtlenecks. I couldn’t go for a run to clear my mind because when I tried I was spitting up blood, agitating the injury… Not being able to workout to clear my mind was what upset me most, but I managed. I got through the worst of it and successfully hid my bruises. I started going to kickboxing classes during the week instead of running, and every Thursday I go to my self-defence class. The instructor, Brian, noticed my injuries and has been so helpful. I wouldn’t have made it through I don’t think if it wasn’t for him.”

Niall kissed the top of my head and then my forehead. He was so warm around me, radiating calming energy into me to keep me grounded. His hand rubbing circles on my back settled the unease in my stomach, the bile that had been rising in my throat as I recanted my story.

“Everything was going well until the nightmare started in November. It was dark and one man in a dark hood turned into hundreds of identical men and I wasn’t able to move in the dream. I was frozen. It was terrible because I had thought I was making progress with my classes and in my dream, I wasn’t doing anything. It was maddening. I haven’t had it in a few weeks, but tonight when I was walking to yours I had a someone walking behind me. He was bigger, had his hood up because of the rain, and in my mind, I immediately flashed back. I was able to swallow down my fear and think through everything I knew to do. I was scared but in control.”

Niall nodded, I think absentmindedly, as he listened.

“When I made it to your street and turned he kept walking straight and I was flooded with relief and fear at my thoughts and I didn’t know what to do with all of my adrenaline and everything just kept rushing through me and I couldn’t… I couldn’t control my reactions after that.”

“You’re safe now, Ruby,” he held me close.

“I know,” I said, my voice cracking. “I know, but that doesn’t change anything.”

“I know.” He nodded against me. He didn’t try to change my mind, didn’t try to belittle what I was thinking. He just agreed and that was all. His validation spread through me. I didn’t need it, I wasn’t seeking it, but it comforted me nonetheless. It felt like coming home after a long day and sinking onto your sofa and just feeling that relief seep in through all of your pores, into your muscles and lulling you into a state of bliss.

This was far from bliss, but the effect was the same.

“Who else-”

“Brian,” I said before he could finish his question.

“Your self-defence teacher?”

I nodded.

“Who else?”

“Well, you know.”

“And that’s it?”

I nodded.

“Nobody else knows?”

“Nobody else.”

“Okay,” he said. “Okay. That’s okay.”

He wasn’t asking me why I hadn’t told anyone. He wasn’t judging me for not telling anyone. He wasn’t telling me to tell anyone. He just accepted that I hadn’t told anyone and kept on going.

“How about I make you some tea and once you’re settled down, we can eat and we can get you to bed.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

#things have happened #1dff #fic: oth #fic: only ticket home #OTH16

10 notes · View notes

suggers-got-dingled · 6 years

Note

Seeing as Christmas is coming to save our souls and Robert Jacob Sugdens 😉 I've been re watching some old robron to get back into how amazing they are ( they still have been acting wise even tho he plot is crap) but I wanted to kno what are some of your top/fave robron moments from 2014-now ? x

anon I’m pretty sure you sent this in like October so for that I deeply apologise but is there any better time to respond than less than 24 hours before the highly anticipated ep actually begins?!?!

I THINK NOT

I HAVE SO MANY FEELS TONIGHT

(well always really but especially tonight bc i’m really weirdly emotional for some unknown reason and it’s startling me a bit)

and I can’t believe you’re making me choose my top fave moments like I can just whip them out without thinking into the depths of their earth shattering love

I’d literally be here for the entire festive period if I listed them all so I’m gonna narrow it down to ten (tough but doable)

2014... the be all and end all, the sexual frustration, the inability to stay away from each other, literally so much tension you could ferment a brand new molecule with that chemistry

...compare it to now it’s absolutely complete sheer madness how far we’ve prospered through the good and the bad and the soul wrenching, I get quite overwhelmed that these two are still so deeply connected and nothing compares tbh

anyway I live and breathe pre affair era so let’s start this ten carefully chosen moments with that

When Aaron literally discreetly yet directly asked an engaged Robert out on a date without second thought??? like we don’t talk about that enough, before Robert actually faked a breakdown and before the first kiss of dreams, Aaron fully invited him for drinks as though they were best mates and he totally didn’t want to jump his bones lol a m a z i n g

Hotel one. There’s just something about Aaron’s soft, content smile as he wakes up and adjusts to his surroundings by realising he’d fallen asleep with Robert’s arm round him, and those bright blue puppy dog eyes blown with lust as he gazes at Robert’s thirsty af face and only-boxer-worn bod

When Aaron’s injured in the woods after that beautiful life shifting movement where they pretty much jumped into a relationship after spending a week in Robert’s marital home together. Aaron weakly calling out for him and Robert taking off his jacket to protect his frail, cold body as he high pitch panics and tries to tell the paramedics how to do their job :’))))

The abuse era. (It counts as one solid point okay I’m making the rules now) it’s harrowing and tragic and sad but also so wholesome and tentative and genuine. Robert totally being ride or die Aaron, like he just dedicates his whole life to him without even reconsidering his actions??? It’s all so normal and natural to him, there was no ulterior motive behind it, it was just Robert wanting Aaron to be ok and healthy, Aaron slowly growing to trust Robert again as he recognises Robert’s devotion, framing a best friend who have always been and are still in love but it’s not right to act on it dynamic “I’LL WAIT FOR YOU, TILL YOU’RE READY!!!!”, the pivotal reveal itself god it wrecks me every time AND THAT DAMN PLACEMENT OF THE BLANKET... high and mighty Robert Sugden sleeping on a hard floor all night because he wanted to be beside him MAXINE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING

SUPER SOAP WEEK THE LITERAL HIGHLIGHT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. This also counts as one, soz. The entire proposal mid argument as Aaron fails to recognise what may be happening even though an engagement ring is literally thrown in his face lmao just pure, golden, completely, absolutely robron. Robert revealing his biggest secret to the love of his life??? coming out to him for the first time???? he poured his heart out and Aaron’s heart exploded in return. Aaron’s quiver of his lip and teary eyes as Robert tells him about the farm hand, Robert looking away, Aaron having an outburst of love for the first time in forever bc all these feelings spilled out of him in such an intimate moment and he was determined to let Robert know how amazing he was bc it’s what he needed to hear!! the underwater scene of almost death (and literal death on my part)... do not even talk to me about that, thank you. The hospital bedside scene on the Friday - Robert squashed and curled up in a heap on that tiny chair in the corner, adamant he wasn’t going anywhere, not even home to change out of those dirty lake water garments bc no way was he leaving Aaron again, “Rob... Robert”, the fluff ruffle, the constant heart eyes, the second segment of the proposal where Robert was unwavering in his love for Aaron, telling him he’s all he wants, that soft little double kiss as he dove back in bc one literally wasn’t enough, the beaming smiles, the soft voices. It was all so wonderfully sweet and romantic??? every part of it bound them together and showed just how much they invented the word love like????? EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN RIGHT THEN JUST HOW MUCH THEY BOTH MEANT TO EACH OTHER AND HOW MUCH THEY KNOW EACH OTHER INSIDE OUT I would die for that week tbh

Pub quiz. A* content, and surprise content which made it even better. Working as a team to prove just how disgustingly bonded they are??? the playful fun and the gags and the impish comments, Robert calling everyone else but him and Aaron a peasant, Aaron saying his super suave fiance is now Hugh Grant because he buys his crisps in a tube, the signature tickling, the hug, the whispering in the ear, generally being the best most victorious and powerful couple in that goddamn village

The wedding vows in the garage. A dirty, oil stained garage where they first fucked, where the journey to soulmates began. That moment where Aaron was giggling at the whole bizarre ordeal that hadn’t really sunk in and then Robert said his name and his face just completely changes???? oh my god it ruins me absolute sentimental idiots who are so bloody in love with one another so much so that the rest of the world is blocked out and if there was to be an apocalypse they’d still be there savouring the moment

Goodbye scene. For obvious reasons. I don’t even need to say anymore do I?!?!

The mill reveal. To say the ons literally tore me in two, this episode was just stunningly directed and “my beautiful husband who I love” was born so nothing else matters really

A romantic picnic to aid my devastation. Robert just wanted to take Aaron out to take his mind off everything he’d been through and he literally just sat there on a blanket reminding him how he’s never had better??? the softest realest shit™

and one more to add bc it isn’t appreciated enough: when Robert was rooting through Bernice’s handbag that time during his mild scheming and he was so sure he’d fooled Aaron with his “I just wanted a tissue” makes me wee every time GIVE ROBRON MORE COMEDY 2k18

#this was so difficult i'm dying #i wanted to add so much more especially last christmas!!!!#can u believe this is how i've spent my christmas eve #robron #ask #long post #Anonymous

14 notes · View notes

motiveandthemeans · 6 years

Photo

Jughead was never one for silly love quotes, but he now understood the whole ‘when you’re in love you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams’ thing. From the minute he woke up to the minute he fell asleep and all the restless hours in between his only thoughts were Betty, Betty, Betty.

It had been a week since he’d had pizza at Betty’s and they’d fallen into a semi-routine. Each morning he’d text her good morning and wish her a good day at work, around lunch time they’d text a bit back and forth, make plans for the evening.

Monday they’d grabbed dinner at Pop’s and then made out in his truck for three hours. He had to admit, it never got old making out with a cheerleader in his truck.

Tuesday, Betty had the day off. They’d spent hours in her garage working on her grandfather’s old truck. She looked so cute in her overalls and converse Jughead couldn’t help but kiss her fervently on the tailgate of the Ford jalopy.

She’d had Wednesday off too, they’d gone to a double feature at the Bijou and well, considering they were the only two in the whole theater...they readily took advantage.

Thursday, Betty cooked them dinner after work (a mouthwatering pot pie) and they took Huck for a long walk. By the time they’d returned to her house, eaten, and opened a bottle of wine, Betty passed out halfway through Spider-Man. He’d gently laid her in her bed, kissing her forehead and left a note on her bedside table informing her that he’d call her tomorrow. And that she was cute when she snored.

Friday night, Betty got off work and met him at Zigler’s to watch The Oriole’s and The Red Sock’s game. Betty had worn black scrubs that day with the Oriole’s emblem on the left breast. Needless to say, she was sour when they lost.

And now today: Saturday. Betty was off for the day, but he knew she had promised to take the twins to a kite festival in Greendale.

‘Good morning, Betts. Try not to make anyone cry kite fighting this morning.’

He smirked sending it. Two minutes later, she’d responded.

‘I make no promises, the twins watched a YouTube video on it and I’ll admit to being that paranoid aunt.’

‘Make sure to send me pictures. Still on for tonight?’

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘I mean obviously yes. Just curious is all.’ She added the little upside down smiley face.

The bashful grin just would not leave his face.

‘I don’t know, nothing as exhilarating as kite flying that’s for sure.’

‘Ohhhhh I don’t know about that, I’m sure we can come up with some creative ways to entertain ourselves.’

Jughead smirked.

‘Now Betts, tread carefully. I’m a man of action.’

‘So Clue or Scrabble?’

The Serpent King let out a loud laugh.

‘You don’t stand a chance at beating me in Scrabble.’

‘The game is on, Juggie. Got to go, twins have spotted funnel cakes and I’m bound by a promise I made to always buy them pastries.’

Oh man, he was in deep. Way deep.

By 11:00 Jughead wanted to put his head through a wall.

“What do you mean you fucked up the deal?” He snapped at the four Serpents before him. “It was a simple deliver and collect. You take the iPhones to the cellphone store and get the money. How can you fuck this up?”

“The Ghoulie’s were everywhere, Jug!” Sack defended.

“They’d already shown up and delivered on a laptop bust they made-“

“I don’t care.” He said emphatically. “Find another buyer, I want those iPhones gone by the end of business today.”

The four nodded, slinking away and out the door. Jughead turned to Joaquin. “What about the weed?”

“All good, sold like hot cakes over at the local college.” Joaquin said. “Also some rich Northside dude, Hiram Lodge, asked to have a sit down. Said he has a business opportunity for us.”

“Lodge? What’s a big wig like him want?” Sweet Pea asked.

“Probably the usual: beat up the guy that’s shagging his old lady behind his back.”

“How much did he offer?”

“Gave us $30,000 up front.”

Tall Boy let out a whistle. “I reckon that merits a sit down.”

Jughead nodded in agreement. “Get me a file on him, I want to know everything.”

Jug’s phone pinged: Betty

It was a picture of Betty and two red heads about 10 years old (obviously Madison and Mason) floating in a hot air balloon. They all looked excited, though the boy looked a bit green but was obviously putting on a brave face.

‘We got bored of kites’ she tagged it.

Jug let a smile slip on his face.

‘Like I said, adrenaline junkie.’

“Ahhhhh, I know that face.” Sweet Pea chided, shoving his shoulder playfully. “Nurse Betty strikes again.”

“Shut up.” He replied, though he was still smiling.

“Serious about this girl, huh?” Tall Boy said. “That’s good. ‘Bout time you settled in.”

“Yeah, a Doctor no less.” Joaquin teased. “I don’t get it, how has a guy who’s never had a serious girlfriend land a Doctor of Nursing Practice and I’m still banging closeted Northside dad’s in khaki’s.”

“Because he has self-respect?” Sweet Pea offered. Joaquin lunges across the bar smacking his head in jest.

“So when are you bringing her back around man? Are you ashamed of us?” Joaquin continued. “I mean, she knows everything, right?”

“...She doesn’t ask.” The leader replied, running his hands through his hair. “Which...is fine.”

“She’s not ignorant, Jug. She’s gonna figure it out.”

“I know, I know...”

“Well, the good news is she’s only here for a few more weeks anyway so you don’t have to worry about it for too long.”

“Wait, what? What are you talking about?” Jughead interjected.

“Betty, her contract is up in like 10 weeks or something.” Joaquin said. “What did you forget she’s a travel nurse?”

Jughead sighed. “Uhhh...Yeah. I guess I did.”

“Hiram Lodge, President and CEO of Lodge industries. Originally from Brazil, educated at Oxford, married to a smokin hot mamacita named Hermione, parents are from Mexico but she’s a natural born citizen of the U.S., she grew up in Riverdale and moved to New York after graduating high school with honors she moved to the Big Apple. They met at a restaurant she was working at in Brooklyn. She attended City College and got a degree in business. They have one daughter, Veronica, who came to Riverdale in her sophomore year of high school after her father was incarcerated for a few months for running a Ponzi Scheme. There, the heiress met her now fiancé Archibald Andrews. She attended NYU, he went to Julliard-“

“Wait, Archibald Andrews?” Sweet Pea interrupted. “As in Archie Andrews? I love that guy! He’s going to perform at the VMA’s this year. Think Hiram will get us tickets?”

“I think fucking not.” Tall Boy guffawed.

“I’m not sure it’s smart to mix business and family dynamics.” Jughead resolved.

“Errr, well, you see Boss...this is where it gets...sticky.” Joaquin sputtered.

“What?” Jughead groaned in exasperation.

“Veronica Briseda Lodge is Elizabeth Jane Cooper’s best friend.” Joaquin explained. “Betty grew up next door to Archie Andrews. In fact, according to the engagement announcement her parents had posted in The Register, Betty and the Sherrif’s kid were the one’s that set them up. She’s the maid of honor and some guy named Reggie Mantle is the best man.”

“Veronica. Betts talks about a girl named Ronnie, she sometimes calls her V. Well...fuck.”

“Hey I know that guy, Mantle!” Guy, a prospective new Serpent exclaimed. “He was QB for Riverdale High, dude was a tool if I ever met one. I remember that Andrews kid being cool though. Doesn’t his dad own a construction company?”

“Yeah, Andrew’s Contacting or something.” Tall Boy said, turning his gaze to Jughead. “Your old man used to work with him back in the day.”

“Huh, small world.” Sweet Pea mused.

“Small fucking town is more like it.” He growled in response.

He could make it work. Jughead was confident that he could find a way to date Betty without disclosing that her best friend’s father’s illicit activities with the Serpents

He could also work with the fact that she’s leaving in January. No biggie. They would figure out, live in the moment until they did.

What he was positive he couldn’t hide was the black eyes, busted lip, and bruised ribs he’d gotten in a brawl with Ghoulies.

And the fact that he was seven hours late for dinner at Betty’s.

The rival gang attempted to crash the meeting with Lodge, a flamboyant way of trying to prove they were the one’s to be doing business with.

Malachi had sucker punched him out of nowhere and after that it was all a blur of fist and kicks till the Serpents were victorious.

He sat in his office at the Whyte Wyrm, using a pack of peas in lieu of an ice pack and scrolled through his phone.

Two missed calls and three texts from Betty.

‘Dinner’s ready!’ Read the first at 6:47

‘Jughead it’s getting pretty late. Are you still coming?’ 9:40

‘Night.’ 11:30.

Well, there was no escaping it now. The honeymoon bubble had officially burst. Reality had set in and Jughead needed to face the music like a man.

He didn’t feel that guilty showing up to her house at a quarter till two knowing she had Sunday’s off for Brunch with friends and dinner with her family.

He rang her phone as his truck pulled into her driveway.

One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Four-

“Hmmm, h...ello? This is B-Betty (yawn) Cooper.”

Even in her sleep she answered the phone as if she were at work.

“Betts, it’s me. Jug.”

“Jug? W-what time is it?” She asked pulling her phone from her face. “Christ it’s nearly 2 a.m.”

He winced. “I know, look, I’m outside your house. Can we talk, please?”

He could sense her pursing her lips in thought.

“Please, Betts. I can explain. I’m sorry about tonight, so so sorry.”

“Alright, Alright.” She sighed into the phone. “It’s better this be done in person anyway, I suppose.”

Jughead jumped from the truck, racing to the door where he waited patiently for ire of a scorned Betty Cooper.

And he’d grovel till dawn if that’s what it took to keep her.

#riverdale #Betts #betty x jughead #Betty is a nurse #betty cooper #bughead #jughead jones #juggie #jug is serpent leader

4 notes · View notes

floralicious · 7 years

Text

dynamic lives, static signals: part 1

telephone blues

Crossposted on ao3

part 2

Summary: Alfendi is tired, and Kat just wants her brother to keep in touch. Lucy is... otherwise occupied. A movie night.

Relationships: Lucy Baker/Hilda Pertinax, Katrielle Layton/Pipper Lowonida

Rating: T for language and implied sex

“And that about wraps up the Simmons case, Prof.”

Lucy dropped the file on the Prof’s desk, where he was sitting and studying another open case file.

“Thank you, Lucy,” said Alfendi absentmindedly. “I'll double-check it later.” He kept looking at the page in front of him, eyes glazing over as they moved back and forth pointlessly.

Lucy gazed down at the Prof. “You quite alright?” It looked almost as if he was going to fall asleep. Just watching him made Lucy drowsy. As her eyelids started to drop, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

“Yes, just tired. The amount of homicides going on recently is a tad overwhelming. I appreciate your help with all these cases.” While Alfendi spoke, Lucy took out her mobile .

Text from: Kit Kat

make sure al is coning to movie nite 2day

It buzzed again.

the basrrerd was “sick” last weel

“Hey Prof, Katrielle wants to know if you’ll be at my flat later for movie night,” Lucy said. “We’re watching some Rector film with Leonardo diCameo and Cate Quinslet, if that's any incentive.”

Alfendi sighed. “Tell my sister it will take a little more than a romance film to get me to see her.”

Lucy started typing.

Text to: Kit Kat

I don't think he wants to come. Seems dead tired if you ask me.

Text from: Kit Kat

tell that asdhole I’m getting the good pizza and mr. lipsli’s cookies

and if he doesn't come I'll make sure he ends up on a mysteey room caae file

“She's getting the good pizza from that place by Guildhall. And cookies from the bakery on Chancer Lane,” Lucy read from her phone.

“Plus she said, and I quote, 'if he doesn't come I’ll make sure he ends up in a Mystery Room case file.’ I think she means as the victim, Prof.”

Alfendi got up from his seat behind the desk. “Fine. Tell Katrihell I'll be there. Your flat is near hers, correct?”

“Aye, P. Usle Avenue. I'm number 33, just shoot me a text when you get there,” Lucy said. She smiled, writing a quick confirmation message to Kat before slipping her mobile back into her pocket.

“That being said, I've got to get back. Hilda will have my hide if I don't clean the flat before we have guests, and we've finished enough cases for today, dontcha think?” Lucy glanced back at the Prof for confirmation, but he was already buried deep in his case file.

“Yes, fine. See you later,” he mumbled.

As she walked out the door, Lucy shouted over her shoulder at the Prof. “It's at seven! Don't be late!”

Alfendi sat, stewing in his car. Traffic was a nightmare come to life at six o'clock on a Friday evening, apparently, and the unusually warm fall weather helped nothing. The inspector was sweltering in his turtleneck, even without his lab coat.

For fuck’s sake, he thought. I thought rush hour was over when I got home. Cars honked all around him, but Alfendi just looked out the windshield and mourned the loss of a quiet night at home.

Damn Kat and her damn movie nights. Why can't she just call me like a normal person to catch up? And I bet she's bringing her damn girlfriend too. Two goddamned couples and I'll be fifth wheeling. Good thinking, Al. You give in to your goddamned kid sister and now tonight will be louder than Dolly Hollerday at a kids’ concert.

Traffic started to move, and Alfendi moved with it. He supposed seeing Katrielle again wouldn't be so bad, but it had only been two weeks since they had last seen each other. One if you counted the time she dropped into his office on business. But he liked Lucy’s place, and Hilda would be there. The movie didn't sound so bad either.

This could be fun, thought Alfendi as he made his way through the still-busy streets. He braked suddenly, jerking himself forward as another car cut him off at an intersection.

“Dickwad!” He yelled out the window, shoving out a hand with one finger raised. Or maybe not so much.

Lucy opened the door almost right as Alfendi sent her a text. Over an hour later, he had managed to find P. Usle Avenue again. By the time he arrived it was 7:14 P.M., and the whole party was already there.

“Hiya, Prof!” Lucy beamed at him, and Alfendi returned the smile.

“Hello, Lucy. Sorry I'm late.” He stepped into the modest flat, which was filled with knickknacks and bright colors. His former co-worker was sitting on a large couch in the living area, typing something on a laptop.

“Hi, Al,” said Hilda, barely glancing up from her work. “Good to see you.”

Alfendi smiled. “Likewise, Hilda. It's been too long. You really ought to accompany Lucy to the Yard more oft- oof!”

Katrielle Layton had jumped on him, smothering him in a tight hug around the neck.

“Big brother!” She squealed.

“Hey… Kat… rielle…” Alfendi croaked out. He spotted a blonde-haired woman occupying a chair next to Hilda. “Hello… Mayor-” he gasped- “...Lowonida.”

“Just Pipper is fine, Inspector,” said the mayor through her giggles.

Kat released him, and Alfendi took a few huge breaths. “Jesus, Katrihell. Are you actually trying to kill me? After I showed up and everything?”

“Yes, because you missed last week's movie night!” Kat said in a voice suspiciously close to a growl. “I’ve been worried sick, not to mention you looked terrible when I saw you at the office last week. You look even worse now, you silly boy.

“Have you slept at all this week? And look at this. Roots, Al.” Kat reached up and pulled the top of his head towards her, frowning at the brown hair around his part.

Alfendi, head still bowed, met Kat’s eyes. “Sorry that making a living is keeping me from dyeing my hair,” he jibed. “We're a bit stressed up at the Mystery Room.”

“Wait, Prof, your hair color isn't natural?” Lucy had taken a seat and was leaning on Hilda.

“Nope!” chirped Katrielle. “He dyed it this color when he was- what were you, Al, seventeen?” Alfendi nodded in agreement.

“Around that time.”

“Oh Lu, you should have seen it! Dad was so shocked, I thought his eyes might fall out,” Kat said.

Hilda looked up and grinned. “Al made me and Justin help touch up his roots in school because he didn't want to pay for a professional.” Lucy laughed at this and buried her face in Hilda’s shoulder.

“Enough about my hair, how about the movie? And food? I only came because we're getting the good pizza,” Alfendi grumbled.

Katrielle’s eyes lit up like stars. “Oh, the pizza should be delivered any minute! I can’t wait! Pipper, you set up the movie so we can start it as soon as the food gets here, right?”

“All taken care of, darling,” the mayor said from her seat. “It's like you care about the food more than me!”

“Mmm…” mumbled Kat as she watched the door, waiting for a knock.

Soon the detective got her wish, and flung open the door. She hurriedly paid the delivery girl and toted a stack of pizza boxes in.

“Okay…” she said. “A medium Hawaiian for Al and Hilda…” Katrielle pushed a box into Alfendi's arms. He moved to sit next to Hilda, forcing Lucy to release her girlfriend and sit amongst several cushions instead. Hilda snapped shut her computer at last and turned her attention to the food.

Lucy took a pizza box offered to her by Kat. “Large pepperoni?” she asked.

“Enjoy,” Kat replied with a wink.

She handed Mayor Lowonida a small box. “A personal cheese pizza for my beautiful lady-” she sat down as close as possible to Pipper “- and two almost-everything pizzas for me!”

“How are you going to eat all that?” Alfendi scoffed. “Jesus, Kat. Good thing you bike everywhere.”

Katrielle frowned. “Well, I don't understand how pineapple on pizza could possibly taste good to anybody. How you two can stand it might be the only mystery I can't solve.”

“Oh, shut up,” Alfendi said, though he was smiling.

The mayor pressed a button on the remote, and the movie started.

“Ah, what romance!” said Lucy around a mouthful of pizza. “They knew right away that they were meant to be, even bein’ strangers to each other.”

“I think our love is just as strong, dear,” said Hilda. She dabbed at her mouth before moving to the other end of the couch. She sat next to Lucy once more and kissed her cheek.

“As is ours,” Pipper said. Katrielle smiled at her. Kat leaned her head on Pipper’s shoulder and took another bite of pizza.

“What about you, Al?” Kat said, mouth still full. “Anyone special I should know about? I don't know anything about your life, seeing as you haven't called me.” With this she gave Alfendi a pointed look.

He considered flipping her off, but decided to just speak. He didn't really care about disturbing the movie at this point. “Well, prospects have dwindled. I haven't met anyone worth dating in ages. Not that it's your business what my love life looks like, Katrihell.”

“Hmmm,” murmured Kat, eyes on the screen. “All I'm saying is that Ernest is available.”

Alfendi just looked at his sister, dumbstruck. Once again, he thought about giving her the finger. “Are you nuts? I'm at least ten years older than that poor kid! At least! Not to mention how you led him on, the sap.”

“I pay him now! And-”

“Y’know, I were jus’ talkin’ to an old friend of mine. She’s a pretty lass if I ever met one, and clever too. I'm sure I could convince her to go on a date with you, Prof,” piped Lucy.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Lucy, but it's really a non-issue. Dating isn't an important part of life right now. Work is the priority.” Now it was Alfendi's turn to give a pointed look to Kat.

She studiously ignored him in favor of the film. Alfendi grumbled indistinctly as he shoved a chunk of pineapple into his mouth. He grabbed a pillow from the couch and lay down on it, settling down to watch the movie.

“Al? Come on, wake up.” Katrielle shook her brother. Alfendi was passed out on Lucy’s sofa. He had shoved a pizza box to the floor.

Katrielle was trying desperately not to wake Lucy and Hilda, who had fallen asleep snuggling together.

She continued to shake Alfendi. “Wha? Kat, what’re you-”

“Shhhhh,” she said, pointing to the cuddling couple.

“What's going on?” asked Alfendi. He was whispering this time.

“The movie’s over. Come on, you can stay in my flat, it's just down the street. Flora’s room is empty since she's in America.” Kat paused and tugged on Alfendi's arm. “Up with you now.”

She dragged the man off of the couch. He reluctantly walked out the door with her, too tired to really understand what was going on. Katrielle waved an arm at Pipper, asking her to join them.

The trio walked down Kat's street. It was lit by sturdy street lights, the kind nice to look at. Everyone walked in silence as they admired the few stars above.

Kat thought to herself how idyllic it was. A perfect night.

They entered Katrielle's flat. It was marked by a pretty blue door,which creaked upon being opened.

Pipper flipped a light switch, illuminating the dark hall.

“I can drive back to my home, Kat,” said Alfendi, now at full volume and full attention.

“Hush, it's late and I've got an empty room. Plus, your place is across town. You're staying,” Kat replied.

Pipper silently moved to Katrielle's own room, while Kat and Alfendi headed towards Flora's. Alfendi immediately flopped into the tidy bed.

“I miss Flora,” he said.

“Me too,” said Kat, “but she wouldn't appreciate having your shoes on her bed.”

Alfendi laughed and moved to remove his shoes. “Thanks for letting me stay, Kat. Really.”

“Goodnight,” she sing-songed as she closed the door.

“Love you,” said Alfendi.

“I love you too, big bro,” Kat said through the cracked door. “Now sleep. You need it.”

Katrielle walked down to her room, where she found Pipper undressing. “Now that we're alone…” said Kat, “what am I going to do with you?”

They both grinned.

end

Thanks for reading!

A/N: This is probably super out of character but I don't really care

(P.S. I'm sorry if I butchered any accents please forgive my American ignorance)

Clarifications:

Timeline: Set sometime shortly after Millionaire's Conspiracy.

Nicknames: Alfendi calls Kat "Katrihell" because hell is what she gives him (haha I think I'm funny). Lucy kalls her "Kit Kat" because she's sweet.

Kat's cursing- She doesn't curse out loud as it's not very gentlewomanly, but has no qualms about cussing out her brother over text. He is, after all, the one who taght her every curse in the book.

The living situation- Kat and the mayor alternate between each other's homes. Flora lived in Kat's spare room for a month or so, but has since returned to her life and career. ( I think she's significantly older than Kat and Alfendi because she couldn't have been younger than 12-14 when Al was adopted or born. This is assuming he was adopted as an infant.)

Flora's location: Flora is in America with parties who will probably become named in a shorter follow-up fic.

Technology- If someone tries to tell me they have a crime scene simulator but not cell phones in the Laytonverse I'm going to scream.

#katrielle layton #professor layton #layton's mystery journey #alfendi layton #lucy baker #hilda pertinax #ernest greeves #flora reinhold #layton brothers mystery room #mystery room #laytonida #bakinax #professor layton fanfiction #layfic

4 notes · View notes

nickireadstfc · 7 years

Text

The Foxhole Court, Chapter 11 – Orange Sportsball Gets The Fuck Real

In which the Foxes play their first match of the season, I have questions about American college sports, my Percy Jackson obsession has a brief cameo, and I’m sadly less excited about Actual Sportsball Games than I should be.

Sounds good? Then it’s time for Nicki to read The Foxhole Court.

Thursday’s excitement had nothing on Friday’s. The whole school got decked out overnight with vibrant orange and white streamers. Ribbons and banners hung off every sidewalk lamp. Live student bands took over the amphitheater for short concerts and the student newspaper released that morning gave details for the afternoon parade.

Is that, like…………. Normal behavior on game days?? Actual American high school/college students, please confirm. Is this an actual thing???

I mean, I know y’all are big on sports and school spirit, but this big??

Please understand my confusion: At my school, no one fucking gave a shit about the sports teams. I didn’t even know when anyone had games/competitions unless we got told afterwards who won what brilliant award now, and even then like 5% of us cared. And I can’t speak for my uni yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same there as well. Do German unis even have sports teams?

I always liked to make fun of High School Musical 3 for having those giant ass banners displaying the athletes hanging in the halls. I am now starting to realize that might be perfectly normal for American schools.

What the fuck.

Also, Neil officially came out now – as a member of the Foxes, that is, of course.

Neil wanted to cut class and hide at Fox Tower until game time, but athletes weren’t allowed to call out without a legitimate medical excuse. Someone from the athletics committee went around all day counting heads through classroom windows, and Wymack would be the first to hear Neil was absent.

They seriously stalk their students all day in fear they might be skipping class? And these students are in college, they are grown adults, not 14-year-olds. Again, is this a thing, what the fuck??

Then again, we’re talking about the country who invented hall passes. This is probably not the craziest thing around.

Fortunately, the Foxes decide to display their first sign of group solidarity in these trying times and guide Neil from class to class. This is a really small detail, but I love it.

I’m imagining Neil as a lil baby duck who obediently follows a big spikey-haired Matt duck, a small white-pastel-y Renee duck or a glamorous blonde Allison duck, wagging behind them in a tiny duck-sized jersey.

Although, when you think about it, they’re all just lil baby ducks following a big Wymack momma duck.

(Someone draw me fanart, I’m BEGGING YOU.)

I’m getting off track. Back to the plot.

Andrew hadn’t lied to Neil back in May. In almost every article that talked of Neil’s pathetic experience Kevin was quoted as having high hopes for him. Kevin really had said that Neil would one day be Court.

Because this is the second time this has come up: What exactly does “being Court” mean?? Like, being Captain? Being MVP? Also, is this a regular sports expression or is is Exy-exclusive? Exyclusive?? Help.

A small silver lining of future hilariousness appears on the horizon: An Exy kickoff banquet is going to happen sometime in the next few chapter, and I am HYPED. This chaotic mess of a team + all their rivals + dates + drinks can only equal a Massive Fun Time™.

Fun for us, not for them, might I add. I am dying to see this.

“[Renee] hasn’t asked [Andrew] yet, but it’s inevitable. (…) Money’s on the table as to whether or not he says yes. Pot’s getting pretty big, so get your bet in fast.”

The only thing the Foxes had in common besides Exy and hardship was their strange obsession with betting on the stupidest things. Neil had figured that out only two weeks into practice. A week didn’t go by when there wasn’t money on something or another.

A team after my own heart <3 Can I join? I can never find anyone to bet on dumb things in my own circle of friends.

Will I throw this piece of paper in the bin on my first shot? Will the bus be late? Will Friend A and B hook up tonight? Will I lose my (nonexistent) emotional sanity to this series before the last book is over?

I don’t know about the others, but the last one is 100% happening.

“There’s something we haven’t told you yet,” Dan said. (…) “So Andrew’s technically legally required to take his medication, right? (…) He struck a bargain of his own with Coach. The only reason he signed with us is because Coach agreed to let him come off his drugs for game nights.”

Is this supposed to come as a big plot twist? Because I kind of saw that coming. 10 bucks says Andrew comes off his meds for all Important Moments.

*insert yet another rant about the negative portrayal of mental health meds as barbaric mind-numbing, mania-inducing ~happy pills~ here*

Anyways, back to game day!! Our beloved foxy nutcases are playing against the Breckenridge Jackals, which is shaping up to be a Fun Time™ as they are apparently the biggest bullies around (second only to the Edgar Allan Murder Mob Clique, of course).

However, when faced with his impending wipe-out on the court, our favourite Sassmaster McSavage reaches new levels of Hell Fuckin Yeah:

“[Gorilla] will break every bone in your body if you give him the chance.”

“Don’t worry, though,” Matt said. “He’ll probably be too busy killing Kevin and Seth to notice you.”

“This is my reassured face,” Neil said, pointing up at his blank expression.

SAVAGE.

I actually laughed so hard at that. This is some Percy Jackson level of sass right there.

Come to think about it, I want the entire AFTG series narrated by Percy Jackson, especially the chapter titles.

“I Am Offered A Foxy Deal”

“My Troubled Past Comes Back To Haunt My Ass”

“I Get Dragged Into Some Gay Shit”

“We Kick Serious Jackal Butt, Sort Of”

Remind me to make a full post of that once I’ve finished the series.

Off topic again. Sorry.

Before we finally begin the actual match (and wow, it’s 1.1k words already), Nicky seems to finally get the mental slaps I’ve been sending him since a few chapters ago:

Nicky looked at Neil. “Hey,” he said, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk after… Well. I wanted to say sorry, but I kept chickening out. Are we okay?”

“I don’t know yet,” Neil said.

Nicky weighed that for a minute, then sighed and said, “Fair enough.”

Deep sigh. Who are we kidding, I can never resist a self-aware comic relief, Nicky, you’re still one of my faves. At least he knows he fucked up.

And now, finally: It’s Orange Sportsball time!!

Time for fast-paced sports action, balls flying, racquets hitting, body-checks left and right, a flurry of energy and emotion… that I simply can’t get behind.

I’m sorry, you guys, but I found myself having to double- and triple-read passages here in order to keep up with who is standing where, who is passing to whom and just generally what exactly is going on. Maybe it has to do with my own lack of interest for any sports involving balls (or actually any sports that isn’t dance, cheer, or anything involving performance), but I’m not really excited about this whole game part, to put it mildly.

Don’t get me wrong: I am loving the emotions attached to it. Solidarity, passion, group dynamics and character development shown on the field, give me all that good shit. I just couldn’t care less about who’s passing to who. Forgive me.

Did someone say passion and group dynamics?

Neil’d watched his teammates fall apart to in-fighting all summer long, but now he finally saw them as a whole. As much as the Foxes disliked each other at times, they disliked their opponents more. They were still too fractured to be truly great, but they were good enough to give him chills.

This is shaping up to be good, you guys.

I can only imagine the sheer gloriousness in the upcoming books when Kandreil finally get their shit together and play on the field as a beautiful unstoppable three-way killing machine. I WILL DIE.

Twenty minutes into the game, Seth is crushed against a wall by three hundred pounds of pure douchebaggery – and I actually do feel sorry for him, not gonna lie – which means it’s time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for:

“Going on for Seth Gordon is freshman Neil Josten, number ten, of Millport, Arizona.”

Neil wondered if casket lids sounded like court doors being shut.

Ah yes, thank you for reminding me, even in the face of impending doom, how incredibly extra our boy Josten is.

“A national champion and an amateur? South Carolina’s gotten even crazier than usual.”

“An amateur and a cripple, you mean,” the dealer said.

Andrew slammed his racquet against the goal, making several athletes jump and drawing more than a few wary looks his way.

This is such a small detail but it’s the /best/. Nobody insults my boyfriends in front of me, fuckface.

Bla bla bla more sports bla bla, I’m putting everything remotely interesting that’s happening in a bullet list because let’s be honest, it’s not fucking much.

Neil scores! Twice! Good boy.

Matt takes a card for the team by punching the fuck out of Gorilla, what a babe.

Also, his mom is a professional boxer? When can we meet her. I’m always a sucker for strong women who could kick my ass.

Gorilla has been hitting Kevin’s hand on purpose all the time, which is not cool, yet not surprising, ain’t no honour in Exy injuries, apparently.

That is it, my dudes.

Writing the next chapter on a coach (yet again) as I’ll be visiting some friends in NRW, so I’ll be coming to you live from my Prime Flixbus Office Space, let’s see how that works out. Till next time, ily all. <3

#tfc #the foxhole court #the raven king #the kings men #nora sakavic #nicki reads tfc #would you look at that!!! I'm on time!!!!#amazing #don't get used to it

95 notes · View notes

toomanysinks · 5 years

Text

Transportation Weekly: Tesla astroturfs, Softbank flexes, BMW and Daimler hookup, What is a Jelbi?

Welcome back to Transportation Weekly; I’m your host Kirsten Korosec, senior transportation reporter at TechCrunch. This is the third edition of our tome, I mean newsletter, and this week let’s settle in for a mind meld on why logistics is the new Hansel, a curious Tesla subsidiary, and discover a new mobility species called the Jelbi.

Never heard of TechCrunch’s Transportation Weekly? Catch up here and here. As I’ve written before, consider this a soft launch. Follow me on Twitter @kirstenkorosec to ensure you see it each week. (An email subscription is coming).

Brrruummmmm.

ONM …

There are OEMs in the automotive world. And here, (wait for it) there are ONMs — original news manufacturers. (Cymbal clash!) This is where investigative reporting, enterprise pieces and analysis on transportation lives.

This week, Mark Harris is back with a story about Tesla. This focuses on the company’s energy business, or more specifically, the opaqueness around its lobbying efforts in the energy sector. Follow him on Twitter @meharris.

Inside Tesla’s solar energy astroturfing

Yes, this is a transportation newsletter. We get it. But Tesla has long pushed itself as a sustainable energy company that covers the entire ecosystem — solar power, energy storage, and electric vehicles. We’ll continue to look through the dozens of Tesla subsidiaries, most of them related to solar, to see what else pops up.

In other Tesla news, ARK Invest has CEO Elon Musk on a podcast; Tesla files its 10K, Consumer Reports pulls its recommendation for the Model 3 and data firm JATO Dynamics declares that the Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling electric car in the world in 2018.

Dig In

This week, I wanted to highlight a recent conversation with May Mobility co-founder and COO Alisyn Malek.

May Mobility, an autonomous shuttle company, announced last week a $22 million funding round. This week, the company started testing its third AV shuttle service; this time, it’s in Rhode Island.

May Mobility’s AV shuttle will travel a 5-mile route, its longest to date, along the Woonasquatucket River corridor with 12 stops, from Olneyville to Providence Station. The “Little Roady Shuttle,” as it’s being called, can carry up to five passengers and an attendant. The vehicles began testing this week on low-volume roads as the initial phase of a pilot project scheduled to launch this spring.

Malek said a curious thing to me when we last spoke. In the midst of explaining the differences in complexity between its route in Detroit and Rhode Island, she referred to May Mobility as a transportation service provider.

That’s not unusual, this is an AV shuttle company after all. Except that unlike so many AV startups, May Mobility seems to put the transportation service part ahead of, or at least on equal footing, with its AV efforts.

Malek spent so much time explaining the logistics piece of managing the service, I had to jump in and say “I realize the AV component is important for May Mobility, but it seems almost incidental in the problem you’re trying to solve.”

Malek responded. “Yeah.”

She elaborated. “It’s going to take 10 to 15 years for an AV to cover a whole urban area,” she added. “When you think about the validation and the reliability that needs to have been done and demonstrated before you pull that safety driver, well that’s a really big cross section of things you need to validate and verify.”

Malek also told me that May Mobility will continue to expand into new markets and double down on places it’s already operating, which includes Columbus, Ohio and Detroit.

A little bird …

We hear a lot. But we’re not selfish. Let’s share.

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I’ll be vetting these over the next few weeks or so.

We’ve heard from a couple of sources that top engineers are fleeing one of the larger self-driving car startups. Poaching between AV startups is common. We’re looking into whether something else is at play.

Also … not a tip, but something worth tracking, and perhaps a tidbit that not everyone noticed.

Under the Flexport-Softbank deal, Softbank’s Michael Ronen will join Flexport’s board and director Ed Shrager comes on as a board observer. Here’s the interesting part: CEO Ryan Petersen will retain majority control of the company, as Forbes reports. That’s notable considering investors are giving up so much control to founders, even while drowning them in capital.

Got a tip or overheard something in the world of transportation? Email me or send a direct message to @kirstenkorosec.

Deal of the week

Another day, another Softbank Vision Fund deal.

This time, Softbank led a $1 billion funding round in Flexport, a San Francisco-based full-service air and ocean freight forwarder.

Logistics” they’re so hot right now. If Amazon is the Derek Zoolander of logistics, perhaps Softbank is Hansel. Just go with it.

Softbank put $2.25 billion into self-driving car startup GM Cruise last year. It is also backing ride-hailing companies Didi and Uber, peer-to-peer car-sharing company Getaround, Alibaba Local Services, DoorDash, Full Truck Alliance, Grofers, autonomous delivery robot startup Nuro and ParkJockey.

I reached out to Softbank dealmaker Michael Ronen and asked what’s the big idea? His response:

Transportation and logistics are massive markets that are being disrupted by technology. Ride-sharing companies have used mobile computing and AI to create a whole new market for moving people and goods. We see additional opportunities in long-haul trucking, warehouse management, robotics inside and outside warehouses, last-mile logistics (including parking), and other areas.

We believe the opportunities to modernize these pieces of the value chain are very significant and still largely untapped. Similar to the shift in TV and media consumption to on-demand and on-the-move, consumers are more and more expecting to get what they want, when they want it, where they want it – with little to zero delivery costs. Amazon has created a massive ecosystem to enable such an experience. The rest of the world is playing catch up. We believe the companies we’ve backed are making significant strides to enable such experiences, and that there’s still a lot of opportunity ahead both in the U.S. and abroad.

So it looks like it’s shaping up to be “all the transportation and logistics companies backed by Softbank” versus Amazon.

Other deals that got our attention this week:

Zoba raises $3 million to help mobility companies predict demand

Clutter confirms Softbank-led $200M investment for its on-demand storage service

Flipkart founder Sachin Basal invests $92M in Ola

Moijo, the connected car SaaS platform provider, raised $40 million a Series B round that included included a strategic investment from Assurant as well as Bosch and T-Mobile.

On-demand logistics startup Lalamove raises $300M for Asia growth

Snapshot

If this image leaves you scratching your head, you’re not alone.

BMW and Daimler, which had agreed last year to merge their urban mobility services into a single holding company, announced Friday plans to unify these services and sink $1.1 billion into the effort. Also this week: Daimler moves its big date platform to the cloud.

TechCrunch’s Romain Dillet chimes in on what this all means. In short: a hot mess.

Daimler and BMW know how to make cars, but they really don’t know how to brand mobility services. Last year, they both agreed to merge their mobility services under one roof with each company owning a 50 percent stake.

But after many acquisitions and poor branding decisions, it became a confusing mess. You know how they could have cleaned up their mess? By choosing descriptive names and leaving the past behind. Instead, they’re creating five joint ventures with names that look like some services that already exist, but not quite. They’re also investing $1.1 billion in those services.

The best way to avoid a headache is by looking at this chart. Each line represents a joint venture. ChargeNow is now Charge Now, free-floating rental services DriveNow and Car2Go are now Share Now (yes, Drive Now wasn’t good enough), all the parking services are now unified under Park Now (that one was easy), all the ride-hailing services are regrouped under Free Now, and ReachNow and moovel are becoming Reach Now (even though ReachNow is a ride-hailing service but I give up).

It gets a lot more confusing when you realize that some services will merge while others won’t. mytaxi announced that it would become Free Now, but Chauffeur-Privé just changed its name to Kapten for instance. Goodbye now.

— Romain Dillet

Tiny but mighty micromobility

Scooters have received mixed responses in cities. But data from cities’ respective pilot programs generally show that people like them more than they hate them.

A survey from the city and county of Denver, Colo. found that 32 percent of respondents (bike riders, scooter riders and non-riders) “love” scooters in the city, with 26 percent saying they don’t like them, but may like them if some changes are made.

Meanwhile, over in Los Angeles, the city’s Department of Transportation received applications from 11 dockless mobility companies to operate in the city. Collectively, those 11 companies sought permission to operate 37.7K dockless bikes and scooters.

For the operators selected, LADOT requires them to conform to its Mobility Data Specification, which entails the collection of data pertaining to vehicle type, trip duration, trip cost, trip parking verification and more.

LADOT started accepting permit applications in January and required companies to submit by February 15. LADOT says it expects to make a decision next month pertaining to which companies can participate in the one-year pilot.

Notable reads

One item this week. Trucks. (One side note, I was going to include Apple’s ADS report issued to NHTSA. And then I read it. Not much there except a tiny insight in what they require for their safety drivers. But in case you’re interested, read it here.

A recent report from McKinsey called Route 2030 – The Fast Track to the Future of Commercial Industry report, got our attention. It charts out the rise of e-commerce and shortage of truck drivers as well as the emerging trend of autonomous trucks.

New opportunities are driven by three major trends: alternative powertrains, autonomous vehicles, and connectivity. These could add another $3 billion to the profit pool by 2030.

Total global OEM profits to increase by $5.6 billion to about $18.3 billion by 2030, resulting in a slight industry profitability increase from 6.6 percent in 2017 to 6.7 percent in 2030.

Other quotable notables:

Wired’s take on self-driving car jargon; The Information’s organizational chart on GM Cruise; and Lytx, which provides fleet management services like video telematics and vehicle tracking for fleets, crunched data that identifies the top 10 roads for cell phone use in the U.S.

Testing and deployments

Deployments don’t always mean AVs. This week, Berlin’s public transit authority, BVG introduced Jelbi.

What is a Jelbi? It’s is a mobility app (powered by technology from Trafi and branded under BVG) that is designed to cover all the ways people travel, including by public train and bus, bike share, car-sharing, scooters and ride-hailing.

These one-stop mobility apps are a bit like rainbows. We can see them and they’re beautiful, but they don’t last. That’s not to say they’re not valuable. THEY ARE. Seamless travel for everyone from Point A to Point B is the goal.

But some struggle to get every mode, or every competitor within a particular mode, onto one app. Sometimes the app just isn’t so great. Or it’s great and no ones knows about it.

In the case of Jelbi, it looks like it’s off to a good start. People tell me that BVG and Trafi want to get 25 providers onto the app. So far, they have about 15, including Cambio, Emmy, Lime, Jump, Mobileeee, Miles, Mobike, and Taxi Berlin to name a few. Will the new combined and confusing Daimler-BMW joint venture add its Berlin-based services to the app? We’ll watch for it.

Other interesting stuff:

Citymapper announces subscription service for multiple transportation methods

On our radar

The Geneva Auto Show is coming up and there will be no shortage of electric vehicle concepts. Volkswagen, Peugeot, Kia are teasing them. But there’s one reveal preceding Geneva that TechCrunch is particularly interested in and that’s Polestar.

I met Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath in August during Monterey Car Week. I meet lots of passionate CEOs and co-founders. And Ingenlath didn’t disappoint. As we chatted over dinner I was struck by his design background and his ideology. Ingenlath is a car designer by trade and he had some interesting ideas about what people want and what works.

On Feb. 27, Polestar is going to live stream an unveiling of the Polestar 2, the first fully-electric car from the Volvo Group and the world debut of Google’s new in-car HMI system. Just set your alarm (for U.S. and Canada folks) and head to their website. The reveal starts at 4 am PT.

Thanks for reading. There might be content you like or something you hate. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] to share those thoughts, opinions or tips.

Nos vemos la próxima vez.

source https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/24/transportation-weekly-tesla-astroturfs-softbank-flexes-bmw-and-daimler-hookup-what-is-a-jelbi/

0 notes

fmservers · 5 years

Text

Transportation Weekly: Tesla astroturfs, Softbank flexes, BMW and Daimler hookup, What is a Jelbi?

Brrruummmmm.

ONM …

Inside Tesla’s solar energy astroturfing

Dig In

This week, I wanted to highlight a recent conversation with May Mobility co-founder and COO Alisyn Malek.

May Mobility, an autonomous shuttle company, announced last week a $22 million funding round. This week, the company started testing its third AV shuttle service; this time, it’s in Rhode Island.

Malek responded. “Yeah.”

Malek also told me that May Mobility will continue to expand into new markets and double down on places it’s already operating, which includes Columbus, Ohio and Detroit.

A little bird …

We hear a lot. But we’re not selfish. Let’s share.

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I’ll be vetting these over the next few weeks or so.

Also … not a tip, but something worth tracking, and perhaps a tidbit that not everyone noticed.

Got a tip or overheard something in the world of transportation? Email me or send a direct message to @kirstenkorosec.

Deal of the week

Another day, another Softbank Vision Fund deal.

This time, Softbank led a $1 billion funding round in Flexport, a San Francisco-based full-service air and ocean freight forwarder.

Logistics” they’re so hot right now. If Amazon is the Derek Zoolander of logistics, perhaps Softbank is Hansel. Just go with it.

I reached out to Softbank dealmaker Michael Ronen and asked what’s the big idea? His response:

So it looks like it’s shaping up to be “all the transportation and logistics companies backed by Softbank” versus Amazon.

Other deals that got our attention this week:

Zoba raises $3 million to help mobility companies predict demand

Clutter confirms Softbank-led $200M investment for its on-demand storage service

Flipkart founder Sachin Basal invests $92M in Ola

Moijo, the connected car SaaS platform provider, raised $40 million a Series B round that included included a strategic investment from Assurant as well as Bosch and T-Mobile.

On-demand logistics startup Lalamove raises $300M for Asia growth

Snapshot

If this image leaves you scratching your head, you’re not alone.

TechCrunch’s Romain Dillet chimes in on what this all means. In short: a hot mess.

— Romain Dillet

Tiny but mighty micromobility

Scooters have received mixed responses in cities. But data from cities’ respective pilot programs generally show that people like them more than they hate them.

Notable reads

New opportunities are driven by three major trends: alternative powertrains, autonomous vehicles, and connectivity. These could add another $3 billion to the profit pool by 2030.

Total global OEM profits to increase by $5.6 billion to about $18.3 billion by 2030, resulting in a slight industry profitability increase from 6.6 percent in 2017 to 6.7 percent in 2030.

Other quotable notables:

Testing and deployments

Deployments don’t always mean AVs. This week, Berlin’s public transit authority, BVG introduced Jelbi.

But some struggle to get every mode, or every competitor within a particular mode, onto one app. Sometimes the app just isn’t so great. Or it’s great and no ones knows about it.

Other interesting stuff:

Citymapper announces subscription service for multiple transportation methods

On our radar

Thanks for reading. There might be content you like or something you hate. Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] to share those thoughts, opinions or tips.

Nos vemos la próxima vez.

Via Kirsten Korosec https://techcrunch.com

#TechCrunch

0 notes

funnythingshere0-blog · 6 years

Text

Spike Lee teams up with Jordan Peele for the funny, pointed, uneven BlacKKKlansman

New Post has been published on http://funnythingshere.xyz/spike-lee-teams-up-with-jordan-peele-for-the-funny-pointed-uneven-blackkklansman/

Spike Lee teams up with Jordan Peele for the funny, pointed, uneven BlacKKKlansman

BlacKkKlansman

Photo: Cannes Film Festival

BlacKkKlansman (Grade: B), Spike Lee’s first entry in the Cannes competition lineup since 1991’s Jungle Fever, never outright mentions that it takes place in 1979. We can ballpark the year through context clues, like the ostentatiously dated fashion choices and the opportunity Lee takes to play around with the imagery and attitude of blaxploitation classics like Shaft and Coffy. But a date card never arrives, and no one ever clarifies the exact when aloud, either. That’s probably because BlacKkKlansman isn’t a period piece, not really. The America it depicts—where white cops harass and murder black citizens, where white supremacists complain of their own supposed social disadvantage, where the ideological tendrils of hate groups extend into the political sphere—looks an awful lot like the America of right here and now. And Lee makes the point over and over again through spoken dialogue or unspoken parallels, long before one of his signature film-ending archival montages explicitly hammers it home.

It doesn’t have the volcanic personality and power of Spike’s best work, like his timeless Do The Right Thing, which premiered at Cannes in 1989 and came up at this morning’s post-screening press conference. And it lacks the sheer baptizing outrage of his Bamboozled, one of the most caustically truthful (and underrated) films ever made about how deeply racism has burrowed into the pores of our culture. But BlacKkKlansman, which Lee produced with Jordan Peele and Blumhouse for the same wide-release audience that hungrily devoured Get Out last year, still counts as a rousing comeback for the writer-director: a messy, proudly mainstream, sometimes riotously funny biopic-crowdpleaser about fighting, and clowning on, the dipshit thugs of skinhead America.

Based, as the opening credits announce, on “Some Fo’ Real, Fo Real Shit,” the film has a great hook: the true story of how a black Colorado Springs police officer, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington, from HBO’s Ballers, who got his start with a bit part in Lee’s last biographical drama, Malcom X), managed to infiltrate a local arm of the Klu Klux Klan, making phone contact with “the organization” and masquerading as an aggrieved kindred spirit in the white-power movement. Of course, pulling off the ruse required meeting with the KKK in person, which meant that Stallworth needed a face to go with the voice on the line, a Christian de Neuvillette to his bigot-whispering Cyrano de Bergerac. He finds him in Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), a Jewish officer with his own heritage to conceal from the marks. (“You’re passing,” Stallworth tells him.)

Most undercover cop movies are, in one way or another, about identity. The Departed, for example, turned its dueling-mole premise into a statement about class, about faking your way up or down the social ladder to fit in. BlacKkKlansman turns the espionage games of Stallworth’s scheme into a metaphor for the different masks he has to wear as a black man in America. He gets close to the KKK, including a young David Duke (Topher Grace, whose milquetoast WASPiness counts as a good burn on the one-time Grand Wizard), by presenting himself as a sympathetic ear, flattering their intelligence while exploiting their lack of it, swallowing his anger. But he’s also playing a role for his superiors and colleagues, maneuvering around their often less-overt racism, and for the student activist (Laura Harrier) he courts—a romantic subplot built on its own deception, as Stallworth, a cop trying to change things from the inside of a hostile institution, entertains her down-with-the-pigs philosophy. (Their discussions include some of the movie’s most nuanced ideas.)

As is often the case with Spike’s joints, the storytelling can be uneven. Beyond one corker involving Driver’s Flip attempting to talk his way out of a lie detector test, BlacKkKlansman doesn’t get a whole lot of suspense or urgency out of the subterfuge of Stallworth’s con. Was Lee limited by the details of the true story, which builds to a climax less thrilling than what one might expect? Although he’s made his most narratively entertaining movie in years, the filmmaker often still privileges polemical discourse over drama, grinding things to a halt for minutes-long speeches—he’s not so different from Godard in that way—and sometimes getting rather on-the-nose with the already exceptionally apparent contemporary echoes. (Yes, there’s a play on MAGA and a gag about the country never being stupid enough to elect someone like David Duke to the presidency.)

Still, it’s undeniably exciting to see Lee make something this incensed again, and BlacKkKlansman scores some big laughs at the expense of its villains, tricked and schooled and gloriously insulted by the hero, in telephone conversations—some based on interviews with the real Stallworth—that play like crank calls on white supremacy itself. Lee, who begins the film with an excerpt from Gone With The Wind and includes a scene of the Klansmen hooting and hollering through a screening of Birth Of A Nation, understands the agitprop potential of cinema—its capacity to speak to a wide, captive audience, sympathetic to ideas and hungry for inspiration. With any luck. BlacKkKlansman, flaws and all, will find that audience at the multiplex this year. We need its anger right now.

Happy As Lazzaro

Photo: Cannes Film Festival

Earlier in the festival, I noted rumors that Cannes had switched up its strategy for the main competition, selecting films more for their overall quality than for the reputation of their makers. (Hence the relative lack of major auteurs.) With the festival more than half over, I’m about ready to call myself convinced. This year’s slate of contenders has been rock-solid, with only a couple of turkeys. Of course, I’ve managed to miss one of the most acclaimed of the bunch: Shoplifters, the new presumably gentle drama from Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda (Nobody Knows, Still Walking). And since I’m leaving Friday, I’ll miss a few more, including the latest from Turkish Cannes royalty Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Even discounting a potential missed masterpiece, though, the programmers did well in 2018.

I was mostly charmed by Happy As Lazzaro (Grade: B), from writer-director Alice Rohrwacher, who won a prize at Cannes four years ago for The Wonders. For a while, her new one plays a bit like a meandering descendant of the Italian (and Palme-friendly) peasant epics of the 1970s, focusing as it does on the entwined livelihoods of two families living in a small, remote village—one the dynasty of a powerful cigarette baroness, the other impoverished sharecroppers working for her. This dynamic is encapsulated by the exploitative relationship that develops between spoiled scion Tancredi (Italian pop star Luca Chikovani) and endlessly accommodating peasant Lazzaro (Adriano Tardiolo). The former ensnares the latter in a plot to bilk his rich mother out of some phony ransom money, and you think you have a handle on where the film is (slowly) going. But Rohrwacher has some unexpected reveals up her sleeve, including a rather delightful fissure in the movie’s carefully established neorealism and milieu. Though gently outraged in its portrait of class divisions, Happy As Lazzaro mostly takes its tonal cues from the eponymous character’s comically gentle, trusting nature. Tardiolo’s performance flirts with parody—he’s the living embodiment of the “simple” virtue of the working class, that cliché about inherent salt-of-the-earth goodness—but the movie mostly believes in his sweet integrity. Touchingly, if maybe to a fault.

Asako I & II

Photo: Cannes Film Festival

Deceptively slight in its own way, the lovely Asako I & II (Grade: B+) rounded out my day of good movies with the best intentions. I know Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s last film, Happy Hour, only by reputation—which is to say, I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard it offers over five hours of gentle naturalism. That makes his only-two-hour encore, which scored a surprise competition slot, slender by comparison. Shy, uncertain Asako (Erika Karata) moves from Osaka to Tokyo, two years after her aloof stud of a boyfriend (Masahiro Higashide) mysteriously skips town, dropping out of her life without a trace. Here, she encounters the spitting image of her MIA beau (also Higashide), and tiptoes into a relationship with this sweeter, goofier fellow—mostly, it would seem, because of the uncanny resemblance.

Hamaguchi exhibits a careful, un-showy command of the frame, and a talent for creating small, sometimes comic surprises through editing. (One scene, for example, depicts Asako and her first love canoodling in the street after a motorcycle wipeout, only to cut to a wider shot of onlookers standing nearby, trying to survey the damage.) Gently and leisurely, he charts the mundane rhythms of the romance, to the point where a viewer might wonder where the movie could possibly be going, if anywhere. (Is this a secret cousin to last year’s perverse Cannes black sheep The Double Lover?) Gradually, though, the shape of the narrative comes together, and all that mellow downtime reveals its purpose. At heart, this is a film about looking for the past in the present, and about how hard it can be to shake that impulse; there may be two men in Asako’s little black book, but as the title indicates, there are really two of her as well. Asako I & II ultimately works as a mellow date movie with some big insights about relationships—accessible and artful, a combination that should be more common, honestly. It was also a prelude of niceness before the very nasty film I saw half a day later, and which I’ll write about…

…Tomorrow: Lars von Trier returns to a standing ovation, followed by mass walkouts. Is his latest provocation as shocking as you’ve heard? Is there method to its madness? Stay tuned for more on The House That Jack Built, plus one of my most anticipated films of the festival: It Follows director David Robert Mitchell’s reportedly strange L.A. noir, Under The Silver Lake.

0 notes

usatrendingsports · 6 years

Text

Freshman of the Week: What Texas’ Mo Bamba did to edge Oklahoma’s Trae Younger

We right here at CBS Sports activities have as soon as once more teamed up with the USA Basketball Writers Affiliation and its Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the 12 months Award. Each Tuesday all through the common season, we’ll be posting a Freshman of the Week winner along with our Frosh Watch, which is a rating of the highest 10 most statistically spectacular freshmen in males’s Division I school basketball. This weekly characteristic will work hand in hand with the Tisdale committee and the USBWA. The winner of the award shall be introduced in March, and a ceremony for all USBWA honors will happen in early April. The cycle for Freshman of the Week consideration begins on Tuesdays and ends Monday nights.

What?! No Trae Younger?! That is proper. If this surprises you, you are in want of a reminder. The Freshman of the Week award is generally handed out to a participant who performed at the very least two video games because the earlier week’s Frosh Watch replace. It isn’t an unique rule, however the purpose is to honor a participant who confirmed out in a number of video games — as a result of that is more durable to do than simply have one unbelievable recreation.

Mohamed Bamba, Texas

That stated, if Bamba hadn’t helped his workforce to a win at Iowa State on Monday night time — if Texas had solely had one recreation up to now week, the best way Oklahoma, Duke and Arizona did — then Younger’s in all probability taking FOTW for the third time this season.

As a substitute, it is the 7-foot Bamba who not solely will get Freshman of the Week, however he is making his debut Frosh Watch look beneath as nicely. Texas break up the week, going 1-1. On Friday the Longhorns misplaced 92-86 at Kansas. On Monday, a 74-70 extra time win. Within the two video games Bamba averaged 16.Zero factors, 15.5 rebounds, 6.Zero blocks, shot 13-of-24 from the sphere together with 2-of-Four from Three-point vary.

He regarded super vs. Kansas, and was pivotal to Texas pulling out the win at Iowa State. Bamba’s a participant nonetheless discovering his means, however he is a natural-born defender. His capacity to protect all three ranges — and nearly any participant — in school basketball has helped Texas to a 10-Four begin. Yet another win and the Longhorns will match their whole from final season.

Bamba isn’t just a tall participant with a restricted skillset offensively and a man who’s requested to maintain it easy across the rim. He can face up and his taking pictures 57 p.c from 2-point vary whereas spreading out his shot choice. Towards Kansas he was 9 for 16 from the sphere and had eight blocks. The Harlem native is altering pictures and altering Texas’ season.

Bamba is second within the nation in blocked pictures. USATSI

Listed below are the highest 10 freshman performers in school basketball from the beginning of the season till now.

Went from 28.7 to 29.6 factors per recreation since final week’s replace. Jumped from 10.Four to 10.7 assists. Abnormally good. He is additionally helped Oklahoma flip into an offensive juggernaut. You noticed on Monday night time simply how harmful that Oklahoma soccer workforce is. Its basketball counterpart is maintaining its fame by placing the “O” in OU. The Sooners now common 94.7 factors, tops in school basketball.

For nearly as good as Younger was within the TCU win, sophomore Kameron McGusty had a season-high 22 factors, together with 11 within the closing six minutes. In that recreation, freshman Brady Manek had a career-high 13 rebounds. Khadeem Lattin had 5 blocks. Oklahoma’s made 10 or extra 3s in seven straight video games. That is not all Younger. The items round him are rising into one thing superb.

However nonetheless, he is accounting for outrageous quantities of offense. That is quarterback-level involvement.

Trae Younger is on tempo to common proper round 75 factors created, assisted, or scored per 40 minutes this season.

— Synergy Sports activities Tech (@SynergySST) December 30, 2017

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday vs. Oklahoma State.

2. Deandre Ayton, Arizona

Key stats: 19.7 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 31.Zero% D-rebound charge

Final week: No. 2

Due to how dominant he seems, Ayton’s not getting sufficient recognition for the way environment friendly he’s. Here is a current look, courtesy of Synergy Sports activities Expertise, which tracks superior statistics on the NBA and school degree.

Here is an up to date take a look at probably the most environment friendly offensive gamers in school basketball from each mid-major and energy conferences with New 12 months’s just a few days away. http://pic.twitter.com/CvvGJhBDuu

— Synergy Sports activities Tech (@SynergySST) December 28, 2017

Ayton ranks top-10 nationally in these classes:

First in defensive rebounds (127)

Fourth in whole rebounds (167)

Fourth in defensive rebound proportion (31.Zero)

Fourth in 2-point discipline targets (104)

Fifth in rebound proportion (21.6)

Eighth in participant effectivity ranking (32.Four)

Ninth in win shares (Three.Zero)

Subsequent recreation: Thursday at Utah.

Duke will get a superb tussle at residence vs. Florida State, but the Blue Devils stave off an upset due to Bagley tossing up 32 factors and 21 rebounds on 13-of-17 taking pictures. Bagley’s now getting Trae’d, which is insane, as a result of Bagley’s at three video games with at the very least 30 factors and 15 rebounds. He additionally did this within the FSU recreation. It could be the wackiest/most spectacular shot of the season to this point.

The distinction between Ayton and Bagley at this level is hair-thin. They might flip positions weekly going ahead. Bagley’s acquired Ayton beat in PER in the intervening time, 33.Zero to 32.Four, however with the stats so shut, I am going with what I’ve seen from Ayton. Both means, each want Trae Younger to decrease himself to mere mortal standing to be able to have a shot at Freshman of the 12 months.

Separate observe: Former four-star recruit Jordan Tucker is transferring out of Duke.. Was that no person ever left Mike Krzyzewski’s program. Now, up to now half-decade, there’s been at the very least one participant a yr to switch out.

Subsequent recreation: Saturday at NC State.

Four. Brandon McCoy, UNLV

Key stats: 18.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 61.1 2-pt FG%

Final week: No. Four

McCoy is in no instant hazard of dropping his stranglehold on the No. Four spot. He had 16 factors and 10 boards on Saturday vs. Boise State. He is at 10 double-doubles on the season. The Runnin’ Rebels loss to the Broncos was UNLV’s first defeat of the season that did not contain extra time.

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday at San Jose State.

The Connecticut native makes his debut within the Frosh Watch prime 5 after placing up 18 factors, eight assists and 4 steals in LSU’s 71-61 win at Memphis on Thursday. Waters logged 38 minutes and was 50 p.c from the sphere and Three-point vary. My colleague, Gary Parrish, was readily available for that LSU-Memphis tilt. Parrish, who’s 5-foot-7 on his finest day (love ya, GP) studies that Waters cannot be taller than 5-9 and a half-inch. Small man with a giant recreation. May wind up being the very best freshmen this season who does not win Freshman of the Week.

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday vs. Kentucky.

Sexton had a poor taking pictures efficiency however was capable of get 16 factors on 12 pictures in Alabama’s enormous residence win over Texas A&M on Saturday. Sexton is drawing Eight.7 fouls per 40 minutes, which ranks fifth in America. This child doesn’t play with a passive perspective, and that stat proves it. Sexton’s taking pictures 79 p.c from the foul line, so his aggressiveness is being rewarded on the charity stripe, and that is serving to make up his good-not-great 47.Three p.c 2-point taking pictures.

Subsequent recreation: Tuesday at Vanderbilt.

Kentucky ran away from Louisville on Friday and in doing so, put up its finest efficiency of the season. The Wildcats adopted that up with an uninspiring 66-61 residence win over Georgia on New 12 months’s Eve. Knox had seven factors on 2-of-10 taking pictures. Within the U of L recreation, Knox fouled out after scoring eight factors on 2-of-Eight taking pictures. Knox is a expertise, however he is too inconsistent at this level to think about Kentucky an actual menace to win the SEC. The Wildcats can develop into the SEC’s finest workforce, however they are not there proper now. That is unusual for Kentucky at this level on the calendar. It is also unusual for Kentucky to lack a dynamic duo or trio, however Why Kentucky freshman Kevin Knox is the important thing to how excessive the Wildcats will climb.

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday at LSU.

Eight. R.J. Cole, Howard

Key stats: 21.6 ppg, 5.9 apg, Three.Four rpg, 1.7 spg

Final week: No. 9

Cole put up 22 factors on Hawaii in a loss on Friday. Cole’s non-conference season is over. He put up the averages you’ll be able to see above whereas taking part in 13 of his first 16 school video games away from Howard’s residence enviornment. Groups on the schedule included Indiana, Gonzaga, and Georgetown. With MEAC play starting this week, anticipate Cole to maintain up the consistency. The query turns into: Will he be ok to enhance Howard’s 5-11 mark in league play from a yr in the past?

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday at Florida A&M.

9. Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky

Key stats: 14.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.Eight apg

Final week: No. 10

As a result of Lindell Wigginton performed his means off the Frosh Watch (for now), Diallo bumps up after going for a double-double (10 factors, 10 rebounds) towards Georgia. Diallo had 14 factors within the Louisville recreation. His stats are OK at this level, however for those who’re watching Kentucky play you are seeing that he is offering bursts of needed athleticism, effort and opportunistic performs. It is like he is consistently on the cusp of bringing his recreation to a brand new degree however hasn’t discovered that degree but.

Subsequent recreation: Wednesday at LSU.

10. Mohamed Bamba, Texas

Key stats: 11.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, Four.5 bpg

Final week: N/R

Bamba debuts on this listing after clinching Texas’ extra time highway win at Iowa State on Monday night time with a late block to stop the Cyclones from extending the sport. Bamba, who’s second within the nation in blocks, had 10 factors, 16 boards and 4 swats. Texas’ protection ranks sixth within the nation in factors per possession, based on KenPom.com. Bamba’s had at the very least 4 blocks in each recreation of his profession with one exception, the extra time loss to Duke in Portland on Nov. 24.

Subsequent recreation: Saturday at Baylor.

Earlier Freshman of the Week winners:

Dec. 5: Trae Younger Dec. 12: Deandre Ayton Dec. 19: David Jenkins Jr. Dec. 26: Trae Younger

require.config();

from Usa Trending Sports – NFL | NCAA | NBA | MLB | NASCAR | UFC | WWE http://ift.tt/2lHpJ12

0 notes