#I've got these friends...

[goldenlaurelleaveswrites]

I've Got These Friends...

6. All Alone

I've Got These Friends... (AO3)

Nadine - age 17

Luka - age 17

___________________________________________

The school was eerily quiet this late in the day. As far as she knew, everyone save for a few of the teachers and the custodial staff had gone home for the day. Which just left her and the empty dance studio, and the occasional echo of cleaning carts going up and down the hall. It was only a matter of time before someone came to kick her out, but the custodians were usually pretty understanding and wouldn’t kick people out until they had to. 

So for the time being, she was essentially on her own. 

Just her and the music. 

And this stupid choreography. 

Except, that wasn’t really fair… The choreography wasn’t stupid… 

She huffed in frustration as she bailed out of the Italian fouetté. That was the third time she had messed it up today. She never had this much trouble with  choreography. And it wasn’t even hip hop! There was no reason she should be having any trouble with this, let alone this much trouble. 

Especially since she had done it, if not perfectly than at least almost perfectly, yesterday. 

Sighing, she crossed the floor to where her phone was plugged into the speaker and restarted the music. She made her way back to centre, and let the familiar swell of the music wash over her. By this point, she probably didn’t even need the music; she had been at it so long she practically had it memorized. 

She ignored the aches in her feet and the soreness creeping into her muscles as she went through the steps. Every move was perfect. 

Except…  

As the Italian fouetté section drew nearer, what felt like a million akumas began to swirl in her stomach. Every motion of the steps ricocheted off the inside of her head, swirling in a cloud of unwelcome and unwanted chaos as her feet slid into position to prepare for the fouettés. 

The first fouetté was sloppy, but at least she had made it through it this time.

The second one was shaky. 

The third one… 

She tried to place her arms perfectly. Extend her leg perfectly. Keep a serene and effortless smile on her face. Just like Mme. Clément had instructed her to. Except all she could focus on was how nothing was right and none of it was good enough. So she had squeezed her eyes shut, despite knowing better. 

Without her place on the wall to spot, she stumbled out of the turn. Angrily, she wiped tears of frustration from her eyes as the music continued on without her.

“Nadine?” 

She screamed at the unexpected voice. She whirled to find Luka standing in the door the the dance studio, his guitar case slung across his back and his hair looking more dishevelled than usual.

“Luka? What are you doing here? I thought I was alone!” 

He offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I was…” the smile dropped from his face as he sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, messing it up even further. “The song I’m working on, well, I’m stuck right now. Been going in circles for a while now.” 

“The song for Marinette?” 

“You’ve been talking with Jules too much,” he said, rolling his eyes. And not answering her question. Which meant it was a yes. “What’re you doing here?” 

“Can’t you tell?” she asked with a wry laugh, gesturing to her leotard and tights and the speakers, from which the music was still playing. 

“You’ve been at it a while though, haven’t you? Your last class ends before mine.” 

“Yeah, well,” she said, turning to face the mirror. “I keep messing it up.” 

In the reflection of the mirror, she watched as Luka settled himself against the doorframe. “It looked good from where I was standing, until you got in your own head.” 

“Good isn’t enough,” she mumbled as she tried to find her place in the song to get back into the steps. 

“You can’t be perfect all the time,” he scoffed in that comforting way of his. 

“I’m not perfect,” she mumbled, crossing her arms as she looked away from the reflection of his gaze, giving up on the choreo entirely.  

“No one is. Now are you going to tell me what’s got you so stuck in your own head?” 

 “I didn’t get the commercial,” she admitted. 

“But this isn’t the first time,” he said, prompting her to continue on. 

He was right. That was just show business. She couldn’t expect to land every role. There were plenty of roles she hadn’t landed before, whether she hadn’t been the right look, or she had been too old or too young. But this time… “When they found out they could get Adrien Agreste, they decided I wasn’t good enough. They revamped the entire concept for the commercial so they could cast him.” 

In the mirrors, she saw Lukas brows furrow. She knew about Luka’s complicated relationship with Adrien, not that he would ever call it that. He was too nice for that. She on the other hand… 

“He can’t even act!” she blurted out, throwing her hands up in frustration. “And I… it just sucks, you know? Losing out to someone because of who they are or their connection. I know that makes me sound like a hypocrite but you know me.” 

“I do,” he sad quietly. His voice was comforting, but his expression was dark.  

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. Of course he knew what that was like, what with the music video incident that had gone down with Kitty Section and XY, back when Kitty Section had still been together. 

His expression lightened; it was still heavy, but the darkness had faded. “I think we’ve both spun ourselves in circles enough for tonight. And you and I both know the worst thing for us is to be alone at times like these. We’re doing take-out tonight, ma wouldn’t mind if you dropped by.”

A small smile crept across her face. “That would be nice. My parents are out tonight anyways, I’ll just text Isabelle that she shouldn’t expect me for dinner.”

Luka nodded. “You pack up, I’ll shut down the sound system.” 

“Thanks,” she said gratefully, before hobbling on her aching feet to where she had dumped her backpack and rehearsal bag. “You know,” she said as she kicked off her character shoes and pulled her joggers on over her leotard, “maybe you wouldn’t be spinning yourself in circles if you just asked Marinette out already.”

#Nadine Laurent-Hassan - OC #Nadine Laurent-Hassan - Laurel OC #Luka Couffaine #OCtober #OC-tober #adrien salt #lukanette otp #implied lukanette #endgame lukanette #I've got these friends...

[yesokayiknow]

i feel like it'll help non brits to know that davina mccall irl presents a show where she connects adopted people with their bio families btw

#doctor who spoilers #doctor who #lmao #it's called long lost family and it's made me sob every time i've seen it #making a psa since my non brit friends weren't aware and were like why the hell is she there #also it isn't just adopted ppl it's families who got seperated in some way

[dragondawdles]

the beastie <3

#totk spoilers #<- (? yet another schrödinger's spoiler she shows up during the beginning sequence but uhhh just 2 be safe) #totk #light dragon #the light dragon #totk light dragon #loz #tloz #zelda #id in alt #dragon doodles #(I don't know the TAGS for this fandom grrgrhgrgrhg I'll decide eventually) #hiiiiiii so the uh new zelda game was good. I beat that after 140 hours like a week ago (explode emoji) #and now I'm brainrotting zelda HARD which means I have feelings about like 17 dudes all at once #we'll have to see if that means I'll bombard you with characters!! lately art's been blah but I've got some stuff cooking hopefully #hey I'm happy with this tho!! happy with tha beastie :] #this worm is my best friend

[collophora]

I resurrected my tumblr just to post this

#the bad batch #star wars fanart #the bad batch fanart #star wars the bad batch #star wars #I've got no social to post this #so to tumblr it goes #OK HELLO #IM SORRY FOR LEAVING #ANON WHO SEND ME ASKS IM SORRY #also idk why I'm posting this tbh SW fandom is one of the scariest one outa there #hewwo #accept this #can we be friend

[hailsatanacab]

A Persuasive Argument - dpxdc

"Great!" Danny says, clapping his hands together to get everyone's attention. The dinner table falls silent as everyone looks towards him. It's a full house today and, honestly, Danny's a little nervous. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I gathered you here today."

"It's dinnertime. In our house." Duke mutters, while doing a very bad job of concealing his yawn. He holds his fork poised over the braised beef, but, just like everyone else, still looks towards Danny before tucking in. It's intriguing enough to wait.

"Yeah, no one misses Alfie's dinner." Dick says, with a brilliant smile that Danny can't help but return.

"Precisely! What better time to talk to you all than when you're all actually here!"

"Wait, I thought you came round to work on our English essays?" Tim asks, blinking owlishly.

"I'm afraid I've lured you here under false pretences, Tim."

"This is where I live."

"I would still really appreciate help on that essay though, I mean, what the hell is Hamlet even about? I just don't get that old time-y language, like 'Hark! A ghost hath killed me!' - absolute rubbish, what does that even mean?"

"The ghost never kills anyone in Hamlet, he's there to tell Hamlet that he was murdered. Have you actually read it?"

"No, but it sounds like you have. Tim, I want this guy to help me with my essay instead. I know for a fact that you haven't read Hamlet, either."

"So? We don't need Jason, I've read the Sparknotes."

"Hi Jason, I'm Danny, pleasure to meet you, summarise Hamlet in three sentences or less."

"Am I auditioning to help you write your essays? I can't believe you’ve gone through your whole school life without reading it, it’s good!"

"Hamlet, along with a number of other classics, was banned in our house because it portrayed ghosts as intelligent and sympathetic beings rather than evil, animalistic beasts. I didn’t even get to see The Muppet's Christmas Carol until last year with Tim! It was surprisingly good, and I hate Christmas because everyone always argued and it sucked. But we're getting off topic. I—"

"No, no, please go back to that, because what the fu—"

"Boys, please." Bruce interrupts, looking to the world as if he wants to hang his head in his hands. "Danny, you were about to say something?"

"Oh, yeah, Mr. Wayne! Thanks!"

"Please, call me Bruce."

"Well, that very succinctly brings me to my point, because I'd actually really like to call you dad."

Nobody says a word. Nobody even blinks, all as shocked as the other, watching open-mouthed as Danny pulls his laptop out from beside his chair. Bruce can definitely feel a headache coming on.

"Before you say anything, I've prepared a 69 slide PowerPoint presentation on why you, Bruce Wayne, should adopt me, Danny Last-Name-Pending. Please save your questions, comments, and verdict until the end, thank you."

#dpxdc #batpham #i forget - can we tag the parent fandoms? w/e #immediately alfred's like: while i do appreciate your initiative may i suggest it wait until after dinner? #and danny - who has barely eaten proper homecooked food ever - takes one bite and then absolutely wolfs down the whole lot #after he's finished he's like 'bear with - I've got to add that to the 'Reasons I Would Like to Live Here' section' #danny's powerpoint has tailored sections for each batfam member with lists of reasons why they'd get along #my au thoughts on this is that the fentons disowned danny when he told them he was phantom #and that this is after the ultimate enemy - wherein which he allied himself with the JL to fight against dan #(which didnt really work at all - BUT he knows some of their identities now INCLUDING batman's) #so one of the main reasons why he'd be a great fit is that he knows their vigilante status anyway so they don’t need to worry about secrets #dick just turns to tim like 'he’s your friend. he learnt this from you.' #tim: 'i didn't tell him our identities!! i would never!!' #dick: 'no i know that. it's the stalker tendancies. it's baby tim all over again' #tim: scandalised gasp #they all eat dinner in silence just super subdued and in shock and sending glances to bruce and danny #duke like: 'so i know I'm the last one in the family but like... this isn't how it normally happens right? did any of you make powerpoints? #tim gets all shifty because he absolutely did make a powerpoint he just never actually showed it to anyone #everyone stares at tim because they all know. it was in one of bab's blackmail files she has on him #damian's slide has danny offering to throw down at any time. 'tim says you like to prove yourself with your skills? #how about a real challenge? if i beat you then you have to vote yes to adopting me!' #damian is in two minds about accepting because... 1) look at him damian could take danny in his sleep! but #2) on the off chance that he does win... damian does not want any more brothers #(he takes the bet and its a suprisingly fun fight - and while he'll never say this... he would vote yes even without the wager) #on one of danny's slides there's a picture of ellie: you'll also get my clone sister! two children for the price of one!! #uhhh.... thats it now - I've been having fun with this haha #spent all day with the 'ive lured you here under false pretences' 'danny i live here' line in my head haha #anyway enjoy!!!!!! this was fun #i wanna make these slides so bad

[jolyonvane]

me and who

#fight club #soapshipping #I've watched this movie like 10 times and I'm feeling a rewatch on the horizon....... #oh the infodumps my friends are gonna have to put up with 👹 #idk why i never got into the fight club fandom i just scrolled thru an hours worth of content yall are funny asf #my art

[expelliarmus]

#mine #doctor who #dwedit #david tennant #catherine tate #beloveds!!!! #i saw the newest dw trailer on tv today!!! #i need the new episodes now!!! #oh and i've gotten back into catching up on my big finish audios #i'm listening to the newest classic doctors new monsters set #it's been very fun #oh also i got a new student today #and his mom was a bit worried about how he'd be on his first day at a new school #but he saw my lanyard during carpet time and was like 'is that raichu?' #and all of my other kids were like 'LOOK AT ALL HER OTHER POKEMON THINGS' and he was very happy #and i was like bro you are going to fit right in #ok i haven't talked in the tags about my day in a long while hahaha #byeee good night tumblr friends!!

[lonicera-caprifolium]

I was thinking about Fury Road a while back and had a thought about Aziraphale, pregnant with Jesus 2 (I know that's not what the Second Coming is but shhhhhh), shielding Crowley as they're pursued by Archangels

#good omens #ineffable husbands #aziraphale #crowley #aziracrow #pregnancy #cuz this is a Mad Max Fury Road homage and Aziraphale is Angharad #(I've got Muriel in Furiosa's spot cuz I think the thought of them risking #their place in Heaven to assist their friends is really interesting)

[carlyraejepsans]

* (He seems lost in thought.)

#finally got to unlock 50% of sans' secret lore for a friend playing the game for the first time. god i love this stupid fucking skeleton #undertale #sans #myart #also I've been messing around with procreate rulers! they work pretty nicely methinks :]

[measuringbliss]

People are acting so weird and possessive of Markiplier for the whole OnlyFans situation. He's an adult. He's an adult who's been a celebrity for years. He knows people thirst on him. That's why he had this idea in the first place. He's not some naive kid you must protect. He's not some innocent soul that the evil sluts of Tumblr and Twitter will corrupt. He knows the Internet, he knows his fans and he knows his job.

He's an adult and he can make his own choices.

#Markiplier #I've seen quite a few comments expressing discomfort and like. You can just. Not subscribe to his OF???? #That's a possibility. You can block people too. #I think some of you really need to learn about parasocial relationships and reflect on it #He's not your dad #He's not your friend #He's just a dude #A dude who has a job and it just so happens that his job revolves around appearing personable #Don't forget that you don't truly know him and MORE IMPORTANTLY he doesn't know YOU #He probably has various ideas on xho his fans are as subgroups but he doesn't know you personally #Actually it reminds me of Maisee Williams in GoT s8 #People had seen her (the character and the actress) grow up over the years and when she decided she wanted to do a nude scene #A lot of people said they were uncomfortable #In both cases. They're adults. They can do whatever they want. #I guess that was a rant but sometimes I find the fandom really off-putting #Deactivated reblogs because the RBs were getting boring and a pain

[goldenlaurelleaveswrites]

I've Got These Friends...

5. Winter's Coldness

I've Got These Friends... (AO3)

Aimée - age 17 Nadine - Age 17 Luka - age 17 Darrel - Age 17

_________________________________________

“Aimée,” Nadine complained, her voice tight despite holding the serene but haughty expression she had asked her to, “hurry up. I’m freezing.” 

She offered Nadine a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I just need to double-check the exposure and shutter speed and then we should be all ready. You doing ok, Luka?” she asked, glancing to the left, where Luka was standing just out of the shot, holding a thermos of hot water at the ready. 

“I-”

“Don’t. You. Dare. Complain, Luka,” Nadine hissed. 

“I’m fine,” Luka continued nodding solemnly as he also shot Nadine an apologetic look. Unlike Nadine, he was bundled up in a winter coat, a hat, and gloves to protect him from the cold, as was she. Nadine on the other hand, was in in her white romantic tutu and the silver organza and tulle Snow Queen cape Nadine had sweet-talked M. Gauthier into letting them borrow. 

“And I’m ready,” she chirped from where she had leaned back down over her tripod.  

“Finally.” 

“Ok, get into position… a touch to the left… ok there,” she said as Nadine shuffled into the first rays of the morning light. “And remember, haughty but serene. This is your kingdom. You’re the Queen. Now on the count of three, are you both ready?” 

“I am.”

“Same.” 

“Ok, one…” she squinted trough the viewfinder of her camera. “Two… three!” 

Nadine rose up onto point and into an arabesque as Luka threw the water from the thermos. The hot water turned to a cloud of snow-like vapour as soon as it hit the cold air. The shutter of her camera clicked. 

Standing up, she unhooked the camera from the tripod to take a look. “It’s perfect you guys!” she squealed as she looked at the shot. The sky behind Nadine was the soft pinks, blues, and golds of the winter sunrise, and the scene looked positively magical with the snow and cloud of vapour around Nadine catching hints of the golden light. 

“Does that mean I can put my coat on now?” 

“Of course. Until we get to the next place in the park I want to take some shots. Now come on! We won’t have this light for long!” she said as she released the lever on her tripod to collapse the legs and picked it up. 

Their little troupe marched through the park, from the pond over to the bridge, where she got another incredible shot, this time of Nadine on the bridge, her cape flowing out behind her courtesy of Luka holding it up by the ends and then running out of shot at the last possible second. From there, they continued throughout the park, stopping at all of the locations she had picked out weeks ago. Plus a few extra she had decided were just perfect along the way because how could she turn down the perfect shot? 

So far, her favourite was the one she had gotten of Nadine doing what was apparently called a tour jeté. Luka had been able to use the last thermos of boiling water to make another cloud behind Nadine in that picture, and it was just everything. 

And now… 

“This is the last one. I promise.” 

“You said that back at that big oak tree…” Nadine grumbled as she shedded her coat and the boots she had worn over her point shoes as they trekked around the park.

‘That was before I saw this view,” she said, gesturing to the completely deserted, tree-lined pathway. “Sometimes we have to suffer for our art.” 

“I don’t see you doing a whole lot of suffering for your art,” Nadine complained as she scurried across the snow to the point on the pathway she had directed her to.

“If she does turn to murder, how willing are you offer me sanctuary on the Liberty?” she asked as Luka stopped beside her and took her tripod bag from her. 

“You think that’s going to stop her?” he asked with a chuckle. 

“It won’t!” Nadine called from where she was waiting. 

“I love you, you’re the best! And I owe you a hot chocolate!” 

"Hot chocolates, plural," Nadine grumbled as she picked her way through the snow."

"Add them to my tab," she called back before looking down at her watch. “You heard from Darrel?” she asked as she began fiddling with her camera settings. “He said he would be here in time to drive us all back to Nadine’s place.” 

“He texted me a couple of minutes ago, he was just parking-” 

“Hey everyone,” she turned as she lowered her camera. Darrel was hurrying towards them, balancing a cardboard tray with four to go cups in his mittened hands. Patches was circled around his shoulders and neck, thoroughly tucked into his hood. And wearing one of the many coats Darrel had gotten for her because he was Darrel. “Sorry we’re late! But we brought hot chocolate- hey, aren’t you cold, Nadine?”

#Aimée Devereux - OC #Aimée Devereux - Laurel OC #Nadine Laurent-Hassan - OC #Nadine Laurent-Hassan - Laurel OC #Luka Couffaine #Darrel Bernard - OC #Darrel Bernard - Laurel OC #Patches Bernard #Patches the Cat #OCtober #OC-tober #I've got these friends...

[atalana]

so the good place is widely lauded on this site for its takes on morality and capitalism, which i totally agree with

but i think it should get more recognition for the line "all humans are aware of death. so we're all a little bit sad all the time. that's just the deal. we don't get offered any better ones. and if you try and ignore your sadness, it just ends up leaking out of you anyway. i've been there, and everybody's been there. so don't fight it. in the words of a very wise bed bath and beyond employee i once knew - go ahead and cry all you want. but you're gonna have to pay for that toilet plunger."

#i dunno i've been thinking about grief lately #and i think the nature of humanity is everyone's grieving something #it might not always be as straightforward as the death of a loved one - sometimes it is #but sometimes you're grieving a life you never got to live #the person you used to be #hell an old toy you just realised you lost years ago and are never going to get back #we're all just a little bit sad all the time #and i think looking at the world like that makes it a lot more friendly place #because everyone is someone who needs a bit of comfort - or just someone to say hey its okay to be sad and angry and confused #and when you're finally ready to let whatever you're grieving go the world will be a happier place #and you'll find a new thing to grieve because there's always something to be a little bit sad about #but the world keeps getting better for every one you get through and every friend who helps you through it #and sometimes you just need to throw a dumb joke in there at the end #that's what it means to be human #the good place #tgp

[darqx]

Upgrading the 'polaroid magnet' idea of 2019 for 2023's Xmas card trades, these ones are made from wood and use actual magnets! Luxurious! |D All the poses are also referenced from actual party photos i've taken of other people, to add to the candid vibe lol.

The dreamcatcher is kind of a gag gift (yes the craft project i reffed here) for some friends. Since they don't have the ability to fight their nightmares i have offered to [try and] do it for them XD

Made from: Wooden craft polaroid (plus some backing MDF pieces), magnet, misc decorating items (glitter, wooden shapes, gel pens, paint etc). The dreamcatcher is just a storebought one with laminated paper mes wired to it

#art #crafts #polaroid #magnet #craft trade #christmas card trade #dreamcatcher #christmas 2023 #gifts for friends #miniature #FINALLY THE LAST ONE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DELIVERED #ironically all the INT friends got theirs first and the one i have to send in my own damn country took it's time getting there #tho i suppose half of it is underwater at the moment #i have to say strade's 'wish you were here' is probably the funniest magnet of the lot #for those of you who don't get the dreamcatcher thing #i have a lvl 9000 fight response in my nightmares so they tend to end up with me going aggro on anything in them #sz #on an unrelated side note i've been sharing a room with my niece this holidays #and so havent been able to look at anything 18+ whilst she's in here with me lol. i have a lot to go thru in the BTD tag later |D #or any other spicy fanarts ppl have drawn for me whop

[ink--theory]

wrong turn

#splatoon #splatoon 3 #agent 8 #side order #my friend said to me while watching the trailer 'damn agent 8 got hella lost while on their way to pearl & marina's wedding' #and honestly???? i've been thinking about that ever since #i'll drawing smth better later on but for now have this bs lmao #my art shit

[pumpumpuli]

Choose your Princess!

#this one's older so I no longer like it #and by old i mean #i've drawn other things after it #but a friend got mad i didn't upload it lol #thanks annabell #love you girl #stp fanart #stp #slay the princess #ALL OF THEM #almost

[kimbapisnotsushi]

haikyuu is NOT realistic!!!! and it's not because of the underdog plotline or the insane athletic skill or funky character designs but because in the timeskip everyone gets a job that they are perfectly content with and more or less suits them to a tee and don't seem concerned for their futures whatsoever all before the age of thirty

#okay except maybe makki. but he's chilling so whatever #it is literally the thing i am most jealous about in hq #do i wanna be hinata with muscles that could smash watermelons in half and traveling the world to play volleyball?? #no i wanna be a side character with a stable job and financial stability who has time to hang out with their friends!!!! #GOD i wish that were me #also hey guys sorry for awol!! #it was a little bit shit both inside and outside my life #and posting might be the only bit of nonhopelessness that i've got so!! going to slowly make my way back into it #haikyuu!! #haikyuu #sou says stuff