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thebeast-dennis-etcetera · 2 months

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Dance With Me

Prompt: You ask Gibbs to be your date to a friend’s wedding.

You’ve known Gibbs almost as long as Tony has and you two had grown to be very close friends and colleagues over the years but that still wasn’t enough to calm the anxiety pooling in your gut as you gathered up the courage to ask him to be your date to your friends wedding.

You didn’t want to show up alone and you also didn’t want to show up with one of the girls, knowing your friends would make fun of you for not being able to snag a man. McGee and Jimmy had their wives and you weren’t close enough with Torres to ask him, although you’re not sure you’d be able to handle his egocentric attitude anyways.

Going with a stranger just seemed tacky so Gibbs was your answer. You just needed to suck it up and ask him.

“Got that BOLO out yet Agent L/N?” you heard him ask you, pulling you out of your thoughts. You hadn’t realized you had been staring at him the entire time, your face getting hot in embarrassment.

“Uh, yes. Sorry Gibbs. It’s been sent to local authorities and agencies. He won’t get far.”

He just nodded and went back to typing on his computer, shaking his head in confusion.

————

It wasn’t until hours later once the whole team was gathered at a crime scene that you went through with it.

“Gibbs, can I talk to you for a second?” you asked , finishing up the photo snapping. McGee and Bishop were talking with a witness and Torres was getting information from the local authorities.

“Go for it L/N.”

“Um. A good friend of mine from high school is getting married this weekend and I just know all of my friends will give me so much shit if I don’t show up with a date and-

“Are you asking me to be your date to your friend’s wedding Y/N?”

You fumbled for words as he waited. “Uh, yeah. I guess I am.”

“Is there a dress code?”

You weren’t expecting that as his next question but didn’t challenge it.

“Just a suit. I’ll be wearing a dark blue cocktail dress.”

“What time?”

“Gotta be there by 5. It’s about a 40 minute drive from my house. Hoping to be out of there by 8ish.”

“I’ll pick you up at 4.”

You were at a loss for words at how fast and easily he agreed to everything and you thought you should say something but he was already walking away to join McGee and Bishop.

————

The sound of your doorbell ringing almost had you jumping out of your skin. The last half hour, your mind was racing with questions. Was it a bad idea for to be taking your boss as a date to a wedding? What are you two going to talk about for 40 minutes on the drive? What if you make a fool of yourself?

Having no choice but to push all those thoughts to the back of your mind, you walked over and opened your door, seeing Gibbs standing there looking dashing as ever. He was dressed in a crisp suit, all black pieces except the navy blue pocket square and tie tied perfectly around his neck.

“Wow Gibbs. You look amazing,” you couldn’t help but blurt out.

“Ah, it’s just a suit,” he downplayed. You smiled and grabbed your clutch and keys before leaving.

The car ride wasn’t too bad, the both of you managing to make enough small talk in the traffic until you arrived at the place. Gibbs parked and you both walked into the cute little industrial style venue.

————

“We just wanna say thank you and enjoy the drinks, music and food!”

We all raised our glasses in cheers and drank. Almost immediately, everyone scattered. Some headed to the dance floor, others to the bar.

“You don’t seem like a champagne kind of guy. Why don’t we get a real drink?” you asked Gibbs. He gave you a look and you knew what he was getting at.

“We’re not gonna drink all night Gibbs. Just one. I’ll make sure we’re both good to drive by then.”

You got up and he followed you to the semi crowded bar. Looking at your options, you chose whiskey for Gibbs and a vodka soda for yourself. While waiting for your drinks, you noticed a man constantly glancing over at you. You weren’t in the mood to be flirted with, that was one of the reasons you brought a date.

Gibbs hadn’t noticed what was going on so when you intertwined your arm with his and leaned into his firm frame, he looked down at you with questioning eyes.

“Just keeping the vultures away,” you explained, grabbing your drinks once they were ready and giving Gibbs his. The two of you walked over to the little outside area that played the music from inside, softly out of speakers. The DJ went back and forth from slow and steady to fast upbeat rhythms but nothing had caught your attention so far.

“So why me Y/N?” Gibbs asked, taking a sip of his whiskey. You knew he was asking why you asked him to be your date instead of anyone else.

“You don’t believe you were my first option Gibbs?”

He let a small smirk appear and you couldn’t help but smirk back.

“More like only option,” he replied.

You looked at him with a tilted head, him staring right back at you, giving slight goosebumps. You wish you knew how to stare into people souls like Gibbs did. Every time he looked at you like that, you always had one of two thoughts. One was to spill all your secrets big or small and two was to just kiss him. Luckily, you’ve never resorted to either one of those.

“My only options really were you, Torres, or a random man online. I’ve known you for years and feel the most comfortable with you so it was a no brainer.”

Before he could say another word, your all time favorite slow song came on. Putting your drink down on the little table, you reached out your hand to Gibbs.

“I don’t dance,” he stated, taking another sip.

“C’mon Gibbs. Live a little. There’s no one around. They’re all inside. Just one dance.”

He stood there as you gave him your best puppy dog eyes until finally he finished his drink and set it down on the table. When he took your hand in his, you practically squealed in joy. You couldn’t believe you were about to dance with your brooding boss.

He showed off his secret dancing skills quickly as he pulled you in close, one hand wrapped around your waist and the other holding your hand up as his feet led you two in a slow paced sway.

The butterflies in your stomach fluttered as you focused on your feet, making sure you didn’t step on his toes. The close proximity between the two of you was suffocating but in a good way. You hadn’t felt like this since your first kiss with your ex-husband.

“Don’t look down,” Gibbs instructed softly. You decided to look at his tie instead but that quickly became a dumb idea as you let out a nervous laugh and defeatedly rested your forehead against his chest.

“I can feel your heart pounding. Are you nervous Y/N?”

You closed your eyes and took a breath.

“A little.”

You felt him release your hand and tilt your head up to look him in the eyes.

“Me too.”

This was it. This was the moment. The moment you thought about from time to time while working with him. Never in a million years had you ever thought it would actually come true. Your hands moved at their own accord and wrapped themselves around his neck, gently caressing the back of his head, his eyes occasionally glancing down at your lips.

“I’m glad you agreed to come to the wedding with me Gibbs. I honestly thought you’d say no.”

He chuckled and licked his lips, now causing you to glance at them.

“You really think I could say no to you?”

You could’ve been hallucinating but you swear he stepped closer to you, holding you just a little bit tighter. No words were spoken as he slowly dipped his head down and you met him halfway for a kiss that made your body numb. All the what if questions and the terrible scenarios you had created in your head just dissipated and in the moment it was just you and him.

When you pulled apart, his face was apprehensive as if almost expecting you to take off running but you did no such thing. Instead, you smiled and pulled him in for another kiss which he willingly reciprocated.

————

Parking on the street, he walked you into the lobby, into the elevator and down the halls to your apartment door.

“I had a great time Gibbs-

“You can call me Jethro when we’re alone,” he offered which made you smile.

I’ll see you at work tomorrow Jethro?”

He just nodded with kind eyes and waited till you were in your apartment before turning to leave. Going over the whole night in your head, you eventually came to a conclusion. He might not have said anything but there’s no way he didn’t feel something for you. He wouldn’t have kissed you like that otherwise.

Unlocking your door and opening it, you stepped out into the hallway.

“Jethro, wait.”

He stopped and turned to you.

“Do you want to come in for a little bit?”

He walked back over and stepped close enough that it wouldn’t have taken much to lean in for another kiss.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

His tone was almost teasing as you got lost in his icy blue eyes.

“I don’t know..what do you think?” you asked honestly, not sure how this would all work out.

“I think whatever you want to do, I won’t deny you it.”

A few seconds of thinking and you had your answer. Opening the door a little wider, Jethro stepped into your apartment.

Note: Ahh! The angst! I love it, sorry. 😝

#gibbs x reader #leroy jethro gibbs #ncis #ncis fanfiction #agent gibbs #mark harmon #ncis request #ncis imagine #jethro gibbs x reader

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cleopatre31 · 1 year

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ASTRO OBSERVATIONS PT.7

-That's insane how vedic astrology shows the letters in the name/ moon sign/appearance/character/job and when and where you will meet of your spouse!! I decided to put more details that i find in vedic in spouse reading (i noticed that there are more informations about the spouse in vedic than western). Be quick to buy cuz i will close the readings in a month!!

-Mercury in 11H= Being a gossiper/ the person who knows everything/ a professsional stalker. You guys have to be a FBI agent at this point.

-Neptune in 10H/ conjunct mc= Being seen as a very nice person/angel even if this is not the case by the public. I know someone who has this placement and people see always her as a very innocent and good person while she was a b*tch loll

-Chiron in 1H, i'm so sorry that people made you feel like you are a big shit/ a joke, that everything is wrong with you or you are not enough, but i swear you that there is nothing wrong with you and you are enough <33

-Saturn in 1H/ conjunct asc people, i swear that either they appear older than they are or it's the complete opposite. In any case, they age like wine.

-Venus in taurus/ leo/ virgo/libra stop forgive your gf/bf who litteraly cheated on you!!! You don't have to be loyal towards a j*rk a*s and i know that you seek excuses or don't believe that they cheated on you but i promise they did and there is no excuse

-Prominent capricorn placements woman= the rich and cool auntie

-In every family, there is a 40+ years old virgo sun auntie who is waiting to marry like for years, in mine she was a pisces but had prominent virgo placements (she was my mom's aunt and died 4 years ago)

-Gemini sun people are so easily noticed omg!!! Maybe bc i have two gemini siblings idk but i really notice quickly gemini sun people, like they all have the same vibe that's hard to explain.

-Inversely, sagittarius sun people (especially when they have a scropio stellium) are unnoticeable. I either think that they are a scorpio or a capricorn lmaooo

#astrology #astro notes #astro placements #astro observations #astro community #spouse reading

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saylessastrology · 10 months

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Saylessastrology Observations - Aquarius

1. Sun in Aquarius: Individuals with the Sun in Aquarius are known for their unique, independent, and progressive nature. They possess a strong sense of individuality and are often drawn to unconventional paths. They value freedom, equality, and social justice. They have a visionary mindset and are often ahead of their time in their ideas and beliefs.

2. Moon in Aquarius: With the Moon in Aquarius, emotional detachment and intellectualism are emphasized. These individuals approach their emotions with an objective and logical perspective. They may have a need for personal space and freedom in their relationships. They possess a humanitarian nature and may be drawn to causes that promote social change and equality.

3. Mercury in Aquarius: Mercury in Aquarius individuals have a sharp and inventive mind. They possess a unique and original way of thinking and communicating. They are open-minded and enjoy exploring different perspectives and ideas. They may excel in areas that involve technology, science, or humanitarian work.

4. Venus in Aquarius: With Venus in Aquarius, individuals value personal freedom and independence in their relationships. They are attracted to partners who share their intellectual and social interests. They possess a love for diversity and may be drawn to unconventional or non-traditional forms of love and partnership. They value friendship and mental stimulation in their romantic connections.

5. Mars in Aquarius: Mars in Aquarius individuals possess a progressive and innovative energy. They have a strong desire for freedom and individuality. They are often motivated by social causes and have a passion for fighting for equality and justice. They possess a rebellious spirit and may challenge established systems and norms.

6. Jupiter in Aquarius: Individuals with Jupiter in Aquarius are known for their progressive and expansive mindset. They possess a strong sense of social justice and humanitarian values. They believe in the power of collective efforts and may be drawn to community involvement and activism. They have a natural ability to bring people together for a common cause.

7. Saturn in Aquarius: Those with Saturn in Aquarius have a disciplined and responsible approach to their social and intellectual pursuits. They possess a desire to contribute to society and promote positive change. They may have a natural inclination toward humanitarian work and may feel a sense of responsibility towards the collective. They value personal freedom within the context of societal structures.

8. Uranus in Aquarius: Uranus in Aquarius individuals have a revolutionary and forward-thinking mindset. They are agents of change and innovation. They possess a strong desire for personal freedom and may challenge traditional beliefs and systems. They have a unique ability to think outside the box and may bring unconventional solutions to problems.

9. Neptune in Aquarius: Individuals with Neptune in Aquarius possess a compassionate and idealistic nature within the context of social change. They may be drawn to visionary ideas and may have a deep interest in bringing about a better future for humanity. They possess a natural affinity for collective consciousness and may seek to dissolve boundaries and divisions.

10. Pluto in Aquarius: Pluto in Aquarius individuals experience transformation and regeneration through their involvement in social and intellectual movements. They have a deep desire for personal and collective transformation. They may bring about profound changes in societal structures and have a long-term impact on the collective consciousness.

11. Aquarius Ascendant individuals possess a unique and eccentric presence. They often have a distinctive and unconventional sense of style and may stand out from the crowd. Their physical appearance may have a futuristic or avant-garde quality, reflecting their independent and individualistic nature. People with Aquarius Ascendant have an open-minded and friendly aura. They have a natural ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and value inclusivity and equality. They possess a sense of social consciousness and may be drawn to humanitarian causes. Aquarius Ascendant individuals have a progressive and forward-thinking mindset. They possess an intellectual curiosity and enjoy exploring new ideas and concepts. They may exhibit a detached and objective approach to life, preferring to analyze situations from a rational standpoint. In social settings, Aquarius Ascendant individuals are often seen as the trendsetters and innovators. They have a natural ability to break free from traditional norms and express their individuality. They value intellectual conversations and may have a talent for bringing people together for a common cause. These individuals have a strong sense of personal freedom and independence. They are known for their rebellious spirit and may challenge established rules and conventions. They possess a natural inclination towards advocating for equality and social justice.

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ariesjupiter · 2 years

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Astro Notes: Degree Theory Part 2 🌟

part 1

• Planets or house cusps (particularly 2nd or 10th house) in an Aquarius degree (11°, 23°) may be interested in photography or make a living as a photographer

• Mars in a Capricorn degree (10°, 22°) could have started working at a young age whether it was for a family business, creating their own business, the entertainment industry, etc.

• This is more a theory than an observation but all the things you’re hoping for and trying to manifest can come true when you’re the age of your Jupiter sign degree. This can also happen at the age(s) of the other degrees associated with that sign too. For example, if you have Jupiter in 5° (a Leo degree), then you could have good luck and many opportunities when you’re 17 and 29 as well (also Leo degrees).

• Another theory about Jupiter... In his degree theory, Nikola Stojanovic said the 2° is the degree of supreme power. While I respect and agree with this, I also think the degree of your Jupiter sign can hint at what you’re best at and where you can achieve the most as well. If your Jupiter is at 2° this just further emphasizes your talent in this area.

• Venus in an Aries degree (1°, 13°, 25°) do you always make the first move when you like someone? I genuinely admire your confidence and boldness

• Any benefic planet in an Aries degree 🤝 believing in and/or experiencing love at first sight

• Uranus in a Taurus degree (2°, 14°, 26°) may have a unique or distinct voice.

• North Node in a Scorpio degree (8°, 20°) suggests you may have to work hard to strike a balance between being open and vulnerable while also choosing to keep aspects of yourself and your life private and hidden from others. It’s also commonly found in the charts of people who have made a lot of money. Working hard and putting your all into what you love will help bring you growth, success, and fulfillment.

• 7th house cusp in a Cancer degree (4°, 16°, 28°) might get pregnant or have a baby with someone before they marry them.

• The degree of your 3rd house cusp could show where you’d prefer to live. 3rd house cusp in a fire degree (1°, 5°, 9°, 13°, 17°, 21°, 29°) may enjoy living in a warm or hot fun place. earth degree (2°, 6°, 10°, 14°, 18°, 22°, 26°) may want to live somewhere where the climate is the same year-round and/or somewhere where they’re surrounded by nature and lots of greenery. may not mind being in a more “boring” area where things stay the same as long as there is comfort. air degree (3°, 7°, 11°, 15°, 19°, 23°, 27°) may want to live in a place where there are four seasons and/or a in a city where it’s busy and they can meet new people often. water degree (4°, 8°, 12°, 16°, 20°, 24°, 28°) could prefer to live in a place by the water and/or somewhere that allows them privacy and a chance to be creative.

• While there’s many indicators for career in astrology like your mc, 2nd and 6th house cusp, etc., I also think the degree of your Mars sign can show what area of work or career you might go into. For example, Mars in a Sagittarius degree (9°, 21°) could be a lawyer, teacher, professor, real estate agent, something to do with language or travel. Does your Mars degree match with your career or ideal one?

• Aquarius degrees on the cusp of the 3rd house may change their phone case often because they could view their phone like an essential “accessory.” They could also have a bunch of stickers on their phone or laptop case.

• Venus in a Virgo degree (6°, 18°) could indicate someone who enjoys eating healthy a lot as well as exercising

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justmeinadaze · 10 months

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I Have Nothing (If I Don't Have You) Part 4 (Steddie X Reader)

A/N: I hope you guys are having a good fathers day <3.

Warnings: Dom security guard Steddie X female singer reader; Light Smut (heavy dirty talk, fingering), fluff, with angst, Y/N struggles with memories of her past and feeling like a disappoint with her family, agent, and exes. Themes of dealing with addiction (drugs and alcohol) , brief mention of domestic violence, the guys share with the reader some of their history when it comes to their dads (as a way to relate to her), reader talks about rehab and AA (mentions of relapses), she does have a panic attack but what triggers it isn't mentioned in detail just what she's feeling

Word Count: 4833

For the first time in a long while, you woke up naturally in a bed. You didn’t shoot up from a nightmare or open your eyes to blurred images and a headache. This time when you opened them you were met with Eddie’s gorgeous, sleeping face. His head was tilted towards yours as he laid flat on his back, one hand strewn over his bare stomach and the other between you two holding your hand.

Carefully, you turned your head to see Steve still passed out behind you, the hair on his chest lightly grazing your back as he breathed. The back of your knees were still curved around his and his arm slung over your waist.

Slithering out of their hold, you quietly tiptoed to your own room and grabbed your phone.

“What happened? What broke?”, Sarah answered immediately prepared for the worst.

“No. Hey. Nothing happened. I, um, I wanted to ask you for a favor but I’m not sure if you can do it. I mean it’s probably something I’d have to ask Jack for but I trust you more than him and I want to keep this as close to the chest as possible.”

“Huh. Okay…what do you need?”

You get up and poke your head out of your bedroom to make sure the guys were still sleeping.

“I, um, I know I’m on tour so I can’t really check into rehab. I mean…I guess I could but…I was wondering if maybe…I could have like a rehab AA counselor or something to tour with me.” There was complete silence on the other side to your request. “Sarah? Are you still there?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m…still here. I’m just… wow. I’m really proud of you. Ok, yeah, let me see what I can do. I’ll call you when I have something.”

“Thank you so much. Can you keep this between us for right now?”

“Of course. What, may I ask, brought on this sudden change?”

“Um…new people in my life, I guess. I just want to be better.”

***

You three barely had any time to talk about last night since the concert was tonight. As soon as you hung up with Sarah, you were immediately ushered down to the venue with Mark hot on your trail. You insisted you had to wake them up to come with you but he insisted you’d be fine. You texted them apologizing and let them know where you were.

Fifteen minutes later, they were sauntering down an aisle and jumping onto the stage. Eddie silently handed you some coffee and you politely thanked him as you watched Steve casually head for the director.

“Hey, Mark.”

“Hey, Steve. I’m a little bit busy right now.”

“Yeah no. We’ll get out of your way here. I just have one question. The schedule you gave us for these three days doesn’t have Y/N doing rehearsal until this afternoon.”

“Yeah but something came up and we need to make sure EVERYTHING is just right.”

“Ok, but she hasn’t even had time to shower or anything. Plus, and more importantly, you didn’t tell us about this sudden change. You took her without notifying us.”

“I didn’t know I needed to clear things with her nannies.”, Mark responded sarcastically.

Steve chuckled under his breath as he glanced at Eddie who grinned as he shrugged. The man stepped forward, forcing the director to face him. “Our primary focus, Mr. Lightman, is to keep that girl safe. How can we do that if we don’t know where she is or where she’s going to be?”

“Look, I—”

Steve gripped his collar, pulling him closer to his face. “Now, if you need to make changes, that’s fine. We get that. But we need to know about them, okay? Am I making myself clear here, Mark?”

“Y-yes.”

“Very good. I mean, really, it’s just the respectful thing to do, right?” The man nods his head as the other pushes him away. “Thank you very much. Please continue what you were doing.”

The director’s eyes follow him as he heads towards you.

“Look at you being all mean and scary.”, you smile up at him. “I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t frighten you guys. I told him we needed to wake you up but…”

“Hey. It’s ok.” Eddie’s fingers gently traced down your arm. “Thank you for texting us and letting us know. I’msorry you couldn’t take a shower or anything.”

“Oh, it’s ok. I can run back to my room during our lunch break and do it then. When I was first getting started, we could barely afford hotels let alone nice ones so sometimes the showers didn’t even work.”, you laugh. “Probably why I looked so grungy that first year.”

#########

That night was definitely a new experience for the boys. They had never guarded someone as famous as you so to be in front of the stage facing thousands of screaming people was slightly intimidating.

“God, you guys have been so great!”, you giggle into the microphone. “I do have something kind of new here. I’ve been working on playing my guitar again.” Steve watches as someone runs on stage to hand you an instrument. “I’m, um, sure you guys have read the tabloids about me and know sometimes I can be a bit…sassy.”

Eddie smirks at your comment as his eyes scan the crowd in front of him.

“I snapped at a couple of people who, honestly, just have my best interest in mind so… I learned a song from a band I know one of these people likes. I don’t know, have you guys ever heard of Metallica?”

The audience cheers as both men turn their attention to you. Your fingers begin to slowly play and the metalhead becomes lost in your voice.

“Never opened myself this way Life is ours, we live it our way All these words, I don't just say And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you Every day for us something new Open mind for a different view And nothing else matters…”

The man couldn’t deny that the first time he met you, he hated you. More than anything he hated your attitude. The more he got to know you and saw who you were underneath that wall of armor you called sass, he really started to fall for you; both he and Steve.

Like Eddie, Steve felt this strong need to take care of you and keep you safe. Not just because it was their job but because they genuinely wanted to. They loved seeing you happy, wanting to do whatever they could to keep that smile on your face that beamed down at them from the stage.

This wasn’t just sex for them and they hoped it wasn’t for you either. They understood you needed to take things slow and were willing to do that for you especially if it meant seeing you the way you were right now.

***

After the show, you were promptly rushed to the hotel to grab your things so you could head back to the tour bus and be on your way to the next show. As you headed towards a bunk an arm reached out to tug you onto one of the lower-level beds. Once you climbed in, you were met with Eddie’s smiling face.

“That was amazing. I liked hearing you sing that song.”, Eddie whispered.

“Yeah? I’ve been practicing it for a while. Since you guys dragged me back from that bar that first night.” The metalhead leans down and tenderly kisses your forehead. “I wanted to apologize…for being a brat.”

A tiny whimper emits from your throat as he trails his lips along your cheek down to the shell of your ear.

“It’s ok, princess. We can handle the brat.” His palm firmly glides down your stomach, his skilled fingers dipping into the waistband of your sweatpants, and through you cotton panties. “We don’t mind putting you back in your place.”

Your eyes drifted shut as you bit your lip, trying to stifle the moan that wanted to be heard when his digits pressed against your clit in slow circles.

“And where would that be?”

Eddie lifts his head to smirk down at you before plunging two of his fingers into your needy core.

“Wherever we put you, your highness.” His lips tread along your jaw line as he continues to whisper in your ear and your head turns into the beautiful sound. “Under us, on top of us, in front of us. In a bed, against the wall, or on the couch…”

“Fuck…” You quickly cover your mouth as he thrusts his fingers into you a bit faster as his thumb plays with your nub.

“Shhhh, sweetheart. You have to be quiet. I know its hard with my fingers in your tight pussy right now but I know you can do it. It will be good practice for when Steve fucks you backstage before you perform with his cum dripping out of you.”

Your cunt clenches at the image and Eddie responds by curling his fingers inside of you.

“Or maybe in the middle of interview when you take a break…while they’re waiting for good girl Y/N to return, I’ll be fucking you so hard that you’ll have to hide how sore you are and come up with some reason for why you can’t walk straight.”

“E-Eddie, please.”, you mewl.

“Yeah, baby? You going to cum? Cum for me, pretty girl.”

Your free hand reaches down to cover his own, guiding his pace till you tumbled over the edge, moans muffled by your palm as you came. Eddie’s own hand slides up from between your legs and you watch with hooded eyes as he licks his fingers clean.

You don’t know if it’s the vulnerability of him making you cum or just the stress and adrenaline of the evening but you rolled onto your side and shoved your face into his chest, curling your body into him till you were as small as you could make yourself. His arm wrapped around you as he tenderly petted the back of your head.

“Can you lay with me tonight?”, you whispered.

“I’m not going to lie; you’re blocking the only way out of this bunk so I think I’m trapped here.”

He smiled when you giggled like a mischievous kid getting away with something naughty.

“Good. I like the way you feel against me. I wish Steve could fit in here.”

“A sentence I’m sure he’s heard a lot.” Eddie presses your face into his body trying to smoother the laugh that escapes you. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. You earned it.”

############

“Y/N!”

“What?!”

The director of the show glares at you when you give him attitude. “Someone is down here to see you. He said Sarah sent him.”

The boys watch from their place at the side of the stage as you nervously smile and jump down to greet the handsome stranger.

“Who the fuck is that?”, Steve asked not even trying to hide his distain.

“How should I know? No one has mentioned them bringing someone else on.”

“You slept with her on the ride here.”

“Yes, Harrington. We SLEPT. She was exhausted from the rehearsal and the show.” Eddie sizes up his friend with his eyes. “Don’t let on that your jealous. Bratty baby like her is going to toy with that.”

“I’m not…jealous.”, Steve rolls his eyes. “I’m not! It’s part of our job to know all the people in her circle. Plus, you can’t tell me you aren’t a little annoyed.”

“You’re right. I can’t but I haven’t been cheated on like you have. I know it scares you more than me.”

“Oof. What made Steve so angry?” They both turn to look at you as you climb back up onto the stage.

“Yeah, Stevie. Why so upset?”, Eddie asks playfully.

“You shut up and you…who was that?”

You casually glance in the direction of where the man you had been speaking to had been standing.

“Um, his name is Daniel and Sarah sent him over to help me with some personal things.”

“What kind of personal things?”

You couldn’t help but tilt your head to the side at his tone. “Steve Harrington, are you jealous?”

He smirked as he stepped forward till his face was hovering just about your own. “Are you choosing not to answer my question?”

“And if I am?”, you smile back. “Hey, me and some of the other crew members were going to go to Lagoon Amusement Park. Would you two want to come?”

“Aw that’s cute.” You look at Eddie in confusion. “You asked politely like we don’t have to go with you anyway to protect you.”

“Huh. Is it weird I genuinely forgot?”, you grin. “I just want to spend some time with you two.”

###########

“We don’t have to do this.”, Steve cooed as you and everyone else waited in line.

“No. I want to do this. I can do this.” You closed your eyes repeating your last sentence under your breath.

“Are you afraid of heights, your highness?”

“As a matter of fact, yes Mr. Munson, I am, remember? I mean, it’s not so much the height part but the, ya know, plunging very quickly into the ground part.” The attendant allows you guys entry and Steve guided you towards the front. As you already began clinging to the handles, you overheard the man next to you inhale and exhale heavily. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, um, I’m a bit terrified of heights myself.”

“Steve…”, you giggle.

“No, no. This is fine. I face danger all the time as part of my job. I can do this. I can do this. I can—” He paused when he felt your hand reach for his and thread your fingers together with his own. When you flash him a comforting smile, he returns it before quickly bringing your hand to his lips for a soft kiss.

As the ride takes off, you can hear Eddie shouting in excitement as Steve grits his teeth, keeping his eyes closed. You scream with both elation and fear as you squeeze the boy next to you tighter. When you make it back, he climbs out leaning against his knees, making the metalhead laugh as he patted his back.

You liked watching them like this; smiling and letting go especially in a setting such as this one. Usually in your circle, letting go meant going to a club or bar, getting wasted or high till you passed out. You appreciated that this was an afternoon you’d actually remember.

You spent the rest of the evening riding more rides and playing games. Eddie seemed to come out of his shell more and you saw a side of him you imagined was only saved for friends and family back home. Steve, while still letting go, was always in protective mode. While you and the crew were in the bumper cars, when your car was hit, his arm would extend out so your body didn’t jerk too far forward. While you were playing a particular basketball game, the ball bounced off the frame and hurtled towards your face. Steve’s palm hastily shot out in front of you, blocking it as Eddie caught it.

Near the end of the night there was a show everyone had tickets to see but it was still thirty minutes before the event started.

“Come on. Let’s ride the merry-go-round.” You ran towards it, jumping onto a horse as you grinned, watching the metalhead climbed up side-saddle on the stallion beside you. The other boy leaned casually against the pole between you two. “You don’t want to ride?”

“I mean, aren’t I technically?”

“It’s ok, Y/N. He’s no fun.”

You laugh as Steve jokingly glares at his friend. As the ride begins to move, your gaze shifts between them. No one had ever been so caring or protective of you before. Yeah, it was part of their job but there was another layer to it that you hoped you weren’t misreading. To be honest, you didn’t exactly know what a good relationship looked like. Everyone you had ever been with had always hurt you, Simon being the worst offender. Those relationships, hell, even your relationship with your parents, always made you feel small. They constantly minimized your feelings and made you feel worthless.

These two men in front of you made you fell little…in a good way. You liked being vulnerable with them when it came to your mind and body because you knew both were safe in their hands. After so many years of chaos, you enjoyed them taking care of you and standing up for you. You spent your entire existence pushing and fighting, and for once, you were able to let go and give up that control.

“Daniel is an AA and substance abuse therapist.” Your tiny voice cut through the silence as they turned their heads to face you. “I…I can’t go to rehab right now but I asked Sarah if she could send someone to tour with us and help me. I also told her not to tell anyone. That’s why no one informed you.”

Steve’s palm landed on your thigh as he comfortably rubbed his thumb along your skin.

“I’m proud of you. That’s a big step.”

“Can I ask why you wanted to keep it a secret?”, Eddie inquired. His head tilted as your own hung. “Ah, I see. Princess doesn’t want people to know because that way when she fails…they won’t be disappointed in her.”

“WHEN she fails?”

“Her words, not mine. Am I right?”

Steve sighs when you nod your head. “How did you know?”, you whispered.

He softly smiles at you as his foot reaches out to lightly tap your calf. “Had a few ‘disappointments’ in my family; me being one myself.” Your eyes locked with his as his smile widened. “Harrington to. His dad fucking hates almost every choice Stevie has made. Hasn’t he, buddy?”

“You remember when you woke me up the other day because he was calling me?”, Steve asked and you nodded. “He was calling because he wanted to ask for the five-thousandth time when I would be coming home to take over the family corporate business.”, he rolls his eyes.

Eddie jumped down to his feet and cupped your head in his hands. “You’re not alone in this, okay? It’s going to take some time but you’re on the right track. You’re not going to fail.”

***

The show had already begun to start as you all took your seats for the event within the theme park. You were completely entranced with the visuals in front of you. So much so that you got lost in the performance and found yourself in a memory; a few of them.

“Mom, I’m all packed… Don’t you want to come with me to the airport?” You knocked again on her bedroom door to no response. “Mama, please… at least come give me a hug.”

“She won’t come out.”, your father sighed. “I can’t say I blame her. Y/N, this is a bad idea. You should be going to college to become something. Not running around California pretending to be a singer.”

You felt your heart race as your hands started shaking, your eyes squeezed shut.

“AGAIN?!”, Jack screams as he holds up the paper in his hand and reads. “’Y/N Y/L/N Arrested for Possession.’ What the fuck?! You told me you were going to quit and go to rehab!”

“I technically did go to rehab. I just left before they wanted me to.” Your agent huffs as he throws the newspaper across the room. “They wanted me to talk about stuff that didn’t matter! What does my family or my fucking boyfriend have to do with me snorting blow?!”

“I swear to God, Y/N. I’m not going to keep bailing you out of your messes. Get. Your. Shit. TOGETHER!”

A tear falls down your cheek as all sound seems to evaporate around you.

“You are such a fucking asshole! How could you do this to me?! How could you embarrass me like this!?”

“Embarrass you?! Don’t stand there and pretend you aren’t fucking other people when you’re on tour.”

“I don’t, Simon! Because I love you. I have been 100% faithful to you!”

“From what you remember.”, he growls. “Oh, please. I know how handsy you get when your plastered.” You reach for a dish in the sink and throw it at him. “Hey! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“I don’t know. Can’t seem to control my actions. Maybe it’s the vodka.” You toss another one and he ducks out of the way. “I hope she was worth it because we’re fucking done!”

“If you throw one more fucking plate at me, Y/N, I swear…”

You two stare each other down before you finally hurl the glass in his direction before running down the hall, his shoes pounding against the floor as he follows.

It’s pretty much instinct that abruptly forces you to get up from your seat and run out of the area. Your sight is blinded by the tears that streak your face but it doesn’t matter. You just need to get away, away from the disappointment, pain, and the memories.

Arms practically tackle you from behind, lifting you off your feet, and you angrily start to fight back.

“NO! Let me go!”

“Y/N, calm down.”, Steve says with a stern tone. “What the fuck is going on?”

“I said let me go!” You hear the sound of a door being opened and Eddie forcefully telling people to leave the area. Once again, everything is silent. “Let me go!”

“Honey, I need you to breathe.” As you continue to struggle, he grips you tighter and his own breath warms your ear. “Come on, Y/N. Stay with me here.”

Your legs give out and you slowly collapse to the floor with Steve still holding on to you. Your head hangs as you place your arms over his and sob.

“It’s ok, baby. Remember what Eddie said, you’re not alone. You’re safe. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”

###########

Once you were able to calm down, the boys drove you back to the hotel and you immediately headed for your room and crashed in the bed. When you finally woke up, it was a little after 2am and the only thing you could think of in that moment was getting your hands on some of the alcohol in the mini bar.

I mean it’s fine, right? At least it’s not the drugs. I can drink a little bit.

Peeking out your bedroom door, you were thankful that you didn’t see either boy still awake. You tiptoed to the fridge, huffing under your breath when you realized the only liquid within it was soda and water.

“Looking for something?”

You jumped, quickly turning around to see Eddie leaning against his doorframe.

“Um…something to drink…”

“I would recommend the water. It will hydrate you after the evening you had.”

You both stare at each other and he can almost see the wheels in your head spinning. There are two ways this could go, the easiest option being taking the water and heading back to bed. The second (and harder) option being…

“Where is it, Eddie?”

“Where’s what?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.”

“You know, its adorable you think we wouldn’t call the hotel ahead of time to ask them to remove anything with alcohol from your room. Even more so that you think we wouldn’t double check.”

“You have…NO right…”

“You’re right. We don’t. Why don’t we all take the night to think about what we’ve done, you call Daniel, and then we can regroup in the morning.” His calm demeanor is slowly making you angrier. “Quite frankly, it would probably be better for you to call your counselor and talk to him because if we do this dance our way…”, he shakes his head. “…you probably won’t like it.”

“What’s ‘your way’?”

“Don’t play with fire, little girl.”

You growl in his direction, backing slowly towards the cabinets. Reaching in, you grab a glass cup and toss it in his direction. Eddie doesn’t even flinch as he watches it soar in the air and hit the ground to the left of his feet.

“Wow. Were you aiming for me? If so, you suck at throwing. Good thing you settled on being a singer.”

“I didn’t settle, asshole. I was meant to be a musician.”

“Oh, my fault. You just settle on continuing your toxic cycles. Why is that?”

“Personally, after what you said, I think it’s because she struggles with being a disappointment.”, Steve quipped as he came out from his own room. “Sorry, Ed. Seemed like you had everything under control but I at least want to see how this little tantrum plays out.”

“STOP!”, you scream as you toss another glass towards them. Neither flinches again as it hits the wall between their rooms. “Stop talking about me like that!”

“Like what? Like you’re a little girl? Stop acting like one and we’ll stop treating you like one.”

“Remember, Y/N, you’re choosing to play this game here.”, Eddie sighs.

“I could fire you both, if I wanted to!”

“Do it.” Your eyes met Steve’s as he shrugged before turning towards his friend. “Why does she throw the glass but doesn’t want to hit us?”

“I imagine it’s a tactic that’s worked in the past; throwing things at her partners to get a rise out of them so they’d hurt her.”

“You’re so fucking stupid. Why would I want to get hurt?!”, you seethe.

“Well, let’s see. We’re not giving you anything to drink, you don’t have any more access to your drug of choice, you had a breakdown today in the middle of a theme park and you’re feeling vulnerable. The only thing you have now is us.”

“Until she fires us, apparently.”, Steve rolls his eyes.

As Eddie begins stepping forward, you grab another glass from the cabinet and hold it up like a weapon.

“I’m going to take a stab in the dark here and assume that when you’ve done things like this in the past with, oh let’s say Simon for example, that he got angry and took that out on you. Am I right?”

Your bottom lip begins to quiver and you quickly try to hide by sucking it between your teeth.

“You asked why you would want to be hurt. It’s because you’re already hurting and you feel like you deserve it. It’s another form of self-harm, Y/N. You don’t have your normal vices so you’re jumping to the next thing you know.”

When he enters your personal space, your arm rears back prepared to throw the object in your hand but Eddie is faster, grabbing your wrist, and prying the cup from your fingers before yanking you till your chest was against his.

“The problem with that, your highness, is we aren’t like your other assholes. Steve and I are grown men, not little boys who play pretend. We can handle whatever you throw our way. Literally it seems.” He smirks as he places the cup in the sink. “Now, again, we can play this game, Y/N, but I need you understand that you are at an extreme disadvantage. You may not have known but you’ve spent your time with beginners. Sweetheart, we’re the elite.”

His hand abruptly releases yours, opening the fridge, and grabs a bottle of a water.

“You have two options after I hand you your drink here. A…you can toss it across the room towards Steve and we can tie you to your bed till rehearsal tomorrow. Not really the most comfortable way to sleep but it will keep you from causing any more damage or sneaking out. Or B… you take the water, go back to sleep, and call Daniel in the morning.”

Eddie tilts the bottle towards you as he waits for you to make a decision. Your eyes flick towards Steve who’s still leaning against the wall with his arms folded, watching and waiting.

“May I—”

“No, you may not. It’s just these two choices, Y/N. No stipulations or negotiations. A or B.”

You sigh in defeat as you take bottle of water from his hand and turn to head towards your room.

“Good girl.” His hand reaches out to yank on yours, pulling you to his chest before kissing your forehead. “Go to bed and leave the door open, please.”

You nod as you give Steve a tiny wave who softly smiles in return. When you climb back into bed, you listen to their voices as they quietly murmur to each other.

“I got this, Ed. Go ahead and crash. I’ll keep an eye on her now.”

#############

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starcrossedxwriter · 1 year

Text

Built for Love Part 4 (MBJ x Black Famous OC

Warnings: mentions of domestic violence/physical violence

“Stop fidgeting, girl. Damn,” Lauren grabbed Charlotte’s hands as her team finished getting her into her dress.

Charlotte’s eyes clenched shut. “Sorry, sorry! I’m just freaking the fuck out.”

“Relax, sis. This is super low stakes. Just be charming and yourself,” Law, her stylist, reminded her as he examined her look. “Alright, she’s ready.”

Charlotte glanced over to herself in the mirror and smiled. “You did it again, Law. This is perfect. You really got the old Hollywood glam mood perfectly.”

He shrugged and smiled. “I know your aesthetic. And it’ll compliment Michael’s look. I talked to his stylist the other day. Perfect teaser for the press tour in the fall. You two will be everyone’s favorite movie couple when it’s all said and done.”

Charlotte merely smiled awkwardly and nodded, a nauseating feeling overcoming her. Her hand pressed into her stomach, the detailing on her tight gown digging into her palm as she took a few deep breaths. As the realization that she was mere minutes away from seeing Michael settled in, her breathing became shallow and her heart started to beat loudly in her ears, drowning out the other sounds of her hotel room.

“Hey y’all,” Lo called out, getting everyone’s attention. “Can I just have two minutes with her before y’all do pictures?”

Everyone filed out, giving Charlotte a moment alone. Lauren rubbed her shoulders.

“I-I can’t do this… H-He probably hates me. W-what if he hates me?” Her words were frantic and frenzied as she spoke to her best friend.

“Baby girl, look at me,” she followed Charlotte’s eyes until they were on hers, which were filled with sympathy and love. “No one who has ever met you has hated you, I can promise you that. You’re amazing. It’s gonna be ok. You are strong, you are fearless. You can and have faced the unimaginable. So this is a piece of cake. I know you're a bad bitch… he knows you're a bad bitch. Hell, you're the only one who doesn't girl,” she laughed, causing Charlotte’s frown to turn into a small smile. “Say it back to me.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and chuckled nervously, her voice still tight. “I’m not gonna say that, Lo.”

“You aren’t leaving this room till you say it so let’s get to it, bitch. I have date night, I don't have allllllll day.”

“I’m a bad bitch.”

“That was pathetic. Again!”

“I’m a bad bitch!” Charlotte yelled out, laughing with her friend and immediately feeling some of the tension leave her body.

Lauren squeezed both of her hands before wrapping her in a hug. “Now just believe that and you got this. You know how you feel about him and how he feels about you. Trust that and go get that fine ass man, ok?”

Charlotte sighed and smiled. “What would I do without you, Lo?”

“Be a lot more miserable,” she winked at her before giving her a quick peck on the cheek. “Gotta go meet your brother. Have lots of fun and we'll see you tomorrow to hear all about it.”

“Will do.” She paused for a moment as Lauren grabbed her purse and walked toward the door. “Hey Lauren!” Her friend turned and glanced back at her. “Thank you.”

Lauren’s face twisted up in confusion for a moment. “For what?”

Charlotte shrugged. “Just for… being you. If you weren’t married to my brother, I would’ve snagged you up.”

“Girl, you tryin’ to run to Vegas? I’ll drop him for you in a minute.” She winked at her and offered her one final nod of encouragement before she exited, allowing Charlotte’s team to reenter.

They made quick work of her pre-event photos before ushering her into the car to drive to the venue. Charlotte focused on the music filling her ears, quietly singing along in the backseat with her eyes closed. Music was her respite and her opportunity to get lost in something other than her cluttered mind.

“Ok we are two minutes out. Mike just arrived so he is gonna hang back so you can walk the carpet together,” her agent muttered.

Charlotte nodded, taking her headphones out and handing her phone to Tamika since she could not walk down the carpet with it.

“Gonna take photos for a bit, one interview and then you’ll go to your seats. Ok?”

“Sounds good.”

She took a couple of deep breathes, silently chatting Lauren’s mantra before her car door opened. It took a few moments of maneuvering and help to get her out of the car in her form-fitting dress and stilettos. She looked like a knock out, but she was still getting used to high-profile events and clothes that sacrificed functionality for fashion.

She took a moment to steady herself on her feet before starting to walk toward the edge of the carpet where Michael waited. His back was to her but she would recognize that silhouette anywhere. She kept her eyes trained on other targets as she moved closer and closer to him, her heart rate beating faster and faster with every step she took.

She continued to repeat Lauren’s words in her head but with each round, they were drowned out by doubt and fear as she came face to face with him for the first time in months.

However, as if the universe was destined to make this the worst night of her life, just as she got close to Michael, her impossibly tall heels caught a snag in the carpet. Charlotte let out a yelp as she felt herself hurling face first toward the hard concrete.

“Shit!” She panicked realizing there was no one and nothing to grab to break her fall.

However, before she could face plant in front of a row of journalists and photographers, she fell directly into two strong arms and against a familiar hard chest.

Her hand went to her heart as she let out a few breaths from the shock.

“You good?” His voice filled her ears, forcing her eyes up to his for the first time in months.

She almost could not speak as she savored the moment in his arms, she had missed this simple pleasure so much.

“Y-yea, y-yea I’m good. Thanks… that w-was about to be the most embarrassing moment of my career.”

Michael’s hands stayed on her as he helped her get settled back on her feet. They settled on her hips for a moment as they stared at each other, so many months of unspoken words passing between them. She watched him intently as reality seemed to catch up with him and he quickly moved his hands off of her, his fingers going to awkwardly tug at his tuxedo jacket.

Not that it needed any adjustment, he looked perfect.

“I-I didn’t forget you were clumsy as hell,” he joked, easing the nervous tension that seemed to fill the air around them.

Charlotte’s heart swelled a bit. She was not sure if she could count that as a good sign, that they could still joke with each other, but she decided to. It was the small bout of courage she needed to keep going with her plan.

“Good thing I have you to steady me the rest of the way?” She asked quietly, her own attempt to see if they were ok.

She was thankful and let out a small sigh of relief when he held out his arm for her to wrap hers around.

“Always.”

It took the length of the red carpet for the pair to fall back into the familiar patterns Michael had told himself he would resist. Though he had not closed the door yet, he was also set in his resolve to not fall too deeply back in love with her. He was reluctant to admit it but she had broken his heart and he was not keen on letting her close enough to do it twice. So he decided that he was just going to let it be and see if she would come to him.

But once he was in her presence again, it was as if his heart lost all sense of self preservation and sent him dovetailing involuntarily off a cliff into the oasis of her yet again. Every part of her drew him in again, her soft smile, gentleness, humor, her endless charisma with a hint of awkwardness that reminded everyone know she was down to earth, her insanely humble attitude despite being the most talented and beautiful person he had ever laid eyes on, and the way she managed to command a room's attention without trying at all. She was the personification of an enticing and thrilling adventure his soul desperately wanted to be part of. Within mere minutes, she had tied and twisted him back up in her web and he did not even think she noticed or intended to do so.

Though they were seated next to each other at dinner, they could only share random comments and snickers as the program took up most of the night. It was not until the program concluded with the premiere of the Creed trailer that they had a moment to actually speak.

Michael made a beeline toward Charlotte who was waiting for another drink at the bar.

“You made me look pretty good out there,” he offered as he leaned against the bar.

Charlotte threw him a smile as she caught the attention of the bartender.

“Glad I could help. Having you on my arm might’ve upgraded my look a bit too, I guess,” she winked. The bartender handed her a glass of champagne. “Best rum you have on the rocks for him, please.”

Michael masked the look of genuine surprise that she knew rum was his favorite liquor. But he supposed he was not the only observant one.

“So superstar! Ready to be the next cultural phenomenon, Creed?” She jokingly put her small fists up and gave him a fake one-two jab, which he artfully and playfully dodged.

“You saying I’m not already??” He forced a look of playful faux offense on his face causing Charlotte to laugh. Michael couldn’t help the grin that appeared on his face at the sound of her laughter, something he had sorely missed over the last few months. She was a person that laughed with her whole being, it was infectious and lit up the room.

“My bad, my bad. THE Michael B Jordan is already a cultural icon.” She leaned against the bar. The light taps of her nails could not be heard over the music and conversation as they stood together but Michael noticed. She did that all the time when she was nervous or excited, as if the small movement could release some of that energy. “The trailer looked amazing though, seriously. This shit… it’s gonna be a game changer for you.”

“You’re in it too, remember? Gonna be a game changer for both of us. I can feel it.” He inched closer to her as they talked, the soft fabric of his tux brushing lightly against her arm. “If I get six of these movies, you gotta be in every single one.”

Charlotte raised her eyebrow and took a sip of her drink while her other hand went to the corner of his bowtie to gently fix it as it had gotten crooked. Michael watched her as she intently fixed his suit, her eyes intense and focused on her task.

When she was done, her hand fell against the lapel of his tuxedo jacket and rested there on his chest. It was as if she had not even thought about what she was doing.

“You sure about that? Probably get sick of me after three movies,” she joked.

His hand gently grabbed her other hand, which rested next to her drink on the bar, every movement they shared as thoughtless, natural and needed as breathing.

In that moment, she could see in his eyes and feel in his touch everything he said that night that she denied. She could hear every word playing over and over in her head like a movie. Only this time, she only heard him, she didn’t hear Shaun. It was there, clear as day: his love, his adoration, his desire… all directed at her even now after she had pushed him away. It was still there and it was overwhelming. And it still terrified her. But for the first time, Charlotte did not want to run away or hide from it, she wanted to bask in it. She wanted to be loved by him in every way possible.

He held her gaze there for a moment, her breath hiking slightly.

“I don’t see that happenin’.”

Charlotte felt a wave of deja-vu falling over her as his lips started to come closer to hers. However, as quickly as the moment started, it was gone. Something seemed to click in Bakari’s mind and he immediately straightened up and took his hands off her and took a step back from her, a look of frustration and anger painted across his youthful features. He coughed before taking a huge gulp of his drink.

“E-excuse me,” he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.

Payback’s a bitch, Charlotte thought to herself as she realized this was exactly how she left him, bewildered and alone. However, now it was her turn to be persistent. She quickly raced after him out of the ballroom, weaving between drunk directors and actors until she found him sulking away in a quiet hallway.

“Bakari! Stop walking!” She called after him, her stilettos slowing her down but she refused to stop.

Michael only decided to stop because that refrain was so familiar. And despite the petty side of him wanting his feet to keep moving, his common sense had no power of his limbs… only his heart did. And his heart wanted to stop for her because as much as he wanted to deny it, his love for her had not diminished one iota since he saw her last, it had only grown stronger.

She could not stop the surprised look on her face when he actually turned around.

“O-Oh I didn’t think you’d stop,” she whispered more to herself than him, causing him to laugh a bit.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?”

“Y-yea yea, I j-just figured you were too upset to actually listen? But th-this is great. I wasn’t gonna make it much further without falling in these shoes anyway. You know I don’t know why they make me wear these, they’re fucking miserable and not even functional a-” she stopped herself, her lips forming a slight o at his expression. “I’m rambling aren’t I? About something that’s totally irrelevant. You d-don’t care about my shoes.”

If the moment had not been so serious and he had not been so frustrated at himself, he would have laughed. He loved how she rambled and went off on tangents, her awkwardness making her all the more cute and endearing to him.

“W-what’s wrong?” She asked. “D-did I do something?”

He paced back and forth in the hallway. “I just swore I wouldn’t do this shit again. Said I was gonna let you come to me, not put myself out there again for you to push me away. But here I am… falling for you all over again.”

She could hear the frustration in his voice. Her eyes clenched shut as she took a tentative step toward him, her hands wringing together as she spoke.

“W-what if this is me coming to you?” She whispered, her voice as shaky and unsure as she felt.

Michael stopped pacing, worried his ears did not hear her correctly.

“What?”

“I-I don’t b-blame you for wanting to keep me at an arm’s length. I-I hurt you and I’m sorry for that. T-that night you asked me to be honest with you. And I couldn’t and I’m sorry for that too. I-I’m sorry for everything. But the truth is,” she let out a deep breath as she decided to release feelings from a cage buried so deep in her soul, she had only come to terms with them days ago herself. She had never been this vulnerable with a man in her life. Michael was uncharted territory but he was worth it. Her family was right, she could not keep allowing good things to pass her by because she was scared. She could not merely survive day to day, she had to live or she escaped Shaun and a life of pain for nothing.

“I pushed you away because… I was and still am f-fucking terrified,” her last word cracked slightly as her emotions got the better of her. The tightness in her throat felt unbearable as she fought to get that last word out. She noticed his eyes soften slightly as that word landed on his ears. Somehow, that felt like permission to continue, that he was truly willing to listen. And despite how hard it was to share, she was ready to let her guard down and let someone in.

“N-Not of you… but of this a-and what we could be. My last relationship… he d-destroyed me, broke parts of me t-that will never heal, not fully anyway. A-and w-when I finally left him, I worked really hard,” she wiped away a stray tear. “I worked really f-fucking hard to put the pieces back together and, you know, put one foot in front of the other. A-and I vowed never to let someone hurt me like that again because I don’t think I could s-survive it. A-and that w-was fine, I was fine. Until I met you. And you are… everything I could hope for myself a-and everything I don’t believe I d-deserve. And I fell for you a-and I didn’t know how to handle that so e-every instinct told me to run b-before…”

“I could hurt you too,” he finished her sentence, taking a step toward her.

She sniffled and nodded as his hand cupped her cheek, his thumb wiping away a falling tear. She missed his touch, gentle and safe.

Michael felt an odd sense of relief that he had not completely misread their interactions. That she had not pushed him away because she did not want him or because she was playing with him. And he was thankful he had listened to his older and wiser friends and not given up on her so quickly.

Now the anger and frustration he felt bubbling to the surface was no longer directed at the woman before him, but at the nameless man who hurt her. Though her words were intentionally vague, he knew saying that much had been difficult to share. But the words she had chosen felt like physical blows in and of themselves: broken… destroyed. While he wished he did not, his brain immediately considered the worst case scenarios, the mere thought of a man putting his hands on her sending blinding rage through him. But based on her words and actions, he could only gleam that that was the case. He just did not know if he was emotionally prepared to see anymore evidence of that than he had already seen.

“And I j-just… I wish I had something more to give you. I look at you a-and can feel how much y-you care about me. A-and all I f-felt a-and still feel is t-this all consuming shame that this b-brokenness is all I have to offer you. It j-just doesn’t feel like enough,” her voice was barely above a whisper as she finally spoke her truth, a truth she had not voiced to anyone before.

The hallway they stood in was virtually silent as her revelations settled in the air. Her stiletto-shaped nails scratched lightly at her forehead, slightly disturbing the make up her team spent time meticulously perfecting.

“None of it is an excuse. A-and if I’m too late, I understand and I’ll live with it. But t-this is me coming to you. I love you. I just need you to know that.”

She offered him a small but distinct half smile before awkwardly shuffling on her heels. She interpreted his silence as disdain, her long-winded ramblings were too little too late to undo the damage she had done months prior.

“I-I’m gonna go freshen up a-and then head back to the party.”

She forced herself to turn around and start to walk away from him. She had her shot, she blew it. And as she said, she would learn to live with it.

However, her forward momentum was halted by a strong but gentle grip around her wrist. She stopped and turned to find him right behind her. Without missing a moment or breath, he pulled her forward and into his arms. His lips crashed against hers, Charlotte immediately returning it fervently. Her fingers gripped the collar of his tux tightly as if releasing him would mean he would vanish right before her eyes.

His fingers became tangled in her hair as he tasted her. Neither one of them cared that a paparazzi or bystander’s camera could lurk around any corner and create a shrine for this moment for all time. The only thing that mattered was the two of them and that they finally saw eye to eye.

He pulled away and stared into her deep brown eyes. Instantly he knew this moment was real because, for the first time, he did not see fear or a desire to run.

“Whatever you are is enough for me, Els. I told you that I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to feel safe to share with me the pieces of yourself you wear proudly and the ones you’ve hidden cause you think they’re broken. I want to know you, the real you. And whatever she brings is more than enough for me, I promise you that.”

Her eyes gently fell closed as his hand cupped her face, her cheek leaning into his touch. He gently wiped away her falling tears before kissing her on the forehead and pulling her into a hug.

She buried her face into his neck, breathing in his scent. She immediately recognized his favorite cologne that he wore on set. It was not overpowering but refreshing and light against her nose. She instantly felt a relief and peace she had not experienced in years.

“Let’s get out of here, yea?” he offered as he wiped another tear she did not realize was falling. “I got a car, we can go back to my place and grab a drink and talk, aight?”

Charlotte nodded and let out a sigh of relief. “Y-Yea I w-would love that. I hate these things.”

****

“What?”

Charlotte’s lips turned up in a soft smile as she took a sip from the glass, the train of her dress bunched up on the couch in the sitting area of his bedroom.

“I dropped like several bombs on you tonight. All you did on set was ask a million questions and now you’re mute,” she teased before her face turned serious again. “If you have questions, ask ‘em.”

“I got ‘em but I want you to tell me what you want to tell me in your own time. I know shit is hard to share.”

She shook her head. “I already told you the hardest part. The rest is… unpleasant but if we are gonna be anything real, I gotta learn to share all of it.”

“Ok… Tell me about your ex. As much or as little as you want.”

She sat up a little straighter, her head resting on her arm against the pillows of the sofa.

“I was a junior at Juilliard. I met him, Shaun Parker, at a friend’s birthday party. He was a friend of a friend sort of thing. He was a couple years older and worked on Wall Street. He was the exact guy a dumb, insecure 21 year old falls for, you know? The guy from the rom-com that says and does all the right things, perfect gentleman and handsome so you fall head over heels after the first date. He made me feel like no one could ever love me like he did.”

Charlotte leaned back, a dark glint taking over her eyes as she thought back on the worst period of her life.

“A-and then it started. It’s such a slow build, you don’t even realize you’re in trouble until it’s too late. By the time I realized, I was already drowning.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “The first time, h-he came by campus and saw me eating lunch with a cast mate… a guy. We were rehearsing for our spring production. I left with him and when we got to his car, he called me a whore and slammed my head into the side of his car. The next day, after I got back from the doctor, my dorm was filled with roses and he swore he’d never do it again. That lasted maybe a week before he slapped me for offering to pay for dinner at a restaurant. We dated for three years after that.”

She took a huge gulp from her drink. She avoided his eyes, which were filled with anger that his suspicions were correct. His hands curled into fists as he processed her words.

“Tried to leave and break it off a couple of times. But I always went back. And it just got worse and worse and worse. The fear was paralyzing, you try so hard to be perfect, every action measured to exactly what he would want to avoid that next punch, kick, or whatever. But I realized one day that it didn’t matter what I did or how perfect I was, there was nothing I could do or say that would stop it. But it took wayyy too much to get me there,” She paused before offering him a half smile and a shrug. “Hope that doesn’t scare you off.”

“Your past would never scare me off, Els. I’m just sorry… no one deserves that. How bad did it get?”

“Um.. by the end, I was lucky if a day went by when he didn’t hurt me somehow. But the psychological abuse is the stuff that sticks with you honestly. That’s why I could never leave, he always found a way to pull me back in. The last time, he…” Charlotte shook her head as if she could shake the memories out of her brain. She was not ready to go down that road yet. “I just realized I would die if I stayed so I left for good. Never looked back.”

“And moved to LA?” He asked, finally putting the pieces together of why she moved out to the LA area and left Broadway altogether.

“N-not at first, no. I thought I could have it all. That I could j-just like move to another borough and keep m-my life and career and be done with him. Thought that once he knew I was serious, he would leave me alone. You know the saying, ‘the house always wins?’” At his nods, she continued. “Learned the harsh lesson that it applies to more than gambling. We were apart for about three months before he broke into my apartment and almost killed me. The fact that I’m even sitting here talking to you is a fluke.” She grimaced and kept her eyes focused on her hands before continuing. “A-and then I ran. Moved to LA with no warning, burned many a bridge in the theater world by disappearing, stayed at my brother’s for a few months before I got my first gig and got back on my feet.”

“That’s not running,” he offered quietly.

She shook her head. “It certainly felt like it. I loved my life in New York… my career, my friends. The community I built. And he just took all of it away.”

“Where he at?”

She shrugged, “No idea. Probably still in New York? But I completely scrubbed Shaun and everyone mutual friend we had from my life after I left so I wouldn’t know. And I don't want to… if he isn't looking for me, I ain't gonna look for him.”

“Have you been back to New York since?”

She nodded. “My first time back was actually before we filmed Creed. Filmed a small role for a show there for about a month. Literally went to set and came right back home every day, changed my hotel every week. Didn’t tell anyone and probably only saw one or two friends the entire time I was there. I mean, I know New York is huge but I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder every five seconds, you know? But that’s the bed I made, I guess.” She fiddled with the detailing on her dress for a moment. “What else?”

“How are you?”

Her heart fluttered lightly at the sincerity in his voice, the genuine concern she heard. “No one really ever asks me that. They just assume I'm perfectly fine because the bruises have healed or that I'm still broken. But… Um… I’m ok. Made a lot of progress, basically paid for my therapist’s summer home.” She chuckled. “But I really prioritized getting back to me before I got back into work. Back into my hobbies, songwriting and performing, got into running like I told you before… just like finding my voice and personhood again? Those things you kinda lose in that situation. Still learning to trust my gut again, how to accept health love," she motioned toward him. "It’s been a journey but I think I found a better version of myself than before him. So that’s something I guess.”

“Cheers to that,” he raised his glass to her. “So last question.”

“The ever inquisitive Bakari,” she smiled before nodding. “Ask away.”

“You want to give us a real shot? We can take it as slow as you want, ain’t no rush. I want this to go at your pace so I can earn your trust. I want you to be comfortable with me.”

Words failed her as she listened to him. She knew his words to be true, she did not know why but she trusted him already. He already was the safe space she needed and had already earned her trust.

“I already do… trust you,” she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him.

The pair kissed hungrily, their sweet moment turning into hungry desire with in seconds. Charlotte forgot what it felt like to lust until she met Bakari, to yearn for someone’s touch and presence, to desire them as you desire air or sustenance. But she felt all of that and more, driving her to finally let her guard down in more ways than one.

She was shocked at how much she shared with him, how readily he accepted it and her without hesitation, how it did not alter his thoughts or feelings about her. All those feelings she had been keeping at bay were finally free as her walls fell and she forgot how good it felt… to love and be loved, to desire and be desired in return.

Before she knew it, she was on her back, her fingers undoing the buttons of his crisp white shirt, his perfectly-sculpted chest coming into view. She let out a needy moan as his lips touched a sensitive spot on her neck, gently sucking on her skin. Everywhere his hands or lips touched left a spark of heat, a trail of flames lighting his path across her body. She felt overcome with pleasure and need and knew he felt it too as she felt his hardening member against her thigh. She had not expected for their relationship to progress quite this quickly but neither of them had expected to fall in love with each other so she supposed this just the foundation of their relationship: the unexpected. And she would not dare complain.

However, she was surprised when his hands wrapped around hers to stop her as she went to take off his pants.

Her face was flushed and her breaths sounded like pants as she stared at him, confused.

“What?” She asked softly.

“I want you,” he assured her. “So fucking bad… but I want to give you the experience you deserve. Wine you, dine you and have a night that’s all about us -”

“Then break my back?” She teased.

He rolled his eyes and snickered, “Something like that. I just don’t want you to regret anything with me.”

Her forehead rested on his as she nodded painfully, her whole body flustered and annoyed at the loss of what she imagined would be mind-blowing pleasure. And though it was hard not to give into temptation, she knew he was right. She had overcome many hurdles tonight, sex was one to unpack on another day.

He smirked at the disappointed look on her face, “Don’t worry, baby girl. It’ll be worth the wait.”

He kissed her on the lips again before pushing himself off of her, a cold shower in the not-so-distant future for him.

Charlotte sat up and watched as he went to pour both of them another drink from the bottle he brought upstairs.

He settled back down on the couch, his hand resting gently on her thigh through the slit of her dress. The pair fell into effortless conversation, moving away from Charlotte’s past to other topics. The pair did not take their eyes off of each other as they laughed, joked, and swapped stories about their acting careers and families, neither of them wanting the night to end.

By the time Michael glanced at his watch again, he realized it was almost 3 am, Charlotte’s soft yawns getting more and more frequent as they talked.

“Aight,” he rubbed her thigh, noticing the signs of her about to fall asleep from their many movie nights while filming. “You gotta go to sleep, baby girl. Take my bed,” he gestured.

“Nah, I’m not gonna kick you outta your room in your house, Bakari. I’ll call a cab or something,” she yawned and stretched and stood up.

He shook his head. “Definitely not. Please, just knock out in there and I’ll sleep in the guest room. I'll grab you a t-shirt and let you have some privacy. And then I'll call you a car in the morning."

Charlotte was so physically and emotionally tired that she decided not to argue and acquiesced quickly.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

She followed him into the room as he grabbed a t-shirt out of his dresser and put it on the bed for her.

"I'll grab you a hanger 'n garment bag for the dress."

“Could you…?” she gestured at the gown.

She stood and turned away from him, sliding her long hair to the side to reveal the zipper of her dress.

He kept his eyes trained on her back to avoid staring at her perfect ass. Despite his best efforts, he could not help but sneak a peak, her body was one worth feasting on. He made quick work of unzipping her dress and helping her slid it down, revealing perfectly smooth skin underneath.

He undid the clasp of her her bra too, at her signal, immediately stepping back toward the door to take himself out of a danger zone. He couldn’t take her eyes off of her. However, he was quickly drawn out of his adoration when his eyes spotted scars littering her back and one on the left side of her stomach that resembled a burn as she turned slightly to grab his shirt and slid it on.

His eyes darkened as he took the scars in, knowing exactly where and who they came from.

“You good?” He forced out, putting his attention on something else to avoid focusing on the story behind each scar.

“Yea… thanks, Bakari, seriously.” She climbed into bed and settled as he turned to walk to the couch.

However, her voice stopped him.

“Actually… will you stay? Plenty of room for both of us,” she gestured to the empty spot next to her.

Michael knew it was not the best idea given how hard it was to say no earlier. However, at her next statement, he lost any hesitation he may have had.

“I want you here with me, please?”

He nodded and slid his tux pants off, leaving them in a heap on the floor. He got on his side of the bed and she immediately snuggled up next to him. He placed a soft kiss on her head before she dozed off on his chest, Charlotte falling asleep faster than she had in years in the arms of the man she loved.

Tag list: @certifiedlesbianbaddie @bangtanxmegan @reelwriter19 @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @msniaimani @hi888888sworld @destinio1 @lynaye1993 @cawi00

A/N: I told yall there were gonna be more reasons to hate Shaun smh but this is our last chapter where he gets mentioned explicitly for a while lol But Els & Bakari are finally on the same page - woohoo! How do you think her past is gonna impact them as they try to make a relationship work? Also idk how long this series is gonna be lol but this will tell a specific story about a portion of their relationship and I'll use one-shots to build it out beyond this section of their relationship.

#black writers #michael b jordan #michael b jordan x oc #michael b jordan x reader #mbjordanedit #black panther #adonis creed #michael b jordan fanfic #creed iii #creed 3

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pocket-stars · 25 days

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i managed to cough something up for tdov :)

#aster draws #our ocs #venus #splatoon #splatoon 2 #tdov #trans day of visibility #agent 4 #artistic nude #nonsexual nudity

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whimsicalpoet44 · 1 year

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Observations about 12th House Stelliums (From a 12th House Stellium that knows a lot of 12th House Stellliums)

I swear, us 12th house stelliums flock to one another. I think it's because of the unique perspective on life we have.

The 12th house rules the unseen, the subconscious, dreams, secrets, fears, our psyche, intuition, healing, and more. Many think it's the house of self-undoing and hidden enemies, which it can be. But I find there are also a lot of benefits to being a 12th houser.

**This is solely my observations and personal experiences from reading charts and interacting with others. If this doesn't fit you, that's totally okay!**

They make excellent artists/poets/writers/musicians/creatives.

CONSTANT struggle trying to figure out if your emotions are your own. They can get confused with the person who is immediately around you, the collectives, family or friends, or any other spiritual attachments you might have with others. You're like a energetic sponge, always absorbing energy. Energetic protections can help. Your mood can shift at the snap of a finger and it's always very very confusing. (This can cause identity crises in some)

You just know things. You have no explanation for it. You just know stuff before it happens, before your told, or even if someone is lying. It may freak others out at times.

You struggle to show others who you truly are. Wherever your 12th house placements are, you may safeguard that area of your life. (i.e. Venus=private love life, Mars=internalized anger that no one else can pick up on, Jupiter=your beliefs, etc). There may be fear of letting others into that part of your life because it's yours. Sharing it with others may make you feel like it'll be taken away from you. For example, if you're a writer, you may be fantastic at it and have tons of completed manuscripts. But you struggle to submit them to publishers or literary agents, because then the world you created is no longer "yours." The characters become everyones.

You learn to love being by yourself. In fact, alone time is necessary. You could feel like you're the only one who knows you, and you don't have to put on an act for anyone. Others can take offense to this, but it truly has nothing to do with anyone but yourself. You NEED it to recharge. Besides, being alone gives you time to research all of the random or eccentric hyper-fixations you have without comment or judgement from others.

You're comfortable with emotional pain. It may have been a struggle earlier in life, but there's beauty to pain. You may value each and every emotion and believe they all serve their purpose. You could even purposefully make yourself sad to tap into the poetic and artistic side of yourself (think enneagram number 4). Don't worry, you are also probably good at pulling yourself out of it once it has served its purpose.

You're probably really good at self analyzing and can self analyze others. You may even know how they feel before they know, which can cause some resentment if you vocalize this to them if they're in a place where they aren't ready to receive it. People don't like knowing that others can see straight through them.

Secret talents galore. You may be naturally good at things, but you don't share this often. You're the type of person to sit at a piano at a friend's house and play the most bafflingly beautiful piece and your friends are left flabbergasted.

12th house synastry is frowned upon, but I find that 12th house individuals get a long great with other 12th housers. I think it can become catastrophic if one of the people hasn't done any healing work. Otherwise, I find these relationships to be mutually beneficial and helpful.

You may have a life long struggle with mental illness (not always, but it's common). This can be due to the likely childhood trauma one endures with heavy 12th house placements, or it can be due to a tendency to overthink. Either way, intervention from a psychotherapist or trusted healer may be necessary in order to work through these issues. It could also be related to generational trauma.

Maladaptive daydreaming is common. It can be a useful coping skill, but if you find that you're disassociating all of the time, mental health intervention may be necessary.

12th house suns probably had an absent father figure due to death or detachment.

Like those in the 8th house, the occult and spirituality is a point of fascination for you. You may even lean heavily onto your beliefs to manage stress. Many go through periods of deconstruction of old belief systems to find the one that fits. This is because the 12th house rules the things unseen. You could even have psychic gifts that showed themselves in childhood. Out of fear you could've suppressed them, but come back to them in adulthood.

Natural astral travelers. You probably have prophetic dreams. You may not intend to astral travel, but you do. A lot of dream work may be beneficial for you.

Your life could be described by the term "duality." Like Persephone, you may find that you're the ruler of spring/flowers and hell all at once. You probably have more than one aesthetic and your mood/season of your life determines which one you choose for the moment.

Past life energies/lessons/gifts can carry over into this life.

You're full of fantastic ideas, but others can be slow to catch up. They often judge you for your ideas, but a year later, will be endorsing it when it gains popularity.

Oddly specific, but just about every 12th houser I know has had an experience with some sort of spiritual symbology. For example, my friend was often given a statue/picture/figurines of a particular saint to protect her, even though her family wasn't religious. My parents used to say I was their "angel baby" and I was often given angel figurines out of no where that would disappear and reappear from my room. (Same thing would happen to my friend with the saint statue). Others I know have a similar experience, whether it be saints, angels, doves, yin/yang symbols, crosses, gods or goddesses, a particular type of crystal or stone, flowers, trees, etc. And it usually aligned with whatever religion their family practiced, but was somehow still applicable if they deconstructed (not all did, but for those that took that path) from that religion. (i.e. archangels or saints are still prevalent in other religious practices and beliefs)

You have a way with words and know just what to say. You're also a great listener. You could have hyper-fixated on words, because a lot of the times, 12th housers struggle to express themselves verbally. It is possible you read the dictionary as a child to attempt to find the words to convey how you were feeling to an authority figure. Almost every 12th houser I know went through a phase like this. And we all laughed when we figured it out because we attempted to hide it (of course).

12th housers also are really particular about aesthetics because they may be prone to sensory overload. Soft lighting is everything.

They can lack boundaries. Please, for the love of all that is sacred, remember that you don't have to heal everyone. That is not your job. Not everyone is your responsibility.

I'll probably do the signs/planets in the 12th in a future post!

#astrology observations #astro observations #12th house stellium #12th house synastry #12th house #astrology #pisces #dreaming

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louisupdates · 6 months

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The Habit He Can’t Break, 1/4

IQ 123 | Gordon Masson | 9.11.2023

Usually, when an act completes a world tour, they come off the road for an extended period to rest, record new material, and then typically two or three years later, the wheels are set in motion for an album, released, promo, and tour dates.

Louis Tomlinson did not get that memo.

His first solo tour ran late due to the pandemic restrictions, meaning that by the time it concluded in September 2022, his second album, Faith in the Future, was scheduled to drop and tickets for the associated tour were ready to go on sale.

“This tour went on sale late October or November - basically a year in advance,” explains agent, Holly Rowland, who represents Tomlinson alongside Alex Hardee, internationally, while Wasserman Music colleagues, Marty Diamond and Ash Mowry-Lewis do likewise for North America.

Despite that quick turnaround between tours, Rowland reports that ticket sales for the current tour are going very well indeed. “The first leg went through Scandinavia before doing the Baltics and Eastern Europe – Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece – places that most people, especially arena-level acts, don’t really go. And the second leg, which is more mainland Europe, started 2 October.”

The tour is big. Very big for just a second outing in his own name.

Between May and July this year, Tomlinson played 39 dates in the US and Canada across a mix of amphitheaters, arenas, pavilions, and stadiums. In August, he returned to Europe, where he currently is in the midst of another 39 dates in arenas across the continent and the UK, which will take him to 18 November. Then, in early 2024, the Faith in the Future tour goes to Australia for two outdoor dates in Melbourne and Brisbane, before he takes the show to the country’s biggest indoor venue, the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

And, as IQ went to press, Louis Tomlinson released dates for a return to Latin America in May 2024 for a mix of indoor and outdoor shows, including stadia, across Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.

“We’re going to Australia and part of Asia early next year,” states artist manager Matt Vines of London-based Seven 7 Management. We then go into Latin America in May and June. And then we’ll handpick a selection of festivals next summer, before we draw the line on the campaign at the end of the summer.”

Rowland comments, “The tour before obviously was a Covid tour where the dates had to be chopped and changed. The positive aspect of that was that we were able to upgrade venues where that made sense. But it was really nice to start from scratch on this tour to make sure the routing was all going in the right direction.”

Back to You

Playing a major role in shifting that ticketing inventory is a network of promoters also enjoying Tomlinsons rising star.

“On this tour, it’s mainly Live Nation – we use a lot of the One Direction promoter,” explains Rowland. “But for Greece, we used Honeycomb Live, Charmenko did Romania, 8 Days A Week promoted the three shows in the Baltics, All Things Live did Finland, Fource are doing Orague, it’s Gadget in Switzerland, Atelier in Luxembourg, and when we get to the UK, it’s SJM, and MCD in Ireland.”

With a total of 39 European dates, Rowland split the outing into separate legs, scheduling a break after Scandinavia, the Balkans, Baltics, and Athens, Greece, and another after mainland Europe, ending in Zürich, Switzerland.

“It’s a perfect ratio, if I do say so myself,” she laughs. “It was right to split it up – 39 dates is a long, long tour, especially with the American tour throughout the summer being 11 weeks! We made sure to schedule days off, for everyone to recharge their batteries.”

In Spain, Nacho Córdoba at Live Nation promoted Tomlinson’s shows in Bilbao, Madrid, and Barcelona, and reports sell-outs at each of the arenas involved.

“When Louis was last here, it was three days before the pandemic shut everything down in Spain. In fact, I think he played the final show before the market closed because of Covid.,” says Córdoba.

“Last year, Louis organized his Away From Home Festival in Fuengirola, and that also sold out, so we know he has a big following in Spain, and we also know that Spanish fans are super loyal. So, on this tour we sold out 7,000 tickets at Bilbao Arena Miribilla, 13,600 tickets at Wizink in Madrid, and 11,200 at Palau St Jordi in Barcelona.”

Already looking forward to Tomlinson “and his fantastic team” returning on the next tour, Córdoba believes it will be important to see what happens with the next album – and Tomlinson’s expectations – before making any plans.

“The most important thing is to keep the fans happy and keep the momentum building with Louis,” he states. “I am a big fan of the arenas, because the atmosphere at his shows was incredible. So, rather than look at going bigger, it might be a case of looking at other arenas in other markets. Whatever he does, we cannot wait to have Louis back in Spain.”

Stefan Wyss at Gadget abc Entertainment in Switzerland promoted Tomlinson when he visited Zurich’s Hallenstadion on 23 October and explains that he previously played the city’s Halle 622 venue on the first tour.

Recalling the debut solo outing, Wyss tells IQ, “At first, we announced a mid-size theatre club show, 1,800-capacity, but it sold out instantly. Then we moved it to Halle 62, which is 3-500-cap and that also sold out immediately, so it was a really big success.

“They’ve invested a lot in the production of this current tour, and it’s doing really strong numbers, so that’s why we decided to go to the arena this time around, where we set a mid-size capacity of 7,000, which is good for a small market like Switzerland, especially because he’s coming back just one year later and playing a much bigger show.”

Wyss adds, “He’s kept the ticket prices reasonable – and he never wants to do any gold circle or VIP tickets. I think that’s why he’s so close to his fans, because it’s not about maximising profits. Another reason for his success is that in addition to attracting a mainstream audience, he’s also getting the music lovers because he’s just a very good songwriter and has brilliant songs.”

Wyss also notes that with many young fans typically arriving the day before the concert, the responsibility to look after them is extended. “We set up toilets, we have security overnight, we give water away. It’s part of the organization that we will take care of the fans.”

Fresh from announcing 12 dates across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay, promoter Fabiano Lima De Queiroz at Move Concerts reports that Tomlinson will visit a mix of arenas, as well as stadiums in Santiago, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires, during his May tour.

“Our first tour with Louis was supposed to be in 2020 and we’d booked half arenas everywhere – 5,000–6,000 capacities,” he informs IQ. “Louis was one of those acts who connected very well with the fans during the pandemic, so when we shifted the dates, first to 2021, and then to 2022, we ended up selling out and having to upgrade in certain metropolitan markets.”

2/4, 3/4, 4/4

#iq magazine #louis tomlinson #louis press #9.11.2023

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happyocelot · 3 months

Note

send me an au and i’ll give you 5+ headcanons about it 😊

NaruHina - SpyAU

NaruHina - space travel AU

Thanks! I came up with these in a few minutes. Hope you like!

NaruHina - Spy AU

1. Naruto and Hinata are both spies from the same spy training academy but Naruto sucks at being a spy. He is the clumsiest and insists on wearing this eye-bleeding shade of orange whenever he's on a mission and naturally doesn't do a good job of blending in. He has a complex about being the best spy EVER and shouts this out loud...a lot. Again, so many covers blown, so many times.

Hinata is so quiet, she blends in with the furniture and no one notices her, so she's much better at the job than Naruto. A higher-up (Kakashi? Tsunade? I think both...) decides to rein in Naruto and hopefully salvage any missions he's on, and assigns Hinata as his partner.

2. This backfires HORRIBLY...because Hinata has been in love with Naruto for years and becomes a clumsy mess around him too.

3. Naruto and Hinata are assigned to infiltrate the criminal group Akatsuki, and Naruto is so over-the-top about being the best spy dattebayo that no one in the group believes he is a real spy...refuge in audacity works for him. Hinata is also assumed to be a harmless little thing ("why are you even in a criminal group?") and gathering info is pretty easy for her.

4. Against all odds and with the help of inside agent Itachi, they successfully bust the criminal gang.

5. They get married with Naruto wearing a bright orange tuxedo and Hinata wearing a bright orange wedding gown. Naruto's former teacher Iruka is crying in joy that his beloved student is getting married and also crying in rage that he insisted on a bright orange theme for the wedding.

NaruHina - Space Travel AU

Astronaut Naruto forces the space travel director Kakashi to give astronauts dehydrated space ramen and furthermore to make that everyone's meal all the time. The other astronauts in the program hate him.

It proves a hit with the general public. Dehydrated ramen sales have never been higher. Naruto accidentally started a cult around dehydrated space ramen.

He tries to moon walk and trips.

He suggests a trip to Mercury or perhaps Venus on a TV talk show and is gently reminded that humans would die if they ever went to those planets. Not to be dissuaded, he begins suggesting trips to Neptune, Pluto, and the Andromeda Galaxy.

One day, scanning the newspaper, his eyes catch a headline, "Young lady beats astronaut's record for most dehydrated cup ramen consumed in one sitting." He makes it his mission to track her down. Then begins a whole other story...

#gentlesoulgentlefist #asks #naruhina #naruto

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destiny-aesthetics · 23 days

Text

^ Communications to the Vanguard; Letter from the Stranger [Elisabeth "Elsie" Bray]

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

Destiny 2 [Bungie] | Beyond Light [Collector's Edition]

ACCESS: RESTRICTED/REDACTED DECRYPTION KEY: ekeriPC6N$ spoof REP #: 121-EUROPA-BAN AGENT(S): CHA-319 SUBJ: Review of interdict on Europa landings. ASSOCIATIONS: Active interdict; Awoken, military commitments of; Bray, Clovis; Bray Tech; cryohazard; Deep Stone Crypt; Enceladus; Golden Age; Io; Jovians; Nine; Titan, moon of Saturn; Vex

1. Prior to the Taken War, the Reef maintained an interdict upon the poorly navigable Jovian moons. That interdict has failed, allowing Guardians to begin (politely put) "reclaiming" these satellites. The sixth moon, however, still falls under Vanguard interdict. To borrow an old adage: "All these worlds are yours, except Europa. Attempt no bounties there." 2. I have been asked to review this interdict's continued necessity. My first impression is that its Europan files are so heavily redacted as to encourage the very expeditions they are presumably meant to deter. Have you ever tried to tell a Hunter that they can't go somewhere AND can't know why? 3. Europa's surface is hazardous. Intense radiation mangles both flesh and machinery. Peak temperature at the poles never climbs more than 50 degrees above absolute zero; the equator reaches a balmy 110 above. This moon was never T-formed and has no proper atmosphere. Tidal stress tortures and crackles the surface, leading to frequent cryovolcanism. There are many ways to die on Europa, but we are speaking of Guardians here. Risk of death alone cannot justify a no-landings edict.

4. The subcrustal ocean is two to three times the volume of Earth's. Life exists down there, but we have forgotten how to reach it. Rumors of some vague abyssal connection to Titan and Enceladus are unsubstantiated, and in this agent's opinion, probably nonsense. So long as Guardians do not take up sport hunting, protection of native life is not grounds for an edict. 5. A heavily armed platform of Golden Age origin keeps station over the moon. It maneuvers using either Hall-effect electrical thrust or some kind of anchor in the Jovian magnetosphere. Ordinarily this would be worth investigating, but the files suggest that the platform is a rare example of an active and unpredictably hostile Golden Age defense asset. Approach at your own risk. (Interesting note-some suggest that jumpships of the Eon series are not as rapidly engaged - this matches what we know of their designer. Jumpships are rare and valuable, so best to keep a safe distance.) 6. Recent close flybys have imaged a Golden Age compound bearing the Bray Tech insignia built in the Europan ice. The same imagery captures thousands, if not tens of thousands, of hibernating or destroyed Vex. Unlike all other Vex presences on Venus, Mars, Mercury, Io, or Nessus, there is no sign of major construction. This suggests a Vex strike force, rather than a permanent presence. What did they want? We have fought Vex before, and early aggression against their designs has always proven critical. Their simple presence cannot justify an interdict.

7. Through negotiation and horse-trading with her superiors, Awoken Paladin Kamala Rior provided me with a device capable of sundry high-physics measurements I will not detail. It reveals that Europa is saturated and interpenetrated with dark matter loops. This is a sign of the interest and attention of the Nine. Their power and influence depend on the mass of nearby stellar bodies, and Europa falls within the sphere of Jupiter-as mighty a gravitational gatherer as anything outside the Sun itself. But even in this bastion of the Nine, Europa is a focus of particularly intense observation. We have often speculated that Xûr is a construct made from the repossessed body of a Jovian colonist… but there are no known records of colonies on Europa. So what draws the Nine here? Unclear. Their interests are opaque. In any case, the gaze of the Nine is no reason to prohibit Europa- Guardians have gone much further into their influence before. 8. No known signs of Ahamkara or other ontopathic predators occur on Europa. Perhaps there are wishing-sharks in the abyssal deep, but that is purely my fancy. No grounds for interdict here. 9. Europa is a traditional stopover for Fallen raiders tanking up on reaction mass. Mithrax, VIP #3987, relays vague reports of a taboo no-go area around the Golden Age station. This prohibition apparently goes beyond fear of its weapons and could be related to the Vex. There is allegedly "something that cannot be stolen from." Tantalizing, but not grounds for interdict. 10. Many Exos have fragmented memories concerning ice sheets and Jupiter in the sky. Europa would be a logical origin for those memories, especially given the presence of Bray Tech assets. This seems to militate towards an investigation.

11.The instruments Paladin Rior provided are extremely unreliable in the vicinity of Europa. I cannot determine whether this is a result of poor construction, my own inexpert use, or the presence of something aberrant. 12. This is hardly a well-vetted piece of intelligence, but something about the imagery and lore I've collected gives me an extremely bad feeling. Something is wrong here. 13. In conclusion, I cannot find strong strategic reasons to maintain the interdict on Europa. We lifted the interdict on the Moon not five years ago, resulting in a series of strategic key victories and intelligence findings… but also triggering the arrival of Oryx, an event that gave Ghaul his Light-suppressing technology and ultimately led to the awakening of the lunar intruder. Perhaps Europa will prove as consequential? We cannot shrink from new discoveries simply because they may lead to new challenges. Victory, after all, requires escalation.

I recommend LIFTING THE INTERDICT. MESSAGE ENDS [Recommendation refused on grounds of compartmentalized information. Unable to share; please trust that your analysis has not been ignored or discarded out of hand. Regrets - IKO/0061]

----------------------------------------------------- Guardian- This is an artifact of Darkness, and now I entrust it to you. Do not take this charge lightly. I have seen firsthand what its power an do Guardians who wield it… even to you. Like all new ground, it can prove treacherous to walk. Listen to your Little Light, and remember that you will live with choices forever. it you. My grandfather came to Europa before the Collapse to seek immortality. He thought he was chosen to lead humanity to the future. His experiments to this end were… hideous. Despite my qualms, collaborated with him. I accept my responsibility in full; I would have, know everything. "O nymph, in your orisons, be all my sins remember'd." You, nymph, but the principle holds, yes? We must know what he did with the power you now grasp. I have included a hard copy of the logs I've deciphered so far. Reader beware. My grandfather was worse than you know. Your stranger I remain, E

#destiny 2 #bungie #scans #BL CE

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