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louisupdates · 1 year

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MY FOOTBALL

The One Direction star has two principal loves: Ronaldinho and James Coppinger

FOUR FOUR TWO, MARCH 2023 (by PAUL WILKES)

Which was the first match that you ever went to?

I actually got into football quite late, when I started playing at around 11. There were a few Manchester United fans in the family, so the first match I ever went to was an unbelievable first game: the FA Cup fifth round tie against Arsenal in February 2003 - the match when Sir Alex Ferguson kicked the boot and hit David Beckham! My best memories come from Doncaster, who are the only club I support now. We had a fantastic League Cup run in 2005 - we beat Manchester City on penalties, then beat Aston Villa 3-0 and lost to Arsenal on penalties in the quarter-finals. That was my first real low as a football fan. I can remember walking back home absolutely gutted.

Who was your childhood hero and did you ever meet them?

James Coppinger is my club hero - he played at every level and really played for the badge. Everyone in Donny loves him and he’s a great bloke too. After I got into One Direction, I was lucky to meet him and played alongside him a couple of times in charity games. As a fan growing up watching him, that was amazing l. The best person I’ve ever met in football was Pele. I met him about four or five years ago and it was incredible - he had all these stories and we spoke for ages. He was lovely.

What has been your finest moment playing football?

I played in Soccer Aid and Ronaldinho tried to nutmeg me. I was all over his shirt, giving him no respect, and I just managed to nick the ball off him! There's a sick picture that I've seen of it.

The other moment was when I was about 15. I started as a centre-back, but didn’t grow any taller so moved across to right-back, and scored the only Sunday League goal I ever scored. I’ll never forget it.

What do you like most about going to the match?

The whole atmosphere, that magic. When you have those experiences as a young lad, there’s an element of nostalgia each time you go into a football stadium.

Which players do you admire even though they’ve never played for your club?

As some of my family supported Manchester United, I was never allowed to like Thierry Henry, but those grudge matches against Arsenal were amazing. He was a serious player.

Where’s the best place you’ve ever watched a game?

The Bernabeu - it was Neymar’s first ever Clasico for Barcelona against Real Madrid, which is pretty special. It’s one of the bucket list fixtures to go to. When I was young, Doncaster signed me as a reserve player and I went to a pre-season training camp in Portugal. As a supporter of the club, that’s not something you’re normally privy to, so watching how the squad trained and prepared was fascinating.

A few years ago, you filmed a music video with Bebe Rexha on the pitch at Keepmoat Stadium. What was that like?

It was really important for me and my career. The reason I’m sat here today is because of Doncaster - it’s played a huge role. It’s who I am as a person and it’s what I write songs about. The fact that we were able to film the video at the Keepmoat, where I’ve spent many days and evenings, made it so special. It felt appropriate.

What’s your favourite football book?

It’s not a book, but FourFourTwo! I used to subscribe when I was younger. I’m not a big reader otherwise. I should be, but I’m not.

What’s been your worst experience at a game?

I was playing in a charity match at Celtic Park. I got the ball and turned to my right, then Gobby Agbonkhor come through the back of me and I tore my medial ligament. A combination of the impact and me being very unfit meant I ended up throwing up all over Celtic's stodium, which I know will please a lot of Rangers supporters.

Have any footballers been to a gig?

Paul Pogba came to a One Direction show once, that's the one that stands out - he was really sound. I won’t lie, I don’t think many footballers listen to One Direction songs.

What’s the strangest place you’ve ever met a footballer?

I was in this bar in South America and, purely by chance, Bryan Robson was there with a few friends. He was a bit drunk. We went straight over and he was nice, but it was one of those times where you think, “What is he doing here?!” [Laughs]

What’s the greatest goal you’ve ever seen live?

I was at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's debut for the LA Galaxy, because I spend some time over in Los Angeles. The LAFC keeper launched the ball upfield and it was cleared back to Zlatan about forty yards out. He watched it bounce and then smashed it over the keeper’s head - an unbelievable goal. I love him - I like a bit of s**thousery in my footballers, and he's always had that.

Who’s your current favourite player?

The obvious answer is Erling Haaland, because any fan seeing him rack up the goals this season has been totally in awe. Even if you support Manchester United, you watch him and think he's superb. But for me, Jude Bellingham. I’m so excited by Jude - he's been in brilliant form this season, even before the World Cup.

If you could drop yourself into your all-time five-a-side team, who would you be playing next to?

Well, I play at the back, so I want me and Rio Ferdinand. I'd pick Edwin van der Sar, he was a top keeper in his day, then in midfield I'd have Ronaldinho - I grew up loving his football. Up front, I'll go for Cristiano Ronaldo.

What’s the most important piece of memorabilia that you have?

I had a Doncaster home shirt as a kid that I associate with growing up. A few years ago, I bought the same shirt in my current size - it's special to me, and when I met Pele I asked him to sign it. That was the pinnacle.

[Thanks to TeamLouisMedia for the HD photo.]

links to fourfourtwouk’s posts about Louis on Twitter and Instagram

#four four two #louis tomlinson #louis press #fourfourtwo #transcript #transcription #2 february 2023

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player1064 · 1 month

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If you're still doing prompts: I just saw the rooney pic set and the beckham with carra and just either of Carraville being a hot commodity? Other people having crushes or being into them? And maybe them being obvious because they only have eyes for each other or so? Or being possessive

alright lads I am BACK (the essay uh. dont even worry about it.) I've been distracted from drabbles with a) my beville wip which is getting. long. and b) making a gary character thesis statement video which is also getting. LONG.

Anyway I was gonna do a Gary half to this (w/ Stevie and Michael Owen) but it's already at like 1.2k words with just the Jamie ones so if anyone wants me to write the Gary half u will simply have to send more asks adksjfkjdasfsvdsa...

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Wayne is young, and excited, and he’s scoring a lot of goals.

England is fantastic, it’s a break in the routine, a chance to play with new people. A chance to prove to the whole world that he’s the best there is, that there’s more to the buzz around him than just talk. And there’s so many United players in the squad, there’s no fear of feeling lost or out of his depth.

Except, the United players are all senior United players, that little gang of Phil, Butty, Scholesy, and of course their ringleader Gaz.

Gaz is great, but Wayne has to put up with him every day of his life and he’s not sure he can stomach spending his free time at England camp listening to his ranting when he could be doing literally anything else.

The first time he’d been called up he’d still been with Everton, and being the only player at the club to get in the squad he’d not known anyone when he got to training camp. The Liverpool lot – or rather, Jamie Carragher and his less enthusiastic mates – had adopted him, but now just a few months later everything is different, because now he plays for Manchester United.

It’s stupid, really. The club rivalry stuff. The ‘stick with your own teammates’ stuff. David Beckham doesn’t play for United anymore, but he’s still sat at their table every day, saying stuff that’s not even that funny but that makes Gaz do this stupid over the top laugh that Wayne never hears at any other time.

Gaz’ll have a go at him for it, but he’d rather go sit with Stevie and Carra.

They’re sat at a small table in the canteen, just the two of them and Mo. Except Carra’s not sitting next to Mo like he did last season, there’s no easy banter flowing between any of them. Wayne ignores the tension, or maybe he just doesn’t notice it, and he takes the long awaited opportunity to sit right next to Carra.

Gaz likes to complain about the Scousers, and about Carra in particular. He can’t stand him, thinks he’s after his position in the squad or something, like anyone would want to be a right-back. Last time they’d played Liverpool, Gaz had sat in the dressing room moaning about how Carra was a ‘pathetic little whiny bitch’ and how ‘he’s the most miserable looking footballer I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting’.

Wayne’s not sure where Gaz is getting that from, he’s always thought Carra was quite nice. Friendly, even. And he smells nice, which is unrelated but feels like it’s worth mentioning.

Even now that Wayne’s at one of his club’s biggest rivals, he still gives him a little smile and an “alright, Wazza?”

There’s a little flutter in his chest, and he grins back. “hiya, Carra. How’s things in Liverpool?”

Carra squints at him. “Did Neville send you over to spy on us?”

David is under a lot of pressure.

This was meant to be his last tournament, one last chance for him to finally do it, and now he’s sat in the dugout and every newspaper in the world is asking what his job is meant to be, exactly. He’s not a coach, his latest injury ruled him out of the squad months ago, but he’s still here, and everyone is still watching.

It’s weird, to be away with England and not have Gary by his side. He’s in a hotel in South Africa and he should be going out, enjoying the fact that for once he doesn’t have to be fit to play, but instead he’s staring at the door wishing Gary would walk through and complain about something.

It’s probably not fair to say that he misses Gary (you’re the one who left, you prick), but well – he does miss Gary. He always misses Gary. It’s a world cup, he should be here.

If he’d known, four years ago – if he’d known. He’d’ve done better, tried harder. But what thirty year old thinks they’re at the end of their international career?

So he’s here, now. He’s not a player, not a coach, he’s just David Beckham. Apparently that’s enough. The squad is changing, shifting into something unrecognisable. The senior players don’t bother with the club rivalry thing so much anymore, there’s not enough of them from each club to really justify it. So at lunch he sits with Frank and JT and Gerrard. And Carragher, who’s not got enough caps to really be a senior player at England, but who’s too old now to count as anything else. He’s always around, anyway – sticks to Gerrard like his shadow.

And sometimes – sometimes, David finds himself looking.

He’s all alone out here. He’s under a lot of pressure.

It’s been years, since he’s done anything like that. Four years, in fact. And it’s not that he’s just substituting one defender for another, but he sees a lot of Gary in Jamie. Always cross about something, always moaning. Always pushing himself in training as hard as he possibly can, always pushing the others to do the same.

And he’s not bad to look at, either. Though David’s not sure if that’s a point in his favour or not, he’s always had a bit of a soft spot for the awkward, ugly ones. Or maybe just for that one specific awkward ugly one.

He’s not quite sure how to broach the subject, spends a few days agonising over it before deciding to just get on with it and go knock on the man’s door.

Carragher squints at him when he opens the door. “Does the manager need me for somethin’?” he asks cautiously, like maybe he’s not sure what David’s job is meant to be either.

“Nothing like that, just wondered if we could talk.”

Carragher doesn’t respond, just crosses his arms and waits for David to talk.

“Um, I was thinking more like – in your room?” he says, trying to load as much meaning as he can into the words since Carragher seems a bit slow on the uptake.

Carragher waves him in and he walks ahead to sit on the end of the bed.

“If this is about that fight I had with your mate a few weeks ago, he’s the one who fuckin’ started it.”

“I – what?”

David’s not quite sure when Jamie would have had opportunity to fight any of his mates, or even which mate he might mean – they don’t exactly run in the same circles.

“I swear, he’s always in the referee’s ear, mouthy cunt.”

Ah. Gary.

He wonders when the last time United played Liverpool was. He wonders when the last time was that he asked Gary how a game went.

“We have nothing to do with the referees,” he says automatically, before remembering that he’s not really part of the we anymore, hasn’t been for a long time.

“Yeah, yeah. Well tell your little boyfriend that if he still ‘as a problem he can say it to my face, but it was his man who dived, not mine.”

“That wasn’t why I – you know what, never mind.”

#do i even tag this as carraville. does this count as carraville.#people showing interest in jamie and him immediately being like. this seems like it has to do with gary neville (it never does)#carraville #drabbles

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 2 months

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Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by James Russell Miller

David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

The story of David and Goliath is one with which every reader of the Bible is familiar. It is full of interest. It reveals much of David’s character, and throws light on the training of the boy in his shepherd life. It is suggestive also for all of us, for we all have giants to fight, and we may learn from David, how to meet them and conquer them.

David had been chosen to be king. Now he was to be trained for the great task. All the incidents and events in his life were lessons set by the great Teacher. The Philistines had gathered for battle with the Israelites, and Saul and his men were facing them. One day there stalked out from the Philistine lines a great giant, named Goliath, and proposed that one from Saul’s army should come out and fight him, and that the outcome of this duel should settle the conflict between the two armies. At first no one of Saul’s men responded to the champion’s defiance. The king and his men were dismayed and greatly humiliated .

Then David came to the camp. He did not belong to the army. He was only a boy, and his place was at home with the sheep. His older brothers were with Saul.

Jesse one day sent David to the camp with provisions for his brothers. For forty days, morning and evening, Goliath had been coming out and calling across the valley, demanding that someone from the Israelite army should accept his challenge. David had just found his brothers and was talking with them when the giant made his appearance. The shepherd lad heard his haughty words. He learned also what had been promised by the king to the man who would kill the evil champion. David became greatly interested in the matter but the boy’s inquiries irritated Eliab, David’s oldest brother, who spoke scornfully to him.

The king heard of the lad’s interest and sent for him. David proposed to the king that he would fight the giant. Saul tried to dissuade him but David persisted, and at length Saul consented. “Go, and the Lord shall be with you.” “Then Saul put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.” David’s simple shepherd’s garb did not appear to the warrior king to be suited for the battle with the great giant who was outfitted in all the armor of a man of war. Saul thought David could not fight a soldier, without a soldier’s armor. He did not know that he was better armed as he was than if he had helmet and coat of armor and shoes of brass to protect his body. David was clad rather in the panoply of God .

The best protection anyone can have in time of danger is the garment of truth, sincerity and holiness. Paul tells us of the Christian’s armor, which, he says, every follower of Christ should wear, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Life is a constant warfare if it is life really worth living. Not to fight is not to try to get forward and struggle upward.

The king thought David should be armed before going out to meet Goliath, so he put on him his own helmet and coat of armor. But David told Saul he could not fight in armor. “I cannot go with these; because I am not used to them! So he took them off.” He tried to move about in Saul’s heavy armor but staggered under the weight. In a contest of pure arms sword and spear and helmet and coat of armor David would have been no match for Goliath; but armed with his sling the giant was no match for him. This was the one weapon which David had been trained to use to perfection.

Just so, stick to your little sling when you are fighting giants, and do not attempt to throw anything but choice stones out of the gospel brook. Too many of our modern Davids persist in fighting Goliaths in Saul’s armor, and it is no wonder they are defeated. One who knows how to use the Word of God is more than a match for any giant in the world. That was the weapon Jesus used when He met the great Goliath, Satan, and utterly vanquished him!

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” We should remember that David’s fine throwing that day was not accidental, nor was it by a miracle that the stone went so straight to its mark. David had learned in his shepherd life to do this thing easily and surely. He had practiced with his sling until he could strike a hair’s breadth and never miss. He had spent his leisure to some purpose while watching the sheep. He did not know then what splendid use his skill would one day be to him but unconsciously, in his pleasant pastime, he was preparing for the great crisis of that day. Wellington used to say he learned on the Eton playground, how to fight the battle of Waterloo .

This teaches young people the importance of improving every moment, and taking every opportunity to acquire knowledge and skill. Someone may say to them, that they will never find any use for this or that branch of study in the curriculum, and might as well omit it but this is bad advice. Some day they will need all the knowledge and skill they can acquire. They will find need, too, for the particular bits of learning and knowledge they think they will never have occasion to use. David could not have met Goliath victoriously in that momentous hour if he had not unconsciously prepared for such a conflict in the quiet hours of his shepherd life.

Many a man fails in important moments in the critical experiences of life because he has failed to be diligent in his boyhood. If you would be ready for such occasions in your life you must prepare for them in the quiet days of boyhood and youth. If David had not been an expert slinger before that morning he could not then, in the hour before the giant came out, have prepared himself for the battle, nor could he have brought down the champion by any mere lucky stroke. Learn all you can in youth, omit no opportunity for acquiring skill in doing things, become skillful in whatever you do. You do not know what good service your experience, even in little, mundane things may some day do you!

We should not neglect spiritual training. When Jesus met the tempter, He fell back on the preparation He had made in His silent years at Nazareth. To each assault He replied with a verse of Scripture. But He did not go to His Bible scroll to get His text. He had the Words of God in His heart, hidden away in the storehouse of memory.

Some people have to take their concordance and look up the Scripture text they want, when any need demands it, either for their own use or in helping others. A concordance is a good thing to have but it is better if we become so familiar with our Bible and have it so in memory, that we can quote its words. It may seem to us that we do not need the Divine promises now but some time we shall, and if we fail to learn them we shall not have them ready in the day of distress.

When the Philistine “looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.” He saw only a boy, unarmed, and scorned to fight with him. So the world disdains the Christian. It asks with contempt: “What can he do? What strength has he in his feeble hands? Where are the weapons he is going to fight with?” The giant saw only a shepherd’s staff in David’s hands; what was that against his own enormous spear? The world sees only a Bible in the Christian’s hand; what is that against all its philosophy and science and reason? Yet the Christian is not so defenseless and powerless as he seems. His weapons are not of the earthly kind and do not appear formidable but are really powerful, and, like David, he is able with them to subdue giants !

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty!” The giant blustered, boasting of his own power and disdaining David’s littleness. He was angry that he had to fight with a mere boy. “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” Yet David was not scared by Goliath’s pitiful scorn of him. It was the Lord’s battle he was about to fight, and he knew the Lord would give victory.

The law of the heavenly kingdom is, “Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” There are a great many things that human power can do but when we turn to the really essential things in life it is strengthless, and can do none of them. With all its boasted philosophy, science and wisdom it cannot convert souls nor change hearts; it cannot lift up the fallen; it cannot overcome sin and Satan; it cannot comfort sorrow nor give peace to the dying. Not one of the really great things of life, can it do. The Christian comes in the name of the Lord, and that name has in it the strength of omnipotence! Jesus said: “I have overcome the world.” He is Master of all things, and therefore is able to subdue all things unto Himself.

David talked very confidently to the Philistine but not boastfully. He gave God all the honor of the victory he was about to win. “I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty!” “This day will the Lord deliver you into my hand.” “That all the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” We can conquer only as we fight in the name of Christ.

“As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it from his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face downward to the ground!” Just so, the believer in God may prevail over every Philistine that stalks out to meet him if he goes against him as David went that day against Goliath. The battle that wins the victory is the Lord’s. If we go in His name we shall conquer. Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

There are giants in our own hearts, even after the most thorough conversion. Like the Philistines in Canaan, the Philistines of sin also are terribly hard to subjugate. Your besetting sin, whatever it is, is a Goliath. It may seem to you that it never can be vanquished, and it never can until David comes our David Jesus. Call for Him to come and slay the giant for you!

There are giants in the world outside. Intemperance is one. Unbelief is another. Worldliness is another. These giants stalk out and hurl their defiance at the army of God’s people and there seems to be no one who can overcome them. Now is the time for faith in God. We must go out against these giants in the name of the Lord, not with philosophy, science and education but with the Cross, and then we shall prevail.

“And since he had no sword, he ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill the giant and cut off his head!” We should not fail to get a lesson on the importance of thoroughness in the conquest of evil, from David’s manner of dealing with Goliath. David was not satisfied with seeing the giant fall to the earth when the smooth stone struck him but ran and drew Goliath’s own sword from its scabbard and with it cut off his head. If he had not done this the old champion would probably have gotten up by-and-by, and walked away, for he was only stunned not killed, by the stone. David made sure that his work was completed.

A great many of our attacks upon sin in our own hearts, and in the world only stun and temporarily disable but do not kill the evil. We walk away, thinking we have done a fine thing, won a splendid victory; and presently we meet the old giant again, stalking abroad as before! He soon recovers from our blow, and we have to fight the battle over again, and perhaps we fight it again in the same half way, and thus on and on to the end of life.

Most of us have had just such experiences as these with our own lusts and passions. We overcome them often, and each time we think that we have entirely subdued them and that we shall have no further trouble with them; but they are soon active as ever again! We need to learn from David to finish our victories by cutting off the head of every giant we strike down! There is no other way of destroying our sins. The life is in the head and the head must come off or the enemy will be facing us again in a day or two with only a scar on his forehead!

The only way to get a real victory over vices is to decapitate them! Bruises and wounds are not enough. There must be thorough work done, in the name of the Lord. Half-way measures will not avail.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

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ssyoi · 11 months

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Daniel from @camp-lad-david 's post apocalypse au !!

#camp camp #cc #camp campbell #cc daniel #camp camp daniel #post apocalyptic #post apocalypse #camp camp au #au #alternate universe

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roseq-stims · 1 month

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i absolutely despise that camp lad david account on tiktok

#camp camp

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walviemort · 9 months

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hidden blessing (11/?)

Summary: Killian thought the only thing he was left with after Milah’s death was a broken heart and a thirst for vengeance. It’s not until he gets to Storybrooke, after so many years spent in stasis, that he discovers something else: he’s carrying her child. How does this new, tiny blessing change his path? (Canon-divergent from 2x12.)

a/n: We're back! And should have a few more updates for you in the next few weeks! Hope you like this one!

After the general discomfort of the revelations in the Echo Caves, Killian found himself dealing with unpleasantness of a different kind—nausea again. Just before they made it back to camp, he had to duck behind a tree to deal with that; he couldn’t wait to get back to Storybrooke and talk to Doc to find out just when that was supposed to go away.

He swished his mouth out with some rum, then spat it out before strolling back into camp. The rest of the group was gathered around Bae in conversation; as he approached, he heard him saying, “I know how to navigate the stars, but I can't fly.” Killian ducked his head to hide his smirk at that; he was glad to hear the now-grown lad hadn’t forgotten the skills he’d taught him, but it wasn’t the time to gloat about that.

“I'm guessing that's where the Shadow comes in,” Snow said—and, to his surprise, passed a canteen to him, despite David standing in between them. He nodded his thanks and took a long drag.

“That's why we have to capture it,” Bae replied—to which Killian nearly choked on his water. Was he mad?

“Capture it?” Emma exclaimed, in line with Killian’s own disbelief. “We've never been within 10 feet of Pan unless he wanted us to be. Sneaking up on him to steal his shadow? That seems insane.”

He was still in agreement that going after the shadow was insane, but at least had to clarify some facts for Emma. “Except that Pan's Shadow is rarely with him. It's an entity unto itself. It can carry out his will from miles away.”

David asked, “So what does that mean for us?”

“It means we can get his shadow without having to be anywhere near Pan—as long as we know where to look,” Neal clarified. “And I know where to look.”

Killian shuddered—he did, too, and he didn’t like it one bit, even if (as he’d gathered) it was their best way off the island.

“Ok, you and I are on shadow duty,” Emma told Neal, and they moved to start to head out.

It might be foolish, but Killian sure as hell wasn’t letting them go alone. “As am I,” he interjected. “This trek won't be easy. You could use another veteran of the island.”

Neal nodded and gave him a casual smile that reminded him distinctly of Milah. “Thanks, man.”

A quick plan was hashed out for after their mission—to meet up at Tink’s with Emma’s parents, and then (finally) make a move for Henry—and then everyone set about what they needed to do.

At least—he was about to, but Snow intercepted him before he got too far (brushing past David to do so—pointedly, it seemed, as well). “I just wanted to say—congratulations,” she effused, grabbing his hand. “I wish you’d told us sooner; how are you feeling?”

“Uh, I’m fine, luv—thank you,” he replied, trying to make sure his appreciation at the sentiment came through even though David was staring somewhat dejectedly at their exchange.

She continued to pepper him with questions—how far along he was, symptoms, and so on; he was touched she was so interested but was also fairly certain it was just a distraction. (One he didn’t mind indulging, but he had to prepare to leave, too.)

She thankfully picked up on his desire to get a move on. “Sorry, sorry; I just...have had that kind of stuff on my mind lately,” she said; that was rather obvious. “Just—be safe. All of you.”

“We’ll do our best,” he answered, then she stepped away to prepare for their own trek. He did catch David’s hurt gaze as she walked away, though, and tried to give an encouraging nod as the prince hurried after his wife.

While Killian was glad he no longer had to hide his expectant state, he hoped he didn’t have too many more exchanges like that; the attention, while appreciated, was somewhat embarrassing.

But when he walked into Bae’s cave to see what he could assist him and Emma with, he realized: he still had one more person to tell. (Well, and Rumpelstiltskin, wherever the bastard had wandered off to, but that was a low priority.)

Neal—Bae—he still wasn’t sure the best way to refer to him—was poking around his former home, looking for….what, he didn’t know.

“Something tells me we won't find Pan's Shadow in here, mate,” he teased.

Neal ignored the (attempted) joke. “Yeah, we're looking for something else. It's a coconut that's carved in two,” he said, gesturing the shape with his hands. “One part holds a candle, the other part goes on top—“

“Yeah, your star map,” Emma interjected. “We hid it. I'll go grab it.”

For the first time in well over a century, he was alone with Bae.

“So, uh, how…how’ve you been?” Bae asked him.

Killian opened his mouth to reply, but words seemed suddenly insufficient. Instead, he strode forward and wrapped the other man in an embrace.

“Bae, I’m so sorry,” he said softly, his emotions suddenly thick. “I should never have handed you over like that, and I’ve regretted it every day.”

Unsurprisingly, Neal hadn’t moved at all since Killian hugged him. “Um, okay…uh, thanks?” he finally said, uncertain.

“Sorry,” Killian blurted out as he stepped away, wiping away the tears that had sprung to his eyes. “I just had to say it, before we get too much farther.”

Bae rubbed the back of his head nervously. “I…I appreciate that, but it doesn’t really change what happened.”

“I know,” Killian agreed. “And I know there’s nothing I can do to fix it, but I wanted you to know.”

“Thanks,” Neal said, rather abruptly. Then, surprisingly, he chuckled. “Didn’t think you were the emotional apology type.”

“Uh, not usually,” he answered, laughing a bit himself. “Tends to happen when you’re pregnant, or so I’m told.”

“You’re—really?”

“Aye,” he said simply, and let his hand rest on his still barely noticeable bump.

“Wow; who knocked you up?” Bae asked, bluntly.

“Uh, well…” Now this was the part Killian wasn’t sure how to broach. “It was, ah…your mum.”

To his astonishment, Neal laughed. “Really? I don’t remember ‘your mom’ jokes being a thing in the Enchanted Forest. You pick that up in New York?”

Killian just tilted his head, confused. “No; it’s not a joke. This is Milah’s child.”

Now it was Bae’s turn to be speechless. “Seriously? That’s…you’re gonna have my sibling?”

“Yeah,” he confirmed, and it felt oddly like a confession.

“How? That makes no sense.” Killian explained it as best he could, which eventually earned a “Shit,” from Neal. “Well that further complicates the family tree.”

“I’d imagine it resembles a web by this point.”

Neal chuckled nervously. “Congratulations, then,” and offered him his hand.

“Thanks,” Killian said, taking his hand and smiling, “and I suppose I also owe you thanks for being so understanding about Emma and me.”

Neal still shook his hand, but his gaze narrowed. “Emma and you?”

Uh-oh. “Our dalliance.” Bae continued to look on in confusion. Shit. “We, ah, shared a kiss. Apologies, I assumed she told you.”

Neal dropped his hand rather pointedly. “Honestly, it probably slipped her mind. We're kind of focused on getting our son back.”

“Of course,” he agreed quickly, cursing himself for making things awkward again. Obviously, that’s when Emma returned.

She strode in confidently, but paused when she picked up on the tension in the air. “Everything alright?”

Bae turned to her abruptly. “Couldn't be better,” he said, feigning nonchalance as he took the coconut from her. She asked how exactly the map was going to help on this particular task. “It's not a star map,” he explained. “It's what we're gonna use to trap Pan's Shadow.”

It sounded daft to Killian, but he dared not question it after the unease left by their prior conversation. “So what's our next stop on this mission?” he asked instead.

“Dark Hollow.”

He shuddered again; the very name of that place put him on edge. His babe seemed to have picked up on his nervousness and began to move in time with his heightened anxiety.

“Really? Why couldn't it be called something like Sunshine Valley or Rainbow Cove?” Emma complained. “What exactly is it?”

“Just what it sounds like,” Killian said. “The darkest spot on the entire island. Any light that makes its way in is snuffed out by the shadows that call it home. Even I managed to avoid it,” he shuddered.

“Well, time to break tradition,” Emma said in a commanding tone. He couldn’t argue with that—not if it was their only way home.

Against his instincts—yet again—he headed off with the other two, hoping they made it out of this in roughly the same shape as they went in.

On the trek to Dark Hollow, Neal took the lead; Killian was inclined to let him do so.

The hike was mostly silent—all three of them likely deep in their own thoughts about what lay ahead, both physically and emotionally. Killian, however, was also finding himself distracted by the sight in front of him: Emma’s backside (and he couldn’t fully blame it on his hormones).

They hadn’t yet had a moment alone since the Echo Cave, nor had Emma made any comments alluding to his confession. He wasn’t so self-centered as to think she owed him an answer—that wasn’t why he revealed that—nor did he want to put her on the spot, especially when they were still in the middle of…a lot.

But she was the one who had kissed him. On top of their other shared moments. He had to believe there was some level of attraction there. (Unless his senses were truly being thrown off by this pregnancy.)

He nearly ran into Emma while continuing his self-debate, not having noticed the other two had paused.

He saw why as soon as he glanced up, though: the trail forward was covered in brambles too dense to pass through.

“We're gonna have to cut our way through,” Bae announced, stating the obvious; Killian’s hand was already on his sword.

Before he could offer assistance, he had to step back because metal was flying far too close to his face.

“Here; use this,” Emma said, offering Bae his old cutlass.

If Killian wasn’t mistaken, he was touched to receive his old weapon. “You find it in the cave?” he asked Emma.

“No, actually; Hook gave it to me,” she told him plainly.

Neal looked past Emma to him, smirking. “Since when are you sentimental?”

Since always, Killian thought, but instead said, “I thought Emma would wish to have something to remember you by.”

“Oh, thanks. But she’s got me now,” he replied tersely, then turned to begin hacking at the brush.

Emma whipped around to face him. “What was that about?” she demanded, not in an unattractive way.

He sighed and told her about where the tensions between them began that day. “I assumed you had told him.”

“Why would you assume that?”

“Because I was hoping it meant something,” he blurted out. He hadn’t meant to let that slip, but it was true.

“What meant something was that you told us Neal was still alive. Thank you,” she said sincerely—though that wasn’t entirely what he was talking about. “I realize you could've kept Pan's information to yourself.”

“Why would I have done that?” he wondered, somewhat incredulous; did she still think so little of him?

“I don't know,” she shrugged. “Maybe Pan offered you a deal. Why else would he tell you?”

Well…that wasn’t wholly wrong.

“It was a test,” he explained. “He wanted to see if I'd leave an old friend to die, even if the old friend happens to be vying for the same woman I am.”

“And you chose your friend?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“You are a pirate,” she threw back.

“Aye, I am—but I thought you knew me well enough by now to know I’m a hell of a lot more than that,” he countered. He didn’t typically have such high self-worth, but he’d gradually noticed that changing since he found out about the babe, if only because he had something to live for the first time in so long. And the fact that he was defending himself in such a manner was even more surprising. But his stomach was still uneasy with nausea and he suddenly found himself craving a very specific pastry that was only available in Agrabah, so his patience was running thin. “You can simplify whatever is going on between us if you like, but we both know it’s just another way for you to put up a barrier.”

“So what if it is? This isn’t some romantic vacation, Hook—my son’s life is still at risk. I can’t get distracted—even if I wanted to.”

“No one is asking you to lose sight of that. But you can’t deny what else is happening here,” he said, gesturing towards both himself and the direction Bae had headed off in.

“This isn't a contest for my hand, Hook.”

“Isn't it?” he replied, chuckling slightly (but not out of amusement). “You're gonna have to choose, Emma. You realize that, don't you? Because neither one of us is gonna give up.”

“The only thing I have to choose is the best way to get my son back,” she insisted.

“And you will,” he agreed.

She seemed taken aback. “You think so?”

“I've yet to see you fail,” he affirmed; perhaps she just needed some of his own newfound confidence. “And when you do succeed, well, that's when the fun begins,” he went on, smirking. “Because when I win your heart, Emma—and I will win it—it will not be because of any trickery. It will be because you want me.”

Emma swallowed, clearly absorbing the depth of that statement. But then she started to sway back towards him, her gaze darting to his lips, and—

—And then Neal returned. “Guys!” he shouted, and Emma immediately stepped away. “I think I found it,” he said as he came back into their small clearing, passing the cutlass back to Emma.

She found Killian’s gaze one more time, before turning to the newly cleared path and heading in. Neal glanced between his companions, somewhat confused, but Killian only offered a shrug when he asked with his eyes as to what was going on. Then they followed Emma in.

As they moved into the thicker part of the jungle, his babe’s nervous kicks picked up again; how odd that he could already tell that—or perhaps it was just related to his own rising anxiety. It increased with each step, as what little light they had (despite it permanently being nighttime in Neverland) disappeared.

Neal and Emma had been carrying lanterns, which helped a bit, but when the passageway opened up into a large, dark wood, a stiff breeze put out the flames.

None of them liked being there. The sooner they got this done, the better.

“So we just wait for Pan's Shadow to show up?” Emma asked, still holding tight to the cutlass.

“Yeah,” Neal confirmed. “And when it does, we'll be prepared,” he added, pulling out the coconut.

Emma gaped a bit; for all she’d seen, there were clearly some things that stretched her belief. “You wanna tell me how that coconut works?”

Neal pointed out the candle built into the base of the device, and explained how, once lit, the flame would attract and trap the shadow. Killian had to admit—it sounded plausible…mostly.

“Sounds like a fine plan—except for one thing,” he said. “Our lanterns went out. How the devil are we going to ignite that bloody thing?”

Bae pulled out a small silver device. “Welcome to the 21st century,” he said with a smirk. Killian quickly realized it was some modern, condensed version of a steel and flint—although none of the sparks it produced seemed to be catching.

Emma asked for an update, but there was none to report. And what followed was something Killian was not quite proud of, nor could he fully blame it on hormones.

Seeing that Bae was struggling to light the candle, Killian tried to intervene, taking the object away and attempting to use it himself—with equal success.

Then, like schoolboys, they started an immature game of tug o’ war over the lighter—then watched in slow motion as it flew from their hands, glinting as it rotated in the air, then disappeared into a hollowed-out tree trunk.

(Words may have been exchanged about trying to impress Emma; they weren’t entirely wrong.)

“Guys, we don't have time for this—look!” Emma shouted at them, equal parts angry and fearful. “Is that Pan's Shadow?”

Overhead, the humanoid shape of a shadow flew into the hollow, completely devoid of light save for the unsettling white orbs of its eyes.

“Shit—yeah, it is!” Neal confirmed as Emma grabbed the coconut.

Behind Pan’s shadow were two others; Killian drew his blade out of instinct, even though he knew it would do nothing against a metaphysical foe.

Bae mentioned something about the others being under the control of Pan’s shadow, not that it was really relevant—or helpful, especially when one of them came up behind Killian, dragging him into the air and slamming him against a tree.

He cried out in pain as he hit the bark, arms wrapping around his midsection. Somewhere beyond his awareness, he thought he heard Emma shouting “Hook!”

But then the shadow began attempting to remove his own, and everything devolved into a blur of pain and praying to whatever gods were listening that nothing would happen to the babe.

He’d never felt a sensation like the one of his shadow being ripped from his being. It was hard to describe, but he knew that’s what it was.

With as hard as the other shadow was yanking on his, he was certain it was about to take his life. But something seemed to be tethering his to him—the babe, if he had to guess.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but suddenly, the sensation of his shadow being pulled away ceased—and was quickly replaced with that of him meeting the ground.

Immediately, he curled in on himself, hand again rushing to his stomach. Before he made any further move, he waited for a sign that his little one was alright. How had he been so bloody foolish as to risk their life like that?

“Please,” he whispered to himself, and then—he felt it: those same steady flutters and wriggles he’d been feeling for the past few weeks. And he breathed the deepest sigh of relief.

A hand appeared in his vision—Bae’s; he took it and let the lad—no, man—help him up. “You okay?” he asked.

“Aye, I think so; you?”

“I’ll take some bruises and scratches if it means I get to keep my shadow,” Neal said lightly, as if they hadn’t just been through a near-death experience.

Then they turned their attention back to Emma, who was sitting against a rock with the coconut in her hands—closed tight. She’d done it—she got the shadow and saved both of them.

Neal wasn’t thrilled with her method of lighting the flame—magic—but Killian frankly didn’t care (and thought it was a bit cruel of Bae to hold his prejudice towards magic against Emma of all people). It was done, they’d succeeded, and now they needed to get the hell out of here.

Emma led the way, charging ahead, anger obvious in the rigid set of her frame and the extended length of her stride. Killian and Neal followed behind her like two children aware they were in trouble.

Once they were a safe distance away from the Hollow, Bae spoke up. “Hey, Em—I'm sorry. I know I screwed up.”

She stopped and turned on a dime, a fire in her glare that made Killian take a step back. “Yes, you did. You both did. We almost lost our shot at capturing the Shadow because you two were fighting over a lighter,” she lectured.

“It wasn't the lighter we were fighting over, love,” Killian admitted, ashamed.

Emma closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then gave them an even firmer stare. “Okay, let me be very clear about something: If I had to choose someone—I choose Henry. He's the only love I have room for in my life.”

And without another word, she put her back to them and continued on.

She wasn’t wrong. Henry was why they were all here, after all—this was far from a romantic rendezvous. And he was especially in tune with her parental instincts after what had just happened—his hand hadn’t left his belly, afraid if he did, he’d lose track of his babe’s movements. He was chastising himself and feeling guilty enough just because of that; as valid as Emma’s ire was, he didn’t need it to know he’d made an error in judgment back there.

(But he also thought he’d made it abundantly clear by now to Emma that, while he was aware of where her priorities lay, that didn’t mean there wasn’t room for more. Now was not the time to argue, though.)

They finished the rest of the trek back to Tink’s house in relative silence, save for the passing around of canteens (Emma all but forced him to drink more than his fair share, but he supposed some was the babe’s share, too).

Finally, they were on the familiar path to the tree house, and they could hear Emma’s parents talking with the fairy—who, if he was hearing correctly, still wasn’t confident in their ability to get off the island, especially once she heard the shadow was involved. “I'm not lifting a finger until I see proof you've actually got it,” she was saying as they entered the space below her tree.

“Hey,” Neal called out. “Here's all the proof you'll need,” he said, holding up the coconut (which he’d tied shut with some vine on the hike.) “Been a long time, Tink.”

The petite blonde smiled. “Bae, is it really you?”

“Yeah. But most people call me "Neal" now,” he answered, and Killian made a mental note that he’d have to try harder in that regard.

Without any further time wasting, they confirmed Tink’s help in their plan, then made the decision to rest a bit at the camp and then make their move on Pan after that.

But as they made their way back to the camp, he noticed that Emma and Neal hung back. Part of him was curious to eavesdrop, but he knew that would be rude. Besides, Snow had found him and was playing the role of doting mother that he knew Emma was hesitant to allow; given the odds of her actually being able to achieve her not-so-secret desire anymore, he let her fuss over him (especially when he relayed what happened to he and Neal in the hollow—she practically sat him down on a log and refused to let him do so much as get a mango to eat on his own).

Emma and Neal rejoined the group shortly, but if anything had changed between the two of them in their sidebar, she was characteristically keeping it under wraps. (For his part, Neal was casting long glances her way, but they were not reciprocated; Killian felt a bit bad for him…but not that bad.)

He winced after that, though; his babe had apparently located his liver, and was pounding on it with abandon. (Goodness knew that had been abused enough for one lifetime.) But that was a firm—albeit repeated—reminder that he needed to stay focused enough on finishing the rest of this task and getting the hell out of Neverland to avoid putting the babe in any more danger.

Then, like he said—that’s when the fun would begin.

—----------------------------------

thanks for reading! tagging @cocohook38 @wyntereyez @jennjenn615 @superadam54 @ashley-knightingale @justsomewhump @teamhook @captainhookfan (let me know if you want a tag!)

#cs ff #killian jones ff #killian mpreg #hidden blessing #My ff

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camp-lad-david · 5 months

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#camp camp david #camp camp #cc david #digital art #digital fanart #david camp camp #david cc #meme #camp lad david #meme redraw #i am going to go missing soon

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regseekings · 8 months

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12 & 13 please?

I'll have answered all of these at this rate and I'm not mad about it.

Which character do you think you would get along with most in real life? And who would you not get along with at all?

I think I'd probably get along well with Bill, because he feels like the kind of person who tends to gravitate towards me and our energies might work together. Our inner demons would hold hands as we watched Netflix. However, I also think I'd get along with Reg, Dave and Paddy because historically, me and Lads (particularly rugby lads) tend to gel in such a weird way that people don't quite get at first, given I am soft and dorky and allergic to most sport. I'm not really sure there's anyone I really wouldn't get along with, tbh, they're all pretty likeable. I think Jock would intimidate me a bit but I'd be like "hm, I see your besties, you can't be all that scary", and I'd have to work to get past David's showboating. But that's about it.

Which three characters would you take with you on a jolly? And which one would you definitely leave back at camp?

As I think we've all said, I would take Mike, because Mike knows how to get shit done. Simple as. I think our morals would have to align, but I don't think that's a problem. I'm also going to be taking Eoin with me, because that boy is charm and that's never not helpful. I think I shall, in this instance, also bring along Reg because... I don't know. I got a good feeling about it. We're leaving Paddy at camp with a book because while I'm always happy to go off-script, I want to go off-script in my way and not Paddy's way.

#ask meme

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dreamings-free · 1 year

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interview with Louis in the March issue of FourFourTwo magazine 2/2/23

full text under the cut..

by Paul Wilkes

Which was the first match that you ever went to?

I actually got into football quite late, when I started playing at around 11. There were a few Manchester United fans in the family, so the first match I ever went to was an unbelievable first game: the FA Cup fifth round tie against Arsenal in February 2003 – the match when Sir Alex Ferguson kicked the boot and hit David Beckham! My best memories come from Doncaster, who are the only club I support now. We had a fantastic League Cup run in 2005 – we beat Manchester City on penalties, then beat Aston Villa 3-0 and lost to Arsenal on penalties in the quarter-finals. That was my first real low as a football fan. I can remember walking back home absolutely gutted.

Who was your childhood hero and did you ever meet them?

James Coppinger is my club hero – he played at every level and really played for the badge. Everyone in Donny loves him and he’s a great bloke, too. After I got into One Direction, I was lucky to meet him and play alongside him a couple of times in charity games. As a fan growing up watching him, that was amazing. The best person I’ve ever met in football was Pele. I met him about four or five years ago and it was incredible – he had all these stories and we spoke for ages. He was lovely.

What’s been your finest moment playing football?

I played in Soccer Aid and Ronaldinho tried to nutmeg me. I was all over his shirt, giving him no respect, and I just managed to nick the ball off him! There’s a sick picture that I’ve seen of it [right]. The other moment was when I was about 15. I started as a centre-back, but didn’t grow any taller so moved across to right-back and scored the only Sunday League goal I ever scored. I’ll never forget it.

What do you like most about going to the match?

The whole atmosphere, that magic. When you have those experiences as a young lad, there’s an element of nostalgia each time you go inside a football stadium.

Which player do you admire even though they’ve never played for your club?

As some of my family supported Manchester United, I was never allowed to like Thierry Henry, but those grudge matches against Arsenal were amazing. He was a serious player.

Where’s the best place you’ve ever watched a game?

The Bernabeu – it was Neymar’s first ever Clasico for Barcelona against Real Madrid, which was pretty special. It’s one of the bucket list fixtures to go to. When I was young, Doncaster signed me as a reserve player and I went to a pre-season training camp in Portugal. As a supporter of the club, that’s not something you’re normally privy to, so watching how the squad trained and prepared was fascinating.

A few years ago, you filmed a music video with Bebe Rexha on the pitch at the Keepmoat Stadium. What was that like?

It was really important for me in my career. The reason I’m sat here today is because of Doncaster – it’s played a huge role. It’s who I am as a person and it’s what I write songs about. The fact we were able to film the video at the Keepmoat, where I’ve spent many days and evenings, made it so special. It felt appropriate.

What’s your favourite football book?

It’s not a book, but Fourfourtwo! I used to subscribe when I was younger. I’m not a big reader otherwise. I should be, but I’m not.

What’s been your worst experience at a game?

I was playing in a charity match at Celtic Park. I got the ball and turned to my right, then Gabby Agbonlahor came through the back of me and I tore my medial ligament. A combination of the impact and me being very unfit meant I ended up throwing up all over Celtic’s stadium, which I know will please a lot of Rangers supporters.

Have any footballers been to a gig?

Paul Pogba came to a One Direction show once, that’s the one that stands out – he was really sound. I won’t lie, I don’t think many footballers listen to One Direction songs.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever met a footballer?

I was in this bar somewhere in South America and, purely by chance, Bryan Robson was there with a few friends. He was a bit drunk. We went straight over and he was nice, but it was one of those times where you think, ‘What is he doing here?!’ [Laughs]

What’s the greatest goal you’ve ever seen live?

I was at Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s debut for LA Galaxy, because I spend some time over in Los Angeles. The LAFC keeper launched the ball upfield and it was cleared back to Zlatan about 40 yards out. He watched it bounce and then smashed it over the keeper’s head, an unbelievable goal. I love him – I like a bit of s**thousery in my footballers, and he’s always had that.

Who’s your current favourite player?

The obvious answer is Erling Haaland, because any fan seeing him rack up the goals this season has been totally in awe. Even if you support Manchester United, you watch him and think he’s superb. But for me, Jude Bellingham. I’m so excited by Jude – he’s been in brilliant form this season, even before the World Cup.

If you could drop yourself into your all-time five-a-side team, who would you be playing next to?

Well, I play at the back, so I want me and Rio Ferdinand. I’d pick Edwin van der Sar, he was a top keeper in his day, then in midfield I’d have Ronaldinho – I grew up loving his football. Up front, I’ll go for Cristiano Ronaldo.

What’s the most important piece of memorabilia that you have?

I had a Doncaster home shirt as a kid that I associate with growing up. A few years ago, I bought the same shirt in my current size – it’s special to me, and when I met Pele I asked him to sign it. That was the pinnacle.

Louis Tomlinson’s solo album, ‘Faith In The Future’, is available to buy now.

#louis #interview #fourfourtwo #published:#02.02.23 #football louis #donny boy #doncaster rovers #press #mine #m

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quickdeaths · 9 months

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🌸 If you get this, answer with 3 random facts about yourself and send it to the last 7 blogs in your notifications, anonymously or not! Let's get to know the person behind the blog. 🌸

I don't do chain asks, but thank you! I had to think up more facts, oh dear.

In the past, I've been an English teacher, a computer skills instructor, the director of a small summer camp program, a movie theater worker, and a freelance writer doing listicle/top 10 style content, and somewhat more substantive media analysis/essay style content. I got my Master's Degree last year but I don't really know what my future looks like, career-wise. Dream job, though, I'd really like to be a full-time writer, whether that's doing essays, or writing novels, or being a journalist.

I don't have any pets at my apartment because $$$, but I'm a cat person for sure. My parents have a beautiful little orange lad named Theo and I miss him very much. I'm housesitting for my parents this fall so they don't have to board him, and I'm always happy to see his cute little face.

I was in a band in high school. I had a friend who was a great singer looking for more musical outlets outside of performing in musicals, and I was a really shitty guitar player who was just happy to be there hahaha. In addition to talent shows, our school did an Unplugged show twice a year in our school library for a very chill, intimate-type vibe for student musicians doing piano or singing or acoustic guitar music or whatever. We performed at both shows one year as a duo, with him singing and me playing guitar. I know we did Space Oddity by David Bowie at our first performance, and I thiiiiink we did The Passenger by Iggy Pop at the second one. We had a couple other songs we knew how to do, too (I remember learning the acoustic version of Everlong by Foo Fighters and it taking me forever to get it down) but never ended up performing. We broke up because we both got busy and because I really was a pretty bad guitarist who took forever to learn new songs.

#thenextbestidol #thanks for the ask!

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theartistknownaslymond · 1 year

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A playlist for Richard in CM? Being angry at/worrying for Francis?

Ahh, you do like your painful playlists, Katherine! 😍

The Guiding Hand

A playlist for when you're worrying about your little brother now he's a global superstar in self-imposed exile from his family and all the headlines look bad

Kate Bush - Mother Stands for Comfort

Fairport Convention - Reynardine

Nick Drake - Fruit Tree

Yusuf/Cat Stevens - Father and Son

War - Me and Baby Brother

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer

The Clash - Death or Glory

U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

The Proclaimers - What Do You Do

Bruce Springsteen - Highway Patrolman

David Bowie - Space Oddity

Fairport Convention - Percy's Song

Joan Baez - The Altar Boy and the Thief

Christine Sevres - Robert le Diable

The Isley Brothers - Brother, Brother

Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure

Joan Baez - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

Faceclaims: for Richard with the guitar it's James Dean Bradfield, without the guitar it's a young Peter Falk. Francis is Johnny Flynn.

I tried to make it progress from Richard judging more harshly to being more understanding. Commentary below the cut! CW for some discussion of OD and suicide, motor accidents, WW2 resistance and concentration camps, and the Troubles.

1) Kate Bush - Mother Stands for Comfort Richard thinking of Sybilla's devotion to Francis even after all he's done: Mother stands for comfort / Mother will hide the murderer / Mother hides the madman / Mother will stay mum... 2) Fairport Convention - Reynardine All of Richard's worst fears about Francis: a 'sly, bold' rake, out to lead women astray under the guise of protecting his own dubious lifestyle: Her hair was black, her eyes / Were blue, her lips as red as wine / And he smiled to gaze upon her / Did that sly, bold Reynardine. 3) Nick Drake - Fruit Tree Richard's a bit of an ass, sure, but he's not going to miss parallels between his little brother and Nick Drake, framed as a suicidal genius who died of an overdose of anti-depressants partly in the belief that his music would only be discovered after his death (which is both reading a lot into this one song, and also the kind of self-fulfilling prophecy the music industry loves but it's all bullshit lads and Nick's friends and family have given different interpretations): Safe in the womb / Of an everlasting night / You'll find the darkness can / Give the brightest light / Safe in your place deep in the earth / That’s when they’ll know what you were really worth. 4) Yusuf/Cat Stevens - Father & Son Ignoring the title, the words 'father' and 'son' aren't actually used at all in the lyrics. It's an older man giving unheeded advice to a younger man (Yusuf has said it's about the Russian revolution, so bring in some of Richard's feelings about Francis being involved in the USSR if you like). It's not time to make a change (Away, away, away) Just sit down, take it slowly You're still young, that's your fault (I know) There's so much you have to go through (I have to make this decision) Find a girl, settle down (Alone) If you want you can marry Look at me (No) I am old, but I'm happy 5) War - Me and Baby Brother Older brother worrying about younger brother who used to be on his side, but seems to have gotten involved in trouble (jail?). Shiftin' on his mind / Is like drinking funky wine / By the river / Chippin' on his mind / Is like drinking funky wine / By the river 6) Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer I think this may just be a song I apply to a lot of my blorbos, but it really did give me Francis feels off the scale. Anyway I want Richard to hear this on the radio after he's punched Francis in RC and to FEEL BAD. In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade / And he carries the reminders / Of every glove that laid him down or cut him / 'Til he cried out in his anger and his shame / "I am leaving, I am leaving", but the fighter still remains 7) The Clash - Death or Glory An older man again looking back at what he considers the folly of youth, bitter about the industry and the way it markets people and encourages fatalistic behaviour: In every gimmick hungry yob diggin' gold from rock 'n' roll / Grabs the mic and tell us he'll die before he's sold / But I believe in this and it's been tested by research / He who fucks nuns will later join the church / Death or glory becomes just another story... 8) U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday Genuinely annoyed by how GOOD this is, I've spent my life hating U2 lads, what to do, what to do! Anyway, Richard likes it because it's an Irish voice calling for peace and moderation in the context of the Troubles (yes, he's side-eyeing Francis and those old rumours). He's not above seeing its applicability to his own family, either: And the battle's just begun / There's many lost, but tell me, who has won? / The trench is dug within our hearts / And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart... 9) The Proclaimers - What Do You Do BIG Richard album this one, largely for him and Mariotta, but this one's for his political side and probably for straw man arguments he has in his head with Francis, assuming Francis would rather go for direct action than democracy: What do you do / When democracy fails you / What do you do / When the rest can't see its true? / Pat votes the Scots way / Just like her mother / But South always takes all / Just like her brother... 10) Bruce Springsteen - Highway Patrolman Brothers sticking by brothers despite one being a cop and the other committing a crime. :') Recognising that his brother Frankie has maybe been a bit messed up by his experiences and finding he doesn't have it in him to be the arbiter of justice: Me and Frankie laughing and drinking / Nothing feels better than blood on blood / Taking turns dancing with Maria / As the band played "Night of the Johnstown Flood" / I catch him when he's straying / Like any brother would / A man turns his back on his family / Well, he just ain't no good. 11) David Bowie - Space Oddity Richard's memories of watching the moon landing with his siblings, the fact it's impossible not to associate his brother with Bowie (his idol), and watching him soar away while knowing there's nothing much Richard can do for him anymore... This is Ground Control to Major Tom / You've really made the grade / And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear / Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare / This is Major Tom to Ground Control / I'm stepping through the door / And I'm floating in a most peculiar way / And the stars look very different today... 12) Fairport Convention - Percy's Song Dylan but better because it's not Dylan take one: this is a much-covered song about a man jailed for life for being at the wheel during a road accident that killed four people. I think even in CM Richard's view of Francis' 'crimes' is tempered by the idea that family should get to judge him first and foremost. And the moral tangle of this one - there's a sentence to be served, but not like that, not that long! - is something I think would get to Richard, despite his worst assumptions. But, I knew him as good as I'm knowing myself / Turn, turn, turn again / And he wouldn't harm a life that belonged to someone else / Turn, turn to the rain and the wind... 13) Joan Baez - The Altar Boy and the Thief Ah yes, now we're really getting into later CM where Richard is worried and sad rather than just overtly judgey and angry. He's trying to understand Francis, and probably starting to see (through the Tories campaigning for Section 28) that a lot of the public charges levelled against Francis come from a place of bigotry and hate, not justice. Richard is probably not sure of band AU Francis’ actual sexuality (bi) until right at the end, either. At night in the safety of shadows and numbers Seeking some turf on which nothing encumbers The buying and selling of casual looks Stuff that gets printed in x-rated books Your mother might have tried to understand When you were hardly your daddy's little man And you gave up saluting the chief To find yourself some relief

Finely plucked eyebrows and skin of satin Smiling seductive and endlessly Latin Olympic body on dancing feet Perfume thickening the air like heat A transient star of gay bar fame You quit your job and changed your name And you're nearly beyond belief As you hunt down a little relief 14) Christine Sevres - Robert le Diable The song is titled after a medieval epic poem in which a woman who can't conceive with her husband and whom god won't help has sex with the devil instead, and the son is the cursed Robert le Diable - he's accomplished but clearly a wrong'un until he discovers religious asceticism, and lives as a dog/madman in the Holy Roman Emperor's household. He eventually goes to war against the heathen for the princess (iirc), gets stabbed in the junk and is sanctified (iirc??). The song isn't about him though! The song is actually a poem by Louis Aragon about his fellow poet Robert Desnos. Desnos was a surrealist and a member of the resistance in WW2, and he was captured and imprisoned in concentration camps, where he died of typhoid. People told stories of his whimsy and imagination saving lives - in the AU he's a link to the Crawfords' French background and to Sybilla and FRC's time in the resistance. And yes, the song addresses Robert as a narwhal (poet Gérard le Nerval) in the opening line :') Tu portais dans ta voix comme un chant de Nerval Quand tu parlais du sang jeune homme singulier Scandant la cruauté de tes vers réguliers Le rire des bouchers t'escortait dans les Halles Tu avais en ces jours ces accents de gageure Que j'entends retentir à travers les années Poète de vingt ans d'avance assassiné Et que vengeaient déjà le blasphème et l'injure

[there’s a shonky transation here] 15) The Isley Brothers - Brother, Brother The last one was a bit intense with symbolism. This is just about Richard learning to see Francis in a clearer light by the end of CM: You have always been so good to me / And though you didn't always talk to me / There wasn't much my loving eyes could not see / And I don't believe you need all your misery. 16) Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure I think the brothers would get a lot from singing this one together :') Generally acknowledging the pressure in both their lives that has gotten in the way of mutual understanding: It's the terror of knowing what this world is about / Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out!" / Pray tomorrow gets me higher / Pressure on people, people on streets... 17) Joan Baez - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue @stripedroseandsketchpads is a star for recommending I shift from looking for inspiration from Dylan to looking to Joan instead <3 This is another Dylan song that I don't want to hear him sing. Apparently the theory is that Dylan wrote it about himself and connected it with his turn away from acoustic folk music to plugged-in guitar music. All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home Your empty-handed armies are going home Your lover, who just walked out the door Has taken all his blankets from the floor

The carpet, too, is moving under you And it's all over now, Baby Blue.

#band au: checkmate #playlists: period-appropriate #character: richard crawford #character: francis crawford #ficspiration: lyrics

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