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lyricalimerence · 4 years

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No Matter The Season - JJ Maybank

a/n: so this is based off the song no matter the season by sara kays, it's an incredible song you should listen to it. this is my first time writing on tumblr so i hope it's okay and y'all like it!

word count: 1879

warnings: little angsty, some fluff, lots of hating on yourself, lack of body confidence

summary: you're insecure and jj lectures you because YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. all of you are beautiful and i know that it's just my word against what you think about yourself, but know that i think you're beautiful so don't beat yourself up or give up on yourself bbys. you're perfect.

i got my long sleeves on. baggy and way too long

The world was spinning on its axis, the sun rose in the east and set in the west, the tides pushed against the shores before being pulled out again. Everything was normal. It was just another day on the boat with the Pogues. Swimming, fishing, drinking cheap beers left over at The Wreck that Kiara’s dad so graciously donated to his daughter’s friend group. It was just another day. But as you stood in the mirror in the bikini Kie coerced you into buying when you two went to the mall as a girls’ weekend, you couldn’t help but notice everything you deemed was a flaw. Every little mark and every curve that was on you but not on Kie or Sarah.

Practically hearing the Pogues start to get antsy for you to hurry up, you reach into your closet and pull out your only warm clothes that were normally preserved for December and January. You let out a shaky breath and held up the hoodie to your torso, itching to just cover up all the insecurities that you have. Throwing the sweatshirt back onto your bedspread, you hold the pair of JJ’s sweatpants that he let you borrow but you’ve never returned, to your waist, remembering how safe you feel when they cinch in your waist and fall down past your ankles.

Dropping the pants to the laminate flooring underneath you, you hug your waist, as you suck in your stomach, feeling a manipulative dosage of serotonin surge through your brain when your arms follow your stomach into your ribcage and your stomach looks thinner in the mirror.

nobody has questions in december, but five months later, all i hear is:

Before you can pull the hoodie and sweatpants on to erase how you truly feel, a quick knock followed by the squeak of your bedroom door hinges rings out, revealing your blond haired boyfriend in your doorway.

A smile etched its way across JJ’s face as he looked you up and down. Scanning every inch of your body, he soaked in your features and how perfect you looked in that bikini, “Damn, Y/N! You ready?”

You clear your throat and retreat into the skin you hate so much, “Yeah, gimme a minute?” JJ nods and respects your request, walking out of your room and closing the door, but leaving it open ajar. You grab the hoodie and sweatpants, turning to see the connecting bathroom, it looks so tempting to just try to make yourself throw up, but you know JJ will hear, and you can’t bear to disappoint him. He just likes you so much.

You pull the sweats on, covering every bit of skin besides the sandals that cover your feet, your fingers that barely stick out of the oversized hoodie, and your face that is on full display as your ponytail pulls your hair back. You slip out of the bedroom quietly, hoping that JJ was already back in the boat, but there he was, his goofy, fun-loving smile playing at his lips while he hears the door creak.

aren’t you warm?

“Y/N?” JJ asks when he sees your oversized clothes, his smiling dropping into a look of concern, “You know it’s August, right? It’s, like, hotter than Hell.”

“Yeah, I just got a chill or something. Might not swim today.” JJ cast one last glance of uncertainty before throwing his arm over your shoulder and walking out of the back door towards the boat with you, bumping your hips together as you walked.

aren’t you sweating up a storm?

Kie jumped up when she saw your and JJ’s shadow from behind the back screen door, excited to see you in your new suit because she’s wearing hers too. Her expression drops when she sees your sweater paws and your sweatpants. “Y/N? Aren’t you warm?”

“I’m freezing, guess I’m comin’ down with something,” you say, your voice becoming raspy as you look at the ground, feeling too self conscious at the idea of just being there, in a bikini, when Kiara and Sarah look that effortlessly good in theirs. You and JJ hop onto the HMS Pogue, settling into a comfortable position at the stern of the boat as John B pulls the boat away from the dock and across the marsh.

JJ leans his head slightly to rest his face in the crook of your neck as he starts to whisper sweet words to you about how gorgeous you look, whether you’re in a skimpy bikini or a fully covered in his sweats or in the dresses Kie lets you borrow when she drags you to the Midsummers parties so she isn’t alone.

are you aware that it’s hotter than hell out here?

You smile slightly as you prop your elbow up against your knee and rest your head in the palm of your hand. Sarah had veged out across one of the seats in the boat and is now fanning herself as sweat starts to collect at her hairline. “Phew, Y/N, aren’t you sweating up a storm?”

“I’m doing okay, actually,” you say, the drops of sweat forming a patch on the back of your hoodie. However, you can’t help but revel in how good it feels to cover up and not to worry about how you look.

Pope drops the anchor into the marsh as Kie, Sarah, John B, and JJ pull off their shirts to get to their swimsuits. They dive into the marsh as you lean over and rest your head on the edge of the boat. JJ stops just before he could follow Pope into the water. “You’re really not coming?”

maybe i would dress for the weather if i would feel better, but i have to tell them all i’m freezing

The sweat forming around your hairline and underneath your arms and on your back starts to accelerate as you become overwhelmed with another lie. You mumble under your breath as the fragment of your friend group swims farther away from the boat, “I would dress for the weather if I felt better, but I don’t.”

“What?” JJ asks, following your eyes with his, managing to secure eye contact with you despite your fidgeting glances. Fixing your gaze on the floor of the boat, you swallow and shake your head, refusing to repeat what you said, not wanting to have said it in the first place. “Feel better about what, Y/N?”

You look up at your boyfriend. Your boyfriend who would flirt with Kie before you two got together, calling her hot and gorgeous. Sure, JJ says the same about you, but he called her hot first and she made it clear that her door was closed. Crossing your arms over your chest defensively, you stand up, digging your toe into the rough vinyl you stood on out of nervous habit. As you straighten up, you suck in your stomach, almost involuntarily. “Look at me, J!”

“I’m looking!” JJ yells, his exasperation rolling off his tongue in the same way as sweat rolls down your back. “And I think you look beautiful, you’re perfect, so if this is about how you look, I don’t understand!”

“I don’t understand either!” You shout back, immediately biting your lower lip as you analyze what you just said. JJ’s expression contorts, his look of concern and confusion falling into one of realization and anger. He reaches out to you, grabbing the cuff of your hoodie and drawing you into him. He shifts his arms once or twice around your body, trying to avoid the places where you sweated through the fabric, but in the end he didn’t care about it.

“You don’t think you’re beautiful?” JJ asks softly, the volume showing an air of compassion and love, but his tone showing his anger at you for thinking of yourself that way. “You are.”

“You can’t just tell me I’m beautiful and expect me to believe it.” You retort, your eyebrows furrowing as you grasp your bottom lip with your teeth even harder, drawing blood in an attempt to halt your lips from quivering.

“Why don’t you believe it?” JJ inquires, his tone softening to concern instead of anger as he pulls you into a seat next to him.

“You have eyes--”

“Yes, I do.”

“I don’t look like Kiara and Sarah do, and they’re actually beautiful.” You say, your voice dropping to a whisper as JJ watches your every move, overanalyzing every little twitch your lip makes to avoid your eyes from spilling over and every time you subconsciously tug at the hem of your sweatshirt, making sure your tummy stays completely covered.

“Obviously you don’t look like them. They have different DNA, silly.” JJ says, attempting to get a laugh or even a giggle out of you, but you don’t budge. Your arms crossing over you tighter, whatever you can do to encase yourself in armor. “Y/N, just because you don’t look like someone who is beautiful doesn’t mean it takes away from your own beauty.”

“I know that.” You mumble as JJ reaches out to push the cuffs of your sleeves up to your elbows.

“You need to believe it. It’s like evolution. It is factual.” JJ insists, tracing images onto your wrists and twisting the bracelets that wrap around your wrist into different shapes. “Your hands help so many people when they’ve fallen and your arms have pulled up the anchor so many times.”

JJ motions for you to take your hoodie off, to which you begrudgingly oblige, immediately wrapping your arms around your torso in a hug as you do so. “Your stomach has eaten so many of my molding PB&J’s without complaint, and your abs have beaten Pope in a push-up contest.”

“My stomach complained, you just weren’t there for that part.” You say with a smile as you tease JJ, his hand coming to clutch his heart in fake pain. You laugh at his antics, only for him to pump his fist into the air in triumph for your laugh.

You shimmy off your sweatpants, showing your tanned legs. You curl into an upright fetal position, trying to hide your thighs and your stomach in one fell swoop. JJ lifts his hands to bring your knees in to lean against his stomach so he can draw circles around your kneecaps. “Your legs have taken you on so many fun adventures.”

Intertwining his fingers with yours, JJ pulls you up to a standing position, holding you an arms length away by your shoulders as you squirm, very aware a passing fisherman could see you. “And your body has danced at so many parties with me and swam to find great treasures in sunken boats.”

“Y/N, you are perfect. You’ve always been perfect.”

“You can’t expect me to--”

“You’re right, I can’t expect you to believe anything I’m saying because the only opinion that matters is your own. But, you are perfect to me and to the rest of the Pogues, and it is okay for you to be insecure about things. But, never, never ever, put yourself down because that shit hurts me too.”

no matter the season.

#jj maybank x reader #jj #obx #outer banks #jj maybank #imagine #fanfic #fanfiction #jj maybank imagine #outer banks imagine #jj maybank fic #outer banks fic

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saultnpeppah · 3 years

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Day 8: The Morning After

Once upon a time, there was an event called "Steps to the Altar" and although young Sault had taken part in this event, she soon fell behind in her work, leaving this last chapter unfinished, forgotten in drafts hidden in the depths of her computer. But then, one day, from the recesses of her mind, came inspiration to finish this, giving a sexy ending any WonderBat fan would love. So it is with great honor that I share this ending.

Haha, sorry y'all. I promised a Morning After, and now, after months, I have delivered! I hope you like, and I hope you enjoyed this event when it went on.

January 2. Gotham Heights. 08:13.

Diana

I am a married woman. I am now someone's wife. The thought forces my lips into a smile as I shift in bed, my arms reaching to stretch over the empty mattress my husband was laying in minutes earlier. A yawn escapes my lips as I continue to stretch, trying to ready myself for the day of travel ahead. I would normally make sure to get a good night's sleep before a long flight, but Bruce and I stayed up long into the night, consummating our relationship as a married couple over and over again. The man is insatiable, not that I mind. I love the fact that Bruce can never seem to get enough of me. It drives me wild and he knows this. However, as I stare at our packed suitcases parked right by the door, I wish I could just burrow into the blankets and get a few more hours of sleep, get myself well rested so I can thoroughly enjoy every second of my honeymoon.

"You're up."

I stop mid stretch and turn to face the bathroom, where Bruce stands, leaning against the doorway in nothing but a towel that hangs low on his hips. He is teasing me, trying to get me to take the bait, and as tempting as it is, I would like to be on the plane before noon.

"No," I whisper, "you're seeing things." I turn over and pull the blanket up and over my shoulder. "I'm asleep."

Bruce chuckles. "Well if you're asleep, I suppose I can crawl back into bed with you and recuperate from last night."

I glance over my shoulder and watch as he makes his way to the bed, one of his hands clutching the loose knot on the towel, making sure to keep it secure as he walks. He takes a seat on the edge of the bed and bends down, placing his face inches from my own as he stares at me silently. "I love you," he says after a moment, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose.

I flash him a smile and say, "I love you too," before I pull the blanket from my body. There is a look of disappointment on his face when he glances down, saddened to see that I am no longer nude under the covers. "It was cold and I had to get up to pee," I explain, gently tugging on his white undershirt that now covers my breasts and stomach, skimming my thighs as I remain curled in the bed.

"You look wonderful in my clothing," he whispers with a smirk. He places his hand high on my thigh and I let out a gasp at how cold his fingers are despite his scolding shower. He places a kiss on my neck and I don't need to see his face to know he is showing that smug grin he loves to wear, and whispers, "But you look much better without anything on."

I give him a small chuckle, trying to distract my husband from noticing just how much that one kiss can make the need for him to skyrocket. His fingers graze higher on my thigh and I have to bite my lip to keep the moan that threatens to rip from my lips, silent. He moves his hand, letting it disappear under the shirt, smiling as his fingers graze the side of my breast. "We need to get going if we want to make it before dark," I whisper, trying to focus on the words I am speaking rather than how Bruce's fingers are making me feel.

Bruce nods once and moves his wrist, letting the shirt ride up high onto my stomach, exposing more skin for him to tease. "The plane will wait," he says as he drops a kiss to the newly exposed skin on my abdomen. "But right now, I need to have sex with my gorgeous wife."

He catches my lips in a sweet kiss, soft and tender, as his hands continue to move up my body, playfully pulling the shift up and over my body, breaking the kiss momentarily allowing him to pull the shirt over my head and discard it onto the floor beside the bed. "You didn't get enough last night?" I ask with a smug smile.

Bruce shakes his head. "I will never be able to get enough," he says. Once again he captures my lips with his own, only this kiss is different. It is more feverish, more heated. We soon lose ourselves, soon becoming a mix of heated kisses and heavy touches that ignite a passion within our bodies neither of us can put into words.

His hand runs down my side, his fingers delicately dancing along my skin as his lips push harder against mine. I part my lips, letting a small gasp out when his finger caresses the small dip near my hip, which only ignites Bruce more. He removes his lips from mine, a smile on his face as he lowers his head and places a kiss on my collarbone, moving toward my throat. "You're beautiful," he whispers as he dips his head even lower and places another kiss on the side of my left breast.

His hands continue their journey along my body, stopping at my thighs to give a gentle squeeze, which elicits another small gasp. He parts my thighs, his hands grasping my knees, a wicked smirk on his face as his eyes meet mine. "I love you," he whispers, as he leans forward and captures my lips with his once more.

"I love you too," I respond in between kisses. My fingers begin a journey of their own, trailing down his chest, down to his hips, settling on the loose knot of the towel he wears. I quickly pull on the knot, letting it become undone, before I pull the towel from Bruce's body leaving him as bare as I am. My hands continue their exploration of Bruce's body, stopping only when I grasp him firmly in my hand.

Bruce lets out a small gasp when he feels my hand wrapped around him. He releases one of my knees and runs a finger along my core, biting my lip when he feels just how ready I am for him.

Bruce places a hand firmly on the bed near my head, balancing himself as he pushes into my body, holding back the groan I know threatens to spill from his lips. He leans down to kiss me, letting our lips meld together as our bodies become one. His hips begin a rhythm that soon has me gasping for both breath and his skin, pulling him closer, letting his bare chest collide against mine. My hands wander over his back, gently running over the scarred skin that has endured years of self-abuse. His hand finds my thigh and when I tilt my hips in one swift movement, his fingers dig into the skin as he lets out a gasp.

"You do that again and I won't be able to help myself," he says through gritted teeth, warning me of his impending climax.

I give him a grin and roll my hips once more, daring him to do what he has threatened. This does the trick, as he grabs my hips and pulls me closer, burying himself in me even further, eliciting a sound from my lips no one but Bruce has ever been able to coax out. He smirks when he hears me call his name, knowing his name will be the only name I will say like this, as his hips begin to quicken their movements.

Without warning my body tightens around Bruce. He continues his movements, watching as I hit that delicious peak and enjoy the climb down, before he buries his head into the crook of my shoulder, biting down as he enjoys his own orgasm.

When he is finished he hovers over me, looking into my eyes, trying to remain as motionless as possible. Our breathing is labored and although we've both accomplished our goal, neither of us move or make any attempt to separate.

"I love you," he whispers once again, the third time this morning, bending down to give me a sweet kiss before he finally separates our bodies, much to my dismay. "I think I need another shower," he jokes as he lays on the bed beside me, our sweat clad bodies still basking in the after glow of sex.

"I need one first," I say. He turns onto his side and reaches over, letting his finger dance on my bottom lip, before he taps the tip of my nose.

"I suppose I can let you take all the hot water," he says, letting out an overexaggerated sigh.

"Remind me next time to marry someone who can afford more hot water," I joke. Bruce feigns hurt, before he lets out a chuckle, and I sit up, letting out a content sigh. "But we do need to hurry," I say. "Your pilot is going to wonder where we are."

Bruce shrugs. "That's the beauty of owning your own private jet," he says, a bit of arrogance in his voice, "you get to make up the schedule." He looks up at me and takes notice of my deadpanned face. "I'm joking," he says, raising his hands in defense. "We'll get going soon, I promise. That way I can spend our whole honeymoon trying to get my beautiful wife pregnant." He winks and flashes me a smirk as he rises from the bed, getting a towel from the cabinet by the bathroom door.

My gaze follows him, stopping as my eyes catch my reflection in the mirror. My hair is disheveled, there is sweat on my brow, and my cheeks are flushed, but I don't know if it's from the sex or what Bruce has said. The two of us have casually talked about starting a family, but never enough to fully gage Bruce's timeline. I had always assumed he had wanted children eventually, maybe a few years from now, but his comment about wanting to try for a baby now takes me back. Not that I would mind.

"So soon?" I ask.

Bruce nods, a large grin on his face. "I've been thinking about it a lot," he says. He hands me the towel and takes a seat on the edge of the bed. "I know we just got married, but a family with you, that's what I want. And don't think I haven't seen the way you stare at babies. You my dear wife, have a case of baby fever."

I cross my arms over my chest and furrow my eyebrows. "I have no idea what you mean," I say, willing my voice not to give away anything.

Bruce places a hand on his chin and pretends to think. "Okay," he says. He snatches his phone from the night stand and flips through a few photos, flashing his screen at me as he shows me the picture of me holding Charlie's baby last night, a wide smile on my face as I held the infant close. "I see the way you are with kids, and I know you've always wanted to be a mother. I just want you to know, I want them too. And whether that's now, or in a few years, I'll wait as long as you need-"

I lean in and kiss Bruce, not needing to hear anything more. This man is literally a dream come true and I can't believe I was too stupid to see it years ago. "This," I say, pulling away from him. "This is what I want."

Bruce nods, understanding what I mean, no matter how vague I am. He leans in and gives me another kiss, slowly moving the hair from my face. I stand from the bed and make my way into the bathroom, jumping into the shower, knowing that whatever we decide, it'll all be worth it.

#WonderBat #Wonder Woman #Batman #fanfiction #au #stepstothealtar

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palaugranetes · 3 years

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🔵BLAUGRANETS🔴

Ansu: So how did that basket idea do? @Iñaki

Iñaki: I'm actually nervous. It's been 4 days.

Ansu: I mean NYE and holidays you know.. logically it would take a bit.

Iñaki: Yeah, probably.

Arnau: You'll be fine bro

Iñaki: I really just want this to be over. I am ready to move on.

Arnau: And you will

Iñaki: BUT WHEN

Ansu: May I make a suggestion?

Iñaki: Has me saying no ever stopped you?

Ansu: Not really.

Iñaki: Then why did you even ask?!

Ansu: I was being courteous.

Iñaki: Just spit it out

Arnau: There will be no spitting of any sorts.. not even in words do I want to see it.🚫🚫🚫🚫🚫

Ansu: You can always talk to someone to be a medium...

Iñaki: Like?

Ansu: Leo

Iñaki: 😦

Ansu: He can help.. talk to the Capi

Iñaki: about this trivial thing!? You crazy?!

Arnau: Ansu might have a point there

Ansu: I am always on point bro

Arnau: Sure thing sweetheart

Iñaki: Do you think it would help @Ronald?

Ansu: Trust me.

Iñaki: Kinda don't. You would still have been in this predicament had you not assisted him.. which, I gotta say, is not fair at all.

Ansu: I can't control Geri's actions. The ONLY one who can is Leo.

Ronald: "Iñaki: Do you think it would help @Ronald?" Why are you asking me?!

Iñaki: I trust your judgement the most out of all of these idiots.

Arnau: Hurtful!

Iñaki: yeah well the truth hurts.

Arnau: I don't like this Iñaki..

Iñaki: You and me both.

Arnau: We need to rid you of the Geri stress.

Iñaki: WHAT DO YOU THINK I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS ENTIRE TIME.

Ansu: TALK. TO. LEO.

Carlitos: I did. He said that he will talk to him.

Ansu: ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

Iñaki: Oh God.. HOW

Carlitos: How what?

Iñaki: How did you talk to him?

Carlitos: I used my words?

Iñaki: 😒😒😒😒

Ansu: I keep telling you it's not that hard.

Iñaki: It's Leo.

Ansu: Yes Iñaki, we are aware of that.

Carlitos: So fingers crossed.

Ronald: "Iñaki: I trust your judgement the most out of all of these idiots." Fair enough.

Ronald: Curly told me he talked to Leo.

Iñaki: You knew?!

Ronald: You didn't!?

Ronald: So I guess wait for Leo's response.

Frenkie: Seems like we all knew???

Iñaki: WHAT!?

Pedri: I knew

Sergiño: Me too

JC: I did too

Iñaki: YOU'RE IN PORTUGAL!!!!

Francisco: I knew

Oscar: Same here

Iñaki: WTF

Carlitos: @Riqui you were right, he did freak out

Iñaki: I hate both of you so much.

Riqui: 😂

Riqui: But yes wait for Leo...

JC: I sent Leo a gift basket as well😏

Riqui: Good for you

JC: Gerard didn't send the basket back so I guess that's a good sign.

3 January 2021

Ansu: FRENKIE 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

JC: 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Ansu: That pass from Leo though🤩😍

JC: GOAT.

..........

Ansu: Okay... can y'all just do something..

..........

Ansu: Well.. A Win is a win.

Ansu: @Pedri @Dembz @Pedri @Frenkie @Ronald @Oscar 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

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

Riqui: I'm gonna start a book. I'll read it during matches. Imagine 90 minutes of reading.

Carlitos: y'all .. I got something to say

Carlitos: But not now

Ronald: 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

Riqui: You okay their rizos?

Carlitos: Uh.. yes.

Riqui: Alright.

4 January 2021

Iñaki:Anything from Leo?

Carlitos: Nope

Iñaki: Sighs... Okay

Frenkie: Guys, especially @Carlitos , why do I keep hearing that you might be going to Getafe?!

Riqui: Ew

Pedri: I saw that as well

Carlitos: Because It umm.. kinda is true.

Frenkie: OH COME THE FUCK ON

Carlitos: 😩 I don't like it as much as you do

Frenkie: There?!

Riqui: 😩😩🙄

Carlitos: I know.. It will be for a few months

Riqui: I CANNOT WAIT FOR JANUARY 24

Frenkie: Getafe...

Carlitos: Yes.

Frenkie: Man... Best of luck there bud

Pedri: Sighs

Francisco: We'll miss you.

Oscar: All the best rizos..

Riqui: It is only a few more months It is only a few more months It is only a few more months It is only a few more months It is only a few more months It is only a few more months

Ronald: 😂

Arnau: Hopefully things go by smoothly.

6 January 2021

Oscar: Alexia!! Are you guys watching?

Arnau: I am.. Legends

Oscar: Indeed

Carlitos: Look at them slaying those Pericas

Oscar: 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

.......

Oscar: THAT GOAL!!

Riqui: Melanie is a legend! Wow!

Arnau: 🤯🤯

Carlitos: She deserves it.

Oscar: I am so happy they finally got to play at the Camp Nou!

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

Ansu: Best of luck dudes

.......

Ansu: OH COME ON!!!

Carlitos: 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

.......

Ansu: YOU BEAST @Pedri

Ansu: That whole play was so 🤤🤤🤤

Carlitos: Blondie you are on fire!

.......

Ansu: I am in tears... FIRE

JC: Boy you are killing it @Pedri

Carlitos: That was beautiful!

.......

Carlitos: Again with the illogic..

Ansu: I am surprised Marc has not punched anyone in this team yet.

Carlitos: 😂😂

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

Riqui: I knew bringing a book with me was a good idea

Ansu: You actually did it??

Riqui: I did

Ansu: 😂😂😂😂😂

Iñaki: @Carlitos did Leo say anything by any chance? I forgot to ask earlier.

Carlitos: Oh yes... He said that he talked to Geri but it was pointless because his plan was already in effect...

Iñaki: Oh fuck

Ansu: Yikes

JC: But my gift basket...

Carlitos: I'm actually glad I am not there anymore if only for that reason.

Sergiño: JC is in Portugal.. how is you being in Madrid gonna stop him😂

Oscar: Very true😂😂

Arnau: Dude barely speaks but when he does.. he makes points😂😂

Carlitos: Why has @Dembz been so quiet?!

Dembz: I'm just reading..

Riqui: Yeah me too 😂

Dembz: I meant the chat

Riqui: oh

Frenkie: "Carlitos: Blondie you are on fire!" 💙❤💙❤

Pedri: Leo told me to tell you guys that he needs to talk to us tomorrow before training.

Riqui: Did he sound angry?

Francisco: Nope

Riqui: And you know how?

Pedri: He was there

Francisco: Yep

Oscar: Did he say why?

Pedri: Nope

Frenkie: Okay.

Iñaki: All of us?

Pedri: Yep all of us.

Oscar: Do you think he knows about this group?

Ronald: Very valid question

Riqui: He can't.. Can he?

Sergiño: 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️

Dembz: Did anyone slip?

Frenkie: I don't think any of the adults know about this

Pedri: "Oscar: Do you think he knows about this group?" He knows

Riqui: 😳😳😳😳

Frenkie: HOly shit

Ronald: Do you think Luis told him?!

Francisco: Very possible

Pedri: Nope.

Dembz: Did you tell him?!

Pedri: Yep

Riqui: 😳😳😳😳

Pedri: IT'S LEO. HE ASKED. WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY?!

Ansu: Fair point

Riqui: Is that why he wants to talk to us?!?!?

Pedri: I don't think so. JEEZ we will see tomorrow

Francisco: what is this an interrogation!?

Riqui: This is major!

Pedri: I mean...

Riqui: God if he says anything to Gerard about this.

Pedri: Highly doubt he will.

Francisco: Just ask him tomorrow

Pedri: Exactly

7 January 2021

Dembz: Y'all I just got a text from Gerard

Riqui: Oh fuck

Dembz: "Geri🌴: "What disappears as soon as you say its name?"

"Geri🌴: The first one to get his is the one most known for being the opposite of the answer to that riddle."

Carlitos: WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?

Frenkie: Silence

Carlitos: Why are you shushing me?!

Frenkie: No dummy that is the answer to the riddle.

Dembz: The opposite of the answer.. so someone who talks a lot?!

Frenkie: Or is loud.. annoying..

Arnau: THAT COULD BE LITERALLY ANY ONE OF THESE CLOWNS

Frenkie: Hey he said it..

Dembz: I feel it's gonna be JC

JC: HEY .. WOAH.. WHY ME!?

Ansu: Let's face it, you're the most annoying

JC: I liked you better when you were 17.

Oscar: I feel it will be Carlitos

Iñaki: Riqui

Ronald: So many options

Ansu: I say JC

Sergiño: I'm just glad I have nothing to do with this whole mess

Francisco: Indeed

Pedri: 🙄

Ansu: 😂

Riqui: 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒 I hate you

Carlitos: I hope he gets you first @Iñaki

Iñaki: CAN HE?! PLEASE.. I actually want him to.. at least that way I will be put out of my misery!

Arnau: Nah.. It's gonna be either Riqui or Carles

Oscar: Fully agree

Ronald: Can't wait to find out

Pedri: so cruel

Frenkie: I'll say..

Oscar: It is what it is.

16 notes · View notes

starship-squidlet · 4 years

Text

As You Like It: Chapter One

Story Summary: Modern/Theatre!AU. Jack Kelly and Crutchie Morris finally make it to Santa Fe, where they find employment at the World Theatre. There they meet a diverse cast of characters who rapidly become friends and family, making Santa Fe into the home they've always longed for.

Chapter Summary: Jack and Crutchie arrive at the World, where they meet the rest of the crew.

Word count: 4,058

Warnings: none (a few swear words I guess tho?)

A/N: Hey, y'all! So, I'mma say it now: 75% of the reason I wrote this story was for catharsis. It's absolutely based off of my current job in a theatre, as well as past jobs in other theatres, and I miss my job SO MUCH as we've been laid off for 6 months now thanks to COVID, and won't be back before January at the earliest. I miss my job and all the people I work with, so I decided to write a story about it, and projected it onto my current obsession: Newsies. Is Elaine a self-insert? Pretty much. Are the characters of most of the boys more based on the guys I work with than their actual depictions in media? Generally. But this was a lot of fun to write, and made me feel better about life. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Newsies or any of the characters you may recognize from it, but I do own this story, Elaine, Alden, Alan, etc. Cross-posting to ChocolatteKitty-Kat on AO3 and FFnet.

Tags: @the-cowbi

Next chapter: Chapter Two

“The World Theatre,” Jack murmured, squinting up at the metal sign shaped into the words, mounted over the door of the auspicious building. The World looked significantly newer than many of the other buildings they had passed on the drive in, but had also clearly been built in some kind of older or more traditional style than most of the other new buildings they had seen in the city.

“We finally made it.”

Jack glanced over at his passenger. His best friend and honorary little brother, Crutchie, was leaning forward as far as he could, straining against his seatbelt to take in as much of the huge building as possible. He didn’t spare a glance to Jack, focused entirely on the view in front of them. Jack smiled to himself and turned off the engine. “We sure did.”

“Come on, Jack,” Crutchie laughed. He leaned back far enough to unfasten his seatbelt and reached for his crutch and the door at the same time. “How long have you been wanting to move to Santa Fe for? And now that we’re here, I’d swear you want to go back to New York already.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I miss the pollution. Don’t go anywhere.” Jack grumbled as he undid his own seatbelt and clambered out of the van. The old-as-heck fifteen passenger had only cost him a few hundred dollars—to purchase. Repairs since then had totaled in the thousands, and Jack truly regretted not just spending more up front for a vehicle in better shape. Despite all odds, however, the piece of garbage had carried them both all the way across the country, and even loaned her converted back section—the first thing Jack had done was rip out all but one row of seats—as a temporary living space for the journey. The outside of the van had at some point somewhat recently been white, probably, but was now mottled with so many colors, between coats of paint, scrapes and scratches, and even a few rust patches and strips of duct tape—not to mention dried mud and more—, that Crutchie jokingly called its color “abstract art”. Somehow, this all seemed appropriate, though. Jack made his way around the van to open Crutchie’s door, and offered his arm up to his friend.

“Jack, I don’t need help,” Crutchie rolled his eyes. He slipped his right arm into his crutch and braced the other on the door before sliding off the seat to land on his left foot on the asphalt.

“Yeah, tell that to your arm and knees,” Jack eyed a nasty scrape along Crutchie’s forearm. “I don’t want you falling again. I don’t need that kind of stress in my life.”

Crutchie laughed and gave him a playful shove. “I fell one time. How many dozens of times have I gotten in and out of this car? And I fell once. It happens. It would probably happen even without this thing.” He waved his crutch to illustrate his point. “Anyways, the only reason I fell was because it was raining. The door was wet and my hand slipped. But, right now, it’s completely dry, so I’m perfectly safe.”

Jack rolled his eyes and shut the van door. “Sure. I get that. But I still worry.”

“Since when are you my mother?” Crutchie laughed, poking Jack lightly in the side, his eyes crinkling up as he beamed up at his friend. “Come on. We’ll be late.”

Jack rolled his eyes, locked the van door, and followed Crutchie up the low stairs to the door of the World. Inside, the air was cool, a blissful respite from the aggressive heat outside, and Jack paused a moment to take in the theatre lobby. To either side, wide staircases with more low-rise stairs wound up a full flight to small side balconies, then continued up another whole flight to a wide balcony that spanned almost the width of the room. In front of them was a long counter with a handful of people behind it, all in smart uniforms of white button-down shirts, blue ties that matched the theatre’s logo perfectly, and black vests.

“Good morning!” one of the uniformed clerks called. “Can I help you?”

“Hi,” Jack jogged up to the counter. “I’m Jack Kelly. That’s Charlie Morris. We’re supposed to start work here today. Uh, we’re supposed to see Hannah Martin?”

“You can have a seat over there, and I’ll call Hannah and let her know you’re here,” the clerk smiled cheerfully, pointing at an uncomfortable-looking couch by a wall to the left, underneath a sign with an arrow indicating the direction of a women’s restroom.

As Jack and Crutchie took their seats on the couch—which proved to be even more uncomfortable than it looked—the clerk picked up a phone and spoke quietly into the receiver. The lobby was quiet overall; the only sounds were the soft voices of the three clerks speaking into their headsets, clacking of keyboards as they typed, and the almost imperceptible whir of the air conditioning system far overhead, ever present behind the sounds of the clerks.

After a few moments of awkward silence on Jack and Crutchie’s part, a woman appeared at the top of the stairwell across the lobby from them. She made it halfway down before spotting them, then waved and smiled. “Jack and Charles? You can come on up.”

They stood up and headed for the base of the stairs, but a psst from one of the clerks caught their attention. “There’s an elevator under those stairs, if that’s easier.” He pointed to a small sign under the stairs the woman—presumably Hannah—was standing on.

“Nah, we’re fine,” Jack smiled.

“But thanks!” Crutchie called over his shoulder, already well on his way to the stairs, which he navigated easily, hopping up on his good foot, while Jack trailed along behind, constantly worried that Crutchie would land wrong and fall back down the stairs. Not that that had ever happened, of course, but Jack still worried. Hannah led them up the second flight, and through an unassuming door—labeled ‘offices’— off to the right, next to a small set of elevator doors. Inside, they smiled politely as they passed a middle-aged woman seated behind an impressive, L-shaped wooden desk. Hannah led them around a few small cubicles, constructed by low temporary walls, to a pair of folding tables surrounded by folding chairs.

“Sorry, the conference room is in use today, so we’ll have to use these,” Hannah chuckled a little too loud as she took a seat, gesturing for the boys to do the same. “Alright. I just have some final paperwork for you to sign, mostly about benefits and such.”

For the next few hours, Hannah walked them through quite a few different documents, mostly, as she had said, about insurance and benefits. She explained each document thoroughly before handing it to them, and answered any questions that they had before moving on to the next item. She split the completed papers into two stacks, which grew steadily as they went through each item. “Okay, I think that’s it!” she said finally, offering a bright smile. “These are for you”—she handed them each a blue-green folder—“Inside I have copies of our employee handbook and all of the documents you’ve just signed, for your records. Do you have any more questions?”

Both Jack and Crutchie shook their heads.

“Excellent!” Hannah smiled. “I’ll call backstage and have someone come up to walk you back. Or, actually…” She trailed off as a door, somewhere on the other side of the cubicles and unseen from where they were sitting, opened and a pair of loudly-chattering voices burst into the still quiet of the room. “Elaine?”

The voices quieted for a moment.

“Yeah?” a voice responded hesitantly.

“Can you come over here for a moment, please? We’re at the break tables.”

There were a few murmurs, one sounding suspiciously like good luck, before another door opened and closed, right around the same time a face popped around the cubicle corner that blocked the break tables off from the rest of the room. “Hi, Hannah,” the young woman to whom the face belonged chirped brightly, stepping fully out from behind the wall. She was small, with long, dark hair, and oversized green glasses.

“Hi, Elaine,” Hannah smiled warmly. “These are our two new hires for the crew. Would you mind taking them backstage with you?”

“Sure,” Elaine smiled. She waited as the boys stood up and headed towards her, then led them out of the offices. “Hi, I’m Elaine,” she turned to offer them a bright smile over her shoulder.

“I’m Jack Kelly, and this is Charlie Morris,” Jack replied, leaning around Crutchie to shake Elaine’s hand when she offered it.

“Wow, New York,” Elaine laughed. “Sorry, that probably came out wrong. I grew up in Boston and PA. It’s been a while since I heard a full-bodied New York accent on anyone around here. Well, besides Spot.”

“Spot?” Jack arched an eyebrow.

“Our house manager,” Elaine explained. “You’ll meet him sooner or later. Oh, do you want to take the elevator?”

“Stairs are fine,” Crutchie shook his head, already starting to hop down them. Jack hurried after him, even though he knew that his friend had an even easier time going down stairs than up them. Elaine bounced along behind them, her curly hair bobbing with each little hop down the steps.

“So, if you’re from the east coast, how did you get all the way out here to New Mexico?” Jack asked as they made their way down the double flights of stairs.

“I could ask you the same question,” Elaine teased. “My brothers are performers, and I used to be too. We moved around a lot for a few years, but decided to stick around Santa Fe, at least for a little while. We like it here.” She shrugged. “Your turn.”

“Jack’s always wanted to come to Santa Fe,” Crutchie said over his shoulder, hopping off the last step. “Never said why, though.”

“Yeah, well, I just kind of picked the furthest place I could think of at one point when I was a kid and promised myself that someday I’d get there,” Jack squirmed uncomfortably at the attention, and Elaine’s piercing gaze.

“Fair enough,” she shrugged. “Hey, Tommy, hey, Dutch!” she waved and grinned at two of the clerks behind the front desk. They waved back, and the one who had greeted Jack and Crutchie earlier offered them a second wave. Elaine led them through the spacious lobby, past a gift shop, located behind the front desk, and a concession stand, tucked into the wall by the theatre doors. She threw the double doors open dramatically, and the boys followed her into a small, unlit anteroom. The doors were about halfway closed when she flung open a second set of doors.

These doors opened into a wide room, full of arched rows of padded seats, with gently-sloped aisles leading down to a four-foot-high stage. “Welcome to the World Theatre of Santa Fe,” Elaine grinned, stretching out her arms and spinning as if to show off the huge room. “Seats about sixteen hundred; the booth for the sound and light ops is back there”—she pointed—“and, if you follow me, I’ll show you backstage.”

They trailed along behind Elaine as she made for the stage, then went up five steps built into the side of the stage, next to the wall. They walked through the side stage area, past a rail with several pegs with ropes tied to them. After that, they passed through a door, where they saw a small alcove with several washer and dryers set up in it—along with:

“What is that smell?” Jack nearly gagged.

“Oh, sorry, I forgot to warn you,” Elaine said breathlessly, already on the other side of the machines. “Something in the system backs up and, uh… yeah. That. Trust me, it’s worse when you’re the one standing there for the whole show.”

She led them up another long stairwell—Jack would have guessed it was a triple flight, if he wasn’t so winded by the top—and into a long hallway. “It’s technically lunchtime for crew, but I think I should take you to see Weisel first. I’m sure he’ll have something to say to you…” she trailed off, glancing down the hallway, then grabbed Crutchie by the arm and pulled him into a small, dark room off to the right, beckoning Jack to follow. “Just as a… heads up: Weisel’s a jerk. Like, obviously there’s at least one of those everywhere you go, but Weisel is his own special breed. He sucks, but he’s good at faking nice, so people tend not to notice, at least not straight off. Just don’t let him see if he gets to you. And he’ll probably be nice to start off with, anyways.”

She led them back into the hallway. “Okay. So that’s dressing room five. This is Spice’s office—don’t ever go in there unless you’re invited—and that’s the sewing room… men’s bathroom… cutting and receiving rooms for costumes, and Weisel and Medda’s offices.” She pointed out each room as they passed, stopping in front of the one she had named as Weisel’s office. “All that’s down that way is the rest of the dressing rooms. And that hallway leads to the green room and elevator.” She knocked on the door to Weisel’s office, opening it far enough to poke her head in when a response came. “I’ve got two new hires from Hannah, Mr. Weisel,” she said cheerfully. “And I need to clock out for lunch.”

“Oh, come in.”

“Cool. Mr. Weisel, this is Jack and Charlie.”

Elaine opened the door and slipped into an oversized computer chair, her fingers flying across the keys of the computer at the desk as she logged into it. The boys squeezed in behind her: the office was narrow, barely six or seven feet wide. The two “desks” were actually a wide counter built into the wall, two workspaces divided by a fancy copier, each with a desktop tower and monitor. At the back desk sat an older man, with salt-and-pepper hair—more salt than pepper—and a thoroughly displeased, unshaven face. He looked the two boys up and down, his face darkening further as he took in Crutchie; Jack instinctively wanted to step protectively in front of his friend, but couldn’t fit between Elaine’s chair and Crutchie to do so.

“Hannah said she hired two new crew boys for me,” Weisel turned back to his desk and took a bite of a sandwich, chewing slowly as he swiveled back to face the boys. “So, do either of you have any theatre experience?”

“No, not so much,” Jack said. “We just needed jobs because we were moving out here, and this is what was available. But I’ve done plenty of physical labor, and that’s what she said to expect, so I’m sure I’ll be able to sort it out quick enough. And she said something about… a spotlight operator or something for Charlie?”

“Yeah, yeah, the spot op position,” Weisel nodded, turning back to his sandwich. “Not sure what I’m going to do with him for builds.”

“Charlie, have you ever done any sewing?” Elaine piped up from the computer, where she was effectively trapped by Jack and Crutchie squashed behind her. “Wardrobe always needs help, and even if you haven’t, I don’t mind teaching. We never have enough hands to do all the little things, like buttons and hooks and name tags.”

“Alright, you can have him,” Weisel shrugged. “Next cue-to-cue they run, you can take him up to spot and teach him the follow spot.”

“Okay,” Elaine chirped. “Since it’s lunch now, do you want me to take Jack and Charlie downstairs and introduce them to everyone?”

“Sure, whatever,” Weisel waved his hand dismissively. “Jack, you come find me after lunch, and I’ll get you started. Elaine, you can take Charlie.”

The boys squeezed out of the little office and Elaine followed them. “I’ll show you downstairs, but I have to grab my lunch first. Do y’all have food?”

“Ah, no, we were gonna run out and grab something,” Jack said.

“Well, you don’t have much time for that right now,” Elaine said. “There may be a lot of places to eat around here, but it can easily take well over half an hour to get through them, plus driving back and forth, and we have less than forty-five minutes till we have to be back. But don’t worry, there’s some leftovers from the last concert in the fridge in the green room. Just follow me.”

Jack and Crutchie followed Elaine first to the sewing room, then to a large room, painted sage green, which she called the green room. “When we have concert tours in, we set up their catering in here. The upstairs staff usually eats in here on non-concert days, but Sarah—the other dresser—and I prefer to go downstairs and eat with the crew. Better company.” She opened the door to a tall, industrial-looking stainless steel refrigerator. “Here, there’s a bunch of stuff leftover from the concert the other day.” She produced a half-empty deli tray, along with some other food, and set it on one of the two long tables running through the center of the room, and grabbed some bread from a windowsill next to the fridge. “I know sandwiches aren’t much, but, hey, it’s free food. And way easier and faster than going out for lunch.”

The boys made their sandwiches in silence while Elaine microwaved her own lunch—“Quinoa with black beans, Ragu, and a little bit of cheese. It’s like spaghetti, but better!”

“It doesn’t smell better,” Crutchie wrinkled his nose.

“Yeah…” Elaine sighed, looking sadly into the container. “But I guess that’s the trade-off.”

Once they were done with the food, Elaine helped them load it back into the fridge and took them back out into the hallway. “Elevator,” she said as she punched a button on the wall. “It’s four flights to the basement, and I have bad knees. I try and take the stairs at least a few times a day, but my legs won’t let me all the time. Lunch is when I give myself a break.”

The elevator was painfully slow, and creaked alarmingly as they rode it down. “I don’t trust that,” Jack arched an eyebrow and stared up at the roof.

“Well, I’ve only heard of it getting stuck once, if that helps,” Elaine laughed.

When they reached the basement, the doors slid open—groaning as they did—and a wave of stale but cool air that smelled like beef hit them. The basement walls were made of white-painted cinderblocks, while the floor was the same painted grey concrete that the cavernous upstairs room behind the stage—where the washers and dryers were housed—had, although less stained and cracked. Elaine led them around a corner, past chain-link-fenced cubicles stuffed with fake Christmas greenery, and up to a small room created by two half walls, and an L-shaped row of old lockers, many of which were covered back and front with stickers advertising tours that had (presumably) come through the theatre in the past. There were three tables packed with folding chairs, on top of a filthy, old rug. In the back of the “room” were a small, free-standing sink with just enough counter space for a dish-drying rack, an ancient refrigerator with a freezer on top, and a rickety table with a microwave, old drip coffeemaker, and boxes of plastic cutlery and paper plates. On the back wall was a wide half-white, half-cork board; on the whiteboard side was scrawled, in faded green and red dry-erase marker,

DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE TOP 10 DISNEY ANIMATED MOVIES EVER:

Tangled The Lion King

Aladdin

Great Mouse Detective

Moana

Mulan

Sword in the Stone

Black Cauldron

Robin Hood (should be #2 but whatever)

Cinderella II

Lion King 1 ½

There were also several notes and arrows drawn on the board, seemingly trying to correct whoever had initially written it, but Jack and Crutchie didn’t have time to take those in—in fact, they barely had time to take in anything else, because as soon as they rounded the corner created by the lockers, they were met by a deafening cheer of “ELAINE!”

Elaine jumped, nearly dropping her container of quinoa-spaghetti, and yelped. “Dear lord, boys, don’t scare me like that!”

“Look, we fixed your list!” a voice laughed.

“You didn’t fix it, you made it wrong!” Elaine cried. “The Lion King SUCKS, and is definitely not the best animated Disney movie ever!”

The room immediately dissolved into chaos, each of the dozen occupants yelling over one another, mostly about the movies they felt should be on the list. Elaine set her food down on the nearest table and waved her arms. “Everyone, SHUT UP!”

The room slowly quieted, the shouting replaced largely by laughter.

“Come on, boys, we have to make a good impression on the new guys!” Elaine yelled over the continuing noise. That shut the boys up, and they turned their attention to Elaine. “Thank you!” She grabbed Jack’s arm and pulled him forward. “Everyone, meet Jack Kelly, and that’s Charlie…”

“Morris,” Crutchie stepped forward and waved his crutch, his other hand full with his sandwich plate. “But you can call me Crutchie.”

“Sure,” one of the boys laughed.

“Weasel has officially given Charlie to Buttons and Snipe as their new follow spot op”—

“You mean you’re bailing on us, Elaine!?” One of the boys in the back cried.

“Not by choice, Snipe,” Elaine retorted. “By decree of Weasel. Anyways, we always knew this day would come, especially after Barb and Carla quit. But don’t worry, I promise that I will miss you terribly.”

“Yeah, right,” the boy rolled his eyes. “You’ll forget about us in a week.”

“Five days, max,” Elaine said. “Anyways, Jack is on run crew with the rest of y’all, so be nice to him.”

“We’re always nice,” the boy in front of Elaine leaned his head back and batted his eyelashes.

“Sure you are,” Elaine laughed, rolling her eyes and giving him a playful shove on the shoulder. “Jack, Charlie, meet the crew boys.” She pointed to each person in turn as she introduced them. “Race is our deck chief—which basically means he’s in charge backstage, second only to Weasel—and he runs the fly rail. Albert is regular run crew, like you, Jack. Buttons is our L1, which means that he runs the light board and supervises the spotlight operators, namely you, Charlie, and Snipe over there. Elmer here is our A1, which means that he runs the sound board and heads up audio. Finch is the A2–a.k.a. Elmer’s backup and runs the backstage board—, and Henry is the A3–Finch’s backup. Mike and Ike over there are the twins; they’re run crew, and don’t worry about trying to tell them apart, because they’re always switching places anyways and still answer to the wrong name if you use it. The last two over there are Jo-Jo and Romeo, also run crew. And that’s Sarah! For concerts, she’s the hospitality coordinator, and she works wardrobe and dresses for our original shows.”

“And what do you do?” Crutchie asked as they squeezed into the last open seats at the same table as Elmer, Finch, and Sarah.

“Elaine does everything,” Elmer laughed.

“My title is production assistant,” Elaine said. “That just means that, yes, I do everything. I’m mostly a stitcher and dresser, at least for original shows. For concerts, I run for the tours and back Sarah up on hospitality. I also swing in for spotlight, and I’ve even done run crew a few times, and I’m the only person with experience with wigs so I do that, and I help Weasel out with props. But mostly I swing dressing tracks and spot op.”

“Swingers have the most fun,” Elmer teased.

“Gross,” Elaine rolled her eyes, but smiled despite herself. “Speaking of bad jokes, Finch, you wanna hear one?”

“No,” Finch groaned.

“What does a boat do when it doesn’t feel good?”

Finch glared at her.

“It goes to the dock!”

Sarah covered her mouth to hide a smile, and Elmer snorted into his water bottle.

“Thank you,” Elaine beamed.

4 notes · View notes

swiftiemcdibbles · 4 years

Text

Long post about Lover Fest West, @taylorswift , and Christmas. It's a good one so please read!!!

You guys, I can not wait for Christmas!!! Not just because it's Christmas and all that comes along with the Holidays, but because my son will get to open an envelope with @taylorswift tickets to Lover Fest West. It's even more exciting because, like I've mentioned 1300 times in previous posts, I swore to him after his Dad and I got back from the reputation tour, Atlanta night 1, that he could go to the next album's tour. I made a whole post about what a big parenting no no that was, simply because I assumed(and ended up making an ASS of ME) she would do a normal tour or some semblance of a "normal tour schedule", and boy was I WRONG-O.

So, the most beautiful piece of art that has ever been released, you know a little album called "Lover", came out and pretty much immediately Jax, my son, started asking when the tour was.(he really started when ME! came out but it was ramped up once the album was released). To put this into perspective for everyone, if she was preforming at an awards show, he thought THAT was the tour and we missed it, if she did anything, like the BBC Radio 1 special, he thought we missed the tour again, and when he thought this, he would get upset, but not bratty upset, kinda like he was super upset but didn't want everyone to know. He's always been that way, we have a saying I have said since he was an infant "You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit". All along I explained those were just shows for TV or specials and the tour would be announced soon, and it when it was, and I PANICKED, I did more than panic I had a full mental breakdown. Mind you, my Husband is deployed. My Mom and Dad have both been pretty sick this year, Mom with Cancer, and Dad with a heart attack followed by full on Cardiac arrest and 2 heart surgeries within 15 days and now a pace maker. Also, I've gone through a lot of mental health problems this year while my rock, my Husband, was and still is deployed to the other side of the world. I've lost a lot of friends, and cried a lot of tears. It's been that kind of year, I feel confident saying that since January 6th of this year, I've had the worst year out of my 33 year life thus far. So the mental breakdown was a culmination of all things combined and then realizing that @taylorswift wasn't coming anywhere near us for a tour was just the thing that made me break. So after I put myself back together I was determined to fulfill this pinky promise I made to my son. I never want to break promises, and I've learned through this whole process not to make promises when I don't know if they are attainable lol. Thankfully I did the verified fan for the rep tour and was close to the front of the line for time slots to get tickets for that tour, so when Ticketmaster stated it would be similar this time around I was optimistic, I have family all over New England, I am from Rhode Island, and I knew I could make the Lover Fest East work. So of course I put that as my 1st pick and West as my 2nd. Well, by the time I got to choose our tickets, which btw was kind of a mess, my only option was CALIFORNIA. Y'all I live in the upstate of SOUTH CAROLINA. But, you bet your ass I got those tickets. No they aren't floor seats, like I got with the rep show, they are pretty high up and away, but my son will not care because he will be at a @taylorswift show.

Now, the reason I am so excited for Christmas is, my son knew when those tickets were going on sale. He came home from my Mom's, who had picked him up from school that day so I could sit infront of my computer waiting to get these tickets, and asked IMMEDIATELY if I got them and I did a cruel thing, I lied. I told him no, they were sold out, he was DEVASTATED, did not come out of his room except to eat and bathe and go to school for that entire week, and I wanted so badly to tell him I got them but I didn't. I did this because I still wasn't sure a trip to California was a possibility and didn't want to get his hopes up more than I already had and also because if the trip was possible I wanted to save them and all of it for a Christmas surprise due to the cost and everything. He has asked at least twice a week if I was sure there was no way we could go to this concert. It literally breaks his little heart he won't get to see "my Taylor Swift" as he calls her. Little does he know Santa has something for him, and he will be at that show. He also loves riding trains, so I booked us a cross country train trip and am gonna make it his summer vacation. He is going to be so excited to see these tickets and to hear how we are getting there. And the best part is he has no clue his dad is coming home in time for Christmas and is surprising him at school!! He thinks his Dad won't be home till February because that's what we were originally told, but it's been changed to December 8th or could be the 13th(I mean how coincidental is that?!?!). So we decided to keep it a secret from everyone, me and my Sister In Law are the only ones that know, so she can help me coordinate the family suprises. Eeeeekkkkk!!

So to say I am EXCITED FOR THIS CHRISTMAS is a huge understatement, but I do not know how to put into words the feeling I have for it! And after listening to @taylorswift explain kinda why her touring schedule isn't the norm on to Zane on Beats 1 , I FULLY UNDERSTAND and am surprised she's even touring at all. Sometimes, fans need to remember that you're favorite artist or entertainer is also a real life person with real life issues. I think we should all try to remember that as often as possible. And to @taylorswift I actually do pray for you and your family each night because much like you my mom is my best friend and I tell her everything and she's gone through cancer and is going through it again now, you can't help but imagine the worst, and that's ok, just don't sit in it, don't stay there. You know that though. Anyways, thank you @taylorswift for making my son's Christmas one he will never forget.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

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ewebie · 2 years

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2021: An Author's Review

I've gotten in the habit (over the past 8 years) of posting an author's review of what I've done on AO3. It's only fair that I continue that practice over here, and I did my first one here in 2018. It gives me a moment to take stock and acknowledge what I've been able to do in my "free time." And kick my own butt when it comes to writing resolutions. So here it is:

2021... I have little to say about this year other than, "Bye, Felicia." I thought 2020 was bad, and I fully crashed out in 2021. I thought I knew what burnout was, but at the time, I was only on a downward spiral. Healthcare workers everywhere suffered this year in a way I wasn't prepared for... And I can't believe it was less than a year ago, I sat in the ED at work and said, "Hey, guys, my country is eating itself... can I go home early?"

I was forced to take time out of work for my own mental health, so I could actually organise time to get home to see my family, to reconnect with my body in a productive way. I had no idea that 2021 was going to be... *gestures vaguely at the dumpster fire that was everything* I think it was best summed up as, "we can't expect people to continue to restrict everything *except* work." In spite of that... I managed to get a few things done that I wanted to and some things that I hadn't planned on. There are a few that I'm gonna have to attack in 2022 though. So before we drag ourselves (bruised and bleeding but alive) into 2022, I want to take a moment to acknowledge what I did manage in 2021.

Summary of writing in 2021:

I set out with the goal of posting something every month, and I succeeded there (mostly... if you squint). I cannot begin to say how proud that makes me (of myself).

In January, the MRC (essentially a sentient, chaos chorus in plot-bunny form, carries so much b̶l̶a̶m̶e̶ credit for my continued nonsense) goaded me into posting Pedantic - a nice, wee short about chess, law and order, and pedantry. It also saw the inception of an ongoing, massive work, currently called The Hayloft and dubbed "The Farm AU." It is an ongoing bit of work that I am now hoping to finish in 2022.

February brought another short (from a bunny that attacked me on tumblr... I've no one to blame by myself) called We Move Lightly - because sometimes, we need a supportive, emotionally competent Mycroft and a bit of H/C.

For March, I posted a new chapter in Badges and 'Brellas (my Mystrade shorts collection) for which I blamed V. Not necessarily entirely her fault, but she brought it into the MRC and then the short just... kinda happened? Called Period - and about grammar.

April was a strange month for me personally. But it was a massive month for writing. Technically, my April work wasn't published until May 3rd, for the Mystrade is Art challenge. As it was entirely written in April, though, I counted it as an April work. In the middle of that, I also started two other works (one stand alone that appears later in the year, and one piece currently called The Time Has Come that is... back burner-WIP).

So that brings us to May - my most productive month from a writing perspective, and the Mystrade is Art collection, to which I submitted An Expanding Portfolio, because nothing like a bit of miscommunication and art-neck-porniness. It also saw the creation of what has become an epic AU...

June started with Jae's dragon type encouragement and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was posted. I cannot explain exactly how much I was going to fall in love with these murder husbands... But y'all loved them as well. I also posted a one-shot called One Strain At A Time which is a (mostly) canon compliant slow-burn that tosses a bunch of tropes into one work.

For July, I decided to aim for one work (stand alone or one-shot) per week. I can't remember why I thought that was a good idea. But I did. KKBB caused the fall out that is the Safety First shorts, with little one-shots (in alphabetical order) within the KKBB universe. The first of which was posted for the first week of July - A Is For Attention - because I just couldn't leave KKBB alone. The second week of July was for a one-shot/fake-marriage called Double Down. I lost a jinx to V, and the nonsense that came out of that is in Badges and 'Brellas and has to do with dragons and hippos and mullet shirts called Vibes. Then I was back to the Safety First shorts with B Is For Backup, C Is For Collateral, and D Is For Disarm in sequential weeks. I also started work on a monster that Paia encouraged... It is still a WIP.

August was less prolific than July for many reasons. But I managed another Safety First short called E Is For Exit Strategy. Mostly because V came for me on twitter (rude).

September was a slow month... for many reasons. I posted the next (and most recent) chapter in Safety First for Moth... because people leaving stupid reviews don't deserve our consideration. F Is For Foresight.

Ok, so technically I missed October... But BUT, I posted the work on the first of November... because I got distracted by Halloween. Soz.

In November, I started with (what should have been the October work) I Wouldn't Holler. Another one-shot, tumblr bunny that attacked me and I couldn't let it go. I also had a Paia bunny trebuchet that caused Then Arrest Me, Officer. Now... Since KKBB just, somehow got its claws into everyone, Narf goaded me into another one that was supposed to be a short, but... We all know that thing about good intentions. So starting in November, I posted twice-weekly chapters for an AU of the AU KKBB that finished up in December. And readers, I effing LOVE the way Sometimes I Feel... turned out. (murder husbands ftw)

With the second half of Sometimes I Feel... being posted throughout December, I finished up the year with a little, surprise Christmas present (that is entirely Paia's fault) called I'm Listening.

Overall, I published 80k words (though, I wrote just shy of 150k... there are some big WIPs in the works) with 19k hits and I now have 340 user subscriptions and 5100 bookmarks. It was a solid effort and I've spent the year only writing Mystrade.

Plan for 2022: I’m going to finish Lexicon. I swear I’m going to finish it. I promise. Cross my heart. Pinkie swear. I’ve been chipping away at the last chapter and do have it planned out (the words are just slow to flow), and this might be the 3rd year I've promised that. If the muses allow, I will also be finishing up Pitch and Timbre (the smuts take so long for me to write). There’s a few bigger projects that I’ve back-burnered or have been plodding along with, including "the sad one" and "the Farm AU" and some complex, multichapter things. Trello has been excellent this year to keep my bunnies sorted and in some sort of order.

Working titles of a few:

The Hayloft

Lesser Things

The Time Has Come

Attack the Cheese Block

Of Legwork and Dogs Bodies

Mind's Eye

Cease To Be Amazed

Make Yourself

I hope to keep adding shorts to Safety First and Badges and 'Brellas. And I'm setting the goal of another 12 new works (monthly publications) through 2022.

Many thanks to everyone who has beta'd works for me through the year (and there are a lot of you... Narf, Anne, Johanna, Gala, Cleo, Jae, and Paia -- many times for her many many sins). Thank you to the Jail - Moth you are a precious wee marshmallow, Colleen... I will continue to yell at you in gif form, and Paia you absolute bunny gremlin, I-A-Door-You! Thank you to the MRC for being just... whatever it is you are. Fleur, every @ is noted and loved and considered in a tradition that I cannot possibly explain properly. And the OGC - because intercontinental chat groups are their own, special nonsense!

I want to thank everyone that has left kudos and comments and reblogs and likes. Anyone who has dropped me a message or a thought and has generally enjoyed or encouraged my writing this past year. ILY all!!

#ewebie's fic #On writing #An Author's Review #2021-2022

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felicityb-reviews · 6 years

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Kim Jonghyun - Feature Spotlight

Hello, babies!! My name is Jace (aka Felicity B), and welcome to the debut Feature Spotlight (aka your January surprise)!! Today we will counting down some of my favorite songs by the one, the only - Kim Jonghyun. Jonghyun is someone who was important to me, because he was somebody who fought tooth and nail to be happy and himself. And that's so important to someone like myself, because I have depression. It's actually the reason I created this blog - if I could keep myself occupied, doing something I love (talking about myself), then maybe the bad days won't seem so bad. Sometimes it's a fight for me to hold myself together, so seeing someone like Jonghyun, who was very open about the state of his mental health, throw his everything into being happy and free inspired me to do the same.

I figured if there's one thing I can do to honour him, it's to keep his memory alive through his music. And so that's what we're going to be doing for the month of January!! Today's Feature Spotlight will be drawing from Jonghyun's solo material, but the next three weeks will be dedicated to SHINee's discography. The next two Friday's will be lists featuring music from SHINee's Korean discography, and the final week will be music from their Japanese discography. I can't wait!!

Before we begin, we are some rules (I guess) I used to create this playlist -

The order is nothing special, sis; I don't like ranking songs, it feels Wrong™.

No feature tracks /Edna Mode Voice. Anything that has a music video AND was promoted on daily music shows is disqualified. These lists are for spotlighting b sides and music casual fans might have skipped over.

These lists aren't meant to a "The Best of". They're just a collection of songs I happen to like a lot, and think other people should list to, as well. Please do not get hung up on your favorites not being here, this is just my opinion, baby.

So now that we got all the rules out of the way (watch someone try me on this bullshit), let's begin with...

Hallelujah (BASE)

Hallelujah is a song that feels like it lives and breathes. No one created and arranged song to be what it is, it spawned into being the way it is. And boy is it an experience. The arrangement is sparse, but that's okay - it makes you pay attention to the few elements that are there. It's just an amazing listening experience, sis.

Inspiration (SM STATION)

Inspiration is about sex. Straight up. This song sounds like what I'd expect a filthy and rough fucking to feel like. But beyond that, this song is interesting because, despite how musically uncomplex it is, it sounds like there's way more going on than there actually is. Sometimes listening to Inspiration is like listening to a Hitchhiker song; idk if that was Jjong's intention, but I like it.

AURORA (She Is...)

AURORA is another one that sounds like sex, but it's quite the opposite of Inspiration. Where Inspiration is rough, AURORA is soft. Where Inspiration feels like pure need, AURORA feels like a soft want. Yes, that's cheesy af, but it gets my point across. AURORA feels like coming home to bae and relaxing into the sex cause y'all can. A brilliant track, if I do say so myself.

(And just so y'all don't get it twisted, Kim Jonghyun is the Kpop King of Funk; I will entertain no one else in this position.)

Suit Up (She Is...)

Oh look, another song about sex!! What can I say, songs about sex are great. Especially, Suit Up. Suit Up trades in the Funk elements of AURORA for a soft RnB back drop that is oh so effective. Suit Up is the Ultimate™ in soft sex songs (it's literally about having sex for the first time as a married couple). If we aren't dancing to this at my wedding, know I've been kidnapped and replaced by aliens.

Wouldn’t It Be Like That? (Fine) (The Collection ~Story Op. 1~)

First of all, that title is extra as all hell. But I'd expect nothing less from Kim "King Of The Drama Gays" Jonghyun. Secondly, this is a very straight forward acoustic RnB song. But that's what I like about it - it's no muss, no fuss. Jonghyun is extra as all hell (as all the members of SHINee are), but he knows when to scale it back. And he does so very nicely here.

Orbit (She Is...)

Orbit is (surprise, surprise) another Funk song. And, for those of you who remember the She Is... teasers, the first of the songs we heard. Not quite what we were expecting with its left of center arrangement, but then again, that teaser was just weird as hell. Anyway, underneath Orbit's quirky arrangement lies a very standard Funk song. But as was the case with Fine, I am very much okay with that. Orbit gives me happy brain tingles.

Love Belt (featuring Younha) (BASE)

Oh Love Belt... you make me happy brain tingle so hard. If Jjong had elected to go for a more bombastic arrangement for this song, it would have gone completely wrong. This is a love song that plays fast and loose with it's major elements. But thankfully, Jonghyun decided to scale it back (notice a trend here), and let the vocals shine. And speaking of vocals, how you doin' Miss Younha?!?!?!? Such a lovely addition to song. In fact, I'd say her voice goes with it better than Jjong's, but I'm not trynna fight with Blingers today.

No, ma'amsir!!!

Just Chill ( The Collection ~Story Op. 2~)

In case y'all haven't clockt my boring ass, I quite like what I love to call Acoustic Coffee Shop RnB Midtempos. They're pretty self explanatory - RnB songs you could listen to at a coffee shop. If you can't quite place the sound (even after listening to this list), just wait for Spring; you'll be bombarded with them. Anyway, I say all that to say that Just Chill is an excellently written Acoustic Coffee Shop RnB Midtempo. There's just a lil Funk thrown in their to keep your ears interested as the rest of you blisses out to the pure happiness of the track. It's just so good, sis.

Déjà-Boo (featuring Zion.T) (BASE)

THE KPOP KING OF FUNK MEETS THE K-RNB KING OF FUNK!!! FUCK Y E S!!!

Deja Boo is a song I was not fond of, at first. I thought Jjong and Zion.T sounded really awkward together, but (obviously) the song has grown on me quite a bit. It's just a really cute and endearing song by two very cute and endearing people.

02:34 ( The Collection ~Story Op. 1~)

02:34 has a few false starts (for lack of a better phrase), before she actually gets going. First, you think she's gonna be a ballad; then, you think you're getting a Funky uptempo; and finally, it resolves into an Acoustic Coffee Shop RnB Midtempo. You'd think Jonghyun was playing basketball with hard he jooks us with that intro, sis. But I digress. 02:34 is a nice RnB midtempo with a touch of melancholy to it that keeps it interesting.

I’m Sorry ( The Collection ~Story Op. 1~)

Oh look, a ballad. How quaint. You'd have thought the hardest part about doing this list would've been the uptempos, but it was actually the ballads that got me. Jonghyun has some very arresting ballads in his corner. Take I'm Sorry, for example. It's got the piano and strings that you'd expect from a song like this, but he throws out the classical ballad formula to do his own thing. And instead of using this as an excuse to show off his vocal prowess (we know that Kim Jonghyun can blow), he gives us a very breathy delivery that relays the emotion of the lyrics effectively.

Blinking Game ( The Collection ~Story Op. 2~)

Blinking Game is, in many ways, a spiritual successor to Happy Birthday (a song that features on the first Story Op album that I was unable to fit on this list, but a very lovely song, nonetheless). They're both caberet songs - downtempo little ditties I can see Jonghyun performing in a club for his boo thang. He's sat at a piano with a band playing behind him, and he's got this content little smile on his face. A lovely image. But back to Blinking Game. Despite not feeling like a ballad, it's got the pulse of one; it doesn't have anywhere urgant to go, sis. I'd say it meanders in a circle, like a slow dance, till it ends. A really nice song to relax to.

Elevator ( The Collection ~Story Op. 2~)

Listen to the first 10 seconds of this song, and you'll realize why this song is on this list. Idk if this is a standard diatonic progression or modal (my theory is not that good), but that progression makes my brain happy tingle like mad cray, fam. And then when Jonghyun sings... GIRL, WHEN HE SINGS OVER IT!!! It feels like I've disintegrated into a mass of star dust. God, this song is just so GOOD!!! I said that Jonghyun has some arresting ballads in his collection, but this one takes the cake, guys. I simply lack the words to fully describe the feeling this song invokes in me.

And that's it, guys!! Don't forget to tune back in on Wednesday at 6pm EST for my debut Review Roundup, featuring new songs from this week; and the first part of the SHINee Feature Spotlight on Friday at 6pm!! I hope you all have a lovely night (or morning if you happen to reading from, idk... Japan!!)!!

youtube

And he's the songs in a playlist, in case you wanna listen to the songs as you read my blathering. Love, you guys!!

#Felicity B #Feature Spotlight #Jonghyun #SHINee

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p-artsypants · 7 years

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320 State Street (12) September 10,2016

FF.net | AO3

You know how there one chapter you ALWAYS wanted to write when you planned a fanfic? This is the one. Along with another yet to come. I hope you all enjoy.

—

“So, I’m up on the stage, and I’ve got this…really creepy clown mask on, and I’m jumping around and trying to be goofy.” Hiccup relayed, leaning on the counter. “The kids are really liking it and seem to be having a good time. But then when I took the mask off, the demon possessed man in the back stood up and started screaming.”

“Oh jeez,” Gobber shivered.

The door rang and Astrid hurried in, with wet hair tied up in a bun. “Hey, sorry I’m late. Clinicals went long and an old man pooped on me.”

“Oh it’s alright,” Hiccup turned and gave her a bright smile.

“Hey!” She smiled in return, “you got your braces off! Must feel good.”

“It’s amazing!” He beamed. “The first thing I had to eat was a caramel apple from Kilwin’s, which was amazing.”

“So you stated.”

He just kept on smiling, and the sight made her heart race. Bad girl, she warned herself.

“Join us,” Tuff urged. “Hiccup is telling us his weirdest memory of Africa.”

Hiccup cleared his throat. “Okay, so for recap, I’m performing a skit with a mission team from our church, and we’re at a church which is notorious for a demon possessed man hanging around.”

“Sounds interesting so far,” Astrid stated, taking a soda out from the cooler.

“So as soon as I get up for my part, I take off my clown mask I was wearing and the demon possessed man starts shrieking at me. He ran all the way up the aisle and threw a gallon bag of weed at me.”

“That’s a lot of freaking weed.” Tuff stated, nonchalantly, having heard this story several times before. “Did you save any of it?”

“Of course not. I don’t actually know what happened to it after that. I just know we sang about 20 verses of ‘Blessed Assurance’ while the man was just dragged out of the church.”

“So that’s your weirdest memory of Africa?” Gobber confirmed.

“Probably, at least, as I can recall.” He shrugged.

“Must feel pretty weird to be going back soon,” Tuff wondered. “You haven’t been back since…what, middle school?”

“Yeah, when I lost my leg. But I’ve kept in contact with my friends there, so it won’t be totally weird.”

“Wait…when are you going back?” Astrid asked, dread creeping up in her mind.

“Well, I technically graduate in January. So I think we’re looking at going back mid-April. So, I’ve still got nearly 6 months.��

“And you are going to work your butt off in the meantime, you hear me?!” Gobber warned, shaking a hook in his face.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Astrid hid her disappointment well and pretended to be happy for him. “Well, make sure you let me know when you're leaving so I can take your job.”

His fingers splayed across his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, M’lady.”

She crinkled her nose. “Hey, I’ll give you a pass, but never say that again.”

He chuckled.

The doorbell rang and in came a customer. Tuff wandered off to do fake work and Gobber retreated to the back room.

“Hello, how can I help?” Hiccup asked.

“I’m just thirsty.” He stated, plainly.

“Oh, well, we have some sodas for a dollar.”

“Great!” Said the man with a smile. He studied the cooler, and took out a cream soda. He examined the bottle, and then looked back into the cooler. “Wow! People must really like the cream soda! It’s almost empty.”

Hiccup was suspicious. He thought he had just stocked that fridge, it shouldn’t be anywhere near empty.

“See! Look!” Urged the customer.

Hiccup peaked inside and saw that, indeed, there was one spot missing from the cream soda, belonging to the bottle in his hand. Hiccup just went along with it. “Oh yep, look at that. I guess we’ll have to fill it up.”

The man smiled, paid for his soda, and left.

“That was…interesting.” Astrid supplied.

“You see all types here.”

Astrid took a sip of her Rat Bastard Root Beer and sighed. “Thus the curse of retail.”

Hiccup snapped his fingers, “that’s right Astrid! I was going to show you this thing I discovered earlier this week.”

He headed into the back of the store while Tuff grabbed two paint sticks.

Hiccup emerged again with an armful of PVC pipes of all different sizes.

“What’s this?”

“A stroke of genius.” Hiccup provided, leaning the pipes up against the counter. “Now, each pipe makes a different, distinct sound when I whack them against the counter.”

“Like Boomwhackers.”

“Yeah! Just like Boomwhackers. Observe.”

Bum, bum, bum-bum, bum. Bum Bum.

“Hmm…” Astrid pondered.

“I’ll play it again.”

Bum, bum, bum-bum, bum. Bum Bum.

Then Tuff took over, “Ladies and gentlemen. It's my pleasure to introduce to you…” He sang a little as he clicked his paint sticks on the counter. “He's a friend of mine…”

“Yes, yes I am!” Hiccup sang back.

“And he goes by the name...Hiccup! Wowoowoooo.” He howled. “All the way,

from 20 blocks South.

And he's got somethin' special for y'all tonight

He's gonna sing a song for y'all

About this girl.”

As Tuff travelled to the shelves to drum on them, Hiccup started to bob his head in time.

“On that sunny day,

Didn't know I'd meet,

Such a beautiful girl,

Walking down the street.”

His voice wasn’t perfect or angelic, but it was pleasant to the ear.

“Seen those bright blue eyes,

With tears coming down,

She deserves a crown,

But where is it now…” He sang as he played the pipes. “Mamma listen…”

It was then that Astrid realized what song he was singing and started laughing.

“Señorita, I feel for you…

You deal with things, that you don't have to

He doesn't love ya, I can tell by his charm

But you could feel this real love

If you just lay in my…”

Hiccup let loose, singing loudly and obnoxiously. Knowing the chorus, Astrid joined in as well.

“A~h, a~h, a~arms...

A~h, a~h, a~arms...

A~h, a~h, a~arms…”

Hiccup made eye contact with her and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“When I look into your eyes

I see something that money can't buy

And I know if you give us a try

I'll work hard for you girl

And no longer will you ever have to…cr~yyyyy!”

Suddenly, Gobber burst into the room, tambourine in hand.

“Senorita, I feel for you,

You deal with things, that you don't have to,” Sang Tuff and Gobber.

“Deal with things you don't have to,” Parroted Hiccup, soulfully.

“He doesn't love ya, I can tell by his charm,

But you could feel this real love

If you just lay in my…”

The door rang and the pipes fell with a clatter as Hiccup was startled. Gobber and Tuff stopped playing awkwardly as Astrid burst into laughter. Hiccup looked quickly to the door to greet the customer, but froze at the sight.

One Scott Lout stood in the door, looking just as startled and confused. “You?” He asked with question.

It only took a half a second for Hiccup to recover. His nostrils flared. “You!” Hiccup responded in anger.

“Wait,” Astrid looked between the two of them. “You know each other?”

“Wait, you know him?” Hiccup responded in kind.

“Sure, he’s my boyfriend.”

Hiccup’s eyebrows rose in surprise, before narrowing in anger. “You’ve got to be shitting me!”

“Now Henry,” Scott came fully into the store, with his hands held out in peace. “Let’s not get carried away. Can I talk to you in private?”

Hiccup took a massive sigh and nodded wordlessly. He beckoned him into the back room.

Tuff started picking up the abandoned PVC pipes. “That was weird.”

“Tell me about it. Whatever Scott had to say must have been really important, since he didn’t even say hi to me.”

“Plus,” added Gobber, “I’ve never seen Hiccup that angry.”

They spoke too soon. The wall to the office was just as thin as it had ever been, and they heard Hiccup loud and clear, screaming so much that his voice cracked.

“How dare you! How dare you!? You slimy, disgusting piece of garbage! I could kill you! You go out there and tell her the truth right now!”

The wall was quiet for a moment as Scott replied.

“There’s no excuse, Scott! You don’t apologize to me, you apologize to her!”

There was another long break, both voices muffled, Hiccup seemingly calmed down for the moment. But only for the moment.

“Alright fine! But if you don’t tell her, I will. And I shit you not, she will kick your ass harder than I ever could!”

A moment passed before Scott came back, looking perfectly calm.

“Everything alright?” Gobber asked.

Hiccup stood in the doorway, his face red and still boiling with rage. “Peachy.”

“Hey so…” Scott began. “I wanted to just pop in and see you at work. I’m kind of in a hurry, so I’ll see you later tonight, okay? I have…something I should tell you.”

“Oh, okay…yeah. Tonight.” Astrid confirmed.

He leaned in a placed a kiss on her cheek, making sure Hiccup saw the action.

He did, and looked ready to explode.

“Later!” Scott waved.

The room was tense as Hiccup picked up the rest of the pipes and hauled them away.

Astrid called back, trying to ease him. “You know, you have some real musical talent. I think it’s cool that you found the right pipes to play Señorita.” Her compliment sounded forced and awkward. To everyone around.

“I’m…going to see if I can fix the handle to the freezer,” declared Gobber, sneaking away.

“Yeah, and I’m going to do something that isn’t here.” Tuff stated, taking a can of spray paint and a funnel and heading to the door.

The room was quiet for too long, only an occasional clatter of metal and then a swear. Hiccup never ever swore. And it frightened her.

“Hiccup?”

“What?” He called back.

“Can you please talk to me for a second?”

The young man stormed back to the front, huffing the whole way. He went to the cooler and took a soda out. Then he dropped into one of the high chairs and took a swig. It would have been concerning if it wasn’t Root Beer.

“Better?”

“No.” He stated, his nose crinkled in disgust.

“How do you know Scott?”

He sighed, and took another drink. “I’m so sorry Astrid, but I promised not to tell. You’ll find out tonight.”

“Oh.” It wasn’t like him to keep secrets from her. She was the secretive one.

Maybe a topic change would get him out of his funk. “My dad had a really good day when I saw him yesterday morning.”

It worked. Hiccup brightened considerably. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, when I took Stormfly over to see him, he was able to pet her.” She chuckled. “And then Stormfly said, ‘Hiccup good. Good head,’ and my dad actually responded. He said, ‘Hiccup good. Good head on shoulders.’ It was really quiet, but it was like…he was approving of my decision to let her stay with you.”

Hiccup smiled. “I’m flattered. Toothless and I love having Stormfly over. She adds just enough noise to the house make it lively when only one of us is home.”

She smiled wistfully, “One day I’ll be coming back for her.”

His eyes narrowed. “But…what if I don’t want to give her back?”

Astrid looked insulted. “You told me where your spare key was, I can get in at anytime to take her back.”

He sighed, “well then, I guess it was too good to be true.”

“I’ll let you visit ummmm….once a month.”

“Excuse you!”

They both dissolved into laughter, as the earlier atmosphere disappeared. Or so Astrid thought. Seeing Scott had brought back a lot of ugly emotions in Hiccup, and they were not so easily pushed away. But for her sake, he would pretend that everything was fine. Especially since he loved to see her laugh.

The rest of the day went smoothly. At 5, Astrid helped close the store and then waved goodbye to Gobber and Hiccup and left to prepare for her Saturday night date night.

Before she got very far, however, Hiccup was running after her.

“Astrid!” He called.

She stopped, giving him a weird look. “Did I forget something?”

He approached her, standing toe to toe with her.

“Hiccup?”

He took her hands, and held them gently within his own. Just the simple action was warm and safe. Then he spoke, in a voice so raw she felt the sincerity in her soul.

"I have something I need to tell you. It's so important I just..."

He looked deep into her eyes, and she only saw love and respect. “I…I think I’m in love with you…I know I’m being unfair since you and Scott are together…but I respect myself too much to just pretend that these feelings don’t exist. I don’t know…I guess I just wanted to take a chance.”

She knew he had feelings. That much was obvious, but love? Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him. He gave a soft smile, his gentleness actually hurting her. She knew she couldn’t reciprocate. He should have known too.

“Hiccup…I’m very flattered…and thank you for telling me. But…I think it’s best if…we don’t see each other outside of work anymore. I’m sorry.” She slowly pulled her hands out of his grip.

He kept his smile, though it turned sour. “Okay,” he whispered. “I figured you’d say that. I just…wanted to be honest with you. At least with this.”

“Thank you.”

“And…if you ever need a safe place, I won’t move the key.”

“Hiccup…”

“Please, just let me have this piece of mind.”

She nodded, tears starting to prick up in her eyes. “Okay, if I ever need help, I’ll go to you.”

He sighed, finally taking a step away from her. “Good. Good…I’ll see you Monday then. Have…a nice weekend.”

“You too…” And they parted ways, with the worst pain in their chests.

Hiccup returned to the store, wordlessly. He finished his duties and then went to his car and cried.

Getting in her car, Astrid sat for a moment, unwilling to move. She felt like garbage.

“It’s for the best.” She told herself, “I did the right thing.” With a heavy heart, she turned on the ignition. Her car stalled for a moment and then whined to life. “Me too girl.”

Justin Timberlake blared in the stereo. Guitars starting the intro before the heavy bass kicked in.

Aren't you something to admire, 'cause your shine is something like a mirror And I can't help but notice, you reflect in this heart of mine If you ever feel alone and the glare makes me hard to find Just know that I'm always parallel on the other side

The drive was monotonous. She sniffed a few times, trying to hold everything back.

'Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul I can tell you there's no place we couldn't go Just put your hand on the glass, I'm here trying to pull you through You just gotta be strong

'Cause I don't wanna lose you now I'm looking right at the other half of me The vacancy that sat in my heart Is a space that now you hold Show me how to fight for now And I'll tell you, baby, it was easy Coming back into you once I figured it out You were right here all along It's like you're my mirror My mirror staring back at me I couldn't get any bigger With anyone else beside of me And now it's clear as this promise That we're making two reflections into one 'Cause it's like you're my mirror My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

She nearly slammed on the brakes as a sudden realization hit her. How could she be so stupid?

You are you are the love of my life You are you are the love of my life Hiccup had always been good to her. He’d always been there when she needed someone to lean on. He offered a place to stay with no requirements. Even when they just met. His company instantly made her feel better. He didn’t hide stuff from her. He listened to her. He held conversation. She never even saw him on his phone when they together. He invited her to hang out with his friends. He never blew her off.

Now you're the inspiration for this precious song And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on So now I say goodbye to the old me, it's already gone And I can't wait wait wait wait wait to get you home She was in love with him too. He made her laugh harder than Scott ever did. His smile warmed her heart. When he was angry, which was rare, she never feared him. The thought of him kissing her, hadn’t repulsed her. It thrilled her actually. She was interested in his life, as he was in hers. He stirred feelings within her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since she had to grow up.

Just to let you know, you are

You are you are the love of my life

Girl you're my reflection, all I see is you My reflection, in everything I do You're my reflection and all I see is you My reflection, in everything I do

You are you are the love of my life

It didn’t matter what big secret Scott had to tell her. Tonight, she was calling it quits. It was about time. He had been there when she needed him, but she wasn’t quite sure if that warranted a life of being stood up and potential fist fights. They weren’t compatible anymore. And she wondered if they ever were.

She pulled into her driveway with another sigh. Now came the hard part, letting Scott down gently, and making up with Hiccup. She supposed she could just text him, but where was the emotion in a blue screen? No, she’d tell off Scott and then run to Hiccup. This time, she’d kiss him for real.

Astrid walked in the silent apartment. It appeared her crazy roommate wasn’t home. It was for the best, she’d rather not have her there if the break up turned into a shouting match.

A break up. How bizarre. She’d never been through one before, much less instigated it. But she’d seen enough movies and TV shows and knew it would probably hurt.

Even if she didn’t hold feelings for him anymore.

In her room, she put on pajama shorts and a comfy shirt. Then she slipped into her house slippers and took down her braid. If she was going to do this, she was going to be comfortable. She made some tea and sat on the couch, waiting for him.

The TV was just white noise as she sat there, thinking. She needed to rehearse. He needed to think this break up was totally about him, and not have anything to do with Hiccup. Lord knows what he would do if he figured out Hiccup’s feelings. He’d probably break his other leg.

Time marched slowly. It was a long time until 9 o’clock. And it felt even longer that she kept glancing at her phone debating on texting Hiccup. She never did, but the urge was great.

Finally, her phone buzzed with a one word text from Scott.

Here.

She stood, taking a deep breath, and went to the door.

Scott waited for her, a pleasant smile on his face. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she replied, just as pleasant, but not quite so earnest.

His eyes shifted over the apartment. “Roommate here?”

“No, I’m all alone.”

“Cool cool…” He seemed to be searching for something, but for what, she had no idea. “Good day at work?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, idly. “How do you know Hiccup?”

“Who?”

“Henry?”

“Oh oh…uh he’s…" he glanced away from her. "His dad and my dad worked together. We grew up together."

"Oh, in Zambia?"

"No, when he came home from Zambia."

Astrid narrowed her eyes. Hiccup was from Tanzania, and spent his childhood there. Scott was lying.

"Well, you don't really get along with your father, so it makes sense that you haven't seen him in a while,” She shrugged.

“Right, Right…” He muttered. He scratched his head.

Both were just vying time to confess.

“Look,” Scott started. “There’s something I should have told you a while ago.”

“Save it.” She snapped, scaring even herself. “Look, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking…I don’t think…” She sighed. This was hard. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

“What?”

“I don’t really have feelings for you anymore. And I feel like you don’t have any for me either.”

He stood blank-faced.

“You don’t respect me, you don’t pay attention to me, and…you don’t put anything into our relationship. When was even the last time we had sex?”

“Do you want to right now?” He asked, half-heartedly.

“That’s not the point.” She huffed. “I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s not worth it. Sorry for wasting your time, but I wanted to tell you this in person. I owe you that much.”

Scott frowned, an ugly look. Her heart pounded in her chest, waiting to see his reaction.

“And…so I’m just supposed to be okay with you borrowing 3,000 dollars? And just let it go?”

“No Scott, I will pay you back the money. I promise. I promised you before, and I’m not going back on you. I just…don’t want to date you anymore.”

This did not make his mood any better.

“I knew it. This whole time, you’ve been cheating on me…with Henry none the less!”

This exasperated Astrid, and her anger flared. “Scott! If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times! I’m not cheating on you! I was loyal to you to a fault! And you never trusted me, no matter how hard I tried!” Emotion poured out of her at her confession as she begged him to understand.

“Don’t yell at me!” He shouted back.

“I’m going to yell at you because you deserve to be yelled at! You—you—!” There were so many things she wanted to call him, but she didn’t even know if it was worth it. “I’m done discussing this, Scott. It’s over!”

He grabbed her arm and shook her. “You don’t get to tell me when we’re done! I have invested too much in this relationship for you to call it quits!”

She tried to yank her arm back, but he held firm. “I have just as much say in this as you! It’s my life!”

“You don’t have a life!” He screamed, shaking her. “You have no family, no friends, you work a dead end job and live in a shitty apartment. You are dependent on me to go to school!”

“I don’t need you!” She screamed back, helpless against his strength.

“Yes you do! You have no where else to go! Don’t be stupid!”

With a great shove, she pushed him away from her. “I don’t need you! I don’t need you!”

The punch was stronger than the last time. It knocked her off her feet and sent her to the floor. Blood would be coming from her nose soon.

“I told you, don’t be stupid. My life is very stressful and I can’t always control things…If I lose you, where will I be?”

Astrid got up on her knees, holding her nose. “You think I’m going to apologize after you punched me?” she bit.

Scott replied with a kick to the rib cage, knocking the wind from her. “You’re doing this to yourself!”

She fought to stand, though it hurt, and she continued to breathe deep. It was like something snapped. This concern she had for him, this thing that kept holding her back, it was gone.

“My nose is bleeding, and I didn’t punch myself,” She stated, coldly.

Then he made the face that sent shivers down her spine. He bit his tongue with his lips closed, and jutted out his lower jaw. His eyebrows furrowed and met his pupils. Nostrils flaring, and cheeks puffed. The look of a man with no emotion but rage.

Astrid punched him first.

As he staggered backwards, she darted around him and ran out the door, taking nothing with her. All the while, Scott howled for her, “you broke my nose!”

She sprinted around the house and into the neighbors yard, hearing the door slam. No doubt, he was running after her. “You can run all you want! But I’ll always be waiting! This isn’t over until I say so!”

She paid him no heed as she jumped the neighbor’s fence and dashed into the woods.

His cry came from the distance, raw and visceral. “You hear me!? This isn’t over!!”

His voice echoed behind her as she raced on. The dark of the woods filled with the unknown should have scared her, but she was more terrified of what could have followed her.

The woods were her sanctuary. The intersecting branches were stained glass windows. The assorted stumps were the pews, and the cacophony of crickets and sounds of wild animals were the holy choir.

Eventually, she came to a clearing with railroad tracks. Both directions were lined with trees until they faded in the darkness. It was a cloudy night, and there was no light to guide her.

Just her endless beating heart.

She stood still for a moment, listening for foreign noises. Nothing but crickets. No cracking of sticks, no voices, nothing to suggest human life. She was finally safe. For now at least. She held her side, her ribs tender. Everything hurt. She took the hem of her shirt and ripped it in a thin strip, wadding it up and shoving it in her bloody nose. It would work for now.

But now what was she going to do? She had no phone, no keys, no wallet…not even proper clothes. She should have thought through this better. Where would she even go? Scott knew about Hiccup. That would probably be the first place he’d look for her. But then again, maybe he didn’t know where he lived. Then there was always the fact that Hiccup had a panther and, well, Stoick, to be sure. The more she thought about it, the safer the Haddock Home looked.

She closed her eyes and tried to imagine the area around his house. Where were the railroad tracks? She imagined the tunnel, and then the main road. Across the street there was a cemetery, and bordering that, she could have sworn there were tracks. If not, then she’d come up with a better plan.

So she picked the direction she assumed was South, and started off.

It was a cool night, at least. Not too cold and not too hot. And rain didn’t seem likely, for this, she was thankful.

On and on she traveled. Her feet hurt already from standing all day, and this was not helping. Her house slippers at least kept her from stepping on something sharp…for now at least.

Eventually, the woods ended and the city came into view. Gobber’s Goods was not too far, though at this hour, no one would be there, and Gobber had updated the security system anyway, there was no way to get in. It didn’t matter, so she pressed on.

As she crossed the bridge over the river, the water calmly lapped against the metal wave breakers. It was almost peaceful, and she took a seat, just for a moment to catch her breath. From here, she could see a break in the clouds in the distance over the lake, where the stars could be seen ever so slightly. Like a light at the end of a tunnel.

She didn’t spend much time on her break as she clambered to her feet.

After another hour, her trek led her to border a busy road. It was unlikely that Scott would be looking for her here. If anything, he would be waiting at her house for her to return. But before her brain could process this logic, her eyes saw headlights coming around the corner and she dropped to the ground to hide in the grass. Her lungs filled with rapid breath as she covered her head with her hands and didn’t dare to open her eyes, lest it would give her away. The car was long gone, but the anxiety remained. With shaky legs and careful eyes, she stood and continued down the tracks.

It felt like years. Her feet began to drag the longer she walked. Tears bit at her eyes from the pain. Surely, her slippers weren’t doing her any good, but she wore them to keep from getting splinters.

Then she saw it. The cemetery. A cool fog fell upon it, and gave it a haunted look. She waded in, and let the cool dew seep through her slippers and cool her raw toes. The graves looked inviting, surely the residents would allow her to rest for a moment. But, she’d be home soon. And then rest.

In the tunnel, every step echoed and she tripped several times. She was just so tired.

Then finally, she saw the wonderful view of Hiccup’s house. She made her way up the driveway, tossed her slippers into the garbage and threw herself into the service door, as she had seen him do a hundred times before.

“Please tell me he really didn’t move the key,” She wondered aloud. Both cars were inside, and she was thankful. On the side of the garage sat Hiccup’s bike, still unfinished. She went to the cabinet behind it and found the hidden key behind the roll of duct tape. She kissed it. “Thank you, Hiccup.”

Inside the house, she tiptoed quietly down the hall, no signs of stirring occurred. At the foot of the bed in the guest room, a spare pair of pajamas sat waiting for her. They looked amazingly soft. She took them and went to the bathroom. The light went on and she winced at the brightness, and then the train wreck that was her face. The punch that had landed had left a ugly bruise that spread over her nose and a bit around each eye. She turned on the faucet and rinsed her face, watching as the water beneath turned yellow. The skin was tender, as the skin on the bridge of her nose had split open. She was just lucky it wasn’t broken. Cupping the water in her hands, she gulped it down. The coolness soothed her dry lips and swollen tongue.

She stripped off her dirty shorts and ripped shirt and turned the faucet on the bathtub. In the closet, she found a wash cloth and some bandaids. What she really wanted was to take a full shower, but she didn’t know if she had the energy. As she eased her feet into the warm water, they stung as they were rubbed raw. She used the wash cloth to wash the mud from her arms and legs.

Finally, she dressed her nose with the bandaids. “Alright, good enough. I’ll find that bag of peas Hiccup keeps around and ice this.” She threw on the pajamas and turned off the light. “Then bed.” She smiled at the idea. Bed sounded so good.

She climbed the stairs to go the kitchen, only to see a light on. She prayed that it was Stoick, or someone had just left it on, but it seemed that luck was not on her side.

Hiccup leaned against the counter, a bowl of cereal sitting in front of him. He looked up when she walked in.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. He obviously hadn’t expected her, especially since she had said she didn’t want to see him anymore. But the bruise on her face spoke volumes.

She hadn’t prepared what she was going to say, how she was going to rectify this situation.

“Why…don’t you have a seat on the couch? I’ll get you some peas.” He finally said.

She smiled slightly, and followed his instructions. As she sank into the cushion, she felt her legs starting to throb.

“Are you hungry?” He called.

“Yeah…”

“I’ll make you a sandwich.”

“Thanks.”

She peered over to Stormfly’s cage, to see her sleeping peacefully. Toothless leapt down from his beam and trotted over to lay at her feet. Astrid just sat idly and waited.

Soon enough, Hiccup came back and handed her a bag of frozen peas and the sandwich, and then took a seat next to her. He sat crosslegged, facing her.

Both ate their food quietly, still not sure how to start a conversation.

Hiccup finished his Captain Crunch and set the bowl to the side. “So?”

“So…what?” She asked.

He didn’t really have to guess, but assumed Scott was responsible for her nose. “Why did he do that?”

She glanced away. “I broke up with him.”

“Oh, so he told you about…you know…”

“He didn’t say anything. I just…do you remember when you asked me if I wanted to marry Scott?”

“Uh, I think so. Wasn’t that like, months ago?”

“Yeah, but…I kept thinking about it. And after…what you said yesterday, I was driving home and I realized that you treated me better then Scott ever had, and we’re not even dating.”

“But Astrid…”

“Even before you liked me.”

He swallowed, a little pink on his cheeks. “I’ve kind of always…liked you.”

She grinned.

“So…he just punched you?”

“Something you might not know about me Hiccup, is that I’m a fighter. When I get angry, I get angry. But Scott’s the same way, so I had to learn to control my anger. Tonight he was saying all sorts of crap and accusing me of stuff, so when he hit me, I just…snapped. I broke his nose and ran out of the house without my phone or keys and ran here.”

“Wait wait wait wait…you walked here?”

“Yeah…I didn’t know what else to do. I don’t have your number or address memorized…”

“How long did it take you?” He asked, resting a warm hand on her knee.

She glanced to the clock on the wall. “Well, it’s 2 o’clock now…so four hours?”

He shook his head.

“Why are you up?” She questioned.

“Oh, I just couldn’t sleep. I was…really worried about you. You never texted me, so I assumed that Scott chickened out of our promise…”

Astrid furrowed her eyebrows, “Are you saying whatever Scott had to tell me would ruin our relationship?”

“I hoped it would.”

Astrid looked at him skeptically.

“Not for my sake, but for yours.” He clarified.

“Alright, well, I think you better tell me what this mysterious secret is, since I refuse to talk to Scott ever again.” She considered a moment. “Do I have to get tested?”

He blanched. “Um…maybe?”

Her eyes widened.

“You see…Scott’s my cousin.”

“Wait…your cousin?” Hiccup could see the wheels turning in her head. “Like…as in your cousin Scott that’s married to Heather?” Her voice broke.

“Yeah…” Hiccup nodded, softly.

“How long have they been married?”

“Three years.”

“Jesus Christ…” Astrid pulled her feet up and leaned her forehead against her knees. “This whole time…he was scared of me cheating on him. But he was cheating on his wife! On Heather!” She shuttered. “I feel sick! How could I do that to her?”

“Astrid, you couldn’t have helped it. You had no idea. The best thing we can do is call her in the morning and tell her what happened. I think it’s best if we tell her as soon as we can.”

Astrid nodded, the sickness in her stomach not quite disappearing.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m so mad. And disgusted…Hiccup, I slept with him. I helped him cheat on Heather!”

“Again, you aren’t to blame, because you didn’t know. Heather is really kind, she’ll understand. Why she even married Scott in the first place, I’ll never know.” He shook his head. “Are you going to throw up?”

“No, probably not,” She assured. “It’s over now. Just a terrible nightmare that I don’t have to worry about anymore. So let’s change the topic, or I’m going to feel guilty for the next month.”

Hiccup wasn’t looking at her. “Why did you come here, after what happened earlier? I thought that you have…” He trailed off, not knowing how to put it into words.

“You said you wouldn’t move the key.” She said simply. “This is the only home I have.” She smirked slightly, “Having Toothless and the Chief of Police around were a plus.”

He smiled back, finally looking her in the eye. “You feel like this is home?”

She nodded. “It’s the first place that felt like home after my dad went into hospice. I feel safe and I can relax. It’s warm and inviting, and I don’t feel uncomfortable at all…your dad treats me like his kid.”

“He has a tendency to do that.” He laughed.

“And Hiccup?”

“Hmm?”

“Back when I said that I broke up with Scott because of his treatment of me…that was only partly the reason.”

“Oh?”

She sighed, “when…you said you loved me…it made me really happy. Happier then I had been in a long time, and I realized that saying no was the biggest mistake I could ever make…because maybe we could have been together a few hours sooner.”

Hiccup’s eyebrows raised clear into his hairline. “You mean…?”

Astrid reached out and touched his face, gently. She gazed at him, a pained look on her face. “Did you cry? When I said I didn’t want to see you anymore?”

“A little,” he admitted, sheepishly.

“I’m sorry for the heartbreak.”

“It’s alright. I expected it, honestly. You are fiercely loyal, and I appreciate that about you.”

Astrid was leaning in. “I wish I had met you sooner in my life. I have a feeling things would have been better.”

“Maybe you should have applied at Gobber’s instead of Bath and Body.”

She giggled, a pleasant sound. Like she was finally at peace. She gazed down, in thought, and then took a risk.

Carefully and slowly, so he could move away, she moved one leg over him, and then straddled his legs. She rested her hands on his shoulders, seeking approval. He didn’t seem to protest, as he rested his arms on her waist in return. He swallowed hard.

Then she leaned in, closing her eyes.

“Wait,” he begged softly.

She did, seeing his conflicted face.

“Should we be doing this?”

“What do you mean?”

Hiccup tried to take his hands away from her, but ended up clasping her arms instead. “You just broke up with Scott. I don’t want to be a rebound. I don’t want you to only be doing this to feel better…I want you to do this because you actually care about me.”

“Oh Hiccup…” she gasped. “Thank you.” She leaned in and pressed her forehead to his. “It means a lot to me that you would think about that, but I promise, I want this.”

“You do?”

She bored her eyes into his, daring him to compromise. “Hiccup, I love you. I really really love you.”

His lips twitched into a smile. “Kiss me then.”

It started out slight. Just a touch of lips. Both hesitant, but eager. Soon she turned her head slightly and dove her fingers into his hair. He reciprocated by pulling her closer and wrapping his arms around her.

Then, her heart cried out for his, and he answered it. Several heated kisses later, he opened his mouth slightly, as did she and a little dance of tongues began. It didn’t last long, as Hiccup pulled away with a loud smack.

“Wow,” he breathed.

“Wow…” she repeated.

“It’s a lot better now that you’re sober,” He teased.

She could have berated him, but she chose not to, and kissed him soundly again. She was tired, and ached. She knew she looked like a mess, but the way Hiccup looked at her made her heart beat with joy and excitement.

A throat cleared behind them.

The couple pulled apart in haste, hair ruffled, and out of breath.

Stoick stood behind them, not impressed. “Why is it that I keep finding you two playing tonsil hockey at wee hours of the morning?”

#fanfiction #modern au #httyd #how to train your dragon #hiccup horrendous haddock iii #Astrid Hofferson #fanfic #320 state street

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wish4youff · 7 years

Text

06 ~ Not Knowing

King

The tenderness in my shoulders and arms disappeared, the cold water eventually causing everything to go numb the longer I stood there. My eyes closed tightly as if I was escaping something by blocking out the image of it. Which may be true considering the fact I was afraid to see the blue veins in my body popping up from the lack of heat it was now receiving. I didn’t want to face the reality that for the third time I had cheated death. My ego should be on a power booster right now, but instead I was more terrified than thrilled. Scared of the possibilities of the next time this challenge presented itself I wouldn’t win. Slamming my hand down on the faucet, the chilling sensation stopped in a matter of seconds. Making me miss it, weirdly enough. Opening the glass door of the shower, I avoided the mirror in front of me. Reaching I grabbed the white towel; wrapping it around my lower half before walking into the bedroom of my suite at Loews Regency. My mind wondered throughout the time I dressed myself in the black Gucci slacks which was paired with a long sleeve black Polo shirt. I dropped some argan oil in my hands before rubbed it through my hair, all awhile I contemplated on my next move. I hate New York, I do. Yet, I find myself here for business and personal visits far too much for my likening.

Fully dressed I headed to the door of the door of my Grand Executive Suite, dropping my room key, phone, and wallet in the designated pockets. The doorman bid me a goodbye once downstairs, politely nodding his head in my direction and thankfully I could master up enough kindness in my soul to acknowledge and wish the same upon him. The driver of a black Tahoe presented himself to me not a second later, saying the same-ole’ paid greeting before opening the back door of the truck and allowing me to adjust myself inside before closing it and walking back to his side. It took a matter of seconds to pull off into the early afternoon traffic of Midtown, New York.

“Vitale!” The sound of my name, last and probably favorable to the public, caused me to look up and come face to face with Ibrahim. Entering completely into the building from the pat down and search. My credentials got me this far; I shouldn’t be surprised he knew I had arrived. The smile and excitement told me he was genuinely happy to see me. That felt good especially in this business. You never know who’s real and fake. I keep those around me that I’ve known for years bedside by now I know their moves and how they think.

And I’m sure that’s vice versa; especially with my title here.

“What’s good man?”

It had been a few weeks since I last saw him in New York after the murder of Flowers. Of course, we’ve spoken since, he called and told me about the case of Demetrius letting me know that it was indeed a personal love affair conflict. Was it solved? Not so much. Apart from business, Ibrahim had a wedding happening in about four weeks with his long-time college girlfriend Victoria Evans. The main reason I’m here today; he was finally taking the groomsmen to pick out our tuxedos. It feels good to do something normal for a few hours. Tomorrow I was in Atlantic City to do some work before returning the following day to this very same building to speak with the chief here. “Nothing man. Nothing,” With a quick hug, we both headed inside of his office on the eleventh floor of New York headquarters. “I know this the last place you want to be at. Reminding you of work and shit, but Vick at the house with her momma and friends I figured we’ll just meet up here. Hopefully Bas almost done with his work and we’ll be on the way.” “I’m good, I ain’t getting paid to be here. What’s going on with Vick though? She still deciding on the dress?” “Yes, she said there’s two choices now, honestly, I don’t care. She’ll have on the dress for about two or three hours before she changes to the next one anyway so I’m not even seeing the big deal here.” “Women man. We’ll never understand.” Ibrahim laughed at my words, but I knew deep down how true they were. Never will a man understand women to the smallest details. We’re all built differently, coming from two different worlds. They may be coordinated with one another, but to truly understand the mental mindset; never. “You ready?” I asked, looking at him from across the other side of the office while he got his things together. “This is big and I know y'all been through thick and thin with one another, but………..I don’t know, man. This shit seems important to every aspect of your life." "I love her. I’ve been loving her for a long damn time. I can’t see my life going on with just having her as some girlfriend, man. I wake up and it fucks me if she’s not there. I’ve done my share of dirt throughout this relationship as you know, but I can’t see me hurting her anymore. And I can’t see us going on without this title of our love." "And love is enough? You know, to go forever?" "I hope so. I mean, there’s loyalty and respect. That ride or die love that keep you going. Faith, trust. All that shit play apart, King." "And you can’t see yourself without her?”

He grinned when I asked that last question, looking up at me.

“What are you hinting at?" I don’t even know. "I’m just thinking about what’s going on. I’m thinking about life man. Mines and everyone’s around me. I’m thinking about my own love life, I’m seeing all this success around me and yet there’s not kind of sense of happiness involved. So, there’s this question that keeps popping up that if you love someone is that enough to marry them and be happy. I’m stressing from figuring out the answer.” “And then you gotta deal with the fact that you’re about to see Chrissie too.” He pointed out, I was specifically trying to leave that out. But nonetheless, yes. “She’s coming?" "She RSVP’d a few nights ago. I remember because Vick came in the room, smiling and all teary-eyed and shit,” I nodded my head at his words. Thinking he was done now. “You said you saw Olivia the last time you were here though. How that go?” “It was cool. She was nice to me, there was no bad blood between us." "That wasn’t Chris either though." "Hell no. Chrissie would’ve killed me probably,” By now I could’ve sworn she’ll be forgotten. Or at least so far in my memory that I longer cared about her. Instead it was the opposite. She was controlling me without even being around and the closer we got to this wedding; the more I was on edge. “I fucked up with her. Even I knew I was doing something stupid but I played myself into believing that it was for the best that I spilt ways with her." "You can have spilt ways all you want Kingston, but until there’s that closure between you two. You’ll always have that bad cloud sitting over you.”

Chrissie

“I like this more though. Look at the colors on this, Chrissie." My eyes scanned the artificial room me and my sister stood in at the Brooklyn Ikea Store. The multi-colored three hundred dollar 3-Piece Hercules Alon Series was in fact beautiful especially with the set. From what Olivia’s saying, the room that she and Travis chose for his parents stay; there’s no furniture whatsoever. Yet it’s the only room beside their master bedroom which has a walk-in closet and private bathroom. In all, I understand her wanting to dress it up for their liking, but I also don’t want her to do too much. I highly doubt Ikea will allow them a full return after the holidays because this stuff is now unnecessary. Travis did hand over his debt card to handle all direct charges. He’s made his parents happy thus far. Just as myself and Olivia, he’s the first graduate of his family, going on to become the first Doctor. And even with their five-year age difference he seems like a wholesome person for my sister. So, I understood her want to be proactive with this decision.

"I love the colors,” I started off with. “Right! It’s perfect.” And she finished it for me, moving on to the front counter. I hope they had some in stock to help soothe her soul. This has been the fifth store we’ve been to in the past four hours. As much as I love Liv, she will be the death of me. It was slowly counting down to Christmas Eve, and with as much work on my desk at home; I was here with her. Nonetheless, I had my own reasons. A few nights ago, I took myself out of misery and tore open the invitation Ibrahim had sent to me through Mike. What I found out was Michael was over six weeks late with giving me the invite. I didn’t know what kept this so long; maybe fearing my reaction, but he did so. This however, only gave us about four weeks to get ourselves ready for the event. And being I haven’t been around the crew in over six years, I needed this prep time. Olivia also needed to know that she was invited. We both had plus one invites also and I’m sure she’ll ask Travis if he was up for attending the wedding along with her. It took her over ten minutes to come back from the counter after speaking with some of the sale associates. From the smile on her face I knew it had to be something good coming from this. As emotionally detached I seemed, this was important to her, so I was trying to be a good team player. “What happened?" "I’m buying the last they have in the store. Plus, it’s twenty percent off so I’m getting a pretty damn good deal for this couch.” “So all you have to do is pay?” “Yeah, but I came over to see if you were okay. I’m starting to think holidays aren’t your thing anymore.” Olivia stated, laughing lightly as if she was trying to lighten the mood. “I’m good Livia."

"So, we’re invited? Like invited?" So, I spilled the beans. Accidentally on purpose. I needed to talk about this to someone sooner than later. "Yeah. It’s the week of Kingston’s birthday." "Which is?" "The twenty-eighth of January is his birthday. The wedding is the twenty-fourth." "How do you remember his birthday after almost nine years?” Her question was completed left of this topic, yet understanding. “Look, that’s beside the point,” I said, but like always she cut me off. “When is my birthday?" "Don’t do this Liv.” “No seriously. When?” “March fifth, Olivia. Nineteen-Ninety-One.” Pleased with my response she slumped down on the couch nearest to her in the living room of she and Travis’, well originally known as Travis’, Upper East Side townhouse. “Are you down with it?” “I guess so. I’m invited. It’ll be rude to turn down the invite just because of some college bullshit.”

I already RSVP myself, but I decided to keep that to myself for now. “But it’s more than that Chrissie,” Sighing, Olivia looked at me and I could read the intrusive question coming from a mile away. “What happened?” “Kingston has a lot of dark secrets. Shit that I couldn’t dare myself to tell someone without his permission.” And that’s the truth. I rather have that dreadful conversation with him first.

“You need his permission to speak on how much his presence still bothers you? He sounds controlling.”

“Olivia….” I respond, tired of this already.

“And do you think he still thinks about you as much as you think about him?” “Ouch.” I said, my sensitive emotions took that as some deep shade throwing. “I’m just asking because if not, maybe you can relax.” "I don’t know Livia. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. The man keeps his distance with me." "Call him.” She said, picking up her phone before sliding it over to me. Her words came out so easy and claiming. As if it was just that easy. As if it was some bright idea that pop up in her mind. ‘I never talk on the phone, Babygirl. I hate that shit. It’s never as personal as you think.' God, I remember those words every time the idea has come to mind. “He won’t answer.” “Try.”

#j. cole ff

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