Tumgik
#i want justice for jd
Text
After court hours, Elaine was seen going to the bathroom, visibly crying.
So I wanted to say, after all its said and done, no matter the verdict, I do feel bad for Elaine. She did the best she could with the crap case she was given. She did her job. Even if she was out of her depth in this case.
She’s a litigator, she’s usually good at her job. She’s among the top lawyers in Virginia, DC and Baltimore, with many other honours and recognitions, but she hasn’t been in court for a long time (most of her cases never go to trial).
When a movie sucks, I don’t blame the actors, I blame the writing, the source material.
Here I don’t blame Elaine, it’s not her fault the “source material” she was working with, AH, sucked.
I truly believe that at the beginning of this trial Elaine believed AH’s story and believed she was on the “right side”, but as the trial went on and spending time close to AH, she realized the person AH really is. You can see it on her face as the days go by (especially at the end, she looks empty). She’s just another person AH lied to. But she did her job, right to the very end, and I can’t fault her for that.
Let’s remember that she was also at the receiving end of AH’s anger and didn’t have any support from her team. Unlike the visible comradery JD’s lawyers share, AH’s team looked like people that don’t really like each other, but are forced to work together for a school assignment.
In the end all I can say, I wish Elaine the best.
185 notes · View notes
astrolionking · 6 months
Text
Shoutout to Grandma Rosiepuff for gambling while her eldest grandson’s mental health was slowly declining bc he suddenly had to raise four little brothers on his own and that affected his brothers’ mental health.
231 notes · View notes
deadghosy · 2 months
Text
HAZBIN HOTEL X ROBLOX NOOB! READER
prompt: your best friend John Doe hacked you into a universe where hell is much different in your mind
Tumblr media
“OOF-” you said as you press the buttons on your ps5. A portal opens as blocky person with yellow skin exits out of the portal looking at you. “JD!” You said with a “:P” face. “noob…you get to get out the house more…” John Doe said with a static voice as he picked up your bloxy body and thrown you into a portal as you kept smiling
“:) yay I’m falling.” You said out loud as you felt yourself fall in the air. You fell but landed on your feet like always. You look around to see that it smell like must, ass, and most importantly fire. You walked around just smiling as demons and sinners looked as if you were some weirdo…..
You came across the hotel and applied for a job to be the schedule manager. You got a red outfit to match vaggie and Charlie as you grab a flat board and started to write who gets to do what.
Noob! Reader is the type to pull out a cannon out of fucking no where and fuck someone’s life up🦆(a/n: pinkie pie type shit)
I can see Alastor watching you do a r6 dance as he just looked at you weirdly with a strained smile. You literally said out loud “/E DANCE!” And started to dance 😭
Lucifer got scared because he accidentally let you dove off a roof…but you respawned with a blue force field around you making Lucifer think you were an angel.
You love the egg boiz as they love you too! You do color sheets with them as Pentious brings you guys some cookies like a mom💗
You had onetime pulled a chainsaw out because husk said he needed to get a haircut on his fur. You literally pullled it out of no while husk jolted looking at your crazed face as you reved it up.
“You said you needed a hair cut!!” “I SAID HAIR CUT! NOT END MY LIFE YOU FUCKER!” Husk yells back as you chase him smiling like “:D” with the chainsaw. It was giving scooby doo as you kept chasing him.
Lucifer would be weirded out with Noob as noob just sticks their tongue out like the :P face while Lucifer pokes you curious about your game like box body.
I imagine noob! Reader showing Charlie a picture of bacon hair boy who is doing orange justice in the back. “Oh is that your friend?” Charlie says with a nervous smile at how your friend’s hair literally looks like bacon or is. You nodded excitedly as you wave your phone happily at bacon hair boy.
You blasted “it’s raining tacos” outside of the Vee’s tower when learning your friends had opps in there. So you wanted to annoy them.
This lasted for 2 days until vaggie had found you and took you home as you screamed out the song LOUD AND PROUD
I can imagine Lucifer making you a duck hat that says “don’t duck with me!” It’s so cute 🦆
I headcannon noob!reader to be the most dangerous being in hell as they literally been to every other gun and fighting game of the roblox universe.
NOOB SOLOS‼️‼️🔥
You know those badass Roblox games with those cool combat moves? That’s what you use. 🤨
You grabbed a sinner’s face and run dragging their body in the ground with a smile. You lifted your arm and swing them around as they flew to who knows where as the crew behind you had an either shocked or entertained face.
One time Charlie and you were shopping in a mall and you peaked over the boarder to keep people from falling. “I wonder if I can die from this height.” “NOOB NO-” that’s when you had to get a kid leash on you anytime you go out with the staff.
It was a nice day as Angel was throwing knives to increase his skills. You walked by him curiously grabbing two knives and throwing them at the same time. Making it hit the bullseye as Angel looked at you shock.
“Whoa kid, how did you learn to do that?” Angel asked pulling out the knives you made in the bullseye. “I was murder once!” You said with a happy smile as you walked away. Angel dust has the most confused face ever(picture below)
Tumblr media
I headcannon noob!reader to be like Kirby. So like noob pulls out a knife to be murder, and then they could pull out a gun as Sheriff✨🦆
“Pew pew pew” you said as you stood on the balcony of the hotel as you shot at random sinners. Alastor appeared behind you confused but laughs at the misery of the sinner running when a missed shot almost killed them.
One time Angel gave you a Tommy gun not suspecting you know how to use it….you literally started to blast sinners away-
You SHOT AN OLD LADY ALSO😨
yeah Angel never gave you his Tommy gun ever again.
As you stayed in hell, you didn’t know that you would be spied on by the angels as Adam laughs at how chaotic and naive you are.
You’re so use to bullshit in Roblox you just stand there like “🧍🏾” as shit goes on. Literally when Charlie was panicking when the extermination was due in 6 months
During a uno game you ate a card as husk was trying to win but forfeited in anger as you screamed out uno. Leaving the missing card out of your mouth….it got quiet so quick as husk chased after you.
Niffty finds you amazing as you both have crazed tendencies. You both literally cause made chaos around places 🤭
YOU USE YOUR ADOPT ME SCAMMING SKILLS TO SCAM PEOPLE 😭😭 I CAN SEE THIS
The overlords are confused when they see Lucifer bring you to a meeting for once. You just sat there eating a taco. “Ello.” You said waving your blocky arm at them.
When watching the horror movies with the crew, you don’t react at all with Alastor as you been in lots of horror games with that one guy named Guest…you miss home and him.
I headcannon that you once accidentally summoned John Doe because you sneezed and he literally stood there as you hugged him. The rest of the crew was confused thinking he was your brother.
631 notes · View notes
ashfault · 20 days
Text
Tumblr media
Womp womp. Request by @j3ankimorit4 , (The musical) Heathers AU!
Okay, I had fun drawing this and I can see Nimona as JD fr. The only not so enjoyable part is that this took me 9 HOURS. Also I really need to do justice for Ambrosius because I got lazy shading him so he looks kinda bland.. Anyways, I hope you like it, JM :))
(Adding this, random but I want to express my love on drawing detailed outfits, I really had to make the texture for Ambrosius's outfit)
54 notes · View notes
mirkwoodshewolf · 10 months
Text
Always my beloved; Thorin Oakenshield x reader
*Author’s note*
For my first ever Thorin Oakenshield story I hope I did you Thorin fans justice with this sweet little oneshot. So @firestrike004​ thank you soo much for your patience and I hope you all enjoy this fic.  
Not really any warnings just injuries, some fluff, some angst (fairly minor but still some people need warnings).
Tumblr media
Taglist:
@plethora-of-things​
@waddles03​
@psychosupernatural​
@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​
@queen-paladin​
@gay-and-ready-to-cry​
____________________________________________________________
We knew the risk of going on this quest, but never did I think we’d come across the bane of Thorin’s family, Azog the Defiler.  We had believed he had died back at the battle of Azanulbizar from his wounds but low and behold there he was astride upon his infamous white warg.  We barely made our escape thanks to our burglar as well as the Great Eagles I had read so much about as a young dwarrow-dam.
Now we decided to take some rest to rest and for Thorin to recover.  The wounds from Azog’s warg were probably the worst I had ever seen and I’ve doctored warg bites before.  But thankfully with both mine and Oin’s help, my beloved should be back to his old strength within a few days.
Aye I did say beloved. Thorin and I are currently in the courting stage of our relationship, and have been for these past 5 summers. He had made a vow to me that once he would reclaim Erebor, we would finally be wed and I would rule at his side as Queen Under the Mountain.
Of course at first when Gandalf had persuaded Thorin to go on this quest, he wanted me to have absolutely no part in it.  In fact he had tried to send me off to live with his cousin Dain in the Iron-hills for safe keeping until the Mountain was reclaimed.  And being the stubborn female dwarf I am, I can be just as stubborn of not more than Thorin Oakenshield himself.
After some heated words, and even a fight to decide my fate, Thorin had kept his word that after defeating him in combat I had a right to go alongside the Quest.  In fact I was one of the first after Dwalin and Balin had agreed to follow Thorin.
I had just changed out Thorin’s bandages as well as flushed out any signs of infections before they could spread and cause his healing to delay or worse make him sick. As I returned to put my stuff back into the pack, I caught sight of Bilbo sitting down to some of Bombur’s stew. I walked over to him and asked.
“Mind if I join you?” he turned to me.
“Not at all (Y/n).” Hobbits truly were polite people.  Even back at his home when I was the only one out of the 13 dwarves to not to help myself to his food cabinet, he graciously tried to offer me something before one of the boys took it for themselves.  I took my seat next to him and he asked, “Do you mind if I—”
“Oh not at all Bilbo, please eat. Mahal knows we’ve been practically starving you since this quest began.” When we were in Rivendell and I caught Bilbo eating both dinner and supper within just a few short hours apart he had told me that Hobbits have seven meals every day.  I took it upon myself to first apologize for starving the poor lad and then when breakfast came that day, I had helped the Elves with serving something not only for the Dwarves but for Bilbo as well.
As he went to his stew, he took a few sips before looking around and whispered to me.
“How’s Thorin?” the lad truly has grown fond of my beloved.  Especially after what had happened along the Misty Mountains.
“He’ll live fortunately. Unfortunately for him, he’ll have to be put on bed rest for the next 24-48hours before he can even move. Warg bites are nothing to sniffle or chuckle at. And believe me getting Thorin to stay on bedrest is a challenge in on itself.”
“No doubt I imagine. I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of it being Thorin’s wife.”
“If it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve been called Thorin’s widow.” He stopped his eating and looked at me.  I placed my hand on his shoulder and continued, “What you did last night Bilbo, it’s something that I can never truly repay you for.”
“There-there really is no need to repay me. I just did what anyone of you would’ve done. Though I don’t know why I did without no skill of a blade it was all just—”
“Instinct. I get the feeling. But I am grateful nonetheless my friend.” I patted his shoulder.  “And if you’re up for it later today, Bofur and I can show you a thing or two about fighting. Same with Fili and Kili.” He nodded.
“I do appreciate it (Y/n).” I smiled at him before standing up and went off to join the others for my own meal.
Truthfully I don’t know what I would’ve done had I lost Thorin last night.  He and I have known each other since we were young Dwarves in Erebor, my father being one of the King’s proudest and strongest fighters but was sadly killed when the Dragon took our home.  My mother tried her best but she too succumbed to grief leaving me with no family, till Thorin stepped up.
He helped support me when we worked in the villages of Men and when we were finally able to make a temporary home in the Blue Mountains, that’s when my feelings for him began to deepen.  And eventually he came to accept he felt the same for me and never did I think Thorin would ever choose a wife, he never really showed much interest in wanting to court anyone, not since we lost our home.
I reached up to the left side of my hair, brought some of the hair that rested on my back to the front but something was missing.  No it-it cannot be! I looked down at my hair and brushed through it with my fingers and couldn’t see the courting beads Thorin had braided into my hair.  Not only that but some of the strand felt uneven (particularly where the braid once rested).
My heart raced as I tried to remember where and when the last time I felt the braid was. Obviously it was still intact at Rivendell, the Goblin tunnels I still had it, when Azog attacked us and—oh makk an E ha’ak!  When I fought alongside Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Bilbo to hold off the orcs from Thorin before the eagles came, one of them must’ve cut my braid off without my knowing!
A million thoughts were racing through my head.  First it was to curse the orc that did this and that I vowed to kill them if they ever show themselves again.  But most of my thoughts trailed back to Thorin.  What would he say? How will he react? Will he still want to be my One? Will he be furious that I lost his courting bead?
In our customs, a courting bead is so precious and is never given away lightly (especially if your One is someone like Thorin is).  By gaining the bead you’ve not only come to accept your One’s feelings for you, but also accept a courtship and eventual marriage to bond the two of you into one. Losing it or returning it is like having your heart getting grind up, slammed with a forging hammer until it’s nothing but tiny little pieces and then returning the heart to the one who gave you the courting bead.
And never have I once undid the braid nor removed the bead from my hair ever since Thorin gave it to me.  Everyone knew where it lied and if they saw it gone……what would the other’s think? I was so focused on my thoughts that I barely registered that I had walked into someone. When I looked up I had seen that I had walked into Gandalf.
“Oh Gandalf, forgive me.”
“No worries my dear (Y/n).” he looked me over and continued, “You seem to be worried about something.” I looked around to see if any of the others were nearby.  When I saw that no one was within hearing range, I asked Gandalf to come closer to my height with my two fingers.  He knelt down and I whispered to him.
“I’ve lost Thorin’s courtship braid.” He separated from me for a bit as I further explained, “It must’ve been that orc I faced off against when Azog caught us along the Misty Mountains. Gandalf, what if Thorin takes notice of it? Or someone already has and will tell him?”
“Now, now my dear, let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“But Gandalf you know what courting braids mean in our culture. You know what losing one’s courting bead means? I—I can’t lose Thorin. Not again, especially not after last night. He’s all I have left in this world.” He placed both of his hands on my shoulder.
“Thorin may be stubborn but I know he would never do that to you. You both have been through far too much to let something like this be the final straw to divide you both. Remember it’s not just him that’s helped you, you have helped him as well.”
He wasn’t lying. After his grandfather’s death and his father going missing, Thorin was practically lost in how to help our people. Whilst I too, grieved over my father I also had to support Thorin for he was hurting just as much as I was.  We depend on each other and support one another, the other’s beacon of light in the dark mines.
“But how do I tell him Gandalf?” I asked uncertainly.
“You’ll know just what to say my dear girl.” I took a deep breath then exhaled.
“Okay Gandalf, I trust you.”
“And you’ve learned to never doubt it.” He gave me a soft wink before going on his way.  I took a deep breath before heading back to rejoin the others.
The day was spent helping Bilbo train with his sword, scouting out for Azog or his orc pack, and helping Oin with Thorin’s wounds.  Which was what was happening right now, I held onto Thorin’s hand as Oin was once again flushing out the slightly infected bites and stitching them back up. Thorin was tense throughout the whole process.
He never did like to show pain whenever he had to get patched up.  Said he was afraid that others would view him as weak.
“Alright Thorin, just continue to not move about so much and those wounds will heal up quickly.”
“Thank you Oin. I know I’m skilled as a healer but I am nowhere near your degree of knowledge.” I told him.
“Do not doubt your own skills milady.” He told me.  “We’ll be lucky to have you as our Queen once we reclaim the throne. The first Dwarf Queen to be skilled in the knowledge of healing that could be rivaled by the Elves.” Him saying that suddenly gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach.  As much as I do trust Gandalf in his words from earlier, there’s still a lingering shadow of fear that’s clung itself onto my like a thorn that won’t come out.  He soon left Thorin and I alone and I heard my One say.
“He’s right you know.” I turned to him.  “Never before as a Dwarf woman been so knowledgeable about herbs, healing methods and skills as you have my beloved. Erebor will be lucky to have you as it’s Queen.” He cupped the side of my face, “My only regret is that it will take us longer to get there.”
“Your health is what we should be focused on right now. I would rather Erebor have a King in good health rather than poor or worse dead.” I brushed the long strands of hair from his face before I began braiding it.
“Every hour lost hasten Durin’s day.” I rolled my eyes.
“Thorin. Durin’s day is not going anywhere. It lies on the same day as it always does. Not a week before not a week after. As I said, I would rather have you in good health to rule at my side, than you pushing yourself only to make your health worsen. Even if I have to bind you to this tree I will.”
“Reminds me of the time when you did just that to get me to have me teach you how to fight. Is that how you intend on delivering punishments? Bound the prisoners to trees with your tight knots?”
“Only to those truly stubborn enough not to follow either mine or Doctor Oin’s orders.” We both laughed softly before I gave him a soft kiss.  I felt as his hand went from cupping the side of my face to going around the back of my head, right to where I knew he’d always like to stroke his courting braid.
I separated our kiss and quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled it away from my head.  Immediately I could see the thoughts spinning in his head like a spider’s web.
“What is it (Y/n)?” he asked me.
“Nothing.” I quickly said.
“It’s not nothing. Never before have you stopped me from touching your hair.”
“I—I haven’t had the chance to brush my hair yet.” Even to me that was a pathetic excuse.  Thorin’s brow rose skeptically then he asked me.
“What’s really going on?” I sighed deeply and turned my head away from him.
“I cannot say.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t.”
“(Y/n), amrâlimê.” He lifted my chin up to look into his deep blue eyes.  “What was it you once said to me when we first began courting?”
“That there should be no secrets between us.” I answered.
“So why are you starting now?” I sighed heavily, already feeling the wetness of tears forming under my eyes.
“I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“That I’ll lose you.”
“(Y/n). These wounds of mine aren’t—”
“It’s not the wounds or in battle that I fear amrâlimê, it’s—” I took another deep breath before I took the section of my hair where he had given his courting bead and showed him how it was now gone.  As I expected his eyes widened in shock as he reached out for the cut strands of my uneven hair and brushed through them.  Almost hoping the bead would reappear along with the braid but it was gone.
“How long has it been missing?” he asked.  His voice stern as I knew he was trying to suppress his anger.
“I only noticed it this morning. My best guess is that it was the orc I was fighting with along the mountainside when Azog ambushed us. I’m sorry Thorin, this is my fault for allowing that foul creature to even graze my hair. I should’ve been more careful I should’ve been more aware of what I was carrying upon my head. I was careless, foolish and—” I was stopped by the feeling of his arms wrapped around me tightly.
“But you are not hurt, yes?”
“No.”
“Then that is enough for me.” I separated our embrace and looked at him in shock, his eyes that were once filled with shock and anger now appeared soft and gentle.
“I don’t understand. Thorin, my courtship braid to you has been severed. Your courting bead lost forever.”
“Mere objects. A new braid can be made, a new bead can be strung into your locks. But there is only one you,” he cupped my face into his hands, his thumbs gingerly stroking the apple of my cheeks just above the strands of my own beard.  “And I could not bear the thought of losing you.”
“You—you still wish to court me?”
“You are my One, (Y/n). Who else would I want as my Queen?”
“I just…..I know how special our courting traditions and symbols are. I was worried if you took notice of your bead and braid missing that you—you wouldn’t want to be with me anymore.”
“Amrâlimê,” our noses softly grazed one another’s as we stared deeply into each other’s eyes, “I would rather share one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone. You are my One, and nothing will ever change that. As I said, I can give you a new braid, I’ll find you a new bead. A more finer bead once we reach the mountain and reclaim our home. But there is only one of you. And I would be a fool to let someone like you go.”
He then pressed his forehead to mine and I shut my eyes as I felt his love and strength enter me as our forehead remained together.
“I am sorry I doubted your love Thorin.” I said after awhile of silence between us.
“There is no need for apologizes. You are always be my beloved, no matter what the world gives us…..”
“We’ll always be One.” I finished our vows that we made for one another when we first began our courtship together.  He soon moved his lips over mine and once again we kissed.  
His hand going back towards the area where my braid once stood, and I felt his fingers softly brush through those strands of hair and I felt myself finally relax under his touch.
205 notes · View notes
headchefshcs · 3 months
Note
I really love your BroZone HCs- though I do wonder if there would be angst aspects? When I first read the two parts I couldn't help but imagine the potential angst, or hurt/comfort- Like how does reader actually feel about being used and called such names once they are revealed to the public? Would they ever question Brozone's care for them or do they understand what the situation is and is cool with it? Do they yearn for more than just a physical relationship?
BROZONES BACK pt3 // Angst/Comfort HCS
Suggestive content Undercut, Minors DNI, They/Them pronouns used
When the proposal of you being the bands personal pet was given to you it was a no brainer for you. You always enjoyed them growing up and it seemed like a dream come true. But for the brothers this was a person who looked up to them, they were going to be the ones in charged and wanted to make sure you were comfortable with what happens between you guys. Thanks to Branch a board your boundaries are set for everyone to know.
You all have an agreed upon safe word for you to use for any means necessary, while you insist that you’re okay they always stress that it’s not a problem if you need to stop and rest. They do plan scheduled days (and unscheduled) where you can just do as you please. Which often just having a chill day with the band. These days usually never involve sex, and if it is they take a page out of Floyd’s book and let you take control, it’s your day and their going to do anything they can to make it special. They’ll also plan little surprise date nights with you, either taking you to your favorite restaurant or take you to a place you really enjoy. These dates are always planed out and are always super cheesy. They want to make sure you have the best time.
Floyd is the most comforting out of all the brothers, focusing more on how you feel and making you feel well about yourself, while JD would probably be the least out of all of the brothers. Now don’t get me wrong he is just as caring about you and your feelings but even after 20 years he’s has an ego issue which gets in the way a lot of the times. Through whenever you or one of his brothers call him out he tries to fix his mistake.
They definitely put up more of an act when out in public. It brings attention to them and makes people want to see their shows. But you’re always asked if your okay with going out with interviews that they do and you usually agree. On days you don’t want to go they’ll go on without you. They can definitely understand how exposing it feels to be in a vulnerable situation, (Mount Rageous incident).
When you do go on interviews with them you do feel safe with them. And while at first it felt rather humiliating to be so exposed to others you can’t help but enjoy the exposure and humiliations it makes you feel special and loved, that the band loves you so much they’d love to show you off. The same goes with names they call you. You feel so special having cute pet names. The band will also check up with you at different point with how you feel about the names.
There are times where you do question yourself and what you’re doing with your life. With wondering if this is what you want and you’ll go and have a good cry over it. If one of the brothers find you or notice that you’re not feeling well they’ll push for you to talk. After all if it’s one of their actions that lead you to this point and they didn’t do anything about it then they could live with themselves. They all genuinely love you and will drop anything to make you feel loved.
//Definitely different from what I’ve done so far but I hope I did ur ask justice anon even if it’s a smaller post 🙏🏼
56 notes · View notes
thematchmakeramethyst · 6 months
Text
Trolls Band Together: The Junior Novelization Summarize and *Thoughts
This post may contain spoilers….
Warning, you are about to be spoiled.
This is your last chance, if you wish to turn back or take in the risk.
Here it is…Enjoy, Ame Gems.
*The book mentioned the day when Brozone separated happened before the Bergens captured the Pop Trolls. That’s hard to believe because it wouldn’t explain why John Dory was bossy to his brothers. His authoritarian nature is because of Brozone's parents' death at the hands of the Bergens. The death of their parents changed John Dory to try to act like an adult, and the pressure of looking after his brothers made him what he was. And his craving for perfection, maybe his thought of what parents wanted for their children. It also explains why the brothers would fight a lot; they try to hide their sorrow of losing their parents through rage. John Dory was the cause of their breaking up.
Brozone prepares for their concert while John Dory directs his brothers to follow his lead. Their Perfect Family Harmony was so powerful that it made them create mistakes, thus ending their concert in tragedy. JD, Spruce, and Clay begin to fight before they leave. Floyd decided to go for a solo career but said he’d come back. And, of course, it cuts to when Branch and Poppy get ready for Bridget and King Gristle’s wedding.
*Miss Maxine may be the justice of the peace despite her name being Aunt Smead.
John Dory arrived as soon as the wedding started. He’s happy to see Branch again before introducing himself as his brother.
*It was funny how Poppy referred to John Dory as the Old One. (considering him the eldest of Brozone)
John Dory mentioned he got a letter from Floyd, who was captured by Velvet and Veneer in Mount Rageous. He went there and found Floyd in a diamond prison. Seeing the Perfect Harmony will be able to break him free, JD searches to find the brothers. With Poppy and Branch coming along, JD summons Rhonda, his armadillo-like van. But before they left, Bridget and Gristle quickly married and started their honeymoon on a motorcycle. Meanwhile, at Mount Rageous, the evil Velvet and her follower brother, Veneer, are being interviewed on the Bop on Tp by Kid Ritz.
*Mention how they are overnight superstars. They must’ve kidnapped Floyd during the time they started their career. And how did they find him? Floyd may have visited Mount Rageous during his solo career to perform there. And that’s when they saw him. Velvet and Veneer are known as Rageons….Yeah, another way to say the Mommy LongLegs tribe ☹️
Their assistant, Crimp, is like the head of the straw boom but three times the size of the average Troll. She’s mistreated by Velvet the most, analyzing how self-centered she is for the spotlight and fame. She knows how to hide her true evil nature with her face. Veneer follows Velvet like a minion despite feeling guilty for what he’s doing to Floyd. He even looked sorry for him.
*FloydxVeneer?
It turns out that Velvet sent John Dory the letter to have all of Brozone. Crimp is highly unaware that the stealing talent Diamond perfume bottle is sucking the life out of Floyd. Back on Rhonda, Tiny Diamond somehow joined in the party.
*JD accepted Poppy as Branch’s girlfriend…Brotherly approved: the 1st one is checked
 John Dory got a postcard from Spruce with no signature or return address. And as if on cue, the sunset was on the horizon. JD takes the wheel, so they fall into the sea, and they reach Vacay Island. While going through the Rock Climbing Jungle, they meet the locals, giant water balloon puppets creatures, and Beach Ball Birds.
*I call them the Vacays.
Anyway, the adult Spruce, now known as Bruce, is surfing the wave before going to his cantina(Bruce & Sons & One Daughter) without knowing they are following him. Upon seeing them, he ignores John Dory, happily tosses Branch, and gives him a wet willy.
*His grudge against his older brother is deep. And Branch, even if you are an adult, your brothers babying you is their job.
We soon meet Brandi, Bruce’s wife, and their 13 children. Hearing how Floyd was captured, Bruce suggests calling the authorities, until hearing about him being in a diamond prison, the perfect family harmony it is to save Floyd.
*It’s clear that Bruce and Branch are brothers since they were both pressured by Poppy and Bruce’s children to sing. FYI, the children got some pink eye.
With Brandi in charge of the restaurant and the children, Bruce takes off with his two brothers, Poppy and Tiny Diamond. Back at Mount Rageous, Velvet and Veneer will do a dress rehearsal. Of course, Velvet wants a spritz of Floyd's talent, which Floyd and Veneer stopped. Her brother even notices that Floyd is looking transparent.
*Veneer is too concerned about Floyd…Hmmm?
Veneer suggests practicing for the Rage Dome show, but Velvet is a lazy bum who wants the easy way. Back with the heroes, Bruce mentioned how his kids love to listen to Veneer.
*Yeah, it's better for him to be loved than Velvet.
The radio mentioned Velvet and Veneer performing at the Rage Dome for their Lifer Award tomorrow night. Without any time to spare, Rhonda goes into Hustle Mood while following the smell of Funderdrawers. They arrive at Putt-Putt Village, the old Bergen Hole in Fun. The Putt Putt Trolls have a vast hatred for Bergens. Soon, Clay came, saying he co-run the place with Viva.
*He cutely touches Branch’s face…Maybe to squeeze his cheeks.
Viva soon realizes that Poppy is her long-lost younger sister, and they begin to hang out together. However, Viva wants Poppy to stay forever because of her issues with Bergens. So she tries to trap them in Putt-Putt Village, but they escape. At Velvet and Veneer’s Rage Dome dressing room, they are preparing themselves for the show. Crimp created the Diamond outfits so they could steal Brozone's talent. Now, knowing what will happen to Floyd, Velvet locks Crimp in the closet. Floyd tries to fake death. Thinking his death was confirmed, they tried to flush Floyd down a toilet. Veneer says that his favorite thing about Floyd is how he made him famous
*As if they were flushing down a dead pet fish, cruel.
But Floyd takes this chance to try and escape. Once Veneer catches him, they have a heart-to-heart talk. Veneer takes his words but is still controlled by Velvet. Back with heroes, the four brothers and Poppy try to practice, but it doesn't go well. It ends up with John Dory, Bruce, and Clay fighting each other. John Dory mentions he can’t be responsible as the leader and eldest brother.
*Maybe he says he can’t take it as a parent leader. He’s still suffering from his parents' death.
Branch gets in between and mentions about Floyd’s life. But when John Dory said about everyone going back their separate ways, Branch snapped at how he wanted his family back together. With Tiny stopping Rhonda, Branch continues to rant about his troubles after his brothers are gone and how they treat him like a baby. He throws away his bunker map to reveal that he made his bunker for himself and his brothers while he went to save Floyd by himself. John Dory, Bruce, and Clay begin to look guilty as Poppy and Tiny follow Branch.
*I bet it's going to hit hard on the movie screen.
Meanwhile, Gristle and Bridget stumble upon Putt Putt Village, where they get captured. Mission impossible time once the three arrived at Mount Rageous as they went and found Floyd. But he warned about Velvet and Veener’s plan. Once they showed up, the heroes hid and found Rhonda in the twins' arms with JD, Bruce, and Clay trapped in the shoulder pads. With Rhonda in the closet, Floyd is placed in Velvet’s suit. With Crimp and Rhonda on the three heroes' side, they go after the villains to save Branch’s Brothers. Back with Gristle and Bridget, they’re pulled to their doom by the chomping clown. But Viva came in and stopped knowing about Bridget from Poppy. Back out on Mount Rageous, Velvet and Veneer are confronted by the group led by Branch. The car chase starts with Velvet and Veneer performing on their vehicle and goes to their yacht. But Viva, Gristle, and Bridget made it in time to help the heroes. By taking John Dory, Bruce, and Clay out, the evil twins go onto the tower of their yacht to do an encore, Velvet’s idea, but Veneer is worried about Floyd’s life. With Crimp cutting off the sound of the yacht, Branch, his three eldest brothers sing with Poppy and Viva. With the cameras on them, the Rageons loved Brozone over Velvet and Veneer as Bridget and Gristle get on the yacht. The magic of the Family Harmony made the Trolls, even Floyd’s prison, float out from Velvet’s costume. But while trying to get it back, it was intense. With Floyd singing along, the Family Harmony was so strong that it caused an explosion of magical musical energy to break the brothers’ prisons and make the evil pair fall into the rivers. With Floyd all transparent, his brothers gathered around him to see if they were too late. But he returned with his colors, well by 90%, with his hair slightly white.
*the Family Harmony was so powerful that his musical talents returned.
Velvet tries to sing but sounds horrible when the twins come out of the river. Veneer, having enough of her nonsense, confesses their crimes to their people. Putting her sister in handcuffs, standing up for himself for the first time.
*I knew he would redeem himself.
But Crimp puts him in handcuffs cause he is still corporated with Velvet’s plans. So, the twins were both arrested.
*I’m glad Veneer decided to pay for his crimes. I think once he’s out of prison, he’ll become an honest singer and maybe have a decent friendship with Floyd. ;-)
Then Broppy kiss on the lips, with everyone going to Vacay Island for Brozone to perform. Poppy and Viva join in their performance.
*Branch proposed to Poppy to join in the band….That’s a relief because I wasn’t ready for a Broppy marriage. I hope Clay x Viva will happen, even Floyd x Veneer, in the future. But I prefer Brozone being just the main five guys, with Poppy and Viva featuring. I’m sure Viva met Peppy, and he thought she was dead during the escape.
DREAMWORKS, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE MOVIE ON NOV 17!?!?!?!? IT’S YOUR FAULT I HAVE TO DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was right about the cause of John Dory's bossy nature. Check it out, Ame Gems. https://dreamworks.fandom.com/wiki/Trolls_Band_Together
76 notes · View notes
afterdarkprincess · 5 months
Text
🌟✨ Fic Masterlist ✨🌟
Tumblr media
Sami Zayn & Jey Uso
Aftershocks Rating: Explicit Word Count: 14,595 Summary: Sami and Jey dealing with the aftermath of Tribal Combat at SummerSlam Masterpost Pretty in Pink- Aftershocks side story Rating: Explicit Word Count: 2,570 Summary: On a brief vacation from shows, Sami comes home to find his boyfriend all dressed up and waiting for him. Post
The Devil's in the Details (But You Got a Friend in Me) Rating: Explicit Word Count: 33,090 (currently) Summary: Royal Rumble AU- Sami gets injured at the Rumble and never betrays Roman. Friends to Lovers through SummerSlam Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Sweet Like Justice Rating: Gen Word Count: 660 Summary: Backstage at Crown Jewel, Jey and Sami hatch a plan to subvert the Judgement Day Post
A Moment Backstage Rating: Gen Word Count: 1,027 Summary: Sami and Jey share an interaction backstage before the Tag Title Rematch (set during Nov 13th 2023 Monday Night Raw) Post
Ruin(ed) Rating: Explicit Word Count: 729 Summary: Watching from backstage as Rhea flirts with Jey, Sami gets possessive and pulls Jey into the closest closet Post
Beauty Rating: Mature Word Count: 356 Summary: Sami Zayn reflects on the most beautiful thing he's ever seen Post
you can be rough, I can take it Rating: Explicit Word Count: 1,018 Summary: Set after Fastlane 2023 press conference- Cody and Jey fall into bed together after winning the undisputed tag team championships. Post
Tumblr media
Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns & Jon Moxley
tangled up with you all night (burning it down) Rating: Explicit Word Count: 3,720 Summary: Shield Era 2012 Seth has an encounter with 2023's Jon Moxley and Tribal Chief. Sexytimes ensue. Post
Tumblr media
Seth Rollins & Jon Moxley
all you ever did was wreck me (yeah you wreck me) Rating: Explicit Word Count: 3,278 Summary: Newly returned Dean Ambrose has a press event at the WWE Performance Center and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is among those there to greet him. They find one another in a practice room long after everyone else has gone home and things escalate quickly. Post
Tumblr media
The Bloodline- Roman & Sami
ours Rating: Explicit Word Count: 4,990 Summary: After WarGames, Roman decides what Sami Zayn's place is in the bloodline, a willing hole for them to use. Post Roman's Pet Rating: Explicit Word Count: 859 Summary: Roman's pet Sami serves the Tribal Chief and earns his reward Post
Tumblr media
Sami & Jey & Cody Rhodes
Can't Keep My Hands to Myself Rating: Explicit Word Count: 6,053 Summary: Things get a little heated in the bus after the Fastlane Press Conference, Sami facetimes his boyfriend to get in on the action. Part 1 Part 2
Tumblr media
Jey Uso & Cody Rhodes
you can be rough, I can take it Rating: Explicit Word Count: 1,108 Summary: Set after Fastlane 2023 press conference- Cody and Jey fall into bed together after winning the undisputed tag team championships. Post
Tumblr media
Jey Uso & Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins
all's fair in love and war Rating: Explicit Word Count: 4,413 Summary: Aftermath of November 20th Monday Night Raw- Jey panics at hearing Randy Orton's name out of Cody's mouth. He's lost the advantage and feels less secure than ever in his position on their team, but Sami, Cody, and Seth are there to support and spoil him. Part 1 Part 2
Tumblr media
LA Knight & JD McDonagh
nothing safe is worth the drive (and I will follow you home) Rating: Gen/Teen Word Count: 1,305 Summary: LA Knight waits and watches and worries as JD fights in the Wargames match and comforts him afterwards. Post
Tumblr media
Seth Rollins & Jey Uso
dont worry, I'll be gentle Rating: Explicit Word Count: 331 Summary: Seth ties up Jey for some playtime Post
Tumblr media
Jey Uso x Reader
can you feel how much I want you? Rating: Mature Word Count: 774 Summary: You've had one of the best nights of your life at the Royal Rumble, and you go out with the rest of the locker room to celebrate and run into your best friend Jey after a few drinks. Post
63 notes · View notes
huggybug · 2 years
Note
Hi, could you write something with sunshine x grumpy couple but the other way round than normal? Like sunshine trev x grumpy reader, I feel like it’s never that why and trev is sunshine!
something about the sunshine - trevor zegras
word count: 3.0k words
note: uh hi this ask was literally from so long ago so i’m sorry about that! i tried my best at this trope but it kinda just went off on its own little path so i hope it still does the request justice <33
Tumblr media
“Y/n! How’s my favourite lady doing today?” You fight the urge to roll your eyes when Trevor walks into the room and plops down on your table.
You loved your job, really, being an athletic trainer for a major sports team was probably your biggest career goal and somehow you landed it as your first job. However, with it, you were under mountains of stress and out of everyone, Trevor always knew how to make it worse.
“Busy” You mumble, finishing the last few forms you had to fill out on your laptop before shutting it. “Do you need something?”
“Uh yeah, can you tape my ankle?” Your eyes dart up to look at him.
“You need your ankle taped?” You ask curiously.
“Yeah that’s why I’m here, jeez Y/n you should really try to keep up” He teased and you shook your head.
“Why do you need it taped? Practice is over” You were just about ready to leave actually, it had been a long day and the bottle of rosé in your fridge at home was calling your name.
“Yeah but… it hurts?” Trevor’s words came out in a questioning tone, like he was unsure why he was even asking.
“Okay…?” You got up, reaching for the roll of tape on your desk and making your way over to him. You were halfway through taping his ankle when he spoke up again.
“JD and I are going out tonight, you should come hang”
“I’m good” You mumbled, not letting your focus away from the task at hand.
“We’re super fun! I promise you’ll have a great time” You looked up to see him grinning widely at you.
“Trevor… we’re not friends” He froze for a minute before recalculating and his easy going façade was back.
“But we could be?” It came out more as a question than he initially intended.
“I’m just here to work, I have enough friends” You mumble, “Thanks though” Trevor’s smile faltered but he didn’t let it show for more than a split second.
It wasn’t that you didn’t like Trevor, in fact all the guys were great. You just didn’t love mixing your work like and personal life.
“You’re all done” You say as you lay the last piece of tape down. “If your ankle hurts maybe you shouldn’t be going out tonight” You raise your eyebrow at him which only makes him smirk.
“Thanks Y/n, see you tomorrow”
The season was well underway and you were busier than ever. You were down a few trainers and the Ducks staff had all been working around the clock to try and make up for it.
“The world isn’t going to stop turning if you take a break” You sigh, looking up from your computer to see Trevor and Jamie sauntering into your room.
“Thanks Trevor” You smile sarcastically. Over the past few months, you’d found yourself with both Trevor and Jamie more and more often. While you didn’t let it cross your self drawn boundaries by seeing them away from work, they seemed to find their way to your room frequently, whether it was because they actually needed something or just to come bother you.
“Aw cheer up sunshine”
“Don’t call me that” You bite back, annoyed with his presence already.
“Sunflower? Gumdrop? Sweetheart?” Trevor’s rattling off words like there’s no tomorrow, you glare at him until he stops.
“Are you having a stroke?” Jamie laughs at that but Trevor elbows him in retaliation.
“I’m trying to find a name that works for you babe, got any suggestions?”
“What do you guys need? I’m almost done for the day” You checked the time to see that you’d already stayed an hour past what you wanted to which meant you were way too late to girls night, meaning you’d once again have to ditch your plans because of work.
“Come out with us tonight. We’re meeting up with our friends from LA, you’ll love them” Trevor explained, nudging Jamie with his elbow which made him chime in as well.
“Yeah, Trev tells Alex about you all the time, he’s dying to meet you” Jamie coughs awkwardly when Trevor’s bony elbow hits him in the ribs.
“We’ve been over this before…” You answer, not even looking up from your work.
“Yeah but one of these days you’ll come to your senses and realize how amazing of a time you’ll have with us” Trevor grinned and you faltered. Maybe it was because your night out with your girls was ruined or maybe after months of Trevor asking, he’d simply worn you down.
“Fine” You finally caved and you swear Trevor does a little happy dance.
“I’ll send you the details, see you there!” Trevor is grinning ear to ear as he leaves the room, pulling Jamie behind him.
The bar Trevor chooses is exactly the kind of bar you’d expect him to pick. It’s packed, clearly a well-known spot in California, and you’re pretty sure there’s some sort of filtering system at the entrance which only allows people with over 1 million followers in. Luckily, you didn’t have to worry about that since you came with Trevor who somehow got himself on the list and your group is swiftly ushered to the VIP area.
“You look fantastic” Trevor grins at you once you’re all sat down at the table. He had already introduced you to his friend Alex and Jamie’s friend Quinton but he apparently hadn’t taken a moment to really look at you until now.
“Watch it Trevor, we’re still work friends of some sort” You point a finger at him and he laughs it off, knowing you’re only joking. To be fair, it was half a joke, half serious.
“I’m going for drinks, Jamie help me” Trevor practically drags his best friend away from the table with him and you shift awkwardly in your seat. Leave it to Trevor to ditch you with (albeit seemingly nice) strangers.
“So… you work for the Ducks?” Quinton asks and you smile awkwardly while nodding.
“Trainer” You mumble and both boys nod, pretending to be interested you’re sure. You fall back into silence for a few moments before the two boys start talking about something else between the two of them and you sink back into your chair.
You should’ve just stayed home tonight. Even though your original plans were wrecked, you shouldn’t have agreed to coming out with Trevor and Jamie. You were very obviously crashing their plans; you certainly didn’t fit in with a group of four hockey players.
You could only spiral so far before the boys returned, Trevor handing you a martini, your drink of choice. It took you a moment of staring at the glass before you looked at him, wondering how the hell he knew your typical order.
Trevor was too busy making fun of whatever it was Jamie said to the bartender so you didn’t say anything, just took a sip of your drink. Immediately, you started coughing which attracted the attention of the guys quickly.
“Woah, slow it down there Y/n” Trevor laughed and you shot him a look, hopefully playful enough to be passed off as a joke.
“You okay?” Jamie asked, offering up his bottle of water which you waved off.
“Fine. I just wasn’t expecting the gin” You drank vodka martinis. To be more precise, vodka martinis with a twist.
“Shit sorry” Trevor apologized, reaching to take your drink but you pulled it back. “I’ll go get you a new one” He offered and while it was very nice of him, you refused.
“I’m fine” You were firm enough that he didn’t bother to ask again, simply turning back to the conversation that had already resumed.
You stuck around for a respectable amount of time before you started planning your escape. It wasn’t that you didn’t like Alex and Quinton, they were actually nice guys and fun to be around. Just as the night went on, the more you felt like you were imposing. You waited until Trevor left, taking Alex over to say hi to someone they knew who was just across the roped off area; fishing in your purse to get cash to cover your drinks, you slide over to Jamie, placing a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.
“Thanks for inviting me, tell Trevor thanks too” You hand him the money, flashing a quick smile and Jamie smiles back, quickly waving your money away.
“We were both happy you finally said yes, you’re cool Y/n” Jamie was sweet, honestly a little too sweet for an NHL player in your opinion.
“See you tomorrow Drysdale” You say goodbye to Quinton before grabbing your purse and rushing towards the door, hoping you can get out without Trevor seeing you because you know exactly how that conversation would go.
You were almost to the exit when someone grabbed your arm. Your instincts kicked in and you pulled away quickly, freeing your arm roughly from the person’s grip. Preparing for the worst, you turn around, only to see Trevor.
“God Trevor, I thought you were some creepy dude” You roll your eyes, turning back around and heading for the door, knowing he’s following close behind.
“Nope, just me” He leans forward and you can practically hear the smirk in his voice.
“Close enough” You retort and he pokes your arm playfully.
“Why are you leaving?” Trevor finally asks when your both standing on the sidewalk outside of the bar.
“I work in the morning” You answer, typing away on your phone, trying to get an Uber.
“So do I” You look up to see him grinning at you which makes you roll your eyes.
“Go have fun with your boys, I have to go” Trevor pouted and maybe if you were tapped out on your Trevor time, you would’ve seen it as endearing.
“Fine, I’ll see you tomorrow”
“Bye Trevor”
A few more months passed and you stuck to your rules, no more nights out with Trevor or Jamie and you were back to strictly work ‘friends’ only.
However, tonight was Dux in Tux, the organization’s annual charity event and while it wasn’t technically a night out with them, it was close enough.
“How great do I look in this? Scale of 1-10” You shake your head at Trevor who had been flaunting his ugly shirt-tuxedo all night for you.
“Go do your job” The players were all supposed to be serving the tables and while most of them had been following orders well, Trevor had spent a lot of his time at your table. The other trainers found it funny, they weren’t telling Trevor off but you had no problem in doing that.
“Is he bothering you?” You look up to see Max Jones behind Trevor, throwing an arm over the younger boy’s shoulder.
“Always” You answer with a smirk and Trevor sputters.
“Z, go help Jamie clear plates” Max points over to where Jamie is trying to pick up the slack where Trevor had been lacking all night.
“But this is my table!” Trevor pointed out and the table full of staff chuckled at the two grown men arguing about this.
“Go”
“Oh come on!” Trevor whined but trudged away anyways.
The rest of the night went smoothly, Trevor was kept busy, thanks to Max and you had easily avoided all the questions that had arisen from Trevor’s adamant presence at your table; the open bar had been a fantastic aid in that.
“Hey Sunshine, need another drink?” Trevor asks when you approach the bar later on in the night. The guys had just finished their little show so there was a group of them hanging around the bar.
“Sunshine?” Troy asks and a few of the other guys chime in as well.
“Don’t call me that” You grit out. Trevor knew your boundaries but he liked to push them. He loved to bend your rules to see how far you’d let him go, how long you could stand him annoying you before you put an end to it.
“Oh c’mon babe don’t be like that” Trevor grinned, throwing an arm around you and pulling you into his side. You groaned, trying to push him away but he wouldn’t budge.
“Woah woah woah. What are we missing here?” McTavish asks and you shake your head, slipping out of Trevor’s hold.
“Nothing, Trevor’s just a dick who likes to piss me off. Now if you’ll excuse me” You retrieve your fresh drink from the bar and hightail it over to your little group of staff, glad to hopefully be in a safe zone away from Trevor.
It doesn’t work, in less than 15 minutes, Trevor’s excusing you from your own conversation and pulling you away from the event and into the hallway to the locker rooms.
“What is your deal tonight?” You ask, exasperated from all the antics he’s been pulling tonight.
“Does it really piss you off when I do that stuff?” He asks frantically.
“What?” You’re confused, crossing your arms over your chest, suddenly feeling very trapped in this hallway.
“Why I call you sunshine and when I hang around you, do you really not like it?” Trevor asks, his gaze is heavy and you feel hot underneath it.
“What do you think Trevor?” You raise an eyebrow, honestly curious as to what he thinks you feel about him.
“Answer me”
“I…” You trail off, unsure how to explain what exactly it is that you feel. You’re not even sure yourself how you feel about Trevor. It started off as pure annoyance. You didn’t like when he hung around your room at the rink, how he’d play with the rolls of tape you had on your desk (and how he usually stole them for himself). But somewhere over the course of the season, it changed into tolerance which the. shifted into fondness. And now, you honestly missed him on the days that he wasn’t around for practice or a game for whatever reason.
“Because if it really bothers you I’ll stop. I thought we were friends and had that kind of relationship but I might’ve read it wrong and I’m sorry if I did, that’s on me” Trevor was rambling and you let him. It was cute. When he finished, you finally had collected your thoughts enough to speak.
“I don’t hate it” You pause as Trevor grins so wide you’re afraid it’ll crack his cheeks. “But the sunshine thing has to got stop around people at work”
“Is that you saying you want to hang out with me?” Trevor was smiling so hard it made you want to laugh. “And is this a friends hang out or a…” He winks over dramatically, “hang out”
“You’re so gross” You laugh while shaking your head.
“You love it”
“Ehh” You scrunch up your face and Trevor rolls his eyes.
After a couple months and many dates (most in Anaheim and then some when Trevor flew you out to visit him in New York after he went home for the summer) you found yourself with a boyfriend. It was probably breaking your ultimate rule but you didn’t care. That was the thing about Trevor; when you were with him, nothing else mattered.
It was a weird adjustment at first but luckily, you had officially started dating during the off-season so you weren’t exactly forced to come to terms with how this affected your work life just yet. Trevor always pushed it away, promising you that nothing would happen or change, that he would take care of it and that you trusted because how could they afford to make their star player upset?
After spending the summer travelling to and from Anaheim, you were both officially back for the season and you couldn’t help but think about how things had changed just over the course of a few months.
“That night we went out, how did you know I liked martinis? Or was that just a random guess?” Trevor looked down at you from where he was sitting on the couch while you laid with you head in his lap.
“Uh… I don’t remember” He cleared his throat then looked back at the TV which was playing the highlights of whatever baseball game was on today.
“You’re lying” You said flatly.
“No I’m not” You narrowed your eyes at him as he played with the short hair above his ear, twirling it as best he could around his finger.
“Yes you are, you’re doing the weird thing with your hair” Trevor’s hand freezes in it’s spot.
“Okay, I’ll explain but you have to promise you won’t think I’m creepy” He sighs, nudging you off his lap so you have to sit up next to him.
“What? Trevor-” You turn to face him, draping your legs over his and his hand automatically falls in place over them.
“Promise!” He insists.
“Fine, I promise” You roll your eyes.
“At every team event, I’d kinda… watch you. That sounds so creepy. I wasn’t like stalking you, I’d just happen to look for you every once in a while and every time I saw you, you were drinking a martini with a twist. Obviously I didn’t know you only drank vodka martinis” He grumbled and you laugh.
“That was the worst martini I’d ever had” You gagged, thinking back to that night when you stubbornly finished the whole martini because you wouldn’t let him get you a new one.
“Well I didn’t know! Vodka and gin are both clear!” Trevor whined, his head falling back against the couch cushions.
“At least you’ve learned, hm?” You reach to play with his hair, combing through it with your fingers as a smile makes its way onto his face.
“Yeah, thank god for that” He answers sarcastically which makes you smile.
886 notes · View notes
Text
John Dory & Amalthea's Best 'Hug-Time' Ever...~💚❤️‍🔥🪐
Tumblr media
Time for some more Johnalthea, done by the lovely @x-elyssa-x herself (you spoil me so good, hun~💜😚) and this one's a little...spicy~😏 A while ago, Ely showed me an adorably funny pic of Bruce and Brandy in bed together after 'hug-time' and it inspired me to commission John and Amalthea that way~✨👀Well, if Brucandy can do it, then so can Johnalthea~😉 The story behind this piece is, that JD and Amalthea decided to spend some time together after a get-together party in Pop Village. They have become even closer, feelings growing stronger for one another at this time and whilst spending time in his humble abode, John and Amalthea embrace during a slow dance, and let's just say it all escalated from there...~😳 Best 'hug-time' ever (lil' joke between me and Ely here X3) that John had in a long time...and it really shows, along with his sweet starling, Amalthea totally blown away by what just happened between them...JD was really on fire - a real superstar, hehe~!❤️‍🔥🤭 And yep, John is smoking within their afterglow😆Ely wanted to add that and I was like, 'yeah, got for it!' c: Welp, he drinks too - so relatable and we LOVE him for it!💚 Just like I absolutely love, love, LOVE this fab piece so to the stars!😍🌟😍Thank-you ever so, SO MUCH again in a million, Ely, dear~!🫂💞🫂You've done fine justice once again for my darling ship, truly fabulous as always~!👏🏻🥰💖Bless ya!😘💕🫶🏻xoxo.
Hope you all like too, dears!👍🏻✨Just had to share the spiciness~🔥😊
*~Reblogs are also deeply appreciated as well, so please do reblog as well as like! Thank-you kindly!~*
Space Trolls & Commission (c) @x-elyssa-x~💜 Amalthea (c) @jade-green-butterfly (Me~!) John Dory (c) DreamWorks Trolls/DreamWorks Animation
25 notes · View notes
vacayisland · 5 months
Note
Hiii! Not a request but a question, I hope that's alright!
Seeing your writing has made me pretty inspired and I've been wanting to do trolls fics of my own! I've been struggling a lot w some characters, though, especially Floyd
My question is how you figure out their personalities and way of speaking enough to write for them? Unlike the others, we don't really see much of Floyd outside of his brothers TwT so I'm just not sure how to get his character right, but I feel like you do him justice! Feel free not to answer btw!! Hope you're doing well ♡♡
I actually really love answering questions like that, or generally any writing-based question; as long as I help people get inspired to write or help them in their creative journey, that’s what I am here for after all!
So, personally, my way of writing tends to be a little different than other people’s (at least I think it is) but my way of researching characters tends to be the same. So I’m going to try and do some sort of justice of explaining this! Bear with me please and if you have any other questions just ask me.
With characters like Floyd, I tend to find him easier to do. Both because I focused a lot on him during the movie and when it first released, and because he has such little screen time. Of course that’s both a blessing and a curse, because not many will realize that Floyd has a slightly sarcastic way of humor (or at least I didn’t the first few times watching the movie).
Yet with any character you would want to research on them! And that’s a little easier written than done but this is what I did for JD (who was harder for me to grasp on):
When I first saw the movie, I thought JD was what he was first presented as. A rude bastard who didn’t know when his family was upset and pushed them to do things anyways. And while he’s a little bit of that he’s actually a lot more.
Unlike Floyd, JD gets a bunch of screen time that writers should take advantage of! If the background, if you watch JD, you can see the little things that make him not fully a jerk. Such as the upset look he gets whenever a brother goes to Branch first instead of him, and yet how he tries to act like it didn’t bother him. Showing no matter how much of a hard ass he was he does actually are about his brothers in his own weird way.
I also looked upon different sites and saw what they described his personality as. Then I watched the movie, picked what I thought to be true, and honestly that’s what I go on. It’s kind of always changing because no matter how ‘cannon’ you’re trying to write a character there should always be a little self influence of you in them.
Not saying to completely derail a character and make them not cannon, but have fun with it. Take aspects of their character as you wish and just keep practicing and rewriting lines until you feel like it’s correct.
But JD is always harder for me to do, so that’s why I want to do him more. The more practice the better.
For characters like Floyd, who have minimum screen time, I find easier because they don’t have a stricter personality box. From what we see in the movie, what I’ve gathered from websites and other writers (reader other people’s work! They might actually inspire how you write a character a lot), Floyd is sensitive yet witty. He’s smart and caring.
That’s our base line, four traits that are easy to write because they don’t have much to them. THEYRE just traits! Then we can take a few of Floyd’s voice lines to base how can mimic speaking like him; And he speaks a little like Branch but a little on the nicer tone to people he actually cares about.
I don’t know if that makes sense or if it actually helps at all, but it’s a weird process. It’s all about how do you make yourself most comfortable playing and writing the character. Do we much research as you need, take your time! There’s no rush to publish fan fictions, there’s no rush to do anything.
Remember to post only what you’re proud of and what you enjoy. Writing is a process that gets slightly easier the more you practice it, and sometimes it gets harder. But just enjoy it along the way and write only when it feels right. :)
But happy writing and please tag me in any post you publish! I’ll love to read your work.
33 notes · View notes
starshine-hockey-girl · 7 months
Text
The Invisible String
Tumblr media
Summary - Rocky is from Texas, looking to make it big as a tattoo artist in NY. What happens when Rocky meets NY Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier and two people so unalike discover that they have more in common than they think. Will their invisible string lead to love or friendship?
This is my very late entry to the summer fic exchange. Yes, I am aware that it is the middle of October. The "No results and a story" excuse is that I got a huge case of writer's block followed by an ass-whooping of self doubt. However, I powered through it, and then the story just grew into this massively long piece. (17.2K- yikes)
This is written for @jarmorie who requested a reader insert or OC (she/her preferred). fluff, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers pls I would die with Anthony Beauvillier. Jarmorie is also a big Taylor Swift fan so I tried to incorporate as much Swift content as I could.
Acknowledgements and thank yous-
@laurenairay, I can't thank you enough for pinch hitting for me when I missed the deadline. I am incredibly thankful for your endless encouragement. I hope you enjoy your brief, but pivotal cameo
@cellythefloshie - Thank you for the encouragement and embracing my verbose nature.
@dreamofstarlight and @fallinallincurls for sharing their Swiftie knowledge. I hope that I do that I did Queen Taylor justice.
@wyattjohnston - one for organizing these fic exchanges. It's a tiring and thankless task. Thank you for understanding my struggle and not shaming me.
@jarmorie I am sorry that the story was so delayed. I really wanted to write something that give you everything that you wanted.
@pattiemac1 and @penstxgal1968 for being the best support system ever. Seriously, they both deserve writing credit for all of their ideas.
Gorgeous
Inked On Ice Tattoo Shop -  Long Island, NY
“Inked on Ice, how may I help you?” Daisy yawned as the shop’s computer fired up and she settled into her chair. 
“Uh yeah,” the deep voice on the line answered, “My buddy and I want to get some ink today. Do you have anyone available?” Daisy glanced at the artist's calendars. 
“Well, it’s going to depend on size, subject and budget. What do you have in mind?” she answered quickly. After a brief discussion, Daisy honed in on available artists. “Do you want to do back to back appointments or get inked at the same time?” she asked. 
She could hear a discussion on the other end. The bland voice in a spirited discussion with another voice with a slight French accent. “Barzy,” the second said with authority, “I do not need you to hold my hand while I get a tattoo. We can get inked at the same time.” 
Daisy’s ears perked up at the name Barzy. “Can I get your names?” she asked as casually as possible as New York Islanders Mat Barzal gave his name along with Anthony Beauvillier. The tattoo shop was owned by Cameron Davies, a former New York Islander. Daisy knew that Cameron would want the pair treated with kid gloves. She examined the schedule again and made an executive decision. She would schedule the more complicated tattoo, Anthony, with JD Porter, master tattoo artist, who just had a last minute cancellation. She would schedule the simpler design, Mat Barzal, with Rocky, JD’s apprentice. . 
“So Tito is with JD and I am with Rocky? Sounds good,” the NHL upstart stated as they confirmed details, “See you at 6 PM.”
In the cozy one bedroom apartment, Rocky picked up the phone and quickly read the text from Daisy. “Yes….” Rocky whispered to no one in particular. As a tattoo apprentice, paying customers were difficult to come by. The last minute addition would give her just enough to pay her share of the rent. Given that most of her time at the shop was unpaid, Rocky’s contribution to the rent was more symbolic than practical. Kelly made enough to cover their expenses and then some, but Rocky insisted on contributing, even if it was essentially meaningless.
“Rocky!” Kelly screamed, “Are you even listening to me? We need to leave in fifteen minutes if we are going to be on time.” 
“Of course, I’m listening.” Rocky replied, “Listen- don’t be mad, but I can’t go with you. I gotta to work tonight. I scored a last minute tattoo.”
“An actual tattoo?” Kelly mocked, “or will it be another night of cleaning and wiping up after the professionals?” 
“Ouch,” Rocky replied, “You know that is part of apprenticeship. I have to pay my dues.”
Rocky’s tattoo apprenticeship was a source of contention in their relationship. The couple had moved to Long Island from Dallas as a stepping stone in Kelly’s financial services career. Together since high school, Kelly disapproved of Rocky’s fascination with all things tattoo. The financial analyst with the fast-rising career wanted a partner that would fit into the corporate world. Rocky decidedly did not fit that mold even if Kelly couldn't admit it.  The apprenticeship highlighted their vastly different career paths and their relationship bore small fissures as a result. 
“Listen,” Rocky pleaded in an attempt to head off another fight about the apprenticeship. Kelly was convinced it was going nowhere. “It’s an actual tattoo so I will get paid,” Rocky explained, “Also apparently these two guys are some sort of VIPs. The fact that Daisy and Cameron are giving one of them to me to ink is a good sign. I can’t turn it down.”
Kelly stood in disbelief and tried to summon anger at Rocky and none came. Honestly, it was a relief to put off introducing Rocky to conservative co-workers a little longer. “Fine,” Kelly said bitterly, “I’ll see you when you get home.”
Two hours later at the shop, Rocky waited patiently to the side as JD inspected the set-up of her station tucked away in the smallest room in the shop. As a mentor, JD held Rocky to a high standard. An Apprenticeship endorsed by him would carry weight within the tattoo community and JD wanted Rocky to be prepared. He gave a nod and Rocky let out a sigh of relief. Together they walked out to the lobby. 
Cameron stood talking to the two athletes about his glory days with the Islanders. Rocky could tell right away that both had passed from polite attention to “oh my god, get us out here” by the tone of their voices. After the third “that’s crazy,’ uttered by Barzal, Cameron noticed JD and Rocky standing there. When he waved them over, Barzal and Beauvillier turned to look over their shoulders. Barzal blinked and gulped while Beauvillier offered a shy smile before looking down at the floor. 
Rocky approached Barzal and extended her hand to him, “Hi, I’m Rocky. I think that you are with me tonight.”
“You’re…..You’re….. “ Barzal stammered, “a woman.” Rocky took a step back and dropped her hand in disappointment. JD and Rocky exchanged a glance before Rocky let out a sigh. Usually any pushback she received came from men much older than Barzal so she was honestly a little shocked. Mat looked stunned. “Wait, I am getting tattooed by a woman?” he asked out loud. 
Tumblr media
“Is there a problem?” JD asked as he looked Barzal in the eye. 
“Look, I don’t want to sound sexist here, but…..” he started to say, “I just was expecting a man. I am pretty sure the girl who made the appointment said "man.”
“I did not,” Daisy interjected, “I know for a fact I said no such thing.” When Rocky began as the first female tattoo artist in the shop’s history, Cameron and crew did not anticipate the push-back from their largely male clientele. Most guys came in because of the hockey/Islanders connection and well, their views on gender roles were not exactly progressive. The shop had adopted the policy of referring to all of the artists as gender-neutral as possible. Daisy, Cameron’s wife and partner, was especially intentional about it. Other than a few clients shocked to be facing a petite, brunette pixie of an artist, there had been no issues. 
Rocky looked to Cameron and back to Barzal. She knew that Cameron would want to keep Barzal as a client but also did not want to face the wrath of Daisy for caving in. She was about to speak when Tito Beauvillier spoke up. “She can do my tattoo,” he spoke softly at first to everyone’s surprise. Rocky turned to face the blonde and studied his face. He gave a gentle smile and spoke louder, “Yeah, I think I want her to do my tattoo.”
“I have to let you know that she is still in her apprenticeship. Just so that you are aware, she may not be able to give you the tattoo that you want,” JD explained. A pained look flashed in Rocky’s eyes and Tito took notice. Rocky hated the implication that just because she was still in an apprenticeship that she was less talented. She sucked in a deep breath that she hoped went unnoticed. She was mostly successful with the exception of Tito. He recognized the frustration of being underestimated. 
Then JD turned to Barzy, “It also means that you are going to pay more for my time. It’s up to you.”
Barzal began to hem and haw. His mouth had gotten the better of him and he had stuck his foot so far into it that he didn’t think it would be possible to retrieve. Even if he changed his mind and selected Rocky, the damage was done. Finally Tito spoke again firmly, “No way Barzy. You had your shot at her and you blew it. I want her now.” His eyes fell onto Rocky’s face and he gave a slight nod. 
Rocky laughed out loud, “Well then, let’s get to work.” 
The tiny brunette led Tito to her small section of the studio. She pointed to the table and chairs in the corner. He sat down as she picked up a notebook to take notes. “I have a few questions,” Rocky began as the scent of his cologne wafted into her nostrils. She inhaled and let out a small moan before she realized it. Tito cleared his throat and Rocky blushed in response. “The notes say that this is your first tattoo. Is that correct?” she asked in earnest, “What made you decide to do it today?”
Tito blinked slowly and thought. He hadn’t anticipated the question and was stumped for an answer. Finally he spoke, “I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but never got around to it. When Barzy said he was coming, I decided that I would go ahead and do it.” Rocky nodded her head as she listened. 
“So do you have a design or an idea in mind?” she questioned. 
“Yeah, I found this on the internet and thought it would be cool,” he answered as he fished his phone out of his pocket. Rocky waited patiently as he scrolled this phone. Finally he found the picture and held his phone out to her. She took the phone and looked at the picture. 
Tumblr media
Rocky blinked slowly and zoomed in on the picture. Internally, her mind raced with thought “No fucking way”, but her reasoning kicked in. Technically, it would be a challenge which pleased her, but something just didn’t sit well with her. 
She looked up to see him looking at her with hopeful eyes. “Do you like it?” he asked. Rocky flashed a smile similar to a mother gave a child when presented with a treasured piece of artwork. 
“You don’t like it?” he questioned. 
“I didn’t say that,” she replied quickly. 
“You didn’t say it out loud, but it’s what you were thinking,” he countered. 
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” she responded, “You are a paying client. If you want that design, then that’s what we will do.” Rocky bit her lip and paused before speaking again, “Let me talk to JD and get his thoughts. I want to be sure about some of the technical aspects.” She was trying to buy time to think of ways to politely talk Tito out of his design idea. Rocky walked over to JD’s station just as he was placing the stencil on Barzal’s arm. 
“Hey, before you get started,” Rocky started, “Can we go over his design?” They walked away and began an animated conversation. 
Tito looked down the hall at Rocky and watched intently. Her hands gestured wildly as she spoke with passion. He couldn’t make out the words, but whatever she said, it was said with conviction. Barzal nudged Tito with his arm, “So she is…… uhhhh…. different.” Tito continued to stare without answering. “Beau!” Barzal said loud enough to draw the attention of JD and Rocky. 
Tito was caught staring at Rocky before he quickly turned around to face Barzal with a scowl. “Did you have to yell?” he spoke softly. 
“You weren’t answering me,” his friend replied with a laugh, “I don’t like to be ignored.” 
Tito looked back over his shoulder quickly before he answered, “Technically, it wasn't a question, but a statement. Yes, I agree. She is quite unique. By the way, what was up with your attitude earlier? You think she can't tattoo because she is a woman?"
"No, that’s not it,” Barzal shot back, “I had a big, burly guy named Rocky in my head so when the pixie queen of tattoos came out, I was surprised. I put my foot in my mouth.”
Tito began to respond but noticed the duo of tattoo artists were walking back to them. 
Rocky gave what could be best described as her “customer service” smile and gestured to Tito to go back into her section. He gave a shrug to Barzal and followed her. Then he turned around to Barzal who watched, “You know what you need to do.” Barzal nodded and followed JD back to the table. 
The sound of Barzal’s soft yelp and the buzz of JD’s tattoo needle floated into Rocky’s section as they sat down again. 
“Soooooo…” Tito smiled. 
“So now that I had the technical questions I had about the design answered. I can certainly do it for you,” she smiled. 
“Why do I feel like there is a ‘but’ hanging in the air?” Tito smiled. 
“There is no but, you want the design then I will give you the correct one,” she replied coolly. 
“Rocky, tell me the truth,” Tito urged her to answer. 
“How does he know I am lying?” she questioned herself. She looked into his eyes and saw his genuine concern. She paused and thought about her answer. For some people tattoos were just not that deep, but she got the sense that Tito wasn’t one of those people. She decided to flip the script. “What is it about the design that you like?” she asked. 
“Well, I like the black and gray,” he began. When she nodded in understanding, he continued, “I liked the logo because I play for the Islanders” When her nose scrunched ever so slightly, he asked, ”What do you not like about the design?”
“This is a design for every wannabe hockey bro that wasn’t good enough to make it to the NHL,” she blurted out, “Why do you want to look like every other Goomba out there? This design tells me nothing about you as a person. It’s bland and generic and that’s not you. You’re not bland and generic.”
Tito laughed, “Tell me how you really feel.”
Rocky’s eyes flashed up and held his gaze, “Look, maybe I should take the easy money and give the tattoo you want, but that’s not the kind of artist I want to be,” she answered with passion, “I want my work to mean something, both to my client and to me. It’s probably not going to make me “successful”, but that’s really not my goal anyway.” She sighed dramatically, “And that’s not even the most obvious objection to it.” 
“And what’s the most obvious objection to it?” Tito questioned as he studied the design again. 
“When is your contract up? Do you have some sort of non-trade clause?” she asked plainly. He blinked slowly. She continued, “Seriously? When is your contract up?”
“2024,” he said softly as he began to process what she was saying, “I have another season and a half.” 
“And you’re sure that they are going to re-sign you?” she prodded, “I don’t know too much about hockey so I don’t know if you are good or not. I do know that tattooing your team name on your body seems like the hockey equivalent to tattooing your girlfriend or wife’s name on your body. It’s a lovely gesture at the moment, but what do you do when things go south?”
Tito gulped and spit out, “I see your heart and soul is as black as your jet black hair.”
Rocky sat up straight, “Would you rather me not say anything?”
“No, you’re right,” he laughed, “You’re totally right. It looks like I am not getting a tattoo, at least tonight.” They sat silently and looked at each other. Both of them sizing the other up. Finally Tito spoke, “So if you think this design is trash, what design do you think I should get.”
“Something unique, something that tells a story about you,” Rocky pondered out loud. 
“Unique? What’s unique about me? I am just a guy who plays hockey,” Tito challenged. 
“Nah, you are so much more than that,” Rocky answered a little too quickly. 
“How can you tell?” he quizzed. 
“That twinkle in your eye,” Rocky smiled, “There is a whole world hidden behind the twinkles in your eyes.” 
Tito leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “I could say the same about you.” 
Rocky blushed momentarily before the vibration on her phone drew her attention. It was a text from Kelly letting her know that he would be home late. His department decided on dinner after drinks. Rocky shook her head and silently admonished herself. She wouldn’t exactly call her behavior flirting, but it definitely wasn’t strictly professional. Rocky looked up into Tito’s soft blue eyes again. She was right. There was a whole world hidden in there. A world that she wanted to know more about. 
“I could design something for you,” she blurted out before she processed the thought.
“I would be honored,” he answered quickly, surprising himself. 
“So tell me about yourself, Mr. Beauvillier,” she leaned forward and put her chin into her hand while her elbow rested on the table. 
“Well, I was born in Quebec….” he began. 
She held up a finger and grabbed a pen and paper to write notes and sketch ideas. She motioned for him to continue and he did. Every once in a while he would lean forward to sneak a peek at what she wrote down or doodled. She pushed him away with a playful shove and smile
An hour later Rocky jumped at the sound of JD’s loud knocks. “Hey,” he said with a frown on his face, “We’re done in here.” Tito looked up with a smile. JD. grunted and turned around. 
“What’s his problem?” Tito nodded his head at the door. 
Rocky shrugged her shoulders, “He’s probably pissed that he is going to miss his cut of my fee.” Tito tilted his head in question. “Since he is my mentor, he gets a cut of my fee along with the shop,” she explained, “No tattoo, no fee.” 
“If it’s about the money, I am happy to pay,” Tito offered
Rocky neatly piled up her things. “He’s probably pissed too since he told me just to do the damn design.” she added. They walked out together and waited as Daisy cashed Barzal out. 
“Beau,” Barzal popped off, “What? Did you wimp out?”
Tumblr media
“Nah,” Tito answered, “I convinced her to work with me on a custom design. I am thinking of a half sleeve to start that we can add onto later down the road.” JD’s eyebrows raised and Rocky shrugged her shoulders. Barzal turned to them, “What do you think? Pretty badass, huh?”
Rocky suppressed a giggle, “Oh, totally. You’re like the Lion King. Should I call you Simba?” Tito guffawed until Barzal shot him a look. 
“Hurry up so I can pay, Simba,” Tito joked. Barzal casually flipped him off and turned to pay.
“Pay for what? You didn’t get a tattoo?” Rocky said in a stunned voice. 
“Yes, I do need to pay. We were in a consultation. JD, what’s the price per hour for consultations?” Tito looked over to ask Rocky’s mentor. 
“One fifty,” he answered tersely. Rocky bit her lip. He quoted a rate that was double her normal rate and Tito hadn’t blinked an eye. Of course, she knew that JD’s reasons were not altruistic at all. A higher rate meant a higher cut for him and the shop. It also meant that he could now charge Barzal double his normal rate for the basic tattoo he did. Rocky admired his hustle, even if she felt guilty about Tito paying more than necessary for it. 
After Barzal paid, Tito cleared his throat loudly and nodded to Rocky. Barzal shot him a look of confusion. Tito muttered under his breath, “apologize”. Rocky’s head shot up and she looked at Tito who shrugged his shoulders. Barzal nodded in understanding. 
“Uhhhh, Rocky?” Barzal started, “I apologize for earlier. I really wasn’t trying to knock you as an artist. I really was just expecting a big, burly guy based on the name. No offense meant.” Rocky smiled and looked down as she contemplated how long to make the hockey phenom squirm. “Seriously, I am not really a sexist pig,” he continued, “I have much respect for women.”
“Sure you do,” Rocky laughed.
“I swear I do,” Barzal squeaked, “Tell her Beau.”
Tito paused to allow him to sit in his discomfort, “I can attest that Barzy is a great admirer of women who happened to stick his foot so far into his mouth that he is choking on it. I am not sure if it's because of the nasty toe jam or God-awful odor.” Barzal’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
Rocky giggled, “It’s okay, Simba. I am just busting your balls out of amusement. A little bit of friendly fire, I suppose.”
Barzal shot Tito a glare. “Thanks. It looks like I may need new friends these days,” he smiled as the group walked toward the exit. Rocky and Tito exchanged numbers, which did not go unnoticed by Barzal. When he questioned Tito in the car afterwards, Tito dismissed his comment. “It will be easier to set up time to go over ideas directly with her.” 
“Whatever you say,” Barzal retorted, “I am sure it has nothing to do with the puppy dog eyes you make when looking at her. No, not at all.”
Inside the tattoo parlor, Cameron buzzed about the potential exposure the shop would receive if Barzal posted his new tattoo on social media. JD looked like a deer caught in headlights. While a master tattoo artist, JD was woefully behind the times on social media, considering it an unnecessary evil. Rocky shook her head, “I’ll take care of it.” 
Tumblr media
Tumblr media
Kelly was sitting on the couch when Rocky arrived back at their apartment. She walked over and kissed the top of his head as he watched Squawk Box on CNBC. “How did the dinner go?” she asked softly. She began stripping as he watched the television. 
“Huh?” he answered as he glanced over at her bare torso as she stripped off her leggings. 
“I said how did the dinner go? Were you able to talk to Ross about your idea?” she asked as she walked into the bedroom to grab one of his large t-shirts to sleep. 
“Oh yeah,” he answered, “We just need the go ahead from Grant and we will be good to go. Hey, I brought you dessert from the restaurant.” 
Rocky walked back out and smiled, “That’s great. We both got good news tonight.” Kelly had turned his attention back to the television. She sighed and walked into the kitchen, opened the take out bag and stared at the cheesecake in the container. It was covered in strawberry syrup. She looked at Kelly in disbelief and then shook her head. Rocky’s favorite was, indeed, cheesecake, but she was allergic to strawberries. She had been since childhood. Kelly knew this, or at least had been told at least a dozen times. He probably scanned the menu, saw the cheesecake and ordered it in hurry. It was the little details that he ignored that drove her crazy. When he was in his "work zone", he lost all focus on anything else.
She placed the cheesecake into the refrigerator. She mumbled something about going to bed. She glanced at her phone and saw the text notifications. 
Tumblr media
Rocky looked at her phone and her eyes widened. She had almost 1,000 new followers including Tito, Barzal and a half a dozen other Islanders. 
Tumblr media
Thursday- Inked on Ice- Long Island
JD did a double take when Rocky passed him on her way to her station. Rocky’s de facto uniform for work days was a vintage concert or slogan t-shirt with distressed jeans. Today, however, she wore form-fitting black leather pants paired with a crisp white button down shirt. The shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hot pink spaghetti strap camisole. Her hair had also been artfully piled atop her head with a hot pink bandana in the “Rosie the Riveter” look. Most of the staff had a similar reaction. 
“What?” she questioned when Daisy let out a low whistle, "I just felt like dressing up."
“I hope you are comfortable because you are now officially booked solid," Daisy smiled. 
Rocky blinked and swallowed deep. She was finally coming into her own as a tattoo artist. She was still doing smaller and less intricate designs but her technique improved with each one. She took her schedule and got ready for her first appointment. 
Seven hours later, Tito walked into the shop. Daisy immediately greeted him, "Rocky is wrapping up a tattoo. It should be a few minutes." Tito took notice of Rocky's neatly labeled portfolio. The contents mainly consisted of small tattoos that she had done in a variety of styles. The mix was split evenly between color and gray. In the back were larger, more intricate designs.
He was lost in thought when Rocky approached from behind.  "See anything you are interested in?
"They are all great," he said after he collected himself, "I like these landscape ones. That one reminds me of my days playing on an outdoor rink."
Rocky leaned forward to confirm which drawing he meant. Her breath felt warm against his neck and he inhaled her perfume. "Oh, that one? Let's go talk in my section," she said softly, oblivious to his reaction. She turned around and walked back to her small room. Tito gulped and turned to follow. His eyes involuntarily swept over her body as she walked in front of him. 
She was already sitting down when he entered. He stopped at the door and observed her as she pulled out her sketch pad and pencils. "Either come inside or go get me coffee," she joked.
"Coffee?" he asked, "What's your order?"
"Unsweet iced coffee with an extra shot and skim milk, 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla syrup, 2 Splenda and light caramel drizzle," she answered without looking up.
"You know I have zero shot of getting that right," he smiled.
"Beauregard, if you can remember the draft line-up of your draft in order, then you can remember this," she looked up and flashed a smile. He laughed softly. "Or you could just tell them Rocky's usual," she smiled wider, "Whatever is easier."
"You’re a regular over there?" he asked as he began to leave.
"Yes, and I tip very well. Don't ruin my rep, Beauregard," she warned, "Go and let me work. I am inspired."
"Beauregard?" He stopped, "You can't call me Tito or Beau like everyone else?"
"Do I look like a woman who does what everyone else does?' she retorted.
"Silly me," he sighed, "and to think I am paying to go be your coffee bitch." He waited for a response but she had focused on her paper again. 
When he returned with her iced coffee, music was playing. She expertly added shading to the drawing while she sang. https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZY1PqizIl78geGM4xWlEA?si=eebcaf1014c24c38
But if you're single that's honestly worse
'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurts
(Honey, it hurts)
Ocean blue eyes looking in mine
I feel like I might sink and drown and die
You're so gorgeous
I can't say anything to your face (to your face)
'Cause look at your face (look at your face)
And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way (this way)
But what can I say?
You're gorgeous
He watched her for a moment before he involuntarily started singing as well.
You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have
You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad (mmh)
You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have and
Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats (yeugh)
Alone, unless you wanna come along (oh)
Rocky looked up when she heard his voice and smiled. Tito gallantly presented her with her complex coffee order. He glanced over at the picture before teasing, “So you’re a Swiftie? That’s surprising.” 
“Why?” she asked. 
He made a hand gesture up and down. “The hair, the tattoos, piercings all scream metal goth girl, but here you are jamming away to basic white girl music while drinking basic white girl coffee. Color me confused.”
“That’s what you get when you judge a book by its cover. You miss the complexity of most humans,” she said philosophically. “By the way, I did notice you jamming along. Are there a lot of Swifties in the NHL?”
“Nah, my ex, Tiffany, was one," he answered, "I became one by osmosis."
"Really?" She replied, "My boyfriend just mocks me."
“Ahhhhh,” Tito, “He doesn’t know what he is missing. Taylor Swift is a musical genius.”
"Well, well, well," Rocky whistled, "Look who is the basic white girl now.” 
“Shut up and show me the sketch that you have been so focused on,” he answered as he rolled his eyes. 
She slid the sketch pad over to him and looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “I tried to incorporate everything that we talked about last time,” she said quietly. Rocky wasn’t sure as she was filled with apprehension suddenly. Her art was one of the few areas of her life that she was sure about these days. 
Tito gingerly touched the sketch pad and took in each detail of the illustration. He was surprised by the lack of color, but it was so effective that he couldn’t imagine the piece in anything but simple black and gray. It was the embodiment of everything that they had discussed. 
Tumblr media
“What do you think?” she asked. 
Tito swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the tears filling his eyes. “I think,” he started before pausing to steady his voice, “I think it’s perfect.”
“Really?” she smiled tentatively, “You really like it?”
He looked up at her and stared for a moment. Underneath the heavy make-up and tough exterior, he saw her sweet spirit. She was more complex and multi-dimensioned than anyone he had ever met despite practically being a stranger. She had put her heart and soul into this drawing and the magnitude of that action was not lost on him. 
“Yes,” he smiled, “I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”
MIDNIGHT RAIN
The next few weeks were a blur to Rocky. Her days were filled with appointments and consultations. Word of mouth began to spread as client after client posted their ink on social media. Glowing reviews accompanied each post, and Rocky’s reputation began to grow in the tattoo community. Pretty soon, some pretty big name artists began following her, including Catarina Vandewahl, who was a pioneer female tattoo artist. 
 With her growing popularity came sacrifices and hardships. Rocky worked hard to capitalize on the buzz around her work and kept herself booked solid. It meant less and less time at home with Kelly.  They became like ships passing in the night. He was going to bed as she got home from a long day at the shop and left before she woke up for the day. On the rare occasion they were together, they both struggled to find the connection that had bonded them in their youth. Kelly worked feverishly on his work project while Rocky sat on the couch and watched hockey. 
The texts between Tito and Rocky began as strictly business. Short and brief texts to schedule time to work on his tattoo. It was a task that was becoming more and more difficult to complete due to their hectic schedules. However, somewhere along the line, the tone changed from professional to borderline flirtation. 
They scheduled his six hour session two days after Taylor Swift’s Midnights album release. It was a rare day off for Tito and Mondays were usually light for Rocky so she was able to make adjustments to her calendar. The plan was for the duo to experience the album together so they swore to each other to remain as “spoiler free” as possible. 
In the meantime, Rocky began to follow the Islanders closely. Growing up in Dallas, she was a casual fan of the Stars. She knew the basics of hockey, but not the finer details. She grew frustrated trying to watch Tito play. Eventually, they developed a routine of Tito picking a game on his “off” nights, and they would text back and forth throughout the game. Of course, it was all in the name of teaching Rocky about hockey. However, the subject quickly opened up to broader discussions that almost touched on the philosophical. 
Tito kept her updated about life on the road and humorous stories of adventures with teammates. Rocky threw in stories from the tattoo shop. From there, the subject of relationships bubbled up. Tito was shocked to find himself revealing his frustrations in finding a woman that was willing to put up with his unusual schedule while maintaining her own identity. Most women seemed more than ready to give up their own “careers” to make themselves available to NHL players. Tito found it tedious and boring. 
Eventually Rocky found herself venting to Tito about how Kelly and her were on almost completely opposite schedules and how isolated she felt from him. Almost immediately, she regretted it and walked back her statements. Internally she scolded herself for crossing some imaginary line. For his part, Tito avoided the subject and redirected back to the game they were supposed to be watching. He couldn’t even think of a reason why he felt the need to change the subject. They were both venting about essentially the same subject. Still he felt a sting as he listened to her vent and he pictured her domestic life with her boyfriend. The sting was especially strong as he looked around his nondescript hotel room and remembered that there would be no one waiting for him when he returned home at the end of the road trip. 
The cracks in Rocky and Kelly’s relationship began to deepen the weekend before Tito’s appointment. With his big work project complete, Kelly looked to reconnect with his long-time love. He made a reservation at a romantic restaurant and booked a suite at the Plaza. It was the sort of restaurant that demanded a level of elegance and style that was out of Rocky’s comfort zone. 
“Quit fidgeting,” Kelly smiled as they followed the hostess to their table at the back of the restaurant. His hand was on the small of her back as she smoothed her hair down. She had just dyed her hair a vibrant red that morning and spent an inordinate amount of time curling it to achieve the perfect vintage fifties vibe she was going for. 
“People are staring at me,” she said quietly. 
“Please,” he joked, “You don’t dye your hair that color while wearing that dress if you don’t want attention.” Rocky flinched internally at his words. After they sat down, she quickly picked up the menu to study it. The fact it also shielded the tears that welled up in her eyes was an added bonus. 
“Hey,” Kelly said softly, “Let me see your face.”
“I’m deciding what to eat,” she said as she willed her voice to remain steady. 
“Rox,” he whispered, “Let me see your face.” She bit her lip. He only called her Rox when he was being sweet and kind to her. While she couldn’t say that he had been unkind recently, there had been a dearth of sweetness over the past couple of months. Slowly, she lowered the menu to let him see her face. “Rox,” he sighed.
“Do you think I dress the way I do for attention?” she murmured, “Do you think I am that kind of person?”
Kelly reached for her hand and grabbed it before she withdrew it. “I think that you can’t dye your hair fire engine red and cover yourself in tattoos and then be shocked when you get attention from normal people.”
“Normal people?” she questioned as she raised her menu again, “I am not a normal person? Since when?” 
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” he said flatly, “I don’t want to argue. I like the hair and the dress. You look beautiful and unique. You should rock the hell out of it while you can.” 
“While I can?” she asked after the server took their order, “What is that supposed to mean?” 
“Rox,” he said, “Don’t overthink it. I just want to have a romantic night with my girl.” 
Something inside of her bristled at the comment “his girl”. She tried to focus on his intent or at least what she believed to be his intent. Kelly wasn’t a malicious person. He was actually quite thoughtful and caring. In fact, it was one of her favorite qualities about him. She looked at him and smiled. "So do you want to hear about my week?" He nodded in affirmation and she began telling a funny story about a misspelled tattoo. 
Back in their hotel suite later, they had exhausted all subjects of conversation. Rocky pulled out her phone as a distraction and saw the notification from Tito.
Tumblr media
Rocky quickly typed out a reply.
Rocky- Hey…. Quit cheating
Tito- Who? Me?
Rocky- Yes, you - Beauregard
Tito- #sorrynotsorry. I am bored in the hotel room. Staying spoiler free is hard.
Rocky- Quit being a spoiler whore and go to sleep. You will need your energy for Monday.
Tito- That's right- you're going to pop my cherry. Be gentle with me.
Rocky stared at the screen. She knew full well that he was referring to his first tattoo experience. However, suddenly, a very graphic image of her sliding down onto him filled her mind. She could almost hear him whisper in his light accent, "Be gentle with me." Rocky dropped her phone which drew Kelly's attention. He gave a funny face and she scrambled to grab the phone to prevent Kelly from seeing the content. Then she remembered that it had only been a figment of her imagination and not anything that could be read
Tito- Rocky?
Rocky- Sorry, dropped phone. Yes, I will be gentle with you. I gotta go. We’re headed to bed. TTYL.
Tito stared at the screen. "Headed to bed?" he thought. A vision of Rocky riding him while throwing her head back filled his mind. He tried to imagine just how much of her upper body was decorated with ink. He stared at the screen, then put the phone down. He turned on the TV and willed himself to not look at the phone. “Fuck it,” he groaned as he picked up his phone again. Without thinking, he found himself on her Instagram page scrolling through pictures. “Don’t hit like, don’t fucking hit the like button,” he reminded himself as he stalked. It was mainly tattoo photos with an occasional selfie. He scrolled back up and stopped. “Damn,” he whispered to himself, “Damn.” 
Tumblr media
Before he could stop himself, he responded with a flirty reply. He saw Kelly’s response and exhaled in disgust before clicking on his profile. His posts consisted of mainly “bro” activities - hanging out with friends, tailgating at Jets games, trips to the shore, etc. Tito noticed that they were only rare pictures of Rocky, at least recently.
Pretty soon, he had spent an hour down the rabbit hole of Kelly’s profile. He had pieced together a rough timeline of Rocky’s relationship with Kelly. It started off strong in high school with nearly constant photos. Things definitely cooled in college as Kelly morphed from slightly emo/goth boy to total finance bro . There was a direct correlation between their individual transformations and their relationship-at least based on what you could see on social media. Tito would bet that Rocky's tattoos and fashion style were an issue. The more she got, the less he posted her picture. A couple of years after graduation, other than holiday and anniversary posts, she was non-existent on his timeline. It wasn't as if Kelly was necessarily hiding his relationship with Rocky on social media, but he wasn't exactly shouting it from the rooftops either. He did a similar deep dive onto Rocky’s page and reached the same conclusion. 
He scrolled back to her post from that night. How could the things that he found so fascinating about Rocky be an issue for this Kelly dude? He didn’t understand it. He didn’t understand it all. Tito gently touched the screen with his thumb. Her smile made him feel things. Her eyes, he thought to himself, her eyes were bright on the surface, but underneath there was a world that he wanted to know. He wanted to know what made her happy and what made her sad. He wanted to know what she thought about the new Taylor Swift album. He wanted to know her thoughts about everything. 
Back at the Plaza, Rocky sighed heavily as she tried to get comfortable in the oversized hotel bed.  As much as she appreciated the thought and effort that Kelly had put into making the night special, something had fallen flat. Even their lovemaking had been lackluster with them both going through the motions without any true passion between them. Muscle memory elicited perfunctory orgasms for each of them before both they rolled in opposite directions to sleep. Rocky tried "fluffing" her pillow before grabbing her phone. 
She glanced at Instagram and smiled at Tito's comment. "Can't sleep?" Kelly said sleepily.
"No, maybe it was the espresso martini at dinner?" She replied.
"Rox, you mainline coffee all day long. How can an espresso martini affect you like this?" he challenged. She shrugged her shoulders. "Come here," he held out his arm to her, "I'll try the head thing." Rocky rolled over and snuggled into his chest. They laid in silence for a minute. Kelly's fingertips ran up and down arm gently in slow, methodical fashion. He could feel the tension oozing out of her pores. "Rox, talk to me," he finally asked, "I know that something set you off tonight."
"Well, first you said I wasn't normal," she started meekly.
"Normal wasn't the right word," he interjected, "Average is more accurate. It wasn't meant as an insult, Rox. You should know that you stand out in a crowd. You are special and unique….."
"Why do I sense that there is a but hanging in the air?" She questioned.
"There is no but hanging in the air…." He snapped back.
"What did you mean when you said I should rock the hell out of my look while I can?" she lifted her head and stared into his eyes. 
"There it is. That is what you have been stewing over since dinner," he sighed, "What I meant was that eventually you will need to dress more appropriately. Wait, appropriate is not the right word. Hmmmm, maybe I should say….ummmm, subdued."
"Subdued? Why do I need to be subdued?" She shot back.
 He sighed, "because eventually I will need you to be a partner. I can't become a CEO without a good partner."
"CEO?" she balked, "Since when do you want to become a CEO? What happened to the 'work as hard as we can fo the next ten years so we can retire and travel the world" plan? When did that change?"
Kelly blinked, "When I started and discovered that I actually liked it. I am good at my job and I can go further than I thought I could. I know it doesn't mean shit to you but I love it. If you gave it a chance, you might like it too."
Rocky searched into his eyes to gauge his seriousness. Her gaze was met with an expression of such earnestness that she felt actual pain in her heart. "Tell me more about this plan," she said softly before she laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her to pull her close. She listened as he explained his fifteen year long route to CEO. It included getting married within two years and having their first child two years after that. Everything was mapped out in such detail that Rocky was beginning to wonder when exactly the original plan changed and when he was planning on telling her.
"You're being awfully quiet, Rox," he said at the end as he wrapped up.
"It's a lot to take in," she whispered, "It's a lot to take in."
"You'll at least consider it? Will you at least consider it for me?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, I will think about it," she sighed. 
Kelly kissed the top of her head, "You're the best. I love you."
"Love you too," she yawned, "let's get some sleep."
TWO DAYS LATER- INKED ON ICE Tattoo Shop
Tito winced and gritted his teeth as Rocky worked on the outline of the complex tattoo design they had settled on. “How are you doing there, Beauregard?” Rocky asked cheerfully. Tito had been sitting stoically for almost three hours. The session started out strong. They started with listening to Taylor Swift’s Midnights, but after two times they grew restless. When Rocky suggested switching to Speak Now, he readily agreed. 
He groaned, “Why on earth would you willingly do this multiple times?”
Rocky smiled, “I don’t know. The art is worth the pain, I suppose. Of course, it could also be that I am tougher than you and can take the pain. I would have thought a hockey player would be tougher but then again Barzal cried like a little bitch too.”
“Hey,” he whined, “Would you like me to tell you all of the injuries that I have played with?”
“Will it make you quit whining?” she countered, “If so, then by all means, tell me how tough you are.” Rocky knew that it would draw his focus away from the tattoo and therefore the pain. Sure enough, the conversation bought Rocky about forty five minutes of productive work time. When he began to lose focus again, Rocky tapped his leg. “Hey, we are at a good stopping point for a break. You rest and I will go grab us some lunch from next door. The lasagna is top notch.” Tito breathed a sigh of relief. Within minutes, Rocky had prepared his arm enough to move freely. “Stretch, move around and relax,” she instructed, “We have about another four hours to finish it. Think you can handle it?” She looked at him with concern. It was his first tattoo and she wanted to be sure that he didn’t tap out before she finished. Also, she wouldn’t admit to anyone, but part of her wondered if she could take another four hours on trying to focus on tattooing while she ignored the intrusive thoughts in her head. 
When she returned with the food, he was casually scrolling through his phone. He graciously accepted the lasagna and bottle water. “What do I owe you?” he asked. 
“You don’t need to pay me back,” she insisted. 
“I am not used to women buying me food,” he blushed. 
Rocky blinked, “Beauregard….. What kind of women are you dating? They don’t even do the courtesy to reach for their wallet? Where are you finding them? Puckbunnies.com?”
“Hey,” Tito cautioned, “Tap the brakes there.”
Rocky immediately hung her head, “I am sorry, Beau. Truly, I am. I am just dealing with a personal thing and it’s got me extra “fight the patriarchy” right now. 
Tito’s face immediately softened, “Something personal? With your boyfriend? What’s his name again- Kelly?”
Rocky sighed, “Yeah, something with him. Hey, how did you know his name?”
Tito blinked. He didn’t want to admit to the stalking of Instagram. “Ummm, didn’t he comment on the picture the other day?” he answered casually. 
“Oh yeah,” Rocky smiled, “I forgot about that.” 
They sat in silence for a moment. The unanswered question hung in the air. Finally Tito asked, “Do you want to talk about it?” 
Rocky fought the impulse to open to him. “He’s a client,” she told herself before she took another bit of lasagna. She looked out of the corner of her eye to find Tito staring, waiting on an answer. “Beauregard, I appreciate the offer. It’s nothing earth shattering or dramatic," she offered as an answer. When his eyes didn't move from her face, "Stop staring at me. You're being weird," 
Tito looked down and thought, "Was he being weird?" Then he shook his head and looked at her. Her eyes held a silent plea to drop the subject. He waffled between pushing for an answer, absolutely hoping for any news that the relationship had cracks that could be exploited and letting her tell him without pressure. He grimaced at his mind that jumped at the opportunity to "exploit" any weaknesses in her relationship. No, if they had a future together in their destinies, it would happen without manipulation or pressure. He smiled and deflected, "So, ummmm, where did Rocky come from? Did your dad just really want a boy?"
She was thankful for the deflection. She wasn't ready to put her emotions into words yet. Rocky grinned widely, "It's short for Raquelle. My younger brother, Gabriel, could only say Raq and not Raquelle. Alexander turned it into Rocky after I beat him up." Tito's eyes widened. "Well, he deserved it. He stole my Nintendo DS," she explained. 
"Remind me never to get on your bad side, Raquelle," Tito smiled.
There was something about the way that he said her name made her heart leap with joy. She felt blush overcome her cheeks and she looked away. Tito thought she never looked more beautiful. "Yep, I am going to call you Raquelle from now on," he teased casually.
"Whatever you say, Anthony " she countered. Both of them scrunched their noses immediately. "Nope, Beauregard is better," she declared. She glanced at the clock. "Now eat up, Beauregard," she ordered, "We are going to start in ten minutes and keep going until we are done."
"Yes, Raqueĺle," he cooed, exaggerating each syllable in his slight French accent. Rocky bit her lip and took a bite of lasagna. "I will let you torture me again in ten minutes." he laughed.
Rocky's plan to carb load Tito worked. When they began again, he got into the zone. He sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. His body entered into a trance like state and they powered through together. They were reaching the finish line when "Midnight Rain" started. https://youtu.be/Odh9ddPUkEY?si=IRMd5VC86a0xnQ77. Taylor's voice filled the room
Rain, he wanted it comfortable
I wanted that pain
He wanted a bride
I was making my own name
Chasing that fame
He stayed the same
All of me changed like midnight
Rocky's head popped and listened to the song that seemed to encapsulate the current state of her relationship. When the words "Cause he was sunshine, I was midnight rain,.He wanted it comfortable,I wanted that pain" floated across the room, her eyes filled with tears. Unable to see, she lifted the needle from Tito's skin.  The lack of sensation reached into his brain but did not penetrate. It was the tear that splashed down on his forearm that got his attention. He looked at the wet mark and then lifted his eyes to look at her face
 Tears streamed down as she stared into space. "Rocky? Are you okay?" He sat straight up in the chair. She glanced at him and cried harder. "Rocky, what happened?" He questioned. "Mon ami, what happened? Did you make a mistake?" She shook her head vigorously. 
"He is sunshine and I am midnight rain. He wants comfortable and I want pain," she said out loud to no one in particular.
"Who?" His hand went to her cheek, "Kelly?" She nodded her head. "What happened, Mon Ami? You were fine," he soothed. 
"The song," she choked out.
He listened as the song ended. "Which song?" He asked.
"Midnight Rains," she whispered.
"The breakup song?" He asked in the tenderest voice. 
Rocky wiped her tears, "He has a fifteen year plan now. He wants to be a CEO and he wants me to be the good little corporate wife." Tito's mind raced. "Can you imagine?" She whined, "Can you imagine me at the country club."
"No, no I can't." He answered honestly. "How do you feel about that?"
"Terrified," she blurted out, "What if I can't do it? What if I lose myself in the process?
"Do you even want to do it? He asked sincerely, "Is that the life you want?"
She stared at him like he had three heads. Of course, it was Kelly. He was her future. He had been her future since she can remember. She hadn't considered what she wanted. 
He wiped her tears that still flowed." It is just a song," he whispered, "It doesn't have to mean a break up." Internally he screamed at himself to shut up, but he couldn't stop himself. No, if she was going to end things, she would do it without his interference. It was clear that she wasn't ready to let go. "Rocky…." He continued as she stared into space, "Raquelle…." Her head snapped in direction. "It's just a song," he explained, "You get to decide your future. You can have any future you want."
Rocky inhaled deeply, "You think?"
"I know," he smiled back.
"Thank you Beauregard," she smiled, "You're a good friend to me." Her breath hitched as the word came out of her mouth. 
"It is my pleasure," he smiled, "It's.honor and a pleasure to be your friend. However, if you don't finish this ink soon, I am going to come to my senses soon and I will never let you near me with a needle again."
Rocky glared, "No way you are tapping out now. Buckle up Beauregard.".He sat back and closed his eyes. "Alexa, play Shake It Off."
Thirty minutes later, Tito stood and admired the design. "It's perfect," he praised, "I can't wait to post it." 
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Two weeks later - USB Arena
Kelly held the ticket stub in his hand as they walked around the concourse of the USB arena. “Rox,” he said suddenly, “These are lower bowl seats. I think these seats are pretty close to the glass. Where did you get them again?”
“I told you,” she said sweetly, “A client gave them to me as a thank you.” Kelly led them down the stairs to the seats which were right next to the Islanders penalty box. Rocky took the seat nearest the box. Kelly had a thing about having an easy exit out of crowded places and would have felt boxed in. The music in the arena was loud and pulsating. Rocky looked around and absorbed the vibe. She was lost in thought when a loud horn sounded. She looked up to see the Islander team taking the ice. She hadn’t even noticed that she held her breath until she saw Tito step out onto the ice following Barzal. She smiled and exhaled as her eyes stayed glued to him. 
She couldn’t help but notice the difference in him. His face was devoid of expression and his eyes focused on the ice in front of him as the group began to make laps around their end of the ice. Gone was the friendly, but somewhat introverted Beauregard that she knew. In place was a determined and focused warrior. Rocky was tempted to bang on the glass when Barzal took a position in front of her seats to begin his stretches. She decided against creating a potential awkward moment. Instead she searched for Tito, she found him on the opposite side of the ice, stretching as well.
A high pitched squeal of "Barzy" penetrated the air and he leisurely looked over his shoulder to find the source. A gaggle of college girls stood behind Rocky holding a sign that said "Barzy- You can go 5 hole on us." He smirked and shook his head before noticing Rocky, who very obviously focused on something that had her complete attention. He had a hunch on the object of her focus. It was confirmed when he followed her sight line that went straight to Tito. 
He almost shouted across the ice, but thought better of it. Instead he waited, they stood next to each other for a drill. "Hey Tito, why didn't you say anything about Rocky being here tonight," Barzal remarked casually, "Those are better seats than we normally get to give away. Did you ask for extra nice ones for her?"
Tito's head spun around in surprise, "What? Where?"
Barzal pointed to Rocky's location. Tito looked and saw her staring in his direction. He felt his stomach flip while a smile spread across his face. He waved shyly and Rocky felt her face flush.
"Did that player just wave at you?" Kelly asked. He turned to Rocky who waved back to Tito before she turned to face him. 
“Yeah, I know him from the shop,” she answered evasively. Immediately she felt a pang of guilt hit. Between her earlier fascination and not completely honest answer, she walked the boundary of both her relationship with Kelly AND Tito. She added, “I actually did a tattoo for him a couple of weeks ago.” 
“Oh,” Kelly turned to assess the hockey player, “So that’s why your schedule has blown up recently. You are tattooing ‘celebrities’ these days. Good for you.”
Rocky turned to Kelly with her arms folded. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Did I say that it was a bad thing?” Kelly questioned incredulously. 
The couple stood and stared at each other.. The stare down lasted long enough to attract Tito’s attention. His eyes widened slightly when Rocky’s angry expression registered. He started skating before his brain engaged. A guttural instinct took over. Someone had upset his Raquelle and that- it was just unacceptable. He hit the boards immediately in front of Kelly with enough force to knock Kelly’s beer off the ledge he had left it sitting on. The beer splashed Kelly’s jeans while the sound of the hit reverberated through the area. Kelly looked down at his pants, then to Tito who stared him down on the other side of the glass. “Hey!” Kelly yelled as Tito looked at Rocky who stood with her jaw dropped. 
Her mind raced to imagine a justification for Tito’s actions and she could find none. Her look of confusion felt like a stab in the heart to Tito. Rocky turned to Kelly who burst out laughing. The reaction of the crowd in the section was the rousing cheer of approval and amusement. Tito winked at Rocky before he skated off to the bench. “Hey Jake,” Tito called the equipment manager, “You have any money?”
“Why?” the assistant equipment yelled back.
“I knocked that guy’s beer over. I need to buy him another one,” Tito explained.. “Come on, you know I am good for it,” Tito cajoled. Jack turned to delegate the task to one of the team interns when Tito yelled again. 
As he made his request, Jake looked on incredulously. “You owe me, Beau- you owe me,” he laughed as he walked away. 
In the brief time between end of warm-up and puck drop, a hapless team intern came bounding down the steps toward Kelly and Rocky. He stood at the end of the row and yelled down to them. “Hey, Tito bought you a beer to replace the one he knocked over,” the intern said cheerfully as he passed the cup of beer down the row. Then he passed down the large coffee cup and added, “This is for Rocky?” Kelly eyed her suspiciously as Rocky waited for the cup. When she received it, she glanced to get confirmation. It was her ridiculously complicated drink. Tito made someone go to Starbucks and return with a coffee specifically made for her. 
“Can you tell him thank you?” she smiled at the intern. 
“You can tell him yourself,” the intern responded, “He wants me to bring you down to the locker room after the game. Wait here and I will come get you after the third period.” 
“Wow,” Kelly quipped, “That must have been one hell of a tattoo you did for him. You’re getting VIP treatment.”
Later, toward the end of the second period, Rocky leaned forward and intently watched the faceoff taking place in front of her. Kelly had made an early exit to beat the line at the concession stand. The Islanders were in a tight, chippy game against the Dallas Stars- the score tied up at one. Tito lined up against Jamie Benn who acknowledged him with a head nod. Tito looked back over his shoulder and glanced at Rocky but then returned his focus to the task at hand. Benn laughed, “Is that your girl? She looks like fun.” 
Tito responded with a shove to Benn’s chest, “Shut up.” Benn retaliated with a stick poke and a smile- content with the knowledge that he had found a way to get under Tito’s skin. Both resumed position again but began jostling sticks back and forth. When the puck dropped, he used his stick to upend Tito. 
 The move drew the ire of the Islander crowd and Rocky stood up and yelled, “Hey, you can’t do that.” Benn smiled even bigger as Tito got up and launched a shove into his opponent’s chest. The captain grabbed a hold of the stick and they jostled for a few moments before Tito dropped his gloves and reached to pull Benn down into a headlock before he started swinging. He landed several punches before the bigger man was able to pull him down to the ground. Refs separated them. Tito ripped off his helmet as he got back to his feet and shook his head. . 
Benn smiled, sure that he had instigated Tito into a penalty. During a tie game, drawing a penalty was crucial. His smile soon disappeared when he realized that it was he that was getting the extra penalty for his trip. Tito gave him a smile, “Thanks for the power play. It will come in handy.” 
He entered the penalty box casually, sitting down on the bench and placing his helmet beside him. He wiped his face with the towel as Benn yelled from his box. Tito looked over lazily as he caught his breath. “Lucky you,” the captain yelled and pointed. Tito turned around to see Rocky staring intently at him, her brow furrowed slightly. She quickly smiled as he turned around. 
Tito scooted on the bench so that he was closer to her. Suddenly, he forgot where he was and focused on her smile. “Fancy meeting you here, Mon Ami,” he greeted  her. 
“Beauregard…..” she spoke in an exaggerated drawl, “I’m not a hockey expert, but I do believe that you are supposed to stay OUT of the penalty box.”
“Raquelle…..” he began with a little more accent than necessary. Rocky felt her cheeks begin to flush. Tito stared at her face, “If I stayed OUT of the box, then we wouldn’t have this chance to chat. You know that chatting with you is my favorite thing in the world.” Rocky leaned forward and grinned. 
Somewhere in the TV control room, a producer proclaimed, “Are you guys seeing this?” The director looked up as the producer shared the camera view into the Islander penalty box onto the large screen. There, in the picture, were Tito and Rocky shamelessly flirting. Within seconds, the shot was on live TV with the Islanders TV announcers commenting on it. 
“Butch,” Brendan Burke chuckled, “It seems like we have a bit of an off-ice situation happening here.” 
Back in their bubble, Rocky joked, “I knew you were trouble when you walked in…”
Tito retorted, “It’s me. Hi, I’m the problem it’s me.”
“At tea time, everybody agrees,” she finished. 
Back in the control room, one of the female interns shouted out, “Holy shit, they are quoting Taylor Swift to each other.” 
The director yelled, “No fucking way!” He suddenly had visions of a viral moment. The information was relayed to the announcers. 
Tito moved on to another song, “Best believe I’m still bejeweled, When I walk in the room I can still make the whole place shimmer.” 
Rocky picked up, “And when I meet the band, They ask “Do you have a man?” I can still say, ‘I don’t remember’” 
Inside the control room, the announcer's booth and the entire Islanders liveblog tag on Tumblr, people watching were losing their collective minds. Comments flew back and forth- “Do you think he even knows that there is a game still going on? The moment was interrupted by the penalty box attendant who tapped Tito on the shoulder, “Fifteen seconds, dude.” 
Tito’s head spun around and he remembered where he was. He quickly gathered his equipment and stood by the door. He turned to Rocky and smiled. She started “I’ll spend forever wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you.” 
The door opened and Tito skated onto the ice. He glanced back and saw Kelly returning to his seat. He handed Rocky a bottle of water and she looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. The voice inside Tito's  head finished the lyric, “Please don’t be in love with someone else. Please don’t have somebody waiting on you.” He felt the sharp pain in his abdomen like a punch to a gut. It pulled him out of dream-like state and back into the reality of the game. “Use this,” he said to himself, “Use the pain as motivation.” 
His eyes returned to the play and he saw his opening as he gained speed. He knocked Miro Heiskanen off the puck and took it onto his stick. He weaved his way through the two defensemen and circled the net. He passed the puck to Barzal who shot it at the net. Jake Oettinger coughed up a juicy rebound that landed on Tito’s stick. He lifted the puck up and over Oettinger’s shoulder into the net. It took a second for Tito to realize what had just happened. He was swarmed by his teammates as the arena erupted in cheers. 
He looked over to see Kelly pick Rocky into his arms and swing her around. He quickly turned to accept congratulatory pats on the head from his teammates. Rocky’s head spun while in Kelly’s arm to find Tito. When she found him on the bench, she swallowed hard. The focused expression on his face had returned and he stared directly in front of him. It was Rocky’s turn to feel the gnawing ache in her stomach. The period ended and she watched him walk to the tunnel without looking back. 
The Islander locker room buzzed with excitement of the new lead. Round of "Thatta boy, Beau, spread around the room. Tito didn't respond. Instead he replayed his time in the penalty box -the ease of talking to Rocky, the way she pulled him out of the game, the butterflies he felt when he looked into her eyes. He could have stayed lost in that moment for the rest of his life.
His thoughts were interrupted by Anders Lee's voice. "Sooooo who is the girl and can we buy her a beer?" he joked.
"Please don’t be in love with someone else. Please don’t have somebody waiting on you," ran through his head. The memory of her hug with Kelly flashed in his brain. Tito gritted his teeth and shook his head. "She's nobody- just the woman who did my tat," he spit out, 'She's nobody." With that, he got up to find the intern from earlier. Barzal watched in silence before getting up and following him. The rest of the team looked at each other in confusion. 
Barzal caught up as Tito finished his conversation. "Are you sure" the intern asked. Tito nodded his head.
"Sure about what?" Barzal questioned.
"Sure that I don't want her to come down after the game," Tito answered emphatically.
"Why?" Barzal questioned as they walked back to the room.
"Because I said so dumbass," Tito muttered as he put on his gear.
Upstairs,the intern made his way to Rocky's seats. Kelly looked confused when the intern gently explained, "Tito is not going to be able to see you after the game after all. There is a mandatory team meeting that he can't miss." 
Rocky blinked. She knew it was a lie but didn't want to argue or appear too eager to see Tito.. "Oh okay- well, tell him that I will see him around I guess.” She tried to hide the disappointment on her face, but Kelly knew her well enough to spot the fake smile. They rode in uncomfortable silence back to their apartment. 
Later in bed, they faced opposite walls with their backs to each other. “So that’s who you've been texting recently?” Kelly asked quietly. 
“Yeah,” she said softly, “He has been teaching me about hockey.”
"Clearly it worked. You were really focused on the game. I am glad you had a good time. You deserved it." Kelly yawned "Good night Rox. Love you."
"Ditto, Kels," she replied softly. Rocky's phone began to buzz. She picked it up.
Daisy: Girl…
Rocky: What?
Daisy: You're viral.
Rocky: What? How?
Daisy sent her the link to SportCenter and the segment about Tito's time in the penalty box. Rocky watched in a combination of sweet memory and horror. She thought back to what she felt in the moment. The feeling had been so pure and she struggled to name it. It finally dawned on her- joy. 
"What's the problem with joy?" She asked herself as the dread and horror spread around her body. It had been so long since she had experienced true joy. She couldn't remember when the last time was. One thing she knew that it wasn't with Kelly- the person who she should share joy with.
She looked back at Kelly with a wistful look. "I have to be better," she said to herself, "He deserves better." She rolled over and watched the clip again. The feeling of joy returned as she watched Tito's face and a thought popped into her head, "Don't you deserve better?" She pursed her lips and turned off her phone.
Barzal/Beauvillier condo- Long Island
"Fuck you, I would have made that shot,," Tito yelled out to no one in particular as the NHL22 game played. Barzal gave him a side eye and continued playing the video game.
After Tito added "motherfucker,"  Barzal paused the game. Tito protested meekly before Barzal cut him off, “What in the hell is your problem dude?”
“I don’t have a problem,” Tito countered. 
“Don’t lie to me Beau. It insults my intelligence,” Barzal challenged. Tito began a pithy response, but stopped when he saw his roommate’s expression. The concern was apparent and completely out of character for Barzal. “Does it have something to do with Rocky?” Barzal asked quietly. Tito leaned back and let out an exaggerated sigh. “I am going to take that as a yes,” Barzal continued, “Want to talk about it?”
“There is nothing to talk about. I misread her signals,” Tito spit out, “I thought there might be something there, but clearly I am wrong.” 
“I am not so sure about that dude,” Barzal sighed. The brunette turned and studied his roommate's face. He pondered his next words carefully.   "Look, I was going to wait and let you find out tomorrow, but there is something that you need to see." He pulled out his phone and started the video of Tito and Rocky from the penalty box.
Tito smiled involuntarily at Rocky as his finger went caress her face on the phone screen. He wanted to push the feeling down but it swept over him like a tidal wave. Barzal chuckled, "Dude, you have it bad. You are so into her."
"Too bad she isn't into me," Tito whined.
"Look, she may have a boyfriend, but she is into you," Barzal countered. Tito began to shake his head but Barzal interjected, "Look at her face when she looks at you. She desn't look at her boyfriend that way. I watched her during the game. Trust me there is something there, Beau. It wasn’t just during your penalty. Her eyes were on you the entire game.."
"So what should I do? She has a boyfriend," Tito asked.
"Be patient until she figures it out," Barzal suggested, “I don’t know much but I know that she doesn’t look at him the way she looks at you.”
"So business as usual?" Tito asked. Barzal nodded his head. "One Sec," Tito held up his hand. He reached for his phone and typed a quick text to Rocky,
Tito: Hey sorry we couldn't connect after the game, but it was great to see you. 
Rocky: I thought you were mad at me.
Tito: Never mon ami
Rocky: You sure?
Tito: 100% sure 
Rocky: You wouldn't lie to me, would you Beaugard?
Tito: Raquelle, you wound me 
Rocky: Sweet dreams. Great game by the way
Tito: Thanks- good night
Three days later-INKED ON ICE Tattoo Shop
Rocky tidied her work station and eyed the door.  She had received a terse text from Kelly during her last appointment that simply said "We need to talk. I am working at Starbucks. Let me know when you can chat.” She responded with an equally terse "It will be fifteen minutes as I finish up. It can't wait until tonight?"
"No- I don't want to have this conversation after midnight," was the response.
Precisely fifteen minutes later, Rocky looked up when she sensed his presence and their eyes locked. Her soft smile was met with pursed lips. "Hey," she said as she kissed his cheek before he settled into his seat. His hands held a to-go coffee cup that she was certain contained her order to perfection. "What's up?" she asked casually.
Kelly studied her next design before he sat down. His eyes looked at her askance. His mouth opened and shut several times. With each time, Rocky felt a knot in her stomach develop. "Rocky….." he began, "...... you know I love you. I have loved you since kindergarten when you walked up to me, the new kid, and announced that we were going to be best friends." Rocky smiled at the memory. He continued, "You were the girl, Rocky. You were the girl I was going to love forever. You were my past, you were my present, and you were going to be my future."
Rocky gulped, "Were?"
Kelly swallowed hard, "Yes, were. You have to know that we haven't been working for a while. We lead completely different lives with completely different goals. I don't think it's fixable, Rox. I don't think we can make it work now.
"Kelly, I love you. You know that. There is no one I love more than you," Rocky gasped. 
"I know, Rox. I love you too. You are my favorite person but somewhere along the way, we fell out of love with each other. It doesn't make you the bad guy and it doesn't make me the bad guy. We are just two best friends whose lives are on separate tracks," he spoke in a hushed tone. "I tried to ignore it but I can't anymore. I deserve to be in love and you deserve to be in love.” Rocky stared at the ground as his words sunk into her soul. Her head popped up when he said, “Honestly, I think you are in love."
Rocky stood up, "What are you talking about? There isn't anyone but you. You think I am cheating on you?"
"Tito," he stared into her eyes, "I saw it when I saw the video."
"We were just goofing off and being silly," she exclaimed.
“During a game? A game that he is passionate about?” Kelly countered, "And when was the last time we goofed off like that?" Kelly sighed, “I can’t ignore the evidence. I mean it went viral.” 
"I didn’t mean for it to go viral," she countered weakly, “We’re friends I swear. Nothing else. He just gets me. Kelly- he and I are just friends.”
"I believe that you think that," he stood up to walk to her, "I believe that you are doing everything in your power to honor your commitment to me. You are denying what your heart is telling you."
"And what do you think it's telling me?” she whispered.
"That you are not in love with me anymore and if I were out of the picture, you would fall in love with him," he reached for her hand. "Look, I could tell at the game. It's there and I would be a fool to try to deny it."
"I don't want to hurt you," she cried, "I don't want to break your heart."
Kelly intertwined his fingers into hers. "It would break my heart to settle for less than we deserve. You deserve to be in love. You deserve someone who wants the crazy lives you two lead." He stopped and inhaled, "And I deserve someone who wants the white picket fence, the PTA and the ordinary life I crave. I deserve someone in love with me." 
Tears streamed down Rocky's face, "I'm sorry."
Kelly wiped her tears with his thumbs, "Don't be. Don't be sorry for being you. I love you. I love you enough to set us free."
"I love you, Kelly," she leaned her forehead into his chest, "I'll always love you."
"I know, but now it's time to love each other from a distance," he kissed the top of her head, "One day we can be best friends again."
"I would like that," she looked up at him, "So we're over? We're really over?"
"Yeah," he smiled, "at least as lovers."
Out in the lobby, Tito held his finger up to his lips as he entered the shop to keep Daisy from announcing his arrival. In his hand, he held a large coffee and protein box. He turned the corner and stopped in his tracks. Kelly stood with his arms wrapped around Rocky’s back. Her face was nuzzled into his neck. Tito’s body lurched like he had been punched in the stomach. “I love you Rox,” Kelly smiled as he set her down and kissed the top of her head. He then turned around to walk past Tito. He glanced at Tito, who stood frozen, and smiled. Rocky watched the exchange in numb silence. Tito watched Kelly leave the shop and then turned his head to look at Rocky. She gave him a soft smile. Internally, Tito’s mind raced. He didn’t have an agenda when he decided to drop by and see Rocky, but he certainly didn’t expect to witness such a tender moment. “Snap out of it, Beauvillier,” he told himself, “You got the wrong idea. She has a boyfriend- one that she loves even if you can't make it make sense to your brain.” 
“Hey Beauregard,” she stepped toward, “To what do I owe this surprise?” She fought to keep the tears out of her eyes and her voice smooth and steady. They exchanged a look and Rocky watched as Tito’s expression hardened before her. 
“I, uhhhhh, was in the neighborhood, “ he began. He couldn’t think of a singular good reason why he would be here that didn’t involve a fervent desire to kiss her. So like all good men when forced to face an uncomfortable emotion, he lied. “I wanted to be sure that you were still eating,” he stammered, “You need to eat so you can keep doing good tattoos. I vouched for you and uhhhhhh, I don’t want anyone who listened to me to be disappointed by a sucky tattoo because your blood sugar level dropped.” 
He thrust the coffee and food into her hands. Before she could protest, he was half-way to an escape. “Thanks for the coffee, Beauregard,” she called out to him. She could see his body flinch but he kept moving. Rocky watched in despair as he made his retreat. 
What had happened? After their post-game chat, Tito had been reserved but still friendly. Now he was running away because of why she did not know.  Rocky replayed Kelly’s words in her brain. “If I were out of the picture, you would fall in love with him,” he had said. She sighed bitterly and added, “Yeah, but Kels, clearly he will not fall in love with me.”
 She turned to walk back into her section and looked around. She had two consultations and three appointments scheduled. She went to her table and sat down. She started the music but quickly turned it off when the starting notes of “Lover” began. Impulsively, she picked up her sketchbook and threw it across the room. Loose papers and notes tucked into it scattered on the floor. “Whoa,” JD whistled as he entered her section, “What happened here?” 
Rocky got down on her hands and knees to gather the papers to her chest. She placed her hand on a blank piece of paper and flipped it over. It was Tito’s tattoo design. Tears filled her eyes and she sat back on her heels. JD looked at the paper and then back at Rocky. Her face dissolved into tears. “Rocky?” he questioned, “What happened?” 
"Kelly broke up with me," she cried.
"What? Why?" JD resigned himself to getting down on the floor and sat next to her.
Rocky wiped her nose with her arm. "He wants sunshine and I am midnight rain," she explained to JD as if he would understand. The words brought Tito to her mind and she started sobbing again. "Beauregard would understand," she thought to herself. 
JD sat patiently and waited for a break in the sobs. He had not been sure when Rocky had shown up at the shop, boldly asking for an apprenticeship. He found himself unable to say no despite the fact that had never mentored anyone before her, something he had taken great pride in. However in the almost year later, they had formed a unique friendship despite their age difference. 
"I am going to assume that was some sort of Taylor Swift reference," he said drolly, "Care to explain it to the non-Swiftie?"
"He was this whole corporate life with the house in the suburbs and PTA wife," she sighed. "I was going to try to make it work," she continued, "but things changed and he didn't want to try anymore." 
"You mean he didn't want to try to force a relationship with a woman clearly in love with another man?" he asked gently. Her jaw dropped and she started to protest. "I saw Beauvillier leave," he added.
"Yeah, you saw him leave. He couldn't get out of here fast enough," she cried, "Clearly he isn't interested."
"I think the evidence points to the contrary," JD countered, "but his loss if that's true." They sat in silence for a few minutes. "You know, I think you are ready to end the apprenticeship."
Her head shot up, "Getting dumped twice in one day. That has to be a record."
"I am not DUMPING you. I am telling you that you have freedom to choose your next path," he explained. "You are ready, Rocky," he nudged her shoulder.
"You think I am ready to go solo, really?" Rocky asked in earnest, "What if I fail?"
"I have a feeling that you are going to fly," he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
"What should I do about Tito?" She asked.
"I think that you shouldn't go from one man to another. If you are going to go solo, then go solo," JD spoke, "but potentially? Yeah, I saw you on Sportscenter and ship it. That's the right word, right?"
"You're learning, old man," Rocky joked.
 Daisy poked her head in the room, "Ummmm, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I overheard about Kelly." Rocky looked up at her. "I canceled the rest of your day and tomorrow," Daisy added, "Pack up your stuff. I am taking you home and we're having a meeting of the 'Boys are stupid and they suck' committee. No arguments, Rocky. We are going to laugh and we are going to cry until you don't need to anymore." Rocky's eyes filled with tears. "See, you've already started." 
Hours later, Rocky stood in the guest bathroom of Cameron and Daisy's large home. She looked at her face. Her eyes were puffy from tears but she felt a wave of peace wash over her body. Daisy and she had discussed her future and what she wanted. As much as she felt a pull toward Tito, she could not shake the feeling that she needed time. JD was right. She couldn't jump from one man to another man. Rocky had spent her entire adult life committed to Kelly. It was time to spread her wings and fly. She felt confident that even if she crashed and burned that she was strong enough to make it on her own. 
She took a deep breath and picked up her phone. She noticed two things- no communication from Tito and a text from Kelly. She opened the text and smiled, "Rox, I miss you already but know that our destiny lies as best friends. I will be here waiting to see where your destiny takes you. You are capable of greatness. I'll love you forever."
She typed out her response to Kelly. Then she hit the dial button.
"Hey Rocky,” the voice on the other end answered.
"Is that job offer still good?" Rocky asked. 
"Yes, are you considering it?" The voice asked.
"If you still want me," Rocky responded.
"Pack your bags. I have a guest house you can use until you get settled. Can you be here in a week?" Cat smiled.
"See you then," Rocky smiled.
STATE OF GRACE
A WEEK LATER- ISLANDERS PRACTICE FACILITY
"Hey Tito," Kelly called to him as he exited the ice after practice.
Tito stopped and stared, "What the fuck does he want?" He thought to himself. 
Kelly held out a cardboard tube and Tito, "It's from Rocky."
"A delivery? From Rocky?" He called back, "Why didn't she deliver it herself?"
"I think you know why," Kelly replied dryly. Tito thought about the multiple texts and calls from her that he had ignored. "Just read the card," Kelly added before he turned to walk away.
Tito ripped the card open and read it quickly. 
Beauregard-
I hope this note finds you well. This is not the way I wanted to tell you but I am moving.
Tito's eyes snapped up, "You two are moving?"
"No, just her," Kelly explained. Tito tilted his head in question. "We broke up last week. In fact, the day I saw you at the shop, " Kelly added.
Tito thought back to the day. He had been so quick to jump to the wrong conclusion. "You idiot," he told himself, "You fucking idiot." He continued to read.
I tried texting and calling several times, but those have not been returned. I have decided to make a fresh start in a new city. All of my adult life has been bending myself and sacrificing my dream to allow Kelly to pursue his dream. I am going to some place brand new and testing my wings to see if I can fly on my own.
Tito smiled to himself, "Oh mon ami, Raquelle, you can fly. Oh how high you will fly."
I am sad to leave you and our friendship. I didn't want to leave without saying two things. First, I am thankful that fate brought us together as friends. Your friendship reminded me who I am, the part of me that I had hidden away to fit into the mold of what Kelly wanted and needed. I am Midnight Rain and that's okay. Thank you for accepting me and all my quirks. Not only did you accept them- you embraced them which helped me embrace them too. 
Second- I am thankful for the joy that you brought back to me. It had been so long since I felt the joy that I felt with you. I love you, Beauregard. I don't believe that our journey is over. In fact I think that you are just at the beginning of a wonderful life full of adventure and more importantly, love. You will bring so much joy  to the life of the woman who you love and she will be so lucky. So long for now. In the words of our Queen Taylor- "And when you find everything you looked for, I hope your life leads you back to my door. Goodbye, Mon Ami." 
He pulled out the sketch of his tattoo out of the cardboard tube. She had written- "Never forget the joy of hockey. Keep it in your heart forever just like I will keep the joy of you in my heart forever." 
"Goodbye Mon Amour," Tito whispered as he placed the drawing back into the cardboard tube, "No, not goodbye-see ya later."
THREE MONTHS LATER- BEAN AROUND THE WORLD COFFEE SHOP-VANCOUVER
The coffee shop was crowded with the morning rush. The barista greeted Rocky with a smile. In the three months since she had moved to  Vancouver, she had become a regular so there was no need to give her order.
"So what's your day look like?" Lauren, the barista from England, asked cheerfully. 
"I have an easy day today. Only two appointments and a consultation," Rocky answered with a grin.
"Ahhhh," Lauren winked as she rolled her sleeve so her new tattoo was prominently on display, "I'll advertise for walk-ins." Since getting inked by Rocky, Lauren had fed a steady stream or referrals over to the tattoo shop. The large black and gray realistic wolf was a showstopper and customers complimented her on it daily. 
"Keep that up and I'll have to give you a discount on that sleeve we discussed," Rocky quipped.
"Don't tempt me," the Brit joked. Rocky moved down to the pick up counter to wait for her drink. She faced away from the crowd and studied her phone.
Further down the line, Elias Pettersson stood with his new linemate. They had just completed a practice and workout. "So you are set in your airBNB?" The Swedish superstar asked, “No issues?”
Tito looked up as they moved up to the counter, "Yeah, I'm all set." Tito had been traded to Vancouver earlier in the week in a trade that the hockey media dubbed "The Bo for Beau exchange".  His first game was the next night, "I really like the area. It's got a cool vibe." Canucks players segregated themselves - the married players sought the comforts of the suburbs while the single guys stayed close to the active nightlife by the arena.
"What can I get you, Petey?" Lauren asked the Swede. After he gave his simple order, she turned to Tito, "and you?"
Tito rattled off his order, "Unsweet iced coffee with an extra shot with skim milk, 2 pumps of sugar free vanilla syrup, 2 Splenda and light caramel drizzle."
Lauren looked up in disbelief. What were the odds that TWO people would have that same, very specific coffee order? "Can you repeat that?" she asked. Just then the other barista that made the coffees called, "Order for Rocky." 
Tito shook his head in disbelief. Surely he had misheard. They hadn't said Rocky and if they did, it couldn't be HIS Rocky. He turned to see the petite pixie walking toward the door. Her hair was now a pastel pink but there was no mistaking that it was indeed HIS Rocky. He immediately chastised himself, "You have no claim on her, especially with the way she had left." Undeterred, he started weaving his way through the crowded shop while his mind raced. She was here in Vancouver. He was here in Vancouver. His path was blocked at every step. He stopped and yelled "Raquelle!"
She stopped and turned. It sounded like Tito but it made no sense. Why would he be in Vancouver? "No," she told herself as searched the sea of faces unsuccessfully, "You're imagining things." She turned back around and headed down the crowded street. 
Tito felt the air leave his lungs when she turned at the sound of his voice. She was here. It felt like a dream so he gave chase. Petersson  called after him, "Beau!!" The call landed on deaf ears as Tito made it out to the street.
Fifteen minutes later, a dejected Tito entered the coffee shop. He found Petey sitting at a small table with a bemused smile on his face. "Where did you take off to?" The platinum blonde asked as he handed Tito his coffee.  
"A girl," Tito spoke breathlessly,  "A girl I knew from Long Island."
"Let me guess. Her name is Rocky?" The Swede said although he had pieced together some info.
Tito took the coffee and sat down, “Yeah. I can’t believe she is here. What are the odds that we would be here at the same time?” 
“So this girl- is she an ex or something?” Petersson.
Tito paused before answering, “It’s complicated.”
Petersson raised a single eyebrow, “Men and women are not that complicated unless you make it complicated.”
“She’s the one that got away,” Tito sighed.
“So go after her,” the Swede replied. 
“You saw me try. She vanished. I searched, but if I didn’t know better, I would think she was a figment of my imagination. 
Now that the rush had subsided, Lauren walked through the shop- straightening tables and greeting customers. “Who is a figment of your imagination?” the beautiful brunette asked with a smile. 
Petersson answered, “The elusive Rocky who apparently is the owner of Beau’s heart.”
“You know Rocky?” she replied in her delightful accent, “it makes sense now.”
“Wait, what makes sense?” Tito questioned. 
“It makes sense you know each other. You have the same coffee order,” Lauren pondered, “You are the only two people with that order.”
“You KNOW Rocky?” Tito practically jumped out of his seat, “So she is a regular here? She LIVES here in Vancouver?”
“She moved here a few months back. She’s been a regular since starting at the tattoo shop- Pink Ink,” she answered, “She did my wolf.” She held out her arm for Tito to examine. 
Tumblr media
Tito looked down and studied the tattoo. It was Rocky’s work all right. There was no mistaking her technique. He could tell immediately it was her design and work.  He head spun with this newfound information. Electricity ran through his body. Rocky- his Raquelle- was here. She was so close he could feel her pull him to her like a magnet pulling a piece of metal.
 Lauren studied him quietly but the realization hit her. “Wait a minute! You’re the guy from that video. The hockey one with the penalty box. Bloody hell, that’s you?….. And she’s the gal, right?” she exclaimed.  Tito smiled and nodded his head yes. 
“But that doesn’t mean anything now,” Tito said, suddenly filled with apprehension. They hadn’t ended on good terms. Well, more specifically he had acted like an idiot. What if she had moved on already? What if she had sworn off men altogether? Did he still have a chance?
When Tito looked up, she saw the questions in his eyes. “She said she had unfinished business in Long Island with a guy. I didn’t recognize her with the new hair. By the looks of it, her unfinished business must be you.” Tito’s jaw dropped when she continued, “Don’t just stand there. This is True Love. You think this happens every day?”
“Princess Bride!” Petersson exclaimed- proud that he caught the pop culture reference. Tito glared at him. “What? I am a man of many layers,” the Swede continued. 
“Where is that shop?” Tito interrupted as he stood up and started walking towards the door. “What’s the name of it?” He heard her answer, Pink Ink, and Googled as he walked. He smiled when he realized how close the shop was and hit the call button on his phone. 
Rocky puttered around her station, getting ready for the day. She overheard Emily, the receptionist, answer the phone. “Pink Ink where we specialize in sarcasm, good tattoos and fighting the patriarchy. How can I help you?”
“Hi….uhhhh,” Tito stammered, “I’d like to get a tattoo. I have heard good things about a Rocky?” 
“Oh yeah, Rocky? She’s one of the best,” Emily answered, “When did you want to come in??” Rocky stopped in her tracks to listen to the conversation. 
“Now?” Tito hesitated. 
“Sure, I’ll let her know that she has someone coming in,” the receptionist responded. “Can I get a name? Okay, great- see you soon.” Emily got up and walked to Rocky’s room. “Hey you have basically a last minute tattoo.” Rocky nodded her head in understanding as she finished lighting her candles and started her playlist. “Yeah, some guy named Beauregard,” Emily called as she headed back to the front. 
Rocky spun around and walked out to the hallway, “I’m sorry. What did you say the name was….” Her head turned as the front door chimed and the door opened. “Did you say Beauregard?” Rocky questioned. Tito walked in and Rocky’s jaw dropped. 
“Raquelle!” he exclaimed as he walked in, “Fancy meeting you here.” 
Rocky stood frozen in disbelief. She willed her mouth to say something. She willed her body to move. “Do something!” her mind screamed, “Do something.” She watched him walk towards in what felt like slow motion. Suddenly the message hit the message center of the neurons that controlled her body and her body launched into motion. She sprinted to him and threw herself into his waiting arms. 
“Beauregard,” she cried out, “What are you doing here?”’ Her brain raced for answers. “Do you have a game here? How did you find me?” she quizzed, “I don’t care. I don’t care. You’re here.”
“Well, you did say you hope my life leads me back to your door. So here I am,” he laughed as he swung her around. When he stopped to keep from getting dizzy, they stared at each other. Breathless, they stayed glued to each other- their lips nearly touching. 
Rocky’s eyes scanned his face. His bright blue eyes sparkled as she searched for any clue as to his thoughts or feelings. Internally, she questioned “What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if he is just glad to see his friend?” The doubtful thought was immediately met with the equally loud thought, “Take the chance, Rocky- take the chance.” She brought lips to his lips in a tentative kiss. The electricity jolted through their bodies and together, they deepened the kiss. 
“Mon Amour,” he moaned, “Raquelle, mon amour.” They kissed in the hallway, oblivious to their surroundings. 
Finally, Rocky broke the kiss and he set her down gently. She took his hand to guide him to her room. When they stepped inside, she turned to him and asked, “Wait, did you say Mon Amour?”
“Yes, I did,” he pulled her to him, “Rocky, I love you. I have loved you from the moment you shot me down and told me that you saw a whole world hidden behind my eyes.”
“But I live here now, Beauregard,” she protested. 
“So do I,” he kissed her, “So do I.”
“Wait, what?” she questioned, “You live here? In Vancouver?”
“Oui, I was traded earlier this week. Life literally brought me to your door, or coffee shop, to be exact.” he answered. When she looked confused, he told her the story about their almost meeting at the coffee shop. 
It was Rocky’s turn to kiss him, “Remind me that I owe Lauren that sleeve.”
“I owe her everything,” he smiled.
“Did you really want a tattoo or was that a ploy?” she smiled as she studied his face. 
“I definitely want a tattoo,” he laughed. 
“Oh?” she took a step back. 
He pulled up his shirt and pointed to his chest. “I am thinking of getting Raquelle right above my heart in a fancy script. Think you can do that?”
“I mean it’s the kiss of death for relationships. How long have you been with this Raquelle?” she mocked. 
“For about sixty seconds, but I have a good feeling about her,” he teased. 
“Maybe you should at least wait until after your first date,” she poked his chest before inhaling sharply as she caught sight of his abs. 
“That’s a good idea. I have an idea for the perfect first date,” he quipped as they fell into the easy rhythm of their banter. 
“What’s that?” she quipped back. 
“Have you ever heard of Taylor Swift?” he laughed, “She has a concert this summer near here. You might like her.”
Rocky laughed, “You are going to make me wait until July for our first date? So rude.”
“Fine,” he kissed her before he continued, “How about hockey? I know a guy who can get you into the Canucks game tonight.”
“Perfect first date,” she returned his kiss. Suddenly the words of JD rang in her head- Don’t jump from one man to another. Rocky pushed off of his chest and took several steps back. 
“Raquelle?” he questioned, “Did something happen?”
Rocky studied him for a moment, trying to verbalize her thoughts. "Beauregard, I like my life. I have a good job. I have good friends. I worked hard to create a life that makes me happy, and I am absolutely not changing it to fit into yours no matter how much I adore you."
"Raquelle, I don't want you to change anything for me. You're perfect exactly the way you are. Don't change a thing."
"I mean it Beau. I am not giving up my passion for you,"  she says as he inched toward her.
"I would be disappointed if you did," he said and took another step.
"You're really here in Vancouver?" she said, “Like for real?”
"Yes, I am," he said. 
“And you want to be with me?” she asked quietly.
“Yes, I do. I want it more than anything I have ever wanted before,” he continued. He placed his hand on her cheek as she smiled, "It looks like all along there was some invisible string tying you to me."
"You think quoting her majesty Queen Taylor will help your case?" she whispered as he stood inches from her mouth.
"I would call on the hockey gods if I thought it would help me," he smiled.
"Shut up and kiss me," she started to quip back. 
"Yes, Raquelle, yes Mon Amour" he cooed before he kissed her.
43 notes · View notes
toxinoire · 1 year
Text
(Song 1: Seventeen {Because they are seventeen year olds so this makes sense somehow}) (I know some don't rhyme but I'm not really the absolute best at rhyming)
Poisoned
Mistreated
Abused
Manipulated
Mistreated
Bullied
And on this night we are...LIVE
Listen up let me tell you a story!
A story that you think you've heard before.
We know you know our names and our fame and our faces
Know all about the glories and the disgraces.
I'm done cause all this time, we're labeled by the heiarchies in this stupid rhyme!
So I picked up a pen and a microphone.
Westernburg's about to be overthrown!
Poisoned
Mistreated
Abused
Manipulated
Mistreated
Bullied
And just for you tonight! We're Dead, Mistreated, LIVE!
Welcome to the show, to the High School remix
Switching up the flow as we add the prefix
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
Raising up the roof til' we hit the ceiling
Get ready for the truth that we'll be revealing
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
But now we're
Seventeen
All you ever hear and read about
Is our school and the way it went down.
But this society fails on a lot of stuff
You're gonna find out what happened before I took the crown.
Tonight we're gonna do ourselves justice, cause we're taking you to court!
Every single rose has its thorns and you're gonna hear 'em live in consort.
Poisoned
Mistreated
Abused
Manipulated
Mistreated
Bullied
And just for you tonight! We're Dead, Mistreated, LIVE!
Welcome to the show, to the High School remix
Switching up the flow as we add the prefix
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
Dancing to the beat til' the break of day once
We're done we'll start again like it's the Renaissance
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
But now we're
Seventeen~
*spoken* Remember us from that Movie and Musical?
*sung* (Poisoned)
My name's the almighty Heather Chandler
Had the school's crown for years
I'm Westernburg's very own royalty
My loyalty is to my reputation
So if you try to defy me
You won't try that again
(Mistreated)
I'm that Duke girl and I'm up next
See I took over Westernburg
Yeah I'm that amazing
Why did I lose the crown then?
A crowd's preference for ruler
Always wins in the end.
(Abused)
Jason Dean the one who could've fixed it all
(No-)
When I tried to blow up the school
I was stopped
So I blew myself up in it's steps
Stick around and you'll see how it gets
(Manipulated)
Je suis Veronica Sawyer
(Aye!)
When he saw how I viewed school he was like
(AYE!)
But I didn't agree to his plan of death
Funny how it ended up with him blowing off his own h-
ALRIGHT so I'm the Heather who almost killed herself
(Mistreated)
Because of being naive in a school that glorifies bad mental health
Lock up your cabinets
And have your cheers done
McNamara is here and the fun's begun!
(Bullied)
5 down I'm the good girl type
I'm the kind of person they'd target and tried to ruin my life
Martha Dunnstock, who stayed alive despite the scars
I bet you wanna know how I got this far
I said I bet you wanna know how we got this far
HEY!
Do you wanna know how we got this far?
Then-
Welcome to the show, to the High School remix
Switching up the flow as we add the prefix
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
Get your hands up
Get this party buzzin
You want a monarchy
Well there's half a dozen
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
Yeah~
But now we're
Seventeen
Let's
Just
Go
And
Be
Seventeen!
McNamara: Okay so how's everyone tonight?
Crowd: Whoo!
Veronica: WE SAID HOW IS EVERYONE TONIGHT?!
Crowd: WHOOOOO!
JD: We are...
All: Seventeen~
Duke: Welcome to our live tour with dead people and people who almost died.
Chandler: We've got riffs to ruffle your ruffs.
Martha: Shimmys to shake up your chemise.
McNamara: And a whole lotta teen angst drama.
Veronica: More like teen angst bullshit.
(They laugh)
Chandler: So obviously, you know who we are.
McNamara: BUT GIVE IT UP TO THE BAND PLAYING THE MUSIC!
Duke: We got republicanette on the guitar!
(Republicanette does a solo)
Veronica: Betty Finn on the bass!
(Betty does a solo)
JD: And killing it on the keys we have Hipster Dork!
(Hipster Dork does solo)
Chandler: And with beats so sick they'll give you gout, it's New Wave Party Girl on the drums!
(New Wave Party Girl does a solo)
Veronica: So you came here to party with us tonight.
Martha: No alcohol, please.
JD: But we're not here to have fun.
McNamara: Yeah, we've got a score to settle.
Martha: The only real reason people even gave a care about us was the reputation of our school.
Duke: So we came here tonight to step back into the spotlight.
Chandler: But the problem is there's six of us-
All: Seventeen
Chandler: Year olds.
McNamara: And we know you have your favorites.
JD: Everyone wants to know who's the most important victim.
Martha: We've heard it all...
Veronica:Who lasted the longest was the strongest.
Chandler:The biggest sinner is obvs the winner.
JD: Who had the gun is number one
McNamara: Who was most chased shall be first placed
Duke: Most inglorious is victorious
Martha: The winning contestant was the least protest-ant
(They all looked at Martha)
Protestant!
Chandler: But we came here tonight to answer your questions once and for all
Duke: And tell you whatcha want, whatcha really really want...to know
JD: That's right, we're gonna help you figure out which one of us is-
Veronica: The real sheriff in town
McNamara: The rose among the thorns.
Martha: The person that should probably get an appointment with a therapist.
Veronica: Martha-...true.
Martha: But how the heck are they going to choose the winner?
Duke: Hold up! If this is going to be a fair competition, they're gonna have to judge us on the one thing we all have common.
JD: The one to take the crown should be the one who had the biggest
(A beat)
McNamara: The firmest
(A beat)
Chandler: The fullest
(A beat)
Veronica: Load of BS to deal with the school that gave us inhumane societal expectations.
McNamara: So, we're going to hold a little contest for you.
Martha: And the rules are simple:
JD: The one who was dealt the worst hand
Chandler: The one who had the most hardships to withstand
Veronica: The one who everything didn't really go as planned
All: Shall be the one to lead the band!
Chandler: So, what do you think? Are you ready to choose your ruler?
Crowd: Yeah!
McNamara: We said, ARE YOU READY!
Crowd: YEAH!
Welcome to the show
To the coronation
Who will take the crown
Be the pop sensation
Everybody knows that we used to be teens in a heiarchy
Seventeen year old teens
Seventeen year old teens
Seventeen year old teens!
(@horror-lady00 Whatcha think?)
74 notes · View notes
how-very-salty · 5 days
Note
What's your hedcanons for ChanDean as BROTP?
I don't have such a headcanons ヽ(ˇヘˇ)ノ In my AUs so far, they're either strangers, enemies, or Chandler's dead
I rather like the concept (on behalf of JD):
We are equally willing to do anything to get what we want, and we are equally contemptuous of human life. In another world and under different circumstances, well, maybe we can be friends. But we disagree on two important things: You care about your influence, and I care about my own, twisted and ugly, justice. You want to play Ronnie like a puppet, and I'd trade my life for hers in a heartbeat. That's why we can't be friends, and that's why you have to die.
14 notes · View notes
mirkwoodshewolf · 1 year
Note
You know how angels typically do the two-fingers-on-the-forehead thing when they heal people? What if Jack Klines favorite way to heal the reader was through kisses? Forehead, lips, cheek, shoulder, wherever. . Thought it was a cute concept that you could do some justice
Okay so I see this more as a Headcannon just cause I can add some more details and go completely crazy with spit balling out ideas than trying to make it flow as a straight up oneshot or even drabble so let's get started!!!
Taglist:
@plethora-of-things
@waddles03
@psychosupernatural
@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels
@queen-paladin
@gay-and-ready-to-cry
Tumblr media
So as said above, angels can heal with just a simple touch of their fingers as we've seen Cas do it so many times.
So let's take it up a notch with our beloved nephelim Jack Kline.
Yes while he too can do the angel's healing touch, for his beloved partner (we'll go GN with this HC), he likes a more--personal way of healing.
And that's with sweet, adorable, and loving KISSES!!!! MUAW MUAW MUAW MUAW MUAW (idk if that's how you spell kissing sounds lol but anyways)
The way I see it is before you two became a couple, he did do the healing touch with his fingers.
But once the feelings were shown and you both started to accept your love for one another, Jack pondered something.
And low and behold he gets to test this little theory out when you're doing research and you get a paper cut on your finger.
When he hears you hiss in pain, he takes your hand and observes the small bit of blood trickling out of the scratch.
"I want to test something" he says to you.
"And what's that?" you question.
He doesn't speak a word, only just bringing your injured finger to his lips and he presses a gentle kiss to your wound.
Almost instantly, a small tingling sensation comes at your finger. It's not like the normal way an angel's healing touch felt.
When an angel touches you to heal you, you just feel like an instant weight has been lifted off of you. Your broken bones suddenly feel normal again, scars disappear and even bruises fade and disappear.
But this time, through his kiss. There's this tingling sensation. Like when your foot falls asleep but not as intense, it kinda tickles if you're being honest.
Then the scratch is gone and the stinging pain is no more, the only thing left behind is that tingling sensation before that too fades away.
"Did it work?" he asks with a cute puppy head tilt.
You look at him in amazement, eyes widened with awe.
"How long have you been able to do that?"
From then on, any injury you had, Jack's method of healing was like the actual way you wish your parent's kisses could be.
Accidentally cut yourself while cooking food for the guys, Jack was there to kiss your palm after wiping away the blood.
Headaches from lack of sleep or caffeine overload after burning the candle at both ends with research?
You can bet Jack is there, cupping your head between his hands and giving kiss after kiss till your headache goes away.
"This is so much better than Tylenol." you praise which makes Jack laugh.
"Happy to help heal my sweetheart." he says with that adorable smile.
Now healing on the hunts, those can be a bit rough.
Like this one time you and the guys came back from a witch hunt.
Boy did that witch treat you like a ragdoll. No better yet it was like you were Loki and she was the Hulk flinging you around across every part of the room to where it felt like every bone on your body was broken.
Fortunately that wasn't the case but it sure as hell felt it.
Twisted ankle, dislocated shoulder, two at least three broken ribs and a broken nose.
Jack was beside himself. But he stayed with you and used his healing kisses to help you.
You worried however if he drained himself of his energy because this was unlike any of the other minor injuries he's healed before like this.
So day by day, you got a kiss a day depending on the severity of the wounds.
For the broken nose and twisted ankle, they were healed within the same day.
But for the other wounds like the ribs and knees, he had to keep the connection longer by kissing your lips so that his magic could do it's job properly.
And even then, it would also drain your energy by making your body tired from the tingling sensation.
Still, Jack didn't want you to suffer in pain, so he would stay by your side and tend to what you needed while you rested up in the bed. Even giving you normal kisses (honestly you can't even pick which kisses you loved the best).
Of course there's also the times when you don't need them but ask for them anyway.
Especially during the cold winters, in Kansas, with winds up to 20+mph in like 20 degree weather.
Lips getting chapped and cold, whose to say Jack can't warm them up with a healing touch.
"Hey Jackie-bear, I think the cold winds busted my lips up, they might need some tending to and Dean never returned my chap stick. Do you think you can....."
Now Jack maybe 3 years old, but he's no fool.
He knows when you really need those healing kisses and when you don't.
But you're just so cute, there's times he just can't resist it.
"You know, if you want to kiss me. All you had to do was ask."
"Where's the fun in that?" you flirted back.
Nonetheless, he still gives you a healing kiss on the lips.
Now that spot, that spot right there is where the real fireworks happen.
Ever since he healed your ribs after that witch hunt, the healing kisses on your lips really make your kisses see fireworks (literally and figuratively).
You'd take any chance you could to get a healing kiss to come from the lips.
Whether or not Jack ever caught onto that, that you'd never know but still he happily obliges and you couldn't be happier.
Needless to say, Jack Kline is a precious boi who loves to heal his partner in any shape or form.
And he's really glad he got to heal you in a way that's more special than just an angel's touch.
An Angel's Kiss, now that--that is something truly special. And only you have gotten the pleasure of experiencing it.
And you will always be grateful.
280 notes · View notes
its-to-the-death · 4 months
Note
Bracket B thoughts:
"Yodel-Aadle-Eedle-Idle-Oo" is better than I expected from the movie's reputation, but I really only have so much tolerance for yodeling. Also the lines "You'll suffer till the end of time / Enduring tortures, most of which rhyme" from "Robot Hell" are hilarious.
...It's fucking "In the Hall of the Mountain King." I don't need to explain that one.
"Kidnap the Sandy Claws" isn't as bad as I remembered it being, but the verses that don't rhyme really irk me for some reason, and Lock+Shock+Barrel's singing is just...not great. So I'll give this one to "Big Shot."
"Wait for It," I will begrudgingly admit, is a good song. It's not the best villain song in that matchup, though. It's not even Burr's best villain song (that would be "The Room Where It Happens"). "Want You Gone" still very clearly has GLaDOS' trademark condescension, snark, and vitriol towards Chell, but it's also mixed with her complicated need for her to be around that adds a lot of emotional nuance to her insulting goodbye. Does she really want Chell gone because she's a pain in the ass, or because she knows keeping her in Aperture will hurt her? Does she want Chell to stay to keep testing her, or because she's her only friend? Honestly, probably some of both columns. GLaDOS has very good villain songs.
"Magic Dance" just feels like an excuse to have David Bowie do David Bowie things while singing a David Bowie song alongside minions whose singing...really sucks. "Meant to Be Yours" is a really intense encapsulation of JD's character, swinging from slow, emotional expressions of love to fast-paced, aggressive vows of violence.
"Great at Crime" is just a fucking bop, IDK. It's very catchy and goofy (in an intentional way).
Both "The Mob Song" and "Biggering" are very good, honestly. Personal preference for me.
Have you heard that guitar in "E.G.G.M.A.N"?! That shit SLAPS. It makes the phrase "I am the Eggman" sound cool.
"Look Away" is...really just not a Villain Song. Doesn't focus on Olaf enough. "There Ain't Nothin But Bad Days Ahead" is not exactly what I'd call good, but it's more fitting for this tournament.
...fuck IDK, I voted for "Who Will Know" because it seemed underappreciated, but I get why "Nothing Left to Lose" is winning. That one is really good. Maybe I should have gone for that instead.
All of the IEYTD theme songs kick ass and "Cog in the Machine" is no exception. Those vocals are powerful and emotional and very good.
"Love Doesn't Stand A Chance" confuses me because it has Regina calling Snow White a "bitch," but also can't show her doing any villainy more intense than childish mayhem like ripping a grandma's knitting and pushing a dwarf over. The tone is very confused. Also, Jeremy Jordan sings the English version of "Hurricane" and I'm a sucker for him belting about justice.
"Les Poissons" is...fine. But "Hero" and the scene it accompanies are some of the few things I actually like about RWBY, which says a lot about how good that song is.
"Heffalumps and Woozles" is not about actual villains but mere products of Pooh's imagination, so I am disqualifying it in my books on the same grounds as "Look Away." Also, "The Hounds" is pretty damn good.
I really appreciate the sheer drama of Raphael singing his own damn boss theme, and I honestly could not give a shit about that rich white girl.
I always like a good Weird Al, and "Let The Pun Fit the Crime" is very good, but "The Pitiful Children" had already seared itself in my brain as one of my favorite villain songs.
I’m right there with in Great at Crime. Epithet Erased songs are just so good lyrically.
8 notes · View notes