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#kayla has some things to say? everyone is very shocked
guns-n-jovi · 2 years
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So, hi)
Sorry I’m following you only now, I knew that Shells, Nandana and Kayla have friend who love GnR and Bon Jovi, I start to rarely meet people here who love Bon Jovi too, so finding your account was like shocking to me, bcs all Bon Jovi accounts with a lot stuff are deactivated or just not used, so seeing that you love Bon Jovi is really matter to me)
But I didn’t followed you bcs, well, I used to be a GnR fan before but I stopped being, because I kinda got tired of their music, I’m more into Bon Jovi, and sorry again for not following
If you wanna, we can be friends) I’m Kate)
Also, I like name Hannah, it’s really sweet) I love a song by Girl In Red - I wanna be your girlfriend and it’s song about girl Hannah)
Hi, Kate! Nice to meet you! First off, thank you for following me! I always appreciate new followers, of course 🧡 So glad to meet you and hope you enjoy my blog!
I try to post as much Bon Jovi as I do GnR. Truth be told, I like Bon Jovi more out of those two. However, GnR is my newest obsession, if that makes sense, so it’s all new to me and I’m just fangirling like CRAZY you know 😂 I will definitely post more Bon Jovi because 1) I need to and 2) you’re following me now. I don’t care one bit to do that for you :)
I understand that about finding blogs about Bon Jovi. I feel like pretty much everyone like us is having this problem. What with they’re being so many new and popular obsessions, us 80s band fans are struggling for content! 😂 Thankfully, I have found an amazing little group on here of lovely friends like Kayla, Shells and Nandana, and fangirling with them over our fav bands and music has brought me so much joy. (I love you girlies as well as all my mutuals/followers- just wanted to say that 🧡)
It’s totally alright if you’re not into GnR. Don’t feel bad about it, everyone has their own things! I love them, but I can completely understand how some people could get tired of them. I listen to them for hours on end some days when I have nothing else to do, and I’ll admit by the end of those said days I just need a break from them 😅. (Until the next day like that, when I do it all again ahskhsjskks).
You do not need to feel bad about just now following me! I appreciate new followers any time and if it took years, I wouldn’t mind 😂. Please don’t feel bad about it! I am glad you decided to, however! Bon Jovi is my favorite band too and I can already tell we’re going to have lots of fun fangirling over them together 😂
You said we could be friends if I wanted to, and I would absolutely LOVE to be your friend! Any time you want please message me, leave me asks, or just like/reblog my stuff! I love making friends with people who share my interests, it’s a great way to bond! So, yes- I would be very honored to be one of your tumblr friends :)
I will listen to that song and give you my thoughts on it! I’m honestly glad you thought of that and not Hannah Montana 🙄 My friend legit ran up to me last week and pretended to be filming with her phone, and she said, “OMG it’s Hannah Montana, like, OMG, can you say my name?!?!?” 🙄😂. I will listen to that song soon and let you know what I thought about it! I love being recommended new songs, then giving commentary to the people who recommended them.
Thank you for sending me this! I love talking to new people so much 💛 Have a good rest of your day, Kate! (And here’s this beautiful picture of Jon I found yesterday 💞)
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He’s so perfect ✨💛🔥
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claudiadonovan · 6 years
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Hi, so I just watched Professor Marston and the Wonder Women and it was fucking perfect and it's become one of my favorite movies ever. I just don't understand why no one is talking about it or why it isn't winning awards?????? Anyways please use this ask to talk about your love for the movie because I really want someone to share my excitement and love for this movie
HI YES HELLO. “use this ask to talk about your love for the movie” YOU ARE EXTREMELY KIND, FRIEND, I WILL DO EXACTLY THAT. GOD KNOWS I AM INCAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING ELSE. ALSO, I AM VERY EXCITED FOR YOU.
first of all: hopefully now that there are torrents, people will begin waking up. (i’m so excited there are gifs! i’ve waited for this moment ALL OF MY LIFE. “kayla you’ve only known about the movie since a month or two before it’s release date in october of last year–” ALL MY DAMN LIFE.) second of all: the lack of acknowledgement/awards is a DISGRACE, owed at least in part to the fact that annapurna really just dropped it in terms of award consideration. but also, i will be offended about it for the entire rest of my life. (luckily, i am too overwhelmingly delighted about this movie’s existence to let this DISGUST consume me. yk.)
surprise: there is rambling ahead!
first, let me just say this: i just finished reading the secret history of wonder women and, though i already definitely knew this, it hit me all over again how fucking absurdly, outrageously, improbably lucky we are to have been given angela’s cinematic interpretation. i truly believe that this movie in anyone else’s hands would have proved something else entirely – among those things, far more hetero and far less positive in terms of its depiction of polyamory. (and god even knows where the ideas about kink would have been taken.) because this movie could have been made A MILLION WAYS. yes, in real life, marston was probably an asshole much of the time. and in real life, it’s unlikely he gave elizabeth a real choice re: olive moving in with them. and, like, whatever, i’m not even getting into the question of romance re: e/o, because i can already hear christie appearing at my house and screaming THEY WERE LIKE SISTERS through my door lmao. (sure. yeah. definitely.) but the point is that that relationship could have been interpreted in a million (shittier) ways. anyway, all of those things being true, angela came into this movie with 8 years of research under her belt, a fascination with wonder woman and the marston-holloway-byrne family, and a vision of a goddamn love story. the new york times wasn’t kidding when they called this movie a trojan horse: what you end up with from this movie is three people falling in love, building a life together, and, incidentally, wonder woman. you also get a movie that centers elizabeth’s arc, regardless of what the title or framing device pretends. bill remains pretty steadfastly bill the entire movie as he appears in the first scene; elizabeth upends her entire life, and it’s that journey that sets the course for the whole damn movie. not to mention the fact that elizabeth/olive becomes basically the crux of the entire thing. WHO ELSE WOULD HAVE WRITTEN IT LIKE THIS? who else would have dedicated themselves to a nuanced polyam love story that crafted and centered delightful, three-dimension women above all else???
it’s also HILARIOUS. one of the great triumphs of this movie (imo) is the depiction of elizabeth, because she is written as SO MANY THINGS. she is allowed to BE so many things. not only in the sense that terror and fearlessness exist in her at once but also that you can have scenes like that first encounter with olive, where she’s pretty much an asshole, and you can have scenes like the one in the speakeasy, where she is lively and delighted and takes so much joy in the constant debate that her marriage comprises. she’s incredibly charismatic and she’s a disaster and she’s totally theatrical on the kind of scope that maybe only matches (if in a different way, i think) her husband. (and, of course, the same could be said of olive, in a lot of ways – that she fits Young Ingenue TM in a lot of the immediate, visible ways but is the bravest of all of them. the most unwilling to surrender her absolute conviction both in terms of what she wants and where she will go to achieve it. also, lbh, she is the fucking adult in that relationship.)
speaking of hilarious, as a sidenote because i’ve been laughing about it a lot recently: the longest elizabeth ever goes without saying anything in a conversational scene is that air show “double date” scene. pls if you haven’t already, compare that to the speakeasy date. it makes me laugh EVERY TIME. WHO IS BRANT, TRULY, AND WHY IS HE FOURTH WHEELING. let me tell you how much elizabeth DOESN’T CARE TO FIND OUT ANY OF THESE ANSWERS. second sidenote: the things rebecca is capable of doing with her face, both in larger moments and in much smaller, nuanced moments, whether she is or isn’t talking? art. (i could present to you the whole movie, but i will present, for your consideration, the “ask him questions” scene. both for her face and for the way that scene is framed, where it’s olive who’s trying to avoid hashing everything out but you really follow elizabeth’s journey re: the emotional ramifications of the prior scene across her face.)
anyway, given i could offer a rambling play-by-play of the whole movie if i keep going, i am hereby shutting up. i will conclude with: i can’t tell you how long it’s been since i’ve been THIS INVESTED IN CINEMA. I HARDLY EVEN WATCH MOVIES. THIS MOVIE HAS TURNED MY ENTIRE LIFE UPSIDE DOWN. now all i want in the world is the au where elizabeth gets to take over wonder woman after bill dies. 
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THIS MOVIE, AND THIS IS THE HILL I WILL DIE ON.
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summerbummin · 3 years
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Headcanons about Apollo and his former lovers from TOA
Naomi Solace 🎤
-Her and Apollo met when she was singing at a dive bar, he bought her a drink and they had a whirlwind summer fling
-They loved hitting up karaoke bars together and wowing everyone with their singing talent
-She really liked Apollo’s car and they’d did a lot of things in there (including conceiving Will lmao)
-One time when they were making out Naomi climbed into Apollo’s seat and her butt accidentally hit the steering wheel and HOOONK
-They jolted in surprise, then delved into hysterics, anything they had going on dying down as they laid their heads against each other’s shoulders and laughed so hard their ribs hurt, until Apollo suggested they used the back seat and things got going again lol
-Once Naomi said Jesus Christ in like response to smth, Apollo replied actually I’m Phoebus Apollo and Naomi was like what? And Apollo was like whaaaaat and Naomi just moved on bc she had other things to deal with lol
-Apollo ended up saying goodbye and leaving at the end of summer and a few weeks after he left Naomi realized she was pregnant and was like well shit
-She’s from the south and people there can be p judgmental about pregnancies outside of marriage, but Naomi never let them get her down, she actually met this great support group of women who helped her out and are still good friends even now
-Apollo eased her labor pains when she was giving birth to Will (and that’s why the kid has such good medical powers), but Apollo disguised himself as a nurse, not wanting to stress her out because the ex who she thought had no idea abt the baby was here, with her, holding her hand while she was gave birth
-Naomi brings Will up with love and kindness and she just wants the best for her sweet boy, but she gets concerned when Will talks about some weird things he saw at school and he gets pegged as the “weird kid” and is picked on by his classmates as a result
-Naomi would’ve fought those kids but Will told her it was fine, mama! His stuffed animals were his friends
-Will loved those stuffed animals and got really attached to them, so Naomi taught him how to sow them up when they started fraying and that’s the first thing that made Will want to be a doctor (when Will told his siblings this story they started calling him Doc McStuffins lol)
-Apollo didn’t tell Naomi he was a god and she didn’t find out until Apollo sent a satyr to bring Will to camp once he was old enough
-Realizing she had a fling with a greek god was a bit of a shock but Naomi dealt with it gracefully and gave Will the biggest hug before he left, making him promise to be safe and write to her as soon as he got to camp
-Naomi’s career as a country alt singer got a lot more successful after her whole thing with Apollo because he put a blessing on her, her voice was beautiful she just needed help getting noticed so Apollo nudged some influential people in the music industry towards her on his way out (he kinda felt bad about leaving so abruptly, even if it was just a fling, he tries to make it up to his ex-lovers with things like this)
-Naomi actually ends up writing a sad country love song about Apollo after he left, she titled it Suburn, not knowing how fitting the title is until years later, it becomes one of her most popular songs
-Naomi travels a lot for her career, touring around Texas and some nearby states, and that’s why Will stays at camp year round, but they write to each other frequently and love each other sm
-Naomi doesn’t date much since she’s always busy with her career and traveling, she’s just not ready to settle down yet, she’s happy living as a free spirit and a single mom with a wonderful son
-Naomi is 100% supportive of Will’s sexuality and loves Nico to bits (Nico is a little awkward around her at first bc he’s not used to affection lol)
-She tells Nico stories abt Will when he was a kid, whipping out photo albums and everything and Will is like mom s t a h p ur embarrassing me in front of my bf and Nico is reveling in how red his face gets
Latricia Lake 🎶
-she met Apollo when he was posing as a street performer for fun on the streets of the college town she worked in
-she put a tip in his guitar case and complimented his playing and his voice, Apollo was pleased by this and complimented her in turn, saying she must know her music which made Latricia laugh because she is a professor
-the two of them hit it off and start dating, spending hours talking about music
-being the god of music, Apollo could tell when people really loved music, feeling loved in return, and Latricia was one of those people
-being a college professor, Latricia was a bit older than Apollo’s usual lovers (she’s like in her mid to late 20s) and Apollo looks like 21, so he jokingly starts calling her a cougar just to tease her (when he’s so full of shit bc he’s over 3 thousand years older than her)
-Apollo attended some of her lectures, watching from the back of the room and her students were like ooh who’s that hot guy and she was like my bf and their jaws dropped bc daaamn ms lake way to go (Apollo found those reactions very amusing lol)
-There are many times when Latricia considers smacking that smug smirk off Apollo’s face, but she refrains and smacks his ass instead
-Apollo claims Latricia only loves him for his pancakes bc he made them for her the morning after their first time as a way to get her to keep him around lol (and it worked a little too well)
-When Latricia got pregnant Apollo told her who/what he really was and that was a bit too much for Latricia so they stopped dating but Apollo gave her the briefing about demigod children, powers, monsters, camp half blood, etc before he left
-One day when her sitter had to cancel on her she brought Austin to her class and all the college kids thought he was so cute that Latricia started bringing him around more often, Austin was just a baby but she could tell he loved the attention by the way he was gurgling lol (like father like son)
-Latricia is p busy since she’s a professor but she always makes time for her son and she has been teaching Austin about music since he was a kid, he grew up surrounded by it and that’s why he loves it sm (that and being a son of Apollo)
-On his 10th birthday there was a really nice new saxophone with a ribbon at the foot of his bed (a gift from Apollo) Austin always thought his mom bought it for him and Latricia just didn’t correct him
-Latricia sent Austin to camp half blood when he told her he saw a monster at school, he was only 11 but Latricia would rather be safe then sorry
-Latricia actually met someone while Austin was at his first year of camp, Austin was a little unsure around the guy at first but more out of awkwardness than anything the guy was lacking
-Austin and him bonded over “being boys” as Latricia put it (they blew up hot dogs in the microwave together) and the man soon had her son’s stamp of approval
-They ended up getting married the next year and Austin played the saxophone at their wedding
-Latricia was the first subscriber to his YouTube channel and showed all her coworkers and students her son’s videos, she’s a proud mama
Darren Knowles 🏹
-gay (obviously)
-he loves the outdoors and the crisp cold weather of Canada
-met Apollo when he saw him checking out the flier he had pinned up advertising his archery classes, Darren asked if he was gonna join and Apollo not so subtly checked Darren out over his sunglasses and was like well now I’m def joining
-Darren lowkey thought Apollo was a dumb American tourist at first and Apollo keeps telling him he’s not American and Darren is like uh huh
-Apollo is such a flirt during class and actually misses a few shots bc he too busy staring at Darren lol, but that does give the opportunity for Darren to come and “correct” his stance
-Darren is determined to be a professional with his students but he ends up caving because Apollo is just,, so cute
-Then when they start going on actual dates he finds out Apollo isn’t some dumb blond and is actually really intelligent and educated and Darren is like oh no my weakness, guys who are goofs but not dumb and also hot (Apollo be checking all of his boxes lol)
-Apollo told Darren he was a god while drunk off his ass one night and Darren didn’t believe a fucking word, Apollo just rolled with the drunken nonsense thing the next morning and didn’t tell Darren again (until Kayla)
-Darren lives alone but he’s always wanted a family, he was kicked out by his parents for being gay and he knows if he was a parent he would never treat his child like that, he’d love them unconditionally like his parents should’ve loved him
-Apollo magically created a child for Darren after the man confessed to him how much he wanted a kid of his own
-Darren was happy but like really confused because h... how? And Apollo is just like magic~ which explains fuck all
-Apollo tells him he has to leave now, he was having to leave soon anyway because of some trouble brewing back in America, but that he wanted to do this one last thing for Darren before he left
-he tells him to have take care raising the baby and to send her to cbh’s address when she starts attracting monsters, then poofs away, leaving Darren with a baby in his arms and wondering what the hell just happened
-Darren does raise Kayla with love and care just as he said he would, she grows up hiking through the woods with her dad and learning archery along with other wilderness skills (Artemis would really like her)
-Kayla has her aspirations for the Olympics pretty early on and Darren admires his daughter’s ambition, at first he thinks it’s just her being a kid but then later on as she keeps getting better and better he’s like damn she might actually be able to do it
-But then ofc monsters come and Darren drives her down to New York, lying through his teeth to the border guy who surprisingly lets him through without a problem (Apollo may have insured that but shhh)
-Darren sees her off at the barrier of Thalia’s pine tree and they say goodbye with a hug that lifts Kayla off her feet, there’s promises to write and reminders to practice her archery and take care of her bow and such before Kayla is escorted into camp by some other campers
-Darren managed to keep a hold of himself while saying goodbye but as soon as he’s back in the car he’s fucking bawling, all the way back to Canada because he’s gonna miss his little girl sm
-Darren has had some boyfriends but a lot of them end up jetting as soon as he tells them he has a kid ripp
-He does eventually land a good man and they’re going strong, even when Kayla, who was like 10 at the time, threatened to shoot him in the nads if he hurt her dad
-Darren and shows up to every archery match Kayla has in the future and promises to be there cheering for her with a big ass sign that says THATS MY DAUGHTER when she eventually reaches the Olympics
Bonus!
Georgina’s Mom 🎨
-She was an art student in community college
-She was on her own because her parents refused to support her “unrealistic” career choice
-She met Apollo at a party at some college dorm and they both got super smashed bc college parties be like that
-They had a one night stand that both of them mostly forgot about in favor of their hangovers the next morning
-until Hello!! You have a kid!
-She is most likely dead given that Georgina was led to the waystation by a ghost
-But Georgina has two new mommies now who love her very much (and an awkward dad)
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hockeyboysimagines · 3 years
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Say it to me softly
Chapter 9
Warnings: Language, this will also briefly touch on Nolan’s migraines. I won’t get in depth with but I have struggled off an on with them so I have some knowledge of how they work. Drinking/Alcohol. Bars, parties, sexual references. Pretty sure that’s it.
If you have not read Guess I always knew please do so. Haha there’s a few scenes in this chapter that won’t make sense otherwise.
Okay well this trade shocked me to be honest. It also has altered the end of Say it to me softly. There will be 1 more chapter after this one. Hopefully no other trades happen in the meantime and I don’t have to change anything else haha. I will miss Nolan as a Flyer but I hope he kills it this season and finds his way in Vegas. He’ll always be a Flyer to me💕
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It took a while but everyone healed. There was no more Kayla, or Sarah or anyone and Nolan and Sawyer had a long awkward discussion about any and all girls he had been involved with in Philadelphia. It hurt, and she had cried and needed breaks but it made her feel better to know she wouldn’t be blindsided again.
Libby and Nash both forgave Joel and Travis and after Kevin apologized for the thousandth time they forgave him too. Things had gone back to normal but with a new rule. No more outsiders at team gatherings.
The team was playing well, and all had seemed to go back to normal. Nash and Travis continued to go on dates, and did a lot of kissing but hadn’t sealed the deal yet. Nolan and Sawyer stayed in each other’s apartments mostly as the rather turned bitter cold. Libby and Joel went home for Christmas to Syracuse and had returned a few days prior just before they returned to playing after break.
The Flyers had played an afternoon game, and the group had gone their separate ways after a big win against the Devils. Travis was taking Nash on another date, Joel and Libby were going out to dinner and Nolan just needed to rest. It had been a particularly physical one and he had taken a big hit from behind. He had gotten his revenge eventually, but he was tired and just wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed.
He was sitting with his bare back to her front, in between her legs. She was leaned against the headboard gently running her fingers through his hair.
“It’s getting so long.” She murmured, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. He closed his eyes and groaned. It felt so good, he never wanted her to stop. He had a headache, something that he’d been having frequently lately and the feeling of her fingers running his head was more soothing than any headache pill he had tried this far.
“Hey.” He said suddenly “Do you remember that year I got drafted?”
“Of course. It was both the greatest and worst year I’ve ever had. Why do you ask?”
He chuckled. He had been thinking about it for a few days. Every year, about mid way through the season everyone was talking about prospects. The last few months in Winnipeg had been very confusing for the both of them, and more than once the line of their friendship had blurred.
“Do you remember that day I did the interview with Bo?”
She chuckled “How could I forget. I remember the day before too.” Nolan’s gaze darkened for a moment. He would never truly be over that.
“Don’t even go there. I should have beat that fucking guy up behind school that day.” His big hand slid up her bare leg, leaving a tail of goosebumps in its wake.
“No sense living in the past. But why are we talking about this?”
“Well. I was just thinking about that party we went to, that day I interviewed with Bo.”
She frowned and chewed on her lip “Party? Did we?”
Of course she didn’t remember, she was wasted. Nolan chuckled a little remembering the whole thing. It wasn’t funny then, but it was definitely funny now. For him anyways.
“Oh yeah! I remember…kind of. I remember going but I don’t remember leaving, and I think I was crying at some point?”
“Do you remember why?”
She shook her head and gave him a small smile, head turning to the side “Nolan what are you getting at?”
“Well. You were crying that night. Because you thought Kaylee Smith was going to take me away from you. And then I brought you home and…you kissed me.”
Her mouth fell open and she craned her neck around to look at him. He wasn’t kidding, she could tell just by looking at him. She remembered the beginning of the day, but she had no recollection of them kissing or doing anything else. And Nolan had been keeping this secret for a really long time.
“I did what?”
He was laughing, and smiling a real Nolan Patrick smile “I swear.”
“And your just telling me this now?” She felt her cheeks flush. She had very rarely drank in high school, but she did remember being agitated about Kaylee Smith, who she had never really liked in the first place.
“Yeah I came looking for you and you were in the kitchen, and gosh you were so drunk. And I guess Kaylee told you she was going home with me and when I got you home you started crying and then you kissed me.”
She was shocked. He had been holding this in for years, and here he was laughing about it.
“And then of course I kissed you the night before I left. I really wanted to do it in the airport, but there was too many people watching.”
“That was the worst day of my life.”
“What?When I left?”
“No that night you kissed me.”
Nolan whipped his head around to look at her, face angry. She burst out laughing, tears stinging her eyes. I’m one swift movement Nolan had turned, pushing her on to her back, his big long body completely enveloping hers.
“Take it back.”
“The day you left was the worst day. But that kiss was a nice way to end the summer.”
“I think I knew then, like for sure.” He said pushing her hair over her shoulder.
“Knew what?”
“That I was in love with you. Like I said a few weeks ago, I guess I really always knew, but that was the big moment for me.”
“I really thought you were going to ask me to move with you that night.” She said quietly. She ran her hands up his bare shoulders and threaded them through his hair.
“I thought about it. Would you have said yes?”
She chewed on her lip before she nodded, smiling softly “I would have followed you anywhere Nolan Patrick.”
He smiled and rested his head on her chest, listening to her heart beat until he eventually fell asleep.
*******
The coming weeks brought Nash’s birthday and the first team get together since the brawl in Shayne’s living room.
Travis had agonized for weeks over what to get her, and finally decided on a thin diamond bracelet that sparkles each time it moved. They opted for going out, finding a bar that looked the other way at the underage members, and was big enough to house the group. The guys had a signing during the day, leaving the girls to get ready in Sawyer’s apartment. Nash had just left the bathroom, towel on her head passing Sawyer who was showering next, and sat in a chair pulling her phone out. She waited until she heard the shower turn on and saw Sawyer toss her clothing in the laundry bin before she slowly stood out of her chair. She crept forward careful to miss the squeaky piece of wood by the bathroom door, and leaned inside the bathroom.
“Nash what are you wearing?” She called over the spray of the shower head “ It’s not really like a club scene but more of a party right?”
Nash jumped into the bathroom and yanked the curtain open snapping a series of photos before letting out a loud cackle and bolting from the bathroom.
Sawyer gasped turning in shock “ NASH!”
Nash launched herself on Sawyers bed still cackling just as Libby came in.
“Hey what are you- Ohmygod where did you get those pictures?!” She knelt down to look at the photos on Nash’s screen.
Sawyer came stomping in, hair half washed towel wrapped around her.
“What the hell? Did you take pictures of me?!”
Nash turned the screen and showed her that she now had them queued up in a message to Nolan.
“Nash don’t you dare-“
“Oops!” she sang as she hit send. Libby started laughing.
“What are you laughing at? Wait till you see what I send to Joel.”
*******
Nolan get his phone buzz in his pocket. They were doing an autograph signing in some sports store but his mind was elsewhere. He pulled it out while they waited for the signing to begin and saw it was a picture message from Nash. He assumed it was a photo of Travis doing something stupid so he opened it casually arm stretched out in front of him. He felt his cheeks burn and his pants tighten when he saw that it wasn’t Travis but Sawyer in the shower.
Damn you Nash.
“What are you looking at?” Travis asked leaning over to peer at the screen.
“Get!” He said swatting him away and quickly closing out the message “Nothing.”
Travis grinned cheekily “Pat are you blushing?”
********
Nash’s birthday celebration was in full swing by 8:45. Everyone had arrived and was at least 2-3 drinks deep, and the girls had already talked Kevin into dancing with them. Everything was fine until Nash and Sawyer excused themselves to head to the bar. They were standing, waiting for drinks when Travis saw them approach. They looked harmless enough, just a few dumb frat guys out at the bar but after the one in the red hat gave Nash a once over one too many times Travis could feel a stab of anger poke him in the chest. Nolan however was watching interestedly eyes moving between the girls and Travis.
“ What are we doing?” Carter asked bumping Nolan as he threw himself down next to him.
“ Waiting to see how long it takes before he loses it.”
Carter smiled, and soon Kevin too had joined in.
“ Hey trav.”
“ Bro.”
“ You suck at hockey.”
“ Wash your hair. And what’s up with that facial hair?”
“ Yeah yeah. Don’t you own a razor?”
Theirs went on for a few more seconds until he finally turned to them. In that spilt second red hat put his hand on Nash’s lower back and another one of the guys tried to slide an arm around Sawyer’s shoulders. Nolan’s smile faded, and he rose slowly from his chair but Travis was already crossing the floor.
Red hat was putting out his most successful pick up line he had when he stopped speaking and was looking somewhere over Nash’s shoulder. She knew Travis was behind her and she took a small step back till she bumped into him. He was unrecognizable, his features angry and he jerked his head motioning for Sawyer to stand behind him. He was frozen in between two of them, stuff as a board, feeling like she was 16 again behind school with Kyle Welch. Her eyes searched the crowd for Nolan but it was Carter who reached her first.
“ Do we have a problem?” Travis asked. Heat radiated off of him, and Nash tried to back him up but he didn’t move. Nolan was hanging back, seeing as he had no intentions of fighting until red hats friends advanced. He took a step forward and the presence of his large frame seemed to jar some sense into the group. Kevin was behind him, still smiling but apprehensively.
Red hat smiled” No man. No problems.”
He held up his hands and stepped backwards “ she wasn’t that hot anyways.” He spat as he turned away, but one of the guys tried to pull Sawyer along with him and Travis knew there was no way he could stop Nolan if he snapped. Thankfully in the spilt second Joel had appeared quite literally out of nowhere, Libby in tow and gently pulled Sawyer’s arm out of their grasp, placing himself and Carter between Nolan and the guys. Nolan was enraged, an angry red blush spreading across his face. The guys made a few lewd comments as they disappeared through the crowd and left their group. Nash gave Travis a shake and smiled.
“It’s over. Now come on. I wanna dance.”
The rest of the evening was perfect. Drinks flowed easily, laughter was heard all around and even Nolan was more smiling more than usual. The music was loud, pulsating through the bar, and the alcohol was buzzing through Sawyer’s veins. She was dancing with Nash, swinging her long hair around and winding Nolan up from where he sat with the guys.
She looked so good that he had tried to persuade her to stay in. He had begged her to change, there was no way he could look at her dressed like that and not touch her all evening. But she swatted him away and dragged him out the door, mumbles and all. He watched her move, long legs sheathed in high waisted dark jeans, a sliver of skin peeking out under the hem of her shirt. Her long hair kept sliding around her back and shoulders catching the lights.
As the song ended, the girls came giggling back into the he booth, whispering in each others ears. As she neared him she smiled and he patted his knee for her to sit on. She sat wrapping her arms around his neck, and pushing up against him , kissing him heavily. Slightly surprised, he froze momentarily but responded. She pulled away smiling mischievously, as he chased her mouth and tried to pull her back to him.
“Uh uh.” She tapped him lightly on the nose ”Save all that for later.”
“What happens later?” He gave her waist a gentle squeeze and waggled his eyebrows. She leaned forward, lips brushing against his ear as she whispered.
“ Anything you want. I promise.”
Nolan gave a shaky chuckle and downed the rest of his drink. She kissed his cheek and sipped her own drink with a giggle as Carter and Kevin teased Travis goodnaturedly about the almost fight from earlier.
By 1 am everyone was either drunk or significantly buzzed and Sawyer and Carter were sharing a slice of cheesecake. Carter was leaned forward, head resting on his arm eyes closed, opening his mouth only when Sawyer fed him a bite off her fork. Nolan smiled as he watched Carter chew, eyes still closed and sighed.
“Sawyer. Your the best, and I love you so much. Sorry Pat but it’s true.” She have a breathy laugh and patted his head, running her fingers through his hair.
“Mmmm do that again.”
Nolan shook his head and looked around for Travis but couldn’t fine him. Joel and Libby’s were seated to his left, and Kevin sat next to Sawyer on the other side of the table. Nolan frowned turning in his seat to sweep the other side of the room when it dawned on him that Travis wasn’t the only person missing, and he smiled.
“Have you seen Travis?” He asked Kevin small smile still on his face. Kevin frowned and glanced around. Libby smiled eyes closed and rested her head on Joel’s shoulder.
“No actually I haven’t. Maybe Nash knows where he is.”
“I would think she might, considering she’s also missing.” Everyone’s head shot up, including Carter’s and a chorus of excited whispers erupted from the rest of the group.
“Is that right? What do you suppose they’re doing?” Joel asked.
“Hopefully Travis is getting it in.”
“Kevin!”
********
“It’s a party IN THE USA!”
Libby and Sawyer were drunk, giggling and falling all over one another in the backseat, while Joel attempted to drive them home. Libby kept belting out drunken mumbles, and finishing it off with party in the USA.
“ Joel! Sing with me it’s Trav’s favorite song!”
“ Yeah Joel sing with us!”
He shook his head chuckling, when a foot came in between them.
“Nolan tie my shooooooe.”
He looked down at her foot and smiled “ Sawyer. Your shoes have no laces.”
The girls were quiet for a split second before they dissolved into a fit of laughter, several snorts coming from the back seat. When Joel pulled up to Sawyer’s apartment he put the car in park and assisted Nolan in helping her from the backseat. Libby crawled up into the front and hung out the window.
“ Goodnight!” She called cheerily waving to Sawyer who had her arms wrapped around Nolan’s midsection, a big smile cracking her face wide open, a drunk blush across her cheeks. “ Don’t do anything I would do. And that’s a looooong list.” Joel pulled at the collar of his shirt laughing uncomfortably and gave Nolan a wave as he pulled away from the curb.
“So about that promise you made me earlier.” He said as they walked up the stairs. She looked up at him, blush across her cheeks, smile wide.
“Take me inside and I’ll keep it.”
*********
Nash and Travis lay next to each other both breathing heavily. After a few moments he reached into the drawer next to his bed and pulled a long black box out of it.
“What’s that?” She asked propping herself up. He handed it to her.
“Happy Birthday.” She smiled as she took it and pulled it open.
“Travis.” She said breathlessly “It’s beautiful.”
“No.” He said shaking his head and reaching forward to push her hair out of her face “Your beautiful.”
********
They saw less of Nash and Travis in the following day, all recovering from her birthday. Nolan and Sawyer had ventured to the store for the first time in weeks to do some afternoon shopping. The store was mostly empty, allowing them to move through it without having to stop to talk to fans and take any pictures. Nolan had wandered to a different aisle looking for something, as Sawyer strolled down her own aisle checking something off the list.
“Sawyer? “
She stopped short, turning to find the source of the voice, which sounded oddly familiar. Her blood ran cold, and she felt her face heat up. Kyle Welch, the king of campus in high school, captain of the football team, and colossal douche was standing there looking at her somewhat surprised. He still had that stupid smirk on his face, and wore his hair the same way he had then. He smiled smugly at her before taking a step forward. She felt dirty all over again, a sense of Deja Vu fogging up her brain and bringing her back to high school when he tired to get her to come home with him.
“Wow. Been a long time eh? You look great.” She watched him give her an up and down appreciatively, nearly gagging.
“Uh yeah long time.”
Not long enough
“How you been? You live in Philly now? “
She sighed pursing her lips, doing her best to be polite. It was clear he wasn’t going away without talking so she played along “I’m okay. And yeah I do. How are-“
“You single? Seeing anyone? Let’s grab a drink somewhere.”
“Oh uhm I don’t know I’m really busy with work and stuff.”
“Is that why you moved here? Work?”
No actually I moved here with-“
“Me.” The deep voice came from behind them making them both jump. Nolan was approaching, large smile stretched across his face but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was all too familiar as he came to stop behind her. Nolan had been big in high school but he was even larger now. He towered over Kyle, who took a small step back.
“Nolan...Nolan Patrick?” He scanned up all 6”2 inches of Nolan who stared unblinking at him.
“ Wow you got bigger. Uh so you two?” He said gesturing between them” I always had a feeling.”
Sawyer bit back a laugh looking up at Nolan.
“Yeah. If you’ll excuse us.” Nolan gripped either side of the cart and steered her away, glowering at Kyle and leaving him standing there awkwardly. As they turned to corner to the next aisle Sawyer let loose the laugh she had been holding in.
“ I can’t take you anywhere!” He growled stepping around her. He looked mad and started plucking things off shelves and chucking them absently into the cart.
“Nols-“
“Who does that guy think he is?” He bristled, scowling “ Talking to you after the way he behaved?”
“Nolan I-“
“I hate that guy. You know what I should go kick his ass.”
“Nolan would you just-“
He stopped short and turned around sharply “That’s it I’m gonna-“
“Nolan!” She grabbed him around the middle “It shouldn’t matter what happened back then. I’m here now with you.”
He took a deep breath in and let it out through his nose.
“Come on.” He said rubbing his forehead “I have a headache. Let’s get out of here.”
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nashibirne · 3 years
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Where The Wild Roses Grow - An August Walker Story - 2
You can find part 1 on my masterlist
Pairing: August Walker x OFC (Fern)
Summary: Don't screw the crew? This doesn't work for August Walker
Warnings: Smut, Sex, 18+, NSFW, unprotected sex, oral sex (f and m receiving), kinda soft August
Unbeta'ed! English is not my mother tongue, so please be lenient with me
Disclaimer: I don't own August Walker (but he owns me...)
Pics for the header taken from Pinterest.
Taglist: (let me know if you want to be added or removed)
@lunedelorient @inlovewithhisblueeyes @willkatfanfromasia @hell1129-blog @mis-lil-red @agniavateira @kebabgirl67 @omgkatinka @legendarywizarddetective @summersong69 @taebfada @xxxkatxo @madbaddic7ed @artandotherdelights
~~~~
Fern
"Morning, Fern." August and Peter greet me in unison on this Thursday morning before they go straight to Pete's office where a potential client's already waiting for them. 
I've always hated my name. It's so old fashioned and boring, it's a name for an old spinster, not for a woman my age. I would use my second name if it wasn't even worse. Prudence. I mean, come on...you have to admit that's dreadful. But if you'd known my parents you wouldn't be surprised.
When I was born my mother was already 45 years old, my father even 49. After 20 years of trying in vain they'd given up on hoping for a child but then my mum got pregnant with me. They were very religious, god-fearing people and when they finally held me in their arms it was a miracle, a blessing, God's gift to them and they always treated me accordingly, like a precious treasure they had to hide from the bad world outside. They loved me dearly but this love was so overpowering it almost stifled me. I never went to school, my mum home-schooled me, which was okay, I didn't miss anything but then again, you can't miss something you don't know I guess.
I was a shy child and so in some way I was glad that I didn't have to interact with other kids. I only had one good friend. Her name was Kayla and she and her parents lived next door. Her family couldn't have been more different from mine, her dad was a dentist, mine was a carpenter, her mum was a teacher, mine was a housewife, she had three older brothers, I was an only child, their house was bright and modern, always open for everyone, ours was a dark victorian building, very cosy and beautifully furnished but with a forbidding appearance on the outside, so besides Kayla we hardly ever had any visitors and my parents liked it that way.
When I went to college it was really hard for them and one hell of a fright for me. I went through a culture shock and it was quite the ride but luckily I had Kayla by my side. She could have gone to better colleges but she decided we'd go to Virginia together to visit the William & Mary. We had a great time there and I had a lot to catch up on and that's what I did. Parties, alcohol, sex...it was a whole new world for me but thanks to Kayla I didn't get lost, she made me find a balance between celebrating and studying and I will always be grateful for her patience with me. She's still my best friend, my only friend actually and we're in close contact although she's a district attorney in Texas now and I'm in London.
But I don't want to bore you with my past. I guess you want to know more about my life here and now. Well, it's not that interesting either. As I said I hardly do anything more than work, eat and sleep but I've started to take piano lessons and I really like it. It goes better than I had expected, my teacher is a very friendly elderly woman called Mary. Boooo….still boring, you say? We'll there's something about those lessons that's not so boring. I...oh wait, there comes August. Gotta get back to work.
"We did it, Fern." A big, smug grin appears on his handsome face. "They signed the contract. We're gonna celebrate this, when Pete's back."
"Congratulations. That's a big deal."
"It is. A real big fish. If they recommend us in their line of business other deals are gonna follow, this could be our final break-through."
"Does this mean I get a salary rise?" I ask with a smirk.
"Sure. The three of us worked very hard for this. You will have your fair share. " 
"What?" I ask with a seductive smile. "Just like that? No negotiations?"
August pulls me close with a mischievous grin. "You want to negotiate, pretty?" He whispers in my ear, sliding his hands under my skirt.
"I'd love to. Where did Pete go and how long will he be gone?" I wrap my arms around his neck.
"I told him to get some champagne and oysters."
"I hate oysters." I pout.
"Forget the oysters, we have 20 minutes." 
He hooks his thumbs into the sides of my silken panties and pulls them down slowly so I can step out of them. He tries to lift me up but I wriggle out of his hands.
"Let me reward you for your success and earn my salary rise properly." I give him a sexy smile and drop to my knees. August raises his eyebrows and nods in approval.
"Yeah, use that pretty mouth of yours."
I open his fly and get out his half-hard dick. After a few strokes he's fully erect and his size and girth never seize to amaze me. August Walker has the most beautiful cock I've ever seen. Just looking at it makes me wet and my pussy throb. I start to lick the tip slowly, teasing him and I love the way he moans and grabs me by my hair to make me take him in my mouth. I obey and wrap my lips around his shaft, popping my head up and down. I suck him off like I know he loves it, taking him as deep as possible. His breath goes short now and he's gasping and panting, his head leaning against the wall, his eyes are closed. I know he's not gonna cum, he never comes first, always makes sure to satisfy me before he reaches his high and so I'm not surprised when he suddenly pulls out and gets on his knees too.
He kisses me, which is unusual but he seems to love to taste himself on my tongue. He makes me lay down on my back and then he fucks me missionary style. He doesn't do it often, he prefers doggy or railing me pressed against a wall but when he does it's fantastic. He fucks me deep and slow, rolling his hips in a smooth rhythm and I look him right in his ocean blue eyes. He hits my g-spot with every thrust and he makes me cum within minutes. After I'm done with my orgasm he sits back on his heels. "Now finish what you've started." He growls and I continue sucking him off eagerly. Now I'm the one who tastes herself on him. He grabs my hair, holds my head in place and mouthfucks me hard but not too deep. He respects my boundaries and I don't like deep throat, I tried it, but it's not my thing and he knows that. "Fuck...Fern…" He cries out my name when he comes in my mouth and I swallow every drop of his spunk, I even lick his dick clean and I know he loves the sight of me kneeling in front of him, my tongue running over his tip and shaft. He lets out a long sigh before he gets up and stuffs his dick back into his pants. With a grin he grabs my panties and throws them at me. I catch them laughing.
"You're really the best boss a woman can wish for." I give him a smirk and he chuckles. "You can stop buttering me up. You've already earned your reward."
"I'm not doing this for the money." I wiggle my eyebrows and wink at him before I go to the bathroom to freshen up.
August
Wow, this was one of the best fucks in a while. I love it when she sucks my dick. Seeing her mouth stuffed with my thick cock is such an enormous turn-on for me. She takes me so well, her lips feel so tight around my shaft and her kitten-like tongue teasing me is just the best. Only thing better is fucking her ass but that doesn't happen too often. It requires time that we usually don't have and she has to be in the right mood for a hot round of butt sex. Sorry if I sound like a sex maniac but to be honest there's not much more in my life besides fucking and working and a few hours of sleep at night. It's just Walker & Brooks SecTec and Fern. That's what my life circles around and it's good the way it is. Honest work and casual sex, a good combination if you ask me.
When Peter is back we have a glass of champagne and some oysters. Fern enjoys some sushi Pete bought for her because he somehow knew she hates oysters. We're all in a great mood and we decide that we finish work for the day and just have a good time and a nice chat before we go home.
I take another oyster and make a little show of lapping up the meat from the shell, using more tongue than necessary. I give Fern a lewd smile and she bites her lip in a way that makes my dick twitch. Pete just smirks, raises his glass and speaks a toast. "Here's to the future. May it be successful and may it make us fucking millionaires." He giggles quite girlish, he's already drunk after just three glasses. I guess he usually doesn't drink anything but energy drinks and coffee.
"Cheers." Fern beams all over her face and I repeat her words. "Cheers."
I glance at her. Her cheeks are rosy and her eyes sparkle, she looks so sexy right now I want her again. I know it's just been an hour that I filled her with my cum but I just can't stop thinking about eating her out. I place my hand on her thigh and start stroking it under the table. She doesn't react but I know she likes it. When I let my fingers wander higher she gets up with a jolt. "Excuse me. I'll be right back." She leaves the room and I manage to wait 60 seconds before I excuse myself too. Peter rolls his eyes, knowing exactly what I'm up to but he doesn't say a word. I go straight to the ladies room where Fern is washing her hands. She's surprised to see me and before she can say a word I crash my lips on hers, kissing her feverishly. I lift her up and put her down on the edge of the sink before I get down on my knees.
"August, what are you doing, Peter's waiting for us…"
"Forget Peter, I wanna lick your pussy."
And that's what I do, I pull her panties aside and run my tongue through her wet folds slowly before I start kissing, licking and sucking her clit.
Fern stifles an aroused moan and whispers my name softly.
"God, August...we shouldn't be doing this…"
"Want me to stop?" I look up at her with a devilish grin.
"God, no…"
And so I continue to eat her out, to enjoy her smell, the taste of her flowing juices, the sound of her moans and the little shriek when she comes for the second time today. She's shaking and my dick is throbbing in my pants. 
I get up and she looks at me with a fake-annoyed frown. "Boss, you're gonna be the death of me. Two times a day? Really?"
"It's the oysters." I grin. "They're known for being an aphrodisiac."
"What about you." She touches my boner that's visible in my pants.
"Don't worry. When I get home I'm gonna jerk off in the shower thinking of you. Of your sexy tits, your hot ass and your tight pussy."
She hits me on my arm. "You're such an idiot. Let's get back and try to pretend nothing's happened." She laughs light-heartedly and I love the sound of it.
"You go first. I follow in two minutes. Have to wait for my boner to soften."
Five minutes later we're back with Peter in the middle of a conversation about how well everything's going at the moment. Peter mentions that he's planning to buy a Porsche soon and Fern makes him promise to take her on a ride. 
"I'm gonna order it as soon as the money from the museum is on our account." He smiles in anticipation. We have updated their security system a week ago and are expecting the incoming payment every day.
"Oh, speaking of the museum. They send you those free tickets for the Caravaggio exhibition. You're not planning to go, are you?"
"No." Peter and me say in unison. We're both not very much into art. "Do you wanna go? You can have my ticket of course." I say to Fern with a generous look on my face.
"Yeah, thanks. Actually I need both tickets."
"Both? For you and who? A suitor?" Peter asks in a teasing tone, giving her a wink.
Fern blushes a little and I wonder what's going on, she never blushes.
"Well...yeah. Something like that. I'm going on a date on Saturday."
I can't believe my ears. Did she really say she has a date? Just like this? A fucking date? I try to pull myself together and not to show my surprise but I feel the tiny frown that appears between my raised eyebrows though the rest of my face remains blank.
"A date?" I try to sound as casual as possible.
"Yeah, you may have heard of it. Two people meet and go out together to get to know each other better." Fern chuckles.
"I know what a date is." I snap.
Fern rolls her eyes. "Fine."
Peter eventually asks the question that's running around on my mind but won't come out of my mouth. "And who's the lucky guy?"
"His name is Lucas."
"Where did you meet him?" I have my face and my voice under control again.
"Oh, he takes piano lessons too but with a different teacher. We met waiting for our lessons and so we got into conversation and last week he asked me out."
"Sounds good, take my ticket and have some fun with a decent lad." Pete says, giving me a quick glance. I know he doesn't think it's a good idea that I fuck Fern, he thinks I'm going to hurt her but I don't care. It's none of his business.
"Yeah. Enjoy your date." I nod but the mood's ruined and after another fifteen minutes we decide to call it a day and go home.
~~~~
tbc
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missmitchieg · 3 years
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Carrie Wilson Meets (And Roasts) Caleb Covington
Carrie huffed as she walked out of the kitchen, her decision made. She was going to follow Nick to figure out whatever was going on with him. He had been acting weird for the last week and Carrie was absolutely sick of it. One day, she and Nick were over for good and Nick was planning to ask Julie on a date and the next day, Nick was just strolling up to her locker wearing a sequinned capelet to ask if she was still interested in ending Julie's reign of terror on her and delineating this incredibly detailed and elaborate plan to humiliate Julie so badly that she begs her dad to move to another state and Carrie can happily continue to be the queen of the hallways at school and will never have to worry about Julie again. That was inarguably suspicious to Carrie.
"Dad, I'm going out!" Carrie shouted to her father somewhere on the other side of the house and walked outside without waiting for a reply. Shutting the door behind her, she started her journey to Nick's house just as he was leaving to go... Somewhere. She furrowed her eyebrows as she sneaked behind a bush, sniffing a rose quickly before rushing after him.
She groaned softly as she rubbed her sore foot, shaking her head. Ugh. She really should have worn her favorite Adidas running sneakers for this. She'd been following him for an hour in her two inch heeled loafers (what a mistake) to what looked like some creepy hotel building. She glanced up, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion when she saw... "Julie and Flynn?" She whispered to herself, watching Julie turn her head to speak to air next to her. She frowned at that, turning back to "Nick" to see him walk inside the building, Julie and Flynn following closely. "Carrie Wilson, what on Earth are you getting yourself into?" She asked herself and ran to follow "Nick" and the girls into the hotel before the doors could apparently magically close behind him.
She shook her head as she watched that happen behind her and looked around while Julie and Flynn followed Nick to wherever he was going. She let out a breath as she took in pictures scattered along a wall around a sign that read "THE HOLLYWOOD GHOST CLUB MEMBERS ONLY" in bold golden lettering. "Ghost club?" She questioned quietly, hoping her little slip up had gone unnoticed once she realized she's spoken aloud. She quickly found the group and hid behind a plant, a little ways away from them but close enough to hear what they were saying.
Hearing things like "Caleb Covington", "what do you mean he possessed Nick?", "Luke, if the three of you weren't already dead, I would kill you for coming here and messing with this guy" only served to make Carrie extremely confused. She had no idea what was going on anymore. Why was Julie talking to thin air? Who was Caleb Covington and why did he possess Nick? What the Hell was this place?
She huffed and started to follow Nick, who was currently dressed in a very un-Nick-like tight black button up and trousers to what seemed to be a dressing room, being stopped by hearing a very familiar voice speak to her.
"Are you a new member here?" She turned her head, her jaw dropping slightly.
"Kayla?" She blurted out in shock and confusion at the girl in the purple dress in front of her who looked very much like her best friend, Kayla.
"Um, no. The name is Betsey." The girl smiled, reaching out to shake her hand.
"Carrie?!"
Carrie flinched and turned to see Julie and Flynn gawking at her, four new faces suddenly surrounding Julie. She let out a small shriek at that, blinking as she took a closer look at the boys. Julie's band were with her! But who was that new boy with long hair?
"I see the three of you are back. Come to accept my offer after all?" "Nick" smiled menacingly at the boys, his eyes rolling back.
"What- What are you and Flynn and your band doing here?" She asked, incredibly bewildered and disoriented as "Nick" started to glow blindingly white, and then there was a flash of light and a tall man appeared next to an unconscious Nick lying on the floor.
"Nick!" Julie ran and crouched next to him, looking up to glare at Caleb. "What did you do to him?" She yelled in anger.
"Oh, relax!" Caleb gave dismiss wave of his hand and rolled his eyes. "The boy will be fine in an hour." He told him. "But I'm not interested in him. No, I'm interested..." He raised both hands to point at Julie's bandmates. "In you three."
"Well, too bad! You still can't have us, Covington!" The shortest boy with large, angry eyes shouted, protectively stood in front of the tall blond and the long dark haired boy, who were in front of the one clad in a leather jacket.
"Mmm, are you sure about that?" Caleb scrunched his nose up, clasping his hands together. "Because last time I checked, I very nearly got you working here."
"You mean you very nearly killed my friends!" Julie snapped, Nick's head now gently perched on Julie's knee.
"Wait, what?" Carrie blurted out, blinking as she processed what Julie was accusing this man of.
"Ugh, details." Caleb shook his head, rolling his eyes once again. He was really starting to leave a bad taste in Carrie's mouth.
"Mr. Covington here," Julie huffed, clenching her fists bitterly. "Tried to charm my band into leaving me to join his band and work under him." She pursed her lips, taking a deep breath. "He forcibly put this mark on them, that would jolt them any time they went against him. He was going to have my boys, or he was going to kill them a second time. Poof them out of existence. Gone." She explained slowly.
"You tried to do what to Julie's band?" Carrie snapped and walked toward Caleb, getting in his face.
Caleb frowned, backing away from Carrie as she just continued to stomp toward him.
"How dare you? Do you have even a shred of morals in your hideously gaudily dressed body?" She asked him in disgust, hands on her hips. "Or are you purely stale air?"
"Oop." Flynn watched her with wide eyes, glancing at Julie before returning her gaze to Carrie and Caleb.
"Because I feel like if you have to try as hard as you did to take Julie's boys away from her so that you could have them instead, which as much as I dislike the girl, she did not deserve after the year she's just had," She glared at him, surprising everyone. "and then tried to literally obliterate them from existence as some kind of messed up revenge for refusing you, which neither they nor Julie deserved either," She grimaced at him, tilting her head slightly. "then I feel like I'm allowed to say that maybe, just maybe, you aren't really as-" She lifted her hands to make finger quotes. "'special' and 'talented' as your-" She lifted a hand to tap a finger against his over-gelled hair. "nar-cis-sis-tic lit-tle pea brain has convinced you that you are." She pointed out with a smirk, making Flynn snort into their hand.
"Carrie, I-I don't think antagonizing him-" Alex piped up but was cut off by Carrie lifting a finger and continuing to speak.
"In fact, not only did you need Julie's boys, but you needed an entire band behind you, dancers and aerialists, and a magic show," She counted each group of lackeys and minions Caleb needed behind him on her fingers. "to entertain all of your guests, all of whose souls were forcibly taken by you. I gotta say, that's incredibly off putting, and..." She sniffed, sneering at the man. "I smell a diseased rat. But hey, maybe someday, if you decide you want to really work for it, you can earn the love of your fake fans instead of forcing it out of them magically like some badly dressed creep with beady eyes and too white teeth." She shrugged, and the girls and the phantoms snorted and snickered into their hands, watching her. "I dunno." She turned to Julie and Flynn with a smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. "See you at school, girls!" She waved, the girls quickly waving back at her in silence, and gently hauled Nick up to get him out of this awful place. She began to strut away, stopping when she heard Caleb speak.
"How dare you speak to me like that, you insolent little girl?" He uttered in shock.
"I simply spoke the truth." Carrie shrugged carelessly, bored of him. "Now if you don't mind, I'll be taking my ex boyfriend home to recover from you and Julie, Flynn, and Julie's band, are just leaving."
Julie smiled and nodded, taking Flynn's hand in her left and Luke's hand in her right. "Yes, we are." She looked up, smirking at a glowering Caleb Covington. "Adios, Mr. Covington." She said simply and the group walked away, leaving Caleb alone.
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angrypedestrian · 3 years
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THE TIME IDIOTS EPISODE 603 TITLED “NBC, Fox, AND Eurovision (just in case) are calling their lawyers as we speak” MY THOUGHTS:
Previously on the CW presents Warner Brothers subsidiary DC Entertainment’s Legends of Tomorrow: goo =(
This week: what is, from my understanding, basically Catherynne Valente’s Space Opera??? Regardless: =)
She should also have her lawyer on call, just in case
SPEAKING of which, Eurovision is THIS WEEK. I highly recommend rooting for the Weird Teens From Iceland
I watch this live over air anddddd there is no sound coming through L O L
Also doing a sort of robocop thing too huh? i guess the lawsuit fees were just built into the budget orrrrr
AND we have sound
DO YOU THINK WE CAN AFFORD THE BUZZCOCKS TOO WHO DO YOU GUYS THINK YOU ARE
(but also this is one of the all time great rock songs fuck you show, and fun fact for those that don’t know, much like ol jonno, buzzcocks front man pete shelly was also bi!)
lets be real 4 phones is too many phones
lololololol well that is kind of a yoga retreat
wow rip dj s’more money
girl u don’t have to go to that funeral, you’d get so much more engagement if you didn’t if you think about it!!
Nate saying what we’re all thinking on that front. here’s hoping Da Throne keeps TV Grim Reaper in business that long
caity doing some real Acting here isn’t she hoo boy
oh please john can’t play guitar
NBC def has grounds to sue now with them barging in on Young Rock’s The Rock is president beat
this host man really not hiding his robot fucker fetish?? i do not think even network tv would allow that in 2045
i know they will defeat the robotman, but what if instead he learned....to love??
finally a young woman on this ship who doesn’t immediately want to climb mick like a tree.
mick: finally. fucking...finally
man robots are fuckin dumb
oooohh rude to mess up behrad’s feng shui
i really do wanna know how much more money WB gave them this year because these alien outfits, the CGI, so many sets??? like they gotta be working with at least $100 an ep now
also really shocked Leslayyy has survived this long. i hope she makes it through the end of the season
ALWAYS Z
ALWAYS
very excited for all my zava friends out there. your time to shine
lololol VEGAS ACT.
tala ashe needs to be making at least a million dollars an episode!!!
every time i have to see promo for Walker an angel loses its wings and falls straight down to hell
Honestly give the title to neon thrills, sorry zari
this gay man host definitely has something evil going on right?
ohhhhh tala needs at least 5 million for this episode
All I can think of is Sad Beyonce while she sings this very bad song
which is not Tala’s fault!! but is IS bad
honestly why is this sara and gary subplot happening. they’re fun together but it is just so incongruous with whatever else is happening
NO BAD. BAD ALIEN TONGUE TENTACLE THING
NO
but still love this planet of Pink Vancouver
aw c’mon guys you can’t do the Location Full Of Avas thing TWICE
Nate and Behrad are too powerful and gay. i love this for them
i love that everyone thinks john is basically david blaine, except somehow worse
awwwwww maman
ZARI NO BAD ZARI YOU LOVE THAT DAVID BLAINE MAN
lololol yeah you do kinda look like criss angel lol
also put a shirt on john
love that nate and behrad went yes john this is a titty out look
you can’t use john’s kicky harpsicord music during a sad time!!! rude
awwww poor jonno
zari punch the s’more man in the face
honestly love the robotman at this point
and i still cannot get over the alien queen lady being named...Kayla?
good job lita being at college or whatnot. and awwww poor mick
....is Leslayyy an alien. or do people in 2045 just materialize? either seems plausible
well glad robotman’s society is far more advanced than ours
That’s right behrad!!! you get to hurt the s’more man first!
honestly you can’t prove nate wasn’t dj s’more money the whole time
i also hope whoever played robotman made a million dollars this episode they are KILLING IT
zari if you have learned one thing you should have learned by now that john always picks the WORST time for EVERYTHING
zari i want you to say yes but also if you do you WILL die because that’s just how it works with john
tala ashe singing the buzzcocks????? content for me?????? FOR ME??????
justice for neon thrills honestly why we didn’t get at least a one off lines from those kids they seem fun
and i am sure it goes without saying, but the Neal McDonough Memorial Can Get It Awards absolutely goes to Zari and John
also lol we can also afford rickenbackers on this show? this is how you KNOW legends has money now
who are these virtual audience members?? did i miss some sort of contest?
THEY’RE BOYFRIEND AND GIRLFRIEND
what the fuck....is this fucking thing. i swear to christ if you turn this into another beebo
no spooner’s right shoot it
HELL YEAH RORY GOOD JOB
It’s literally.....Kayla
Just.....Kayla
what
oh shit this is tala’s husband right?
good for her
Next week: oh no....legends does geopolitics....again
35 notes · View notes
reignstormz · 3 years
Text
|ROMAN REIGNS & SASHA BANKS|
✨THE STORYLINE; SHORT STORY ✨
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Warning; The edit above and some of the other edits apart of future chapters moving forward are made by me. I didn't find it necessary to put a watermark however I'd love credit if any of them are reposted. :)
|PART TWO|
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November 27, 2020
TLC season was approaching, and the tension between Sasha and Carmella was getting stronger. Even though the blonde chick didn't make an appearance at survivor series, Sasha knew that she was around. Her energy grinded her gears so bad that Sasha could just feel her presences radiating through the building. If people honestly thought Carmella was going to get away with another low blow, then they truly didn't know the boss like they thought they did. Especially, after her encounter with the Universal Champion. A fire was lit inside of her that she couldn't put out.
As Sasha walked down the hallway with a calm, yet determined look on her face, the camera followed her every move and Kayla Braxton came up to her, making her stop.
"Sasha, can I have a word?" She asked hesitantly as she looked up at the blue haired woman. Sasha stared at her blankly before a faint smirk appeared slowly on her face, and she nodded. Kayla sensed something a little off about her, and contemplated on asking questions to begin with but did it anyway.
"It's been a week, or, to be exact, actually three in a row since Carmella has attacked you. Does this mean you have a target on your back regarding to your title?"
Sasha chuckled softly, very quietly in fact, moving half of her hair behind her shoulder and shook her head in amusement. Normally, Sasha would either laugh hysterically at the interviewer's questions or tell them off viscously, but tonight was different. She didn't have time for that like she used to.
Then, she simply looked back at her and shrugged, getting ready to walk away but Kayla quickly brought the microphone up to stop her, saying something that made Sasha stop in her tracks, "Is Roman Reigns one of your targets?"
Sasha looked down at the ground for a second until she looked ahead, licking her lips before she turned around to look at Kayla once again. Kayla stepped forward, bringing the microphone close enough to Sasha so she could speak into it, hoping anyway. Then Sasha's unreadable expression turned into a happier one, smiling at her nicely, "I guess you're going to have to find out.'
Kayla raised her eyebrow, slowly putting the microphone down to her side and watched her walk away in confusion. Sasha gave a subtle wink to the camera before the show went to commerical break. Afterwards, Sasha had finally found where Carmella had been in the building and saw the perfect opportunity to do what she's been wanting to do for the past three weeks. As Sasha quietly creeped up on her, she over heard Carmella talk a lot of shit about her, as expected. Saying how she was the most dominant woman in the Women's Division including other silly claims that went in one ear and out the other for Sasha. When Carmella was in her own world, talking to the camera, there was a random person who was prepared to hand her a glass of champagne.
Carmella payed zero attention and didn't realize that Sasha had knocked the poor guy out clean so she would be the one to hand her the champagne, revealing her boss ring and attacking her with no mercy. She held her as long as she could in the Bank Statement before she had to let go of her due to Adam Pearce and another backstage person ordering The Boss to let her go.
"Come and fight me next week, like a real woman." Sasha yelled with bass in her voice, and took some deep breaths to calm herself down from her adrenaline rush. The camera remained on her as she closed her eyes, trying to get a hold of her breath and she finally felt calm in an instant. As soon as she opened her eyes, a presence was standing before her to the left and she saw the handsome Samoan, holding her Women's title as he stared at her admiringly with a settle smirk on his face. Roman's thoughts were so loud that she could hear them, even though he wasn't talking. Some of them were sweet, a little sensuous, but the biggest thing is that he knew there was this inner tigeress inside of her that was slowly but surely coming out. He could see it in her eyes, and no one noticed but him, which made him want her by his side more than anything.
Sasha wasn't quite sure what was happening to her, something changed. She didn't feel like her natural cocky, confident self. Even if she was a bad guy, or good guy, or something in between, there was a sudden twist. A switch was clicking on and off, and ever since her last encounter with Roman, that's when it all started. She couldn't stop thinking about him, and he took control over her mind constantly. When she went to sleep, she saw him; Whenever she wakes up in the morning, or simply goes for a walk to clear her mind, he's there. However, she liked it. She liked the way he made her feel, and the feeling was mutual. The pair was extremely too dangerous to be together, but they didn't pay any attention to that idea.
Sasha grinned softly before making his way towards him. He handed the title to her and she took it into her hands slowly.
"That's my girl." Roman praised in a settle, yet proud tone. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and her grin turned into a shy smile as they walked off.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Graves?" Michael Cole asks in disbelief. Corey stays silent, watching the segment like everyone else.
They soon came across Paul watching the nearby television. Roman furrowed his eyebrows and Paul turned his head around, with a worried expression, "You might want to see this."
Roman gently took off his arm from Sasha's shoulder and crossed both of his arms in fustration as he watched the television. Jey was currently get his ass beat by Kevin Owens, which pissed off Roman to the fullest but made it kind of hard for Sasha to watch. She's always been really cool with Jey and Jimmy, so seeing one of the people she cared about get hurt was unsettling for her. However, what made Roman more pissed is what Kevin was telling Roman through the camera.
Things like, "You want people to fear you? I fear no one." Not only that, he sits at the head of the announce table to prove his point, saying, "Where are you? I'll be waiting." Initiating that Kevin was after Roman, potentially wanting to take his title.
Paul and Sasha briefly exchanged awkward looks and Roman looked down, inhaling sharply and stared at the ground in deep thought, then SmackDown went off air for the night.
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December 4, 2020
Another Friday came by, and the first thing that was shown was a backstage shot of Roman's private locker room. Two seconds later, it opened revealing Paul walking out, then Jey, Roman, and Sasha was the last one to follow. She closed the door behind her, adjusting the title on her shoulder while Roman watched her in awe. Sasha looked up at him as she snaked her arm through his, holding onto it gently while he held his title on the other.
"You look gorgeous, baby." He complimented, before kissing her temple, causing Sasha to flourish with butterflies in her stomach.
"No way," Corey Graves said in a disapproving manner, watching the segment from the announce table.
"I guess the rumors are true." Michael Cole says in a shocked, but not too shocked tone.
Roman turned his head to Paul and Jey, signaling that they could go ahead and lead the way first. While they did, Sasha and Roman exchanged looks of admiration before they followed them to the ring.
After the commerical break, the show was back just in time for Roman's entrance. His music echoed throughout the entire Thunderdome as each of them walked out. He did his usual thing, savoring the moment, holding up the title, instead Sasha was by his side to do it with him, and she felt like she was on cloud nine. When they got to the ring, Roman assisted Sasha up the steel steps to make sure she didn't trip with the heels that she wore, but also just because he wanted to, he was a gentleman. He also made sure that she was always going to be the first one to enter the ring, and of course, Paul along with Jey had to wait until Roman went into the ring after her.
Kayla Braxton was in the ring to interview Roman, coicidentally after she interviewed Sasha last Friday. It was a little awkward at first, she didn't quite know how to approach Roman but it became even more uneasy as she began to ask him questions. Questions about Kevin Owens, Jey, and other things that started to make him a little upset. Sasha contemplated on stepping in, but she remembered that Roman had it handled. Besides, she didn't feel like being bombarded with a bunch a questions from Kayla again. He told her off after each question, until she reached her last one.
"Well, let's shift gears and talk about.. you're friend, Sasha Banks." Kayla suggests, making Roman slightly raise his eyebrow at her comment. Sasha's avoided glance at Kayla finally took a look in her direction, and immediately noticed the hint of shade in her voice. She knew exactly that they were more than that, but it was just to see if either of them were going to officially admit it or not. They played replays on the screen of Roman giving Sasha advice, to him watching her matches, joining forces at Survivor Series and what happened between them last week before Kayla asked, "So..are you possibly more than friends with The Boss? What is this?"
Sasha on the inside felt extremely pissed, and wanted nothing more to get in her face for over stepping her boundaries. She bit her lip harshly in anger and got ready to walk towards her but Jey quickly stopped her, putting a hand strongly on her side. Since her movement wasn't too noticeable, Paul widened her eyes and chuckled in amusement while Roman sighed, rolling his eyes. Kayla hesitantly brought the microphone closer to him and Roman looked down at her with a bored expression, "A friend?"
Kayla nodded slightly. Roman shook his head in annoyance, and Sasha stood in place, sighing briefly, looking down. She found no point in getting involved in the interview. Jey dropped his hand from her side, hoping that she wouldn't go anywhere as she stared at the ground in thought. Before Roman could reply, Kevin's theme music stared to play and he stormed out to the ring. Kayla nervously but slowly inched towards the corner of the ring as Jey, Paul, and Roman watched him. Sasha stood in her place, also annoyed but not threatened by him at all.
"You know last week, I made it clear that I don't fear you." Kevin says into the microphone while making his way down the ramp. The Head Of The Table's protective instincts kicked in and he put his strong, tattooed arm in front of Sasha, carefully moving her behind him as Kevin got closer to the ring.
"And since we've established that you don't fear me, I don't see the point of waiting later tonight. I figured, since you didn't come to me last week, I'll come to you now and we can settle this. Right here, right now." Kevin challenges, marching into the ring. Jey and Sasha exchange glances while Roman holds his hand out for Paul to hand the microphone. Jey quicky grabs it, getting involved again. Sasha facepalms her forehead in embarrassment as Paul and Roman stares at him in confusion, so does Kevin.
Kevin disregards Jey, and continues to talk to Roman, "If not now, how about at TLC? and let's not stop there, Roman. Put that title on the line, so you and I can handle this like men. What do you say?" Kevin asks, then his eyes fall onto Sasha, making him smirk a bit. Sasha glared at Kevin before he says, "Well look who we have here, when the hell did this happen? Are you afraid to get your ass kicked in front of your girlfriend?"
Roman's lip started to twitch in anger, the one thing that he wasn't going to tolerate was anyone threatening Sasha. Paul sensed that Roman needed to say something, so he grabbed the microphone out of Jey's hand and put it in his. Before he brought the microphone to his lips, Kevin suggests, "If not, then we can handle this right now."
Kevin dropped the microphone, putting himself into a fighting stance. Sasha scoffed, resting her right hand on her hip while Roman chuckled in amusement, knowing that he wasn't going to give him the time of day.
"I bet that's what you want, huh?" Roman continues, "To fight me right now? You being on the island of relevancy is the best thing that's ever going to happen to you. But, understand this, I train my cousin well and we don't back down to no one. Neither does she." He regards to Sasha. Sasha looked at Roman as he stared at Kevin intensely, "Don't you ever, mention her again." He warns.
Sasha faintly smiles at him, finding it sweet how serious he was about defending her. She adjusts the title on her shoulder, and then looks back at Kevin.
"You're lucky, if I was the man I used to be, I would whoop your ass right now. But there's a time and a place for everything. What do I look like, a savage?" He questions with a confused look on his face, "I'm a gentleman, we have ladies in the ring."
Roman licks his lips and nods his head to Sasha and Kayla standing behind him. Kayla has a lost expression on her face, meanwhile Sasha couldn't hold back her smirk. Jey and Paul laugh, looking at Kevin like he was a fool.
"Grow up." Roman snickered, tossing the microphone to the ground. He put his hand on Sasha's lower back, insisting her to exit the ring first while he followed. Kevin stood there in fustration, watching them leave the ring in silence.
After the commerical break, it was time for Roman and Jey's match against Kevin and Otis. Sometime before that, Sasha had a battle of words with Carmella while Roman remained by her side through the entire thing. It got very heated; Carmella claimed multiple times that she was better than Sasha with half the work, while of course Sasha begged to differ. She was no where near in her league, and she was going to make sure of that when she defends her title against her at TLC. However, Carmella's jabs did get under Sasha's skin a little bit, especially when she mentioned Roman, saying that if Sasha wasn't Champion than he probably would've ended up with her. Of course, Roman reassured that what she said wasn't true at all and reminded Sasha to not let someone like Carmella get the best of her. She wasn't worth it, and she was lucky to even be considered for a title match.
Since Jey had to suffer the consequence of getting involved earlier tonight, Roman decided to show up a little late to the match. Not only to teach him a lesson, but he did what he wanted to do on his own time anyways. There was also another consequence coming, little did Jey know, including Sasha and Paul. They both followed closely behind Roman as all of three of them made their way down the ramp, hearing the programmed boos echo throughout the crowd. Sasha saw Jey nod his head in reassurance, showing relief that Roman had showed up and not left him in the dust. Once they made it to the ring, as Roman walked up the steps, he handed his universal title to her. Sasha laid her women's championship on her left shoulder, while laying his title on her right.
Roman held his hand out for Jey to tag, but after awhile, he lost his patience and jumped into the ring himself. The referee tried to stop him but it was too late before he had superman punched Otis off the ring. He then slid out the ring, and began demolishing Otis; Then he started to beat the hell out of him with the steps. Paul stood there with a scared, appalled expression while Sasha stood next to him with an evil smirk on her face, licking her lips slowly afterwards as he watched him at work. Sasha's look of proudness quickly went away when Kevin Owens attacked him from behind.
She inhaled sharply, seeing everything go down until Jey lunged from the ring and put a stop to it. The Boss cracked a small smile so it wasn't noticeable. Even though Sasha cared for Roman deeply, she still had a soft spot for Jey. Trust, she enjoyed it when Roman beat the hell out of his opponents and looked damn good while doing it, however, Jey was different.
Long story short, everyone ended back into the ring and Kevin was in control for a little bit before Roman delivered a huge close line, taking him down. After that, he tagged Jey in and he took over. Jey was doing a good job and as Kevin was in the corner, Roman took this as the opportunity to taunt him. The referee warned him to stay back and Sasha furrowed her eyebrows at him while Paul told the ref to keep his distance.
"Don't tell him what to do!" She warns the ref along with Paul. Not too long after that, Jey does his Uso chant before running to Kevin but then failed, missing him completely. Kevin got right up, ran all the way to the corner and ran back, doing a harsh forward roll onto Jey. Paul cringed, Sasha shook her head in disappointment while Roman face palmed his forehead in embarrassment. Sasha actually tried her hardest not to laugh at his reaction, she quickly wiped the small smile off of her face.
"Get up," Roman demanded. Jey tried his best to make a comeback but he continued to get beaten up, frustrating Roman to the fullest when Kevin was so close to getting the pin. As Kevin tried standing up, himself and Roman made eye contact; Kevin tried to rile Roman up, but it didn't work seeing that Roman had shook it off with a laugh, shooing him off. Sasha stared up at him in awe, admiring his beauty. She loved it whenever he did that smug smile of his, it was so sexy to her. She snapped out of it once again, pulling herself together.
Jey got the opportunity to nail Kevin with an elbow to the face but out of nowhere, Kevin picked Jey up and did the Samoan drop. Sasha's lip curled up a little in anger, and she looked at Roman to see him pissed off as well due to the disrespect. Kevin got up and taunted Roman again, "What now, huh? Get in the ring!" He yelled intensely, and Roman didn't hesitate to do so even though he was stopped by the ref, again. Jey turned him around, Kevin elbowed him off but then as soon as he turned back around Roman smacked the taste out of his mouth. Then right after that, Jey delivered a super kick to his face.
When Roman stepped out of the ring, Jey got the opportunity to hopefully win the match for them. He prepared himself to get on the top rope, but right when he's about to take off, Roman orders him to get down.
"Get down," He barks. "Get down and tag out, this is my show, I finish the show. Get down."
Jey's confidence begins to fade once again as Roman disapproves of his actions for the hundredth time. Sasha looks down at the ground, trying to make sure her bothered facial expression wasn't noticeable as Jey comes down from the top rope. He grabs some of Kevin's hair and leans towards Roman to tag but Kevin brushes Jey off, then punches Roman in the face, knocking him off of the ring next to her. Before she could even blink, he slid back into the ring so fast, breaking the pin Kevin had on Jey.
Roman gave a harsh punch to his head before wrapping himself around Kevin's body, locking in his submission move. The bell was rung countless times to stop the match, but he didn't care, he was determined to take his last breath and make him pay. Sasha bit her lip, admiring the sight, feeling satisfied while resting her arms on the edge of ring floor. Paul side eyed her a little, and stepped away from her slowly, feeling a little disturbed about her enjoyment.
Roman let go of him, stared at his helpless body for about ten seconds before he ordered Jey to get chairs. The ref pleaded for him to stop, but got chased out like always. Sasha giggled from amusement from how fast the ref left the ring as Jey finally came back with chairs. Jey handed a chair to Roman, and they wasted no time in taking turns slamming the chair onto his back.
The sounds of Kevin's pained screams were on ten and Paul was stunned, covering his mouth, "Oh my God!" He said in shock, over and over again while Sasha stood there perfectly still, quiet with an evil grin on her face.
"Finish him," Roman said very beastly, "Make him understand!"
Jey hit him with the chair one last time before, putting the chair on him and doing his frog splash. Paul yelled, "Oh my God!" once again, covering his eyes slightly, not believing what he saw. Sash cringed, feeling Jey's pain, She knew that frog splash had to hurt. Out of nowhere, when they least expected it, Roman slammed the chair onto Jey's back. Sasha stood there, frozen in shock; She was expressionless, unsure of what to say or do.
"What do I tell you everytime, huh?!" He yelled out in fustration, slamming the chair against him again. "I have to keep repeating myself!"
The chair slams against him again, and again, and again. Each time, pieces of her heart started to shatter for Jey. She wanted to put a stop to it, but she couldn't. While Paul's mouth was covered, they both made brief eye contact in fright. Jey and Kevin were both out cold on the ground as Roman stared them down.
Roman then grabbed Jey's hair, dragging him a little to lay next to Kevin. After that, called my name, asking for his title. Sasha slid his title off of her shoulder and handed it to him, refusing to make eye contact with him because he would see the guilt in her eyes. He took the title and walked back to Kevin, dropping it on his chest and taking a handful of his beard roughly.
"You tryna' split me and my family up? Huh?! You wanted my attention?" He yelled at the top of his lungs, he looked around for a little bit before looking back down at him, "Now, we have the whole world watching. Now, they all have your attention." He punched his face in the middle of his sentence, "You're tryna' take me from the top? You're tryna' take my position, you want this title? You should've just took the title. You should of just took the title but instead you wanted to attack me and my family. You wanted to try and make me something that I'm not and make me look like a monster in front of the whole world." Roman voice shakes with anger, gripping the hell out of Kevin's beard. He inhales sharply as she watched, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
"This is only the beginning, and until you see that, I'm gonna take your manhood, I'm gonna take your lively hood and everything that you love," He promises sternly. "You and your family are going to fear me. Get use to this." Then he harshly let's go of his head, and stands back up, grabbing his title. He stands in the middle of the ring in thought for a little bit before he turned his head, making eye contact with Sasha. He stared, practically burning a hole right through her.
She stared right back at him refusing to break the eye contact or show him the fear she had deep down. Roman adjusted the title on his shoulder, and brought his hand up along with his finger, doing the "come here" motion. She stood there for a second, trying to find feeling her feet after being frozen for so long and then Sasha began to make her way to him. She handed her title to Paul, having him hold it. Since she was in heels, Sasha slowly walked up the stairs so she wouldn't fall, and thankfully Roman walked to the corner of the ring to reach out and grab her hand to assist her. He sat on the rope so she could enter the ring easily, and they were finally in the ring together.
His hand was on the small of her back as he guided Sasha gently to Kevin and Jey who were still knocked out on the ground. He bent down to the left, grabbing the chair, then got back up, handing the chair to her while she looked at Jey in pain, and it killed her inside.
"Make him understand.." He mumbled into her ear in his deep, seductive voice, but also loud enough so the cameras could hear. She clenched onto the chair, hoping that he meant Kevin but lost all of her hope when he continued to talk, "Make Jey understand never to disobey your chief, ever again."
His hand caressed the side her waist until he slowly let go of Sasha, taking a couple steps back in order to watch. She bit the inside of her cheek, holding back her tears as best as she could meanwhile her hands were shaking like an earthquake. She turned her head to look at Roman, and he nodded his head in reassurance, wanting her to do it. Sasha looked back at Jey, and a tear rolled down her face.
"I'm sorry, Jey." She says quietly, before she raises the chair and slam it onto his back harshly. Jey screamed out in agony, and rolled over. Another tear rolled down her face, and she paused, but then the switch suddenly flipped back on inside of her and her frown slowly turned into a dark smile, while a giggle escaped her lips. She lifted the chair up once more, and began to beat him up with the chair repeatedly.
One, two, three, four, five, six. She took a small break, sighing with a lazy smirk on her face before hitting him with the chair one last time. She laughed hysterically in her signature evil tone before tossing the chair away. The tears that were on her face were still evident, so she wiped them off slowly, flicking them away. She walked backwards to the rope and held her hand out, signaling for Paul to hand over her title, and he did; Meanwhile, when Sasha looked over at Roman, he just stood there with his evil smug of a smile on his face.
He walked over to her, sliding his title off of his shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist. She looked up at him as he looked down at her, the chemistry they had was bouncing off of the walls and the dangerous feeling they had for each other grew stronger. It couldn't get any more crazier than this.
Roman kissed her forehead, then they both looked at the camera, and raised their titles together.
"What on earth has Roman done to Sasha Banks?" Corey graves asks, with a hint of fear in his voice as well. Michael Cole briefly looked at him with a bewildered expression. The vibe in the room was completely unexplainable, and even though the programmed boos were roaring, the look on everyone's faces on the screens were priceless. Everyone was so caught off guard by what they just saw, and had zero words. No one, absolutely no one saw this side of the blueprint. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, and it was extremely bizarre.
After a long pause of silence, SmackDown went off air.
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December 11, 2020
As Sasha walked down the hallway of the SmackDown halls, just about all of the men's and women's roster were in groups and huddles whispering, watching her walk by in silence. She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, and looked down, avoiding the glances she was receiving. It had been a rough week for the standard ever since last Friday, and nothing has been the same since. Sasha felt so confused, and extremely guilty about the events that had taken place. Everyone on social media, including people who were present in her life couldn't stop talking about the brutal attack she made on Jey. She refused to look at any replays of the incident, because she couldn't believe what she had done. Sasha had no idea who that woman was last Friday, and had zero idea what has gotten into her. It made no sense to the women's champion at all and she felt so lost. She put on a brave face in front of Roman ever since then and pretended like she was okay with everything, when really she wasn't.
Roman had actually been looking everywhere for her tonight, normally it would've taken a whole army to tear them apart from each other's side but Sasha needed time to collect her thoughts on her own. Besides, she had to hurry and do a contract signing with Carmella.
"Sasha, do you have a moment?" A reporter lady, who Sasha wasn't quite sure what her name was said. She sighed heavily, stopping in her tracks, letting her go ahead without saying a word.
"Um.." The reporter trailed off and pointed to the nearby television screen, "Do you care to explain your reasoning for what happened last week?" Then, television started to play replays of the attack Roman did to Jey and Kevin, and Sasha joining in, attacking Jey. Sasha looked down, feeling ashamed and the replay finished. The reporter slowly brought up the microphone to her, awaiting a response.
She lifted her head back up, and exhaled, "Listen, I gotta' go." Sasha pushed the microphone out of her face and kept walking forward until she reached the ring. She tried her best to pull herself together as she did her entrance and entered the ring, the one thing that she couldn't let happen is let Carmella see her when she felt down. Sasha refused, and she was ready to get this contract signing over with. Adam Pearce was in the ring as well, and Sasha sat down in the seat provided.
"Sasha. Last week after what it felt like a very personal war of words between you and Carmella, you issued a very confident challenge to face her at the TLC pay-per-view for that SmackDown Women's Championship. This contract signing will in fact make that match official." Adam informs, placing the contract on the table. As he continues to ramble on, Sasha wastes no time in opening it, however, there was no contract in the case. Her patience was extremely low and had zero time in playing any games.
"What the hell is this?" She pointed at the missing contract with fustration in her voice, "Are you kidding me? Is this a set up?"
Adam had no idea what was going on and also didn't know that the contract was missing. He tried his best to calm her down but it didn't work, she was upset. As Sasha continued to go off, Carmella's sneaky laugh lingered from the big screen, causing Sasha and Adam to look up.
"Looking for this, honey?" Carmella waves the contract in her hand, making Sasha's blood boil, "Sasha, don't you know by now that I make the rules, and you follow them. Don't worry though, I did sign the contract and I'll have it hand delivered to you by my somalia."
The camera backed up a little bit, revealing a dark skinned man with dreads, wearing a blue tux. Sasha rolled her eyes, watching the two of them.
"Will you take this to little miss, pretty pants over there?" She asks him nicely and he nods, taking the contract and shortly made his way over to her.
"You know, I should've know that you've been up to your dirty little tricks." Sasha says into the microphone, speaking to Carmella, "Aren't you embarrassed being you, Carmella?" She shades, looking at her with irritation.
"I'm not embarrassed at all," Carmella shrugs. "I'm proud of who I am, did you seriously think I was going to get in the ring with you tonight? After what you did to Jey Uso last week?" She scoffs. Sasha bits her lip harshly, and looks down in fustration. Then Carmella chuckles.
"Even when you try to put on this whole Boss persona and pretend like you're better than everyone else, you're not. Not even your boy toy, can do anything about that. I mean, come on, out of all people, he chooses you?" Carmella tilts her head, crossing her arms. Sasha stares at her through the screen intensely as she continues, "I'm the hot chick, I play the games, I'm playing the game of chess with your life, and I'm always four moves ahead."
Sasha felt so extremely angry that she couldn't even think straight. She didn't even realize that Carmella's Samolia made it into the ring, handing the contract Adam. Sasha's attention slowly faded over to the two of them, and Adam hesitantly put it in front of Sasha, knowing that she was pissed off. Sasha cracked a small, heated smile as she opened up the contract, stamping her name on it, making the match official. As Carmella complained to Adam how ridiculous Sasha was being in the background, Sasha completely snapped and took her anger out on Carmella's Samolia.
Adam didn't feel the need to stop her or else he knew he most likely would've gotten his ass beat too. Sasha delivered a harsh back-breaker to the Samolia, shoving the table onto him, making Carmella instantly silent and she stared at Sasha in amusement. Sasha grabbed the microphone off of the ground, putting it to her mouth, "You wanna' play games? Then you got it. Me and you, main event, tonight, for the title." She spat, throwing the microphone onto the ring floor and exited the ring, holding her title in her left hand.
After the commerical break and a couple of matches later on from other superstars, a segment showed Sasha getting ready for match with Carmella in her locker room. She was in her ring gear, and her Championship sat next to her. Sasha sat down on the couch in deep thought, and heard footsteps approach her. She looked up to see Roman with a concerned look on his face, this time he was alone. Normally, no one had natural access to her room, but he was an exception.
"We need to talk." Roman said, sending chills through her spine. Sasha sighed slightly, and got up from her seat, crossing her arms, avoiding eye contact with him. They were very close to each other, and Roman could sense the secretive energy bouncing off of her. Something was wrong.
"I've been looking everywhere for you." Roman starts, which says a lot because the head of the table never went out of his way to do such a thing like he did for her. "You haven't returned my calls or texts all night, how come you didn't tell me you had a contract signing tonight? I would've been there with you."
Sasha looked up at him, scanning his handsome face and briefly looked away at times to maintain her emotions. Roman sighed, and shook his head, knowing that she was most likely not going to answer.
"Why would you challenge Carmella for your title?" He questions in confusion, then his look falls to the floor, "And who was that guy out there?"
"No one important, okay?" Sasha quickly reassured, with a hint of impatience in her voice. Roman stared at her unconvinced as she picked up her title, getting ready to leave but he stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
"We're not finished." He warns, but with a soften face, "You can't do this."
Sasha sighed, looking down for a little bit before sliding her Championship on her shoulder. She didn't say anything but simply kiss his cheek, and caress it shortly before brushing past his shoulder lightly, walking out of the locker room. The camera shot closely on Roman's disappointed, yet worried facial expression before the show went to break.
When the show came back on, Kevin stormed backstage to find Roman. Due to the fustration that Roman felt after his conversation with Sasha, it was the icing on the cake due to the build up between him and Kevin. He had no choice but to take the opportunity but attack him backstage, and send a message to his family afterwards, a very threatening message. Roman felt no mercy whatsoever, but someone who he could not get off of his mind was Sasha.
Sasha was currently in a brutal title match against Carmella. There were moments in the match were she was so close to winning, but Carmella still somehow pulled through, especially when her sidekick came out and tried to distract her. After that, Sasha immediately saw red and attacked her, causing her to lose the match due to disqualification. The Somalia tried to pull her off, but as soon as she turned around, Roman appeared in the ring and speared him harshly, catching Sasha off guard. As Roman continued to attack Carmella's Somalia with blows to the head, Carmella took the opportunity to smash a champagne bottle to her back, causing her to scream out loud in pain.
Everyone at the announce table gasped and Roman quickly stopped beating Carmella's sidekick's ass to turn around and see her laid out on the ring floor. Carmella and Roman caught each other's eyes, he stared at her in a despising way while she smirked at him, wanting to jump his bones but decided not to. She slid out of the ring, making her way up the ramp as her Somalia limped, following her. Then, as Roman's angry stare stayed fixated on her, a bunch of referees came into the ring checking if Sasha was alright. Roman turned around and gave them a stern look, pushing one of them away, "Get your fucking hands off of her, go." He ordered loudly, causing all of them to leave the ring.
Roman bent down to her level, and saw a trickle of blood running down her back. He immediately took off his shirt, placing it on her wound. Sasha winced in pain, burying her face into the ring floor, not wanting to show her face from the embarrassment she felt.
"It's okay, babygirl. I got you." Roman whispered to her, wasting no time in picking her up from the ground, carrying her bridal style as he left the ring. As Roman walked up the ramp holding her, the big screen showed a beat up Kevin Owens, sitting down in a steel chair, holding an ice pack on his arm. Kevin looked at the camera angrily, and Roman sighed in defeat, wanting him to give up already.
"We're not done, Roman." Kevin carefully states in a shaky voice, "Watch your back."
Before the show went off air, it showed one last camera shot of Roman, staring at the screen for a couple of seconds before looking down at the beautiful woman in his arms, causing his face to soften. He hated whenever she was in pain, and the head of the table was never the type of person to be scared, but he was honestly scared about what was going through Sasha's mind, and how they were going to move forward.
Tags; @haharollins @toothlesstim @sassymox @reignsbanks @wwzentertainment @darksinandmadness @reignsprint @nianotjax @cptcharisma @grandslamstandard @likesummerrainn @brookethegamer @notoriouscrown @flawlessglamazon @roderickstrong @serenityfiretrash @thandiwethagirl @zaddyreigns @kingbarrett @nathog97
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typical-simplelove · 3 years
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Part Two: Dragon Boats (T. Jost)
Part Two to Red Envelopes, Dragon Boats, and Mooncakes; a Tyson Jost fic.
Series Masterlist (please read the small note at the beginning of the Masterlist if you haven’t already)
Pinterest Link
Summary: Tyson and Kayla spend the offseason in St. Albert when the Dragon Boat Festival occurs. The couple spend the day with Tyson’s family following Kayla’s family traditions. 
Author’s Note: Similar author’s note to the first part. You don’t have to read part one to understand part two, just an fyi! Again, I have linked pictures and websites about some of the things that are mentioned here. The Pinterest board linked above also has more photos about the holiday. Anyways, here’s part two! I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you thought!
Word Count: 3k
Warnings: Again, no climax, really. However, warnings are scissors, being Chinese, Chinese holidays, eating meat, mentions of death.
Before the Dragon Boat Festival
During the Dragon Boat Festival, Kayla and Tyson would be back in St. Albert for the offseason. Because of this, Kayla would not be able to spend the cultural holiday with her parents. Knowing that Kayla was a bit bummed about this, Tyson took it upon himself to try to make this holiday similar to ones in the past. 
Tyson began researching about the holiday. While researching, he learned that people watch or participate in Dragon Boat racing and eat something called Sticky Rice. The symbolism of this holiday is to ward off evil spirits, any lurking diseases, and release any negativity. Tyson had no idea how to celebrate this holiday with Kayla and had no idea how her family celebrated. He decided to just ask Kayla and help her plan. 
“Hey Kayla,” Tyson asks during breakfast a few days before the Dragon Boat Festival. “How do you celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? I know that’s the next holiday that is coming up that your family celebrates.”
Kayla was shocked that Tyson knew about this. “My family doesn’t do much for this holiday. We don’t watch dragon boat racing but my sister and I always used to make our own mini dragon boats out of construction paper. My mom, sister, and I also used to make sticky rice with my grandfather before he died.”
“What if we did that? What if you, me, Kacey, my mom, and grandparents all made sticky rice? You can teach us! It may not be the holiday you’re used to because you aren’t in Denver with family but you can celebrate with us!”
“If you want, yeah sure! I’ll ask my mom for the recipe and we can make them.”
“Great, I’m excited, babe.”
Despite Tyson only telling Kayla about the sticky rice, he thought he would surprise her with the materials to make dragon boats. Tyson was bouncing in his seat, super excited that he got to spend another holiday with you.
龍舟節 (long zhou jie) - Dragon Boat Festival - June 14, 2021
“Kacey, my mom, and grandparents are set to come at three. Will that be good?” Tyson asks with an amount of energy that no one should have at eight in the morning. 
“Yes, Tyson, don't worry. Everything will be fine.” Kayla responds barely awake.
“Is there anything you need to do to prep before they come?”
“All I need to do is soak the rice. And I marinated the chicken last night so we’re good.”
“Do you need to watch the rice soak?”
Kayla laughs. “No, all I have to do is put the rice in a bowl and then leave it there. I’ll probably do that at 2:45, that way we can be ready to start right away when they arrive.”
“So, then, if I bought something, we can do it before they come?”
“Sure! What is it?”
“I bought materials to make Dragon Boats. I didn’t know what to buy so I went on pinterest and found a site. I asked your sister and she said that the materials they suggested were good. I had to buy green, at least, I thought it was green. I, you know colorblind, so not sure if --”
Tyson is cut off when Kayla kisses him firmly on the lips. “Thank you so much, Tys. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you!.”
“Anything for you Kayla. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Tys.”
. . .
After Kayla and Tyson were both mostly awake (more like Kayla because Tyson was bouncing off the walls at 8), they got started on the dragon boats. 
“So, teach me. What do I do?”
“First, you have to make the green construction paper into a box to make it look like a box.”
Tyson just stares at Kayla, wishing that he didn’t take the plastic covering off of the paper so he could read the labels and know which was green. However, Kayla, knowing Tyson, handed the green paper to him so that Tyson wasn’t completely lost. Tyson was about to start but unsure how to put the paper into a box format. So, he decided to watch Kayla construct hers first. Once Kayla finished, she held it up and said a soft ‘ta da!’
Tyson was still ever confused. When Kayla went to grab a second piece of green paper, Tyson decided he would mimic her actions in real time. However, instead of Tyson’s looking like Kayla’s once finished, Tyson’s was all jagged and didn’t look anything like a boat.
When Kayla was about to start a third boat, Tyson said, “Wait! Before you start, can you do it slowly and explain each step very carefully and clearly so I can make one that looks like yours?”
Kayla chuckles and says, “Of course. All you had to do was ask.”
“Ready, Tys?” Tyson nods in response.
“First, fold one of the short sides about two and half inches in. Try to fold it into a straight line. Yeah, like that. Now, do it to the opposite side.” Kayla pauses, waiting for Tyson to give her a nod that she can continue.
“Now, you take the long sides and fold it in about two and a half inches so it looks something like this. Next step is cut along these lines and fold them in. Nope, like this. Yeah that. Tape the sides so that it doesn’t fall apart. Yeah, good. You now take your scissors and kind of cut in a curved line, like a half circle but only the outer line, to make the curves of a boat. After, we take the long ends and fold them against each other so that they are pointy.”
Kayla pauses allowing Tyson to catch up. She smiles softly when Tyson has his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth in fierce concentration as he normally does. 
“Like this?” Tyson asks when finished.
“Yeah!” Kayla responds enthusiastically. “That’s it! And now, we use the gold sharpie and draw scales on the boat. It’s basically is just circles but not closing them. Stopping about seventy five percent of the way.”
Kayla and Tyson draw the scales in silence not wanting to distract the other. 
“What comes next?” Tyson asks, once he has finished his one and Kayla all three of hers.
“We add the dragon!”
“We have to make a dragon?” 
“No, normally my sister and I would print out pictures and we’d color them. In past years, Elizabeth would color in while Charlotte and I made the boats. I just printed out dragon heads that would match. Here they are. We can just glue them on.”
“Thank goodness. I don’t think that I would have been able to draw a dragon. Ever. At all. So, don’t ask me to.”
“Don’t worry, Tys. I know your artistic abilities. After we glue on the dragon head, we can make the oars with red construction paper and glue them one. Then, we’ll be done!”
Tyson finished putting his head and oars on the boat before Kayla because she made three and Tyson had one good functioning boat. 
“What do we do after we finish making the boats?”
“Normally, my sister and I would make a small pond or lake and tape the boats on there. I bought a blue poster board so we can use that.” 
Kayla and Tyson worked on their pond for the dragon boats and didn’t leave out a single detail. They made sure to add areas on the grass next to the pond for the spectators to watch the races. They used old wine corks and painted them red and orange to mimic the traditional drums.The couple worked long into the afternoon and only realized the time when Kayla’s alarm went off reminding her to soak the rice. 
Once Kayla returned to the table where the poster board sat, Tyson had added little goldfish into the pond.
“You know, Tys, I think that if there were goldfish in the pond, then they would be far away from the boats. Also, probably not visible to the human eye.”
“Whatever, Ms. Smarty-Pants Kayla. I like the goldfish. I vote to keep the goldfish in the pond.”
“Fine, but then, one of my boats gets to be in the lead when we glue them down.”
“You throw a hard bargain but fine, I agree.” Tyson says with a mischievous grin. Kayla knows that grin. She knows that Tyson is going to begin tickling her until she is begging for mercy. Tyson instantly gets up and begins tickling Kayla. This continues on and the only chance at a reprieve is when the doorbell rings signalling that Tyson’s family has arrived.
“I guess I have to stop tickling you, Kayla.”
“I guess so.” He doesn’t 
Tyson’s family decide to let themselves in and are shocked at what they see sitting on the kitchen counter. 
“What in the world is this?” Kacey asks.
“Kayla spends her Dragon Boat Festival holiday making sticky rice and dragon boats. So, that’s what we did.” Tyson responds.
“Let me guess, this subpar looking boat was Tyson’s?” Kacey asks. Tyson just sticks his tongue out at her and Tyson does the same. 
“Ok, you two, cut it out. We have some sticky rice to make, yeah?” Laura cuts in with a chuckle.
Kayla and Tyson move the pond onto the coffee table and clear all of the craft stuff away and put it into a closet to deal with later. 
“I already have the rice soaking so we can start with that. Before we mix everything, we have to cut the Chinese sausage, mushrooms, shallots, and garlic. We have to also saute the shallots, too. Let’s start with that and then we’ll go from there.” Kayla explains. 
Once the directions were clear, everyone was assigned with a task. Laura is going to cut the shallots and saute them. Kacey and Kayla are going to wash the mushrooms and cut the mushrooms and garlic. Tyson and his grandparents are going to cut the Chinese sausage. 
“So, Kayla, tell me. How long have you been making sticky rice?” Tyson’s grandmother asked.
“I grew up watching my mom, grandfather, and aunties make the rice. This holiday used to be my grandfather’s favorite. When I turned twelve, my mother finally allowed me and my sister, Charlotte, to help make it. We normally would be assigned with washing the mushrooms and cutting them. Sometimes we’d be allowed to help construct the rice into the lotus leaf. That only happened later into my teenage years.”
“Do you do this with your family often?” Laura asks.
“Yeah, we would do this every year. This holiday is the one where my grandfather would be in control of the kitchen. My grandmother, aunties, and parents would all be sitting working on wrapping these and my sister and I would huddle around my grandfather for just a peak. He would always tell us about the same stories each year from when he was a child. When I was in high school, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother became the head sticky rice maker in our family. When I was in college, my grandmother was diagnosed with Arthritis making it hard for her to do any of the cooking so my sister and I took on a bigger role of making the sticky rice with my mom and aunties while my grandmother watched.”
“Is this your first year not making this with them?” Kacey asks.
“It is, actually, yes.” Kayla responds glumly.
“Do you miss them?” Tyson asks, wishing he asked if you wanted to go home.
“I was at first but then you prompted me with the idea of making the sticky rice with all of you so I’m not anymore! My grandfather always used to tell me that sharing our traditions keeps them alive. So, I am doing what he always wanted me to do.” Kayla replies with a bit of pep in her voice.
“Care to share any of those stories, Kayla?” Laura asks. Kayla looks over at Tyson to get confirmation that she should share. Tyson nods prompting Kayla to continue.
“Sure! I can’t remember all of them but one of them that I remember him telling us was when my grandfather was five. This was the first year that he was allowed in the kitchen to observe the cooking with the elders. While he was watching, my grandfather watched one of his uncles put salt on the lotus leaves. Putting salt on the lotus leaves allows for a richer taste for the rice. I’ll get to why we don’t do that in a minute. My grandfather decided that the pinch of salt on the lotus leaves was not enough and he took it upon himself to add more salt. No one noticed. When the sticky rice was ready to eat, the rice was so salty that it was fed to the farm animals. My grandfather felt so bad that he confessed to putting more salt on the lotus leaves. His punishment was to have to clean the chicken pen. Every year after that, no one put salt on the lotus leaves and my grandfather never used salt for his sticky rice ever again. I actually don’t think he ever used salt again after that.” 
The story gains a laugh out of everyone. 
The rest of the prepping continues on with smaller conversations. Once finished and the rice is drained, everyone watches Kayla mix the rice and all the ingredients together.
“I am going to mix the shallots, mushrooms, sausage, and chicken with rice. I am also going to add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Once I’ve done that, we can begin wrapping the rice in the lotus leaf.”
Once the rice is mixed, Kayla demonstrates to everyone how to wrap the lotus leaf around the rice.
“You put the leaf on the counter and take one cup of rice and put it in the middle. You just fold it so that the rice won’t come out and tie it with a piece of string. There isn’t any pattern to fold it. Once folded, it should look like this and then we’ll steam them and will have sticky rice!”  
“I remember when I was ten and my grandfather was teaching me how to do this.” Kayla begins. “He told me and my sister about the first time he wrapped rice in a lotus leaf. He always told the story and made sure to say that he watched this being made for almost eight years prior to being allowed to wrap them and doesn’t know why he did it. He would tell us that he took the kitchen scissors and began to cup up the leaf. He cut a circle so that the rice could sit on something. He then trimmed the lotus leaf into mini looking pieces of leaf and placed them on the pile of rice. He always compared it to someone making a scrapbook and gluing small pieces of ribbon onto the paper. Every year, he would make one of these. This was what the young cousins would do. They would place the cut up pieces on the lotus leaf. I probably have pictures somewhere of me and my sister making those when we were really young.”
“Did you want to make one?” Tyson asks.
“Yeah? Sure!” Kayla replies with enthusiasm. She goes into the drawer and pulls out a pair of kitchen scissors. Kayla and Tyson begin cutting up a piece of lotus leaf. Once the rice is placed on a circular piece of lotus paper, Tyson and Kayla begin adding the small miniature pieces. Their giggles and laughter can be heard throughout the kitchen, putting smiles on everyone’s face in the kitchen.
For the next hour, Tyson, Kayla, Kacey, Laura, and Tyson’s grandparents folded the sticky rice and lotus leaf to be ready to be steamed. Conversation flowed easily and Kayla couldn’t help but smile. She was able to share her culture and her upbringing with the man she loves and his family she absolutely adored. It couldn't be any better. 
After there was no more rice to be folded into the lotus leaf, Kayla put the rice wrapped in lotus leaf into the pot to steam for an hour and half. 
“What do you do while the sticky rice is steaming?” Tyson asks.
“Not much, normally my mom or grandmother would begin making the other parts for dinner but I just bought those frozen because I didn’t want to screw up making them for the first time. We can watch a movie or play a game, maybe?” Kayla responds. 
After a small debate, everyone decides to play a card game as Kayla will have to get up and check the water every twenty minutes to make sure that no lotus leaves came undone.
… 
After an hour and half and steaming the rest of dinner, everyone was able to sit down and eat. 
“This is the typical dim sum. Normally dim sum is eaten for lunch but on the Dragon Boat festival, my family eats dim sum at dinner. We have Ha Gow, Siu Mai, Cheong Fan, Lo Ba Go, Cha Siu Bao, and Chao Mian. Which are shrimp dumplings, open faced shrimp dumplings, beef wrapped in rice noodles, fried radish cake, steamed pork bun, and fried noodles, respectively. And, obviously the sticky rice we all labored to make!”
Kayla’s explanation was met with hungry looks and nods of approval of how tasty everything looked. 
“How did you eat the one with the cut up lotus leaf?” Tyson asks, confused.
“Normally, we would put that one aside and eat it the next day. When it’s cold, it is easier to pick the lotus leaf pieces off.” Kayla explains. 
When Kayla sat down, she was so happy that she was able to celebrate this holiday with loved ones, even if they were her boyfriend’s family. If things went according to plan, Kayla hoped that maybe they could make a tradition out of this.
Part Three will be posted on February 26, 2021
23 notes · View notes
amylillian22 · 4 years
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What If I Never Get Over You (Part 3) - Chris Evans Imagine
Summary: It’s the day of Y/N and Cody’s wedding, and Chris has every intention to stop the love of his life marrying someone else. 
Word Count: 2892
Warnings: Mentions of cheating, mentions of unable to carry children/get pregnant 
Author's Note: Final chapter of the mini-series, and it was NOT easy to write. I wrote two completely different drafts before I decided THIS one was the perfect way to end it. I hope you like it.
[Part 1] /// [Part 2]
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Chris sat in the back of the church in his best black suit. His heart ached as he watched Y/N in a beautiful white dress slowly walk down the aisle. A small part of him was hoping Y/N would look back at the crowd and see him sitting in the back row. It killed him knowing it wasn't him at the other end of the aisle. For years, he always knew Y/N was the one he was going to spend the rest of his life with, build a home with, and fill it up with as many kids as possible.
The pastor said, "If anyone can show cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Chris stood up from his seat and shouted, "I object!"
Except something came out. No one heard him. He tried again, but no one flinched at his words. He realized nothing came out, no matter how many times he opened his mouth and shouted. He got out of the pew and rushed towards Y/N. He literally stood in front of her and Cody, as they continued with the wedding as if he was invisible.
He fell down to his knees, feeling like he can't breathe as tears slowly fell down Chris' cheeks. He knew this was it. It was over for him as Y/N kissed her newly wedded husband.
Chris sat up from his bed, his chest heaving as he panted heavily. A sense of relief washed over him as he realized it was just a nightmare. The clock on his nightstand read 3:05AM. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. He swung his legs over and carefully got out of bed.
In the dark, Chris made his way to the kitchen. He turned on the stove light to illuminate the kitchen as he made himself a cup of hot tea. He put a tea bag in his favorite mug before he watched a cup of water go in circles in the microwave. His mind drifted back to a moment he'll never forget three years ago.
The drive to the church wasn't far. Although Chris was speeding down the familiar streets of Boston, it felt like he was never gonna get there. Time was going by so slow and it didn't help that he had a million things running on his mind.
How does he stop a wedding? He's never witnessed one in real life. He's only seen them on movies and tv shows, but those have always been overly dramatic and unrealistic for his liking. His anxiety picked up as he wondered what the guest would say or do, how fast they would put it out on the social media world. For a split second, he worried what the headlines would say and what the whole world had to say.
He shook his head, letting his mind wonder about something more important. He wondered what he would do if she still didn't pick him, what if she goes on with the wedding and forever leaves Chris behind?
He slammed on the brakes in front of the church, not caring about parking in front of a No Parking Zone. He ran up the stairs, two steps at a time, and opened the double wooden doors. The lobby was empty for the most part except for one person who was on the phone. He ignored her and walked to the other set of doors that led to the main church. It wasn't empty, but it wasn't full either. A few people were fixing the decorations. Chris furrowed his eyebrows, he knew the wedding was starting soon. He wasn't early. The church should be filled with people.
Chris stopped a woman who walked towards his direction with a vase of flowers in her hands. "Excuse me, could you tell me where the bride's room is?"
"Sure. Go back out to the lobby, take a left. Then, go down the hall until you reach the fourth door on the right," she instructed.
"Thanks!" Chris quickly said before taking off to the bride's room.
It didn't take long to get there. He opened the door and was surprised to see it empty except for a girl standing in the middle of the room. She wore a black pencil skirt with a matching blazer. She spoke to her headset as she looked down at her clipboard, too focused on what was written while talking to someone on the other line.
Chris took a step towards her, causing her to look up and gasp. She placed a hand on her racing heart. "I'm sorry, there's someone here, I have to go. Chow!" She pressed the end button. "How can I help you, sir?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm looking for the bride," Chris said. "Any chance I can speak to her real quick? It's important."
"There is no bride."
Chris' heart dropped to his stomach. "I'm sorry, what?"
"She called off the wedding about an hour ago. My team and I are trying as quickly as we can to inform the guest. I'm sorry we didn't tell you any sooner to save yourself the trip," she said before she eyed him down. He wore a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a long sleeve, that showed off his very muscular arms. "But I'm guessing you weren't here to see the wedding," she said, knowing this wasn't the first wedding to be stopped by an ex.
"Okay, thanks," Chris pulled out his phone from his pocket as he walked out of the church. Luckily, no one hadn't towed his car or given him a ticket yet. He looked down at his phone, staring at her contact information. He hadn't called her since the break up. He doesn't even know if that's still her number. He dialed, his heart ready to explode out of his chest after each ring.
"Hello?" A guy spoke on the other line.
Chris didn't know who it was. "Is Y/N there?"
"You know, a lot of people ask for her, but you have the wrong number, dude. But I hope you find her, and if you do, can you tell her to tell everyone she knows she changed her number so they can stop calling me," the gentleman hung up, extremely annoyed that someone else had called for a woman he didn't even know.
Chris quickly got in the car and slowly drove off, not knowing where to go. He thought about going to her place, but he figured if he was in her situation, being at home is the last place he would want to be after calling off his own wedding.
She's not getting married, he kept thinking to himself. Tears welled up in his eyes as he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He wanted to find her and see what happened. He wanted to know why she called off the wedding. More importantly, he still wanted to tell her how much he still loves her.
Chris let out a high sigh as he pulled up to his driveway. He closed his eyes and rolled his head back on the headrest. He was grateful Scott offered to take Kayla for the day. It was bad enough he knew it was her wedding day, but somehow it felt worse that there was no wedding and he didn't know how to get a hold of her. He didn't know where she could be.
He stepped out of the car and walked around to the side entrance of his house. He stopped on his tracks when he saw Y/N sitting down on the steps, waiting for him. She looked up as she heard his footsteps. Chris immediately noticed her red, puffy eyes. He didn't know what to say, but he knew he wanted to run up to her, wrap his arms around her, kiss her, and never let her go again. Instead, he sat down next to her on the steps, waiting for her to say the first word.
"I called off the wedding," she finally said after a few minutes of silence. She couldn't look at him though. She was too scared to see his reaction.
"I know. I went to the church." She quickly turned her head to see him, her heart stopping at his words. He looked into her tear filled eyes and said, "I wanted to stop you from getting married."
She felt a small weight off her shoulders, a sense of relief that he didn't show up to the wedding to give her his best wishes. But, she still had some questions and she still needed some answers.
"Why did you do it, Chris?" Her voice cracked.
Chris looked away from her, knowing she wasn't asking about why he showed up to the church. She was referring to what happened years ago. He wasn't gonna sugar coat it. He also didn't want to elaborate on the details more than he needed to.
"I was overwhelmed with everything going on at the time. I hadn't seen you in almost a year. That was the longest we had never gone without seeing each other. One night, I was feeling extra lonely and I got drunk at a party with the cast and crew, and then..." Chris stopped, unable to say the next words, but Y/N knew exactly what happened next. Chris closed his eyes and shook his head, mad at himself for what he did.
"I didn't tell you at first when it happened." Chris noticed the shock expression on her face, but continued on with the story. "Because it meant nothing. It didn't mean anything to me. When she told me she was pregnant a couple of months later, I didn't believe her. She agreed to do a DNA test. Turns out, she was right. Kayla is mine."
Y/N noticed his lips forming a smile as he said the last sentence for a few minutes before it vanished.
"But now, I can't say I regret what happened and I wished it had never happened, because then I wouldn't have Kayla."
Y/N heart broke a little bit. Since they dated in high school, she knew how much Chris wanted to be a father and have a big family. It killed her that she couldn't give him that.
"It was easier to break up with you then to tell you the truth. I thought it would hurt less to break up with you than finding out I cheated and having a baby with someone else. I knew the truth wasn't gonna get out there because Abby and I agreed we were going to keep Kayla as quiet as possible. We didn't want the media to constantly be harassing an innocent child. It's worked so far. No one knows I'm a father. People think she's one of my nieces' friends when I take them all out together."
Y/N nodded completely understanding why Chris kept Kayla away from the public. A part of her was really impressed he's managed to keep it a secret this long.
"Y/N," he looked into her eyes. "These are not excuses. It doesn't justify what I did wrong. I know what I did was wrong and completely unforgivable. So unforgivable, I still haven't forgiven myself for it."
Chris buried his face in his hands, unable to look at her. He was too scared about what would happen next. What would she say? He couldn't watch her walk away if she decided she still wants nothing to do with him.
"Chris..." he heard the sadness and brokenness in her small voice. "There's a reason why we didn't see each other that year. That's my fault. I purposely made it impossible not to see you."
He looked up at her. Her eyes welled up with tears. The sad look on her face made his heart race in fear.
"Why?" Was all he could say.
"At the beginning of my tour, I noticed I was late. I thought maybe I was pregnant. I had my assistant set up an appointment in Houston since we had only one extra day off. Turns out, I wasn't pregnant-"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Chris asked. "I would have been there for you-"
"Because you were filming. I knew they wouldn't let you leave and take days off, even if you are Captain America."
"That still doesn't explain why we didn't see each other for a whole year," he said.
Tears fell down her cheek. "The doctor said there was no way I could be pregnant because I didn't have any eggs. She says it's very rare for a young woman to lose all her eggs, but it's possible." Y/N paused for a second as the pain in her heart grew. "I couldn't see you knowing I couldn't give you what you wanted most in life, Chris. I made sure I agreed to any and all new dates added to the tour, which led to having a European tour right after our American tour. It was easier to run away from you than to tell you I can't give you your dream."
She finally let go and sobbed, Chris immediately engulfed her in his arms, crying with her knowing how much this was killing her. As a father now, he can't fathom the idea of not being able to have kids, let alone the love of his life unable to bear his children.
He cried with her as he held her tight. He wanted to take away all the pain she's dealt with since she found out. He wished he had been there for her, to reassure her everything would be fine and they would figure something out together.
"I'm sorry, Chris," she pulled back and looked at his broken blue eyes.
"I'm sorry too," he said.
She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He had one arm wrapped around her shoulder as he held her hand in his, enjoying this moment together- being able to touch her and hold her.
"Why were you going to stop my wedding?" Y/N asked after a few minutes of silence.
Chris let out a deep breath. "I couldn't let you get married without knowing I never got over you," he said without hesitation. He looked down at her. "Why did you call off the wedding?"
"Chris, I never got over you," she admitted. "No matter how hard I tried, I never stopped loving you."
Chris leaned forward and released the butterflies in her stomach the second he kissed her. She didn't waste a second to kiss him back as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Chris' hands moved to her waist and pulled her closer to his chest. The kiss was deep and passionate, making up for lost time.
They pulled back with their foreheads pressing against each other. Y/N cupped Chris' cheek as she looked deep into his ocean blue eyes. Chris' grip tightened on her waist, too scared to let her go.
"Where do we go from here?" She whispered against his lips.
"Hey." A soft voice pulled Chris out of his memory. He turned around to see Y/N walking towards him in his shirt. "What are you doing up, babe? It's late."
Chris sighed and wrapped his arms around Y/N's waist, pulling her closer to his chest. "Horrible nightmare. I couldn't sleep," he buried his face at the crook of her neck.
"Aww, babe," she cooed as she ran her fingers through his soft hair. Her other hand slowly ran up and down his back, trying to soothe him. "Wanna talk about it?"
He shook his head. "No. I rather focus on right now, my reality, because it's so much better." He licked his lips before gently and softly peppered her neck with soft kisses. His lips trailed up to her jaw before capturing her lips for a deep and passionate kiss. His hands moved down to her butt. He gave it a gentle squeeze before he grabbed her butt firmly as she jumped and wrapped her legs around his hips.
"I love you, so much," he said in between kisses.
She pulled back to look at him. With her left hand, she pushed his hair back, taking in every one of his features for the millionth time. She loved the way his blue eyes sparked and the way they looked when he was in awe with her every time his eyes locked with hers. Her fingertips traced his well structured jaw, his beard tickling her in the process. She smiled at him as she rested her hand above his heart. She felt it thundering against his bare chest. Her smile grew wider as she stared at the silver wedding band on her wedding finger.
Her eyes flickered up, "are you sure you're not nervous about tomorrow?"
"No. I'm ready. I'm actually very excited. Are you nervous?"
"A little bit," she admitted with a smile. "But I'm more excited. We're flying out to pick up a baby. Our baby."
Chris' eyes welled up as the day had finally arrived after years of going through the long and hard process of adopting.
"I love you, so damn much," he said.
"I love you too," she whispered against his lips before she kissed him.
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justkimberley · 3 years
Text
JATP Headcannon
Ok so back when Carrie, Julie, and Flynn were all friends:
One day at lunch, Julie had goldfish crackers
(Idk about you guys but like theres something about goldfish that makes teenagers go nuts like they just love to eat them, also adults and children, maybe everyone just likes goldfish)
Anyways, Julie has goldfish and Flynn wants some so she's been very sneakily (read not at all sneakily) stealing goldfish whenever Julie turns to talk to Carrie
Julie knows Flynn is doing it though, so she keeps trying to catch her in the act, but Flynn's too fast
It's a fun game, Carrie is watching it in amusement, she's secretly cheering for both of them
About ten stolen crackers in, Julie turns at the right time to catch Flynn "Ha! I caught you! You owe me fries next time we go out!"
Flynn shrugs it off agreeing, now that she's been caught though, she just keeps reaching for the goldfish now while making eye contact, almost challenging Julie to do something about it
Julie laughs at the audacity, as she takes a couple goldfish in her hand and pretends to eat all of the ones she grabbed but she actually kept one in her hand
The next time Flynn reaches for a goldfish, Julie throws the one she was hiding at Flynn, and Flynn's immediate reaction, for a reason that none of them know, is to just... catch the goldfish in her mouth and eat it
Julie stares at Flynn in shock. Sure Julie has seen Flynn catch things that she's thrown to herself, but this goldfish was literally just thrown straight at Flynn's face at a fairly high speed with no arc and no warning. It was impressive.
Carrie's inner cheering breaks out and she claps her hands together once and says "nice catch," in a voice like when the Wii sports bowling complements your throw
Julie and Flynn look at Carrie with looks of utter delight at the voice and mannerism that just came out of her and they immediately start copying what they did (in a fun friendly teasing joking manner)
Carrie is also surprised at the voice and laughs and joins in
It becomes a joke with them, whenever somebody catches something they clap one (1) time and say "nice catch" in a funny voice (the funnier the better)
It becomes an ingrained mannerism in all of them
When they go through their friend break up, at one point, Carrie is at one of Nick's games and he catches the ball in his lacrosse stick and Carrie automatically goes *clap* "Nice Catch" and then looks beside her for Julie and Flynn's reactions before she remembers that won't be happening anymore. Maybe Kayla's there with her and is just looking at her questioning what she was doing. Carrie just sits back down and is sad for a bit.
The Phantoms come into Julie's life not too long after the friend break up, and Julie and Flynn still do it because they haven't broken the habit yet. During band practice Reggie throws Luke a pen and Luke makes a particularly impressive catch, so Julie goes *clap* "nice catch" and the boys kind of notice it and think it's funny, but don't say anything. But then any time someone's around and catches something around Julie or Flynn the boys notice that the girls do that, so then eventually without even meaning to, the boys start doing it too.
At one of their performances (let's go with another school dance, after the finale) Carrie is there watching quietly from the back. Alex breaks a stick and so while hes still keeping the beat with one hand, Julie tosses him another stick and he catches it with the other hand. Luke, Reggie, and Julie do some form of a clap (Julie with her hand on her leg, Reggie (lightly) on the body of his bass, and Luke just snaps while he strumming somehow) and Reggie, who was the only one not currently singing goes "nice catch" under his breath but its into the microphone so everyone can hear it. And Carrie just... feels so sad because she regrets what happened between her Julie and Flynn, and seeing that Julie and Flynn had made new friends and passed along that mannerism that used to just be the three of them hurt.
Especially because she knew they wouldn't do it on purpose, and that meant that Julie's band spent enough time together and cared about each other enough to be mirroring each other, when all Carrie's band did was look at her in confusion. And all Carrie wants to do is try to find a way to make up with them, because she really misses them.
(And Julie and Flynn miss her too, every time the boys do the nice catch clap, Julie and Flynn think about how great it would be if Carrie could be apart of it too)
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amiandthechaos · 4 years
Link
fire has no shadow, but you have me
Leo is not hiding this personal moment with a mask of light-hearted comments or jokes. So Nico won't shy away from it, either.
"I'm glad you want to come back." He summons courage harder than it takes him to summon an army of skeletons, and he leans his head on Leo's shoulder.
They remain like that for a while, Leo's hand covering his and Nico's head resting on Leo, and Nico had never felt so safe outside of camp and he wonders if it can last.
It starts with a blinding flash of light. And at this point, Nico has seen enough of those to know that it can't be anything good.
And he couldn't be less prepared for it. He was just lying on the grass under the sun, getting more vitamin D on doctor's orders.
And of course, his doctor is right there next to him. Will insists Nico needs more sun, and Nico begrudgingly agrees because at least his skin color is returning to normal and he sleeps better at night. Not well, but better.
He feels warm and drowsy while Will's voice fills the silence by talking about music and bands. Nico hasn't really had time to listen to music in the last… decade. But he appreciates Will's suggestions, however disconcerting they may be.
And then he feels it. The sun's getting hotter, which doesn't make sense since it was supposed to be going down soon, and when he opens his eyes, it's there.
His senses heighten, every nerve suddenly into overdrive, and Will is already on his feet, hauling him up and dragging him away.
But it's too late, Nico thinks. It's coming way too fast.
He still runs, but not for long before the crash is heard. It's not as big as he imagined. It's not Armageddon, it's not the end of the world, but it is something.
Nico spins around, making Will stumble, but he's glad he did because he immediately recognizes something that makes his heart thud painfully.
A bronze wing.
He breaks free from Will's grip and runs back towards the mess of fire that's still burning in a big pile. Will yells out his name but then he and some others are right behind him, slow realization dawning on all the campers.
Even among the flames and smoke, Nico can see the broken-down body of Festus the dragon.
"Where's Leo?" Will asks and Nico was thinking the same thing but with each passing second his heart sinks more and more. Leo's fireproof, his mind supplies, and still the fear that he might have burnt to a crisp seems far more real.
Nico looks around wildly. "Can't anyone summon water?! Where's fucking Percy Jackson when you need him?!"
Everyone seems to click into motion, moving around to help. Nico focuses back on the fire. Perhaps he can make a hole on the earth below and pull Leo out?
He tries to feel the presence and a more sinister thought enters his mind. Maybe he was never alive. Maybe Festus just brought Leo's body here.
The fire is receding a bit, but it's still hard to see beyond the flames and reflective bronze. A moment later, three different people shout to make room. From the right, Chris Rodríguez and a bunch of dryads are bringing in buckets of water from the lake. From the left, Leo's siblings from the Hephaestus cabin are running with Harley at the front, all dressed up in a full metal welding suit that the others are still trying to attach to him.
And then, from very far away there's Paolo Montes waving a hose.
Harley gets there first, and he would have thrown himself on the fire if Nyssa Barrera hadn't stopped him.
"Wait! The suit is not sealed yet!"
And then it came. Nico gasps and almost stumbles backwards with the force of it and everyone looks at him, alarmed.
But Nico's eyes are fixed on the blazing heat.
The metal rumbles and pieces fall to the floor, and from the very center of Festus' belly, Leo Valdez's head pops up, his hair wild and moving along with the flames.
He looks around at the dozens of shocked faces and finally settles for a toothy grin.
"Hello. Bit hot today, no?"
This time Will had to stop Nico from jumping into the fire and slapping Leo in the face.
.
Nico had been spending some of his time hanging out in the infirmary since Will was there a lot, teaching healing practices to other campers because, in his words 'With the number of dangerous situations demigods get into, the Apollo cabin can't be the only ones who know basic first aid.'
And now he was there a lot because he was in charge of organising the queue to punch Leo and Leo was there getting patched up.
He had never been very close to Leo. At least not the way he was close to Hazel or even Percy at some point. But over their time aboard the Argo II, they had at least shared some kind of kinship a few times, especially when Nico realized how much of a seventh wheel Leo had been feeling, and how similar that was to how Nico himself felt in that ship. An eight wheel, to be precise.
And by Gods, did Nico want to hate him. He was insufferably obnoxious, always cracking stupid jokes, and with no shame whatsoever. Nico's worst nightmare.
Until Nico saw through all that for what it really was; Leo's way of keeping people at bay. Diametrically opposed to Nico's way, but a way nonetheless.
Plus, a few times Nico had walked in on Leo sleeping curled up next to the engine and it was hard to hate him after that.
"What happened to Calypso?" Nico asks one morning after the first shift of punchers. Leo had just finished explaining everything he went through, the physician's cure, the trip to Ogygia, rescuing the forgotten sorceress.
His face reddens somewhat. "I dropped her off inland in Europe. I think it was Croatia. She um… She wanted to see the world."
Nico doesn't want to push it if Leo's reluctant to discuss it but he had imagined that after all of that he and Calypso would be together.
Leo shrugs and then winces as his left shoulder is still injured from the fall. His skin was thankfully all untouched thanks to his abilities but his clothes all turned to ashes. That was the most awkward part of the rescue. "I get it. She was tied to that island for thousands of years, I can't blame her for wanting to be free and not tied to something or someone else now." He sounds sad, but also braver than Nico had ever seen him. "I promised to rescue her and I'm glad I did."
Nico nodded. He raised his hand, planning to pat Leo's shoulder but regretting it at the last second and landing awkwardly on the pillow next to him. "That's the demigod life."
Leo smiles one of his huge smiles and nudges Nico's hand with his shoulder. "That, and catapulting annoying augurs up in the sky. Tell me again how you launched Octavian up to meet me."
Nico rolls his eyes. "I didn't launch him."
.
Since communication was still down on all fronts, Leo couldn't let anyone at Camp Jupiter know that he hadn't actually died, so he decided to just make the journey.
Him and a few other campers sat at a table trying to figure out the best method to get him there.
"Festus would take at least a month to rebuild again," Leo sighs, genuinely depressed about the topic. "I can't let the others wait that long for Admiral Valdez's resurrection."
Everyone groans. Leo had been bragging for days about how he was basically the modern version of Jesus of Nazareth.
"What about a jetpack? My design is nearly ready!" Harley exclaims excitedly.
Leo ruffles Harley's hair. "Oh Harley, I'd rather let Zeus zoom me halfway across the globe again. I saw your designs and I think fuel tanks like those would send me on my way to an explosion even I couldn't survive."
"You could take a bus?" Kayla says. "Cheaper than an airplane."
"I will take you."
It almost takes Nico a second to realize the words came out of his mouth, especially when they all look at him like that.
"Nico, are you sure that's a good idea?" Will asks, his golden eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"I shadow-travelled from Europe with a ten-foot statue and two others. I think I can handle Leo from here to California."
"I feel like that was a jab at my stature," Leo says into the silence.
Nico smirks.
.
The Hephaestus cabin organized a congratulations-for-not-being-dead/going-away campfire for Leo. Nico usually didn't attend campfires, but Will had dragged him to a couple and this one seemed to be more up his alley, with less corny songs and more people making fun of Leo.
Plus, Pollux had appeared with a few bottles of homemade wine and the results were entertaining.
Will was, no surprise, a very touchy drunk, which made Nico uncomfortable but not as much as he would have thought. He lets Will rest his head on his shoulder when he says that the world is spinning.
Leo chugs more wine and tells another joke and people laugh harder even though it makes no sense, and that's when Sherman Yang decides they've all had too much.
"Okay, let's pack it up, people. Leo has a long day tomorrow and we all have target practice."
Some groan, a few giggle, most don't react and just let themselves be dragged away after patting Leo on the back and wishing him luck.
No one tells Leo to leave, perhaps because after helping defeat Gaia, coming back from the dead, rescuing an unrescuable ancient sorceress and then surviving yet another explosion, no one felt like they had much authority over him.
Will, held by Kayla on one side, turns around to look at Nico. "Are you coming?"
Nico looks over at Leo, who chooses that moment to fall backwards from his log. "I think I'll stay and make sure he doesn't die."
Will smiles crookedly. "Aw, you're taking care of someone. I've taught you well."
"Shut up."
Leo manages to sit up and realizes he and Nico are alone, the fire slowly dying between them. "Are you cold? I can make more fire."
He opens his palms towards the flames but Nico rushes over and stops him. "No no. Don't drink and summon fire. Didn't you see the safety video on your first day here? Dionysus had a whole section about wine safety."
Leo snorts a laugh. "No. When I arrived everything was very rushed. I never met Mr. D"
Nico nods. Leo must have heard that name from Percy. Nico wonders if Percy got the letter they sent telling him that Leo was alive. It was Will's idea to use regular mortal mail, but even being in the same estate as Percy wouldn't guarantee that he'll receive the letter. Strange things happened to demigods' correspondence in the postal service.
"You know, this is the first time I drink wine." Leo waves his plastic cup, stained burgundy.
"Really?" Nico asks. "Not even sips as a kid?"
Leo shakes his head and his curls move with it. "Mexican moms don't really believe in that."
Nico had been drinking wine since he was very young. "I always used to have dinner with my family."
"Maybe that's why you're not drunk."
"Or maybe because I'm not eighty pounds and had ten glasses"
"Hey!" Leo protests and then he is silent as he sizes Nico up with a look that makes Nico wish he could blend in with the shadows. "How are you already taller than me? It's not fair."
That makes Nico smile. "Get used to it, Valdez."
They stay in silence for a while longer, which must be a record coming from Leo. He pulls out a small device from his pocket and starts to tinker with it, not even looking at it. He seems thoughtful, as though he's trying to figure out a different device than the one in his hands.
"I heard something from Drew yesterday," Leo says, a little too quiet to be the start of a joke. Nico's heart starts racing. He knew people would talk, and he knew Leo and all his friends would find out eventually, but he never thought Leo would want to talk to him about it.
He presents Nico with his closed fist as if he wanted Nico to bump it and Nico can only frown.
"This is for telling Percy he isn't your type. What a boss move."
It takes a second, but Nico throws his head back and laughs. The first time he's properly laughed in a long time, but it just takes him completely by surprise that this is what Leo has to say on the subject.
He bumps Leo's fist as his laughter dies down and he shakes his head in disbelief.
Leo can't seem to stop smiling, but in this drunk, lazy way that makes him seem a bit more down to earth.
This isn't a mask, Nico thinks.
Leo sways and his shoulder grazes Nico's. "If it makes you feel any better, I get it. Like, who hasn't thought Percy's hot? Like, objectively, you know? They're tall and conventionally attractive and stupidly heroic-"
"They?" Nico asks, not really wanting to interrupt Leo's tirade but confused by his wording.
"Percy and Jason. Everyone has crushes on them, right? And you kind of want to hate them because like, shit man, you look like that and you fly, and you're ridiculously friendly and like noble and stuff? Just stop it. You know? But you can't hate them because they're really nice to you and they don't deserve it. But it's nothing to be ashamed of, you know?"
Nico blinks a few times, Leo's confession of basically having a crush on Jason in particular, hitting him like an electrical shock that left him short-circuited. If Leo was sober he probably wouldn't have said anything, so Nico wonders if he should feel bad for letting Leo say something so personal in this state of vulnerability.
But he doesn't. Because it's the first time someone tells him they understand him and actually give reasons and examples why, not just an empty attempt at empathy. He hopes Leo doesn't regret telling him this.
"They are so stupidly noble. I hate that," Nico says.
Leo stands up on wobbly legs. "Oh look at me I'm the son of a famous, powerful God and I can control the elements and I have light-colored eyes and a dreamy smile. Who am I?"
Nico has to laugh again because Leo is pulling a full-on performance pretending to fly like Jason or raise the sea like Percy and it makes Nico feel lighter than he has in probably years. He can laugh about it now. He can let it go.
Leo stumbles around the fire and even though he'd be fine if he falls in, it still doesn't seem right to let him, so Nico grabs his arm and pulls him away from the danger zone as they both keep laughing.
They sit back down and their knees knock together and Nico doesn't mind.
"Some of that could also describe you," Leo says breathlessly. "Son of a major God. Powerful."
Nico nudges Leo with his arm in acknowledgement. "And you. You can control the elements." He nods towards the fire.
Leo seems relaxed in a way he hadn't seemed to be since he came back.
They remain like that for a while longer, watching the flames get smaller and sitting in comfortable silence. Nico's favorite kind of silence.
"We should probably get some sleep." Nico hates to be the one to say it, but shadow-travelling really is easier when he's rested.
Damn Will. He got inside Nico's head.
Leo lets Nico help him up and then Nico does something that he only does when someone is injured in battle; he wraps one arm around Leo's waist and helps him walk. Leo throws his arm over Nico's shoulders.
As they walk away from the campfire, Leo sighs happily. "Have you ever noticed that fire doesn't have a shadow?"
.
Nico was right when he thought that travelling with Leo would be less tiring than the last shadow trip he had done.
That didn't mean it was easier.
"Y'all should've told me we'd be coming here." Leo digs into his plate of ribs, sauce all over his face. "I'd've made some reservations."
Nico sends him a death glare. He's good at those.
Leo had decided to adopt a heavy southern accent ever since they landed in Oklahoma instead of Kansas like Nico had been planning. Nico's ears were going to bleed from over-stimulation.
The food was good, though.
Leo inhales deeply and sighs contentedly. "We're so close to Texas, I can feel it."
"We're always close to Texas. That state is inescapable. I think its gravity drew us off course."
Leo pulls out two wet hand towels from his magic pouch- as Nico has started to call it much to Leo's annoyance- and then he warms them up by heating his hands. He has a much more sophisticated control on his fire abilities than Nico remembered.
Leo hands one to Nico while he himself wipes basically his entire face and arms. "Well, we're here now so let's find a spot to sleep tonight. I hope you like camping, Neeks!"
Nico frowns. "You should know I don't. Also, stop it with the Neeks."
Leo smiles. "You have barbecue on your nose."
Nico groans and wipes it off.
.
They end up finding a not-so-terrible spot to spend the night, but the heat in this Hades-forsaken place was so insufferable that they decided not to use sleeping bags and instead hang hammocks, of which Leo procured two from his magic pouch.
"Why in the world do you have hammocks on hand?" Nico asks as he unsuccessfully attempts to tie his to a tree.
"Hammocks are an incredible feat of engineering. You need fabric and weaving that are strong enough to hold you but not so tough that it's hard to sleep. It minimises your travelling load while maximising sleeping space, and it works on all surfaces because it precisely keeps you away from surfaces." Leo comes over and ties Nico's hammock for him. "It also keeps you away from snakes."
Nico blinks at him. "You have a lot of feelings about hammocks."
"They are perfect and need to be more appreciated."
"I've never actually slept in one."
Leo's eyes seem to light up with fire. "Oh I can't believe you're a hammock virgin!"
"Please don't call it that."
"This is going to be great. Shed all your preconceived notions right now and prepare for the best sleeping experience of your life."
Nico would hardly call swinging in the air the best sleeping experience of his life, but considering the things he's been through, it also could be far, far worse.
Leo is too delighted with the swinging and even pushes off against the tree with his foot to go even faster, his hands busy with a mechanical box he's been tinkering with since West Virginia. The movement is making Nico slightly dizzy so he lies as still as possible until the soft swaying actually feels nice, and it seems to be lulling him to sleep faster than anticipated.
He's almost gone when Leo speaks into the silence.
"Nico?"
"Mm?" He opens his eyes and turns to see Leo still swinging madly, almost nervously, under the orange light of the lantern he hung on a branch above. Thank the Gods they're on different trees or the movement would rock Nico's hammock as well. He also decided to remove his t-shirt, which is fine by Nico because then all the mosquitoes would get Leo instead of him.
"You're fifteen, right?" Leo asks.
"Last I checked."
Another pause. "How did you, um… how did you know?"
It takes Nico's sleepy brain a bit to process the question but it still doesn't make much sense. "How did I know what?"
Leo keeps his eyes on his box. "You know… how did you know you… liked boys?"
Suddenly Nico is as alert as the day Leo came crashing down above them.
Usually, Nico would say something snarky and then refuse to discuss the matter entirely, possibly adding about a day's worth of brooding and death glares.
But this question seemed to be a lot less about prying into Nico's business and a lot more about something else.
Nico looked away from Leo nonetheless and kept his eyes on the dark canopy above. "It's kind of hard to ignore when you, you know… when you like someone and that someone is, well, a boy."
Leo's swinging sounds less intense. "Sure. I suppose when it's the only kind of attraction that happens to you, you can't really miss it, can you?"
"Nope," Nico confirms. He could see where Leo's mind was at. "But I guess that if someone was attracted to a lot of different people… it'd be harder to recognize."
"I guess so."
Nico thinks of all the things he wished someone had said to him when he was driving himself mad with questions and confusion, and out of everything, the thing that would have meant the most was very simple.
"And it'd be okay. It'd be more than okay, actually, it'd be great."
Nico can't see it, but he can hear the soft exhale that Leo does when he smiles. The rustling and thudding of his magic pouch follow and then the light is turned off.
"Thank you, Neeks."
"I'm going to murder you."
.
This was the first time in Nico's life that he has managed to leave a camp for more than five minutes without encountering a single being that wanted to kill him. He had been prepared for attacks from the get-go, especially since Leo literally couldn't go two breaths without doing something demigod-like such as warming up their chilaquiles with his bare hands or making weird artefacts appear as if out of thin air.
But this had been the most peaceful trip of his life and it almost felt akin to a vacation. Camping, taking dips in rivers and lakes, eating something different every day (Leo even agreed to go to McDonald's once) and keeping the worrying to a minimum.
It was even nice to be around Leo most of the time. Ever since the other night, he seemed to be making fewer jokes and nervous tinkering than usual. He still did it, because it's part of him, but he seemed more relaxed about it. It wasn't a necessity but a choice.
"What are you going to do once we arrive?" Nico asks one afternoon as they sit on top of a hill and take in the view. They're most likely just a jump away from getting to their destination, and in all honesty, Nico's rested enough that he could manage it that same day.
But he decided to drag this out a bit longer. They stopped just outside of San Francisco at some unknown mountains with enough trees to make it the perfect spot to tie hammocks and, damn it, Nico loves them by now, and he just wants another opportunity to use them while he's still with company. His return trip will be a lot lonelier.
Leo shrugs. "I don't know what Pipes and Jason might be up to. Jason had his plan to make shrines for all the Gods, so I might help him with that. But honestly, I wish they'd come back to Camp Half-Blood."
Nico raises his eyebrows. "Really?"
"Sure. It's the camp me and Piper were meant to be in, all my siblings are there, plus there's the bunker and Festus… I don't want to give it all up."
Nico feels a spark of hope in his chest. Perhaps he won't have to return alone. It's still bittersweet, though, because once Leo rejoins Piper and Jason, things will be different. Piper and Jason are very nice and all, and Nico gets along very well with Jason in particular, but he has a feeling Leo won't be the same with them around.
"And you're there, also," Leo adds.
Nico feels some heat rise to his cheeks and he tries to push it down.
Thankfully, Leo doesn't press it. "What about you? How do you decide which Camp to be in? You were in Camp Jupiter for a while, you have Hazel there, but you're originally Half-Blood and you have Will over there…"
"Will?" Nico asks, surprised that Leo would put him on the same level of importance to Nico as Hazel.
"Well, yes. I assumed you two-"
"Oh, no." Nico must be properly blushing now. "I mean, I don't know. But we're not. He's very nice and I'm glad to have a close friend there but…"
"Well okay, so you'll have two close friends there, then." Leo puts his hand over Nico's and it's the first time they're so purposefully touching like that.
Leo is not hiding this personal moment with a mask of light-hearted comments or jokes. So Nico won't shy away from it, either.
"I'm glad you want to come back." He summons courage harder than it takes him to summon an army of skeletons, and he leans his head on Leo's shoulder.
They remain like that for a while, Leo's hand covering his and Nico's head resting on Leo, and Nico had never felt so safe outside of camp and he wonders if it can last.
.
It turns out it can last. They manage to make it to Camp Jupiter without a single unpleasant encounter. And just when Nico thought they may break Percy's rule about feeling safe, they cross the gates and they are actually safe. Hazel sees them first. She's in full uniform and looking tiny but powerful as always, and her eyes go wide and shiny like dark gemstones.
She drops everything, her spatha, shield, and a book she'd been carrying and she sprints at them. She crushes Leo in a hug and starts weeping immediately.
"You! How? I was- Jason and Piper- ugh!" Each word is punctuated by a sob and a slap on Leo's chest.
Then there's Frank, who is so surprised that he turns into a ferret by mistake but then seizes the opportunity to climb onto Leo's head and claw at his hair with tiny, shrill yelps.
"I missed you too, buddy," Leo says, only grimacing slightly.
When he's back in human form, the bear hug is so engulfing that Leo almost disappears from sight.
Apparently, Piper and Jason are around somewhere but Hazel and Frank are too busy with their new duties that they can't keep track of them. Hazel summons Arion and writes a note, tying it around his neck.
"If you find Piper or Jason, get them here as soon as possible."
And off he goes.
Hazel spends a while telling Leo how much they looked for him the days after the battle back in Camp-Half Blood, which Nico had already done, but not in so much detail. Especially about the extent to which Jason and Piper in particular had driven themselves mad trying to find him, to the point where after weeks of futile search, Percy and Annabeth had to drag them back to camp and eventually convince them to come to California and get their minds off it.
Of course Nico wanted Leo to know they didn't give up on him, that he was missed, but he didn't want him to feel as guilty as he looks right now.
Other people also greeted them, including Reyna who Nico was glad to see. She was looking healthier than before.
Just as they were about to go to the Fifth Cohort to see if anyone knew about Jason or Piper, a loud zoom fills Nico's ears and a blurry second later, Leo is on the ground, tackled by Piper.
Arion neighs and stomps his front legs down before taking off again.
It takes about two minutes of Piper holding onto Leo and crying "I hate you!" before they can stand up. Leo's eyes and face are red too and he can't stop sniffling.
"Explain. Now," Piper orders him, wiping tears off her face.
"I thought we'd wait for Jason," Leo tells her.
Piper sighs. "He's been so moody lately I can't even tell you when he'd be coming back. He's been hard to read."
"Jason? Moody? Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?"
Piper hits Leo.
And then, it happens again. This time is a whooshing sound that gets progressively louder and Nico barely has time to catch a glance of Jason flying at them at full speed before Leo is lifted off his feet and carried away.
Nico typically refrains from showing any emotion other than annoyance in front of others, but even he can't keep a straight face upon seeing Jason and Leo embracing up in the air, clearly crying and laughing at the same time as Jason slowly lowers them to the ground.
Everyone is at least tearing up by the time they make their way towards them, but Nico is okay with it. He's happy for Leo and he doesn't care who sees. Hazel grabs Nico's hand and he squeezes it.
"So," Leo says with a rough voice. "Ready to hear the Tales of Tio Leo?"
.
Nico hadn't realized how much he missed this camp, especially Hazel. He wishes he could be with her year-round or at least visit more often. There should be a faster way to get from one camp to the other.
Eventually, though, the time to return was drawing nearer and it was hard to acknowledge it. Nico still didn't know if Leo was coming back or not and he didn't want to ruin his reunion. He was still so happy to be around Piper and Jason.
Nico sits outside at a table after dinner. They all managed to squeeze in a dinner together before their respective duties took them in different directions. Of course, the only ones who didn't have anything to attend to were Nico and Leo, so it isn't a surprise when Leo returns to the table after saying goodbye to the others.
Leo plays with the candles there, lighting them on and then putting them out over and over. "I was wondering…" he begins and for some reason Nico's heart speeds up.
"Yeah?"
He lights the candles again. "Is Nico short for Nicholas? And if it is, can I call you Saint Nicholas?"
Nico kicks him under the table.
"Ow!"
"Is Leo short for Leonardo? And if so, can I call you Da Vinci?" Nico asks, trying to sound as stupid as Leo had.
"Definitely!" Leo answers, a big smile while still rubbing his leg. "Da Vinci works, though I think I look more like a Di Caprio."
"Who?"
"Nevermind."
Leo is still smiling even after a few seconds. "Da Vinci and Di Angelo. We should form a band."
"Over my dead body," Nico says, but he has to really bite back a smile.
Silence ensues and Nico thinks this would be the right moment to tell Leo that he plans to return the next day. He opens his mouth to speak but as it often happens with speaking, Leo beats him to it.
"So when do we leave, Hermano Hamaca?"
Nico is so confused by that last bit that he doesn't even process the first. "What?"
"Hammock Bro," Leo translates.
"Oh." Leo wants to go back with him? "I thought you'd want to stay with them a bit longer."
He shrugs. "Well, you're the shadow-travelling boss, but if it was up to me I could leave tomorrow. Piper and Jason are working on the shrines and they'll be at Camp Half-Blood soon. I can help from there. I'll miss Hazel and the big guy, but I'll see them again. Plus, it'd be nice to see Percy and Annabeth too, if they got the letter."
Nico nods. "Sure. We can leave tomorrow." He doesn't let it show how happy he is not to be travelling alone, but he still hopes Leo can see it a little bit.
"Hey," Leo puts out a candle with his right hand and lights up another with his left. "Thank you for bringing me here. I know it's a long road trip for something that could have been a phone call in normal circumstances. But even if I could have contacted them somehow, I think I needed to come. See them for myself. So, thank you."
Nico does smile then. "You're welcome. I know I would have liked to see you in person if you hadn't almost killed me on impact when you arrived."
"It's settled, then. We leave tomorrow. Maybe we can stop in Houston this time? I'll show you my mom's old repair garage and the best gorditas you'll ever have in your life."
"Sure," Nico agrees. It might take them a bit longer but it's not as if they have anything else to do. No prophecies to fulfill, no quests to carry out, no world-destruction to stop.
Leo puts his hand over Nico's again and this time Nico turns his hand over and laces their fingers together. Leo's hand is downright hot from playing with the candles so much, but Nico thinks it's nice.
As the candlelight dances in the wind along with Leo's hair, Nico realizes that even though he has always felt safest in the shadows, fire is not too bad either.
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gra-sonas · 4 years
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It’s been just a little over a year since “Liberty Biberty” became a part of our cultural vernacular, but that’s when Tanner Novlan garnered national attention as the tongue-tied, clueless, narcissistic actor in Liberty Mutual’s line of popular commercials. “I had seen the series they were doing of Liberty Mutual commercials in front of the Statue of Liberty,” Novlan relays. “And yes, people do come up to me all the time and say, ‘Liberty Biberty.’ It’s so fun that everyone can relate to that obnoxious actor. He was so much fun to play. When you get BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL, you’re like, ‘Wow, this is a career-changer,’ but for a funny little commercial like that, you never think [like that].”
Novlan auditioned for B&B in March and landed the part but couldn’t start, or even talk about it, until the soap began production over four months later due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I don’t know their old way of filming, so this is my new normal,” the actor relays. “Being the first production in North America to be back, it was amazing. It’s like, ‘This really is the new normal.’ It’s been such a unique process but it’s been amazing how all the producers have come together to figure this out and put forth these groundbreaking guidelines, making things safe and efficient and being able to work around all of this and keep everything alive. They’ve come up with some really creative ways of making shots work, but also feeling natural. Yes, we have to socially distance. We always are wearing our masks so we’re very cautious in that manner, but when you get into the scene and you’re reading opposite Jacqui [MacInnes Wood, Steffy], even if she is off camera, the connection is there, and I think it comes through.”
Novlan is thankful that he had some inside knowledge of how things worked at B&B, since he’s the real-life husband of B&B alum Kayla Ewell (ex-Caitlin). “It’s so perfect to have someone who has already been a part of the family to walk me through this,” he says. “She’s great for advice, and not just on work stuff. She gives me advice all the time on life. Listen to your wife. It’s always a good idea [laughs]. But with this team, I feel like I can ask any questions, and everyone was welcoming and straightforward.” Novlan and Ewell’s real-life love story sounds like it could be part of a soap, too. “It was technically kind of a setup because we both starred in this music video for an Australian band [circa 2009],” he relays. “The band is called Sick Puppies. It was one of their first hit North American releases. The name of the song was called ‘Maybe’ [which can currently be viewed on YouTube]. So, that’s how we met, on this music video at 3:30 in the morn- ing in the high desert [of California], which is where I met the woman of my dreams. We were very professional on set, but there was definitely something special about her — and I held her sunglasses for ransom. We were shooting outdoors and locations were changing and the makeup lady accidentally took our sunglasses home with her. The next day she called and said, ‘I have your sunglasses.’ I went and picked them up. I saw hers sitting there and thought, ‘I’ll give these to Kayla,’ so I snagged them and I said to her, ‘Lunch and your sunglasses?’ Luckily she took the lunch, probably just to get her sunglasses back.”
The rest was history, and the duo has worked to navigate the demands of their chosen profession. “The job sometimes involves distance and being away from one another, and there is also the time away that certain projects can require,” he points out. “It can be difficult sometimes but the trick is, we try very hard to make sure our schedules coordinate so we can be with each other. We have a two- to three-week rule where if one of us is away working for that long, you have to fly out and see the other. It’s almost like a must. And with our new baby, Poppy, we’ll definitely make sure that’s the case. But that’s the beauty of a having a great job like B&B. Luckily, I’m here. I’m local in L.A.” Novlan’s mom, a B&B super-fan, couldn’t be more thrilled about her son’s new gig. “My hometown has 500 people in it,” he explains. “I come from a very small farming community so even just coming home was a shock to her, but she’s cool. Kayla is so down-to-earth that none of that mattered. But believe me, my mother is chomping at the bit to come and visit the set of B&B as soon as COVID [passes]. That may be the real challenge, like, ‘Mom, you can’t wander onto the set. You’ve got to stay over here.’ That’s going to be a great day when it happens.”
Novlan credits his mother’s influence for getting him from Saskatchewan to Hollywood. “My mother was originally from Sacramento so I always thought it would be great to come and work in the U.S.,” he explains. “I started doing some print work in Canada so that’s how I originally came down, but I fell in love with acting as my immigration papers were being processed. I went to acting class here but I never could I have imagined having a career in film. But when I came down here and got a taste of it I was, like, ‘Wow. I’m hooked. This is it.’ ” But he admits he had no idea what he was in for. “My first job was a commercial for T.J. Maxx, back to school,” he recalls. “It was the first audition that I had ever been on and I got it and I thought, ‘Well, this is easy!’ I quickly learned there’s a lot of training that goes into it. So, I came here quite green but over the years, I’ve been able to call it a career.”
Over the next decade-plus, Novlan landed high-profile roles in MODERN FAMILY, ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO, the TV rom-com MY BEST FRIEND’S CHRISTMAS and the upcoming PUCKHEADS. 
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He’s up for a ROSWELL comeback, schedule permitting. “There could be a chance that we might see Gregory again,” he notes of playing the caring brother of series regular Tyler Blackburn (Alex; ex-Ian, DAYS et al). “I know ROSWELL has been picked up for a season 3, and the character has been pretty well-received from the fans, as well, which is always amazing and such an honor. You never know. It was a great experience, but right now, everything is about B&B. Even with COVID, we’re finding a really nice groove with maintaining safety while keeping that classic B&B look. It’s been pretty smooth, I’ve got to say. How lucky am I?”
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“Sinn” City
B&B fans have dubbed Steffy and Finn “Sinn”, which is just fine by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy). “I told him this character is his own,” she says. “He’s not a recast, so I told him, ‘Make it your own and have fun with it. Even though we are eight feet away from each other in scenes, feel free to play with me. Let’s connect as much as we can in these scenes.’ He’s been great. He’s been absolutely wonderful on set and taking direction very well — and he’s a fellow Canadian so, of course, we hit it off immediately. He’s a really sweet guy and he can keep up with our pace. I think the fans will really like him.”
Just The Facts
Birthday: April 9 Hails
From: Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, Canada
My Girls: Married to Kayla Ewell (ex-Caitlin, B&B) since September 12, 2015. They welcomed daughter Poppy Marie on July 16, 2019.
What The Puck? “I grew up playing hockey, and I like to play hockey once a week with a group of actors. We have these really intense games.”
All The Right Steff: “It’s time that Steffy meets a man with a new set of values, and a new version of what passion and love can bring. She just had her daughter and I think she’s ready. Finn seems to have her best interests in mind, and I think that’s a good thing for Steffy.”
Finn In A Nutshell: “Helping people is in his nature but he can get a little too involved, and that can also get him into trouble.”
Grandma’s Boy: “My grandmother is in Canada in a nursing home and the last FaceTime I got was from my mom asking me to help set up grandma’s DVR. They’re very excited about this, and it’s nice to know that my grandma gets to see me every day — and, she’s super-proud that I’m a doctor!”
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Relight that Spark Chapter 11
A Little Something Special.
Juke! Luke: a popular kid, is a jock and into music.
Julie: loner (with Flynn). Shy, and a behind-the-scenes kind of girl.
They get partnered up for a project and are OOZING chemistry.
Requested by anonymous.
Please request some more! I'm running out of ideas.
Luke's POV The boys are alive and go to school with Julie. They are in the same grade.
It's the final game of the season. We're playing against our rivals. The Hawks from Grainsville HS.  We're all getting ready to play. I walk over to Reggie, who is in the mascot costume.
"You ready Reg?" I ask, patting the mascot head. He nods and I run over to my team. I see Alex in the stands and wave at him. I get to where the whole team is and we all stand in a line for the Pledge of Allegiance. As usual, for every game, hand over heart and someone says it. But since today is the last game, apparently, someone is going to sing the whole thing. I roll my eyes when they tell us this.
"This is going to take so long," I whisper to my teammate next to me.
"Mr. Patterson." The Principle calls. He motions for me to put my hand on my heart. I sigh and do as I'm told. Just then, I see a girl come over to the mic. She has brown fluffy hair and darker skin. She Is wearing a teal cropped shirt with a jacket over it, and some ripped jeans. 'I recognize her, she's in my music class, she doesn't sing much though. Wonder why she's gonna sing the anthem.'
"Yo dude, what's her name?" I ask, nudging Mark, the teammate next to me. They shrug not knowing the answer. I look back at her. 'It starts with a J. Julia? Maybe Juliette? I don't know.'
I am pulled away from my thoughts as she starts singing. I don't really pay too much attention to her singing, but I am caught off guard by the high note she hits. My eyes grow wide. She is amazing. Everyone claps and the game begins.
After the game. (We won)
I am walking out of the gym, super sweaty and tired. I bump into someone.  I turn and see her, the same girl who was singing.
"Sorry, for..bumping into you." I apologize.
"It's ok, good game." She responds, walking out.
The butterflies in my stomach flutter a little and I go to the locker rooms and change. I am talking to Mark. "Hey bro, do you know that girl? The one who sang today?"
"That chick, what's her name? Julie or something. She's in my history class. Why'd you ask?"
"She's kinda cute." I say softly, putting my orange hoodie back on.
"Dude." He looks at me. "You can't date her, or even INTERACT with her."
"Why not?" I snap at him. Mark is that type of person, very open to saying the truth. He's kind of my friend but not really.
"How do I put this softly? You're um, popular. She...is not." Mark closes his locker and heads out. I zip my backpack angrily and do the same. I see Reggie and Alex standing out waiting for me. 'There are my real friends.' I think
"Hey Luke, good game." Reggie says.
"Thanks," I mumble. 'Should I tell them about Julie, or Julia, or whatever her name is.' "Hey guys, do you um, know that girl who was singing today?" I ask, hoping they will say something better than what Mark said.
"Oh yeah, she's really nice. Why do you ask?" Alex asks.
"I don't know, she's kinda cute." I say, scratching the back of my head.
"I mean sure, but guys are better." Alex states. We all laugh. "But in all seriousness, if you like her than go for it."
"If I were you I'd get to know her more, I mean you don't even know her name or anything about her."
"True, thanks guys." I run off to my locker and get ready for music class, after all this IS a music school. I get to class with my guitar and take a seat next to Alex and Reggie.
"Ok class, today you will get your partners for your end-of-semester project." Mrs. Harrison states. She begins assigning partners. Alex and Reggie, Carrie, and Kayla, Nick and Josh. "Luke, and Julie. You two will be partners." My face lights up. This is the time! I can get to know Julie better.
"For this project your job is to compose a song and perform it for everyone in the class by 2 weeks from now. You will have class time to work on this, and you may meet up outside of school if you'd like." Everyone moves to go with their partners around the room. I walk over and sit down next to Julie.
"Hi, I'm Luke." I greet her, putting my hand out.
"I'm...Julie." She shakes my hand.
"So, wanna get started?" I ask. She nods and we start writing the song. The period ends and I get up and grab by notebook.
"You wanna come over after school to keep working?" She asks. My insides flip, and I smile, nodding. 'I think she's opening up to me a little'.
After school.
Julie and I get off the bus. We talk the entire time on the bus, and now we're still talking while walking to her house.
"You have an amazing voice." I tell her.
"Thanks, so do you."
Why thank you m'lady." I say in a posh voice. Making her laugh. Butterflies flutter in my stomach when I hear her laugh. We get to her house and go into the studio. She puts her backpack down and sits down on the piano. I sit down next to her, making sure to keep some distance so she isn't uncomfortable. I take my notebook out and begin to write the lyrics we've come up with.
"How does this sound?" I ask.
"I'm head over heels Out of my head Realizing you're all I've been looking for. You're that little something special. I catch your stare and look away Blushing at the thought of you My heart skips a beat The butterflies rise Over your little something special
"Sounds good." She says, about to grab the pencil to write. I roll the pencil towards me.
"No, I'm writing." I say making my cute grump face. Julie reaches across me to grab the pencil. She fails and I fall back, half of my body still on the bench. I am upside down on the bench and Julie's head is on my chest.
We both stay still, in shock of what just happened. I take a moment to take in what just happened, and smile at the thought of it. She finally gets up and I do the same. Scooching a little closer to her.
"I still want the pencil." She says, putting her hand out.
"Fine.." But I get to write the next verse. Julie leans over the piano to write. I lean over to see what she's writing. I lay out my hand randomly and out hands touch. We both move them quickly. She looks over at me. I smirk a little, she rolls her eyes and keeps writing.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is so late. I hope you Liked it though. Please request. I am planning to make a part 2 to this. But still request I love hearing from you guys xx! Let me know what you want to see in the second part.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/26865526/chapters/66047659
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The Thomas-Finnigan Kids. Part 2
(Since you all loved it so much, here is a part two! Let me know if you want a part three.)
Finn came out to his family, as gay, about a week before Pride Month, and about a week before school ended. He still needed to tell his friends at school, but he’s in no hurry. I mean, that’s scary as it is, but his circle of friends also included Wyatt. The whole reason Finn found out he was gay. How the fuck was Finn going to explain that to Wyatt?
He wanted to go to his dads for advice, but quickly thought better of it. After all, they are his parents and would probably tease him mercilessly.  Seamus has the maturity of a two year old, and Dean was rather indesicive. Finn decided to go to Mikayla. With any other sibling pair, it would have been the opposite, where Finn tells his parents, but Mika was different. Mika was smart. She was calm and quiet. Observant, too. She knew when to judge and not to judge, although she could be silently judging you the whole time, and no one would know, as she has a talent for lying and keeping her face emotionless. She was great for when you needed a non-biased opinion. The definition of a Wallflower.
Mika and Finn decided that it would be best to tell his friends that he was gay, and then explain that he realized because of his interest in Wyatt. Mika repeatedly told him “Don’t make it weird. It’s only weird if you make it weird”. 
Mika also told Finn, to be calm, (which was way easier said than done, in Finn’s mind), and not be nervous, because that makes other people nervous, and lastly, to not put any pressure on Wyatt so he feels obligated to politely reject him. If anything, the objective was to have Wyatt be inclined to rudely reject him, and Finn would not care. Except that he would. But that was something that couldn’t be changed.
Nerves wracking, on Platform 9 and 3/4, Finn said goodbye to Dean and Seamus, and climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express, with Mika just behind him. They said their goodbyes, Mika needing to find her best friend, Charlotte Raineer. Then, Mika did something she hadn’t done in way too long for their parents liking: She hugged Finn. It was an awkward, quick hug, around the middle, because that was as far as she could reach, being 5′1 and Finn being 6′2, that caused Finn to drop his book and wand, but it was a hug from his little Kayla, all the same.
Finn sat his friends down, and told them the two, anxiety stimulating words:
“I’m gay.” 
There was a mixed reaction from the group. Zayden Smith, he had looked Finn in disgust, grabbed his wand, and walked off, with his nose in the air. Finn had pretty much expected this reaction from Zayden. He could be pretty bitchy at times. But the three other boys that were still there hugged him close, saying that, it was fine. they didn’t care, and they would always be there for him. Then, Finn realized that Wyatt wasn’t there. He made a note to himself, to find Wyatt after the feast and tell him the news in the Ravenclaw common room, after everyone had gone to bed.
Finn had swallowed his nerves, and blurted everything out. Surprisingly, Wyatt was okay with it. 
“Dude. You know i’m bi...” Wyatt laughed.
Finn looked at him blankly. “uh...no. did i miss that....”
Wyatt laughed again then stopped abruptly. “Shit. “ he said meekly. “i forgot to tell you. I knew i forgot someone! I am so sorry!”
Finn laughed and moved closer to Wyatt, a surge of confidence coming over him. Wyatt grabbed Finn’s chin, placing their lips together, and Finn knew: this was right.
Mikayla, now that she was a third year, felt like trying out for quidditch. But she wasn’t sure. Yes, she knew she had a talent, but man, it didn’t feel like it. A surge of love for her dads shot through her, and, on a whim, she wrote to them, asking what to do. She got the following letter back:
To my Mika,
Hello, sweetie!! I am so glad you are considering trying out for the Slytherin Quidditch team. You have a talent, and you should use it. You’re small, and light, with a great head on top of those shoulders. The perfect seeker. You should definitely try out! All those years Dad Shay spent with you perfecting your skills could be put to good use! Please do it, Mi-kay-kay! Even if you don’t get in, we will still be proud you tried! Stay out of trouble!
I love you,
Dad Dean
P.S Mikayla Gwyneth Thomas-Finnigan! Please put all those years of hard work, sweat and blood to good use! if you make the team, i’ll by you 5 pounds of Honeydukes Chocolate! And if you don’t I’ll still buy you 5 pounds of Honeydukes Chocolate. That’s 85 bars of chocolate! It’s a win-win!
-Dad Seamus
Dad Dean’s words inspired Mikayla and she did want those 5 pounds of chocolate.. but she still wasn’t sure. In the hallway to Potions, she was telling Charlotte about it, and Charlotte, being as supportive as she is, was thrilled when she heard Mika was trying out, to say the least. Unfortunately for Mika, Cameron McLaggen heard this conversation and said 
“Your so tiny, I doubt the broom would even recognize you’re on it, let alone take off. If you can catch the snitch, in the tryouts,  I’d give you thirty galleons.!” 
Mika stomped up Cameron, shook his his hand and said “You’re on.” Before stalking over to Charlotte. 
“I’LL BE THERE WATCHING!!” yelled Cameron. 
“What have I done....” Muttered Mika to Charlotte.
Tryouts, in Mika’s mind, was full of doubts, not only from her head, but from other players saying “But she’s so tiny! What if she falls!” etc. But, what do you know?  She makes it in. Captain Alexander Pucey, always sees the best in everyone. And he saw the potential in Mika. So, he welcomed her to the team. 
The first thing Mika did after tryouts? (not counting Charlotte’s vigorous hugs, of course!). She flew over to the Quidditch stands, where Cameron was sitting with his mates. 
“Pay up, McLaggen. “ She said. “I caught the snitch, and made it onto the Quidditch team.”
A grumbling Cameron McLaggen gave her thirty galleons and scurried off. And a thrilled Mikayla tugged a equally as excited Charlotte to the owlery! She had a letter to send!
Finn and Wyatt had been dating for a few months, until a fateful day, where Wyatt walks into the Charms classroom to see Finn snogging a Gryffindor 7th Year, Rosalina Vane-Hugdens. Of course, he’s shocked, and offended.
As it turns out, Finn was slipped a really expensive Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes love potion, one that the Weasley Twins concocted to force real attraction, rather than just obsession. Naturally, they are very dangerous, and hard to make, hence why they are expensive. But it’s said to stop after the person’s “true love” is seen. 
Finn had just realized this for himself, turned Rosalina in to Headmistress McGonagall, and went to apologize to Wyatt. But Wyatt wasn’t having it. Over the next 2 weeks, Finn didn’t eat, sleep and his grades were dangerously slipping. Professor Flitwick told him to step it up, and Finn tried, he really did. But he just couldn’t. 
Finally, after 2 and a half weeks of trying to get Wyatt’s attention, Wyatt gave Finn two minutes to explain himself. Finn did as best as he could, though his persuasion techniques weren’t as good as Mika’s. 
After Finn’s explanation, all Finn got was “Okay.” Before Wyatt quickly grabbed his satchel and walked away. Finn ran after him asking if he was forgiven. 
“No,” Wyatt had said. “I wouldn’t have accepted anything from Rosalina. You told me yourself that one of your dad’s friends got a box of chocolates spiked with a love potion from that damn girl’s mother. How do I remember this and you don’t? i’m not sure. Accepting it is one thing, but eating it? Not to mention, if you really loved me, you probably wouldn’t be affected by it. It just proved, that we aren’t supposed to be together. Bye, Finn. I’m sure I’ll see you around, and speak with you, but do note that it won’t be a pleasant conversation. “
That was all it took, for Finn’s world to shatter into pieces..
Mika and Charlotte were throwing a joint birthday party, since their birthday’s were May 17th and June 22nd respectively. They invited every Slytherin from 3rd-7th Year. They had a blast, and everything was going well, everyone was safe, although there was alchohol, but a limited amount. 
Some sixth year girl, clearly tipsy, makes her way over to Mika and gives her a pack of cigarettes. The girl says nothing else and walks off. Mika took one out, grabbed her wand, went outside and lit it. She inhaled and choked. She smoked it, for a bit longer, enjoying it, but something in her stopped, and she threw the cigarette on the ground, trampling, and jumping up and down on it. Mika resolved to never use these again. 
But a few days after the party, she found herself by the Black Lake, in a secluded area, smoking the whole pack. Whaddo ya know? Once you get used to it, it’s not so bad. At least once a week from then one, Mika takes an hour to sit on the shore of the Black Lake, with a new pack of cigarettes from that sixth grade girl.
Dean and Seamus hadn’t heard from their kids in a long while. Naturally they were worried.
The Thomas-Finnigans, not okay at all.
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blackcatkita · 4 years
Text
A Not So Blue Christmas
Book: Open Heart
Pairing: Bryce x MC (Kayla)
Word Count: 2925
This is my contribution to the 12 Days of Fictmas- 2019 edition and true to form, I am posting this at the literal eleventh hour. I was assigned “Blue Christmas” by the late and great Elvis Aaron Presley (may he rest in peace). Big thank you to @leelee10898 for hosting this event and wrangling us all and to @darley1101 for creating the awesome moodboard you see below. I hope you like it and happy holidays!
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A Not So Blue Christmas
When Kayla matched at Edenbrook, some 980 miles from her hometown of Chicago, she knew there would be things she would miss out on. Her proud Irish family was huge and freakishly close; three brothers and one sister with Kayla smack in the middle, five aunts, three uncles, twenty-six first cousins and an absolute lunatic of a grandmother to round it all out. And that was just on her dad’s side. Birthdays, holidays, graduations, anniversaries; they were spent together whether you wanted to be there or not. Going away to college had been a blessing. For the first time, Kayla got to be seen as her own person instead of Sean and Connor’s little sister but she would be lying if she said she didn’t miss her family. The last time she saw them was back in June when she took Bryce home to meet everyone. Well, almost everyone. No one should have to be subjected to the entire clan on the first meeting, no matter how confident and easy-going her boyfriend was.
It was worth it though. She’d wanted to be a doctor for as long as she could remember and working with Ethan Freaking Ramsey on the diagnostics team was a dream come true. Her career fed her constant thirst for knowledge and allowed her to help people so she didn’t mind not being there for every little thing her family deigned worthy of celebration. Christmas was different. Christmas in the Donovan house was a huge deal.
The house would be so full it was fit to burst, food, candy, and cookies as far as the eye could see. Her oldest brother Sean and his wife Meghan sniping and snarking at each other, everyone spoiling the hell out of her niece because she was the first child, seeing what new bimbo was Connor’s latest flavor of the week because he was too stupid and too much of a playboy to find a nice girl, Gran handing out shots of whiskey and hitting on any poor soul whose only mistake was dating or marrying one of the Donovan girls; she’d had a field day with Bryce. Her dad and uncles escaping to the garage or basement, betting on how long after dinner it would take her mom to throw in the towel and switch from wine to liquor; Kayla was going to miss it all.
But Boston provided joys of its own; a group of friends she considered family that included the most supportive boyfriend the world had ever seen. Working as much as they did with no way in hell of getting off on a holiday meant none of them would be going home but that didn’t mean they would spend Christmas alone. Luckily, their apartment was spacious enough to house everyone for the open house party she and her roommates planned, though Kayla wondered why hosting always fell to them. Ethan had an even better apartment and you didn’t see him inviting anyone over. Rude.
“And, voila!” Kayla exclaimed from her post at the kitchen island. The cheese tray she put together looked damn good if she said so herself. Cheese ball in the middle with alternating yellow and white cheeses surrounding it in a pinwheel pattern. Yep, damn good indeed. “Sienna, where do you want the cheese tray?”
“Umm…” Sienna didn’t look up, too preoccupied with arranging upside-down raspberries on top of the chocolate ganache cake she made. “The banquet table by the window maybe? There’s more room for people to mill around over there.”
Kayla looked around, finding only empty space near the windows. “Banquet table?”
Glancing up, Sienna shook her head and went back to the raspberries. “Bryce!”
“Yo!” he called out.
“Where’s that banquet table you said you’d set up?”
“Oh, shit,” he laughed before bringing the table in from the living room where he and Elijah had been fiddling with the tv for the last half hour. “Sorry, ladies.”
“What are you even doing in there?” Kayla asked as Bryce unfolded the legs and flipped the table right side up.
“Helping Elijah with the surround sound,” he answered simply, taking a folded red tablecloth from the kitchen table and spreading it over the one he just set up.
“Do you really need to be doing that right now?”
Shrugging in response, he sauntered over, gave Kayla a quick peck on the lips while squeezing her ass, then snatched a piece of cheese, popping it in his mouth before going back into the living room.
Minutes later the front door opened with a thump and Jackie’s voice rang out, “Oh, hell no. You two don’t get to do whatever it is you’re doing in here while we do all the work. It’s all hands on deck so get your asses up and help. And before you say it, no, Lahela, I don’t care that you don’t technically live here. God knows you’re here enough it’s like you do. You can start by putting these bags of ice on the balcony.”
Eyebrows raised, Kayla slowly turned to grin at Sienna, finding her covering her laugh with a hand plastered to her mouth. “Remind me to buy Jackie a pony for her birthday.”
“Or a bottle of tequila,” Sienna giggled.
Kayla picked up her glass of red wine, waiting for Sienna to do the same before clinking their glasses together. “Hear. Hear.”
An hour later, people were trickling in. The cold food was moved to the kitchen table and the hot to the banquet table because that’s where the outlets were, the bar was set up, holiday music was playing and Kayla was mingling in a fitted midnight blue dress that was both sexy and elegant.
“I’m loving this party even more than your last one, Donovan.” Zaid’s tone was as dry as ever, expression impassive as he bopped to the beat of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Oh, thanks! It was a team effort.” A knock sounded at the door and Kayla excused herself before opening it with a smile.
“Rookie.”
“You came!” Kayla gasped, putting on an air of shock with her hand pressed to her chest. “I never thought I’d see the day!”
“This is for you.” Standing stiffly in the doorway, he thrust a bottle of red wine into her hands. “I know you like red.”
“I do, thanks, Ethan.” Considering how reluctant he looked, she grabbed him by the wrist and tugged him into the room. “Come on, no one’s gonna bite you. Can I get you anything to drink? Bryce is supposed to be playing bartender but he’s fallen in love with my tv.”
A brief look of confusion flashed across Ethan’s face before he shook his head, probably deciding he didn’t care enough to ask. “What do you have?”
Kayla shrugged. “Everything? I can make you a brandy old fashioned or cranberry mule. Those are our signature drinks.”
“Old Fashioneds are generally made with bourbon.”
“Not in the Midwest,” Kayla smirked. “It’s really big in Wisconsin.”
“You’re from Chicago…” Ethan shook his head again. “What’s a ‘cranberry mule’?”
“Bryce,” Kayla called out. “What’s in the cranberry mule?”
Bryce’s voice came from by the tv, only now he had the thing turned to the side. “Four ounces ginger beer, four ounces cranberry juice, two ounces rum and the juice of half a lime.” His head popped up, looking at her over the top. “Put that in a shaker then pour over ice and garnish with a slice of lime and some cranberries. Make sure you use a copper mug.”
“Ok, seriously, what are you doing over there?!”
“I’m almost done.” Grinning, Bryce shot her a wink and ducked back down.
Rolling her eyes, Kayla turned back to Ethan. “Don’t ask because I have no idea what he’s doing.”
“I wasn’t going to. I don’t care.”
“Nice,” she stated, raising her eyebrow and pressing her lips into the tiniest pout. “Well? Your drink, Dr. Ramsey?”
“I’ll take Scotch if you have it.”
“Uh… if we do it’s probably not very…” Kayla grimaced, leading Ethan to the bar across the room. “Oh, wait! I think Landry might have left some here.” Reaching her destination, Kayla ducked down and pulled a bottle from the lower shelf. “Ha!” she exclaimed as she stood up. “Score one for the jackass.”
“Babe! Kayla!” Bryce shouted out over the noise. He smiled when she looked over, then his gaze seemed to move past her and he gave a subtle nod. “Can you help me with something quick?”
“Be right there!” she replied as she splashed some Scotch in a glass. She handed it to Ethan and gave him a little push. “Go have fun. Socialize. Be normal.” Ignoring his look of disdain, she moved back into the living room. “What’s up?”
“I need you to sit on the couch,” Bryce instructed, turning the tv back the right way.
“Why?”
“Because I need to make sure the angle is right.”
“Angle for what?”
Bryce’s eyes widened, brows raised to give her a look that said, ‘just do it’.
“Fine.” The couch that had been filled with various guests all night was miraculously empty and Kayla sat down carefully so she didn’t flash everyone with the new lingerie Bryce had given her. That show was for his eyes only. “Are you finally going to tell me what you’ve been up to?”
“Stop asking questions,” Bryce laughed as the conversation around them grew quieter. “Elijah?” The music cut out and the lull in conversations spread through the apartment. “Ok, now push the input button on the tv remote.”
Brow furrowed, Kayla reached for the remote on the coffee table. Whatever he had planned, it seemed like most of the people in attendance were aware of it. If it turned out to be a slideshow of embarrassing photos from throughout the year or a video of her drunk ass singing karaoke, Bryce was a dead man. All eyes on her, Kayla pressed the button and the tv lit up. She screamed, both of her hands flying up to cover her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. Before her, her family sat crowded together, enough of them they filled all seventy inches of the screen.
Her dad Sean leaned forward, squinting at the camera in front of him. “Is that it? Can she see us now?”
“Oh my god, Dad.” Squished against him, Kayla’s nineteen-year-old sister Brianna rolled her eyes. “Why do you think she’s screaming?”
“Shut up, you’re all ruining it!” Gran scolded from where she was wedged between Kayla’s dad and her brother Owen. “On the count of three… one… two… three…”
“Nollaig Shona, Kayla!” Everyone shouted as they smiled and waved, not exactly in sync but close enough.
“Nollaig Shona, everyone!” Kayla returned the sentiment, smiling and waving back. She looked around the room at her smiling friends and colleagues. “That’s Irish for ‘Merry Christmas’,” she explained. Her lip began to quiver and she looked at Bryce, waving him over as her eyes flooded with tears. “Get over here.” She felt her face crumple and pressed her palm over her lips as her boyfriend finally came over, looking uncharacteristically subdued. Sitting beside her, he slung his arm around her shoulders and she turned toward him, hugging him around his waist as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, trying to choke back her quiet sobs.
“Hey, everybody.” Bryce’s voice was tight as he gently rubbed her back. He cleared his throat and when he spoke again, she could hear the smile in his tone. “Merry Christmas. Thanks for helping me out with all of this.”
The comforting movement of his hand didn’t cease as he continued to chat with her family and when she was sure the tears had stopped flowing, Kayla peeled herself off him. “Well, my make-up is officially ruined,” she laughed, swiping at her cheeks. Sienna appeared out of nowhere and with tears in her eyes, thrust a wad of Kleenex into Kayla’s hands. “Thanks, Sienna.” Kayla did her best to clean the mascara from beneath her eyes then smiled, shaking her head in awe. “I just can’t believe you’re all in front of me right now.” Her eyes watered again.
“That man of yours is more than just a pretty face, Kayla,” her sister-in-law Meghan said.
“And what a face it is,” Gran added, giving the most exaggerated wink possible.
“Oh, don’t I know it, Gran,” Kayla agreed. “Great hair, too.”
“And a body to boot!” Gran slapped her hand on her skinny little knee. “Bet he’s a right stallion in the sack. You young ones get all the action these days.”
“Okay! Enough of that!” her big brother Sean shouted, clamping his hands over his four-year-old daughter’s ears while Kayla’s dad dropped his head in his hand mumbling something Kayla couldn’t make out. If she had to guess, it was ‘Lord in heaven’.
“Sorry, Sean,” Kayla laughed. Her eyes roamed the faces in front of her; her dad, grandma, her sister and two of her brothers, a few aunts, and uncles and some cousins. “Hey, where’s mom and Connor?” Of all her siblings she was closest to Connor, they were best friends on top of being brother and sister and her mom was her biggest cheerleader. No way would they not be a part of Bryce’s surprise.
“Oh, I imagine they’ll be coming in the door any minute now,” her dad said with a twinkle in his eye. “We’ll let you get back to your party, Punkin. Don’t forget to call us now.”
“I won’t, Dad,” Kayla promised. “It was great seeing you guys and I love you all so much!”
“We love you too, Kayla!” they all shouted back, waving again as they said goodbye.
“Now how the hell do I turn this damn thing off…” her dad grumbled, looking down at his remote before the connection ended.
As the music started and the party resumed, Kayla turned to Bryce, who was looking mighty proud of himself. She grabbed a fistful of his sweater and pulled him to her, planting a kiss on his lips. The doorbell rang and she pulled away. “Duty calls but later, you’re mine.”
“I mean, we can just kick everybody out now,” he teased, leaning in for another kiss. She laughed, giving him a swat on the shoulder but he snuck one anyway. “Get the door, babe. I’ll even come with you.”
“Ah, now that your ruse is over you’ll join the festivities?”
“Something like that.” Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to her feet. When they reached the door, he stopped her a few feet away with an arm around her waist then stepped forward to open it himself.
“Shut the fuck up!” Kayla shouted when she saw who was on the other side.
“Kayla Donovan!” her mom Erin scolded. “Such language!”
“And on Christmas too!” her brother Connor added in a mock scandalized voice with his eyes wide and a palm pressed to his forehead.
Her mom laughed, holding her arms out wide. “Surprise!”
The initial shock had worn off and Kayla launched herself into her mother’s arms. “I can’t believe you’re here!” She held tight for a moment, then turned to Connor.
“Brat,” he greeted.
“Jerk.”
Laughing, he grabbed Kayla around the waist and lifted her off her feet, bouncing a few times before setting her back down. “Damn, it’s good to see you, Kay. Bryce,” Connor nodded as Bryce turned away from the warm hug her mom had given him and held out his hand, doing that weird handshake-shoulder clapping thing guys did. “Good to see you again, too. Thanks for inviting us.”
“Let’s get you guys a drink. There’s a ton of people you have to meet.”
Heart full and cheeks sore from smiling, Kayla paraded her mom and brother around the room, introducing them to all of the people who had become so important to her. When Sienna eventually dragged them to the kitchen to eat, Kayla turned to Bryce, smiling up at him as she looped her arms around his neck. “You.”
“Me.” His warm hands slid around her hips, pulling her tighter until they were pressed against his.
“You’re the best boyfriend in the entire world.”
“I know.” An easy smile spread across his cheeks. “Handsome, too.”
“And the smartest, most thoughtful,” Her words were punctuated by quick kisses. “most supportive, sweetest, the best lover, the…”
“Stop, you’re gonna make me blush,” he laughed, then raised his eyebrow as his lips settled into a cocky smirk. “You’re not wrong, though. I am pretty amazing.”
“And so humble,” she laughed with him. Gazing into his eyes, she knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Bryce was home, no matter where it was. “Seriously, Bryce, this was… I can’t believe you did all this.”
“I almost didn’t think I would pull it off,” he admitted. “The Portal thing was supposed to be here weeks ago but it got lost somewhere in Ohio and just came today. Then your dad couldn’t get his to work and threatened to throw the thing in the lake, and now today your mom and Connor’s flight was delayed by like four hours. I’m surprised I survived.”
As he spoke, Kayla’s smile grew wider and when he finally stopped talking, she pulled him down to press a slow kiss to his lips. She pulled back, just enough to lock her eyes with his. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. Merry Christmas.”
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