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teamhappyme · 4 months

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it's time to go

josh lyman x female!reader

word count: 4.4k

warnings: my condensed rant at how the women are treated in the west wing, what is a timeline/plot

a/n: logging on to post a fic and then fall off into the abyss where there is no motivation or inspiration flowing! this has been sitting in my drafts for two years, folks. finally got the inspo to finish this generalized west wing fic-turned josh lyman reader core done! i hopee you all can indulge in this as much as i did :) (yes another taylor swift inspired title you can take them from my cold dead hands-)

~~~

There is a constant buzz that lives in the west wing.

If it’s not the white house staff and all the varying levels of personnel making noise, it’s the conference room meetings that hold everyone in D.C. trying to influence the white house and the American people.

Normally, the buzz is comforting to you. In the middle of the communications department, you all thrive on it. But the last twenty four hours had reached a level of mayhem that not even you guys could spin into a positive narrative.

You accompanied Toby to CJ’s second brief of the night, trying to inform the press on the situation in Haiti while attempting to dodge any questions about the MS shock and reelection campaign.

CJ was losing control of the group. She was shuffling papers, removing sticky notes, adjusting her glasses, all in an attempt to keep herself somewhat grounded from the chaos at hand. You sensed Toby tense up as a member of the press pushed and pushed, asking his third follow up question.

And that’s when it all came crashing down.

CJ flew off the podium and you and Toby followed after her.

“Did she just say the President is relieved to send troops into Haiti?” Sam asked as he joined you in the hallway, waiting outside of CJ’s office. “Relieved to put American lives and Haitian civilians at risk?”

“I was standing right there!” Toby shouted back and you flinched. This certainly was not the good buzz you wanted.

Before they could continue yelling at each other, the door to the briefing room slammed against the wall, CJ rubbing her hands over her face and turned to find the three of you standing there.

“CJ,” Toby started, but was quickly interrupted.

“Just don’t say anything! Just… don’t say anything.” You all gave her a moment to regroup before she began walking back to her office.

Your two bosses stood in the middle of the hallway, not knowing what on earth to do next, other than duck and cover from Leo once he heard what happened.

“They’re gonna need extra hands for damage control.” Sam turned to you, and you nodded.

“I’m on it. I started drafting notes for an apology statement,”

“Apology?” Toby asked, voice still an octave louder than you liked, directed to you.

“I told her to.” Sam added, and you watched the look the two of them shared. They sure had some things to discuss. “We’ll talk about them later. Just, make sure they are clear about what CJ meant. Redirect as much as you can without stepping on any toes.”

“Got it.”

You pushed your stack of papers into Sam’s hands and made your way to the press offices. Phones were ringing off the hook, aides scrambling from desk to desk, as Josh stepped in beside you.

Before either of you could reach CJ’s office, she slammed the door, rattling a few frames on the wall.

“Well, we’re just getting started aren’t we.”

“Happy Thursday.” you added as he walked back toward his office. You looked out over the war room and locked eyes with Carol. She let out a breath before meeting you at her desk.

“Heard there’s a bit of a situation going on. Where do you need me?”

You’re not sure if it’s still Thursday by the time you leave the press office. It’s still dark out; you haven’t eaten anything besides Carol’s desk mints and you need a nap. Desperately.

You walked through the bullpen to Josh’s office, your final memo delivered before you could put the events of the last day and a half to rest - at least for the next six hours. You checked in with Sam one final time, making sure your absence today didn’t put him any further behind. (Of course it did, but he’d never tell.)

Donna wasn’t at her desk, and the rest of the bullpen was empty save for Josh pacing around his office while reading over a document. You waited until he stopped moving, scribbled something on the paper, and stuck the pen back in his mouth to knock on the opened door.

His eyes shot up, meeting yours for a quick second before he began pacing once again.

You’ll take that as a ‘come in.’

“7:00 a.m. briefing notes, CJ wanted you all to take a look at them before morning.” You handed him the paper, skimming it before he went back to his thick document. “Carol says all they are waiting on is an update on Haiti from the situation room. They assume they won’t get that information until-”

“Nancy is doing the morning brief tomorrow.” He interrupted, not looking up from his papers.

“I’m sorry?” you questioned.

“Nancy is doing the morning brief tomorrow. She has the information and will get the Haiti update by 5:00.”

Taking a second to recover your thoughts and do a double take at your own copy of the memo, you couldn’t help but question the man in front of you.

“Why are you benching CJ?”

“No one’s benching CJ. Leo made the decision to have Nancy give the brief on Haiti. I mean, she seems pretty qualified to give the brief being the President’s National Security Advisor, but I could be wrong. She just bribed me with some bagels to give her the opportunity.”

“Don’t you think CJ deserves to do her job?”

“She said the President was relieved to send troops into Haiti.”

“She made a mistake,” You argued, and you could feel the anger starting to spew out of you.

“Yeah, and unfortunately she made it in front of the press and during broadcasted briefing.”

“CJ used one wrong word and she’s getting hanged for it.” You dropped the stack of memos onto Josh’s desk, his full attention now on you.

“CJ is the press secretary, she is the line of communication from the President to the public.”

“And you’re the Deputy Chief of Staff, and Toby is the Communications Director, and Sam is the Deputy Communications Director, and-”

“What’s your point?” He interrupted, running a hand through his annoying, unkempt hair.

You scoffed. “What’s my point? As the Deputy Chief of Staff, you went on Capitol Beat and slammed Mary Marsh while simultaneously ridiculing every person of faith in the United States. You also went in front of the same White House Press Corps and stated that the President had a secret plan to fight inflation when he obviously did not. As the Communications Director, Toby was accused of insider trading. Finally, as the Deputy Communications Director, Sam slept with a prostitute, and instead of staying away from her like all of the senior staff advised, including Leo, he was photographed with her, which could have caused a major PR crisis for us to fix.”

“I thought you were in favor of Laurie and Sam’s relationship, prostitutes shouldn’t be discriminated against.” He added with a smirk.

“Do you think this is funny?”

“You listing all of the mistakes we’ve made as we work in the most powerful building in the world? Yes, I do.”

You crossed your arms in defiance, fighting back frustrated tears. He wouldn’t get it.

“CJ has stood at that podium over the last twenty six hours taking shit from the press on the President’s diagnosis. She chooses the wrong language once, and Toby is yelling at her while Leo shoves her in the corner.”

He let out a sigh, trying to choose his next words carefully.

“It’s her job to get the language right-”

“For fucks sake Josh, this isn’t about her damn job! It’s about every single woman in this building working their ass off, taking the hits for their bosses, for the men in this administration without as much as a thank you. How many times has Donna been on the receiving end of phone calls from angry senators, stayed late to make sure she proofread your memos, sacrificed her free nights to lobby and push your policy on people? And how many times have you thanked her for it? I sit in the communications bullpen and hear Toby shout for Ginger, Bonnie, and me dozens of times a day. I see, first hand, the scrutiny that CJ is under every time she has to defend policy to the press. And don’t think I don’t understand that we all signed up for these roles. We all knew what we were getting into, we all knew the hierarchy of the west wing. We knew we weren’t going to be praised for our contributions, no matter how big or small. But none of us expected to be benched for doing our job, for telling the truth of a man that is too scared to say it himself.”

Josh’s eyes widened at your casual tone and bold statement. You knew you were crossing the line.

“You’re talking about the President, keep your voice down.”

“Why? Everyone is thinking the same thing. He’s hiding behind Haiti, he’s hiding behind CJ, and he’s hiding behind this damn white house!”

Josh moved around you, going to shut the door in hopes that no one heard you. But a foot propped the door open, and in walked a still irritable Toby.

“I sure as hell hope that wasn’t the President you were having a public outburst about in his goddamn west wing,” Toby exclaimed, only causing you to roll your eyes.

“Toby,” Josh tried to interject, but you were ready to finally give everyone a piece of your mind.

“It sure as hell was. And I’ll repeat it for anyone that wants to hear it, in fact, why don’t we all just march down to the Oval office and tell the man causing all these problems himself how we really feel. Or am I the only one with the balls to say it?”

Josh had to physically stop you from leaving his office, holding onto your shoulder as you could practically see the smoke leaving Toby’s ears.

“You sure as hell don’t have enough seniority to command a meeting in the Oval!” Toby yelled out, landing another low blow to your ego. Josh’s hand tightened on your shoulder as you fought back the tears desperately trying to form in your eyes. But you wouldn’t give Toby the satisfaction. “So suck it up, and wait for us to tell you what the hell to write to get us out of this situation.”

You shook Josh’s hand off your shoulder as you took another step closer to Toby.

“I’m not writing a single word until I get to talk to the President.”

“Get the hell out of my bullpen, you’re done tonight.” Toby seethed, clearing the way for you to leave.

You didn’t think twice. You walked past the two of them, not a care in the world at the fact you just told off two of the most powerful people in the White House, potentially risking your job in the process.

The buzz followed you through the halls to the communications bullpen, walking past Ginger and Bonnie who were wrapping up phone calls at their desks. Sam yelled out to you from his office, but you kept your head down and kept walking.

It wasn’t until you walked past the Roosevelt room, locking eyes with Donna as she sat with papers spread out in front of her, red markings all across the pages, that it hit you. She gave you a small smile, her eyes quickly turning to concern as you felt the tears threaten to fall.

You quickly walked to the exit, brushing past the security guards and stepping into the spitting night rain. The air was cold, and it felt like a shock to your system.

What the hell have you done.

You barely made it fifty feet before you heard someone calling your name, heavy footsteps running toward you.

You turned to find Josh, coat in hand, approaching you outside the White House.

“Wait a second,” Josh said as he finally stood in front of you, draping your coat around your shoulders. You didn’t even realize you were shivering.

“I need to go,” you said, embarrassment and anger still seeping through you.

“We need to talk about what just happened. It’s been a long, hectic night-”

“Josh, you’re not going to talk me out of my own words.” You interrupted him. “I meant everything I said in there, and I’ve been feeling that way for a while. No amount of talking is going to change what I think, or what Toby thinks. It’s done.”

“We can fix it, please-”

“Nothing is going to change!” You exclaimed as your arms raised in frustration. “The only way this goes away is if I go back in there with my tail tucked between my legs and suck up to Toby. I’m not going to kiss the ring and pretend I’m okay with what’s going on in there. And if that’s the job now, I don’t want it.”

“It’s always been the job, the President's policies and opinions are our policies and opinions.”

“That’s easy for you to say when you’re in the room where it happens. And quite frankly, I’m sick of taking the hit for men who can’t help themselves.” you said and continued walking further away from the White House.

“It must be lonely up there on your high horse, pointing your finger at everyone who has what you want!”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” you whipped around to face him, finding him closer than he was before. You hated that he was looking down at you, both in height and pity. “And of all the people in that fucking building, it should have been you to understand why I feel this way.”

The two of you stood incredibly still, waiting for someone to make the next move. It had been like this between the two of you for months; push and pull, give and take, waiting for someone to crack and push the boundary wide open. No one knew how to get you to open up like Josh, and no one made him as flustered as you. And still, it all ended like this.

He looked down at your hands, clenched into fists at your sides, and he slowly reached out to grab them. But you couldn't let it happen this time. You took a step back, and both of you tensed up again.

“It’s time for me to go.” Physically, mentally, all of it. It was time for you to leave the white house.

Josh nodded, fighting the urge to continue to try and get you to stay. Instead, he rested his hands on the lapel of your jacket, pulling it tighter around you for the final time. You refused to look up at him, knowing you would give in just like all those times before.

He gave you a small nod once he was ready to finally let you go.

“I’ll see you around.”

*****

It’s been three days since the MS scandal completely shook the nation.

You haven’t left your apartment since that day, avoiding phone calls from everyone in the west wing.

Sam had left voicemail after voicemail, begging you to tell him why you haven’t been to work. Toby refused to tell him what happened, but he knew it had something to do with that night. Not even endless compliments on your prose and speeches from Sam could get you to crawl back there. He gave up after his sixth message.

There was a pile of unopened mail sitting on your kitchen table, along with empty take out containers and a bottle of wine - there may even be a copy of your law school application in the mix, a pity read or two occurring in a drunken haze.

Later that night, after dodging another phone call from Donna and attempting to get as much of your life together as you could, you gave in and sat down to watch CJ’s nine o’clock press brief. You were glad to see that she was off the bench again, and seemed to be back to her usual self.

There was a knock at your door as she opened up for questions, and you hated to think you missed the sound of the press gaggle.

You swung your door open, expecting a large pizza to be shoved into your face, but instead an exhausted Josh Lyman was standing at your door.

“Hi,” he said and began cracking his knuckles. “I would’ve called, but you seem to forget how the phone works.”

“I know how the phone works.” you replied. “What are you doing here?”

“Can I come in?” you sighed. “I walked all the way here, please take pity on me.”

“Fine.” You opened up your door, mostly to shut him up, and ushered him into your home.

“Glad to see you cut yourself off from us completely.” He jeered and pointed to the press briefing on the TV. “You know I’m the one that suggested she make the joke about Hungary, so they should be laughing for me.”

“What did you come here for, Josh?” you asked, again, trying to redraw the boundary between you two.

“Ginger and Bonnie kept saying you were sick, and since no one else heard from you, thought I would check in to see if you were alive. You look pretty not sick to me.”

“Josh-“

“We need you back in the west wing. Toby and Sam are at each other's throats and we need a speech for our first campaign stop. If you don’t get back to the bullpen I’m afraid we’ll never see the written word again.”

“I don’t-”

“I’m not beyond begging or bribing to get you back in there tomorrow morning.” He couldn’t help but smile at himself as he shrugged off his coat and sat down at the kitchen table. You tried not to notice how soft he looked in jeans and a sweater. “But you’re not getting my office, or my secretary, or my season tickets to the capitals. I will however put up Sam’s season tickets to-“

“I wrote my letter of resignation, Josh. I’m not coming back.”

You sat down next to him as you watched him freeze, eyes widening the slightest bit. Rendering Josh speechless never gets old, even under these circumstances.

“Toby’s not going to fire you, he was just pissed off the other night. C’mon, if we head down there now I’m sure he’s still there slaving away over this speech-“

“I didn’t write this because I was afraid of getting fired. This is my choice, Josh. I’m choosing to leave the White House.”

You handed him the letter, and he took it with some hesitation. He spent a few minutes reading it, and then rereading it, shaking his head before throwing it back on the table.

“Why?” Was all he asked as he pulled his chair closer to you. You shook your head, not wanting to get into it. He leaned back in his chair, staring at your letter on the table.

“Josh, I’ve spent too much time helping people, specifically men, climb up the political totem pole. I’m tired of writing speeches and bills for someone else to say. I’ve been burned by too many men in my life to be naive enough to be comfortable in one place.”

He moved to pick up the letter, or so you thought, but instead he picked up your law school application.

“Since when have you been interested in law school?” He asked, flipping through the pages of the Georgetown Law School application.

“Since forever,” you said, suddenly growing quiet under the scrutiny of his eyes on your application; your essay was practically a diary about your time working in the west wing. “I couldn’t afford to go after I graduated from UVA, and my parents weren’t exactly thrilled about the idea of having a girl lawyer in the family. So, I settled and started working on the campaign trails. I think you know the rest from there.”

Josh didn’t say a word in response, you’re not entirely sure he even heard a word you just said. Instead his eyes were darting across the page, flipping page after page to finish reading your essay. Josh had never read your personal work; sure you’ve written dozens of memos and speeches that he had proofed and listened to, but nothing with your voice. Nothing that showcased your intelligence, your compassion, and dedication to learning to improve not only yourself, but the world around you.

It was making you anxious the more he read and the less he spoke. Was it bad? Did he think you were absolutely insane for thinking you could go to law school? You need to get it out of his hands before it completely changes the way he sees you.

“I know it’s a long shot that they would accept me, I haven’t even decided if I’m actually going to apply or not, so-” you tried to take it out of his hands, but he grabbed your wrist before you could reach it.

“They would be absolute fools not to accept you.” he said, slowly lowering your arm back to your lap, not letting go of you yet. “The west wing is going to fall apart without you.”

“You guys will be just fine without me.” you started and rolled your eyes. “Toby has an ego, and a vocabulary, big enough for ten speechwriters. And, I haven’t gotten in yet.”

“You will. And Toby’s ego, no matter how large, will never fill the hole you’re leaving.”

He maneuvered his hand away from his wrist down to your hand, and watched as he laced his fingers with yours. You let out a breath as he rested them on his knee, slowly bringing you closer together.

“So, will you accept my letter of resignation now that you know the full story?”

“No, I don’t think I will.”

“Josh-”

“I have a stipulation to the letter.” he interrupted, the smirk returning to his face. “You stay on until we win re-election, and take on a very part-time consulting position once school starts. You deserve to see this through, and we can’t part with you any sooner.”

How the hell does anyone say no to Josh Lyman? Between his annoyingly handsome signature smirk, his warm brown eyes, and his messy hair, he’s a total heartthrob. But you seemed to have some effect on him too, seeing as he hasn’t let go of you just yet.

“That sounds like a plan, only if you and Toby agree to write me the best recommendations Georgetown has ever seen.”

“I can deliver on Toby, but I’m not so sure I can give you what you’re looking for. I may have a conflict of interest,” he said and squeezed your hand, causing you to laugh. “But I have the next best thing, the President of the United States on speed dial.”

“Then you’ve got yourself a deal.” His smile spread over his entire face now. “And thank you, for believing in me. And not firing me last night.”

“Well, you were right. A little outspoken, but nothing worse than what Toby has said to the President himself. There’s going to be some change in the west wing now, thanks to you.”

“Who knew all it took to get something done in this city is to have a temper tantrum?”

“Almost every politician in Congress,” Josh added before being interrupted by his pager. His face fell the slightest bit as he let out a sigh. “It’s Leo.”

“Back to work?”

“A crisis awaits,” he said, letting go of your hand as he shrugged his coat back on. Your fingers flexed against your side, already missing the warmth of Josh’s hand in yours. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow morning?”

“Bright and early,” You replied as you walked him to the door. “With a desk full of notes from Sam, I’m sure.”

“Oh if only we could all be so lucky.” He joked, as the two of you lingered in the doorway to your apartment. You really didn’t want him to go. “I’ll brief you in the morning, hopefully nothing too serious.”

“Okay. Um, drive safe.” You stumbled over your words, and you didn’t miss the way his dimple jumped out at your expense.

“I will. Have a good night.”

“Night,” you mumbled back, watching as his eyes flickered down to your lips for a split second before taking his first step back from you.

“Josh,” you choked out, and he turned back to face you in seconds. He waited for you to say something, but for once in your life, nothing came to mind.

“Cat got your tongue?” He jeered. You hated that he had this effect on you. And he was reveling in it.

“It’s all your fault, you know. Dropping the whole ‘conflict of interest’ bit, and then leaving without any explanation.”

“I’m sorry, let me be a little more clear.” he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to him as butterflies erupted in your stomach.

“Such a charmer,” you whispered as he dipped his head down, and finally kissed you.

His lips were softer than you imagined, slowly moving against your own. You’d be lying if you said you hadn’t thought about this moment before, but it was surpassing everything you thought it would be. Josh was always gentle with you, and he kissed you just the same. He took his time with you, and you could feel yourself getting lost in the feel of his body against yours.

He was the first to pull away, resting his forehead on yours as you caught your breath.

“I think that made it very clear how much I like you.”

You smiled as you wrapped your arms around him, burying your face in his neck.

“I like you too.” You replied, placing a light kiss on his jaw before pulling back to get another look at him, dimples on display.

“If you keep looking at me like that I’m never going to make it back to the White House,” he joked, and you shoved his chest.

“Then get out of here, Josh. I’ll see you in the morning.”

You smiled as he leaned in to kiss you once more, teasing you as he pulled away, leaving you chasing his lips. You placed one more chaste kiss on his lips before letting go of him.

“Goodnight,” he said, gently squeezing your hand before finally walking down the hall. “I’ll be sure to tell Sam I cured you back to health.”

“In your dreams, Lyman.”

*****

#josh lyman x female!reader #josh lyman x reader #josh lyman fic #josh lyman #the west wing #the west wing fic

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esmes · 3 months

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words r hard, but uh. today's flavor of "missing josh and annaleigh so bad i might just croak'' tastes like the part in "god that's good" when everyone is singing over one another, just after sweeney rejoices that he has "another friend" in his new chair. annaleigh's lovett stands illuminated on the staircase, facing the audience, singing a refrain of "it's gorgeous!" as toby describes her new pies. on the surface, it appears she's simply joining everyone in their reverent descriptions. but, at least in the last few performances annaleigh gave us, i got the sense that she was also using this part of the song to look down on and contemplate the life they (she, toby, sweeney) were finally (finally) getting to live.

sweeney's new chair has arrived - he's elated. together they are sharing a nefarious secret and it's brought them as close as nellie always harbored hope they would be. and toby has lodging, a full belly every night, an employer who treats him well. things are good. in later performances, josh's sweeney even puts an arm around nellie as they admire his new chair together. eventually, he steers her gently back to the staircase where she begins this reflection on their life.

fifteen years of waiting and it's here, right in front of her - glimmering, perfect, gorgeous. "god that's good" is as good as it ever gets for them. nellie's business is booming. she has the companionship of the man she's besotted with and a shopboy she regards as a son. watching annaleigh's nellie on that staircase, seeing her bask in her good fortune, savoring every drop, filled me topful with so much love and sadness for her, even as we see her delight in the misfortunes of others. annaleigh was really, really good at this - making this character lovable despite all that would make her irredeemable to most. her dreams are right there with her at that moment, close enough to cradle in her hands.

idk yall. i will miss her (them!) a lot.

#shoutout to the lighting designer for how she was lit in this moment #shoutout to the lighting designer for EVERYTHING i owe them my life #sweeney todd #2023 revival #just my interpretation - could be wrong but let me have this 🥹

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little-lovett · 4 months

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sweeney bway round 2 ~ all the little things + my favorite moments 🩶

- toby!!!! daniel marconi was absolutely divine. i really loved his movements, he kind of flails about with a tiny, strange limp. you can tell there’s something off and it just makes him all the more endearing. he’s so loving and his not while i’m around broke my heart into a million pieces

- i forgot how disturbing poor thing is. turpin has this vulture mask on and he just looks so disgusting and cruel. the staging looks like a satanic ritual and really establishes judge turpin as a perverted, evil piece of shit from hell

- mrs. lovett kissing up and down sweeney’s shoulder and beginning to slide his suspenders off just after wait, then someone walks in and she quickly slides it back up (and forgot who LMFAO i was so giddy)

- mrs. lovett genuinely calming affect on sweeney just melts me. they really needed eachother 🫂

- josh & annaleigh are so perfect, they read so genuinely as old friends and apprehensive lovers. they are magnetic. their bond is so palpable and it just makes everything hurt more

- mrs. lovett holding sweeney’s arm and nuzzling her face into his shoulder during pirelli’s

- lucy cries a lot. you can hear her sobbing whenever she’s on stage. she’s clearly very sensitive to men’s anger and is distraught whenever sweeney yells at her. my poor baby 💔

- also during pirelli’s; sweeney rubbing mrs. lovett’s hand and whispering into her ear. it’s def their most mutually affectionate song besides a little priest. felt like their little honeymoon era 🥰

- anthony began to sob at the end of johanna. i interpreted it as him seeing turpin abuse jo cuz he looked horrified. it was really really impactful

- sweeney holding lucy’s body and screaming in grief during toby’s monologue

- during a little priest after the whole privates gag, mrs. lovett was down on her knees and had her hand at sweeney’s groin and they both just stared at eachother it was PERFECTION

- i think a little priest was prob 10 minutes long because josh and annaleigh had SO MUCH interaction. they milked the living shit out of it and i’m so glad they did

anyway this is a fucking spectacular production of the best musical ever written. will not take any other answers thanks. hilarious, heartbreaking, dark, sexy sondheim. it doesn’t get any better. i will be back trust me. GOD, THATS GOOD!

#i loved it i threw up everywhere and fucking died #bc if i don’t i’ll just cry and cry and cry #i’m gonna go trip when i get home now #sweeney todd #sweeney todd revival #broadway #annaleigh ashford #musical theatre #josh groban #nellie lovett #sweeney todd broadway #sondheim #benjamin barker #mrs lovett

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sykokilljoyy · 2 years

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joints & cuddles - wroetoshaw imagine

request: none word count: 2333 warnings: drug use but casual, no angst just fluff!

TLDR: y/n and harry are distant friends who got high together and cuddled.

Bitter wind stung against your rosey cheeks as your tired eyes scanned across the London skyline. Sitting on the edge of the balcony, rolling a joint with red-tipped fingers, barely enough to feeling the paper against your skin. It was cold, very cold. A harsh October evening that you were spending at your friend, Talia's, apartment.

It had been a beyond stressful week. Bills you hadn't even noticed were due had come out before you expected them to, followed by a surprise inspection from your Landlord, then losing your favourite dress the night before a date and having to show up in an un-washed top and jeans. Fair to say, he never called you back afterwards. The joint was more than needed.

Talia didn't smoke, but loved having you over – plus, the videos of you high are always hilarious to watch when she's sad. Faintly from the kitchen you could hear her humming to a song on her laptop, a moment of pure excitement filled you as you remembered that she was cooking up your favourite dinner. Smiling to yourself, you raised the joint to your lips and lit it, breathing in the tainted smoke.

Watching the grey vapour float off into the sickly cold night sky, this was exactly what you wanted – a relaxed, stress-free evening with your beautiful best friend.

Or, so you thought.

"Yo, Talia!" You heard the distant rumble of a voice call from inside the apartment. Almost finished with your joint, you placed it down onto the ashtray and hopped back onto the balcony floor, pausing so you could hear inside.

"JJ?" Talia called back, moving towards the front door, "What are you doing here?"

"We were all filming nearby, Ethan lost his wallet so we missed our rides home and it's so cold outside," Simon explained, looping his arm around his girlfriend's warm body, "If you're not busy, we wondered if we could chill here."

Silence fell and you could feel Talia's slight panic as she did mental gymnastics, trying to figure out if you would be mad or not.

Usually, you would be sorely disappointed, considering the anxiety that fills your body and mind around groups of people. However, perhaps it was the rapidly growing warmth in your chest and fuzz in your head, you grabbed your phone and joint from the balcony and pulled open the door, alerting the attention of the tenants of the room.

"Oh, shit, sorry, Y/N, we didn't realise you'd be here," Tobi called apologetically, but you shook your head and smiled.

"It's okay, as long as you don't steal the dinner she's making, you can stay."

Laughing, the boys filtered into the room and took their positions around the chairs and sofas in Talia's living-room, Josh brushing past you before wincing.

"Jesus, Y/N, you're freezing cold."

"Oh," You chuckled, wrapping your arms around yourself, "Don't worry about me, I'll warm up."

"Nah, nah," Ethan shook his head, pointing over to his friend who was putting his bag down by the door, "Harry you bought that hoodie whilst we were filming, hand it over."

Before you could protest, Harry was making his way over to you, shaking his jacket off his shoulders, "I'm too hot, anyway, take this, it'll be warmer."

With a grateful smile, you looked up as he wrapped his thick coat around your shivering shoulders, catching his eye. He smiled at you sheepishly before turning around and heading awkwardly back towards his friends.

His friends shared some knowing glances that you were certain you weren't meant to see and suddenly your chest was clamped with anxiety. Were you just paranoid, or was there something going on?

Shaking you from your intoxicated thoughts, Ethan laughed to himself, "You smell that? Someone's had a good night."

The boys chuckled at the smell of weed that lingered in the apartment from you, to which you grinned nervously.

"Ask little miss over there," Talia poked her head around from the kitchen, pointing at you and you hid your face in your hands giddily.

"Don't embarrass me, please, I'm not in the state for that right now," You giggled, your cheeks red and hot.

"No way, don't be embarrassed," Josh piped in.

"Yeah, my next question was if you had any left," Harry laughed, earning some belly laughs from his peers.

Searching through your pockets, you pulled the half-finished joint from before and offered it to him, to which his eyes lit up gladly, taking it from your hand and hooking his arm excitedly around you, bringing you into his warmth, "You're an absolute god, thank you."

Unsure whether you were high or just incredibly single, but his scent filled your nose intoxicatingly, his strong arms holding you into his chest and heart beating against your ear – you didn't want him to let go. Pulling away, Harry smiled at you quickly before mouthing another 'thank you', hopping over his friend on the floor and heading to the balcony you had been on not even 10 minutes ago.

It had been a good 20 minutes now since you smoked and the boys had arrived, and you found yourself tucked into the side of the comfiest sofa, Harry's coat pulled up against you and the smell of Talia's cooking making your head spin. Netflix was blaring from the TV beside you, everyone but Harry, Talia and Simon all bunched up together, watching a new TV show to pass the time.

Creaking slightly, the balcony door was nudged open, a gush of cold air hitting you, causing you to pull Harry's jacket up to your cheeks. Harry crept in, eyes red and tired, cheeks flushed from the biting winds.

"How are you feeling, mate?" Ethan smirked, giving him a knowing gaze as a few chuckles rumbled around the room from his appearance.

"Oh, boys, I'm feeling amazing," He giggled back, heading towards the only empty seat, next to you, plonking himself down.

It was cozy, everyone was almost on top of each other, considering Talia's living-room wasn't intended to house almost 10 people at once. Whilst Harry was getting himself comfortable, he nudged into you and interrupted your zoned-out phone-scrolling – completely failing his plan to get comfortable, as he moved to make sure he wasn't in your space.

"Sorry, Y/N," he apologised and grimaced as he struggled to adjust himself into the sofa.

Perhaps it was because you wanted the comfort, or maybe it was pity that he looked so uncomfortable and you wanted him to have a nice high, you would've never normally had the guts to do this.

"Nah, come here."

Pushing your legs out, holding your arm around his shoulder, your body invited him into an embrace. His gaze was skeptical, unsure whether you were joking or not – silently hoping you weren't.

"Are you sure? You don't have to, I don't want you to be uncomfortable just bec-" He rambled, thanking the heavens the cold has tinted his cheeks because they would've been burning red at the thought of cuddling with you without it.

"Just shut up and come cuddle," You interrupted, gently pulling him towards you into the comfy part of the furniture.

Smiling warmly, he adjusted himself so he was leaning backwards, back against your chest and your arms around his neck and laying on his torso. Softly, his hair was brushing your chin and you rested it on his head, peering over to watch the videos he had on his phone.

You were both in a world of your own, giggling together at stupid Twitter videos, making dumb jokes and taking silly pictures that you'll probably beg him to delete when you're both sober.

A notification pinged at the top of his screen that caught both of your eyes:

From Behzie to Sidemen GC

Trust Bog to get high to finally shoot his shot LOL

Harry's body tensed and the palm of your hand felt the racket of his heart booming against his chest. Another text came through;

From Behzie to Sidemen GC

Wrong chat, this is awkward now. Hi Y/N. Sorry Boggy LMAO

To say you were unsure what to do next, was a huge understatement. Not only were you probably blushing and frozen by the sheer embarrassment of the situation, you were also just confused. Did this mean he liked you? What did Ethan mean by 'finally'?

"You're such a bastard, Behz," Harry was the first to speak, his mind kicking in and jumping from your embrace, launching himself at Ethan. Throwing some playful punches, laughter filled the awkward silence of the room and everyone was jokingly antagonising the pair of them.

Missing the feeling of his body, you took the second of distraction to readjust your head. You'd always liked Harry. It wasn't often you got to see the boys, considering you were only Talia's friend and had a very busy schedule in itself, but when you did it was Heaven seeing him.

He was awkward, so perhaps that's why you always thought he wasn't too interested in you, avoiding alone time with you if he could help it. It was fine, you had learnt to keep your crippling crush under wraps in order not to ruin the friendship you had with them all. But now you were questioning it.

"Y/N! Dinner is ready!" Talia called from the kitchen, stealing you from your wandering thoughts. Excitement filled your body instantly, dreaming up the feeling of getting some food in you in your current state.

Hopping up from the sofa, you hurried into the kitchen eagerly, being met by the incredible smell of Talia's cooking.

Without words, you hugged her gratefully.

"I love you so much, Talia Mar," You thanked, making her laugh and reciprocate your actions.

"Enjoy, babe, we'll be out in the living-room."

It was incredible, every bite felt like absolute euphoria and you thanked Talia with every single morsel.

The silence wasn't long before a very stoned head peeked around the doorframe.

"Room for one more?" Harry asked, his eyes full of hope as they dart between you and the beautiful meal in front of you. Taking another bite, you push the plate towards him, "Oh my God, you're incredible."

"I know, I know, just eat up before I change my mind."

The next 30 minutes was filled with stupid, brainless high conversation about anything and everything possible, sat across from each other in the kitchen, the warm orange light creating a gentle feel in the room. Food had been demolished a while ago, and whilst you both stopped your conversation to grab a drink, the atmosphere begun to change.

"Wine or coke?" You questioned, searching Talia's cupboards for something to sip on.

"Wine, definitely," Harry replied, standing up to join you, pulling glasses from the top shelf and placing them in front of you.

Reaching for his glass, you pushed Harry's hand away, shaking your head. He gave you a confused glance. Picking both of them up, you grabbed his hand and linked your arm with his. You'd seen it in a movie once, and in your current state, it seemed like a fun idea.

Harry was giggling the whole time as you both struggle to coordinate the glasses and sip at them. A lot was spilled, a bit was consumed, but most ended up all over yourself and the work top.

"That was such a bad idea," You cackled as you scrambled for some kitchen roll, wiping the remaining wine from your face and neck.

"You're beautiful," Harry announced, stopping you in your tracks.

Turning to him, you see him watching you clean yourself, a soft and wondrous look in his bright blue eyes. "T-Thank you."

"I'm sorry about earlier, with Ethan," He apologised, and before you had the chance to speak, her continued, "I just, I don't know, it's been, I just-"

"It's okay, Harry, don't worry!" You giggled, putting down your glass and placing your hand on his shoulder, "It's only a joke between friends."

"No, you don't understand," He seemed more serious now, even slightly stressed, "It wasn't a joke."

"Oh?"

Your mind was swimming now, perhaps the wine or maybe the terrifying anticipation flooding you.

"You don't even realise how long I've wanted to make a move, to ask you out, shit even just spend some alone time with you without those lot out there," He continued, "I've just been so absolutely terrified that you don't like me or you'd think it was weird and I'd hate to lose you."

"You'd never lose me, Harry," You smiled, your hand travelling to his chin to lift his head up, bringing his eye line to yours, "For so long, I've wanted to be something more, but you never seemed interested."

"If you were in my brain you would be pissing yourself at how dumb that sounds," He laughed defeatedly, "The boys bully the fuck out of me trying to give me the courage to ask you out."

You blushed, a pure feeling of relief and excitement and pure joy and so much more.

"I like you, Y/N, like so much and it's taken me so long to say because I'm an idiot," Harry confessed, a small tremble in the hand that was on yours.

"You're not an idiot, Harry," Your body subconsciously leaned towards him, "I like you, too, dumbass."

Distance was minimal between you both, "Can I kiss you?" Harry asked, his voice low and needing.

You didn't need to reply, your lips placing themselves on his as his hands dropped to your waist, pulling you as close as he could after years of pining, years of dreaming of the feeling of your lips on his.

You didn't want to pull away, but your breath was vacant and you needed to see his face.

"So," He spoke first, not moving from the close proximity, "Can I take you on a date? Tomorrow night?"

"Of course," You beamed, ecstatic at the closeness of your bodies, "I'll be there."

The moment was scuffed by a text message popping up loudly on Harry's phone, and he pulled it out enough for us both to see.

From Behzie Are you guys finished shagging in there? We want food.

From Behzie p.s. proud of u boggy

REQUESTS ARE OPEN!

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buzzyb33 · 5 months

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OMD pls pls pls i beg u babes ur hc r sooooo good a dad Simon minter would be a great hc in my opinion anyway love youuu

Prompt: head cannons of Simon minter with a wife and two kids- twins!

Warnings: swearing, pregnancy,

Finding out you were pregnant in the late January 2016 wasn’t too nice, you and Simon hadn’t really discussed family, you just knew he wasn’t opposed to the idea.

Building up the courage was pushing time, so going at it and getting him as he edits a second channel video.

“Si? Can I talk to you?” I say and sit on his beanbag.

“Hm? Yeah, course.”

He pulls his headphones off and looks at me, noting the unsure look on my face.

“I’m- pregnant.” I say finally.

He smiles at me then let’s it fall.

“Is- that a good thing?” I smile back.

“I- was hoping so..” he grins and pulls me into a tight hug.

“It’s a great thing n/n- I know we haven’t really spoke about it but- it’s a wonderful thing..”

From then on he came to every scan and happily told the boys that I was pregnant, JJ was dumbfounded that his best friend was married and now expecting.

Halfway through the pregnancy you got very interesting cravings, Simon still loved everything you did.

When your waters broke you were 8 and a half weeks pregnant Simon was with you At every moment, squeezing your hand and soothing you through it all.

He grimaced slightly but stayed there.

When the nurse let you hold your baby boy it was all worth it, Simon held your baby girl, the joy on his face was unmatched.

The next day Simon announced on Twitter that he’ll be having a break from his channels and only present in main sidemen videos.

A month later, Y/n happily agreed to let the boys come over to see the twins (which had been named Aaron and Aria).

JJ, Josh and Freya came round first to see the twins which JJ was instructed by me how to hold them.

He smiled a cooed at Aria while Josh held Aaron and Freya hurried him so she could hold him.

“Y/n, I got you a little bag, for you.”

She hands me a bag and I smile.

“Thank you Freya.”

I adjust my position and Simon talks to Josh and JJ, him holding Aria and me holding Aaron as Freya coos at him.

The next to come see them was Tobi, Harry and vikk though it was clear Harry did not trust himself to hold them.

By this point, I was almost fully healed, my stomach had went back to normal but I was still recovering a bit.

I sat next to Harry as Tobi asked him if he wants to hold Aaron.

“Nah- boys, I’m fine I just- wanted to make sure si and Y/n was alright? Yeah- you know.”

He spewed out with rosy cheeks.

“Harry, let me show you how to hold him, it’s alright.”

I smile and he hesitates as Tobi gently hands me Aaron.

I fix his arms and let him hold the baby boy, his eyes light up but his lips twitch, still not trusted in himself.

“Relax, Bog.”

Simon laughs.

Vikk is completely mesmerised by Aria as she squeezes his index finger.

“Awe, Simon..”

I let a smile play on my lips as Harry holds him.

As the other boys come round over the months the babies start smiling more.

Simon wore the baby carriers on his chest, Christmas 2018 was their first Christmas and Simon was so good, he loved them and gave them all equal attention, I worked in law which I didn’t mind doing from home as they needed the attention.

Simon was more than happy when his daughters first words were ‘DaDa.’ He was so happy.

“Y/n! Come here! Quick! Sh- Ari just said DADA -say it again honey..”

He sat there until she said it again.

He was ecstatic.

As they got older, Aaron showed his love for basketball while Aria did football.

Simon tried to hide his excitement that one of his kids had an interest in football.

When they were three he signed Aria up for under 5 girls football and Aaron for soft ball (as he was too young for basketball)

He went to every game with me and occasionally dragged one of his friends along.

Simon was always caught having at least one of them hanging off his limbs.

When they were four and developing their own opinions, Simon was in for a treat for how much his son spoke.

One day when he was recording a more sidemen video- standing up- Aaron sauntered into the room.

“Well no- that’s not how you play the game JJ, are you-“ Simon scoffed in an irritated tone before being cut off by his door opening.

“Daddy-“ his voice trailed off.

“One sec boys, yeah Aaron?”

“Can I sit in here with you? Ari said that- the dogs don’t like me.” He said as he rubbed his eyes.

“Mate- yeah okay.”

Simon bends down and puts his son on his beanbag with his iPad.

“Did you just call your son ‘mate’?” Ethan laughs.

Another time was when all four of us went to the park and me and Simon just sat together, in peaceful noise as other kids giggled and screamed around us.

I smiled at him and really took in the moment, he was a great father, we had good money and good kids to raise, we were gonna mould these kids into who they were.

During the sidemen penalty shots Aria went up and smiled proudly- she had dark brown hair like her mother and her Fathers dark blue eyes.

“Hi daddy!” She called as she got the ball into position.

“Hi honey!” He grinned back as he got ready to save the goal.

“Simon! Don’t be a bitch! Save her shot!” JJ called as Simon laughed and agreed.

For a five year old- she packed a shot- scoring as Simon went the other way.

He frowned at the fact he missed it and Aria grinned.

“Bye daddy!” She said and ran off to the sides.

“Bye honey!” He called back.

During times of dates and your and simons… alone time, Josh and Freya or Vikk and Ellie to babysit- maybe Callux but he always got help.

Simon absolutely adored his kids, his wife and overall, the way his life had turned out.

When Faith found out she was pregnant in February of 2022 Simon immediately dumped every single baby detail and fact he knew on Ethan just so he was at least a little bit prepared for fatherhood.

As of times like now, the twins are six and thriving in their sporty lives and Aaron was socially, not so much Aria as she was a lot more introverted (maybe a bit more clever) than her brother.

(Simon also info dumped on Randy when Laura was pregnant with harper)

Out of all of his friends, Aria loves Callux the most and Aaron loves JJ the most, Aria doesn’t leave his side, frankly she cried the last time he had to leave.

Aaron also likes Ethan a lot as he says funny (stupid) things that makes him laugh.

At 6 years old the two seem to have a very bright future which just causes simons heart to quadruple in size.

A/n: I’ll be honest, I had not much idea about soft things so..

Request me some stuff though!! I did mostly enjoy writing this and there will be a grey FIC out on Wednesday!

If you want you ask me to add to this specific story.

REQUEST ME SOMETHING 🙏🏽

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demonbarberofbeepbeep · 2 months

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I saw Sweeney with Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster on Sunday :3 BRAIN DUMP WITH SPECIFIC PRODUCTION DETAILS AHEAD. DONT READ IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPOILED ON CERTAIN ACTING CHOICES THEY MAKE

First, Sutton, my surprise fav:

Now, I had heard the Worst Pies leak from her, and I was worried. But I actually ended up loving her Nellie Lovett.

The former cast had a younger, pretty blonde soprano style Mrs Lovett. Sutton was a little bit of a return to the classic Mrs. Lovett dynamic - an older, scatterbrained woman. Not as openly seductive and feminine as Annaleigh, but very funny and affable. She was less sensuous, older, more desperate. Kind of a Katherine Hepburn physicality, long and slender flailing limbs. Goofy but an intense undercurrent of loneliness. She had a very gangly and bumbling physicality to her. She was taller than Sweeney (in her heels) and that affected their dynamic in interesting ways - when she was coming on to him, it almost felt like she was trying to grapple him sometimes. She did some very funny new bits. In her entrance to Worst Pies In London, she had a carrot and she was biting pieces off it and spitting it out into the pie crust. It was a hilarious gag. People were surprised at how wobbly her delivery was on the first night - well, it was like that on the third night too! It was pretty funny. She was obviously doing it on purpose.

She slid off his lap in By The Sea and put her feet in his face and then started rubbing his chest and taking off his suspenders with her toes. She got a lot of mileage out of flailing her limbs in a humorous fashion. I think her comedic chops really shined here and in Little Priest.

I think her darkness was more on view here too - she had a truly evil look when she embraced Toby at the end of Not While I’m Around. And she had an interesting moment of cruelty with the Beggar Woman - when they had their confrontation, she seemed to grasp her chin or pull her hair or something in a way that caused her pain. It seemed like she was right on the edge, and totally desperate, with claws at the ready.

I have really mixed feelings about Aaron’s Sweeney. There were some things I liked about him. He does a good scowl, and when he burst onto the scene, lit from above, his eyes cast into shadow - I felt like we were in for a convincingly demented and dark take. But unfortunately, he did not keep the intensity up the whole time. Part of this is, I think, out of his control - he’s just a very handsome and small-framed man, and he didn’t look either intimidating and beefy, like Nicholas Christopher, nor convincingly beaten down and sad eyed, like Josh Groban. I think he tried to play a more open-to-Lovett Sweeney, but once he let up the scowling and hate, I just felt like there wasn’t enough negative affect to him left. Beard or no beard, his look just screams “handsome prince“ or “elf” or something.

The real thing I struggled with was his voice. Now, he’s obviously an amazing talent and an incredible singer, and I did enjoy seeing him. How could I not? It’s Enjolras from the Les Mis movie! So cool! But having a tenor in this role is just kinda wrong. There were moments where we needed Sweeney’s baleful booming voice to really resonate and he just didn’t deliver - in the ominous duet with Turpin, or in the crowd scene where he’s heckling Pirelli - he sounded high, weak, and reedy. There wasn’t enough power. And I know he has a beautiful voice, but having him as Sweeney didn’t really let him use it to its full advantage. Sure, he can soar into high octaves, but what good does that do us when he’s just hitting the lower notes in a nothing-special register rather than a deep rich boom? It didn’t really portray Sweeney’s madness or darkness. It’s just wasn’t right for the character.

He did make some interesting and unique choices for the character. Some things I noticed and liked: he often grabbed his chest or heart, as if in pain. He was very nimble and scrambled and leaped around the stage. This is a “quick and quiet and clean ‘e was” style Sweeney. So, to make up for the lack of deep ominous voice, I expect him to really amp up the madness. And he gave some good crazy acting for Epiphany. What he really is good at is scowling, barking laughter, scampering around. But his acting job was uneven. His Benjamin Barker reveal, rather than being brutal, was a little bit strange - he was across the room and then ran at the judge to slash his throat. I felt very let down by the final sequence. I expected some chewing-the-scenery style screaming and moaning. He didn’t scream or cry, just kind of grimaced. “Oh no… Lucy…” Honestly, it wasn’t as sad and melodramatic from anyone as I wanted it to be. He laughed when Toby came to kill him, which was kind of cool, but also contributed to the weird lightness of his take.

Their chemistry - they were playing it to be more fond of each other. They had moments of chemistry and acknowledging each other right out of the gate. He was surprisingly game about eating the pie, almost trying to make her feel better about it or something. Later, when he grasped her arms and asked about his wife, it seemed like there was already a spark of mutual feeling or something. This is a nicer Todd than I’ve seen. He was also pretty indulgent to her in By The Sea, grasping her knee reassuringly when he said he loved her. They did not have the crazy ass chemistry that Josh and Annaleigh had by the end of their run, which is perhaps to be expected. Again, I liked how friendly they were with each other. It worked well for Sutton’s take on Mrs. Lovett. We got to see how she jumped hungrily at any scrap of kindness he tossed her. But along with his light voice and handsome tiny man vibe, it served to make him even less menacing and foreboding, which he already didn’t have enough of IMO. So, mixed bag.

Other notes from the night:

Delaney was on as Johanna! She was awesome, a very fleshed out version. You could tell she had done it before. She had a lot of funny intonations in Green Finch and Linnet Bird, really pausing to consider what the birds might be doing. “Are you discussing? 😑 Or fussing? 😩Or merely dreaming? 🙂 Are you crowing? 😧 Are you SCREAMING?? 😰”

One interesting live theater moment: In the scene where she’s trying to escape Sweeney’s parlor, I think she smashed her face getting out of the box. Her hat was off and she was holding a cloth in front of her face for some reason until she left the shop. It looked like she was bloodied, but she played it off well. I hope she’s okay!

Joe Locke as Toby - he had a beautiful voice, very sweet sweet younger style Toby. Much like Aaron, IMO, he did not get crazy enough with it at the end. But beautiful voice and heartbreakingly vulnerable. There were a few new cast members who were good, didn’t get their names, but I liked ‘em!

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hondagirll · 5 months

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Favourite West Wing moments? 🩷🩷🩷 on the migraine

Ah, wow this is a hard one. Obviously secret plan to fight inflation is one. Both Thanksgiving episodes because I just watched the butterball hotline one yesterday ("Zip code for Fargo, North Dakota please"). The speech that Sam wrote in the car about the pipe bomb explosion ("they ran into the fire/the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight"). Donna, Amy, CJ and Abbey getting drunk and Donna getting the Canadian Anthem and Mr. President being all - "I was gone for 5 minutes. They were all Americans when I left!" (🤣). Every single moment in Noel but especially the talk between Leo and Josh about the guy falling into the hole. Danny and his "I just want us to talk because I like the sound of your voice" moment because I am simply a soft romantic bitch. The White House going to California to be there for Sam's election and Toby staying behind because he doesn't want Sam to be alone even though everyone knows Sam is going to lose (🥹). Donna, Josh and Toby getting left behind in the s4 opening and Mr. President being all "if Donna wasn't with them they would have to buy a house". Josh sprinting through the WH to fly out to Germany the moment Leo gives him permission ("if there's somewhere else you'd rather be we'd all understand"). The whole Stackhouse Filibuster episode but especially the last 10 minutes ("we don't raise our hands in here"/ "though that's not a bad idea"). Ellie and the whole "the only thing you ever had to do was make me happy at the end of the day" final scene. Oliver Banish using his gravel to destroy the tape recorder when Leo and Jed tell him about the MS scandal. And of course, Bartlet cursing at God in Two Cathedrals ("yes I lied. It was a sin. I've committed many sins. Have I displeased you, you feckless thug?!?").

#there are probably more but these are the ones i remember most off the top of my head #the west wing #replies #mihrsuri #gosh i love this show so much

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bookdork1 · 1 year

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#tww #the west wing #I’m making too many tww pools but I binged watched this show in a month it’s all that’s in my head right now #and also they’re so much fun to make

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the-one-where-casey-watches-tv · 1 year

Text

The West Wing episode 4.20 "Evidence of Things Not Seen"

Have you ever noticed how the biggest names behind the camera tend to have close relationships with a handful of actors who are in everything they make? Aaron Sorkin is no exception, and honestly, I feel like I understand why. His work is so specific, just like Tarantino’s or Scorsese’s, and when you have such an identifiable style, I think it either clicks with you or it doesn’t. When you find people who click with you, whose brains meld seamlessly with yours, it really is a euphoric feeling and I imagine you’d want to keep those people close.

The West Wing, and Aaron Sorkin, click with me. Sometimes I watch a show and the thrill is having no idea what’s about to happen; I’m along for the ride in a vehicle that I barely recognize, let alone know how to drive. I would never be so bold as to think I could have taken the wheel of The West Wing, but to keep the comparison going, putting an episode on feels like getting into your mom’s car. You know all its little nuances, where the cupholders are, and how it’s going to feel on the road (and when to grab the handlebar).

“Evidence of Things Not Seen” has everything I love about The West Wing; it’s a fun one, but an inspiring one too, and it even guest stars- get this- Matthew Perry, fresh off of Friends. All the characters are mostly off the clock in this episode, so it’s time for a good poker game. Leo and the President are excited to kick back over a game of cards; Leo even has a full spread prepared, and tbh nothing makes me laugh like his reverent demand of CJ to “oooh squeeze this piece of rye bread”.

But the relaxation will of course be interrupted. The President will have to step in and out to negotiate with Kaliningrad- their government spotted an unmanned spy plane that we were flying over there, and Bartlet needs to talk them into giving it back. Our cover story: it was an environmental mission studying coastal erosion (Chinese spy balloon anyone?). Josh will have to do some back and forth too, interviewing a candidate to replace Ainsley Hayes as associate counsel.

Amid all of this, it’s the equinox, and CJ is convinced that at “the exact moment of the equinox” you can stand an egg on its end, and it won’t tip over. She’s carrying an egg around, but she hasn’t pulled it off yet and skepticism abounds.

All of Sorkin’s characters speak with what’s become his trademark cadence and tone so at times I see them as somewhat interchangeable- he just likes the sound of a group. But “Evidence of Things Not Seen” highlights the individual personalities and ideological differences that actually are present and consistent once you get past the similar speech pattern.

We’re launched into the title sequence with Bartlet giving the egg thing- and this coastal erosion cover story- a shot, but the egg topples over. His subsequently loaded “yeah, this isn’t gonna work” is about a lot more than the equinox. Compared to CJ, he’s always been a pragmatic optimist, entertaining every romantic idea but not expecting all of them to pan out. CJ, meanwhile, will always stick her neck out to vouch for the idealistic solution, even when it’s not even in the realm of realistic. She’s also usually right. In a previous episode, when everyone else guessed that the president’s approval rating had remained the same at best, she wagered that they had gone up 5 points, a number so preposterous Leo wouldn’t even repeat it to the President. Turns out she was lowballing. She’s also the voice of the iconic line “it’s about going to the blackboard and raising your hand- if you think you get it wrong sometimes, why don’t you come down here and see how the big boys do it.”

Toby’s even more complex than either of them, which I’d go so far as to say is the reason he also has the most complex individual relationship with almost every other character. He and Bartlet are a story for another day, but Toby and CJ’s deep, often wordless friendship really run wild in this episode. Toby’s created the image of himself as the pessimistic curmudgeon, but it’s a defense mechanism for the red hot idealism he’s carrying around. He’s so often disappointed, and he’s tired of it, but he can’t help but see so much potential in the world, even if he won’t admit it.

Will’s being in the Air Force won’t come up again after this episode, but it comes up in this one to serve the theme of Toby and CJ’s dueling worldviews. He’s heading to Wyoming to address a situation in which two launch crew officers who were slow to react to a threat of an incoming missile from North Korea. Turns out it was a good thing they asked some questions before enacting protocol, because it wasn’t a missile- it was a meteor from space. But they’re still being court-martialed because if it had been a missile, they wouldn’t have reacted in time. Toby can’t help but burst out laughing at this story (“Why do we think at this point that North Korea is attacking the East Coast of the United States?” “There are transcripts that show that surprise was expressed at that”). Then he turns it on CJ: “We failed on both a mechanical and human level. So tell me again what you have faith in”.

“Us. Because with what little free time he has, Will is going to Wyoming to defend one of these guys, and I don’t think it is failing on a human level”. Instead of responding, Toby lays down his cards, expecting to win the hand. But, in another symbolic move that speaks to a lot more than poker, CJ lays out a full house, sweeping up the chips in her unexpected win.

While this weighty discussion hung in the air, Will, Toby, and CJ had another thing to attend to- a bet amongst men that the other couldn’t hurl a playing card into the podium from the fifth row in the press room. They head down there, with CJ tagging along hoping to see them both fail- no one’s taking her very seriously tonight, after all. Instead of settling that debate, they’re interrupted by three gunshots slamming into the press room window. Will’s military training kicks in and he drops to the floor and rattles off ballistics to the secret service agents that instantly burst in, but CJ freezes. It’s Toby who pulls her to the ground in the heat of the moment.

I don’t love this being the second time CJ’s been “saved” by a man in this show (Sam did the same thing at Roslyn), but this interaction with Toby feels a lot more organic than that did, and so does the way they address it. On the whole, everything about an active shooter and subsequent crash of the building is a tired plot at this point. I’d actually go as far as to say this entire episode is pretty unoriginal- a criticism I read when doing some research on this episode. But I think the familiarity of the situation is exactly the thing that gives this episode that fun, cozy, President-in-a-sweatshirt feel. We’ve done the defcon 1 “can you believe it?!” active shooter plot before, so now we’re able to have some fun with it (“fun” on The West Wing is a relative term).

The secret service herds Toby, CJ, Will, and Josh into the oval office to make sure there’s eyes on everyone. Charlie and Debbie are already accounted for, but they don’t have code word clearance, so they’re not allowed in the Oval, where the spy plane discussion is still ongoing. At least, according to the Secret Service. Bartlet good naturedly explains that “if Charlie heard there were bullets, he’s gonna overpower whoever’s trying to—” and he’s cut off by Charlie, sure enough, bursting into the room. The President grins, we grin, he pulls Charlie in close and promises he’s okay. Satisfied, Charlie marches right back out. Then Bartlet says “I’m surprised you guys managed to keep Fiderer in her chair, I’d have thought she’d be the first one to- oh no here we are!” as she too fights her way in the room, looking the President up and down and declaring that she will be back to take his blood pressure shortly.

In a beat amidst the commotion, CJ asks Toby if he knew that a day on the moon and a year on the moon were the same thing. He did. The moment hangs there. Then she says, “I thought my reflexes before, in the press room, were cat-like.” And then we cut away. I love how little we have to say in this episode, and it’s our familiarity with these people, these rooms, and this situation that really let us all just play here in “Evidence of Things Not Seen”.

And nowhere is this episode having more fun than it is with Josh and the unexpectedly incredible chemistry he has with Matthew Perry’s Joe Quincy. Throughout this entire episode he’s back and forth between advising the President and interviewing new associate counsel Joe Quincy. Joe is quiet, collected, funny, and overqualified, but something is off about him, and Josh can’t figure out what. In an aside to Donna, Josh muses that “it’s the strangest feeling. It’s like… a really good baseball player is standing in the other team’s locker room for the first time.” To which Donna says, “I don’t understand, are you writing poetry about this now?”

But his gut is onto something, and he’s trying to figure out what- amidst it all, though, he’s also starting to like him. Josh is amused that the vetting team made Joe fill out the psychological part of the questionnaire- something he can relate to, and I’ll come right back to that in a second. Josh asks a question I think we all probably wonder when filling out forms like this but have never thought to put into words:

“Question 1: a) I do not feel sad; b) I feel sad; c) I am sad all the time and I can’t snap out of it; d) I am so sad or unhappy that I want to kill myself. You chose a) I do not feel sad.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Ever?”

“No.”

“No, you don’t ever feel sad, or…?”

“No, there are times when I feel sad.”

“Yet you checked the first box, why is that?”

“It said, ‘I do not feel sad’ and I didn’t at the time I checked it.”

This exchange, and their whole dynamic, feels both funny and poignant, but the tables turn when the shooting happens in the very next scene. Donna is instantaneous in checking on Josh, worried about the shooting stirring up his PTSD and telling him, against his wishes, that she is going to be giving his therapist a heads up that he might be calling later.

When Josh explains the building crash to Joe, he says he didn’t hear the shots, but “I heard a brass quintet playing The First Noel, so I just assumed someone somewhere was locked and loaded.” Joe doesn’t hesitate to reply with “You know, not for nothing, but the people that I talk to don’t believe that story, and the people that you’d like don’t care.” He doesn’t say it unkindly, but like I said, funny and poignant.

But it’s not only the sentiment that throws Josh off, it’s the wording. Finally, Josh puts it together- Joe is a republican. Once his secret is out, Joe explains that he’s gotten himself in bad standing with the rest of the party by voicing an unpopular opinion, but he wants to work at the White House because, of course, he has a sense of duty. The whole thing is a soft, respectful, and incredibly loaded homage to both Ainsley Hayes and arguably the show’s best episode, “Noel”. And, just like Ainsley, Joe finds himself fitting right in, even as Josh tries to fight it. He recommends him to Leo and gets him the job.

I really love this episode for all the same reasons I think it often flies under the radar of West Wing greatest hits. It’s not remarkable, it’s not doing anything we haven’t done before, but it has its finger right on the pulse of every one of these characters. It’s exactly our deep familiarity with everyone and everything that lets the slightest touch hold so much significance, depth, and humor. It just takes half a sentence for a character to say something profound about another, or to call back to nostalgic characters and plot points. And I almost forgot to mention- we end with CJ standing an egg on its end. I well up every time.

#the west wing #evidence of things not seen #matthew perry #joe quincy #bradley whitford #josh lyman #allison janney #cj cregg #richard schiff #toby ziegler #martin sheen #jed bartlet #tww #josh malina #will bailey #tv criticism #tv review

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pieshopbarber · 5 months

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My dumb little review of the 2023 Sweeney Todd revival!! 😀

I had been hyping myself up for seeing the 2023 revival for multiple months on end, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Obviously I had a bunch of issues with it, there are always going to be issues with anything, that’s how the world works, but overall I could not be happier with the experience.

I thought it was really well casted overall, each and every one of these performers were fantastic and 100% deserved the roles they have and the praise.

Josh Groban’s performance as Sweeney Todd was absolutely fantastic. While I wish they cast someone older, I can’t argue that Groban was absolutely fantastic as the role. I had high hopes since hearing the first few songs from the cast album, and was blown away when I saw him live. Todd is always one of those characters who is very interesting to see performed, mainly due to how erratic he can be, switching between being completely depressed and withdrawn from the world to enraged and running around screaming and slashing throats at the drop of a hat, and Josh managed to really capture this. I also really enjoyed a lot of the little things he did. He definitely brought a bunch of middle aged white dad energy to the role that I don’t see a lot, really driving home the point that he really is just a father who lost absolutely everything. I also adored the choreography (I don’t know if this is the right word, but I’m just kinda dumb) with the razor, especially during epiphany, my favorite moment being where he descends the stairs to start confronting the audience where he slams the razor into the railing and scrapes it down. Really good stuff. A personal favorite moment of mine is the end. The enraged screaming of “BENJAMIN BARKER!” To violently sawing at the judge’s throat (which I was not expecting but holy shit was that awesome), but then holding the razor out in front of him as if disgusted by it and his own actions, but snapping back into a rage when he sees Johanna, practically turning into a feral animal, growling and literally lunging at her and down the stairs. His performance was definitely the highlight of the show.

Now onto Annaleigh Ashford. Oh jeez. Her accent was not great. It was better than it was in the cast recording, so that was nice, but it still sucked. I do not like Ashford’s characterization of Lovett. She’s too touchy and grabby with Todd, which definitely isn’t how Lovett should be. She waits, and she wouldn’t be that touchy and impatient. It does help with some of Todd’s characterization, with him either completely ignoring her advances, being disgusted and pushing her away, or being too much in a daze to fight back against her, but I still did not like it. I also do not like her casting, Ashford is too young and conventionally attractive for the role, however despite this, I can not ignore how genuinely funny she is as Lovett. Her comedic timing and line delivery never failed to get a laugh out of me, and I loved how she really embraced the Lovett hyperactivity. The energy she brought during little priest was absolutely amazing, literally rolling on the ground and doing the little Lovett jig. The banter between her and Todd was absolutely fantastic, and it’s impossible to ignore how well her and Groban meshed together. I have to say that the moment she really shined was during Not while I’m around. At the beginning she’s defensive and on edge as she realizes that Toby is on to the whole thing, turning into a very motherly sternness as she tries to convince him to stop thinking about the whole thing, to the heartbreak and panic as she realizes that they need to kill Toby. Her sadness when she is telling Toby how to work the oven and meat grinder is something I don’t see a lot when people play Lovett, and it was fantastic. I also loved her approach right before she gets killed. With her practically sobbing as she sings because she is happy since this is the closest that Todd has ever been with her, but also because she knows that she’s going to die, she knows that this closeness is not because of love, it’s because Todd wants her dead because she lied.

Obviously, Gaten just left the production, so Tobias was played by Daniel Marconi. I really enjoyed him as Toby, he really portrayed the whole pathetic orphan thing really well. However I did think his voice was a little too mature sounding if that makes sense. Overall though, really good as Toby. Was absolutely amazing during not while I’m around, the panic in his voice was palpable, really talented guy.

Nicholas Christopher was probably one of the best Pirellis I’ve seen. Pirelli is my favorite character from this musical overall, and he was just so freaking good. Really played into the camp and flamboyance of the character, really being a fruity little piss seller. During the contest he dramatically sprawled across the guy in the chair, or would fling the razor out towards the ensemble making them freak out and shrink away and overall was absolutely hilarious. One of the most brilliant things about his performance was how towards the end of the contest where he realizes that he’s losing, he begins to lose the Italian accent and the Irish starts to slip through, which I’ve never seen anyone do when playing Pirelli. I also loved the contrast that Nicholas Christopher had between the high pitched Italian accent and the super low gruffness he had with his Irish accent. Was definitely my favorite character from the whole thing.

The beggar woman was played by Ruthie Ann Miles, and I don't really have any issues with her. She was super good as Lucy, and her singing was really good. I thought it was brilliant that they had her wig obscuring her face and had her keep her shoulder or back to the audience so we couldn’t see her face until city on fire, right before Todd kills her. I also really enjoyed how she would physically interact with the other characters, as I don’t see that often with beggar woman performances.

Jamie Jackson was overall pretty good as judge Turpin, however I felt his acting was a little overdone. His voice was a little too wheezy and nasally at points, and him grabbing onto Lovett’s skirt was far too dramatic. However he did give me the ick, which is needed whenever someone plays Turpin.

Beadle Bamford was really funny. Similarly to Pirelli, Johnathan Christopher really played into the flamboyance of the character, which I always love. I really loved the bit before parlor songs where he unabashedly steals from Lovett. He was super funny and a great mesh with Turpin.

Maria Bilbao was fantastic as Joannah. Her singing was absolutely fantastic, and she was able to capture the naivety, yet strength of the character. Johanna here actually felt like a teenager who was both scared of the world because of how Turpin sheltered her, but also had eyes full of wonder and hope. Really loved her.

Daniel Yearwood as Anthony was good. I really don’t have much to say about him. He was really good. His line delivery was really good, but I thought he sounded really similar to Gaten on the cast album. That’s not a gripe with him, it’s just something I noticed.

I went in knowing that the factory whistle would be (sadly) absent from the show, yet still found myself bracing for it. I was kinda disappointed that the whistle was excluded since it’s such a massive part of the class system metaphor, but I totally wasn’t expecting the extra loud whistle when Turpin was killed. Literally made me almost shit myself in the mezzanine. Also again, Josh literally sawing at the judges throat was great at that moment too.

I also was somewhat tentative about the dancing. I don’t think of Sondheim or Sweeney Todd and think of dancing, so I went in cautious about it, and honestly I hated it a lot less than I thought I would. The dancing in the opening and closing ballads works? It’s not atrocious to be honest, it’s jarring yes, but isn’t the worst thing they could have done. The dancing is used very sparingly throughout the rest of it, and it’s not awful. It created a really surreal and dreamlike atmosphere which is quite fitting for the scenes they had it in (ladies and their sensitivities, poor thing, city on fire) or it created a hectic and almost unsettling aura (god that’s good, Pirelli’s miracle elixir). I also noticed that during these dancing moments that Todd, Lovett, Turpin, beadle, Toby, and Lucy would be the only ones still moving normally, kind of highlighting their disconnect from the rest of London. This was really highlighted during city on fire during the beggar woman’s part.

I also really like the inclusion of the scene that originally was after Mia Culpa. Normally it’s cut alongside Mia Culpa, but was kept in the revival, which is honestly awesome. It gives the context of how Johanna got the key and gave it to Anthony, and also how she found out Turpin wants to marry her, and without it it’s kinda weird and confusing. Honestly though, I wish Mia Culpa was included, just because it’s a great song and helps to characterize the judge, and the fucking social media used its lyrics to show off the judge that one time, so yeah. But it’s understandable why they didn’t. I’ve seen it performed and can only guess how hard it is for the judge performers to go from that into ladies and their sensitivities so quickly.

Overall, I could not have been more impressed and happy with the revival. I’m incredibly thankful I was able to go. The cast, crew, and orchestra have every bit of my joy and thanks for putting on such a great production of one of my favorite musicals.

#sweeney todd #stephen sondheim #sweeney todd the demon barber of fleet street #sweeney todd: the demon barber of fleet street #broadway #musical #musical theatre #mrs. lovett #sondheim #josh groban #annaleigh ashford #2023 revival #sweeney todd 2023 #musical review

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