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eirian-houpe · 3 years

Note

I’d love to hear about your experience teaching in Cairo. How did you come to do that? What were your favorite and least favorite parts of it? And anything else you want to share!

Oh my goodness, where would I even start? It's quite the story, and it was quite the experience. Let's start at the beginning... that seems sensible.

Before I was able to immigrate to the USA (another long story, perhaps for another time), I used to live in England. Through a long series of circumstances, which can basically be summed up by "US immigration rules," I ended up resigning from my full time UK teaching position. Finding a new job when the promised immigration did not happen was nigh on impossible. Then, one day I received a phone call from an agency who had seen my resume online and wondered if I would be interested in a teaching position that had just become vacant in Cairo, Egypt. After much deliberation - quite angsty deliberation as it turned out, I said I would be interested, and here's where everything gets head-spinningly fast.

As near as I can remember the details, I interviewed with the headmaster of the school via skype on a Tuesday. I was offered the position on the Thursday, and accepted the day after, following more soul searching. Later that day I received the E-ticket for the flight to Cairo, which was for the following Tuesday. I basically had the weekend to pack, and prepare myself to move.

The arrangements were that I would be met by a driver at Cairo airport, and driven to the hotel where I would be living for the first few days, until the school provided accommodation. So, I arrived in Cairo close to midnight, expecting to see a little guy holding up a board with my name on.

Nope!

After much wandering around, and with fewer people at the airport, I FINALLY found a dude wearing a CES shirt. (Cairo English School). He spoke no English. I spoke no Arabic. He called someone from the school and we were finally able to communicate via the third party... and I was at last taken to the hotel. I remember thinking as we drove along that this could all be a ruse, and I could be taken away for human trafficking or murder or whatever. So arriving at the hotel was a HUGE relief.

The following morning, I was picked up by the school bus and driven to the school, quick chat with the Headmaster, and then introduced to the team I'd be a part of. There was a British ex-pat who had married a local, converted to Islam, and was quite the whirlwind. Her name was Sarah. An older gent on the team, think... grumpy old man, and you'd be right. (Brian) and a guy called Mark who I bonded with almost right away. Turns out that I was replacing a guy who had been fired because of parents complaints about his conduct with the kids.

Literally, I was dropped in at the deep end. Met my class and was expected to teach. Teaching was through English language. On the whole they were good kids. There are always one or two trouble makers in any class, but it wasn't bad. They were lively though... a lot of them wouldn't stop talking, one kid in particular, who, after a few days I grew impatient with, and just told him to "Zip it!" After school that day, my friend Mark took me to one side and suggested that I find a different way to get the kid to shut up. He explained that (close as makes no different), in Egyptian Arabic Zip-it meant 'Penis' Mortified. Yes! After that, I adopted 'Button it!' Much safer. I also decided that learning some Egyptian Arabic might be an idea, and soon!

The next problem came when it was time for me to move out of the hotel into the school provided apartment... except there WAS no apartment. Apparently someone had missed the memo and nothing had been arranged - and now there were no remaining apartments. They said I could stay at the hotel, but I'd have to pay.

Nope! Enter whirlwind Sarah to the rescue. She lived in an apartment in a gated community called El ReHab. (Yes, we had fun with that one. I ended up living in Rehab). She knew a guy that had an apartment. She took me under her wing... had the guy meet us at the place, which wasn't quite ready (needed a good clean) for me to move in, but which was affordable (i.e. would be covered by the housing allowance paid by the school), was in a relatively safe area, (being a gated community and all), and wasn't bad. I have some pictures somewhere, I'll have to see if I can find them. It had a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen/lounge separated by 'breakfast bar' It also had a washing machine - lifesaver. There was a balcony outside of the bedroom, and while we were there looking around, there was a tiny mewling sound. Turns out a kitten was stuck on the balcony. I would have loved to keep it, but I didn't because, what would I do after a year? (Contract with the school was for 1 year). Sarah rehomed the little tyke.

The supermarket, and the Souk were within walking distance, although there was a (free) bus service within the city, and the number 5 bus went to and from the shopping district to my apartment area. (five is 0 in Arabic). I pretty quickly learned numbers. A must, because most of the shop keepers chose not to use English - and I guess why should they - even though they knew it. So, unless you could see the display on the register when you were shopping, it was hard to know how much the total was. However, the cost of living, (in comparison with the US) was RIDICULOUSLY low. For example, my monthly electricity bill came to the equivalent of about $5 US.

So it wasn't ALL bad - contrary to the way it might sound. Great kids, a good team, and the chance to learn another new language (and I love languages). I'd say I learned 'survival' Arabic at best, and can fully empathize with kids coming in to school as ESL. Sadly through misuse, I've forgotten most of what I learned. I remember 'I want...' and 'I don't want...' (Ana isa & Ana mish-isa respectively). I could probably still count to ten if I really think about it. But with my love of languages, I think this had to have been one of my favorite parts of being there.

Least favorite - being the object of racism - it's way different when you're treated that way, and makes you appreciate what others go through. I was once asked to leave my classroom (I was grading at the back of the class while the Arabic Studies teacher was teaching the lesson). The reason I was asked to leave was because I was not Muslim.

Most surprising - the cold. Say Egypt to most people and they think hot country. Deserts are DAMN cold at night... and in the winter... OMFG. I literally had to sit 2 feet away from the space heater, wrapped in a blanket to stay warm. Why? Well the apartment was built to keep inhabitants cool in the height of summer... (because when it was hot, it was hot!). It was all marble floors and wall tiles, and not at all good for keeping heat in when it was needed.

Where other countries have 'snow days' etc., Egypt has 'sandstorm days'

Most disturbing - when I was there it wasn't long after the revolution, so there would be some days when we would get a call from the school to stay in our apartments and that there would be no school that day due to unrest in the society.

Also, one morning, I saw a man on campus who had a gun tucked into the waistband of his pants. Of course I reported it to the headmaster right away, and it was investigated. Turns out that it was a plain clothes policeman.

Would I go back? I want to visit for a vacation some day, do all the things that I didn't get to do because I was too busy teaching. The most touristy thing I got to do while I was there was a boat trip on the Nile. It was a school field trip for geography lesson, and it was in the heart of Cairo. Let me tell you, that water was NASTY.

Would I want to live/work there again. No, really I wouldn't. And driving in Cairo... Hell no! New York driving x10 doesn't even come close... maybe if you crossed NY driving with Stock Car racing, you'd come close. Those drivers are SCARY!

It was an experience, and I don't really regret doing it. I think I learned a lot from being there... about people, and about myself.

Thank you for a brilliant ask!

#TMI Tuesday #ask answered #jackabelle73

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princesssarcastia · 4 years

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in any other world (aka four ways veronica mars’ life could have ended up)

because i CANNOT get these ideas out of my head, goddammit. whatever god gave me the plot bunny gene needs to take it back now. anyway welcome to my veronica mars kick, 2020 edition. it’s another long one, boys, and readmores are for suckers.

1. just remember me when we used to be friends

them telling other people stories about each other (gia and whats-his-face wait another four weeks to kill carrie; logan is a thousand miles away with the best alibi in the world. a movie!canon au

Cobb’s paranoia holds out an extra five weeks, and Logan is already on deployment when he and Gia sneak into Carrie Bishop’s home and electrocute her in her bathtub. A troubled, drugged up starlet’s death is ruled a particularly gruesome suicide, and word doesn’t reach Logan until well after it happens.

Something about it doesn’t sit right with him, no matter that he predicted she’d end up here; something about it itches in the back of his mind, makes him want to reach for a phone he didn’t take with him when he shipped out and pull up a number he hasn’t dialed in nearly ten years.

But that’s ridiculous. He writes it off as nostalgic product of a reunion he didn’t even go to, that he’s sure she didn’t, either, and gets back to work. He’ll go brood and break down about Carrie when he’s off duty later, and let one of his squad-mates put a hand on his shoulder, and then move on.

He lets go of, Veronica, I need your help, and ignores the bone-deep certainty that she’d drop everything for that, after years and continents spanned and blood shed.

—

Meeting The Piznarskis is a surreal glimpse into a normal upbringing; the kind no one Veronica knew growing up ever got. They’re kind, maternal and paternal people who unreservedly love their son and live simple lives.

And they seem to really like Veronica, which is good. Piz keeps giving her beaming looks whenever his parents turn away, and her heart crawls deeper inside her in shame because all this clearly means so much more to him than it does to her.

She is keeping polite-society smiles on her face and using her tame, Normal Veronica anecdotes to entertain them instead of really opening up. Is this how everyone is with their in-laws?

These people will never know me, she thinks distantly as Mrs. Piznarski lays a hand on her arm and smiles as she inquires after her years at Stanford, and it is a comfort because she doesn’t want them to. Doesn’t want to see their normal bubble pierced by the mud smeared all over her real history.

She starts keeping her polite-society smile on face in the apartment with Piz, too.

He doesn’t seem to notice.

—

She catches the tail end of Bonnie DeVille’s funeral on Hollywood Access at her favorite deli. The volume is cranked up, probably so the guy at the counter can hear it over the crush of customers during lunch hour. Which means that Veronica catches every unfortunate second of their coverage, vaguely familiar faces in the crowd drawing her attention back again and again.

Mentally giving up as a way to pass the time, Veronica compares faces to ten year old memories.

Dick, Gia Goodman, Luke Holderman...some vaguely familiar schmuck...

She doesn’t even realize who she’s looking for until the correspondent mentions that DeVille’s last boyfriend, Logan Echolls, son of the late Aaron Echolls, is not in attendance because his current tour of duty with the Navy started just days before her death.

God, Logan. Veronica bites back any kind of expression at the thought of Logan learning that his girlfriend committed suicide while high off her mind. Even the media circus at the funeral is a bitterly familiar echo of what happened when Lynn died.

The thought of him lingers all the way to the front of the line and her brisk walk back to the office, until she finds her hands hovering over keys, debating whether she should look him up. Then one of the partners walks briskly past and she jerks back to reality, where she’s working through the rest of her lunch to keep the edge on the other new hires.

But the impulse lingers, long enough that she resigns herself to ignoring it until a new obsession seizes that confined part of herself she shut away that first year at Stanford.

—

Veronica refuses to go back to Neptune for the reunion, but after Truman-Mann jumps at the chance to hire her, she splurges on two round-trip tickets to New York for Wallace and Mac, figuring meeting up was the whole reason they were so gung-ho about it in the first place.

She really doesn’t make it out to California very often, let alone Neptune. After her disastrous freshman year at Hearst, Veronica jumped at every chance to step further away from the crash-and-burn-site. The only reason she didn’t lose them is because Mac understood that impulse, and Wallace is a better man than everyone she’s ever met.

But god, skype and Facebook and phone calls don’t measure up to the real thing. Veronica throws her arms around them right there in the airport and fights the inexplicable urge to tear up.

Something between nostalgia and longing wells in her chest as they sit shoulder to shoulder with her in the back of a cab, chatting about their lives in Neptune. She crushes it ruthlessly and fires back with tame, hollowed out stories from work and Piz, and smiles all the way through.

Her father was so proud when she told him. My daughter, the big shot New York lawyer. Veronica smiled all the way through that, too, and had an extra glass of wine that night where she derided her own inability to put two and two together.

Fortune 500 companies. Frivolous lawsuits. Disappear before they ever make it to a courtroom.

She knew exactly what she was doing, going into corporate law. The smart thing, right thing, the thing that paid her student loans and kept her out of the oh-so-tempting mud surrounding criminal law. She knew it would be contracts and smug rich people and ruthless competition.

But that didn’t stop her growing guilt—no, not guilt, shame—as she helped further grind the little guy into the dirt. As she poked holes in probably-legitimate sexual harassment suits and helped companies with more money than they needed break contracts with smaller service industries and...

All that keeps her going in the disgustingly large paycheck she gets every two weeks and the fact that she does corporate law for filthy rich companies, not defense law for filthy rich people.

(Though that doesn’t stop her from waking up gasping, one night, after dreaming she’s back in that courtroom, with Aaron Echolls’ goddamn face smiling smugly at her as she tears Logan’s and her father’s and her own testimony to pieces, as she gets him out of Lily’s murder and his attempt on her life. Piz rolls over in his sleep, breathing quietly, and she slips out of bed. )

She and Piz treat them to dinner that night, and she enjoys it once she gets over the childish jealousy that she has to share these two people she adores with Piz, who she also adores, dammit.

Their apartment has an office/guest bedroom and a separate living room, so when they get back near midnight (we’re way too old to be out this late, Wallace joke-groans, and Piz laughs back) Wallace heads to bed, and Piz does, too, after she waves him off from helping her set up the couch for Mac.

They share a look, and Veronica lets a smile pull her face wide as they have the same thought. The sheets and pillow get piled up in a chair as Veronica quietly retrieves two beers from the fridge and plops down on the sofa next to Mac.

“Cheers,” Mac says, clinking her bottle against Veronica’s, and they both take long pulls.

Veronica sighs more heavily than she means to and lets some unknown tension flow out with the air. After a long, comfortable silence, Mac nudges her with her knee.

“How are you, really?” Mac asks pointedly. Veronica lets her head fall against the back of the couch and grumbles. No, she didn’t miss the glances Mac and Wallace kept sharing all night when they thought she wasn’t looking, but when Wallace went to bed she thought they’d somehow agreed not to pry.

Now she realizes they just decided to be nice and not tag-team her, which is somehow worse.

“I met Piz’s parents a few weeks ago,” Veronica says, still looking at the ceiling, but even as she says it she knows it’s not the right place to start. A symptom, not the disease.

Mac hums at her, listening but not interrupting, so Veronica takes the chance to start again. Her head lolls to the side to examine Mac, really pin her with her stare.

“Did you ever imagine you’d end up working at Kane Software?” Veronica asks.

Mac catches her stare and raises her eyebrows, clearly recognizing it for what it is, and pauses to really thing about it. “You mean, when I was scamming 09ers that deserved it for their money and helping you crack cases like a budding hacktivist?�� She says with a wry look. “No. But I knew I was going to do something with computers, and terrible reputation of their founding family aside, Kane Software is a pretty good place to do that.”

Now it’s Veronica’s turn to hum noncommittally.

“I never had your sense of justice, though,” Mac continues. “I just enjoyed getting swept up playing Q to your Bond.”

Silence falls again as Veronica mulls over what to say next. She’s avoided putting her finger on this feeling for months and months, because new, normal, successful Veronica Mars is not supposed to...to...

To miss sticking her hands in the mud.

“Sometimes I look in the mirror and I don’t recognize myself,” she says finally, forcing herself to keep meeting Mac’s eyes. To get a second opinion.

“Yeah,” Mac agrees. “I looked up the kinds of cases Truman-Mann takes when you told me you got the job.” ‘Looked up’ for Mac doesn’t mean ‘googling;’ Veronica grimaces lightly at the implication. “It was, uh, surprising.”

Veronica turns away when her eyes start to burn with that now-familiar shame, taking another long drink. “Well, it pays the bills. Keeps me out of trouble.” Another drink. “They tell me if I keep up the good work, I can make junior partner in four years. Three, even, if I snuff the competition.”

Mac nudges her again and Veronica starts to fiddle with the label on her beer. “My dad hasn’t worried about me in four years,” she admits softly. “He’s proud of me, Mac. Proud that I got out, proud that I don’t ruin people’s lives anymore.”

“Hey,” she says gently, “You didn’t ruin peoples lives.” Veronica lets her incredulous face speak for her. “Well, no one who didn’t deserve it,” she amends.

“I ruined his life,” she says sharply. “I got you and Wallace in trouble, I lost—” she bites that off. “I wasn’t happy. I saw dark corners everywhere. That’s not a healthy way to live, Mac.”

“No,” she agrees. “But was that because of your cases, or was it leftover from the long string of traumatizing bullshit in high school?”

Veronica takes another drink. Getting a psychology degree at Stanford was a fun exploration of all the ways the previous four years of her life were fucked to hell, and fucked her to hell. And she did seriously work on her trust issues, though she stopped short of going to therapy, because that was never gonna happen.

Mac goes in for the kill. “Are you happy now?”

Veronica, hyper-aware of Piz in their shared bedroom scant feet away, doesn’t reply, and Mac lets her. But they both know what the answer is.

—

She passes the bar exam with flying colors; a 320 that makes her father beam with pride once she takes the time to explain the scoring rubric to him. Piz kisses her cheek and brings her flowers when he gets off work.

It takes more effort than she’s willing to admit to ignore the fact that she scored so much higher in criminal law than contract law and civil procedure.

—

It takes her three more months to gather the courage to break things off with Piz. He’s smart enough to notice that she waited until their shared lease was up, and that leads to a fight more vicious than any they’ve ever had; a final nail the coffin of their relationship.

Apparently she’s cold-hearted, mercenary; unwilling to open up and share her inner life with him. Unable to commit to anyone.

But if I did that, you never would have loved me, Veronica almost says, biting it back at the very last second because the last thing she needs to release that knowledge for circulation.

She methodically packs up her clothes, the scant few knick-nacks and numerous pictures spread around in a facsimile of personal touches. Her new apartment was lined up before she even spoke to Piz, who later scathingly rejects her careful offer to pay for half of next month’s rent while he looks for a place.

In the end, it take three days to dismantle their year-and-a-half-long relationship completely. He’ll certainly get all their mutual acquaintances in the aftermath, who were always more his friends than hers, leaving her with no one but the service people at her regular take out places and a handful of Columbia friends in the city to talk to.

But as she unloads her things into her new space, all the emotion she can dredge up is a faint relief, and fainter satisfaction at having her own space for the first time in her life. That’s it.

Cold-hearted.

She pours herself a shot of tequila and knocks it back, in the interest of dislodging any hint of feeling she might be repressing unconsciously. Fiddles with her phone and considers texting Mac, or Wallace, or her Dad, to let them know—because she’d done this, new address and all, without mentioning a word to them. She’d even changed her paper subscriptions, but didn’t say a word to the three most important people in her life.

God, at this rate Piz will probably mention it to Wallace before she does.

All another shot gets her is her hands hovering over a keyboard again, still resisting the urge to look Logan up, to investigate he new life in some morbidly curious impulse.

Kids these days call it Facebook stalking, but back in her day it was just plain old stalking.

And she doesn’t do that anymore. Right?

—

Veronica channels her excess energy and time in a post-Piz existence into her work, and it earns her a “keep up the good work” from Gayle Buckley. A nice word from one of the two female senior partners at their firm makes her all warm and fuzzy for the rest of the day.

But that dissipates as she remembers exactly what got her that compliment; playing asshole intimidating lawyer muscle for another “frivolous” sexual harassment suit at a fortune 500 company.

This time, she’s sure the company man did it, but that doesn’t matter in the face of all his money and scary lawyers. The woman quietly folds for literal hundreds of thousands of dollars less than she should be entitled to.

That earns her another night in, drinking more wine than she really should be on a work night.

Are you happy now? Mac asks in her head, and Veronica takes another drink.

—

She exchanges nods with the man at the corner store as she lines bottles on the counter; they’re familiar to each other at this point. It’s late, even for a hard-working New York Lawyer in her late twenties, but she polished off everything two nights ago and somehow can’t face going to sleep sober.

It’s not until she settles back into her couch with her second drink of the night that ice rushes down her spine in spiraling shivers. Veronica freezes with the glass halfway to her mouth.

The blood rushes out of her face in a way that makes her feel cold. An exhausted cold, a mix of expressions she remembers on her Dad and her Mom’s faces growing up.

Her hands shake as she sets it down with a decisive clink on the coffee table.

I will not turn into my mother, Veronica thinks, still reeling with realization. Not even for Normal.

It’s close to 1:30 here, so everyone in Neptune will be sound asleep; she can’t stomach waking them up for this. And there’s no one in the city Veronica is comfortable calling up at this hour.

Faintly, she recalls hands hovering over a keyboard, and her chest aches even more.

If this were a movie, she’d probably go pour out her glass, and the bottles she bought tonight; make some kind of vow. Sign up for meetings.

Instead, she gets up and collapses into bed as-is, barely remembering to set the alarm on her phone before she does.

—

After that she tentatively reaches out to people from Stanford and Colombia, desperate for connections to ground her and soothe the gaps she only now realizes she’s been filling with alcohol.

Just a few Facebook messages at first, but nearly all of them reach back. Veronica has a weak moment of tearing up and rereading some of the replies in her inbox after a particularly hard day at Truman-Mann.

In another few weeks, she and a few people from Colombia have mutually coaxed one another into a standing lunch date, risking that relentless workplace competition for a chance at real human connection with people who won’t throw a fit if they have to run out of the restaurant unexpectedly.

She orders water with the meal and laughs for real at least twice.

—

Her last straw is a predictable one. That final push, the leg stuck out to trip her so she faceplants back into the mud, like she wasn’t two seconds from deep diving into it on purpose.

I need your help, Veronica, one of her friends from Stanford says. And that, as they say, was that.

—

Lilly laughs in Veronica’s ear as she picks her way through the crowd, for the first time in a long time.

Fleet week. In New York, not San Francisco, but she laughs back all the same.

His posture is different. Clearly, there’s something to be said for military training. But it’s not that he’s standing taller, or with more confidence; despite the presence to him, he seems...lighter, like all that weight on his shoulder finally got shucked off.

It takes him a few minutes to sense her gaze, and she savors them, watching Logan Echolls in the wild. Satisfying her inner stalker.

Their eyes meet across the crowd, and his face melts into that boyish grin she remembers, softened with age and warm, just for her. She smiles back, delighted, and waves.

Yeah, she looked up him. Eventually.

2. bloody knuckles, longing for home

logan, veronica, and weevil gather like fate after aaron echolls gets off for lilly’s murder; and decide to do something about it. and then flee neptune, because the perfect murder doesn’t exist.

Veronica lets herself into Logan’s room at the Grand with the key she swiped from Duncan before he fled the country. Steam pools out from the cracked bathroom door, so she drops her back on the couch and heads for it, making no effort to conceal her presence.

His head is bowed between his shoulders, arms tense as he leans against the vanity. He breathes out sharply, almost a laugh, and doesn’t move.

“Chlamydia, huh,” he says roughly.

“Immunity, huh,” she fires back, but her heart isn’t in it.

“You know he’s staying here?” He asks, still not looking at her, but tension pools in his bare back. Condensation starts to run in rivulets down the mirror. “He cornered me outside the elevators, earlier. Threatened to cut me off. No more mister nice father.”

Her fingers delicately trace one of the myriad scars that cuts across his spine, and then another, and another, and Logan lets her. She maps out sins of the father visited on the son, and makes a decision.

Aaron Echolls will get his justice in his own way.

“Room 619,” she says, and his head rises.

Their eyes meet in the mirror.

—

Mac does extensive research on the Cayman Islands, just for fun, since Cassidy mentioned his father holds some of his assets there.

Veronica and Weevil go out for a drink.

Logan flirts with the woman on the night shift at the Neptune Grand’s front desk.

Veronica and Weevil and Logan go out for a drink.

Keith and his daughter spend the days between the end of finals and graduation decidedly not talking about it, but he thinks she’s taking it as well as she can. Almost surprisingly well. Veronica finds the tickets to New York he has stashed away.

Veronica and Weevil and Logan and Wallace go out for a drink. It becomes a regular thing, grabbing beers or tequila or whatever they can get their hands on and sitting on a darkening beach every other night or so. Sometimes the hush of their voices run underneath the waves. Sometimes silence rings out.

Deputy Leo intercepts a mother and two boys who come into the station to make a witness report, but they can’t seem to find what they’re looking for in a book of the usual suspects.

Wallace forgets a pen in the coffee cup on the desk outside Clarence Wiedman’s office, when he goes to visit his mother at work.

Dick and Logan plan a blowout bash to celebrate graduation at the Grand.

Cliff McCormick brushes up on inheritance law in addition to juggling six other cases.

Logan books a plane to the east coast for after graduation.

—

After the graduation ceremony is over, half their graduating class descends on the Grand, filling the lobby and conference space rented out. Some of them even make their way to the penthouse, Logan throwing open his door with a flourish.

But something about it just doesn’t feel right. So Logan, Veronica, Wallace, and Weevil grab drinks and head out the front door, letting everyone see them leave for the beach. Dick loudly complains to anyone who will listen about how Logan has been doing this every night for two weeks, like he’s got a standing appointment to hang out with narks and gangbangers.

Veronica calls her father and leaves a voicemail, letting him know she’s staying out on the beach with her friends for a while longer, in case he makes it back before she does.

Mac stays in the lobby with Cassidy the whole time. Kendall Casablancas exits the hotel a little after midnight.

Weevil and Wallace stay out on the beach all night; the Xterra, which they all took together, sharing space for the last time, does not once move.

When housekeeping make their way through the hotel the next morning, there is a do not disturb sign on room 619. It stays there all day, and night, and day, and night, and day again, and night again, until they start to pass it by automatically.

Veronica and her father leave for New York. Logan boards a plane.

—

When the news breaks about Aaron Echolls’ death, neither of them are in Neptune. Logan arranges for a private service in absentia, and sends Cliff McCormick as his representative to the will reading, which the executor of Aaron’s estate takes with more grace than Trina.

His assets are divided evenly between his two children, in addition to the existing trusts tied to age.

Cliff makes a brief stop at a coffee shop on his way back to his office, and says a few words to that computer geek friend of Veronica’s he catches sight of. He forgets some of his notes on her table when he leaves.

—

Keith Mars comes back to Neptune alone. The investigation into Aaron Echolls’ death stutters, stalls, stops. Eventually, a harassed medical examiner admits it’s possible he could have maybe committed suicide.

—

Halfway across the world, a sweet and mischievous little girl named Lilly grows up with a kind, doting father, and an Aunt and Uncle whom she adores, whenever they’re in the country to see her.

Twice every year, her father and Aunt Veronica and Uncle Logan share a toast, even if only by skype. Once on her Aunt Lilly’s birthday, and once on some day in late may.

3. all things grow

veronica mars, special agent with the fbi and logan lester, english professor, love each other well with the strength of decades, and still impress the hell out of everyone who meets them. the one where veronica went straight to stanford after the whole cassidy debacle, and never quite lost the knack of investigating but with some distance from the neptune cesspool, learned to do it without ruining lives, her life.

Everyone knows Professor Lester is a jackass—with tenure, so he can’t be reprimanded for it. But everyone also knows Professor Lester has the best analytical mind in the English department, and all the brightest stars in the Lit program come out of his courses. He’s not bad to look at, either; the planes of his face are so sharp you just might cut yourself on them, and his eyes are always glittering like he knows something you don’t. And he really doesn’t dress like a forty-year-old college professor, which doesn’t hurt.

Only the simultaneously lucky and unfortunate bastards who load their schedules up with him, or worse yet, get him as their advisor, ever see those planes soften.

His office is tastefully decorated, for those few English majors who know enough about interior decoration to say so. It’s also surprisingly devoid of books to belong to a man who seemingly memorized every text he’s ever taught. Pulling quotes and passages out of thin air is a particular talent of his.

There’s only one personal touch in the whole room, beyond the probably-expensive furniture: a picture of himself and a blonde woman holding a pit bull, on a beach so clean it can’t be in New York. In it, her eyes glitter the exact way Professor Lester’s usually do, but his have melted into something infinitely more tender.

Very rarely, at the end of the afternoon or occasional evening class, the particularly observant students notice a blonde woman in a black pantsuit slip into the back, legs extended, ankles and arms crossed. She never says anything. Just follows Professor Lester’s sharp movements at the front of the room.

None of them are trained to notice the outline of her holster, or the way her gaze actually darts around the room, tracking movement and exits, though it always comes back to rest on Logan.

—

Special Agent Mars is always fun at the Agency’s mixers and dinner parties and fundraisers. Seeing her out of the sleek suit some of her coworkers suspect she was born in is all the more jarring for her ease in formalwear. A real chameleon, they murmur, as she flips a switch and becomes more of a tittering socialite than a federal agent.

But the real fun is when she drags her partner with her. Neither of them wears rings, but then, many agents don’t, so whether they’re married or not is up for debate. He’s her standing date for every function, though, so in the end it doesn’t matter.

Veronica Mars has a rapier wit. Paired with her degrees in psychology and law and penchant for cataloguing every detail about a person at a glance, it’s safe to say she’s been verbally skinning people up one side and down the other since Quantico.

When her husband opens his mouth, it’s clear he shares her talent for sparring with words.

And watching them talk to each other is like following a tennis match—or perhaps boxing; trading barbs like endearments.

The best times is when some stuffy higher up with more ego than sense tries to glad-hand one of the most promising agents of the decade, and leaves the conversation head three sizes smaller and feeling vaguely emasculated.

—

Veronica learned the hard way in high school not to put too much of herself into her cases; learned to save some for her father, and for Logan, and for her. But every so often one just stick in her craw and she can’t help sinking her teeth into it.

Her partner is too good to blink when her edges are sharper than usual, but Veronica can tell he notices.

And the man they’re tracking sure as hell does, too. There’s something magnetic about Special Agent Veronica Mars on your trail, and this asshole is responding to it. Leaving her...gifts. Messages at crime scenes.

Verr-onicaaaaaaa, an old demon slithers in one ear and out the other.

When she starts to respond in kind, her supervisor removes her from the case and puts her on unpaid leave. It’s in New York, though, and Veronica knows herself. Knows who she is when she looks in the mirror.

Logan kisses the tip of her nose and thanks her for scheduling her crazy after his semester is finished. They pack together, trading soft looks and touches as they maneuver seamlessly around each other. Veronica calls Keith.

She silences the voice that sounds like teenage Veronica hissing that she’s running away from the fight. That’s not her anymore. And she’s not alone in this; if she didn’t trust her partner she wouldn’t have made it six months in the agency. If she didn’t trust Logan, she would have died at seventeen.

Their visits to Neptune are rarer than her father would like, but just enough to soothe that part of them both that comes from here, that lives in every McMansion and dark alley and seedy bar and raging club and deserted beach.

Neptune is in their blood. Veronica wouldn’t wish this place on her worst enemy; but they are akin, she and it.

While Logan pulls his board and wetsuit out of storage and practically moves onto the beach, she does the usual tour. Eli’s shop is doing well, and Valentina is adorable in her little oil stained overalls as she helps her father. Wallace still eats lunch at their table, after all these years, and she smiles reflexively back at him like she did the first day they met. Mac is still selling her soul to the devil for more money than god, running their software development with an iron fist.

Cliff quirks an eyebrow at her, and drops hints about cases he needs help with like other men his age drop little candies into children’s hands. She rolls her eyes, but glances over the files anyway, and spends a couple nights taking pictures and video and surprising him with it in court.

It feels...nice. Nostalgic, but not addictive. Just some legal favors for an old friend who never failed to scratch her back when she scratched his.

Her forced leave isn’t up yet, and her partner says they’ve hit a frustrating but not definitive dead end back home, so she considers driving to San Diego to drop in on Leo with a pizza, for old time’s sake.

Then the man she was tracking in New York finally shows his face in Neptune. He followed Veronica back here, to her home.

Oh, if that isn’t the worst, and last, mistake he ever makes.

Her friends, her family, closes ranks. The town closes like a lobster trap for people stupid enough to come after Veronica Mars on her home turf. By the time her partner and replacement make it out to the west coast, he’s beaten and bloody and wrapped up in evidence like a Christmas tree in Sheriff Lamb’s lockup.

The Sheriff takes the credit for the arrest; there is no mention of old biker buddies of Eli’s, or information passed along from Cliff and Wallace, or systems infiltrated by Mac. Of tasers and favors.

Veronica is cool as a cucumber when they call to tell her about it, while she’s out to lunch with an old friend. Her partner is suspicious, but there’s no evidence. And frankly, he’s not sure even Veronica Mars could have collared this guy without the resources of the Bureau behind her.

Deputy Sacks shakes his head in disbelief that people are still falling for that after all this time.

They go back to New York. Life goes on.

—

Neither of them went to the ten year reunion, still too fresh off the horrors of high school.

But they do go to the twenty year reunion, and win the shit out of it. Not that they care, beyond vague petty satisfaction at the faces of those few people who do. They leave early, have dinner with Keith, drinks with Wallace and Mac, and fly back to New York the next morning.

Some infinitesimal weight neither of them realized still existed was off their shoulders by the time they touch down in their home of fifteen years.

4. ten stoplights bleeding out

the one where keith mars dies in that plane crash, and veronica mars takes over mars investigations; veronica mars never escapes the insidious pull of neptune; and after ten plus years of money shots and favors, has perfected handing down her own particular brand of justice—and revenge. logan still joins the navy, but always finds his way back to her.

it’s a story Eli’s heard a thousand times before, living in this town. a story he’s lived himself, once or twice, though ever since he met Jade he’s done his upmost to keep his nose clean—to be that better version of himself she somehow managed to see in him.

the cops have it all wrong, lazy, corrupt, blaming it on the first brown kid they lay eyes on, planted evidence, ruined lives, etc.

there’s nothing he can do for them.

there’s nothing he can do for them. But V always did love referrals.

“You need to go see the Sheriff,” Eli tells the kid, still hoping that one day the nickname will catch on just so he can see her expression. His face crumples in heated confusion, because he just spent twenty minutes laying out how “Sheriff” Lamb was an asshole, but Eli smirks and jerks his head toward his car. (Car, not bike)

They climb in, and drive to one of the last places in town holding out hope against gentrification—the 09ers he went to high school with would’ve called it seedy.

He still has a key to her offices after that stint working as her secretary for a few months when she was in college—though it’s not the same key. Veronica Mars is too paranoid to keep the same locks for too long. Never does catch her changing them out, just reaches in his pocket some days to fiddle with his key ring and fights a smile when his fingers find unfamiliar teeth.

But today, her doors are open. They chime as Eli guides the kid inside, and gestures toward the old couch still sitting against the wall.

The receptionist’s desk is empty again. He wonders vaguely what the last one did to earn the brush off. She never manages to find what she’s looking for in an employee (either herself or her father, Eli’s never figured out which, but either option makes him want to clasp her shoulder).

He raps his knuckles on her office gently and pushes it open without waiting for an answer.

She looks up sharply, her resting face before she registers his presence that special kind of pinched that means Logan had damn well better be at the end of his current tour of duty.

“Weevil,” she lets out a little breath and some of her tension. “Long time no see, huh?”

“Yeah, we missed you at dinner last week.”

She shrugs. “Life of a PI; there’s always another stake-out to ruin your night life.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” he drawls, raising his eyebrows at her. After a decade and a half of knowing Veronica Mars, he’s more than familiar with her self-destructive tendencies.

He’s vaguely grateful she’s pulling back from him before she unsheaths her paranoid claws and scratches everyone in reach, even friends like him; but mostly, it puts an ache in his chest that makes him want to hug Jade close and kiss Valentina on the forehead.

“Whatever, vato. Just because you’re a successful businessman now doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t fight to keep the lights on.” Her lips twist wryly.

And now he feels sort of bad, because she never charges his referrals full price for her services. But favors are part of her gig, the way she tells it—keeps her in information and the occasional backup.

“Speaking of,” he starts, and she leans back in her chair and throws her feet up on the desk in a self-satisfied manner, one after the other, “I’ve got a Sheriff Lamb special in the waiting room for you.”

“Let me guess,” she drawls, “rich ‘victim’,” she pairs it with air-quotes, “planted evidence, and a timeline that makes no goddamn sense?”

“Got it in one,” he says tiredly, suddenly exhausted with the never-ending Neptune narrative.

“Send him in,” she says immediately, pulling her legs back and flipping through the one of the endless files that populate her life.

He hesitates at the door; once he hands off the kid, it becomes a case, and Veronica will tune out everything else that matters. And Eli owes it to her to ask, to give a shit.

“When’s he back?” He asks softly.

Veronica’s hands slow, tension pouring back into her frame. “Four more weeks,” she answers, clearly unwilling to further the conversation anymore.

“Yeah, well, make sure you remember to drag his ass to dinner with us then. Valentina misses his stupid impressions.”

She rolls her eyes, and he shakes his head and leans out of the doorway to gesture to the kid, and that’s that. Veronica Mars is on the case, and somewhere across Neptune, a familiar shiver just went down Don Lamb’s spine.

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cocoascriptures · 4 years

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| LIFE AFTER LIBERTY | 1. JUSTIN F. “Staring at the sky ain't gon' fix my problem...”

a/n; because they did my boy (he wasn’t always my boy tho let’s get that clear lol) dirty and we’re all wondering where life takes us after high school. So here’s a blurb? Headcanon. I’ll try and do all of them even tho no one will probably see this lmao. Inspired by Kevin abstract’s, “echo” since it reminds me of Justin.

When Justin found out he was HIV-positive on the night of prom, he automatically thought he was going to die. And of course that scared the shit out of the 17 year old.

However his doctor, Dr. Ellis Grey assures Justin and The Jensens that HIV-positive did not mean he had aids. In fact if the virus did not reach stage 3 (aids) Justin could live a normal life, with meds to control it.

Even tho his life changed drastically the night of prom, Justin would do what he needed to stay alive. He spent many of his high school years putting his life at risk and now felt like this was his punishment— or rather wake up call.

Of course he did he research with the help of clay and Mrs. Jensen but at times it felt too overbearing and he found himself snapping at the two, later apologizing, even though his family understood

Justin didn’t like to feel sorry for himself but sometimes he just needed to sit in his funk. He’d eventually snap out of it and continue fighting like he knew he could.

He made it to graduation with the support of the football team, basketball team, Clay, Jess, the rest of his friends by his side, and with old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jensen in the stands supporting him. Sure there was a small part of him that wished his mom was here to see him walk across that stage, I mean what kid wouldn’t want their parent(s)/ guardian watching them accomplish the bullshit of high school?

His mother was another reason Justin had to beat his addiction. He had that on the back of his mind, and now this new piece of him that was part of his journey.

Justin decided to go to Sanderson university, believing that if he left Crestmont now, he would spiral. Community college was the smart route for him for right now, even though he felt like he wrote that essay for nothing, Mr. Jensen told him if he wanted to transfer he could still use that essay if he decided to go off to a four-year institution.

With school starting in the fall, Justin spent most of his time with Jess and his friends who wouldn’t be staying in Crestmont. With clay off in Nevada with Tony for two weeks, Justin enjoyed the limited time of summer he had left with his friends

Which meant hard decisions... Jessica Davis still stayed with Justin even finding out that he tested positive. Their relationship was a lot of push and pull but Jessica seemed to want to see this through. They found love in each other. They taught each other what love is.

However with Jessica out of state, socializing between the two became scarce. Ultimately Justin and Jessica came to terms with calling it quits but still friends from a distance?

Justin needed to focus on himself and his studies. It was hard not being with the one girl he was truly in love with but he knew it was for the best and as corny as Mr. Jensen says, “if it’s truly meant to be, then you’ll two will find a way back to each other,” Justin couldn’t help but to believe that—but he didn’t hold his breath

Justin Foley Jensen, fucking hate school and had a bitter attitude towards college at the start of freshman year in high school only because he didn’t see his future there. He didn’t know where he saw himself, probably living off Bryce if he didn’t end up like his mother. Who knows? Now? Justin was glad to say he made it to college.

He had no idea what to study and didn’t like that pressure what’s so ever but was told he could start off with general studies until he figured it out. “There’s no rush,” his counselor told him. It was nice knowing that you didn’t have to have it all figured out because to Justin, he had no fucking clue. Especially after everything he went through and continues to go through.

He starts off with the basics, taking three classes. Two on campus, one online.

He goes to meetings for his addiction, therapy sessions twice a week, and even visits the counseling & psych services that are provided on campus when he feels like he needs extra help

He talks to clay almost every other day, “dude it’s like you never left, first you were a pain in my ass, now it feels like you’ve been buried up there and I can’t shit you out.” “Oh, fuck you, Justin.” “I love you man.” “Yeah, I unfortunately love you too.”

He lets his hair grow a little longer and some facial hair, to make him look a little older

He doesn’t join any clubs yet since he already has some extracurricular activities he’s handling on his own

He does however, get a job in the next town over, Alcombey, which is a total snooze fest but something he needs in order to not be tempted.

It’s A part time job at a noodle bar 15 mins from Crestmont since two of the previous jobs did not want to hire him due to his background check. “Fuck them anyway,” Zach texted, “both of those places look like five nights at Friday’s but worse. Hey, I’ll even leave them a bad review on yelp.”

Justin was glad Zach was still around, because if he wasn’t he’d probably lose his mind from being lonely. Zach decided to take a year or two off from school but their old coach was still putting his ass to work, coaching.

The two were friends before, usually gravitating towards each other when Bryce and Monty were off being the usual piece of shits that they were. In a sense they were each other’s back ups when they didn’t want to deal with the other’s foolishness but Justin and Zach could be on their bullshit too

Anyway, during this time they became a lot closer and would consider each other, “besties” zach’s words, not Justin’s.

They’d usually chat on sundays since the pair kept themselves busy during the week, Zach with coaching, and Justin juggling school, meetings, his health, and work—but they’d find time to hang out during the months

“Dude, come see fast twelve with me.” “I mean sure, I’m down for the action but how many more fucking movies are they going to make?” “Don’t question a masterpiece. It’s the best film series of all time.” “Actually it’s twilight.” “What the fuck did you just say?!” “Say I’m wrong.” “You’re wrong. Got damn wrong!” “I’m getting Tyler in on this!” “Whatever man, do what you gotta do!”

Two years seem to go by pretty quickly, Justin living his form of normal. He graduates with an associates in physical therapy and transfers to Arizona to complete a bachelors to masters degree in the same program—physical therapy

From there he meets a new group of friends but still has his weekly calls with clay and Zach, either separate or three-way, still texts/zooms/Skype/FaceTime the friend group chat every couple of months to catch up

Ryan is now on a reality tv show and has 30.9k followers on Instagram, Courtney works for a e-commerce fashion company and is in a polygamous relationship—one is non-binary, the other is a bisexual trans woman, Alex and Charlie are engaged!!! “Alex?! Why would you want to marry him?” Justin asks Charlie, everyone knowing that Justin and Alex have a love-hate relationship, mostly hate but still sociable? Light friends? “I’m in love with him, why wouldn’t I? There’s no one else for me.” Charlie deadpans. “Good luck.” “Fuck off, Justin you’re just mad that no one but Jess wanted your dumbass.” “Actually I’m sorta seeing someone so kiss my ass.” Zach and clay are all smiles at this point.

Jessica is taken back by all of this new information since she sort of fell off the face of earth along with Ani. She wanted to be the first to say what’s going on in her life but when Courtney and Ryan are in the chat things usually go one direction and it’s hard to get a word in.

Justin didn’t mean for this to slip out but Alex liked to piss him off.

Zach and clay already knew this information so it wasn’t news to them.

“Well spill the tea love, we’re waiting!” Ryan snaps his fingers to break the silence.

Justin fills the group in that he moved in with his new friends in a house off campus that he met the night of his twenty-first birthday. It all happened sporadically but it was one of the best decisions he’s made

It’s six of them including Justin in one house in a hot ass desert, he was planning to rent an apartment off campus by himself with the money he managed to save up, even tho the jensens offered to pay his first month’s rent, he learned to take responsibility on his own

Until he met the five at a festival downtown. It was weird for Justin to spend a birthday on his own, even tho he didn’t have the best upbringing at a young age, he still managed to be around someone even if that meant his mother high on the couch, spending it with Bryce/ the team, or celebrating it with the jensens, this was his first time all on his own, truly

But life was all about new experiences. So he was out on his own looking at the artwork, even if it wasn’t his thing, it was still cool to look at. Modern art never made any fucking sense. He did try majority of the food there, with his hungry ass. Indigenous food? That was too good.

He was at yet another food truck when he heard arguing from not too far behind him. He didn’t care to hear this conversation but it was loud enough not to hear it.

He spotted her 5’4 frame self arguing with some dude that was taller than zach’s big foot ass and she was going in

Another guy, a Irish red head who was behind him waiting at the food truck snorted as he watched Justin eat and watch his two friends debate

“That ones a fucking mess, I’ll tell ya. She’s the one that’ll tear off ya neck and shit down it.”

Justin’s eyes were wide at this point. He’s heard some things in his life before but that one was surely knew.

“Benji, man. You are?”

He introduced himself just as the small brown girl managed to bring the 6 ft+ dude into a headlock. She sure had a grip. The two scuffled until they knocked over a table near by filled with figurines.

That’s when they booked it, pulling Justin with them like he asked to be involved.

This was the mischief he needed back in his life, all in good fun but nothing like the extremes of Crestmont

They became acquainted, friends pretty quickly before moving in together and Justin did something he shouldn’t

He fell for his roommate, a 5’4 Indian Gemini girl (he still didn’t understand astrology) who loved to argue/ “communicate” do yoga, majoring in astrophysics—much to the disappointment of her parents, loved Joan Jett & the black hearts, Fiona apple, Fleetwood Mac, and absolutely loved screaming her vocals out to r&b songs, preferably Whitney Houston—mostly when she was drunk

Her name? Jiya and she loved calling Justin her, “boo”

Justin didn’t think he’d find love again. Especially three-four years after Jess. Was it still too soon? He felt like he should feel guilty, Zach assured him that he shouldn’t and deserved to be happy with someone else, and clay was the voice of reason pulling out pros and cons...typical clay shit.

Jess didn’t say much in that moment and Alex and Courtney picked up on that immediately.

It felt like Justin needed permission.

So two days went by after that call and justin was just getting home from a late night class to Jess calling him

They had small talk which wasn’t the norm between them. Usually when they fought or had a disagreement they made up by having sex.

This wasn’t an argument though?

At first Jessica’s tone didn’t feel right to Justin, like she was still in disbelief that he moved on? Yet she ended up telling him that she had hooked up and dated around a couple months into her freshman year

Now she was with diego

And Justin couldn’t help but to laugh, which put Jessica on defense mode

The conversation went from tense, to silence, to awkwardness, to communicating, to closure

“I want you to be happy, Jess. I’ve always wanted you to be happy, even if it’s not with me. It doesn’t have to be. I love you enough to know I can’t be selfish. I can’t keep holding onto the past, we both can’t. Our time apart proved that.”

“But that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you at all during us not speaking like we used to.”

“I know. And that’s okay, I’m not mad. At first I was, thinking it was too easy for us to call it quits. It used to not be like that, us going hours without speaking but we got used to it. And I think that says a lot.”

“...does she make you happy?”

“She definitely knows how to make me laugh and I’ve needed to laugh for a long time now. Everything about her feels right, we’ve been on a few dates. Well she was the one to initiate it, I was too in my head about it.”

“A woman that knows what she wants, she’s alright with me then.”

“It’s still fuck diego, from where I stand.”

“Justin!” “I’m kidding! You deserve all the happiness in the world too, Jessica Davis. Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for loving me when I didn’t think I deserved it.” “Oh you asshole, you’re gonna make me cry. You’re worthy of love, every ounce of it and don’t you forget that. I’ll always love you, Justin. Take care of yourself.”

And life kept on moving. By 25, Justin was a official physical therapist—working his hardest to provide comfort in those that needed it due to their injuries physically and hopefully mentally.

He and Jiya decided to move out into an apartment together, renting of course since Justin did not want to stay in Arizona forever. He hated hot weather. Not a fan at all. He wanted to move to Colorado or somewhere in the mountains or some shit. Jiya didn’t care where they lived as long as they were together.

It was hard for her to find a permanent job with her degree but she did well at hotel management.

They adopted a dog, an Italian greyhound. Justin didn’t want that breed exactly, not trying to be a dog shamer like Jiya liked to call him but his legit words were, “what if I get up in the middle of the night, to see that rat with big eyes staring at me?” “Would you like for us to get a pet rat?” “What? No! That’s not what I’m saying at all.” After three months adopting Raimondo the Italian greyhound, jiya shows up with a bearded dragon. “The hell is that?!” Justin screamed perched on the couch leaving Jiya laughing, “Our new child, you pussy.”

By thirty Jiya received a job opportunity in Vancouver, Washington and off they went.

They bought a mobile styled home, however Jiya truly wanted a bungalow, but this was what they could afford right now. It was painted indigo blue with a red door and they had a shed that looked like a barn.

It was honestly spacious for the two of them, with four bedrooms. Why did they need four bedrooms? By now Jiya knew she couldn’t have children and didn’t know if she wanted any. Plus they weren’t married so but it’s not like they didn’t talk about it.

One room was for her yoga sessions if she didn’t go out to any. Plus the other rooms could be used for whenever their families wanted to come and visit or friends.

Jiya got a long well with Justin’s side. Especially clay, which Justin saw coming from the moment he met her. That made Justin happy that clay and the jensens approved of Justin’s choices of women. Sure he had a few but when he loved, he loved pretty hard and for a long time.

“That’s just the cancer in you, boo.”

“Enough of this zodiac shit, I’m trying to sleep.”

“Yeaaah, on this Gemini bo-dy boy!” Jiya argued with Justin laying on her chest.

“I’m sleeping on the couch with raimondo.” Justin moved to get up.

“Fine by me, more space in the bed.”

Justin held mock-offense, “I can’t believe you’d just let me leave! You know our couch feels like rocks.”

Jiya gasped, “you said you liked that couch!”

“Well, I lied.” Justin smirked with a shrug of his shoulders.

And that’s when a pillow fight started which ended with them on the floor along with a make-out session and love making.

Justin was always careful before but living hiv-positive and being involved with Jiya he made sure he did all he needed to on his part and to make her comfortable

When he first told Jiya and the group, it was quiet. Two of the roommates believed the stigma and ignorant comments and questions were made/asked. Jiya, Benji, and Heidi were the main ones that came to his defense and he would always remember that.

By thirty-two, Justin asked Jiya to marry him on a picnic by the lake. And she RAN from him. Which had Justin yelling, “wtf?!”

“Sorry, there were huge ass bumblebees or dragonflies coming right for us! And you know I’m allergic.” “So you were just going to let me get stung?” “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, if you see me run, you run too.” Justin huffed finding the moment ruined until Jiya plucked the ring box from his hand and got down on her knees holding the box out to him, “yeah I’ll marry you, boo. You’re my favorite person on the earth, next to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. But you get my point.”

Justin snorted. He was in love with a major dork. He took the ring and placed it on her finger grabbing onto her hands after she nodded in approval at the ring, pulling her to her feet. He wrapped her hands around his waist and cupped her face bringing their lips together.

Justin Foley Jensen found his happily ever after.

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eraifttt2 · 4 years

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What To Buy For Mother’s Day 2020: An Affordable Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. And many of us are left scratching our heads because let’s face it: Mother’s Day 2020 will be different from previous years. Social distancing and stay at home orders are greatly reducing the number of ways we can celebrate the matriarch in our life. No, this year many of us can’t book our moms a reservation at their favorite restaurant. We also can’t book a trip and jet off to that country they’ve been wanting to visit. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you find creative ways to celebrate. Scroll down to discover what to buy for Mother’s Day 2020.

Some of our favorite picks include:

House Plants

A Dessert Bar

Breakfast in Bed

Hosting a Surprise Digital Gathering

Curating a Spotify Playlist

House Plants

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. Mother’s Day is practically synonymous with flowers. But if you ask us, house plants deserve a little more love. At least in the gift-giving arena, they do. This is because they make great presents.

While flowers will always have a special place in our hearts, house plants last longer. They also give us clean and healthy air in return. Do your research online to find the right plant for the mother in your life. Take into account whether she has a green thumb, as certain house plants require more attention and skill to maintain than others. Just like when picking flowers, you should consider what type of plant best suits her personality. Maybe it’s a spiky and unique cactus or a tropical and attention-grabbing Monstera.

When it’s time to make a purchase, you can abide by the stay at home measures by ordering your plants from a shop online. Here are some popular retailers to choose from:

The Sill

Bloomscape

Urban Stems

You can also check in with your local plant nurseries to see whether they offer online orders or have a delivery service available.

When the plant arrives, try adding a personal touch by painting the plant’s pot with some of your mom’s favorite colors. Or inscribe a message somewhere on the pot for her to find.

A Dessert Bar

This idea is perfect for moms with a sweet tooth. Essentially, you’ll be dedicating a section of your home to spreading out some of your mother’s favorite treats.

You can do this by setting and dressing up a folding table in an easily accessible spot in your home. Add charm and elegance to the bar with a tablecloth, a few potted plants (or flowers), and fun serving platters. If you don’t have enough room for a folding table, then designate space on the kitchen table or counter for the dessert bar.

Next, make a list of the sweet treats mom enjoys. Is she a candy eater or are baked goods more her thing?

After ordering or baking her treats, it’s time to arrange them on the bar. Bonus points are given to dessert bars offering wine and cocktails.

Breakfast in Bed

Show mom you appreciate all she does by serving her favorite breakfast items to her in bed. Similar to the dessert bar, you should take some time to list the different breakfast foods she enjoys. Then, when Mother’s Day comes around, it’s time to cook and neatly arrange the meal on a tray.

If mom has a television in the bedroom, you can go the extra mile by adding her favorite movies or television shows to ‘My List’ on Netflix. This makes it easier for her to unwind and finally finish watching the end of that movie. Last but not least, make sure to shut the door on your way out after serving breakfast to really let mom enjoy some peace and quiet that might be hard to find while quarantining with a houseful.

Keep in mind that the only downside to this gift is mom might want to turn this surprise into an everyday routine.

Host a Surprise Digital Gathering

During these strange and unprecedented times, many of us are spending time away from friends and family. Bring mom’s favorite people together on Mother’s Day with a surprise digital gathering. Video chatting platforms like FaceTime, Google Hangout, and Skype make communicating with loved ones from far away not only possible but convenient.

While FaceTime only works for users with an iOS device, other services such as Google Hangout and Skype are efficient alternatives. Both Google Hangout and Skype only require you to set up an account to use their video services. You will also need to have the application downloaded on your smartphone if you will be interacting with your mobile device.

For smooth sailing, make sure whatever platform you use is up-to-date and has the latest software. We also recommend using these services with a strong and secure internet connection. For the sake of organization, invite all participants ahead of time so everyone can prepare and adjust their plans accordingly. Last but not least, make sure everyone involved keeps the gathering a secret!

Spotify Playlist

If mom’s a big fan of music, then a curated playlist on a platform like Spotify with all of her favorite songs is sure to make her happy on Mother’s Day.

Maybe her plans to see a certain artist was canceled because of the coronavirus. Add that band to the playlist to create an alternative music experience. Or you can choose to curate a playlist made entirely of all the songs that have special meaning between the two of you.

To use Spotify, you’ll first need to create an account. You can choose the free plan that comes with ads or pay extra for a premium account to enjoy uninterrupted music.

How to Make a Spotify Playlist From Your Computer

Once inside the desktop application, you can create a new playlist by clicking “+ New Playlist” found at the bottom left. Don’t forget to give the playlist a special name for mom, either. After that, it’s time to add music.

Once you find the perfect song, just right-click on the title and select “Add to Playlist” and then select mom’s playlist.

How to Share a Spotify Playlist From Your Computer

When it’s time to share your playlist, select the triple-dot button that’s under your playlist name. Then, click “Share” and you will be met with a few different options for sharing your creation. Choose the option that best fits your needs.

How to Make a Spotify Playlist On Your Mobile App

If you prefer to use your smartphone to enjoy Spotify, don’t worry. Creating a playlist is just as simple as on a desktop computer.

First, click “Your Library” at the bottom of the application. Next, select the “Playlists” tab at the top of the screen and then tap “Create Playlist.” After giving your playlist a name, it’s time to add some songs.

Once you find the right song, click the triple-dot button that’s on the right of the song title. Then tap “Add to Playlist” and then select your playlist’s name.

How to Share a Spotify Playlist From Your Phone

Ready to gift your mom with some jams? Select the familiar trip-dot button that’s under your playlist. Then, click “Share” and you will be met with a few different options for sharing your creation. Choose the option that best fits your needs.

Now That You Know What To Buy For Mother’s Day—It’s Time To Celebrate!

The moral of the story is you don’t have to spend a fortune or even leave your home to show mom just how important she is to your family. We hope these ideas help you find what to buy for Mother’s Day. We also hope they can provide you and your loved ones with a much-needed distraction during these strange times.

For more help around the home, check back in with our blog.

The post What To Buy For Mother’s Day 2020: An Affordable Gift Guide appeared first on Protect America Blog.

Aricle source here: What To Buy For Mother’s Day 2020: An Affordable Gift Guide

#Protect America Blog

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banditthewriter · 5 years

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Impossible Year - Billy Russo - 13

A surprise epilogue!

Since links are making posts not show up in tags, you can find previous parts on my Masterlist in my about me!

Tags are at the bottom. Let me know if you would like to be added to one of my tag lists!

Enjoy!

***** January again. The scenery flew past the car and you closed your eyes for a moment to enjoy it. It had been just a few weeks since Billy had shown up on your doorstep and it had been the best few weeks of your life. Even your parents were immediately charmed. It was actually adorable considering Billy had been so nervous on the way to the facility. "I've never had to meet a girl's parents before," he said as he stared at their apartment door. His hands were clammy and you had watched him fix his hair twice in the car. "As long as you don't greet my dad with 'semper fi' or something else Marine-esque, it'll be fine. They've heard a lot about you and they've been looking forward to this. Now come on soldier," you said as you grabbed his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "time to face the enemy combatants." It had gone wonderfully and although Billy had been nervous, he didn't show it the moment the door opened. You had also met Frank and Maria and their kids which had been wonderful as well. The kids instantly took to you, eager to spend time with their Uncle Bill and their Uncle Bill's friend. Honestly watching Billy try to quantify your relationship to the kids was worth the hour trip. Maria was amazing and you had gotten along within moments. And after all of the interrupted Skype chats and stories from Billy, you felt like you knew Frank. He had taken one look at you and then scooped you up in a hug. Later, while Uncle Billy was showing the kids how to do something on a video game, Frank had asked you to join him outside for a moment. With Maria rolling her eyes, you knew you were in for the shovel talk and were completely unprepared. "He's different since you two started writing those love letters," he said with a smirk as he handed you a beer that you hadn't seen him holding. "I don't even think he realized it until it got bad there a few months back. That man was a complete mess when he thought things were fucked." You glanced at the back door as if you could still see Billy, a smile forming over your lips. The two of you had talked about that time extensively since he showed up on your doorstep and you could officially think of it without wanting to cry. "He's changed me too," you said as you met Frank's eyes again. "I felt like I was sleepwalking for such a long time and then there was this guy writing me letters from thousands of miles away and it's like I didn't even realize that I had been missing him. Missing someone I'd never met," you said with a shake of your head as if you couldn't believe it. Frank was smiling and he reached out to clap you on the arm firmly. "I don't think you could hurt him without hurting yourself too. I'm just happy you both found each other," he said as he wrapped that same arm around you to guide you back into the house. It'd been about a week since that conversation and you couldn't help but smile at the memory. A glance over at Billy in the driver's side showed that he was mouthing along with whatever song was playing on the radio. Had Frank told him about the conversation? His hand came over to wrap around yours. He tugged it up and pressed a kiss to your knuckles, winking at you a bit as he did so. The city was looming in the distance and you couldn't help but feel excited for whatever he had planned. He hadn't told you much more than that you were headed into the city and you could feel a thrum of anticipation growing. The anticipation was met with dread as an unwelcome thought came over you. How much longer did you have with Billy before his next deployment? The time between Evan's deployments had varied from a few weeks to a few months, but it was never long. You tried to reason with yourself that you'd survived this past year with Billy being deployed, but you knew it wasn't the same. You survived the past year because you'd never had Billy in your house, in your bed, in your arms. It was different now and you weren't sure you were strong enough to go through another deployment. He maneuvered the rental car through the city with ease. Wherever he was going, he was very familiar with the route. You pushed down your worries and focused on the man beside you. Worrying about the future wouldn't change it; you needed to enjoy the time you had with him while you had it. When he finally pulled over and opened the door for you, you were faced with what looked like an abandoned warehouse. He laughed and jerked his head towards a door with a padlock on it. He kept his hand on the small of your back until you got to the door where he pulled out a key to open the lock. "If this is where you kill me, I'm going to be very disappointed," you joked as he led you into the warehouse. There were large windows along one wall that let in a lot of light. The space was open, larger than you would have guessed from outside. There were windows that seemed to look into another section of the warehouse along the far wall as well. "I think it's a good place to begin," he said as he held his hands out and did a little spin in the middle of the empty room. It took a moment for the meaning to sink in. You turned around to look at him, surprised and in awe. "The business that you wanted to open," you said curiously, uncertain until he gave you a nod. "I saved a lot of money over the years; more than I spent, that's for sure. Plus some backers and interested parties, contacts all over the globe. I even got approved for a loan from the bank. Hell, even Frank is interested in my idea." He looked so happy that you couldn't help but smile in pride. Then you realized what he was saying. "How can you run a business here when you spend a huge chunk of your life overseas?" The look he leveled you with made your heart start to speed up, but he stepped forward until he was right in front of you. His hand reached up and brushed your cheek as he smiled at you. "My time was up after this last deployment. I didn't re-up." You felt like your heart had stopped and he simply smiled wider as he cupped your cheek. "I'm done. I'm out of the service." You felt like you'd been hit by a train in that instant. Somehow your life had been flipped sideways. Just twenty minutes before you had been freaking out that he would have to deploy at some point and now he was saying he was no longer in the Marines? Gaping a bit like a fish, you swallowed and shook your head. "You didn't do that for me, right? I need you to tell me right now that I had nothing to do with you making that decision." He laughed and brushed his fingers against your cheek before he stepped away once more. "Can't do that," he said with a grin as he started to walk along the room, waiting for you to join him. "You weren't the whole reason though, if that helps. I was never a lifer. The Marines was a way for me to make a name for myself, but I know that I can do more. I'd been getting burned out on it this past deployment. Hell, the only thing I had keeping me holding on was the thought of coming home to you." You felt warmth spread over you as his eyes met yours. It was that look that he used to give you over Skype when he was in the middle of the desert. A look that said he wanted nothing more than to pull you into his arms and never let go. That made you think of something else that made you pause in your stride around the room. "Are you going to be moving here?" He shrugged, his hand running over his jaw as he nodded a bit. "I've looked at a few places in the area. Haven't made any decisions yet but that's because I'm still waiting on a big piece to fall into place." What could he mean by that? You glanced over at him and noticed how he was avoiding your eye contact. He walked past you and ran his hand over a metal structure that could probably be re-purposed. You watched him curiously until it sank in. He was talking about you. A future for the two of you. "Billy," you said slowly, not wanting to sound like you were immediately saying no. "Your parents told you that you could sell the house if you wanted to. And hell, you even told me that you looked into a few jobs here in the city." You moved over to where he was pretending he couldn't see you and grabbed his wrist. "Billy, we just met last month. Living together and making those kind of plans already is insane, right?" He laughed and tugged you into him, his lips finding yours easily and quieting any other reasons you might have had. "We met in person, yeah, but we've known each other for longer. But honestly, what it comes down to is that when you know, you know. And me?" He let his fingers brush against your cheek, tilting your chin up a bit until your eyes were locked with his. "I've known for a while." ------ The conversation was put on hold after that. He had sensed that you weren't ready for that kind of discussion and told you that he wasn't rushing anything. You knew that he meant it but you hadn't been able to get the idea off your mind. Could it work just like that? You and him together after only knowing each other in person for a month? Sure, by time you actually found a job and a place together it would have been longer than a month, but talking about moving in together after a month? Days passed with you trying not to dwell on the idea. He told you that he still had a while to get the business up and moving and that he still hadn't made any decisions on a place. He started spending time with Frank and them a little more instead of staying at your house and you had to be honest... you hated when he wasn't there. "I'll finish making dinner if you could put my clothes in the wash," he offered as he kissed your forehead, smacking you on the butt with a dish towel when you walked past him. "Hey now," you teased with a grin as you headed towards the bedroom, "don't start something you can't finish." You gathered the clothes he had put in the hamper. His duffle bag was tucked half in the closet and you picked it up to check and see if there was anything left to be washed. As you dumped it out onto the bed, a manilla envelope slid out as well. You winced, not wanting him to think you were snooping, but you made the mistake of picking it up upside down. Papers fell out and dropped onto the bed spread. You were faced with your own handwriting as well as what looked like printed copies of your email threads. The printed sheets were pristine, not even creased, but the letters? Those looked like they had been unfolded and folded a hundred different times. Some of the words were worn down like he had touched them over and over. And the one physical photo that you had sent looked aged. This man had gone through a war zone and he had kept you right there with him. After putting all of the letters back into the envelope, you headed back into the kitchen. He was standing at your stove wearing sweat pants and an old PT t-shirt, his feet bare as he moved around your kitchen as if he had always been there. He had slipped into your life with such ease that you could barely remember not knowing him. Seeing you from the corner of his eye, he turned to look at you. His eyes fell on the envelope immediately. If you expected him to be ashamed or even bashful about it, you would have been wrong. "I know you kept mine too," he teased as he put the spatula down, heading over to take the envelope from you. He dropped it onto the table and placed his hands on your hips. "The photo of me and Frank is tucked into the mirror in your bedroom." You laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck, tugging him just a little closer. "Maybe I could look for a new job in the city," you said softly, earning a large smile from him. "And a place of my own." He shook his head and leaned down so that he could place a kiss on the tip of your nose. "Live with me," he pleaded, a smile on his lips as if he knew what the answer would be. "I don't want to spend any more time without you." Your heart sped up at the look on his face. And at the pure sincerity in his voice. "You sound like you love me," you teased, breathless and so hopeful. The two of you swayed for a moment and then you realized that he was walking you backwards. Once he got you pressed up against the counter, he reached over to the side and tapped on something on the fridge. You followed his arm and saw the Valentine that he had sent you in that second letter. "Of course I love you. You've had my heart for a while now," he said easily. Honestly. "Oh." That made every nerve end in your body seem to explode. The honesty rocked you and you swayed into his hold. "I don't plan on giving it back, you know. It's mine now. Because I love you too." He laughed and tugged you in closer, his kiss a promise. His lips brushed against yours deeply, passionately. One of his hands reached up to cup your cheek while the other sought out one of yours to link his fingers with yours. "Sounds like a plan to me."

That’s the end! (Until I can get around to that smutty companion piece that is!) But I am so beyond grateful for all of you coming with me on this adventure. I wrote this story in just a few days while I wondered if I had lost my inspiration and it made me fall in love with Billy Russo once more. Thank you all for your wonderful reception to this little story of mine. And thank you, anonymous requester, for sending in a request that I somehow turned into this wonderful series!

Let me know if you want to be added to my Permanent Tag List @hermioneshandbag @onebatch--twobatch @smiley-celine @blackcoffeeandgreenteaforme @starless-skyox @youveseen--thebutcher @citation-is-here @mightymelly @realduckvader @1550kilogramsofsilver @hxbbit @rockintensse @missphanosaur18 @thepuffyeyedpuff @kararanae23 @yessy2012 @dorkybryan @gingerstarlight @siriusement @marauderskeeper @xinyourdreamsx @wickidlady @mahalobro @sassygirl25 @maraudereestauderelb @rainyboul @cutie-bug @random-quartz @holamor @lea----b @heyitslexy @detectivebourbon @coffeenmoscato @russowrites @presstocontinue @elisemockingbird @assbuttwithwings @geeksareunique @siriuslovesmarlene @witch-of-letters @delicatelilyflower @l-l-c-m-w-b @whovianayesha @hiddenprincess @yannii04 @jeanettexkillian @brighteststarinthesky @kilyra @gallxntdean @sweetvengeancee @lady1505 @thedarklightwithinus @ateliefloresdaprimavera @siriuslyimmoony @elodieyung @fudgeflyss @madamrogers @thatwrestlingfan91 @teranya @yesixoxo @sophiabulbu69 @delusionsofnostalgia @effielumiere @mamaraptor @hot-and-spiceyyy @i-padfootblack-things @aya-fay @fcavalerro @sithskywalkers @raquelbc2003 @nildaebony @iwishyoucouldbekissed @lostinthoughts23 @tamanamohain @newtstarmander @suchatinyinfinity @blushingskywalker @queencocoakimmie @funerals-with-cake @love-dria @arrowswithwifi @swiftyhowlz @cheyfleur @dark-night-sky-99 @curlyhairedblueeyedangel @kryyta @russosprettydiamondnow @myplaceofheavenorhell @cafeconsoya

Let me know if you want to be added to my Billy Russo Tag List @something-tofightfor @piink-magnolias @hoodedhavok @aylinnmaslow @musingsofbanana @bluebird214 @rileyblues @nerrdstark @that-bwitch @diorskisses @queenisabella789 @colddecember-night @j-finco @arthoeaesthetixbs @tomhiddlestonsbeard @mischiefs-never-managed @romanceyour-ego @evyiione @drinix @sweetheart-im-the-boss @thebabblingbook @katieswinforddiaries @benbarnesfanforever @releasethekracko @itsjustmylifeconfessions @nostalgic-uncertainty @aveatquevale- @clarasworldofwonders @ladyblablabla @thehanneloner @hellostarposts @girlwhoisfearless @maria-beretta @friendlyneighbourhoodweirdo @marcelskittel @fictionwillneverdie @avipshamitra @hysteriadarling @living-on-rice @hello-la-v-en-rose @tiredofthisgeneration @marveliskindacool @giggleberts @stateofloveandvedder @encounterthepast @ironstank @spettrocoli @xserenax-13 @sleepwalkingelite @dreamingofonceuponatime @supernaturalcat7 @rosebunnie @damagelove @screwmesiriusblack @doneobrien @figlia--della--luna @balladblood @cloudywithachanceofcupcakes-blog @jessicahh @flightoftheflightrisk @slamharder @roschele @lainey-lane @i-blogaboutstuff | @rhabakoli @king4thesirens @ilkaeliseb

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo imagine #billy russo fanfic #my writing #impossible year

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gamestreamingsetup · 5 years

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What Is Game Streaming

What truly is it that separates a real true geek from a fake wanna-be? In our story / article, it’s participation. Normies go see superhero movies, play video games, and revel in all of the fruits of geek lifestyle, however we’re those who virtually make it. One of a kinds, though one of An crucial issue of the geek character is being able to produce your very own cool individual thoughts, and in this story / article we’ll come up with all the knowledge and gear you want to get in on the movement, that is Video Game Streaming. Be It Twitch, Or Google's Game Streaming Service.

How To Make, Your Streaming Fun - Interactive, And Most Importantly MONEY Off Of It.

If there’s one thing / component in which you’ve probably been instructed again and again approximately your gaming habit, it’s which you’ll by no means be able to make a dwelling off it. Well, that each one changed a few years in the past. Now, a thriving tradition of humans are broadcasting their digital adventures to the sector and making a pretty penny off it. It’s called streaming, and it’s massive. Some of the largest names inside the industry get tens of heaps of viewers for the duration of their periods, and advertising sales means cash goes into their pocket for every and every one of them. Streamers play all genres of video games from all eras, and the most popular have carved out healthful niches for themselves.

You don’t even need to be accurate at games to stream — even though it truly helps! Viewers are drawn to sturdy personalities, humor, wise evaluation, and ability as a great deal as boobs. Combine a few of these and you’re properly to your manner to streaming achievement.

Twitch, Google, And Stream Overlay:

The Supplies, And Accessories you will need before you begin streaming. The first component you’ll need is, of path, a solid net connection. There’s nothing that turns viewers off a circulation faster than lousy frame rate and audio drops, so make certain that your streaming device is running at once into your modem or router — no longer over WiFi. Secondly, you’ll need some streaming software program. There are severa options in the marketplace at a selection of charge stages. One famous free alternative is OBS, which you could get right here. Xsplit has a loose advert-supported version, and plenty of professional streamers find it worth it to pay the $25 quarterly license charge. That lets you do things like transmit Skype feeds and push to projectors.

A microphone is vital so you can deliver remark on your recreation, react to people in the chat, and construct your brand. If you’re using your pc’s on-board mic, put on headphones so that you don’t select up game audio on it. Most streamers pick a headset mic, which you could get at an cheap price. You don’t necessarily need a webcam, however having viewers able to see your face as you play and react to a recreation may be a huge addition in your circulate. People may be looking no longer just for the video games you play — dozens if not loads of streamers might be playing the equal games — however the character you carry to the table. If you’re going to be streaming from any console besides an Xbox One or PS4 (both of which guide Twitch natively), you’ll want a capture card to transmit that output to the net.

Finally, you need to pick your streaming provider. Right now, the dominant player within the marketplace is Twitch. It has the largest viewer base and the maximum nicely-set up commercial enterprise model. That said, there are a few restrictions on content material which can power you to other competition like Hitbox.

Man Versus The Gaming Stream

Before you begin Right off the bat: you probably gained’t have many (if any) visitors in your first move. That’s quality! Rome wasn’t constructed in an afternoon, and neither was PewDiePie’s Hollywood mansion. Before you pass stay, though, it’s critical to run a few assessments to your setup to make certain that the visitors you have got get an most beneficial experience. OBS lets you record pattern streams and play them back to test your setup. Here’s what’s important to search for.

Audio balance: This might be the trickiest factor to get right. You want to make sure that visitors can pay attention you over the in-recreation sound, however you don’t need the feed to just be your voice (or any heritage noise like crying toddlers or partying neighbors). Game decision and clarity: You need to ensure your display screen is casting in reality so the game-play is featured, and you want to make the shot of your self doesn’t obscure any essential part of the game-play, like the HUD. Game familiarity: If humans song into your movement, they don’t need to watch you suffering with show resolutions. Make sure that the sport boots and is playable so that you don’t waste everybody’s time. When you’re geared up to circulation for the primary time, reach out to your social networks to people you recognize, and ask them to music in and proportion. The extensive majority likely received’t, but the few that do will form the center of your support.

CS:GO Stream

Islands in the circulate Deep breaths. It’s time in your first live broadcast.

Set up the movement, ship out another notification on social media, after which get to it. It’s going to sense weird at the start, but there are a few things to remember the fact that will assist you through.

This is a performance: Remember that. What your viewers are seeing is a performance, now not reality. So, remember approaches to make it the quality overall performance it can be. You’re going to need to speak a lot. Don’t censor your self much: Anything which you normally could suppose as opposed to say at the same time as gaming is well worth saying on move. If you have a cam on, make sure your face is expressive. People are looking to hook up with you, so let them. Recognize the target market: That’s what the move chat is for. People will placed all styles of nonsense in that container, and you want to reward them for it. An engaged target market is a devoted target audience. Responding to their feedback at the air is a super manner to expand that rapport and help you suspect to your toes. Keep your cool: Stream chat can be a notoriously lawless location, and randos love to razz streamers, mainly green ones. Take their remarks with accurate grace and flow on. Finally, pick out a good finishing point for your circulation. Try to maintain it brief and sweet, so viewers don’t lose interest, however ensure you provide them a terrific bite of content. Always leave them looking greater – and whilst you move offline, let any viewers realize while you plan to circulate again.

Fighting Game Stream

Getting bigger So you’re up and jogging with your circulate, gambling games, interacting with the chat, and having an amazing time. Now, you want to make people spoil that subscribe button and get your numbers up. There are two components to that equation: acquiring viewers and making them want to stay.

Use YouTube as a crucial aid: Being capable of upload video totally free is a gift, and archiving your material is a superb issue to do. That’s not saying you ought to be importing every unmarried movement, even though. Now’s the time where you need to selectively edit out the great moments of your stream to make person highlights. Keep these brief and candy — under a minute is a good goal — and make certain to include your flow records in the remarks (and annotations). Several websites do regular roundups of spotlight videos like those, which is a high-quality manner to get your content in the front of new audiences. If you observed you've got some thing suitable, don’t be afraid to ship it out. Push alerts on your YouTube movies via Twitch: When your movement is live, use this method to alert human beings which you’ve long gone live. Anybody watching your videos can, with a single click on, track into your stay feed. Do giveaways or raffles: The prospect of getting a few kind of swag is a effective motivator, and lots of streamers use giveaways to fill their channels. If you operate Google Chrome, there’s even a free extension that helps you to pick out a random viewer with a single click. Whatever technique you operate to bring viewers in, it’s your content material that’s going to hold them there. Make positive to position power and effort into every move. Think of it like the old days of TV, while getting collectively to watch a show on the identical time each week changed into a ritual. You need that identical feeling out of your visitors.

Monetizing Your Stream

Make a few cash The giant majority of streamers do it as a interest, not anything more. It’s a manner to share the games they love with an target audience. If you may build up a fan following, even though, it’s very possible to show it into something that will pay.

Monetize your Twitch account: You need a mean concurrent viewer count over 500 human beings (which means 500 people want to be normally looking your streams at any time), in addition to a commitment to movement at the least 3 instances per week. However, those aren’t difficult and speedy policies, and if you may reveal other elements that might make you a good investment, they may allow you to in. Monetize YouTube motion pictures: It’s important to word that some publishers don’t can help you get sales from footage of their games — Nintendo might be the largest instance. Thankfully, most PC publishers are properly aware that streamers represent a huge free advertising opportunity and can help you declare your proportion. Sponsorship's: Many corporations companion with excessive-profile streamers and pay them to apply or sell their merchandise on movement. These sponsorship's usually aren’t notable lucrative, however they may be a pleasing way to tug in a bit more scratch. Most importantly, have amusing. If you’re not enjoying your movement, it’s particularly doubtful that anybody else is going to. Don’t permit the strain of subscribers and visitors suck the a laugh out of playing games.

Some useful sources for streamers:

/r/Twitch on Reddit is a supportive community of streamers in any respect levels of success Twitch Tips is a extensive-ranging useful resource that covers capture devices, overlays, and different technical issues

#Twitch #Stadia #Google #Microsoft #Apple #Sony #Nintendo #Stream #Streaming #Streamers #Game #Gaming #Gamer #Gamers #YouTube #Twitch TV #Stadia TV

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twinflamable · 5 years

Text

LFRP: Niqmepa Desfosse

(singal boosts appreciated, btw.)

the basics ––– –

AGE: 38

RACE: Duskwight

GENDER: Female

SEXUALITY: Bisexual

STATUS: Single

physical appearance ––– –

HAIR: Naturally purple. Tipped in red and decorated with metal rings crafted from coins or other baubles.

EYES: Pink, often mistaken for red.

HEIGHT: 6′3′’

BUILD: Lithe but muscular. A laborer’s build.

DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Tattoo over left eye.

COMMON ACCESSORIES: A long red tapestry, as thin as a sash, that can be worn but is more frequently tucked away.

personal ––– –

PROFESSION: Acquisitions and sales. Sometimes this means finding rare items for clients. Sometimes it means turning a store-room into a junk shop. She’s registered with the adventurer’s guild, so sometimes this means grabbing a leveplate and a pickaxe and doing the hard work.

HOBBIES: Maintains a��“written” record of her genealogy and some of her clan’s history in the form of of a woven tapestry of significant length. She is often busy at work creating a second one. Journals meticulously.

LANGUAGES: Eorzean.

RESIDENCE: Travels. Keeps store-houses in some places.

BIRTHPLACE: A network of caverns beneath the Shroud, not directly connected to Gelmorra.

RELIGION: Loosely holds to the Twelve. Practices her clan’s traditional augury and lets omens guide her travels and choices. She reveres the earth and the forces that shape it, a kind of individualistic geomancy.

FEARS: That she might, even after so much life, still unknowingly embody the wicked philosophies that caused the downfall of her clan, or that these things might be an inescapable outcome of her beliefs and experiences.

relationships ––– -

SPOUSE: None.

CHILDREN: None.

PARENTS: Deceased.

SIBLINGS: Deceased.

OTHER RELATIVES: Deceased.

PETS: Xiajhi, a lesser panda.

traits ––– -

extroverted / introverted / in between.

disorganized / organized / in between.

close minded / open-minded / in between.

calm / anxious / in between.

disagreeable / agreeable / in between.

cautious / reckless / in between.

patient / impatient / in between.

outspoken / reserved / in between.

leader / follower / in between. (indepent, tbh)

empathetic / unemphatic / in between.

optimistic / pessimistic / in between.

traditional / modern / in between.

hard-working / lazy / in between.

cultured / un-cultured / in between. (what does this mean?)

loyal / disloyal / unknown / in between.

faithful / unfaithful / unknown / in between.

additional information ––– –

SMOKING HABIT: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

DRUGS: never / sometimes /frequently / to excess.

ALCOHOL: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

RP Hooks:

You need an item acquired. Do you want an artifact or rare material and need someone to obtain it, but you can’t afford a Champion Of The Eorzea or some Legendary Artificer Slash Archaeomancer? Niqmepa is a working class laborer who gets the job done, digging up potsherds, ore, or rare relics if she’s got enough clues to go on. She frequently answers job listings of this kind, or gets referrals from past clients who know that she’s reliable and doesn’t charge more than she’s worth.

You see a sale and hope to find a good deal. When Niqmepa isn’t employed by clients, she’s maintaining a general inventory of useful items. Most of her income comes from trade goods that she either obtains or buys for resale, but a byproduct of this is a bunch of junk goods that she has to liquidate somehow. Her store rooms can be converted into junk shops when they get too full, and you might find some nice stuff in there if you go looking.

You meet on the road. Niqmepa is the kind of person who would offer to share her fire with a fellow traveler, and maybe even some food if they needed it. She might also ask another to share their fire, if it was late and she decided to stop. This is, of course, assuming you don’t have any bad omens hanging over your head. You don’t, do you? She’s unlikely to travel outside of Eorzea, though.

You have a bad feeling about Niqmepa. If you’re sensitive to aether, particularly if you’re wary about voidsent or curses, this might be the case. Oh, it’s not like she’s possessed or a demon in disgusie -- or, if she is, it’s concealed better than most -- and there’s no darkness or dramatic aura pouring out of her. But something feels off in her aether, something subtle, that you can’t really place. Maybe it’s a curse that’s missed its mark, or maybe something that happened a very long time ago and left its sign. Or it could be something more troubling that is deeply, carefully concealed. It would be impossible to say without investigating.

Or whatever your character’s hook is. I’m okay with bringing her to you if you can’t decide how to come to her.

OOC Notes:

I’d prefer to rp in chat, PMs, discord, Skype, whatever. I’m unlikely to participate in in-game rp at the moment, for reasons. I’d be game for RPing on a forum if you have a site you rp on. Otherwise I’m willing to go to your preferred chat service. Or we can just rp here on tumblr; that’s good too. Niqmepa’s on Coeurl, if that matters.

I’m not always the fastest RPer. I don’t require that you be fast either. My preferred pace for RP is that which is comfortable for all involved.

I get anxious sometimes. This can make it hard to begin. Given time, I’ll work my way through it. I might ask for your patience if I’m having trouble.

I’m not against romance in RP, but I prefer to rp that kind of thing with RPers I’ve known for a long time. It’s not like I never make exceptions, but I probably won’t be making any right now.

#ffxiv #ffxiv rp #ffxiv lfrp #lfrp #niqmepa #niqmepa character development #coeurl #coeurl rp #oc bio

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fourohfourrealitynotfound · 5 years

Text

Rear View Mirror

“When Eva told Dylan about her plan to take a two-day car ride to go off to college, they asked to tag along and make it a road trip.”

For the rest of her life, Eva kept this trip a secret. She never told anyone for fear that they would look at her in a different way when she explained how it ended.

TW Suicide, emotional abuse, and food are all mentioned in this short story. There’s also a moment where a non-binary character is deadnamed, but the deadname is written as a dash.

If you are going through suicidal thoughts, emotional abuse, or an eating disorder, please Google the appropriate hotline or support service. I and many others care about you, and we want you to get the help you need. Your life matters.

Read below the cut or on Wattpad.

When Eva told Dylan about her plan to take a two-day car ride to go off to college, they asked to tag along and make it a road trip.

The best friends had known each other for the better part of three years, but they never met in person. Eva vaguely remembered some Tumblr post about rubber ducks with knives that lead Dylan becoming her mutual. They eventually started messaging and then Skyping as they became friends. Eva was proud to include Dylan on her list of most reliable friends.

She didn’t know too much about their personal problems. She knew that their home life wasn’t the greatest, and that their parents were rather unsupportive and borderline emotionally abusive. Eva may not have known the full extent of the situation, but she was definitely happy that her best friend was getting out of there.

Dylan barely had to ask before Eva agreed to drive road trip with them. Secretly, she had been hoping that they would ask. What’s a better way to become closer friends than to be stuck in a moving vehicle with them for two days? So, when they asked to ride with her, she enthusiastically agreed.

Dylan’s house wasn’t in shambles, but it wasn’t a mansion, either. They lived in a neighborhood where all the houses were the same cookie-cutter box in different colors. The driveway lead to a one-car garage, and there was even a small front yard. Across the street, some little kids played with chalk and balls and scooters. The area was rather pleasant, in Eva’s opinion.

When she pulled up to the house, Eva double checked the number before sending them a text that she was there. A minute later, Dylan was hustling out of the house with a duffle bag slung over their shoulder. Eva got out of the car to open the trunk and give them a huge hug. “It’s nice to finally meet you!” she said.

”Same!” Dylan said, but with a slightly less enthusiastic tone. “Let’s just get out of here.” They shut the trunk and quickly got in the passenger seat. Eva noted Dylan’s nervous behavior, but she chalked it up to running away from their parents and meeting someone they’d only known through the internet. So, she let it go and joined Dylan in the car.

The first couple hours were a bit awkward. They attempted to make small talk, but it didn’t go well. Eva kept dancing around the subject of Dylan’s decision to leave home while Dylan ignored her questions and tried to talk about silly Tumblr posts. Eventually, they just lapsed into silence.

When they got back in the car after stopping at a gas station, Eva decided to play music so they wouldn’t have to suffer in a palpable silence. She hooked up her phone to her car’s radio speakers and let Dylan scroll through Spotify and play whatever they wanted. The first couple songs were enjoyed in silence. Eva then began to hum and then sing along, and soon they were both screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs.

The conversation stated with favorite bands before moving through favors movies, television, actors, and more. Talking became easier by the minute as the two found topics that they could comfortably agree upon. As they ran out of easy subjects, they moved on to political issues and moral debates.

As the conversation evolved, Eva began to feel more and more grateful that she had brought Dylan along. It looked like her plan of cementing their friendship would be successful after all.

When it was dark outside and Eva could barely keep her eyes open, Dylan suggested that they stop for the night. Not wanting to spend money on a hotel, the pair eventually decided to sleep in the car. They were lucky to find the parking lot of a recently shut down restaurant just a couple minutes after exiting the interstate.

Eva retrieved a couple blankets from the trunk and shower her companion how to recline their seat all the way back. They bid each other goodnight and turned to curl up facing the car doors.

After a few minutes of silence, Eva whispered, “Dylan? Are you awake?”

”Yeah,” they replied. “I can’t sleep.”

”Me either.”

”Why?” Dylan flipped over to face her.

Having heard them moving, Eva also turned over. “You first.”

”Ok,” Dylan started, taking a deep breath. “I’m thinking about my parents.”

Eva wanted to ask about why they were running away, but she restrained herself. “Do you miss them?”

”No, definitely not. I’m so glad that I’m leaving. The way they made comments about my appearance or my grades or the amount of time I spent on the internet... it was just so toxic. It felt like the descriptions you read about people who are bullied in school.”

Eva nodded. “Your parents shouldn’t make you feel like a victim.”

”Yeah. I didn’t realize that for the longest time, but when I did, it was like a light switched on in my brain. I don’t owe them anything. They can’t force me to stay while they are making comments that let my mental health deteriorate.

”Before you offered to let me come with you, I was in a really bad place . . .” They trailed off and took a few deep breaths. Eva noticed that their eyes were sparkling with held back tears. “My mind was thinking the darkest thoughts that someone could have. If you hadn’t messaged me when you did, I don’t know what I would have done.” At this point, Dylan’s breath was shaky and their voice was cracking.

”Hey, it’s ok,” Eva sat up and leaned across the parking break to give them a hug. “You’re here now. They can’t do anything to take you back. You’re free.” Dylan finally broke and sobbed into her neck.

They stayed like that for a long time, holding each from across the car. When Dylan finally calmed down, they both laid down and drifted off to sleep. It was comforting to both of them to know that they were safe with someone who had their back.

Eva woke up first, but she stayed laying down for a little while longer, letting Dylan sleep. Eventually, she gently shook them awake. “Hey, Dylan,” she whispered. “Put on your seatbelt so I can take us to breakfast.” They grumbled but complied, and soon Eva was driving to the nearest place with pancakes while Dylan continued to sleep.

Eva gently woke Dylan again when they arrived. Inside, the pair ordered a breakfast feast and chatted about their favorite foods, their favorite memories, their most nostalgic items, their most sentimental keepsakes. The conversation was light and filled with increased laughter as they consumed caffeine and woke up. They took their time and continued to chat, ordering more coffee as an excuse to stay. When their bellies were so full that they couldn’t possibly eat any more, Eva and Dylan returned to the car and continued their journey.

As they approached their destination, Eva and Dylan’s mood began to dim. The car fell into an uneasy silence that they didn’t bother to fill with music. Eva had spent nearly two days in the same car as Dylan, but she hadn’t grown tired of their presence. In fact, she grew more attached to her fiends. They would be living in the same city, but Eva didn’t want to say to them when they reached their destination. She already knew that she’d miss Dylan while living only ten minutes away.

When there was only twenty minutes of driving left, Eva exited the interstate to refuel at a gas station. The sun was beginning to touch the horizon when finished filling up the car. “Hey, I need to go to the restroom,” she told Dylan. “I’ll be right back.”

On her way back to the car, her phone rang for the first time in two days. The caller ID was Dylan, but that couldn’t be right. From where she was standing, Eva could see them sitting in the car and watching the distant sunset in the car’s mirrors. They must have left their phone at home, and it was probably one of their family members calling to ask where Dylan was. Not wanting to disturb them with a conversation about their family, Eva answered the phone still standing on the sidewalk in a few feet away from the car.

”Hello, is this Eva West?” The voice was masculine, most likely Dylan’s father.

She turned away from the car to face the sunset. “Yeah, that’s me.”

”Okay, good. I’m calling all of —‘s friends to inform them.”

She winced at the use of her friend’s deadname. “Inform us of what?” Eva tried to keep her voice neutral and not give away that she knew Dylan had run away from home and knew their exact location.

Dylan’s dad was silent for a moment, and then a shaking breath was drawn. “— is dead.”

That was weird. Dead, not missing? Perhaps they gave up on the search and declared them dead. “What . . . What do you mean?” Eva barely had to add any concern to her voice, because it was already creeping in.

“— committed . . . committed suicide a week ago.”

A week ago. A week ago was when Eva told Dylan that she was going to road trip to college. A week ago was when Dylan asked Eva to tag along on her road trip. A week ago was when Eva made the plan to road trip and become closer friends.

The hand holding up her phone was shaking violently. “I have to go. Thank you for telling me.” Eva hung up and then paused to take a few deep breaths. She whipped around to look at the car, not sure which version of what she would find terrified her more.

No one was in the car.

Eva stared at the empty passenger seat for a while, unable to comprehend what it meant. The world blurred as tears quickly pooled in her eyes. She somehow managed to get in the car before she completely broke down. Eva’s head rested on the steering wheel that she gripped with an iron-tight grip. Her sobs were loud and wet and heartbreaking.

Some time later, she calmed down enough to wipe her eyes. She fumbled in her jacket pocket and pulled out her phone, navigating to her text conversations and call list and Tumblr messages. All of the conversation that Eva remembered having with Dylan over the past week were gone. There was no evidence to prove that she had actually interacted with them.

Dylan was gone.

Eva leaned back in her seat and stared into the rear view mirror. Her eyes glazed over as she remembered her times with Dylan, the good and the bad and the great. She didn’t know if the past week had been hallucinations or a ghostly visit, but Eva was grateful to have some perceived interaction before Dylan left for good.

Her only regret was that she never got to tell them goodbye.

#writing #my writing #writeblr #ghost #best friends #road trip #food #suicide #emotional abuse

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maybeformepersonally · 5 years

Note

look I’m not saying you should write the boyband au but I am saying you should write some headcannons for the boyband au

okay so i don’t see daniel howell being part of a boyband, ever, no matter what teen magazines like to imply with their shiny cringy wowza edits, so i’m going with rock band instead. probably alternative rock with some interesting experimental twists thrown in, a little bit edgy but overall just really good bops with a wholesome message and a fresh, innovative sound.

now that’s been established, let’sa go:

1. phil is the lead singer because that man has a voice, but they all sing. phil learnt to play guitar when he was a kid, following in the footsteps of his cool older brother who he wanted to be like (with good reason, because martyn is awesome). he and martyn went to the same teacher, and it was with him that they also started to learn other instruments.

2. phil and martyn are close growing up, not in small part due to their shared love for music, and they played together all the time, making up melodies and later on whole songs. they started a band with some friends when they were teens, which broke up when a couple of them went off to uni. their second band broke off when martyn left for uni, but he missed it terribly, and so did phil. after a lot of contemplation and soul-searching they decide to go after a career in music. martyn changes his major, and when the time comes for phil, he chooses the royal northern college of music in manchester, and for the first time gets formal vocal training as well as a general musical background and the opportunity to perfect his guitar and cello skills.

3. dan’s love for music started with his dream of playing the piano. his parents sent him to private classes after he begged them for long enough that they realised he was serious about it, but they still told him he had to pay for it with his own pocket money, which he did. this was important to him. his teacher was a young, upbeat, classically trained student who was a bit disorganised, but every bit as passionate about her craft as dan would grow to be. she loved dan’s dedication, and was always patient and encouraging, and she was his main supporter when he decided to move to manchester to pursue music professionally (his parents were skeptical at first). he dabbled with other instruments, and later on would play some of them occasionally, but the piano would always be his first and everlasting love. dan is quick to love but he’s steadfast, and he’d be fortunate enough to choose well, every time.

4. dan and phil meet, of course, on the internet. phil creates a youtube channel at first because it was the best way to share his music with his brother and other friends, and soon learns he can use it as a sort of sounding board, since complete strangers can listen and comment, and there’s a small but active community of UK-based music creators there. he makes a few casual friends there, mostly people he won’t see again, or that he’ll talk to once or twice a year at most. the exception is one stunningly pretty boy from reading with the face of an angel and the piano skills of someone who made a deal with the devil, (and soft looking lips that phil can’t quite take his eyes off, and the most adorable dimples, and surprisingly defined collarbones that phil wanted to bite, but that was neither here nor there). phil notices his username because dan’s commented on several of phil’s videos, always positively, and some of his comments were really insightful. phil was not prepared, when he clicked on his username, to find the man behind the comments, but he was glad to. he binged the few videos dan had uploaded in under an hour then went back to rewatch and leave comments on them. the last comment he wrote offered an msn contact and an open and very enthusiastic offer to chat.

5. dan had a mini freak out when his youtube crush commented on every single one of his shitty videos, but despite his own insecurities, dan would not let this opportunity pass him by, so he contacted phil as requested. he was a tightly-wound bundle of nerves during that whole first chat (which lasted a lot longer than he would have thought), but he was also grinning from ear to ear the whole time. he may have screamed into his pillow after they finally called it a night, at almost 3 in the morning, too keyed up to actually go to sleep, but if so then no one could prove it.

6. dan and phil kept talking on msn for a while, as well as through other social media platforms (phil was the only person to consistently reach out when he was being dramatic and vague on twitter), then moved on to skype, and eventually, they met up in real life. they bonded over their love for music and even had a little improv session at phil’s house when dan went to visit. phil made up ridiculous lyrics for the songs and dan could not take his eyes off him the entire time, it was unfair how perfect he was, he thought. then phil started singing about meeting a boy named dan on the internet, and the things he sang were so sweet and flattering that it gave dan the final push he needed to dare to close the small distance and kiss him.

7. dan has to return home after only three days, but they have their next visit planned already, and they’re connected through the internet. they talk all the time, in fact, and dan starts filming and uploading more songs just so that phil gets to hear him play. dan starts writing more, inspired by these new feelings, and soon they’re collabing through skype, weaving melodies together, their styles jarringly different but surprisingly complementary.

8. dan gets to meet martyn on his fourth visit to phil’s. martyn had heard a lot about him, of course, since his little brother could not seem to shut up about him for longer than a few minutes (if that), and he’s seen dan’s videos (again, urged by phil), so when he finally got to meet the younger boy, he suggested they all jam together. martyn had never seen phil so happy as he was while playing with his two favourite people.

9. it becomes a thing. a tradition of sorts, that when they are all in the same place, they’ll improv together. dan and phil have been writing songs together, and phil and martyn never quite stopped doing so as well, but when all three of them play together they mostly ignore those in favour of trying out new sounds. by the time they start talking band names, they have more than enough songs for an album.

10. they amass an internet following, and soon enough local bars are too small for the crowds they attract, so they move on to other venues. dan and phil move in together, and somehow they’re still stuck on the honeymoon stage two years into their relationship, which is mostly cute except when martyn walks in on them furiously making out in the studio, or the tour bus, or their dressing room, or once at a hotel lobby’s bathroom. he teases them mercilessly about it.

11. their fanbase keeps growing steadily, and before they know it they’re releasing their third album, and one of their singles unexpectedly makes it to the top of the charts. suddenly, they’re getting invited to more interviews than they can actually go on, their album sales skyrocket, and they have to modify their tour plans to accommodate their newfound fame. it’s exhausting but exhilarating, for a few months it feels like they barely have time to breathe, much less compose new music, but somehow they still write a few new songs. it feels like everything is falling into place.

12. martyn meets and promptly falls in love with cornelia, a swedish singer who was booked to open for them on the european leg of their first world tour. she’s invited to travel with them the rest of the way, and phil finally gets to have his revenge for every time martyn poked fun at him for staring at dan too much, or for not being able to stop touching dan (innocent touches only, when martyn was around. but it’s true: phil doesn’t seem able to keep his hands to himself when dan is around, he’s always sitting close enough that their sides are touching, poking his dimple when he smiles, nudging his shoulder to call his attention, pretending to bite him when he teases phil, pushing him playfully when he makes fun of him.) and okay, phil is smitten, and it shows, but martyn is just as bad with cornelia, and soon enough dan joins in the gentle teasing.

13. cornelia becomes a fixture in their lives, part of the family, and she is warmly welcomed into the fold. dan has been an unofficial lester for a long time by this point, and now she becomes one as well.

14. cornelia sometimes features in a song or two, but she has her own thing going and isn’t actually interested in joining their band (they asked). she and phil harmonise beautifully, and whatever songs they release with her are always their most popular.

15. cornelia likes to take pictures of them and upload them to her social media accounts, which works out great for everyone involved because sometimes they can’t be bothered to post stuff themselves, and the band’s manager is insistent that they be more active on social media. This way she gets to gently poke fun at their boys, help them keep their manager off their backs, and do a public service to their fanbase, who can never have enough content.

16. this is one such picture.

#filisaceaf #phan au #band au #am i writing now #idek man #under a cut because it got long #if anyone wants to write this story or use these headcanons for anything you're more than welcome to!#please tag me if you do or send me an ask i'd love to see it

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likeshipsonthesea · 6 years

Note

The One With The Lesbian Wedding

First off, I’m sorry this is a year late, I am an asshole and apparently am procrastinating even things I like at this point, so that’s a thing. Secondly, I’m not sure if I’m meant to write the episode but with Samwell characters or if I can write anything that would fit with that title, but I’m doing the latter so I hope you enjoy. Thanks for the prompt!

This prompt is from this thing I reblogged, just so you know.

Also warnings for mild (REALLY MILD like almost imaginary) homophobia.

*~*~*

In mid-June the summer after Nursey’s softie year, Ransompicks him up from a train station in Massachusetts and they drive up to Mainein Ransom’s minivan with Holster, Lardo, Jack, and Shitty. Ransom drives, as noone knows how to touch his baby like he does (he says, to which Holster gagsat), and Lardo sits in the passenger seat, barking directions in a way that hasNursey nostalgic for mornings after away games when Lardo tried to get themaway from the waffle-maker at whatever hotel they’d stayed at before the busleft without them.

Jacksits next to Shitty in the middle and promptly falls asleep because he stayedup the entire night before coordinating his outfit with Bitty on Skype and only justmanaged to pack in time for take-off this morning. Shitty sits next to him, loudas all hell because he’s excited to have so many people he loves in the samecar with him, and Jack doesn’t even shift in his sleep because he has beenthrough war (i.e. owning a room next to Shitty’s) and won’t wake up foranything. Holster sits in the back with Nursey and the suits in their blackbags, hung up to keep from wrinkling. He alternates between yelling at Ransomto turn up the radio because the back speakers are shit and asking Nursey abouthis summer, to which Nursey gushes about being home with his moms and also hisburgeoning novel.

The drive to Maine is a little over six hours, and they’restuck in traffic for a bit until they get passed the Mass border and thenthere’s nothing except for shacks in the wilderness and the occasional maplesyrup shop until they reach the coast. Shitty manages to get one of thepassenger side windows down- which had been stuck for over a decade ever sinceRansom’s sister lost a lollipop stick down the side of it back when she waseight and Ransom’s mom owned the car- so the car is flooded with the scent ofsaltwater and warm sand, and it makes Nursey remember when Dex came home fromSpring Break and fell asleep on the Haus couch, and Nursey used him as apillow. He smelled like the sea then, and Nursey hopes that all of Maine smellsthat sweet.

“Bitty landed,” Jack says, sleepy, when they get across theborder into Maine. He’s blinking blearily, smiling, at his phone, and it’s theexact same look Bitty’s been giving his phone all year. Nursey wants to chirp himfor it, but Holster beats him to it, and anyway, Nursey’s moms have beenchirping him all summer for staring mushy-eyed at his phone whenever Dex textshim, and he tries not to be a hypocrite if he can help it.

“Whiskey and Tango are coming up together right?” Lardoasks from the front, painting her toes up against the dashboard. She didn’thave time before they left, but if she can paint on Shitty’s back as he giggledat the feel of the brushes she can damn well paint under any conditions.

“Yeah, their train comes in at three, so they’ll be there alittle after us,” Nursey says, as Tango texted him half an hour ago expoundingthe many wonders of an overnight train car. “Chowder and Farmer are sleepingoff jet lag at the hotel, and Ollie and Wicks are already there, too. They allsay the hotel rooms are sweet.”

“Ford got in last night,” Holster says, checking his phone.“Her mom was pestering her about meeting a cute bridesmaid at the wedding soshe moved her flight up.”

Nursey snorts. “Don’t think Poindexter’s relatives aregonna be down for that,” he says, which is mostly a joke but, well. He washesitant when Dex invited them all for his aunt’s wedding back in April,because he loves Dex and all (like, way too much, actually) but he knows Dex’sfamily probably isn’t the most… open minded? Like, he knows his queerness isn’timmediately known when he introduces himself, but his blackness is and hedoesn’t know what kind of bigoted Dex’s family is as of yet and he’s going withworst-case scenario of the buffet assortment of –isms, -ists, and phobias.

“I think she’s still doing long-distance with Cosette from LesMis, anyway,” Ransom pipes up.

Nursey grimaces. “Wasn’t that the girl who called the tubjuice “delightfully middle-class”?”

“Nah, that was Fastrada from Pippin.”

“She has got to stop dating those drama girls.” Lardosighs. She squints at her toes, now a delightful lilac color. She closes upher bottle and reaches for the top coat in the cup holder. “The Poindexterscan’t be too bad,” she says as she unscrews the top, “if Dex invited us all.”

“He said he invited us ‘cause his aunt wanted a biggerwedding than her sister,” Shitty says, a ranting look on his face.

Jack, thankfully, goes full-captain to cut Shitty off andsay, “It doesn’t matter. We’re guests and we have to be civil.” He says this asif he didn’t spend that whole fundraiser dinner Nursey’s frog year makingsubtle gay comments to one of the drunk donators who didn’t understand how a“gay school even had hockey”.

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Holster says, saluting lazily, andeveryone laughs amicably.

It’s only half an hour later when Siri announces, “Turn infive hundred feet, and the destination is on your right.” She brought them tothe hotel they’ll all be staying at. The service is at four and the receptionis in the same place, some fancy country club that Dex rolled his eyes aboutwhen he mentioned, so they have time before they have to leave. Nursey rentedhis own room, as everyone else had paired off (except for Ford who has insomniaand tends to like to have her own room) , so after they all check in they partways in the hallway and he enters his own room alone.

He takes a shower to wash off the ride up, and when he getsout of the shower he stops in front of the big mirror and wipes away the steam.He stares at himself in the mirror, the towel slung around his waist and hishair wet and dripping on his forehead. He channels Shitty. “You,” he says,pointing at his reflection, “are a sexy motherfucker. You will charm thePoindexters down to the tiniest old grandma, you will make Dex swoon, and you won’t get drunk on champagne and tellDex his face keeps you up at night.” He grimaces as he remembers that lastkegster before summer break. He doesn’t know what Ransom put in the tub juice,he only knows that that entire night was nothis fault.

He exits the bathroom and unzips his suit from itsencasing. He chose a simple dark grey one, nothing too expensive, with a lilacbutton down under it and a beautiful dark blue and silver patterned tie. Hethinks he looks damn good in in, if he does say so himself, and he dressescarefully, paying attention to all the little things his dad taught him aboutback in sixth grade when he had his first-ever dance and had to look good forMandy Scheckel, his little sixth-grade date. He does the fanciest tie-knot heknows, then undoes it and goes for casual, and then changes it two more timesbefore going back to the first one. He does his cufflinks, makes sure his beltis buckled nicely, even fiddles with his socks a little before he curses athimself and goes to do his hair.

After another half-hour in front of the mirror, he wondersabout putting on some makeup, nothing major just some highlighter and maybesome mascara, but decides against it ultimately. Dex is sure to have somecousins interested in makeup and he doesn’t want any of them ratting him out as“one of them queers” to the rest of the family.

He takes a few deep breaths and gives himself anotherpep-talk, this one more about how he can come home and cry later if he fucksthings up, but it isn’t as uplifting as the first for some reason. He leavessoon after that, taking his wallet and phone, seeing messages in the group chatabout meeting downstairs. Everyone has arrived and is ready, apparently, soNursey leaves his hotel room, meeting Shitty and Lardo in the hallway on theway to the elevator. Lardo is dressed in a pretty soft yellow dress, perfectfor summer, and in her heels she reaches just about Shitty’s chin. Shittyalways cleans up nice, even with his hair just a bit too long to be posh orrugged, and Nursey compliments him as they press the button for the lobby.

“That’s means a shitton of a lot coming from the fuckingsupermodel,” Shitty says, elbowing Nursey lightly in the side. “You lookfucking sw’awesome man, I can’t even with that shit.”

“Chill, Shits,” Nursey says, fidgeting a bit insheepishness. “You’ll make Lardo jealous.”

Lardo meets his eyes, dead serious, and says, “I’d leavehim for you in a heartbeat,” which means they’re all laughing as the elevatordoors open.

Everyone except Farmer and Chowder are in the lobbyalready, Bitty fretting at Jack’s tie and hair, Ollie and Wicks playing somegame on Wicks’ phone, and everybody else milling around talking. Tango perks upwhen he sees Nursey, getting up and coming over to give him a hug. “It’s greatto see you,” Tango says, eager like a puppy, and Nursey realizes how much he’smissed Tango’s energy.

“Same, bro,” he says, smiling, and he offers a fist-bump toWhiskey, who follows Tango around mostly like a guard dog, but the unassuming,probably not harmful kind. Whiskey accepts the bump and nods back.

“Nursey, you look wonderful,” Bitty says as he comes over.Nursey bends down to receive his hug.

“Same, Bits, nice tan.” Bitty pulls back and smiles, ahandful of freckles across his nose, and Nursey thinks that it’s ratherproblematic that just the presence of freckles makes Nursey even more attractedto Bitty.

“I have almost no tan lines,” Bitty says, proud, and Jacklooks like he’s choking from behind him. Bitty smirks, because he always knowswhat he’s doing. Nursey blanches because these are his hockey parents and no please don’t wanna know.

Farmer and Chowder come out from the elevator at thatmoment, a bit rumpled and breathless. Chowder greets everybody happily, huggingNursey because he’s the closest, and when they pull back Nursey gives him araised eyebrow. Chowder beams. “Farmer is downright beautiful in her dress,” hesays, not even apologetic about literally looking like he just had sex.

Nursey can forgive him, as Farmer does look gorgeous in hersoft green dress, and he tells her as much as he gives her a kiss on the cheekin greeting. “Thank you,” she says, breathless. “Chris didn’t wrinkle it, didhe?” She looks down at herself inquiring and Nursey relieves her of her worry.

“We should get going,” Lardo says, after everyone’s greetedone another long enough to satisfy.

“Who’s going in what car?” Ford asks, which is an importantquestion. Every car needs a designated driver and everyone needs to be matchedup with someone who’s probably going to leave at the same time so no one getsannoyed.

Nursey ends up back in the minivan with all the same peopleexcept for Jack, who goes with Ollie, Wicks, and Bitty in the car Ollie rented,because he’s a little older than everyone else in his year. Ford Ubers withFarmer and Chowder, so none of them have to abstain, and Tango and Whiskey taketheir own Uber for unknown reasons. They all reach the venue at about the sametime, and everyone in cars leaves them with the valet. The venue is awaterfront country-club-esque place. It’s very white, very flowy andpicturesque, and Nursey thinks it’s a beautiful place to get married, though hewas picturing more simple, going off his image of Dex. Though, he knows, justbecause Dex is plain and simple doesn’t mean his aunt is.

There’s a giant sign reading “Gallagher-Nhung Wedding” thatdirects them towards a doorway, and as they all move to follow its directions,Lardo says, mostly to herself but next to Nursey, “A Vietnamese guy.” Her voiceis unassuming, but Nursey knows what she means; they probably won’t have todeal with too many racists then.

“Why does it say Gallagher?” Tango asks, because he’s nevermet a question he didn’t ask.

“It’s Dex’s mom’s sister,” Chowder explains, holding thedoor for Farmer, then Jack and Bitty. “It’s his mom’s maiden name.”

When they’re all inside, they’re in a big room that looksback towards a deck with a water view and there’s an arching ceiling and somecouches spread around for people who have to wait. There’s a check-in deskwhere a woman in a vest with a nametag is talking to someone on the phone, anda spot above a fireplace’s mantelpiece displays sailing memorabilia. There are afew people milling about, one or two of them with red hair, so Nursey assumesthey’re in the right place. But they’re not so early that they should be theonly ones here, and Dex implied that it was a big wedding, so Nursey alsoassumes that there’s another place people are waiting.

General questioning murmurs ensue throughout the group,and Nursey is just about to suggest asking the woman at the desk for help whenhe sees Dex coming in through some double doors near the back of the room. He’sjust in a button-up light blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Hishair is a bit messy, and he looks frazzled and a little sweaty, possibly fromrunning around. He’s gorgeous, to put it simply, and Nursey’s breath hitches atseeing him for the first time in more than a month. His moms have been makingfun of him all summer for the way he walks about Dex and the way he reacts togetting Snapchats and texts from him, and he’s sure they’d roast him now forwhatever mushy look is on his face, but damn, Dex is pretty.

“Hey guys,” he greets them, out of breath. “The ceremony isout back on the water.” He rolls his eyes fondly. “My ma keeps saying that wewon’t be able to hear anything ‘cause the seagulls, but it should be niceanyway.” He shakes his head and takes a needed breath. “You can head on backand sit on the Gallagher side. There’s already a bunch of redheads there, youcan’t miss it.” This he says with a look to Nursey, who laughs despite himself.Dex smiles in response, so Nursey knows that’s what he was looking for, and hegrins once he mellows out.

“Sounds good, hun,” Bitty says, pulling Dex into a hug.“Everything alright? You seem winded.”

Dex hugs back, shaking his head. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just‘cause I’m the only guy in Cindy’s wedding party she’s been making me run aroundall over the place trying to find veils and bouquets and boutonnieres.” Hepulls back from the hug and gestures at himself. “I promise I won’t look likethis for the wedding. I managed to clean up somewhat.” He smiles,self-deprecating, and Nursey’s too busy wondering how he’s going to deal with aDex even more attractive than this one to protest. “Thank you guys so much forcoming. It means a lot.”

“Got your back, man,” Ransom says, grinning.

“Even at weddings.” Holster nods, solemnly.

Dex grins lopsidedly, a bit goofy and probably tired, andsays, “I love you guys.” Nursey wonders if he’s already dipped into thechampagne, or if maybe the wedding is just making him sentimental. Either way,everyone “aw’s” and crowds in for a big group hug.

“Will!” They all turn to see a red-headed woman, her hairup in intricate braids, wearing a long, white dress with beading andlacework all down it poking her head out of a doorway. She gestures with abouquet. “I need your help with my shoes! Nessa lost them!”

“Be right there!” Dex calls back. He turns to them with atired grin. “See you guys out there,” he says before turning and jogging off tojoin the woman, presumably Cindy, the bride, in whatever room she returned to.

“Well,” Bitty says, clapping his hands together, “shallwe?”

They all find their way to the back deck, which sits abovethe sand only barely, fairly close to the water. People have already filled agood portion of the seats, so the group takes the up the next unfilled row onthe right side, labeled the Gallagher side, and settles in. Nursey ends up withChowder on one side and Shitty on the other, and he fidgets a bit as he waits. Theceremony should be easy, as all he really has to do is be quiet and listen, buthe’s still kind of dreading the ceremony. Despite whatever he said to hisreflection in a fit of self-esteem boosting, he doesn’t know how charming thePoindexters is going to go. He assumes they’ll be too preoccupied with thebride herself to actually care about Nursey too much, but he still doesn’t wantto make a bad impression.

He’s being stupid, he knows, because it’s not like Dex isgoing to ever return his feelings anyway, and, even if by some miracle he did,he’d likely never introduce Nursey to his family as anything more than afriend. No offense to Dex or his relatives or anything, but going by how Dexacted when he first came to Samwell, his family is probably just asconservative and uncomfortable with ~the gays~ as Dex was. Nursey has no reasonto make a good impression, as he’ll probably never see any of Dex’s relativesever again, which makes his stomach drop just a bit despite himself.

Shitty must notice, as he’s always had a sixth-sense whenit comes to his friends’ shitty moods, because he looks over at Nursey with aquestioning frown. But before he can ask after Nursey, music starts up,announcing the beginning of the wedding party, and Nursey frowns, looking towardsthe altar. There the officiant stands, wearing the traditional garb of a priestand/or pastor (Nursey doesn’t know the technical term), but no groom. Where’sthe Nhung guy Aunt Cindy is marrying?

The wedding party starts coming, but they’re strange. Itchanges, but sometimes it’s a girl and a guy and sometimes it’s two girls ortwo guys, which is unlike any other wedding Nursey’s been to. Usually it’s agroomsman and a bridesmaid, but Cindy apparently mixed it up? Dex walks downthe aisle with a young Vietnamese girl on his arm, the pair of them lookingbeautiful and beaming. He looks great, now wearing a jacket and tie, even witha little boutonniere in his lapel. His eyes rove over the crowd, straying fromthe end of the aisle, and Nursey swears that Dex smiles when he meets Nursey’sgaze.

The wedding party ends with a single woman walking down theaisle, someone Nursey recognizes from Dex’s pictures as Dex’s mom. She must bethe matron of honor, though Nursey has no idea if the wedding processional isfollowing any kind of order. The ring bearer comes next, a little Vietnameseboy in a little suit, carrying a pillow in his hands, staring at the rings withan intense concentration, so much so that he nearly walks into a chair liningthe aisle. He must’ve been told to watch after the rings so he didn’t losethem, Nursey assumes. The boy is followed by a little girl in a flowered dress,holding a basket and dropping out flowers in clumps of wrinkled white petals.She goes and stands next to Dex when she’s done, beaming proudly.

Finally, the bride arrives on her father’s arm, grinningwithout restraint, and Nursey is still puzzled at where the groom couldpossibly be. Still, he watches her graceful descent down the aisle, her fathercrying by the time they reach the altar. He kisses her cheek before sittingdown in the one empty seat in the front row, and Cindy moves to stand at thealtar. Then her eyes widen and her grin mellows into a soft, breathtaking smileas she stares at something at the other end of the aisle, and Nursey turns tosee what she’s looking at and-

And it’s a Vietnamese woman, Nhung presumably, in abeautiful, simple white dress, holding a bouquet with the hand not curledaround her father’s elbow. It’s at that moment that Nursey realizes- it’s alesbian wedding.

*~*~*

The ceremony is beautiful, and everyone is cry-laughinghalfway through Cindy’s vows as she promises to only complain minimally aboutLisa’s (her bride’s) stinky feet until death do they part. When the ceremony isover, and the brides have run down the aisle (Cindy picking Lisa up halfwaydown it and carrying her the rest of the way) all of the guests stand up tomove to the reception area, which a kindly employee at the country club informsthem is “Just over there”. The Samwell group waits to let some of the elderfamily members go first, and Nursey sees on everyone’s faces the same thing hefeels; surprise.

Bitty is the first one to speak. “I-” he says, then stops.He shakes his head and smiles. “That wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“Me neither,” Chowder says brightly, tear stains on hischeeks. “But it was beautiful.”

Shitty shakes his head somberly. “Shame on us, brahs, forheteronormatively assuming that-” Lardo shuts him up by hitting him in theshoulder.

“I digged Cindy’s hair,” she says, nodding. “I need to findout who did it.”

“Those braids were mad pretty,” Ransom agrees, as hewatches YouTube hair tutorials to calm down sometimes when he’s stressed.

“We’d better get to the reception area,” Bitty says, asmost of the other guests have filtered out already. “Find our seats.”

They all start moving, but still Nursey is stuck in awe,staring at the altar at which two women were just married in the presence ofDex’s entire extended family and no one objected a bit. He can’t help butwonder, hope, wonder some more, and then conclude that he has to make a damngood impression, just in case.

*~*~*

The reception is sw’awesome. While the food is prepared,everyone is up on the dancefloor, moving along to an assortment of songs thatrange from dad rock to pop to country. Dex doesn’t get a chance to stop byagain to say hi, consumed by his numerous relatives, but Nursey doesn’t mind.He ends up dancing with a few of Dex’s cousins, and then slow dances with Fordafter the newlyweds’ first dance. When they all sit down for the appetizers,Dex is sat at their table, somehow, and talks with everyone around him, bubblyand happy and grinning. Nursey doesn’t get a chance to say much aside fromtelling him he walked funny as he went down the aisle (which he didn’t) towhich Dex laughed and leaned into Nursey’s side, which Nursey ended up smilingat his plate at for a while afterwards.

In between courses they dance, and they chat and drink andhave a merry time all around. The food is delicious, the music is good, and thecompany is great, and Nursey can’t even remember what he was so worried aboutwhen he and everyone else in the room are singing along to Call Me Maybe afterone of Dex’s younger cousins got ahold of the playlist.

After the Cha-Cha Slide, Nursey leaves the dancefloor to goget himself a drink (a Coke, as he told himself he wasn’t going to drink and hemeant it) and someone slides up nextto him at the bar. He turns and is surprised to see it’s Dex, grinning and abit out of breath from the dancing. “Hey,” he says, casual, as if Nurseydoesn’t want to grab him by his stupid ears and kiss the ever-loving shit outof him.

“Hey,” Nursey says back, chill, because he’s an idiot.

“Having a good time?” Dex asks, and at Nursey’s nod hesmiles, soft, and says, “Good, I hoped you would.”

Nursey raises his eyebrows. “Not all the guys? Just mepersonally?” It sounds flirty and he curses himself for making a fool ofhimself, but Dex just grins, his cheeks only a little pinker.

“Of course, Nurse.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s alwayspersonal with you.” Nursey knows it’s a chirp, but something about the way Dexsays it makes Nursey swallow hard.

“It wasn’t what I was expecting,” Nursey says, to changethe subject before he projectile word-vomits feelings all over Dex’s nicebutton up (he ditched the jacket after the appetizers, and lost the tie too, sonow his collar is undone and flashing freckled collarbone and is way too much). “But it’s really nice.”

Dex nods, motioning at the bartender for a drink he must’veordered already a few times tonight, because the bartender knows what he wantswithout asking. “Yeah, it’s a bit over the top, but Cindy wanted a betterwedding than her brother, my uncle Quinn, who is stewing in anger over in thecorner as aunt Abby laughs at him.”

Nursey debates it for a moment before saying, “That’s notwhat I meant,” because he is nothing if not an annoying catalyst to all of hisand Dex’s conversations.

Dex looks over at him, this time his eyebrows raised. “Youmean the gay thing?” Nursey just nods. Dex looks back at the bar, all thedrinks on display. Behind the shelves of drinks is a mirror and Nursey can seeDex’s reflection in it as he frowns a little. “It wasn’t great, in thebeginning. Cindy came out while she was at college and most of the familydidn’t know how to take it, at first. She’s the youngest of my mom’s siblings,except for Nessa, and Nessa’s always acted older than she was- anyway, she wasthe baby and everyone adored her, but they didn’t really understand?” Dexgrimaces for a second before his expression smooths out. “No one really talkedabout it for a few years, but then she brought Lisa home and told everyone theyhad to deal with or she wouldn’t ever come back again, and they did. No onewanted to lose her.”

“Everyone seemed fine today,” Nursey says lightly.

“Oh yeah.” Dex shakes his head, his expression returning toits earlier easiness. “Everyone’s fine now, really. A few of my cousins havecome out, and Dani even started transitioning last year, and everyone gets herpronouns right now, even when smashed.” Dex smiles a little. “Cindy started it,though. She made it okay.”

“You must be really proud of her,” Nursey says, smilingback.

“I was fifteen when she brought Lisa home. I just got myfirst boyfriend and I was terrified that I’d be disowned, then I found out mymom had been going to PFLAG meetings since Cindy’d come out to her a decadeearlier and I felt like an idiot.” He smiles, thanking the bartender as hehands Dex his drink. He takes a sip and turns to look at Nursey. “She’s mysuperhero.”

Nursey blinks, trying not to let his surprise at Dex’squeerness show on his face. He remembers his moms talking, sometimes, aboutwhat it was like when they came out to their families, how it took time toadjust and how some people never did, and he’s grateful for everything theygave him, especially the environment in which his coming out consisted ofsaying “I think Buffy is cute, but not as cute as Angel” at the dinner table ona random day he doesn’t really remember.

He looks at Dex, the pride in his smile and slant of hisshoulders and how comfortable he looks with himself in that moment, and hewants to tell Dex how much he loves him.

But Chowder comes up behind them in that moment, throwinghis arms over their shoulders and informing them that they’re about to cut thecake, and Nursey doesn’t get the chance.

*~*~*

The reception winds down a little earlier than Nurseyexpected, but the younger guests are getting tired and it did start early.Everyone at the table is getting ready to go, except for Whiskey and Tango wholeft twenty minutes ago when Tango got too tipsy to form full questions. Nurseypulls on his suit jacket, wishing he could stay longer to try and get somealone time with Dex, when the devil himself shows up to see them all off.

Dex makes his way around the group, hugging and kissing andthanking them for coming, and he finally gets to Nursey at the very end. Hehugs Nursey close, unexpectedly so, and all Nursey can do is nod dumbly inresponse to Dex asking, in his ear, “Want me to drive you back to the hotel?”Dex says he’ll be back, he just has to say goodnight to the brides, and thenhe’s gone in a whirlwind, leaving Nursey to speculate on why Dex could possiblywant to drive him back to the hotel alone.

He begs off when Lardo tells Nursey they’re leaving, butshe doesn’t ask why, just gives him a knowing look that Nursey hopes means thathe’s right, this means something. Dexcomes back ten minutes later with his keys and a blush, and he leads Nursey outto the parking lot. Dex brings him to a rusting blue pickup that Nursey has seenin Snapchats the past two summers and he gets into the passenger side with asmile.

It’s a stick-shift and watching Dex maneuver it makes hismouth go dry, which is fine because they don’t talk the whole way there. Dexknows the way to the hotel without directions and Nursey is silent, watchingDex drive and wondering about improbable implications. They reach the hotelsoon enough that the silence doesn’t become awkward and Dex parks and turns offthe engine. He turns to Nursey and asks, “Can I come up for a minute? I wantto- talk.”

Nurseynods, so Dex follows him out of the truck and into the hotel lobby. Nurseyfeels his heart start racing as the implications become more and more probablewith every step Dex takes behind him as they get into the elevator. He fidgetsin place after he presses the button for his floor and the doors close. Theystill don’t say anything as they reach Nursey’s floor, not as they reach hisroom and Nursey opens the door, not even as the door to the hotel room shutsclosed behind them and they’re left standing in the hallway, quiet andthrumming with anticipation.

“I’m not-” Dex pauses. “I’m not good with words like youare so I’m just going to-to do it and if I’m wrong we’ll deal with it later, okay?”Before Nursey can reply, Dex is in his space, cupping Nursey’s jaw so carefullywith one hand, and pressing their mouths together. Nursey hums, devastatedinstantly with just that one press of lips, and grips at Dex’s suit jacket totry and stay grounded. Dex pulls back for a fraction of a second and re-slotstheir lips together and it’s perfect, it’s warmth and comfort and coming homeand everything he’s been waiting for, and then Dex parts his lips and Nursey isgone.

He loses himself in it, the give and take, the smooth skinof Dex’s lips and the calluses of his hand rough against Nursey’s cheek, the absolute needNursey has for the soft sounds Dex keeps muffling in Nursey’s mouth. They kissand keep kissing until Nursey forgets what it was like before Dex’s lips wereon his and he hopes he never has to remember again, and it’s then that Dexpulls back, breathing hard with his forehead against Nursey’s, and Nursey hasto figure out how to breathe again.

“I love you,” he says, the second he has enough air in hislungs, because his mama has always said he’s an impulsive boy. “I know it’s toomuch, but I do, and fuck please never stop kissing me.” He curls his fingers inDex’s jacket tighter, pulling him impossibly closer.

“I won’t,” Dex says, and kisses the corner of Nursey’smouth. “I promise, I won’t.”

“God, we’re so gay,” Nursey says, laughing against Dex’scheek, and Dex bursts into surprised laughter, leaning even further intoNursey, and somehow they end up hugging each other, laughing like idiots, justlike that.

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philthevaliant-stuff · 6 years

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Steven Universe So Far: One Sentence Summaries For Each Episode! [The Way I Saw It At Least] (Post-April and Pre-May Episodes Edition)

Thankfully, my Crohn’s flare-up hasn’t truly stopped me from updating the one-sentence summary episode guide to Steven Universe before next week! But it’s gotten so long that I’ve had to put a ‘Read More’ link to save your dashboard from overloading! :P

Gem Glow: His first episode. Laser Light Cannon: Amethyst loves being used as ammo. Cheeseburger Backpack: Now available to buy online! Together Breakfast: His first Memetic Mutation. Frybo: Steven defies Broadcast Standards and Practices. Cat Fingers: WOMP WOMP. Bubble Buddies: A ship sails. Serious Steven: Strawberry Fields Forever. Tiger Millionaire: Better than John Cena, that’s for sure. Steven’s Lion: A companionship is formed. Arcade Mania: Meat Beat Mania too much for the UK, apparently. Giant Woman: His first encounter with a fusion. So Many Birthdays: In which Rebecca Sugar reveals her diabolical plan to make everyone watching cry their eyes out for the first time. Lars and the Cool Kids: Whatever you do, DON’T insult Steven’s mum! Onion Trade: In which everyone begins making theories about Onion being the actual Big Bad of the franchise. Steven the Sword Fighter: “Where there’s life, there’s…..” Lion 2: The Movie: Lion is a well-behaved movie patron. Beach Party: Garnet fails at telling lies. Rose’s Room: Nightmare fuel comes as standard. Coach Steven: The song will never get out of your head. Joking Victim: His first work experience session. Steven and the Stevens: Steven makes the Time Lords cry. Monster Buddies: Sponsored by CHAAAAPS potato crisps. An Indirect Kiss: The ship travels at a fine lick. Mirror Gem: Where the franchise changes course and becomes a drama. Ocean Gem: His first close encounter with other Gems. House Guest: Healing spit, we hardly knew ye. Space Race: Ground control to Major Tom, your circuits’ dead, there’s something wrong. Secret Team: Sssh, Secret Team! Island Adventure: Makes the Steven/Connie ship look like a raft. Keep Beach City Weird: At least we got to talk with Ronaldo afterwards, even though he wasn’t prepared for it in hindsight. Fusion Cuisine: Steven gets into the biggest amount of trouble yet. Garnet’s Universe: Estelle works that microphone for ten minutes. Watermelon Steven: His first business deal. Lion 3: Straight to Video: Pass the tissues. Warp Tour: The Dorito debuts. Alone Together: The ship reaches maximum speed. The Test: Time to cry your eyes out again, fans! Future Vision: Wild Beedrill appeared! On the Run: Amethyst makes the Crystal Gems guilty and the fanbase cry. Horror Club: Or ‘Do You Want Fries With That Doughnut?’ Winter Forecast: The ship gains an icebreaker. Maximum Capacity: Amethyst unintentionally causes controversy. Marble Madness: The Dorito debates with Steven. Rose’s Scabbard: You can fit any piece of music with the final scene. Open Book: Cartoon Network buggers up continuity and Rose’s Room makes the situation worse. Shirt Club: Steven gets away with referencing the Kennedy assassination. Story for Steven: His origin story. The Message: Steven inspires a Youtube musician. Political Power: MAY-OR DEW-EY! Say Uncle: Uncle Grandpa tries to inject one last bout of comedy into the show before it all goes down, only to divide the fanbase in his attempt. The Return: “It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for…” Jail Break: His final stand.

Full Disclosure: The ship steers through jagged rocks. Joy Ride: The Dorito’s driving vehicle is discovered. Love Letters: A mailman wishes to become Garnet’s American Boy. Reformed: “Physician, heal thyself.” Sworn to the Sword: The ship gets equipped. Rising Tides, Crashing Skies: Or ‘Keep Beach City Weird: The Animated Series’. Keeping it Together: The Dorito disturbs Garnet. We Need to Talk: Pearl’s salty 90s period. Chille Tid: So disturbing a Hiatus had to be reinstated. We Are the Crystal Gems [1/6]: The National Anthem of Steven Universe Lovers. What Are Gems? [2/6]: In which Steven becomes even more cuter in chibi form. How Are Gems Made? [3/6]: Amethyst debunks dozens of fan theories in one lecture. Fusion [4/6]: "The Answer" in ballet form. Unboxing [5/6]: His first TubeTube video. Lion Loves to Fit in a Box [6/6]: Beach City gets hit by the cat video bug. Cry for Help: The Dorito distributes dissension in the ranks….or does she? Keystone Motel: A handy guide to understanding an autistic person’s mindset, so I discovered. Onion Friend: In which everyone begins making MORE theories about Onion being the actual Big Bad of the franchise. Historical Friction: Jamie provides the fanbase with ideas on how to make an “Ember Island Players” version of the show. Friend Ship: The Dorito dislikes dusty old Gem tech. Nightmare Hospital: The ship’s secrets are brought to light. Sadie’s Song: Steven becomes increasingly popular on Tumblr for a week, and makes Cartoon Network history at the same time. Catch and Release: The Dorito comes out of her chip-based shell. When it Rains: Peridot panics over precarious precipitation. Back to the Barn: Peridot and Pearl pettifog, pummel, and pacify. Too Far: Peridot practically plows predicaments into a Hiatus. The Answer: Ruby, Sapphire, and Garnet's origin stories. Steven's Birthday: The ship departs after refueling [OR: The reason Steven had his own week-long event]. It Could've Been Great: The Turning Point of Steven Quartz Universe. Message Received: Steven rocks the hoodie look. Log Date 7 15 2: Peridot's player gets pawned and perused.

Super Watermelon Island: In which Cartoon Network UK cocks up big time and completely spoils the episode for everyone else. Gem Drill: Our cinnamon roll journeys to the center of the Earth. Same Old World: Steven can show you the world...! Barn Mates: I always wear a leak on St. David's Day! Hit the Diamond: Romance in the Outfield. Steven Floats: It does exactly what it says on the tin. Drop Beat Dad: Such an important event, even the Crewniverse had to check it out! Mr. Greg: His first musical [OR: Pearl's salty-tearful reconciliation]. Too Short to Ride: If you know where to look, you can actually Cheep Peridot right now! The New Lars: Matthew Moy makes up for lost time. Beach City Drift: The ship gains the ability to run on land [OR: Ronaldo auditions for Top Gear]. Restaurant Wars: Ronaldo is finally accepted by (a vast majority of) the fanbase. Kiki's Pizza Delivery Service: Steven uses up his pun quota for the season. Monster Reunion: Leaked from the servers, still sponsored by CHAAAAPS potato crisps. Alone at Sea: No fish were harmed during the making of this episode. Greg the Babysitter: "Meh." Gem Hunt: The ship survives the wilderness. Crack the Whip: "Stop, you're making me giddy...!" Steven vs. Amethyst: Pearl makes good use of traditional seaside shops. Bismuth, Part 1: Rainbow is the new Gem. [OR: His 100th episode!] Bismuth, Part 2: Vengeance is an old vice. Beta: Bow ties are cool! Earthlings: Two heads are better than one, but all bets are off when you and your co-worker's jobs are to protect episodes from being leaked. Back to the Moon: On the moon, no one can hear a thousand Tumblr moms scream. Bubbled: In space, no one can hear a thousand Tumblr moms cry.

Kindergarten Kid: Corruptius Geminius vs. Doritus Clodius Know Your Fusion: Smoky Quartz and Sardonyx take over the Network from the Titans for 11 minutes. Buddy's Book: Jamie's fledgling theatrical career begins to pay off. Mindful Education: Two months' worth of summer adventures finally take their toll on the ship. Future Boy Zoltron: Featuring Neil Gaiman in a role you won't see coming! Last One Out of Beach City: Pearl attempts to roleplay a popular AU version of herself. [OR: Pearl's salty night out] Onion Gang: We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun, but the wine and the song, like the seasons, have all gone. Cooking With Lion [1/5]: "But, Your Honor, he stole my act!" - Francis Gem Karaoke [2/5]: All singing, no crying. Steven Reacts [3/5]: Even Steven can't stand Hiatuses! Video Chat [4/5]: Skype Chats Between Gems. Steven Song Time [5/5]: Or "Summer of Steven: Epilogue" Gem Harvest, Part 1: Steven ditches his Knife for a common or garden Trowel. Gem Harvest, Part 2: Steven and Lapis take to the air and some Steventhusiasts take to petitioning Mr. Enter for an Animated Atrocity entry. Three Gems & a Baby: Peace and goodwill to all Steventhusiasts, and love for the cinnamon roll... Steven's Dream: Three days into 2017 and the entire Stevenbomb gets leaked - that's gotta be a record! Adventures in Light Distortion: The Shorty Squad gets two new members. Gem Heist: Steven is obviously a Mysterious Cities of Gold fan. The Zoo: Ronaldo's not so stupid now, is he, Steventhusiasts!? That Will Be All: Blue and Yellow make Green melodies. The New Crystal Gems: Connie helps to promote the second wave of Funko Pop vinyl figures. Storm in the Room: "Why don't you ask her yourself?" Rocknaldo: In which it's beddy-bye-bo's time for (a vast majority of) Ronaldo's fanbase. Tiger Philanthropist: Tiger Millionaire raises his fists, Purple Puma raises the roof, and Lars raises up a stink! Room for Ruby: Lapis and Peridot regret not watching "The Wrong Trousers" the night before. Lion 4: Alternate Ending: This episode not being leaked in the first place is the actual alternate ending! Doug Out: In which the thoughts of a Super Mario/Steven Universe crossover game that never will be make this blogger cry to sleep. The Good Lars: Jenny plays a mean melodia. Are You My Dad?: We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all we love each other! I Am My Mom: There's nothing I could do, a total eclipse of the heart.

Stuck Together: Forever's gonna start tonight. The Trial: TEAR DOWN THE WALL!!! Off Colors: Every now and then Lars gets a little bit tired of listening to the sound of his tears. Lars' Head: Every now and then we get a little bit terrified of Hiatuses, and then we see the look in the show's eyes! Dewey Wins: As the ship sinks, Steven learns the definition of the word 'Repercussion'. [OR: Not actually a repeat of 'Off Colors' this time!] Raising the Barn: Onion sets his stakes high by cornering the agricultural market. Gemcation: Steven projects his angst, Pearl projects her hatred of reptiles, and Ronaldo projects his voice. Back to the Kindergarten: The Shorty Squad get their Ground Force on! Sadie Killer: Steven is a bad, bad boy, apparently. Kevin Party: Rebecca Sugar finds some inspiration for her next story meeting, but can the ship be salvaged in time? [OR: I don't care what you say, Steven doesn't look anything like that boy from Aberdale!] Steven's Secret Rap Career: His first official/unofficial fan video. [OR: The franchise transcends cultdom, thanks to MKatwood.] Lars of the Stars: In which the next Gem to debut has a little Chaos in her. [OR: As 2018 gets under way, the fans petition for a Captain Lars miniseries.] Jungle Moon: Stevonnie gets caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom. Your Mother and Mine: Garnet wipes out the canonicity of every Steventhusiast's theories and fan media in a matter of minutes. The Big Show: Pearl misses an opportunity to visit Empire City with Steven. Pool Hopping: Square Mom spends some quality time with her favourite cinnamon roll. Letters to Lars: It may be all change, but the next batch of episodes will still be released the good ol' fashioned Stevenbomb way!

#steven universe #all in good jest i assure you #look how far we've come

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