philza minecraft but owl
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Chain of Events
word count: 2500
pairing: andy barber x female reader
warnings: cheating, age gap, some profanity.
request: can i request a andy barber x fem!reader where the reader is his asisstant and his secret mistress (in mid 20s) which she always stick by his side and help him through jacob's trail. after the trail he divorced w laurie and they got marry and have a baby girl please!! thank you!!
a/n: sorry for the wait! i hope you enjoy lovely! ngl this really fueled my love for andy. 
please excuse any mistakes!
It wasn’t something you were proud of. Something that had started off as a night with a few innocent drinks paved the way for a never ending cycle. At times you felt dirty and awful, yet that didn’t stop you from going to see him every other night. Even when you had the slightest feeling that Laurie had a hunch, it didn’t stop you. Especially when things got dark for Andy, you were the one to hold him close and not his wife. It felt so right although extremely wrong all at the same time.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
Currently, you were sitting in your apartment bed, spending your Friday night a bit differently than most. Rain gushed from the sky and rhythmically hit your bedroom window which you were spaced out on, many thoughts running through your mind and a glass of wine occasionally hitting your lips. Using your free hand you softly ran your fingers through the mop of hair that belonged to Andy who was passed out in your lap. His breathing was even and it did your heart good to see him so peaceful for once. Just two hours ago, he called you, sounding so broken and vulnerable which was out of the ordinary for Andy. The minute you answered the door, he flung himself at you and held you tight, whispering repeatedly “don’t leave me, please.”
It absolutely tore you to pieces to hear him say that and you were quick to reassure him that it wasn’t even possible. You then lead him to the bedroom to ask what had happened.
“Is everything alright? Talk to me, Andy.” You placed a set of his pajamas into his hands but not without a pleading look in your eyes when meeting his own sullen ones.
“Laurie’s adamant it’s him, but (y/n)-” Placing a finger on his lips, you hushed him.
“I know, I know. You just have to ignore it okay? Laurie is just,” Pausing, you chose your next words wisely, “having a hard time with it all. Everyone copes differently.”
He sadly nodded before standing to kiss your forehead and make his way to the bathroom to get changed and cleaned up a bit.
The two of you continued to chat about Jacob’s trial once Andy returned from the bathroom, and he confided in you in many ways more than one. You’d never seen Andy so open, even with yourself, and clearly it helped him quite a bit as he was now relaxed.
Time had flown and amongst your thoughts, one stood out to you in particular. When would Laurie start to question where he was? Andy always had some bullshit excuse ready to give her and would then tell you that it would be alright. Normally, before you had time to truly convince yourself, Andy’s lips would be on yours or his hands would caress you gently and you’d melt into him as did your cares. Except for now.
The two had just gotten into a huge fight and you were sure Andy hadn’t even thought twice about telling her where he was going. Even if he did, Laurie would surely be on the lookout for his return.
Carefully reaching over to your nightstand, you grabbed your phone to check the time and noticed that it was getting late.
“Andy? My love, when do you have to go home?” You leaned down to whisper to the sleeping man who groaned in return.
You repeated his name once more, this time slightly shaking his shoulder to which he rolled onto his back, a goofy grin on his lips as he looked up at you. “Well hello, honey.”
From Andy’s point of view, you peered down at him like a disappointed mother but with a faint smile upon her lips at her child’s goofiness.
“Nice of you to join me, sleeping beauty. I was wondering what time you had to get home. It’s starting to rain more heavily and Laurie-”
Andy sat up and turned himself so he’d be sitting shoulder to shoulder with you. Silently, he took your empty wine glass from your hand, leaning to place it on your nightstand. As he did so, he didn’t let go of your wrist, which he brought to his lips when he returned to face you.
Murmuring against your wrist, he started to place soft and delicate kisses to the smooth skin there. “Don’t worry about it. I told her I’d be back tomorrow morning.”
“But Andy, she knows you don’t have anywhere to stay.” You didn’t want to exactly say “Hey! Andy, you have no friends and your wife knows that!” but it was implied in a kinder way. Andy picked up on this, clearly deflecting when he just nodded in response and started to place more kisses up your forearm.
Letting out a frustrated “hmph,” you let Andy carry on before he victoriously smiled at you.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
The vicious cycle went on throughout the course of Jacob’s trial as things between Andy and his wife got worse. Even though they both lived under the same roof, slept in the same bed, and put on a facade for Jacob, they were practically separated. One night Andy drunkenly showed up on your doorstep, confessing how he had come home to find Laurie with another man. In a fit of rage he let the cat out of the bag that he had been seeing you. Funny how things work.
You knew they were both wrong, so instead of shaming either one of them, you just let Andy cling to you for comfort. When Andy was drunk, he was like a big child and if the circumstances were different, you’d been laughing, but rather you soothingly rubbed his back and listened as that’s all he needed. Someone who would just listen.
At three in the morning, he most definitely needed you as well when you found his head in the bowl of the toilet and not sleepily nestled in your neck. (Which was ironic as the two of you would be switching places very soon.)
Christmas came quick and along with it, many miracles, one being that Jacob was not convicted.
Just as Andy was in a rush to tell you the news, Laurie was even faster to serve the divorce papers to him. In a relationship, you and your partner are supposed to be able to push through tough times without breaking. With that being said, Andy and Laurie mutually agreed that they had failed and it was time they both quit lying to themselves. It was time for real happiness.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
“(y/n) meet me at our favorite restaurant in thirty minutes.”
You were working on some case files for Neil, despite your hatred for him, and tried to tell Andy that you were busy at the moment. He didn’t listen but continued to insist that you meet him there. His tone wasn’t demanding, but it was...excited? Surely, Andy had been excited over things in his life, but you’d never actually heard the usually emotionless man speak with such ardor.
Setting down the case files, you rushed to put on some real pants and a blouse, but nothing too fancy or flashy as you had no idea what was about to happen.
When you arrived at the restaurant, Andy happily flagged you over. He wore the biggest smile ever and you were borderline concerned. What could have him this happy? Was he getting back with Laurie? As much as you wanted them to be a functioning family, you weren’t sure if you could deal with such heartbreak because Andy really did feel like the one.
Ever the gentleman, Andy pulled out your chair and handed you a small bouquet as you sat in the wooden seat. Before he walked away, the man planted a smack of a kiss on your lips and hurried back to his seat since he saw the waiter out of the corner of his eye. As the waiter approached, you were just sitting there, the most shocked expression on your face as it settled within you what Andy had just done. Long ago when this whole fiasco began, you and Andy always kept it professional when out in public because so many people knew him and word could get out easily that he was cheating.
The minute the waiter left, you were quick to chastise Andy who just laughed as if it were the funniest thing in the world which left you a bit angered.
Since the restaurant was quiet, you extended yourself across the table so Andy could hear your harsh muttering.
“Do you realize what you just did, Barber?!” Andy shook his head in a content manner and at this point steam was about to emerge from your ears. Before all hell could break loose and you go ballistic, Andy cut in to explain.
“Jacob, he’s a free man!” Andy looked at you with an awaiting smile and your face immediately softened, but for only a second as that didn’t explain why he was parading your relationship out like this. Didn’t he know what he was risking, not only for himself, but you.
Your counterpart noticed the sudden change of expression on your face and continued, “But among other things, I meant to tell you that Laurie and I got divorced recently.”
“Oh hon, I am so sorry.” Reaching across the table, you comfortingly ran your thumb over the back of his hand, but he just shook his head in detest.
“No no, it’s not a bad thing because it just opened the gateway for this,” Andy pulled his hand away and went to dig in his coat pocket. You thought to yourself, no he couldn’t be-
“(y/n), I’m gonna make this short, but sweet. You mean the world to me and I could spend all night listing off why I love you, but that will never do justice, so instead, I ask that you make me the happiest man alive, and marry me?”
His cliche, yet utterly adorable speech could make a person’s heart melt and instantly say yes, but you’ve always been a thinker, and maybe Andy had accounted for that a bit in his proposal.
“Andrew! You just got divorced!” In a semi-whisper slash hiss, you bent over so only he could hear, hiding your words from the prying onlookers as if you had top secret info spilling from your lips.
“I know, but, (y/n), you are the one.” He looked a bit awkward being on his knee for so long and the ring box still patiently in hand as you processed his question. Nonetheless, Andy continued to hopefully smile at you, ignoring all of the whispers, until you excitedly replied “yes” just a mere second later, though it felt like ages for him.
This proposal was definitely gonna be a story for generations.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
You and Andy settled for a simple courthouse wedding with just your parents in attendance as witnesses. The two of you were never really used to flaunting your relationship, and even though you could now, it just wasn’t ideal. Besides, you had bigger things to worry about.
For example, when just a few weeks after your short-lived honeymoon, you noticed some changes and came to the conclusion that you were pregnant.
One night, you casually brought up the idea of more kids to Andy to test the waters.
“Hey love, you awake?”
Andy lifted his eyes from his book, no longer looking as if he was asleep. He nodded his head and set the book aside giving you his full attention.
“What’s up, gorgeous?”
“I was thinking… what if we were to have a kid. Would you be opposed to that?”
The reaction on Andy’s face was most definitely not the one in mind and he looked as if you had asked him the most appalling question on earth.
“(y/n), I love kids,” He chuckled a bit, “I thought I made that clear, you know, by being a dad and all.”
His lame attempt at making a “joke” eased your nerves and you just came straightforward with the gold.
“Andy, I think I am pregnant.”
And faster than a predator can pounce, Andy was on you in seconds, his arms hugging you close as he whispered words of excitement.
༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺
Nine months later and that statement was very true as you held a bundle of joy in your arms. Your hours numb in pain couldn't even be compared to the gift that was before you. Andy could hardly keep his hands off your stomach for the past few months and he never failed to speak to your daughter as if she was actually there. Now that her presence was finally in the world, Andy was yet to look away from her small figure and his smile hadn’t withered the slightest.
The nurse had stepped out a few minutes ago, giving both you and Andy some time and privacy with your newborn. Even though drowsiness overcame your body, you visibly forced yourself awake just to absorb all the time you could with her. Little ones grow up in a flash and you weren't going to miss a second if it was up to you.
Andy joined you in the hospital bed when you silently invited him in with a soft pat to the crinkly sheets. Once he snuggled up against your side, you carefully passed the little baby who was about to have her first contact with her father.
As Andy played with her mini hands, you sleepily rested your head on his broad shoulder, watching the two and already figuring out that they’d be lifelong friends.
“They always say with age comes wiseness, but darlin’, your momma gives that phrase a run for its money.”
You giggled at your husband’s words and propped up the little darling the smallest bit so she could “see” you and her dad.
“Don’t listen to Daddy, munchkin. The grey in his beard says otherwise.”
“Hey! I’m not that old, I was still able to knock-” Backhanding Andy’s leg caused him to dramatically cut his sentence short. There were plenty of years for him to taint your daughter’s innocence.
As you observed the two, you noticed Andy gazed at her as if she hung the moon and stars for him, a familiar look he often gave you. Possibly from the lack of energy or just being enamored with the interaction, a sweet tear slipped from your own eye. Upon closer inspection, one could see that a subtle tear fell from the man beside you.
If Andrew Stephen Barber had known all those years ago he’d be here with a second chance at life, he would’ve never even waited another second to be with you. It’s funny how life can send you down the most twisted paths, yet have you come out with the most precious of gifts.
taglist: @memissbee @tricereads @buckybarnesthehotshot @bval-1 @tonystankschild @just-one-ordinary-fangirl @turtoix @kelbabyblue @jakiki94 @aubreeskailynn @calirindo @lady-elena-adeline @siriuslyslyslytherin @sushiinmidnight @patzammit @iwik3it
a/n: what did you guys think? it feels like ages since i’ve written anything, and I am sure you can tell haha
if you are new here, check out my masterlist at the top of my blog for more Andy Barber (and Chris Evans characters) writing. I’d link it but tumblr always tag blocks me :(
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In a Sweet Sunshower
AO3 Link
summary: He Who Brings Rain and The One Who Shines Bright are siblings. It’s fitting that there’s a sunshower during one of the campaigns when their legions team up.
a/n: a few things about Tatooine Slave Culture in this is borrowed from fialleril here on tumblr, so all rights go to them for that. except for the sunshower thing, i came up with it while driving and wrote this as fast as i could and actually kind of proud of the concept ngl. fun fact! zariza’s name mean ‘gold, brilliantly bright’ in hebrew so obviously it means something similar here in this star wars universe.
There’s an old phenomenon, here on Tatooine – from thousands and thousands of years ago back when this place wasn’t all dirt and sand – where the suns shone high in the sky, and voluminous clouds did little to darken the earth below, and rain fell from them, soaking the life on the ground.
It never lasted long, a few or so minutes at most, but it always happened during the hottest season of the year. It was said to be a beautiful sight to behold. The down pouring rain and the bright shining suns, together. Apparently it looked like liquid gold.
Everyone called it a sunshower. All of the Depur took it as a sign for there to be tricksters coming their way. Some of the Amavikka said that it was a sign of hope from one of the ancient prophets – Ekkreth, or Maru, or Tena, or Ebra – or even Ar-Amu to the slaves.
But most said that during it was when slaves became Free for good.
…We haven’t had rain in ages.
Zariza huffs and grimaces. Every single part of her is sweaty and sticky, and the humidity of this planet’s region might actually end up being the death of her. No, not the droids they fought earlier, or the damn Separatists, or even a stray blaster bolt. But the humidity. She knows that hate isn’t a good thing for a Jedi to feel, but she hates it, through and through. The air feels suffocating – the exact opposite of what it should be – and makes the heat of the sun feel hotter than it actually is.
It’s horrible. She says as much to her Jedi Master.
“Yes, humidity does make what we’re doing harder. Unnecessarily so,” Mace agrees, sounding less annoyed and tired than his padawan but Zariza can hear the edge of the emotions in his voice. He isn’t fairing so well in this weather, either.
At least the battle is over. Now they just have to clean up everything.
The leaders of the planet had asked for clean up help once the fighting had ended and they had verbally agreed to officially join the Republic. Of course the 187th and 501st easily promised they would do so. Neither of the legions have somewhere important to be, except for maybe Coruscant or a High Council meeting, and so here they are. Sweating their asses off in the humid heat that somehow feels like a murder attempt.
“Take a break if you need it, Zariza – I don’t want you overworking yourself in this heat. It could be dangerous,” Mace says after a few more moments. Then to Commander Ponds, “Same goes for all of the one-eighty-seventh, Commander. Take as many breaks as you need.”
Zariza sees Ponds nod out of the corner of her eyes, followed by, “Yes sir, General. Lieutenant Spite and a medic squad are collecting bottles of water and setting up tents for shade. I’ve heard that the five-oh-first are doing the same as they work as well.”
“Good.”
Wiping her brow with the bare skin of her bicep, Zariza is glad that she had the foresight to leave her black cloak and outer tunic on the venator-ship. She now only wears the black boots, leggings, and the sleeveless white under tunic, which is now stained with dirt and a few specks of blood but she could hardly care. The troopers did earlier, though, especially at the beginning of the fight – lack of armor meant danger but Zariza wasn’t about to give herself a heatstroke. She at least still wore the braces for her forearms, and the chest plate that she has since taken off.
One of the troopers – Mayhem, she recognizes the armor – hands her a container of water hardly ten minutes later. She smiles gratefully at him and takes it, taking a few sips, and then hands it back. He caps the container, clips it on his belt, and they both get back to work cleaning broken droid parts and other various debris from the fight. Mayhem never strays too far from her. Zariza might have been annoyed by it if she didn’t know that he’s looking out for her.
On the other side of the large area that had been used a battle field against Seppie droids, are the 501st – her brother included. Like her, he has darker robes than the usual Jedi, and had also foregone the outer tunics because of the planet’s heat before battle started. Zariza won’t be surprised if he’s currently completely shirtless by now – a risk for a sunburn, no doubt, with skin much paler than her own, but that’s his problem. She also knows for a fact that Ahsoka is wearing the tube top outfit she wore constantly before Anakin corralled her into wearing something more covering, a few pieces of armor included, just a month ago.
Hell, even Master Mace Windu is shirtless right now, the weirdness of it be damned. Some troopers have started to disappear regularly, leaving in full gear, only to pop up again with the top half of their blacks and armor gone.
Yeah. Humidity karking sucks.
Needing a break, Zariza leans against a lone tree nearby. She can feel the Living Force flowing through it and focuses on that as she catches her breath. Mayhem spots her and brings her more water without question.
“Thanks,” she sighs, and takes another sip.
Mayhem nods, undoing a second bottle from his belt, right next to where his helmet it clipped. He’s shirtless just like many of his brothers, curly hair frizzy as hell. “You’re welcome, sir,” he says. Once he’s had a few sips of his own, he asks, “How much is left in there?”
She shakes it, and shrugs. “Half, maybe?”
He nods again. “I’ll go back to one of the tents and refill it for you soon.”
She smiles thankfully. “Don’t forget to get yourself some.”
Mayhem chuckles. “Of course not, sir.”
After taking another drink, she hands it back just like before. But she doesn’t move to get back to work just yet. Master Mace nudges her in their bond, asking if she’s okay, and she tiredly pokes back to confirm that she is, all the while eying what’s left of the field to clean up. They’re getting there, but it looks like it will take forever. At least Anakin, Ahsoka, and the 501st are tackling the other half; and they’re getting closer, slowly but surely.
Her eyes flit up to the sky, and she spots grey clouds nearby. But, ugh – they aren’t close enough for them to get rained on.
It causes a frown to tug on her lips. A pout, if she wants to be honest about it.
Mayhem chuckles for a second time, more amused than before. “Finally saw the clouds, huh, verd’ika?”
Another trooper nearby stops and looks as well. A wounded noise escape them. “It’s so close but so damn far,” they say, forlorn. What a Force-damned mood.
“This humidity will be the death of me,” Zariza mumbles.
“That’s not happening on our watch,” they say, firm yet exhausted, the sadness about the clouds suddenly gone.
“Damn straight,” Mayhem agrees.
She can only groan.
Once Zariza has rested for a good few minutes, she stands up straight again, but instead of getting to work, she unties the knot of the yellow bandana at the nape of her neck. The wild, dark waves of her hair are no doubt frizzy and wilder than ever; earlier she was positive that she felt the waves grow in size because of the friz and the humidity, and she honestly doesn’t want to know what she looks like because of it. Quickly, she works on putting her long hair into a nerftail and ties it with the bandana.
What feels like ages later, the planet’s sun is beginning to finally lower in the sky and the 187th has done most of their half of the battle field. Through the bond, Zariza can tell Anakin is close by yet she stays lying on the ground, taking yet another much needed break. The clouds are closer, too. Yet still no rain.
The sound of boots crunching the dry, summer grass as someone walks gets closer and louder, up until the person stops right at Zariza’s head, casting a shadow over her. She blinks and tilts her chin to get a better look at who it is despite already having a pretty good guess. Anakin stands over her, sweaty and shirtless, with red tinting his shoulders, chest, and nose. His dirty blond hair is matted with sweat and it sticks to his forehead and the nape of his neck, a few of the short curls frizzed up, and his face is contorted into a scowl.
“I cannot believe I’m saying this,” he says, “but I miss Tatooine’s dry heat.”
“Agreed,” she grunts.
Anakin huffs and steps to her side. He then sticks out his flesh hand, and Zariza forces herself to sit up so she can grab it. He pulls her to her feet and almost immediately lets go once he’s sure she’s balanced well. The humid heat has made the brother-sister who hug every time they see each other, want to not be touching another body in any way for the foreseeable future.
Anakin runs a hand through his hair, grimaces at the sweat, and wipes it on his pants. Disgusting. “Been drinking enough water?” he asks.
She sighs. “Yep. You?”
“Yep.”
“Ahsoka?”
“Yep.” A beat. “Master Windu?”
She almost says ‘yep’ again, but decides not to. “Yeah, him too. Don’t worry.” She smirks. It’s no secret that before Master Mace took her as his padawan, that Anakin couldn’t stand the man. The feeling might have been mutual, but honestly Zariza doesn’t know and doesn’t care to. For now.
Anakin just rolls his eyes and flips her off, walking off to help Captain Rex and a few more guys of Torrent Company.
Ahsoka comes up to her a second later. The younger teen doesn’t say anything, and neither does Zariza. Usually energetic and happy to get her to know her Master’s little sister better, the heat has zapped the togruta of most of her energy. So in silence, they work together on a particularly large piece of debris, and then immediately head to the nearest tent for some much needed shade. Breaks are becoming more frequent, and Zariza thinks that maybe she will have to stop helping if they don’t finish up cleaning soon.
Anakin is already in the tent, along with Master Mace, Captain Rex, and Commander Ponds by the time the girls get there, and the two padawans wave a short greeting to the men before beelining where other troopers are giving out fresh water.
It’s when one of the Boys In Blue (as the GAR has started calling the 501st) hands them both a fresh container when it happens.
The sound of rain pelting the top of the tent makes everyone freeze. It’s obviously still sunny, but that doesn’t stop Zariza or any of the others to turn to check for themselves. And it is – no clouds directly above them at all – yet the rain is falling down, gradually increasing to a steady downpour. She blinks a few times and inches closer to the edge of the tent, and hardly a second later Anakin is at her side, looking out as well, mouth parted in shock.
“A sunshower,” Anakin whispers.
Zariza numbly nods.
Her mind conjures up a faint memory of being told of a phenomenon from hundreds of thousands of years ago on Tatooine. Of sunshine and rain, together. Of liquid gold. Of tricksters visiting Depur. Of a sign of hope to slaves, or a celebration for the Freed.
It doesn’t look completely like liquid gold like Amu’s tales said, but it was close to it. It’s still beautiful. A stunning phenomenon that neither Anakin nor Zariza believed they would ever get to see.
“They don’t last long,” she finds herself saying.
The Skywalkers turn their heads in unison to look at one another. Matching grins of excitement and mischief form, and without any prompting Zariza is taking off into the rain almost as fast as a blaster bolt, Anakin hot on her heels.
Zariza jumps into an already formed puddle. It’s right next to one of the 501st troopers, Jesse, and it splashes him. Zariza may or may not have used to Froce to make the splash bigger, but that doesn’t exactly matter. Just that there’s a sunshower, that her and her brother are both Free, and there’s a fucking sunshower and it’s amazing!
Jesse lunges at her, wanting to retaliate for getting splashed at, but she slips away easily with loud laughter.
From him, anyway – Anakin catches her a second later with water from a puddle cupped in his hands. He promptly dumps it over her head with laughter of his own, then misses up her hair just for the heck of it.
“Wha– ugh, Anakin!”
“Tag, you’re it!” he shouts, as if they’re eight and twelve again in the Room of a Thousand Fountains instead of sixteen and twenty in the middle of a field post-battle.
Zariza gapes at him, but it quickly turns into grins and she chases after him without a second thought.
It doesn’t take long for Ahsoka to join, or even for the troopers. Within seconds, there’s a large game of tag, troopers splashing in puddles, and almost everyone running in the rain with the sun shining down on them, laughter ringing out into the open and so much Light seeping into the Force that Mace can’t help but shove his Commander into the rain as well.
…Yes, we haven’t had rain in thousands upon thousands of years.
But it is said that one day, when the twin suns shine hotly over Tatooine, that clouds will form once again yet they will not obscure the twins from sight, and a downpour of rain will wash over everyone.
All the slaves will be Free, and Depur will no longer have power over us.
We will have a sunshower once more.
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Update
Gonna try a new thing. I've seen these weekly updates from other writeblrs and it appeals to me because I can blather about writing or lack of writing (if it's been one of Those weeks), I can also include anything else I want, and it's a manageable goal to have for a start.
Tentatively breaking it up into writing, reading OR watching, real life (if applicable), and possibly excerpt (again, if applicable).
So! (Warning: This is long. I seriously babble like nothing else.)
Currently Writing
Absent That Night (tagged: WIP: ATN)
wordcount: no clue, it's all on my phone and I've been writing scenes I'd previously written snippets for, so it's a mash-up. (Which reminds me I need to back it all up at least onto my computer.)
Proud of the short summary I did for my pinned post, so repeating it here:
Agent Latrell has been chasing the thief known as Nox for more than three years; but when bodies start turning up at his crime scenes, he’s the only one who believes Nox isn’t responsible. Unfortunately, he’s also the only other suspect. In order to clear his name, he’s going to have to find the real killer; and the only way to do that is to team up with a criminal who, it turns out, he knows absolutely nothing about.
still love love LOVING this WIP. I've got pages and pages of notes, and it is probably getting a wee bit too complex with subplots and suspects etc, but I'm an overwriter anyway so if I end up with a 200k word draft then shrug. More to work with
dunno if I mentioned or just thought it was obvious because I know it so well, but it has an enemies/rivals-to-allies(lovers?) (sub?)plot. So I've been pulling out a lot of threads there
technically I'm up to about halfway between the catalyst and break into two. Definitely not hardcore plotting but I do have an idea of the beats I wanna follow in the back of my head
Nox is still a fucking mess. I should probably stop piling trauma onto him, poor guy
my favourite creation this week is Mark Gault, who is a secondary/minor character who is amazing in every way. He is both essentially a ruthless mercenary and the "I LOVE MY WIFE" guy. (I also keep calling him Grant, instead of Mark, because he's actually the father of a character who first appears in Phase Two of CASCADE. (!!!))
basically happy with how it's all going this week. Regular writing is getting the juices flowing and it's easier to come up with ideas even when I've only got a vague notion of what is supposed to happen in the scene.
guys i am such an overwriter this is ridiculous please send help this scene was supposed to be like 2.5k total and it's turned into 4-5 scenes and is like 10k long dear god--
Currently Reading
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater, book three of the Raven Cycle
I have not just jumped in at book three of a series, I have read the previous two.
in the last week.
I've read eleven books in the last five weeks, so that's... something.
they have all been thrillers except for this series. (And also Girl One, which despite being marketed as a thriller was definitively NOT a thriller. Which, yes, I should've guessed from the tag line, but I'm still mad about it.)
I am in love with the prose. It feels similar to mine, but Better, and I have been unconsciously mimicking it.
(which may be a problem when I finish it and am still writing ATN, but that is an issue for Future Pockets)
ngl I was not a fan of the way the first book ended. Not only did I have to reread the final line multiple times in order to even begin to grasp it, but I kinda think it's a dick move to end on a cliffhanger, even for an established author and clear indications this was gonna be a series
(but you bought the next book, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU??)
very very much enjoying the series, to be concise (ha!). Love the characters and it's all pretty tightly paced. The overarching series arc kiiinda maybe feels a bit slow/irrelevant, and some of the motivations annoy me, but I keep reminding myself it's YA in which the motivations are in character, so
not far into this one yet but so far so good
I wrote this earlier this week and since have begun thinking the series arc is becoming more relevant, but am reserving judgement. Reading slower with work and reading but still enjoying it all
Real Life
continues to be mostly a pain in the ass. Apps in for a second job, research on next year ongoing
update: may have the dream second job, basically waiting for confirmation (fingers crossed!)
one of my housemates is the literal devil, although even that is being quite kind to her. The nice one is moving out because of it. People keep asking how I've lived in this house for three years. I have no answer.
enjoying writing time in evenings and feeling mentally pretty good thanks to exercise
Excerpt
Long, nearly 900 words, but a favourite of recent pieces and also something I coincidentally wrote today. Nox and Latrell's third meeting, when Latrell is still, uh... resistant to the idea of working with him:
"Why me?" Not at all the way Latrell had intended to phrase it, but he couldn't take it back. He continued, quickly, instead, jumbled thoughts pouring out of his mouth. "Surely that's the least you can give me. You come to me and ask me to fucking help you after you've made the last three months of my life living hell, you can at least fucking tell me why the fuck that is. You owe me that much. I'm not letting you fucking walk away until you fucking answer me that."
Nox was silent for a long moment. He ran a calculating gaze up and down Latrell, as if searching for something; it wasn't apparent whether or not he'd found it when he said, softly, "And if I don't?"
Latrell was abruptly very aware of the weight of the handcuffs in his back pocket. He would have to move quickly. There was every possibility Nox would see this coming, especially if he'd been arrested before. But Latrell was quietly confident. He inched his hand back, keeping it subtle, eyes on Nox's face.
"In that case," he said, as evenly as he could. His fingertips brushed warm metal. "Perhaps we should try something--"
Everything went white.
For a moment Latrell thought he'd somehow lost consciousness; that he'd underestimated Nox's affinity for violence, that the man had punched him or otherwise managed to incapacitate him without otherwise moving. Then it occurred to him that he was still thinking, which essentially took unconsciousness off the table, and he realised, vaguely, that it was an illusion.
It was very, very convincing.
The entire world was an endless expanse of emptiness. Utterly, absolutely white, a whiteness that could not and should not exist. Latrell was overcome by a sensation of falling, of plummeting into nothingness; he had to concentrate to feel his feet still on the ground, to know he was still upright. He had nothing to orient himself. There was no up, no down, no left or right. Just that endless expanse of a lack of colour. He was hanging in nothingness, or everything.
"You forget who you are dealing with, Agent."
Latrell swallowed down nausea. Nox's voice came from startlingly close, the sound of it somehow wrong, which objectively he knew came from the fact that his brain was convinced it should sound small and insubstantial in this endless void but it sounded normal because he was actually still standing in the alley. It was academic knowledge only. He still felt like he was tipping or falling or rising, weightless and disoriented. He had no voice, no ability to open his mouth.
Experimentally he tried to take a step. He couldn't lift his foot off the ground. Physically, he was sure he could -- he could still twitch his fingers, if he thought about it -- but his mind was convinced that there was nothing to step away from, nothing to step onto. Just nothing, nothing, nothing. A brightness that wasn't a light, a void constructed of the pieces between atoms.
Nox's voice came from his other side this time. "I have attempted to do this civilly, but there are other options."
It was a struggle to concentrate on his words, close as they were. Latrell tried to narrow his focus to only sound, tried to ignore the nothingness he was suspended in, tried to tell himself it was all an illusion. Just something Nox wanted him to see. The Orn, threaded through his eyes or brain or soul, acting upon Nox's orders.
It didn't help. He was still in freefall.
"Do not," Nox's voice came, a bare whisper in his ear, breath brushing Latrell's neck, "Presume to test me."
Abruptly the white disappeared. Latrell was back in the alley, trying to adjust to the change of light, trying to find where Nox had gone. Turning his head made the ground roil beneath him and he staggered, utterly disoriented.
Fingers closed around his forearm, steadying him, and Latrell looked up to find Nox inches away.
"Easy, Agent," he purred. His smile was more a baring of his teeth.
Latrell wrenched away from him, staggering until his back connected with a comfortingly solid wall. He was dizzy, brain still adjusting to reality, but he managed to straighten his spine and set his shoulders. He kept his hands in front of him. In Nox's view.
"Do we have an understanding?" Nox said, still silky and low.
"Screw you," Latrell said, voice faint and alien.
Nox's smirk sharpened. "I thought so. Lovely chat, Agent Latrell." He sauntered past where Latrell stayed pressed against the wall, hesitated at the corner of the alley. "Keep up the good work."
He stepped forward and disappeared from view.
Latrell's breath left him in a rush and he doubled over, bracing himself on his knees. His head still spun, the unpleasant sensation he'd come to expect from vertigo. The backs of his eyelids were painted with a stark blank white. Every time he blinked he was engulfed.
It was far beyond any illusion he'd ever experienced. It was approaching the type he'd only ever read about in scientific articles.
You forget who you are dealing with, Agent.
Perhaps he had. But this assault supplied more than a reminder.
It also provided a piece of the puzzle.
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𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐊 𝟎𝟎𝟏 / 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐒:
full name : draco lucius malfoy
label : the boy with no choice
nicknames : people mostly refer to him by his last name , only very few people refer to him by his actual first name.
birthday : june 5th , 1980
birth place : great britain
gender : cismale
sexual orientation : unsure
occupation : hogwarts student
alignment: the neutrals
𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑:
blood status : pureblood ( sacred 28 )
house : slytherin
wand : 10″ , hawthorn , unicorn hair
boggart : disappointment from his family. later it would shift to the image of their death , somehow draco’s fault.
patronus: draco hasn’t learned the patronus charm , but even if he did he would not be able to conjure a corporeal patronus since he lacks the happy memories to do so.
pets : an owl by the name of tyto
moral alignment : neutral / in the past he would be considered more lawful neutral , but now he’s still trying to figure out his place & is aligned as simply neutral.
tarot card : ( test here ) : the moon
goals / desires : freedom from his family’s expectations , to be someone who can think & feel freely.
𝐏𝐇𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋:
height : 5′11″
weight : 181 lbs
eye color : gray
hair color : silver - blond
clothing style : dark attire , mostly dresses elegantly in button downs & slacks. he always has an enchanted wristwatch on his left wrist , similar to the weasley family clock , but instead it’s used to keep track of his class schedule.
left handed or right handed : right
distinguishing features : his pale hair that marks him as a malfoy , along with a striking jawline & piercing gray eyes.
tattoos or scars : no tattoos , a minor scar on his forearm from buckbeak ( which by the way , he’s still salty about ) , & a few other minor ones along his arms & legs from playing quidditch.
𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘:
parents : lucius & narcissa malfoy
siblings : n / a.
children : n / a.
𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄:
book : draco is partial to potions & will spend his spare time studying many various potions outside the class level he’s currently at. however , he’ll occassionally pick up a fictional book when in the library. his favorites are mysteries , such as sherlock holmes ( even though it revolves around muggles , & to him are completely ridiculous )
movie : although he does know what a movie is , he’s never actually seen one himself. muggle items have always been forbidden to him. if he had , it’d probably be some some cheesy comedy or something.
food : pumpkin pasties
flower : belladonna
season : winter.
animal : fox
memory : his first time entering the hogwarts castle.
𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓:
cats or dogs : cats
mornings or nights : nights
war or love : in front of his family & certain friends , he’d claim war. However , he hates the thought of it & would take love any day.
smoke or drink : drink
coffee or tea ? coffee
writing or reading ? reading
𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
death eater coming back : he’s not particularly fond , especially with him living with one. draco is uneasy about it all , & is afraid for the day when he’ll most likely be expected to become one himself.
enemies coming back : he’s a fan of the idea , especially voldemort. he wants a simple life , one where he doesn’t have to hide underneath a mask , & voldemort ( or any enemies , really ) would be a threat to that.
loved ones coming back : he’s indifferent , mostly because he hasn’t lost anyone that was close to him.
love at first sight : he thinks it’s a ridiculous notion , something the muggles came up with surely. he can’t imagine just looking at someone & being in love , he has to get to know a person first.
one true love / someone you will always love : again , he’s not sure if the idea of only having ‘one true love’ , but it’s a nice idea. draco believes there’s not just one person designed specifically to be with one person.
𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒:
what is their family history like ? how does it affect them ? how do they feel about their family ? how does their family feel about them ?
the malfoy family tree is quite long , & full of history. the malfoys are part of the sacred 28 , & take pride of the fact. draco adores his mother , however him & his father have a more strained relationship. he wants to believe that his family has the best in mind for him , but worries that they’ll force him to take the dark mark.
who were their first love and do they feel the same now as they did then ?
his first love was a ravenclaw girl a few years ahead of him. obviously he did nothing to win her affection , & after she graduated he was glad he didn’t. he obviously has moved on since then.
do they believe that a person can redeem themselves from mistakes of the past ?
he wants to believe , mostly for himself , however his insecurity causes him to doubt it’s possible.
what scares them ?
war , death , loss of freedom & control.
how do they feel about death ? have they been significantly affected by it ?
he hasn’t known anyone personally who died , except for some distant relatives. however , cedric’s death did affect him , flipping a switch & making him realize that his life doesn’t feel quite like his anymore.
what is one thing in their past they’re ashamed of ? one thing they’re proud of ?
he’s ashamed of being so harsh with certain peers of his. however , he’s proud of his grades , & becoming a prefect.
pride , envy , gluttony , lust , anger , greed and sloth. if your character was a seven deadly sin , what would they be and why ?
pride , due to his history of bullying because of his “superiority” , that’s all thanks to his family name.
what is their goal ?
security & survival mostly , it’s why he acts the way he does. he wants to make sure his status remains.
do they believe voldemort is back ?
his father hasn’t mentioned anything about the subject , & draco hasn’t asked. but yes , he believes he is back & that his father was present when it happened.
𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄:
lyrics that describes your character best :
❛ might go to hell & there ain't no stopping
might be a sinner & i might be a saint
i'd like to be proud but somehow i'm ashamed. ❜
- r.i.p. to my youth by the neighborhood
quotes that your character lives by :
❛ don't ever stop believing in your own transformation. it is still happening even on days you may not realize it or feel like it. ❜
❛ the key to happiness - or that even more desired thing , calmness - lies not in always thinking happy thoughts. no. that is impossible. no mind on earth with any kind of intelligence could spend a lifetime enjoying only happy thoughts. they key is in accepting your thoughts , all of them , even the bad ones. accept thoughts , but don't become them. ❜
❛ if life were predictable it would cease to be life , & be without flavor. ❜
fictional characters that your character can relate to : ( ngl this was rlly hard )
.fitzwilliam darcy - pride & prejudice ( rich , arrogant , & unapproachable )
theodore ❛ laurie ❜ laurence - little women ( wealthy , moody , & bored , who wants to travel a different path from his parents )
holden caulfield - catcher in the rye ( struggles with family , class expectations , & seeks escape )
people who have changed your character’s life immensely :
his parents , lord voldemort , & professor severus snape
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Reputation Tour Movie: Reactions
On the off chance anyone has wanted to know what it’s like to deal with my commentary when I will not shut the fuck up, click that read more to get my Reputation Movie commentary!
Opening
- Taylor is the most extra bitch. I love her.
- Opening video still gives me chills
...Ready For It?
- The strobe lights make this as sometimes irritating to watch as it was live. Which is a pity because I love the performance.
I Did Something Bad
- Will idsb ever not give me chills and murder me?
- I want her to bite me when she snarls
- Her hips. The idiot giraffe is blessed.
- Her vocals
- Fuck Me Up
- The most precious happiest koala😭
- (spots a rep room wristband) lucky bitch
Gorgeous
- I’m So disappointed a step above gorgeous being gorgeous didn’t get immortalized in the tour video
- The assholes (I say out of jealousy) with the triangles. Why didn’t we think of that!
- “And I’m Taylor” Bitch I hope so. I spend so much on your ass.
- Stop looking like that Taylor it makes me feel things
Style
- I get why style made the set list and love the songs but justice for ootw
- That guitar riff gives me ALL THE FEELS
- yes bitch strut! Thank you Karlie Kloss
Love Story
- Aww all the throwback and legacy feels
- Is it legal not to jump during this song?
- Boop.
- “I keep waiting for you but you never cum” is probably not a problem Taylor has. On either end.
You Belong With Me
- (proceeds to bounce in place because Taylor owns me)
- The parent holding up her daughter is Kristen in the future
Look What You Made Me Do
- The lwymmd pre video is my sexuality
- I want murderess snake queen Taylor to end. my. life.
- Would let her choke me
- I’m the bitch mouthing oh my god
- This is my favourite part of the tour ngl
- THAT SMIRK
- side note: also remember when we thought it was a dragon and not a snake?
- She really snapped and killed a bitch with this song
- THE INTENSITY WENT OFF AND HOW IS PIT NOT LOSING THEIR SHIT
- like mosh or something fuckers
- KARYN!
- I weirdly love the back vocals she recorded for lwymmd. The short “ah”s really make it
- The sass
- A queen
- I’m so gay
- This is why I’m doomed with whoever I date
End Game
- The disappointment Ed never guested on the tour
- The choreo for this is 🔥
- I mean all of it is but her hips
- Her legs are worth every penny of 40 million
- The hand over the face bit is an objectively weird closing move
King Of My Heart
- How do we actually make her America’s queen
- This is the softest song
- I stan komh so hard
- Like I love delicate but this is just as soft. Softer even
- I love I’m getting to see the other half of the choreo because we sat on the left side each time
- Up on the roof with a school girl crush / Drinking beer out of plastic cups / Say you fancy me not fancy stuff / BABY ALL IT ONCE THIS IS ENOUGH
- This is the closest we’ve come to a poc love interest in anything she’s filmed. Except the End Game MV sort of.
- We didn’t stan the dancers hard enough
- The drums made this tbh
Delicate
- Oh gods I’m not ready for the delicate speech
- I’m the dude who screamed he loved her
- Bless the rainbow dress
- “Shit is that what is was on my wrist? I thought her stalker and taylurking ways had just finally gone to tracking bracelets.”
- (knock at the door) Me, pausing: umm I blocked out this entire 2 hours for our lorde and saviour Taylor Swift???
- (Scott Swift voice) I’m going back into my zone
- The lights are so pretty. No wonder Taylor loves the bracelets
- Bitch we know your unreleased stuff
- Do let’s go/battle as a surprise song and be shook
- 1! 2! 3! LET’S GO BITCH!
- Can you believe she flew right over us
- That little dance. She’s so fucking precious
Shake It Off
- B stage. Remember how she gave invisible to the gays
- And finally played breath
- The only redeeming thing for shake it off is that she made it as gay as she could
-I still wanna know what inspired “my ex man brought his new girlfriend...to the fella over there with the hella good hair” bit
- What did Di do? And who did Taylor hit on? Or is Karlie the one with the hella good hair?
- Giuseppe got down on one knee long before Karlie ever will
Dancing With Our Hands Tied
- How smug was Taylor when her jump to pop worked?
- There must have been so many I told you so’s
- It started raining. The closest I’ll ever come to a rain show.
- I can’t believe she played this song in Nashville with Karlie right there and kept her shit together
- Taylor’s never more magical then when it’s just her and a guitar
- I would give anything and go deep in debt to go to an acoustic show
- This filter was unnecessary and such a call out
- She had one fuck left and it’s name is alliterative
All Too Well
- I hope she keeps doing acoustic surprise songs like this next tour. Where it’s a set thing.
- I’m so relieved she approves of lyric tattoos. Like....imagine if she didn’t and I have my entire forearm
- Put down your fucking phones and watch her be magic personified
- Also fuck this song for being so powerful
- The way she sings the bridge
- Now did she really lose the 12 minute version or is it just a little too obvious who it’s about
- Her wink! I’d die
- Is that chick okay? Did she live?
Blank Space
- The crowd walk! I’m still so so fucking endlessly proud
- Look at her!
- My precious angel reclaiming walking through her fans
- How the fuck are these people not dying tho?
- Still want her to hit me in the face with the golf club
- And kick me in the face with her boots
- This is also still my favourite mv
- It was so perfect
- This is also quality choreo. I wouldn’t have made it had it seen it right in front of me
- Gay icons
Dress
- Holy fuck dress is so gay
- Like.....we been knew but still
- This song is why she didn’t dare film in Nashville
- The vocals should be illegal
- Like, they’re NSFL (Not Safe For Lesbians)
- The first time she did that (strip tease thing) and the Nashville show were the best ones
Should Have Said No / Bad Blood
- This is still the most fucking random mash up
- I mean it works and redeems bad blood but wtf
- The person sitting on someone else’s shoulders has to really be pissing off someone else who can’t see
- Aggressive banjo
- Can’t believe she puts on a show and sells like this and Borschetta wouldn’t give her the masters. Idiot
- The dudes dangling are braver than any US Marine
- Instead she negotiated for better artist pay AND her future masters. The Legend jumped out
- I remember watching this the first time and being briefly confused because this sort of drawn out thing is what they normally do for show closing but it was too early
Don’t Blame Me
- Oh fuck here we go
- THIS IS MY FAVOURITE TOUR OUTFIT
- PERIOD
- ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES
- this entire fucking performance. No words
- I love all the dude dancers had the blinders like headgear. As if such powerful sapphic love is distinctly not for their consumption
- I have found religion
- I stan a queen
Long Live / New Year’s Day
- I love she knows how many people work on the tour and genuinely appreciates their effort
- I hope this mashup sticks around, at least as the surprise song at the closing show of the next tour
- I’m not crying you’re crying
- Hold on to the memories, they/I will hold onto you is one on my favourite lines she’s written
- Along with with please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
- Oh my fucking god stop letting her be this precious
- Remember how fucking loud we were in Denver?
- This is my favourite moment of the entire show - for her. You can tell how much it means to her
- She owns my ass and wallet forevermore
- “I had the time of my life....with you” is a whole emotional mood
- Her quick little thank you 😭
Why She Disappeared
- Oh that’s the first time I’ve heard the echos
- Those boots probably cost more than my life
- This should have been the close or open of the getaway car mv
- Imagine if it shows up in an mv next era. Starts with a car on a pink x
Getaway Car
- The 1989 neon is an interesting choice
- Is that the shift to pop being a getaway or the close of the 1989 era being one? (More thoughts on this later)
- Hits you like a shotgun shot to the Heart is a fucking amazing line
- I loved that bit straight away
- I can lowkey see getaway car being about switching labels tbh
- This last album maybe IS the getaway car (more, again, later)
Call It What You Want
- Ciwyw is one on my favourite love songs of hers
- Trust him like NO OTHER was right at her fingertips
- Who the fuck would say no to running away with her?
- I would let her RUN ME OVER, running away WITH her? Fuck yes
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together / This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
- WANEGBT/TIWWCHNT is a brilliant mash up
- But fucking ridiculous to type
- “But I’m not the friend you’ve lost lately” is the shadiest fucking line and I love it
- I’m disappointed we never got video of her recording “cause forgiveness is a nice thing to do”. I can only imagine the sass and snark
- “Taylor the mic is picking up you muttering ‘fucking prick’. You need to record it again.”
- “.....Taylor, muttering ‘backstabbing motherfucker’ isn’t any better. Maybe try it without the muttering?”
- The mouthed “I love you guys” ❤😭
- They’re not showing people collecting confetti? How unrealistic.
- Oh, there they are.
- “The words are all the same over and over again and I know that’s my fault....” still funny as hell
- “What’s a 767?” What’s it like to have that kind of money?
- Will pay to watch Taylor skip through a stadium
In conclusion: Taylor owns me. Kristen puts up with a lot from me. And I can’t wait for the next chapter.
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