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#tatum rein
txemrn · 2 years
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Our Faith Caught Up in Flames
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Book: Open Heart (post-series)
Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Tatum Erikson)
Song Inspo: "End of All Days" - Thirty Seconds to Mars
Rating/Warning: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only 🔞, explicit material; NSFW (smut 🍋 🍋 🍋); language; brief discussion of medical ethics; very brief mention of religion
Summary: After a brief disagreement at work, Ethan insists that date night continues; but Tatum has a secret she's not ready to divulge if things turn hot and heavy
AN: This is a lengthy response to this sweet anon ask (thank you to whoever sent it!).
If you're new here, hello! Let me quickly introduce you to my dear Tatum: before turning the reins of Chief of Medicine to Ethan, Naveen hired new blood to be Edenbrook's Chief of OB/GYN, Dr. Tatum Erikson... aka Ethan's med school girlfriend, aka the girl that came between him and good pal at the time Tobias Carrick. Long story short: love finds a way. 🖤
AN2: Special thanks to my beautiful prereaders that I annoyed the living daylights out of to ensure the lemons were at least palatable. Love you, @charlotteg234 and @kat-tia801!
~🖤~
"She’s in a repair, sir.”
Ethan stood at the nurse’s station impassively, with a hand in his neatly pressed khakis, his other in a fist, rapping his large knuckles against the faux-marble counter.  He offers the unit secretary a crooked smile for locating his new girlfriend of a few weeks, but with his sports coat rolled up to his elbows, the throbbing musculature of his forearms reveal he’s irritated. “Of course, she is.” He looks at his watch, “It’s not like she was off two hours ago–”
“And what?” Tatum suddenly appears, shutting the patient’s door behind her. “Miss out on giving my patient the delivery of her dreams?” She shuffles over to Ethan, craning her neck upwards as he obliges in giving her a less-than-impressive peck on the lips. She playfully scowls.
Ethan peers down into the silvery sheen of her blue eyes, raising a curious eyebrow. “A vaginal delivery?”
Tatum removes her rainbow chevron scrub cap. “Uh-huh,” she nods, “after having two cesareans.”
“Two?” 
“With Von Willebrands.” A cheshire grin spreads across her face as she poorly mimics the moonwalk to grab the patient’s chart to make some preliminary notes. “And yes,” she keeps her attention on the documents, “both mom and baby are healthy, Dr. Ramsey.”
Ethan's face grows gravely pained as he pinches the bridge of his nose. He could care less about date night; he and Tatum were cut from the same cloth, dedicated to medicine. Interrupted moments alone were a hazard of the job, and while it is annoying, it never serves as a strain on their relationship, a breath of fresh air compared to Ethan's past.
However, the chief of medicine gnashes his teeth at the thought of dangerous care being given without his knowledge that could potentially affect the entire hospital's well-being. He and Tatum have discussed this before, being one in the same in taking chances, of being dangerously cautious, of blurring the lines when necessary between right and wrong.
Humming to a tune in her head, Tatum signs off pending consents before handing the chart back to the secretary and turning towards her boyfriend. “You ready…?” She stops, noticing the angry look on Ethan’s face. “What–” she places a thoughtful hand on his abdomen, “what’s wrong?”
He scratches his chin, the stubble making a harsh, bristly sound. Ethan exhales deeply, taking a step backwards away from her touch before glaring at her. “You’re always testing the boundaries.”
Tatum’s taken aback, her nose scrunching up in annoyance.  “That’s rich coming from you, Dr. Ramsey.”
“Erikson,” Ethan abruptly grabs her arm, pulling her back to him. He guides her to a darkened, private corner of the floor. “Laboring a weakened uterus? With a hemophiliac?”
“Are you… mad at me?” Tatum crosses her arms. “For advocating for my patient’s autonomy?”
“Is that what you’re calling it?” Ethan scoffs. “You’re not God, Erikson–”
“Well, until God becomes a board-certified OB/GYN and ACOG fellow with a 91% TOLAC success rate, I’m the best anyone's gonna get.” Tatum offers a cocky smile, pushing the tip of her tongue into her cheeks, but when she sees Ethan isn't amused, her sassy resolve instantly breaks. She glances around to ensure they were still alone before lowering her voice again with a heavy sigh. “I wasn't given much of a choice, Rams."
He steps closer, towering over her as he ever so delicately glides his warm, calloused palm under her elbow. "What do you mean?"
"The patient is Penelope Culp-Belvedere. You might be more familiar with her father, Larry Culp, CEO of General–”
“--Electrics. Fuck.” Ethan sardonically chuckles as he glares at his blonde girlfriend. "Did they threaten you or try to coerce you–?"
"No, no. It wasn't like that," Tatum shakes her head. "But she made it clear that if I didn't give her this opportunity, she would go to a birth center."
Ethan lets out a sharp exhale. He crosses an arm over his chest, his other hand holding his chin. A ruddy swirl creeps up his neck as Tatum continues.
“You know I couldn't let her do that. She needed surveillance, hypervigilance even; she needed my expertise. If she was going to be safe, if she was going to… survive?" She blows away the air she was holding. "I couldn't. I just couldn't, Ethan." She innocently shrugs. "I promise we covered everything, discussed everything thoroughly. She is fully aware of her risks, not to mention our healthcare team and legal team met extensively with her and her family–”
“Everyone, but the Chief of Medicine,” he grumbles.
“Ethan,” Tatum sweetly whispers, noticing the hurt in his voice. She places a hand on his arm, her eyes meeting his icy-blue glare. "You have to trust me–"
"Tate, this has nothing to do with trust," he retorts. "We're talking about legalities. We're talking about goddamn ethics, not to mention credentialing for Edenbrook. Fuck, we're talking about your licensure." He paces away, taking a much needed breath. "That's on me– "
"I'm responsible, too–"
"But it falls on me, Tatum," he snaps back. Allowing a moment of silence to snake past them, Ethan rakes his fingers through his dark waves before looking back to Tatum. Taking a deep cleansing breath, his body relaxes, his expression becoming empathic to his girlfriend before he reaches his arms around her. Pulling her into his broad chest, he plants sweet kisses along her hair line. "Tate, you know I trust you," he gravelly whispers to her, "with everything in me."
Tatum wraps her arms around his waist, looking up towards his softened gaze. Without thought, they instantly find comfort on each other's lips, gently pressing their mouths together. 
"But please... Don't ever do this again. You've gotta keep me in the know of these potentially taxing cases. If you’re not going to do it for that damn asshole Chief Ramsey," he smirks, lowering his forehead to rest on her forehead, "do it for me." 
Tatum nods her head, pressing her pout once more to his. "I guess being God is hard work."
Ethan snickers, "you have no fucking idea," he kisses the tip of her nose, "especially with you keeping me on my toes."
"Oh?" Tatum lightly scratches her nails up and down the firm planes of her boyfriend's back. "Should I be asking for forgiveness?" she suggestively smiles, pushing the tip of her tongue behind her teeth.
“No, not asking,” Ethan subtly presses his hips against hers. "Begging."
"Mmmm…" she playfully hooks her fingers on the inside of his waistband, pulling him flush with her body. She wraps her arms around his large shoulders, pressing her lips to the shell of his ear. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
“Dirty girl…” Ethan groans into a titter, pushing a quick kiss against the corner of her mouth. “Let’s go.” He takes her hand, and leads the way to the physician's lounge to pack up her belongings.
Feeling his warm fingers intimately entwine with hers sends her pulse racing. His thumb presses small circles into the back of her hand, making her thighs tingle in anticipation for his touch. For his taste. A flush appears on her cheeks as she daydreams–as she plans out their evening together. Absolutely depraved. Absolutely in love. Absolutely perfect.
But as they enter the locker area to grab Tatum's bags, another thought crosses her mind. She forgot something, something absolutely necessary for tonight.  And she abruptly stops like a deer in the headlights before turning to Ethan.
"How about you pick up dinner, and I'll meet you back at your place?" She innocently smiles.
Assuming she wants to clean up from a long day at work, Ethan nonchalantly answers back. "Just shower at my place," he lowers his voice, “and I’ll make you forget about dinner.”
Tatum swats jovially at his arm, biting her tongue. "Seriously, though–”
“I am being serious,” he chuckles, wiping at his plump lip.
"Rams," Tatum tries to get back on track. “I need to make a quick stop. Just a quick errand."
Ethan stops, shifting his eyes towards his girlfriend before nodding in understanding. "Is it tampons? I think I have some in my bathroom–"
"Ethan,” she chides. “It’s nothing big; don’t worry about it–”
“If it's nothing big, why are you being so secretive about it?
“Why are you being so goddamn nosy?”
Ethan takes a step back, mouthing the word ‘Wow’. He raises his hands in surrender. “Damn. Fine.” He turns on his heel and quietly heads for the door.
A sudden guilt overwhelms Tatum as she watches her boyfriend, carrying her bags quietly leave the doctor’s lounge. He’s honestly curious. He’s not being a controlling douchebag of a boyfriend; he’s not being clingy or a possessive asshole. Purely curious.
And now Tatum feels like a real bitch; how could she have talked to him that way?  But, still, could she really tell him the truth? Sure, it may be seen as silly, but it was embarrassing to her.  This little problem of hers affects both of them and their intimate life.  He never knew about it back in medical school; is it so bad if she kept this from him now?
"Rams," she sighs. “Come back.”
The hydraulic wooden door was about to close when Ethan stopped it with his shoe, pushing it back open. He stepped into the lounge, but the blank expression on his face is a telling sign he is irritated.
"Rams," Tatum's voice is tender, genuine as she reaches to hug him. "I'm sorry."
Ethan’s face resolves into a crooked smile as he lovingly wraps his free arm around her. "It's okay," he hushes, "I know.  I shouldn't have pushed you–"
"You didn't," she shakes her head. "I know you're asking because you care." Tatum swallows thickly. "Would you like to come with me?"
"Tate, is that what you want?" Ethan reasons. "It really is fine."
"How about you just take me to the store?" Tate suggests, "and we'll go from there?"
"Deal." He kisses her forehead. "So… where are we going?"
Tatum hesitates for a second, clearing her throat.
"Do you know the closest adult novelty store?"
-----------
The rhythmic ticking of Ethan’s turn signal seems to fall into pace with Tatum's rapidly beating heart. Though the air conditioner is blasting frigid gusts that challenge the tundras of the arctic, she can feel beads of perspiration forming across her brow.
Ethan glances over at her before quietly chuckling to himself as he shakes his head. "Tatum," he croons. He massages her rigid shoulder as he turns out of the hospital district. "I don’t know why you’re so worked up about this. You and I have been to sex shops before."  
She forces a smile, but the expression melts away as she looks out the window.
He's right, though this would technically be their first trip together this go around in a relationship. Back in med school, the couple unabashedly frequented their local store for ideas, games and the occasional visual stimulant. 
Although Tatum gave her virginity to Ethan, he was never able to explore his fantasies with anyone, too afraid of judgment, too afraid of his own shame. But when Tatum was finally convinced her older brother wasn't going to kill either of them, the fire between them was ignited. An exhilarating vulnerability fell open between them, a love that neither one of them had ever experienced before, and suddenly, the act of having sex just wasn't enough.  Some nights were filled with endless kisses and sweet sentiments while others included unconventional props, lubrication and batteries. And some of their favorite nights included one simple word: Sir. 
But still, Tatum is nervous about admitting she needs help with this one thing in the bedroom. She really shouldn't be; she counsels women weekly about how it's "normal". Because it is. It’s actually a natural reflex the body performs to protect itself.
It’s just inconvenient. And embarrassing.
Tatum is jolted from her thoughts as Ethan turns off the ignition, the sudden hum of the engine completely replaced with the quiet street noise of the night. They’re parked in a strip center, the store in front of them discreet with cheesy crushed velvet curtains and neon signs in cursive.
“Is this place okay?” Ethan offers a crooked smile as he opens his door.
“Uh.. yeah, but–”  he shuts his door.  Tatum quickly jumps out of the truck, jogging to the driver’s side. “You’re not coming in.”
Ethan freezes before he begins to snicker. “Why not?”
“Ethan!” She folds her arms.
“Okay, okay,” he leans up against his truck as he watches Tatum walk towards the door. “But what if I need to get something?”
“You don’t need anything,” she jokes, sticking out her tongue as she walks inside. 
Once inside the store, she stealthily makes her way through the aisles until she comes to the area dedicated oral sex. Tatum is grateful they seem to be having a slow night because there was no one in her path; no one could see her; no one could identify her. She hungrily shops the shelves, looking for her holy grail, her fingers wiggling with desperation.
And there it is.
Good Head gel.
The perfect potion to temporarily cure Tatum’s potent gag reflex.
Tatum begins to squat down and pick out her favorite flavor when she hears a bell ring, notifying the store associates that someone walked in. Then she hears a familiar masculine voice.
Ethan.
Tatum curses under her breath, hiding behind some backstock as she watches him shop the aisles. 
And he wastes no time shopping. She watches him load his arms with a dual-head dildo, a bullet vibrator, and special sleeve for the stimulator that he could put on himself. Tatum watches with intrigue as he walks back to the front of the store. 
Was that for tonight? She smiles gleefully to herself, chewing on her thumb as she went back to her creams–that is until she heard Ethan’s voice talking to an associate who was directing the physician back to her location.  Tatum quickly jogs down the walkway, hiding behind an end cap to watch.
He fills his arms with lubrication of all kinds: flavored lubrication, anal lubrication, warming lubrication, lubrication made specifically for toys.  He moseys down the next aisle, collecting a buttplug and anal beads.  
Tatum’s eyes grow wide. Jesus Christ, are we having an orgy? An associate meets him halfway to the register, and they are clearly talking about bondage supplies.  
Dirty boy… She bites her bottom lip, her cheeks burning with eagerness. She quickly grabs her oral numbing gel, hiding it under her arm as she makes her way to the register. She exchanges a few pleasantries with the associate when all of a sudden, she is stopped dead in her tracks.
“Did you find everything you were looking for, babe?”
She turns her head to address her boyfriend, but she is instantly distracted by the pile of toys on the counter he was about to purchase, including a leg spreader, a couple of different pairs of handcuffs, a leather paddle and a new leather flogger.
Her mouth slowly drops open, her chest visibly rising and falling to her heavy breathing as she licks her lips.
“Ma’am?” The associate calls to her several times until her daze is broken. 
“I–I’m so sorry,” Tatum chuckles, her face rosier than ever. She can hear Ethan behind her, making small, inappropriate comments that only she can hear. She nearly trips on her own feet that are standing still.
“Cash or credit, sweetheart?”
“Excuse me?” Her words are breathless.  “Oh, of course, um…” Unable to make eye contact with anyone, Tatum quickly tosses some cash at the associate before she stumbles out of the store to retrieve some fresh air.
----------
After dinner, Ethan and Tatum make a quick wardrobe change: she stole his sleep shirt to pair with his favorite cheek-exposing panties, leaving him in a well-fitted pair of heathered gray joggers. They retreat together to his oversized sectional, her body soundly enveloped by his firm arms. Ethan casually rests his chin amongst the platinum wheat waves of Tatum’s tresses as he flips through the OnDemand menu.
Tatum suddenly stifles a yawn, nuzzling her nose into the short dark hairs of his broad chest. He tightens his embrace around his girlfriend, kissing her forehead. "Don't tell me you're calling it a night already." He pulls her into his lap, her knees finding both sides of his pelvis as he begins to massage her ass. “I have plans… for you, “ he breathes hauntingly on her skin, his fingertips teasing the curves leading between her legs.
A shiver courses down Tatum’s spine, hearing the hunger in his voice, feeling his prowling touch. She giggles into a moan as she slinks her arms around his thick neck, pulling her nose intimately close to his. His breath becomes quicker, the hot air mixing with hers as they trade glances of their sweltering pouts. "Did you have something in mind, Doctor?" She gently pushes her hips into his, needing a simple taste of friction, a simple prelude of him filling her deepest ache.
His hands roam gracefully up the slope of her back, becoming tangled in her loose strands. "You tell me–" 
Ethan suddenly bucks his hips upward, Tatum's playful yelp spurring him. He grabs a fist-full of her hair, wrapping it once around his fingers before pulling her close to claim her lips.
"Ethan," she moans as he steals her gasp from her throat, his tongue twirling against hers. 
Tatum tugs at the wisps of hair on the nape of his neck, finally raking her nails through his scalp.  As goosebumps ignite across his flesh, a low growl bellows from his chest. Rolling his head back, Ethan's eyes cinch shut, his throbbing erection hardening to her touch, hardening to her soft whimpers.
"Please," she quietly exhales, stroking his cheek, “take me to bed… Sir.” 
Sir. 
Ethan’s cock twitches at the sound of her words. He rubs his thumb across her bruising lips, his sky blue eyes searching for confirmation in the lusty storms of hers. He certainly hasn’t forgotten their game from years ago, a game where Tatum grants Ethan total control with a single word.  A menacing, crooked smile spreads across his face as she eagerly nods to his unspoken question. 
“Say it again.”
Tatum takes a deep breath, knowing exactly what she’s about to endure. She relaxes her arms, her palms facing up, almost like a child waiting to be picked up. “Take me to bed, sir.”
Ethan ferally tangles her hair tightly into his fist again, pulling her ear to his lips as she yelps. “There’s my good girl..” He pulls her earlobe into his mouth before dragging his teeth across the tender area. “Remember: no hands.” 
“Yes, sir.”
Ethan suddenly lifts her up, her legs squeezing tightly to his sides. He grips steadily onto her hair, the fiery sting of the pull keeping her locked around his body. Without wasting time, his fingers push her panties to the side, his thumb finding her thrumming clit.
Tatum’s mouth falls open, but only soft, swift breaths escape as she feels her body succumb to gravity, falling, sliding against her boyfriend’s hard body. The burning sensation against her scalp wells her eyes with tears. She inadvertently squeezes her legs harder, firmer, tighter against Ethan, her nails digging into her own thighs. The abrupt stern brush of his hand presses firmly against her desire, eliciting a low-pitched growl deep in her belly.
Carrying her with his hands firmly in place, Ethan struts confidently to the bedroom, the small bumps and twists sending sudden pulses of fear and pleasure through her raw nerves.
She breathlessly cries as a grin of pure ecstasy etches on her flushed face. Fuck, the merciless passion that awaits her…
Ethan lets go of her hair, tenderly capturing her body in his arms, allowing her to catch her breath from the bursts of electricity sparked through her body. He pushes her back onto the plush bed, crawling predatorily on top of her, overpowering her, leaving her helpless. 
He earnestly kisses her mouth, tonguing at her bottom lip, biting it. His palms wander up her sleep shirt, her peaked breasts being relentlessly taunted and rubbed despite her mewls, despite her strained soreness. He finally pulls her top up and over her head as he drops his kisses to her hardened nipples, lapping at them, teasing them with broad strokes from his tongue.
“Oh…God!” She sobs, welcoming the agony as she arches her back against the mattress. Gritting her teeth, she fists Ethan’s careless, sweaty waves, smothering him deeper into her chest. As he continues to claim her with his teeth, her cries become strained, breathless and hoarse. “God, yes… God… yes…!”
Ethan abruptly stops, snickering huskily. “That’s not my name.”  He carefully pushes her blonde wisps from her face, bending over to whisper into her ear. “But, only I can save you now.” He licks Tatum’s kiss from his ruddy lips as he slowly crawls backwards off of the mattress, Tatum mesmerized by the smooth, flexion movements of his stomach. 
“Ethan?” She innocently beckons, sitting up on her elbow to track his movements around the room. She tries to slow down her breathing, but her thoughts flood with depravity, recalling the items he purchased at the store. Her heart skips a beat, feeling her apex quiver. “Ethan babe?”
He quickly returns to her side. He holds his fingers against her lips to silence her, the same hand that was pressed intimately against her clitoris as he carried her into the bedroom. The sweet smell of her pussy entertains her nostrils, her tongue swirling around his fingertips.
“Is my good girl craving her penance?” Ethan impishly inquires.
“Yes… yes, sir,” Tatum pants, slowly licking her mouth with the tip of her tongue, her eyes growing dark with thirst, with willingness.
For his pleasure.
“Uh-uh,” he shakes his head, grabbing her ankles, “you’re not ready.” Ethan pulls her across the bed like a ragdoll, propping her feet against his shoulder. Tucking his fingers into the lace-adorned waistband of her panties, he pulls them off, wadding them into his hand. 
Ethan takes one, two strides backwards, his eyes fixed on Tatum, like an insatiable wolf fixed on his prey. He casually takes a seat on a tufted chaise lounge, sniffing her freshly-removed undergarment,grazing the swell of the bulge in his sweatpants with his hand.
Tatum relaxes on her arms as she crosses her legs, her foot playfully bouncing in the air as she tosses her loose curls behind her shoulders. “Am I ready now, sir?”
“Shhh,” Ethan snaps his fingers, raising an eyebrow. “I talk; you listen.”
A thrill of magnetism engulfs Tatum’s body, a pained pleasure kindling deep in her belly at his words.  There’s a darkness that overcomes Ethan, one that both terrifies her and excites her; one that makes her want to be loved and hunted, one that makes her want to be pleased and punished.
“Spread your legs apart.” Ethan’s voice charms like a well-aged brandy. Smooth. Sweltering.  “Mmmm… good girl,” his breathing becomes labored, “...just… just like that…”
He fully erects at the sight of Tatum, her delicate folds glistening in the ambient lighting. Seeing her completely yielded, completely bare to him, is almost enough for him to tumble into his own ecstasy. 
But he looks away. 
Cursing at himself, he furrows his brows as he bites his fist, slowing down his ragged breathing. His desire for dominance betrays him, his body threatening to lose all self-control. As he looks back to his own personal treasure lying exposed on his bed, the head of his cock begins to ache, straining against the tightening fabric of his pants. He can feel it throb against his hand, enticing him to give into his need.
Fuck. Slow down, Ethan. He feels like a damn schoolboy, ready to spill over. He quickly  removes his hands from his lap, fixing his eyes on Tatum: her toned legs; her thick, supple thighs; the velveteen skin that drapes across the curves of her hips and belly; the playful bounce of her full breasts.
God, she’s beautiful… and she’s mine. As Tatum becomes restless in the sudden stillness of suspense, Ethan drinks her in: every last freckle, every last hair. Every last dimple, stretch mark and scar. 
They’re all mine..
Ethan’s hands yearn to explore her body, his fingertips feeling a magnetic pull to reach out and feel each edge and line and plane. But he knows that one sip of that poison, and he will hurdle to his euphoric finish.
But that body. It needs to be worshiped.
“Touch yourself.” 
Tatum curiously sits up. “What?”
“You don’t question me,” he growls. “That’s one. Don’t make me get to three. Yes sir?”
“Yes, sir,” she swallows thickly.
“Now… be my good girl,” his eyes grow hooded, his voice both heated and chilled, “touch yourself.”
A twinge of humiliation flashes across Tatum’s face. Her eyes flutter shut before she gives a coy nod, like a lamb understanding her fate.
She looks up, her gaze piercing into Ethan, watching the frantic rise and fall of his chest. She takes two fingers into her mouth before descending her hand between her thighs.
"That's it… that's a good girl. Spread yourself open for me."
Drenched from her desire alone, the sound of Tatum's wetness reverberates through the room as she drags her fingers through her slick slit. She glides up to her sensitive bud, circling around it before drifting back to her center. Up… and back down again… a devilish expression of possession locked on his body as she pleasures her own.
"Stop," Ethan growls, "Stop right there…" His breath hitches as he resists the urge to stroke himself. "Inside…put them inside. Now."
Without thought, she pushes her fingers into her sweltering pussy, her walls narrow around her slender knuckles. She exhales a tender moan as she pulls back out, immediately returning her fingertips into her depths.
And back out again.
Plunging back in, teasing and tickling just inside her slick channel as her thumb grazes over her most sensitive of areas.
"Ethan," she whimpers, tossing her hair back over her shoulders as a sweet dew collects on her skin. "Please…"
Ethan stands up, a grimace on his face as he saunters closer to her side.
"Please, baby–" her voice strangles, her expression pleading.
Ethan suddenly seizes her hand; as he brings it to his mouth, Tatum’s wetness courses down her arms, dripping onto her naked body. He takes her fingers into his mouth, the invigorating taste of her arousal eliciting a bellowing groan from his core.
“Please, Ethan…”  she chokes out, her body rocking in desperation for more.
He slowly pulls her fingers out from the back of his throat. “What does my good girl need–?”
“You…” she interrupts with a hiss. “Please touch me…”
A sadistic smirk grows on his chiseled face as he retreats to his secret bag of goodies, pulling out a few items.  Tatum tries to observe, but her vision is too blurry to make out what scandalous products he was pulling out to use on her.   
He quickly returns, gently stroking Tatum’s heated cheeks. “Do you trust me?” He pushes his thumb across her lips and into her mouth.
Tatum’s eyes flutter close, a simple tear of pleasure, of her desire falling down her cheek. “Yes.”
“Yes what?”
"Yes, sir.” She looks back into his sultry eyes, completely darkened with his lust for her–and only her. “... with everything in me…”
Ethan allows a silk tie to unravel from his hand, the corner of his lips curling as he watches Tatum writhe in anticipation. He carefully sits her up, cinching the tie snuggly around her eyes before laying her back down he guides her hands above her head, knotting the remnants of his tie around her wrists.
“Ethan–”  
“Shhhh…”  he hushes. “Stay still.”  
Hidden behind the chaise lounge next to his bag of products and toys from their trip earlier, Ethan pulls out a single, long-stem rose. Carefully fluffing out the petals, he pads closer to the bed, taking in the bare beauty of Tatum. He circles around her feet, her legs coyly thrusting with the built up tension they created together. He casually licks his lips, seeing her body so ready for him, so hungry for him. Twirling the flower between his fingers, he paces slowly next to the side of her body, hypnotized by the rising and fall of her nervous breathing.
Her lips. God, those perfectly plump, perfectly inviting heart-shaped lips… all Ethan can think about is touching them right now, tasting them and biting them.  Feeling them against his own as she orgasms, as she screams his name, as she begs for more…
As to not startle her, Ethan crawls onto the bed, resting on his knees as he hovers over her body. Watching her throbbing lips, he gently presses the blooming flower to her mouth before tracing the petals down her neck. Feeling the silky texture of the blossom in the most intimate of ways spurs a tender purr of pleasure from her throat.
Ethan traces the bloom down her shoulders and up her arms that are tied over her head. He watches her smile grow on her face, her body beginning to writhe in the bed.
He swats her palm with the bulb, Tatum‘s heart rate suddenly racing. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was unexpected. Thrilling.
Ethan continues, tracing down her chest, her nipples hardening before he can even touch her. Fuck, I need just one more taste… he rolls the bud of the rose around her pert breast before playful swatting at their most sensitive, taut area. Tatum giggles at the sensation, her upper back bowing against the bed wanting to feel more, needing to feel more.
Bending back the stem, Ethan releases the flower like a catapult, thumping harder against her.
But this time was different.
Tatum suddenly moans in pain, sucking in a sharp inhale as her body shudders.  
Ethan removes the rose, observing her skin as she softly mewls under his touch.  Running his hungry fingers across the slopes of her ribs, he discovers where a thorn penetrated the skin, deep crimson starkly collecting against her pale pink hue.
Ethan looks up towards Tatum; there’s something in the way she licks her lips, the way her chest trembles with satisfaction and danger… he can’t help himself.
He bends over, placing his lips over her tiny wound, kissing it with his mouth as he laps at it with his tongue. Tasting her, tasting his Tatum, in the most intimate of ways, the most depraved and feral of ways, pulls relentlessly at his cock. He needs to ravage her, penetrate her. He needs to fuck her.
Ethan balls up the comforter in his fist, forcing himself to slow down his erratic breathing. Not yet, he wars with himself, his own girth threatening to pour out without his command.
He crawls up on top of Tatum, pressing his lips into hers, letting her taste herself on his breath.
“Open your legs.”
With her lips not releasing from his lips, she spreads herself open, whimpering for Ethan to claim what belongs to him.  He grabs the rose, and with the flick of his wrist, the petals begin to drum against her fully aroused clit. 
Up and down. Side to side. Each soft flutter of the bloom’s silken beauty gently taps at her swollen desire, over and over, each stroke more perfect than the last.
Tatum tosses her head back, gasping for a sip of air as her thighs quake, electricity pulsing through them. Watching her fall apart to a rose sends a jealous wave through Ethan; he tosses the flower on the ground, climbing on top of Tatum. He hastily unties her hands, ripping the  necktie off her eyes.
“You come for me. You understand?” He demands.
“Yes sir,” she cries, running her fingers through his damp, dark curls, her eyes falling deep into the crashing waves of his ocean eyes.
Ethan puts a knee between her legs, spreading them apart before his arms tuck her wriggling legs around his hips.  He pulls out his thrumming erection already dripping with precum, lining the thick head with her saturated entrance.
“You come only for me–” he snarls in her ear, but before he allows her to answer, Ethan thrusts his hips into her, his massive length burrowing deep into her depths. 
Tatum’s mouth falls open to the sudden rush of pain, a pleasure that she has been craving all evening, but not a single sound comes out. She’s finally complete; she’s finally whole.
Feeling the extreme narrowness around his erection, Ethan reaches down, grabbing onto the curvatures of Tatum’s ass while he wriggles the last few inches of his cock into her tight pussy. Allowing her to stretch around him, he starts to rock his hips, slowly at first before finding a steady rhythmic pace they both enjoyed. Each pleasurable thrust, he disappears completely inside of Tatum as rivers from her wet center pour down his thighs and across her ass cheeks.
“Ethan–” she pants, “I can’t wait. I… I need–”
Tatum’s nails carve into Ethan's back. A groan of pure euphoria grows deep in her belly as she squirms underneath his weight, her core growing restless, growing needy of release. And suddenly a cadence of elated screams echo throughout the home as Ethan helps Tatum ride out her orgasm.
"That's it," he thrusts unsparingly into her depths. "That's … that's my …" 
But his words fail him. Like an insatiable animal intoxicated on desire, he grunts uncontrollably, unable to speak, unable to catch his breath. Just thrust. And moan. And push. And shove. His lungs burn from panting so hard. 
But he's not going to stop. Not this close.
Abruptly, Ethan hollers out in a deep, gritty howl. His girth mercilessly pushes against  her walls as he uncontrollably pours into her, filling her completely .
Needing to catch his breath before anything, Ethan collapses on Tatum's body, her arms readily receiving him against her chest. For several minutes, they lay there, simply holding each other. There was so much to say, yet nothing to say at all; somehow their heavy breathing spoke the depths of their heart perfectly. 
Minutes quickly turn into timeless memories. Though the Boston sky remains romantic hues of violet and navy, the moon has slowly danced to another corner in the sky.
She doesn't remember when she started, but Tatum cradles a sleeping Ethan in her arms, his head comfortable against her neck as she traces soft circles across his back. At some point, they had discussed taking a shower, but right now in this beautiful moment, connecting physically makes perfect sense. 
Being with this man makes perfect sense.
"Normal sinus rhythm."
Tatum stops scratching Ethan's shoulders and begins to snicker. "What?"
Letting out a big yawn, Ethan rolls off the top of Tatum. He closes his eyes again, but laces his fingers with her. "Just glad your ticker sounds good.”
"Weirdo," she titters as she glances around the room. "Ethan? Was… was that a rose?"
With his eyes still closed, a mischievous grin crawls across Ethan's face.
"Are you serious?" Tatum sits up, grabbing a pillow to hug and hide her nakedness. "Where did you get that?"
Ethan chuckles to himself. "I know it's off brand for us, but … well, we were going on a date and–I don’t know. I thought it was nice–." 
“You did not.” Tatum jovially swats him with the pillow, his smile growing bigger.
"I wanted to show you that I've gotten classier these past 15 years. You know, no more trips to adult novelty shops to impress you."
They both tumble into belly laughs, exchanging knowing glances at one another. 
"Speaking of," continues Tatum, "what the hell was all of that shit you were buying yesterday?"
Ethan waggles his eyebrows. "The Lord works in mysterious ways."
Tatum playfully scoffs, scooting off the bed. “I’m gonna take a shower. Wanna come join–?”  Before she can finish the question, Ethan is climbing off the bed, chasing behind her as she squeals into the ensuite bathroom.
“Oh, hey,” he turns back around, grabbing something from the giant bag of adult toys before jogging back to her.  “You left this at the register.” He tosses in the air a familiar silver bottle towards his girlfriend.
The blood drains from Tatum’s face. As she catches it mid-air. “I… it’s not… this isn’t… I mean–”
“It’s definitely not your usual flavor–God, what is it you use?” He rubs his thumb against his lips. “It tastes… sweet–super sweet… like candy….”
Tatum’s eyes grow large, her cheeks burn with embarrassment. “B-but how…?”
“How what?”  Ethan opens the glass door to turn on the shower, allowing steam to slowly fill the room. “How did I know you were using that cream?” He chuckles, grabbing two towels from a linen closet. “Isn’t it the same stuff you used in med school?”
“Oh my God!” Tatum covers her face with her hands. 
Ethan approaches her, gently grabbing the back of her elbow. “Don’t be embarrassed,” he grins kindly. “You went to all that trouble to make sure… I was happy. And Tate?”  She bashfully turns her attention back to her boyfriend, but his gaze is already fix admiringly on her. “I’m very happy.”
Tatum wraps her arms around his neck, Ethan pressing his lips lovingly against her soft neck. “But,” she pulls back to look at him, “How? Did you see the bottle in my purse one day? Or in my medicine cabinet?”
Ethan shakes his head. “I thought it was interesting that your kisses afterwards always tasted like a jolly rancher.”  He suddenly reaches out his hand towards Tatum. “C’mon,” he nods towards the shower. “And bring your new bottle. I wanna see if this 'Strawberries and Champagne' tastes better on your tongue.”
~🖤~
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recentanimenews · 2 years
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Date A Live IV English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date
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  Date A Live's English dub is going strong after nearly a decade in the making, and we're excited to say that the hot streak is going to continue on Crunchyroll with Date A Live IV, starting from April 22 at 2 p.m. PT!
  First up, let's welcome the latest big addition to Shido's harem:
  Mallorie Rodak (High Elf Archer in GOBLIN SLAYER) as Nia
  And then the many returning favorites:
  Josh Grelle (Armin in Attack on Titan) as Shido
Michelle Rojas (Roxy in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) as Tohka
Michelle Lee (Rosemary in SHADOWS HOUSE) as Origami
Bryn Apprill (Ai in ZOMBIE LAND SAGA) as Kotori
Katelyn Barr (Rim in The Dungeon of Black Company) as Natsumi
Alexis Tipton (Miko in Mieruko-chan) as Kurumi
Tia Ballard (Mizuho in Sonny Boy) as Yoshino and Yoshinon
Brittney Karbowski (Saori in Tribe Nine) as Kaguya
Megan Shipman (Anya in SPY x FAMILY) as Yuzuru
  Trina Nishimura (Mikasa in Attack on Titan) as Ellen
* J. Michael Tatum (Iida in My Hero Academia) as Kannazuki
Christopher R. Sabat (Despa in Ranking of Kings) as Kawagoe
Felecia Angelle (Kohaku in Dr. STONE) as Mana
Bradley Campbell (Heinkel in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) as Mikimoto
Jad Saxton (Shinju in My Dress-Up Darling) as Miku
Sara Ragsdale (Riko in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid) as MInowa
Matt Thurston (Shiryu in One Piece) as Nakatsugawa
* Barrett Nash (Misuzu in A Certain Scientific Railgun) as Reine
Cynthia Cranz (Chieko in Princess Jellyfish) as Shizaki
Christopher Wehkamp (Ruijerd in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation) as Westcott
Alex Moore (Mitsuba in Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign) as Narrator
  * For Episode 1, Aaron Roberts and Emily Ernst will temporarily replace J. Michael Tatum as Kannazuki and Barrett Nash as Reine, respectively.
  Crew
ADR Director: Aaron Roberts
ADR Script Supervisor: Emily Neves
ADR Script Writer: Jessica Cavanagh
ADR Prep: Benjamin Tehrani
ADR Engineer: Izzy Castillo
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      RELATED: Crunchyroll Reveals SimulDub Lineup for Spring 2022, First SPY x FAMILY Cast Details
    Based on the light novels by Koshi Tachibana, the fourth season of Date A Live is directed by Jun Nakagawa (High School Fleet movie) at studio GEEKTOYS, with series composition by Fumihiko Shimo (Clannad) and character designs by Naoto Nakamura (High School Fleet).
  If you're a fan of battle harem anime, don't miss Episode 1 of Date A Live IV's English dub when it drops on April 22 at 2 p.m. PT , right here on Crunchyroll!
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      Der shy man behind @Shymander, Liam is a timezone-fluid Aussie with a distinct fondness for anime, Eurovision and creating odd stats projects despite hating math.
By: Liam Dempsey
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themovieblogonline · 2 months
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bamboomusiclist · 11 months
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5/5 おはようございます。David Benoit / Heavier Than Yesterday AVL-6025  等更新しました。
Hampton Hawes / the Seance S7621 Oscar Peterson / Stratford Shakespearean Festival mgv8024 Art Tatum / Tatum Group Masterpieces 2310-737 Hampton Hawes / vol1 Trio C3505 Chet Baker / Baby Breeze LML4001/Lm82003 Modern Jazz Quartet / With Milt Jackson Percy Heath John Lewis Kenny Clarke prlp160 Benny Goodman / Easy Does It H-295 Dinah Washington / Dinah Washington MG25060 Dave Pike Cedar Walton / Pike's Groove criss1021 Jessica Williams / Nothin' But The Truth bkh51301 Rein De Graaff / Modal Soul sjp117 Billy Harper / in Europe sn1001 Maria Bethania / Drama 6349.050 Serge Bringolf / Live R.1383D Pulsar / Pollen PSKLR5228 David Benoit / Heavier Than Yesterday AVL-6025 Wood Brass & Steel / Wood Brass & Steel Tu7016 吉村弘 / AIR(Air In Resort) SSD-1206 Van Morrison / Hymns To The Silence 849026-1 Elgins / Darling Baby  V.I.P.400
~bamboo music~ https://bamboo-music.net  [email protected]   530-0028 大阪市北区万歳町3-41 シロノビル104号 06-6363-2700
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leanpick · 2 years
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The Celtics Got Lucky by Not Getting What They Wanted
The Celtics Got Lucky by Not Getting What They Wanted
Moments after Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals ended last month, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown embraced each other. “They said we couldn’t play together,” Tatum said with a wide smile. That had been the most pressing issue facing the Boston Celtics since Tatum, 24, and Brown, 25, were handed the reins to the team before the 2019-20 season. That year — Tatum’s third and Brown’s fourth in…
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lgthatawkwardgamer · 4 years
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The Rein Family
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Johnny Rein thought he got the shock of his life when his wife died in childbirth after the birth of their third daughter, Tatum. But he truly got the shock of his life when he discovered his teenage daughters are witches.
Margot being the oldest...
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Jenny the middle child...
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and Tatum the baby...
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Despite their father working as a full-time gardener to remain close to his girls, Margot helps with raising her two sisters, Jenny and Tatum. Johnny has tried his best to shield them from the evils of the world, but how is he supposed to do that in a world he doesn’t understand? 
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mehbzz · 2 years
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Fantasy
poly!ghostface x F!reader
Set sometime after this one. credit goes to @polyghostfacehours for being that stranger on the internet who coerces me into writing bad things.
uh, pretty sure there is no plot, but we got arguments and Stu getting pegged.
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18+ dubcon, abusive relationships, manipulative/possessive behaviour, misogyny, squirting, cunnilingus, blowjob, pegging
----------------------------
“Are you fucking kidding?” Billy’s sudden arrival in his kitchen takes Stu by surprise, and the anger as he practically spits the question at him surprises him even more, eyeing Billy warily as he tries to think about what he could have done.
“What?”
“Tatum.”
“Uh, she's hot?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Billy glares at him, muttering your name between gritted teeth. “Tell me why I’ve just had to spend the past few hours with her crying in my lap? You’re a fucking-, why are you so hell bent on hurting her?”
“I’m-,” Stu looks guilty, cracking his knuckles as he watches Billy pace. “I don't want to hurt her.”
“So making out with Tatum in front of her is going to make her happy? You could have at least told me!” He slams his palm on the counter top as he walks by, aware he’s losing his cool but feeling unable to rein himself in. “You really think after this she'll want to be with you? With us? You told her you love her!” Billy kicks the trashcan hard at Stu’s silence, its contents scattering noisily over the kitchen floor, one hand running messily through his hair.
“I do! I do, just-,” Stu reaches out for him but thinks better of it, lifting his hands in gesture of surrender. “Easy man, ok?”
“What the fuck are you doing with Tatum?”
“I- she came on to me, and you said-,”
“What? What did I say? Because I definitely didn't say jump into bed with Tatum.”
“You know, like keeping our distance from our girl would make her survival less suspicious.”
“4 months. 4 months was all you had to wait you fuckrag.” Billy’s shoulders sag as he slumps back against the refrigerator. “You’re fucking everything up.”
Stu stands still, watching Billy as he slides down to sit on the floor, exhaustion written clear across every part of him as he hides his face in his hands.
“Fuck,” Billy lets his head hit back against the refrigerator door, loud enough for Stu to wince and pushes him into crouching down in front of him. Billy devolving into a self-harming spiral is the last thing he wants. Billy and emotions could be a volatile mix. “Fuck sake Stu.”
He doesn’t move away as Stu hesitantly reaches out for his hand, he doesn’t reciprocate but he doesn’t pull away as Stu intertwines their fingers so he takes that as a win.
“It’ll be ok. Trust me.”
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He doesn't want to be with you. Why would he? You eye your reflection critically, turning to the side as you run your hands down your stomach. You can't compare to Tatum. She's stunning. And you're… you.
Tears fill your eyes and over flow in hot rush. Stupid. Stupid. You don’t know why you’re so surprised. Billy was a flirt, a prolific one, you often wondered how Sid never noticed his behaviour, but he wasn’t sleeping around on you, you were sure. But Stu? He was the epitome of horny, led by his dick not his brain. You shouldn’t be surprised, you shouldn’t but you are. You thought for one foolish second after he and Casey broke up that he might- the knock on your front door makes you jump and startles you out of your self-loathing.
“Hey.” Stu’s voice is soft, quiet uncharacteristically so and it's that tone that stops you from just slamming the door in his face.
“What do you want?”
“I'm sorry.”
Tears prick your eyes again and you blink furiously in an effort to get them to go away. You will not cry in front of him. “Right,” You feel at a loss for words, and unable to hold his gaze for more than a second, both of you standing there in awkward silence. “Well, thanks for letting me know.”
You go to shut the door but he grabs it before you can.
“Really. I am. Can we talk?”
“Stu-,” Say no, say no and shut the door. You can’t. Instead you let your arm drop and step back from the door, letting him into your hallway.
“I didn't mean-,” you raise your eyebrow and he cuts off. “I made a mistake.”
“It's fine. I get it. I'd probably choose Tatum over me too.” You shrug, giving a small chuckle that threatens to turn into a sob.
“Hey. Hey.” He reaches for you but you step back out of his reach. You still can’t meet his eye but everything about you was screaming hurt, it makes him feel a mix between guilty and turned on.
“Why are you here Stu?”
“To apologize.”
You scoff, arms tightening around your waist. The urge to reach out for him is strong despite your pain. He’s one out of the only two that provide you with comfort and safety when you’re upset and hurt but now he’s a major cause of it your body is a little confused at how to react.
“What do you want me to say?” you snapped, voice rising slightly as you glared at him. “You chose someone else.”
“I didn’t choose someone else, it just… escalated. It felt unfair to Billy. To be able to be with you when he can't? Felt wrong.”
That sounds like bullshit. “I get it. It's fine. I'm last choice.”
“That's not true, bunny.”
“So what? You're stringing Tatum along?”
“What can I do? Sorry for busting your cherry, see ya?” He shrugs. “I was drunk.”
Tatum was a virgin? You feel a little bit of an asshole by how surprised you are by that information, and you’re not sure if you believe him. Stu recognises the surprise on your face and latches on to it immediately. “I know I'm a jerk but I'm not completely heartless. You don’t want me to hurt her do you? Gimme a few months and I'll end it.”
You’re silent. You’re angry at him but there’s a little self loathing in there too and you can feel your resolve slipping. You don’twant him to hurt Tatum, she didn’t deserve that.
“Do you want me to leave? Want to break up with me?”
Your eyes went wide with shock, your mouth agape as you stared at him. The slither of panic at the thought of him leaving shakes you so much you don’t know how to react.
“I am sorry.”
“You’ve said that a lot,” You cross your arms, taking a step back away from him. “I don’t think it’s fixing anything.”
“Come on, don’t push me away,” he begged. “Billy’ll be distraught if we don’t make up.”
“I don’t-,” That added another layer of guilt to your already confused mess of emotions. He was right; Billy was probably very upset right now. Your resolve wavers a little more as you watched Stu’s face, he was frowning, obviously getting a little more frustrated with your continued reluctance to talk to him.
“Do you love me?”
“Of course, I do,” You answered automatically, the question taking you by surprise. You said that too quickly, and he noticeably relaxes at your words.
“I don’t want to lose you,” He almost smiles. “I think I’d die without you, you know? I’m addicted to you. I know you rely on us and I don’t want you to be alone when you’re so upset, especially with your dad away, but I’ll go if that’s what you want.” He tilts his head slightly when you don’t reply. “I should probably go check on Billy anyway.”
The sudden tension in the air was thick as blood rushed to your head and white noise filled your ears. Is that what you want? To break up with him? He wasn’t wrong. You did rely on them. He and Billy were all you had. Your dad was hardly ever at home and you don’t recall the last time you hung out with the others without Billy or Stu present. They were your everything. They knew everything about you, and you them.
“I understand how you feel but how do you think I feel? I hate seeing Billy with Sid too,” He takes a step closer, and when you don’t move away he takes another. “You just deal with it better than I do.”
“No I don’t,” Your heart throbbed, “You-, you’re both dicks. And I’m going to forgive you because I’m an idiot, apparently a glutton for pain.” tears blurred your vision and he tugs you forward into a rough hug.
“Don’t leave,” you hiccuped, your hands clawing at his shirt. “I just I don't understand why I'm not good enough for you.”
“You are,” He pulls back slightly, cupping your face in his hands. “I'm so so sorry.”
“Yeah. But you're not going to break up with her are you?”
“Not yet. Soon. We'll be able to be together.”
“I hate you.”
“Love you too.”
“You’re insufferable. And spoiled. Arrogant. Stubborn. Obnoxious. Selfish.”
“Ouch. Well you're my endgame, my final girl, my happily ever after.”
“Yeah? And it's not just cause Tatum refuses to call you daddy?” It was supposed to be teasing, light-hearted but Stu’s immediate switch into horny mode makes you regret it, one hand reaching down to squeeze your ass hard. You curled your fingers into his shirt, had a momentary thought of fuck it and then kissed him.
He was still for a moment, like you surprised him, then he deepened the kiss, kissed you like he wanted to devour you, body pressing flush against you as he cupped your face in his hands before he broke the kiss with a low moan. The little voice in your head yelling at you that you were an idiot gets quieter and quieter as his teeth scraped gently scrapping over the soft skin of your throat, drawing a high pitched whimper from you before you could stop it. Stu broke the kiss with a grin, his expression as smug as you’d ever seen it.
“Don’t get cocky,” you sighed, embarrassed at how quickly you had caved. “Asshole.”
“I didn’t say anything, bunny.”
You glared at him and he grinned.
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Billy seems content to let you snuggle into Stu’s side but you still stretch out, letting one leg rest over Billy's lap, your half finished beer hanging loose in your grip. He gives you a small smile as he curls one hand around your calf, his thumb gently stroking over your ankle. Stu had been all over you since you arrived and Billy had been tense, not keeping his distance exactly but he was definitely letting Stu hog your attention.
“Your turn. Sole survivor, who’s it going to be?” It had been almost silent all night as the three of you lounged on the sofa re-watching Halloween; the quiet only broken when the two of them started arguing over how important is was to have a survivor in these movies. Stu passionately insisting that you couldn’t have a sequel without a survivor.
“I’d spare you,” He glances at Stu before looking back at you. “Him, maybe. You get to decide his fate.”
“I’m hurt dude,” Stu nuzzles into your side, his teeth digging into your shoulder in a gentle bite. “I’m too pretty to die.”
“You’d spare me? Over everyone else?”
“Yes.” It’s a short blunt answer, accompanied with his fingers flexing into your ankle, overly serious for the teasing conservation you’d been having.
“Wow, little old me? Over that hot mom at the comic store you’re always staring at?” You’re trying to lighten the mood, surprised at how sullen Billy had gone. “Why am I so special?”
He's silent for long enough that you force your gaze away from the TV to look back at him. He's watching you, his face eerily blank as he examines you.
“I don't know. You just are.”
“Well good to know you won't be killing me when you go all Michael Myers,” You try to laugh but the way he's still staring at you is making you uncomfortable. “Billy?”
“Never. I’ll always pick you. The others are,” he frowns and his look of genuine confusion has you worry he’s taking this just a little too seriously. “They're there. And you're you,” He shrugs. “You're special.”
“I'm special.” Stu seems to have picked up on the odd mood, his attention flicking between you and Billy.
“Yeah buddy you too.” It sounds sarcastic but there's a definite fondness in Billy's eyes.
“Ok, Ok, nepotism aside,” Billy rolls his eyes at your comment and you grin. You want to turn this back around to the light hearted conversation it was. “I’m with Stu, I want a sequel so my sole survivor has to be someone who could come back for revenge right, someone li-,”
“Your sole survivor?” Stu scoffs. “You’re a girl, bunny, too weak. You’re not killing anyone.”
You twist out of Stu’s hold enough so that you can glare at him. “First of all, fuck you. Second, are you seriously saying girls can’t be killers?”
“Name one.”
“Carrie?”
“Traumatised kid with powers, doesn’t count.”
“Annie Wilkes?”
“Hmmmm, high body count but you don’t see any awesome kills so… no.”
You roll your eyes. “That’s a dumb reason but fine. Pamela Voorhees then.”
Stu is silent, fingers tapping along your thigh before he sighs. “Yeah ok, you got me there.”
“Ha. See? I could totally channel my inner Pamela.”
Billy snorts, but tries to smother his smile as you turn to glare at him. You feel oddly offended that they don’t think you could be a movie killer. He’s out of reach for any real retribution so you take it out on Stu, giving him a hard pinch to his thigh that makes him jolt.
“Violent,” he whines, rubbing his leg. “Alright, alright, just so you don’t murder me in my sleep I’ll admit maybe you could. But you want a good gory throat to sternum gutting? Only a man can do that baby.”
“Yeah sure whatever, just go pick another movie dumbass.” You admit defeat reluctantly. You don’t know enough horror movie villains to win this argument, but you will, making a mental note to pick Randy’s brain the next time you see him.
“He’s not choosing,” The suggestion of another movie seems to shake Billy out of his quiet mood, sitting upright and reaching for the VCR remote before Stu can grab it. “We are not watching interview with the vampire again.”
“Aw c’mon, she’s not seen it.”
“No. I'm not sitting through that film again just so you can ogle Brad Pitt.”
“Listen you try watching Brad Pitt in that and not feel just a little conflicted, the man is-,”
“You're crushing on Brad Pitt?” You interrupt him, amusement rising fast as you watch Stu’s cheeks start to heat. “How many times have you watched it?”
“Not important. And he’s a good looking guy ok? He could tota-,”
“Gay.” Billy coughs into the back of his hand and you can’t help but giggle despite Stu’s half hearted glare at you for siding with Billy.
“I’m not gay,” Stu gasps, mock offended. “I’m bisexual,” he digs his fingers into your ribs, his grin widening at your yelp as you try to wriggle away from him. Billy’s grasp around your wrist is the only thing that stops you from flinging your beer all over all three of you.
“Finish your beer.” Billy tilts your bottle up to your mouth and you take one mouthful before grimacing.
“Warm.”
“Yeah? Finish it and I'll get you a fresh one.”
“You don't have to get me drunk to take advantage of me you know.” You wiggle your toes into his thigh and he jumps slightly before giving you a grin. He knows he doesn’t, but he does like it when you’re drunk. You end up so much more willing, a lot easier to persuade into things.
“I’ll get them, you can choose the movie,” Stu slides out from under you, stretching his arms up high above his head as he yawns. “Highly recommend Interview.”
Your laugh drowns out Billy’s torrent of swears, your heart swelling with sudden affection as you watch him half drag half shove Stu out of the room. His wail of protest turning into a muffled moan that makes a small pulse of arousal shiver down your spine.
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“You thinking about?” Billy is plastered against his back as he tries to take the beers out of the fridge, his hands dipping just under the hem of his jeans. “You thinking about our girl?”
Billy’s nails scratch along his hip bone and he jerks into the touch. “You look so cute cuddling together. I keep thinking about how cute you’d look bent over for her.”
“You still thinking about that?” Stu twists in his grip, leaving the beers and focusing his attention on the way Billy’s hands are slowly stroking down his abdomen. Billy lets him turn but refuses to step back, crowding him backwards against the kitchen counter.
“I want to watch,” He tugs at Stu’s zipper, enjoying the way Stu arches into the touch. “Let her fuck you up for a change. She'd let you do something to her in return. You know how soft she is.”
“Shit Billy, what brought this on?”
“What would you like to do? Knife to her throat? Or down those beautiful tits? She’d probably cry, but she'd like it,” Billy grunts, his hips rocking against Stu’s thigh. “Imagine it, covered in blood, begging for more as you fuck her.”
“Fuck Bill,” Stu’s panting hard, cock straining painfully at the front of his jeans, he feels a little blindsided by Billy’s obvious arousal, the evening had felt pretty tame to him. “What the hell?”
“Let her fuck you. For me.” Billy pulls his fingers up to his mouth, sucking them into his mouth with a wicked grin before he yanks Stu’s zipper down and curls them around his cock.
“Christ F-Fine. For you.”
Billy kneels, savouring the way Stu’s breath hitches. His mouth waters slightly as he pulls Stu’s cock free, he’d never admit it out loud but he definitely has the prettiest cock he’s ever seen. Already hard and leaking, he resists the temptation to tease Stu about how eager he is. The thought of you naked and covered in blood has him just as hard as Stu is.
He leans forward to give the head of Stu’s cock a slow lick; he’s rewarded with a low groan and a sharp tug to his hair. Taking the hint he licks a long, broad stripe from base to tip before he sucks the entire head of Stu’s cock into his mouth, the satisfied grunt from above making his own cock twitch painfully in his jeans. He swirls his tongue a couple of times before pushing down as far as he can. Ignoring the tears that start to prick at his eyes, he sucks Stu carefully down his throat, retreating and going down again, not stopping until his nose is buried in the wiry blonde hairs at the base.
He purposefully chokes, knows how much he likes it and Stu swears. “Gonna cum man, shit,” his voice is strained. “Don’t f-fuck don’t swallow, want you to hold it,” He moans loudly and Billy finally hears you approaching. He’s kind of impressed you stayed back as long as you did. “Want you to kiss her, make her swallow, shit shit-” Stu’s words devolve into a slew of jumbled filth and moans and he takes that as his cue to pull back.
“I’d love to make you cum right now,” He swirls his tongue around Stu’s cock once more, gripping the base of his cock tightly. “But you promised me a show.”
He pulls away completely and stands up, ignoring Stu’s desperate whine and smacking his hands out the way when he tries to finish himself off. Billy looks towards you and you swallow hard, moving closer when he beckons you over. “Got a present for you bunny.”
----------------------------------------------------------------
“You look good like this,” Billy muttered. Your eyes flicked up briefly to watch him wander around the kitchen counter until he stood in front of Stu. "Look at him bunny, so eager to get fucked."
Your eyes were quick to dart back down to look at Stu obediently. You were naked apart from your panties, and the strap-on Billy had encouraged you into rested against Stu’s ass, it was pink, garishly so, and you had a sneaking suspicion that was exactly why Billy chose it.
"Can we just move to the part where you fuck me?" Stu grunted, his nails scratching into the counter top as he tries to keep still. “At least let me turn around, let me enjoy the show.”
"No. It’s her fantasy, let her enjoy it the way she imagined it.”
You don’t quite agree with that. You’d mentioned it once, in a frustrated rant about Stu’s behaviour and Billy had latched on to it. From how hard he’d been as he’d helped you into the harness, you think this is more his fantasy at this point.
"Billy, babe, dude, come on," Stu was practically vibrating with his pent up frustration, letting his forehead thunk on to the counter as he tried to relax.
"Good boy," Billy praised condescendingly, petting his hair. "You learn your place quick."
“Fuck you dude. Let’s swap places, see how you like it.”
You know Stu won’t last long; he’d been on the brink of orgasm when you had interrupted them in the kitchen. Stu’s moans and groans far too loud for you not to pretend you couldn’t hear them. You’d been content to watch, Stu was a joy to watch when he got his cock sucked, always devolving into a loud needy mess, but Billy had other ideas once he noticed your presence, and he seemed to want to make Stu work for it now as much as he could.
“Sorry sorry dude come on, please. I need you to fuck me.”
“Of course you do,” Billy lent back against the sink, arms crossed as he watched Stu. “But I’m not fucking you am I? Your girlfriend is.”
Your heart fluttered in a mix of excitement and hurt, the girlfriend feeling very much like the pointed jab Billy seems to be trying to make it. You trailed your hand down Stu’s spine, enjoying his needy moan and the way he jumped a little every time your nails scratched into his skin.
“Shouldn’t I, you know, prep him?” You’re embarrassed, the words falling haltering from your mouth. You feel totally out of your depth.
“That’s what the lube is for. Besides,” Billy moved, disappearing out of your line of sight until you feel his heat along your bare back, his hands on your hips as he pushes you gently forward. “He likes it to hurt a little.”
"Will one of you just fuck me already??"
Billy chuckles low in your ear and his grip tightens on your hips, stopping your movement, letting his hands trail up over your ribs to cup your breasts. “Don't let him rush you bunny, make him beg for it.”
“Dude. Fuck you.”
“You want her to fuck you? A big strong man like you begging to get fucked by his girlfriend?”
Stu’s growl sends shivers down your spine. He's tense, and you can tell he’s on the line between enjoying it and not. “Fuck fuck wait-,”
You hesitate. He wouldn't stop for you, you know that with a hundred percent certainty, you don't think you share the same sadistic streak but Billy decides for you. Pushing your hips forward and Stu moans as he feels the tip of your cock stretch open his asshole, slipping into a whine that makes Billy chuckle.
Despite your awkwardness you know how this works, gripping Stu’s hips you tugged him deeper onto your cock, Billy pushing your own further and further forward until you were flush against Stu’s ass and you felt him shudder in pleasure. You didn’t feel interested in drawing out this teasing any longer, you felt a little guilty, and Billy’s degrading words, even though Stu obviously enjoyed them, made you uncomfortable.
“Now move, slowly.” You let Billy guide your movements, his little whispered good girl making your cunt clench and flutter. “Rock them, like you do when you ride my cock.”
You began to roll your hips at a slow pace, Stu rocking back into you with a jumbled mix of more and harder making Billy laugh.
“Sounding a little pathetic there babe.”
“I know! I don’t care, just don’t stop,” Stu begged, and you obliged, Billy letting you grind your hips a little faster. Stu sounded angry almost under his desperateness and you knew you were going to on the receiving end of some rough love at some point tonight.
Billy was rocking against you, grinding against your ass in time with your thrusts. “Want to fuck you right now bunny, would you let me? Want to fuck that sweet little ass while you ruin his,” He suckles on the side of your neck, teeth nipping hard against your skin. “You look so fucking sexy.”
Stu grunts, one hand leaving the counter to shove between his legs. The hissed whine leaves you in no doubt that he’s stroking himself in time with your thrusts. “Keep going, bunny, m’sclose.”
“Slow down,” Billy’s fingers dig into your hips, forcing you to slow your pace, ignoring Stu’s pleas. This was a punishment, or another one of their games that they didn’t let you in on. Using you as a tool rather than a partner to enact whatever punishment or game this was. Although you couldn’t find it in yourself to be genuinely mad about it. It was hot, the way Stu shivered and moaned beneath you, and you were wet. Soaked even, the slow roll of your hips felt good even if you weren’t receiving any direct stimulation.
“Please, wanna cum, been so good for you,” Stu lamented; the little whimpers between his words letting you know how close he genuinely was. “Billy stop teasing.”
“Not me you gotta beg.” Billy finally lets you go, giving you a kiss to the cheek as stands back to watch. “Do what you want.”
“I'll return the favour bunny, I’ll spoil you,” Stu groans weakly, “ruin you, fuck you so hard.”
“Yeah?” Your cunt flutters hard around nothing, you’re so wet and desperate relieve the ache that you feel on the edge of begging yourself. "How would you do that?"
"You know how I would," he breathes, “I would fuck you, eat you out for days, make you cum however you wanted.”
“How ever I want?” You’re well aware this is the probably the only time he'll let you do this, that the payback for his submission will probably be rough. You’re going to savour it. “Want to know what I want?”
You lean forward over him as far as you can. “I want you to cum for me daddy.”
Billy laughs, and Stu swears loudly, his hips jerking forward into the edge of the counter so hard it must hurt him as you bury your cock as deep inside of him as you can, surprised and incredibly turned on by how hard he seems to cum at that one word.
“Holy shit. Holy shit balls.” He’s shaking, still stroking himself slowly as he tries to come down from his high. His cum is dripping down the side of the counter and pooling on the floor.
Your legs feel shaky and wobbly as you move back from him, enjoying his little hissed intake of breath as you pull the silicone cock out of him slowly.
Billy moves back behind you, pulling you back into him, letting you rest against him as his hands move to squeeze your breasts again and you both watch Stu. He looks completely fucked out as he stands naked in front of you, his face flushed, breathing hard and his cock half hard between his thighs.
“You enjoy that?” You smirk, feeling a little too proud of yourself in that moment to stop yourself from the sarcastic comment. “You beg so prettily.”
Stu glares, something dark flickers across his face and you even feel Billy tense slightly. You've pushed too far.
“Getting sassy huh? Just because I let you fuck me,” He steps into your space, pushing you back against Billy’s chest. “Our girl is getting an ego Billy boy.”
You were right about the retribution, arousal pooling heavy in your gut as he grips your hip with one hand, pulling at the buckles of the harness with the other until he can tug it away from you to let it fall heavily to the floor.
“You… you’re a tease,” Even Billy is silent and still as Stu talks. “Don't know what to do with myself sometimes. Do you know how hard it is to control myself around you?”
“Stu-,” It’s a breathless plea, although you’re not entirely sure what for. His intensity is scaring you but you feel so turned on you can't think straight, his fingers digging into your skin so hard you’re sure you can feel the bruises already forming. “You're hurting me.”
“I'd kill for you princess,” He ignores you, nails scratching at your hip. “Anyone for any reason.”
“Stu.” It’s a warning, for what you’re not sure, Billy’s voice low over your shoulder.
This side of Stu you've not seen for a while, when that hyperactive persona kind of morphs into an almost violent mania. The intense look on his face as he stares at you reminds you of the time his pet guinea pig died. Like he wants to cut you open and examine you from the inside out.
You had nightmares for weeks when you'd found him performing an autopsy on the poor thing. How he'd tried to drag you over to have a look, the absolute excited fascination on his face as he poked at the furry thing. He’d been so mad at you when you had gone crying to his parents, it had taken you over a week’s worth of pocket money and candy to get back into his good graces. He’d never told you what happened to it and he’d never had a pet since.
“Anyone.” He repeats.
You shiver and Billy presses a flurry of kisses over your bare shoulder, although you're not sure if he is worried you're uncomfortable or realises you like it.
“I didn’t want to hurt you like that; Tatum was a mistake, promise. Just want you. Want me to make love to you, bunny? Sweet and slow, make you cum again and again until you can’t think straight?” He kisses you gently, a chaste little peck to your lips that has you straining for more. “I can do that, I can.”
He doesn’t sound convinced. And you don’t want that. At least not right now. You want Stu. You want him to fuck you, to mark you, for him to prove it’s you he wants not Tatum. The sudden desire to have him almost scares you.
“No I-I, I want it- I want you.” That’s not quite what you wanted to say. Doesn’t explain the nuance of what you’re feeling but their reaction is immediate.
It's the tensing of Billy behind you that unnerves you more than Stu's darkening gaze. You're not sure why but you feel like you've bitten off more than you can chew.
You swallow hard and Stu zeroes in on the gesture, sharp eyes narrowing as he watches your throat bob.
“Yeah? You want me to hurt you?”
“Stu.” Billy’s voice is a sharp loud snap this time. He can see the way Stu is only just hanging back from doing or saying something stupid. It's obvious you're not thinking along the same lines as them, that your cute sweet innocent little mind is probably thinking that they're into bondage or some shit, not that he desperately wants to take a knife to your skin or how Stu desperately wants to fuck you next to Casey’s bloody corpse. That when Stu says he wants to hurt you, he means it. He feels just a tinge of genuine worry at the glassy look in Stu’s eyes. The last thing he needs is Stu slipping into some kind of full blown mania here. Keeping control of him could be frustrating sometimes.
“Yeah yeah, I'm good.” Stu barely gives him a glance, to focused on you and the way your breasts move as you pant. “You scared?”
Yes. “No.”
“Liar. But that's OK. I'll make sure you enjoy it.” He would and he could. You knew it. The two of them always managing to talk, push, you into whatever they wanted.
Billy's grip tightens on your wrists as you tense. Like he’s worried you’re going to try and run. You don't want to, not really but the feeling of suddenly being prey is making you nervous, despite the undercurrent of excited arousal.
Stu is spacing out again, hands slipping up your rib cage to cup your breasts. You arch your back into his touch, gasping suddenly when he lowers his head to swirl his tongue over your nipple. Your thighs clench at the sensation, and he nips sharply at you before he pulls away. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want you.”
“You have us, always.”
Stu dropped to his knees, pulling your underwear down with him, pushing your legs wide and buried his face between them, dragging his tongue up the line of your cunt. Your hips stuttering against his face as your hands grip into his hair, trying to ground yourself against the sudden rush of pleasure. The thump as you threw your head back against Billy’s shoulder was a distant, drowned out by the loud moans you couldn’t seem to stop making. Stu was unfairly good with that tongue.
“So wet, you enjoy fucking me that much?” Stu groaned, the wet sound of his tongue almost obscene as he lapped at you. He let go of your calf to squeeze his cock, he was achingly hard again already, but he wanted to make you cum before he fucked you, wanted the taste and smell of you so deep into his skin and stomach that you would be a part of him for days.
“So sweet, fuck Billy,” He growled and lapped roughly at your clit, quick, curling drags of his tongue. “Love this fucking pussy.” You tried to roll up against his mouth, the movements of your body uncontrolled and uncoordinated but Billy held you firm, his hands on your hips keeping you frustratingly still.
“Could spend hours eating you out princess, could do this for days, weeks.” Stu dragged the flat of his tongue more slowly along your clit, your back arching away from Billy until he let go of your hips to wrap around your waist, holding you firmly flush against him
Whatever Billy was whispering in your ear was lost to you as Stu stroked his fingers along your folds, holding you open before he drove his tongue up inside your cunt, grunting and moaning he fucked you with his tongue.
“Oh god,” you breathed, your nails scraping across his scalp. “God, Stu, fuck.”
He worked his tongue as deep as he could, and one of your hands left his hair to claw blindly back at Billy’s thigh, you felt completely un-tethered as you bucked against Stu’s face, your moans turning into an almost wail when he curled his tongue, his nose grinding against your clit until your whole body shook.
“Fuck-,” a broken gasp of your name from Billy behind you. He could feel how close you were, the tremble in your limbs as you fought to rock against his hold. You were close, so close and he was flooded with the sadistic desire to deny you.
“Stop.”
Stu obeyed him instantly, pulling away just before you found release, smacking his lips as you jerked, trying to chase his mouth but it was no use, Billy’s arms tight around you stopping you from moving at all. You yanked on his hair, but he didn’t budge. “Stu, please!”
“Billy said stop,” He turned to bite against the skin inside your thigh as you begged. This. He loved this. He could probably cum from this alone, your body aching and needy, dripping and so very desperate for him. “Ask him for it.”
“Billy.” It’s a high pitched whine, a sound you’d be mortified of making if you weren’t so close to tears.
“Shhh,” Billy drew in a shaky breath, sounding just as wrecked as you. “I’ve got you. Tell me you want me baby, tell me and I’ll let you cum.”
“I want you, I want you, please!”
Billy shudders and Stu takes that as he cue to start moving again, sliding his fingers up and down your wet folds, before pressing one single digit inside you slowly.
“Stu,” you moan, and he buries his face into your stomach, tongue dipping into your belly button and you hiss as a second finger slips inside, thrusting and curling against your walls.
Your hands scrabble to grip at his hair again as your hips rock into his hand, desperate to chase the quickly approaching orgasm. He’s being rough, almost too rough, the frantic twist and scissoring of his fingers almost too much, the calloused pad of his thumb rough against your clit as he rubs in small hard little circles. You roll your hips, grinding harder against his palm and moaning loudly at the pleasure he’s forcing you to take.
“You gonna cum for me?” he asks, pulling back to watch your face, a groan escaping him when he feels you begin to flutter around his fingers. “Come on bunny, cum for me.” You whine, but he doesn’t slow down, doesn’t give you any reprieve as he shoves his fingers harder inside your slick cunt, making you sob and forces you up on to your toes in an effort to pull away.
“Too much, too much Stu,”
“Shhh, you’re ok, it’s ok, just take it.” Billy’s gentle kisses over your neck turn into harsh nipping bites as Stu’s fingers thrust and curl harder, hitting a spot inside you that has you seeing stars. The pain in your neck coupled with the frantic thrusting of Stu’s fingers has a new intense warmth growing low in your gut that has warning bells ringing distantly in your head. You scramble desperately at Stu’s hair, trying to push him back or pull him closer you’re not sure as the intense sensation spreads through you, shooting down your spine and making your cunt clench tight around his fingers. It’s too much, you’re half screaming and half choking as your orgasm hits you, the pressure explodes and you’re cumming with a strangled cry, the unexpected sensation of fluids gushing down your inner thighs and hitting your calves making tears of humiliation flood down your cheeks.
“Good girl, good fucking girl.” Billy’s hand curls around your throat, it’s making little tiny stars dance at the edge of your vision and you try to choke out some kind of plea for mercy. The wet sound between your legs is too loud; Stu’s eager moans as he laps and sucks at you fuel your embarrassment. Everything feels raw, over used, over sensitive, you can’t tell if it feels amazing or horrible.
“Please.” It’s a broken hitching sob but it’s not until Billy murmurs a soft stop that makes Stu finally pull back, your legs and thighs trembling violently. If it wasn’t for the two of them holding you up you’d be a collapsed puddle of jello on the floor.
You came down slowly, your body feeling faint and far away. You desperately wanted to sit down.
“Never made a girl squirt before. That was hot as fuck,” Stu said quietly, nuzzling at the mark he'd left on your thigh, seemingly unbothered by the mess he was definitely kneeling in. “You’re perfect, perfect.”
He continued to mumble against your stomach as Billy pulled on your hair, tilting your head back until your neck was fully exposed, making you moan pitifully. You really really wanted to sit down. He shivered at the noise. “You still with me?”
“She’s gone man, fucked out completely,” Stu’s proud, your exhausted state giving him a very much not needed ego boost. Billy groaned, grinding against you, despite how obviously spent you were it was like he couldn’t control himself, like he couldn’t stop himself from trying to fuck you. His arms wrap around your waist and he’s kissing your neck, as He stumbles forward, pushing you until he bends you over the edge of the counter and you can feel him hot and hard against your ass.
“Tired,” You whisper, one sluggish arm reaching back to try and push against his thigh, surprising yourself when tears start to prick at your eyes. “I can’t, need a break Bill.”
“I know, I know,” he whispers in your ear. He curves a hand around your hip to press against your stomach, the other disappearing behind you and you hear the sound of his belt clinking not long after. “But I gotta fill you up, need to,” he breathes. His fingers stroke across your belly, dipping between your thighs and you whimper softly at the touch. “Just once, just once baby, ok?”
You’re not sure what Stu is doing, still on the floor at your feet, you can feel his hands on your calf, soft fluttering touches but you can’t decide if he’s trying to soothe you or is raring up to go again. Billy hunches over you a little more, mouth hot and hungry as he kisses up your spine. You squirm against his hold, it’s too much, too much sensation and you really want to stop. He shushes you softly; the press of his cock against your entrance making you suck in a harsh breath, arching into the contact despite yourself. “Just a little longer bunny. Don’t you want me to feel good too?”
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dclblog · 5 years
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Once Upon A Time in Hollywood (O-Ton, kleinere Spoiler)...
...ist für mich eine schwierigere Angelegenheit, als ich dachte. Wollte eigentlich schon vor einer Woche eine kurze, knappe Kritik darüber schreiben, dass der Film tolle Momente hat, mich aber insgesamt nicht nachhaltig beeindruckte. Ich hatte schon angesetzt, da wurden meine einschlägigen Social Media-Plattformen überschwemmt von Lobeshymnen gerade auch derer, auf deren Filmgeschmack ich sehr viel wert lege. Von Leuten, die ihn als den “besten Tarantino seit ‘Pulp Fiction’” priesen über dreifache Kinobesuche in drei Tagen war alles dabei. Nun neige ich nicht dazu, mich von Mehrheitsmeinungen vereinnahmen zu lassen, aber wenn so viele Hochgeschätzte einen Film so unbändig lieben, sehe ich mich gezwungen, doch ausführlicher darzulegen, warum es bei mir insgesamt nicht Klick gemacht hat.
Fangen wir vielleicht mit den zwei Aspekten an, die ich ohne Einschränkung großartig fand:
1. Brad Pitt
Ja, es hilft, dass er auch mit Mitte 50 noch eine der fotogensten Erscheinungen ist, die abgelichtet werden können. Aber als sein hübsches Gesicht dank Alter und jahrelangem übermäßigem Nikotin- und Alkoholgebrauch vor ein paar Jahren die Makellosigkeit verlor, kam zu meiner nicht geringen Überraschung der ganz fantastische Schauspieler zum Vorschein, der er vielleicht schon immer war. Sein monströs-trauriger Vater in Malicks “Tree Of Life”, welcher mir ebenso viel ehrliche Angst einflößte, wie er mich in seinen hilflosen Momenten tief berührte, war endgültig der Punkt, an welchem ich mir eingestehen musste: ich bin Fan. Ich bin in “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” gegangen in der Erwartung, dass Margot Robbie, welche ich ganz großartig finde, ihn veredeln würde. Dass stattdessen Pitt der MVP ist, welcher mit gelassen müdem Sexappeal auch die Szenen stiehlt, in welchen er im Hintergrund in der Unschärfe an einer Selleriestaude knabbert, hätte ich nicht erwartet. Bei ihm wird alles zum Erlebnis, die guten Szenen verbessert und die peinlichen (und es gibt ein paar in diesem Film) haarscharf gerettet. Natürlich weiß Tarantino dabei um den Mythos des Namens, des Lächelns, des Körpers, und er weiß dieses Kapital sehr clever zu nutzen. Und natürlich wird Pitt irgendwann wie in seinem Durchbruch “Thelma und Louise” das Shirt ausziehen, was fast dreißig Jahre später lächerlich anmuten könnte, aber bei ihm mit so viel entspannter Würde vonstatten geht, dass es immer noch als großer Kinomoment durchgeht - in einer Zeit, in welcher sich die gemeine Tricktechnik mit immer neueren CGI-Mätzchen selbst zu übertrumpfen sucht, ist der Umstand, dass der nackte Oberkörper von Brad Pitt noch als (latent melancholisches) Spektakel inszeniert werden kann, ein kleines Wunder. Ganz ganz toll ist zudem
2. Der Schluss
Der Titel des Filmes verweist natürlich nicht nur auf die ollen Leone-Klassiker, er ist auch elementar in der Vorbereitung auf ein Finale, welches wie schon “Inglourious Basterds” und “Django Unchained” die zuvor durchaus akribisch recherchierte Geschichte ins Reich der Märchen entführt, wo sie in ein gerechtes Ende - oder was Tarantino dafür hält - mündet. Da diese seine Methode mittlerweile mehr als bekannt ist und als Shyamalanscher Plottwist nicht mehr taugt, empfinde ich es nicht als übermäßigen Spoiler zu schreiben: auch in “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” läuft Altbekanntes bis ins Detail genau ab, um dann durch das Hinzufügen zweier Elemente - DiCaprios abgehalftertem Westernstar und seinem Stuntman Pitt - eine gänzlich andere Wendung einzuschlagen. Das ist dann alles komplett drüber, ultrabrutal und urkomisch, gleichzeitig aber eingedenk dessen, was man eigentlich weiß, auch tieftraurig und bittersüß, kurz: in allen Belangen meisterhaft. War es bei “The Hateful 8″ gerade der Einzug des von Tarantino so geliebten Gore, welcher ein bis dahin grundsolides Bürgerkriegsdrama zu einem müden Piffpaff verkommen ließ, rettet hier das fulminant absurde Finale einen Film, welcher in meinen Augen eine große objektive und zwei rein subjektive Schwachstellen hat, und zwar:
1. Sally Menke ist tot
Ich werde sicher keine staunenden “Aaah”s und “Oooh”s, geschweige denn einen Originalitätspreis ernten, wenn ich schreibe: seit Tarantino nicht mehr die Editor-Großmeisterin an seiner Seite hat, welche ihm zur Not auch mal auf die Finger klopfte, hat er ein Schnittproblem. Es gibt auch hier unfassbar großartige Sequenzen - Pitts Ausflug ins Manson-Dorf sollte als Blaupause dafür genutzt werden, wie Suspense in einer Szene, in der objektiv nicht viel passiert, aufgebaut werden kann. Allein: das, was ich bei seinen Werken immer so fantastisch fand und was ich in all seinen Filmen bis einschließlich “Inglourious Basterds” wahrnahm, nämlich die Verdichtung von Zeit, funktioniert irgendwie nicht mehr. Zumindest nicht mehr so mühelos. Ich weiß, dies ist Jammern auf allerhöchstem Niveau. Aber für mich waren die Momente, in denen zwei oder mehr Menschen ein einfaches Gespräch führten und man ganz gleich, ob es danach Schüsse oder Küsse gab, mit offenem Mund dasaß und nicht zu atmen wagte, ein größeres Markenzeichen dieses Filmemachers als Füße und Gewalt. Und diese Mühelosigkeit vermisse ich, gerade in einem Film, in welchem ich mich für meinen Geschmack zu sehr fragte, was genau denn nun erzählt werden soll. Dies gehört aber nicht hierher, sondern vielmehr zu Punkt
2. Wo ist das Märchen?
Tarantino bezeichnet “Once Upon A Time” als seinen persönlichsten Film, und das glaube ich ihm. Noch toller fände ich es, wenn ich es auch spüren würde. Ohne mich groß auf die “ist die Bruce Lee-Szene rassistisch”-Debatte einlassen zu wollen (weil sie ein anderes Thema für einen anderen Blog ist), finde ich ebendiese Szene symptomatisch für einen Film, der voll ist mit Elementen, die ganz klar von Tarantino geliebt, gar vergöttert werden (dass er ein glühender Lee-Fan ist, ist kein Geheimnis), nur um dann oft als mehr oder weniger geglückte Punchline herzuhalten. Ich meine das aufrichtig nicht sarkastisch, wenn ich gestehe, dass ich mich zwischendrin immer wieder fragte, was genau denn Tarantino nun an dieser Zeit so toll fand. Und um das klar zu sagen: ich habe kein Problem damit, dass er ihre problematischen Aspekte ausklammern und vielmehr von den Wundern erzählen möchte, wie er sie eben damals erlebte. Aber wo bitte sind sie? Die Coens mit ihrem lapidaren “Hail, Caesar!” hatten auch kein Interesse dran, Sozialkritk am Hollywood der 50er zu üben, aber es war immer ersichtlich, was sie stattdessen wollten: den Clooney als Cary Grant für Arme, die Johannson beim Wasserballet und den Tatum beim Matrosentanz - ich persönlich finde das legitim. Film ist immer schon auch Eskapismus gewesen, und um der Welt zu entfliehen, muss man Teile von ihr ausblenden, auch und gerade in einem Werk, dessen Titel mit “Es war einmal...” beginnt. Aber dann möchte ich offen gestanden mehr sehen, mehr fühlen als beim x-ten Cruisen durch die Hollywood Hills und Margot Robbies “Abenteuer” als Sharon Tate, bei der ich nicht umhin kam, schlicht enttäuscht zu sein, weil sie in meinen Augen so viel mehr kann und Tarantino für das, wozu sie hier gebeten wurde, auch gleich jemand deutlich weniger Begabtes hätte nehmen können. Sie ist hübsch, sie strahlt über das ganze Gesicht - fin. Aber zumindest wird hier noch der Versuch gestartet, so etwas wie Magie auf Zelluloid zu bannen. Ich schließe nicht aus, dass ich bei einer möglichen zweiten, dritten Sichtung alles dahingehend zurücknehmen und das Gegenteil behaupten werde - es ist schon merkwürdigeres geschehen. Ein Umstand der aber bleibt, für den ich Jahre brauchte, um ihn mir einzugestehen, weil dies eine Meinung ist, für die man als Cineast schräg angeschaut wird, aber die jetzt nun mal endlich raus muss:
3. Ich mag Leonardo DiCaprio nicht
Genauer: ich mag ihn nicht mehr, seit er erwachsen wurde, sich die Charlie Sheen Gedächtnis-Stirnfalte zulegte, die mit jedem Jahr größer wird und immer schlechter kaschieren kann, dass die ihm innewohnende Leere bei aller Brillanz - und ja, ich halte ihn für einen technisch brillanten Schauspieler - schlicht nicht spannend, nicht aufregend, nicht großes Kino ist. Er hat mich seit seinen Jugendjahren nicht ein einziges Mal mehr wirklich berührt. Ich weiß, ich bewege mich jetzt hier in seeehr subjektiven Gewässern, aber die einzigen beiden Rollen, in denen er mich zuletzt überzeugte, waren die in “Wolf Of Wall Street” und “Django Unchained”, weil er in ersterem als nihilistischer Broker nicht so tun musste, als hätte sein antrainierter Leo-Charme noch irgendeine seelische Anbindung und in zweiterem ein Arschloch zu enden alle Arschlöcher spielen durfte. Ein Film, in welchem er die klare Hauptfigur ist, der ich folgen und bei der ich mitfühlen soll, ist für mich sehr schwierig, nicht zuletzt deswegen, weil sein verkniffen sorgenvoller Hasbeen (rein visuell eine klare Fehlbesetzung) größte spielerische Leichtigkeit erforderte, um nicht irgendwann auf die Nerven zu gehen, wo Di Caprio immer die eine Spur zu verbissen, zu entnervt, zu angespannt ist - dass sie ihm einem alternden “No more fucks to give”-Schönling wie Brad Pitt zur Seite stellten, unterstreicht diesen Punkt nur umso mehr. So ließen mich auch Szenen, die auf dem Papier ganz ganz toll sein sollten, unangenehm kalt - sein in alter Tarantino-Meisterhaftigkeit geschriebenes Gespräch mit seinem jungen Co-Star hat alles Potential mittendurch zu gehen, verpufft aber für mich auf halbem Weg zum Herz.
Tarantino ist immer eine Angelegenheit für sich. Meine persönliche Haltung zu seinen jeweiligen Filmen verändert sich mit jedem Jahr, welches ich auf dem Buckel habe und mit jeder Sichtung. Insofern soll diese Kritik nicht als meine ultimative Meinung zu “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” gewertet werden. Allein: ein mir sehr lieber Kinofreund meinte einmal auf die Frage, was für ihn ein Lieblingsfilm ist, mit: “Alle, mit denen ich wieder aufwache”. Eingedenk der Tatsache, dass dieses Werk knapp eine Woche nach der Sichtung fast komplett bei mir aus Hirn und Herz verschwand, fürchte ich, dass es bei aller möglichen Korrektur meiner Ansichten in der potentiellen Zukunft kein Liebling von mir mehr werden wird.
D.C.L.
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maxwellyjordan · 5 years
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Wednesday round-up
This morning, in Mission Product Holdings Inc. v. Tempnology LLC, the justices will consider whether a trademark licensee retains any rights under a licensing agreement when the licensor goes bankrupt. Ronald Mann previewed the case for this blog. Cecelia Bruni and Brady Plastaras have a preview at Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.
Yesterday the court released additional orders from Friday’s conference, adding an important Clean Water Act case to their docket for next term and invalidating for the second time in an unsigned opinion the death sentence of a Texas inmate who claims that he is ineligible for the death penalty because he is intellectually disabled. Amy Howe covers the order list for this blog, in a post that first appeared at Howe on the Court. At E&E News, Ellen Gilmer reports that yesterday’s cert grant came in came in County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, “a case involving whether the law covers pollution that moves through groundwater before reaching a federal waterway,” and that “[e]nvironmental groups, states, industry and conservatives are watching the case closely, as its outcome could clarify or narrow EPA’s historical interpretation of the types of pollution discharges covered by the Clean Water Act.” Additional coverage comes from Ledyard King and Richard Wolf for USA Today, Brent Kendall and Jess Bravin for The Wall Street Journal, and Stephanie Sundier at Jurist.
In the death penalty case, Moore v. Texas, Lawrence Hurley reports for Reuters that “[t]he divided court ruled that a Texas appeals court misapplied the law by again rejecting an appeal brought by inmate Bobby Moore, 59, seeking to avoid execution on the basis of intellectual disability.” At The Daily Caller, Kevin Daley reports that “[t]hough Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a dissent from Ginsburg’s 2017 decision [in Moore’s favor], he voted with the majority Tuesday, releasing a short concurring opinion that said the Texas court ‘repeated the same errors that this Court previously condemned.’” Additional coverage comes from Thomas DeLorenzo at Jurist. Commentary comes from Kent Scheidegger at Crime & Consequences.
At The Wall Street Journal, Jess Bravin reports that “Justice Clarence Thomas issued a solo opinion Tuesday urging his colleagues on the Supreme Court to consider making it easier for public figures to sue news organizations.” At CNN, Tammy Kupperman and Sophie Tatum report that, in an opinion concurring in the denial of review in a defamation case, McKee v. Cosby, Thomas “called for reconsideration of a landmark First Amendment precedent, criticizing [New York Times v. Sullivan,] the 1964 decision that the Constitution creates a higher barrier for public figures to claim libel.” Adam Liptak reports for The New York Times that “Justice Thomas’s statement came in the wake of complaints from President Trump that libel laws make it too hard for public officials to win libel suits.” At the Constitutional Law Prof Blog, Ruthann Robson notes that Thomas “has essentially called for an abandonment of First Amendment concerns in the torts of defamation and libel.”
At Education Week’s School Law Blog, Mark Walsh reports that the court “declined to take up a challenge to a Kentucky law that makes it a crime for anyone to direct speech or conduct to a school employee that disrupts or interferes with normal school activities.” Patrick Eckerd reports at Jurist that the justices also “declined to hear Maryland’s bid to revive a 2017 law aimed at reining in prescription drug costs.”
Nina Totenberg reports at NPR that “Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — the oldest, tiniest and possibly most well-known justice — returned to her perch on the bench Tuesday, asking questions in a firm and strong voice.” Kevin Daley reports for The Daily Caller that “Ginsburg’s demeanor strongly suggested that she is aware of untoward speculation as to her health in recent weeks, which she sought to immediately dismiss as unfounded.” Mark Walsh has a first-hand account of Ginsburg’s return to the courtroom for this blog.
This blog’s analysis of yesterday’s lone oral argument in Return Mail Inc. v. United States Postal Service, which asks whether the federal government can challenge patents under the America Invents Act, comes from Ronald Mann. Additional coverage of the argument comes from Erik Slobe at Jurist.
At The Atlantic, Garrett Epps observes that the court’s decision in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, a challenge to a World War I memorial shaped like a cross on public property, “will shape how courts around the country respond to monuments, official and ‘voluntary’ public prayer, and other official and semiofficial manifestations of popular faith and belief.” [Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, is counsel on an amicus brief in support of the petitioners in this case.] At The Daily Signal, Elizabeth Slattery looks at the First Amendment issues in American Legion and Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck, which asks whether a private operator of a public-access TV channel is a “state actor” who can be sued for violating someone’s First Amendment rights.
Briefly:
For The New York Times, Adam Liptak writes that in Flowers v. Mississippi, which asks whether a prosecutor’s repeated use of peremptory challenges to remove black people from the jury pool violated the Constitution, the justices could “put some teeth into Batson v. Kentucky, a 1986 decision that made an exception to the centuries-old rule that peremptory challenges are completely discretionary and cannot be second-guessed.”
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Nina Golgowski at HuffPost:
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed “Queen of Soul” whose powerhouse vocal cords revolutionized American music and made her one of the top-selling female musicians of all time, has died at age 76, her publicist told The Associated Press on Thursday.
BREAKING: Publicist for Aretha Franklin says the Queen of Soul died Thursday at her home in Detroit.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 16, 2018
The cause of death was advanced pancreatic cancer, her oncologist confirmed to the AP.
“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family,” Franklin’s family said in a statement.
News of her death comes on the heels of several reports of Franklin being “seriously” unwell. Friends of the singer said Monday that Franklin was “gravely ill” and “asking for prayers.”
Rumors surrounding her health have followed Franklin in recent years, including concerns that she had cancer, which she denied in 2011. She performed at the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York City last November and had lost a noticeable amount of weight. She canceled several shows in 2017 and 2018 for health reasons, including a headlining gig at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest in April. Franklin’s management said at the time that the singer’s doctor had ordered her to “stay off the road and rest completely.”
The 18-time Grammy winner, who got her start singing gospel as a child, transcended music categories — R&B, pop, jazz, disco and blues — during her six decades as a recording artist.
Her Top 10 hits included ”(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Chain of Fools,” and most famously her signature rendition of Otis Redding’s “Respect,” which became a rallying cry for strong, independent women and black empowerment during the civil rights era.
“There are artists, there are stars, but there are very, very few we know will be a part of history forever,” Franklin’s longtime music collaborator, Clive Davis, told HuffPost in April 2017. “And her talent, her voice will be studied and appreciated forever.”
In addition to being a cultural icon ― not just in music, but in human rights and even fashion ― Franklin, who was ranked by Rolling Stone as the greatest singer of all time, was one of the most honored singers of the 20th century and 21st century.
She was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor, in 2005. She was invited to perform at the inaugurations for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Her 2009 performance at Obama’s inauguration ― where she wore a spectacular jeweled hat ― was one of several shows she performed for the first couple during Obama’s two terms in the White House. She would also perform the classic “A Natural Woman” at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. Obama appeared to wipe away tears as she brought the house to a standing ovation. 
Born March 25, 1942, to a Baptist minister and a gospel singer, Franklin first started singing at her father’s church as a child with her two sisters.
Her father, the late Rev. C.L. Franklin, was a celebrity in his own right. His fiery sermons packed the pews and attracted a range of musical talent to the Detroit home where Franklin grew up. There, the Franklin children were exposed to the likes of Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Oscar Peterson, as Franklin fondly recalled to NPR’s Terry Gross in 1999.
In later years, the Franklins became close to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with C.L. helping to spearhead civil rights demonstrations, including Detroit’s Freedom March in 1963.
Franklin’s music career kicked off at age 14, when she recorded her first studio album, “Songs of Faith,” in 1956. While touring with her father, by then her manager, she gave birth to her first child. Two years later, she gave birth to the second of what would be four children.
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In 1960, she signed with Columbia Records, where she released her first Top 40 hit, ”Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody.”
Her signing with Columbia was monumental, helping her to transition from gospel to mainstream music. Yet it wasn’t until after her contract ended in 1966 that her career took off, with Franklin signing to Atlantic Records.
John Hammond, who produced Franklin’s nine albums with Columbia, remarked on that move upon her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: “I cherish the albums we made together, but Columbia was a white company who misunderstood her genius,” he said.
Franklin produced 19 albums for Atlantic over 12 years, and she exploded at the top of the charts with many of the soulful classics she’s best known for today.
In her autobiography, Franklin credited the label, and music producer Jerry Wexler, with granting her free rein in regard to her music, which led to her chart-topping success.
“Jerry handled all the technical aspects and made sure I put my personal stamp on these songs,” she wrote. “Atlantic provided TLC — tender loving care — in a way that made me feel secure and comfortable. ... Putting me back on piano helped Aretha-ize the new music. The enthusiasm and camaraderie in the studio were terrific, like nothing I had experienced at Columbia. This new Aretha music was raw and real and so much more myself. I loved it!”
The 1970s saw her win six Grammys and release a variety of diverse live albums, which included a return to gospel with her double platinum selling album “Amazing Grace.”
In the ‘80s, she signed with Clive Davis’ label, Arista Records, where she knocked out a range of tunes from dance music to pop ― notably her 1987 Grammy-winning single with George Michael, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me).” Her 23-year partnership with Arista Records, which lasted until 2003, was the longest in her recording career.
She went on to receive her 18th Grammy in 2007 for her duet “Never Gonna Break My Faith” with Mary J. Blige.
Her last album, “Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics,” was released in 2014 on RCA, and marked her first major-label album in 13 years.
In January, it was revealed that Franklin had chosen Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson to portray her in an upcoming biopic.
Production had stalled on the film due to negotiations, but Franklin was anticipating moving forward with the project.
“It’s been a long, long haul, but I think we’re right at it now,” she told HuffPost while celebrating her 74th birthday in New York City in 2016. “We’re gonna go forward with it.”
Regardless of the biopic’s status, Franklin’s place in the nation’s cultural landscape is secure.
“Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R&B, rock and roll — the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope,” Obama told The New Yorker in 2016. “American history wells up when Aretha sings.”
Franklin is survived by her four sons ― Clarence Franklin, Edward Franklin, Ted White Jr. and Kecalf Cunningham ― and several grandchildren.
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slowlyfantasticfart · 4 years
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MES FILMS. MES SÉRIES ET MON PLAISIR.
Il y a beaucoup  d'acteurs et d'actrices que j'aime beaucoup et que j'admire énormément et parmi cette liste il y a ACTEURS Johnny Deep Paul Walker Channing Tatum Robin Williams Adam Slander Jason Stanham Dwyane Johnson Kellan Lutz Chris Hemsworth Liam Hemsworth Heat Ledger Nicholas Cage Liam Neeson Brad Pitt Tom cruise steve Martin James Franco James Marsden ACTRICES Katherine Heighl Rachel Mc Adams Zoe Saldana Mila Kunis Anne Hathaway Drew Barrymore Jennifer Lopez Jessica Alba Scarlett Johansson Natalie Portman Reese Witherspoon Sandra Bullock Julia Roberts Cameron Diaz J'aime beaucoup le domaine du cinéma, c'est une passion c'est quelque chose que j'aime quand je veut relaxer. N'es ce pas réconfortant. Ici je me suis fait tout un répertoire de film de tout les genre vous y voyez tout un choix films et de série que j'ai beaucoup aimer alors l'es voici. HORREUR Annabelle série Us La conjuration série Ma Silence Dead (Silence de mort) Malédiction de l'enfer (Drag Me to Hell) Le cauchemar de Molly Hartley 2008 Le bal de l'horreur (Prom Night) 2008 Terreur sur la ligne (When a stranger calls) A Qiet Place (Un coin tranquille) Ça, Dans le noir One missed Call (Un appel manqué) Mortelle St Valentin Instinct de survie Visions, Ouija Ne t'endors pas Poltergeist Sinistre 1 Jessabelle Mama insidous 2,3,4 I Still I Know what you did last summer Halloween Chucky Jaws (les dents de la mer) Scream (Frisson) 1,2,3,4 N'aie pas peur du noir Freddy Krueger les griffes de la nuit (2010) Boogeyman Apparence Meurtre a la St Valentin destination ultime (Final Destination) La maison de cire The darkness Jeepers creepers SCIENCE FICTION ET FANTASTIQUE Les animeaux fantastique 1,2 La momie, Thor La belle et la bête le film Le livre de la jungle le film Coeur d'encre Pan, Pete's Dragon (Peter Elliot et le dragon) Oz le magnifique Alice au pays des merveilles 1,2 Percy Jackson 1 et 2 Chronique de narnia 1,2,3 Légende 1985 Merlin 1998 Casper, Maléfique Le labyrinthe de pan Le cygne noir (2011) Harry Potter série Bright Les gardiens de la galaxie 1,2 L'ascension de Jupiter A-X-L Transformers Armageddon Le jour d'après La stratégie Ender X-Men Life, Prometheus Alien, Passager La guerre des mondes La stratégie d'enfer La série Star Was Chappie Le chaos La guerre des mondes COMÉDIE DE FILLE Année bixestille Le journal d'une princesse 1, 2 Gagner un rendez vous avec Tad Hamilton 13 ans bientot 30 Elle a tout pour elle, Monte Carlo The Parent Trap Sweet Home Alabama, Le prince et moi Et si c'était vrai, Un amour infini Comment perdre son mec en 10 jours Something Borrowed (Duos en trois) Le mariage de mon meilleur ami 27 Robes Les douzes coups de minuit Ma belle est un monstre La fille du président Éloge de la liberté Blonde et légale Méchantes Ados Bring It On (Le tout pour le tout) 1,2,3,4,5 Lettre a Juliette Le diable s'habille en prada Confession d'une accro du shopping Profession hôtesse de l'air Julie & Julia Meilleure ennemies Because I Said So (Cherche homme parfait) Sexfriends, Sexe entre amis A Cinderella Story ACTION ET AVENTURE 300 1 et 2 Rambo : la dernière mission Le casse noisette et les quatres royaumes (The Nutcraker an... Un raccourci dans le temps ( A Wrinkle on Time) Aquaman Venom Le masque de Zorro série Mission impossible série Bumblebee Divergence série Spider Man série Charlie's Angel série Hancok The Island Jumanji 1,2 Life of Pie San Andreas Pacifim Rim 1 et 2 Voyage au centre de la terre 1 et 2 Les aventures de Tintin : Le secret de la licorne Jurassic World série John Wick 1,2 The Equalizer 1,2 Skyscraper (Gratte Ciel) Ant-Man et guêpe (Ant-Man and the Wasp 1,2 Mégalodon (The Meg) Peppermint (Déchainée) La légende d'Hercule, Lara Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Parker Trésor National 1,2 Fast Furious 4,5,6,7,8 le 1 et 2 (version française Rapide et Dangereux) Blanche neige et le chasseur 1 et 2 Mr. S Smith Bleu d'enfer Le mécano : la résurrection 47 Ronin Tigre et dragon Jake Ryan Le gardien Die Hard Rampage Maraudeurs Top Gun (1986) Underworld V for Vendetta ENFANT ET FAMILLE Dora et la cité perdue UglyDolls Jack Frost (1998) Free Willy The Polar Express (Boréal Express) Une nuit au musée Moins Cher La Douzaine 1 et 2 The Lizzie McGuire Movie Hanna Montana: The Movie Une princesse sur la glace Nancy Drew Les 101 Dalmatien Happy Family Pierre Lapin Enchantés Stailion Benji Mes vies de chiens 1,2 Whisper série L'incroyable histoire de Winter le dauphin 1,et 2 Tobby The Amazing Penda Le dragon des mers Chérie j'ai agrandi le bébé The House With a Clock In its Walls Incredibles 1 et 2 DRAME The lake house (La maison près du lac) La série Twilight Salt À Cinq pied de toi (Five feet Apart Midnight Sun (Soleil de minuit) A Star is Born (Une étoile est née) Forever my Girl Beastly (Sortilège) Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain 1995 Crossroads (A la croisé des chemins) 2002 Stepmom (La blonde a mon père) Match Point Doux Novembre The Roommate The Other Woman Red Eye (Vol sous haute pression) Flight Plan (Plan de Vol) My Girl (L'été de mes 11 ans) L'arrivée (Arrival) Sully Wicker Park Pearl Harbor P.S. I love You Le porte bonheur (The Lucky One) Tristan & Yseult Le secret de Charlie Hors du temps The Lovely Bones The Notebook Remember Me (La rage de vivre) A Walk To Remember (Une promenade Inoubliable) Une bouteille a la mer Coyote Ugly Apparitions (Libelule) La maison sur la falaise Flicka Sexe Intemtions Black Swan Ou le coeur nous mène Brothers FILM DISNEY À MONSIEUR Dumbo The Lion King Maléfique FILM D'ANIMATION Tout ce qui est film d'animation de Walt Disney, Dream Works. Peut importe, c'est les films que je préfère écouter. Quand j'étais enfant, je me souviendrai toujours à quel point, que j'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à l'es écouter en boucle. Et encore aujourd'hui, j'ai du plaisir à l'es regarder. C'est des film qui sont réconfortant mais aussi que du bonheur. ANIMATION Ballerina La reine des neiges Coraline Kung fu Penda Rebelle (Brave) Dragon Hôtel Transylvanie Ratatouille Volt L'ère de glace La belle et la bête La petite sirène Pocahontas Cendrillon Le roi Lion Aladdin La princesse des cygnes 1 Le livre de la jungle Moana Abominable Storks Raiponce La princesse et la grenouille Zootopia Lilo et Stich La route d`Eldorado Rox et Rouky Spirit L'empereur du nouveau genre Le chat potté Drôle d'abeille Planet 51 THRILLER The Boy Next Door (2015) La prison de verre Fenêtre secrète The tourist Before I Fall Truth Or Dannce Le beau père (The Stepfather) Sans un bruit 2:22 Kidnap Home Invasion Get Out Sex Crimes COMÉDIE MUSICALE Heartbeats High Strung, Mamma Mia 1,2 Dirty Dancing 1,2 Honey 1,2 The Fame La série Step Up Footloose Romance Titanic Nos étoiles contraires Le voeux un été sur terre The longuest Ride (Le plus beau des chemins) Une seconde chance, Un havre de paix Cher John Everything, Everything Cinquante nuances plus sombres, 10 choses que je déteste de toi Get Over It, Adaline Bleu Saphir Cendrillon Amour et honneur Twilight Fascination A tout les garçons que j'ai aimés Love Simon À tout jamais 1998 COMÉDIE Sex and the City Simplement Irrésistible (Simply Irresistible) 1999 Miss congeniality (Miss personnalité) Patch Adams In Good Company, (En bonne compagnie) Never Been Kissed Home Alone (Maman j'ai ratée l'avion 1,2,3 Dr. Seus 'How the grinch Stole Christmas Le lutin (Elf) Madame Doubtfire The Santa Clause What a Girl Wants Pyjamas Party Sisterhood of the traveling pants New York Minute (Escapade à New York) Clic Bay Watch Game Night l'Abominable vérité Pas si simple Baby boss Book Club Drink, Slay, Love Mère indigne 1 et 2 Pourquoi lui ? Le stagiaire Famille recomposée Joue-la comme Beckham De père en flic 1,2 Intouchable Chérie nous avons été rétrécis Papa, j'ai une maman pour toi (It Takes Two) 1995 Little Giants Back to the Future Trilogy Encore 17 ans (17 Again) Grandes personnes Just Go With It (méchant menteur) LES MEILLEURES SÉRIES QUE J'AI ÉCOUTER Buffy contre les vampires Charmed 2018 Charmed Le chalet Chicago fire Dawson Dexter Elite Everwood Greenhouse Académie Good Witch (un soupçon de magie) Gossip Girl Grimm Gilmore Girls Heroes Izombie Jane the Virgin Lucifer Nashville Newport Beach Once Upon A Time Orange the new Black Prison Break Pretty Little Liars Riverdale Stranger things Scream Shadow Hunters Sense 8 Supernatural (Surnaturel) Switched at Birth Teen Wolf True Blood That' 70s Show Thirteen Reason Why - 13 Raisons Vampire Diaries PALMARÈS DE MES MEILLEURES FILMS Tout les films de Nicholas Sparks Le mariage de mon meilleur ami La blonde a mon père Titanic L'homme au masque de fer High Strung L'été de mes 11 ans Crossroad Le secret de bear mountain Un baiser enfin Coraline Miss personnalité A tout jamais (1998) Le jour d'après La belle et la bête (film à monsieur) La reine des neiges Ballerina Le livre de la jungle(film à monsieur) Fenêtre Secrète AUTRES SÉRIES À DÉCOUVRIR Younger Scandal Murder Revenge Beauté Désespérées   Hart of Dixie gg
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mysilverylining · 7 years
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The Case for Vivian Stoll Being the Big Bad...
*Disclaimer:  I’m a forever Jason Dohring stan, who’s afraid if he goes back up in those fruit trees we’ll never coax him back down again.  So when it comes to Chase Graves?  There’s a bit of confirmation bias here.  I’m pulling for him to survive the next episode, preferably outside of a cell or a freezer.  I can’t believe I spent almost 3 days rewatching and writing this up.  I like to tell myself I’m being Veronica Mars, but I’m probably closer to Bo John.  
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Personally, I LOVE Vivian Stoll.  There aren’t enough ruthless female villains in fiction, by far.  I was really looking forward to what lying liar, RT was planning to do with her this season, and was really disappointed when she was “killed” off.  
Her motive?:  Zombie Island won’t be ready for another 1.5 years, and she is  beyond ready for D-Day.  For somebody who could rattle-off the time span between the July 4th retreat and Wally’s murder (21 months and 21 days), I can’t see her sitting around waiting for disaster.  She peddles worst-case scenarios, and would want to take the fight to the humans before they had the opportunity to gather in numbers or call in the National Guard.   As a secondary motive, I think she was staging a coup with Fillmore Graves, a company she married into.  
Point-by-point analysis under the cut.
Helicopter Crash:  
We never see Vivian get on the helicopter.  Was her body recovered?  Burned beyond recognition?  Scattered in tiny pieces over the countryside?  We’ll never know, because Liv conveniently mutes the television during the news report.  
Harrison Graves
Vivian’s beloved “deceased” husband.  First scratched and extorted (by Blaine?).  He wanted to selflessly leave her so that she wouldn’t have to be celibate, but while he slept, she scratched herself and became a zombie.  He found his own source of brains, and a week later, he never returned home again -- implication, killed by Blaine.  Vivian vows revenge.
Some Possibilities: 
Harrison died at the hands of Blaine or another party.  Vivian died in helicopter crash.
Unsatisfying story-telling.  You shouldn’t tease a vendetta and then kill off the injured party before they can get answers or revenge.
Harrison died at the hands of Vivian.
Infinitely more interesting.  Did Harrison learn of Vivian’s plans to escalate a zombie/human war?  Did he have to be silenced?  Did he inform his thoroughly-ripped, but absent brother of his suspicions?
Who would make a better scapegoat than a formerly criminally-opportunistic amnesiac?  He can’t even defend himself.
Harrison is alive and being held prisoner somewhere.  
Vivian’s prisoner?
On Zombie Island?  
Harrison is alive and pulling the strings from behind the scenes
My #2 theory, if Vivian turns out to be dead after all.  The lack of closure on his death really stands out for me.
Additionally, why does she volunteer the information that Harrison was going to leave her.  “He didn’t want her to lead a sexless life” is valid reasoning, but a bit TMI for complete strangers.  Had Harrison drawn up divorce papers at some point?  Was she trying to get out in front of it  in case those papers surfaced?
Contracting Zombie-ism:
We only have Vivian’s word for how it went down.  A General in Equitorial Kundu (ha!) turned biological weapons on his own people and a dozen Fillmore Graves employees.  Two weeks later, later at the annual 4th of July retreat, every single Fillmore Graves employee contracts the virus.  Vivian, motherly saint that she is, cures them all with a scratch.  
Where else do we hear about biological weapons?  Oh yeah, Ravi tells us in ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbrain’ that ‘Aleutian Flu’ is code for biological weapon. And Katty Cake is doing the investigation.  
Did things go down at the retreat like Vivian said?  Or did she turn a biological weapon on her own employees as an experiment in creating super soldiers?  A pre-Max Rager Super-Max?  She owns the formula for that, by the way.   
Another theory - does she hope to infect Seattle’s humans with the bio-weapon to force a join-us-or-die situation?  
Vivian and Chase 
Vivian volunteers plenty about her husband and her employees.  Just one great, big, happy family, she says.  But she never mentions Chase even once.  
Right after the news report of the helicopter crash, Major tells us that Chase is taking the reins, and is flying back from Tripoli (via Paris, perhaps?).  
Our first glimpse of Chase is at Vivian’s wake, where he has a bit of a temper tantrum, shutting off the music and berating everybody for their revelry.  
Is Chase the enemy of fun?  Does he have a stick up his existent and totally adorable ass?  Only Liv knows the answer to that, but a few episodes later, we see him at Finnegan’s and Coons’ wake, laughing and smiling in the background while Major sings with his crew.  What makes this wake different?  #NotVivian.  
When first introduced to Liv, he sharply cuts her off when she’s attempting to express her condolences for Vivian.  But relaxes enough to give her the Dohring-smolder, once she lets the Vivian subject drop.   While Vivian seems to have a “Bring it on/Come at me” attitude towards D-Day/Chase seems much more cautious and disciplined about about discovery, doing everything possible to maintain zombie secrecy.  He worries exposure will lead to extinction (is he lacking confidence in his army?)
He immediately quizzes Liv on the Tuttle-Reed murders.  His language is specific.  He wants hard evidence to have the culprits “put away”.   
In a later scene, he  worries about the safety of the Chaos Killer victims, but he never says a peep about catching Vivian’s killer.  Which, I suppose, could be an argument that he’s her killer (revenge for killing his brother?)
Some possibilities
Before his death, did Harrison Graves confide in Chase about concerns with Vivian?
Does Chase suspect Vivian of less-than-pure motives for zombifying the Fillmore Graves employees?
Assuming Vivian is the Big Bad, is Chase the fall guy?  Once he’s killed/arrested/neutralized, will she come out of hiding with a sob story about how she tried to stop him from starting a zombie/human war, but he overpowered and imprisoned her?  
Tuttle-Reed Murders
We start the season immediately after the Max Rager massacre.  Vivian learns that Clive Babineaux, a human with connections, knows about zombies.  She has three choices.
Do nothing - Pray that Clive keeps his mouth shut, and doesn’t ruin everything.  Walk on eggshells, hoping not to make him suspicious.   
Kill him.  Make it look like an accident - Too risky when she doesn’t have anybody inside the ME’s office.  If caught, she could make some powerful enemies. 
Turn him into an ally 
We know that Vivian went with option number three.  First, she gave Clive/Liv/Major a tour of the campus.  Humanized the experience with warm stories of her love for her husband, her employees, her family. She’s caring, nurturing, and has all the PowerPoint slides to put a mind at ease.   However, Clive isn’t so easily convinced.  After the tour, while still on campus property, he expressed his uneasiness with the secrecy of a private army, “armed to the gills”.  He needed an incentive.  How sweet was it, the way he peeked through the classroom window to make sure little Wally was getting a proper education.
Of all the zombie families in all the gin joints, it just happens to be the family Clive shares an emotional connection with that wound up dead.  
A visibly sad Vivian hears the news about the Tuttle-Reed murders, but was she sad about the murders themselves, or in the necessity of sacrificing Wally and his fam?  Liv visits, and in dialogue-less montage, allies Team Z to Fillmore Graves.
Vivian fans the flames in the aftermath, selling the “humans want us dead” tale to her employees.  
Zombie Truthers 
Where are they getting all of their information?  
Assuming Vivian wants this war to begin sooner rather than later, are the Truthers her unwitting ace in the hole?
Did she post the Tuttle-Reed address on the zombie message board?  
Did she anonymously give Harley a heads-up about the tracker in his vehicle?  
Baracas 
Is utterly crucial to Fillmore Graves in a post D-Day world.  In 3x1, we learn that the Chaos Killer victims were whisked away from Max Rager to Fillmore Graves, where they’re debriefed and sold a cover story.  
Vivian hand-picks Baracas as her mayoral pawn, and will do anything to get him elected. 
While Chase Graves is understandably invested in helping Baracas win the mayoral race, the writers go to the trouble to show us they have no past association.  
Chase:  “Carey, I should probably meet this candidate we’re bankrolling”. 
Baracas: (when told Chase wants to meet him:  “Who?”  Carey Gold:  “Only the most important zombie on this planet.  Endeavor to impress.”  
Did Chase arrange the shooting of Baracas?  Possibly.  It definitely helped win the election, but I don’t get that impression.  The best response for the mastermind would be to let the shooter get away, but Chase fires WAY too many bullets up into that balcony.  He’s not trying to miss.  
I’m with Peyton when it comes to Roxanne’s murder.  Baracas doesn’t want his predilections getting out, but he doesn’t seem to be complicit.  
Weckler 
We know Vivian put security details on the Chaos Killer’s victims, including her pet politician Baracas.  Presumably, security reported back to her about Baracas’ visits to Roxanne the Dominatrix, and the peeping tom who witnessed everything.  
It’s two birds with one stone - turn Weckler’s daughter into a zombie, and then blackmail him with her safety.  “Keep your mouth shut about Baracas, and while you’re at it, we’re going to need you to steal the memory card evidence.”   Oops.  You weren’t supposed to murder her.
I’m guessing that the second lawyer’s whispered comment to Weckler had been for him to confess and halt the investigation in exchange for Tatum’s safety.  
The prison guard is almost incidental. Anybody could have paid him to kill Weckler, and anybody could have paid the second killer who killed the guard.  
Stolen Cure 
Why did Vivian learn that Major was human again?  She didn’t do anything with the information.  In fact, she was dead ten minutes later?  So why did the writers go to the trouble of showing us that scene?  
Major, right before the crash:  “She wants to talk to Ravi about how I was cured when she gets back.”  
***Sidenote.  Ravi doesn’t share a single scene with Vivian or Chase.  I’m predicting this is on purpose, and he’ll do something undercover in the finale.
Assuming Vivian wants to start a human/zombie war, a cure for zombie-ism is her worst nightmare.  She can’t have her fighters being captured and cured.  
Chase, on the other hand, doesn’t ask about a cure.  He seems to assume Major was human all along, and just really fucking lucky.  
Aleutian Flu
So Aleutian Flu is code for a bio-weapon, and this particular strain has been traced a specific Paris - Seattle flight.  At the time of Katty’s killing, all passengers have been interviewed, with the exception of four first-class passengers.  
Old racist woman, who knows nothing.
Sikh father with a baby, who heard a barking dog nearby
Miserable husband, whose wife ended up in coach due to a mixup.  To appease her, he traded seats with 17D, Patrice Gold.  
???  
Between the barking dog and the napkin with Katty’s name written on it, my boy Chase is looking awfully suspicious here.  
On the other hand, (1) Liv and Clive have a list of the four passengers, and would both recognize his name if he used it.  (2)  is he stupid enough to leave evidence connecting him to a murder on his nightstand?  (3) is he even more stupid to bring the woman investigating the murder back to his bed, knowing the napkin was there?  
Possibilities
If Chase was on the flight, did he also switch seats with another coach passenger?
Or had Katty already interviewed him and cleared him from suspicion.
Is that why he had the napkin with her name on it?
He clearly did not have sex with her.  His scene with Major earlier makes it clear that he knows Zombie/Human sex is off limits.
And Catty wasn’t a zombie at her time of death.
But SHE wouldn’t know the danger of sleeping with him, and there was nothing stopping her from shoving a napkin at him with her room number.
I mean, I WOULD!!!
Or is the napkin there for another reason?  He jotted the info down while listening to a voice mail?  He thinks their luggage got switched?  Vivian manipulated it somehow?  
Assuming Vivian is the Big Bad, she would know the date of her “death” in advance, and would have time to send Patrice to Paris to await further instructions.  
Like “Chase will be on flight xyz at this time.  Make sure you’re on the same flight, and release the toxin then.”  
Vivian Stoll vs. Chase Graves 
Most of this analysis rests on the assumption that Chase remained in Tripolli prior to Vivian’s death.  It’s completely possible that he came back to Seattle weeks or months earlier in order to wreck mayhem everywhere.  
Where Vivian edges Chase out, is that we’ve been shown her connection to the different entities:  the Tuttle-Reed family, Harley John and the tracker in his car, Baracas and the other Chaos Killer victims, the cure, and her admission of infecting all of the FG employees.  If Chase shares any of those connections, we haven’t been shown on screen.  
Where Chase edges Vivian out, is we’ve been shown a connection to Katty and the Aleutian Flu through the napkin and White Fang.  If Vivian shares this connection, we haven’t been shown on screen.  And if Chase was in fact on this flight, that negates the idea of him being in Seattle all along.
Potential Accomplices:
Zack Stoll:  Share’s a last name with Vivian, but seems genuinely decent.  Also, caught in the blast, though it looks as if his upper half makes it out.
Carey Gold:  Maybe?  A little TOO convenient, especially with Clive learning she’s Patrice’s mother.  Has constant access to Chase.  Capable of slipping Katty’s napkin in his pockets while he’s naked tanning (thank you Rob Thomas!).  At least mildly involved, as Tatum is living in her home, and her daughter was on the flight from Paris.  Still, I don’t think she’s the main accomplice.  She seems surprised too often, and only owns one everyday dress.  Pay your employees better, Chase.  
Patrice Gold:  Probably capable of conspiring without her mother’s knowledge.  Her seat number was written down on Katty’s napkin, and she was obviously the passenger Katty was killed to keep from interviewing.  Also, Tatum seems more frightened of Patrice.  
Justin:  My choice for most likely suspect.  
Becomes Major’s Insta-BFF at a time when he needs one the most.
Convinces Major that he’s a great guy, then targets Liv for romance with Major’s blessing.  
The cans of Super Max.  Liv initiated that request, but from Chase’s reaction to the theft, I’m guessing they were under lock and key.  
Not saying Chase wasn’t an asshole to shoot him, just that I feel like there’s something more to the Super Max angle.  
Who found the guns in Harley John’s truck?  Oh yeah.  This guy.  
Who worked the Baracas party where a shooter fired the same guns?  You guessed it.  Justin.
In Conspiracy Weary, Justin lies and tells Liv that Harley John’s compound wasn’t worth checking out.  It hadn’t been used in months.
Liv questions this statement aloud once she gets a look at it. 
Harley’s been building his underground bunker for all this time.
And the machinery was so loud, even the neighbors could hear it.  
 Justin conveniently pulls Major out of the party mere moments before the explosion.  
Too. Good. To. Be. True.   Nobody’s that sweet and pleasant.  
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lgthatawkwardgamer · 4 years
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don't wake the llama
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dpinoycosmonaut · 5 years
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CELTICS, BUCKS GO AT IT
by Bert A. Ramirez / April 24, 2018
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Kyrie Irving vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo: A matchup between superstars. (Photo from CBS Sports)
               The Boston Celtics were the first team to advance to the second round in this year’s NBA playoffs, as we would have predicted though not necessarily in terms of order, and they’re facing off for the second straight year against the Milwaukee Bucks, who followed suit with a four-game sweep of the Detroit Pistons after the Celts have disposed of the Indiana Pacers in similar fashion.  
               So who will win this matchup this time?  Last year, the Celtics beat the Bucks in a seven-game barnburner in the first round before overcoming Philadelphia to make it to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year against LeBron James and Cleveland, and coming within a quarter of making it to the NBA finals. And they did it without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward for the entire playoffs.
               This time, however, they’ll face a much-improved Milwaukee team that has seen top star Giannis Antetokounmpo metamorphose into a legitimate MVP candidate and guys like Brook Lopez, Nikola Mirotic and George Hill come on board to give Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon additional support.
               Just how different are these Bucks and Celtics from the teams that faced off in last year’s playoffs?
               First of all, the 6-foot-11, 242-pound Antetokounmpo, who averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks for the Bucks in the regular season, has become a legitimate franchise star who can carry a team by himself.  Former Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer, who led the Hawks to the only 60-win season in their history in 2015, has also taken over the Milwaukee reins to manage a more talented roster that posted the best record in the league this year at 60-22.  All these have made the Bucks the favorites among both the Las Vegas bookmakers and so-called experts dissecting this series with the Celtics.
               On the other hand, what probably just goes against this Celtics squad that was the top preseason favorite to come out of the East now that LeBron James has moved to the West, among other things, is its up-and-down play in the regular season, which has cast doubts about its ability to go far this postseason despite the return of Irving and Hayward to a well-balanced cast of young and veteran talent that includes Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Aron Baynes and Marcus Morris.
               In their four-game sweep of the Pacers, the Celtics showed that they may be regaining the mojo that they had in reaching last year’s conference finals.  But they’ll try to get past Milwaukee without their top defender, Smart, who tore his left oblique before the regular season ended and is not expected to return, if at all, in the playoffs until the conference finals. While Brogdon himself is coming off a plantar fascia tear and has not played since March 15, it’s more likely that he could rejoin the Bucks before the series is over, which would make Milwaukee even tougher to beat.
               But any design to beat the Bucks has to start with Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak who has become one of the game’s major forces. The task of trying to limit the six-year forward will fall mostly on the shoulders of Al Horford, who will try to draw the Bucks’ top star out to the perimeter in such a matchup while also trying to limit his touches in the paint as it’s where the Bucks draw their strength on the offensive end, ranking second in the league in percentage of shots taken there.  Marcus Morris and Semi Ojeleye will also take their turn against Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 26.3 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists thus far in these playoffs.
               The Celtics will have to control the pace and turn the game into a grind the way they did against Indiana if only to control Giannis and the Bucks’ transition game.  They’ll also have to make sure that they get enough shots inside by driving more and getting into the free-throw line more often.  During the regular season, Boston ranked dead-last in the league with just 21.5 free-throw attempts per game.  That has to change against this Bucks team, which beat them twice in three regular-season games although the Celtics were not at full strength in two of those contests.
               The Celtics’ own fortunes will rest on Irving, who has so far proven to be the franchise star that he aspired to be when he asked for that trade from Cleveland two years ago to get free from the shadows of James.  Although he has not shot that well yet (42.7 percent field goal percentage), the 6-foot-3 six-time All-Star has averaged team highs of 22.5 points and 7.8 assists as he led Boston to that Indiana sweep.  Tatum (19.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg in these playoffs), Hayward (12.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg), Horford (11.0 ppg, 10.3 rpg), Brown (11.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and Morris (12.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) will have to provide consistent support for Irving to become even more dangerous.
               The key here, however, is how both benches are going to produce.  With Brogdon out, Bledsoe (19.3 ppg, 5.3 apg), Middleton (19.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Lopez (12.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) have been doing the heavy lifting for Milwaukee behind Antetokounmpo, and guys like Mirotic, Pat Connaughton, George Hill and Sterling Brown, who has been elevated as a starter in lieu of Brogdon, will have to produce to offset the Celtics’ bench that can go 10-deep even without Smart.
               In the end, Boston coach Brad Stevens has his work cut out for him.  For the first time since he came in to replace Doc Rivers on the Celtic bench in 2013, Stevens failed to improve the previous season’s record.  It’s now going to be a proving ground for him to try to steer the Celtics farther into the playoffs without the homecourt advantage in any of the remaining series, assuming no lower-placed team in the West matches up with his team in the event Boston makes it to the finals for the first time with him at the helm.
               At any rate, we’ll go out on a limb here and pick the Celtics to edge the Bucks in seven games to make it to the conference finals for the third straight year.  And don’t call us until it’s over.
               SHORTSHOTS: In the other Eastern series, No. 2 Toronto goes up against No. 3 Philadelphia, as expected, and this figures to be another humdinger of a matchup. Make ours the Raptors in seven, with all due respect to Joel Embiid and the East’s version of an All-Star lineup a la Golden State… Out West, no semifinal matchup has yet been set after the LA Clippers scored a huge upset over the Warriors 129-121 to send their series back to LA.  The Denver-San Antonio series has yet to also be decided and could go seven games. Waiting in the wings are Houston, which eliminated Utah in five games, and Portland, which ousted Oklahoma City also in five with that spectacular 37-foot buzzer-beater by Damian Lillard that was heard around the world… Back home, our favorite team Magnolia goes for the clincher tonight against Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup semifinals after four-time defending champion San Miguel Beer closed out Phoenix in five games in the other semifinal matchup.  As usual, a watch on Paul Lee, the Hotshots’ perceived top gun, will be made to ascertain the Hotshots’ fortunes.  Lee went scoreless in Magnolia’s 82-74 victory last Wednesday that gave the Hotshots a 3-2 series lead.  It has to be made clear here, however, that Magnolia is not all Lee as long as the Hotshots’ other backcourt guys - Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Justin Melton and Robbie Herndon - produce their own numbers, underscoring the Hotshots’ edge against the Elasto Painters at this spot.
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