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astranva · 1 year

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Oprah Winfrey Interview

Word Count: 7k

Category: angst, fluff

Warning: Mentions of parental abuse, mentions of physical and emotional abuse, brief mentions of drug use.

Summary: As one of the most famous actresses in the world, fans watch Y/N Y/L/N-Evans’ tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey which Chris joins.

Planet Evans Masterlist

Fans all over the world never expected it.

While everyone knew your name from the youngest age to the oldest from all across the globe, it was a rare sighting for you to be seen in an interview and people gathered as much with all their favorite A-list celebrities being lowkey about that sort of media and marketing. Instead, they usually basked in all the content they could get from press junkets from your movies or the very few premieres you attended, or the big, prestigious award shows you went to–and none was the case for the longest time after you had hit the 4th month mark on your pregnancy, and all the way until you had your baby, River.

So when an hour-long episode from Oprah dropped where you gave a tell-all, and with Chris, people freaked out before even watching it.

Sure, seeing you in interviews was rare, but seeing you and Chris in the same interview? That had never been done before except for your Actors on Actors one.

Even though Chris always loved to praise you and tell some cute, funny stories about you that always started with “my wife”, you were still a very private couple whose smallest interaction on social media or the blurriest pap photo sent the world into a frenzy.

It was especially exciting that the episode was aired after you had given birth to your first baby, River, and while fans wondered if they would ever see his face, they knew that the chances were slim.

“And the Oscar goes to Y/N Y/L/N!” The episode began with the 2011 Oscars, showing a clip of a younger you, tearful eyes looking up in shock as everyone around you stood up with applause.

“The Oscar for best actress goes to,” pause, “Y/N Y/L/N!” Again, with a reverbed sound and another clip of you again, eyes closed with a smile and a hand to your heart as again, everyone was on their feet with applause.

“This year’s Oscar goes to,” a beat, “Y/N Y/L/N for Promising Young Woman!” But that time, you were shown as you smiled and stood up, instantly turning as your husband, Chris, pressed his lips to yours while your hands cupped his cheeks.

“And I tell them, Y/N Y/L/N is the youngest and highest-paid actress in the world right now, she’s unstoppable,” a voice said over a clip of you at 15 years old, smiling as you stood on a red carpet.

“She’s an enigma,” another said, “She’s truly this generation’s icon,” was said over another clip of you at

“This kid does a little bit of everything. She’s going to be the biggest actress in the world and I just know it.”

“Y/N Y/L/N’s dad came forward with some serious accusations,” a host’s voice was heard as it showed paparazzi pictures of your head hidden in Chris’s chest, and although your face wasn’t shown, it was obvious that you were crying, especially from Chris’s hold on you and deep frown on his face.

“Who is Y/N Y/L/N’s father and why do we not know much about him?”

A clip of you at Emmy’s was then shown, holding the award in your hand, “This is to all the women in my family line. I’m right here because of you. I’m right here for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The screen faded into black before it showed Oprah standing, vast greenery behind and around her as she stood by a chair in yours and Chris’s farmhouse’s garden.

A smile was on her face as she had her arms opened, looking to the side before you came in view.

Your hair was naturally down, the front of it loosely held by a tiny hair clip at the back. Clad in a short-sleeved, brown, soft shirt that was tucked into beige pants where a black belt shone with its gold buckle and black Gucci mules on your feet.

“You look so beautiful,” Oprah said as you hugged.

“You do,” you said, softly rubbing her back before pulling away, a smile on your face, “It’s been so long.”

“Too long,” she said, “What? 8 years?”

“Right?” You chuckled a little with a shake of your head, leaning forward to give her a hug again.

“Thank you for doing this with me,” Oprah said.

You adjusted your gold herringbone necklace around your neck that Chris had gotten you years ago before you motioned towards the comfortable chair for Oprah, before you sat on the couch.

“I know you normally don’t do interviews,” she said.

You chuckled with a slight nod, “Yeah, yeah, it’s been long. There’s the occasional talks with Jimmy Fallon.”

“He makes everyone feel comfortable, doesn’t he?”

“Jimmy is incredible,” you nodded, “Never has any pressuring questions, never puts you in the spot, he’s just—he’s very humane,” you put a hand to your heart.

“He truly is,” Oprah agreed, “I’m flattered that you trust me with this, Y/N,” she said, “You trust me with your story, your house—your house is so beautiful,” she enunciated, “Is it all your doing?”

You shook your head, “No, Chris and I were both so involved. It’s ours,” you laughed lightly, “There’s him in every corner, there’s me in every corner. It’s just so us.”

“This is where you come for solitude?”

You nodded, “This is where we feel like—like everything’s okay, or will be. It’s quiet, it’s like a breather. It was actually especially useful during quarantine.”

“You had your quarantine here?”

You nodded, “We stayed in Boston for some time but then decided to come out here for a while then ended up staying months,” you said, “It’s when we grew most of our fruits and vegetables,” you beamed.

“You-That’s amazing,” Oprah mused, “What fruits and vegetables have you managed to grow? Because they can be quite the hassle these things. It’s not all easy.”

“We grew bell peppers first then blueberries, tomatoes, strawberries, tangerines, lettuce, radishes,” you listed, “A lot of things-we grew a lot of things,” you laughed.

“That’s such an amazing hobby. It’s a healthy hobby,” she pointed with a small laugh, “Oh my God,” she put a hand to her head before moving it to her heart, “God, I’m so sorry, how could I not start by congratulating you on your baby?”

You laughed shyly, “No, you’re good.”

“I’m so sorry,” she repeated, her motherly eyes staring at you, “River.”

“River,” you repeated with a nod and a soft smile.

“That’s such a beautiful name. River Jude Evans, is it?”

You nodded, “Yeah, yeah, right.”

“Of course I have to ask about the story. A lot of people have been saying you named him after the late-the incredible, River Jude Phoenix. Did you, really?”

You nodded, “Yeah,” you confirmed, “Chris and I are all about nature. So we knew we wanted a name that impersonated that, that gave life to our connection like that because we knew that our baby is just-that’s the product of so many years of love, of similarities, and-just, the flowing of our relationship,” you said, “So we were talking one night, we were coming up with names and coincidentally Stand By Me was playing, the movie,” you smiled, recalling the memory, “So we were talking, choosing, excluding, then it was during that part where Gordie was asking Chris in the movie if he was weird,”

“Chris was River Phoenix,” Oprah smiled.

“Chris was River Phoenix,” you pointed with a nod, “And he was like ‘yeah, you’re weird. Everyone’s weird’ and my husband and I were just giggling and smiling at that part because it’s one of our favorites,” you said, “Then it just,” you snapped your fingers, “Clicked. Suddenly naming our baby River really clicked because I have had this indescribable connection to River Phoenix ever since I was just a kid,” you pointed at yourself, “My mom absolutely adored him, to the point where you’d think he was my brother and it was-it was especially heartbreaking when he passed. So in a way, I felt like-we felt like we wanted to do this for him and for us,” you smiled slightly, “So we met up with Joaquin and we told him about it and it was-it was such an emotional day.”

“I love that you decided to take Joaquin’s consent,” Oprah said, “That you thought about him before making the decision.”

You nodded, “It was important to us. He was very supportive of it, and he was-he’s been very lovely with River.”

“They met?”

“He met River, yeah,” you nodded, “Just recently actually. He’s an extraordinary man.”

Oprah nodded, a smile on her face as she listened to you talk, “How did your mother take the news?”

“The pregnancy?”

“And the name choice.”

“Oh Gosh, my mom was a wreck,” you laughed, “She still is. She can’t believe she’s a grandma.”

“Can imagine. It’s a big feeling.”

“It is, it is. She’s just-she was so emotional. I think-I think having a grandson was something her mind didn’t allow her to even think about.”

“Why’s that?”

You sucked in a breath, “In a way, it feels like-like someone shaking your shoulders. Or it’s like someone telling you that this is now your reality. This is your life. Your daughter found love, she built a home, she’s having a family, and that’s all because you made it out of a tiresome, and an absolutely dark place.”

Oprah nodded, her pointer against her temple.

“My mom has her moments of surprise still because she endured so much,” you said, “And I think that it’s not just River that is now a reminder that she endured so much for me to reach that part of my life, but I think it’s Chris too.”

Oprah hummed, eyes soft, “Seeing you in love, with your own family.”

You nodded, “Exactly.”

“How was that like? How was life like back then for her? For you with your father?”

You took a breath in, looking up for less than a second, “It was rough,” you muttered, “I remember the first time I realized that the relationship I saw as a kid, back at home, wasn’t normal was in school. I think I was six years old,” you frowned, “And I mentioned something in front of a teacher about how it was normal for dads to hit their wives and daughters because to me, that was normal. That was the usual. I didn’t know that you shouldn’t fear your fathers like that, that-that the relationship you have with your dad shouldn’t be built on whether or not you’re going to get pushed,” you said, “But I grew up hearing my mom cry out more than, maybe sing and that-I thought that was normal.”

“Was he both physically and emotionally abusive?”

“And everything in between,” you said, “In my entire life, I’ve only really talked about it all twice. Once with a therapist when I was, maybe twelve years old and then another to Chris. It’s hard to think about sometimes so I just-the words get stuck. I’ve seen-I’ve seen things I wish can erase, heard things I wish I never did.”

Oprah nodded sympathetically, “Was it always like that?”

“In a way, yes. Um, it was scary at first because they loved each other at first. He was Mom’s neighbor, she fell for that-that bad boy next-door neighbor then they got married. It wasn’t always physical but it got physical when he first cheated on her,” you told, “And my mom was pregnant with me at the time and they had moved away from the city. She was-she was so in love with him, had the whole ‘I can fix him’ mindset and decided to stay because she wanted me to have a present father in my life. She felt like if she left, she’d be the reason behind me not having a normal home,” you said, “So it got physical with pushing, shoving, but it didn’t escalate until I was maybe one year old, or two. And that’s-that was beside the things she had to listen to, the shouting, everything.”

The screen changed to a picture of you and your Mom from when you were four years old, sitting on her lap as you grinned to the camera as she sat on grass, soft eyes looking at you with a smile.

“What about your family? Did she not tell anyone?”

The screen then went back to you and Oprah.

You shook your head, “He didn’t allow my Mom to see her family.”

“Oh my God.”

You nodded, “And we were away from them so it wasn’t the easiest when it came to visits but she was so scared when they did that they thought it was her who wanted to cut ties with them and they were so heartbroken,” you said, “They tried to help a few times. Ask if he had anything to do with it but my Mom just denied every time.”

Oprah nodded, “She had no one.”

“No one,” you nodded, “He made her feel so small, so-so weak. I always get so defensive and just-so angry and emotional when there’s a conversation about a toxic relationship, or an abusive relationship and someone’s like “Well, why can’t she just leave?”” You said, “Because it’s never that easy.”

The screen changed to wedding picture of your Mom and Dad, her in a dress with a happy smile while he smirked, his hands on her waist as she held on to her bouquet of flowers.

“So many layers.”

It then changed back to you.

You nodded, “You hold on to things that aren’t there and your self-esteem is nonexistent. He made her feel like she wouldn’t survive a day without him.”

“But she did,” Oprah smiled softly, leaning forward to rest her hand on yours.

You nodded, a small smile on your face.

“When did it stop? When did she decide that enough was enough?”

“I was about eight years old and I started getting into theatre,” you said, “My Mom used to help sneak me out and to the theatre, come up with lies and excuses because he never wanted me-he never wanted anybody to do something that he didn’t like. I had this theatre instructor, Mrs. Lowe, that became friends with my Mom and she was her only friend. At some point, she knew about how things were at home and she tried convincing my Mom that she’d call the cops for her and all but my Mom was scared,” you moved your hand as you talked, looking at Oprah, “So there was this opportunity to play Annie in New York and Mrs. Lowe was travelling there because she got an opportunity there. She reached out to my Mom and-to this day, I don’t know how she managed to convince her but the next thing I know is that my clothes and my Mom’s clothes are in a duffel bag and we’re travelling with Mrs. Lowe.”

“Without telling him.”

“Without telling him,” you confirmed, “We just-we ran away. Mom had no contact with anyone from our family for so long, but she knew he was going crazy. I remember that-if I wasn’t waking up to the sound of her screaming from a nightmare, it was her waking me up because I had a nightmare,” you said, “I got the role as Annie and stayed with Mrs. Lowe for a year before my Mom got to afford this one-bedroom apartment, then the theatre decided to extend the broadway for two more years and they offered to pay for my education at this public school where some of the theatre kids went.”

The screen showed a picture of you as a kid on stage, mid-singing in your Annie costume before it changed to another one of you standing in line with a lot of other kids and people, the picture zooming to your beaming, childish face.

“And what about food? Clothes? Everyday necessities?”

“I got very little pay, but my Mom would still try to save up from it for my college and she gave me the rest to spend because she wanted me to be responsible with the money, so she always monitored that.”

It then went back to you.

“What did you end up getting with your money?”

“It wasn’t much, I always ended up getting us canned soup and crackers, really,” you chuckled, “Clothes were Mom’s doing. She learned to knit and sew, so my entire wardrobe was just all her doing.”

“God, Y/N,” Oprah breathed out, “When did she reach out to your family?”

“Right after I finished Annie in nineteen ninety-nine. She sent them a letter with Mrs. Lowe because she was going back to work on some papers, but she was terrified of going back with her,” you said, “At that point my Dad went all out. They rescued him a few times from overdosing, he lost all his money to drinking and drugs, all of which he had already began doing when I was two years old, but it just-it got worse. But my grandparents flew out to New York after Mrs. Lowe gave them the letter and they helped us out a lot.”

“Your Grandpa was there?”

You nodded, a small smile on your face, “Gramps was there, he was alive. My Grandma says it’s the heartbreak of what my Mom and I went through that just-because it was only six months after we reconnected that he-that he passed away.”

Oprah hummed, eyebrows furrowed, “And did it get better after that? Were your conditions better?”

“We got by,” you said, “It wasn’t until I was about twelve years old that my Mom didn’t really skip meals because she used to do that all the time–just to make sure we had enough food. But she works as a vet and it took her some time to be on her own and everything, but before that she had two jobs as an assistant nurse and would usually make these pretty dresses and sell them for kids,” you smiled slightly.

“Was it you that took your family to another place? Did you feel like you needed to act to get the money?”

“No,” you shook your head, “I never really thought much about where I’ll get with acting. I mean, I just knew I liked doing it and my Mom was always proud of the fact that I had that getaway with theatre, but she was very nervous and just–she wasn’t entirely okay with me pursuing acting because she knew the amount of pressure that is put on you, especially when you’re a child actor.”

“But was she supportive of it when you got your first role? It was for Spy Kids, wasn’t it?”

You nodded, “It was, yeah, and Mom was very supportive, just very protective and I think–I’m very thankful for her because whenever it felt like too much, she’d always pull me aside and just tell me that I can just leave if I want to and that nothing and no one is forcing me to do it. She’s always been laser-focused on my comfort.”

“Your Mom is a hero.”

“She is,” you sighed, “She really is.”

“How did you feel when she remarried? You were still young when she met your stepdad, right?”

“I was eighteen when they met, nineteen when they got married,” you nodded, “And–I felt scared for some time because I knew well what my Mom went through, and a huge part of me thought that nobody deserved her. She’s just–Like, she’s just too good for anyone, but Pops was–he’s an incredible man.”

The screen changed to a picture of you and your stepdad, Marshall, when you were older, looking twenty, as he was sitting on a bench, you standing behind him with your arms around his shoulder and head beside his while his hands held on to your arms as you grinned while he laughed.

“You call him Pops,” Oprah noted with a smile.

“He’s the closest I got to an actual father,” you said before the screen went back to you, “I called him by his name, Marshall, for some time then I remember one day–I think it was about two or three years later, I just called him Pops and it just–it stuck with us, with me,” you pointed at yourself, “Because it made so much sense.”

“How did that make him feel?”

“God,” you chuckled, looking up in thought, feeling your eyes grow tearful, “He cried like crazy,” you said, “We were all crying, really.”

Oprah’s soft smile was on her face, “Why did you never call him Dad? Why Pops?”

“I didn’t–I don’t have pleasant memories attached to the term,” you said, “It’s not like I can’t say it, or that I don’t want my kids calling Chris ‘Dad’, but I couldn’t use it myself. In some way, it felt like–Like, you know what? Let’s start over. You don’t need to be my Dad because I know how that one is like, you’re going to be my father but I’ll just call you Pops.”

Oprah hummed, “Was your family welcoming to Chris?” She asked, “I can imagine with a protective mom and father, and given the background, I just–I can’t imagine it was easy.”

“They were welcoming,” you nodded, “But they were so intimidating,” you chuckled slightly, “Chris didn’t meet my family right away. I think he met them like five or six months into the relationship and everyone was polite, they were friendly, but my Mom was just sitting there observing him, looking for the red flags,” you laughed, “And Pops was trying so hard to look all tough and scary, and–God, even my little sister, Madelyn, she was maybe seven years old or six, and she just interrogated him,” you laughed.

“Seven!”

The screen changed to a picture of you and your little half-sister, Madelyn, from when she was only a newborn as you cradled her in your arms when you were twenty-one years old before it changed to another recent picture as she stood in her swimming attire, a gold medal around her neck as you kissed her cheek before it went back to you.

You nodded, “Chris was sitting on the couch back home and she was in this big chair and she was just like “What are your intentions with my sister?””

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not,” you laughed, “And I remember later that night, Chris was telling me about how it was Maddie he was worried from. It took her some time to warm up to him.”

“You’re like a family of protective women,” Oprah said, “It’s passed down.”

“Oh definitely,” you nodded, “We’re very protective of one another, of our family.”

“But I think Chris has that reputation about him, too, doesn’t he? That he’s so protective over you, especially when you were pregnant?”

A picture of you and Chris was then shown from years ago, your head to his chest as hugged him while his lips were on your head, eyes closed as he held onto you, before another picture from the Los Angeles premiere of The Gray Man was shown; you were both standing on the carpet, his hand on your big bump as he smiled at you while you smiled for the cameras.

The screen then changed to you.

“Oh, definitely. Definitely,” you nodded, “He’s overprotective and he was–he watched over me like a hawk during the pregnancy,” you chuckled, “But he was just so nervous and he’s–he’s quite the worrier, really. I did snap at him for it a few times too much, but I knew it only stemmed from a good place because–Chris has the biggest heart ever, he’s just constantly looking out for those around him.”

“You know it gave people some headlines,” Oprah said, looking at her iPad, “Chris Evans can’t trust wife Y/N Y/L/N with the baby,” she read, “Chris Evans attacked for constraining actress and wife Y/N Y/L/N.”

“We always think it’s funny when people get offended on our behalf,” you said, “You have a new father who’s actually just very attentive, very worried like all new dads, and you think he’s limiting me,” you shook your head, “It has nothing to do with trust. I know I trust Chris with my life and I know he does so, too,” you pointed at yourself.

“So you know about the articles?”

“We do, yeah,” you nodded, “There have always been questionable articles. At the end of the day, we just decide to move on and do what suits us best.”

“I’m proud of you,” Oprah said, “Well, we’ll go on a break then Chris will be joining us after.”

It wasn’t long before the interview was back on, Chris sitting beside you on the couch, the three of you having fresh pomegranate juice.

“I’ll just begin by saying this is the best juice I have ever had in my entire life,” she said as she pointed at the glass, “You made that?” She asked you.

You nodded, “It’s mostly the pomegranate that’s good. We take pride in it,” you put a hand on Chris’s arm.

“Organic and homemade,” he boasted before laughing.

Oprah hummed in contentment as she took a sip, “Sooo,” she dragged, looking at Chris, “Thanks for joining us.”

Chris smiled, “Thanks for having me,” he said, rubbing his hands on his thighs before sitting comfortably.

“You’ve been watching us from the side,” Oprah said.

Chris chuckled, nodding, “Yeah, yeah just lurking a bit.”

“First of all, congratulations,” Oprah beamed, “On the newest addition to your family. Y/N was telling me all about naming River earlier.”

“Yeah, thank you, thank you,” Chris smiled as he glanced at you, “Let’s hope he stays asleep for some time,” he joked, looking at the baby monitor on the table.

“How did you feel knowing that your baby is a boy? How was that like when you were looking at the ultrasound?”

“We actually decided to wait. We didn’t know he was a boy until Y/N was in labor,” Chris said, “To be honest, it felt–I don’t know, I mean, I still would’ve cried the same if we had a girl because it just didn’t matter to me. All I was asking for was a healthy baby, and a painless delivery for Y/N which wasn’t–it wasn’t exactly the case,” they all chuckled slightly, “And yeah–yeah, I was just so overwhelmed.”

“Did-Oh! Your dog is here,” Oprah clapped as Dodger appeared, instantly going to your side, “Dodger?”

“Yeah,” Chris beamed, “Hey, hey, buddy,” he excitedly exclaimed to his dog, reaching over to scratch his head while you petted his back.

“Doesn’t like missing out on anything,” you joked.

“You have a cat, too, don’t you?”

“Yeah, Pam,” you said.

“Queen Pam,” Chris said sarcastically.

“Stop that,” you laughed.

“Chris, are you a classic cat hater?” Oprah asked.

“No, I don’t hate cats, it’s just that Pam hates me. She absolutely despises me,” he said.

“So not true,” you shook your head with a smirk.

“It is,” Chris nodded.

“Uh oh, rivalry,” Oprah joked.

“Oh, absolutely. Absolutely,” Chris nodded again.

“You know, Y/N and I were just talking about her family welcoming you in their life and she was telling me about that interrogation her sister–Madelyn gave you.”

“Oh yeah,” Chris laughed, nodding, “I was already so scared. Just so nervous, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the fact that out of her mom and Marsh, it was Maddie that I needed to worry about.”

The three of you laughed, your eyes on your husband with a smile on your face as he then talked.

“No, but really, I think–I’ve always admired how protective Y/N’s family is of her because I realize where that stems from. I know how things were like and you can never really blame them for it.”

“Did your past with your biological father,” Oprah began, looking at you, “Did that affect the both of you? Did it affect your relationship?”

“Oh for sure, for sure,” you nodded, crossing one leg over the other. This time, it was Chris’ time to look at you, one elbow leaning on the armrest with his middle finger right under his bottom lip and pointer on his cheek. “I think it affected all my relationships, but with Chris–What I felt for Chris when we were first just seeing each other, it wasn’t something that I had ever felt and that was so scary to me,” you said, “It took me everything to try and just–to break that cycle of trauma and convince myself that not every man is my father,” Oprah hummed with a nod, “Chris is nothing like him. He’s not here to harm me, he’s not here to belittle me. That I’m worthy of love that is–that is actually genuine.”

Chris nodded to himself at the last bit, a soft smile on his face.

“And Chris, how was that like for you? I imagine things were not easy. That the process was slow and there were things you didn’t know that might have been triggering for Y/N.”

“Yeah, for sure,” he nodded, “Y/N’s very self-aware, like incredibly self-aware and she’s always been all about communication. So the process was slow, yeah, we took our time but I wasn’t complaining because I always knew this was something for life, you know?” He smiled slightly, “I knew this was worthwhile. That alright, we’re actually keeping each other for quite some time right there, and when you have that feeling about someone–when you have these feelings for them, you just want to make it work. You’ll wait for years even, you’ll do it.”

You smiled, very briefly resting your head on his shoulder before he wrapped an arm around you.

Oprah looked at you with soft eyes, tilting her head at the both of you.

“This is beautiful,” she said, “You know, I was thinking on my way here about how you both are like to the media,” she began, “Like the way you both are put in high regard but monitored so closely, yet you keep everything so private. It’s like what people know about you is what you want them to know.”

Chris nodded, looking at you and signaling you to reply.

“I think with our position, with our occupations, we want to keep so many parts to ourselves. Because when you’re all out there, when your arguments and daily rituals and everything else is just out in the open, it’s just–it’s no longer a relationship between you and your partner. It’s a relationship between you, your partner, and everyone with an opinion they feel needs to be shared and things get out of hand. Like, Chris and I could have an argument like every single couple out there, but the minute we go outside and either of us is looking a little angry or upset, it’s suddenly the end of the world,” you said, “Suddenly I’m labelled as undeserving of Chris, and he’s labelled as toxic. It doesn’t matter than nobody ever truly knows the context or what happened, everyone is just so quick with labels.”

“And we make up pretty quickly,” Chris said, “Like way quicker than the internet does. So we’d be doing pretty good, pretty well, but the internet and the media is still raving about possible divorce or breakups or anything of the matter.”

Oprah nodded, “You both have had your fair share of labels,” she said.

“Oh, definitely,” you chuckled.

“Y/N, you were very sexualized in the media, or just, in the industry at times, especially during your formative years which is very appalling to think about.”

You nodded.

“How did you manage to establish boundaries? Because as far as I know, before you stopped doing interviews in 2015, you were vocal about it. You were calling out predatory behavior in the industry against young actresses.”

“I think I actually lucked out with the people around me. I have people I trust that I have always gone back to for advice and rants, and it took me some time to realize that I don’t appreciate how my job, my performances, and my personality–everything was just thrown away and disregarded the moment I show some skin. Suddenly it’s all that everyone can talk about. Suddenly the reason behind my success is my body, and everyone is no longer interested in anything but what I eat, who I’m wearing, and shamelessly posting fantasies as if I’m not an actual human being,” you said, “And it’s the case with a lot a young actresses now, and has been the case for so long but the narrative is changing. As long as people actually talk about it, as long as they address it, then it’ll come to an end because you have so many actresses and models getting forced in-in absolutely sick relationships and situations, and taking on harmful diets, harmful beauty standards, and they’re suddenly looked at as something and not someone.”

Chris was nodding, arm still around you and hand on your arm, softly rubbing it up and down.

“Was there a moment when you called it all out and were threatened?”

“Of course,” you replied, “Things used to be even worse back then than they are now. So I expected the threats. I expected the talks about how I’m never going to make it further if I keep declining offers by predators and just–just people who should be locked up.”

Oprah blew out a breath, looking at Chris, “You have a tough one, don’t you?”

“Absolutely,” Chris replied with a proud smile, “I think–I believe this is what the industry needs. I think Y/N’s paving the way for a lot of young actresses, because it’s inspirational looking up to someone who recognizes their place and who can actually come forward and call people out for the things they do. She’s been through a lot,” he said, “So I’m never surprised that all her passions really come from a place of experience, from-from empathy.”

Oprah nodded, “God,” she hummed with a shake of her head, “There’s so much you went through, I know that,” she pointed at herself, “I imagine that’s one of the reasons why you’re overprotective,” she told Chris.

Chris chuckled a little, nodding, “I know Y/N can look out for herself, she’s an incredible woman. She can look out for an entire family but I just think she doesn’t need to do that,” he said, “I relate to her at how the feelings we felt for each other were just-they were new. It’s a sort of love that, to me, was unlike any other. So it just comes naturally to me,” he gave a shrug, “Worrying about her, thinking about her, especially if we’re apart, it’s out of my hands.”

“I imagine that was even doubled during the pregnancy.”

“Oh quadrupled even,” you joked with a laugh.

“Okay, okay, I wasn’t that bad,” Chris joked.

“I wasn’t there and even I know that’s a lie,” Oprah said.

“Alright maybe, maybe just a little,” he laughed.

“You hid the pregnancy for the first 6 months,” Oprah said, “How was that period like?”

“Quiet,” you said, looking at Chris.

“Quiet,” he repeated with a nod, “It was definitely great, honestly. Just keeping that to ourselves and to our close family and friends.”

“Everyone was wondering where you went,” Oprah told you.

You chuckled, “There were a lot of death rumors that time actually. Even though I posted some Instagram stories and tweets.”

“Somebody must be running Y/N’s account,” Chris joked.

“Conspiracy theories,” Oprah joined in on the joke, “I think the pregnancy announcement was one of the biggest announcements of the century, and I’m not even joking.”

“That’s on her,” Chris joked, tilting his head toward you.

“Chris was that ever scary to you? Being with someone like Y/N, she’s always been up there for the world,” she put a hand up, “Like a true female icon in the entertainment industry as whole.”

“Yeah, definitely,” he confessed, “When I first met her, it was back in 2014, I was already so starstruck because she’s always been an icon, just like you said. So the thought of us being together never really occurred to me, but when I really got to know her, you forget all about the fact that this is Y/N Y/L/N,” he said, “I think I’m not with just one version of Y/N though. I’m married to the icon, to the-the absolute legend, and I’m also married to the woman who prefers baking pies and making pasta from scratch over going all out and fancy, and I’m married to the woman who also likes feeling good, looking good, going out with friends or preparing a fancy date. I got over that shell–that layer people have when it comes to Y/N because it’s very dehumanizing,” he said, “Just like Y/N said really, it’s important that you stop looking at your idols as something and start looking at them as someone.”

Your eyes were tearful, smiling to yourself slightly as you looked down, listening to every word he said.

“That’s a really good point,” Oprah pointed out, “It’s very dehumanizing. I agree with you,” she said, “On a lighter note, how was it like in your life together during that time in 2019 when Chris’ journey with Marvel came to an end? Because I imagine that was very emotional.”

“God, yes,” you nodded, “Is that truly a lighter note?” You joked.

“It’s the lightest I can do,” Oprah joked.

Chris laughed, “No, really, really, it was very emotional because my journey as Cap was like-it was a comfort zone, so that ending was just a little turbulent. But going back home at the end of the day, or just-just circulating back to Y/N and my family gave me comfort during that time.”

“Comfort zone,” Oprah smiled.

“For sure,” he nodded, “I think we go beyond the comfort zone.”

“But he made a legacy with it, really,” you smiled at your husband before looking Oprah, “It’s such an iconic character for everyone.”

“Of course, who doesn’t know Steve Rogers as Captain America?” Oprah opened her arms, “But speaking of legacies, let’s switch to another route real quick,” she said, “Do you both think River will follow yours?”

You blew a breath out, Chris raising his eyebrows slightly.

“River can be whoever he wants to be,” you said, “There’s no pressure that he needs to be added to follow anybody’s footsteps.”

Chris nodded, “I think with River we’re really aware, and we’re really cautious to protect him from all that exposure for as long as we can, and for as long as he grows up to make the choice himself.”

“That’s really beautiful,” Oprah said, “I think you both are incredible parents.”

You and Chris both beamed, “Thank you,” Chris said, “Thank you, thank you.”

“I try,” you said, “I’ll always try.”

“Do you think you’re just one and done with children? Because I know you both are so family-oriented,” she said, “You like big families and that environment.”

“Definitely not one and done,” you laughed, “But there’s no rush. We’re just living life day by day right now. Just making sure River grows up in a nurturing household, with emotionally mature parents, most importantly.”

“Any bets on the first word?”

“It has to be Mama,” you joked.

“I have a feeling it’ll be Mama,” Chris laughed, “He’s a momma’s boy. He’s a huge momma’s boy.”

“Is that a broken heart I hear?” Oprah joked.

“Oh, definitely,” Chris joked along, laughing as he nodded, “How dare he!”

“I just hope his first word isn’t anything inappropriate,” you chuckled, “Chris, and Scott and my best friend, Jia, have a habit of cursing all the time so I hope he doesn’t catch any of that.”

“You should set some rules.”

“Rules were set,” you nodded, “Rules get broken,” you laughed, “They never do it intentionally, it’s just in their nature.”

“I never do it intentionally,” Chris said with a shake of his head, “I’ve been practicing though, for a while now.”

“You need to do that,” Oprah joked, “So,” she smiled, looking at you, “Your story has a happy ending?”

“Yeah,” you smiled, leaning slightly on Chris, “It does.”

“That’s because you both made it so,” she said.

Chris smiled, looking at you.

“How do you feel right now?” Oprah asked.

“Content,” you answered, “I’m happy with how my life is like now. I’m satisfied with it.”

“What about you, Chris?”

“Extremely grateful,” Chris answered, “This is everything I’ve always dreamed of, and-and I’m happy I get to share that with my wife. I honestly wouldn’t want it with anyone else.”

It wasn’t just you with tearful eyes, because so did Chris, but it was you who first wiped your cheek away with a small laugh.

Oprah smiled, “Any plans?”

“Just being a husband and a dad that my family needs, what they deserve,” Chris said.

You nodded slightly, “Just focusing on our family, really. And just-just really enjoying the moment with all the sleepless nights and everything that comes with it because I know it’ll all just pass by so quickly.”

Oprah nodded with a smile, “Well, thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for trusting me with your story. I can’t wait to see River, I can’t wait to see how the both of you will be like in a year, in two years, I’m excited for it.”

“Thank you so much,” you smiled, “I trust you the most with this.”

“We wouldn’t have had this any other way,” Chris said.

#planet evans #planet evans universe #chris evans imagine #chris evans one shot #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans x reader #chris evans fluff imagine #chris evans angst imagine

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yelenasdiary · 1 year

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Can I request a Scarlett fic where we are her spouse and she takes us to red carpets and things alike and during one of the interviews the interviewer is our childhood bully. We’ve told Scarlett about our childhood before but she’s never put a face to the name so at first she worried when we start acting anxious until the interviewer introduces themselves with their name as one of our old “friends” so she puts it together and just moves on leaving the interviewer with a side eye. Unfortunately there are still pictures people want her to take, and only her, so they ask us to get out of the shot, which we try doing only for her to wrap her arm around us more and pull us in “You’re my wife, not my plus one. You’re going to be in all my photos” Eventually she gets mad at the audacity some of the paparazzi have and just takes us home while kissing away our pout because we wanted to see some marvel friends that night and wanted some free sweets. That and we thought we ruined her imagine because later it’s going viral that “Scarlett Johansson is a rude celebrity” with just multiple videos of her ignoring the interviewer. To ease our worries she just says “Let PR deal with it”.

You're My Wife!

Pairing: Scarlett Johansson x Reader

Summary: Scarlett reminds not only you but the entire world who you are to her.

AC: So sorry this took a while to get out, I hope you enjoy it! – I used Scar’s upcoming movie for this & I do apologise as I don’t know much about the new film!

Scarlett loves taking you to her events, red carpets, movie premieres, business parties, all of it. She loved being able to show you off and honestly, you helped keep her nerves away. Anytime she started to feel nerves (which when she told you about it surprised you) all she had to do was look over at you and her nerves faded away.

You loved standing by your wife's side as she did her thing. Something about seeing the world stop for a moment and capture her beauty always made you feel so lucky that you always have that chance.

With Asteroid City having its world premiere, you couldn't wait to be by Scarlett's side and supporting her. Everything was going well from the moment the two of you arrived, Scarlett held your hand as you both walked the carpet, stopping for a few moments so Scarlett could pose for the cameras before moving onto the interviewers.

You saw them from a distance, your childhood bully. The one who made high school a living hell, making up rumors about you, tormenting you daily, making sure you had nobody to sit with in class or at lunch. Your heart dropped when you noticed they were an interview and Scarlett was making her way over to them. You grip tightened in her hand the closer the two of you came closer.

"Hi Scarlett, do you have a moment?" Claire, your childhood bully smiled kindly at your wife. Your eyes dropped to the microphone in her hand as you and Scarlett came to a stop. "Hi, of course" your wife smiled.

You'd told Scarlett about the torment and hassles Claire gave you throughout high school and the affects her actions had on you. She knew of your bully's name, but you never bothered to show Scarlett a photo of her, never did you think this was going to happen, so you really didn't see a point.

"Thank you! I'm Claire, it's lovely to meet you and Y/n, it's so good to see you again!" Claire looked between the two of you with a smile. Scarlett noticed how anxious you looked and how sweat began to pool from your palms, she looked back at Claire and held your hand a little tighter as she pulled you away from the situation.

"Honey, you didn't have to-"

"I don't care. I'm not going to give her answers to make money from when she treated you so badly. She doesn't' deserve our time." Scarlett turned to you and gently brushed a lock of hair behind your ear. "But this is your job" you looked at your wife with a guilty feeling. "So? I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. I didn't want to answer her questions and I won't be" Scarlett assured you. Other interviewers called out for her to come over to them, but she didn't budge, not until she knew you were okay.

"Thank you, baby, that meant a lot to me" you smiled softly. Scarlett returned the smile and placed a soft kiss on your lips before moving onto the next interviewer, making sure to give Claire a slightly side eye of disappointment as you both continued to walk away.

Watching Scarlett do interviews was always something you loved the most at any event you went to, watching her talk about something she's worked so hard on, something she's excited about and seeing the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke was beautiful to you and you were stood by her side with pure proudness.

As much as you were glad Scarlett didn't give your bully much more of her time, you couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable with Claire watching you and Scarlett from afar. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at you whenever you caught her watching the two of you. "Are you okay, darling?" Scarlett asked as the two of you were led to the center of the carpet again for photos. You nodded and smiled softly not wanting to worry your wife on her special night, but she knew you weren't okay and she couldn't help but hear what the paparazzi were yelling out.

"Just Scarlett please!"

"Can we get you over please, Scarlett?"

"Can we get a few of just Scarlett please?"

The camera's flashing was almost blinding as you tried to step away from the spotlight, wanting to give the paparazzi what they were asking for. Just Scarlett. But of course, Scarlett wasn't a fan of the idea as she wrapped her arms around you and gently pulled you closer. "Where are you off too?" she asked as she kissed your cheek, making you blush.

"They need photos of you love, I'll just be over there when you're done" you explained while pointing to the end of the carpet.

"Y/n, you're my wife. You're not a plus one, if they want photos of me, they will get them with you beside me. I want you in all my photos and if they don't like that, that's their problem. I love you baby; I wouldn't be coming to these events without you" Scarlett assured you before pulling you closer and kissing you deeply.

The two of you posed for the photos but the paparazzi were persistent on asking for solo photos of Scarlett, even after she kindly told them no. You could see she was starting to get frustrated with the level of low respect the paparazzi had for Scarlett and her answer to their request. "Honey, I love you but I'm just going to go other there wait for you" you spoke as you let go of her hand.

Scarlett shook her hand and gently grabbed your hand and stormed off the red carpet without looking back. "Baby, what are you doing?" you asked in a worry.

"We're going home, we don't need to be here. If they can't respect us, we don't need to be here. Besides, I'd rather go home and get into our pjs and cuddle" Scarlett opened the door of the limo for you. Who were you to argue with such a loving wife? A wife who has never once put up with the audacity of others being disrespectful to you or herself.

The entire drive home Scarlett couldn't stop kissing your pouts away and telling you not to feel bad about you both leaving the event in a hurry. Her arms wrapped around you pulling you closer while she whispered how much she loved you between kisses. "But I was also kind of excited for the free candy and seeing the marvel crew again" you pouted at one point, Scarlett chuckled, "darling, I'll get you all the candy you want and how about we have the crew over for dinner next week?" she offered. You couldn't help but smile at the idea, "I guess that would be a lot more fun than a premiere" You pout but only because you knew it would earn you yet another loving kiss.

The next morning you made Scarlett and yourself breakfast and hoped that Scarlett wouldn't see the headlines that circled the media.

"Scarlett Johansson rudely leaves the red carpet!", "Scarlett Johansson's shrugs off interviewer with a glare!", "Is Scarlett Johansson Rude?"

But no matter how much you wanted to make sure she wouldn't see them, she did and to your surprise, she didn't care about them. She came up behind you, wrapped her arms tightly around you and placed a kiss on your cheek, "Don't stress about them baby, let PR deal with it" she spoke softly as you poured her a coffee, "you're my wife, if they want me, they get you as well" she reminded.

#scarlett johansson #Scarlett Johansson x reader #fanfiction

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bcofl0ve · 2 years

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Wherever You Go (I'll Follow)

pairing: austin butler x reader

summary: the cannes film festival is your first big press event and when your nerves get the best of you you're worried that austin will want someone who can keep up with his lifestyle. hurt/comfort with a lil' fluff.

a/n: i've written fic for years but this is my first time ever writing *insert person* x reader. still getting the hang of it, but i hope y'all enjoy it! and pls feel free to send me prompts!

xxx

You loved Austin, more than just about anything. You’d follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked you to, and more or less had been since Elvis production began just a few weeks after you got together. Having only met through him coming into a restaurant you worked at you’d expected to feel like an outsider among the Hollywood hullabaloo, and it was a nice surprise to find the opposite to be true. The cast and crew had become family over the past few years, and having a front row seat to your boyfriend’s performance of a lifetime was something you’d never forget.

Promotion season kicking into gear, however, had been making your head hurt. And the Cannes premiere rounded the corner while you were still struggling to find your footing in it all.

Austin could sense your nerves from the moment you got to the hotel in France, and had arranged for his driver, Mikey, to drop you at a side entrance to avoid the press going in. But you’d stopped him from making the same arrangement for after the screening.

“This screening is the first night of the rest of your life Aus,” You’d said in bed the night before, Austin carding a hand through your hair as you looked up from where you were resting on his chest. “There’s nothing I want more than to walk out of the theater with you celebrating that.”

Nerves and all, you meant every word.

It turned out to be easy enough to forget about what was coming after when the film started to roll, Austin squeezing your hand and chewing nervously on his bottom lip as the Suspicious Mind vocals filled the auditorium. You alternated between watching the movie and watching him, the look in his eyes all you’d wanted for him throughout this whole process. This was it. He’d “made it” in every sense of the phrase.

The twelve minute standing ovation was a nice touch too, you thought, Austin grabbing you around the waist with one arm and swiping at his teary eyes with his free hand.

“I’m so proud of you,” You whispered in his direction and he pulled you closer, pressing a kiss to the top of your head with a soft “Thank you baby,”

As things started to quiet down and people began trickling out, he looked between you and the door, tucking a piece of hair behind your ear.

“Are you sure you’re okay to walk with us? I can call Mikey and have him bring the car around the back for you, we shouldn’t be that long,”

You shook your head, taking his hand in yours and intertwining your fingers. “I’m okay,”

He didn’t look like he completely believed that, but before he could question it you were being shuffled out the door behind Baz, everyone else falling behind the three of you.

You’d known that you’d be stepping out of the building into a decent amount of chaos, but the instantaneous flashing and yelling still made you flinch in surprise, Austin squeezing your hand three times as you crossed the threshold.

One of his managers, Kayla, weaved her way through the crowd behind you to his opposite side, doing a one over of both sides of the barricades. “We’re just going to take some photos, greet some fans and we’ll be out- no interviews and if someone tries just thank them for their time and walk,” She whispered, and gave you both a shoulder squeeze before disappearing again.

The two of you kept walking, and you tried to focus on your boyfriend as opposed to the hoards of strangers.

“Austin, is that your girlfriend?” Someone yelled and when you turned your head to see who you were damn near blinded by flashing cameras, your heart started to race in your chest. Your relationship hadn’t been a secret, but it wasn’t exactly huge public knowledge either, this event marking the first time that it would be.

“Sure is, beautiful right?” Austin shouted back and you managed a smile even with the anxiety that had started coursing through you, hoping that the photos being captured didn’t capture the tears you felt stinging behind your eyes.

You loved Austin to death. But this had quickly become overwhelming.

You felt his hand slip out of yours and blinked in confusion, quickly realizing Baz had tugged him over for a photo op, which would’ve been fine. If you weren’t suddenly standing alone in what felt like the eye of a hurricane.

Trying to reassure yourself under your breath, you wrung your hands together waiting for Austin to come back.

Starting to zone out, you didn’t realize he had come back until you felt both of his hands grabbing at your hips and heard him turning to the side to shout something you didn’t quite catch before turning back to you, lowering his voice.

“Y/N, our driver is right down there,” He said and pointed down the street at the familiar black car, one hand still massaging your side. “Kayla is gonna take you and I’ll be right there,” He continued and you felt even more nauseous now because you’d promised up and down you’d be fine only to ruin the biggest night of his career so far.

But before you could protest, Kayla swept you away, a protective hand on your back she hustled you down the street to the car. She grabbed a water bottle from the front seat to pass back to you, wearing a sympathetic smile.

Unable to stop the tears building from spilling out now that you were away from the crowd, you held the plastic with shaky hands.

“I feel,” You started, chest rising and falling faster than it normally did. “I feel horrible, this was such a big night for him and now all they’re going to be asking about is his girlfriend acting like a three year old over a little press,”

“You were not acting like a three year old and that was not a little press,” She responded, a hand on your knee. “You got overwhelmed- it happens, and I know for a fact that Austin doesn’t think you ruined anything. I barely convinced him to stay for a few more minutes because he wanted to just leave with us,”

You gave a little nod to that, taking a sip of water and a deep breath.

Sure everyone got overwhelmed but this was only the beginning. Austin’s career was speeding up, not slowing down, and you couldn’t keep the thought that he probably wanted a partner that could keep up from creeping into your mind. Looking at the floor of the car, you picked at your nail beds. All good things eventually came to an end. This was bound to be no different.

You recognized the sound of his running before you saw Austin appear outside of the passenger side door out of the corner of your eye, breathing almost as heavy as yours was.

“Hey baby,” He rushed out, slamming the door shut behind him. You turned your gaze up just enough to meet his eyes, and see his face fall when he realized you’d been crying.

That look alone was enough to get the waterworks going all over again, Austin scooting closer and pulling you into his arms, pressing his face into the side of your head.

“I’m right here, God- I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have let Kayla tell me to hang back,” He rambled out and you shook your head against his shoulder, pulling back and sniffling.

“She was just doing her job, you were doing your job and I couldn't handle it and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to so if you want someone who can then I understand, we can break-”

“Y/N,” He cut you off before you could finish that thought, grabbing one of your hands from where you were wiping your eyes, the pad of his thumb circling your wrist. “I need you to listen to me, okay?”

Starting to feel a smidgen calmer, mostly from his touch, you managed to give a little nod.

“You’re not wrong that things are going to be like that, and maybe a little worse from here on out, you’re not. If you wanna take baby steps to get used to it we can meet with Kayla and figure out how to do that,” He started, speaking softly. “But if you never get used to it or like it then we’ll make that work too, because I love you. I love you so much, and that’ll never change.”

You managed to look up then, overwhelmed for different reasons now, chief among them not fully understanding what you did to deserve the man who was near in tears reassuring you. You cracked a tiny half smile and his face perked up at that, a hand coming up to cup your cheek.

“There’s my pretty girl,”

“Your best girl?” You quipped back, dropping your voice into the best Elvis accent you could do through the lump that was still in your throat.

He laughed softly and pulled back enough to click his seatbelt as the car started to move, pushing the body strap behind his shoulder so he could lean in to kiss you, hands falling back to your face and upper neck.

You let your hands wander to the lapels of his suit jacket as you kissed him back, being as close to each other as physically possible within the backseat of a car pushing every other worry from your mind.

xxx

#austin butler x reader #austin butler fanfic #austin butler #austin butler imagine #austin butler fic #austin butler fanfiction #elvis #elvis movie

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valencebagelbandit · 2 months

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every god needs an imp

notes: this is my first fic ever sorry if my presentation isn't very polished! also not sure about teenage kix in the show but instead of just making them a hero team I figured why not make it a show in the style of bad girls club or Jersey shore? teen titans but with hair pulling and alcohol. anyways that's the preface to how A-train and eccentrica met their bother former teenage kix members.

summary: homelander needed one thing, a tool. a tinker toy to carry out his more wild whims that the deep/A-train or the new recruits couldn't.finally after endless searching through files upon files he finds a perfect candidate.besides every king needs a jester, every hero needs a sidekick, every god needs an imp.

"teenage kix." Ashley looked up from the file folder grasped between shivering fingers eyes locked nervously on homelander and his hateful glare.

"absolutely not why in the every loving fuck would I choose anyone off that circus of a team? I mean A-train was the last remotely decent hero to come out of that voyeuristic Bullshit TV show. come on Ashley get your shit together." he didn't move one inch sitting ankles crossed in the chair in front of her desk chin rested on his clenched fist like an pouting child.

"well- well actually sir there has been one more promising member..." the (now fake) red head slid the file over to homelander the page resting on top a vought branded hero file with an attached image of the supe in question.

Ashley began to speak as homelander analyzed the portfolio, "Eccentrica Magica, 5'8, 160 pounds, only 24, replaced A-trains slot on the show when he aged out. premiered at fifteen and became a hit, once she left the show she started a residency at the MGM Grand."

she was a fucking magician?

homelander dropped the file on the desk before pressing the palms of his red leather gloves over his eyes letting a hissing sigh out through his teeth. "you really expect me to put a god damn magician in the final spot on the seven?" he practically growled his words out, he could hear Ashley's already racing heart jump nervously.

"well she is very talented-" she started but was immediately cut off."I don't care if she's "talented" I need someone to fight not pull a fuckin' rabbit out of hat!" he stood up rolling his eyes teeth pulled back over his teeth in a grimace of annoyance and rage. hands found their way into a fold one gripping the other as he paced trying his best not to laser Ashley's stupid face off. two hours of this bullshit going through applications of pre established supes for the empty spot in the seven.

"really homelander she's a good option, she has super strength plus she can remotely teleport! plus she already has a strong fanbase and she's attractive," Ashley's mutterings about this eccentrica magica was tuned out as soon as he heard the words remote teleportation. sure sure anyone could teleport, but having control like that to so much training it wasn't worth it. she could be useful she could just teleport butcher right into the space for him! besides if the deep was in the seven, well that was comparing an intern to loan shark.

He snapped back pacing back to the folder on the desk as Ashley continued chattering, endlessly chattering. his thumb and index fingers gripped the photo of eccentrica, she smirked at the camera with a manic charm he found reminiscent of the Cheshire cat fitting for her powers. his big blue eyes wandered up the picture tracing the round curve of her face pale, soft, unmarred skin a sign of her invulnerability right up to the best part her eyes. framed by light brown feathery bangs and eyebrows raised only making her big glowing purple doe eyes all the more god damn startling.

"besides she has an in! A-train has met her an confirmed she's a good candidate plus again shes literally the last file in the stack." Ashley smiled at him eyes flicking between homelander and the massive stack of files sitting to her right hand.

homelander let out a small huff, "fine I'll take the magician." now, to meet this little imp and see if she was as useful as he needed her to be.

thank you for reading <3

#homelander x reader #homelander #the boys #self indulgent fic #self insert oc

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phanfictioncatalogue · 1 month

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Domestic Established Relationship Masterlist

2009, 2012, 2019, 2022 (ao3) - OliveTheHobbit

Summary: “Most people have like yearly photo books, we have this weird ass videos” - Daniel Howell, some bloopers from phil is not on fire 10.

Some of the memories they gathered along the way got fresh in their minds at the moment they decided to buy a photo album.

In celebration to Dan and Phil’s 10th anniversary.

A Day in the Life of Dan and Phil in Quarantine! (ao3) - silentdescant

Summary: Phil posts a Day in the Life video of a typical day in quarantine.

Baby Names - dxnhowell

Summary: Dan and Phil arguing over baby names, very domestic.

blankets, coffees and afternoon naps (ao3) - zsunsetz

Summary: Blankets, coffee and afternoon naps have become the new normal.

Coming Clean and Kisses on Screen (ao3) - hygge

Summary: Dan and Phil are finally ready to make the news of their marriage and their new family public.

Dan and Phil and DOG (ao3) - nivi_chip

Summary: It’s Phil’s birthday, and Dan gets him a gift that’s long overdue

dan buys a skirt (ao3) - baroquen

Summary: Dan is thinking about buying a skirt. Phil thinks this is a very good idea.

Doing Nothing Often Leads To The Very Best Of Something (ao3) - kae_karo

Summary: based on this (x) and a lil imagine i wrote (x) and expanded on so thanks to the lovely anon who originally sent "that pic phil posted of dan for his bday i think where dan is making a funny face and theres a nearly empty wine bottle in the background hhhhh that makes my demon heart drop" and to the lovely anon who asked for more!

Forever Home (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Phil’s wanted a dog for as long as he can remember, and now that he and Dan are moving into their new house, it’s the perfect opportunity. But there’s just one problem: Phil’s allergic to dogs.

Home For Good (ao3) - hygge

Summary: Phil gets drafted for World War III. Dan and their daughter, Emily, try to maintain a normal life while Phil is away.

Let's Be Alone Together (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: There are times when Dan and Phil feel so much like a married couple, that they forget they aren’t actually married. However, neither one of them are complaining about it. (Also known as the most domestic and fluffy fic I’ve ever written).

Look what I made the birthday boy (ao3) - phandemigods

Summary: Dan made a super sweet video for Phil's 30th birthday and they decide to post it. It's just a pile of domestic fluff

Noted (ao3) - whisksandplungers

Summary: Dan liked to leave romantic notes for Phil. Most of the time, Phil loved them. And sometimes, Phil would be left staring at the note, absolutely clueless.

Share A Bed, Share A Life (ao3) - JenCollins, WordsAblaze

Summary: Having a child is a stressful, time-consuming, argument-inducing process but, naturally, Dan and Phil ride the ups and downs together, ending up just fine. Fulfilling prompts 'age changes' and 'sharing a bed' for the phandom fic fests, enjoy!

Sugar Rush (ao3) - Misha_with_wings

Summary: Phil shouldn’t have had so much sugar before bed, now he’s a hyper little shit and Dan really just wants to sleep.

the stupid sushi bubble bath fic (ao3) - itsmyusualphannie (itsmyusualweeb)

Summary: dip and pip cuddle and eat sushi and take a bubble bath like the nerds they are.

They Were Forever (ao3) - developerdaniel

Summary: While keeping everything soft and sweet their kiss quickly grew into more as Dan's hands slid their way up Phil's loose tee, pushing it up while his explored his lover's soft skin. Phil let out a gentle gasp into the younger's mouth at the feeling. Dan's touches were soft, feather light, enough to send a shiver up Phil's spine and raise goosebumps where Dan's hands had once been. ~ aka the fic where dan and phil have a casual night at home that ends with them passionately making love

Today Is For Us (ao3) - CaibrynM

Summary: Dan and Phil take a day for themselves in between the tour ending, planning for their premiere in Brazil and the upcoming Christmas Holidays. Lots of Fluff and a little smut.

Told You So (ao3) - flymetomanchester

Summary: Neither really care about the holiday. but when they move in together Phil can’t help but care about thanksgiving. It has to be perfect. Nothing can go wrong right?

Worth the Wait (ao3) - JudeAraya

Summary: It's pretty hard to stay mad at Phil, even when he's forgotten date night.

#phanfictioncatalogue #phanfiction #phanfic #phan #masterlists #domestic #domestic masterlist #establishedrelationship

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sapppy-cocktail · 2 years

Text

I Like You - Part 6

Sadie Sink x Reader

Masterlist

Part 5

After that moment we left the bathroom and went back to join the show. We hadn’t talked after the Jimmy Fallon show and during the show Sadie and I hadn’t spoken at all. I was too nervous to talk to her or call her, worried she’d tell me she was pulling on my heart strings. But knowing it’s Sadie she wouldn’t play with my feelings like that. But I’d have to see her in a few days whether I liked it or not. The Stranger Things premiere was coming up so I’d have to interact with her. Around 2 days before the premiere Finn had called me and asked if I’d wanted to get ready with him and go together. I told him I’d love that so now here we are. I’m helping the makeup artists set up while we wait for him to arrive.

“Y/N?” Finns voice comes slightly muffled as he knocks on the door. “Coming!” I call out as I stop helping the make up artists set up to go open the door for him. “Y/N!” He yells launching himself onto me to hug me as I almost fall back. He laughs as he pulls away. “Hey Finn.” I say smiling as I grab his hand and pull him towards the rooms we were getting ready in. We take a seat in the chair and spin our chairs to face each other’s and begin talking. “So what’s up with you and Sadie?” He asks smirking and the makeup artists behind me begin working on my hair. “Honestly, I don’t know.” I say sighing. He tilts his head slightly and his eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean?" He asks as the makeup artist walks over to my chair and I get turned away from Finn. His makeup artist doing the same thing.

"We uh, we kissed, when we went to the bathroom." I say as I look at him through the mirror. "That's great! So why do you seem upset?" He asks as I begin play with my fingers. "We haven't talked since." I say making his mouth drop a bit. "M-maybe she's been a bit busy. Like the premiere is today. Y'know how it is." He says as I look up back at him. "Maybe.” I say looking at my hands. “You know I’m here for you Y/N.” He says making me look back up at him. “I know.” I respond before he speaks up once more. “I’d do anything for you Y/N. I care about you, you’re my best friend. If you wanted to pretend to date me for the sake of getting Sadie jealous you know I’d do it for you and if you ended up murdering someone and began running from the law you know I’d be with you all the way, right?” He asks making me laugh. “And you know I’d do the same for you, right?” I say smiling at him and he mirrors the smile on my face.

As we continue to talk about things we’d do for each other among other things my smile slightly falters as I think back to the kiss. “You wanna talk about it?” He asks reading my mind. I nod and he smiles in pity as I begin speaking. “I think it might've been a mistake. The kiss. Maybe she doesn't like me like that." I say as my eyes drop back to my hands in my lap. "Oh come on Y/N. She's in love with you, you're literally her wallpaper." He says making my eyes slighty widen. "She showed you?" I ask making his face mirror mine. "You don't know?" He asks making me stare at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Know what?" I ask as he pulls out his phone to show me a tiktok that managed to have millions of likes and almost 3 million comments. I looked down at the caption. 'And if you don't think I'm right I have so much more that proves they're in a relationship.' I let out a laugh and look up at Finn. "Well they're wrong. We aren't and never have been." I say making Finn roll his eyes. "Look at the video." He says making me look at the video playing on his phone. It was footage of us at the Jimmy Fallon show and it was when Sadie was passing her phone to me. The video paused and then starting zooming in on the phone. There was no way you could tell it was her and I, but this person was somehow able to outline the bodies, it wasn't exactly the same as the photo but it was pretty damn good. Then the video put up a text. 'Don't think that's them? Watch this.' Then a video of a few of the makeup artists on set starts playing and in the background you can hear Millie and Noah giggling and then speaking up. "Tangled up... In love." The audio in the background says but was being overlapped by the makeup artists talking about their time on set so Millies and Noahs words were broken up so you were only able to hear the 4 words they said. The person who created the tiktok added subtitles for when they said it which makes it easier to identify when they were saying it. Then the tiktok pulls up another video of us during interviews and looking at each other from time to time and me turning red after I caught her looking at me. I tapped the comments and read through them.

‘IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!!!''

‘Forever in love with both of them'

'I dont know if I want to be them or be with them'

'I can't choose which one I want to be'

'Can't wait to see them at the premiere!'

'I NEED THEM TO KISS.'

'Low-key want them together more than Byler.'

'WANT? I NEED THEM MORE THAN BYLER.' A comment replied to the one above.

'HIGHKEY HOPING MAX AND Y/N GET TOGETHER THIS SEASON'

'Max is with Lucas?' A comment replied to the one above.

'SHUT THE FUCK UP! It's canon in my head.' The commenter replied back.

'Don't get me wrong I'd love for them to get together but Max and Lucas have been together since S2 and I don't think the Duffers brothers would build them up that long just to tear it down like that.'

'That's literally what's happening to Mileven?' A different person commmented.

'Y/N has consistently showed her interest in girls and dropped not so subtle hints to show her interest in Max. It's way more obvious than Will liking Mike.' Another commenter added.

'Dustin literally holds her while she cries over Max?' Another person added.

'We don't know it's Max' A commenter came to the rescue of the comment that started the chain.

'It's literally Max. Shut up.' The creator of the tiktok commented.

'LOOK IM NOT SAYING THEY WONT GET TOGETHER IM JUST SAYING THAT MAX AND LUCAS HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, YES I KNOW LUCAS COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND MAX LIKE Y/N AND THEY WILL NEVER BE AS CLOSE AS HER AND Y/N BUT THEY'RE IN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP AND I DON'T FIND THAT AS A GOOD REASON TO END IT. LUCAS AND MAX CARE FOR EACHOTHER (NOT SAYING Y/N AND MAX DONT) BUT I DO BELIEVE Y/N WILL END UP WITH SOMEONE (A GIRL) BUT IT'S JUST NOT MAX. I BELEIVE THEY MIGHT KISS BUT JUST AS SOME SORT OF CLOSURE FOR Y/N. MAYBE AS A WAY FOR Y/N TO FINALLY ACCEPT HERSELF. LIKE YES SHE KNOWS SHES GAY AND THE SCOOPS TROOP KNOW IT TOO BUT THATS ALL. HER BEST FRIENDS DON'T KNOW. MAX DOESN'T KNOW. HONESTLY I JUST FEEL LIKE HER FEELINGS MIGHT NOT BE RECIPROCATED. OR MAYBE THEY ARE BUT I FEEL LIKE MAX WOULDNT HURT LUCAS LIKE THAT. MAYBE THATS WHY LUCAS IS BLEEDING IN THE TRAILER. CAUSE Y/N BASHED THE SHIT OUT OF HIM!’ The commenter who started the chain of arguments said.

‘Okay If I try really hard I can sorta understand some of what you’re getting at but where did Y/N start fighting Lucas come from? Like we know she’d win but where did it come from?’ A person asked in response to the above.

"Damn." I say scoffing as I look at show more replies button. 985K replies. "Poor guy, probably drowning in the hate." I say as I hand the phone back to him. “Oh please. You must be loving the fact that everyone wants you together.” He says making my smile turn into a laugh as I nod at him. “Just talk to her tonight, you'll see what I mean.” Finn says speaking up again as they do the finishing touches of our make up. After we talk some more we head to the car together and the driver holds the door open for both of us. “Thank you.” We say as we get in the car. As the driver begins the car Finn and I talk until the drivers voice speaks up. “You two make a great couple.” He says as our eyes widen. “Oh we aren’t.” I say pointing between the Finn and I. “Oh. Are you two going as each others dates?” He asks as he looks at us through the rear view mirror. I turn to Finn to find him looking at me and he smiles. “We weren’t but now we are. Good thing we’re matching.” He says motioning between the clothes as he links his round mine and we joke are kind until we reach the premiere.

Once we arrive Finn tells me to wait and he gets out the car quickly to run around and hold the door for me and offers me a hand to help me out. Gladly I accept and I notice the rest of the cast looking at as he kisses my hand. I laugh and slap his arm away making him laugh as well. He holds his arm out and we link arms as we begin walking across the carpet and wave at the cameras as we walk to the rest of the cast. “Guys meet my date. Y/N L/N.” He says looking at me and then back to the cast. “And meet my date Finn Wolfhard.” I say smiling as I look at the few members of the cast. I walk around with Finn for a while before we get called away from each other. “Do we really need to leave each other. I can just pretend I didn’t hear them.” I say sighing as I look out our linked arms before looking up at him. “You think I wanna leave? We gotta Y/N.” He says as he looks down at me. “Fine.” I say dragging at the word making him let out a laugh before our arms unlink and we hold each others hand slowly walking away. As our arms are now out of reach he puts his fingers up to a mouth and forms a smile making me roll my eyes and smile sarcastically at him making him put a thumbs up as he laughs at me. I turn around and begin walking to the people calling my name.

“Y/N!” A voice calls and I notice a familiar face. I smile and walk over. “Hey Maria!” I say smiling widely as I hug her. “How are you? I haven’t see you in forever!” I say as I ate back smiling widely as her eyes lit up after hugging her. “I’m good, I’m good. How are you? Honestly I didn’t think you’d remember me after not seeing each other in forever.” She said making me raise an eyebrow. “Forget one of my favourite interviewers? Never.” I say making her laugh. “Well you’ve grown so much since I’ve last seen you and in honor of not seeing you for so long I thought I’d give you a little something.” She says handing me a skateboard. My eyes widen at the present and are practically bulging out of my head as I notice the signature of Tony Hawk. “Is this real?” I ask as my jaw drops. “Of course. I interviewed him not long ago and I thought I’d need to get a board signed for Y/N but in return he asked me if you could sign his board.” She says as she hands me another board except this one was old and as I flipped it over I notice the print was the exact same one as the one he used when he landed the 900.

“No ways.” I say shocked as I take a step back and look at the board then up at her. “Is this?” I ask staring at Maria and she laughs and nods her head. “It is.” She says as she hands me a permanent marker. “This is a piece of history. I can’t!” I say as I stare at the worn down board. “He thought you might say that so he made a video.” She says pulling out a phone. “Hey Y/N. I’m a huge fan of the show and an even bigger fan of you. So when Maria told me you were a fan I felt light-headed. Almost fainted when she asked me to sign a board for you and so I’d love if you would sign the board for me. Pretty please.” He says pouting before the video ends. “Holy shit!” I say as I run a hand through my hair. “Wow.” I say as I take the cap off and begin signing the board. “Damn.” I say as I hand her the board back still awestruck. She laughs before her eyes look to the side and she motions someone to come over. “Sadie!” Maria calls out making me turn around and notice Sadie walking over to us with a small wave to Maria. Sadie glances at me nervously as she makes her way over to us and I smile and she hesitates on opening her arms for a hug and I nod opening my arms and she accepts it. “Looking good Sades.” I say as I pull back to check her out, our hands on each other’s arms as we pulled away from the hug. “Thank you. Not too bad yourself L/N.” She says doing the same thing to me making me laugh as we let go of each other and put our attention back on Maria.

After a few questions she mentions one that makes my eyes widen. “So I’m sure you guys remember that we get one question to ask by the fans. Most popular one. So the question is ‘what did Noah mean when he said they do things in weird ways and that he’s got proof?’ This person seems to be talking about the video they released from the last day of filming. Noah was out breath and apparently had just come from your trailer.” She says making my eyes widen and my cheeks heat up. Sadie turns to me and smiles confused. “Is this that..?” She asks trailing off as I nod. “You said you’d tell me what they meant. You never did.” She says making me stifle a laugh as I cover my mouth to the camera as I move my lips to her ear. “Well you know how you were sitting on my bag and I was trying to close the zip? Well the position of us makes me look like I was going down on you.” I say as her eyes widen and she whips her head to me, her jaw dropping and I notice blood rushing up to her face even taking over her ears as she looks as red as a tomato. I laugh as I turn back to now confused Maria.

“We were packing and uh we we’re caught in a… I guess you could say a uh… a compromising position.” I say trying to find the words. “We weren’t doing anything and we weren’t going to but from what it looked like from where he was and with no context I can understand where he’s coming from. But I can assure we were just trynna put things in my bag.” I say as I turn to look at Sadie. She’s red from her ears to her nose as she stares at the ground with wide eyes her body unmoving, frozen. “You good mate?” I ask making her slightly nod as she continues to stare at the ground her eyes still wide. “Sure. Well it was great seeing you Maria.” I say as I grab onto Sadie’s shoulders and turn her around and walk her to the door that leads backstage.

I grab a chair and have her sit down before going to grabbing her a bottle of water. “Here.” I say handing it to her and she finally looks up at me thanking me for the bottle. “So you wanna talk about it?” I ask and she shakes her head. “Not really, no.” She says making me sigh as I pull out a chair to sit in front of her. “Are you upset?” I ask making her tilt her head slightly. “What do you mean?” She asks as I look at the ground for a second before looking back up into her eyes. “Are you upset that the world thinks we’re together? Or are you upset about the fact you kissed me?” I ask and she stares at me still confused. “Was it a joke? Did you regret it?” I ask my voice wavering slightly as I try to prepare for a response.

“I don’t. I don’t regret kissing you.” She says furrowing her eyebrows. “Then why have you been avoiding me?“ I ask my eyebrow slightly raising. “I wasn’t sure on how you’d respond. I know we joke about you know being in a relationship, but we’ve never actually spoken about how we actually.. feel… I didn’t think you’d like me.” She says making me scoff. “Me? Not like you? You must be dreaming.” I say as I lean back into the chair. “You we’re avoiding me cause you didn’t think I’d like you?” I ask trying to wrap my head around the fact she thought I didn’t like her. “Yup.” She says nodding. “So hang on. You like me? Like ‘like me like me?’” I ask making her nod as a smile slightly tugs at her lips. “Hey lovebirds, everyone’s wondering where you are. We gotta do an interview.” Gaten’s head says as his head pops through the door and motions for us to follow him. I look at Sadie as I stand up and offer her hand. She takes it and we walk to the door. “We’ll talk more later.” I whisper into her ear before opening the door and disconnecting our hands.

We take a seat on the couches set up for us. “Y/N, Sadie. How are you?” The interviewer asks as he goes to shake our hands. “Good and yourself?” I ask, Sadie saying the same. “I’m good.” The interviewer replies before asking the everyone a few questions but just as the interview nears an end he turns the attention to Sadie and I. “Sadie. Y/N. I’m sure you’ve heard about the rumours, how do you feel about them. Are they true?” The interviewer asks making me raise an eyebrow. “What rumours?” I lie as I act innocent. “Well fans seem to believe you are dating.” He says motioning with his hands between the two of us. “Oh us? No.” Sadie says making me nod. “Really? Because these photos seem to prove otherwise.” The interviewer says before putting multiple photos of us holding hands and hugging. “You don’t hug your friends?” I ask making him laugh. “I do but not like that.” He says wiggling his eyebrows. “You have to be in a relationship.” He continues. “Well damn you’ve caught me.” I say making his eyes widen.

“I am dating someone. Just not who you think.” I say making him raise an eyebrow. “Sure.” He says not believing a word I said. “Even ask Finn.” I say putting the attention on the boy on my right. “Y-yeah. She is.” He says nodding excessively. “Who?” He asks leaning forward in his chair. “She’s dating me. She literally came as my date.” He says as he puts his hand in mine and raises it in the air. “Uh-huh. Then kiss if you’re so in love with each other.” He says making me go to say soemthing but Sadie beats me to it. “They don’t have to prove anything.” She says glaring at him. “It’s fine Sadie. I’m glad to finally get our relationship out in the open.” I say to Sadie before turning to look at Finn lovingly. I smile at Finn and he sends me a wink on the eye that isn’t seen to the camera as we lean forward. I close my eyes as our lips touch and my hand flies up to his jaw and I place it at an angle that covers my mouth to the cameras and I whisper against his lips. “Thank you.” “Anytime.” He replies back before we pull away. I adjust myself on the couch to be seated more comfortably and I look turn to look at Sadie and she is glaring at the interviewer and she doesn’t even try to hide her anger. I stifle a laugh and put my hand down on either side of me and put my leg up to hide my hand on Sadie’s from the camera. Her anger vanishes as she looks down at my hand and looks away a smile tugging at her lips and she glares at me when I take my hand off. I smile sheepishly and she rolls her eyes with a smile and folds her arms over chest in response.

Once the interview ends Sadie drags me away from the others leaving no chance to speak with the rest of them. “Let’s finish that conversation.” She says as she drags me back to the room we were in previously but not the chairs we sat at. This time she took me over to the table with the taller chairs as they needed to reach the height of sink. “Someone’s in a rush.” I say smirking as she rolls her eyes. “What are we?” She asks as I make myself comfortable on the chair. “Whatever you want us to be.” I say making her smirk. “Fiancé?” She asks making me mirror her smirk. “You want to get married to me?” I ask teasing her which causes her to drop her head in laughter. “Waiting on the ring Y/N.” She says showing her hand to me. I laugh shaking my head and look at her once I stop.

She stands up and walks over to the chair I’m seated on. She stands between my legs and has her hands around my neck as she looks down at me making me look up at her. Even though the chair was tall it wasn’t able to make me reach her height s I ended up being a few centimeters shorter than her. “God you’re beautiful.” She whispers making my eyes widen and my cheeks heat up as she makes a move to kiss me. My heart pounds in my chest as I close my eyes once our lips touch. One of her hands moves into my hair while the other holds my jaw. My hands hold her waist and I feel her pull me closer. “Will you be my girlfriend?” I ask as we pull away, our foreheads resting on each others. She nods as she smiles widely while playing with the baby hairs on my neck. “I will.” She says making me grin as I look back at her.

“Cheating on me already? I thought you we were gonna last forever.” The voice of Finn speaks making us both look in the direction of the voice. I smile widely and get off the chair and walk over to Finn wrapping him in my arms. “Thank you so much Finn.” I say as he wraps his arms around me. “It’s nothing. Now I finally get my title of best friend back, Sadie’s girlfriend and I’m best friend.” He says making us laugh. Sadie walks over to him and she hugs him as well. “Thank you.” She says as he nods. “Anytime.” He says once she pulls away. “Don’t stay too long or people will get suspicious. I’ll see you two in about 5 minutes. Tops.” He says as he walks back to the door he entered from. “Bye Finn.” We says in unison as we wave him goodbye.

A/N: That’s the end of this shit, pretty long I reckon. I’m pretty sure the next thing I release will be the next part to ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.’ But it’s undecided so it could be something else but I’m like halfway through it so it should be that. Anyways I hoped you enjoyed this. Sorry if you didn’t. I tried my best. I know my shits pretty repetitive, I’m working on that. But yeah, have a good day. Love y’all.

Taglist: @splatashadeadmanoff @bennzo @fall-08 @gojosrug @alex-6808 @etheriaaly @foamygrapesoda @dream-chasers-things @iamnobodywhataboutu @eddies-handcuffs-wife @soffsh @alonezz @scoobiessnacks @theshinyrock @hauntingtherosebush @danielatoledostavoliblog @joey091838 @gayshyandreadytocry @Icvemich @lcvemich @quie1lz @quie1Iz @coreysam76 @babyfaberrylove27 @stardustmars0305 @fidelmao @the-sweet-destination @dawn-ace @godofmischief08 @chlodog11 @luciiiebld @luciiibId @pinksu @kd2007 @kaisenblog @vulhpixx @slvtfornat @smileyswifeyy @i-need-somebody-else @chloepricesgraffitimarker @allyfoxglove @aahdiieb @ulicebld @UlicebId @sorayaki @Eddiebea @yaegeo @qrrivederc1 @d0ntlikeyou @mrstealuregirl @m-rae23 @iharringt8n @simpforyelenabelova @mrchiipchrome @nami-satu @jinxwerewolf @supertigerdestiny @lovelylyah @yan-yans-addiction @valenbodoque @laurxx14 @madnevaeh @gooblerstan @somewosoloverrr @finnwolfhardkisser @emscave @olugaan @yoalchumly @atsushiswife @hzwkeye @hutaosleftbang @lazyturtle0-0 @perfectlywrongformend3s @press-theshift-key-unlimited @Jaydofredo @cosmic-wolf83 @ara-simp @agathaharkness-simp @hoOope-maximoOoff @rigatonisdungeon @your-random-introvert @graceher07

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dulcewrites · 2 years

Text

wonder what she thinks of me

Pairing: Austin butler x (non descriptive) fem oc

Summary: Melanie and Austin pride themselves on being good people…. Except when it comes to wanting each other (wc: 919)

Warnings: emotional cheating, slight physical cheating, both parties being messy in the name of love lol

A/N: I normally don’t write about real people like this but I thought it would be fun to write a little something to celebrate Austin’s birthday. Happy birthday bestie!! ❤️🫶🏽. Also highly recommend listening while reading

Then you can both go to Paris, you live in the lavish

I'm actually happy for you

“You know a 12-minute standing ovation is insane right?” Melanie can’t help but beam through the phone.

She knows how anxious Austin was about Cannes. Hearing his voice shake a little when he mentioned the red carpet and premiere when called her yesterday.

Melanie is met with a hearty laugh, and she can hear how elated his is through the phone.

“And don’t get me started on how everyone looks!”

She sat down at her kitchen island looking through photos he had sent and some off social media. She can’t help but marvel at how glamorous everyone looks.

“I wish you were here to see it. Maybe we can go somewhere is France sometime next year,” he said earnestly, spewing off things they could do and places they could visit.

Making future plans. Austin has a bad habit of doing that.

And the timing couldn’t be more ironic when she comes across of him with her. It reminds her of what she’s doing. Pining over her… friend? She really doesn’t know what Austin is to her now.

One moment they’re friends supporting each other’s careers, trying to work out time differences to talk. The next he’s sleeping over or telling her he’s gonna take her to France… all while having a girlfriend.

She doesn’t know when the shift happened. When it when from platonic and sweet to something more. Something that leaves her stomach in knots and wondering what his lips feel like.

Her heart drops into her stomach when she hears a feminine voice in the background call his name.

“I need to get going but I’m gonna call you when I have time,” says Austin, sounding distracted and distant.

Before Melanie can get a full goodbye out, he’s gone. She blinks at her phone. She has to keep reminding herself this is good for him and good for his career, no matter how much it hurts.

I wonder what she thinks of me when she sees my name

On your phone screen, you drop everything just for me

Melanie quickly realizes she’s a selfish person. A selfish and jealous person.

She knows it’s a bad idea to call him. Austin just got done with Elvis promotions. She knows he’s tired, and she knows he’s been seen with her.

But Melanie also knows how Austin is.

So, it’s not surprising that when she calls and asks him to come over, he instantly agrees. And she would be lying if she said the guilty feeling didn’t dissipate as soon as she opens the door, and he pulls her into the warmest hug and kisses her on the top of her head.

She selfishly stops feeling bad when he’s lying in her bed, sipping wine, and recounting his favorite moments from the whirlwind couple of months he’s had.

His voice rings multiple during the night, and they both know who it is. Austin seems in no rush to answer let alone leave.

Melanie should remind herself about how she would feel if the roles were reversed, but the idea slips her brain when she feels his lips brush against her neck. Then work up her jaw and end on hers.

The need to do the right thing gets all fuzzy when his hand slips under her shirt.

God she’s horrible person.

It's never wrong when it feels right

I'll hold you close and pretend you're mine

I'll be the sun against your skine

Melanie tries to stop it, she really does. Tells him they’re better than this, better than hurting some girl whose done nothing to deserve this. And he agrees… for a week. Then he’s at her door with sad smile.

“I’m kind realizing I’m not better than that.”

And with that, they spend the night together again.

The glow and warmth that emanates between them when they’re around each other is palatable. She tries to not to feel it when they greet each other at his intimate birthday dinner. She tells him in advance it’s not a good idea she even goes, but he tells her she can’t miss his birthday festivities. She feels sick when she gets a text from an unknown number inviting her. Going to a party thrown by his girlfriend, who does that?

“Oh, wow the famous Melanie. It’s so nice to finally meet you!” her smile is perfect, and her tone is bright.

But she knows better than that. It’s a loaded sentence, and she deserves it.

Melanie is reminded how horrible they are when his girlfriend gives a sweet speech about him, while Mel feels Austin’s hand on the inside of her thigh.

Logic gets thrown out the window when he pulls her to the side near the back of the restaurant and whispers to her how amazing she looks. How he wishes he could be with her tonight.

She’s gone back and forth with the pros and cons. Frankly the cons always seem to out-way the pros. But then he calls her his baby and tells her how special she is to him and the morally awful decisions they make seem ok.

At the end of the night, Melanie watches to the two of them leave arm in arm, peaking out the window at the few paparazzi snapping photos of the beautiful couple.

Maybe one day she’ll learn.

Tell me you love me, 'cause I just wanna be your baby

Well, that's the price I gotta pay

I wonder what she thinks of me

#austin butler x reader #austin butler x oc #black!oc #black!reader #austin butler #my writing #Austin butler x black!reader #elvis 2022

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kyurilin · 2 months

Text

So back in October I posted some of my old DBZ art for the first time, and now here it is March and Akira Toriyama has passed away.

So I'm back with more and a story about the adventure it took my brother to get me into DBZ in the first place and why it now holds a special place in my heart.

Back when we were growing up, we weren't allowed to watch anime. It was one of the weird rules my dad set that to this day still has no explanation. At some point in middle school or early high school my brother got introduced to DBZ Abridged, and spent a few years trying to get me into it (and failing). I knew very little about DBZ but just enough that when I attempted to watch Dragonball Evolution I knew it was fucked up (also it was boring WITHOUT knowing everything).

But we'd play video games together, and after years of playing Super Smash Bros together, my brother knew the one surefire way to get me invested in SOMETHING DBZ.

And that was DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2.

The first five characters I chose from that roster to fight him as ended up being my favorites (hint: most of the art that's colored in this post is a character I picked in 2010 to play).

From there he got me interested enough to buy low priced DBZ VHS movies from Amazon (the Bardock special was $1.01 with 99¢ shipping in 2010, btw) and watch them. And then threw a Pokemon reference in Abridged he got me into watching that.

For the longest time, I was hooked on the random pieces of DBZ I could absorb, which meant watching the ever growing collection of movies we had, each new episode release of Abridged, and occasionally even watching bits and pieces of DBZ Kai. I even started collecting the manga for both DBZ and OG Dragon Ball. I didn't get around to watching the actual DBZ series until 2018 (my first watched anime series is actually FMA: Brotherhood because of this).

But it was something I shared with my brother and we had so much fun playing Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and 3 with each other. We've always played fighting games with random options in such a way that every first few matches we would just hit the random character button and play out whatever happened from there before finally playing as the characters we cared about. We would spend hours, especially with Budokai Tenkaichi 3, making our own tournament brackets and then playing them through. Each match would be fought by us, 1v1, and if one of the two characters was one we were good at, that person would get to play them. For matches that neither of us had a character to play, we'd flip a coin. We'd come up with our own silly rules for these tournaments and it was a blast. Once my brother almost won an entire thing as Kid Chi-Chi because he was really fucking good as her and even Omega Shenron's health advantage couldn't stop her. My brother could beat the shit out of Broly as Videl because she was so tiny it was hard to see her next to Broly.

I still don't watch a lot of anime, but DBZ is one of the four I do hold closest to my heart. And it's for a lot of reasons, like laughing with my brother as we decided to turn on The Lion Sleeps Tonight as background music for DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 2 instead of the game's music (starting a tradition where wheneber we play fighting games we use our own playlist of music for it instead). It's for reasons like watching Abridged with my brother whenever the new episodes would drop, and being there for the Livestream premiere of Episode 60 after finishing all of DBZ only weeks earlier. It's for reasons like seeing Dragon Ball Super: Broly in theaters twice, and being so hyped to see not only Broly on the big screen, but Bardock who's been my favorite since day one. It's for reasons like the collection of photos I have of my brother doing Ginyu Force poses on a beach in 2010, for us pretending to give Goku energy during the series' final Spirit Bomb, for being so excited to see Android 17 back in DB Super. It's one of the things that I never thought we'd care about, but that I've cared about enough from the beginning that I made all this art in 2010, during our yearly beach trip, after only being a fan for a few months (the coloring came years later though).

And yes. There is a collection of poorly written DBZ fanfics buried both on my external hard drive and box of physical stories, but they're buried forever. There is a DBZ and a Dragon Ball fanfic by me on ff.net however so if anyone wants to see if they can figure out my 11/12 year old account, this blog has enough context clues somewhere to figure it out (maybe the DBZ one will get cross posted to AO3 and backdated someday who knows).

If it werent for Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball, my brother and I would have had one less thing to bond over, and honestly? Wouldn't trade it for the world.

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writercole · 2 years

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Holding Out Hope

Squares: “Apologize right now” @anyfandomangstbingo // “Good. I meant it to hurt.” @anyfandomfluffbingo // Hurts To Breathe @badthingshappenbingo // Excessive Tense Switch @howbadcanitbebingo // Red Carpet Event Sons of Anarchy Bingo // “I wanted to leave him. I needed a reason” @taylorswiftbingo // Mutual Pining TMAS @supernatural-jackles Words: 3115 Warnings: mentions of cheating, assault (on a skank) Credits: The wonderful @princessmisery666 for being my sounding board and beta. A/N: Please don’t come at me for the tense switch. It’s for how bad can it be bingo!

You woke with a heaviness in your heart and a sinking feeling in your gut. You know it’s going to be a bad day but you didn’t anticipate the reason. You couldn’t if you tried. Grabbing your phone off of the nightstand, you trudged to the kitchen in your sleep shorts and tank top, finding your assistant, your publicist, and your bodyguard chatting in hushed tones over steaming cups of coffee.

“Did we really schedule a pow-wow this early?” you grumbled as you poured your own cup of caffeine, sipping the black nectar, and turning to face the three people who keep your life on track.

They share a glance, one that seemed to hold a lengthy conversation. Your bodyguard sighed and faces you with a sympathetic look.

“Some photos were released this morning. Of Jax,” he said, tentatively holding out his phone to you.

You eyed him suspiciously as you took it from his large, outstretched hand. As you refocused your gaze on the screen, you nearly dropped your mug. Your boyfriend of ten months was photographed with that slutty waitress from the diner in town, Ima. His hands tangled in her hair as she sucked his dick. Another showed him buried balls deep in her from behind as he fucked her against the wall of the alleyway behind the diner. Classy as ever.

You sucked in a deep breath and hand the phone back. “Okay. Opie, you’re driving me over to his house. Fiona, I want you with me. We’re going to draft a press release.”

“You’re sure about this?” your assistant, Venus, asked with a furrowed brow.

“I wanted to leave him. I needed a reason,” you replied coolly as you set your mug down. “Venus, I’m gonna need you to go through everything he has access to and revoke it. Take his name off of all of my upcoming events and guest lists. Get me an updated schedule of parties and events so that we can reconsider my attendance.”

“When do we leave?” Fiona questioned, her thick Irish accent comforting you slightly.

“Twenty minutes,” you stated plainly. You grabbed your coffee off the counter and nod at your team as you strut towards freedom.

By lunch, you were single again and seated at a private table in your favorite restaurant with your team, treating them to lunch for helping you out with so much trust and compassion. You truly didn’t know what you’d do without them.

“You have your movie premiere tomorrow,” Venus reminded you as you went over the details of your schedule.

“Shit. Guess I should see if anyone needs an extra ticket since I won’t have a date,” you sighed.

“Unless we find ye one,” Fiona smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

“And how do you propose we do that, Fi? Everyone will be busy on such short notice.” You hope she didn’t suggest what you expected of her. She was the only one who knew about your crush on your bodyguard, her Irish motherly instincts picked up on it almost immediately.

“Well, we know one lad who was planning on being at the event anyway,” Fiona explained, “an’ I think it would be easier for him if he were on your arm instead of on the sidelines.” Fiona didn’t mention that she also knows about Opie having feelings for you, though he almost gave it away by the way he glanced between Fiona and you with wide eyes and a look of hopeful panic.

“What?” you squeaked, “you can’t think I’m going to force my bodyguard and friend to endure the cameras and paparazzi and questions.”

Opie’s shoulders sagged when you said ‘friend,’ even though he knew there wasn’t any other way to phrase it. He opened his mouth to offer to accompany you but Venus cut him off.

“Hon, we know it isn’t ideal but what other choice do you have? It’s either take someone you’re close to or go alone and let those reporters grill you about why Jax cheated on you,” she said quietly.

“That was harsh, Venus,” you chided.

“Good. I meant it to hurt,” she replied stubbornly. “It got your attention, didn’t it?”

“If I may,” Opie calls across the table, drawing the attention of all three women. “I could be your date. I’ll be there anyway. It’ll be fun to be able to hang out with you instead of being on the sidelines.”

You ducked your head to keep your composure, your heart wanting to burst at the idea of hanging out with Opie all night long. “Ope, I can’t ask you to do that,” you decline half-heartedly.

“You aren’t asking. I’m offering,” he shrugged.

“And I’m insisting,” Fiona interjects. “That’s settled. You’ll answer ‘no comment’ to all of the questions, have a great time at the after party, and get home in one piece.”

Opie pulled Fiona aside after you’d all arrived back at your home. “Fi, why were you pushing for her to take me as her date?”

“Oh, you know why, boyo,” she sassed.

“I can’t tell her, Fi. Not now. Not after what Jax just did.”

“Dun you worry about that,” Fiona told him, patting his chest. “Just trust me, lad.”

Opie watched as she strode back in the house, his thoughts drifting. He didn’t realize how long he had been outside, sitting at the patio table while the afternoon sky turned red and orange as the sun set.

Above him, without either of you knowing, you were sitting on your balcony with your own train of thoughts running through your head. You’d asked Fiona why she even suggested Opie to be your date. Things between the two of you were perfectly fine how they were and you didn’t want to ruin your friendship by adding romance into the mix.

All she did was offer a knowing smile and pat your cheek before leaving for the evening, promising to call you after the premiere.

Your stomach growled and you headed down to the kitchen to make a quick dinner to take back upstairs. That plan changes when you spy Opie still sitting on the back patio. You made enough food for the both of you and carried the plates outside when you were done.

Opie spun around when he heard the door open, surprised to see you walking out with two plates and a soft smile.

“Since you’re still here, I made you some dinner,” you explained as you set the dishes down on the outdoor table. “Eat with me.”

Opie nodded and you both sat down, eating in silence, stealing glances when the other looks away. You secretly hoped that he would take his time so you could continue watching the way the evening sunlight caresses his face.

“So what time should we leave tomorrow night?” he asked between bites.

“You know you really don’t have to be my date if you’re uncomfortable with it,” you whispered as you pushed your food around on your plate.

“I offered,” he insisted, “I wasn’t bullied or forced. I’m more than comfortable being your date tomorrow or any other time.”

You were stunned into silence, your head tilting in disbelief, your lips slightly parting as you try to wrap your head around what he just said.

“I mean, we’re…we’re friends, right?” he adds, breaking your heart.

“Yeah, Opie. Friends,” you mutter, standing up and clearing the dishes quietly. You stood at the sink with your back to the door, trying to compose yourself. You remind yourself that you broke up with your boyfriend today and that you shouldn’t be worried about if Opie looks at you as nothing more than a friend.

You sulked in your room for most of the day, hiding in case Opie stopped by. Venus came over to help you get ready, graciously being your hair stylist and make-up artist for the red carpet event.

“So you and Opie, huh?” Venus smirked as she lined your eyes.

“We’re just going as friends,” you sigh dejectedly, trying not to move much.

“Yeah, right,” she scoffed. “You might have yourself fooled but I’m not blind, honey. I see how you look at him.”

“How do I look at him, Venus?”

“Like you're planning your wedding or imagining yourself riding him into oblivion,” she told you bluntly.

You groan in embarrassment and roll your eyes, unable to hide from her knowing smile. “Am I really that obvious?”

“Nah. I didn’t notice until Fiona said something one day,” Venus laughed.

“That Irish bitch,” you muttered, causing Venus to laugh again. “I really like him, Venus.”

“You should tell him,” Venus shrugged as he dusted your lids with a shimmery shadow.

“I can’t do that,” you hiss at her quietly while your eyes dart to the door.

“Why?”

“Because I’d rather pine for a man I’ll never have than be rejected and lose my friend,” you confessed. Every word was true and the thought of putting yourself out there to be hurt made you want to vomit.

“Why on earth would he reject you?” she scoffed. “And why would you lose your friend?”

“I wouldn’t be able to look at him the same way and neither would he. And seriously, how many other men have rejected me? Most recently by publicly fucking another woman,” you reminded her.

“Jax Teller is a dumb slut. I warned you about him from the moment you met,” she admonished as she sprayed your face with setting spray and applied another coat of hairspray to your elaborate style.

“Yeah, but -”

“No, enough of that,” Venus interrupted. “You need to tell him.”

“But -”

“It’s time to get your dress on so this conversation is over,” Venus instructed you with a flourish of her hands before turning to get your dress.

Opie was leaning against the arm of your sofa, his fingers tapping lightly against his legs. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest and squeezed his eyes shut, silently begging for it to slow.

He quickly stood when he heard the door open, taking a discrete deep breath as he turned to face the hallway. Venus walks up first, looking him over and mouthing that he looked great. She rushed to get out of the way and stand next to him.

Opie felt the world melt away the second you entered his view. His jaw drops in awe as he watches you glide towards him like an angel. He felt his chest burning, realizing that he had forgotten to breathe the second he laid eyes on you.

“You look great, Ope,” you say as you eyed him up and down.

“I…you…wow,” he stuttered, his cheeks turning red beneath his beard.

Venus stands smirking in the doorway as she watched the two of you, lost in your little bubble. Neither of you noticed when the sound of a car horn punctured through the silence, so engrossed in each other.

“Okay, kids,” she called as she stepped towards you. “Time to go. Remember, ‘no comment’ to paparazzi, have fun. Opie, you’re gonna be with her all night and I’ll be back in the morning to let you go home. I’ll lock up. Bye!” she rushed out while physically pushing you and Opie to the door.

The red carpet was filled with reporters trying to find out any kind of gossip they could. Your grip on Opie’s arm tightened as you walked towards the waiting crowd.

“You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to,” Opie muttered.

You nod in response and take a deep breath as you reach the first mark. You were grateful that the first three reporters stuck to questions about the movie and the dress you were wearing as opposed to the beefy brunette on your arm.

By the time you reached the final mark, and the final reporter, you were feeling relaxed and calm. The reporters were respectful and avoided any questions about the recent press release and your split from your boyfriend. You got too comfortable.

“Hey, Y/N. Maureen Ashby with Charming News. When did you first find out about Jax and Ima?” she asked.

Suddenly, the cameras were all trained on you, waiting for your response. The lights were blinding and hot, your dress constricts your chest, your lungs refuse to expand. You start gasping for air, reaching behind you for someone, anyone. Every breath felt like knives stabbing between your ribs, the pain making your stomach turn.

“It’s okay, I got you,” you heard as a pair of strong arms wrap around you, pulling you into a broad, muscular chest.

You felt your breathing stabilize as Opie held you, his large hand rubbing up and down your back. You closed your eyes and breathed him in, his leather and cedar scent filling your lungs and calming you. You were reluctant to pull away after your breathing returns to normal but you do, looking up into the concerned eyes of your bodyguard and date.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah, I think so,” you reply. “Can we go inside?”

“Anything you want,” he says as he places his hand protectively across your waist and guides you to the venue, leaving reporters and camera people calling after you.

Opie guided you into the bar area and snags two glasses of champagne, handing one to you and downing the other in one gulp. Your eyes scan the room as you sipped from your glass. You turned back to Opie, freezing when you laid your gaze on a familiar face.

“Oh my god,” you whispered.

Opie followed your gaze and stiffened.

“What is she doing here?” you asked as you watched Ima strut across the room in a black sequined gown.

“Nothing good,” he answered as he stepped to your side.

Ima noticed you standing with Opie and sneered, stalking your way purposefully. “Find another boyfriend for me to play with?” she taunted as she looked Opie up and down with a hungry gaze.

“Just go away,” you sighed, the energy you have for the event rapidly draining while you dealt with the skank.

“Did Jax tell you why he came to me?” she questioned. Ima stepped closer to you, leaning into your space. “Did he?”

“You should back away,” Opie warned as he noticed your jaw flex and your hand clench.

“It’s because your pussy was boring,” she said in a low voice.

You cock your arm back and jam your balled up fist into her nose, a satisfying crack echoing before blood started dripping down her chin.

“You broke my nose,” she cried. “Apologize. Right now. I have an audition tomorrow!”

“Oh sweetheart,” you cooed condescendingly, “you’ll be blacklisted with every director, producer, and studio by midnight. Should give you plenty of time to keep your pussy exciting for that cheating piece of shit.”

You strode away with your head held high, proud that you stood up for yourself. Opie called the car around and followed you outside, standing behind you while you sent texts out to your agent as well as all of your friends in the casting department.

Opie helped you into the car when it pulled up, settling in the back seat next to you for the short drive home, smiling proudly at you the whole way.

You walked into the house, Opie hot on your heels, and went straight to the kitchen. You’d made sure that no one would cast Ima in even an adult film while you were en route and now you needed a drink. You filled a glass with ice and second guessed yourself, deciding to get a glass of water instead.

“Are you okay?” Opie asks as he followed you into the kitchen.

You nodded while you swallow, hoping that he wouldn’t push the issue.

“Let me see your hand,” he demanded.

You obliged, holding your punching hand out to him, inhaling sharply when his large hands engulfed yours, the warmth immediately relaxing and calming you.

He inspected each knuckle gently, softly brushing over the swollen flesh. You were certain that you had forgotten how to breathe when your eyes met his. Suddenly, you were very aware of how close he was to you and how you wanted to be even closer.

You moved towards his face slowly, your free hand cupping his bearded cheek. He released your hand and wrapped his arms around your waist, the gap between you closing as your lips met his. What started out tender quickly morphed into something passionate, filled with the pent up longing and want the both of you had been hiding for months.

You moaned into Opie’s mouth and tangled your fingers in his hair. His arms tightened around you even more, pressing you into his chest. Opie pulled back, leaving the two of you panting, gazing into each other’s eyes.

“Does that mean what I hope it means?” you whispered hopefully.

“If you hope it means I’ve been wanting you for too long and I can’t stand the thought of not being with you anymore, because that’s the truth,” he told you, caressing your cheek with the back of his knuckles.

“Then it does mean what I hoped,” you grin.

“Maybe you should call Venus and tell her not to come by in the morning, then.”

“On the way to my bedroom,” you winked.

“Is that right?” he smirks.

“Mhmm.”

“Then what are we waiting for?”

You turned, picking up your phone and dialing Venus as you started to walk towards the bedroom. Opie was right behind you, unzipping your dress and helping you out of it. You start pulling on his belt behind you, fumbling with the buckle with one hand while the phone was still ringing.

“Well, hey there, suga,” Venus cooed when she answered the phone.

“Hey, Venus,” you giggled, Opie kissing your neck as you crossed the threshold into your room. “Um, you probably shouldn’t come by tomorrow morning.”

“Is that right?” she replied, a knowing tone in her voice.

“Yeah you may wanna give us like…two or three days,” Opie chimed in as he pushed you down on the bed.

“Oh my,” Venus chuckled. “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

“Bye Venus,” you both called before you hung up.

Opie’s lips slotted against yours again before trailing down your jaw and neck. You whimpered and writhed, desperate for his touch.

“Opie, please,” you begged.

“What was your old record?” he asked with a cocky smirk.

“Uh…three I think. Why? Can you beat it?” You really hoped he could. Even though you knew that one with him would be better than three with anyone else.

“Oh sweetheart,” he scoffed, “I got this.”

Everything: @thelastpyle @deangirl93 @downanddirtydean @katelyn--renee @fictional-affairs @lassie-bird @paintlavillered @buckys-zomdoll @polireader @b3autyfuldisast3r @welcometothefandommultiverse @mlovesstories

Sons: @princessmisery666 @stephv213

#writercole #opie winston #sons of anarchy bingo #affluff bingo #afangst bingo #taylor swift bingo #how bad can it be bingo #bad things happen bingo #opie winston x reader #opie winston x you #sons of anarchy au #bodyguard opie #bodyguard opie winston #bodyguard au

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bolllywoodhungama · 5 months

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Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol reuniting at The Archies premiere will make you want to relive all the hits of the DDLJ couple

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are one of the few onscreen couples who have never given a flop together.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol is known to be one of the most iconic couples on the big screen and have managed to win hearts every time they come together. From Baazigar to Dilwale, as they continue to entertain audiences with their intense chemistry, the couple made their fans relive their movies as they reunited for a recent event. The star-studded premiere of The Archies, which marks the film debut of SRK’s daughter Suhana Khan was held at the NMACC in Mumbai wherein we saw the duo have a gala time.

Amid several beautiful and candid photos which were posted from the premiere, one of them that caught the attention of Bollywood buffs was this one where we can see both Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in their elements. SRK is seen holding his onscreen ladylove whereas Kajol is seen sharing a hearty laugh at the premiere.

Despite the fact that the photo dump of the premiere evening was released with the post also featuring many other stars, fans of the superstars couldn’t help but gush about the duo’s chemistry. Many of them posted heart emojis and dropped comments like “SRK AND KAJOL FOREVER” and “OMG SRKajol”. One of the users said, “Omg omg Netflix this means a lot...srkajol pic ...????????of the year..finally we got...” whereas another one pleaded for a onscreen reunion, “yess!! an SRKAJOL reunion??, this was definitely needed!! i’m so happy rn” . One of the fans also commented, “SRK Kajol omg! Can they do a movie PLEASE”.

For the unversed, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have played an onscreen couple in films Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), My Name Is Khan (2010), and Dilwale (2015).

#Bollywood #DDLJ #Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge #Features #Kajol #Netflix #Netflix India #OTT #OTT Platform #Premiere #Shah Rukh Khan #Social Media #Suhana Khan #The Archies #bollywood hungama #bollywood latest news #bollywood news #bollywood gossip #bollywood movies

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watusichris · 2 years

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Poets of the Fess Hotel

Today, through a chain of associations called up by a book about alcoholic writers, and then by a volume of John Berryman’s best known work, I found myself ratcheted back to the year 1971, when I briefly entertained the delusion that I could write poetry. I was actively encouraged in this futile pursuit by a friend named John Tuschen, who cited Berryman as his favorite poet.

In ’71 I was living in Madison, Wisconsin, and had recently dropped out of the university there, after experiencing a drug-induced breakdown in late 1970 that led to several weeks in a psychiatric ward at the campus hospital.

After a brief period spent licking my wounds at my mother’s apartment outside Chicago, I returned to “Madtown,” where I immediately returned, unburdened by school work, to doing what I had been doing: drinking and using drugs, enthusiastically. The psychiatric care recommended by the hospital did not seem like a particularly useful option, and potentially an endless one, so I dropped my shrink after three sessions.

My style of therapy took place in the warm confines of the 602 Club, the campus-adjacent bar on University Avenue that I had begun to frequent before my lockdown adventure. This saloon had become a main hangout for the local bohemians in training. I’d started going there when I was working in the acting company of Broom Street Theater, the local experimental stage. In the theater’s early days, John Tuschen had started up “The Camel, The Lion, and The Child,” its in-house literary magazine. We had gotten to be friends, and we both like to drink, so I’d roll down to the bar after a day’s work as a stock boy in the small corner market one block up the street. (My apartment, which I briefly continued to share with two college friends, was also nearby; we served as custodians in the building, and the rent was cheap.)

Tuschen looked like your average hippie, with a skinny frame and long, straight, lank hair. He looked at the world sharply through a pair of rheumy, often red eyes. He had the vestiges of a childhood speech impediment, and the slight hitch of a stutter gave his poetry readings a unique rhythm. We’d sit together in the 602 night after night, kibitzing, arguing, and people-watching in the narrow, overheated room over the joint’s trademark drinks, big cold glass schooners of beer, which washed down cheap bottom-shelf shots. Alcohol was our bond.

Invariably Tuschen would pull some new thing he’d written out of his pocket. He was a poet in the big Ginsberg style, and in the days we were closest he was hammering away at a long “Howl”-like jeremiad about America called “Your Muther’s Eye.” We would often be joined by another aspiring poet who called himself Hannibal Plath, a sweet, angelic-looking guy who broke the heart of just about every woman who crossed his path, and sometimes by my new flame Connie, a statuesque redhead from St. Petersburg, Florida, who had me utterly in her thrall.

These were heady times, and you wound up getting swept away by them. I went back to working sporadically at Broom Street, which was charitably housed in St. Francis House, the youth Episcopal center a few blocks up the street from the 602. The theater began to mount irregular “Bacchanals” — free-form evenings of theatrical vignettes, poetry readings, music, and what-have-you. (Into the latter category fell a premiere slideshow screening of Michael Lesy’s remarkable photo-essay “Wisconsin Death Trip,” later a famous book drawn from newspaper clippings and hellish photos shot in the late 19th century in upstate Black River Falls, which unspooled at the theater over a long, dark John Fahey guitar piece.) Tuschen and some of the other Mad City poets were invariable fixtures of the events. My theater mentor, director Joel Gersmann, also read; he had written his own volume of what he called “junk poetry,” titled “Deep Shit.”

  It was an anything-goes time, and, inspired by the company I was keeping, I started writing some poetry of my own. My stuff was never burdened by the larger demands of the form — it was free verse, unambitious self-expression, post-adolescent soul searching and bouquet-tossing love songs for my muse Connie (who was essentially my principal audience, if truth be told). My sense of rhythm was fair enough to keep the work aloft. Though it was little better than doggerel, Tuschen agreed to throw down the few bucks it cost to type up, lay out, and photocopy a couple hundred copies of a small book of my work, which I titled “Red Boots” (after my girlfriend’s favorite footwear) under his Quest Publishing rubric.

By mid-1971, I was chafing at my then-current living situation in a hippie pad off campus, where I witnessed the dramatic meltdown of one of my three roommates, a young, drug-crazed heiress we called “Spacey Gracie,” whose family had the police swoop in and drag her off to a private loony bin. Tuschen proposed that I move into an open room down the hall from his at the Fess Hotel.

  Located at 123 E. Doty St., a block and a half away from the state capitol that served as the city’s hub, the Fess was something of a local landmark. A residential hotel that had opened in 1854, it had been operated by the Fess family for four generations; 69-year-old Alice Fess, the wife of the current owner, was the building’s truculent manager.  

The place was then on the downward slope of its existence; at that point downtown Madison had gotten a little seedy, and it was surrounded by a number of bars and strip joints that catered to the state office workers and political lobbyists. Ironically, considering the amount of drinking that went on around and in the hotel in those days, one of the most famous Fess patrons in earlier times was the axe-wielding temperance crusader Carrie Nation. (Abraham Lincoln was said to have stayed there, but no one was ever able to confirm that for sure.) The place had a lobby where most hours you could find one of the older tenants dozing in a soiled chair or zoned out in front of an ancient TV set. Both the day desk clerk and the night clerk were walleyed, so communicating with the staff, who always seemed to be staring at something to your left, was a disconcerting experience.

I don’t think I paid more than $150 a month for a second-floor single at the Fess. Accommodations were unspectacular: The room contained an uncomfortable bed, a stained sink, a small closet, and a tiny, scarred desk in front of a window that looked out onto the grey street, where I tapped out my work on a turquoise Olivetti portable. I used the communal bathroom just outside my door, which was occupied competitively by the other tenants. Tuschen had a suite down the hall — he was the Fess pathfinder, after all — and Hannibal also had a room on my floor. For obvious reasons, Tuschen’s spacious room became the focal point for a considerable amount of drinking among the three resident versifiers, all of us living out our Beat Generation fantasies.

A couple of times, the university’s visiting professor of creative writing entered into this fantastical den, and he made his presence forcefully known. His name was George Barker. Though he is little known or remembered in America today, Barker was one of England’s great poetry prodigies of the 1930s. He was T.S. Eliot’s protégé, and William Butler Yeats was an admirer.

At 58, he was gaunt and lined; he was suitably dressed in tweeds, and displayed the waspish, razor-tongued manner of the old-school British intelligentsia. He was accompanied by a smart, auburn-haired, very beautiful young woman he introduced as his wife. But we did not know that Elspeth Langlands was not yet George Barker’s wife — his spouse Jessica, a Roman Catholic, refused to grant him a divorce. Elspeth had been introduced to Barker, who was 27 years her senior, when she was 22 by Barker’s longtime mistress Elizabeth Smart, who had tired of the poet’s violent, alcohol-fueled behavior (which she, an alcoholic and drug addict herself, had chronicled in a 1945 novel in verse, “By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept”) and happily handed him off to a new partner.

Barker would huddle with Elspeth on the floor of Tuschen’s flat with a gallon glass jug of Annie Green Springs, the sickeningly sweet, cheap party wine, at his side. He would get hammered on the foul stuff, which was manufactured purely for effect, all night long, as he diced up the manuscripts that Tuschen and Hannibal would read aloud for him. The work of these young writers could not have been further from the well-manicured “New Apocalyptic” writing that had won him kudos three decades ago, and he had little patience with it.

  I never had the temerity, or the courage, to try out my jejune material on him, but one evening I made the mistake of reading Frank O’Hara’s “The Day Lady Died,” the New York poet’s shocked, moving reaction to Billie Holiday’s tragic demise.

  After I finished, he paused for a beat and said, “Dear boy, that’s pure shit.”

That cold dismissal of a writer I love essentially ended my poetic aspirations for good.

“Red Boots” was published in early 1972, and sold tepidly at the Madison Book Co-op, the hip book outlet that became Bukowski’s local sponsor. While I was already re-enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, I managed to get a chance to live out a couple of my poetry fantasies before I hung up my spurs for good. The school actually hired me to give a reading on campus; I was paired with Bob Watt, the snaggle-toothed, lecherous pest exterminator/folk artist/“art” photographer who was a local legend in Milwaukee. Incredibly, Tuschen also convinced the university library to purchase copies of the entire Quest catalog, and so today “Red Boots” resides in the UW’s rare books collection. (I do not anticipate any scholarly interest — it’s truly dreadful.) After my father died in 2002, I learned with amazement that he kept a copy of the book — which contained a poem about our strained relationship — in his office desk.

Mrs. Fess learned from her clerks that Connie had been stretching herself across my narrow hotel bed, so I was politely asked to vacate the premises of her none too clean but nonetheless respectable establishment, and I moved into my girl’s pad on Fraternity Row. The Fess, which became a popular downtown restaurant for 20 years after the family sold it in 1975, is still operating today as a gastropub. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

We all went our separate ways. John Tuschen, who had titled one of his book “The Percodan Papers” after a favorite intoxicant, quit drugs and alcohol and became a drug rehabilitation counselor. In 1977, he was named the first poet laureate of Madison. He died in 2005; his longtime companion Suni asked me if she could reprint an honest but unflattering poem about him for a memorial volume, and of course I said yes, despite my misgivings about its quality. Hannibal left town, became a minister, and wrote a couple of spiritually themed self-help books. George Barker died at 78 in 1991, two years after he finally married Elspeth following the death of his wife. Elspeth Barker died at 81 in April of this year. A respected journalist, essayist, and novelist, she bore four of Barker’s 15 children.

Connie and I split up, then regrouped in Chicago, where we took root in a new bar on Lincoln Avenue. I began a protracted sidelong course to becoming a working journalist. I would learn that it was easier for me to write about what was in front of my eyes and ears than it was to chart the course of my heart. That great gift belongs to others.

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atlantaartisticweddings · 3 months

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Wedding Photographer Share Insights to Some of the Best Atlanta Wedding Venues

As an Atlanta wedding photographer I have the honor of shooting at so many wedding venues in the area. Each venue has its own personality. I want to share a little insight into some of my favorite wedding venues and why I love them.

I have to put Nayor Hall near the top of my favorite wedding venues. It is a historic venue in the heart of Roswell’s historic district. It can accommodate weddings in size from 50 to 200. The smaller weddings can be held in the main ballroom and for the larger weddings they have an expansion on the side that they can open up for the rest of the guests. The front lawn is the largest in all of Roswell. You have a grand entrance to the facility and plenty of room for an outdoor wedding and catering in the spring or fall. The front porch is great also! You can have your wedding there and I have even seen people do their first dance there. However, what really makes the venue so special to me is the people! You have Abbey at the helm with a wonderful and gracious team behind her to make your wedding day go smoothly.

I also like Payne Corley House. If you are looking for a turnkey wedding venue then this is the one. The owners Krista and Micheal Ganley have many years of wedding and catering experience. They both come from the corporate world but started the Payne Corley House so they could have a venue that they could make their own. Krista and her family have grown up in the area and are personally invested in the community there. They have made Payne Corley one of the premiere venues in the Atlanta area. If you book there you have a professional chef who cooks fresh on the premises. They even have a flower shop next door. When you don’t want to deal with a bunch of different vendors Payne Corley is your one stop shop!

I also like Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in the heart of metro Atlanta. It is a beautiful venue located on a 12-acre estate with a rolling garden and large front yard. Another thing that it has that is rare in Atlanta is plenty of parking! The venue is such an Atlanta icon that many movies have filmed there and have used it as a backdrop. When you get into the interior of the facilities you get to the gothic revival style architecture that was the style in 1917 when the facility was built. There are wooden floors throughout with walnut paneling. The star of the interior is the large staircase that leads to two-story stained glass windows that make a grand statement for your wedding photos.

If you are looking for a more modern facility with a great view of Atlanta I would suggest Ventanas. There you are surrounded by large floor to ceiling windows that showcase the Atlanta Skyline while overlooking Centennial Park below. To the west you are overlooking the Atlanta Aquarium and to the east you see the Large ferris wheel and Mercedes Benz Stadium. If you thought that could not get any better they have a helicopter landing pad that you can take photos from to get an unobtrusive 180 degree view of the Atlanta Skyline. If you are feeling really adventurous you can have a helicopter wedding exit in style!

Thanks for checking out this Atlanta wedding photographers blog! I hope you enjoyed the read and found it interesting! Make sure you keep coming back to our blog to see what the Atlanta wedding photographers at Atlanta Artistic Weddings get up to! If you’d like to contact me go to the contact page and drop me a line at https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/contact-atlanta-wedding-photographer. I would love to hear from you!

Thanks again! Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/

Source: https://www.atlantaartisticweddings.com/

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metalshockfinland · 7 months

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HEARTS & HAND GRENADES Unleash Raging Fire in New Music Video & Single 'Burn (By My Fire)', New Album Drops January 26th

(Photo Credit: Meredith Snow) Hearts & Hand Grenades are an explosive American hard rock group from Buffalo, NY, bursting with an edgy sound for all generations of true rock addicts, and they just premiered a new music video and single entitled “Burn (By My Fire)“. The band have also announced the availability of pre-orders for their upcoming full-length album Where I Begin which is scheduled to…

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#HEARTS & HAND GRENADES

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Anime Expo 2022: Day One

Join our Anime Expo correspondent, T.R Racki, as he shares a vivid play-by-play of Day One. From the early morning anticipation, to the high energy Opening Ceremony, to the end-of-day party and all the panels and sights in between, it’s almost like being there yourself!

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The Anticipation

B-b-b-boom-boom-boom!

Clack-clack!

A triumphant cheer welled up from the crowd below as the Taiko drum unit instantly summoned over two years of pent up anticipation. Emotions surged as bodies pressed tightly together, straining to break through the barriers that held them back, to ascend the escalators ahead.

Just one flight of stairs away from Anime nerdvana.

The roar intensified as the drums continued to pound in unison with the hearts of the crowd. AX2020! No. AX2021! No. AX2022… yes! YES!

From my perch high above in an industry-only hallway, sweat trickled down my brow. AX hadn’t even officially begun and already I was drenched from racing about, trying to absorb everything; truly an impossible task. A sweat drop hung briefly before landing with a splat on my phone, inducing instant electronic insanity as the touch screen tried to make sense of it all. My finger wiped it away hastily before snapping several photos of the mass of humanity below. So many people pressed so tightly together. It was an image not seen since before the pandemic.

Dashing across the hallway into the press lounge, I peered down from the skybox-like window, observing the activity within the Exhibit Hall below. Premier Fans bustled about, making the most of every remaining minute of their precious head start. Soon the doors would open, flooding the space with fandom mayhem. I wouldn’t be there to witness it. With a fully packed Day 1 schedule, I took off as quickly as possible for the Entertainment Hall and the impending Welcome Ceremony.

Hurry hurry hurry! There wasn’t much time! Sweat trickled profusely as I used every shortcut possible to navigate from the South Hall to the West Hall. Still, with the massive expanse of everything, it took nearly twenty minutes of fast walking to cover the distance. Thankfully, I arrived with time to spare.

“You need to go outside and around the corner.”

Excuse me? I held up my Press badge to security.

“You need to go outside and around the corner.”

Apparently, someone didn’t get the memo. Press was supposed to get priority entry into events. I inquired about this. Understaff called over higher ups. No. Go outside with everyone else.

Rather than argue, I joined the stream of bodies flowing outside and around the corner, in search of a queue that apparently did not exist. While there were red lines neatly taped out on the concrete under a covered area providing soothing shade, the crowd instead congealed into a confused mass under the warming late morning sun. The red queue lines weren’t supposed to be used?

*SPLAT!*

A juicy, white bomb hit the concrete beside me. Looking up, pigeons flapped their wings and strutted along the edge of the building above. Oh boy. You know it’s gonna be an interesting day when the poo hits the concrete. A few inches to the right and I would have been their first victim.

Staff in red vests began shouting instructions. No one could hear. What was going on?

Confusion persisted as the mass somehow sorted itself into single file and headed into the cool, dark Main Events Hall. Three huge flat screen TVs hung suspended from the ceiling, counting down the time remaining. Seats were filling up quickly. I found a sound operator and inquired about the Press seating. Apparently, there wasn’t any. Taking a seat among the throng, the counter on the screens continued to tick down as music pumped the crowd up. Light beams flashed, illuminating us for brief moments.

“Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!” The crowd shouted out the countdown. “Four! Three! Two! One!”

“ZERO!”

The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers muffled by masks. Had it not been for the muting effect, the noise would have been much more.

The Opening Ceremony

Music blasted as the AX Dance Corp Crew broke onto the stage, decked out in cosplay from Attack on Titan, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Dragonball Z, just to name a few. The troupe spun and swayed to several recent hits before the Maid Café joined in with kawaii soda pop sounds. Soon funky 70s Saturday Night Fever filled the hall. Not to be outdone, two Butlers leapt into the fray, slinking out smooth moves. Next, everyone was drunk dancing to promote the AX Beer Garden, before colorful rhythmic ribbons swirled about. In all, it was a high-energy dance fest that tried to tie everything AX had to offer into one grand spectacle.

Hard to top that.

With AMV finalist teasers, an appearance by Ultraman and a subsequent attack by kaiju, performances by SG5 and Diana Garnet, and the traditional filling in of the Daruma doll eye, the Welcome Ceremony pumped everyone up for what would be an intense four days of all things anime.

As the crowd slowly filed out of the room, one could already tell Anime Expo was going to hit some serious numbers. Less than two hours in and already the hallways and lobbies were packed. People tried to move but there was nowhere to go as security did what they could to keep everyone pointed in one direction. With AX announcing tickets completely selling out several days prior, this was to be expected, but it still came as a surprise to be in the thick of it.

A Little Line Lunacy

I made my way slowly to the Exhibit Hall for my interview with Maid Sumi from Asayoru Maid Cafe. Unfortunately, I arrived rather late, but Maid Sumi was more than accommodating as she detailed her maid experiences and goal to help change the public’s perception of maid cafes.

Next on the agenda was the Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Ultra Romantic– Festival, which required traveling back across the AX campus to the Entertainment Hall. In prior years, often the size of the queue for an event would be double or triple the room capacity and many waiting in line would be shut out. To prevent that, this time Aniplex required attendees to register for free tickets in advance online. That way no one would get stuck outside.

Ticket in hand, I was expecting a smooth process with a minimal queue; however, again Press was denied priority entry. Required to go outside and around the corner, I found myself in a massive snarl of transecting lines: lines for food trucks, multiple lines for Love Is War, even a line for after Love Is War. All this line lunacy meant a lot of confusion. Finally, I navigated it all, sitting down a full 30 minutes after the start of the festival.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War -Ultra Romantic Panel

The panel was headlined by VA Aoi Koga (Kaguya Shinomiya) and producer Tatsuya Ishikawa, with both sharing their experiences of working on the series. One interesting moment came when Ms. Koga revealed that she did not have many friends in high school. Those she did find came through the power of music. She also said that like the anime, the VA cast started off distant towards one another and grew close over time.

As a big fan of the manga, Ms. Koga stated that during production she was looking forward to the final scene and when the time came she was very moved to be part of it. Whereas Seasons 1 and 2 had a lot of direction, Season 3 did not, and she felt very responsible to properly convey her character on her own.

Checking the time and considering all the queue trouble already encountered, I decided it was best to leave early in order to have extra time to get into the Spy x Family English Dub Cast Panel. Surely, 30 minutes would be enough? Thankfully, it was a short walk, but upon arrival, there was an issue. Where was the queue? It was completely vacant! A staffer in a red vest informed all those approaching that the room was already full and no one else would be allowed in. I held up my pass but was still refused entry.

The Exhibit Hall

With some time suddenly freed up, I decided to take my first in-depth look at the Exhibit Hall. Now that it was afternoon, maybe things would have calmed down a bit?

Not at all. As in years prior, I found the Exhibit Hall packed full of people all vying to get into the best booths, while a gargantuan inflatable Thousand Sunny towered over everything. Shuffling closer, you could hear the many fans hard at work within, keeping the enormous One Piece pirate ship in optimal Stay Puft mode. So many bodies made things a bit uncomfortable so I worked my way towards the back of the hall where things were less congested, passing underneath a massive Ultraman and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury banner.

While touring the back half of the hall, I happened upon Cecilia and Anya Forger (err Gwen!) from Jesus Otaku, fighting the good fight. After a chat, I continued on, noting how many booths were independent artists selling their amazing fan art and original works. One that really caught my eye was The Dog and Dragon, a collective of several artists, featuring fantastically rendered paintings of angels. Being partial to tenshi (angels), I made a mental note to return later as I departed for a scheduled private tour of the Bandai Namco booth.

Because of a scheduling mishap, the guide arrived late, resulting in an abbreviated tour. The booth was divided into halves, one side dedicated to Studio Ghibli licensed products, the other to nanoblocks (lower case is the preferred style). As a queue of fans took their turn posing with a life-sized Totoro, the guide pointed out the many Ghibli-inspired lifestyle items (plushies & puzzles), home goods (dining ware), and furnishings available, detailing plans to continue expanding the catalogue due to their popularity. One might not expect that Ghibli plates and flatware would be that popular, but given how many were in line to make a purchase and the frantic pace of the booth staff to keep shelves stocked, the idea didn’t seem so far-fetched after all.

On the nanoblock side we passed by a wall of Pokemon sets, a collection representing some of the 200 that are currently available. While LEGO is my personal block of choice, I found their nanoblock Deluxe Series particularly interesting, such as their 1,200 piece Deluxe Bonsai Matsu and astounding 2,700 piece Deluxe Himeji Castle. Because nanoblocks are about one-quarter that of LEGO, nanoblock is able to recreate compact objects with much more intricate designs. The guide explained that nanoblock sets are constructed similarly to something made by a 3D printer, with instructions guiding builders along one layer at a time. Because of the difficulty for some in manipulating such small bricks, nanoblock offers specialized tweezers and a unique playmat to build on.

‘How to Break into the Manga/Light Novel Industry’ Panel

By the title, my expectation was that the panel would present how to write and publish your first light novel or manga. Instead, it focused specifically on the translation industry. Hosted by Ben Applegate from Kodansha/Penguin, David Goldberg of JAST, Kristi Fernandez of J-Novel Club, Payton Campbell of Yen Press, and freelance translator Jan Mitsuko Cash, the team fired off a slew of information. The most surprising was their manga sales report. According to Bookscan, while non-manga book sales are down for 2022, manga is crushing it, with sales for the first half of 2022 being better than the entirety of manga sold in 2020. Furthermore, manga is close to passing annual US graphic novel sales!

What does all of this translate to? It means that US readers are gobbling up manga, now more than ever! In turn, publishers are incentivized to translate and bring over even more titles. Because of the booming manga industry, the demand for talent is fierce. However, approximately 80% of translation work goes to the top 20% of translators. This makes it difficult for newcomers to break in. The team had a lot of advice though.

First off, was the importance of developing the skill for getting stuff done on time. Each of the panelists echoed this during their individual talks, reiterating the critical need for time management and self-motivation. They also highlighted the importance of networking in the industry and encouraged hopefuls to keep improving their skills though things such as creative writing and doing personal translations of favorite series (but not uploading them to the internet).

Next, when looking for a paying job in the industry, the panel stressed the importance of perseverance, keeping your eyes on the prize and not stopping until you succeed. While you may not have enough skills now, you certainly could in six or twelve months, so it is important to keep re-applying for the job you seek. Sometimes applicants are turned down not because of how good or bad they are but because the publisher is seeking a particular skill. It’s important to remember that being passed over is never personal and you should feel free to ask for feedback so you can improve.

Lastly, there is also no such thing as a dream job. Have a plan but be flexible. Feel free to say no to things that don’t move you forward toward your goals. In all, the excellent advice shared by the panel seemed like it could apply to many careers, just not one in manga.

The Crunchyroll Press Party

Leaving the panel, I exited the AX campus for a hotel not far away from the convention center for the final event of the evening. Ever since the invite showed up in my email inbox, I had been both looking forward to and fearing the Crunchyroll Press Party. Not being much of a social butterfly—at all—the thought of spending two hours trying to make conversation with highly talented professionals in the industry was daunting. However, I felt it important to go and help rep the Beneath the Tangles name.

In the JW Marriot’s posh Mixing Room behind a giant orange Crunchyroll-branded facade, fifty plus press professionals chatted away, clustered around high top tables holding fancy mixed drinks. Feeling keenly out of place, I tried my best to avoid looking like a fish out of water. Fortunately, Ms. Tanaka, staff writer for The Nekkei came over to chat, and we spoke at length about the convention, Japan, and so on. Feeling a lot more courageous after that ice-breaking conversation, I then worked my way around the room, having a chance to speak with some big names in the anime press biz like Megan Peters, Editor and Senior Staff at Comicbook.com and Maddie Morrow, Deputy Editor for the Temple of Geek.

At some point Bianca Doria, Crunchyroll’s Communications Director, made the rounds, taking the time to make sure everyone felt welcome. We chatted for a while, discussing some of the issues press were encountering at the convention, a frequent topic that evening. At some point, AX’s attendance numbers came up, which she shared as being 100,000. Yikes!

During the party I also had a chance of connecting with Lynzee Loveridge, Executive Editor at Anime News Network. Much to my surprise, she recognized the Beneath the Tangles t-shirt I was wearing and shared how our valiant leader, TWWK, worked with her in the past.

After making several circuits of the room and feeling like I had made a lot of good connections, I headed off for my hotel room. Wow. Day 1 for AX had been so much. And there was still so much more to come!

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Photo Credits: All images taken from the Anime Expo 2022 official video reel for Day One, available here on Twitter.

#Anime #Anime Conventions #Anime Expo #Anime Expo 2022 #Articles #Guest Posts #Author: T.R. Racki

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