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#I am so fucking excited to show him my spreadsheet I’m gonna ask if I can show him my music spreadsheet
southislandwren · 7 months
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Bout to email Billy Kelly like ‘can I get a hint about your setlist but pls don’t tell me any real spoilers. But also will you play river blue and you can always try crying and take a walk in the sun pretty pleaseeee’
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artificialqueens · 4 years
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Galactica, Chapter 18 (Group Fic) - TheDane/Veronica
A/N: Hieeee babies! We are so excited to share this very dramatic chapter with you! Click here if you’re looking for previous chapters (or here if you’d rather read on AO3). 💫
Last Chapter: Monday morning madness when Violet discovered that Courtney screwed up the Fashion Week confirmations.  
This Chapter: Courtney faces the music, we meet a very determined reporter, and Violet loses her shit.
***
“Hey gorgeous! To what do we owe the honor of this visit?” Alaska asked cheerfully.
Courtney stepped forward, into Alaska’s office. Even the charming decor, which usually filled Courtney with happiness, did nothing to alleviate the guilt that was pressing down on her lungs.
“I have to tell you something.”
“Shit, sounds serious,” Alaska said. “Okay, have a seat.”
Courtney sat, biting her trembling lip and taking in a shaky, shallow breath.
“They didn’t send you down here to fire me, did they?” Alaska giggled, then realized that Courtney wasn’t laughing along and grew slightly more somber, folding her hands. “What’s wrong, honey?”
She was just so nice, and it made Courtney hate herself even more.
“I...really messed up.”
“How so?” Alaska looked genuinely concerned, which only made Courtney feel worse.
“Um…” There was no way around it except biting the bullet. “I was handling the Fashion Week confirmations, but…” Courtney took a deep breath. “I missed some of the tabs on the spreadsheet, and so I didn’t reach out to people until this morning and some of them have taken other jobs.”
“You ‘missed tabs’?” Alaska repeated, her voice filled with disbelief.
“Yeah, I just...I didn’t see that there was more than one, so-”
Alaska sighed heavily, letting out a small, aggravated sound, before asking, “So then...okay, how bad is it?”
“Um…”
“How many people are unavailable, Courtney?”
Courtney handed over the pages in her hands, unable to look Alaska in the eye. She just couldn’t face the disappointment and anger that she knew would be on her face right now. She pressed her lips together, still trying to hold back the flood of tears, cheeks burning hot with shame, as Alaska looked over the lists.
“Jesus christ…” she muttered, then picked up the phone. “Kim? Hi, it’s me. Sooooo, there was a bit of a snafu with some of the Fashion Week staff and we need to pull names for alternates...Uh huh...Probably at least 15—...I know, I know. I’m sorry, this is...Yeah, you know what? Get me some recommendations from Yara Sofia, and I’ll see who’s working some of the shows 2 days before...Yeah, let’s make some calls and then reconvene in 30...Okay...Yeah, I get it, I’m sorry...Bye.”
“I’m so sorry, Alaska,” Courtney said. “I don’t know how I could have been so careless. But...please just tell me what I can do to help you guys-”
“I think you’ve done enough. You should go.”
Courtney nodded, swallowing down the lump in her throat and standing up. Telling herself that she just had to get to the bathroom before letting any tears fall.
Without another word, she turned and ran, racing blindly for the nearest restroom, where she locked herself into a stall and finally let herself fall apart, crying like the useless baby that she was. What was she doing in this job? Who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to trust her with so many important tasks for such a huge company? How come, no matter how hard she tried, she was just never able to stay on top of it all?
A few minutes later, she heard the door open and heels click softly as they walked towards her.
She tried to get ahold of herself, especially once she saw the houndstooth pumps under the stall door, but it was no use.
“Courtney.”
“Y-yes?”
“This sucks. Okay? And it’s gonna be a huge headache to fix, and just something we really didn’t need today on top of everything else we’re dealing with—”
“I know,” Courtney said, breath hitching.
“—but...we’ll manage. Okay? So stop beating yourself up, and just do better in the future. I know you can.” Alaska paused before adding, “You’re better than this one mistake.”
Something about her kindness, even after all that, made Courtney lose it even more. A sob escaped her chest, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Enough of this, okay?” Alaska said. “Take a minute, then wash your face and come back to my office. I have a job for you.”
***
Courtney knocked tentatively on Alaska’s open door. She’d managed to pull herself together, and though everything in head was screaming to turn and run--from this company, from this job, from the silly dreams that kept her in this country--she’d forced herself to return and face the music.
“Sit.” Alaska pointed to a spot on the sofa, where a phone and a blank notepad were lined up on the coffee table. “Violet said that we could borrow you for the afternoon, so you can help us get out of this mess. I’ve emailed you the contact info for a bunch of makeup artists and hairstylists. You need to find out their availability, and if they have recommendations. If they’re free, tell them we’ll return with confirmation and a deal memo by the end of the day.”
Courtney nodded, sitting down and eagerly getting to work, relieved that she could have a small part of the solution.
“And Courtney…”
“Yes?” Courtney looked back up at her.
“Everyone makes mistakes.”
“Not Violet,” Courtney muttered, almost as a reflex, and Alaska burst out laughing.
“Are you kidding? Violet’s been here for over a year now, but when she first got the job, that office was a mess. Everyonemakes mistakes. Trust me. The real test is what you do afterwards.”
“Thanks, Alaska,” said Courtney, looking up at her with a smile for the first time all day.
“No problem. Now get to work!”
Courtney grinned, lifting the receiver and dialing the first number on her list. It took them almost 4 hours (and a bribe from Kim’s favorite sushi place to keep everyone working through lunch), but they eventually found people for all of the positions. When they finally finished, Courtney headed back upstairs to print out all the signed deal memos and update the spreadsheet with their new staff.
Violet was gone, having accompanied Fame to a meeting at Saks, but she’d left something wonderful behind on Courtney’s desk—not one, but two Fashion Week party invitations, with a yellow Post-It note with the word “sorry” written on it.
Courtney picked up her phone, sending a text to Violet with just the word ‘thanks.’
***
Willam hated his boss.
He hadn’t always. When he first got the job at OK!, Detox had been almost like a hero to him. But as the months wore on, and story after story got tossed or ripped to shreds or cut down to a two-line caption for some stupid photo collage, the resentment had built up to the point where he felt physical anger every time he saw Detox, or his stupid face, or his hideous yellow hair.
It just wasn’t fair. Willam knew that he was a more talented reporter, and a smarter person, than anyone else on staff. But in the meeting today, Rhea’s idiotic idea about a spread on celebrity foodstagrams had gotten praise, whereas he’d gotten chewed out, treated like garbage, all for pursuing a story that Detox failed to understand. Or worse, was actively trying to cover up.
“Hey bro. You alright?” Rhea asked, poking her head in the door.
“No. And fuck off,” Willam spat, turning to his computer.
“Ooh, someone’s maaad…” Rhea didn’t take the hint at all, slipping into the office and shutting the door behind her.
“I mean it, Rhea, get the fuck out of here.”
“Awww, it’s okay. I can handle your wittle tantrum, baby,” she said mockingly. “You need a snacky? Juice box? A wittle baby nappy?”
She reached forward to tousle his hair, and he pushed her away, eyes blazing with anger.
“This is bullshit and you know it!” he exclaimed.
“Bro, it’s not that big of a deal. Just drop it and find a different story to work on.” Rhea yawned, examining her nails.
“But I’m finally getting somewhere!”
“Are you? Because you said you’d hit a dead end with that sexy lesbian-”
“Sure. Pearl was a dead end. But-”
“Tragic,” Rhea clucked. “I could have made magic with her…” She punctuated her statement with an extremely lewd tongue gesture.
“Gross. And fine, yes, she didn’t give me anything, but-”
“And Detox literally told you 5 times that there’s no story there.”
“Exactly, Rhea! So what’s he trying to cover up? He obviously didn’t like that I was getting too close to something big. You know he’s friends with her.”
“Sure...but even if you’re right, then what?” Rhea said. “Say you find some crazy dirt, you really think he’ll publish it?”
“I think that if I find some crazy dirt, Detox fucking Sanderson won’t matter. I’ll be able to sell the story anywhere.”
Rhea chuckled, shaking her head.
“Alright, but you haven’t found anything yet. So what’s your next move, champ? Because so far you’ve got nothing.”
“I got a new mark…” He pulled up a folder of photos on his computer. “Look.”
Rhea looked, head tilted, a puzzled expression on her face.
“These are just pictures of Fame. What am I looking at? You have lost it, bro”
“Look closer. See the chick who’s behind her in every photo?” Willam zoomed in on a striking but clearly camera-shy brunette.
“Okay...her assistant? And?”
“Exactly. And assistants know all their boss’s dirt. But it’s not her I’m after.” Willam clicked through a few more photos, finally finding the one he was looking for. “Bingo.”
In this picture, the brunette was nowhere to be found, but an adorable, bewildered looking blonde was standing behind Fame in a pretty little mint green dress, bogged down with bags.
“A different assistant. Hashtag who cares?”
“A new assistant, Rhea. And new means vulnerable. Trust me...that girl? Is my ticket to aaalllll the dirt.”
***
Pearl opened the door to Laganja’s office, her hands filled with boxes upon boxes of invitations to Fashion Week shows and parties.
Fashion Week was a beast, Fashion Month was a monster. Fame was traveling to London as soon as New York was over, Milan and then Paris following, the prep work to get all of that ready always a struggle. Her assistants bore the brunt of it, Fame’s expensive taste and particular likes and dislikes not changing just because she was on another continent.
Pearl however, had a job to do too. As boss in the social media department, it was Pearl’s job to decide which shows, parties and events would be worth covering for their social media, and what different employees of Galactica should show up to, to best feature and nourish their brand in all four cities.
“Ready to crunch down?”
“I was born ready, mama.”
***
“I have Fame for Raja,” Violet said into the phone, her finger was on the button, ready to patch the call through.
“Oh, sorry. Raja’s in the conference room!” Ivy was always so cheerful, and for the hundredth time Violet wondered how she did it. “She’s working on the model castings. Should I interrupt?”
Violet bit her lip. Fame hated when she was bogged down by unimportant details, but she hated it even more when decisions were made without her.
“Hang on.” Violet clicked back over to Fame. “Raja is working on model casting in the conference room. Should I interrupt?”
“Where is my fruit salad?”  
“On it’s way Miss.” Violet glanced at Courtney’s empty seat, checking her watch. She’d never understand how Courtney could be so slow at everything she did.
“Well hurry up.” Fame hung up, and the line went dead. Violet quickly pressed back to her call with Ivy, wondering to herself if she should text Courtney to speed it along with the food. Not that it would do any good. The last time she sent that message, she got a glib response along the lines of ‘I’ll tell them to chop faster.’
“No need to interru-”
“Violet.” The door to the office opened, and Fame sailed out, snapping her fingers. “Come.”
Violet hung up right away, knowing that Ivy would understand as she grabbed her notebook and phone. By the time she caught up, Miss Fame was already halfway to the conference room.
Shit. She really should have predicted this.
Fame wanted to be involved, no decision too small if it’s subject caught her attention.
Violet tried to text Courtney, a quick shoe emoji to Ivy telling her they were on their way, as she hurried along, making sure the clack of her heels matched Fame’s perfectly so her boss wouldn’t get annoyed at the dual sounds.
As they walked past the glass wall in the conference room, Violet glanced inside.
Raja was sitting at the table. She was wearing a purple silk shirt, heavy gold decorating her ears, fingers and neck, her hair collected in a high ponytail. Trixie was there too, his sweatshirt of the day a bubblegum pink number.
The table was filled with black portfolio folders, and Violet recognized about fifty model cards that were spread out amongst the polaroids of their finished looks.
Violet was just about to get in front of Fame, so she could hold the conference room door open, when she felt her stomach drop.
Right there, at the opposite end of the table, was Sutan.
He was stunning in burgundy, his entire attention focused on his sister as he was talking to her, Raja laughing at something he said.
Sutan hadn’t spotted her yet, but Violet wanted to cry. There was no way she could hide, nowhere to escape to, the other without a doubt recognizing her the minute she stepped inside, and then it’d all be over.
Violet could feel her throat close up, panic clawing at her chest.
“Miss-”
Fame turned to look at her, Violet not even recognizing that she was the one who had called for her boss’s attention.
“I-” Violet was blank. Completely blank.
“I don’t have all day, Violet.”
“I’m going to go get your food.”
“Fine.”
Violet had no idea where it had come from, but Fame turned away from her, clearly dismissing her and blessedly leaving her outside of the conference room.
“Tantan! Were you really going to come by without saying hi-”
The door to the conference room closed, cutting the sound of Fame’s voice off, and Violet did the only thing she could think of.
She ran.
Slamming the door to the office closed helped a little, but her heart was still in her throat. She checked her hair and makeup in her black computer screen, yanking off her ID card and smoothing down her dress over and over again as she walked in a small circle, her heart hammering in her chest.
“Violet?”
Courtney came in through the door, the blonde holding the promised fruit salad in her hand, and for the first time, Violet felt relief course through her body at the sight of her.
“Are you okay?” Courtney asked.
Violet was utterly screwed, but maybe, just maybe, she would be able to pull off the impossible.
All she needed was for Courtney to follow her instructions perfectly.
“Fame is in the conference room for a meeting.”
“So why aren’t you there? Is everything alright?” Courtney’s brow furrowed.
It was a fair question, but it was also a fair question Violet wasn’t going to answer.
“I need you to bring her the food, and take notes.”
“What? Are you sick?”
Violet had started to trust Courtney more and more, but she still hadn’t allowed her to even attempt to take down Fame’s rapid fire orders during meetings, forgetting something at one of those a fatal mistake.
“Go. Now. Please.”
Courtney looked at her like she was insane, but she quickly plated the fruit, grabbed a roll of silverware, her notebook and phone, and hurried to the conference room.
***
Courtney entered the conference room, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible as she set Fame’s bowl of fruit down in front of her, along with the wrapped silverware. She opened her notebook, trying to find a place to stand where she wouldn’t be in the way.
Should she sit? She’d never been present in this room for a meeting where she had nothing to do but listen. It seemed inappropriate somehow to sit down beside Fame at the table, but also weird to be standing behind her, especially since the table was mostly empty.
Courtney vaguely remembered seeing assistants stand along the wall, so she did just that.
Everyone around the table was talking animatedly, Raja and Fame so firm in their opinions it almost sounded like they were fighting, but Courtney couldn’t focus on them or what they were saying.
All she could think about was Violet.
Courtney had never seen her coworker so visibly flustered.
Eyes wild, cheeks red, voice cracking.
She had looked like she was in genuine distress, and something told her that she should just forget about this impromptu meeting and go back to check on Violet.
After all, Fame could easily call her back if she needed something, right?
On the other hand, Violet had ordered her in no uncertain terms to stay with Fame, and there was a chance that whatever was upsetting her would be worse if she had the added stress of being worried about her boss. So Courtney supposed that she should just stay and do what she was told. She tried to follow the conversation about models, taking what notes she could manage. The good news was, nobody seemed to notice or care that she was there, so she assumed that her position near the door, back pressed against the wall, had been the right move.
“You’re blind.”
“It’s an opinion.”
“Trixie, not now darling. Why are all of these- Sutan where is that model I like?”
“I’m going to need a bit more information to go on if you want my help.”
“Who was that model from that latest Vogue?” Fame asked, waving her hand in the air. “The one on my desk with the red?” When her boss tossed a questioning look over her shoulder, Courtney realized that this question must be directed at her.
““I-I’m not sure, Miss?” Was this the sort of thing Violet got asked and was expected to answer? “Would you like me to go get-”
“Ugh,” Fame let out an annoyed scoff, and seemed to only now realize that Courtney was the one who was there. “Where’s Violet?”
“She’s taking care of something in the office,” Courtney said quickly, not really lying through her teeth, though the thing Violet was taking care of most of all was that she looked like she had seen a ghost.
“Go tell her that if she enjoys her job,” Fame said slowly, “she’ll get back here immediately.”
Courtney hesitated for a split second before Fame snapped her fingers, adding, “Now!”
“Yes, Miss!” Courtney said, rushing from the room.
***
Violet was trying desperately to stay calm. She was pacing the office, her brain working in overdrive, her fingers tugging at her skirt.
Violet was no stranger to digging her own grave, but this was an especially deep one, and she wasn’t sure if she could get out.
Under normal circumstances, Violet would run away. She’d burn the bridge, never look back, and walk away from her mistake, but she didn’t want to walk away from Sutan.
She hadn’t lied to him, not exactly, but she still wanted to cry.
Sutan was everything she could ask for, not because he earned more money a month than Violet would in a year, even as a designer, not because of his connections and how he seemed to know everyone who was anything.
No. So far, Sutan had been perfect because of how he acted. He was attentive and kind, respecting Violet’s boundaries without any kind of fight. It felt like he was interested in what she was saying, his eyes lighting up in delight when she shared her opinion.
Violet had no idea why he seemed to like her so much, why he chose to spend time with her and he could have anyone he pointed at, pretty girl after pretty girl probably standing in line to hang on his arm, but somehow, he had chosen her.
There was no way, however, no way at all, that he’d want to continue that when he found out who she really was.
When he saw that she was nothing more than an assistant, who couldn’t even do her job right.
“Um…”
Violet turned around to see Courtney in the doorway.
“I’m really sorry, Violet, but Miss Fame asked for you.”
That was it then. Violet was dead. Her plan had failed, and she had to face the music. She gathered her things, nausea rumbling in her stomach.
“I can tell her you’re sick.”
Violet looked over her shoulder at Courtney who was still standing by the door, a lock of blonde hair twisted around her finger, her lip between her teeth.
“Whatever you want,” she added.
Courtney was a ridiculously good friend, and Violet snorted, the harsh sound betraying how utterly fucked she felt.
“She asked something about a model in the Vogue on her desk, so I can just go get-”
“Jourdan Dunn?” Violet had no idea why Courtney didn’t know that, Fame actually mentioning the model by name one day when Violet had brought her a coffee.
“Great!” Courtney scribbled the name down. “If you need to go, like to the doctor or something, you should go. I’ll message you if anything comes up, or leave you alone completely if that’s what you need, just tell me-”
Violet was pretty sure Courtney had no idea what she had just offered, the blonde in no way ready to run the office on her own.
“No.”
Violet could feel green eyes on her, Courtney watching her every move.
“I’ll go.”
Violet took a deep breath, grabbed her things from the desk and said a slight prayer before she made her way to the conference room, already mourning her lost relationship with Sutan as she closed the door behind her.
***
Sutan was drumming his fingers against the table, a half finished bottle of pellegrino in front of him. He had perked up immediately when Fame had said Violet’s name, the anonymous blonde disappearing to go get her.
He had texted Violet as soon as he had gotten the email from Raja that she wanted him at Galactica, and that she wanted him there now, but as always, she hadn’t seen his message yet.
“I like your new bag, Trixie-” Sutan smiled as he looked at Trixie who had gotten up to stretch, the man looking out the window. Trixie had a fanny pack hanging off of his hip, the cut a lot like what Sutan had seen the European male models run around with over their shoulders, but while theirs was black, Trixie’s was a hot pink and completely covered in jewels.
“Very very stylish.”
“Katya made it for me.”
Sutan wondered if he was supposed to know who Katya was, but Trixie seemed to love it, and fashion was fun at it’s core, or so he had been told.
Sutan was just about to get up himself for a stretch when Violet opened the door and stepped inside, a notebook in hand, her back completely straight.
She was just as pretty as always, an art printed poplin dress in white and light blue paired with a set of elegant heels, her black hair falling down her shoulders, a golden hair clip holding it in place.
He knew that Violet was a designer, but he was pleasantly surprised, and even a little proud, that she was apparently high enough on the food chain to be needed for a meeting like this. It was impressive, only 23, and already invaluable to senior management.
“Hello-“
“Glad you could finally grace us with your presence, Miss Chachki,” Fame drawled, looking bored and kind of impatient. “I need the name of the girl from Vogue, the one with the red-”
“Jourdan Dunn, Miss?”
“Yes!” Fame snapped her fingers. “Jourdan Dunn.”
“You want Jourdan? Now?” Sutan snorted. The model had been booked for months, and while he was very good at his job, he couldn’t make magic happen just because one of his friends changed her mind. “And would you like unicorns at your show as well-”
He was cut off as Raja kicked him under the table, his twin shooting him a serious look that told him to watch his mouth.
“You want someone like Jourdan.” Sutan put it down on the piece of paper in front of him. “Noted.”
“It suits our more tropical, garden-y type of theme for the collection,” Raja picked up a few girls, moving them over and into the approved pile. “Green does look wonderful on darker skin tones.”
Trixie, Fame and Raja chatted back and forth for a bit, Sutan at first caught up in their conversation, but as they started to discuss hairstyles, he zoned out. What they actually did with the models once they were booked was not his business, and while hair could be uncomfortable to endure, it was rarely a violation.
His attention wandered, his gaze settling on something much more interesting than clip on bangs.
Violet was standing against the wall, the woman writing away, noting down everything that was being said.
Sutan tried to catch her eye, tried to get Violet’s attention, but it almost felt like she was avoiding him completely, her gaze glued to her notes.
“Violet?”
Sutan was pulled out of his thoughts as Fame called Violet’s name.
“We need a round of coffees.”
Sutan’s brow furrowed, confused. Why would Miss Fame be sending a lead designer for coffees?
He looked around the room, only now realizing that the apparently useless blonde from earlier wasn’t in attendance anymore.
“Yes, Miss,” Violet said, voice so soft it was almost a whisper, before speaking up a bit more clearly. “What can I get for you all?”
“Hmm, mint tea would be great,” Raja said.
“Can I get an iced mocha with extra whip?” Trixie asked. Violet nodded, writing it down. “Thanks, you’re an angel.”
Violet finally looked Sutan in the eye for the first time all day.
“Anything for you… Sir?”
Sir? Violet had never called him sir, her brown eyes looking at him for the first time, and that was when it clicked. Fame wasn’t sending a designer out for coffees.
“Umh…” Sutan sat up in his chair, the whole situation absolutely bizarre. “No thanks.”
Violet nodded, the tears clear in her eyes as she turned towards the door, walking slowly and precisely. To anyone who didn’t know her, she seemed perfectly calm, but Sutan knew better.
“Please, Violet, continue to move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me,” Fame said drily, before turning her attention back to the model cards, pointing. “I like her…”
Sutan sat in his chair, a little dumbfounded. Violet was Fame’s assistant? Why hadn’t she told him that before? And why was she so upset? Nothing made sense at the moment.
“Hello? Tan?” Fame snapped her fingers, trying to get his attention.
“Yes?”
“Good lord, what is wrong with everyone today?” Fame tapped on one of the cards. “I want her. Trixie, don’t you think she’d be perfect for the resort look?”
“Her chest is a little flat.”
“But look at that waist! Those eyes! Sew some chicken cutlets into the top and she’ll be fine.”
“I can do that.” Trixie made a note.
“Put her on hold, Sutan,” Fame said, handing him the modeling card.
“Are you okay?” Raja asked, her head tilted in concern as she surveyed her brother up and down.
“Yes.” [Actually. No.] Sutan swallowed, his throat feeling as dry as sandpaper. [I need a-] “I need a minute to...excuse me.”
He rose from his chair, and Fame threw up her hands in exasperation.
“Is Mercury in retrograde?”
***
Courtney jumped up from her desk when Violet re-entered. She’d busied herself with updating the schedule and ordering office supplies, but found it impossible to concentrate when she was this worried. Something was really wrong with Violet, and even though Courtney didn’t know what, she felt awful just sitting here doing nothing.
“Violet!” Courtney rushed towards her. “Please tell me what’s wrong, are you-”
“I’m fine.” Violet pushed her way past her, tears falling from her eyes as she grabbed her jacket and her sunglasses, covering herself up so quickly Courtney almost doubted that she had even seen tears fall from Violet’s eyes before she grabbed for her keycard as well.
Courtney had never seen Violet like this before, had never seen her express any emotion beyond calm professionalism or indignant anger, so Violet’s tears shook her to the very core. She also seemed to be having trouble breathing, her skin red and blotchy.
“Please Violet, tell me what’s going on,” Courtney begged.
“Everything is fucked, that’s what’s wrong,” Violet hissed, the tinge of panic back in her voice. “I couldn’t even look at him! Couldn't even-”
“Couldn’t look at who?” Courtney racked her brain. She highly doubted that Trixie could be responsible for this reaction. The jovial head of design was everyone’s best friend, and she’d seen with her own eyes how much he respected Violet. So she must be talking about that other man, the tall one. Courtney’s eyes narrowed.  
*
“Couldn’t look at who?”
“Fuck!” Violet swore as she couldn’t get her stupid jacket to close properly. Her fingers felt numb, clumsy, useless, useless just like her, her mind spiraling, her world zoomed in on the button she couldn’t even manage to close, her mother's voice ringing in her ears, the sharp tone one she hadn't heard in months.
“Violet?”
Her mother would never call her Violet, the word said with a gentle question she knew Courtney could never manage.
Violet turned around, and right there, right in front of her, was Sutan.
*
Courtney twirled to the man who was standing in the door, fury welling up in her chest.
How dare he show up here in the office? She didn’t know what he'd done to Violet, but she could very well use her imagination.
She stepped between them, arms crossed, asking coldly, “Can I help you?”
“Yes,” the man said, his voice annoyingly calm. “You can step away for a couple of minutes so that I can talk to Violet.”
“No, I’m sorry, that’s not going to be possible.” Courtney squared her shoulders, showing him she meant business.
The man let out a chuckle of disbelief before giving her a patient, charming smile.
“Listen, dear-”
“My name is not dear!” Courtney said. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
He took a deep breath before trying a different tactic.
“Well, dear, I don’t know your name, but if you kindly fuck off for 5 minutes, then I’ll happily name my first born child after you.”
Courtney’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. She didn’t care, at the moment, if she got fired. She was not going to let this man intimidate her, or mess with Violet any more than he already had.
“I think you’re the one who needs to fuck off, sir. So back away right now or I’ll have to call securi-”
“Courtney.”
Courtney felt a hand on her arm, Violet’s slender fingers on her.
“Can you go get the coffees?” Violet had pushed her sunglasses into her hair, her dark eyes liquid with tears she barely managed to hold back. “Please.”
“Are you sure?” Courtney asked softly. She really didn’t want to leave Violet alone with this horrible man, but she also didn’t want to say no to her, not in this vulnerable state.
“Yes.” Violet pressed a sheet of paper with the coffee order into her hand. “And Miss Fame’s usual.”
“Okay. But...text me if you need anything.” Courtney picked up her phone and notepad, casting an extra dirty look at that asshole as she left the office.
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Stars (Children Part 1)
Rating: T
Genre: Fluff
Word count: 2108
Summary: Simon and Baz help Penny with decorating her nursery. And Simon starts thinking...
Read on AO3
AN: Welcome to part 1 of this crazy idea Theo came up with ar 3 AM. Hope you like it! :D
Simon:
“Pen?” I shout. “Where do you want these?”
Penny loudly groans and waddles (that's honestly the best descriptor) into the yellow nursery. She glares at me, hands placed on the small of her back to support her large stomach.
“On the ceiling of course,” she says annoyed. “Where else are glow in the dark stars supposed to go?”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, but do you want them in a specific pattern or something?”
“I don't think the baby will notice nor care for a complicated constellation, Snow,” Baz says, smirking from the ground where he's painting a baseboard pale yellow. I smirk back. If I were not standing on a ladder, I'd kick him. Or kiss him. Either works.
“Baz is right.” Penny shudders slightly. “Oh that feels so wrong to say.”
“Ha ha, you're hilarious Bunce. Maybe your child will inherit your sense of humour.”
“Oh that'd be wonderful. Then I'll have someone to insult you with.”
They glare at each other menacingly. I'd be worried, but this is how they've interacted for their almost ten year friendship. Deep down they do care for and respect each other. Penelope did name both of us godfathers of her baby. That speaks a lot louder than their jabs.
“Well,” I announce, “I'll put them in a nice pattern. Baby Bunce may not appreciate it yet but they will one day.”
Penelope sighs, stretching out her back. “Whatever, Si, It's up to you. I'm going to sit down. Movement is a nightmare.” She waddles out the door, groaning with every step.
“I'm so glad I'm male,” Baz mumbles. “Pregnancy looks horrendous.”
I shrug. “Yeah, but you get an adorable baby at the end. It's worth it.”
“I guess so.”
I bite at my lip. I've been meaning to ask Baz something for awhile now. It really shouldn't be this hard. We've been together for nine years, married for three. And it's not like we haven't chatted about the idea before. Baz had said it wasn't off the table, but I was far more cautious. But we were also still in uni. It felt so far away, and we were still so broken. Now we're 27 years old, married, and the most mentally stable we’ll probably ever be. Hell, we even have a flat together. A house with too many rooms.
“Hey Baz,” I say cautiously, “what do you think about all this?”
“'All this?’ You'll have to be more specific, love.”
“Y'know...baby stuff.”
“Well, I certainly hate the painting. I’d rather hire a professional. I think Bunce is making me do this as some sort of torture.”
I groan. Crowley, he’s usually able to pick up on subtlety. I put down the remaining few star decals and step off the ladder, facing his back as he’s stretched out along the wall. “Baz, do you want to have kids?”
Baz freezes, brush stilled in his hand. My heart stops beating. I’ve fucked up. I look at the floor, fiddling with my fingers. “I-I mean, not exactly right now, obviously. Someday? It’s just, I know we talked about it years ago, but we were so young, and I don’t know if yo’ve changed your mind since then. Just...all this baby stuff with Penny has got me thinking about it again. So, I was- I was thinking that we should talk about it again? W-We don’t have to though. If you’re not- If you-”
“Simon, stop.” I look up again. Baz is standing. His mouth is a thin, firm line, but his eyes are round. He reaches forward, placing his hand over mine, skin cool and comforting as usual. He takes a deep breath.
“Just, wait a moment,” he whispers. “Stay right here.”
Baz dashes off, leaving me blinking confused. Huh? What the fuck is going on? I’m even more lost than usual.
He reappears just as quickly was he vanished. He’s holding a thin blue binder. His hand is shaking slightly. “I, uh, I was hoping to show this to you when we were alone at home. But now seems like a better time.”
He hands it to me. I slowly open it, and my eyes bug out of my skull.
There’s pages and pages of printed info. Research on the legal process of adoption and surrogacy, addresses of agencies, spreadsheets calculating the cost of childcare vs. our combined salaries, even good schools in our neighbourhood. Literally anything and everything we’d need to know about having a kid.
I look up slowly, mouth hanging open. Baz seems nervous, maybe even embarrassed, a little red accenting his cheeks.
“You...you did all this?” I strangle out.
He nods slowly. “To be entirely truthful, I’ve been thinking about this, y’know, baby stuff, for awhile. But I wanted to be sure I had all the information first. I mean, us being two blokes, there’s more than a few extra steps. So I wanted to make sure I knew all the details. And, it’s definitely possible. For us. It’s not exactly easy. It’ll certainly be a headache. But still, we could...if you want, that is.”
I blink rapidly, very confused over the strained expression on my husband’s face. “Did-did you think I wouldn’t?”
Baz shrugs, shoulders coming to his pinkened pointy ears. “I wasn’t sure. I know you and parents is a...touchy subject. You said back then that you were worried about being a good father. I wasn’t sure if having kids was something you felt ready for now, or wanted. Just, you were so nervous last time we talked about it.”
“That was 7 years ago, Baz. I was still recovering from Watford and everything else. The Mage was the closest thing I ever had to a father, and he was shit. So yeah, part of me thought I couldn’t be a good dad, because I had no good reference point. But I’m older now. I’m more mentally stable, and I’m...” I hold his hand, weaving our fingers together. “I’m not scared anymore. I’m not like the Mage. At least, I don’t want to do what he did to me. I-I hope I couldn’t be that awful. And...more important than anything, I really want kids. I love children, and the idea of having our own makes me so happy.”
Putting the binder behind me on the ladder, I reach up and cup his cheek. He leans into my touch like always. “And even if I do end up being terrible, you’d be a great dad, Baz. You’re wonderful with your siblings. Merlin, even Mordelia likes you now.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “So...I think we could do this. Do you?”
He squeezes my hand once and lets out a long breath. “I think we could too. But just so you know.” He leans forward, tapping our foreheads together. After all these years, his deep grey eyes still make my heart stutter out of control. “You’re not giving yourself enough credit. I think you’d be a wonderful dad too.”
I giggle, wrapping both my arms around his neck and pulling back to grin at him. “Well, if you say it, it must be true. As we know, Basilton Snow-Pitch is infallible.”
Baz turns up his nose haughtily. “Of course. I know all.”
“Oh that is definitely the truth. Should’ve put it in our wedding vows.”
“Damn right.”
We laugh for a second, but quickly get quiet again. He pulls me closer, thin arms tight around my waist. His face gets sober but still soft. “I’m serious though. You don’t need to worry, Simon. I’ve been with you for almost a decade, and have been watching you for even longer. So I can say this without a doubt: You’re nothing like him. And you would be a marvelous parent.”
My face crumples slightly. “What if I fuck up?”
“We’ll both fuck up, love. No parent is perfect. But we’ll try our best. And I know your best will be fucking amazing.” He grins, and it’s sweet and genuine and perfect.
Crowley, I love him. And over the years I’ve grown to love him more and more. He’s still a sarcastic stubborn arse sometimes. (Actually a lot of the time.) But he’s also like this, when he’s just with me: soft, genuine, and unbelievably kind.
I sigh and hug him closer, burying my face in his bony shoulder. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, darling.” He presses a soft kiss my hair. I love the feeling of his cool lips against my skin. “So we’re really going to do this, right? Even if it’s hard? Even though we’re both a bit scared?”
I pull away, smiling so hard my face. “Yeah, we’re really gonna do this.”
He lets out a breathy chuckle, and so do I. Soon we devolve into stupidly loud joyful laughter. Baz lifts me up in a fierce hug (yay vampire strength). I hold his beautiful face in both my hands. And completely on instinct, I lean down and crush his mouth against mine. We’re still laughing between every kiss. We’re too happy not to.
“Hey! My baby’s nursery is definitely a no snogging zone!”
We break away to see a very pissed off, very pregnant Penelope Bunce glaring at us. Baz puts me down. We’re both still grinning like idiots.
I chuckle nervously. “Sorry, Pen, W-we’re just...we’re really excited cause-”
“We’re joining you on the whole baby thing,” Baz says cooly. He’s far more calm than me (he always is.)
Penelope’s eyes bug out from behind her glasses. Her mouth slowly falls open. “Nicks and slicks, you’re serious?”
“Very.” He picks up and waves the binder. “I’ve done all the work though, of course.” I elbow his side, but we both keep smiling. Always a sarcastic asshole. That’s the man I married.
Penny marches forward as best she can and snatches the binder. She flips through it, eyes getting wider with every page. She looks back up at us.
“Holy shit,” she breathes out. “You’re actually doing this?”
I grin so hard my cheeks hurt, but I don’t care. “Yeah. We really are.”
She snaps it closed dramatically. “You two are such dicks. Just copying me, huh?”
Baz glares, eyes practical slits. “Hey, you don’t have a monopoly on children, Bun- ah!”
Penny throws her arms around both our necks, pulling us down to her level (so Baz is practically bent in half). She clutches us fiercely.
“I’m so happy for you two,” she whispers.
I sigh, wrapping an arm around her lower back to return the hug. “Thanks, Pen.”
“Thank you, Bunce,” Baz replies, tone much softer than usual.
She lets go, but keeps a hand on our shoulders. I notice a small tear in the corner of her eye but I don’t point it out. She would be pissed if I did. Pregnant or not, I would never cross Penelope Bunce.
“Now, no matter how happy I am, you two need to get this room ready. Your baby may be far off, but mine is about ready to pop. So finish up in here and I’ll tell Micah to bring us celebratory scones on his way home from work. Alright?”
“Wonderful,” I say.
“Unfortunate,” Baz grumbles.
Penny playfully ruffles his hair, loosening some strands from his annoyingly attractive man bun. “You’re going to be such a good father.”
“Damn right I am. My kid will be just as sharp tongued as me. They’ll give your baby a run for their money.”
I hang my head and groan. “I can’t believe you two are competing over this.”
“We compete over everything, Snow,” Baz says, patting my hair. “This will be no different.”
“I agree with you, Basilton.” Penelope shudders even more dramatically. “Crowley, that still feels so wrong. Finish up quickly, you two. I’ll put on coffee.”
She walks away with a smile on her face. I know, insults or not, she’s genuinely happy for us. Of course she is.
“Guess I should finish with the bloody baseboard,” Baz grumbles.
“I can help,” I say. “I’m done with the stars.”
“Hm, really? And what pattern did you choose?”
“Well, why don’t I show you?”
I rush over to close the door, then flick off the light. Baz looks up and lets out a loud laugh. He walks over to hold my waist.
“You’re so cheesy,” he whispers into my ear.
“Hey, everyone needs a little extra love,” I reply
We both look up and gaze at my handy work. At the big glow in the dark star heart that will hang over Penny’s new baby. I hope to do the exact same in our kid’s room.
AN: Okay so for the last few prompts, they will all be connected by Baz and Simon being parents. There will be time jumps but follow the same canon and idea. Hope you all liked this :)
Tomorrow: Christmas decorating!
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rabidbehemoth · 7 years
Text
Upcoming ItaSaku teaser
Very excited to announce I’m (almost) midway through reworking an old one-shot into a full-length fic! Progress is going swimmingly. (I have so many spreadsheets this time, you guys!) 
I expect to be finished with the first draft soon, so look for it in a few months. I’ll be able to post it on a regular schedule, yay! We’re looking at a word count of about 80,000, if all goes as planned.
Summary follows, excerpt below the cut. Enjoy!
Next of Kin: After witnessing a murder, college student Sakura finds herself in the midst of a crime war she never dreamed existed, though it has shaped her entire life. When the likely killer shows up on campus, she realizes the world around her has never been what it seems. [AU, ItaSaku]
Itachi slowed to a stop, eyeing a gap in the trees up ahead through which the road was visible. The occasional car drove past. He turned to face her.
“Are you...trying to ask if I’m a good person or not?” The amusement in his voice was thick.
When Sakura offered a half-shrug ‘duh’ look in response, he openly laughed.
She was appalled. “What question could be more serious than that one!?”
When her indignation only escalated his laughter, she could no longer help herself. “Look, I’m trying to ask if it was you in the train station!”
He went still. 
For a lingering, horrible moment, she thought everything was over. In her mind’s eye, she saw herself darting past him and sprinting into the street. He was fast, but it couldn’t be more than a few feet to reach the gap. Shops and restaurants lined the opposite sidewalk--someone would definitely see if he grabbed her. Sakura mentally calculated the distance, every muscle tensed. She could make it. She would make it.
She snapped out of it when she realized he wasn’t even looking at her. He was staring at the road, frozen. His arm shot out and grabbed her wrist.
Before the panic could set it, his voice reached her ears. “Cross. Now.”
And Sakura was running, half-dragged, through the trees and across the street. Bells sounded as they burst through a door, surprising several diners and bumping into waitstaff. Itachi’s grip on her arm was firm, but not painful, and he did not so much as slow. They raced through the kitchen, sending a stack of dishes crashing to the floor. The back door shut on angry shouts floating after them, but they were in the alley behind the restaurant before anyone could chase them down.
Sakura lost track of time as they ran, weaving through narrow gaps between buildings, zigzagging across roads and jetting indiscriminately through businesses. She’d completely lost all sense of direction.
Finally, when they were in an alley that looked identical to all the others, Itachi released her and stopped. They caught their breaths in silence for no more than a second or two.
He held out his hand. “Phone.”
Now that the adrenaline was fading, Sakura was getting her sense back. She hesitated.
“Please.”
Shaking her head at herself, she dropped it into his palm. He opened it in one smooth motion and dropped the battery on the floor.
He crushed it under his heel.
“Hey!” she protested, outraged. “That’s my property!”
He handed the remains of her phone back. “Just buy another.”
She pocketed it, fighting down her anger in the face of more pressing questions. “You gonna tell me what that was about, or what?”
“No. We’re done. You go north and I’ll go south.” He had the audacity to turn to leave. Just like that.
“No fucking way!” she shouted, grabbing his coat. “You--it was my phone? Were we just chased? Someone’s tracking my phone? What did you do?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Not now. We’re still too nearby.”
“Nearby to what? To who?” She was dangerously close to losing whatever grip she had left on her temper, not to mention her sanity.
“Another time,” he insisted. “Call me. No texts. Use the number I called you from, not the one I first gave you.”
Sakura sorted through her fuzzy, drunken memories. He had called her from a new number that time, hadn’t he?
His expression was becoming stressed. “You need to go.”
A cold numbness was creeping up her spine. “Wait. I’m not...am I in trouble?”
His eyes were hard. 
“Yes.”
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robertdowneyjjr · 7 years
Text
au where jack plays football and bitty’s still a hockey player
in the form of my chat with @brandnewfashion bc honestly i’m way too lazy to reformat this.
(interspersed with random mentions of cornbread and the preds v pens game)
kayytx
anyway so
i was thinking last night before i fall asleep
as i often do
au where jack plays football and bitty plays hockey
brandnewfashion
niiiiiiiiice
kayytx
jack decided to go for football bc he wanted to get away from the whole hockey prodigy thing
brandnewfashion
very nice
kayytx
his plan was to go to some school in canada, maybe western ontario or something, and play a few years in the cfl if he gets drafted
but he ended up getting a scholarship for samwell
bitty's still bitty. same story etc etc
kayytx
and when he and jack meet they HATE EACH OTHER
well no
bitty hates jack
bc he thinks jack is just another dumb football player and he's already had enough bad experiences with those guys in high school thank u very much
brandnewfashion
ok but who on the smh is in hockey and who's on football
kayytx
honestly i didn't think about that part
but i was thinking
bc in this au jack didn't od
so their age difference is only like two years
brandnewfashion
i'm just curious in terms of team dynamics
kayytx
i kinda want the falcs to be the football players
and this is another one of those bitty-doesn't-know-how-hot-he-is au's
jack has the biggest fucking crush on bitty
brandnewfashion
um honey
i'm pretty sure bitty not knowing he's hot is canon
but carry on lmao
kayytx
HAHAHAHAHA
OK TRUE
FAIR ENOUGH
but u get what i'm saying
brandnewfashion
yes
kayytx
like just imagine them meeting in the caf one day and at first bitty's super charmed by jack
but then he sees jack go sit with the football team
and he's like
OH. WELL THEN.
brandnewfashion
LOL
kayytx
MOVING ON.
but from that moment on jack's just smitten
except for some reason since then every time he sees bitty, bitty's just??? super cold??? why??????
he thought they had a pretty good first meeting
and even shittier is
when coach calls, he'd occasionally mention to bitty how he's been keeping up with both the smh and samwell's football team
hazards of the job, you know?
and wow that zimmermann kid looks pretty good this season
bitty's like omg coach please stfu
brandnewfashion
this is really random but i want corn bread :(
kayytx
meanwhile jack's on the phone with bad bob and he's talking about how he MIGHT be taking an interest in hockey again for REASONS
lmfao that's so random
anyway bob knows jack and he's like, "oh pls jack, spit it out, who's the boy"
brandnewfashion
LOL
kayytx
and jack spills and he ends the story with "HE'S SO OUT OF MY LEAGUE??? AND CLEARLY HE KNOWS IT BC HE'S SO COLD, PAPA. SO COLD"
brandnewfashion
YAY HORNQVIST
kayytx
no matter tho, jack starts going to as many hockey games as possible
and he's bitty's biggest puck bunnyu
brandnewfashion
bahahhahaha
kayytx
his whole team teases him for it but they also really want to help him date bitty but bitty's just...so cold....to all of them
and they just don't understand
brandnewfashion
pls tell me rans and holster step in
kayytx
football team: but we aren't the lax bros????
lmfao yes they do
brandnewfashion
NICE
kayytx
holster's been badgering bitty about winter screw bc he really wants his favorite frog to enjoy his first college dance
and eventually bitty lets it slip that he may have a thing for a tall blue eyed football captain but that doesn't matter bc all football dudes are the same and they're the worst and that's why he got the fuck outta georgia in the first place
and rans and holster are at the kitchen table listening to bitty rant and they look at each other like
bro
BRO
BROOOOOOO
rans is friends with jack bc canadians
loopholes and shit
brandnewfashion
he should be science bros with tater or something hahaha
kayytx
HAHAHAH omg that could work
brandnewfashion
and tater's like
"I HAVE FRIEND WHO IS CANADIAN TOO"
kayytx
backstory: ransom and tater were lab partners for a class and they had to do this really dumb experiment with potatoes and genius struck ransom like the canadian scientists he always references and that's how he nicknamed tater
brandnewfashion
LOL
awww fehr's in the sin bin
kayytx
tater: i like this nickname. is much better than "mushy mashy"
ransom: bro u gotta quit the football team they don't respect u
brandnewfashion
bahahhahaha
kayytx
tater: mama always told me to play hockey because am russian. but i wanted to, how you say? be out of the box
brandnewfashion
awwwwwwwww
kayytx
lmfao anyway so ransom like, vaults over several hedges to get to the football house
idk why he won't just use the sidewalks like a normal person but he got excited and his brain stopped functioning properly
brandnewfashion
~dramatic effect
kayytx
and he slams open the door and he's like
ZIMMERMANN IS MY FAVORITE FROG ERIC BITTY BITS BITTLE THE GUY YOU'RE ALWAYS YAMMERING ON ABOUT BC BOY DO I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU
jack isn't even there
brandnewfashion
the nashville coach looks like he could be in the mafia
kayytx
he's in class. wtf ransom
brandnewfashion
lololol
kayytx
snowy pokes his head out from the living room and he's like, dude can u like, text him or something
brandnewfashion
but that'd be too easy
kayytx
ransom just goes up to jack's room to wait and somehow he finds a stuffed cat toy??? somewhere?? and puts it on his lap so he could stroke it for dramatic effect
jack comes home
brandnewfashion
maybe it's poots'
HORNQVIST!!!
lmao the commentator: "class horny goal"
that sounds so wrong
kayytx
rans: zimmermann. you come into my house, on the day my daughter is to be married, and you ask me to do murder for money jack: what the fuck justin
rans: idk man, holster texted this to me and told me to say it. anyway, we're setting you up for winter screw
so holster convinces bitty they've found someone perfect for him and he really shouldn't worry about it bc they
're bros and they only want whats best for him
ransom helps jack like, not be such an awkward weirdo
and gives jack the rundown on the Secret to Bitty's Heart Playbook he was compiling on the dl
(it's a spreadsheet obvi)
so the day of winter screw comes and bitty's nervous but he's all dressed up bc he's not gonna let something as stupid as nerves get in the way of him looking fab
brandnewfashion
oh my god??? sid just... idk what the fuck he just did but it was hot
kayytx
and jack shows up on the door with a bouquet of flours and a crate of cherries in the shape of a heart
brandnewfashion
dork
kayytx
umm the minute there's a gif or a video of that sid moment pls send it to me
BITTY MELTS but he needs to put up an act bc he's not gonna be all gushy RIGHT AWAY
so he """"grudgingly"" goes to winter screw with jack
but they have a ridiculously good time
and bitty's like, oh no he's NICE
jack walks bitty home afterwards and kisses him on the cheek bc he's a dweeb and they make plans to go to annies the next day
THEN THEY START DATING
brandnewfashion
omg omg
can bitty do that thing
jack kisses him on the cheek and bitty's like
"you missed"
kayytx
HAHA YES
but bitty's a lil shit so he makes jack wait until the next day
"guess you'll have to try harder tomorrow ;);)"
brandnewfashion
HA
get it bits
kayytx
jack dies
jack loves dying and being dead
brandnewfashion
oh gosh
and when they go home for winter break they cannot shut up about the each other
and their parents are like
"look we're really happy for u but u need to tone it down for the love of god"
kayytx
lmfaaoooo
except bob
bob is like
TELL ME MOAR
jack: pls never come to another parents weekend again and maybe not even my graduation oh my god u are so embarrassing
brandnewfashion
lmao parents weekend is gonna be such a shit show
bob and suzanne are gonna be trading stories all night and jack and bitty are gonna be holding onto each other for dear life in the corner, chugging their beers so they go away
long story short, jack and bitty eventually get together and bob and suzanne are both MENACES and the most embarrassing parents bc they just love their kids so much
**note: when i said “their age difference is only two years” i don’t mean bc jack didn’t OD they have a smaller age difference lol i meant in this au jack didn’t OD and their age difference is smaller lol sorry for the confusion but when i’m rambling on chat i don’t really pay attention to conjunctions and grammar and spelling and shit.
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