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#Vienna I swear to god
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call out post for @zebsfloppyears they're causing violence and destruction
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skitskatdacat63 · 10 months
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And now I am officially done my study abroad :(((
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gremlingottoosilly · 2 months
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metalhead! konig and alternative!reader plz🙏🙏. i just need konig to protect me in a moshpit at a concert. im short so i need a 6’10 giant to protect me 😁🫶
Your first time at the real concert in Vienna was...a lot. Drunken Germans, yelling tourists, someone definitely doing crack in the corner, and some girls that looked like they were ready to sacrifice the strongest one to the devil. You belong here, of course, with your heavy boots and even heavier makeup - the foundation already feels like a mask on your skin, not allowing you to breathe without cracking a layer of powder and lipstick all over your mouth, but you tried your hardest to have fun. And you did have fun - except for the time you were pushed to the mosh pit. In your unstable heavy boots - the coolest shit ever, of course, and also the thing that made you reconsider all of your life choices that had led to this. Maybe you were the brave gothic alt butterfly who got into the pit all by herself - unfortunately, the reasoning won't change the outcome. European concerts might not be as wild as some of the American ones, but drunk Germans and Austrians are something to be concerned about...and old metalheads who been jamming here since the fall of The Wall is something that is going to be your funeral...this is when you felt a hand on your shoulder. "Are you alright, Schatzen?" Man sounded awkward, almost nervous. Mumbled some apology before finally snatching up up in his hands - and you were ready to kick him in the balls with those spikes in your boots and scream bloody murder, but then you understood that he just...got you off the pit. That was filled with people a second later - people that would definitely crush you if you stayed here. Guy's name is Konig and he was actually not liking the concert very much. He said he loved the group - since he was a teen which, you presume, was quite a long time ago - but he hated the crowds. His friend got him a ticket and then couldn't come with him, which made him kinda lonely and kinda heroic to a sweet thing like you. Konig is nervous and you grab his hand to steady him - you swear to god you feel his fingers tremble as you bring your body closer. Concert was nice - but it's nicer when he grabs you by your hips and lifts you up on his shoulders so you could get a clean view at the band. You feel scared at first - not trusting that he won't drop you...but his hands don't even waver as he keeps his cool, making sure you're stable and having fun. You slip your number in his pocket as he walks you to the bus home - and you don't even resist when he awkwardly leans down to kiss you, his mask down to his chin. Your black lipstick is all over his mouth now, and you make sure to lick it all off. Don't want to leave a bad first impression, after all.
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writingonleaves · 5 months
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will you take a moment? promise me this (that you'll stand by me forever) - the blue au
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universe: the blue au (clementine sandoval x hughes brothers x nico hischier)
warnings: swearing, mentions of death, more sadness than i intended originally, mentions of covid during one particular part, so so much fluff!!
title + based on: "long live" by taylor swift, "i'll always remember you" by hannah montana, "ribs" by lorde, "vienna" by billy joel, "home" by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros and "a letter to my younger self" by ambar lucid. title from "long live"
word count: 14k
author's note: graduation / draft moments that technically take place before the first installment. though you should read the first part for context if you haven't yet! romance who? we ride and die with found family. i def made myself cry a few times writing this. happy american thanksgiving to all those who celebrate. hold your family and loved ones close. hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think <3
2018 - dallas, texas 
i wish you love, i wish you luck
for you, the world just opens up
- “i’ll always remember you” by hannah montana
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dallas. The time is currently 12:26 p.m. and the current temperature outside is a very toasty 91 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Clementine tunes out after that. 91 degrees? She’s gonna die when she gets out of the airport. 
As soon as she exits the plane, she follows the signs to the baggage claim, waiting for her luggage that isn’t only for this next week, but is for the entire summer as well before she returns to UCLA in the fall. After the draft, she’s heading back to Massachusetts to work in a clinic for the summer. 
Fuck, she just had her last final three days ago. She feels like it never stops. Sometimes she wishes it would. 
But she shakes her head to herself, watching as her bag comes closer. None of that now. She’s about to celebrate one of her favorite people making their dream come true. She smiles to herself as she wheels her suitcase and adjusts the straps of her backpack, not quite running but pretty close to it as she walks through the arrivals terminal of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. 
“Clementine!” She whips her head over to see Ellen’s unmistakable blonde hair and wide smile, waving enthusiastically. Next to her is Maeve, her own mother with a more subdued smile, her carry-on suitcase beside her. They had scheduled their flights so that they’d land around the same time. To Clementine’s absolute delight, she sees Jack and Luke right before Luke comes flying at her. 
“Oof,” she groans as Luke hugs her tightly, burying his head into her shoulder. “God. You need to stop growing.”
“Never,” he mutters into her neck before letting go with a bright smile. “Hi Clemmy!”
She grins back. “Hi Lukey. I’ve missed you.”
“My turn!” She laughs as Jack shoves his brother aside and sways her around. He messed up her hair before pulling away. “I’m so pumped you’re here.”
“Me too, Jackson.” Both moms finally get to where they are and she hugs Ellen before hugging her own mother. “When did you land?”
“About an hour ago.”
Clementine cringes. “Yeah, we were delayed back at LAX. Sorry.”
Ellen waves her apology away as they start heading out of the airport, Jack grabbing her suitcase and Luke grabbing Maeve’s. “No worries. We’re just excited you both are here.”
“El, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Maeve says. And her mom’s right, Clementine thinks. Quinn’s getting drafted into the NHL. She can’t remember a time when this wasn’t his dream. 
“How have you been? How’s college?” Jack asks. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.”
“We literally all FaceTimed last week,” Luke says while avoiding Jack’s slap. 
“It’s not the same,” Jack whines. Clementine rolls her eyes at his tone, but he kinda has a point. FaceTimes and texts are never the same as their in-person debriefs, which have become fewer and more in-depth since all four of them are in different-ish places now (though Jack and Luke technically still live under the same roof and Quinn isn’t that far). 
Clementine feels a pang in her heart, knowing that the amount of debriefs will only get fewer and fewer as the years go on. 
“College is good,” she automatically squints against the sun the second they get outside. “Same old, same old. Didn’t fail any classes somehow, which is always a win.”
Ellen snorts. “Honey, you’re literally the smartest girl I know. I don’t think failing is in your vocabulary.”
“No, literally.” Luke adds. 
“Aw, not true. Thank you, but not true. And this weekend isn’t about me.” Clementine whips out her arm in front of Jack’s front so that he doesn’t get run over by a car. “I didn’t expect to see you two until dinner.”
Jack shrugs. “We were gonna tag along with Dad, but we already did to some of his stuff yesterday and it was so boring.”
Clementine snorts. “Well, he’s technically kind of working this weekend, no?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would be that boring,” Jack says. 
“You two better get used to it then,” she swings an arm around both Jack and Luke’s shoulders. “Especially you, Jacky. This is gonna be you next year.”
Jack groans, but Clementine knows he secretly loves it. “Ugh. Don’t remind me. You’re gonna be here, right?”
“Where?”
“Next year. At the draft.”
“What? Of course I will.” How dare he think differently? “And whenever Luke’s is. You guys are silly for thinking otherwise.”
“But what if you’re too busy saving lives?”
“It doesn't matter where I am. I’ll be there,” Clementine promises, as they all climb into the car. 
“Clem’s right, boys.” Maeve says, turning around from the passenger seat as Ellen starts the engine. “You can’t get rid of us that easily.” Luke responds by putting his chin on Maeve’s shoulder as she reaches up to tap his cheek fondly. “Have you all gotten the chance to see Quinn much?”
“Here and there,” Ellen says. “Media and last minute meetings with teams have been keeping him busy though.”
Clementine has naturally always known more about the hockey world than the average person purely from her circumstances, but within the last month or so — mostly when she’s been procrastinating on studying for final exams — she’s been poking around online to see people’s pre-draft predictions. Obviously, she knows they’re just speculations, but she wanted to get an idea of what the general world has been thinking of Quinn. She thinks he’s the best at everything, but she’s aware she’s incredibly biased. 
She hasn’t really talked to Quinn, or the other two, about it, knowing that it’s all they’ve been thinking or hearing about and there’s no use adding onto the noise. But Clementine wants to be prepared. From her research, people have Quinn going to places from Arizona to Vancouver to Ottawa. She’s seen Detroit a good amount. One or two said New York or Chicago. 
But at the end of the day, truly, it doesn't matter. For her at least. He’s getting drafted into the National Hockey League and Clementine brought two waterproof mascaras to prepare. 
“God, El.” Maeve puts a hand on her best friend’s shoulder. “You must be so proud.”
“It’s definitely a big week,” Ellen says. Jack puts his head on Clementine’s shoulder because she somehow ended up in the middle seat. But she doesn’t shove him off like she usually would. 
Every time she sees these boys — this family — again, she feels more grateful to have them.
“Thanks for picking us up,” Clementine says. “You really didn’t have to.”
“Oh, it was nothing.” Ellen says. “Now tell us about college, honey. Only one more year to go! Well, of undergrad at least.”
…..
Later that night, they’re about to go inside a nice restaurant for dinner when Clementine squeals, launching herself at Quinn. She feels his laughter as she squeezes tight and she holds on longer than normal. 
“Hey Clem,” he says. 
She pulls back and smiles, before hugging him again. “Hi Q.”
“It’s so good to see you,” he says, as Clementine lets go to let him hug Maeve, who sways him. Clementine thinks she sees her mother’s eyes water. 
Clementine turns to beam at Jim. “Hi Jimmy!”
“Hey sunshine,” he says with a laugh, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek. “Glad you and your mom made it.”
“Of course.” They all file into the restaurant and take their seats. She sits inbetween Quinn and Ellen with Jack directly across from her. She narrows her eyes when he kicks her foot and purposefully avoids her eye contact. 
She turns to Quinn with a wide smile. “Look at you. You’re such a star.”
Quinn laughs nervously. “What are you talking about?”
“We’re here. In Dallas. To watch you get drafted. This is a big deal!”
“Are you gonna cry?” Luke teases. 
Clementine snorts. “Of course I am. Stupid question, Lukey. I’m gonna be crying all weekend.” She wraps an arm around Quinn and leans in for a side hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to come to see you play at Michigan this year. I’ll try my best next season.”
“What?” Quinn asks, genuinely confused. “It’s okay. I-I didn’t expect you to. You’re busy at school.”
She shrugs, thanking the waitress for pouring out her glass of water before turning back to Quinn. “I want to, though. Jack and Luke and even Trevor keep texting me that I need to come to one.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Quinn says. And Clementine knows he means it too, the sweet boy. “I’m serious. You already stream the games and that’s completely unnecessary.”
“Sorry I want to support my best friend slash brother.”
Quinn pouts, “Well now I feel like an asshole.”
Clementine just smirks as everyone looks over the menu.
Dinner is simply wonderful. The food is yummy but the company is even better, as she finds herself laughing loudly at all of Ellen’s classic stories and Maeve bouncing off of her old friend seamlessly. Clementine just giggles under her breath as she watches Jim sit there in amusement and sometimes exasperation, ordering a second beer before their main courses even come. The boys are the boys, lively as ever and filled with love. The feeling of anticipation and excitement in the air has Clementine just putting her chin on her hand, observing the love around her. 
Her father would’ve loved this. 
As if he knows that she’s about to go too deep in her thoughts, Luke pulls on her ponytail. She shoots him a look as she’s swallowing her bite of gnocchi. “What?”
He beams. “Nothing.”
She rolls her eyes, but smiles nonetheless. Luke will always be her baby, but it’s moments like this when she realizes that he’s growing up so fast. As Quinn laughs at something his dad said and she watches Luke’s eyes drift towards him, she bites her lip. Soon enough, it’ll be Luke in his oldest brother’s shoes seeing what team will draft him. 
She blinks as a hand waves in front of her. “Earth to Clee,” Jack says. 
“What’s up?”
Jack gives her a hopeful look. “Can I try some of your pasta?”
“Cut me a piece of your steak and then we’ll talk.”
…..
The next few days, Clementine and her mom explore Dallas. Ellen, Jack and Luke join them when they can, Jim comes on the rare time that he doesn’t have meetings and Quinn is just too busy to join at all. Clementine’s surprised Ellen, Jack and Luke are even tagging along with them. But she welcomes it. 
Until Jack is nudging her way too close to the edge of the sidewalk and she stumbles. Luke just laughs and both Ellen and Maeve don’t see it because they’re walking up ahead. Assholes. 
The day of the draft comes quickly, and her and her mom are staying in the same hotel the Hughes family is. They get ready right after lunch, as Maeve and Clementine take charge of being the communication liaison for the rest of the Hughes family who’s here on this special day to let Ellen and Jim handle what they need to. Ever since the day Ellen introduced Maeve to her family, Maeve’s become one of them. Clementine smiles as she watches Geegs, Ellen’s mom, and her mom hug, opening her own arms happily when it’s her turn. 
“Hi Sweetie.”
“Hi Geegs,” she lets the older woman place her hands on her cheeks. 
“You look more like your father the older you get. Beautiful.”
Clementine swallows as she reaches up to squeeze her pseudo-grandma’s wrists, before turning to greet the various other family members. Most of them she knows, some she doesn’t. Many she hasn’t seen since she went to college. 
She volunteers to wait downstairs for everyone to come while her mom makes a few trips to and from the hotel room where Ellen, Jim, Quinn, Jack and Luke are. Once she’s 99% sure everyone is at the hotel, she makes the trip up to the room herself. In the elevator mirror, she glances at her outfit. A blush pink wrap dress with white heeled sandals. She’s decided to keep her hair down, a hair elastic around her wrist that will no doubt be used the second she steps outside into the Dallas heat. Earrings that Ellen gave her for her 18th birthday are dangling from her ears.
And of course, the three friendship bracelets tied around her left wrist. They don’t match any part of her outfit, but it doesn’t matter. She rubs over them with her right thumb as the elevator door opens. 
When she knocks on the door, it’s swung open immediately by one of their many cousins. Emily, who can’t be more than five years old, immediately wraps her arms around Clementine’s legs.
Clementine laughs, maneuvering carefully so that she can shut the door behind her before bending down to fully hug the girl. “Hi Em.”
“Hi Clee!”
“How are you?” Clementine stands back up. “You look so pretty.”
“Thank you,” Emily reaches out to tug at Clementine’s hand and she obliges. “Everyone’s been looking for you.”
“Really?” Clementine asks skeptically as she follows the young girl down the short hallway.
“Well, maybe just me.” They come to a stop and there’s a big call of her name echoed throughout the room. Clementine smiles bashfully. The Hughes extended family has always been nice to her, but this isn’t her day. She eyes the camera out of the corner of her eye and blinks.
Sometimes she forgets that the three boys she calls her brothers have outside attention on them. Which is dumb, because duh. But she forgets they’re not just… Quinny, Jacky and Lukey. 
Though today, out of all days, nothing will let her forget. She thinks she’s okay with that. 
The sound of Luke calling out her name puts her a bit more at ease. “I was starting to think you got lost.” She rolls her eyes, ignoring him as she gets pulled into hugs. 
She eventually stops in front of her mother, who just raises an eyebrow and lowers her voice. “You have the cufflinks?”
She nods, blindly reaching into her purse and feeling around for her small gift for Quinn. “Yeah. I’ll give it to him when he starts getting dressed.”
Jim, who overhears the exchange between mother and daughter, eyes them suspiciously. “Cufflinks? Mae, you already got him-”
“Not from me,” Maeve sings with a mischievous smile. “Technically, this one is all Clem.” Jim rolls his eyes as Clementine smiles innocently, before she gets pulled into a conversation with Lara, one of the aunts. 
She notices immediately when Quinn is ducking into the attached bedroom to change and quickly scurries in his direction. She stops in the doorway, watching as Quinn starts unzipping the garment bag that’s holding the suit that Maeve gifted him for this very day. “You have a second?” Clementine says. 
Quinn turns around quickly with a small smile. “Of course.” Clementine walks in and reaches into the outside pocket, taking out the small black pouch. Immediately, Quinn is shaking his head. “Clem, no.”
“You don’t even know what it is!”
“I don’t have to. Clem, the fact that you’re here and I’m wearing a suit your mom made me. That’s enough. That’s more than enough.”
Clementine pouts, “It’s never enough. Open it.” With a skeptical look, he carefully takes the pouch for her hands and opens it. He gently lays the cufflinks out on the palm of his hand. They’re silver, a Q and an H written out in cursive on each. “It’s nothing too crazy, but-”
“It’s perfect,” Quinn breathes out. He closes his fest and looks up, pulling Clementine into a very tight hug. “Thank you so much.”
She can feel herself starting to tear up. Dammit. “I’m so…god, I don’t know.”
He pulls away and laughs. “You’re already crying?”
“I’m trying not to,” she whines, watching as he puts the cufflinks back into the pouch and places them on a nearby table. She clears her throat. “I’ll let you get ready.”
She smiles at him one last time before turning around to walk out of the room. “Clem?” He says. 
She whips her head back around. “Yeah?”
“I love you.” 
She swallows and puts a hand up. “Don’t,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady. He laughs and she laughs with him. “I love you too, Quinny. So much.”
He nods and she leaves the room and enters the other bedroom. Immediately, she’s met with Jack. He takes one look at her watery eyes and cackles. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
Jack’s eyes widen as he clasps his watch around his wrist. “Little ears!”
“You’re a big boy. You can handle it.” She sits down on the edge of the bed across from him, eyeing his formal attire. Only his blazer is missing. She softens. “You look great.”
Jack beams. “Thanks, Clee! You do too.”
“You think?” She says playfully, smoothing down her dress. 
“Yes,” he says genuinely, causing her to look at him. “You look beautiful.”
She just smiles, making grabby hands at him. Jack obliges, collapsing into her for a tight hug that has a tear falling down Clementine’s face. A few other ones slip out as Luke walks in and immediately wraps himself around the two. 
The ride to the arena is quick, Maeve in charge of driving her daughter, Aunt Lara, Uncle Rich and Emily. Once they’re parked, Maeve sees a text from Ellen saying that that the Hughes family who were riding on the bus also just got there and asks if she and Clementine can meet them for a second before they all go their separate ways — the Hughes family to their spots and the others to the designed family and friends area on the other side of the arena. Maeve furrows her eyebrows, muttering about what her old friend could possibly want, but obliges.
Clementine hears the crowd before she sees them, knowing that Quinn is somewhere in the thrall. Before Clementine and Maeve can be confused about where they go, they see Ellen waving them over. 
“What’s up? Did you forget something?” Maeve asks. 
Ellen shakes her head with a smile. Suspicious. “No. Come on. They just opened the doors.”
“What?” Maeve and Clementine ask in unison as they follow Ellen. 
“Surprise! You two are sitting with us.”
“El-”
“Nope,” Ellen glares at Maeve. “No arguments. Quinn wanted you both with him when his name gets called, and it’s his day, so what he says goes.”
Clementine snorts. Dirty move pulling that. But she knows Ellen knows exactly what she’s doing. 
“Are you sure?” Clementine asks softly. 
Ellen pulls her into a side hug as they walk into the building together. “Of course, honey. You’re family. You know that.”
The only three people who are actually in their seats when the three of them go up to their row are Jack, Luke and Geegs, who all just smile and direct them both to their designated seats — Clementine inbetween Jack and Geegs while Maeve is inbetween Ellen and Jim. Maeve sits on the other side of Geegs, the seat momentarily open and Ellen immediately leaves because she’s getting signaled to do media.
Thank god that she doesn’t have to do that, Clementine thinks. She thinks she’d rather die. 
Clementina takes her seat and narrows her eyes playfully at Jack and Luke. “You little secret keepers.”
Luke laughs as Jack smirks. “Good to see you again.”
“Yeah,” she breathes out, looking around and taking in her surroundings for the first time. “This is bananas.”
“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Luke says. And yeah, it is cool. And wonderful. But also scary? And Clementine’s not the one being drafted. 
Clementine sees Quinn and the Tkachuk brothers coming up to where they are. She’s only met Brady and Matthew a handful of times, but everytime has been as lovely as the last. Brady is immediately occupied by Jack and Luke so Clementine turns to Matthew, standing up and giving him a quick hug. 
“Hey Clementine. Long time no see,” Matthew says into her ear. 
Clementine chuckles. “Hi Matty. It’s good to see you.”
“You look beautiful. Most stunning woman in the room.”
She rolls her eyes. Fucking charmer. “The flirting didn’t work when we were 17. It’s not gonna work when we’re 20.”
Matthew pouts playfully. “At least I tried.” He smiles genuinely. “You excited? It’s a big day.”
“Yeah. It’s quite something.” They both look at Quinn and Brady and she nudges Matthew. “Big day for you guys too. I bet your parents are excited.”
“Yeah, they are. I’m sure you’ll see them later. Last I heard you were in college?”
“I am. Just finished my junior year at UCLA. One more to go.”
Matthew whistles. “Damn. You still wanna be a doctor?”
“That’s the plan.”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “Smartest Hughes by far.” She just shoves his shoulder playfully.
“Clem!” Brady interrupts them by corralling her into a hug, causing Matthew to almost fall. 
Clementine giggles. “Hey Brady. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Brady beams. Clementine finds him absolutely endearing. 
“Whatever team calls your name is lucky to have you.” Brady just keeps smiling and it’s so damn infectious.
Ellen and Jim return and Brady and Matthew take that as a signal that they should head back to their seats. Clementine smiles as the boys all exchange hugs — Quinn and Brady’s lasting longer than all the others — and settles back into her seat. Geegs offers her a bottle of water and Clementine thanks her with a grin. 
“I’m nervous,” she mutters to Geegs, so the boys can’t hear and make fun of her. 
“Me too, sweetie.” She says, patting her leg in such a grandmotherly way that makes Clementine miss her own. She catches Clementine looking down the row at Jack, Luke and Quinn, in that order and takes her hand to squeeze it. “They’re always gonna need you, you know?”
She whips her head back, Geegs with a light smile on her face. “What do you mean?” Clementine asks. 
“It doesn’t matter what team all three of them will eventually get drafted to, they’re always gonna need their big sister.” 
Immediately, Clementine shakes her head, trying not to fucking cry at an event that has nothing to do with her. “They’ve been doing just fine on their own.”
“Sweetie.” Geegs just says, looking at her with that look. 
And Clementine realizes the last time she saw that look, three years ago, a day before she was on a flight to LA, her father dying nine months prior but it feeling like yesterday. She had broken down in her childhood bedroom in Toronto, where everyone was downstairs about to have a farewell dinner to send her off. Geegs had seen her first before getting Maeve and Ellen, and then the three women were just holding Clementine and letting her cry. She had gone on a ramble about leaving home and going to LA and how she misses her dad and how her brothers are going to be so far away and are gonna forget about her. It was a lot for her at that time and the three most important women in her life helped her through it. 
She just leans her head on Geegs’s shoulder, before placing a kiss on her cheek. “Love you.”
“Love you too, sweet girl.” 
Geegs is about to say more before Jack starts incessantly tapping on Clementine’s shoulder. She rolls her eyes but catches Geegs’s knowing look before turning. “What?” Jack pouts at the snap in her tone and Clementine sighs. “Oh don’t give me that.”
“Why not? It works everytime.”
“What’s up?”
He just nudges her shoulder. “Just, I don’t know, wanna make sure you’re good.”
Clementine smiles, leaning her head on his shoulder as he rests his arm around the back of her seat. “I’m perfect.”
“You sure?”
She bites her lip. “Yeah. I just, I don’t know, not trying to bring down the mood but, I wish Dad was here, you know? He would’ve loved all this.”
Jack swallows and she feels him lean his head atop of hers. “Yeah,” he breathes out. “I was thinking that this morning, when we were all at the hotel and everything. I wish he was here too.”
She sneaks a look at Quinn, who’s chatting with his mom. “He would’ve been so proud.”
Jack hums. “Love you, Clee.”
It’s the second time she’s heard that from someone in the Hughes family in two minutes, but it still makes her emotional all the same. “Love you too, Jacky.” She breathes out and tries to gather herself. “God, can we get this show on the road? I’m getting antsy.”
Jack snorts. “Already? It’s gonna be a long night for you then.”
She narrows her eyes. “Careful. If you want me to sneak you a sip of alcohol later, you have to be nice to me.”
Jack huffs. “I can’t wait until the day I’m legal. The drinking age being 19 here is ruining my vibe.”
“Got a couple more years until that, buddy.” And then the arena lights start dimming and a tribute for the Humboldt Broncos tragedy starts. 
It begins. 
When Quinn’s name gets called seventh overall to the Vancouver Canucks, Clementine jumps out of her seat and immediately starts crying as she watches him hug his brothers, before hugging her tightly.
“I’m so proud of you, Q.” She mutters into his shoulder.
“Thanks, Clem.”
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” And she lets go to let him hug his grandmother. 
Clementine catches Ellen’s gaze right after Quinn hugs his mother and they share a watery smile, as she watches Maeve squeeze Quinn and kiss him on the cheek. As she watches him go down the stairs and give Brady a hug — she cheered extra loud when Ottawa called his name out earlier — she takes a deep shaky breath but laughs when Luke urges her to take Quinn’s seat. She sits down and squeezes Ellen’s hand, before Ellen kisses her on the cheek. 
Clementine is so overwhelmed and proud and excited for what’s to come, while also being very emotional about how much hard work it took for Quinn to get here. She’s had a front seat on seeing him grow up and it’s been the most incredible ride. 
Later, when they finally all meet up with Quinn again at one of the suites in the arena, she’s about half a vodka cranberry in and just watches all his admirers greet him, the Canucks jersey and hat adorning him nicely. When he finally comes up to her, she beams. 
Quinn laughs as he hugs her, “Already starting to drink?”
“It’s a big day,” she says, pulling away to look him up and down. “Holy shit, dude.”
“Careful. I’m mic’ed up.”
She rolls her eyes. “They can bleep that out. I’m so happy for you. How you feeling?”
“Good, good.” That’s all the words they exchange before other family members rightfully step in to offer their congratulations.
She knows it won’t fully sink in until later, probably when he makes his NHL debut. But what a special day that will live in Clementine’s memory forever.
(It’s not until they’re transferring the celebration to a nearby restaurant / bar does Clementine remember. She literally stops in her tracks, and Quinn, who’s walking beside her and was talking about all the media stuff he had to do, looks at her, confused. 
“Everything good?” He asks. 
Clementine digs into her purse to pull out an envelope. “Yeah. I just almost forgot.”
He takes the envelope, still confused. “What’s this?”
“It’s from Dad.” Quinn blinks at the familiar scribble of his name. “I’ve been keeping it safe this whole time.”
“Fuck, Clem. I-what’s in it?”
She shrugs. “Whatever he wanted to say to you during this moment. I got one when I graduated high school. I’m almost certain your parents probably got theirs today or will eventually from my mom.” She smiles sadly as Quinn sniffs, still staring at the envelope. “Read it later,” she urges softly. “It’ll still be there tomorrow.”
Quinn nods, putting it inside his suit jacket as they continue walking. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best.” He pauses for a few seconds before hugging Clementine the tightest he’s hugged her today. “Thank you.”
“I’m just the messenger,” Clementine says, but she hugs him back. “I know he’s so proud of you, wherever he is.”
Quinn just nods into her shoulder and Clementine feels like they’re kids again)
2019 - los angeles, california
you’re the only friend i need
sharing beds like little kids
and laughing till our ribs get tired
but that will never be enough
- “ribs” by lorde
Clementine’s trying to stifle a yawn as the speeches start. At least they got over the majority of the speeches yesterday during all-university commencement. 
She knows her mom, Ellen and Jim are in the crowd somewhere, from the selfie she got from them as she was waiting to walk to her seat. Thankfully it’s not that hot out, especially for LA, otherwise she’d be more restless than she already is in her lace white dress. Having a ceremony outside is kinda nice, actually, especially with the wind brushing around her legs. 
She walks on the stage, shakes the dean’s hand, gets her diploma and doesn’t faceplant at all, so she takes that as a win. She cheers for her friends when they walk across, and she’s still trying to wrap her head around the fact that four years have gone by so slowly yet so quickly. It’s been filled with great and tough moments, but she’s grateful despite it all. 
They throw their hats up and she embraces her friends, thinking about how they’re all gonna be spread out around the country in just a few months. Clementine’s staying in California, at least, heading to Stanford for medical school in the fall, but it’ll be so different. 
But that’s the beauty of it all, right?
After exchanging a few texts with her mom to establish a meeting place, she briskly walks over to the area, eager to see her family. But she stops in her tracks when she sees Quinn, Jack and Luke. 
They’re not supposed to be here. She blinks, wondering if she’s imagining it. But she hears Luke scream her name and it’s real. All in various colors of a button up and slacks and they’re fucking here. 
“Oh my god,” she says to herself before running over — as fast as she can in these heels — and absolutely crashing into Luke. Her cap falls off but she can’t even care. Jack’s next and hearing his laugh so close to her ear makes her fully start sobbing. By the time Quinn is swaying her side to side and handing her a huge bouquet of flowers “from all three of us,” she’s afraid her eyeliner is ruined. 
She quickly hugs her mom, Ellen and Jim, accepting two more smaller bouquets and turns back to the boys. “You guys are not-how are you here?”
“This was the plan all along,” Quinn laughs. “Come on, Clem. We weren’t gonna miss this.”
“B-but you’re supposed to be, I don’t know, somewhere! Jack, you’re supposed to be doing whatever the hell people do a week before their draft. And Luke, I swear you told me you had a tournament.”
Everyone’s laughing at her disbelief. “Just a few white lies here and there,” Jack says with a proud smile. “Quinn’s right. We wouldn’t miss this.”
“Congratulations, Clemmy!” Luke beams and Clementine wants to squeeze his fucking cheeks. “You didn’t trip walking across the stage.”
“And isn’t that a relief,” Jim jokes. 
Clementines points at the parents in mock accusation after adjusting her hold on all the flowers and her diploma. “You guys knew about this all along, didn’t you?”
“Of course we did,” Maeve rolls her eyes with a grin. “They’ve been planning this for months. Jack literally said he wouldn’t go to Worlds if it was at the same time as your graduation.”
She whacks him lightly across the back of his head with her diploma. “Stupid.”
“Hey!” Jack whines, rubbing the back of his head. 
“Okay, pictures! Before Clem completely cries her makeup off.” Ellen exclaims as they all laugh. Pictures take way too long but Clementine can’t even complain, even when Jack blows raspberries on her and she wants to strangle him. 
As they all walk around campus, Clementine giving an unofficial tour, she points out her old residences, where she used to study, where she’s cried, where she’s laughed. This campus means so much to her and houses so many memories that they’re not a part of. She also gets updates since the last time she saw them over her brief winter break. Luke officially committed to the NTDP, Quinn made his debut with the Canucks that she’s still upset she couldn’t make it for, both Quinn and Jack went to the World Championships, not to mention that Jack’s draft is literally in a week.  
They’re so interested in hearing about her last semester of college and congratulate her officially on Stanford even though Clementine thinks that’s nothing compared to what they’re accomplishing. She voices that, and Quinn immediately gives her a disapproving look that is kinda funny coming from someone younger than her and Luke rolls his eyes with the bold sass of a 15 year old.
Maybe that’s a good thing, Clementine thinks as Jack starts saying how he always talks to his friends about how his “smart, cool older sister” is gonna be a doctor and go to one of the top schools in the country. They all have their talents and they see each other’s accomplishments as the coolest thing in the world. 
She knows not everyone has that kind of support system. She is so blessed that she does, especially today. 
She’s surprised even more when she’s told her mom booked a reservation for one of her favorite farm to table places nearby for dinner, and she indulges herself with two glasses of wine, turning a blind eye when Quinn sneaks a sip. She glares when Luke tries though. Quinn’s at least closer to legal age. 
As she gets healthily tipsy, giggling at every single thing being said and Quinn subtly filling up her glass of water, a tear slips out again. Luckily, no one notices because she wipes it away very quickly.
Everything’s moving so fast. She wishes it would slow down. 
2019 - vancouver, british columbia 
slow down, you’re doing fine
you can’t be everything you wanna be before your time
although it’s so romantic on the borderline tonight
- “vienna” by billy joel
Clementine likes to think she’s more prepared this time around. But deep down, she asks herself if she really is. 
The vibe leading up to this draft compared to last year has been a bit different. While there was a good amount of focus on Quinn last year, it’s ramped so much higher this time around for Jack. She’s heard all about the hype. The draft of the Americans. The draft where Jack’s projected to go first.
And she really applauds Jack for handling it as well as he has. Clementine turns 22 in two weeks and she doesn’t think she could be as collected as Jack is at 18. But then again, all three brothers have been preparing for something like this their whole lives. 
Her and her mother are sitting with the family again with the draftees and this time it’s not a surprise. Maeve once again bought Jack’s suit and Clementine gifted him a watch this morning, and also gave him the letter from Miguel because she vowed to herself that she wouldn’t almost forget like she did for Quinn’s. Jack had just given her the longest hug. 
Jack’s been smiles all morning, confidence radiating off his skin. Clementine knows that most of that is genuine  — Jack has always worn his fearlessness the most outwardly compared to his brothers. So when he says he isn’t nervous, she believes him.
At least this time she has a clearer idea of where Jack will be. It’s either going to be New Jersey or New York. She, and everyone in the hockey world, would be shocked if he ended up in Chicago. 
New Jersey would be extra special. Her dad grew up there. So she hopes all the prediction articles she’s read are correct.
So now here they are. A different country and arena this time around. She’s sitting next to Luke and Geegs and there’s a lot more media that’s paying attention to them. Like right now, where it’s only her and Geegs at their seats because the entire Hughes family is doing media. Being on the bus with them this time around instead of driving to the arena herself, Clementine got more of a look into the behind the scenes stuff before the draft starts. She watched with pride as Jack walked down the carpet, signing autographs and probably charming every single person out there. 
As she walked into Rogers Arena, she got more nervous, smoothing down her olive green dress with her sweaty palms. She’s wearing the same white sandals she wore last year because of some sentimental thought she had in her head while figuring out her outfit. Friendship bracelets are on, hair is fully up this time in a high curled ponytail and her head’s all over the place.
But she also is distracted as Jack has wanted to introduce her to everyone. She’s met a lot of the kids in the program at least once, but it’s been awhile and it feels like she’s meeting them again. Everyone except for Alex, who has crashed some of Jack’s FaceTimes with her since he’s lived with the Hughes’ the last two years. Because of that, she’s inadvertently adopted him as another younger brother of sorts. Cole has the widest smile on his face and Clementine just wants to put him in her pocket. Trevor’s laugh is so contagious that Clementine understands why Jack always says him and Trevor are almost the same person. 
As she watches all of them together, she feels sad that she’s had to miss out on stuff like this, watching her younger brothers find their friends and their way and her only appearing in the stories the boys tell but not actually being in the stories. But what can she do? She chose to go to California for school. She’s choosing to stay in California for school. All with their full support and encouragement. 
That doesn’t mean she can’t be sad that she’s missing things back home. Wherever that is.
She snaps herself out of it though, those pangs of sadness she’s felt throughout the morning. It’s not fair on her emotions that she literally just packed her own stuff up from UCLA a week ago and now is here for one of Jack’s biggest moments. He’s so excited. She doesn’t want to cloud that. 
Jack’s ability to be so happy and excited is one of the best things about him.
Once everyone’s back to their seats, she’s bouncing her leg. Without looking, Quinn just puts a hand on her thigh to calm her down and she wonders for the 100th time in the last week when the fuck he got so observant and mature. 
(He always has been. Clementine’s just in a state of constant denial lately.) 
Jack gets picked first overall to the New Jersey Devils and Clementine, to no one’s surprise, starts crying. 
“Let’s go, baby!” He practically screams into her ear as he hugs her.
She laughs through her tears. “Congrats, Jacky. Love you.”
“Love you more, Clee.”
Jack walks down and makes his way onto the stage and Clementine is having the most intense case of deja vu in her life. Maeve hands her a tissue and she knows that some camera is capturing her wiping her eyes carefully. Hopefully the camera captures her whacking Quinn as he makes fun of her as well. She puts her hands over her heart watching Jack shake Gary Bettman’s hand. She can feel her dad’s love and happiness as if he’s here. 
And maybe he is, even if not physically. He’s here somewhere.  
(Hearing “Coming Home” by Diddy - Dirty Money and Skylar Grey playing as Jack walked down had Clementine wanting to slam her head through a wall. She knows Jack probably didn’t put too much thought into the song, but as she hears Skylar’s voice crooning on about letting the rain wash the pain away and coming home and forgiving mistakes, what else is she supposed to feel?)
She watches one by one as Jack’s friends get drafted with a big smile while enjoying the quiet commentary that Jim is offering. She’s still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Jack will probably be playing in the NHL this year and she still clearly remembers him hiding her shoes when they were younger. 
Clementine laughs as Jack launches himself at her when she sees him later, laughs even more when he and his buddies are being stupid and so boy-like that it makes her heart ache. At some point, someone has control of the aux and “The Spins” by Mac Miller starts playing and Clementine feels fond. Quinn appears beside her and she leans into him. 
“Is this how you feel all the time when you see us?” He asks. 
She breathes out. “Yup.” 
“I don’t know how you do it.”
“Me neither, Q.” 
He chuckles. “The curse of being an older sibling.”
“You have no fucking idea.” 
“The first thought I had when his name was called was that Miguel would’ve screamed.” 
She snorts. “Probably true. I gave Jack his letter this morning.”
“I know. I accidentally walked in just as he was finishing reading it.” He pauses suddenly. “Will you come watch when I come to play the Sharks?” 
She looks over at the vulnerable look in his eyes. “Of course.” She realizes then where Quinn’s fears are going. Michigan is only an hour and a half away from Jersey by plane, while Vancouver is four hours away by plane. She’s gonna be the closest to him out of the seven of them. “Of course I will, Quinn. Always.”
“Thanks,” Quinn replies, voice a bit rough. She just presses a kiss to his cheek.
…..
The next morning, Clementine’s woken up by a knock on the door. She groans, but the knocks keep happening so she kicks herself off the bed, throws on a UCLA sweatshirt over herself and opens the door. Jack’s standing at the doorway, hair all over the place and t-shirt and shorts wrinkly. 
“What the fuck, Jack?” She asks bluntly. 
“Sorry.” At least he looks apologetic. “Shit, sorry. I’m just a bit restless.”
“Get in. Quietly. We can talk on the balcony.” Jack gives her a thankful smile as he follows her into the room. They tiptoe past so that Maeve doesn’t wake up, Clementine grabbing her phone along the way. 
She groans as he closes the balcony door and she sinks down into one of the seats. “Jack, it’s 8 in the goddamn morning. Did you not see Ellen and I knocking back shots yesterday?”
Jack snorts. “Who didn’t? I’m pretty sure at least 10 people were filming.”
“What can I say? Your family and friends think I’m entertaining.” She yawns. “What’s up, superstar? What’s got your mind racing at this ungodly hour?”
He shrugs and Clementine wants to roll her eyes. But her semi-awake brain reminds her that this is how all three of them, but especially Jack, has always been. When there’s something bothering him, she always gives him time and lets him come to her. 
A few minutes of silence, before:
“I’m not in over my head, right?”
“About?”
“Everything.”
Clementine blinks. Frankly, she’s too tired and hungover to be a big sister right now. But she’ll try her best. “Jack Rowden Hughes. Don’t tell me you were just drafted number one in the National Hockey League, which is something that had been predicted for at least two years now, and are telling me you’re in over your head.”
He flinches. “Don’t full name me. It’s too early for that.”
She kicks him in the ribs. “You’re a good player, Jack. Which is honestly probably an understatement. I’ve seen you play since you were literally a child. It’s almost freaky how good you are.”
“But you have to say that.”
“I don’t have to say anything,” Clementine says. “I don’t have the time and energy to be bullshitting people anymore, especially you.”
Jack looks down at his hands. “I guess the expectations have always been there, especially recently. But it’s so much more now and that’s kinda scary, Clee.”
“Everything new is always gonna be scary,” Clementine says softly, the breeze waving with her words. “Always. I don’t care how ready for it you’ve been. I’ve been wanting to be a doctor since I was 16. You think I’m not scared to go to Stanford in the fall?”
He furrows his eyebrows. “B-but you’re so smart. You’re gonna be fine.”
“And you’re so talented. So you’re gonna be fine.” She says pointedly. “Realistically, no one can predict the future. Of course I hope that you and Quinn have a great rookie year and a long, successful career ahead of you. Same with Lukey when it’s his turn. But inevitably, there’s gonna be hard moments. That’s just life. You and I both know that. Hell, we’ve been through that together. Will people talk shit about your hard moments more than mine? Yeah, unfortunately, which I hate and wish I could change. But those people, you need to remember, don’t know you. The people who do know you and who love you whether you have skates on your feet or not? Those are the people you should be listening to. And we all love you and are so, so proud of you, Jacky.”
He scooches his chair over and leans his head on her shoulder. “How do you always know what to say?”
“I think I’ve known you all long enough just to know what to say so that you’ll listen to me.” She plays with his hair, staring out into the harbor the hotel borders. “You got all the time in the world to be who you want to be, Jack. And maybe sometimes that requires being in your head a bit. But you’ll come out okay in the end. You always have.”
She swears she feels a few of his tears drip onto her shirt. “I love you, Clee. I know I say it a lot but I mean it everytime.”
“I know you do.”
“I cried when you got your diploma last week.”
“I know. Luke told me.”
“Traitor,” he says with no heat. He throws his legs over her lap and tucks himself into her. “I-I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she parrots back.
He looks up at her from where he’s tucked his head under her chin and Clementine smiles sadly. He looks so young when he does that. He pouts. “You look sad.”
“I’m not sad.” 
He gives her a look. “Clementine Ana Sandoval.”
“Hey. You can’t do that,” she protests weakly. He waits. “I’m not sad, really. It’s just been an emotional week. In a happy way.”
“You can still be emotional in a happy way and be sad.”
She smiles. “I guess you’re right.” She kisses the top of his head. “I am so proud of you, Jack. Truly. I love you so much.”
“I love you the most, Clee. I’m serious.”
She looks at him with a smile, because she knows there’s just no way. He smiles back brightly in the morning light. 
His lips quiver and she frowns. “We’re gonna be so far apart now.” He whispers.
“We haven’t lived close to each other in awhile.”
“But it’s gonna be even farther.”
“Like I told Quinn, whenever you come play at San Jose, I’ll be there. I promise.”
“And what if I need you other times?”
“When have you called me and I haven’t picked up? Or haven’t called back within the hour?” Silence from him, because he knows she has a point. “Doesn’t matter how far apart we are. I’ll always be there for you.”
He nods, once to indicate that he heard, twice to inject those words into his veins. He kisses her cheek and she bites her lip. She’ll always love him. 
(They end up dozing off. Maeve wakes up and is very confused when she looks to see her daughter’s empty bed. Her gaze shifts to the balcony beyond the glass door and she smiles, watching Clementine and Jack’s chests fall and rise in sync. 
Maeve snaps a picture and sends it to Ellen, before getting out of bed to shower. She’ll give them some more time to rest.)
2021 - canton, michigan
laugh until we think we’ll die
barefoot on a summer night
never could be sweeter than with you
- “home” by edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros
The second her mom pulls into the Hughes’s driveway after 13 hours of being in the car, Clementine immediately runs to Ellen, who’s standing by the doorway waiting to greet them.
She breathes in Ellen’s familiar citrus perfume and melts into her arms. A year and a half into the pandemic has felt like 30 years, and Clementine just feels lucky that she can be here. She steps aside to let Maeve and Ellen embrace, getting the luggage from the car. 
“Where are Jimmy and the boys?” Maeve asks as they all gather in the kitchen and Ellen starts reheating some lasagna.
“Playing golf. They’ll be back soon.”
All three of them are collectively a bottle of white wine in deep when they hear a call pull into the driveway. Clementine can hear the moment the boys see the Massachusetts license plate because she hears Luke scream “Maeve and Clemmy are here!” and three car doors slamming before they barrel into the house. 
Clementine just waves her fingers and giggles. Quinn reaches her first, hugging her and lifting her off the stool as she laughs into his neck. Luke’s next — has he grown even more? — and she places three consecutive kisses on his cheek. Jack’s smile is as bright as ever and she threads one hand in his hair as he spins her around. 
Then finally, Jim, who’s been patiently waiting his turn. When she hugs him, she turns her cheek so that it’s against his chest. He places a fatherly kiss in her hair and she feels like a little girl again. 
In her wine drunk stage, she happily listens to the boys babble on about whatever, Maeve chiming in from time to time with stories about what it’s like trying to teach ten year olds over Zoom. At one point, Jack spits out a mouthful of beer and Quinn’s grimacing while Clementine grabs a paper towel without missing a beat in her retelling of how she should’ve gotten an A on a final paper she submitted last semester. 
(Jack had rolled his eyes, muttering “fucking overachiever” under his breath which Clementine glared at him for. Mr. Number One Pick shouldn’t be talking) 
It sucks that Luke won’t be able to get the same draft experience his brothers did, but in a way, it’s a wonderful compromise. He gets to be at home surrounded by his family and friends. Sure, media is still somehow finding their way in because it’s the draft and because he’s a Hughes but it won’t be nearly as much as it has been before. 
Clementine finds a bit of comfort in knowing that Luke won’t immediately jump into the NHL like Jack did. Not that she doesn’t want him to. She wants them to get everything they want in life. But Luke is her baby. He’s perpetually eight years old in her mind. 
And this isn’t the time to dwell on this, but Jack’s rookie year was so tough on him. She’ll never forget getting a call at 2 am his time, absolutely hyperventilating over the phone. After that, she demanded he call her once every week for at least two months after. Luckily, Quinn had a great rookie year and Jack’s second year was better, but goodness, she needs a bit more time to prepare before she starts getting middle of the night calls from three Hughes brothers involving a world she’s still learning about day by day. 
The next week is relaxing and lovely, Clementine having nothing to do for the first time in awhile having taken two weeks off from her summer job at Boston Children’s for this. She lets herself sleep in, takes naps in the backyard and on the boat, moves around slowly in the kitchen to help prepare dinner and cherishes the sounds of Quinn, Jack and Luke’s laughter echoing through the house. 
…..
The night before the draft, Clementine feels a bit restless. She tosses aside her blanket and tiptoes downstairs in a Michigan sweatshirt that she’s stolen at some point this week. Wiping her eyes, she quietly opens cabinets and pokes through the pantry, concluding that the Hughes household has all the ingredients she needs to make brown sugar cookies. Luckily, sound doesn’t travel much in this house, she’s learned. Clementine starts to get to work. 
By the time she’s waiting for the oven to finish preheating so she can put cookies into the oven, she hears footsteps coming down the stairs. She’s about to open her mouth to apologize but snaps it shut when she sees Quinn, all cozied up in a black t-shirt and gray sweats, hair absolutely all over the place. 
He blinks. “Why are you awake?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Quinn scans over the three trays of cookies waiting to go in. “Didn’t both our moms bake a gigantic cake today?”
“Yup.”
He hums. The oven beeps and before she can react, he slides the trays in. As he shuts the oven door, Clementine pours him a glass of water as she sets a timer on her phone.
“Why are you awake at this hour, Quinny?”
Quinn shrugs. “I was up to use the bathroom. Thought I heard something downstairs and wanted to check it out.”
She yawns. “Yeah, sorry.”
“I didn’t know you baked.”
“Newer habit. One of my roommates, Allie, you’ve met Allie over FaceTime, she’s a stress baker. Whenever exam season hit, there were baked goods all over our apartment. Picked up on a thing or two.”
Quinn hums. “What’s Allie up to this summer?”
“She just started her residency in Florida.”
“So she graduated?”
“Yup. Now I’m all alone.” Quinn rolls his eyes because he knows that’s not true. It isn’t. Clementine still has two other roommates as they continue looking for a third. 
“I still can’t believe you had time to do med school applications as well as a full course load,” Quinn says. “Like, I know you said that’s kinda normal. But how did you have the time?”
Clementine snickers. “I’m not sure how I did. Pure rage and fumes? ”
“I mean, you’re superwoman. You always have been. But damn. There are really no breaks for you, eh?”
“Coming here is a break.”
“Good,” she ruffles his hair. Quinn sighs. “Can’t believe it’s finally little Lukey’s turn.”
“Yeah. I’ve been having a crisis about it all summer. Makes me feel old.”
“You’re only 24?”
“Exactly,” she deadpans. “Old.”
Quinn rolls his eyes. They both look up as someone else comes down the stairs. Alex, who came in just a few hours ago, rubs his eyes with his fists. “What the fuck are you two doing up awake?”
“Clem’s making cookies.”
Alex blinks. “And you are?”
“Keeping her company.”
Alex just shrugs before sitting down across from her. He nods in thanks when Clementine fills up a glass of water for him. “Haven’t really gotten the chance to catch up with you. How’s Stanford?”
Clementine snickers. “Good. Well, as good as it can be in a pandemic. School’s school. First two years were mostly by the textbooks. Next two will be textbooks and clinicals so I’ll be in the hospital. Hopefully.”
“Clinicals?”
“Like, actually working with patients. Or like, observing in the hospital with a supervisor. The good stuff.”
“Sounds smart,” Alex hums. “How do you feel that all your babies will have been drafted 24 hours from now?” 
Fucking asshole. She doesn’t know why Ellen has a soft spot towards Alex when he’s clearly a nuisance. He just laughs at her pout and Quinn shakes his head with a close-lipped smile. “Don’t get her started. It’s 1 a.m.”
Her eyes roll so hard they might as well fall out of her head. “Don’t you have siblings?” He nods. “Are they younger or older?”
“Older. I’m the youngest.”
She huffs and Quinn grins. “That makes sense,” she says. “You don’t get it.”
Alex gets up and pulls Clementine into a quick side hug as he gets more water. “I only got to hear about how you were crying when Quinn and Jack got called. Now I’ll get to see for myself.”
“Careful,” she says wearily. Careful of what, she doesn’t know, but she needs to instill some sort of dominance as the oldest here. Quinn snickers into his sweatshirt. 
Her timer beeps a few minutes later and she shuts it off. Quinn ushers her aside while he grabs the trays and sets them on the counter to cool while Clementine digs around for a large tupperware container to store them. Alex just stares at them hungrily and she can’t even be annoyed. She sees that look in all the Hughes brothers’ eyes all the time in the kitchen. And Alex might as well be a Hughes. 
Once they each finish a cookie, Clementine shoos them both upstairs as she follows behind them to try and go back to sleep. Tomorrow’s a big day.
…..
The next morning comes quickly. She’s sharing a room and bed with her mother but she’s nowhere to be found. Instead, Clementine gets woken up by Jack jumping on her bed. Thankfully, he avoids anything that could really hurt her, but she still grunts, whacking him in the stomach and shooing him out of the room before beginning to get ready. She can already hear various family and friends coming through the front door downstairs.
She gets dressed in a cream romper she found on sale a month ago and pulls out, of course, the white sandals. She rummages through her backpack to find the letter — the final one she’s in charge of — and quickly debates on when she’ll give it to Luke. 
Now, she decides, putting it on the bedside table. Before the cameras turn on. She slips her phone into the pockets of her romper — she’s pumped they even have pockets — and walks down the stairs. Immediately at the front door, she’s met with Emily. She’s nine now and Clementine just goes on her knees and holds her tightly. Clementine then quickly runs into Ellen, who wants to introduce her to some people — some she’s met a handful of times, some she hasn’t met once.
It’s lovely, in a way, knowing that while their lives are so intertwined, there’s always someone new to meet or someone to reunite with. The support system for all of them is so much larger than she could’ve ever dreamed of, as she grins when Sophia, who she last saw at Quinn’s draft, hugs her tight like they just saw each other yesterday. She’s in her second year at Michigan on the lacrosse team and so smiley and lovely.
Once she spots Luke, she taps his shoulder and he excuses himself from talking to one of Jim’s old friends. Luke’s constant smile this whole week has been small but genuine. As his eyes drift down to the envelope in her hands, she sees him swallow. 
Clementine hands it over and claps a hand on his shoulder. “Later, yeah? When you have a minute.”
Luke just nods expectantly. Like almost everything in life, his brothers have gotten their letters before him. If Clementine sometimes thinks too much about it, it makes her almost sad that Luke’s always had someone do something before him, whether it’s her or Quinn and Jack. But it’s also a blessing, in a way, she thinks, because in her eyes, Luke is the best out of all of them in pretty much every single way possible because he’s seen how the older three have messed up and can take from that. She knows Quinn and Jack agree. 
“Thanks for being here.”
“Of course.” She pulls him into a hug and breathes in. “Is that the cologne I gave you yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Cute.” Clementine gives him one last squeeze before pulling away. The house is filling up more and more and she knows her time is limited. “If I don’t catch you before, just remember that I love you, okay? And I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Clemmy.”
“I’ll look at the schedule soon and try to come down to see a game when I can.”
His eyes light up. “Really?”
“Duh. I gotta put all this Michigan merch I have to some use.” 
Luke shrugs. “I don’t know-I just figured, you saw Quinn at Michigan and you’ve seen Quinn and Jack in the show. Why would you come to see something you’ve already seen, you know?”
“Because it’s you, Lukey.” She squeezes his arm. “You’re always going to be my baby brother.”
She feels him relax as he folds himself into her arms again. 
The day passes by in a blur as Clementine is enjoying catching up with everyone. And there’s a feeling of gratitude in that everyone can gather with each other again after so much isolation in different parts of the continent for so long. She sees Josh for the first time in literal years and happily spends time catching up with him. 
For most of the day, she forgets that it’s draft day. She’s just bouncing around, sipping casually on her cider and snacking. The cookies she made the night before are gone very quickly, which makes her laugh to herself. 
Once Luke disappears upstairs to get dressed, she finds herself leaning against a doorway, staring out into the living room that’s filled with people but not really looking at anything. 
“You okay?”
She turns to see her mom, pearl earrings matching her deep red blouse. Clementine grins. “Yeah. Just zoned out for a minute.”
Maeve lets out a heavy breath. “Last one.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s weird. I always knew he’d get here. All of them. But then it happens. And you think you’re prepared, but you’re not.” Clementine perks up. Her mom doesn’t often get into these types of moods, always the fun-loving, energetic woman. Her dad was more the outwardly perceptive one. Maeve just continues with a small smile. “From the most adorable little boys to incredible young men.”
Clementine laughs. “They’ll always be little to me.”
“Take how you feel and multiply that by three hundred and that’s where I’m at as I’ve seen all of you together this week,” Maeve says with a snort. She hooks her chin on Clementine’s shoulder. “Love you, Clementine.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Soon enough, everyone’s gathered in front of the TV, with a few cameras around and someone on standby who’s gonna do an interview right when Luke’s name gets called. On the couch and chairs at the front, from right to left, are Geegs, Ellen, Quinn, Luke, Jack and Jim. Her and Maeve are standing right behind Jim and Alex and Josh are next to Clementine. 
This time, it could be Anaheim or Columbus or Detroit. Maybe San Jose. 
Or it could be New Jersey. 
She knows Jack has been pretty outwardly casual about it — he knows nothing, he’s just hoping. But she knows Jack. He wants his younger brother with him. And it would be lovely for those two to play on the same team. What are the odds? 
(Apparently, pretty good.)
Luke gets drafted to New Jersey fourth overall. The whole house explodes with cheers. She’s never seen Jack so excited. Maeve puts her hands on Jim’s shoulders as Luke is hugging Quinn and Jim turns around, eyes wet. That’s what sets Clementine off crying. When it’s her turn to get a hug from Luke, she rises to her tiptoes and throws her arms around his neck. 
“Congrats, Lukey. Proud of you.”
“Thanks, Clemmy. I love you.”
She smacks a kiss on his cheek. “I love you too.” Luke then hugs Maeve, Alex and Josh before continuing down the line. 
From there, there’s media to be down and they quickly set up. Most of the family stays in the room as the three boys adjust themselves on the couch, ready to answer some questions. After Geegs gives her a big hug and Luke throws on Jack’s Devils jersey, Clementine bites her lip and suddenly spins on her heel, feeling overwhelmed. 
Alex notices, furrowing his eyebrows as he lightly grabs her arm. “You okay?”
Clementine nods with a smile. “Yeah. I’m just gonna get some air.”
Alex just nods. “Okay,” he squeezes her shoulder in a side hug. “Don’t be too long or we’ll all come looking for you.”
“I won’t,” she promises, before quietly slipping out the screen door in the backyard. 
She takes a deep breath, wiping her eyes and deciding to take a little walk around the block. She stares out at the sky, currently painted in hues of pink and purple as the sun is starting to set. Michigan is beautiful. She can understand why they all love it. She fiddles with the three friendship bracelets and her vision blurs as she starts lightly crying again. 
It’s been a long time coming. All of this always has. But like her mom said, it doesn’t mean she’s ready for it. 
After a nice walk, Clementine sits down on the swing in the front yard. She can hear the commotion happening inside the house and in the backyard, but she’s not quite ready to go back in yet. She watches the sun continue setting, thankful that it’s just windy and cool enough to not have the mosquitos attacking her. 
Quinn’s in Vancouver. Jack’s in New Jersey. Both of them are looking to stay long term. Luke will be going to Michigan for at least a year. If Clementine’s inkling is right, it’ll be two, just like Quinn did. And then Luke will be in New Jersey. She’s in California for two more years. And then who knows where for residency afterwards. Ellen and Jim are mainly based in Michigan and her mom’s out in Massachusetts.
Will they ever all live close enough to each other again? Will there ever be more than just the holidays, which started already looking different ages ago when the boys started having tournaments at that time of the year? Will there ever be a time where they’re all able to be together for more than two — maybe three if they’re lucky — times a year? 
She’s accepted by now that no, they probably will never live near each other again or see each other more than they currently do. But she can hope, right? 
Because she’s made a home for herself in a few places now. Massachusetts, where Mom is. California, where she’s been for six years, She hasn’t lived in Toronto for six years now, but that will always be home too. 
But home, Clementine realizes, as she hears Quinn’s contagious laughter filter from the house, is this. Home is Quinn’s subtle loyalty and kindness that knows no bounds. Home is Jack’s contagious vivacity and love that envelopes every room. Home is Luke’s steadfast resilience and empathy that pulls everyone in. Home is Ellen’s warm hugs and Jim’s proud eyes. Home is her own mother’s…everything. 
Home is the way her father lives in all their memories, even six years after he’s gone. All the people he loved the most. That’s home. 
The front door opens. She looks up as Luke walks out and immediately smiles. He looks good in Devils red. “Hey.”
He grins. “Hi. I was looking for you.”
“Just needed some air. Are you done with media and interviews?”
“Yeah,” he slides in next to her. She watches his handle fiddle with the envelope, “Luke” written unmistakingly in Miguel’s handwriting. “I wanted to read this with you.”
Clementine shakes her head. “Nope. I was given very specific instructions. Your-”
“Eyes only,” Luke finishes. “Yeah, yeah. I know. But could you stay here while I read it to myself?”
She softens with a smile. “Of course I can.” 
She watches as his shaky hands carefully tear open the envelope, biting her lip as he unfolds the paper. She then purposely looks away as Luke leans forward, elbows on his knees, eyes scanning the words. She places a hand on his back, rubbing small circles to let him know that she’s here. Once she hears the sound of him folding the paper, she turns to look at him. His lips are quivering and she corrals him into a hug. 
“I wish he was here,” Luke chokes out through tears and Clementine tilts her chin up to the sky to try to hold back her own. “I miss him so much, Clemmy.”
“Me too, Lukey,” she whispers, letting him place his head on her lap. “Me too.”
“It’s so unfair how little time we had with him,” he says and well, Clementine’s fully crying again because yeah, she was 17 when her dad died. But Luke was 11. Not even a teenager. “All I could really think of when I got picked was that Miguel’s from Jersey.”
Clementine smiles. “Yeah.”
“Kinda feels like fate, maybe?”
“Fate sounds good,” she says softly, stroking his cheek with her thumb as she smiles at him. “I really like the sound of that, actually.”
There are footsteps coming closer and Clementine turns behind her to see Quinn with Jack behind him. She gives them a bittersweet smile and nods at them to come sit. Quinn slides in next to her and Jack sits on the other side of Luke. 
“You okay, Moose?” Quinn asks softly.
“Yeah,” Luke says in a scratchy voice. “I’ll come back in in a few minutes.”
“Take your time,” Jack says, exchanging a look with Clementine as she starts playing with Luke’s hair. “No rush.”
“Did all your letters make you feel like this?” Luke asks. 
“Yup.” Jack snorts.
“Yeah.” Quinn sighs. “It still does.”
“I had to reapply my mascara before my grad party,” Clementine says lightly. All four of them chuckle. She swallows, “I love you guys. So much.”
Quinn kisses her on the cheek as Jack reaches out behind Luke to squeeze her shoulder. “We love you more, Clem.” Quinn mutters. 
They stay out on the swing for a little while, just the four of them. Only when the sun sets do they make their way to the backyard to rejoin everyone. Before he gets pulled away again, Clementine holds Luke one last time. 
bonus - 2028 - new york city, new york
ya no quiero que llores
the universe is gonna give you muchas flores
quitate ese miedo
you’ll be a lot more, trust me, yo te entiendo
- “a letter to my younger self” ambar lucid
Clementine really didn’t need everyone to be here. It’s only a lunch after all. 
But “it’s not like we have anything going on anyways,” Quinn had said, the lunch NYU is throwing to mark the end of people’s residencies taking place at the end of June during the off season. So when NYU said she could bring up to eight guests, she didn’t really have a solid argument. 
And here they are now, sitting in a small but beautifully decorated ballroom. Clementine’s wearing a dark purple jumpsuit as she looks around the table. Nico’s to her right, talking happily with Jim on his other side. Then it’s Jack, then Luke, then Quinn, then Ellen and then finally her own mother on Clementine’s left. They’re all dressed up a bit, the guys in button ups and Ellen and Maeve with nice blouses on. It makes Clementine smile.
It’s really not a formal thing. But she’s grateful to have them all here anyways.
“Okay, real talk.” Jack says across the table, grabbing Clementine’s attention. “Your attending physician who stopped by earlier? I would hit.”
Maeve snorts. Ellen sighs and just says his name in disappointment. Jim takes a sip of his beer trying to hide a smile. Quinn and Luke roll their eyes and Nico scoffs. 
“Really?” Clementine says dryly. 
Jack, like the menace he is, just smirks. “Absolutely. I mean, I know you’re engaged or whatever, but if you weren’t…”
“The person she’s engaged to is right here,” Nico says as Jack cackles. 
Clementine rolls her eyes. “Well, Dr. Butterfield is happily married with kids. Sorry to burst your bubble. Though I’m sure Amelie would also not be thrilled.”
Jack waves her off at the mention of his girlfriend. “Amelie would probably agree with me.”
“I don’t know how Amelie deals with you,” Nico shoots back. 
“Settle down,” Clementine says in a monotone voice. Even after so many years, Nico and Jack love finding anything to bicker about off the ice. “Let me eat my pasta in peace.”
“Better listen to Clem, boys,” Jim chuckles. “It’s her day.”
“It’s her month,” Luke clarifies, elbowing Jack. “Are you trying to get uninvited to her wedding?”
“Clee would never!” Jack exclaims. Which is true, but Clementine’s glad Luke is backing her up. 
“Nico would,” Nico grumbles. Good thing they’re not seated next to each other right now or she’s sure Jack would be smacking him. Which is hilarious, considering Jack is one of Nico’s groomsmen. 
Five years. Five years since she walked into Langone for the first time. Five years since she moved into Hoboken with Jack and Luke. She may not live with them anymore, but sometimes, with the amount they’re over her and Nico’s house, it feels like she still does. 
Five years of great moments and really, really tough ones. Five years of highlighters in her mouth, pencils twisted in a bun atop of her head, dark under-eye circles after overnight shifts, delirious conversations with her fellow residents and so, so much coffee. And before that, eight years of school, sometimes forgetting what it was all for. But here she is.
Doctor Clementine Sandoval has a nice ring to it. 
She’s brought out of her own world when she feels Nico squeeze her thigh lightly. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
“You zoned out again.”
She hums lightly. Nico always knows when to bring her back to the present. “Thanks.” He just kisses her temple. 
Along with eighteen other new doctors, Clementine’s called up on the stage to receive her certificate. Dr. Butterfield says a few words about her in front of everyone that she thinks are far too kind and she can’t help but laugh when she hears her whole table cheering as her picture’s being taken. 
“You have a lot of loud supporters,” Dr. Butterfield jokes as he shakes her hand. 
She snickers. “You have no idea.”
“They seem lovely. Keep them close.”
“They are. I will.”
“Enjoy your time off. You deserve it. We’ll see you back at NYU in September.”
Clementine beams. “Thanks Doc. I’m looking forward to it.”
After lunch is over, they go outside and take pictures right by Battery Park, where the lunch was held. Unlike the three brothers, she doesn't complain about the amount of pictures Ellen, Jim and Maeve want to take, just grinning and laughing as Nico pokes her side. They split up to drive back to Nico and Clementine’s in Jersey — Ellen, Jim and Maeve in one car and her, Nico, Quinn, Jack and Luke in the other. Nico is somehow roped into driving and Clementine knows he probably regrets that. You put five 25-31 year olds who see each other simultaneously too little and too much in the same car when there’s an annoying amount of traffic and it’s an interesting ride. 
“Someone must be throwing a party,” Clementine comments as they turn onto the cul de sac, cars lining up the curb. She squints at her and Nico’s driveway at two familiar cars. “What are Dougie and Bratter doing here?” Nico just gives her a shrug. The brothers in the back don’t respond either. “What are you guys not telling me?”
“Chill, Clee,” Jack says. “We have no idea what’s going on either. We’ll find out in two seconds anyways. 
She almost believes him. Instead, she falls in step with Nico, who locks the car. “What’s going on?” She mutters.
Nico just smiles, hand on her lower back naturally. “It’s all good. Just trust me.”
And the thing is, she does. She trusts Nico with her life. 
The second she walks through the door, she jumps as a chorus of “congratulations” echoes through the home. She scans the room quickly. The house is decorated with streamers and balloons, there are food and snacks all over and their home looks so filled. 
Maeve, Ellen and Jim beat them here, all looking very proud. Next to them are Quinn, Jack and Luke with big smiles, next to their significant others — Amelie snapping pictures with her camera, Jordyn leaning back into Luke’s chest, and even Grace is here, Quinn’s arm wrapped around her waist that’s starting to show her small, beautiful baby bump. Grace is supposed to be on tour singing in front of a sold-out crowd in Florida right now.
And then there’s Dougie. And Jesper and Nicole and their toddler son. And Timo and Steph. And Erik and Kristen and their kids. And Seamus. And Jonas. And Ethan. And Nate and Dawson and their significant others. And seemingly almost every other Devils player, most present, some past. And then there’s Trevor, Alex and Cole and Clementine feels like she’s 21 again.
Then there’s her family, blood related and not. Her Uncle Thomas and Aunt Mariana — Thomas is Miguel’s younger brother. Her Aunt Aoife, who was in California literally two days ago. Those are the only blood-related family members who live in the US, and they’re all here. Then there’s Lara and John and Emily, who’s somehow 16 now. Other various members of the Hughes extended family who she’s always loved are dispersed around. 
And then a smattering of her friends from UCLA, Stanford and NYU, all cheering enthusiastically. The ones who made all those years filled with light even in the darkest crevices.
The house is filled with so many people she loves. As she turns back to look at Nico, she feels overwhelmed. “What’s all this?” She chokes out.
“To celebrate you,” Nico says with a twinkle in his eye. 
“His idea, by the way.” Emilia calls out with a grin. Clementine has to laugh. Because of course it is. 
“I love you,” she whispers to Nico, pecking him on the lips. 
“I love you.” He repeats back. “Now go celebrate with everyone.”
And celebrate with everyone she does. As she does that, she can’t help but steal glances at Nico from wherever she is in the room. Because she’s been blessed with having a wonderful support system — the people currently in this house prove that — but there’s never been anyone quite like Nico who just loves her so wholly and wants to celebrate her all the time. 
Later that night, after she bids goodbye and a gracious thank you to Jesper and Nicole, who stayed to help clean up, she lets out a deep breath. It’s just her and her brothers and all the significant others now, Ellen, Jim and Maeve having retired up to bed half an hour ago. She collapses on the couch next to Nico. She stays quiet as she listens to Luke and Grace arguing about something that really reminds Clementine that Grace may be married to Quinn, but Grace met Luke first at a bar in New York years ago and has refused to stop making fun of him since then.
It was just her and the boys for so long. She’s so happy that they’ve all found their own counterparts throughout the years. 
“Thank you for today,” she mutters to Nico. “Seriously. It was…thank you.”
“Of course,” Nico says, his thumb going over the ring on her left hand. “You’re so loved, baby. Any chance to remind you of that is worth it to me.” She just leans up to kiss him. 
“Ew,” Luke says, ruining the moment. Jordyn slaps him for that one. 
Clementine scoffs, “Fuck off. We’re literally getting married next month.”
“Okay and?” Even at 25, Luke is still her annoying little brother. “I know today’s your day and all, but sucking face with my captain is not something I really want to see.”
“Then look away.”
Quinn snorts under his breath. “You guys are impossible.”
“Learn to deal with it, Quinny,” Jack smirks. “You have a child coming soon. If they’re anything like Grace, they’re gonna be fighting you all the time.” 
Grace reaches over her husband and shoves Jack. “Watch it, Hughes. Unless you want your backstage pass taken away when you come to my show in two weeks.”
Jack gasps dramatically. “But I haven’t gotten to see you perform in ages!”
“Exactly. So zip it.”
Amelie makes eye contact with Clementine and Nico with an eye roll. “They exhaust me.” And Clementine has to laugh, because they’ve all made the choice to be exhausted by each other.
Soon after, everyone’s tired out from the day’s festivities and starts heading to their respective rooms for the evening. Clementine trails behind everyone, shutting the lights off and making sure the doors are locked. 
She’s about to shut the light off in the living room when she stops, catching sight of a photo frame hung on the wall opposite the couch. They don’t have many frames hung up around the house, but the photos they do have hung up are important.
She stares at her father’s face. The picture was taken when Clementine was fifteen. The three of them were about to go to Thomas and Mariana’s wedding, Maeve in a long blue dress, Miguel in a dashing suit with a matching blue tie and Clementine in a glittery pink dress. They’re all smiling at the camera in front of a sunset. It’s one of Clementine’s favorites. 
Suddenly, her throat closes up as her father’s voice echoes through her brain. “The universe is gonna give you muchas flores,” he always said. All the flowers, he would say. She thinks he said that on the hospital bed on his last day. She’s long forgiven herself for not remembering every word from that day anymore. 
Nico comes from behind and his hands wrap around her shoulders as she grabs his wrists. She then turns her head to the picture right next to it and smiles. It’s of her and Nico almost two years ago on New Year’s Eve, four hours before Nico would get down on one knee and ask her to spend the rest of their lives together. And then lastly, to the right of that picture, a frame with three pictures in one. Her, Quinn, Jack and Luke all during their respective drafts. The same photoset is hanging in their homes as well. 
She feels Nico kiss the back of her head and she smiles, before turning and heading to bed, Nico’s arm around her shoulder.
long live the walls we crashed through
i had the time of my life with you
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Text
WEE WOO WEE WOO
Hey guys! I made playlists for both Phoenix and Miles! (Explanation for certain songs and rant under the cut)
There's some songs I couldn't add to Miles' playlist (Like the song "Decree Of A Prosecutor" from Turnabout: The Musical) that I really wanted too, but they weren't on Spotify. I got some other songs in there to make up for the ones I couldn't get in there, though.
I tried to do a thing where the songs go in the order of their lives? Like, in chronological order from when they were kids to present day? I thought it'd be cool and it's much easier to wrap my head around than just placing songs on the playlist. I like it having an order.
I also did a thing where some of the same songs are on both their playlists, and where a lot of the same artists are on both playlists because I like symbolism and shit. Some songs I took from other's playlists cause I wanted to make them have an equal number of songs and some I took from animatics and shit too.
Also, a lot of these songs aren't on a lot of the regular Miles and Phoenix playlists you see... BUT I LOVE THEM AND THEY FIT PERFECTLY OK? I also tried to do a thing where I put songs that I personally think they would listen too.
(Also lmao I took some of these songs from Stan and Ford's from Gravity Falls playlists on Spotify cause they really work together like...)
I wanna talk about their songs soooo badly guys.
I'll talk about a couple of them cause I wanna so badly.
Phoenix's Playlist:
I had an easy time finding songs for this motherfucker, and a lot of them are really good. There's a couple of songs I wanna explain though.
"The Great Pretender" is the most fucking Phoenix song ever. Like, holy shit. Kind of theater kid esc because "Pretending" yk? And it feels like he's always putting on a show and shit I don't know. Perfect.
"My Girl" and "Count On Me" are Pearl and Maya songs respectively. I see a lot of people do this thing where they make playlists for characters and only put songs based on the romantic relationships with that character and like. Uh. No? What about their family? What about their friends? People forget about that a lot and I don't like it so "My Girl" is kind of a Pearl being Phoenix semi-daughter song and "Count On Me" is a Maya best friend song.
OK SO, also "Poison" from Hazbin Hotel is on here and listen, I don't know if Phoenix would listen to this song BUT GODDAMN DOES IT GO WITH HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH KRISTOPH PERFECTLY. I put a lot of Krisnix/Kristoph songs on here ("Vampire" and "Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" mainly) because holy shit I love toxic tragic yuri.
Oh also, "Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me" is the most Phoenix/Feenie song ever. Everyone always goes on and on about how "When He Sees Me" is a Miles song and it is BUT NOBODY IS TALKING ABOUT "Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me" GIRL IT'S RIGHT THERE HOW DO YOU NOT SEE IT?
Miles' Playlist:
My boy's playlist get's soooo sad. Swear.
Ya'll don't get how much "The Run And Go" is SUCH a "Turnabout Goodbyes" song. It's so fucking good and it fits my boy so well. Just please, PLEASE LISTEN TO IT.
"Where I Want To Be" is a huge Miles song. I imagine him signing it when he's about ready to do his whole "Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth Chooses Death" thing it's soooo good. Also it's from a musical called "Chess" GUYS COME ON.
"Business Man" is soooo him and Von Karma.
"Wait For It" Please for the love of God that is such a Miles song. You guys don't know how much Hamilton has affected my view of these gay lawyers.
"Puppet Boy" Also slaps so hard.
"Death As A Fetish" is also a really good one for him.
Oh ok, so "Dear Sister, Your Brother" is a Miles and Franziska song that I absolutely love. People don't give this song enough credit.
Ok so "Brown-Eyed Girl" and "Vienna" are Kay and Sebastian songs respectively. Love them soooo much. They deserved a couple songs on his playlists because they are his children.
"Karma" is self-explanitory.
OK FINALLY WE'RE ON TO BOTH OF THEIR SONGS.
Fucking love putting Jet Lag on both of their playlists cause it fits them soooo well.
Also "Best Worst Mistake" from If/Then is their anthem. Like. Holy shit.
I love "If You Were Gay" from Avenue Q for them. They're so stupid and it fits them.
Um anyway, that's it.
Oh also, the friendship songs at the beginning aren't for just Miles and Phoenix. LARRY IS A PART OF THEIR GROUP TOO.
Oh also the two “Family” songs on both of their playlists is just me saying “EVERYONE IN THE WRIGHT ANYTHING AGENCY AND THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE ARE FAMILY”.
Also guys, I soooo badly wanted to put "Objections" on here but I couldn't find it on Spotify (Go figure) I'm guessing a lot of you haven't heard it before? Or maybe have? It's a fanmade opening for Ace Attorney and IT SLAPS SOOOO HARD. It's old but soooo good guys. Guys. Ya'll need to get in on the fan songs seriously.
I DON'T HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT "TURNABOUT: THE MUSICAL" ENOUGH. Not the Random Encounters musical, but like, the actual one.
Anyway! Long rant over, tell me what you think of my playlists!
youtube
"Objections" fan made anime theme ^
And check out "Turnabout: An Ace Attorney Musical" Cause GODDAMN THAT SHIT I BALLER!
youtube
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agendabymooner · 10 months
Text
9 to 5 || spin-off (f1 drivers series) - cast + playlist
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Summary: Lorelei Hester ‘Lester’ Alessandro is a bassist first and Daniel Ricciardo’s partner second. But it seems like another role is added to her resume as she begins her weekend in Baku as Toto Wolff’s children’s babysitter. The Wolff kids gather the attention of all as they wreak havoc in the paddock and the hospitalities.
Content warning (not updated): family-centric content, tooth-rotting fluff, brief use of explicit language, people trying not to swear in front of children, sickness, Toto scaring half the grid, Hearth sister!OFC x Max Verstappen relationship mentioned, Hearth sister!OFC x Charles Leclerc relationship mentioned.
Note: Chances are I'm going to be publishing these by scenarios? You'll see. I think. Enjoy knowing the original characters! xx
THE ORIGINAL FIVE
Lorelei Hester 'Lester' Alessandro - the italian paddock princess
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daniel ricciardo's biggest fan (on-and-off the grid). less messy as of 2023. scared of toto wolff even if she's friends with his wife. also known as Zia Lori, Tante Lori and Aunt Lolo. nanny for the weekend.
Tilly Marie Ford Wolff (née Hearth) - lady boss
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the wolff mother. probably gave birth to three toto wolffs. had stolen the hearts of the grid (might do it again by proxy). current situation: at home in london due to baby adelmo's unfortunate case of croup. thank god for toto, she didn't have to spend her weekend worrying about three kids under six.
Stevie Marlene Ford Hamilton (née Hearth) - ferrari's biggest threat
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actually the person who keeps encouraging charles to go off in front of the camera since no one in the team would listen to her proposal to give the drivers a proper strategy. also known as Tie Stevie. current situation: cannot attend the baku race weekend due to her own work commitments, leaving toto no choice but watch the kids over by himself.
Sylvie Edson Ford Hearth - red bull's biggest non-driving menace
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gives christian horner a run for his money whenever possible (has expressed her blatant dislike for him on tv but she still "respects" him to an extent; she likes toto better). max verstappen's lady macbeth. also known as Aunnie Vie (no 't' in auntie). current situation: cannot cause minor inconvenience in the red bull garage at the moment due to her photoshoot gigs and paperworks waiting for her in her red bull headquarters office.
Aimee Yael Edmundson Hearth - the more-private hearth sister
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is on the lookout to make sure that lando norris and oscar piastri doesn't say anything that can jeopardize their own careers. the only sister who doesn't like to be in front of the camera. on toto's protection list. also known as Auntie A. current situation: won't be attending the baku race weekend due to some unknown reason. something about staying in monaco with charles' mother, pascale.
FEATURED CHARACTERS
toto wolff. daniel ricciardo. lando norris. max verstappen. charles leclerc. lewis hamilton. oscar piastri. mick schumacher. logan sargeant. carlos sainz jr. fernando alonso. alex albon. george russell. sergio perez. pierre gasly. esteban ocon. yuki tsunoda.
PLAYLIST (to bop to)
9 to 5 - dolly parton. love grows (where my rosemary goes) - edison lighthouse. the adults are talking - the strokes. honey, honey - abba. be my baby - the ronettes. isn't she lovely - stevie wonder. vienna - billy joel. i love rock 'n roll - joan jett & the blackhearts. put your records on - corinne bailey rae. walking on sunshine - katrina & the waves. smooth operator - sade. hey lover - the daughters of eve.
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georgiapeach30513 · 2 years
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You Were the One, Part 17
Summary:  Lloyd is in trouble
Pairings:  Lloyd Hansen X Reader
Rating:  mature
Warnings:  language, movie style violence, sex talk, 18+ ONLY
Word Count:  2.7K
Previous
Series Masterlist
*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​
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“Lloyd,” his eyes linger close as he thinks about when it will be safe to talk to you.  Imagining this mission being finished, and he can let his little girl run into his arms, while he spins her around.  You walking over with Holden in your arms, giving him a long and filthy kiss while his babies laugh.  He will be finished, he can retire from this life, and live the rest of his days with you.
“Lloyd,” the man says again, but Lloyd keeps his eyes closed.  He disturbed his beautiful daydream.  He can practically smell your perfume.  Could imagine the taste of your lips with that cherry lip gloss that paints his own lips.
“They found him,” Fitzroy’s lips purse as he watches the cocky bastard.  Even still, his eyes remained closed.
“Who’s the closest to him?” Lloyd asks, his pinky finger twitching.  He’s one step closer to ending a six year promise.
“We are,” Lloyd’s eyes roll open, and he smirks up at him.  Giving him a nod of his head, before he starts to stand.
“What would Twelve think of you chasing her former fiancé?  This is only going to end one way.  Does she know?”
Lloyd leans over, getting right in Fitzroy’s face, speaking in a low whisper, “Do not mention my wife again.  You’ll never know what she would do.  And none of these greasy mercenaries need to know anything about her former existence.  Have I made myself clear?”
“Why would you care unless she wasn’t actually dead?” Lloyd back hands the older man, “I guess that answered that.  He’ll find her.  He’s been looking.”
“Keep your fucking mouth closed,” Lloyd says in a low growl walking to the front of the aircraft.  Popping his neck before walking into the cockpit, “We need to ground in Vienna,” he turns to walk back, because no one ever tells Lloyd no.
The pilots turn back around to gawk at him, each of them looking at the other confused, “We haven’t filed a flight plan.  They’ll never clear us.”
Annoyed he goes back to them, he’s always surrounded by children.  His own two children take orders better than this.  “So declare an emergency,” they’re worse than children.  Holden was two and followed simple rules better than this.
“There are weapons onboard, I’ll lose my license.”
“We have a field alternate near Budapest.  Best I can do is call them.”
Lloyd without pause removes his handgun from his pocket, shooting one of the pilot’s legs, “How do you feel about your license?” God they were infuriating.  There Six was, and he was almost finished.  So close.
“Mayday.  Mayday.  Mayday, this November Three…”
Finally he can walk back to his seat.  Tucking his piece back in his pants, Fitzroy glares up at him, “Who’s up for some Tafelspitz?” He sits down in front of Fitzroy with a crooked grin, “I swear you say another fucking thing about her, I’ll pull every single one of your goddamn teeth out before I saw your tongue off, and make you gag on every bit of it.  Keep your fucking mouth shut.”
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Lloyd waits for the mercenaries to walk in front of him as he stares up at the building.  Taking a big whiff because he can smell Six.  He was right there.  While they walk in ready for a fight, Lloyd strolls into the eclectic apartment spotting the informant immediately, knitting.  Seriously?  He wanted this job to be finished yesterday.
“Where’s the target,” Lloyd whispers, looking around, before going back to the man.  He shouldn’t have to be asking.  
“Where’s my money,” idiot. He didn’t have time for this.  Lifting his gun, he shoots the man, killing him instantly.  Infuriating.  Now he’s going to have to do this the hard way.  Lifting his gun, he motions the men to start searching the premises, he has to stay out of the way.  He will go home, and he’d prefer there not to be more scars for you to kiss on.  Or maybe he does want that.
Lloyd walks through the hall, until he sees the informant’s other business, new identities.  Letting the men do the hard work.  This should be easy.  One look, and he can see that Six is in a cage.  It’s about time.  He should be home to you by tomorrow.  He watches curiously through the glass as they get closer.  Something felt off.  He knows he shouldn’t underestimate Six.  Six was an idiot, but he was a smart man.  
Dammit.  A fucking explosion.  Just what he needed.  He grits his teeth, before heading towards the exit he would go towards.  He’ll be there waiting on Six.  If you want something right, you have to do it yourself.
Waiting, and hearing guns go off repeatedly, and Six is unarmed.  Fuck it.  Lloyd sucker pushes him, slamming his body up against the wall before spraying him with pepper spray.  He might be able to fool these idiots that he brought with him, but he wouldn’t outsmart Lloyd.
“Come on, man,” Six groans.  Lloyd still smelled the same.  He reeked of luxury cologne.  Maybe a bit too much of it.  He still hated him.
“Hey, sunshine,” Lloyd taunts.  His gun under Six’s chin.  It was too easy.
“I can barely see, but I know it’s you.”
“What gave it away?”
“The white paints, the trash ‘stache, your arrogance, and you never change your cologne.”
“Yeah, my wife loves the way it smells,” Six blinks his eyes open a bit more, searching around Lloyd’s face.  He caught it.  Lloyd didn’t use past tense.  “Where’s the drive?” Oh, he’s going to change the subject that quickly, huh?
“I got it here somewhere.  It’s just hard to see.  Is that it?” Six asks, pulling up a ring to a grenade.  Son of a bitch!
He drops the bomb, and Lloyd watches it fall, glaring back up at Six, “Ballsy,” god, he hated this man.  Letting go of his hold he has on Six, he runs in the direction he came from.  He at least knows how to get out of this fucking place.
He walks to the outside, swearing he heard Six’s footsteps, and when the man’s back comes into view he shoots a few warning shots beside him.  Six turns around grunting, his day just kept getting worse.  “Nice try, pumpkin.”
“What size shoe are you?”
What the fuck?  “Why?  You want my foot in your ass?  Ah, shit!” oh someone was going to die.  His head glances back at his ass, knowing you were not going to be happy about this.  And thankfully, it was a dart.  He pulls it out to look at, cussing even more in his mind than he was vocally.  This was supposed to be easy.  “Mother…” he’s able to get out before passing out down the stairs.  You were not going to be happy.
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You sit on the floor beside Holden as he mostly destroys whatever it is that Ferryn makes.  Watching her carefully build up a tower of blocks, before the tornado of your son knocks every bit of it down.  Hearing their little belly laughs fill the room, and it makes you so happy, the only thing missing is their daddy.
When your phone goes off, Ferryn gasps, running to it.  Only two people had that number, and one was her daddy.
“Daddy?” She asks, answering the phone without even seeing if it was okay.
“I’m sorry, Princess, it’s just me, Auntie Nat.  I’m guessing daddy isn’t there?”
“No, he had to go on a business trip,” you reach your hand out for the phone, but before handing it to you, she quickly adds, “Can you tell daddy to come home now.  Holden learned a new word.  He still can’t talk as well as me.  Mama says it’s because I have better use of my tongue.  I gotta go,” she gives you a sweet smile, adding, “I love you.”
“Love you, two, Princess.”
The second Ferryn hands you the phone, you try to remain calm.  “Nat?”
“I need your advice.  Look at the Berlin news.  It’s nothing major.  But it has your man’s name written on it.  Why’s he not at home?  Six is also MIA.”
“Mother,” Ferryn’s eyes go large, and you smile at her sweetly, “Goose,” rushing to your Honey Hole, you scroll through news reels, trying to find anything.  Checking security cameras when you see both Six and Lloyd.  All in the same general vicinity.  “Son of biscuit mix.  I’m going to kill him!”
“So?”
“They were both in Berlin, and in the same fudging location.”
“Your G rated profanity is giving me life right now.”
“Yeah, well when you have a five and two year old who think saying sugar and the god damsel is the best alternative.  You do what you have to.  I told him.  I forking told him to stay out of Six’s radar.  Nat, they’re going to kill each other.  Doggie doo doo, I’m going to call him.  Thank you.  Please come by next week, so we can celebrate the murder of my husband.”
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Lloyd limps into the base camp, ugly shoes, and completely irritated.  This was supposed to be easy.  He wants to scream and throw something at someone.  They were all incompetent.  And now he has a sore ass, and you’re not here to kiss it and make it feel better.  Ferryn would bring him a bowl of ice cream while Holden would play with his mustache and giggle the sweetest baby laughs.  He was ready for another one.
He hobbles into the common room, why does he not just have shit ready for him.  He was becoming spoiled, and he liked it.  “Is that Donald Fitzroy?”  God he hated her.  “What the hell are you doing?”  Obnoxious.  He’s adding her to his hit list.  Personal.  he’ll take no payment for her.
“Suzanne!  Long time.  If I’m honest, I liked your old haircut.  The one where you didn’t look like a bitch.”
“We did not give you permission to kidnap former CIA personnel and their family members.  You’ve been hired by the agency to recover…” lord, she was obnoxious.  Yapping and yapping.  On and on.
“To do your job because you couldn’t,” he needed you.  This bitch never shut up and she was fucking useless.  “Can someone get me a Vicodin, please?”  And a blow job from you.
“So where is Six?”
“Where I want him?” Just the sound of her voice is causing his body to ache.  She never quit her fucking nagging.
“In the wind?”
“On the run, scared shitless,” he needed to do some butt stuff with you now.  She never shut up.  Never.  Fucking.  Shut.  Up.
“This is ten years of my work on the line here, Lloyd…”
My god!  Flattening his hand on the table, he skims it over the smooth surface, knocking everything on the floor, and glaring at her.  Panting, because she could never keep her mouth fucking closed.  “I am your only prayer of getting that drive back because I can do everything the agency can’t.  You know all those rules you guys are always trying to work your way around?  They don’t mean dick to me.  So unless you want our names spilled across every news alert  on every phone in every pocket on Earth, shut up and go sit in the corner,” he’d like to sit you in the corner. Make you suck on his dick.  Letting him have complete control of how deep you take him.  He needed to de-stress.  He’s hoping you haven't got wind of anything.  Six always had the ability to be messy, and he was messier without you.  
“Oh,” he picks up a bottle of pills, “How ‘bout that?” He can’t stand to be around her, so he limps away instead.  He needed some alone time to look through his photos.  He was in a mood.  “Forget about the Vicodin.”
“Why are you walking like that?”
“Because I got shot in the ass, Suzanne!” He limps away but gets stopped by a man, “What is it now?”
“The Dark Angel is on the phone.”
“Son of a bitch.  No one fucking disturbs me!” He was in trouble.  He knew he was in trouble. If you were patching in it was because you knew something.  He was happy to talk to you, and now he’s scared.  He grabs up the phone from someone, and lets you know that he has the phone before looking for a secure room.
Walking into a room far away from anyone, he looks side to side before closing the door, “Honey…”
“Lloyd Hansen,” you took your voice changer off, it was the real you.  That was nice.  But your angry voice means you aren’t here for sexy talk.  “Who’s the target?”
“Honey, let me…”
“Who’s the flipping target, Lloyd?”
“I can explain.”
“I knew it!  I freaking knew that it was Six.  I told you not to get in his darn way.  And what does my idiot husband do?  He chases after him.  Do you know why I told you not to get in his filming way?”
“Because…”
“Because you both have a forking vendetta against the other.  You both furiously hate each other.  Did you get him?  No, you didn’t.  I saw you fudging fall down the stairs.  Lloyd, you work best with me in your ear.  But you didn’t want me in your ear because of your target.  Now keep me in your gosh dang ear, so I can bring you back home.”
“Are you finished?” You grunt as an answer, and he chuckles at you.  “I should have told you.”
“You’re dang right you should have told me.  Lloyd, honesty.  Trust.  Communication, that’s why we work.”
“Mama, can I talk to daddy?”
“Don’t you put her on the phone.  Honey, I can’t handle that right now.”
“Daddy?”
“Hey, Pixie Dust,” he changes his voice to sound overly sweet for his beautiful daughter.  Squishing his eyes closed, because he can’t hold any of you.  He hated this.
“Mama is using her rated G language.  What did you do?”
“Nothing, baby.  You taking care of Holdie?” he pinches the bridge of his nose, wishing he was home.  He was getting sloppy because he wanted to speed this up.  He knew where he was making his mistakes
“Uh huh.  Daddy, I want you to come home, right now.”
“I know, Pixie Dust.  I gotta finish this.  Put your mother on the phone,” you huff to him, letting him know you were back.  “I really need your special medicine right now.”
“Don’t talk to me like that when I can’t say anything back because I have beans in the room,” Ferryn looks up at you oddly, before pulling at Holden’s hand to go back to playing.  
“My ass is sore.”
“It’ll be even more sore when I bite it instead of kiss it.”
“You’re mean.”
“Lloyd, you promise me right now, you’re following my rules, and not your own.  You get careless when I’m not around.”
“I mean…”
“Fitzroy has gone missing.  Do you know anything about that or his niece?  His fudging niece, Lloyd?”
“Why would I know anything about that?”
“Because Fitzroy and I are the only ones that can find Six.  You knew he wouldn’t help you.  So why not include your wife?”
“Honey, we’re going around in circles here.  I’ll let you patch in.  I’ll keep my com in my ear.  You call the shots.  But first, I gotta do something.”
“Do not interrogate him.”
“Uh,” how did you do that?  How did you just always know?  “Who’s in Prague?” 
“Was that so complicated?  God, include me.  I’m your asset, and you’re my ass.   That’s how we work.  I’ll know if you’ve tortured that man, Lloyd.”
“Who’s in Prague, Honey.  I’m running out of time.”
“Lloyd, behave.  I’ll be watching.”
“Honey!”
“Margaret Cahill.  And Lloyd, I swear to you if you hurt a hair on that girl's head, you won’t be getting a warm place to put your, well, you know and you won’t be getting head for the rest of your life.  No kids, babe.  That is what we said.  We don’t deal in kids.”
“I know.  I needed Fitzroy and Six to comply.”
“Ask your wife next time.  And babe, I’m the Dark Angel when you’re not at home.  Don’t go throwing your Honey’s at me, do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” smirking he starts to walk out the door.  Foregoing the need to talk to Fitzroy.  Switching the phone for his earpiece he always keeps on him.  “But don’t question my methods.”
“What are you gonna do to Six?”
“Nothing, if he hands over the drive.”
“Who are you talking to?” Suzanne asks as she raises an eyebrow.
“Secret weapon,” Denny looks back at him with a smile.  Lloyd was ready to play.  “I need the address on the screen, we’re sending them all to Prague.  Do your thing.”
“Lloyd, don’t make me regret this.  You’ve still got Hades to pay when you get home,” you warn him putting the address on the screen.  “And you better stay alive.  I’ve got a surprise for you when you get home,” he doesn’t answer, but smirks, “I feel you smiling all the way here, babe.  You’re coming home to us.”
“I know.”
Next
Masterlist
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Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season​ @marveloustaylortot​ @pono-pura-vida​ @peaches1958​ @bookwormchick91​ @whimsyplaty92​ @bambamwolf87​ @curlycarley​ @infatuatedjanes​ @randomagnes0210​ @8oopsiedaisy8 @spider-thot0115​ @tryingtosurvivestuff @sstan-hoe​ @xcaptain-winterx​ @buckysteveloki-me​ @sgtjaamesbaarnes​ @writing-for-marvel​ @alwaysclassyeagle​ @mrsharringtonmunson​ @jlc3276 @elrw24​ @kattreffic​ @lettersandsodas​ @saucy-sassy-sparkly​ @crazyunsexycool​ @pigwidgeonxo​ @dontbescaredtosingalong​ @royalwritersoftheuniverses​ @bigphattygyal @seitmai​
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running-tweezers · 6 months
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Ok, I’m finally doing it.
The Damien/Huxley Pining Playlist
I am well known amongst my friends for my Far Too Thought Out Playlists. I have one for like, every D&D character I’ve ever made, and have written full Google docs about each song and why it’s there.
Combine that with my voracious love of DamiHux and pining? We get this.
So if you just want to listen without reading an essay, I will put my annotations and thoughts under the cut. (But it will probably enhance your listening experience tbh)
Congrats you’ve entered the
MARISA ANALYSIS ZONE
Welcome. You’re my kinda people.
First the basics, this playlist encapsulates Damien and Huxley's entire pre-confession relationship, from their first meeting, through Inversion, to the confession itself. It alternates POVs, I’ll label each song with a color to make it easier to follow. Cool? Let’s go.
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Stray Italian Greyhound - Vienna Teng
Kicking off the playlist with one of my very favorite songs on it. First song, Damien’s first impressions of Huxley.
The denial was REAL. Those initial feelings were met with a “OH NO, OH GOD, OH FUCK” kind of reaction. Damien was totally unsure of what to even do with what he was feeling. After all, he isn’t the kind to get so mushy and sappy over a little crush! Especially on someone he literally just met! He’s far too cynical for something like that. So he just tried to push it down, ignore it.
But it “won’t sit still” “won’t do what it’s told”. Huxley came into his life and changed EVERYTHING. In a way that feels incredible, but makes things complicated. And he’s going to have to deal with it eventually.
But not now.
Enchanted - Taylor Swift
Putting this song on this playlist is part of where my “Huxley is a Swiftie” headcanon came from. It was a joke at first, I swear.
This is Huxley’s POV of their first meeting at the bowling alley. The “forcing laughter, faking smiles” really plays into where Hux was at that point, still putting on a bit of an act and not letting people see past the surface level. But he met Damien, they hit it off, and Hux was immediately feeling some kinda way.
I’m convinced this big guy had some giddy, twirling hair, kicking feet energy about Damien. Thinking about him for days after they met. Hoping that they would continue to be friends and get closer. And that this was the beginning of something that could be amazing.
Trouble - Troye Sivan & Jay Som
You can’t deny it forever, Damien.
This is Damien coming to terms with the fact that yes, he does have some feelings for Huxley. He’s now got a group of friends like he’s never had before, and that’s changing his outlook a little bit. He doesn’t want to live like he’s been living anymore, focused entirely on school and grades, and hurrying to the future he wants for himself.
And one of those friends felt like something different to him and he can’t deny it anymore. As scary as that was.
THATS WHAT I WANT - Lil Nas X
I think we as a society do not talk enough about how lonely Huxley was.
Huxley was the kind of guy who was friendly with everyone. He was liked by pretty much everyone. He was liberal with hugs and willing to give every ounce of love he had to other people.
But he was still guarded. Playing the version of himself everyone expected. Afraid to be himself. All that friendliness and love given away didn’t translate to anything substantial.
He wanted someone to love him back.
And now he had friends! Which was amazing and made him a lot less lonely. But one of his friends, again, was different. And he desperately wanted a different kind of love back from him. One he was more than happy to give, but afraid he wouldn’t receive in return.
Out of My League - Fitz and the Tantrums
First of all. God I love Fitz and the Tantrums.
We know that Damien doesn’t think he’s good enough for Huxley. He ESPECIALLY thought that in this stage, around the time of Friendsgiving.
Damien knows he’s easily annoyed, loses his temper quickly, and doesn’t think he’s much to look at either. But Huxley is so patient, is a calming presence, and is incredible to look at as far as Damien’s concerned. Huxley is so wonderful, and so far out of his league that he really thought he had no chance.
But that doesn’t stop him from daydreaming. Hoping someday he might be more than just a dream.
Golden - Harry Styles
Damien might think that he’s not good enough, but Huxley would definitely beg to differ. In a lot of ways, Huxley thought Damien was too good for him. Too smart, too bright, too driven to be interested in someone like him.
So he decided to keep his feelings to himself. Because he knows Damien isn’t nearly as open with that kind of thing as he is.
Also I think this song’s bright, firey, sun-coded imagery being seen as something to be admired and adored is really in line with Huxley seeing everything Damien thinks is bad about himself and loving him for those exact things.
Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery
This is the one. I could do a whole lyric by lyric breakdown of this one. But I will attempt to keep it brief. Bc I’m obviously so good at that, just look at this post
Immediately after the Inversion, Damien had some very complicated feelings. About Huxley, about himself, about everything. This song encapsulates all of that.
Huxley saves his life in several ways that night. Both by being a support during his breakdown, and physically, literally saving his life when he exhausted all his magic. And he still feels like he can’t reach out. They hasn’t spoken at all. I can’t help but think that maybe he feels like it’s better that way, like it’s his fault, like Hux doesn’t want to hear from him. After all, Huxley was so emotionally mature about it all and he was not.
Combine that with his feelings of inadequacy, looking back at the night and wishing there was some way to take back some the the decisions he made. He would’ve helped Hux the same way Hux helped him, if he had just done things differently.
So he’s throwing himself completely into training. Maybe if he just works hard enough, he can make up for it. And maybe those complicated emotions will go away.
Also. Two specific lyrics I feel I need to point out. “I need you here to stay” is an excellent counterpart yo Huxley’s “right here” and we all know how I feel about a fuckin motif. And of course “all my emotions feel like explosions when you are around” is almost literal in this case’
(I have so much more to say about this one, but perhaps another time)
Heat Waves - Glass Animals
Though Huxley seemed to handle the aftermath of Inversion with a calm maturity, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have his own struggles.
As he went home to be with his family and deal with things, his feelings for Damien stayed. I do wonder what he was thinking during that time, when Damien wasn’t talking to him after everything they went through. I think that maybe he also blamed himself a bit. Maybe they weren’t as close as he thought? He felt like no matter what he did or said, it wouldn’t help Damien, no matter how much he wanted it to.
Also like. “Heat Waves” is too perfect a concept to not use in this playlist.
Delicate - Taylor Swift
After things start to return to some kind of normalcy after Inversion, Damien’s feelings for Huxley are stronger than ever. There’s no denial anymore, he really likes Huxley. He’s thinking about Huxley a lot. He wants to be with Huxley.
But things are different now, whether they like it or not. Inversion changed things, and everyone is still working through that night at their own pace. So there is a lot of hesitation on Damien’s part about what he should and shouldn’t do about the feelings he has.
By this point they’re hanging out together more, just the two of them. And Damien is really wrestling with whether or not to let Hux know how he feels. There’s a fear that he might upset the delicate situation they’re currently in, as friends who have been through hell together and are still healing from it.
Dandelions - Ruth B.
At the same time that Damiens’s so concerned about what moves to make, Huxley has never lined harder. He is firmly in “lovesick puppy” territory. He’s gotten even closer to Damien, and know him on a deep level now. He knows the parts of Damien he doesn’t show most people. And he loves them.
Damien just makes him so happy.
This song’s imagery is so good as well. It gives vibes of lush, green earth and flowers and something just so Huxley imo
In My Head - Joe Serafini & Andrew Barth Feldman
I am incapable of making a playlist for anything without including at least one musical theater song, and this is no exception. Through this not from an actual musical, it’s more theater adjacent, let’s call it.
We’re into right before the confession territory, a song for both of them, a duet. This song perfectly illustrates the awkward stage they’re in, as friends who both desperately want to be something different.
So much of this song feels so perfect for them specifically, it’s like it written for them, I swear. Huxley’s worries about being too much, Damien feeling like he’s not good enough, the gym line, it’s all too good honestly.
Right Here - Betty Who
And the playlist caps off with this one, the song that Erik Redacted himself said was their song. And it really is perfect, especially with that “Right Here” motif carried through their relationship that I love so much. It’s just so damn soft and so am I. I love them your honor.
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HOLY SHIT this took so long. I sincerely hope you got something out of all of the ravings of a mad man that this ended up being.
Also @redactedbloop dinner’s ready, eat up!!!
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if-you-feel-lonely · 2 years
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"No me diga!" - TommyInnit
TW: Swearing
A/N: this is inspired by relationship with my half-sister! she has a lot of family gossip, and she tells me all of it >:D also, this is pretty much the same thing happening in her side of the family, but with names changed and a couple things tweaked
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"You will not guess what happened!"
As Tommy's older half-sibling, it was part of your job to be annoying. More specifically, when he was busy. But hey, being the annoying older sibling came with perks. Especially when you came home from your dad's to share the latest family gossip. It didn't particularly matter that he was trying to do coursework - you both knew he'd blame you if it wasn't done on time. But you also both knew that this was more important.
"What now?" He rolled his eyes as if he expected you to come back from a normal, relaxed weekend.
"Okay so," you sat on his bed opposite him, crossing your legs comfortably. "Did I tell you that Freya and Harrison broke up?"
His jaw dropped. "No!"
"Oh well, they did. Freya wanted more kids even though she's not done a bloody thing with the first three. Harrison was being like - rational - and went "no, not happening, ya silly bitch" and she was having none of it, so she broke off the engagement." You continued casually. "But now, she's got a new boyfriend already. Mad, innit?"
"Why does she want more kids if she doesn't care about the ones she actually has?" Tommy furrowed his eyebrows, subtly placing his laptop out of the way.
You laughed. "Don't ask me! That's what me and Vienna said. Freya tells Amelie everything and Amelie can't keep a secret for shit, so she's told us. But no, it gets better."
"Oh god, what now?"
"Bloke she's gone out with? Hazel's ex boyfriend, Jaiden. The one she dated all through uni and broke up with after he cheated on her."
Tommy always swore, on god, that he didn't care about the gossip you told him about. But whenever you came with more to share, he listened intently. Speaking of, he looked like a gold fish with his slightly parted mouth.
"I know!" You grinned. "I bet it's all kicking off on Christmas when we go to nan's, 'cause AJ's told Harrison he's still welcome at Christmas and I bet Freya's bringing Jaiden, too."
"Fuck off. You're telling me all this now?"
"I was going to tell you earlier but I didn't know if you were streaming or not! Amelie and Vienna watch your streams, they can't know I tell you this shit!"
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pazzesco · 10 months
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"Medicine" : Gustav Klimt : 1907 - Also referred to as "Hygieia". Hygieia is a goddess of health cleanliness and hygiene. Her name is the source for the word "hygiene".
In 1893 Gustav Klimt was commissioned to decorate the University of Vienna with The Triumph of Light over Darkness, a series of paintings representing the university's faculties; Philosophy, Medicine & Jurisprudence. Medicine was presented in 1901, scandalously focusing on the powerlessness of the art of healing and ignoring achievements in prevention and cure, at a time when Vienna was leading the world in medicine. The staff was upset & none of the paintings were fixed to the ceiling of the university's great hall. In 1943 they were moved for protection to a castle, which was destroyed. All that remains from Medicine are drafts and photographs (above).
These days if you prefer, you can have your medicine in & on a champagne flute (below)
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FYI - One notable reference regarding Hygieia's role as a goddess of health can be found within the Hippocratic Oath. The oath taken by physicians in order to swear before various healing gods, one of them being Hygieia, that they will follow a code of established ethical standards while practicing medicine.
Section of the translated oath from Greek to English:
"I swear by Apollo the Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture."
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bloody-arty-myths · 8 months
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I swear to God, if I will to get a student loan, I am going to invade the nearest rock and punk store in Vienna and buy so much „KISS“ merch ieueueueuue
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domorebemore · 4 months
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whenever someone says they cried watching my vienna video or something like that it literally just means the entire fucking world to me i swear to god. it feels so wonderful to like have my heart and soul known in that way idc if that sounds insane. but it literally is my heart and soul and if someone understands that and it touches them in that way it's legitimately such a beautiful feeling bc i very rarely feel like people understand me and for us to all understand something together is like. beyond words.
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aceoflights · 22 days
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non us ask game :))
5, 10, 11, 15
love you<<3
Thank you for the ask :))
And love you too. Very much <<3
5. favourite song in your native language?
I'm gonna go with from Austria here as well, even though technically any German song could count.
Right now I think it's Griechischer Wein by Udo Jürgens.
10. most enjoyable swear word in your native language?
Hmm. Do insults count? Cause I really like Wappler. It's Vienna dialect, and it essentially calls someone an incompetent idiot.
If I have to choose from my own dialect (Carinthian) there's also Nupla. Which means pretty much the same thing.
Also love deppert (and it's noun form Depp), which can mean stupid,but also insane. And it's so versatile. You can say "do you think I'm deppert?" When someone suggests you doing a crazy thing. You can say "are du deppert?" In a kinda baffled tone as a reaction to pretty much any kind of extreme(ish) story. Like "damn" but pretty much only for bad stuff. And obviously just the regular uses of calling someone that in a derogatory way.
God, I could talk about dialect and language forever.
11. favourite native writer/poet?
Oh, that's a really hard one. I actually don't really read a lot of Austrian literature. I think the only ones I've read were in school. And I don't really count that. So, sadly, I think I'll have to say none, so far. But I'd be very open to recommendations if anyone has any.
15. a saying, joke, or hermetic meme that only people from your country will get?
Hmm. There's probably a lot, but I can't think of many right now. But one that I think is funny is, I guess, the video clip where someone says "spielen Sie candy crush Herr Bundeskanzler?" (Are you playing candy crush Mr. Chancellor?) It just occasionally pops into my brain, because it's kinda funny and also our government is a joke.
Most other memes or meme-esque things I can think of are also known by Germans, I think.
I know there is some dialect jokes out there. But I really can't think of any right now :(.
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Any fandom you want (but you know I most care about TdV heheheh): 1, 8, 16, 20, 25
ooh so many!
1 the character everyone gets wrong
Given Sarah has no solo songs and is rarely alone, and generally 'performing' for someones else, it's hard to say other people are necessarily wrong about Sarah. However I'm right, she wants freedom and Krolock can't offer that, living in a isolated castle for eternity, preying on the people you grew up around is not freedom. Having good sex with Krolock (as the fandom envisions) is not an adequate trade off for not getting freedom. The bit is a means to an end, which is not to say she doesn't like him at some point, it's just not freedom and she wouldnt be happy.
Magda, there are multiple posts on this site suggesting she'd be friends with Herbert.
Albronsius - they don't see, as I do, the yearning he feels for Alfred xDDDD
Nannerl, the old reviews don't quite get her, Kunze doesn't get her anymore, God doesn't love her anymore, it's all a nightmare.
8 common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about
done for Tanz!
16 you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)
Sarah staying with Krolock - see above.
Herbert, the way fandoms swarm around a young gay or headcanonable-as-gay man is inexplicable to me, I have read all the explanations people have about lacking representation (and I am a lesbian, it still doesn't make sense, i happily enjoy media without thinking about its queerness if it has good women characters, I don't get the obsession fandoms have with finding the gay man to fall prostrate at the feet of (my mother has a slightly unhinged, i think ridiculous theory as to why they do though)) and none of it has brought me to an understanding of why people adore Herbert, this man who harasses our main character and has zero character arc around it, that is his sole purpose in the musical, there is nothing more to him????
20 part of canon you found tedious or boring
TdV - Gott ist Tott, I won't even watch/listen for Steve Barton that often. The professor's songs, yawn. Ewigkeit. Knoblauch. (I swear I do like the musical)
25 common fandom complaint that you're sick of hearing
I sort of said this when i answered 8, complaints about the German (original Vienna) costumes, Kentaur is very beautiful ( as are parts of og Vienna) but it doesn't suit the show Tanz der Vampire which is campy and satirical, Kentaur is pure straight gothic romance.
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theboysfromaustin · 6 months
Text
The one where Gav's an urban legend
---
February 12, 2013
Kazuo spun in his chair, laptop precariously balanced on his lap.  Ian glanced over, "If you drop that again, I'm going to get you one of those cases like they put on toddler tablets." "I'm careful.  My balance is impeccable." "You fell down the stairs yesterday," Gav didn't even look up from his computer.  "Those stairs are a death trap."
Ian looked at the clock, "Another half hour and we can get lunch." "Sounds good." Kazuo spun in his chair again, before kicking his feet up on his desk.  He was busy scrolling through Reddit, flitting from one subreddit to the next.  Somehow, he wound up on r/Detroit, and immediately took notice of one thread -
What's the weirdest thing you've seen at night?
Kazuo looked at Gav, remembering every weird street story he'd been told.  He started scrolling, the usual nonsense popping up - haunted places, I saw Bigfoot at Burger King, the norm.  And then….
-
Okay, so when I was a teen, me and my shithead friends would go joyriding in abandoned neighborhoods, blasting music and being assholes, throwing beer bottles and smoking pot.  It was a Friday or Saturday, maybe 1 AM.  We liked to turn off our headlights to make it creepy, and I know, stupid but we were teens.  I don't remember what street it was, but the houses were all burned out, when something ran in front of our car.  My girlfriend screamed, and I turned the lights on.  There was this ginger kid, beaten up and filthy, flinching away.  He looked scared and half crazy, and then I swear to God, he took off running, climbed the side of a house like Spider-man and disappeared.  We still don't know what the fuck he was.
-
Oh thank god I'm not the only one who saw that guy.  He was fast and nimble.  Like a spider.  Never said a thing.  Saw him in a ton of places, usually after dark while joyriding.  Had a wide range and often had a pack of dogs that were NOT friendly.  There was a big Saint Bernard type that tore the bumper off my buddy's car.  It was held on with duct tape, but it's the principle.  Fuckin' Cujo.
-
I see you met the Detroit Dogman.  Tiny ginger dude.  I saw him with a pack of dogs around the old Packard plant.  He stood there and his dogs chased my friends and I out.  He was afraid of us.  I wonder what his story is, but I haven't seen him in years now, hope he got off the street.
-
Little man, long red hair?  I saw that dude stealing beef jerky and roller grill crap from a 7-Eleven.  I didn't say a word, he looked malnourished.  He left and a pack of dogs materialized out of the alley.  Weird.
-
I saw him from a distance, carrying a shovel and a bloody bundle.  I followed a bit behind, just in case he was a serial killer, and he buried it in an empty lot.  I checked it out after he left and found a huge pet cemetery,  markers with names and breeds.  It spanned a few blocks.  I don't think he's a bad guy, just prefers the company of dogs. Maybe he's a runaway, he looked young.
-
I saw him hauling a big bag of dog food. He was having trouble, but he started running when he saw me following him.  His feet and legs were all cut up.  He was FAST though.
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man i saw this lil fucker swimming with a lot of dogs in the detroit river in fuckin november and he had a fish in his mouth like a big ol wiggly fish what the fuckkkkk
-
I saw him multiple times.  He was kind of cute in a filthy, matted way.  I wanted to ask about his dogs.  He made the city interesting.  I got close once, and he smelled like dirty Vienna sausages.  He noticed and flinched real hard, like he expected me to attack him.  Hope he's doing better now, miss seeing him around.
-
My friends and I were drinking in an abandoned K Mart at night when we heard a weird noise.  This weird little dude was on the roof, howling at the moon.  I threw a Molson bottle and he jumped off the roof and took off running.  What the hell.
-
Kazuo started giggling like a complete idiot.  These were all about Gav.  Gav, who was quietly typing at his computer and listening to music.  There were more stories.  One reply was just a low resolution photo of Gav and his pack squaring off with raccoons in a Big Boy parking lot.  Ian turned slightly, "What are you chuckling about, you degenerate?"  Kazuo wheeled himself over, handing off his laptop, "Here.  Behold."
Ian started reading, "Oh.  Oh my.  Um, Gav?" The redhead looked up, "Yeah?" "We have some things you need to read."  Gav rolled over, squeezing in to look at the screen, "What's so…oh.  This is…about….me?" "You're an urban legend." "Huh.  I mean, I know I probably scared a lot of people at night…and urban explorers…but…wow."
"You are a celebrity," Ian shrugged, "Are there more?" "It's a big thread, so maybe." "This is weird." "You okay?" "Well, the attention from strangers is a bit off putting, but that might be the autism." "The raccoon photo is impressive," Ian studied it.  "Yeah, we had to fight for the dumpsters.  You're not grossed out by me having eaten from dumpsters, are you?"
"We figured you had to do what you needed to survive." "And I've seen Ian drop a gyro in the actual road on Sixth, pick it up, dust it off, and eat it." Gav relaxed, "It was gross, but it helped me feed the group.  I could open dumpsters, and they couldn't." "So, are you going to post?  You can use my account."  Gav thought for a moment, "I think…maybe I should.  I know it'll kill a lot of the mystique, but there are people that want to know if I'm okay." "Hang on," Ian took a photo of Gav in front of the computer, "Sending this to your email, Kaz." 
Kazuo downloaded it, "Add that to your post."  Gav nodded, starting to type.
So, one of my boyfriends found this thread.  (This is his account) I am the Detroit Dogman, and I am safe in Texas after leaving Detroit in 2007.  I had a really bad home life - I'm gay, and was the unwanted twin, and left at 16 in 2005, though I'd been wandering with my pack since late 2002, when I'd found them while wandering during a night I'd run away from home.  We did live in the old Packard plant, though I'd take a few days to get food or try to replace clothes and blankets.  I stole a lot, and I'm not proud of it, but I'd also panhandle, scared as I was of people, to get dog food.
We did fish the Detroit river, and it was the only fresh meat I had while on the street.  I wouldn't call fast food dumpster diving 'fresh'.  Life was rough, but at least I could provide entertaining stories and some scares.
As I said, I'm safe in Texas.  Austin.  I have two wonderful boyfriends who pulled me off the street, and gave me a home and a job - I'm a paralegal now, my one partner is a lawyer, and I'm happy and healthy now.  I'm attaching a photo of me in front of this thread.  I look forward to more stories.  I had to leave my dogs behind because there was no safe way for us to all travel together.  I miss them, and I hope they're okay.  My name is Gav, by the way, to put a name to the dirty, bedraggled face.
Signed, the Detroit Dogman
Gav sat back for a moment, before hitting 'post'.  "You alright?" Ian cocked his head.  "Yeah," Gav said, "It's like I have closure. But I still get to be an urban legend.  I'm okay with that." Kazuo draped himself around Gav's shoulders, "You ready for lunch, Dogman?" "Yeah.  I think we need chili." "Good choice," Ian stood, stretching, "You've earned it."  Gav replaced Kazuo's laptop, "Hard to believe I'm a celebrity." "We'll have to look for more stories," Kazuo grinned.  "I want to compile them," Gav pulled on his coat, "Maybe write some sort of memoir -
The Dogman Chronicles."
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l3irdl3rain · 2 years
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What are your pets favorite treats? My ultra senior cat likes tube food, my younger four cats life for temptations treats and Vienna sausages, and my bun's fave snack is spinach
Chloe will eat anything and everything but I would say her favorite is tube food and temptations. I’ve tried buying more expensive, fancy treats but all my cats are OBSESSED with temptations. I swear to god they put kitty crack in those.
They’re also very fond of scrambled eggs. When I make eggs I usually scramble an extra egg for the birds and give the cats some scraps.
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