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charleecat-bat · 2 years

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Storm the Albatross Headcanons and Interpretation

for @excali8ur cause they asked about storm headcanons and YE SHALL RECEIVE

-Storm is the older cousin of Jet and Wave, who are siblings (Don’t ask me how it works just yet I’M STILL FIGURING IT OUT) Despite Jet being the ‘leader’ of their whole group. He took it upon himself as the oldest to take care of them growing up and watch out for them and support them by any means necessary even if it meant getting into thievery and being very rash and getting into fights to protect them... i could imagine out of all of them, he’d probably want to give up thieving for good if he was given a good chance of getting income or just a better lifestyle. that’s just me though, Wave is smart enough to do it and thinks she can get away with it and Jet just likes doing it and living by his own rules. They managed to get some income with races but it still doesn’t always cut it and well, they’re good at it most of the time. (I still think out of all of them, Storm would feel a little guilty about it). Storm mostly wants to get enough income so the other two can have a better future, thinking they have a better chance then he does.

-Storm is actually very good at cooking, and the only one of the Rogues that can be trusted in the kitchen. It’s his safe space and it’s such a good time for him if he can listen to music and just cook. He does not trust it when his cousins try to cook, especially if he’s sick or sore. HE’D RATHER RISK HIS BODY THEN RISK HIS KITCHEN BEING RUINED.

-He’s actually very into music, but secretly his favourites are classical and musical soundtracks. I’ve joked he’d LOVE the mamma mia soundtrack and you know what HE WOULD

-Like a lot of mobian birds. he POOFS up when he’s flustered or angry, it’s kinda adorable considering he is the fluffiest of the three. he’s nice to hug.

-He trips over his words and stutters a lot when he’s excited or nervous and it embarrasses him. It’s already one thing that he’s literally clumsy but he’s verbally clumsy too

-He mostly only calls Jet ‘boss’ simply because it makes him happy

I also had an odd kinda ‘interpretation’/’headcanon’ that i’ve basically made a thing in my own canon as he gets older, it’s mostly just stuck with me and made me explore his character? its’ just a bit touchy tho but i’ll put it below in case you wanna read:

So I tend to have all the characters in the cast aged up a ton as I got bored of them all being teenagers.

Jet: is like very 18-20 years old, still doing extreme gear racing for cash and on his way to be a champion, but also i think i had him studying or at least going for scholarships as an idea but he needs to grow up a little the insecure little weirdo. He’ll sometimes steal if he feels angry enough and wants to just go “Fuck this shit //yoink”

Wave: mid 20's, trying to start up her own tech business and it's getting there, she's busy a lot but still around. She still boards and steals.

Storm: around late 20's borderline 30s? .. he's having... a rough go of things for many reasons. he still does his best to support the two though by doing all sorts of little jobs, mostly to do with construction or labour because he feels he can't do much else-

Why’s Storm having such a rough time? HMMMM WELL

I pictured a few years before present day in my canon, he was still doing extreme gear racing aong ... unfortunately he had a very bad crash. It felt him in quite a condition, the worst damage was his head. He had hospitalised for quite some time, most likely months; and well the damages that the crash caused were extreme. He had to relearn a lot of things, he passed out a lot, forgot a lot of things. it was difficult for him.. and he still struggles with it.

i did my research on some long-term symptoms of damage to the brain, and he does deal with them and it's bad enough that he's no longer allowed to compete in extreme gear, he can barely do it for fun anymore either. his body just can't take it. So the most he can do is just ride around on it idly, not even do tricks or anything. So having to give up one his biggest skills/hobbies was extremely hard for him.

So he's in a very rough patch of depression, he tries to stick with taking care of his cousins but they can tell he's not doing well, he struggles to find jobs he can handle from his injury, a lot of his phsycal hobbies he can't do anymore and it's left him really sad. he's still got music and cooking but somedays his mental state is not that good.

it doesn't help i imagine after the accident his cousins treat him as if he's fragile and... he hates it. he understands they're worried and want him to be careful but he hates feeling like being babied and like he's gonna break at any slight touch.

he keeps a lot of his emotions about this to himself though buuuut it's kinda obvious he's not doing as well as he used to but he's trying his best to still be there for his cousins

i did explore this in a small short story i wrote with him talking about it with Big while Wave and Jet are off doing their own thing and Big just emotional support friend. Cause i’m weak for the two big bois. <3

AND UH THAT’S EVERYTHING. HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS READ I LIKE THINKING ABOUT THE BABYLON ROGUES IT’S INTERESTING

#text #longpost #babylon rogues #headcanons #sth #sonic the hedgehog #storm the albatross

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goosekid · 28 days

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3, 14 and 30

3 - 3 films you could watch for the rest of your life and not get bored of?

probably Mamma Mia both one and two, ive literally watched the first hundreds of times probably since i was little, and any barbie movie up to 2013 but im gonna say barbie in a mermaid tale cause that was always my favourite when i was young lol

14 - what’s something you’ve always wanted to do but maybe been to scared to do?

so many things honestly but a big one is travelling by myself, id love to see the world but i got mad anxiety and im very attached to my family and my home

30 - what’s one thing that never fails to make you happy/happier?

friends reaching out first to talk to me, im the type of person whos typically the one to keep up friendships so when someone starts a conversation first its always like friend actually likes me!!

#fellow water fowl

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brettyimages · 1 year

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Final instalment of my record review posts for 2022:

Classic 90s [disc 2] - 6/10 I got this 3-disc set in the charity shop because it had Spaceman by Babylon Zoo on it. It’s not on this disc, which is the R&B/hip-hop/dance disc. Highlights: 2 perfect records: Informer by Snow and Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite Lowlights: a couple of the R&B girlgroup ones - Don’t Let Go (Love) by En Vogue and Dream On Dreamer by the Brand New Heavies (and btw I assumed they were a shitty alt-rock band based on that name, not an R&B vocal group). Also Missing by Everything But The Girl is on there and I don’t like that song at all.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare 9/10 One of my fave AM records clearly. Highlight: 505, obviously. Lowlight: If You Were There, Beware is the one I like least but it’s still good.

The Clash - The Story Of The Clash - 8/10 This is a double-vinyl best-of set that I inherited from my dad, who has everything The Clash ever put out. Highlights: a number of my fave Clash songs are on here - Should I Stay Or Should I Go, Straight To Hell, Train In Vain, I Fought The Law, Bankrobber, (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais, Career Opportunities and London Calling Lowlights: everything else on here is good, if not great, I can’t pick out any bad ones!

ABBA Gold - 9/10 Probably the first band I was properly obsessed with, I listened to this album so much as a kid so these songs, in this order, are really part of me. Every one of them is great. Highlights: 2 moments in the tracklisting where there are 3 perfect songs in a row: Take A Chance On Me/Mamma Mia/Lay All Your Love On Me and Voulez-Vous/Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)/Does Your Mother Know

Now 8 [tape 2] - 5/10 This belonged to my mum and I was looking forward to giving it a listen but the tape is so worn that it wouldn’t even play side 3 and a lot of side 4 sounded like it was being played underwater. Gutted because side 3 started with Don’t Give Up by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, which I adore, but sadly Peter drowned before the end of the first verse so I could only rate side 4. Good: You Keep Me Hangin’ On by Kim Wilde, French Kissing In The USA by Debbie Harry, The Wizard by Paul Hardcastle Average: everything else

Madonna - Erotica - 6/10 I’ve listened to Erotica quite a lot this year while writing something set around the era it came out and I’ve always called it one of my fave Madonna works but it turns out I like the ~vibe~ more than the songs themselves. Overall rating for this is ‘good’. Highlight: Erotica itself remains one of my favourite Madonna songs Lowlight: In This Life is overly long and I got bored with it

7″s 381-385 5 singles from 1981: - This Is Radio Clash by The Clash - 10/10 sleeve design, both songs good but essentially just the same song twice - Ant Rap by Adam and the Ants - delicious picture sleeve portrait of Adam, Ant Rap itself is just noise but the B-side Friends is good - You Scare Me To Death by Marc Bolan - a posthumous release to tie in with a book by/about him (not sure which). Both songs on the record are good and it came with a bonus flexi-disc of Bolan airing his thoughts on other pop stars, it’s cool to hear him speak but not essential listening - Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode - the highlight of the set and a great pop song, not bothered about the instrumental b-side though - Lie Dream of a Casino Soul by The Fall - it’s fine, the b-side is way too long, I don’t actually like The Fall but I didn’t hate this

#rachel's record review

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laufire · 29 days

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“I'm not 'Bruce Wayne,' whoever that is. That's not me. For so long, I've wondered why I come alive only as the Batman. Alfred, now I know. Bruce Wayne is a hollow man. A convenient disguise, that's all. The Batman is a warrior. […] I am a warrior. From a warrior descended. My mother gave birth to Bruce Wayne, but her work... her life gave birth to Batman. Her death only speeded the process. […] The criminal underworld has always feared me,” the Batman interrupted. “For good reason, perhaps. From this moment on, what they need to fear is my mother… the completion of my mother's work.”

– Batman: The Ultimate Evil, Andrew Vachss.

#talking to the void #quotes #books #bookblr #dc #batman #bruce wayne #martha wayne #batman: the ultimate evil #andrew vachss #favourites: mamma who bore me

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bagelboys-withcreamcheese · 3 years

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Hosea Matthews x Modern!Reader

@theretherefenton come get your juice

Reader, trying to get out of camp: Where are you going?

Hosea: Hell, eventually.

—

Hosea: What is your favourite mythical story?

Reader: The story of My Will To Live.

Hosea: I don’t think I’ve heard of that one before.

—

Hosea: You are an absolute dork.

Reader, hanging upside down from their horse w/ their foot caught in the stirrup: Yeah, but I'm your dork!

Hosea, sighing while helping them down: Yeah, you're my dork.

—

Reader: I'm bored, any suggestions?

Hosea, reading his book: Sleeping is nice.

Reader: I acknowledge your suggestion, but I’m deciding to ignore it.

—

Reader: What situation is not instantly improved by the addition of fishnets, I ask you?

Hosea: Being a fish.

Reader: Blocked.

—

Hosea: What did you do?

Reader: Nothing!

Hosea: *raises eyebrows*

Reader: Put those back down! I didn’t do anything!

—

Hosea: I have a problem.

Reader: If it's harder than 2+2, I can't help.

—

*working a con*

Reader, talking to Hosea: It’s not that complicated, any idiot could do that.

Dutch: I can do that.

Reader: See?

—

Reader: Some of us are still ‘it’ from a childhood game of tag.

Hosea: Way to just fuck me up on a Tuesday.

—

Reader, with their face smushed up against the window: Oooh, look, a train!

Hosea: We’re sitting inside a train station,

Y/N.

—

Hosea: Oh, fiddlesticks! That really ruffles my feathers!

Reader, exasperated: Please just say fuck.

—

Reader: You’re drunk.

Hosea, clearly drunk: Correction: drinking. Present tense.

Reader:

Hosea: Grammar, Y/N.

—

Reader: Hey, are you okay?

Hosea, who just got done arguing w/ Dutch: Yes.

Reader: You don't look okay...

Hosea: Then stop looking.

—

Hosea: Hey, look, I found a spider. Cool little lad. Thanks for eating the mosquitos.

Hosea: Oh no, where did it go?

Reader, who scrambled up onto the table after hearing ‘spider’: HOSEA WHAT THE FUCK?!

—

*dressing for a con*

Reader: So... uh, for this party and everything, do you, uh...

Hosea, sighing: You don't know how to dress for this, do you?

Reader, panicked: WHAT IS CLOTHES???

—

Dutch: Look, I sort of did something and I need some advice, but I don't want a lot of judgment and criticism.

Reader:

Hosea:

Reader: And you came to us?

—

Reader: Hey, wanna help me commit arson?

Hosea: What the hell!?

Reader: Oh, sorry, my bad.

Reader: *looks around to make sure no ones listening*

Reader, whispering: Wanna help me commit arson?

Hosea, also whispering: Of course. What do you need?

—

Reader: Thanks for not telling Dutch about this.

Hosea, staring at the stagecoach Reader got stuck in a tree: I wouldn’t even know where to begin trying to explain this.

—

Bill: Not gonna lie, I'm kind of afraid of

Y/N...

Hosea: As you should be.

Bill: No, really, they're kind of-

Hosea: As. You. Should. Be.

—

*babysitting Jack*

Hosea: Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and…

Reader: Was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Hosea: Mamma called the doctor and the doctor said…

Reader: You might be entitled to financial compensation if he or a loved one dies.

#red dead redemption #red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 #dutch van der linde #arthur morgan #hosea matthews

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creativeashproductions · 3 years

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Songbird Shenanigans // Charlie Gillespie

IN WHICH: The reader will routinely sneak away from her band/hotel to continue her tour shenanigans in parking garages. A way for the young star to return to the stupid years where the concert venue was a car and the mic was the steering wheel. As each city comes and goes with the tour, one thing never changes, driving to parking garages to scream songs at the top of your lungs.

Warnings: Swearing, Mamma Mia songs (oops), and fluff

Words: 4.0k (with lyrics included)

A/N: There’s something endearing about Charlie randomly going a stranger in a duet and dance without a care. This was loosely inspired by the chaotic live they did when Jeremy and Charlie stayed at Owen’s place. I loved Charlie’s tropical shirt giving Animal Crossing vibes.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

A moment you had desired for a while finally came around in Oklahoma City during the free day between the two concerts. The pure quiet away from the interviews, photoshoots and demanding life of a musician. Yet despite wanting this time, you definitely felt bored, which only meant one thing.

A new video for your followers as you had done since the beginning of your successful career. Back before, you had the prominent following you had; now you would travel singing in your car, and then one video got viral. That elevated your following until you had signed a record deal with your brand new agent.

A series was then born of driving at night to the parking lots and garages in the city you temporarily visited. You'd park and sing any suggested songs from a previous video for an hour to see if a fan could find you. It was a fun game you had developed.

Y/N Y/L/N: Another installment of Songbird Shenanigans. From 9pm to 10:30pm, I'll be somewhere in Oklahoma City. Come find me for the prize!

Your agent both hated and loved the series as it brought attention to your career and songs but also was a hazard during the tour. The risk of losing your voice made your agent nervous, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

"What song are you doing?" Maddie asked from her chair in your hotel suite with a ratty book in her hand. Her rich dark hair pulled up in a high bun with a few pieces of bangs pulled down to hang free.

You didn't know if you could do what you do if you didn't have Maddie by your side as your singing partner and chief stylist. Maddie also always knew without looking on social media when you had a new installment coming.

"My most requested video is Train Wreck by-"

"James Arthur." Maddie snickered with her grey eyes pinned to the page she was reading faithfully. The book had seen better days, but it was her absolute favourite one by far and one of the only physical books she had.

"Somehow forgot you had it on repeat for a week straight." You snorted, shoving a hat on your head for warmth. A plain black coat pulled over your arms that matched the warm boots you had chosen, "I'll send you my location."

Maddie waved on hand in response, having known the routine since you first started this fun series. It allowed you a bit of your old life when the concerts you performed was solely in your car with the steering wheel as the microphone.

Judy, your agent, was sitting in the lobby with her binder surrounding her when she looked with a sigh. Without a word, she tossed the keys to the rented car she knew you'd need, so in each city, she rented one. A smile of gratitude shared before you were out the door with your hood up.

"Be careful!" Judy exclaimed just as the sliding doors closed behind you, sending you out in the cold night.

Almost instantly, your cheeks turned a light pink in the cold winter air, even if the walk to the war was short. As requested, the car was a newer model but one that would blend in with other city cars. It made finding you harder, but the windows couldn't be tinted.

"Here's to hoping I get a place with good acoustics." You muttered, starting the hatchback vehicle. Despite the cold winter weather, the road conditions were surprisingly okay, but then again, you were from a small town. Roads were shit in general.

You didn't bother playing music as you used the drive to find a parking garage and warm up your throat. Your vocal coach would have your head if you didn't warm-up, and then Judy would kill you even more.

You lucked out in a parking garage to a building that seemed to be a renovated warehouse with insanely cool windows. The metal was a dark shamrock green with a multitude of small rectangular glass between the metal. The panes swung open upwards in a fascinating design.

"Perfect." You muttered, signalling to turn into the parking garage that was easily accessed and without any trespassing signs. It was desolate, with cars parked here and there in the stalls.

A bright orange Subaru definitely took the cake as the most 'flashy' vehicle among the more nondescript ones. Not that it caught your attention when you lowered your windows marginally while simultaneously clipping the phone onto the dash. Immediately you double-checked for any apparent signs to your location before declaring it safe; with a tap of your finger, your Instagram live began.

"Welcome to another part of our Songbird Shenanigans. This time I'm in Oklahoma City for a two-day concert. The most requested song is Train Wreck by James Arthur."

Laying in the silence

Waiting for the sirens

Signs, any signs I'm alive still

I don't wanna lose it

I'm not getting through this

Hey, should I pray? should I pray

A natural instinct of closing your eyes as you got more into the music occurred. Your voice belted into the garage beautifully. Tons of comments appeared in the insta live chat of both supportive and haters.

username3: I suggested this song!!!

username88: Your voice goes perfectly with the song.

The song came to an end quicker than you would have liked since it was definitely one of your favourites to sing.

Unchain the reactions, I'm not ready to die, not yet

Pull me out of the train wreck

Pull me out, pull me out, pull me out

No action was helped back from taking a swig of water from the reusable bottle you had brought along. Your eyes scoured the comments for more suggestions or things that stuck out.

"Why don't you include hints in the Songbirds?” You read out from the comment section with a smile barely held back, "Why would I? You all know that my windows are often down, and even the most unoriginal locations have tells. There's been a few people that have found me."

Username13: I think I know where you are (insert heart emoji)

↳Username63: username13 where?! How do you know?

↳Username13: jatp is streaming all day and the guys are in a car. Same background

Your eyes read the short but interesting conversation between the two different accounts on something called jatp? Whatever that was.

"Any other requests?" You asked, scrolling through the suggestions, "Sing something from jatp? I'm sorry, guys, but I have no clue what that is? Is it a movie? OH! It's a show. My bad."

The comment section was flooded, "Okay! Let me look up the lyrics and the melody!"

Three males: a blonde and two brunettes, walked between the rows of both occupied and unoccupied parking spots. The blonde wearing a black t-shirt with BEANS written across the chest and the brunette with short slicked-back hair crowded the middle guy. All three pairs of eyes watched the iPhone stream the television series.

"I call shotgun!" Owen spoke as the car in question came into view, "We gotta Livestream in the car again!"

"Your neighbour sucks, man." Charlie groaned, nudging Jeremy to unlock the car when the older man hesitated.

"If we're going live in the car, we should cover your license plate," Jeremy suggested to a resounding agreement.

Charlie drove an obscenely vibrant coloured car that could be picked out quickly, so he didn't need any help in broadcasting his location. Owen grabbed the book from the passenger seat to angle it to lean against the plate.

"Done!" Owen called, racing back to climb into the car with his friends. The blonde-haired man bounced in his seat as the owner of the vehicle set up the screen.

In seconds, the streaming went from the app on the phone to the car's built-in screen to the boys' delight. In a moment of what some may call brilliance and others stupidity Owen went live on Instagram with Charlie joining him swiftly.

"Do you rem-"

Username76: Songbird chose a shitty location.

↳Username 39: Or we just got a Hail Mary hint

"Who is Songbird?" Charlie questioned, leaning closer to his friends in the front, catching a few comments.

The comments were mixed among other unrelated ones, but all had Songbird, Shenanigans or both words. The mystery was so intriguing the boys turned down the show to scour the comments for tidbits.

"Wait? Do you hear that?" Jeremy questioned, scanning the parking garage with his blue, green eyes. Soon his head was sticking out the window, "Someone is singing here."

Jeremy's hand turned the key of the car, "Is that-"

"Oh, no." Owen groaned, seeing that specific light appear in Charlie's eyes just as it did each time one of the songs came on. His pink beanie slid around his long blonde locks.

The two guys watched as the second oldest in their group did some kind of shimmy after pushing his phone to Jeremy. Jeremy's hand scrambled to get a grip on the phone as Charlie delved into his love for these songs. Sharing a look, Jeremy and Owen followed the Canadian to a car with a girl singing in the open hatchback car.

(Italics is you! Italics and bold is Charlie and you! Just bold is Charlie!)

When you were lonely, you needed a man.

Someone to lean on, well I understand

It's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Your eyes remained shut as you neared the middle of the first verse. You completely stopped when a voice joined. Your e/c eyes met the twinkling brown of a handsome guy with the best voice you'd heard in a long time.

Nights can be empty, and nights can be cold

So you were looking for someone to hold

That's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Your lips parted in a grin as you grabbed the hand being offered to be pulled out of the car; on your way, your hand nudged your phone. Your phone was in a mount attached to the roof of the hatch. When you followed the stranger, the phone turned in perfect view. Your free hand turned to hover over your forehead, legs bending to feign a swoon.

I was so lonesome, I was blue

I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I

Always thought you knew the reason why

Charlie beamed playing being shot by the arrow you pretended to shoot with a grin planted on your own lips. Charlie's hand flirted with your hip as you sashayed around his body from his left to his right. Hand grabbing a first full of his white with light teal with light pink design to tug him chest to chest.

I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me

It's better to forget me

In turn, Charlie grabbed your wrist to twirl you into his arms straight into an impressive dip with the toe of your shoe pointed to the far wall. Your fingers just barely caressing the rough paved lot.

"I'm Charlie," Charlie murmured during the instrumental between the chorus and the second verse. Your eyes scanned his features with an expression you would later be glad was hidden from the lighting in the garage.

"Y/N." You breathed, clutching his shoulders still low in the dip, hoping subconsciously that your breath was still fresh.

"Wanna finish this?" Charlie spoke, searching your eyes with his own; up close, you could see his eyes were a mixture of colours. You only nodded before he continued singing to the music.

Men are the toys in the game that you play

When you get tired, you throw them away

That's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

"Are you seeing this?" Jeremy whispered to Owen as they watched Charlie literally sweep a stranger off her feet. Owen could only nod as Charlie went into the next verse, still dancing as if he was in Mamma Mia 2.

Falling in love with a woman like you

Happens so quickly, there's nothing to do

It's only natural

But why did it have to be me?

Charlie spun you back away from his body in a graceful twirl your choreographer would be incredibly proud of. The moves you made somehow made sense, with the movements matching the spontaneous duet-er.

I was so lonesome, I was blue

I couldn't help it, it had to be you and I

Always thought you knew the reason why

Once more in his arms dancing, he dipped you once more as you finished the end of the last chorus breathing heavily. The two strangers staring intensely into each other's eyes with an intense look that had tensions in the parking garage.

I only wanted a little love affair

Now I can see you are beginning to care

But baby, believe me

It's better to forget me

"Intense." Owen chuckled as Charlie raised you back onto your feet with a matching grin to yours, "Oh! Look at the comments!"

Username24: Holy shit! They ooze chemistry!!

↳Username9: lol, okay Alex.

"You aren't a viewer, are you?" You breathlessly laughed, taking a step away from Charlie as the music faded away.

The equally breathless spontaneous performing partner laughed as well, "I heard the song and hoped for the best."

"Are you Songbird?" Came a voice from a few feet away. Behind the once upon a time stranger stood two males approaching slowly.

"Oh!" You gasped, turning on your heel to see where your phone was pointing, "Well, that's convenient! One moment."

Jeremy and Owen flanked Charlie as you repositioned the phone at the moment with practised precision. You kept the three people out of the shot for privacy reasons.

"There is about ten minutes away from the end of this installment being over. For the first time since we started this series, I had a duet." You playfully laughed, looking over at the trio, "It's completely up to my sudden partner, but would you like to meet your audience?"

Charlie simply shrugged, "Sure. They've seen you be serenaded by a stranger."

A short laugh came from the three individuals around Charlie as he moved into the camera frame with a large smile. As soon as he was in sight, the comment section went nuts, furthering when Owen and Jeremy came into view.

Username1: DREAM COME TRUE

↳Username4: omg jatp in Songbird Shenanigans?? Life accomplished.

You couldn't hold back the snort at the comments you could read quickly as they disappeared after new ones. The three guys couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"I've never seen these guys before. If you could introduce yourselves." You asked the three guests, to which each sent a reassuring smile to your hesitance.

"I'm Charlie Gillespie, and these are my friends Owen Joyner and Jeremy Shada." Charlie took the liberty of introducing both his friends and himself. His heart fluttered at the adorable smile that had appeared on your pretty face.

"I'm afraid this concludes this edition of Songbird." You apologized to the camera as the time passed the allotted hour and a half. The comments turned sad before most of them started sending questions, "I'll let you know when I do another edition! Bye for now!"

Your finger clicked the end button firstly before clicking the save button for when you would upload it to your account later.

"Thank you for doing that. I'm Y/N." You chuckled, shaking hands with Jeremy and Owen, who each grinned back, "So what brought you guys to the parking garage with three phones and a live-action Animal Crossing shirt?"

Amusement was found on all four young adults in the parking garage, pinning a gaze at the material. You had to admit you kinda adored the shirt, or maybe the person wearing it was the reason.

"We're trying to get Julie and the Phantoms to number one again." Owen offered as he displayed the live still going on his phone.

"That's a tv series. That was the second song I did on the live before Charlie joined the little concert." You told the boys all the while aware that thousands of people watched from the phone still streaming.

"The phone's about to die." Owen piped up, catching the single decimal number broadcasting the percentage. Without any prompting, he ended the live to save it solely for the little performance Charlie did.

"Did you save it?" Jeremy asked, lifting on his tiptoes to check the phone Owen had commanded for the last half hour. Like Owen, Jeremy wanted to save it solely for the stellar performance.

"So, how'd this series start?" Charlie questioned, pushing his hands into his pockets, ignoring the subtle glances of his best friend.

"I needed an escape from touring so many cities. It's reminiscent of the days before I was discovered. When my audience was the dials in my car and my family." You half-smiled, recalling all the times you had simply driven around to sing.

"You're a musician?"

"I am. I'm currently on tour for my second album. Every second or third city I'm performing in, I take the rented car to parking lots or garages to sing. I always have a prize for the fans that find me."

"Could I get your number?" Charlie hesitantly questioned. His features twisting with the manipulation of nerves.

His palms had gone clammy enough to inconspicuously wipe them on his legs; this version of Charlie was unfamiliar. Owen and Jeremy had only ever seen him as this bundle of joy and energy, not to say he didn't have his low days, instead of nervous. Owen slipped his fingers behind his back to cross them. He hoped his Canadian friend would get it.

"You don't leak mine, and I won't leak yours." Your e/c eyes twinkled with the brush of Charlie's warm fingers on your own. The new contact waiting for his information, "Maybe we can meet up with each other?"

"I'd love that."

Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, Unspecified Date

The sounds of screams and heavy instruments blocked by the unique in-ears explicitly made for your ears alone. You'd heaved, catching a breath after such an energetic song you'd just performed for the sold-out venue. You just jogged to the side for a chug of water as your band switched instruments.

"Are you having fun tonight!" You asked the crowd who had fought tooth and nail for tickets. The crowd screamed back louder than before.

Selling out MSG for completely insane even after touring the country with your band three times. It was still a little jarring, going from a nobody with untapped potential to selling out concerts and very successful albums, in all honesty.

"That's what I like to hear!" You beamed, pushing a strand of your unruly hair away from your face. Your eyes momentarily cast to the side stage with the equipment hiding the crew, "I have a surprise for you. A couple years ago, I had a spontaneous duet partner during one of Songbird Shenanigans. I'd like to invite my fiance Charlie out here."

The crowd went nuts as Charlie wandered towards you from the side of the stage away from Owen, Jeremy and Madison. Charlie's hazel eyes scoured the oceans of your e/c eyes he got to wake up to each morning. Mostly when Julie and the Phantoms had been offered to open for you; to be frank, it was more of an unspoken co-headlining.

"Can we tell?" You asked, keeping the mic covered and away from your body. Your body bounced, waiting for the smile from him.

Charlie nodded, accepting the guitar from one of the crew members. It was a song you had written a few months back. Charlie had memorized the entire piece with the deep adoration he felt for it.

The couple perched on the bar stools brought to the middle of the stage with a secret smile. One that only they and their immediate family understood.

Three months ago, you had sat Charlie down in your home to play him a little song that changed everything.

Charlie placed the last bag of groceries on the counter when he felt arms wrap around his midsection. He immediately knew that it was you welcoming him home from a very short trip to the store. In a swift move, he had manoeuvred you to sit on the counter while he scooched himself between your legs.

"Hi." Charlie breathed, rising to press a kiss against the smooth skin of your cheek, leaving heat in its wake.

"I want your opinion on a song." You burst out, unable to refrain from showing him a song you had been secretly working on. The French Canadian was beyond intrigued by the sudden announcement from his fiance.

"Oh?"

"Come." You coaxed the man from the kitchen to the designated music room filled with instruments of all kinds—even a recent addition of a recording booth in the corner with high-end equipment.

You bypassed everything for the grand piano you didn't play as often as you wished to be able to. Your fingers brushed the ivory keys for a mere second before you began playing the melody.

I, I have known love before

I thought it would no more

Take on a new direction

Still, strange as it seems to be

It's truly new to me

That affection

The smile that grew across Charlie's expressive face was uncapturable from the best of the best; he adored your voice. He had a personal ringtone you had explicitly done for him a few months into the relationship.

I, I don't know what you do

You make me think that you

Will change my life forever

I, I'll always want you near

Give up on you, my dear

I will never

You thrill me, you delight me

You please me, you excite me

You're all that

I've been yearning for

I love you, I adore you

I lay my life before you

I only want you more and more

And finally it seems

My lonely days are through

I've been waiting for you

Charlie's frown, however, faltered as your face ever so slightly paled with trepidation coating your pretty irises. Your voice even quivered with nerves he'd never heard before, but it made sense from the third verse started.

I'll carry you all the way

And you will choose the day

When you're prepared to greet me

I'll be a good mum, I swear

You'll see how much I care

When you meet me

You finished the song with the last note drawn out ever so softly, freezing as the room went quiet once more. This song was definitely vulnerable and personal; you felt naked under Charlie's silent stare.

"You're really?" Charlie breathlessly chuckled, his wide eyes screaming disbelief.

After a few years together with an engagement ring on both of your fingers after you had both proposed to each other, with the relationship very serious, you two had decided to stop contraceptives and let everyone happen if it was too happen.

"Yeah." You laughed as he swept you off the bench into his arms, "We have little Birdie to prepare for."

"I love you so damn much." Charlie choked out, spinning the two of you around in his arms. The smile never fading as he drank in the special moment of learning you had created a life together.

PRESENT

"With the impending arrival of our child, I will be taking a break to prepare. Even though I wouldn't be performing, I will still do Songbird Shenanigans. I'll just have to up my game on staying as hidden as possible." You informed the audience as the song came to an end.

Next thing you knew, you couldn't discern between the crowd and your friends now on stage screaming. You were able to feel Charlie's hand on your barely-there baby bump and his lips pressed against your temple.

Tag List (PLEASE SEND AN INBOX TO BE ADDED! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE ON THE LIST VIA POST COMMENTS!)

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#charlie gillespie imagines #charlie gillespie fanfiction #charlie gillespie x reader #jatp fanfic #luke patterson imagines #charlie gillespie #luke patterson #charlie gillespie imagine #caitsy and ash productions

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builtyouahousefromabrokenhome · 2 years

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I’m reading Tired Tired Sea again and it’s so brilliant ♥ Probably my favourite Larry fic, or fanfic in general, of all time.

My reviews of the greatest Larry classics of all time, and the songs they remind me of:

- Tired Tired Sea: Absolutely the best, the 1st Larry fic I ever read and I’ll probably never read anything better. I love the characterizations, it’s realistic and well researched, has a unique setting and a beautiful, caring, respectful and loving romance. And it’s so funny! The author is really good at capturing Louis’ and Harry’s sense of humour. And I love the postcards so much. The one critique I have is that it’s so dark a lot of the time when they’re indoors, that’s a bit claustrophobic to me personally lol. Light some candles or oil lamps for gods sake! (I’ve lived without electricity for extended periods of time and there is absolutely no reason to stumble around in the dark ^^) Edit: Although I have to admit it does add very effectively to the quiet, cozy, isolated atmosphere, so go off I guess! :D Tired Tired Sea also helped me see how shitty/incompatible an ex of mine was, who got angry at me because I got emotional during a chess game, while Louis thought it was totally endearing when Harry got emotional during their scrabble game ^^ (Song: Home - can’t believe it’s not on the official playlist! :)

- Escapade: Honestly I don’t quite get why this one is such a beloved classic. It’s quite out of character, their families are all OCs and pretty annoying to me personally, it’s not that deep emotionally (to me) and the whole setting just doesn’t appeal to me. Filthy rich people in a boring luxury resort ... ehh. It was okay as a fic but to me it’s just that, nothing more. I actually didn’t read it for ages because Louis’ character in the 1st scene appalled me so much (he’s a filthy rich corporate lawyer fucking people over for a living), but since people were talking about how great it was I skipped the beginning and then kind of got into the fic after all. (Song: Mamma Mia cover hehe because it kind of has the vibe of that movie)

- Young & Beautiful: This also felt very out of character (they are much more in character and have amazing banter especially in Velvetoscar’s other fic Dreaming of You). Then again Harry’s character here explores the dichotomy of his public persona vs. his true self, which applies in real life too. To me it felt pretty over the top and “anime” with all those extremely wealthy kids in that fancy school, but it has so much emotional depth and I cried when reading it, and sometimes still do when I remember the line “The moon knows we are in love” T^T ... I don’t even know why that breaks my heart so much, I’m tearing up right now too!! It also helped me get over a relationship that in real life was pretty much “sunk cost fallacy” (it took a lot of work because the other person, who I still love and respect so much, had a lot of issues and was scared of relationships, and in the end I noticed I was losing myself and the relationship was just about walking on eggshells and hoping I didn’t do something wrong, but inevitably still doing things that upset her without meaning to). Anyways Young & Beautiful let me fantasize about a relationship that appears to be “sunk cost fallacy” but is actually progressing and worth it in the end. (Song: End Of The Day)

- Fading: This is a very good story about someone with an eating disorder, and it touched me really deeply. I thought Harry’s character and motivations were really interesting - he was someone who enjoyed being of service to others and needed to be with someone who needed being taken care of in a way, but also didn’t take advantage of him. But it feels pretty out of character - possibly I would have loved it even more if it had not used the 1D character framework ... but then I might never have found it :-/ On the other hand there are a couple of "coincidences” in Fading, some lines that Harry’s lyrics seem like they could be referencing, like “tastes like strawberry” and “kissing in the kitchen” O_o (Song: Little Things)

- Zarah5′s fics (including Into The Blue, Wear It Like A Crown, Pull Me Under): I love all her fics and also hate them a tiny bit. They are all consistently extremely well written, realistic, funny and have great characterizations, they are absolute page turners, and really hot, and also they all have this very obvious “five act structure” where act 4 must be the worst angst imaginable, a terrible misunderstanding and everything going to hell, but then supposedly they resolve it in the end and everything is okay after all. My favourite is Into The Blue, which differs a bit - there is plenty of angst but it’s not a misunderstanding and feels realistic and makes total sense within the story. And it’s very well researched about diving in Madeira! (Song for Into the Blue: Better Than Words)

- Flightless Bird: Deals with child sexual abuse, the structures and networks that enable it, and its consequences, so be warned before reading. But it has a happy and satisfying ending. For me the author’s notes were a bit distracting, and there were a lot since the chapters are pretty short. The many typos on top of this also tended to bring me out of the story’s groove, since they were often involuntarily funny ... (e.g. grisly -> grizzly :3) Nevertheless, Flightless Bird had me on the edge of my seat especially during the first half, and I read it really quickly skipping dayjob work to read it lol. I really felt for the characters and cried a lot. It was pretty cathartic to read, since I’ve been in a kind of similar position as Harry’s character :/ (but on a smaller scale, with a less horrible catalyst). I liked how it handled the theme of Harry’s character being difficult and disliked by everyone, when his reasons and motivations would probably have made people understand and sympathise with him, if only the right people knew. But he couldn’t possibly tell the people who could have been his allies, and meanwhile the wrong people knew and used it against him. The ballet setting was interesting and well done, and I liked how the story made references to Swan Lake and Giselle. I really loved Harry’s character’s relationship with ballet as an art form. On a side note, I appreciated how this story contrasted child sexual abuse against the loving and equal relationship between the protagonists, when homophobes often, infuriatingly, conflate homosexuality with pedophilia and CSA. (Song: Last First Kiss)

- Unbelievers: I haven’t read this yet because I really don’t like the trope “enemies to lovers” ... Everyone is hyping it so much though that at some point I will probably read it anyway. Please send me spoilers that might motivate me to read it! Like that their mutual hate as enemies is actually externally imposed, due to homophobia or something? (Song: TBA!)

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In general I’m sincerely amazed at all the great writers in the fandom and how the sublime experience of witnessing Larry Stylinson has inspired so many and so incredibly good works of literature ♥

#fic recs #larry fic recs #larry fic classics

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usagi-mitsu · 3 years

Text

Werlyt & Gaius - a bunch of thoughts.

I am a little late to the party. I know. But I just finished the Emerald weapon and before I go to try out the „not Zenos“ weapon as in „Diamond“, I need to get my thoughts on the story straight.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by 5.0s brilliant MSQ and cannot appreciate the inherent beauty of at least decent writing any longer. But this felt so wrong and out of tune with the rest of the game. I started writing this 2 hours ago! I wanted to one in bed by now! XD But I had to get it out of my system… so….

Spoilers for the MSQ and Werlyt incoming??? And no I did not re-read this so not just spoilers but also writing errors incoming. -.-

The good

These fights are epic! I have only ever cleared the normal versions, but I loved those. They are amazing. The callbacks to Eula (her being a woman here! When did they discover that???), Regula (may he rest in peace) and Gaius himself in his prime were delightful. But I could do with a little less rotating, ok? A dragoon has positional, you know? And being allowed to pilot my very own mecha was like *chefs kiss*. On that front? Well done Square Enix!

I am also glad they were able to get another use out of Porta Praetora! That place looks amazing with the wide open field and the lake – and Ala Mhigo across it. It was one of my favourite Stormblood areas and I am always glad to return there. And of course… being able to visit the allied camp again… And Werlyt itself. It’s simply a beautiful place. It reminds me very much of southern Greece. If you’ve watched the movie Mamma Mia you know what I mean.

The music too was really nice. But I don’t think I’ll… you know… listen to it on repeat as I am doing with other parts of the soundtrack.

I’ve also loved how much amazing lore we got about Garlemald and especially the garlean military. And the military abroad. The way soldiers not from the mainland get treated. I love learning about these things.

Gaius

The man. The legend. The guy yelling in Prae.

He’s so very boring here. He has so much potential as a character and maybe I’m missing something, but all throughout this story he has been nothing but passive. He’s a reactive character in this storyline. You know. The guy who made deals with Lahabread (the d is intended), tried to take over Eorzea, lead a whole army, stood idly by as the moon dropped, almost died but then decided just not to die and then though „hm… I’ve got so much freetime now. How about I go and hunt some ascians?“ That guy is NOT a reactive character. He is active. He goes out of his way to make shit he wants happen. And in here? He seems too starstruck and devastated by his adopted kids actions to actually have one clear thought.

The only explanation I have is that he might have gotten hit in the head by something on his way to the ruby weapon. I get why he would rely on Cid for help, but the WoL??? The alliance? If you wish to be an ally and help or something, fucking act like it. You were a former legatus and I expect you to live up to your name – even after retiring.

And yeah.. I guess it’s hard having to watch your kids willingly, knowingly dying. But you fucking raised them. You are a big part of the reason to why they are in that predicament. So like… Aside from that I don’t even get why you are in this story at all.

And for the record: I’m not sorry for him. I’m just flabbergasted by all the bullshit we’ve been learning about him.

To be quite honest, I think this story could have worked just as well or maybe even better, if we got another man as the „hero“ of the story. I am talking about none other than our engineering, hammer-swinging, ex-enemy - of course talking about Nero!

The MSQ has long established that his research into the Ultimate Weapon had been taken, twisted and turned – Estinien had to experience this first-hand. I’m not saying that Nero was in need of a redemption arc and I cannot remember if these weapons were of his creation or even stem from anything he did, but it would make so much more sense for me, to have him confront his past in the garlean military like this and be responsible for the death of his former colleagues. Soldiers that he served with, whom he faught with. Give me Nero and them working together to get the weapons going and him bonding with them as his pilots to a degree. Comrades. Not that strange familiar bond that Gaius appareantly has with them. … Scratch that: Let Gaius be the father figure. Him being that wouldn’t change Nero’s relationship with them, but maybe his with Gaius as his superior.

The story wouldn’t even need to try and redeem Nero: He has already gone through major character development with the MSQ and the Omega raid tier. It would simply be Nero, confronted with the things he created, hopefully instilling more morals and a sense of responsibility for his creations. Heck: Let Cid yell at the guy! Seriously! Cid sticking around to help out would make so much more sense if it was Nero instead of freaking Gaius! Cid hated the guy! He might be a professional, but he is not one to torture himself by staying around a guy he (as far as I know) detests.

Make Nero the central figure and give Cid and Gaius the roles of „angel and demon“: One desperately trying to reach out to his old friend, reminding him why they became engineers and trying to make him realise that he can’t just run around designing weapons and leaving the scematics for everyone to read; while the other has trouble letting go of his imperial past and is struggling to see the errors of his ways – if Nero was wrong, than he (Gaius) was wrong too -and of course they did all of this for their home, to further their cause, and to bring peace to the savage lands of Eorzea, who had been fighting amongst themselves for so long… You get the point.

And you could still have these gundam themed fights. But I think everything would make so much more sense in general.

But speaking of which-

The children

I do not truly care for any of them. And that is a shame: I do think there are great characters and dynamics hidden behind these very few cutscenes. When they were first introduced I was wondering why I was suddenly watching „heartwarming“ cutscenes of my foes as children – until I realised that I was supposed to care and that they were supposed to make me feel pity for Gaius. I was supposed to feel bad for him, because they died and he blames himself. But while their fates so far have been gruesome, I cannot say that I am sad they died. They chose to die as they did. There were a myriad more options. And they chose that.

Actually. Their whole story makes me feel like they were huge masochist from the very beginning. They could have just run away and gotten help from someone more competent than them, but they stayed in an abusive military arrangement just so nobody else got hurt?? Please. Use your brains next time. And for the Berserk-like torture scene? I mean. I get what was implied here. But was it necessary? As a writer myself I follow the rule that torture and sexual violence should never be used in a story, unless it must be in there for the story to work or to bring across a vital point important to the story or it’s moral (or if you are writing porn and you are into it – but we are talking official in-game content here). But the violence towards these „children“ seems unnecessary for the plot and the violence of their deaths by piloting the weapons is already gruesome enough. Sometimes it’s better to leave things like this out – the emotional torture of feeling stuck and having a martyrs complex would have been enough here, I think. If the rest of the story had been well written at least.

(I believe my utter lack of sympathy shows how little character developement they had. I love tragic characters, who choose to suffer for the good of other people – even better if those people don’t even like them. It’s just my thing. And those kids are just… well.)

Their reasons and especially why they were making Allie out as the one who would need to survive was also just… weird. Like. I feel like 75% of what happened would not have happened, if they actually talked to each other, used their brains and had done something about their problems. But no…

These characters are also so exchangeable with basic anime/j-RPG character tropes… I only remember Alfonse, Rex and Allie – because I just did the Emerald weapon. And right afterwards I thought, „huh. So… Fullmetal Alchemist?“ Which brings me to my third point …

…the story at large.

„Pacing is a virtue“ or was it patience..? Anyhow: The author of this story should have had more patience with his story and characters and taken a bloody break! And I am not talking about the obvious blunder of „How is Allie feeling?“, „she is in shock and you cannot talk to her“ turning to „oh yeah if you are careful you can talk to her now“. I mean. WTF. That was MAYBE 10-20 in-game minutes of dialogue.

But everything was moving so very fast – and not even in a good way. There are few things better than a fast paced, action rich story about a group of young people trying to safe (their) world. But if you try to cram in two expansions worth of character development and story telling into about two hours of content each patch.. Well, then you get whatever the hell this is.

Gaius is a very interesting character and while I did not understand why they needed to bring him back in 4.4 (?), I do see how he could be a good asset for endwalker. And his involvement in 5.0 with Estinien was just a dear delight. So I am not opposed to learning more about him, to watching his character grow and changed with time. But I am not ready for badly written content of which 50% get told by suddenly induced echo-sequences. I mean – weren’t there rules for the echo at some point???

I’m not sure which one of the devs said it, but the feature that let’s you play an NPC is super convenient for them to tell the story, because before they could only show what happened where the WoL was.

And that’s just it. Rule number 1 in writing anything is „Show don’t tell“. It feels like they literally turned this one around for these cutscenes. While Valens torture and diet-Fandaniel-routine were very much „show“, the rest of the story was one long cutscene of exposition: We get exposition by Cid, by Gaius, by echo, by Gaius and his crew again, then by Allie. Before having to watch scenes we are not there for.

BTW. Dear square Enix: Your writers are capable of writing amazing villains, antagonist and despicable assholes. You don’t have to write „asshole, must die“ on Valens name card. And I also think the „WoL, strike here“ sign above his head was a tad bit too much. Nuance, dear writers. Nuance. Or perhaps I just got spoiled by these last few foes in the MSQ.

When I said I wanted to just be able to punch a bad guy for once and not feel bad about it, I did not mean this! I meant that I just wanted to play training dummy with Danny-Boy.

(Oh! And as far as I’m concerned you can just… sideline Gaius … „would be killer“ and the lady? Make them targetable NPCs with Dialoge to read. Let them stand somewhere accessible and comment on the latest developement. But ffs don’t give me hour long speeches about how you are going to kill Gaius if he does something you don’t like. The guy could and would wipe the floor with you if he felt like it. -.- So. Please. Shut up.)

Conclusion

Basically. I have to finish the Diamond weapon. But I doubt it will change my perception of this story line even in the slightest.

To be perfectly honest though … bringing Gaius back, having this story with and about him, forcing a sort of redemption ark here. It feels like they are really „grooming“ him to be a morally grey ally in Endwalker, with perhaps a big part to play in the endgame. At this point I wouldn’t even be surprised if they pulled a GoT and made him „King in the North“. Or if they had him die a heroic death to save the world, but especially his country. And to do so they need us to think his sacrifice means something. Or that he is the right person to lead Garlemald into a new future (I don’t think he is). But: For one, neither we (the players) nor the characters need to find him worthy of throne or death by heroism for his sacrifice/ascension to work. To be a useful tool for the story, only the other garleans who might oppose the alliance and scions need to deem him or his sacrifice „worthy“. And only they. And Ishikawa-san has all of 6.0 to accomplish whatever the hell she needs him for. He did not need to be the center of his own botched redemption ark. If that’s what they wanted to do. Or maybe I’m looking at this all wrong and all they wanted was to give the writes in training some literal training grounds to test their abilities.

But! On a positive note: I have yet to be told that raids and other side content are canon to any degree. So when playing the next story quests I’ll blissfully ignore all that happened in Werlyt and if it get’s mentioned (because they do that sometimes when you’ve done certain content) I’ll just ignore it.

Happy ignoring! Also: GIVE ME MORE NERO CONTENT!

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thorniest-rose · 4 years

Text

reddie halloween prompt #3 weapons

The Watcher is younger than he expected. Younger, and scruffier too. Nothing like the nice man that Eddie had met at his new high school. The Librarian with the soft voice and the even softer eyes, who had told him that it was okay, it was fine to be scared. That he was stronger than he looked.

But no, his Watcher didn't turn out to be the nice Librarian, or the mysterious red-haired woman with burns on her arms who Eddie had seen setting fire to a vampire without even lifting a finger. No, instead it was this scruffy, deeply unimpressive man with the glasses and the terrible patterned shirts, who had introduced himself to Eddie while eating Burger King, a strawberry milkshake in one hand as he offered it to Eddie, saying he knew it was his favourite. Who had been standing outside his high school waiting for him to walk out like a total pervert.

He was 25 apparently. A little young to be a Watcher. But Eddie hadn’t asked questions. Had liked to pretend he didn’t care.

They’re at the hideout, a spare room above a noodle bar in Chinatown, that Richie says they’re going to use to train. But Eddie feels dubious. He’s seen the way Richie smokes, and the man's soft stomach doesn't make him think he's doing a lot of crunches.

The weapons rack in front of him is a sadist’s daydream: there are knives, axes, swords, wooden stakes, a pair of nunchucks, whips, even a chain with a spiked ball at the end of it that Eddie’s certain would do more damage to him than anyone else.

He looks over his shoulder at Richie where he's leaning back against a desk, his arms crossed across his broad chest.

Not that Eddie’s noticed or anything.

“So I can... fight with all of this?”

“Sure,” Richie says, “but I want you to tell me which one you want to fight with. Look at the weapons and tell me which one you gravitate to. And I mean, really look at them. Imagine fighting with each one, and tell me which one feels the most real to you. Which one you want to hold in your hands.”

Eddie looks back at the weapons. He doesn’t know which one he wants to fight with. He doesn’t want to fight at all.

After a moment he points to a heavy axe in the middle of the display. “That one.”

Richie raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth turning up into one of those annoying smirks. “Oh really?”

“Yes, really. You just told me to choose.”

“Are you sure you can even handle that? It probably weighs just as much as you do.”

“Does it matter? Don’t I have super strength now anyway?”

Richie doesn’t look convinced, but he shrugs and pushes off the desk.

“Okay, let’s try it out then.”

Richie crosses the room and takes the axe from the display. A second later he’s in front of Eddie and without warning, drops it. Eddie flings his hands out, only catching it at the last moment. He glares up at Richie. At his stupid smirk and his thick glasses.

“You okay with that?” Richie asks.

“Yes.”

“Good. Just testing your reflexes.”

Eddie frowns at him, his hands clinging to the axe. It feels alien in his grip. Like an intrusion, something unwanted.

Richie's smile turns contemplative.

“I was surprised, you know. When they said it was you. You’re the first male in centuries to have been chosen. That must mean you’re doubly special.”

“I doubt that,” Eddie mumbles. “There’s nothing special about me.”

“Haven’t they told you? You’re-”

“The Chosen One. I know. One boy in all the world who can fight the vampires yadda yadda. I get it, I’ve read the manual, okay?”

And Eddie had. A thickly bound manuscript that the visiting Watcher had placed before him. All about what it meant to be a Slayer and why he had been chosen. When he had been told that it was his fate. That he was the only thing that would stop the world being plunged into eternal darkness.

Eddie had argued; had spent two weeks screaming and begging and crying, saying over and over that he couldn’t do this, that it had been a mistake. But it didn’t matter. The Watcher’s Council had barely budged, even in the face of his most fiery tantrum, when Eddie had taken one of their oldest books and ripped the pages out of it until he had fallen, sobbing, into a ball on the floor.

He had grown sullen after that, had hardly spoken. Refused to cooperate. Until Richie had turned up outside of his school one afternoon and told him to stop sulking.

Richie chuckles, breaking through his thoughts.

“It’s boring as shit, I know. I told them that we should have told you about the origins of the Slayer through interpretative dance, but they didn’t listen to me.”

Eddie almost smiles, but forces it off his face at the last second. Richie didn’t deserve to see him smile.

“So how does it feel?”

Eddie fumbles with the axe. It felt awkward in his hands. Cold, and heavy. He couldn’t imagine swinging it. Could hardly even hold it. All he wanted was to drop it the floor and run all the way home. Away from Richie. Back to his house in Derry. Back to mamma and her microwave dinners, to his bedroom and his math homework. Anywhere but here.

“It feels okay,” he says.

“Oh yeah? Then why are holding it like that?”

Eddie glares up at him. Suddenly wants to use his new strength to punch him right in his aggravating, stupidly chiselled jaw.

“How is it supposed to feel? All I’m going to do is kill things with it, right? It doesn’t have to feel good.”

But Richie shakes his head. "That’s not it. You’re not a killer, you’re the Slayer.”

“What’s the difference?”

“There’s a big difference. Come on, let me help you with that.”

Richie circles around Eddie until he comes up directly behind him.

“Here,” he hears Richie say softly, his breath making the small hairs on the back of Eddie’s neck shock up. “This is how you hold it.”

Eddie jumps a little when Richie's lowers his hands to rest on his forearms, directing them down the axe until he's holding it properly. He swallows. Eddie’s only wearing a thin t-shirt, and in the chill of the room Richie’s skin burns where he touches him.

He expects Richie to draw away then, for the cold to hit his back when Richie steps away, but to his surprise, Richie doesn’t. Instead his hands ghost across Eddie’s shoulders, and for a moment he forgets how to breathe.

“You need to relax, okay? You’re too tense.”

Eddie nods, but he suddenly can’t speak.

This close, Eddie can smell him. Richie smells like cigarette smoke and some kind of cheap aftershave, but beneath that he smells warm and woodsy. Eddie realises with a jolt that it’s a nice smell. Comforting. And he realises that he likes the way Richie smells. That he likes the way Richie feels.

“How’s that now? Better?”

“A little,” Eddie manages to say, hating how thick his voice sounds. Syrupy.

“Why did you choose the axe?”

Eddie shrugs. “It looked like it was the best thing to choose. The most powerful.”

Richie huffs, and the sudden gust of breath against his skin makes Eddie shiver.

“It’s not about what looks good, remember? You’re thinking about this too hard. You need to feel it. Look at the weapons again.”

So Eddie does. He looks back at the rack and slowly draws his eyes over the weapons where they're displayed like some brutal art exhibit. He tries to imagine himself fighting with each one, but he can’t. In his head he sees himself dropping his chosen weapon, or sees it being taken from him as he struggles. Sees himself being hit, stabbed, beaten. And there’s nothing he can do about it.

“Relax,” Richie reminds him, voice pitched low and soft. “Relax and feel it.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Eddie’s eyes focus on a small sword at the far end of the rack, almost hidden next to a huge scythe. It’s small and slim, barely more than a dagger, but there’s something elegant about it. Neat and simple. And it looks sharp. Like the thorn on a fairytale rose. Like it would make blood well on the tip of his finger if he touched it.

“That one,” he says.

And this time he means it.

Richie follows his line of sight, and Eddie can almost feel the approval radiating from him. From this strange, older man in his pink shirt patterned with wiener dogs wearing hotdog buns. With his dark hair and weird glasses, and his habit of telling awful jokes.

“Very good," Richie says. "Let’s try that.”

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