#fully prepared for Rafael to be a card
Text
Where The Ocean Waves Met My Anxious Heart And Your Strong Embrace
wc: around 1.5k
warnings: reader almost drowning (as a flashback), mentions of fear of death, panic attack, written in 1st person, english is not my first language, ooc rafe?, fluff, not fully proofread
a/n: AAAA my first fic and i am not sure how to feel about it. truly hope it makes sense. comment if you want to be added to the taglist for future fics (ideally would love to put out one fic every week but we'll see how that goes ;-; )!! if you liked this, please comment and reblog <333
p.s. can't decide if the title fits this at all
~
I never liked him. In fact, I want to gag anytime the name ‘Rafe Cameron’ leaves someone's mouth. He had somehow (unsurprisingly) lived up to his title in the Outer Banks, the Kook Prince. An arrogant and cocky asshole was all that he was to me.
I never really cared about the whole Pogues and Kooks thing. I was friends with both, in fact Kie, Pope, John B and JJ were some of my closest friends. Just because I live in Figure Eight, doesn’t make me better than those who live on the Cut. That is what my parents always taught me, since both of them also used to be Pogues.
But I was never gonna live it down when it came to the eldest Cameron offspring. He always calls me ‘the rip-off Kook’.
Sarah and I have been best friends since forever, but I never got along with Rafe. Ever. Even when we were kids, he always annoyed me, trying and often succeeding at pissing me off or upsetting me.
You would think that we would’ve grown out of our childish antics as time went on, but it only got worse. We could never pass each other without sending glares or saying snarky remarks.
It’s a Friday night in late June. My family and I are at Cameron's for our annual summer barbecue.
I had left my camera there a couple days prior after a sleepover with Sarah. As always, I was tasked to document the gathering, so I went inside to look for it.
And that is why I found myself in Rafe’s room, looking for my camera, that Sarah had left there for some unknown reason to me.
I had been in there a couple times before, but I never had the chance to check it out completely.
I was surprised to find the wall behind his bed covered in photos. Was he also into photography?
My eyes drifted to the window that overlooked the front yard of Tannyhill.
There was soft music playing, as our families were conversing, sipping on wine and enjoying the food. My need to capture this moment became unignorable. But as I turned to grab my camera from his desk, I saw Rafe standing behind me. I flinch from his presence.
“Jesus, can you not creep upon people like that?” I say.
“Didn’t mean to scare you, sweetheart,” he answers, a lazy smirk on his lips.
I roll my eyes at the nickname, turning back to the window.
“What are you doing in my room, Y/L/N?” he asks, as he moves to stand next to me.
“Came to get this,” I picked up the camera from the desk and prepared to snap the photo I was planning on taking before Rafe interrupted me.
“I find it hard to believe that you only came to take your camera, you wanted to snoop and find something to blackmail me with,” he says, jokingly accusing me with a smirk on his face.
“Oh Cameron, I have known you for over a decade, pretty sure I have enough dirt on you as it is,” I laugh slightly, as I adjust the camera settings.
“Really, because in all these years you have never used it on me.”
“Knowledge is power, Rafael. Don’t expect me to play all of my cards out at once,” I say, zooming in a little bit on the party in the yard.
Once I’m finished taking the photos, I turn to Rafe, finding him already staring at me. I’m used to receiving glares from him, but this time his eyes held something else. An emotion I can’t describe. His gaze was intense.
Feeling a little uncomfortable, I turned to look at the photo covered wall.
“I didn’t know you were into photography,” I say, absentmindedly admiring each photo.
Rafe looks down at his shoes, nervously scratching the back of his neck.
“Yeah, I, uh, always wanted to try it and I ended up liking it a lot.”
My eyes settle on one particular photo. It’s a photo of the ocean, which appears to be right before the storm.
I look at the date in the bottom right corner and my body freezes.
I can feel the water filling my lungs and I can hear the storm again. The fear of death clouds my brain.
All of a sudden I’m hiccuping for breaths and I feel my legs give out.
…
It was supposed to be a stupid dare, but my stubbornness knows no boundaries.
When JJ jokingly challenged me to surf in the storm, I should’ve just laughed it off, but I didn’t.
Everything was going well, until the wave threw me off the board and I was pushed underwater.
The storm had gotten stronger, so did the waves, and I could barely breathe in when I came up, as another wave pushed me below the surface. Safe to say I was drowning.
I was so scared, but I couldn’t scream out for help. My limbs were burning from trying to stay above water and slowly I gave in.
Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrap around me and attempt to pull me out.
Then it all went black.
…
I felt Rafe’s arms wrap around me to keep me from falling as I choked out a sob. It was like I was experiencing that day all over again. I couldn’t breathe properly and I was shaking like crazy.
“Hey, Y/N, hey! Look at me. You’re safe, you’re not in the water. Just breathe.”
His proximity, my almost drowning, it was too much for me. I tried to wriggle out his grip, failing, as his arms around me only tightened.
“It’s okay, you are safe. I am here.”
I finally let myself collapse into him, sobbing into his chest. He started to rub my back soothingly, while whispering sweet nothings into my ear.
The blurry images of the waves crashing still flooded my brain.
“I thought I was gonna die,” I sobbed
His arms only tightened around me hearing that sentence.
Once I was calm enough, I pulled away slightly. Rafe was already staring at me, and once again, I couldn’t describe the emotion behind his eyes. Was it pityness? Worry? Or was it care?
No, there is no way he cares about me. We hate each other. Right?
I find myself staring back into his captivating blue eyes.
And then the puzzle pieces start falling into place.
“You saved me that day,” I state, my eyes widening with the realization.
Rafe looks away, his hold on me loosening.
Oh my god. That’s why he knew what my panic attack was about. That’s why after the accident he didn’t talk to me for weeks. Does he actually care about me?
“Rafe, why did you never tell me?” I ask, my hand on his jaw, turning his head so he looks at me.
He sighs, before getting up and walking towards his photo covered wall. He takes off the picture of the ocean from the wall and gestures to me to sit on his bed.
“I, uh,” he starts nervously, “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want things to change between us."
I sat down in front of him, waiting for him to elaborate, nervous as to where this was going.
“Y/N, no matter what happened, you were always there to call me out on my bullshit, whether that was treating my sister poorly or bullying others. You always knew how to put me in my place and I didn’t want that to change.”
I look at him, surprised.
The boy who pulled on my braids in elementary school, the boy who knew which buttons to push to annoy me, that same boy was now sitting in front of me telling me that I am the only thing in his life that he can count on.
He worriedly flips the photo to the other side and hands it to me. I take it and look at the writing on the back of it.
Once I read it, it didn’t take long for our lips to meet for a gentle kiss that is filled with years of pent up emotions and feelings that we didn’t know were there.
His hands are gently cupping my face, as if he was afraid I would break.
When we break apart, a little breathless and dizzy, I once again look at the inscription of the photo and I know that I have never been so sure about something in my life before. Somehow everything that had happened over the last 10 years made perfect sense. And even the accident made sense, because without it, we wouldn’t be here right now smiling shyly at each other.
On the back of the photo, in squiggly handwriting, were written 6 words.
The day I almost lost her.
~
@winterrrnight @h34rtsformilli
#rafe cameron fluff#rafe cameron imagine#rafe cameron x reader#drew starkey x reader#rafe x reader#outer banks#rafe outer banks#rafe cameron#rafe obx#rafe imagine#rafe cameron x you
140 notes
·
View notes
Text
Yugioh S4 Ep10 pt2: Yugi’s Never Ceasing Commute Continues
Last we left off, it was time to eat. Thank you. Thank you, Yugioh. You get me.
Not one of their better spreads, TBH.
No cheese wheels, too. They are truly living in hard times.
(read more under the cut)
Rex and Weevil decided to look for rare cards in the rubble of Arthur Hawkin’s house.
I don’t know why they bothered with this, everything was very clearly exploded and on fire, but youknow, these two just seem to be very hellbent on being bad at life. Just two jokes that are here just to be jokes, wearing these duel disks that they’re not going to use until it’s finally time for them to betray us. Checkov’s jokes.
And I hate to say this but they really are this season’s Bakura.
I know I just said that.
But this show really likes having at least one character that might turn at any moment and stab our protagonist in the back. They like to have at least one at all times there, hovering over Yugi’s oblivious shoulders, with that figurative knife (or literal, in the case of that time when Bakura stabbed himself without nearly any provocation).
In the past, when Bakura was out to lunch, we would have betraying friends like Kaiba, who would go solo in the middle of his own card game and end up throwing everyone in danger, and also Tristan who got full on possessed by the Big 5 and tried to murder everyone, but I guess after 4 seasons they were like “Youknow...I think Kaiba got over it.” and like...you can’t have Rebecca stab us in the back so lets bring Rex and Weevil.
At least their showtime is minimal, because unlike Bakura, who is pretty likeable even when he’s being an asshole, Rex and Weevil never turn off the asshole and are mostly just visual gags stumbling over eachother. Bakura was quite clever and had a bit of depth and mystery, while I don’t think Rex and Weevil are smart enough to even know how to spell mystery.
And if Rex and Weevil end up being good guys and the saviors of the whole show then my sincere apologies, but they are still kind of grating.
Now Rebecca gets a duel monster’s card that has a death threat on it, which is probably the normal way to sign your duel monsters cards in this universe. I imagine every card in Yugi’s deck has a couple death threats on each of them by now. Probably makes them more lucky.
Ya so...
I can forgive this. The people who made this looked at a map of California, forgot that California is roughly the same size as Japan, and were like “I mean, there’s like 50 states, it can’t be that big.”
But here’s the thing about Death Valley. I am a Californian, but I have never been there. This is why.
Death Valley is ASS to get to. Barely anyone lives there. Nothing goes there. You can’t just take a train, you have to drive there by going south past it and then turning around. It’s real round about and just in the middle of nowhere. May as well get there by flying into Las Vegas, and if you are flying into Las Vegas, chances are slim that you will leave that Vacation Town USA to vacation in a literal desert.
Clearly they saw the name “Death Valley” and got super excited but y’all...there’s a reason why we call it that, and everyone who knows about geography or is a Californian is kind of like “um...is Yugi...going to Death Valley???? That city slicker?”
Cuz this is not a normal desert. Normally, a human can survive 3 days without water, in Death Valley you apparently can only survive for 14 hours. It is the lowest point in the US and also the hottest point in the US and the place where the highest temperature was ever recorded on the Earth. And while that heat is only for 5 months of the year...it’s not winter in the show, is it? It’s fairly warm. San Fransisco wasn’t even foggy?
Like even the Death Valley website is like “please don’t leave the main roads and hike during the hot months” because y’all, this park is damn serious. Like this is one of the only National Parks that has not just one, but multiple ghost towns in it.
Don’t get me wrong, Death Valley’s very pretty and very fun I’ve heard, and it has like a very fancy dayspa in it, and if you like geography and like to rough it, then you will absolutely love how freakin weird Death Valley is. So, if you’re safe and know how to pack your gear, you’ll have no problem, but...Y’all, Yugi Muto, who barely survived Pegasus’ island (and only because Mai fed him) is going to just casually go into Death Valley.
In that outfit.
Then, in some barn somewhere (I have NO IDEA where this exchange takes place) Rafael is grilling Arthur only to realize that this is a very pointless conversation.
And in case you forgot Darts exist, he’s still out there, murdering people off for kicks. we’ll just add 20 more to the death count, the internet told me that’s the average amount of people on a fish boat of average size (although sometimes this boat seemed like the size of a shipping container barge but youknow...)
And in case you missed it, I have been doing the death counter wrong so I was 2 people behind--it’s correct now. With the rate this show goes I feel like we might see death 666 eventually. But, yes we did pass 269 so we’ll have to wait another 100, I guess, because it went to some rando on this boat. Nice.
(The highest surface temperature of Death Valley ((not the air, but the ground)) ever recorded, was 201° F.)
(That’s 94° C for those in the back.)
I mean Yugi is part Pharaoh so I guess he just has a strong attraction to really terrible deserts. He’s also half a dead guy so maybe he also just has a strong attraction to being dead.
But I dunno, maybe this is the months of the year where Death Valley is manageable? Maybe? Possibly? We’ll just assume that it is.
Now you can go horseback riding in Death Valley, as you can in any National Park, but it isn’t real normal to ride your horse all the way from San Fransisco. And like you can’t even let your dog off a leash in Death Valley. This is such a bad park for pets!
Also, I found out some fun facts about horse travel, for anyone interested in writing fantasy and wants to know the average speed of a horse.
So a horse can go about 100 miles in a day, but only for one day. If you do 250 miles, the time has to be more spread out since you must recharge your horse. According to some horse-specialist on the internet who does horse marathons from coast to coast, if you have to do 500 miles, then you average about 24 miles a day, accounting for horse-recovery time and assuming it’s a horse that wasn’t bred for super long distances. (this is about a 500 mi horse ride, ps)
The pony express of old, the iconic Wells Fargo, would actually have horse stations along the prairie, where you would trade in your tired horse for a new horse, so that way you would never have to stop going 100 miles in a day. Since Yugi never changed his horse, this ride would have been absolutely ridiculous, and Copernicus the horse, would have stopped somewhere in Gilroy.
But this is a kid’s show so wtv, we’re gonna ignore that.
(reminder that Yugi decided not to unhitch the perfectly serviceable truck and drive away with air conditioning.)
And Yugi really did make Rebecca promise not to tell these much older teens that he took off (something about how he doesn’t want to put more people in danger yada yada, normal Yugi stuff), but the show kind of blames this on Rebecca...but like...she’s 12. This one is on Yugi.
But, if Rebecca were older, maybe she would have done the same thing. Rebecca seems like maybe the type that realizes that when you like an idiot boy, you gotta let them do idiot things, and make idiot mistakes. You can’t just control what your friends do all the time, unlike this crew, which is controlling because that is the only way they keep eachother alive.
So Joey decides to ignore both of the cars right next to him, and just book it to save his stupid ass friend. On foot. To Death Valley. From what the show insisted was just outside San Fransisco.
And I guess that Rafael decided to just let Hawkins go?
Probably because Yugi got on a horse and Rafael was like “of course I know Yugi is chasing me on horseback off the main roads. Of course I know that.” and then he just...let Hawkins walk all the way back...
Hawkins should be dead, but not yet.
So lets check out Death Valley.
So like...again I just think they probably boarded everything and had a rough idea of “America has a bunch of natural canyons, right?” and didn’t realize that the Grand Canyon was soooo far from California.
There are actually canyons in Death Valley but like...I dunno if the art matches that so much? They aren’t nearly as massive as the canyon situation farther East.
Again this was their art choice that they made and it’s...a choice. And they committed to it.
And this bike thing happened?
This tandem bicycle for children lost among the wreckage of Rebecca Hawkin’s home is like a whole “baby shoes, never worn” short story in itself. Rebecca has nooo siblings or parents, right? She has a really old grandpa who is like 80 and doesn’t bike? Just uh...bringing that up...was this tandem bike for her to hang out with Yugi? Does Rebecca even have friends her own age? She already graduated college.
So much inferred by the bike that I know is just here because it’s a funny joke to see Rex and Weevil on a stupid tandem bike.
So I’ve heard about the bike/car/horse paradox before in regards to this season, (it’s one of the few things I knew about this season before going in) so I’m happy to see I’ve recapped enough Yugioh to see it play out.
The paradox being, if Yugi is on horseback, and Rex and Weevil are on a bike, and the rest are in a car, who arrives first?
Apparently the show itself isn’t even sure because Rex and Weevil can keep up with a horse???
Anyway, the correct answer to the paradox is that everyone not in a car is dead for not bringing any water.
Everyone except for Raphael, who probably put a camel pack into each of his shoulder pads.
OH NOW IT’S AN ANIME.
I don’t get why this is happening. But it’s a thing now. Rafael has either literal or metaphoric wings. Bear in mind I thought Pharaoh was Metaphoric for like 14 episodes. These Icarus wings might just be real. Rafael might have been a card this entire time, and I wouldn’t even blink.
Anyway, if this is your first post of mine you’ve seen of this, my apologies, we’re in S4 and this is very confusing. You can read from S1 ep 1 in chrono order by clicking this very handy link here!
#yugioh#ygo#Episode Recap#photo recap#yugi muto#joey wheeler#rebecca hawkins#raphael#rex raptor#weevil underwood#duke devlin#tea gardner#anime food#s4#ep 10#fully prepared for Rafael to be a card
41 notes
·
View notes
Text
Three Days of Christmas
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Washington Middleton (M!OC) x Rafael Aveiro x Bryce Lahela
Word Count: ~1900
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Washington (the OC) belongs to the giftee. While Ethan, Rafael, and Bryce belongs to Pixelberry.
Note: This a short fic written for @homeformyheart choices potluck event. I have written this for @gamechoices-player! I'm sorry because this took so long, and I hope you enjoy reading it! Fic under the cut!
***
A week before Christmas
"You mean none of yours fully matches with my calendar?" Washington says with a slight frown on his face as he looks down on all the schedule cards laid down on the table. Ethan, Bryce, and Raf all sat in front of him. Ethan just nods at this while the other two shrugs, giving him a smile.
"It's not that bad! We all have a common holiday with you, and we will spend it together." Rafael says trying to ease the mood in the room. It is night anyway, and it is cold outside. A little warmth inside would definitely help in one way or another.
"Right, spend it together, but not you three at once." Sighing, Washington leans back on the couch.
Bryce immediately moves to sit beside him, 'We all know us four can't be absent from Edenbrook. They need the best staff out there, don't they?"
True enough, they already expected this. And yet, Washington can't help but feel sad. Maybe he is just feeling greedy, but it's their first Christmas together! And it needa to be spent with them altogether, which seems impossible now that only him and Ethan have the Christmas free on their calendars.
"Let's just make the most out of it, hmm?" Ethan says suddenly, making all of them nod.
"I guess it'll do." Washington shrugs, and they all laid out some plans together before they decided to call it a day.
Six days before Christmas
"Good morning, babe." Bryce greets as soon as he opens his eyes. Washington smiles at him, basking in the feeling of having a complete eight-hour sleep without feeling guilty about it.
Maybe I can sleep some more.
Bryce must've noticed his intention to slip back into sleep, which is why the man had immediately placed a quick peck on his lips, lightly tapping his cheeks in the process. Washington groans but proceeds to look at the man though, one eyebrow raised in question. Bryce laughs at him before finally reminding him of their agenda for today, "I believe we need to head into the mall, your majesty."
Washington playfully hits the latter's chest at the nickname, but he gets up anyway, heading straight into the shower. Bryce followed in after a few minutes. And together, they showered, got dressed, and left the penthouse to the mall. Hand in hand, and with happy smiles in their faces.
Maybe this isn't so bad afterall.
It really wasn't much. As always, he enjoyed going out into the mall with Bryce. The activity was very usual for the two of them, but somehow, today was a little different. Maybe it was the continuous christmas songs playing on the radio, or the cold winter air that wraps them. Whatever it is, it sure brought a smile to both of their faces. So Washington is thankful.
The day went by quickly. Before he even knew it, Bryce was leading him into the parking lot as they push a cart full of christmas decorations approaching their car. His boyfriend smiles at him, the kind of smile that is sure to make everyone swoon- him included. Then something in his brain snaps, and his eyes grew wide.
"You forgot to buy your gift!" Washington says.
"Did I? I didn't." Bryce says and shrugs.
"But I did not see you?"
"It is called a surprise for a reason, babe." Bryce chuckles squeezing his hands.
"You've got a point."
And now that the worry is dropped, the two enters the car. Finally driving off home as the sun slowly sets on the east side.
Four days before Christmas
It was once again, Washington's free day. Today he shares it with Rafael. There is really nothing much to do, but to continue decorating the tree and placing the gifts underneath it.
It didn't last long, a few hours after they both woke up, Rafael is already placing the star on top of the tree. And it is the last of the trinkets they'd have to put. Now there's only a few things missing– the gifts.
"You got your gifts already?" Washington asked looking at Raf who is smiling brightly at him as they make themselves comfortable on the floor, sitting beside the tree.
"I got it a few days ago actually." Rafael shrugs, "Can I go and get it first so we can place it under the tree now?"
"Of course, love." With this, Rafael stands and walks into their room. Only to return with four gift bags in hand. On each one hangs a gift tag with their names on it, including his own. "You got one for yourself, too?"
"Yes, I did." Rafael says as he puts them under the tree. Then he immediately return to Washington's side and wrapped his arms around the man. "How are you feeling about holidays so far?"
"Great. I have you guys, what's not to feel good about?" Washington says and smiles at the latter before he leans his head into Raf's shoulders, "How about you?"
"The same as you." Rafael says simply as casts yet another bright smile.
Together, they adore the tree that stands in their living room, now fully decorated with red and gold trinkets. For people who aren't feeling Christmassy, it looks nice. Washington thought. And just like that, they are ready for Christmas.
Two days before Christmas
"Why are you up so early?" Washington asked as he strides into their kitchen, seeing Ethan wearing his dark blue apron on, and his hands are already so busy kneeding a large dough.
Washington approaches the man, he stands beside the latter.
"To finish preparing for christmas eve," Ethan answers before he looks up meeting the younger's sleepy eyes. Ethan's eyes visibly softens, before he leans in to kiss the younger on the forehead. "why are you up so early?"
"Looking for warmth." He says truthfully and shrugs. Ethan chuckles at this.
"It's good that breakfast is already ready then." The older man says, briefly leaving the though to get a plate of food on the other counter.
"Will you eat with me?" Washington asked as the man placed the food on the island closest to him.
"No, I already ate with Raf and Bryce earlier."
"Understandable."
Ethan just hums in response as his focus completely falls back into the cookie dough. Washington sits on the kitchen bar stool, eating what the older man had served him. It was their usual bacon and fries, but with the mash potato that he loves so much at the side.
"Are you making christmas cookies?" Washington asked as he recognized a santa cookie cutter. It's fairly new, they didn't have it before.
"Indeed, I am," The latter smiles at him. "Sienna had told me that you liked her cookies, so I'm making it all for you now."
"You're really so sweet."
"I believe the cookie deserves that compliment instead."
Chuckling, Washington returned back to eating. And the whole day was spent with Ethan just continuously preparing foods, after another. Washington helps him whenever he can. It was a fun day, all in all. Specially when Washington gets to steal a few cookies and kisses from time to time.
And no, this holiday wasn't bad at all.
Christmas Eve
Washington sighs as the last patient in the emergency room was assessed. It was nothing serious, and he was so glad that the patient was just dehydrated. So it really wasn't much. Finally, the emergency room is now empty, they can atleast take a little rest.
Heading straight into Ethan's office, he can already see his boyfriends through the glass walls. Once he enters the room, the three smiled at him, and it is only then that he noticed their clothes. The three are wearing the same christmas sweaters, and yes, even Ethan Ramsey is wearing it with a smile.
"What's all of this about?" He asked, making his way to sit at the empty chair in the middle of Raf and Bryce, facing the older man.
"Raf's gift to us. It looks good, isn't it?" Bryce said with a grin on his face, while Washington unwraps the gift Raf had handed him earlier.
"It is good," Washington says, smiling at the thought and slipping the sweater on. "Thanks, love."
"You are most welcome."
They spent a few minutes more talking with each other. And when Washington yawns, Bryce had immediately stood, looking at his clock, "I belive our shift is over now." He says, looking over the man beside him before he smiles at the other two, "Enjoy working on Christmas Eve, you two."
"My gift would be at home." Ethan suddenly says and smiles, "You two will see it first. Raf will see it in the morning when our shift is over."
"Of course."
"Take care, you two." Rafael says and stand to give each of them a peck on the cheek. Washington does the same for Raf and Ethan.
The ride home wasn't long, especially when Washington's view is of Bryce smiling widely on the driver's seat. It was a sight that can absolutely treat sore eyes. They immediately enter the apartment once they arrived, seeing the cookie jars resting on the coffee table with each their names on it. The cookies in the jars are each different. Bryce had chocolates in them since he loves it.
'I hope these will be enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. Merry Christmas.'
Both of them smiles at this, at least now they will not pester Sienna for sugar cookies. And it was a very thoughtful gift. That being said, Washington's eyes immediately went to the man happily munching on one of the cookies.
"Where's your gift?" He asked Bryce, opening his jar of cookies to do the same.
"Under the tree," Bryce paused and smiled, 'and also hanged on our door." He says pointing at their bedroom door where a mistletoe hangs.
"Did you seriously get a mistletoe for a gift?"
"Why not when it will earn me kisses?"
"You know you could just ask." Washington shrugged.
"Now, where's the fun in that?" Bryce said and the latter nods at him.
"In the morning then, so we will all be here. Now can we take a shower and rest? I'm literally so tired." Washington says and leans back on the sofa.
"Alright then."
And on Christmas morning, when Washington awoke, he finds all three of his boyfriends sleeping beside him. Ethan and Raf must have arrived a few hours earlier. Bryce stirs and smiles at Washington before he stood and got the mistletoe out of the door, placing it on top of their bed instead.
"Good morning." Bryce says and smiles, placing a tender kiss on his forehead.
"A mistletoe kiss on the forehead?"
"It will do for a while, extremes later?" He playfully said before he leans down to do the same for Ethan and Raf. "Now, we should go to work."
"You're probably right."
With this, Washington followed Bryce into the kitchen, preparing for work. And as Bryce prepares for breakfast, Washington sat in the dining room, thinking about everything that happened during the holidays. It's Christmas, and they are all together, it's the only gift he ever needs.
And despite their schedules not matching, his boyfriends were still able to find a way to spend time together. So no, this holiday isn't bad at all.
END.
8 notes
·
View notes
Note
41 for the kiss asks for Mary?
Thank you for asking Anon! Now I am not entirely sure if this is what you were looking for since there is only one AU timeline where the Mary identity is fully embraced. To see that happen please read this piece here.
Either way I do hope that you enjoy this piece!
41. Kisses shared under an umbrella/canopy
When Catlina was a child she used to believe that sometimes the weather would reflect her mood, for it seemed that when she was sad the skies were grey and rain fell against the windows. Childish beliefs, ones that Mary had tossed aside once she was older, for if there was any truth to it then the rain falling on them now would have been here since she first arrived in this place. It wasn’t even that cold of rain to her as she looked around to the few that had shown, bundled in warm clothes, her short sleeved dress a stark difference among the crowd. It seemed to be fact that they all assumed that she moved with ice in her veins now as she stood listening to the muffled sounds of Pastor Jerome. Her eyes couldn’t leave the near matching caskets for very long, only one thought passing through her mind: There should have been three caskets, not two.
Someone near her, it looked to be Nick and Kim, sniffled, holding back tears. Mary glanced up seeing Nick’s arms around his wife, rubbing her arms in comfort. Mary’s jaw clenched, teeth grinding together, how dare they cry for them. They didn’t know anything about them, not like she did. They didn’t love them the same way that she did, it was all an act. All an act for neither of them could feel the pain she felt when it was three am and she laid awake looking to the stars, her mind replaying the memories of them….of him.
Rafael, the archangel of healing, a shared name and by the lord above did he live up to it. God really had sent him to her, let him heal her broken soul, but as is the cruelty of God, he took him away. Even going as far as to take away the calming meadow she nurtured and cared for, dead and buried next to his friend. Oh what a pair they made, how much joy the three had experienced in the short time they had together, she had hoped for more of that time with them when this was all over. It was never going to be over now.
Mary heard her old name mentioned, looking to meet Jerome’s dark brown eyes, “Would you like to say something?” Say something. What could she tell these people? A story on how she found a kindred spirit in Wes, who like her, wanted nothing more than to be loved and accepted as they were, but fearful in ever letting the real them out into the world. How her favorite memory was of them playing cards when the power went out during a thunderstorm, leaving the handmade pizza doughy in the center, all because it was easier to read the cards in the dim lighting of flashlights. The deep conversations they had as they played mind numbing games of War, finding that they were people that were always meant to be friends.
Say something. Tell them all how Rafael gave her an all consuming love that burned hot and bright when it started and still burned once it cooled down. How she believed another love far from her grasp, came back the first moment their eyes met and she felt everything again. She could never pick a favorite memory with him, there were too many, each one playing out in the back of her mind as she kept a steady gaze on Jerome. Each memory was too precious, sacred, to share with others that were never worthy of him in the first place. She shook her head turning back to face the six foot deep holes, lips tingling as some rain caught her face despite the umbrella, one of the last moments of true intimacy between the two of them playing in the reflection of the glossy casket.
“How do you manage to have exactly what’s needed every single time it’s needed,” Cat laughed, standing on her tiptoes reaching for the lowest branch.
“It’s called being prepared, Conejito,” Raf’s smile was warm, some wet curls falling to his face, “You should try it some time,” his laughter was her favorite song as she smiled, loosely tying her corner off.
She made her way under the canopy arranging the blankets and pillows on the ledge, “Hey I was prepared. I brought all the comfy blankets and pillows for us tonight.” Her heart raced as his eyes met hers, the pull in her abdomen getting stronger, she just wanted to have his arms around her, but of course it had to start raining. Moments like these felt rarer since deciding on how they would finally bring John into the fold, safe, and with the ability to be with Wes the rest of his life. “I even managed to snag some of the good wine from John’s cellar,” Cat said, holding up the bottle for Raf to see.
He gave her a quick kiss as he moved to the other side to re-secure the canopy that she couldn’t reach, “And I thank you for that mi amor.” Cat blushed as she worked on stripping herself of her shoes and wet jacket, catching Raf’s eyes looking her over, “We’re staying here all night right?” She nodded, pulling him closer to the center once he finished, removing his shoes and wet jacket. His fingers traced along her jawline tilting her chin up towards him, bringing his lips to hers, stopping just short of full contact, “I love you,” he whispered.
Cat smiled, whispering, “I love you, too,” she pressed her lips against his, feeling his arms wrap around her, her hands holding on to the sides of his face. Their kiss deepened as Rafael held her close, moving them closer to the ground. He laid Catlina on her back against the makeshift bed of blankets, pulling away.
Her breathing was heavy as he looked into her eyes, a hand running up the curve of her hip, “Promise me forever, Conejito. That we will always have forever.”
Cat’s fingers ran down his neck and chest nodding, “We’re going to have forever. I don’t want forever with anyone else but you, Raf.” Their lips met again, the heat from their bodies all that was needed in the chill of the rain that night.
The memory ended as it always did, feeling like the last time she’d think of it again as their bodies were laid to rest. Mary was no longer that woman, she never would be again. She turned leaving quickly as people approached to throw dirt over them, there was no need for Mary to partake in such traditions, they were already gone. She also didn’t want to face the lingering sympathy some held for Catlina, it should have been obvious by now that she was dead too.
Mary stayed silent, looking out the window, Lance driving her to the church, radio shut off. It was a rare moment that she missed Lance’s ability to speak to her, maybe see warmth and care in his eyes again. She pushed the thoughts out of her head, it was those kinds of things that brought about Cat’s death, it was a weakness. The church appeared empty, everyone taking shelter from the rain, as the two approached the car being parked in the back of it. Lance stepped out of the car first, grabbing the umbrella to hold over her as he helped Mary out of the car. She gave him a smile, eyes blank through the soaked red ski mask, following dutifully behind her.
“Mary,” Joseph greeted her, stopping her just outside the doorway, “I didn’t think you’d make it.”
“Why wouldn’t I Joseph,” she responded, wary as he leaned down to hug her, invading the small space under the umbrella. Her skin still crawled where he touched her, that was the only thing that lingered of Catlina, the thing that Mary couldn’t seem to let go.
He pulled away, hands still on her shoulders, “You do not have to join us tonight sister. I know that loss can be a difficult thing, the people of the church will understand if you miss the service tonight.”
She was about to respond when Joseph placed a kiss on her forehead, something that family would do under similar circumstances, not this one. They weren’t family. She grabbed onto his throat quickly, nails digging in as she pushed him against the door frame, his eyes widening for just the briefest of moments. “Don’t you ever dare put your lips against me in any form ever again,” Mary growled, eyes narrowed and teeth grinding. “We aren’t family. You will never be my family. I am here for one thing and one thing only,” she tightened her grip, hearing the small gasp for air, “to serve my purpose. Once that is done I will leave,” it felt too easy to just push against his neck until it snapped, “Do I make myself clear?” Her nostrils flared as she waited for him to respond in some way. Finally he nodded, Mary letting go, his hands rubbing where she had held him.
She pushed past him into the building, Lance following behind closing the umbrella, composing her face to the one she needed for the followers. Joseph’s time was coming. If she was to rid the world of its cruelty and pain, he would have to go also, but she needed him still. She needed him and so he was slated to be the last before she ended her own life to repent for her own wrong doings against humanity.
#brains and disaster#catlina (derogatory)#why not put it there right?#I love getting anons but I hate that I can't garuntee that you'll be able to read it :'( I hope you find it!#Yes this is a continuation piece
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
“Christumpmasday” - TGG SVTFOE Fanfic Collection Ch. 4
Writing: @ngame989
Art: @toxicpsychox (make sure to follow him for bonus pics from the story!)
Editing: @toxicpsychox, @seddm
Alternate fic links - FFnet, AO3
Summary: The holiday season is upon Earthni, and as her 16th birthday draws nearer, the blended festivities are leaving Star feeling down while they scramble to set up everything in time for the perfect Christumpmasday celebration.
Comic Page
Masterpost
Also doubles as a late @wholesome-week Holiday submission!
See below for the text, hope you enjoy!
“Is it… a dragon-cycle?”
“Nachos is too protective, if we got a second one she wouldn’t get along with them.” Marco ran his fingers carefully through the branches of the pine tree in front of him, giving it a gentle shake. Half of the needles fell to the ground.
“True, true. OK, what about, like, a cool sword or something?”
His focus was already on to the fourth tree in the row, ruling it out just as easily as the previous three. Disappointing. Didn’t anyone know how to properly maintain a healthy and good-looking evergreen? “Star, that’s just what you got me for my birthday. I’m not going to tell you your gift early. Besides, would you even want a sword? We can look for one sometime.”
“I’m good, just wondering. Just give me ooooone more guess… your abs?” He lurched forward in surprise, his reaction to the comment earning him a faceful of foliage. Shaking the needles out of his hood and spitting a few from his lips, he finally turned his full attention to his girlfriend, studying her as she leaned against the fence on the perimeter of the farm. She’d donned one of his hoodies overtop of her blue narwhal-embroidered outfit as emergency protection on the unexpectedly chilly day, as California’s relatively warm winters had mostly carried over to their slice of Earthni. Adorable rosy hues surrounded the heart marks on her cheeks, and he wasn’t quite sure it was from the cold - he was much more certain where his own flush was coming from, at least. “What? It’s super freezing and I’m super cold and I super do not like wood. I needed a distraction and my mind wandered back to the Neverzone after I mentioned the sword.”
“Well, don’t worry, because I found the one!” He beckoned her over with a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and pointed to the one in front of him. Relatively tall and thick by Christmas tree standards, but it would be sure to look fantastic in the monster temple foyer for the first annual culturally blended holiday. Why it had been dubbed Christumpmasday, and why the rest of the town had gone along with it, Marco might never know, but he was still excited no matter how unwieldy its name might be. She took his hand when she got beside him, but kept moving until she crossed fully in front of him, gently tugging his arm around her. Marco smiled and took the hint, wrapping himself snugly around her and tucking his chin into the crook of her shoulder; despite growing a bit in recent months, he was still a ways off from being a full head above her. “Better?”
She briefly nuzzled her cheek into his through his hood. “Much. Sorry for being a party pooper today… I just want to have a normal holiday, and my birthday, without having to worry about appeasing a giant angry log. Is that too much to ask?” There was a fire in her sparkling sapphire eyes that Marco recognized all too well: this was really bothering her.
As best he could, he threaded their gloved fingers together and reassuringly squeezed both the hand and the hug. “Maybe the Stump isn’t even around anymore… still, better to be safe than sorry for this year at least. Look on the bright side, if it isn’t an issue anymore, then next year we can just do what we do best here on Earth: keep traditional holidays around as an excuse to eat and have fun!” Star snorted in laughter and turned to face him with a smile, hesitant but genuine all the same, and he returned a sympathetic one of his own. “If you really want a hint about my gift, it’s something we’ll get to enjoy a lot when we get to hang out after all this is over.”
“Well if it involves spending time with you, then I know I’ll love it,” she teased, and the cold bothered Marco a bit less.
The moment was interrupted when Rafael entered his peripheral vision with an unfamiliar woman behind him. “Ah, there you two are. I have been looking all over the place!”
The woman, taller than Marco’s dad and almost as brawny and sporting a stereotypical lumberjack outfit, jogged ahead of Rafael, seemingly unbothered by the cold. She patted Marco’s head as he and Star scrambled to split apart. “I’m Dee, nice to meet you.”
“Ooooooh, I thought ‘Dees Trees’ was just wordplay,” Star responded, shaking her hand after Marco, who giggled in response.
“Well aren’t you two just the most precious things? So your dad here tells me that you’re looking for a tree?”
“Yep, this one,” Marco pointed to the one in front of him and the sign marking it at $65.
“That one’s certainly a beaut. Tell ya what, it’s on the house. As thanks for this whole Cleaving thing - best thing to happen to my business since that household tree burglary spree in ‘89!” she said jovially.
Star bristled a bit inside the hoodie. “You don’t have to do that-”
“Please, I insist.”
“We’re fine, thanks.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
“I said we’ll pay.”
Marco’s eyes bounced back and forth following the two as Dee remained fairly calm while the frustration in Star’s voice visibly mounted.
The heated exchange was interrupted by a loud rev; the three turned to see Rafael already midway into cutting down the chosen tree with his chainsaw. Dee helped the man steady it as it was fully detached from the base and he let out a victory shout while turning off his chainsaw. “This is my favorite part of the holiday season,” he chuckled, patting the handle on the tool.
Star sighed heavily. “We’ll take it, then. Thank you.” Marco was still worried by her sulliness; he’d ask her about it later.
“Take care, now!” Dee said as they hauled the tree to the Diaz car. Once it was secured to the roof, Marco hopped halfway into the backseat before Star grabbed his hand, holding him still. He looked up at her from halfway inside the vehicle and saw her reading something on her phone.
“Everything OK, kids?” his dad called from the front seat.
“Eclipsa just texted me, my dad’s been swinging around the temple using the holiday lights like vines to hang them up and he hurt himself.”
“River…” Marco facepalmed. “I told him I’d help with that!”
“Hold on, she just sent a correction.” Her brow scrunched up worryingly as she read the words. The tension in her shoulders finally released after a few seconds as she rolled her eyes. “Apparently those were two separate things. Lights are all set, but he sprained his back falling off the ceiling while trying to race Meteora around the castle after, so now he can’t go get a ceremonial stump like he does every year.”
“Maybe we can just see if we can take the one from our tree?” Marco offered.
“Good idea. But we’re paying for it this time,” Star insisted, puffing up her cheeks.
She took his hand and led him back into the farm to the same spot they’d been, stopping dead in their tracks at seeing the sign which had an additional description written on in red ink. “Don’t risk angering the stump! VERY special offer, guarantees no botanical horror attacks!” A zero had been added to the price tag, and Marco resigned himself to the inevitable as he pulled out his wallet for the familiar sum. “So that’s what she meant by us helping her business.”
***
The decor in the monster temple was splendid, Moon idly mused as she strolled through the corridors. There was a certain vivacity that Earth’s traditions brought into the holiday season that hadn’t been present for Stump Day alone. While she tended to prefer a more orderly, professional aesthetic, even she had to admit that a holiday celebrating the dead bottom of a tree could get dull at times with an almost exclusively brown wooden palette. If she had been told one year ago that come next Stump Day she’d be galavanting around the infamous Monster Temple, no longer a Queen, preparing to celebrate the holidays alongside Eclipsa, she’d have sent the laughable soothsayer to a therapist posthaste. But somehow she had settled into her new life with relative ease. Of course there were still lingering vestiges; many Mewmans still sought her advice about all sorts of mundane topics, albeit in a less… needy way, and she’d provided some counsel to the governments of the new world, filling in any information about the Mewman people and tradition. But at the end of the day, she was no more or less than any other woman in their new world, and after all the hardships she saw Mewni through - some, regrettably, by her own hand - it didn’t upset her as much as she might have thought it would.
She navigated the labyrinthian hallways until she reached the set of guest bedrooms Eclipsa had set up and walked over to hers to find the door open and her husband playing cards with Globgor.
“Moonpie!”
“Hello, darling. Hello, Globgor,” she waved. She walked over to the side of the bed and pecked River on the forehead before sitting down beside him, careful not to hurt the multiple casts he had on. “How are you holding up?”
“Never been better! Just some minor scrapes, really.”
“River, you fell three stories and landed on a hard stone floor directly on your back.”
“Bah, no matter, I’ve had worse! Besides some minor agony I barely notice it at all! Globgor here is teaching me some card games that the monster army used to play hundreds of years ago, it’s roaring fun! You should join us!”
“I think I’ve heard of some of the games…” Moon trailed off suspiciously, one eyebrow raised.
Globgor rubbed the back of his neck, clearly understanding her implications. “Ahem, well, I may have made some modifications to them. Most used custom decks that had lots of very, shall we say, unkind pictures of Mewmans on them, and most of the moves had unflattering names as well. While I was in the crystal I ended up remaking most of my favorite games without that stuff and playing matches with all kinds of imaginary characters in my brain,” he chuckled. Not that she was one to judge, after all - she’d already been through that song and dance with Buff Frog what felt like ages ago.
“Yes, and he’s really good at them!” River exclaimed in frustration as he tried and failed to counter Globgor’s most recent play. “You should join us, dear, you’re remarkable at these types of games!”
She patted his hand and flashed him a contrite smile. “I’d love to, but I still need to go through all the family belongings and find some Stump Day decorations. I’m sure at least some of them were salvaged from the castle.”
River clasped Moon’s hand with both of his own animatedly. “That reminds me! You just missed Star, she stopped by not too long ago to check up on her old man. She said they were going to set up the tree.”
“Shoot, I promised I would help them with that!” Globgor conked himself on the head, accidentally throwing his cards all over the bed in the process. “We can pick this up soon, so sorry about that!” He quickly gathered the strewn cards up and shuffled around the bed, closing the door on his way out.
“Not a problem!” River shouted after him. His volume lowered substantially as he and Moon were the only two left in the room. “It really is wonderful to have family holidays like this, is it not? Good food, good company, and best of all, no in-laws,” he smirked at her.
“River!” she jokingly admonished.
“Oh honey, you know that as much as I do. I love the Johansen clan dearly, but they can be positively insufferable at times. And don’t get me started on old Aunt Etheria…”
Moon laughed into her hand. “Yes, I suppose it is nice that the festivities will be much smaller this year.” After all the chaos and the dissolution of the Butterfly kingdom, their extended family (especially her own side) had some… mixed reactions. With Moon distancing herself from the power and prestige her family had been accustomed to, things were a bit tense and as such everyone had decided to stick to themselves for the holidays, which just left the main former Butterfly lineage and the Diazes to celebrate. Moon had grown rather fond of this new mixed-dimensional extended “family” of hers, which she supposed was a good thing since she had a sneaking suspicion that they’d become official family in due time. While she wouldn’t trade the last half a year for anything, it too had its own brand of chaos which made moments for just the two of them still rarer than she’d like, and now that they had one both seemed most content not doing anything. The comfortable silence lingered on for many minutes, both of his rough hands delicately clasped around one of her own while her other idly toyed with his beard, and neither seemed . Finally, their tranquility was broken by a knock at the door, which meant it couldn’t be Star. “Come in,” Moon said, separating from River and defaulting to a more proper pose.
She was greeted by a familiar red hoodie. “Oh! Um, sorry if I, uh, interrupted anything.”
River struggled to sit up and face the door properly, beaming brightly at the young man whose company he enjoyed very much. “Not a problem, my boy! Moonpie was just checking up on me. But don’t worry lad, I’ll be back on my feet in no time!”
“Oh, I know that. Star and I were just in the kitchen and thought you’d want the leftovers from tonight for a snack.” He held up a bag filled with what had to be a few pounds of meat and some corn.
Her husband’s eyes lit up like fireworks as he beckoned Marco into the room. “I see the holidays have come early this year, hah! Thank you, you know this old man quite well.”
“Well, I’ll leave you two alone,” Moon gestured to the bag and her husband, rolled her eyes playfully as he fished his meat blanket out from his beard and began to dig in.
She and Marco both walked out of the room. “Have fun with your boxes, honey!” he mumbled out as the door was closing, nearly unintelligible through the multiple drumsticks barbarously stuffed in his mouth.
Marco stopped and turned back to face Moon. “Oh, is there still something left to do for decorations?”
“I was planning on going through some of the Butterfly family possessions to find our old Stump Day decor, that’s all.”
He hesitated only a fraction of a second before responding, “Do you want some help? We finished everything with the tree already.”
Moon warmly grinned back at the boy. She’d noted his kindness and willingness to be by Star’s side through anything years prior, but what impressed her most was how it consistently extended to everyone else around him. “That would be lovely. They’re in the storage room, I’ll be up in a moment.”
“OK, I’ll get Star and we’ll meet you there.” He hustled off back to the main area of the castle, leaving her alone in the hallway.
She made her way to the storage room, getting lost a few times along the way, still not entirely familiar with the layout of the building. Her first task was to do a quick scan of the boxes and organize them. There was a notable lack of cohesion to the contents of each container, she noted with ire, but that was likely due to the haste with which they had been packed as the castle had been attacked. Forgivable. She’d noted around fifteen that possibly would contain the decorations she was looking for and had gathered them all together when a conversation from the hallway caught her attention.
“Why noooooot?”
“Star, they’re not going to let you use one of River’s clubs. Those things are like two feet wide and have spikes!”
“Yeah, those are his miniature clubs, which is why I want to bring them to miniature golf, duh!”
“It’s indoors! There will be kids around!”
“Oh, well why didn’t you say so! Dad has some indoor clubs for kids too.”
“He showed those to me, they’re even more dangerous!”
“Marcooooooo, come oooooon.”
“Trust me, it’ll be more fun with the normal clubs.”
“Fiiiiiine.” Just as they came into view through the door, she spotted Marco give a quick peck to the side of her head as she rolled her eyes at him, their fingers intertwined. Moon raised an eyebrow with a smug grin when they entered the room. They reminded her so much of herself and River when they were younger.
“Hi Mom!” Star said, leaving Marco’s side to give Moon a quick hug. “Marco said you needed help with something here, what’s up?”
“We just need to locate some of the Stump Day decorations from our usual family gatherings, shouldn’t be too long,” she responded, indicating the various boxes and bags on the floor behind her.
Star’s cheery expression visibly sunk. “Oh. Yeah, um, sure, we can help with that.” Moon’s brow furrowed in confusion briefly; she considered speaking up, but had learned it was best not to pry too much. No matter, they could finish this up quickly enough and all have a well-rested night before all the celebrations to come in the next few days. “So what exactly are we looking for?”
Moon pried open the nearest tub and overturned the piles of now-unneeded royal attire to see what lay beneath. “We’ll probably need a lot of mugs for the big dinner that Eclipsa is hosting for the locals tomorrow evening. And the diorama for River’s annual telling of the story of Stump Day, which he’s insisted he is still going to deliver himself. Perhaps a few of the hats as well, if we’re able to locate them. After last year, I don’t think we can quite play it too safe, after all.”
The three began to dig through boxes, clearing them out at a rapid pace. She noted a newfound chilliness even in Star’s interactions with Marco, responding to his antics making goofy voices with some old puppets with only half-hearted laughter. After about thirty minutes, they’d gathered everything they needed and began packing back up the belongings.
“Why do we even still have this stuff, anyway?” Star spontaneously spoke after a rather uncharacteristic bout of silence during their labor. Moon glanced over to see her holding up one of Moon’s old crowns, her hearts wrinkling as her face contorted in displeasure.
“Sweetheart, it’s a valuable heirloom. It’s still important to the tradition of this family to keep these things around, what if you or someone else might be interested in them in the future?”
Star scoffed and carelessly dunked the crown back in the box. “We’re not royalty anymore, Mom, and we never will be again,” Star retorted, dunking it carelessly back into the box.
“I know that, dear, but-”
Star’s voice, now risen to almost a shout, cut her off, echoing throughout the spacious room. “But what? I’ve moved on, I’m through with this, and you should be too. So what’s the point of keeping this, or this, or any of this unless you’re trying to hold on to the glory?” She held up the crown again, the top to one of the royal staves, and the medallion with the royal crest to illustrate her point. Moon and Star had butted heads enough in the past that this feeling of anger bubbling up wasn’t new to her, but it had been a while since her daughter had frustrated her to the extent she was right now. “Marco, back me up here!”
The boy raised a finger and stuttered briefly before an incensed Moon cut him off. “That’s not my point, Star. Even if it’s in the past, we can’t just toss away our history! What about things you did for your kingdom or your people? Don’t you want to at least remember that much?” she held up a few of the dresses and official portraits from various diplomatic events Star had participated in when she was younger. “These were things you did, not just stuffy royal artifacts. Surely that at least means something to you?”
Moon followed Star’s bright blue eyes as they darted intensely around the items she held until they suddenly stopped, fixated on a puffy blue and pink dress. The fury evaporated instantaneously and her expression morphed into shock. “Forget it, I’m done with all of it,” she sullenly intoned, dumping what she was holding on the ground and walking away. Marco tried to wrap an arm around her shoulder but she shrugged it off brusquely and marched out the door.
Marco took a step forward to follow her and then stopped, sulking and turning back to the pile of stuff, plopping to the ground and burying his head in his hands.
“What has gotten into her?” Moon vented through gritted teeth. “She just wants to be a normal teenager again, fine, but that does not mean she has to disrespect everything this family has done!” She took a deep breath to calm herself down before turning to Marco, not wanting to take anything out on him unduly. “Has she talked to you about any of this?”
His eyes remained fixed on the ground, playing with the zipper of his hoodie. “Earlier today she said she just wanted to have a normal birthday and not have to worry about Stump Day, but this stuff, it- I don’t really know. I mean, I- I get it, kind of, what she’s trying to say.” He looked at her with his brown eyes wide, as if asking permission.
“Go on.”
“Star… she spent practically all her time on Mewni trying to fix things, and trying to do whatever she thought was best for everyone. And- and when she gets an idea in her head about how to do that, she believes in it really hard, and it’s hard to stop her.” Both unconsciously smiled at the thought, and Moon didn’t miss the glimmer in the boy’s eyes as he continued talking about his best friend and love. “She still cares a lot about making the world better for everyone, even now. And the last big thing she believed in was that magic and Mewman queens and the whole Butterfly monarchy needed to be destroyed to do that.”
“So perhaps keeping everything squirreled away made her think I plan to use it again in the future,” she finished the thought.
Marco averted his gaze and rubbed his arm for a moment, opening his mouth a few times and failing to speak before finally choosing his words. “Do you?” he asked meekly.
The question stunned her, but upon a moment of reflection she couldn’t blame him. Time and time again, Moon had taken charge when she felt the time called for it, for better or worse. “No, heavens no. It’s been difficult at times, giving it all up, I admit. Even after Eclipsa took over, I still ended up doing what I thought was best to bring order. I suppose Star must get that from me, although she’s far better at it than I ever was.”
“I- I get it, though. On Earth we had a saying that I remember learning in school: ‘Those who can’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it,’ or something like that.”
“I like that. It works. Well, I’ll… give Star some time, and think about what to do with all of this, I suppose. I can finish the cleanup myself now, run along.” Moon was about to turn around as he went to leave but decided on one more thing to say. “Oh, and Marco?” She walked over to him by the door, noting that he was almost as tall as her now, and grabbed both his shoulders before placing a tender, motherly kiss on his forehead. The brown eyes she’d caught her daughter getting lost in all too often focused intently on her own amongst the surprised expression on his visage. “You’re still both teenagers, but you’ve grown so much. She wouldn’t be the admirable young woman she is today without you, and I suspect the opposite is also true. Thank you for being everything you are to my daughter.”
His mouth was slightly agape, unable to formulate any words in response. “T-thanks, um, Mrs… thanks.”
“Just ‘Moon’ is alright, dear,” she said affectionately.
“Thanks, Moon,” he finally stammered out before stumbling towards the door and out of the room at her gentle nudging. It only took a few minutes to carefully organize the remains back into their boxes and get the Stump Day items ready to set up. Turning one last time toward the belongings that had been neatly packed away, a few ideas began running through her mind…
***
Everything was a mess. Star the Screw-up strikes again. She sulked into the battlements of her balcony, gazing into the night sky. She’d bummed Marco out, she’d gotten all tangled up in the holiday lights, she’d yelled at her mom who really didn’t deserve it, and even after they’d worked it out over some tea later she still felt hollow inside. The fact she was out in the cold in just her nightgown didn’t help, either, but she couldn’t be bothered to do anything about it. Weren’t the holidays supposed to bring ‘tidings of comfort and joy’? It didn’t feel like it. She grabbed the pillow she’d dragged out from her bedroom and screamed into it, letting her head sink further down until she was almost laying flat on the ground.
“Hey.”
Star lowered the pillow from her eyes and saw Marco in his pajamas, fiddling idly with the bottom of his shirt.
“Hi,” she mumbled into the pillow.
“Mind if I join you? I brought some hot cocoa.”
“Mmh.”
He took it as an affirmation, slumping down on the cold floor next to her, seemingly unbothered.
“Sooooo… nice night out tonight, huh?” he asked hopefully, passing her a stump mug.
“Yeah, I guess.” Her gaze went skyward as it had been for the past dozen or so minutes while she thoughtfully sipped her drink, feeling the liquid warm her instantly. “The stars are really pretty from up here.”
“Yeah,” he replied, taking her hand in his. She rolled onto her side to find him already facing her, studying her intensely with a faint smile dancing on his lips. “Did everything go alright with your mom?”
She sat in silence for a moment, drinking in the soothing love his chocolate gaze was practically projecting into hers, and feeling the soft caress of his fingers on her hand. “It was fine. She apologized too, even if I was the one who messed it up… but I get it. She’s right, you can’t throw away history just because you don’t like it. Heck, I think I was the one telling her that like a year ago!”
Marco shrugged his shoulders. “Things change, stuff happens, we all mess up sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up about it too much.”
“I know, I know, it’s just… all this holiday stuff, all this reminiscing and being thankful for what you have and all this celebrating traditions from Mewni got me thinking about a lot. Stump Day, and my birthday, and princesses…” she paused for a moment, steadying her breathing. “...and you.”
His eyes widened a fraction. “Me?”
“You.” Star untangled her hand from his and brought both to her face, grounding the bases of her palms into her shut eyes to try and plug up any waterworks that she could feel working their way up towards the surface. “Stump Day just made me think of last year, and all the fighting and drama, and that made me think of all the other stuff, and… euuurgh,” she moaned.
“Star, it’s OK-”
“No it’s not,” she whimpered, not being able to stop the tears from dripping down her face this time.
“Woah, woah, Star…” he sat up, visibly scared for her, and pulled her up with him, but her body language was unyieldingly feeble as she shied away from his touch. “Just talk to me, OK? None of that was your fault.”
“Maybe…” she folded her arms and crossed her legs, leaning back against the merlons mulling over her words. “In the barn, you told me you felt like that since the beginning. And I know you didn’t, like, mean that you were head over heels in love with me while you were showing me around school or anything, but… I get it because I was the same way.” Once the words started, the pace quickly swelled until she couldn’t help but pour her heart out. “I pushed it aside, convinced myself it wasn’t there, ignored it when it was staring me in the face, and ate up the whole Curse thing like the cheapest, crummiest street corn. But looking back on it, that whole year on Mewni… it never went away then either. I was just too blind to realize what those feelings meant until it was almost too late. That’s what- that’s what I just wanted to forget.”
An arm bumped up against hers, and in her peripheral vision she saw him standing next to her, looking off the balcony into the distance. “It always feels better when you talk about it,” he offered meekly. How many times had she been the one trying to pry the truth out of him? Now that the roles were reversed, she fully understood why it had always been so hard. “What do your guts feel like?”
“Just one giant bleeeeergh,” she garbled, sticking her tongue out for emphasis.
“Well, you did have four glasses of cornnog.”
She smiled wistfully, staring down at her feet. “Touché, Diaz.”
The cool breeze whistling through the nooks and crannies of the temple was the only sound around them for a minute until he began again. “I won’t lie to you, Star… it stunk sometimes. It wasn’t always fun, sometimes it hurt. My feelings for you felt like an obstacle for so long…” In her mind’s eye, she could picture it all too clearly: wheeling on him, grabbing his arms and apologizing with rivers running down her cheeks to show him what he meant to her. But he cut that off only a beat later. “But I don’t regret a single day, because they were still with you.”
Now she whipped around to face him, looking incredulously at his calm form hanging over the top of the stone. “Wha-”
“All that time I spent trying to shove away or ignore how I felt, it- it still meant something to me. I wouldn’t trade any moment where I loved you for anything, even when it hurt, even if you were with someone else, or, heck, even if I didn’t think it was love. Doesn’t matter.” He sniffled briefly, wiping his face with his arm, and finally turned to face her. The glossy trembling she’d expected to find wasn’t there, instead she only found a fiery resolve. “C’mon, let’s go inside.” She barely remembered to grab her pillow before his firm grip pulled her back into their bedroom. Star wasn’t sure how he could be so calm about all of this. Some nagging, self-loathing voice in the back of her mind told her this had been eating away at him too, that he was just trying to spare her feelings, that she’d been the one to screw up by taking too long to tell him she loved him, but it was dulled by her curiosity at his actions. He shuffled under the bed, rummaging around until he pulled out a long, thin box with baby blue wrapping paper and pink hearts all over it.
“Marco?”
“It’s your birthday present! I- I was going to give it to you tomorrow, but I think now is better.”
They both sat down on the edge of the bed. Star glared at him suspiciously, inelegantly removing the bow and wrapping paper to find a thick velvety fabric. She started to pull it out and it unfolded itself many times, quickly sagging to the floor as she held it up. The water built up on her eyelids once more, steadily beginning to pour out as she beheld the sight in front of her.
He scooted beside her, wrapping one arm around her midsection. “I, um, hadn’t realized all this stuff was getting you down this much or I wouldn’t have-”
She shut him up with a passionate kiss, weaving her fingers through his hair as the heat of the moment stretched on. Their foreheads stayed together when they finally separated, both panting for a moment as Star tried to recover from the tongue-tiedness. “Marco, you absolute dork,” she said breathily with her lips grinning as widely as the could. “I love it.”
Both their heads turned back towards the blanket as they each used one hand to hold it up. It was a beautiful tapestry of moments from their entire relationship, from beginning until at least one thing Star could pinpoint as only happening a few weeks ago. Her spare hand caressed the fabric, adoring each and every detail. “The day we met, that day you froze time for sixty hours, the Blood Moon Ball,” he pointed out one by one. “Our first kiss… in the booth. When I found you before you killed Toffee. Right before we went to destroy the magic. This is us, Star. I- I don’t want to pretend that this stuff didn’t happen even if it wasn’t always fun, because then it wouldn’t be what made you special to me. And also, our old Friendship-Thursday-slash-Thursdate blanket was getting nasty. It smelled like month-old nacho cheese even after Lavabo washed it,” he shuddered. “So now, every time we’re snuggled up together, we can remember everything that got us to this point, and- and I left some blank spots for more patches later, because I want to look forward to the future too.”
“This is way better than any of my dumb ideas from earlier today,” she chuckled, wiping the tears and snot from her face. “Maybe that’s what ‘Christumpmasday’ should be about. The past coming together and making something new and exciting without giving up what led to it.”
“...except for the actual evil Stump demon thing. We might still be better off without it.”
“Definitely.” Both sported a cheeky grin.
“Oh, and by the way, Star?”
“Hmm?”
His lips suddenly were on hers once more, catching her off guard for a moment before she reciprocated. He swung her around, hugging her body tightly onto his, setting her nerves ablaze and causing all the hairs on the back of her neck to tingle. She adjusted her legs and pushed him back down into the pillows, landing on top of him without breaking the kiss, both hungry for more of the other. When the moment finally ended, she propped herself up on her elbows, fingers toying with his silky hair as she gazed down at the love of her life. When his eyes left hers, she followed them to the clock on her nightstand. 12:06 AM. “Happy birthday, Star,” he grinned before pecking her on the cheek.
A warmth like no other spread from Star’s chest through the rest of her body when she curled into him, needing more than anything to hold him tight tonight. Her legs tangled themselves into his as her head found purchase on his chest. “I love you so much, Marco. I don’t think I tell you that enough.”
“Same. Love you so much too, Star.”
He tucked the blanket tighter around both of them and held her as closely as he could until sleep claimed him. Star planted one last languid smooch on his jawline, nuzzling her cheek into him hard enough that it squished against his body before she too drifted off, snug in their bed, while visions of sugar-stumps danced in her head.
250 notes
·
View notes
Text
Tattoo
Bryce x MC
Summary: Bryce thinks Casey needs a permanent reminder of how great she is.
Rating: T
Word Count: 1800
“We definitely didn’t need two orders of loaded fries. We could have shared one.” Bryce comments as he and Casey take a seat at the Shake Shack counter.
“Speak for yourself. I can definitely eat all of these.” Casey responds, tossing a fry into her mouth.
He glances at her while he slowly chews on a fry. “You’re not going to eat all of those. Not after all that pasta we had for dinner.”
“That was hours ago. We did a lot of dancing at the club. I’ve worked up an appetite.” Casey retorts.
He gives her a heated glance, admiring how good she looks in her tight black lowcut dress. “You’ll really work up an appetite later when we get back to my place.” He smirks as she blushes.
She tosses another fry into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “These fries are fantastic. I might get another order before we leave.”
“You will not. You’re not even going to finish that one.” Bryce insists, smothering his own fries with ketchup.
“Want to bet?” Casey asks, her competitive side coming out.
Bryce smiles, he’s competitive too. “Why don’t we make it more interesting?” He proposes. Casey raises a brow, silently urging him to continue. “Whoever finishes their fries first wins.”
“And what does the winner get?” Casey questions.
Bryce’s smile widens, twisting his stool away from the window to fully face the other doctor. He gestures to the 24-hour tattoo shop across the street with a tilt of his head. “Winner gets to pick a tattoo for the loser.”
Casey’s eyes widen slightly. Usually, the winner just gets a kiss. But her pride refuses to allow her to back down. Besides, she gives Bryce’s lean but muscular frame a quick glance, she thinks she can take him.
“You’re on Lahela.” She cracks her neck, taking a sip of water to prepare. “Maybe I’ll add a tear drop tattoo to your pretty face when I win.”
Bryce smiles at her again, causing her stomach to flutter a little. She tries to squash down the feeling, she definitely doesn’t need stomach flutters if she’s going to out eat him.
“Since I’m bigger than you, it’s only fair for you to add some of your fries to my pile.” He offers.
Casey glares. “I don’t need any kind of head start. I’m going to beat you fair and square.” Plus, he ate way more pasta. And all the bread sticks. There’s no way he can have the abs she knows are under his loose black button up and eat like this. She’s got him.
“Don’t say later that I didn’t offer.” Bryce insists, turning away from Casey and facing his fries. “Ready?”
Casey nods.
“Go!”
They both start shoving fries in their mouths. About halfway through the fries, Casey is full. He’s right, they could have shared an order like he originally proposed at the counter. She’s not going to tell him that though, shoving more fries into her mouth and forcing herself to chew.
Casey takes a glance over to her handsome date, eyes widening when she sees he’s about ¾ of the way done with his fries. He is starting to slow down though, taking a break to sip on his coke, looking a little queasy. She has to speed up, she can still win this.
She finishes more fries, now down to about ¼ remaining. Bryce slams his hands down on the counter. “Done.” He announces smugly, turning to look at her.
Casey frowns, swallowing what’s in her mouth and pushing the rest of her fries away from her, not wanting to eat fries ever again. Bryce smirks, cheekily tossing some of her fries into his mouth and chewing loudly. She glares, but it just makes him laugh.
He hops up off his stool, offering her his hand as she stands as well. She takes his hand, intertwining their fingers. “I think visible tattoos are against Edenbrook policy.” Casey informs him as they walk out of Shake Shack.
“Don’t worry. I won’t put a tattoo on your forehead.” Bryce promises, tugging her towards the tattoo shop when the crosswalk flashes green.
A bell chimes when he opens the door, the sounds of a tattoo needle making Casey’s grip on his fingers tighten as she gets nervous. He squeezes her hand reassuringly, taking a seat on a couch in the waiting area and pulling her into his lap.
He grabs a binder off the small table in front of the couch, leafing through photos of tattoos. Casey glances at the photos, not seeing anything she would permanently want on her body. Casey doesn’t have any tattoos. When she was younger, she considered getting one. But ultimately decided against it when she shadowed at her first hospital and noticed none of the doctors had visible tattoos.
Bryce kisses her neck, then her cheek, and then gently turns her head so he can kiss her lips. “Relax, you’re so stiff. You don’t have to do this if you really don’t want to.”
“No, a bet’s a bet. Just don’t put something terrible on me. Or your name.”
Bryce smiles softly, kissing her again and lightly tugging on one of her dark curls. “I don’t have to put my name on you to let everyone know you’re mine. That’s what the hickies on your inner thighs are for.” Bryce chuckles as Casey blushes, turning her head away from him and looking at the designs again.
He glances through a few more pages before tossing the binder back on the table, tapping her thigh to inform her to get off his lap. “I’ve decided.” He proclaims, walking over to the tattoo shop receptionist. He leans forward, smiling at the girl charmingly as he speaks softly to her. Casey can’t make out what he’s saying. He hands the girl his credit card before heading back to Casey, throwing an arm around her shoulder.
“Are you going to tell me what I’m getting?”
Bryce smiles. “It’s a surprise.”
Casey exhales irritably, feeling impatient. “Have you ever wanted a tattoo?” She asks to pass the time. She knows he doesn’t currently have any. She’s seen every inch of him since they’ve been casually hooking up for months. Lately, things have felt more serious. They’re going out on more actual dates now. She’s stopped seeing Rafael. And she hasn’t asked, but she thinks Bryce isn’t seeing anyone else either. But they’re still not official. She’s not sure how to bring it up, or if it’s really what she wants.
“I’ve always wanted a traditional Hawaiian tribal tattoo. A whole sleeve. My uncles have their whole chests done, both sleeves.” Bryce answers.
“What stopped you?” Casey asks, turning her head up from his shoulder to look at him.
His jaw clenches, and he looks like he might not tell her. “My father.” He finally says. “He’s one of those indigenous Hawaiians who rejects his own culture. Who looks down on his own people.” Bryce shakes his head. “But now I just have hospital policy to worry about. As an intern, probably wouldn’t be great for me to show up with a full sleeve. But when I’m a world-famous surgical attending who’s untouchable, I’m definitely getting one.” He states confidently.
Casey smiles, kissing his jaw. “World-famous?” She parrots.
Bryce smiles. “Of course, you know I have magic hands.” Casey rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling fondly. “What about you Valentine? Any cultural tattoos you’ve always wanted?”
She shrugs. “Well, as you know I’m a lot of stuff. A little Scottish, which is where Valentine comes from, but mostly Latina and Black. I wouldn’t know which culture to honor with a tattoo.”
He kisses her tan forehead, looking into her brown eyes. “You could get several, to honor all of them.”
“Let’s see how I do with this one first before I get three more.”
“Casey Valentine?” The heavily tattooed receptionist calls out.
Casey and Bryce stand. “It’s showtime.” Bryce says with a charming smile, gripping her hand and tugging her through the bead partition and into a room with several tattoo chairs and artists.
Casey winces as a teenager cries out as the tattoo needle digs into her shoulder. Bryce squeezes her hand once more. “Sure you don’t want to back down? I promise not to think any less of you.” He assures.
She hops into the tattoo chair. “I’m not a punk Lahela.” She insists. “Where am I getting tattooed?” She questions.
“It’s going to be somewhere you can cover up.” He promises.
“Like where? My ass?” She asks.
“No, your ass is perfect just the way it is.” He winks at her. “I was thinking…..lower hip” His fingers trail over her hip, leaving a fiery trail even though he’s touching her through her clothes. “Upper rib” His fingers trail to the 2nd option, tickling her a little. “Or….ankle.” He takes a seat in a plastic chair beside her, tugging her left leg toward him and kissing the inside of her ankle. “You can pick.”
She thinks it over. The tattoo artist arrives, putting on his gloves. “Of these places, where will a tattoo be the least painful? Hip, ribs, or ankle?” Casey asks him.
“Definitely ankle.” The tattoo artist responds.
“Ankle it is.” Casey decides.
“What are you getting?” He asks.
Casey gestures to Bryce. “Ask him. I lost a bet.”
Bryce and the tattoo artist converse quietly, Bryce drawing up a rough sketch of what he has in mind. Casey drums her fingers nervously against the leather chair, in disbelief that she’s actually going through with this. But she trusts Bryce, knows he wouldn’t put anything heinous on her body. She takes a deep breath, telling herself to relax.
Bryce grips her hand as the tattoo artist turns on the tattoo needle. “I’m right here Casey.” She nods, closing her eyes as the needle digs into her skin. It’s actually not that bad, and it’s over in mere minutes.
She opens her eyes. “That’s it?”
The tattoo artist nods. Casey sits up, glancing at her ankle and her mystery tattoo.
It’s a small shooting star. She looks up to Bryce. He smiles at her. “I wanted something you can look at and remember how great you are Casey. Something that will inspire confidence, which you should exude because you’re amazing. You’re a shooting star. Don’t ever forget it.”
Casey smiles, gripping his hair and bringing his lips to her’s.
“Do I get to pick a tattoo for you now?” She questions when she pulls away just barely, speaking against his lips.
“Not until you finally win a bet. You’re 0 for 8 now.” Bryce responds.
Casey laughs. “You know, a gentleman would let me win once in a while.”
“I am many things Valentine, but a gentleman is not one of them.”
…
..
.
taglist: @octobereighth @sibella-plays-choices @hazah @akrenich @lovehugsandcandy @professorortegasstudent
170 notes
·
View notes
Text
Week 1- Session
Carbon Neutral Copenhagen
youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXkamwNWPgg
Key points from video
- Plan to be 1st city to be carbon neutral by 2025.
- Reduced CO2 input by 40% since 2005 as a result of less use of coal as a energy source.
- Increased efficiency of old buildings by using new technology.
- 360km of cycle lanes taking up 25% of travel.
- By 2030 diesel and petrol to be eliminated in the use of electric vehicles
- By 2025 aim to have 100% renewable energy sources.
- By 2025 to build 360 wind turbines for renewable energy.
HOME’s Carbon neutral Policies
What is HOME doing that other companies aren’t?
Staff
All staff go through Carbon Literacy training, advocating climate change awareness and implementing actions to reduce the environmental impact of their working practices, operations, programming and activities.
HOME are one of only three organisations worldwide to be recognised with Platinum Carbon Literate Organisation status.
Through their Carbon Literacy training they are fostering, connecting and amplifying HOME’s mission with their cultural, local and global community, sharing knowledge, influencing others, and inspiring action in their commitment to collective responsibility, accountability and action.
Sustainability
Quoted from their Environmental and Sustainability Action Plan 2018-2022
HOME is committed to best sustainable policy and practice. The following document outlines our KPIs in line with the 2018-2022 Arts Council England Strategic Business Plan.
Working hard to reduce our environmental impacts, we continually monitor and report on our activities in order to better understand and improve our performance.
Through training and knowledge-sharing we enable our staff to become sustainability champions, supporting and inspiring our communities, audiences, partners and stakeholders through action and engagement.
As ambassadors for change we actively support Manchester’s Zero Carbon strategies, and as cultural leaders we advance the growth of our sector through innovative low-carbon initiatives and endeavours. With sustainability fully embedded into the heart of our organisation, its operations and programming, our efforts today strengthen a creative green future for tomorrow.
Sustainable Procurement
They support local business by using North West producers supplying dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat, sustainably-sourced fish, ales and snacks. The majority of their food is prepared from scratch on site, and they have a great selection of plant-based and meat-free options on the menu.
All in-house catering waste is composted, recycled or converted into Waste-to-Energy biofuel. They are also trying to eliminate single-use plastic by 2020. They want to change habits as well as mindsets, that’s why you’ll find reusable cups for use in our theatres and cinemas.
(but yet they use membership cards that are made out of single use plastic that isn’t recyclable?)
Through collaboration with Green Business Growth they have developed a sustainable procurement survey and regularly review their suppliers, creating a sustainable tendering process for operational activities.
Green Initiatives
They acknowledge that rapid and urgent action is needed across all sectors of society.
Their Environmental and Sustainability group comprises staff members from across the organisation, who are dedicated to bringing a variety of environmental innovations and practices to HOME, driving change, developing initiatives and inspiring both individual action and collective change.
Ideally located to be reached by public transport, cycling, or on foot, just off the Oxford Road corridor, it is now even easier to reach HOME without a car. Improved cycle routes and Dutch-style bike lanes ensure a smooth journey, and we have Sheffield stands available to secure your bike on site.
(one of the problems we identified as they have a HUGE car park which kinda conflicts with what they are saying here!)
Building
The building uses a 100% renewable electricity supplier alongside their Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) which helps to reduce their carbon emissions through on-site energy generation and conversion. The building scored a B-rating for efficiency in the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and continues to hold a C-rating for our Display Energy Certificate (DEC). The DEC is renewed on an annual basis, allowing HOME to target and demonstrate good energy management to all users and members of the public.
They have a Building Management System that assists in the operating of their building, ensuring that it is continually controlled, monitored and adjusted. By remotely monitoring energy meters they can record and consider their consumption. With real-time regulating of heating and ventilation systems, they minimise waste and run efficiently.
Which basically means it’s a smart building that auto-regulates itself so that it uses less energy.
Artist Research
Key Word
Social Sculpture- an expanded concept of art that was invented by the artist and co-founder of the German Green Party Joseph Beuys.
Joseph Beuys
A German Fluxus, happening, and performance artist as well as a painter, sculptor, medallist, installation artist, graphic artist, art theorist, and pedagogue.
youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7gNR8WH6BM
‘Everybody is an artist’
- Founder of the Green Party
- Connection between art and technology
- Talking to dead animal shows the break down of nature as a result of humans.
- Goes on about how the Swedish flag is the same as for medical, could be a bandaid healing mankind.
After looking at some of his work, I came across something that I thought looked familiar, a piece of his artwork called ‘I like America and America likes me’
In May 1974, the visionary German artist Joseph Beuys flew into New York City’s John F Kennedy International Airport and was immediately taken by ambulance to a room in West Broadway’s René Block Gallery. But he was not ill, or even in pain. Carried by stretcher, which was covered in his signature layer of felt, Beuys shared this solitary space with a coyote – a wild beast, often considered to represent America’s untamed spirit – for three days. It was a performance, entitled I Like America and America likes Me, taut with caution (the animal at first was erratic, and tore apart a blanket in the room), but one that was ultimately a success: the coyote grew tolerant, accepting, simply through Beuys’ desire to heal.
This is familiar to me because the name of the performance is also a song by the British band The 1975 who are also known for being quite controversial in their methods of conveying a message.
This song is a political song about gun violence.The song starts out with the lyrics
I'm scared of dying
You're set on fire
Am I a liar? Ooh
(No gun required)
I'm scared of dying
No gun required, ooh
My skin is fire, so desired
And later on goes on about how people are ignoring are happening what is going on in the world around them which is what Beuys was also trying to enlighten.
Would you please listen?
Would you please listen?
We can see it's missing
When you bleed, say so we know
Being young in the city
Believe in saying something
Would you please listen?
Would you please listen?
We can see it's missing
When you bleed, say so we know
Idea
Could we possibly encourage people to be environmentally conscious by getting them to think of it as creating art?
Friedrich Engels
A German philosopher, communist, social scientist, journalist and businessman. His father was an owner of large textile factories in Salford, England and in Barmen, Prussia.
- Statue of him outside of HOME
- Statue of his beard outside of Adelphi building
Rafael Lozano Hemmer
A Mexican-Canadian electronic artist who works with ideas from architecture, technological theater and performance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in physical chemistry from Concordia University in Montreal.
youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlvjGrOv2Ms
‘your asking people not to be separated from reality but to be part of it and think of the world in a different way’
- Inspired by computing pioneer Charles Babbage
- Found a way to visualise the movement of the air as words are spoken using various mediums.
Idea
How can we make the invisible visible so people will notice?
Theaster Gates
An American social practice installation artist and a professor in the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago.
youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlq5ilsfoSo
- Bought properties in run down areas and gave people a place to be creative
- This is what the world needs on a grand scale. a boost to community self esteem, individuals, and a boost to the economy.
- Non- profit organisations creating meaningful places which attracts a diverse community
0 notes
Text
MOSCOW | The Latest: James Rodriguez could be fit to play England
New Post has been published on https://is.gd/63AyXm
MOSCOW | The Latest: James Rodriguez could be fit to play England
MOSCOW— The Latest on the World Cup (all times local):
6:20 p.m.
Switzerland doesn’t want to be caught napping early in its World Cup round-of-16 match against Sweden.
The Swiss have twice conceded the opening goal in Russia — first in their 1-1 draw with Brazil and again against Serbia — when Switzerland became the first team at this World Cup to win after going a goal down.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic says that “we have to be ready to play really from the get go in such a way to have the initiative on our side.” Switzerland takes on Sweden in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. The winner faces either England or Colombia in the quarterfinals.
The Swiss team is without the heart of its defense, with captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer suspended after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament.
___
6:15 p.m.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman says James Rodriguez could be fit to play against England in the World Cup round of 16.
The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder was substituted with a calf muscle problem during Colombia’s 1-0 win over Senegal last week and has undergone medical scans which Pekerman says shows he “doesn’t have a serious injury.”
Pekerman says “we hope of course that he will be able to play” but he won’t guarantee Rodriguez will be in the starting lineup and “the team is quite stable” even without him.
If Rodriguez can’t play, Pekerman says Sevilla’s Luis Muriel will step in as he did against Senegal.
___
6:10 p.m.
Neymar has scored in the 51st minute to give Brazil a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the World Cup round-of-16 game at Samara.
The Brazil forward slid toward goal and tapped in after Willian sprinted down the left and fired in a low cross.
The goal made Brazil the World Cup all-time scoring leader with 227 goals, surpassing Germany with 226.
Mexico made a change at halftime, replacing 39-year-old defender Rafael Marquez with Miguel Layun.
Marquez is playing in his fifth World Cup, and was the first player picked in a starting 11 at five World Cups.
___
5: 45 p.m.
Mexico and Brazil are tied 0-0 at halftime in their World Cup round-of-16 match at Samara Stadium.
While Mexico controlled the possession early, Brazil appeared to have the best scoring chances.
Neymar’s right-foot shot was stopped by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa only moments before the Brazil playmaker rolled a pass to Philippe Coutinho, who fired over the goal in the 26th minute.
The Mexicans were playing to reach the elusive fifth game at the World Cup, meaning the quarterfinals. El Tri has not been able to get past the round-of-16 for the last six tournaments.
Brazil is a five-time World Cup champion, the most recent in 2002.
___
5:15 p.m.
Rafa Marquez has become first player to be included in the starting lineup at five World Cups. The veteran defender was used off the bench earlier in the tournament in Russia but started for Mexico in its round of 16 game against Brazil and FIFA noted his record at kickoff.
And, according to international analytics company Opta Sportsdata, Marquez (39 years, 139 days) is the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup knockout match since Stanley Matthews started for England against Uruguay in 1954 at the age 39 years, 145 days.
Marquez made his World Cup debut in a 2-1 win over Croatia on June 3, 2002 in Niigata, Japan.
___
5 p.m.
It’s a case of do or dye in Samara.
Brazil star Neymar’s blond highlights from the group stage are gone, and he’s back to his natural color for the round-of-16 match Monday against Mexico.
But his Mexico counterpart, Javier Hernandez — better known as Chicharito — has arrived in Samara Stadium as a bleached blond.
Some opined on social media that Chicharito was trolling Neymar to try and get inside his head before the match.
___
4:25 p.m.
The Croatia squad has wasted no time getting to the coast of the Black Sea to begin preparations for its quarterfinal match against Russia.
Just hours after edging Denmark in a penalty shootout, Croatia left behind Nizhny Novgorod and arrived in Sochi on Monday afternoon, well ahead of Saturday’s match against the tournament hosts. Croatia was scheduled to have a light practice Monday night.
Several teams have come to Sochi early to prepare for the combination of heat and humidity. For Croatia it makes even more sense with its base camp for the tournament north of St. Petersburg.
Croatia is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998, when it placed third.
____
4:10 p.m.
Tite has called in Filipe Luis to replace Marcelo for Brazil’s World Cup round of 16 game against Mexico.
Marcelo had back spasms in the opening minute of Brazil’s last group match against Serbia and didn’t recover in time to return to the starting lineup. Luis went on as a substitute at left-back against Serbia and retains that spot.
Mexico’s Hector Moreno was unavailable because of yellow card accumulation and has been replaced by Hugo Atala. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio also added 39-year-old defender Rafael Marquez to the starting lineup.
Lineups:
Brazil: Alisson, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Casemiro, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Filipe Luis, Paulinho, Willian, Fagner.
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Salcedo, Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Hector Herrera, Hugo Atala, Rafael Marquez, Andres Guadrado, Edson Alvarez, Hirving Lozano, Jesus Gallardo.
____
3:20 p.m.
While Uruguay sweats on striker Edinson Cavani’s fitness ahead of the quarterfinal against France, Les Bleus must cope without influential midfielder Blaise Matuidi in Friday’s eagerly-awaited match.
The 31-year-old Matuidi, who has 70 international appearances, is suspended and assistant coach Guy Stephan acknowledges his experience and fighting spirit will be sorely missed against a rugged Uruguay side.
Stephan says “Blaise has the ability to hassle (opposition players), he always looks to stop the opponent, and he’s very good at defending but also at attacking.”
Looking ahead to the Uruguay game, Stephan anticipates “a huge battle” against Cavani’s in-form side.
Cavani scored twice in the 2-1 win over European champion Portugal in the round of 16, but limped off with a leg injury in the 70th minute.
____
2:50 p.m.
On the eve of the biggest match of his international career, Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist could be forgiven for having one eye on what’s going on back home.
Granqvist’s second child is due on Tuesday — the same day that Sweden plays Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup. The center back has no plans yet to leave the team but hasn’t ruled out returning to Sweden if he needs to.
“My wife (Sophie) is doing great, no changes so far,” Granqvist said Monday. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’m fully focused on the game tomorrow and my wife is very strong.”
When asked about the situation, Sweden coach Janne Andersson said “we will deal with that when we get there.”
Switzerland forward Breel Embolo has returned to Russia after going home to attend the birth of his first child.
Denmark’s players paid for a private jet for teammate Jonas Knudsen so he could fly home from the World Cup to see his newborn daughter during the group stage, while England midfielder Fabian Delph is currently back home for the birth of his third child.
___
2:20 p.m.
The Kremlin is comparing celebrations of Russia’s World Cup win over Spain to those for its victory over Nazi Germany.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov says, “what I’ve personally seen was in many ways probably comparable to the events of May 9, 1945,” when the Soviet Union marked the wartime victory.
Putin did not attend the game, but Peskov says he was supporting Russia from afar. The only game Putin has seen in person is Russia’s opening 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia, which he watched alongside the Saudi crown prince and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
___
1:25 p.m.
Denmark’s former goalkeeper, who’s also the father of the current goalie, is praising the team after it was eliminated from the World Cup in a penalty shootout.
Peter Schmeichel tweeted Monday that he “can’t be more proud of my country, my son, his teammates, all the staff and our fantastic national coach.”
He adds that the Danes “will realize how well we did” once “all the tears have dried out.”
His son Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty late in extra time Sunday night against Croatia and stopped two more spot kicks during the decisive shootout. But Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic saved three penalties to eliminate Denmark.
The 54-year-old Peter Schmeichel played for Manchester United and was in goal when Denmark beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the semifinals of the 1992 European Championship. Denmark went on to win that title.
___
1:15 p.m.
Denmark midfielder William Kvist says he is retiring from the national team.
Kvist punctured a lung and broke two ribs in the Danes’ World Cup-opening win against Peru. He was forced to go back to Denmark for treatment and tests but later returned to the team.
He played in 81 games for the national team, scoring two goals. He announced his decision on his Facebook page, writing, “thank you for many good years.”
Kvist formerly played for Fulham and Stuttgart and will continue his club career with Copenhagen. He told Denmark’s public broadcaster he had hoped to play in every game for the Danes in the World Cup, but “nevertheless, I still feel that I have won something by getting back to the team.”
Denmark was eliminated by Croatia in a penalty shootout on Sunday night. Another Denmark midfielder, Michael Krohn-Dehli, also announced after the game that it would be his last for the national team
By Associated Press
#captain Stephan Lichtsteiner#Coach Vladimir Petkovic#Colombia coach Jose Pekerman#Dmitry Peskov#Michael Krohn-Dehli#Moscow#TodayNews
0 notes
Text
Spaniards take a siesta in bid to match Seve Ballesteros
New Post has been published on http://usnewsaggregator.com/spaniards-take-a-siesta-in-bid-to-match-seve-ballesteros/
Spaniards take a siesta in bid to match Seve Ballesteros
They say the big three of Spanish golf are all desperate to become the first player from their homeland to top the order of merit — now known as the Race to Dubai — since Seve Ballesteros won it for the sixth time in 1991.
A lovely, romantic image, but sadly it is not one that squares with cold reality. Take Sergio Garcia, the man closest to the leader, Tommy Fleetwood, following his emotional win in the Andalucia Masters on Sunday.
Garcia is certainly within striking distance but has no plans to play over the next three weeks, meaning he almost certainly will not be in with a good shout come the finale in Dubai next month.
Sergio Garcia is not set to play for the next three weeks, all but ending his Race to Dubai hopes
No Spanish player has topped the order of merit since the great Seve Ballesteros back in 1991
Rafa Cabrera-Bello, currently sixth on the list, is so desperate to emulate Seve he didn’t bother playing in Spain last week or for the big bucks in Italy the previous week either. Instead he preferred to turn out in two PGA Tour events in the Far East.
THE TOP SIX FOR THE RACE TO DUBAI
1 Tommy Fleetwood (England) £3,974,247
2 Sergio Garcia (Spain) £3,184,582
3 Jon Rahm (Spain) £2,840,693
4 Ross Fisher (England) £2,452,144
5 Tyrrell Hatton (England) £2,443,182
6 Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) £2,124,686
Which leaves Jon Rahm, the gifted rookie who is presently third. He will surely win it one day but is he prepared to bust a gut this year? Maybe if he wins the points-laden HSBC Champions event in Shanghai this week it will prompt a re-think, but right now he is another who plans to take a fortnight off thereafter to rest up for Dubai.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with the Spanish Armada dropping anchor after a busy time on the High Seas this year. But when it comes to showing desire to win the season’s final big prize, the truth of the matter is they offer little in comparison to England’s equivalent trio.
Fleetwood has the most to lose as the leader, of course, but not even the recent birth of his first child will prevent him from playing in the final four events staged in China, Turkey, South Africa and the Middle East, if that is what it takes.
Jon Rahm is a gifted rookie who will surely win it one day but is he ready to bust a gut this year?
Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood, in action here at the Italian Open, leads the Race to Dubai
Similarly, Ross Fisher in fourth, playing the best golf of his life, and fifth-ranked Tyrrell Hatton, winner of his last two events, will put in the hard yards over the next month in an attempt to pip Fleetwood.
It is not for reasons of parochialism, therefore, that I hope one of the three Englishmen claims the cherished Harry Vardon Trophy in Dubai. It is easy to say you would like to follow in the footsteps of Seve but it is actions that count.
And the English lads are showing just how much it would mean to them to put their names alongside the greatest Spaniard of all.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
‘Getting a senior Ryder Cup off the ground is absolutely at the top of our priority list, and I know our partners in America feel the same way. So, to those who wonder why it hasn’t happened to this point, I’d say — watch this space.’
New European Senior Tour chief David MacLaren (right) has made some encouraging noises
New European Senior Tour boss David MacLaren makes encouraging noises regarding a long-talked about event that would surely attract much interest if it ever happened, and shine a much-needed spotlight on the over-50s circuit.
Given the Bernhard Langer-Colin Montgomerie mastery of the American senior circuit, it is also one that cannot happen soon enough from a European perspective.
BRIT PACK SAVE BEST FOR LAST
Behind the headlines at the Andalucia Masters on Sunday, some gutsy cameos were played out as a trio of Brits saved their best until the last full-field event to secure their playing privileges for next season.
Three years to the month since he clinched the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup, Jamie Donaldson held his nerve once more with a fourth-placed finish.
‘There were some good up and downs coming down the stretch, and some good putts holed,’ said the extrovert Welshman, who celebrated by diving fully clothed into a nearby swimming pool.
‘You know you’ve got to finish in a certain position and that’s in the back your mind, and I’m just pleased I’ve come through.’
Three years after clinching the Ryder Cup winning point, Jamie Donaldson held his nerve again
Rookie Ashley Chesters was another relieved soul after finishing tied 12th to clamber over the finish line. The glamour days the 28-year-old once enjoyed at the top of the amateur game must have seemed a world away but he showed his inner resolve with rounds of 69-68 over the weekend.
‘I’m just glad it’s over with two good scores,’ said the qualifying school graduate. ‘I couldn’t ask for more from the year, really.’
Then there was fellow Englishman Daniel Brooks, who needed to finish eighth or better at Valderrama, and did considerably better than that despite the added pressure of playing in the final group. ‘Playing with Sergio Garcia in his home event and finishing third to keep my card adds up to a pretty good day,’ said the Londoner, after his first top 10 since April.
It was certainly that and more, for all three.
Original Article:
Click here
0 notes
Last Seen Blogs
laabam
Untitled
santo-lucca
Santo Lucca
bokeumjeon
BOKEUM JEON
matbubuh
Untitled
santo-lucca
Santo Lucca