"Invite me" for the ask game! :)
💖 Thank you for the Ask!! 💖
Alright, so trying to stick with canon only interactions for another one. Going with Teddy and Harold for this. Also posted on Ao3 if its preferred for reading:
Playing the Long Game
Fandom: The Stand
Characters: Harold Lauder and Teddy Weizak
Words: 859
(Drabble Prompts - Original Post)
"Hawk! Hey!”
Harold stopped mid step, but hesitated turning around. Unexpected interactions always threw him for a loop, and Teddy was no exception. Despite his playful nature, Harold was sure the man had to have something going on behind it all. He had to. They all did. Humanity. Nasty little tendencies behind the veneer. Some just took longer to reveal themselves.
Footsteps could be heard behind him. One last attempt was made to fix his expression, adjust his mask as it were, but he had already spent too much time in his head. Before he could turn, he felt the grip on his back. The light shake that rippled through his body. The laughing echoing in his ear as Teddy’s arm rested across his shoulders in a half hug. Little choice was left in the matter, and Harold reluctantly followed in step as Teddy continued to walk forward, oblivious to any resistance.
"Couple of us are going down to the dorms. Use the generator to set up a movie night. Whaddya say?"
"Oh, that's… I'm not sure—"
"C'mon, everybody needs a little break here and there!"
But that’s what Teddy failed to realize; this wasn't a break. Not to him. What Teddy was proposing was entering a social battle that required constant vigilance. Anticipate the moves, blend into the background when possible, and strike only with a sure bet. Practiced movements and rehearsed repertoire. Break? Exhausting is what it was, and Harold certainly didn't have the energy to put up a front for that long. Not after a full day of cleanup.
The thought of the daily activities only ushered in a wave of fresh memories. Sensory recall he wished he could will away. Smells that would threaten to upheave anything he managed to put down. Decomposition. It lingered in his nostrils and he could almost taste it. That’s all that was there for him. Death. Disgust…
All things he would put up with to position himself where he needed to. A place to get the most leverage when the time came.
But now… This?
"I don't know, Teddy. After today, I think I just need some time to clear my head."
"And what better way to do that than a little mindless entertainment, yeah? Shut down your brain and enjoy."
"Not sure that's the movie doing that."
Along with the comment, a slight incline of his head was made towards the joint tucked behind Teddy's ear to highlight his implication. As far as vices go, he could think of worse, but it served as perfect ammunition for a shot or two when needed. To break the tension. As a diversion.
Teddy, however, was undeterred. In fact, the jab only served to spur him on more. A twinkle picked up in his eyes as his head cocked to the side, smile bursting from ear to ear. Joy continued to course through him, reaching his limbs as he pointed Harold’s way.
"Ah, got me there!”
Another flash of enjoyment waved across his features before he fell back into his pitch. “When in Rome, am I right? But seriously, you’re tellin’ me you just want to go back to a dark house in the quiet and…”
Trying to think of the possibilities had already stumped him, and his face crinkled as he contemplated the right option. But while his thoughts had stalled, Harold found the pause began to slowly kill him inside. Building up until he couldn’t take it any longer.
“What? There’s plenty of things. Read. Write.”
“That’s clearing your head? Sounds like fuckin’ work, man.”
“Some of us enjoy that type of thing. You know, the ones that didn’t smoke away our brain cells.”
As the words came out, Harold stiffened. That had been too far. Too familiar. Was retaliation to follow?
But once again, his poking was answered with a goofy smile and a pleasant laugh. One that Harold could find himself adopting. One that now seemed to come naturally. A genuine smile. And a genuine laugh.
For once, interaction wasn’t forced. It had no agenda and it flowed freely.
It was accepted.
“Yeah, yeah. Duly noted. But even those types can still sit back and appreciate the wonder that is Keanu Reeves' career. How’d he get there? Did he know? Mysteries of the universe that can only be answered with another viewing of John Wick. Are you in?”
Before he even knew what he was doing, his head began to nod. Did he just agree to this? What was he doing?
“Yes! Knew I could count on you! I’m swinging by the station to get a few snacks, wanna help haul?”
And as he followed Teddy around the bend, the first turn straying from his path home, he contemplated his choice. Doing the hard tasks, the dirty work, that was a part of the long game, but he still needed visibility. If he chose the right moves, things like this could provide opportunities to do just that.
The ad hoc had their time now, but people were going to know Harold Lauder. Every dog would have his day.
Maybe there were worse ways to pass the time.
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Our HEARTS we have sold,
along with our SOULS,
But hey baby, take a good look,
WE HAVE IT ALL.
it’s finally here!
i can’t describe how proud and excited i am to share this video with you. it’s been in the works for over a year, and it’s taken multiple drafts, countless hours, and a LOT of meticulous tweaking to get to this point. it may not be perfect from a technical standpoint — i don’t claim to be a professional editor! — but i think it’s just good enough to convey my vision, and that’s all i really care about.
‘we have it all’ is such a special and important song to me, especially in connection with the stand. i’ve seen this specific montage play out in my head every single time i’ve listened to it, and now you can see it, too! i hope you enjoy watching it as much as i’ve enjoyed putting it all together.
( note: i’d recommend watching it in HD if possible. otherwise it may look crusty. 😭 )
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I Love Song Recs!!
Okay, I clearly have a Stand problem, so if we're making SK playlists, any or as many characters from that. Dealers choice. I'm always searching for character vibes.
Hi! Thanks so much for sending! The Stand is my favorite Stephen King book, so I chose 3 characters who interest me the most:
Larry Underwood:
American Storm- Bob Seger
The First Cut is the Deepest- Cat Stevens
I've Loved These Days- Billy Joel
Growin' Up- Bruce Springsteen
Certain Kind of Fool- Eagles
Nick Andros:
Moonshadow- Cat Stevens
One of These Days- Neil Young
Ship of Fools- Bob Seger
River of Dreams- Billy Joel
I Want to Live- John Denver
Harold Lauder:
Surprises- Billy Joel
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)- Styx
Waiting in the Weeds- Eagles
People are Strange- The Doors
Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
(Send me a Stephen King character & I will make a 3-5 song playlist for them!)
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