Sidney got bored in her semi-retirement and convinced Alton the house needed renovating, she promised him they'd get a TV if he let her aaha 📺 Luckily for Al, before she had chance to get restless again, Oscar bought that wreck of a house.. so she has something to keep her occupied for now lmao He'll help too, but he needs a week long nap in front of the new TV first 😴

Fun fact.. you can just about see Oscar's house from Salton's place 🤭

After the wedding, coops plays the newly wed game and Marlene is just like 😍😍

The newlywed game is so cute and Neil Patrick Harris did one with his husband a few years ago that is just adorable. SW credit goes to @lumosinlove!

“Welcome back, Lions!” Marlene said with a broad smile. “After a brief summertime hiatus, we’re back with Captain Sirius Black and our brand-new winger, Remus Lupin. Do you guys want to tell the viewers why you’re here?”

“You threatened us,” Remus said.

“Also, we got married,” Sirius added, holding up his left hand.

“Oh, yeah, that too.”

Marlene rolled her eyes as they turned to her with matching grins. “You two are hopeless. You’re here today to play the newlywed game, which will test how well you know each other. I’ll be asking each of you eleven questions that the other person has already answered, and you get a point for each answer that matches. Does that make sense?”

Remus gave her a thumbs-up. “Crystal clear.”

“Loops, because you slandered my good name earlier, you’re going first. I hope your husband wins.”

“Oh, I will,” Sirius promised, kicking the leg of Remus’ chair lightly as he tapped his cue cards on his thighs. “Alright, first one: what did we do on our first date?”

“Pizza at Sid’s,” Remus answered.

Sirius held up a small posterboard with ‘pizza’ written on it. “Correct! What was the last thing we bickered about?”

Remus thought for a moment. “You answered these today, right?”

“Yeah, honey, we did this in adjacent rooms,” Sirius laughed.

“Right, sorry. In that case, it was parallel parking because there weren’t any spots outside the building.”

“Correct! If our love life was a candy bar, what would it be?”

Remus frowned. “What?”

“If our love life was a candy bar, what would it be?” Sirius repeated with a devilish smile. “What, you don’t know this one?”

“Shit, what would you say to this?” Remus muttered. “Um…hell, I don’t know, a Snickers?”

The smile slipped off Sirius’ face. “Are you kidding me?”

“Did I get it right?” Remus’ eyes widened when Sirius held up the posterboard with ‘Snickers’ scrawled across it, and pumped both fists in the air. “Ha! I don’t even care who wins now!”

“Good, because it’s going to be me. Next question: If I could describe you in one word, what would it be?”

“If you could describe me?” Remus exhaled slowly. “That’s tough. Uh, chatty?”

“What?” Sirius asked through his laughter. “Chatty?”

“It’s true!”

“I said ‘sweet’!” He showed the board to the camera and they both burst out laughing. “Jesus, who do you think I am? Just rolling up to Marlene like, ‘hey, did you know my husband talks a lot?’”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“You’ve only made it through four questions,” Marlene informed them, clearly amused.

“What is your weirdest quirk?” Sirius read off the board.

Remus paused. “Like, what do I think my weirdest quirk is?”

“I think so. It threw me off at first, too.”

“This is not grammar correction hour,” Marlene called.

“I think my weirdest quirk is that I can’t end stairs on my left foot,” Remus said after a moment. “I’ll skip a step if I have to.”

Sirius hummed. “I didn’t even think of that one.”

“What did you put?”

“Pre-game superstitions.”

“Hypocrite,” Remus said with a grin.

“Perhaps. Who is my celebrity crush?”

Remus raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure you want me to tell them?”

“It’s not that weird!”

“Freddie Mercury.”

“That is a little odd,” Marlene agreed when he showed the board.

Sirius looked between them in disbelief. “Why?”

Marlene snorted. “Because the person you married is basically the exact opposite.”

“There’s a difference between thinking someone’s hot and wanting to marry them.”

Remus pouted slightly. “You don’t think I’m hot?”

“Oh my god,” Sirius groaned. “Next question. What is my favorite book?”

“The Hobbit.”

“Nope.”

“Three Musketeers?”

“Nope.”

“Winnie the Pooh?”

“What the fuck?” Sirius laughed. “It’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Marlene, can I skip the next one?”

Remus leaned closer. “Well, now I’m curious.”

“Which of us would win at Trivial Pursuit?”

“Oh, baby, I would wipe the floor with you.”

He sighed heavily. “Yeah, I know. If I needed a lift at 3 am, who would I call?”

“James.”

“Yep. What is my silliest fear?” There was a brief pause. “Really? I thought this was one of the easier ones.”

“There are several to choose from,” Remus mused. “But I think you would say your silliest fear is dishsoap bubbles.”

Sirius held the final board up. “Unfortunately, you’re correct. They’re all slimy and gross. Last question: what is our favorite activity to do together?”

A smile twitched at Remus’ lips for half a second before he regained his poker face. “I would say hockey, but I think it’s actually road trips.”

“Incorrect,” Sirius said smugly.

“We literally had this conversation two days ago. What did you put down?”

He flipped the board around. “Movie night. You’re not entirely wrong about road trips, but bonus points helped you win last time, so I’m never doing that again.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Remus waved him off, as if he wasn’t having the time of his life. “Okay, number one: who is the better driver?”

“Me,” Sirius said without hesitation.

“Indeed. What did I wear on our first date?”

Sirius bit his lip in concentration. “You wore jeans and a sweater. Your green one, right?”

Remus glanced to the camera, clearly stunned, then held up his board. “Yeah, you nailed it.”

They high-fived and Sirius leaned back in his chair, grinning. “You thought you were so smart with that Snickers answer, huh? I know things, sweetheart!”

“Who is the tidiest?” Remus continued with a faint blush on his cheeks.

“Me, but you clean more often.”

“True. Who is the funniest?”

“You.” Remus shook his head and Sirius gave him an offended look. “You’re way funnier than I am!”

“We’re funny in different ways,” Remus conceded. “You make really good puns, but I’m just sarcastic and people think I’m kidding. Who does the most cooking?”

“You, for sure.”

“Marley, these questions are too easy. You’re rigging the game against me.” Remus shot her a teasing glare as he set the used boards on the ground. “What is my ideal date?”

“Going to the bookstore and staying there for at least four hours.”

“I don’t know about four hours—”

“Re, I love you, but that is exactly what we did last weekend.”

Remus hesitated, then nodded. “Fair. What is my favorite junk food?”

“You are an Oreo hound. We have, what, three boxes stashed in the house right now?”

“Five,” Remus muttered.

Sirius’ jaw went a little slack. “Where? I only saw three in the pantry.”

“I’m not telling you, you’ll steal them!”

He turned to Marlene with a disbelieving look and she shrugged. “Hey, I’m just here to moderate. This is reality tv for me.”

“If I was a Disney princess, who would I be?” Remus asked before things could devolve further.

“Belle, obviously.”

“Hell yeah. What do I think your best feature is?”

“Again with the wording,” Sirius sighed. “Hmm. You’re always messing with my hair.”

“It is very soft,” Remus agreed. “But that’s the wrong answer. I think you have the prettiest eyes.”

His cheeks went pink. “Really?”

“Babe, I’ve told you this a million times,” Remus laughed.

“Still.”

He shook his head and moved on to the next question. “Which of us has the worst handwriting?”

Sirius frowned. “Neither of us has bad handwriting.”

“Which one is worse than the other?” Marlene clarified.

“You, maybe?” he guessed. “I really like your handwriting, though.”

“Yeah, I put myself for that one. It’s kind of a weird half-cursive with a bunch of loops. Which is fitting, I suppose.” He shrugged. “Ready for the last one? You’re totally going to get this.”

“Don’t jinx me.”

“What was our last date, and when?”

“Last Thursday,” Sirius said. “We got takeout and watched The Princess and the Frog.”

“Did you sing along?” Marlene asked.

“Of course we did,” Remus said with a playful scoff. “Alright, who won?”

Behind the camera, Dorcas cleared her throat. “Remus, you got seven out of eleven correct, and Sirius, you scored a grand total of…nine.”

Sirius whipped back around to face him. “I told you I would win!”

“I’m crushed,” Remus said drily, though he couldn’t keep down his smile. “Oh, no, my husband knows me too well!”

“Did you guys have fun?” Marlene asked.

“We always do.” Sirius slid the boards across the floor to her before looking up to the camera. “Thanks for joining us today to see my victory at last, Lions! Be sure to like and subscribe to Lion Pride for more content like this.”

Ranking every Teen Drama I have ever watched

(Updated)

The Secret Life of the American Teenager

+ young Shailene Woodley and Molly Ringwald I guess

- everything else. Even Shailene Woodley's and Molly Ringwald's performances weren't that great because the writing is just oh so bad. The background music is bland and repetative and it sounds like out of some teenager's YouTube chanel. The plotlines are ridiculous and convoluted, which isn't neccessarily such a bad thing, because it is a teen drama show after all, the problem is the show seems to take itself too seriously. Other entries on this list also have ridiculously convoluted plotlines, but I'm ranking them highed because they don't take themselves too seriously and don't claim to be realistic like this show does. Seriously, from the title it suggests like this was going to be a real, uncensored look into high school but it's the furthest thing from it. Not to mention how problematic it is- God forbid someone suggests that a 14-year-old pregnant girl gets an abortion or gives the baby up for adoption without being seen as a terrible and despicable person.

Otp: Marc Molina x a job somewhere far, far away from these kids

Notps: every single pairing on this show

Best moment: literally none

Weirdest moment: "I'm such a whore!" "Well, you're my whore." What were the writers thinking??? Was this supposed to be romantic??

We Children From Zoo Station

+the aesthetic, the casting of Christiane, Detlef and Axel

-this was such a letdown. Honestly I was so hyped for it after seeing the trailer since I've read the book and didn't particularly like the movie- I feel like it's hard to fit all of Christiane's story into 90 minutes. That's why I was so excited about this show. Christiane's story covers so much, so it's easier to make it into a TV show when you don't want to ommit anything and butcher the story. But they somehow managed to do it anyway. They changed so much for no reason and completely erased Christiane's childhood trauma, which was important in the book. Now, I know you can say that it's just a loose adaptation, so it doesn't have to follow the book word for word. But I feel like if you already decided to tell her- a real person's story- you should at least do it authentically. Imo they shouldn't have tried to make the setting vague. It worked with Sex Education because the story of Sex Education is timeless. However, Christiane's story is not timeless. It's a true story set in the 1970s. If they were making a new show from scratch, I would have liked it. But this is an already existing story and they’re supposed to be just retelling it. My last issue is a nit pick but I wish the actresses playing Stella and Babsi were reversed. It just would've fit better.

Otps: all those kids x sobriety

Notp: Christiane x Detlef

Best moment: Christiane's first time in Sound was pretty true to the book

Weirdest moment: when Detlef became a gigolo because he needed money for his dog. Who tf thought of that?

Pretty Little Liars

+ makeup, style, the theme song, the drama and mystery that always kept me guessing, the cliffhangers at the end of each episode that made it so addictive, Emily's coming out story, Hanna and Spencer had some good lines

- the mishandling of some serious issues (namely eating disorders), romantization of student-teacher relationship, the timeline not making much sense, these writers seem to put more thought into the characters' outfits than the storylines

Otps: Emily x Maya, Hanna x Caleb

Notp: Ezria

Best moment: Hanna and Caleb in the shower (the sexual tension was cuttable with a knife)

Weirdest moments: Aria asking Ezra out in the middle of a make-up test (it was supposed to be cute but it was just cringy), Spencer trying to block A's text messages on a laptop, in the middle of a park (what? Spencer, you were supposed to be the smart one!)

One Tree Hill

+ Brooke, the theme song, Chad Michael Murray

- the casual drinking and driving (I mean seriously these kids play a drinking game at a party and then casually hop into a car and drive home??), too much basketball and cheerleading (that's not a bad thing per se but I just don't really care about neither of these things), it just seems too stereotypical and kinda bland?? I couldn't really get into it

Otp: Naley

Notp: Peyton x Nathan

Best moment: Naley by the dock

Weirdest moment: "I guess I'm just a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside a bitch." It's not really a bad moment but a cringy line. I guess the writers though they were being clever but it just sounded bad.

Dawson's Creek

+ the clothes, the 90s aesthetic, the 90s soundtrack, many movie references, Pacey is a sweetheart, Jen is a feminist icon, dealing with mental health issues through Andie (it's rare to see in shows as old as this)

- the slutshaming of Jen really hasn't aged well, the storyline of Pacey being statury raped by his much older teacher was mishandled (it was either treated as scandalous, cool or in Andie’s case somehow shameful), same goes for Jen’s backstory- it was mentioned she was raped at 12 by an older man and then never brought up again, Dawson is the most unlikable protagonist ever and his friendship/relationship with Joey is codependent and possessive, the dialogue is sometimes pretentious and unrealistic, the timeline doesn't really add up- I can never tell what time of the year it's supposed to be, because it looks like it's always fall for some reason. And how did they sophomore year have two homecomings?

Otps: Pacey x Andie, Pacey x Joey (yes, both at the same time)

Notp: Dawson x Joey

Best moments: Jen helping Joey when that jerk was spreading rumours about her and then Jen and Joey locking Abby in the closet together (I love it when they stick together instead of tearing each other down), Pacey and Joey bickering

Weirdest moments: when Joey was upset because Dawson didn’t want to tell her how often he “walks his dog”, when Jen was about to have a treesome at a party and Dawson walked into the room and carried her out despite her kicking and screaming

Glee

+ funny, Sue Sylvester's iconic, great covers and a way to find new songs, the performances are aesthetically pleasing, lgbtq+ representation, tackling of serious issues, coming out story, a father who’s accepting of his son’s sexuality right away despite not really understanding it (it’s so rare to see, that’s why it’s so refreshing), the plotlines are ridiculous but at least the show doesn't take itself too seriously

-as I already said the 1st season was great but after that it just seemed like the writers made up a checklist of hard issues they should tackle and tried to tackle every single one of them while covering every single song and it just fell flat. Prime example- Quinn ending up in a wheelchair getting into a car crash to warn us from drinking and driving, singing I’m Still Standing and then suddenly being able to walk normally after. a few episodes Rachel and Finn got almost all songs, while other characters were criminally underrated and underused (Tina, Quinn, Mercedes). The teachers are questionable to put it mildly. Cringy moments- Finn singing You're Having My Baby to Quinn in front of her parents when it wasn't even his baby! Also no one except of Kurt looks like they could be in high school. And why are these cheerleaders wearing their uniforms 24/7??

Otps: Brittana, Sam x Quinn, Tina x Artie (unpopular opinion, I know), Mr Schue x unemployment

Notp: Quinn x Finn

Best moments: Quinn giving birth to Bohemian Rhapsody

Weirdest moment: Rachel's gross and painfully awkward crush on Mr Schue, Mr Schue joining the Glee club on the stage for a performance of Toxic and girls in the audience cat calling him (Ewww)

Euphoria

+ Zendaya's and Jacob Elordi's performances, tackling of serious issues such as drug addiction and overdose, anxiety and depression, abusive relationships and abortion in a better manner than most (if not all) teen dramas, the aesthetics, makeup and wardrobe, the musical number in the finale, the special episodes giving us insight into the characters' psychology, toxic relationships not being romanticized (which is sadly rare), teenagers sounding like actual real life teens (no "I reject reality" crap)

- lack of comic relief (why so serious all the time), sexualization of teen characters (I know this is something many teen dramas are guilty of but it's the most evident here), too much nudity (I know some of you are going to come at me with: "But it's realistic!" So what? It is realitic that teenagers get naked when they go into shower but does it mean we have to see it?? It seems to me like this show is trying too hard to be "boundary pushing" at times and ends up being scandalous just for the sake of being scandalous), these characters just aren't believable as high school juniors to me (they sound like high schoolers but they certainly don’t act, look or dress that way). There's no reason this show couldn't have been set in college.

Otps: Rue x sobriety, Nate x prison

Notps: Nate x Maddy, Cassie x McKay

Best moments: "You did this to me!" and the musical number in the season 1 finale

Weirdest moment: the fact that Maddy lost her virginity at 14 to a 40-year-old man being mentioned so casually because apparently she was "totally in control". Excuse me what??

Skins

+ style and makeup- each character has a signature trademark (Sid and his beanie, Effy's eyeliner, Cassie's soft eyeshadow), their British accents, I'm pretty sure this is the only teen drama that follows multiple classes, teenage characters being played by actual teen actors, the characters looking like average people you meet in high school and not as if they just walked off the runway, dealing with serious issues such as drug abuse, eating disorder, parental abandonment etc (yes, some people claim the show romanticized it, but I disagree. It's not the show that romanticized it- it's the fans. The show tried to portray the dangers of drugs as well as possible. Think about it- every time characters used drugs it ended in a disaster. In the pilot they thought that Cassie overdosed and ended up crashing a car while rushing into the hospital. In later season Effy hit her friend in the head with a rock because she was having a bad trip. That's not romanticizing drugs.), Effy is iconic and honestly the first episode was enough to get me hooked

- every single teacher being a creep and having a thing for a student at some point, the show can get too dark and unncessarily dramatic at times. Did that many people have to die? Did Chris's death really have to be this graphic? Timeline doesn't really add up- are 8 episodes supposed to cover the whole year? It would've made more sense if there were more episodes in a season.

Otps: Chris x Jal, Emily x Naomi

Notps: Sid x Michelle

Best moment: ooh baby it's a wild world

Weirdest moment: Chris's graphic death

The OC

+ more grounded in reality than many others on this list, the theme song, the love stories, Seth and Summer are funny, the friendships are believable and the whole group has great chemistry

- too many unneccessary fights, Luke is the worst, everyone is way too casual about drunk driving, these parents are WAAAY too chill (I know this can be said about many teen dramas but it's the most obvious here. How did the Roberts and the Coopers let two 16-year-old girls go to Mexico alone?? With no supervision?? What?)

Otps: Seth x Summer, Ryan x Marissa

Notp: Luke x Marissa

Best moments: the “oh no, there’s only one bed” in the Mexico episode, Seth and Summer's first kiss and that kiss at the yacht, Ryan and Marissa's first date by the pool

Weirdest moment: these parents letting their teenage kids go to Mexico alone. It's irresponsible when they're 16 but apparently they let them go there and party every year. What?

Gossip Girl

+ every episode having a clever title, the style, the makeup, the 00s soundtrack, the glamour of it all (it feels like reading a very gossipy magazine!), all the scandals, this show never pretends to portray the realitic teenage experience so it can pretty much be as far-fetched as it wants to and you can’t question it, it gives you a chance to live the fantasy of being super rich, living with a penthouse, riding a limo to school and going to parties in New York City every night

- the final reveal doesn't make any sense, just like with PLL these writers seemed to have put more thought into the outfits and makeup than into the plotlines, romantization of a toxic relationship, having every two straight characters date or hook up at some point, which just felt forced, mishandling of serious issues (Blair's eating disorder, Eric's suicide attempt and Serena and Jenny's sexual assault from the pilot being brought up when it's convenient but not really dealt with and brushed off at other times), sexualization of teen characters

Otps: Dan x Blair, Serena x Nate

Notps: Chuck x Blair

Best moments: the Thanksgiving flashbacks, Blair and Serena running around New York and taking selfies in stolen dresses, Nate and Serena’s first time (although it was better in the books) and then their kiss at the white party, the sheer scandal of "I killed someone", Dan giving Blair a plastic tiara to make her feel like a princess

Weirdest moments: Chuck's father returning from the death and then dying again, by yeeting himself off the roof

Freaks and Geeks

+ probably the most realistic teen drama there is, the characters dress the way I can see actual teens dressing, funny, but also heatbreaking at times, probably the only teen show that included an intersex character, the characters being a little stereotypical but self-aware at least, young James Franco and Jason Segel

- the bullying being a bit too much at times and it's a bit unrealistic that the teachers would do literally nothing about it, too short- I will never understand why this got cancelled

Otps: Daniel x Kim, Lindsay x Nick, Amy x Ken

Notps: Sam x Cindy

Best moments: Sam breaking down at the end of Garage Door, Daniel and Kim getting back together in the rain

Weirdest moment: Cindy doing a 180 and becoming super mean when she started dating Sam.

Gilmore Girls

+ so many movie, literary and music references, the quotable lines (what a great way to learn about new movies, books and bands! It’s so unique for a TV show to make you smarter), the witty banter, the comfort of the first few seasons (it really feels like wrapping a warm blanket around yourself while holding a hot cup of coffee, I can’t explain why, but it’s such a comfort show), the quirky small town with many unique festivals, many entertaining and snappy fights where everyone has a point, characters dealing with real world problems (seriously, how often do you see a storyline about termites? Or a teenager with zit cream on a teen drama show?), this is also one of the few shows where teenagers are shown to have rules and restrictions and curfews (finally some kids growing up with strict parents representation) and doing homework and studying and not just partying and drinking and having sex all the time and that’s so refreshing

- but while it is refreshing to see teenagers waiting to have sex and not doing it behind every corner, the show is kind of sex negative. Every single time a (female) character loses her virginity it ends in a disaster. Even when she loses it after she’s married! It doesn’t make any sense, unless the writers just really hated women. Also slutshaming (”I got the good kid!”) ewww. The money and budget doesn’t make much sense on the show either and the girls seem immune to calories. I know some people might come at me for this with: “But it’s just a show!” but I think it’s harmful to show beautiful, thin women eat nothing but tons of junkfood all the time and never excersize and then fatshame people who do excersize but aren’t fortunate enough to be blessed with amazing Gilmore genes, and then throw around tactless references to eating disorders.

Otps: Lane x Dave, Jess x Rory

Notps: Lane x Zach, Rory x Dean, Lorelai x Christopher

Best moments: Then She Appeared, Rory’s valedictorian speech, Lorelai’s graduation

Weirdest moment: Lorelai and Christopher getting married in Paris at 4am. That’s not how it works in Europe. Do Americans think every single Europian country works like Las Vegas, where you can just get married whenever you decide??

Fix Me (Be The Father Of This Child! Side Story, Patreon Exclusive) by Laura S. Fox

Author’s note: I couldn’t leave the dads without their story, and this is it. It comes in the shape of a side story and it’s a Patreon Exclusive, but here is a little excerpt for anyone interested. In a nutshell, it is the how and why of Sid and Tom ending up together :) The story has 8 chapters in total, and the following text is part of the first chapter.

The link to all the chapters is this:

https://www.patreon.com/laurasfox/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=fix%20me

Start of excerpt:

Chapter One - A Little Bit Of Human Touch

Tom fought a stain on the countertop that seemed to have escaped the thorough cleaning he had overseed earlier that day. Hmm, it looked like it was part of the pattern and not an actual stain. The kids had done a pretty good job, after all. 

Jett would make his hair go all grey before time. How could he be with a boy, after having a kid with his girlfriend?

You know how.

Tom pushed away the honest voice inside his head. Honesty, unfortunately, had no place there, in that situation. God knew he had made plenty of mistakes in his life, and that meant that he needed to keep his son from making his.

The worst part was that he understood what Jett saw in that boy with the hippy name. He was the kind of boy Tom would have liked for himself some twenty-five years ago. But he had chosen to be a husband and a father, regardless of particular inclinations that he didn’t want to think about. He had been in love with Jett’s mother; he had desired her completely, and losing her had left him hollow. Yet, to his shame, that hadn’t nullified his secret desires, to which he succumbed once in a while. That only appeared to keep the fire stoked, instead of putting it out.

For years, he had tried to rationalize it. While his wife had been alive, he had never cheated on her. The first time he had had a sexual encounter of the kind – of any kind, actually, it had been four years after her passing away, and it had still felt like cheating.

After that, things had gotten a little easier. Since they were nothing but fleeting experiences, he could dismiss them as nothing but a need for sexual release and nothing more. Also, he didn’t have time for them, so they weren’t a lifestyle or an important change in his life. Or, at least, that was what he told himself over and over again to assuage the guilt.

And now Jett, with the impetus of youth on his side, was just saying loud and clear that he wanted to be with a boy. Tom shook his head. How the times had changed. If it hadn’t been for the baby, maybe Tom would have been convinced, after a while, that Jett was making the right choice.

But no, there was a baby involved now, and Jett had to assume responsibility, whether he liked it or not. 

A loud knock on the door startled him. He was getting too used to spending time in his head more often than not these days. Maybe he was growing old. And lonely.

“Who could be at this hour?” He mumbled under his breath as the knocking on the door repeated.

It looked like the kids didn’t think getting the door was their business. From the living room, some stupid TV show blared the fake laughter of an equally fake audience and the annoying voice of the moderator.

Tom pulled the door open so fast that it almost hit him in the face. He really needed to calm the fuck down a little.

“Yes?”

A man in his forties dressed casually in tan khaki pants, loafers, and a brown leather jacket stared at him from the door.

Tom’s first thought was how blue the man’s gaze was. The second one was more unsettling.

Attractive.

“Sid Summer,” the man introduced himself. He offered his hand, along with an honest look.

Tom hesitated for a moment, but he wasn’t one to leave a man hanging. He took Sid’s hand and shook it vigorously. Sid smiled even if Tom was sure his handshake wasn’t exactly friendly. “The boy’s dad?” he asked gruffly. There was no need for too many niceties.

Sid’s hand was firm and smooth. Tom frowned as their hands parted. That little bit of human touch wasn’t supposed to have any effect on him.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late, but do you think you have a minute?” Sid asked in a pleasant tone, his smile never fading.

It did occur to Tom that he didn’t introduce himself, as well, too busy with noticing Sid’s high cheekbones and beautifully drawn lips. That angered him a little. “I have a minute, and it’s already up.”

“Then, I’ll have to ask for one hour.” Sid didn’t appear bothered at all by his tone.

“One hour?”

“I was wondering if you could join me for a drink, Mr. Huntsman.”

“We could talk here.” It was annoying how much he wanted to say ‘yes’ to that invitation. His throat was parched, all of a sudden. But he didn’t need to let that show. If the boy’s dad was there, it had to be for a reason, and it didn’t look like that reason was Sid wanting to take his child home with him. Tom didn’t like it at all.

“Here, the children will have nothing better to do than to try to eavesdrop, as I bet they are doing right now.”

That was a good point. Without a word, for the sake of not letting Sid guess that he was eager to leave the house, Tom grabbed his denim jacket and almost jumped into his boots. He did everything with brusque moves just so that Sid would know, without one shadow of a doubt, that he didn’t like that idea at all.

All that remained was to put things in order before walking out the door. He marched into the living room, where the three misfits were pretending to be watching TV. “I will be out,” he said. “Don’t stay too late. Stop watching stupid shows on TV. That kid needs to be in bed already. You two, no mischief. I know you,” he pointed a finger at April, “have school tomorrow. Jett, you,” he added after a short moment of hesitation, “you have nothing to do, but you still need to wake up at six.”

That covered it. To make sure his words were taken at face value, he stared at the miscreants, one by one, for a few moments more. To his satisfaction, they all looked away. They probably hated him, but Tom wasn’t there to be liked. His role was to put an order in the chaos they had created. And it was all for their own good.

“Let’s go,” he said to Sid as he walked out the door.

“That’s my car,” Sid said as he pointed at his vehicle, a station wagon that must have seen better days.

Tom frowned. The guy had said they would go out for drinks. Did he intend to drive how, after that? “You’re not supposed to drink and drive.”

To his surprise, Sid laughed. “I’m not one of the kids, Mr. Huntsman. I know as much.”

“Tom.” 

Shit. He was supposed to keep the distance between him and that blue-eyed man. There were people in the world who were simply attractive, and Sid was one of them. Mary, his late wife, had also been like that. Like a tiny ray of sun had been snatched at her birth and hidden in her eyes.

“Well, Tom, I haven’t drunken anything yet. Scout’s honor. But I’m seriously in need of a drink. I booked a room for the night at a local motel, and there’s a bar nearby. Is that okay?”

“Why did you book a room?” He climbed in front, next to Sid, who put the engine into gear.

“I have a feeling our conversation will be a long one. I also need a drink, as I told you, and I can always drive back to mine in the morning, after allowing the said drink to leave my system.”

“You have an answer to everything.” Tom didn’t want to sound as morose as his voice seemed to his own ears. Yet, the too pleasant feeling coiling in the pit of his stomach whenever he looked at Sid was making him wary. 

“That’s exactly what my boy says, too. I suppose it’s annoying. But parents are bound to be annoying.”

Tom chuckled and shook his head. “You can say that again.”

Wait, he wasn’t supposed to feel at ease in the company of April’s dad. Because Sid was April’s dad and that meant that Tom had to keep that in mind, no matter how much he wanted to stare in those blue eyes and check them from up close.

“So, did my April give you any grief?”

Tom considered his next words carefully. On one side, he had little Jay and his best interest at heart. On the other, there was no need to insult Sid. “No. He’s well behaved.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Sid said as he navigated the streets that seemed already deserted at that hour. 

Silence followed. Tom wanted the conversation to be over already, but Sid seemed serious about that drink. At the same time, he wanted to spend a little more time in Sid’s company.

“The boys,” he started, “they are young. They don’t know what they want.”

“Hmm. Don’t they?”

Tom felt a bit disconcerted by that question. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

A short chuckle followed. “I’m not your enemy, Tom. I’m sure we can find some common ground. But let’s not discuss such serious stuff without some drinks in front of us. What do you say?”

Tom shrugged. “Fine by me.” He was willing to indulge Sid if only because he wanted to be close to another person his age a little longer. Terrorizing a bunch of young people with their heads up in the clouds was hard work. For tonight, he would allow himself a breather. Plus, he could also hope for a resolution to the situation regarding April. He would do his best to convince Sid that Jett wasn’t a good choice for his son.

He shifted in his place. He couldn’t believe he was a tad nervous. To fill the silence, he reached for the radio, although it wasn’t his car, and it struck him too late that it was an impolite thing to do.

His fingers met Sid’s. 

“Maybe some music --”

Tom withdrew his hand like it had been scalded in hot water. 

Sid laughed. “Sorry about that. I just find long silences uncomfortable.”

“Well, you were the one to say that we should postpone talking until we have a drink in hand,” Tom replied, a bit irritated.

Sid threw him a sidelong glance. “Don’t tell me you also find long silences uncomfortable.”

Tom scoffed and pretended to look out the window. Not that there was anything interesting to see; only houses and houses again. He needed to avoid looking at Sid too much. There was no wonder April was so pretty; even if he didn’t look like his dad, as far as his facial features went, he was lean and tall like Sid. Tom could guess a slender body in perfect shape under the brown leather jacket and khaki pants. Why on earth was he thinking about how Sid looked without clothes on? He needed to stop and stop right now.

Music filled the car. It was some jazz tune, happy and sad at the same time. 

“Is this all right? If you prefer something else --”

“It’s okay,” Tom said abruptly and stared stubbornly out the window.

At least, they were no longer riding in uncomfortable silence, and, in a way, it was worse. Now, Tom could focus on the smallest details, like the smell of Sid’s cologne, something like wood and earth that made him feel longing squeezing his chest 

“How come your wife let you out of the house at this hour?” He found himself talking.

There was a short pause. “My wife passed away seven years ago.”

Talking about strange coincidences. “I see,” Tom replied. “Mine, as well.”

Sid didn’t add anything. None of them said ‘sorry’ or any other platitude, and it was better like this. 

“We’re here.” Sid pulled the car in the motel’s parking lot.

Tom said nothing and climbed out of the car. He followed Sid as they walked toward the small bar that was located on the grounds. Tom could only hope they had a drink as stiff as he needed right now. His throat felt parched again.

guess what bitch. all of the flower asks. if i have to do it, you have to do it

Hahaha, love you too. Asshole.

Alisons: Sexuality? - Hahahaha bold of you to assume I have any clue. I like girls. I like guys. I like nonbinary people. And other people on the spectrum. I’m not pan, idk what though. Plus the label doesn’t really matter.

Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender? - I’m a demiboy, so he/him/his or they/them/theirs. Whichever, it doesn’t really matter. Though I personally feel more masculine.

Amaryllis: Birthday? - Today lol (January 13th)

Anemone: Favorite flower? - Would it be cliche and stupid to say roses? Because those. Weirdly.

Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show? - Damn that’s hard. Between BBC Sherlock, BBC Merlin, Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, and John Mulaney (shut up it counts)

Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger? - It really depends on the situation. I would give away clothing, risk my life, give them shelter in my home, allow them to borrow my phone, but them lunch... I’d do a lot for anyone. Even though I have trust issues.

Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes? - “Yeah, the asshole who sent me this (love you alex)” - @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth lmao. Truly though? “Your destiny is calling, you better find out what he wants.” and “A half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole.”, both from Merlin, about Merlin and Arthur. They're just so gay.

Aubrieta: Favorite drink? - Tea.

Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? - Meh. Sure. I don’t really care. The one right before that by like 10 seconds, 100%.

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love? - Yes. Oh god yes.

Baneberries: Favorite song? - Literally impossible. You are insane.

Basket of Gold: Describe your family. - A disaster. Both biological and chosen. I have 3 little brothers in my chosen family and all of them are younger than me.

Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it? - I have 5. The bitch who sent me this (love you), Evan, TJ, Shiro, and Sid.

Begonia: Favorite color? - Bloodred and black.

Bellflower: Favorite animal? - Wolves. They’re amazing.

Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person? - I’m not a person. But mornings fuck me up dude.

Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be? - A dodo bird. Because they’re all dead.

Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? - So many things. A lead singer of a band (which I might get to do soon, yay), a policeman, an fbi agent, a photographer, etc. 

Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children? - I love them, I’d probably adopt older children because they need it the most, but I love children so much.

Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why? - I answered this earlier, “I am afraid of spiders. Because they have so many legs and so many eyes and THEY DON’T FUCKING NEED ALL OF THEM LIKE WTF?!?!?!?!?!”

Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood. - About 75% of the food my brother and I ate was Ramen, Pop Tarts, and instant rice.

Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth? - With the people I love the most.

Buttercup: Relationship status? - Sadly single :(

Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go? - Ireland. Without a doubt. It’s so beautiful.

Candytufts: When do you feel most loved? - I answered this one too. “When I’m cuddling with someone I care about while watching one of my favorite shows or movies. Or just when I’m cuddling someone I care about. And yes, that includes my puppy. (Funny joke, I’m watching Merlin while watching Merlin) (Merlin is my puppy).”

Canna: Do you have any tattoos? - Sadly no. I will though.

Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings? - Two in each ear.

California Poppy: Height? - 5′3½″

Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts? - Yeah.

Carnation: What are you currently wearing? - Jeans and a flannel, as always.

Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight? - Yes.

Chives: Who was the last person you hugged? - Sid. He’s the best, honestly.

Chrysanthemum: Who was the last person you kissed? - TJ. He’s basically my brother. The person before that was Shiro, and both of those were New Years Day at like midnight.

Cock’s Comb: Favorite font? - Calligraphy. It’s so fun to write in. But in computers, Times New Roman for some reason.

Columbine: Are you tired? - *in Snape’s voice* Alllllllways

Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to? - A good night’s sleep for once.

Coneflower: Dream job? - Lead singer of a rock band, which I’ll probably get to do soon!

Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert? - Extrovert, definitely.

Crocus: Have you ever been in love? - This question was already asked. But yes.

Crown Imperial: What’s the furthest you’d go for someone you care about? - To the ends of the Earth.

Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it? - Yes. It was a huge stuffed cheetah. Now it’s a giant stuffed bear from Evan.

Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign? - Capricorn. I was supposed to be an Aquarius. And I personally think I’m an Aquarius more than a Capricorn.

Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering? - Not really. Other than date people.

Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment? - I don’t fucking know. Winning the school spelling bee in 5th grade?

Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)? - I wouldn’t care. If I love them and they love me, that’s all that matters to me.

Dandrobium: Who is the last person you said “I love you” to? - Sid I think.

False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at? - Idk. Singing?

Foxgloves: What is something you’re bad at? - Everything.

Freesia: What are three good things that have happened to you in the last month? - I got a puppy, I got my binder, I gave my (now ex) girlfriend the best gift I’ve ever given in my life.

Garden Cosmos: How was your day today? - Considering all I’ve done is watched Merlin, type this, and cuddle with Merlin? Pretty good.

Gardenia: Are you happy with where you're at in your life? - Nope.

Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two? - Die :)

Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life? - In no particular order: @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth, Evan, TJ, Shiro, Sid, Merlin, BBC Merlin, Sherlock, Supernatural, Harry Potter

Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed? - Healthily? Dying my hair, listening to music, reading, writing, and getting hugs.

Hellebore: How do you show your affection? - Many ways. Mostly hand hearts, gifts, trust, and hugs.

Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of? - My flannel collection. I don’t know the exact number but it’s immense.

Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day. - cuddling with my friends while watching shows and movies and reading.

Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time? - Read. Write. Listen to music. Watch TV. Cuddle.

Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them? - ok gimme a sec.

@eyeforaneye-toothforatooth: They hated me when we met. We’ve known each other for... 3 or 4 years? We met in science in 6th grade I think.

Evan: We met in 6th grade. They noticed we had the same flannel on and commented on it. I hated them for like 2 years. Then we became friends, dated, now we’re best friends. I love them so much.

TJ: He was a friend of my best friend’s friend. Started hanging out in 7th grade, been like brothers ever since.

Shiro: Barely knew each other, then kinda “met” in 8th grade. Quickly became friends, dated, became best friends ever since.

Sid: Met him in SAGA this year. He bought me a binder, he’s the kindest person to me at my new school. I love him so much.

Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything? - I can talk to @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth about practically everything. I love them so much.

Laceleaf: How many friends do you have? - Surprisingly a lot.

Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? - Idk. “You look very handsome today.”?

Larkspur: What do you think of yourself? - What an utter piece of garbage.

Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself? - My eyebrows? Idk they look cool, especially when I do them. One’s got a slit.

Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself? - All of it.

Lilac: What is something you liked to do as a child? - Sleep. When I could.

Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid? - It changed at least once every year. Paige, Sheyenne, Peyton, Chloe, the list goes on.

Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty of? - I followed everyone in kinda making fun of this kid who was a trans girl. I felt so guilty about it then, and I feel so guilty about it now. I hope she is living her best life now, and if she’s reading this I want her to know I am so so sorry. And I have felt it too, I have been made fun of for my gender identification. I am so sorry.

Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about? - Idk. There’s one thing I’m sworn not to tell about but the person who asked me this knows, so it doesn’t matter.

Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name? - My deadname? Means “grace of god”, because my family is very Christian. My chosen name? Means “Defender of men; protector of mankind.” Which is honestly just so badass. I chose it because I liked it and it was genderneutral.

Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it. - Fort Collins, Colorado babyyyyyyyyy. It was nice and peaceful and small and I loved it.

Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up? - Small. Always a disaster. Sadly shared with my brother.

Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years? - So far? Sucky as fuck. I hate it. I love my friends, but other than that I hate it. I’m only like halfway through them anyway. It’s been spent trying to prove to my parents that I am just as good as my brother, who I happened to raise.

Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom. - Awesome. Sweet and kind, short, with red hair, hazel eyes, and freckles. She’s caring, and she was raised in a Christian house but she’s trying so hard to be accepting, to fight against her religion for her child and I love that so much. I love her so much.

Onions: Tell about your dad. - Kinda annoying. Plays video games all day and makes my brother and I do everything around the house. He tries to be nice and stuff but it really doesn’t work that well. He basically says he “doesn’t care” about the whole sexuality thing and gender thing and then he says stuff like “you can’t really know til your hormones have settled” and “Your name is your name until you can legally change it.” It’s stupid.

Orchid: Tell about your grandparents. - Which ones? I have multiple. I have 4 grandmas and 4 grandpas. Tho I suppose they’re all pretty similar. Very Christian, yet pretty accepting. They love me to death. I have one super transphobic grandpa, but basically all of them helped me raise my brother when I was little and my dad was asleep from working nights and my mom was at work all day. I owe them a lot. And I love them so much.

Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it so memorable? - My 12th. My best friend Val was there and so was my friend Tei and that was it, and they basically got along too well and I was really left out of things at my own birthday party. It was annoying. It was the first time I ever felt true jealousy, and that’s why I remember it so well. I haven’t liked a birthday since because it reminds me of that. I used to like it because it was a day when my parents actually payed attention to me and were off, but now everyone makes too big of a deal of it and I just wish it didn’t exist.

Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any? - SAGA club, he founded it a couple years ago. He’s super kind to me and he does so much for me, god I don’t deserve him. He bought me a binder. And he’s my best friend. I love him so much.

Pincushion: How do you deal with pain? - Healthily? Getting hugs and cuddles from my better friends. I can’t really do much of that lately though. *cries in a corner*

Pink: Where is home? - With the family and friends I’ve found.

Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change? - Wow. Hard choice. I’d either kill Hitler as a baby, or prevent my own conception.

Prarie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them. - Sid if you’re reading this I am so sorry, and I’m so sorry for mentioning you so much. But I look up to him, because he is one of the best people I know. I love him so much. He’s sweet and just sadncaspdnnhciodsifcnsjxsojcm.

Primrose: Describe your ideal life. - Idc what’s going on in it, as long as it’s with my found family and friends. I’d like my depression, anxiety, and ADHD to disappear though, ideally.

Rhondendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child? - Jesus. Or life. Either one works.

Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life? - That’s hard. @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth, Sid, Evan, TJ, Shiro, Freddie Mercury, Elton John, or David Bowie (may Mercury and Bowie rest in peace)

Rose: What’s your favorite sound? - Music. Definitely music.

Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory? - When I was at our first organized rehearsal for OneActs. I just love hanging out with so many fellow gays (and yes, I am including the straight twink that is Simon)

Sage: What’s your least favorite memory? - Um, I don’t want to go into detail on that. I was 5. It was bad.

Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want? - A boyfriend lol

St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things? - Depends. In a relationship? Pretty easy. Any other time? Near impossible until I break.

Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine your life without? - There’s 3. Pie, music, and my brother TJ.

Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night? - I doped myself up on melatonin so about 7½. Usually its between 1 and 4, if I’m lucky enough to fall asleep.

Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning? - The people I care most about. My best friends. Also the reason I don’t stab myself through the heart. They keep me going. I love them all so much. They mean too much to me to hurt them, if I could in any way.

Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job? - Living or school? Either one I hate it. I don’t have an actual job.

Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing? - My flannels. Or my band tees. Or my leather jacket from TJ.

Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic. - I don’t fully know what this is asking. I guess the smell of worn flannel, old worn leather, grease from a car, hair dye, smudged eyeliner, and conjoined lips? Idk.

Tulip: What would be the best present to get you? - Idk. Best present I’ve ever recieved was a binder. But I’d say worn flannel from a thrift store.

Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now? - Grandparents spamming my phone with “Happy Birthday [deadname]!!!” texts

Wisteria: How many books have you read in the last few months? What were they called? - Idk dude.

Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year? - Dead or with a partner.

Yarrow: Do you know what vore is? - Oddly enough, no. But I don’t think I want to.

Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself. - I have green eyes.

Kass I hate you.

Wonderland - Chapter 13

And just like that, Wonderland is back! (Y’all it survived Thanos snap after all) Geez, I missed Jared and Ali so much!! Enjoy!

I was surprised at first when Jared grabbed the bottle of brown liquor, but he was nothing if not a team player. We all loosened up rather quickly and I knew we were in for a long night.  I started shuffling the cards and looked to my two friends.  "Asshole, right?"  They nodded.

Jared's confused look was really adorable. "Jare, asshole is a game.  Let me explain the rules to you.  Girls we are going to have to ease him into this, he's a newbie and doesn't drink."  I explained the rules and how you don't want to end up being the asshole at the end of the round.  He caught on quickly and surprisingly was better at it than us three.  Especially considering we along with our group of friends had been playing it for at least five years. Darlene was not amused that she had been asshole two out of the three times we played and we all could tell from her not so subtle sighs and shrugs.  Usually when we played she would be the one doing most of the "winning."  At any rate, our hearts weren't really in it and we were getting tipsy a little too fast since we hadn't ate.

The food arrived and we were all happy to finally have something to do other than drink.  No one was speaking as we all consumed fries, burgers, pizza, and whatever else was available. We laughed a little at how much food we were devouring, then as if we all on cue thought about Nicky at the same time we started to cry. It was completely emotional in the room. I don't think we were ever going to be normal again as a group. The pain was going to be too much.

When we all seemed to be stuffed to the brim, Darlene started to shuffle the cards and set up for another game, when Jared grabbed her arm and stopped her.  The look of shock on Darlene was hysterical to me.  She was the alpha of every group.  Even her husband knew that she was the head of the household, giving in to her every desire.  "Please, don't." He said.  She looked to me and I nodded in agreement.

"Well, why the fuck not?" Dar questioned us.

"Because we are tired, we have jet lag, and we have a big day tomorrow.  Let's just call it a night and we can catch up more tomorrow. Please, Dar?"  I pleaded with her.

"Fine, but I'm breaking into MY mini bar when I get back to the room.  Thanks, Jared for the free booze. You're a doll."  She said and then leaned in and kissed his temple.  She stepped out of the room and said, "Come on Heather, we aren't wanted anymore." Heather got up and followed her to the door like a little puppy.

"Dar, that's not..." Jared stopped me. "Let them go." The door closed with a loud thud.

"Jared, I'm so sorry. I should have warned you about how crass she can be. I fear she may make me look badly. But you don't know the history or the stories behind our friendship."

"You're right, she does come off a little strong and I have to admit, I can't see how the two of you even know each other. I'd like to find out. Tell me while I clean up?" He got up and started picking up the liquor bottles and trashing them in the wastebasket.

"Okay, it's a doozy. You ready to hear some not so good things about your.... umm.... me?"

"Ali, you're my girlfriend. Just because we haven't actually said it out loud doesn't make it not true, so go ahead and call yourself that from this moment going forward, ok?"

"Alright, I guess I'll dive right in. I met Darlene at church." Jared spun around to look at me and smirked. "Yes, church, Jared. We aren't all heathens like you." He laughed, "uh huh."

"Well, it's true. We met at church. I was very active. My parents made us go as kids, but once I was older, I had the choice and I chose to still go. Silver Lake Baptist Church had a really big group of kids my age. We were teenagers. There really wasn't much to do in that po dunk town. So we went to church. It beat sitting at home.  Anyway, my cousin Lynne was always picking up strays.  Animals and people.  She has a kind heart, much kinder than mine.  One Saturday night we all met at church to go somewhere, probably bowling or skating... something along those lines, and in walks Lynne with Darlene.  I had never seen her before, but I was used to always being the center of attention.  I guess I sensed how strong of a personality Dar has and didn't want her to steal the spotlight. I immediately started picking on her.  It didn't matter to me that I was at church.  So it started with her weight, she has always been a bigger girl.  Then I found out her mom worked at the casino.  So I made some snide remark along the lines of, "my family plays the games there, we don't work them."  As if that somehow meant I was better than she was.  I don't know what got into me, but I just kept going until we were back at the church and she broke out in tears.  It was time to leave so I caught a ride with Lynne and Dar.  We dropped her off, so I knew where she stayed.  The next day feeling so guilty, I went to her house and knocked on the door, she answered and asked me in these exact words: "what the hell do you want?" I apologized and we became friends... through the years there's been a lot of ups and downs.  I've seen her go from raising her own self practically because her mom couldn't be bothered to do it, to being kicked out of her moms house because the many guys she brought over didn't like her.  I was there when she was being abused and then later when she met her husband.  She's tough on the outside because she always had to be.  She's never had it easy.  Three years ago she had a son who died of SIDS.  She's just never caught a break."  I began to cry. "As bitchy as she is, I get her. And I'm not really any different from her. I was a bitch to her in the beginning. That part of me still exists."

——————————

Ali confessed some darkness about her while I cleaned up, and it seemed to me that she has remained friends with Darlene out of guilt all these years. I felt bad. The two of them had a history, but that didn't mean they had anything in common other than the past. I didn't like that she was beating herself up.

"Ali, you're not a terrible person. You were a child. You did childish things.  Sometimes people are in our lives for a season, they fulfill their purpose and then they go.  It's okay to move on."

“I don't want to walk away from so many years of friendship with her, that would be a bad thing to do."

"Ali, you have nothing in common with her and I'm gonna be honest here, it seems like this life, the one you left behind for greener pastures was left for a reason.  These people all have issues with alcohol and drugs.  I watched Shannon spend years of his life fighting those demons.  Most times those battles can't be won.  They'll suck you down with them."

I watched her as she slowly started to realize I was right, taking in each one of my words and essentially chewing it over in her head.  I know she didn't like the idea that everyone she knew in her past growing up was essentially nothing more than just a means to her being where she was today.  They did not define her.  They could never be remotely anything as beautiful a soul as she was.  And for fucks sake, she deserved to feel better about who she was as a person.

"The girl sitting before me... excuse me, the woman... she is bright, beautiful, funny as hell, and more special than she will ever give herself credit for.  You have me now.  These people can and will move on. You are not the sum of these parts.  They aren't even a fraction of who you are.  And who you are is my girlfriend.  Say it, Ali.  Be proud.  I'm proud of you and your accomplishments.  You got this old bastard for a boyfriend.  Many tried, none came even close.  Say it, Ali."

“Uhhh"

I gave her the look.  The one that said, do it or else.

"I'm your girlfriend." She said meekly.

“No, babe.  Say it loud."

"I'M YOUR GIRLFRIEND!"

"That's right, babe.  And don't you forget that.  You're mine.  And I'm your best friend now."

I wanted to tell her right then that I was in love with her, but I knew it was too soon.  Or maybe it wasn't.  But I didn't want to press my luck.  Besides, I wasn't a complete asshole that I'd make her stop all contact with her friends from North Carolina.  She would do that on her own terms and timeline.  But she knew she had a new life going forward, and her future was going to be so bright.

In fact, my first goal was to get her writing again.  It was her dream.  And I knew she would be perfect at it just by listening to her stories.  They were all so colorful and unique.  She had a way of really getting you to feel like you were there in that moment.  I could hear her talk for hours.

“I was one of them once, you know... there wasn’t anything to do when we got older but to drink and fuck around with drugs.” Ali said so low I almost didn’t hear it.

“Oh for fucks sake, Ali. Seriously, what did I do as a teenager? I know you know.”

“Sold drugs.”

“Yes, and do I do it now? Do I drink now? Do I go and break into peoples houses now? No. People change. You have changed. How can you not see this? You changed the minute you decided your life didn’t belong here anymore. So can we concede that fact and stop beating ourselves up over bettering ourselves while others choose not to?”

She nodded and accepted that I was right. I was finally done cleaning up the mess we had all made and I was in desperate need of my “Ali cuddling session.” I walked to the bed and lowered myself into it. She followed suit. Once both of us were in bed, I reached for the remote and turned on the tv.

“What would you like to watch babe?”

“Something funny. Doesn’t matter what. You choose.”

I flipped through rapidly until I spotted Gilligan’s Island. This would be fine because I thought it would be nothing more than just background noise. Boy, was I wrong. Cute little Ali was full of surprises, yet again.

“Oh my God! I love this show. I never understood why it was Gilligan’s island and not the Professors or the Captains, or even the old rich couple. I mean if anyone had the money to buy an island it would be them, I mean I know they didn’t buy the island but still, just seemed weird he was just the skipper. And he was kinda a doof. Ginger was way prettier than Mary Anne, but I guess I can appreciate that...”

I planted my lips on her to get her to shut up. If I hadn’t she would have rambled forever, no doubt in my mind. I kissed her lustfully, and wrapped my arms around her in a huge embrace. She sighed into me. It was the first time she truly loosened up since she got here.

“I love you. My sweet, funny, adorable Ali.” The words tumbled out of my mouth.

She tore herself from my grasp. Sat right up. And stared at me as if I had three heads.

@nikkitasevoli @snewsome756 @llfd1977 @branded-with-a-j @letojokerownsme @lady-grinning-soul-k @lolainblue @msroxyblog @burritoverload @lostinletoland

a very special handshake and other important routines

In which Geno knows for a fact that Sid is the absolute best.

A/N:  Hi! Remember me? I am still working on a number of other things that have all decided to be difficult, so I wrote this to get me unstuck. And I thought I'd share it, because it was fun to write, so here, have it! :)

“Me three years Superleague,” Geno says, and Sid laughs. It sounds like a goose honking. And he lets Geno go out onto the ice last.

Geno is happy, and once again pleasantly surprised by how nice Sid is. He knows it’s a big deal. He doesn’t quite understand how big a deal until he gets to know Sid a little better.

Hockey players are superstitious by nature and their routines don’t change for the most part, unless absolutely necessary. Geno tapes his stick from the toe up, his left skate must be sharpened first, and he goes out onto the ice last.

So does Sid. And he lets Geno have that spot without argument.

They create their own special handshake instead. It seems to be good enough for Sid as a substitute for an important old routine. Which, once Geno really thinks about it, is pretty amazing. But then, Sid is pretty amazing.

“You settling in okay?” Sid asks after practice the next day. Gonch translates it for Geno.

Geno pauses, tempted to give his answer to Gonch in Russian and have him tell Sid that he’s glad to be here and that everything is good, but it’s Sid, and he doesn’t think Sid minds him taking a while to work it out by himself. “Good,” he manages finally. “I...like.”

Sid smiles so widely at him, Geno thinks maybe he’ll try English a little more often. For Sid. Sid will be patient with him. He feels a lot less embarrassed about his halting English around Sid.

Geno makes an effort after that. To talk to Sid more, to be around him more. Because he’s always liked making friends and he has a feeling that Sid with his easy smile and funny laugh and kind heart is a very good friend to have. Every time Sid grins at him across the locker room, Geno feels a little less lonely. A little less like the weird new kid nobody quite knows what to make of yet.

All the guys are nice to him. And he hopes he’ll become friends with all of them. But Sid...it’s easy to trust him. He feels safe. He makes Geno feel comfortable and at ease. So Geno sticks close to him and Sid lets him.

“Dinner?” Sid asks after practice.

Geno nods. “Yes,” he says. “Okay.”

It’s become a bit of their thing, going out for dinner just the two of them. Geno thinks Sid has caught onto the fact that Geno talks more, and also more freely when they’re by themselves, and wants to give him the opportunity to practice his English.

Geno is pretty sure he has more than just a little crush on his new friend, but even if Sid is just being nice, just wanting to hang out, that’s okay, too. Geno didn’t come here for anything else, after all. He just wants to play hockey.

And be with Sid all the time. But it looks like maybe he can have both.

“Let’s meet at seven,” Sid says after practice, and Geno smiles and nods eagerly.

“Yes,” he says.

Sid slaps his shoulder and walks off.

Geno heads for the showers and thinks about what he wants to eat tonight.

Dinner goes from being a couple-of-times-a-week thing to a pretty-much-every-night-they’re-in-Pittsburgh thing. When they’re not away on a road trip, Sid picks Geno up for dinner and they hang out and eat and talk, and then Sid drops Geno off again and they repeat the same thing again the next day.

“Maybe next season...get house,” Geno tells Sid over pasta at their favourite restaurant, and Sid smiles.

“Yeah? You want to buy one?”

Geno nods. “Want...dog. Need house for dog.”

“That sounds nice,” Sid says. “A house and a dog. Are you gonna invite me for dinner at your house so I can see your dog?”

Geno laughs. “Maybe,” he says, then pauses, sorting the words carefully in his head. “You...want house, too?”

Sid makes a face and shrugs. “I mean, yeah? I guess. Eventually. But I don’t like being by myself all the time. I think I’m gonna wait until -” He looks down at his plate, and his cheeks are a little red when he looks back up at Geno. “Until I meet someone.”

Geno wants to offer Sid to just move in with him next season, but he knows what Sid means with “meeting someone,” and even if Geno maybe wouldn’t mind being that someone, he knows that’s not really an option. “Until girlfriend?” he asks.

Sid’s face falls a little, but he nods his head. “I guess,” he says, and Geno smiles and nudges Sid’s foot with his own under the table.

“You meet soon,” he says, because he wants to cheer Sid up. “You best. Everybody want. I know.”

Sid doesn’t look convinced, and there’s something a little sad around his eyes through the rest of dinner.

But the next day at the rink he pats Geno on the shoulder just as usual and his smile is back and Geno stops worrying so much about maybe having said something wrong.

Sid being out with a sprained ankle is hard, not just because Geno misses him like crazy, but also because he worries about him. He knows Sid must miss playing hockey and being around the guys. And being injured is never fun.

He wishes he could still hang out with Sid, but of course Sid can’t drive them to dinner with a sprained ankle and Geno doesn’t really feel brave or confident enough yet to just stop by the Lemieux’s house and ask to see Sid.

It takes him a week to finally gather his nerves, and even then he goes over the words a hundred times in his head on his way over on an off day.

“Hello,” he says, as a kid — Stephanie — opens the door. “Can I visit Sid?”

She shrugs and waves him inside. “Sure,” she says. “He’s upstairs. I’ll show you.”

“Thank you,” he says carefully, and follows her. He’s relieved, because that was a lot easier than he’d feared, but he still hopes this is okay. Maybe he should have asked Sid first if he wanted visitors at all.

She knocks on a door and Geno hears Sid’s voice calling out “come in!” and his treacherous heart is already speeding up, excitement over seeing Sid making him feel fluttery and a little nervous.

Sid is sitting on a couch in what looks to be the guest suite he’s occupied as his home. He has his foot propped up on the coffee table and there’s a hockey game on. He turns down the sound of the TV, then switches it off completely when he looks up and sees Geno.

“Hey,” he says, and Geno doesn’t think he’s imagining the happy surprise in Sid’s voice. “Geno! What are you doing here?”

Geno hears the door click shut again and they’re alone, and he sits down on the couch next to Sid and grins at him. “Maybe little bit miss you,” he says, and Sid blushes.

“Oh,” he says. “I...missed you, too. I guess.”

Geno wants to take his hand, but instead he gestures at the TV. “Keep watch game, if you want,” he says.

“No, no, we can -” Sid starts, then breaks off. “Uh. What did you want to do?”

Geno thinks about it. Because he didn’t really want anything. He just wanted to be where Sid was. But he doesn’t think he should tell him that. “Nothing,” he settles on. “No hockey today. I think...hang out.”

Sid seems okay with that. “Okay,” he says, and turns the TV back on. “We can watch another game, if you want. This one’s from last night.”

“No, I like,” Geno says, and Sid settles back into the couch and Geno sits as close as he dares, and he feels better..

When he gets ready to leave that evening, Sid looks up at him, unbearably cute with his curling hair and his bare feet on the coffee table and his shorts that have definitely seen better days. “You can come over after practice tomorrow, if you want,” he says. “I’ll even make you dinner.”

Geno frowns. “Not make dinner,” he says. “Not...walk. Not hurt foot.”

Sid laughs. “It’s okay, G,” he says. “I can manage.”

“I come over,” Geno says. “But I cook.”

Sid looks surprised, but in a good way. “You don’t have to,” he says. “But...yeah, either way, just come over and we’ll figure it out then.”

Geno is determined that there won’t be anything to figure out, he will cook and Sid will stay on the couch and rest his ankle. But he doesn’t say so now. He squeezes Sid’s shoulder and smiles, and he’s glad he decided to visit today.

There’s a small kitchenette in Sid’s suite. Maybe he’ll try to make him something nice. Nothing too complicated. He likes cooking well enough, but he doesn’t really have a lot of practice yet. And he wants to make sure Sid likes it.

So their dinner dates continue, even with Sid out injured. Not dates, Geno reminds himself. Just...friend-dates, maybe.

He appreciates Sid letting him spend so much time at his place — it’s definitely good for his English, if nothing else, and Sid knows he’s not comfortable talking to too many people at once yet. He’s grateful that Sid is putting up with him like this. And he tries to show his appreciation by doing as many little things for him as possible while he’s there. They don’t eat with the Lemieux’s when Geno is over because Sid seems to sense that Geno doesn’t want to, and in return Geno takes it upon himself to be in charge of dinner. He also does the dishes. He gets Sid a hoodie from his bedroom when he’s cold. He gets ice packs for Sid’s foot which Sid insists isn’t even really necessary anymore at this point, but Geno figures it can’t hurt. He just wants to thank Sid for being such a good friend.

It takes a little while, but eventually Sid is back at practice, and then playing games again, and everyone is so glad to have him back, but Geno most of all. He’s grown so fond of all the little things Sid does — from his pregame sandwich to watching his taped sticks like a hawk so nobody can touch them. And he’s struck again by the realisation that Sid has so many rituals and routines that are fixed and unwavering, and yet he gave Geno that last spot in line when they walk out onto the ice to play hockey.

Sid catches Geno looking at him and raises his eyebrows questioningly. Geno shakes his head and smiles at his feet and doesn’t know what his heart is even doing. It’s hard not to love the best person he’s ever met, so he supposes he’s just going to have to get used to the feeling.

“Where are you going?” Sid asks, as Geno is heading in the opposite direction from him after morning skate. “My car is over there.”

Geno looks at him. “Huh?”

“Oh.” Sid’s eyes widen slightly. “Sorry. I just assumed — you wanna come over and have a late lunch?”

“Yes,” Geno says, before he can even stop himself. It’s always going to be yes, yes to everything that Sid is willing to give him, and he’ll be the best friend he knows how to be in exchange.

He’s sitting on Sid’s couch after lunch and he knows he should get going, because there’s a lot of day left yet and he doesn’t want to overstay his welcome. He’s pretty tired after a game last night and then skate this morning, and he knows Sid must be, too.

But when he says so, Sid looks at him, confused. “You don’t have to leave,” he says. “I mean...if you want to go take a nap, yeah. Sorry. Of course. I don’t want to -”

“I’m not need nap,” Geno assures him. “I think maybe you want.”

“I want you to stay,” Sid says, a little too quickly, and his cheeks go red as Geno looks at him. “I mean -”

“I stay,” Geno promises. “If you want, I always stay.”

“You don’t have to,” Sid says. “Sorry. I’m being weird today.”

“Not weird,” Geno says. “I’m want stay.”

“Okay,” Sid says, and his smile is so soft and happy and Geno feels bold enough to ask the question that’s been on his mind for weeks now.

“Sid?”

“Yeah?”

“Why you let me go last?”

Sid rubs his neck and lets out a short laugh. “Oh, uh, I mean…” He clears his throat. “I wanted you to feel welcome here.”

“Yes,” Geno says, “You do many things to make me feel like home.”

Sid shrugs and doesn’t quite look at him as he speaks. “I guess I just kinda like you,” he says. “You know. A lot.”

“Like?” Geno asks, and his voice comes out a little hoarse.

“Sorry,” Sid says, and Geno frowns.

“Why sorry?”

Sid finally meets his eyes, studies his face carefully, and whatever he sees there must reassure him.

Geno sits very still as Sid leans forward, resting one hand gently on Geno’s thigh. Sid shifts closer another few inches and Geno covers Sid’s hand with his own and meets him halfway, pressing their lips together in a kiss that’s so soft, so sweet it makes his heart jump in his chest, his breath stuttering as he pulls back.

Sid keeps his eyes closed for a long second before he flickers them open, and the look on his face is half stunned, half deliriously happy. The smile that spreads across his face is Geno’s favourite, a little crooked, eyes squinting almost all the way closed.

“I guess I’m not sorry, then,” Sid says.

“Then kiss again,” Geno demands, grinning.

Sid laughs and complies. Geno wraps his arms around him and holds him close. This is so much more than he hoped for. And with Sid, he has a feeling it’s going to get even better yet.

1/4/21 - Day 4

I think I slept in a bit longer than I meant to. I got out of bed around 10 and sluggishly made my way to the chair in the TV room while I caught up on Miki’s messages. My mom brought me an egg muffin and after I ate it I went to the game room to get to work on whatever I wanted to do today HAHA.

I knew I wanted to chip away at Pooh and maybe work on a few other things throughout the day. So I did just that, I began applying the paint and felt a bit better about how it turned out. I wasn’t so happy with the shapes and forms at first but I guess they’re not as terrible as I thought. I do think I want to remake this one though and I already have ideas as to how I could improve it. I listened to game soundtracks while I worked (odyssey and TLOU2). 

Once I got to a good stopping point I went to shower. By the time I got out I got a text from Lindz saying she needed a Milo Therapy Session. She’s thinking of dropping out of her masters. I came over and we talked about ideas and what to consider and stuff. I’m worried for Lindsey and a bit frustrated because I just had this gut feeling that something was going to fall through. I know it’s too early to know that it won’t work for a fact, but things just seem so much more unclear now. I told Lindsey that these were her options:

A. make a list of things she would be interested enough to take up and learn about; driven by passion and curiosity (something she’d feel happy and fulfilled doing) B. make a list of potential jobs she could take up and learn how to do based on the amount of freedom & money she wants (ex. she wants a remote job where she can set her own hours and/or to work for herself, but obviously not every job offers those things..) C. marry someone rich AND, separately, she needs to make a list of her PRIORITIES. What is most important to her? What does she want? What does she need? And When? (financial stability? freedom from her toxic family/house? take a year off to travel? take the time to find a job/career worth pursuing that she would actually enjoy?) I personally think she should... stay in school and at least try the practicum because that way at least she’d know for sure if she’d like it or not and then go from there. But that’s money, and more time being spent at home, and putting a lot of time and energy into something you’re not sure you’re going to like. But you can’t figure out what it is you like until you try and fail.. Anyway.

After our talks I went home and played guitar on the driveway for a bit since it was such a beautiful day. Unnervingly warm for January, but I just enjoyed it while I could and tried not to think about the implications of a 60+ degree winter. I ate my late lunch while Albs streamed dangnagnngaropa. I was waiting for them to get to a good saving point so we could watch some Seinfeld before Lindsey and I went on a walk. But alas... it took too long and by the time they finished was exactly when Lindsey called. We went on our walk with Winnie and afterwards I made my way to Sid’s.

They were all in the kitchen when I arrived. Stone and Dillon were cooking dinner. Dillon watched me play a brief run of Hades that was interrupted by food. We finished the last episode of Survivor. Tony may have deserved the win regarding the game, but Woo deserved the money by a long shot. Fuck cops. 

Afterwards Sid and I ended up watching the OA instead of playing more Hades cause Sid was a bit tired. Today was her first day back at work and she ended up staying up real late the night before. I should start fixing my sleep schedule myself.. It was a bit of a loose viewing of the show and more of a directors commentary, which I always enjoy when it’s something we’ve both already seen. Bitches be bitchin’. We had a lot of good conversations. By the end of the night we talked for like another 45 minutes after having turned off the show just getting excited about all these ideas we have for things we wanna do. I was so tired at that point but I didn’t wanna stop talking. I’m gonna miss those couch conversations whenever I do end up moving out. 

Meanwhile...

Season 1 Ep. 3 - Dead in the Water

Previously on Supernatural: Three friends try to recreate Stand by Me.

---

“You promised me he wasn’t coming!” Lucas whined in a way that would be embarrassing if his friends saw. Of course she couldn’t keep a promise when it came to her new boyfriend.  He hadn’t been around very long, yet Paul was always inviting himself over and invading their lives.  

“Lucas, he wanted to come. Paul just wants to celebrate your birthday with you.”  His mother said, placing a lock of hair behind her ear and crossing her arms.  This wasn’t a good sign, the pose normally meant she was getting angry. “He even brought a gift for you.”

He rolled his eyes and turned to leave the kitchen.

“He’s not welcome.  I’m going back upstairs.”  He could hear his friends laughing and didn’t want to miss out on the matches.  He walked quickly to the front hall and turned to head for the stairs.  

“Come back down for cake soon!”  His mom yelled after him.  He kept walking, heading for the stairs by the front door, nearly bumping into someone.  He looked up to see an older man wearing his normal crusty plaid shirt, baseball cap, and dad jeans. Lucas made to walk past Paul, but the man awkwardly moved in front, blocking his way again.

“Happy Birthday dude!” Paul said through a large smile.  He went to hug Lucas, but when he took a step back, Paul paused, then took something out of his coat pocket instead. “Here take this, I’m going to go see if I can help your mom with the cake.”  He pushed a small wrapped box into Lucas’s arms. Than with the stupid whistling that he always does, he stomps into the kitchen.

The package in his hands was lumpy and wrapped poorly with weird bulges in the paper and a store-bought bow perched in the middle. He scowled at it, a present from Paul was bound to be bad, probably stupid baseball jersey.

Lucas nodded, then ran upstairs not bothering to look at the package.  He heard his friends making weird noises from down the hall. It sounded as if they were mimicking the sounds of explosions and gunfire around mouthfuls of snacks. 

“Lucas!  Finally you’re back!  You mentioned you liked this band, but I didn’t know you had so many concert posters. Aren’t these guys like super old?”  His friend Artie said, smirking, as he pointed at a poster on the wall.  There was a collection of 70s and 80s style posters in an array of colors. They all had one similarity and that was a zeppelin flying across the poster with a band name written across the top.

“Come on, man they’re a great band!” He exclaimed, only sounding slightly defensive.  Lucas dropped the gift in the pile on his desk, with the rest and walked over to sit next to Artie on the floor. 

“I guess.  My dad plays their tape in the car all the time.  It gets annoying after awhile.”  Artie replied, crossing his arms. He was focused on the tv, controller in his hands, twisting this way and that as if it controlled his character better.

“It's such dad music.” Elijah said it like it was a slur. Elijah liked to think he invented good taste, which always made him fun to rile up. He made it easy too, all you had to do was say that Tarantino was a hack.

“They are a classic! Way more well known than your EDM DJs.” Lucas snapped back watching at Alijah’s face got slightly red and his playing started to slip.

“When did you start listening to them?”  Sid asked, controller in his hands, twisting this way and that as if it controlled his character better.

Lucas smiles watching as Sid landed a hit on Elijah’s character, “Around the time when we moved.  A friend introduced me to them.  All I can say is Zeppelin Rules.”

The room goes silent as the boys all look at Lucas.

“Alright then, David just destroyed Sid, you sub’ in Lucas.  I bet you can’t beat him!” Elijah smiled, flicking his moppy hair out of his eyes.

“Yeah right, did you forget this is my game?”  Lucas smiled and grabbed the controller from Sid.

A few minutes later David was yelling and cursing his luck.  Just as he was asking for a re-match, they heard a voice yelling from down the hall.

“Kids, Food is ready!” His mother called from the kitchen.

“One minute mom.” Lucas replied by starting up a new round to kick David’s butt again.

“Come on Lucas! If you don’t come now you won’t have time to open your gifts!” His mother called.

“Better hurry before I eat all the cake!” Lucas rolled his eyes, Paul was trying to be funny again. His friends however, began to shift, getting up to head into the other room.

“Cake sounds good to me!” Sid said, happily jumping up and heading for the door. David sighed.

“Fine but I want a re-match before I leave!” He said, pointing the controller at Lucas. 

“Coming mom!”

---

As the sun started to set, Lucas was sitting at the mahogany table surrounded by wrapping paper, crumb covered plates, and his excited friends. He was inspecting the back of the game David had given him, when his mom placed a lumpy package in front of him.

“Don’t forget this one!”  She said looking expectantly at him, She turned and smiled back at Paul. once she was close enough, Paul had his hand around her waist, with a big dumb smile on his face. Gross.

Lucas hadn’t forgotten, he was just more excited to open his friends’ gifts. They got him things he actually wanted like new games.  He also wasn’t expecting much from Paul, it was probably going to be something he didn't want but it would impress him mom. Like, a book on submarines in world war one or underwear, sensible and boring. 

He heard his friends mumbling to each other as he unwrapped the camo-print gift.  Inside was a crushed brown rectangular package.  He quickly shook it and felt the weight shift, but it didn’t make a noise. It was too big for a game and two small for a nice sketchbook.  As he opened the box he sighed, seeing the contents were clothing, sensible and boring.

He was about to give a fake thank you, ready to throw the half open package into his closet, but then he saw the logo.  Blue, Gold and orange faded together to make up the illustration of a fleet of zeppelins flying through the sky. Emblazoned over the top of design was United States Tour ‘77 Led Zeppelin. It was faded and cracked, from years of it being washed, dried, folded and loved.

Paul had given him a Led Zeppelin t-shirt. He pulled out of the paper and could feel something more solid wrapped in the faded fabric.  Slowly unfolding the shirt he found a CD copy of their first album. Lucas stared down at the gift, at a loss for words.

“I hope you don't mind” Paul actually sounded slightly nervous, “the shirt being too big. It's original. I got it at my first concert.”  Lucas just stared at him, he still had his stupid hand around his mom. Still had that stupid hat and flannel shirt on. Still whistled his stupid tunes. Now though, he seemed so different. Like a man he never met before, like a man that he could see driving around in a muscle car, shooting guns and zig zagging across the country.

“You’re giving this to me?” This shirt had to be worth hundreds of dollars.

“Of course, it’s your birthday.” Paul said like it was absolutely nothing, His mom was beaming at the man. She looked so happy and Lucas couldn't really remember the last time he saw his mom like that. She didn't like to talk about it but he honestly didn't remember much before they moved. Just that she felt like they had to. To many bad memories back in Lake Manitoc. “And I know how much you like them.” Paul continues pulling Lucas out of his thoughts.

Looking back at the shirt a massive smile grew on Luca’s face.  Maybe this guy wasn’t so bad after all.

Can we talk about how incredibly dark this episode was. like out body count practically doubled in this one episode alone.

Onscreen Body Count: 10

Sidney Crosby #5.2

**read the other parts to this imagine here**

A/N: this is continuing pretty much right where part 1 left off, so without any rambling.. thank you for all the love on the first part and i hope you all enjoy part two :))

Word Count: 3,510

Summer 2016 

Being tangled up in the soft grey bedsheets with Sidney underneath you wasn’t how you imagined this night to end. But that’s the situation you were currently in as he slept beside you and you stared at the clock on the table. Your mind was racing too much to sleep along with him. 

You had really just done that. With Sidney. Your best friends older brother and your life long crush. What was fluttering and fire once inside of you quickly turned into a large pang in your chest as you laid in the silence of the room. Laying on your back, Sid’s arms shifted with you and he got comfortable in his deep sleep. Everything about this should make you feel as though you were on cloud nine. And a part of you did feel that way, but there was always that glass-half-empty side of you showing up too. 

You had just had sex with Sidney. And you didn’t regret it, nor did you think it was a mistake. But when the sun rose and he woke up, would he think the same way - or would he feel ashamed and disgusted? You frowned at the thought of how Sidney may react to all of this. 

Turning on your side again, facing Sid, you looked at the red lights of the clock. 12:48 in the morning. It was officially August the 7th, it was Sidney’s birthday. That caused your little frown to turn up into a little smile instead. You had been too busy to realized it was past midnight earlier. 

“Happy birthday, Sid,” you said softly before pecking the skin beside your face - his muscular chest. 

With the sound of your voice, Sid stirred, his arms tightened around you and he brought you even closer to him. Shutting your eyes, you played off being a sleep in case he was to open his eyes. For a moment you think he might have, as you felt his face nuzzle your hair before his breathing evened again and his arms relaxed around you. 

Opening your eyes, you looked at the clock. 12:50AM. Letting out a sigh, you slowly unraveled yourself from Sidney’s hold and snuck out of the sheets. Once you knew Sidney was still asleep for sure, you gathered your clothes and slide on the t-shirt Sid had thrown off in the tornado of it all. Then, ever so quietly, you closed the door behind you and turned to the empty hallway. The plan was to sleep for a few hours, leave before anyone in the house was awake and then go hide at your house. 

After tossing and turning and falling in and out of sleep, you finally got up and got changed again. You tucked Sid’s shirt into your jeans and slipped on your socks before making the bed. It was just past four in the morning as you were grabbing your purse and had a death grip on your phone while sneaking out of the front door. 

It wasn’t till you were driving back across town and safely locking your front door behind you that you sent off a couple texts. First went to Trina, apologizing for leaving so early before you could help with breakfast. Then you sent one to Taylor, cancelling your lunch date and saying you weren’t feeling to good and to enjoy her day with Ben instead of worrying about you. Your only plan for today, August the 7th, was to lay in bed with your house lights off and hide away from the reality of what had happened the night before. 

It wasn’t till the following day that Taylor came knocking on your door. Deciding to play up the whole no feeling good thing, you were wearing sweatpants and wrapped up in a throw blanket once getting off your couch. Your stomach did some flips upon seeing Taylor behind your door, you took a couple deep breathes before facing her. 

“Hey,” she said with a frown. 

“Hey,” you tired smiling, but the guilt hit you too hard. 

“You must be sick to be wearing sweatpants in this weather,” Taylor said. Truthfully, you were dying from wearing the sweats, but you were just trying to fool Taylor so she wouldn’t drag you to Sidney’s hockey school. 

“Yeah, I don’t know what it is, been feeling like this for a couple days,” you lied. 

“Obviously,” she nodded, “you were fine at Sidney’s the other day,” 

“Yeah,” you muttered in response. 

“Well I’ll be sure to pass on to Sid that you’re too sick to help out today,” she said. 

“I already sent him an email, but thanks Tay,” you smiled. 

“No problem, I have to get going though or else Sid will kill me for being late,” she said. Even her just casually talking about her brother made your chest ache. “I hope you feel better,” she added and pulled you in for a quick hug. 

“Have fun with all those kids,” 

“Lord knows Sid will be worse than any of those kids,” Taylor rolled her eyes and then waved before walking for your front steps and to her car. You waved back and then shut your front door behind her. You didn’t waste any time settling back into your spot on your couch and starting back up your TV show. 

Here you were thinking that Taylor was going to be your only guest of the day. So as you were finishing up in the washroom to hear your door bell ringing, you peered out the window and immediately recognized Sid’s flashy new Range Rover. Checking your reflection in the mirror closest to you, to fixed your tank top - trying to hide the fact you weren’t wearing a bra with your hair, and went with the fact you were still wearing sweatpants before opening the door. 

Seeing him standing there, in front of you, made your mind flash back to a few nights ago. Remembering how his hands felt on your body and how his lips felt on yours made your skin crawl. Crossing your arms at your chest, ignoring the chill that came over you as his lips tugged into a smile, you mustered up a small smile. 

“Hey,” you said softly. 

“Hey,” Sidney echoed just as softly. You moved to the side of the threshold and Sidney walked into your home, moving so you could shut the door behind him. With the quiet click, everything settled down and it felt as though the world stopped and he turned back around to look at you once more. “You didn’t come to today’s lesson,” he said. 

“I sent you an email,” you stated. 

“I know,” he nodded. 

The awkward tension filling the air between you two was nearly unbearable. You wanted to turn around and run out your own front door. But instead you took a deep breath and looked anywhere but at the man standing in front of you. 

“If you didn’t want to coach, you could’ve just said so,” Sidney sighed. 

You looked up and instantly caught his gaze. Looking into his eyes for the longest 30-seconds of your entire life, you realized hiding wasn’t going to solve anything. Here you were thinking you could ignore Sid for the rest of the summer, but as he stood here - he proved you wrong. As your eyes trailed across his crossed arms, the rippling of his muscles and how his t-shirt tightened around his biceps made your stomach do flips. Reminding you of how the last time you had seen those arms, they were wrapped around you. 

“I do want to help,” you said, finally meeting his eyes again, “I’ll be there tomorrow,” you added. 

Sidney nodded and then that same stomach clenching silence started up again. You looked around the room again. Inside your head you were trying to think of what to say next, anything really. Could Sidney forget about what had happened the other night? He was pretty drunk. But he was still very coherent too. 

“You know-”

“Should we-”

You two both began to talk at the same time. Then you both chuckled. A sense of deja vu came over you as you rolled your lips into your mouth and motioned Sidney for him to talk first. He smiled and uncrossed his arms. 

“You know what Taylor said when I asked why she thought you hadn’t shown up today?” He asked. 

You shook your head, realizing that you hadn’t fooled your best friend into thinking you were actually sick. Sidney’s eyes fell to the floor for a split second before gasping onto yours again. He licked his lips before speaking aloud again.

“She thinks you feel guilty for not getting me a birthday gift,” he stated, his lips instantly turning into a smirk which caused your mouth to grow dry, “thing is, she doesn’t know you gave me the best birthday gift of the whole night,” he exclaimed. 

And there that feeling was again. The fire burned inside of you as you felt self conscious under Sidney’s eyes. So he hadn’t forgotten, nor was he letting it slide by. You supposed that you two weren’t young reckless teens anymore - despite how you’ve been acting like so these past couple days. 

“Oh,” was all you could say back. 

“Yeah, oh,” Sid chuckled. 

“So, we’re talking about this,” you said. 

“Well, yeah,” he nodded, “especially how you left before I woke up, how was that walk of shame?” He teased. Same old Sid, you thought to yourself. You then flushed and looked down at your feet, you shook your head and chuckled. 

“Not my finest,” you admitted while scratching the back of your neck. 

“I guessed so,” Sid nodded, then he was glancing down at his Apple Watch as it lit up on his wrist, “I have to get going for dinner with my parents,” he stated before pointing a finger at you, “but this conversation isn’t over,” he promised. 

“Okay,” you nodded with a smile. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Sidney said as you opened the front door and turned back to him while nodding. 

Taking you by surprise, he stopped before stepping out of your house and turned to look at you once more. Without a doubt your cheeks were bright red by now. And as he leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on your bright red cheeks, you felt dizzy and as though your heart had skipped a damn beat. Sidney knew he had caught you off guard as he chuckled and walked out of the house, you still standing there in a bit of shock. Finally after a moment, you shut the door behind him and stood there against the door. 

The night flew by and before you knew it, it was time to lace up your skates and do your part at Sid’s hockey school. As you were tying up your second skate, you saw a pair of legs come and stand in front of you. Peering up, you met Taylor’s smiling face. You mirrored her smile as best you could, but honestly the guilt was still bothering you. 

‘Hey Tay, I slept with your big brother the other night of his birthday after you left the party’ you thought to yourself and stood from the bench. 

“I’m so glad you’re feeling better,” Taylor said, “yesterday kinda sucked without you,” she added while linking arms with you. 

“I’m sure it couldn’t have been that bad,” you shrugged. 

“You don’t even know,” Taylor rolled her eyes, “there kids worship Sid more than I do,” 

“Obviously,” you chuckled and with that you two were at the ice and you pushed off with one foot and began going in a circle around the rink. 

Even though hockey wasn’t some hard driven passion of yours - like it was for the Crosby kids - you still loved it lots. It was a pretty big part of your life. And it was the reason for you being accepted into university. In fact, you were purposed with several different scholarships all across North America. Thankfully, so was Tay, so the two of you sat down and decided to chose the same school.

Taking another lap around, you noticed Sidney and Nate walk out with a couple other of the coaches. Sid looked around the rink, smiling at his sister who stopped beside him, and then he found you skating around. A different sort of smile tugged on his lips, if you were to give a cocky guess it would be that he was glad you actually showed up. 

“Hey, Y/N,” Nate greeted you as you came to a stop by the group. 

“Hey,” you smiled. 

“Missed out yesterday, huh?” 

“Yeah, I wasn’t feeling too good,” 

“Feeling better today then, you took off on the ice the moment you got out here,” he exclaimed. You chuckled and crossed your arms at your chest. 

“Uh, yeah, you know me. Love the game, don’t get as much time on the ice as some people,” you joked. Nate chuckled, which you echoed, and then the two of you were stopped short of the laughter as Sid skated up. 

The way his eyes fell straight to yours, it nearly took the breath right out of your lungs. You gave him a smile and moved around on your skates in place. The rest of the coaches, including Tay, skated up to the three of you then too. It took Sidney a second to break our eye contact before addressing the group. He welcomed all twelve of the coaches before handing it off to the main instructor he had in charge here. 

After sneaking a few glances at Sid through the man’s long talk, you finally got yourself into focus and followed instructions. The basics of the hockey school was there were two groups throughout the day. Firstly were the older kids, then later were the many nine and ten year older kids. You’d be doing the same thing with both groups, just at different levels of skill. 

With whatever god was on your side, you were paired with Tay. That god was probably Sid, but you weren’t going to go praising him - the kids around here were there for that. Along with you was Nate, who would nudge you with his stick every once in a while and make some comments on your skating. 

“Is it stupid for me to admit I’m sort of jealous,” Sidney said as he leaned towards you. You were slightly spoked by his sudden appearance, but his words caused you to smile. 

“Of who, Jimmy?” You joked, referring to the eleven year old with long sandy brown hair that flipped out of his helmet. The young kid had developed a crush the moment he skated up to you. 

“Funny,” Sid chuckled. 

“Jimmy’s got nothing on you,” you stated while turning around in your spot. Sidney was smiling as you faced him now. “Nate on the other hand, he’s young and skilled,” you played along with the joke. 

“Same old Y/N, such a jokester,” Sidney muttered under his breath. You chuckled and skated up beside him, bumping into his shoulder slightly. 

“You know I’m not interested in Nate,” you stated and rounded Sid, stopping on his right now, “thought we established he’s not my type,” you added with a smirk. 

“Oh, I recall your type,” Sidney hummed while he looked at you. 

Licking your lips, you felt an urge inside of you, then you were kindly reminded of how many people were in fact around you two as Jimmy’s stick collided with yours. With your focus on the flirtatious behaviour from Sid, your grip wasn’t tight enough and you dropped your stick. You could’ve swore you heard Jimmy whisper ‘score’ to himself. But just as he went to grab your stick, Sidney beat him to it and looked down at little Jimmy. 

“Careful bud,” he said holding onto your stick. 

“Sorry,” Jimmy said - with his eyes still on Sidney of course. 

You chuckled as he skated away and Sid turned to give you your stick. “You sure you’re not jealous of Jimmy?” You joked. 

Sidney laughed under his breath and then knocked his stick against yours lightly before you skated away to where Taylor was standing. Any longer talking with Sid and she might ask questions. 

“What was my brother bothering you about?” She asked. Seems she had already caught on.

“Nothing,” you shrugged.

“Want to take over, rotate the groups and goalies, it’s Ophelia’s turn in net,” she stated while staking over to where little Ophelia was laying on the ice. You nodded and threw both your hands up before staking into the middle of where the drill was happening. 

You switched up the groups and then waved Tay and her little goalie friend over to net. Since Taylor was a goalie, she always connected with the players in net more. Once she was all set to go, you skated out of the way and shouted ‘go’ for the kids to continue. As you stood off to the side and watched, you got into a conversation with one of the kids. He spat out question after question, of course most of them involved Sid. 

“Is he your boyfriend?” The kid asked. You nearly chocked on your own tongue. 

“Uh, no,” you muttered out. 

“Weird, you seem like you are,” the kid said. Kids these days, speaking their mind and ruining yours while they’re at it. Cause now you’d be overthinking every little thing. 

The day seemed to fly by around you. As you were in your own head most the time, next thing you knew Tay was strapping on some pads and tossing some pucks your way. You quite literally snapped out of it when one hit your stick. Looking over at her, she lifted her mask and smiled. 

“You know Coach Collins is going to want us practicing more than we have been this Summer,” she said before putting her mask back down. 

You chuckled and then skated over to where your helmet was laying. After strapping it on, you handled the puck a little and stopped at the blue line before staking full speed towards Taylor and then flicking a wrist shot at her, glove side - she caught it no problem. Skating back you got another puck on your tape and then went back to her, this time getting one in - five hole. 

“Hey, Nate!” You called him over, he skated over and you pulled your phone out from your pant pocket, “can you do me a huge favour and just film this real quick, we need proof we didn’t totally trade out our skates for bikinis this summer,” you joked while handing him your phone. 

“No problem,” he nodded. 

You got a puck and then skated towards Tay, this time throwing her by surprise with a slapshot, blocker side. It hit the net and you heard a collective cheering and hollering from the remaining coaches who were obviously watching you now. You pumped up a fist and then skated back to Nate to collect your phone form him. After adding a quick caption ‘hockey never stops’ and then throwing on a filter, you added it to your Instagram story and then put your phone back into your pocket. 

After a few more shots you two were tired and called it quits. Taylor was far ahead of you going to the locker room while you stayed back and helped the main instructor clean up the pucks off the ice. Just as you were getting into the back hallways, you saw Sidney standing there in just his hockey school gear and some sneakers switching out the skates. 

“Hey,” he smiled at you. 

“Hi,” you smiled. 

“You were good out there today,” he stated. 

“Thanks,” you breathed out and leaned up against the wall. “Hope you don’t mind Tay and I messing around at the end there,” 

“Of course not,” Sid shook his head, “if I didn’t have a meeting to go to, I’d be out there with you guys,” 

“Like the good old days,” you stated. 

“Sorta,” he shrugged. His response caused you to furrow your brows. “The only difference is I’m kinda into you, you’ve grown up from that little dorky friend of my sisters,” he explained. 

“Oh,” you said. 

“Yeah, oh,” he chuckled - repeating the same thing he had yesterday when you two talked about his birthday night. “So, I was wondering, if you’d like to go for dinner sometime?”

“Like a date?” You said in a teasing tone. 

Sid chuckled and looked at the ground quickly before bringing his gaze back up to you, “yeah, like a date,” he smiled. 

“Okay,” you nodded.

“Friday, dinner,” 

“Okay,” you repeated and smiled. 

‘I’ll let you go get changed now,” Sid said. You nodded and then walked off, checking over your shoulder to watch him walk away - only he had done the same thing, causing your cheeks to turn a bright red. You had a date with your life long childhood crush, who just happened to be none other than Sidney Crosby.

Savior- Dadzawa/Student!Reader pt. 5

This took a while, and I apologize! Not much of dadzawa going on in the beginning, this chapter is more setting things up? Strap yourself in guys, cause this is looking to be a long ass fic.

Training with Aizawa was difficult. Sometimes, it was just damn impossible. But, he was your mentor, and you knew that he was tough on you in order for you to grow and control your quirk. You thought, however, that Sidonie was too free-spirited to be controlled. As you had told him, while Sidonie was protective of you and seemed to care for your well-being, they often disobeyed you specifically because of the fact they could. But Aizawa had always told you the same thing: “If you can’t control your quirk, you have no hopes of becoming a hero. You might as well give up now.”

Everytime he said those words, they hit you like a brick. You wanted nothing more than to be a hero, just like ones you saw and had read about when you were a kid. So, you worked twice as hard as ever and...there was no change. Sidonie still didn’t listen to you, you still found it near impossible to drown out the voices of different spirits unless you were concentrating extremely hard, and the tether that tied you and Sidonie together wasn’t any longer. You felt completely and utterly frustrated. Sidonie even more so.

You were talking to your grandmother on the phone, trying to tell her about your day. Sidonie kept throwing things around your house, making a mess. “Yes, Grandma, everything is going fine I-- Sid! Stop having a tantrum! Anyways, Aizawa-sensei is a very good mentor, and while he is a bit strict, I do like him. He’s kind to me and--” You yelped and ducked, as Sidonie threw a vase at you. “Sid, what the hell?!” You yelled, covering the mouthpiece of the phone. Sidonie yelled, flying around your house and knocking things over, breaking things, and yelling. “I’m fucking pissed, Y/N!” They yelled. “All we do is listen to Aizawa over and over and over, and he keeps telling us that this will make us better and stronger, but it's just making me so ANGRY.” They yelled. You sighed. “Look, I’m frustrated too, but we just have to try harder--” “Don’t you fucking tell me to try harder! That’s all I’ve been doing!” They shouted, throwing a lamp. You flinched as you heard the lamp crash into something, the sound of broken glass echoing through your house. You can hear your grandma through the phone, asking if you were ok. “U-Uh, Yeah grandma, I’m fine. Sid is just--SID!” You screamed, Sidonie grabbing the phone and throwing it against the wall, shattering it. You stared at where the phone broke, and gritted your teeth. You looked at Sidonie, pure, unadulterated rage in your eyes. “What is the matter with you?! You don’t think I’m frustrated either?! Stop acting like such a fucking child and having your damn tantrum! Go the fuck away until you’ve calmed down!” You yelled. Sidonie said nothing, vanishing into thin air. You took a deep breath through your nose, exhaling from your mouth and looking around to see the damage Sidonie had done.

---

Your grandmother frowned as she put down her phone, looking over at her husband. They shared a knowing look, before dialing a number.

Being alone was too dangerous for you.

--

Class went by fairly quick the next day. You supposed it was because your mind was occupied with thoughts of the last few days. You and Sidonie both were incredibly frustrated, but you don’t think you could recall Sidonie ever being that mad. You needed to have a talk with them when you got home.

“Y/N.” Hitoshi called, walking up to you. You smiled at your friend. “Hey, Toshi.” You greeted back, turning to face him. Shinsou raised an eyebrow at you, crossing his arms. “You seemed extra..stressed during class today. Everything alright?” He asked you, frowning slightly. You sighed, shrugging your shoulders. “I suppose so? Aizawa is a tough mentor, and it's got Sid incredibly upset. More than I’ve ever seen them. I guess it’s stressing me out and frustrating me to no end too.” You explained. “I mean, I know pushing us to our limits is kinda what these teachers do, but Jesus, can’t he be a bit more lax with these exercises?” You frowned. “No breaks, no praise, no nothing.” You groaned. Shinsou patted you on the shoulder. “You deserve a break, Y/N. Wanna head to my place and relax? We can watch all those awful movies you like.” He offered to you. You gave him a tired smile. “As much as I’d love to watch Neil Breen for hours on end, I really should get going.” You told him. “Sorry..Maybe this weekend?” You suggested. Shinsou shrugged. “This weekend’s fine too. I’m holding you up to that.” He smiled. You simply chuckled and nodded, bumping fists with him. “I’m good on my promises, you know that. I’ll bring the snacks.” You grinned. “See you later, Toshi.” You waved, heading on home.

What awaited you there would change your life.

In your living room were your grandparents and Aizawa. All three of them looked at you as you entered and dropped your bag on the floor. “What is going on here?” You asked, looking at them with confused eyes. “Y/N..” Your grandmother started, standing up. “Your grandfather and I have decided...Well, we’ve all decided that it would be better for you to stay with Shouta Aizawa.” She told you. Your eyes widened and you felt your heart speed up. “What?! Why?!” You asked them, frowning. “You can’t do this to me!” You shouted. “This is my house!” “No, Y/N, this is our house. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here by yourself, and we can’t be here to look after you.” Your grandmother explained. “He’s your mentor, and his quirk can keep you safe. He was the only one we thought worthy enough to look after you.” You said nothing, taking everything in. “...I’ll go get my things..” You said softly, your voice barely above a whisper as you went to your room and started packing up your belongings. You couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as you did. This house was all you’ve ever known and suddenly you were being taken away from that. Your grandparents did have a point; you’d give them that. But to have it all happen so suddenly? It didn’t feel real. This felt like a surreal dream to you. You knew it wasn’t, however, and this is what set you off. Falling to your knees, you screamed and cried. This wasn’t happening, it couldn’t be happening, but it was and it scared you.

Sidonie was pissed. No, no they were BEYOND pissed. First, Aizawa stresses them and their Y/N out beyond belief, and now Y/N’s grandparents were forcing them to leave with him?! Sidonie could feel the surge of emotion from Y/N. They wanted nothing more to fly over to everyone who wasn’t Y/N and choke them all out. However, that was the last thing that the situation needed. So, to make everything easier, Sidonie helped Y/N finish packing. Floating beside you, they sat silently at your side. You wiped your eyes, sniffling and looking over at Sid. “...What are we going to do?” You asked your Specter, leaning against your bed. They simply shrugged. “The way I see it..we have to options. Option A: We kill them.” Sid started off. You simply gave them a silent look of disapproval. “Yeah,” Sidonie started. “I didn’t think you’d like that idea. Option B: We just..roll with it. You know? Maybe it won’t be so bad.” They said to you, their hopeful tone cheering you up the tiniest bit. “And what’s option three?” You ask them lightly, bringing your knees up to your chest. They gave you a silent, sad smile. You knew that meant there was no third option. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Sid said to you after a moment of silence.

The car ride to Aizawa’s house was pretty silent. You couldn’t bring yourself to speak to him, and he didn’t want to make matters worse. He understood--he really did. The life you were used to for so long was suddenly gone, and you had to move in with him of all people. How was he going to get you used to living with him? Hell, how was he going to get himself used to you living with him? He decided to just go with it. If he really needed it, he could always call on Present Mic..right?

‘I’m doomed..’ He thought to himself.

“Well..we’re here.” Aizawa said to you, pulling up into his driveway. You looked out of the window and at his house. It looked like a normal house. The inside, however, was very modern and neat. “You have a cool place..” You muttered. You jumped and squeaked as you felt something rub up against your leg. Looking down, you were greeted with a small black kitten. “O-Oh, hello..” You said, bending down. The kitten meowed and purred, rubbing  against your hand. You looked up at Aizawa, who was watching the interaction. “I didn’t know you had a cat.” You said to him, smiling slightly. Aizawa shrugged. “You never asked.” He said. “Her name is Medusa.” He told you. “Medusa.” You repeated to yourself, locking the name in your memory. Aizawa showed you to your room, and you started to set up. You were still upset, and still shocked over the whole situation, but you felt yourself grow calm with each passing moment.

The day passed by quickly, and Aizawa sighed to himself. This was definitely going to take some getting used to. But, he didn’t want to call Present Mic just yet and subject himself to the volume and bad jokes of the living embodiment of Smash Mouth. He looked at his clock: One O’clock in the morning. He needed to clean up the house a bit and head to bed. While he walked to the kitchen and put away the dishes, he looked over at the living room and saw the TV still on. ‘That’s funny’ He thought. ‘I thought I had turned off the TV.’ Making his way over, he saw that you were on the couch, fast asleep with Medusa curled up and asleep on your chest and a lock of hair covering your face. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Quietly, he turned the TV off, placed a blanket over you, and tucked the stray lock of hair behind your ear. He looked at you and could feel himself smile a bit more. “..Good night, Y/N.” He said quietly.

In your sleep, you smiled. Maybe living here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

The Problem with Toy Story 3

When I heard that Toy Story would become a world for Kingdom Hearts 3, I thought that it wouldn’t fit and that it would be too weird for Sora and his friends to become toys where in that world there are still humans there. Another thing is how the theme of Toy Story would’t fit with Kingdom Hearts main storyline, since in Toy Story 1, it is considered to be okay to be a toy as long you are loved and cared for, and this would seem problematic for Sora and the since gang since they are not really toys.

This then got me thinking about the Toy Story sequels and how they are compared to the original Toy Story. I finally realized of how flawed the writing of Toy Story 3 is when I compared it with Toy Story 2. Here I want to point out what that is.

The theme of Toy Story 3 is actually is the same as the movie before, in which that one day, you must let someone you love to move on.

In Toy Story 2, Woody decided to go become an exhibit with the rest of the Round’Up gang in a museum because he couldn’t bear to see Andy grow and not play with him anymore. Buzz consulted him that as a toy, Woody was not meant to be spectated behind a glass wall, not to be played again, Woody explained, “For how much longer? One more rip and Andy’s done with me! And what would I do then Buzz?! You tell me!”

It isn’t that Woody doesn’t want to see Andy again, it is the idea that your kid would not play with you again and move on with his life. Woody doesn’t want to face the idea of his kid growing up.

It is when he looked at the replay his tv series that he saw this:

And made him look at his boots.

It is here he realized that being with your child is great not because it would last forever, but because it is momentary, that seeing your kid grows up, and that you were there for him. This is proven with this line, “ I can’t stop Andy from growing up, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

The thing that made this scene great is that Woody came to this conclusion on HIS OWN.  Not because Prospector or Buzz forced him to see this, but because he gave it a thought and realized how wrong he was not to go back home and watch Andy grow up.

Now let’s look at the third movie:

Woody’s resolve are being tested in this movie, but so are his friends. He tried to reassure them that they will all be fine.

But he actually also has some doubts about it.

He however choose to respect Andy’s decision and go back to him when he and his friends arrived at Sunnyside Daycare, and I like that! In this movie, I thought that it was his friends turn to learn what Woody did in Toy Story 2... and they did it with this:

It’s terrible! They are forced to accept they are wrong by being punished for it! In the last movie, Woody came to that conclusion on his own without being forced to see that. Here his friends are being abused so badly that it’s almost as horrifying to look as how Sid abused his toys!

But that isn’t the only problem with how our heroes learn from their mistake. In fact, it only gets worse...

This is RIDICULOUS. This is so in your face that the movie is not trying to be subtle anymore! The gang discovered that Andy was not going to throw them away, and Lotso turned out to be a totalitarian villain at midway of the movie, treating our heroes harshly, and forced them to accept their new lifestyle in the daycare! That’s not how you teach our heroes that they are wrong! Yes, it makes you feel sympathetic for Woody’s friends, but sympathy should not be forced on!

Now, there are other flaws exist in the movie, but this is the one I wanted to highlight on because it can give people the wrong message. In my opinion, the best way for any character to see how they are wrong is when they discover it on their own, and not because someone else forced you to or coincidentally. Which is why I think the second movie is better than the third one.

Next, I’m going to attempt to explain how the same message from the second movie can be conveyed into the third one the CORRECT way.

This is not to say that this is a bad movie, I actually enjoyed it very much. But upon analyzing it, I found that it is not as perfect as I thought when I first saw this movie. I would give this movie a 7/10.

It’s very weird for me to try something else in this blog like giving criticism. I guess I always wanted to express my opinion. I hope you look forward to it.

Downtown Letdown

A/N: This is my second fic for the 2017 Louden Swain SPN Mini Bang, and is for one of my favorite songs. I first heard this song when they played it at ChiCon 2015, and I fell in love with it right away. I struggled to get this fic to line up with the central themes of the song, but I hope you all agree it’s at least close. Special thanks to the best betas in the world, @littlegreenplasticsoldier and @manawhaat without whom my fics would not be nearly as legible. These two women inspire me with every word they write and push me to be better.

Summary: Dean dealing with his feelings while he’s with Lisa.

Pairing: I guess Dean and Lisa, but it’s not the focus.

Warnings: Angst, I guess. I don’t expect anyone to need tissues.

Word count: 1815 words

Dean wakes up to a bright streak of sunlight peeking through Lisa’s bedroom curtains. Usually, he fixes the curtains before he goes to bed for exactly this reason, but last night he was a little too out of it to care. Yesterday was November 2nd. It’s been more than 25 years since his mother died, but the day still creeps up on him. It was almost noon before he realized what day it was. He doesn’t remember much of the day after that. To be fair, he’s had other things on his mind the past few months.

Sam.

Dean’s head pounds with the hangover he knows he deserves, his heartbeat loud in his ears, his gut still twisted with grief. Lisa tried to make him feel better last night and he just snapped at her. The pie was store-bought, not that it mattered. It had mattered, but there was no good reason for it.

The sunbeam has shifted, now, and is blinding the ever-loving hell out of him. He turns over to get away from it, hoping Lisa is still asleep. He’s not ready to face the disappointment and misery in her eyes. It would be merely a reflection of what he’s feeling, but it shows he should be doing a better job of hiding it from her. She doesn’t deserve it.

Right now, Lisa’s face looks peaceful and happy in the golden light. Much different to when the tears well up in her eyes as Dean rages when he’s drunk with grief. Or when he wakes her with one of his nightmares. Or when he doesn’t understand why she twists herself in knots to make sure Ben has a “good” breakfast in the morning instead of Lucky Charms or Pop Tarts. He and Sam grew up on them, so they can’t be all bad, right?

She doesn’t often let him see her cry, but he knows she does. It’s been almost six months since he started making those damn tears fill her eyes. Six months of him alternating between researching ways to get Sam back and drunkenly grieving the loss. There have been days when he’s been able to try to be some kind of father figure for Ben and partner for Lisa, but those days are few and far between. He needs to do better. Sam would want him to do better.

Without moving his head more than the pounding inside of it will allow, Dean climbs out of bed and starts his morning. He looks at himself in the mirror, taking in the dark circles around his eyes, the scraggly beard, and the pale skin, and decides that it’s time. It’s time to give up fighting what Sam had wanted for him. Sam had wanted him here, with a good woman and a boy who needed him. Sam had told him not to do everything he’d spent the last six months doing. Sam had wanted him to have this life. Maybe it was time to live it.

The decision made, he makes breakfast for Lisa and Ben, packs a lunch for Ben that doesn’t include beef jerky or Twinkies, and cleans himself up until he practically shines. He heads to the construction site where his neighbor, Sid, works and gets himself a job. Sid has been annoying as hell since Dean moved in, following Dean around like a puppy when he goes to the neighborhood shindigs, but Sid’s a good guy. He’s ignored Dean’s rudeness and been nothing but kind, offering all kinds of help, including a reference for this job. It’s an actual nine-to-five job doing whatever the boss tells him to do, earning whatever the company decides to pay him, and Sid shows him the ropes with a smile.

When he’s done with work, he heads back to Lisa’s house, reminding himself that it’s now his house, too, and does his best Ward Cleaver impression. He showers off the grime from the work site, helps Lisa set the table for dinner, asks Ben what he learned in school that day, and does the dishes so Lisa can watch some reality show on TV. When he crawls back into bed, his feet hurt from new boots, the throbbing ache matched by his heart when he wonders if Sam would be proud of him.

***

Dean’s been working with Sid at the construction site for over six months, now, and he’s finally gotten into the groove of this whole civilian life thing. He makes breakfast for his family every morning, goes to work, makes good money, comes home, helps Ben with his homework, and has mind-blowing sex with Lisa before going to sleep in time to wake up and do it all again the next day. Sometimes, his routine changes, like when Sid invites him out for a drink or there’s a neighborhood barbecue. He and Ben had a great time when he taught Ben how to change the oil in the truck, and one of Lisa’s famous date nights taught him he’s pretty stellar at mini golf. There’s not a lot in his life to really make his pulse race, but it’s nice. He’s learned how to blend in to his suburban surroundings and life isn’t bad, for the most part.

He still has days where he feels like he can’t get out of bed and he fights to keep up the act. Days like Sam’s birthday. Last Tuesday wasn’t a picnic, either, when one of the guys on site joked he thought his house was haunted. Dean had to fight to keep from asking about cold spots or scratching in the walls. Sometimes, it’s just a nightmare that reminds him that he’s just playing a part here. He dreams that Sam is back, but Lucifer is in control, slicing into Lisa and Ben in front of him while telling him how Sam is screaming for his big brother inside his own meat suit. Dean wakes with a cry in his throat, his heartbeat so loud he thinks it will wake the neighbors. His face is wet with tears and Lisa is trying not to cry with him as she attempts to reassure him that everything’s okay. It’s not okay. Sam’s still in Hell, locked in a cage with the devil, suffering relentlessly. Dean wonders if Lucifer uses the same tools Alastair did, or if actual tools would be too pedestrian for the devil.

For some reason, Sundays are the hardest. There’s more day in a Sunday than any other day of the week and it’s difficult to keep up the charade. Sometimes, he goes for runs like Sam used to, just to feel the blood pumping through his veins. Without the distraction of neighborhood parties, Ben’s baseball games, and Lisa’s get-togethers where one woman sells shit nobody needs to all the other women, Dean finds himself searching for cases before he realizes what he’s doing. He tries to tell himself he’s just making sure there’s nothing in the immediate area, ensuring his family is safe, but it’s an excuse. If he’s not ridiculously busy being happy with his life, then he’s jonesing for a hunt, daydreaming of taking out an entire werewolf pack, his brother strong and sure by his side.

Tonight, though, is a not-bad night. He’s having a relaxing drink with Sid, trying not to talk about himself, trying to not be too good at darts, trying to live up to the image Sid has of him in his head. It’s exhausting. A news report plays on the TV behind Sid’s head, talking about the grisly discovery of a dozen bodies in a warehouse two towns over. Dean hears just enough to know the bodies were drained before Sid turns around to see what’s got Dean’s attention and distracts him from it because who wants to talk about that when tomorrow is Friday and the end of the work week? Dean heaves a breath and shakes his head to clear it. He’s just a guy, now. Not a hunter. Shut it down. Back to Sid.

The waitress all but thrusts her chest into his face as she brings the next round of drinks. Sid chuckles and calls Dean a dog. Dean shakes his head and smiles, brushing off the ghost of a chain he suddenly feels around his neck. The waitress caresses his arm before they leave, her phone number written on the back of the check, and Sid shakes his head in admiration and laughs as they part ways. Dean’s still tugging at the neck of his shirt when he hears the scream coming from the building site across the street. He doesn’t notice how his breathing eases in spite of the spike of adrenaline in his system as he grabs his gun and flashlight out of the car.

***

It’s been a few weeks since Sam came back and the djinns killed Sid and his family. Dean moved his family to a new house, new town, new state, and tried to find a balance between never letting Lisa and Ben out of his sight and imagining their deaths every time his back is turned. He never found a new job, but when Sam called and demanded his help on a hunt, he had no time to keep looking.

The hunt is over, now, and so is the argument that led to Lisa telling Dean that he needs to go and be a hunter. She said he isn’t a construction worker, and though he tried the best he could to be normal, to have a life that didn’t revolve around bloodshed, she’s right. Dean’s a hunter and always will be.  Besides, his gut is telling him there’s something going on with his brother, something he just can’t put his finger on. Staying here and putting up drywall isn’t going to help him figure it out.

Dean’s standing in his new garage, holding the car cover he just took off his Baby. God, she’s beautiful. Just looking at her makes his heart beat faster in his chest. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, enjoying the feel of being able to breathe freely for the first time in a long time. He climbs into the driver’s seat with a smile and reverses out of the garage, taking off into the night.

The moon is large and full over the road ahead of him as he turns up the volume on the radio and begins singing along while he taps out the beat on the steering wheel. This is where he belongs. This is who he is. He will find a way to fulfill the promises he made to Lisa and Ben, but he’s done trying to be someone he can’t be. He’s the guy that’s gonna figure out what’s going on with his brother and kill some evil sons of bitches along the way.

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The Wild, 18-Minute Ride That Is Daydream Believer: A Review by a Former Teenaged Girl

Every generation has its “coming of age” movie: the movie that sees its main character through the naivety of adolescence to a catalyst that makes them realize they’re *gasp* growing up. The ‘70s had American Graffiti, the ‘80s had The Breakfast Club, the early ‘90s gave us the tearjerker My Girl (I’m still holding that vigil for Thomas J). All of these films had characters nearly everyone could identify with. Maybe you were the Cameron to your best friend’s Ferris Bueller. Perhaps you knew exactly what Jim Stark’s deal was in Rebel Without A Cause.

But then, in 1998 came a little known short film with a character so damn relatable it brings up memories you thought you buried so deep in the soil of your brain, it could only be unearthed by years of intense therapy.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Daydream Believer!

Let me start off by saying when my friend Rosie posted this movie to her blog I had no clue what the hell I was getting into. The 1970s film grain and the awkward silence (save for the chirping birds) when we meet our homegirl Susan made me half-expect one of those “What’s Happening to my Body?” filmstrips they made us watch in the 4th grade.

“Are you there, God? It’s me, Susan. All my friends are getting their periods except me. What have I done to anger you so?”

Right away we know Susan is different. She does weird things like…walking (especially when she has a perfectly good Schwinn on the front porch).

God, look at this freak.

“Look at her using her legs for non-jump-rope purposes like a fuckin’ loser.”

So it turns out that Susan’s a loner because she’s always daydreaming about her fab marvy crush…because she’s 11 and this is what 11-year-olds do: daydreaming and hurrying home and catch her fave rave on TV.

To be honest I was expecting it to be Davy Jones...the pirate, not the Monkee.

Yeah, Little Susie’s got fuzzy feelings for Mike Nesmith of the Monkees, to the chagrin of her concerned-yet-not-concerned-enough-to-actually-talk-to-their-kid parents. Susan’s mom is looking at her daughter like she didn’t wet herself over Sinatra back in her day.  I mean, Susan can’t be that obsessed, though. She’s only got like, one album and a single pinup on her wall like she’s some kind of amateur. And she’s pretty reserved in her screaming at the TV so that’s considerate of her.

Her disappointment over lack of mammaries perfectly mimics Mike’s face which in turn perfectly mimics how I feel about this movie so far.

The film then takes somewhat of a weird turn and becomes from here on out a wild rollercoaster ride of “What the actual fuck?” We take a journey into Susan’s brain as she sees herself as a 45 year-old woman teenager, getting ready for her date with-…oh my God.

YOU DON’T SAY

I’m somewhat flabbergasted by their casting decision to go with a paunchy, late-30s Ashkenazi Mike Nesmith but whatever. I’m not gonna judge Susan. She’s 11. When I was 11 I wanted to hang out with Gabe Kaplan circa ‘75. It’s a weird age.

So after her date with Mack Nussbaum we find Susan back at school, going for one of her weird daydream walks and completely oblivious to a group of bitches talkin’ shit behind her back.

“I bet she doesn’t even listen to the Banana Splits. Dweeb.”

“Joke’s on you! Me and Marc Nesbitt are gonna go closed-mouth kiss behind the JFK Memorial Tree. Hope I don’t get pregnant!”

I’m not even going to comment on this next scene. There’s nothing I can add to how utterly perfect it is in its understanding of the pre-teen girl’s brain so I’m just gonna let the caps do the talking.

But trouble rears its ugly head in the form of Susan’s teacher, glaring at her disapprovingly and telling her she’s “a much better writer than this [homework],” before proving this to be a bold-faced lie as we cut to a scene in which Susan writes in her diary:

Mike is so beautiful. He has lovely brown eyes. His hair is so soft and silky. I want to run my fingers through his beautiful hair. He has a sweet Texas accent that is so beautiful to listen to. I could listen to him read a book for hours and hours. He’s divine enchanting!!!

This nonsense reads like a 1st grade primer. Girl, I know you’re 11 but this is clearly not your first day at the Mike Nesmith Rodeo. This should all have been covered on page one.

Also, I hope Susan asked for a thesaurus for Christmas. 

So homegirl’s studies are suffering because she can’t keep her mind out of Mike’s pants and daydreaming about going on a romp with Mork Nerfherder to the song Papa Gene’s Blues. As you do…

“Whatchu thinkin’ about?” “Oh nothing…just statutory stuff.”

…that is until your cockblock of a teacher calls you out for not paying attention and embarrasses you in front of the entire class (a situation I knew all too well, so I actually empathize with her here). Susan goes home to complain to Raggedy Anne and delve into yet another daydream in which Mike takes her home to meet “the guys.” Oh boy, I can’t wait to see what small town community theater actors they got to play the Monk-…..wait what?

They look as confused as I do right now.

After an awkward introduction to the roommates (we’ve all been there. College, amirite?!) Murk and Susan go up to Mulk’s room…

I’m suddenly feeling rather uncomfortable and it’s not for the severed clown head in the corner.

…where Malk puts on bossa nova music and they start making out…

Oh my God, No….

NO!!!

NONONONONONONONONO!

YOU’RE GONNA CUT BACK TO THE CHILD ACTRESS AND MAKE THIS MORE AWKWARD THAN IT IS?! WHAT ON EARTH IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

Those lines under Raggedy’s eyes are from all the internal screaming.

No…………………….this is not how I wanted to die.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME….

…AS I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH….

HAS THIS BEEN A PORNO THE ENTIRE TIME?!

BRB SETTING MYSELF ON FIRE…

There isn’t a word for how unnerved I am right now, so I’m just going to make one up. I am extremely floopnozzled, I am totally and immensely…wait a second…

As I breathe a gargantuan sigh of relief, Bra-vo!

After Susan has finished violating her poor Raggedy Anne doll, her dad barges into her room and in a very ominous voice says they need to talk.

The clown in the back but on a brave smile but what his eyes have seen cannot be unseen.

They go to a parent-teacher conference to talk about Susan’s failing schoolwork and conclude it’s Mike’s fault, so they ban her from the living room and the TV. And for whatever reason I don’t quite understand, there’s a scene where Susan has to listen to her parents bone on the couch. I guess as part of her punishment? I dunno.

Girl, same.

EDIT: @legrandennui has informed me that it’s possible the voices she’s hearing aren’t her parents but her daydreams distracting her again. I still think it’s the parents, though.

And even though her parents think she’s obsessed with Mike and forbid her from watching The Monkees, her enabling Mom comes home from the grocery store and gives her flowering junkie a hit of the hard stuff via Teen Life magazine with the Monkees on the cover. I heard this was how Sid Vicious died.

At first Susan is overjoyed, until slowly her smile fades as she reads an article. She storms off into her room and screams at her magazine “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE MARRIED?!”

Lol wut? Child, where have you been? How are you going to be all up on Mike’s dick but not know anything about him beyond his brown eyes and silken hair? That’s like, page 1 in How to Obsess.

So we get one last daydream sequence in which Susan tells Mike she’s leaving him because she’s grown and wants to move on…

…which I guess in this case means getting back to her schoolwork and keeping her grades up…amongst other things.

“Wait, does this mean Shatner doesn’t make her want to bone? Is that the lesson here?”- @legrandennui

I’ve watched a lot of movies about adolescence in my years but this was the first one I’ve seen that had perfectly nailed it in terms of being a young girl with a fave rave. I had gone through nearly everything in this movie: the nonstop daydreams, the constant writing about the object of my surging hormonal lust, not paying attention in school, the concerned look from my parents, and I’m not ashamed to admit my pillow had gotten the Raggedy Anne treatment. My room was a bit more intense than that, pin-up wise but I can’t imagine they had a lot to dress the set with in 1998. This was like looking straight into my own past and as uncomfortable as it was to see what I was like from a 3rd party view, I have to say at the same time it’s incredibly amusing to watch someone flip out over a teen idol while sitting back with a knowing, sympathetic nod. 

If you want to watch the film it’s here on Youtube.

Emma Roberts Movie Week

It’s actually a bit unexpected. I didn’t plan this, I just watched Scream IV and her character made me love her even more, then I did after Chanel. So I thought, why not, no matter that I planned Brendan Fraser Movie Week.

 Day 1: Scream IV (2011)

It’s not the movie I want to talk about (because I plan to make a post about the whole franchise, after watching the TV Series), but about he character. I mean, how awesome is watching Emma Roberts as psycho killer. Especially a very convincing psycho killer, trying to kill Sidney. After watching Scream Queens and knowing how well she plays bitchy characters, so it was very entertaining. The third act of course. Watching her as a side character was just okay. That’s really all I can say. So yeah, there you go folks. Also the villain monologue was fun. Just read for yourself:

Favorite Jill quote:

Jill Roberts: My friends? What world are you living in? I don't need friends. I need fans. Don't you get it? This has never been about killing you? It's about becoming you. I mean, for fuck's sake, my own mother had to die, no great loss there, so I could stay true to the original. That's sick, right? Well, sick is the new sane. You had your 15 minutes, now I want mine! I mean, what am I supposed to do? Go to college? Grad school? Work? Look around. We all live in public now, we're all on the Internet. How do you think people become famous any more? You don't have to achieve anything. You just gotta have fucked up shit happen to you. So you have to die, Sid. Those are the rules. New movie, new franchise. There's only room for one lead, and let's face it, your ingenue days, they're over. A bit long, yeah, but how great. Isn’t that weird, that her monologue is longer then my text about her character?

Day 2: Wild Child (2008)

A very linear teen drama, but in England. Why would I pick that? The real question is: Why not? I mean, yes, it’s stupid, and yes, I’m an adult, but I’m still a kid inside, and I know it’s a bad movie, but it was still entertaining sometimes. Again, watching Emma playing a bitch is fun, for 20 minutes, but it was still fun. If we got through the best part, let’s get to business. Her character growth was okay, her friends were okay, their relation was okay. The school bitch was awfully stereotypical, no matter that her first appearance said otherwise. I hoped at least that from that movie, but it didn’t even give me that, so...

The fun part tho was just turning my brain off for an hour and half, and just watch Emma hanging out with some teenagers with British accent. It’s still one of my favorite female celebrities. Also her name was Poppy! It could belike the flower, but hearing “Poppy” made me think about That Poppy. Which is always a little plus. Wow, that paragraph about the things I liked is too short. Hey, Nick Frost! 

The montage was awful... it broke me from the movie every 30 seconds, which was hard to watch. Also the scene quick before the end was so cringe. At least for me. They were losing, then made a dance, and magically they won! (The dance was cringe, if someone were wondering)

Well that’s all, it was between average and okay.

Favorite quote:

Poppy: I didn't start it, it wasn't my fault, and if this were America, I would sue.

That’s true, OMC. America is beautiful, I love it, I want to visit it someday.

 Day 3: The Art of Getting By (2011) 

There is a thin line between being a good movie, and being pretentious. This movie sadly is on the wrong side of the line. 

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed watching this movie, it got to me, I love the main character, George, I can see myself in him, somehow. I always wanted to be that weird guy on the side, or I just want it, because these guys (like in this movie) alwayse ended up happy at the end, and I want the same thing for myself. But that’s a theme for different post. I liked seeing the world through his eyes. The scene showing how he wanted to get over Sally was great. Or when she broke him with the weird sex questions, during their “date”. Freddie’s acting was very convincing, and I didn’t saw the actor, I saw a boy with problems. The relations between him and the other characters and the way he reacten to every rational thing, he should do, but just couldn’t. I can also say a good thing about the side characters. I really liked them. The way they were created, even if some of theme didn’t have a lot of screen time, I had still fun spendind time with them. Like when Sallys’s mother told her, that she should be with George or when the painter struggled to be with Sally. I could also say about how I liked the montage and directing, but who cares? Also I liked the “development” of Freddie’s character, like in the first and second part who was becomind worse and worse...

Sadly the thing I was most anticipating in this movie was Emma Roberts and... well, Sally totally blows. I disliked her after 5 or so minutes. I’m not really sure if she’s such a bad actress, or it was just like her character was written, but Sally was so wooden. She was pretty, yes, but that’s just one of two things, that I think George could see in her (the second is, that she really cared about him and liked him, for example the scene, when they were sleeping next to each other, or when she called him every 5 minutes, whe he left her). I also really, really disliked her, when she broke my precious George! I mean, who does she think she is? (that’s not a blame on the movie, just another reason to not like her character, which isn’t a bad thing) Sally was the second most important character, but she dind’t develop at all. It was painfull to watch her in some scenes, beacause I knew that she would hurt George, because he wanted to go forwrd in some way, but she was staying the same all the time. Another thing I didn’t like was most of the third act. How George suddenly (I know it was because of his mother, he didn’t to upset her any more) change his attitude to life and so quickly straightened everything. It just wasn’t convincing for me. Also it was very predictable. Him, getting the diploma, her, going back to him, the painting, being Sally. Sad. Sadly. They could work on that a little more.

Favorite qoute:

Sally Howe: What were you like as a child?

George Zinavoy: I was such a better person than I am now.

Sally Howe: Come on.

George Zinavoy: I'm serious. I was happy. I was open. I was curious. But I'll tell you this: I knew when it was ending. I was overwhelmed with sadness when I realized that I was going to change, and that it was all most likely going to get worse, like a nostalgia for the present. I couldn't shake it... 

And it’s sad to say, that I dind’t like her creation. It really is. I hope it’s not her acting and I can see her again in a small movie, but with more. More to play and that she actually does it well. For now I like her justas the bitchy/psycho type.

 Day 4: Nancy Drew (2007)

Hey I’m actually keeping up! Only three das/movies left.

So I just looked up (on Wikipedia, I’m not a detective) that, as I thought, the movie is based on a book series for teenagers, with the same name. 

I start with the things I liked. And don’t let it fool you, there were’nt as many. The start was quite fine and fun to watch. The city and the charachters living in it. Just the world created around Nancy in her home town was adorable, just to be fine for a few minutes. I also liked Nancy at some point. I guess Emma can play charismatic characters, not just bitches. Which is good, but it wasn’t very good acting, since it also wasn’t a role that needed a good actress, just because the writting was so doll. Ahh, I wanted to say, what I liked first. So I also liked the side characters from her home town, like her father and Ned, or some of the LA characters: just Jane and Leshing. And the styling. I think the setting around our main characters was cute. Her dressing style, the style of that “hounted” house or her home town (I didn’t remember it, I’m really not familiar with the book series). Hey, Bruce Willis!

That’s sadly all, not many good things, that I could talk about. The writting tho. Ugh! It was so, so bad. Mished with that acting was just terrible to watch. Just because I liked some charachters, does not mean, I think they well written well, or that they were acted well. They weren’t. None of them. Maybe Nancy and her father a little, but that’s all. The story... Just meh. After half an hour I wasn’t feeling any mistery. And talk about tension, there was none of it. Even the scene when they were just about to kill Nancy, I was felling nothing. Oh wait, I was annoyed. Because the side characters from her new school had appeared on my screen! I hated them. Especially Corcky. uhh... I just felt like a story written by a teenager, and I think not a teenager has written it (no, it were two adult people). I mean, do they know, they can make a movie for children (and this, BTW, felt like a movie for 3-6 years old), that’s also entertaining for adults? Look at Teen Titans GO: To the Movies! (2018). That’s a good example.

Favorite quote:

Carson Drew: Phone call. Long distance from Scotland. Something about the Loch Ness Monster and some missing diamonds. Nancy Drew: Another case!

Well, despite how I disliked ths movie, I would definietly watch a sequel with Nessi. But it didn’t gross much, which I’m not suprised with.

 Day 5:

Got distracted, by discovering “The Pitch” from ScreenRant. Totally got me. Binge watched like 20 episodes.

 Actual Day 5: Paradise Hills (2019)

What a weirdly boring movie. Maybe I didn’t pay to much attention as I should, but it didn’t get me at all.

I wanted to watch something new, to see how her acting “grow” with her, but... Again, she didn’t get much to play. Which is very dissapointing. 

To start with the good things. The movie is extreamly beautiful. It looks so magical. The movie has just a 6 million budget, but it was still enough to hire Emma Roberts, Milla Jovovich, Awkwafina and to build a gorgeous set. The CGI was very visible, but only in two scenes (like the car on the beginning for example). And... That’s all? The acting of most main cast fine, I guess. 

OMC, where to start even? Idea for the story: very, very unoriginal. It’s actually felt much like The Island (2005) and a little like Sucker Punch (2011) (although I don’t remember it very well), maybe a mix of bouth. It’s not bad, it’s just made not so well. The script: dull, slow and predictible. I don’t like saying this, because I mostly shut of my brain, try to have fun and don’t predict anything, but it was hard. The ending tho. Seriously, to predictable. And no, I didn’t predict, that Jovovich is playing a fucking rose witch/vampire. That actually suprised me. The characters: they we’re okay, but mostly still to stereotypical, like for eample Milla’s witch, Emma’s main and the sidecharacter singer. Again just complaining on the same things I complained the last three movies.

Favorite quote:

Duchess: *screams, while changing into a bush*

I still have one critycally acclaimed drama (to see her acting on a good script) and a good movie to end the marathon happy :3

Day 6: Palo Alto (2013)

I can’t say. I liked this movie. Not a lot, but it was still enjoyable for me.

I thought Emma will play the main character, which she has and hasn’t in a way. She was one of the main characters with Teddy i think. Yeah, okay, I’m almost sure. I know I was supposed to watch a critically aclaimed movie, and this isn’t one, but, eh, it has 69% on RottenTomatoes, so not so bad. Also! It’s stars James Franco. I liked the acting. I’m still dissapointed, that Emma stil does not have much to play. I’m not sure if she’s just okay at acting, or she takes parts of empty blonds. I still love her, it’s just... it’s getting harder and harder to watch her as not charismatic characters. Anyway, I liked the acting, even much. I’m not sure if the actor playing Teddy (Val Kilmer’s son! and Val KIlmer played April’s father xD) was playing him self, but I’m happy with what I got. The same goes for Fred, the coach and April’s father. Finally after these few dissapointing movies, I got something, that dind’t speak to me much, but at least I liked the characters and had fun watching them get better, or worse, or not changing, or having a quick cameo. 

The story was... okay. But connected to this characters, I don’t really have much to complain. The tempo was a bit slow with April’s story, and a bit to fast with Teddy’s. Like The Art of Getting By (2011), this movie crossed a bit the thin line, of being too pretencional. But this doesn’t botter me that much.

Favorite quote:

April: I'm not depressed, why do you always think I'm depressed? I'm just tired.

Day 7: It’s kind of a funny story (2010)

I absolutely loved this movie! It took me from teh beginning with that scene on the bridge. Totally my kind of humor. The main character was easy to equate with, at least for me, like, being a bit assholish on the beginnig, and then turning in a fully good and  empathetic person. The perfect character arc for a feel good movie, like this one. It hit me by suprise, how good it was. The movie has average ratings and is rotten on RottenTomatoes. I know why, but the things, that for others were a flaw, for me was a good quality. I dind’t read the reviews, but I saw flaws in the movie, and in the story. I know, I know, it’s a basic story, a bit (maybe a lot) predictable even. But I turned my brain off for one and a half hour and had a lot of fun. The charachters where, no, seamed 3-dimensional. Everyone, at some point even. I totally believed, these are not actors, these are people. Especially the main trio, obviosly. I dind’t know  Zach Galifianakis can play something more then a stupid fat guy, by playing a not so stupid fat guy with problems. And Emma, still not what I’m expecting from her, but a lot better, then the other movies I guess (with exceptions of course). Even Craigs parents felt so real, and his friend and his love interest in the beginning. The main advantage of the movie is, that, as I pointed out earlier, it makes you feel better. It made me thing, that there is something more for me, that I don’t have to be this sad, fat guy, working and sitting by the computer all the time. Also the acting, OMC. It was great. How thought, to bring Viola Davis to this project? Great idea, even for these few minutes. But, yeah, I also pointed that out already. And, I liked, how the movie was directed. The scene, where they sang together, fabulous.

So what’s the flaws? It was predictable, if you just try to think a little. I dind’t realise that, till after the movie. Also, some characters, from being fine written, turned to flat characters, to drive the plot. Yes, I mean Nia, that was so unnecessary. It was just so Noelle would get mad at Craig. And will winning Noelle back be hard? It’s gonna be (quoting the screenwriter from Pitch Meeting) “super easy! Barely an inconvenience.” Which is dissapointing. 

Favorite quote:

Craig: Do you like music?

Noelle: Do you like breathing?

Bonus: A few words about Channel and whole Scream Qeens (2015-2016)

This series also took me by suprise, a bit. I loved Ariana Grande at that time, but since she quitted acting, and got mostly into music, I started to watch this show. And, as dissapointing as it was at that time, Chanel #2 was killed in the first episode. But since this was a slasher, and I do love those, I stayed. Who am I kidding. It dind’t stay because of the killing, but because of the story, characters and humor mostly. Jamie Lee Curtis is a wonderful actress and watching her going “against” bitchy Emma Roberts, was like watching a unicorn... I don’t a good compare, but you get it. It was extreamly entertaining. The world building, so caricature, it was so fun. Chanel killing a random lady? Yes please. These show was filled with mains driving the series with just themselfs and the sideones adding to it a lot. Even if they get killed eventually. Obviously the first season was way better, then the second. But the second was even more bizzare, which recompensed a bit the flaws of it. Do I like the decisions, who got the be the killers in both seasons? Yes, of course! For example, the chemistry between Dr. Cassidy and Chanel #3 was great in the second half of the second season. Just awesome.

Oh, yeah, a few more about Chanel. Wonderful, stole every scene she was in. Not a character, you could lift a show on, but the definietly good to be one of the mains.

Favorite quote:

Chanel: Good morning, sluts.

Chanel #2, #3 and #5: Good morning, Chanel

Like I could pick any other, than this.

--

So what do I think about Emma in the end?

She’s not a great, but a good actress, she could lift the whole movie, if she get’s a good character to play, like in Wild Child (2008), which was not much, but she was still a teenager then, and made it. 

Do I see her in drama roles?

Yes, actually. I love her, when she plays bitchy, charismatic, or even psycho characters, because she’s great at it, but I still want to see her other side. A hard part to play, in which she can shock everyone in how good of an actress she is. She didn’t have the chance yet.

I hope she gets more lucky and popular at some time. She’s still under 30 (28 years old), so she has most of her live before her, and already an impressive filmography. I wish her all the best.

65.

5000 Question Survey Pt. 16

1501. What did you think of the movie Black Hawk Down? i haven’t watched it 1502. What movie has the most surprising ending ever? shutter island was pretty surprising but that’s the only thing i can think of right now 1503. What are you currently angry at? nothing 1504. Who is harder to please, you or your lover? it’s probably me 1505. What is the most dramatic thing you have ever done for attention? i don’t know

1506. What do you have issues with? plenty of things lol.  this world and all of the crazy shit going on in it 1507. There is a nuclear war and your fallout shelter has room and supplies enough for two. No one knows about the fallout shelter but you. Who do you choose to take in (Remember, the person you choose is the only person you will know in 5-15 years when you can come above ground again)? damn. it’d be so hard to pick.  either jack or one of my parents.  i’m assuming my sister and her wife would be good bc they live in an air force base 1508. Do you have any fillings? yeah 1509. What do you do when you are home alone that you cannot do when other people are at home? nothing really lol.  i do the same shit when i’m alone and when people are here.  masturbate, i guess??? 1510. Have you ever had a near death experience? not that i can remember 1511. Do you read on the toilet? sometimes 1512. Are you afraid of a global nuclear war? not particularly 1513. If there was a global nuclear war would you expect to be a survivor? probably not, tbh 1514. How often do people try to talk to you while you are in the bathroom? a lot, actually 1515. Have you ever swam in the ocean? yes 1516. Have you ever built a sandcastle? yep 1517. Do you feel comfortable in a bathing suit? i sure do 1518. What would be the best season of the year to get married? i think in autumn What would be the best day? maybe friday 1519. What are 2 things that the perfect ___ would do? Boy/girlfriend: be trustworthy and kind Parents: supportive and dependable Friend: funny and adventurous Teacher: intelligent and creative Doctor: personable and make me feel comfortable 1520. If someone you loved was seriously miserable for a long period of time what would you do to help cheer him or her up? i’d try to spend as much time as possible with them and try to make them feel better in any way that i could 1521. What was the best year of your life so far? either 2017 or 2016 1522. When people are born is it predetermined whether they will be a good or bad person? i don’t think so 1523. What is your least favorite bodily function? farting 1524. Does the weather affect your mood? yeah, it really does 1525. If you were underground for 5 years what would you miss the most? being outside 1526. What do you think of the movie Blast from the Past? never seen it 1527. If you were on death row (if you don’t feel evil enough to really ever get there, imagine that you have been wrongly accused and wrongly convicted) what would you want your last meal to be? hot wings, french fries, and some beer 1528. How would you want to die (electric chair, gas, lethal injection, hanging)? as quick as possible, or in my sleep 1529. Who would you want with you when you died? jack and maybe my parents 1530. What would your last words be? i don’t know 1531. What is your favorite summer song? all summer long 1532. Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? yeah 1533. Have you broken a promise to anyone else? i’m sure 1534. Do you eat red meat? sure do 1535. Have you ever broken someone’s heart? someone has said i have before 1536. What would you consider a blessed event? uhhh... i don’t know, in a literal sense, i guess a baptism? 1537. What would you consider a miracle? someone getting saved from dying 1538. Here’s a list of dead rock stars. How big of a loss to the music industry was each one? Dave Williams: Ian Curtis: Aaliah: Rozz Williams: Elvis: Tupac: Michael Hutchence: Sid Vicious: Jimi Hendrix: elvis, i guess??? 1539. What are the most cruel words someone could say to you? probably telling me to die or wishing death upon someone i love 1540. Would you rather catch your parents in bed or have them catch you? i’d rather catch them i guess 1541. If someone offered you $1,000 to cheat on your boy/girlfriend, would you do it? no. 1542. Would you rather date someone 3 years younger than you, or 15 years older? three years younger. 1543. Would you rather like your guy/girl more than s/he likes you, or have him or her like you more? i don’t think i’d be happy with either of those 1544. Which is better, the rush of kissing a new person for the first time, or the comfort of kissing the same person a hundred times? kissing the same person a hundred times, definitely 1544. If you could read your boy/girlfriends mind, but only by letting him or her read yours, would you do it? yeah, i guess 1545. Would you rather lose your bathing suit to a huge wave right in front of a cute lifeguard, or your whole family? my whole family, they know me so it’s not like it matters 1546. Is truth sometimes stranger than fiction? yeah 1547. Do you look back and laugh at things that hurt or were embarrassing at the time? depends on what it is 1548. Would you like to live in the Playboy Mansion? not really 1549. Have you ever looked in anyone’s wallet that wasn’t yours? not unless they told me to 1550. What time and date is it? december 18th 2017 6:49 p.m. 1551. What song would you (or have you) sung karaoke? separate ways or livin on a prayer 1552. Do you run through the sprinkler on a hot day? i would if i had one 1553. Could you survive without: Electricity: i don’t think so Heat: i think i have enough blankets Air conditioning: no, i’d be way too hot in the summer TV: yeah Radio: definitely A car: as long as someone else had a car to drive me 1554. Would you ever consider shaving your head? yeah, actually 1555. What is one thing that will happen to you less than 24 hours from now? i will play some video games 1556. What age would you want to stay forever? i guess the age i am now, 21 1557. What is the softest part of your body? my butt or boobs probably 1558. What would make your day if it happened right now? i won the lottery or got a brand new car somehow 1559. What are you thinking about? sex 1560. Are you on: Drugs: no. The road to nowhere: nah The crazy train: no. 1561. Do you say everything to people’s faces or do you talk behind their backs? i’d rather say it to them. 1562. What is gone that will never come back? my youth haha. 1563. What’s your biggest turn on? when jack grabs my thighs or my neck or pulls on my hair  1564. Have you ever made love in an elevator? no. 1565. Are you spiritually dead? i don’t think so 1566. What’s your favorite care bear? the grumpy one 1567. Do you like the music of Warren Zevon? idk who that is 1568. Have you ever wanted a picture painted onto your car? nahh 1569. Are you an alien in a red striped jumpsuit who plays guitar in a band? no???? idek what that’s from, should i? 1570. If you aren’t an alien in a red striped jumpsuit who plays guitar in a band then who is? IDK? 1571. How many private entries do you have? nada 1572. Are you clumsy? yes, very 1573. As you get older will you let your looks go or have plastic surgery? i’ll just let them go honestly. i don’t care enough 1574. If you wear contacts or glasses would you ever consider laser eye surgery? no because it’s not permanent and it’s very expensive 1575. What is the most expensive thing you own? probably my computer 1576. What do you think of when you hear the word ‘cell’? my phone 1577. Have you ever had goat’s milk? i don’t think so 1578. Do you care how Jennifer Anniston lives her life? not really. 1579. If there was a 'penny per page’ internet tax would you pay it? nah 1580. Do you treat your pets like family members? absolutely 1581. Have you ever eaten tofu? sure have, it’s not that bad either 1582. Do you believe that the 'war on drugs’ is effective? idk. 1583. What would you like to have 435 of (anything but money)? shoes and clothes 1584. How many people know the password to your diary besides you? i don’t have a password for my diary 1585. Do you like Calvin and Hobbes? idek what that is 1586. Have you ever thought of deleting your diary? - 1587. Have you ever thought of moving to OD+? idk what that is 1588. Do 48 hours need 48 thrills? whatttt? 1589. Who do you know that acts phony? plenty of people i work with 1590. Do you like American Pie? yeah, i like it 1591. What is the last law you broke? speeding. 1592. Have you ever run away from home? i always wanted to but never did 1593. Have you had a good feeling today? not really 1594. What was it? - 1595. Did your parents pretend their was a tooth fairy and slip money under your pillow? yep 1596. If yes, how much per tooth? $1 1597. Is there a difference between art and crafts? sure 1598. Have you ever tried out for something? yeah 1599. Did you make it? yeah, sometimes 1600. What’s your favorite lullaby? twinkle twinkle little start, if that counts as a fairytale