Tumgik
#thanks for attending my ted talk on this day
lovely-v · 2 years
Text
I do genuinely believe that the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (and arguably the Zelda franchise as a whole, though i myself have played literally none of these games) is closer to fitting the description of ‘Tolkien-esque Fantasy’ than most other movies/shows/games/books etc that claim that label
Like, compare this post by tumblr user wufflesvetinari, which makes an important point about Tolkien’s worldbuilding, and also lives in my head rent free:
Tumblr media
and then these quotes from Jacob Geller’s “Every Zelda is the Darkest Zelda”
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
and his conclusions about the messages in Zelda games are thematically very similar to the through-lines about friendship and love in LOTR, and what a lot of authors miss about what makes a fantasy story personal and memorable:
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
“A world without joy and humor isn’t a compelling world to fight for” is exactly why there are so many pieces of fantasy media out there that just feel like carbon copies of each other (i’ve seen many posts that explain this better than I can though I can’t find any specific ones at the moment, just know that I didn’t invent this thesis). You’ve got the cool swords, you’ve got the wizards and the spells and the battles, but first and foremost you need the LOVE.
44K notes · View notes
falcon94ssy · 2 years
Text
Duel Masters manga Volume 12: Thanks To You, I Won!
Tumblr media
This Volume (together with Volume 10 and 11) contains some of the most memorable scenes I read as a kid, especially the parts illustrating the relationship between Shobu and Hakuoh. Re-reading the manga again after 16 years brings back nostalgia. Here are some panels I’d like to share here without putting too many spoilers.
Tumblr media
Not-gonna-d*e-now-I-must-save-my-best-friend Hakuoh.
Tumblr media
Shobu: Haku…oh?
Tumblr media
Hakuoh: Shobu-kun!
And Shobu won against Gyujiro with the help of Hakuoh's card "Holy Awe" reversing the duel—-which is what the Volume subtitle is referring to.
0 notes
alonetimelover · 10 months
Text
pairing: harry styles x polish!reader (fem, she/her)
summary: harry plays a show where one of the most important people in his life attends - his fiancée's granny.
submitted by @otaktomotyl, thank you and i hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as i did writing it!
a/n: i found polish translations on the internet, i hope they're okay.
masterlist ask, comment, come say hi!
——————————————————————————————
harryupdates
Tumblr media
liked by harrysmoustache, harryshoee and 37 201 others
harryupdates HARRY landed in Warsaw. I repeat, HARRY landed in Warsaw.
view all 3 013 comments
harrysmoustache and he's holding yn's hat???
harryshoee yn and harry can finally reunite... 🥹
harrysfan92 do you see his arms???? he looks like a Greek god, god damn
——————————————————————————————
harrysmoustache
Tumblr media
liked by harryupdates, stylesbabie and 12 301 others
harrysmoustache HAARY AT YN'S COUSIN WEDDING!!!!
view all 2 492 comments
harryupdates you're so fast with those updates, lyla. im gonna lose my job...
stylesbabie yn be aware, he looks good enough to be THE groom. keep him close
⤷ harryslipstick i think that ring on her finger is saying more than anything
harrysmybestie guys, you know we are so close to see HIM at HIS OWN wedding...
⤷ harrysmylife don't
⤷ harrysmoustache why would you say that?!
⤷ outofstyles am i the only one awaiting that day impatiently??? i wanna see him being all nervous and loving and all of the emotions that people feel at the weddings
stylesislife only harry styles could come to my wedding wearing a tanktop that he also wears to his shows
⤷ hArrysbtch the only man i could forgive AND compliment on looking so fucking good
stylesbabie yn's cousin posted a photo from the ceremony, and you can see yn and harry being all snuggle and touchy 😭😭😭 i love them so much
——————————————————————————————
"What do you mean you're not coming up on stage? Harry, my love, what changed during the last two hours?" YN asked into her phone, anxious Harry being on the other side, soundly biting his nails. "And stop biting your nails, you've got a very nice colour on them."
"Is babcia (granny) here?"
"Mum texted they're close to the gate. Jeff, was kind enough to go there and pick them up so they wouldn't get in any trouble."
"Good, good, good. can- can you come backstage? I think I'd like some ted talk before the show," he said quietly, smile growing on his face. "And some kisses, too."
"Give me 10 minutes, I'll find that kind guard and ask him to guide me. I can't remember when to turn right."
"I'll wait for you. I love you."
"I love you."
Harry got up from the couch and started pacing from one wall to the other. His hands were trembling, getting sweaty. He couldn't remember when was the last time he felt this nervous before start of the show. Not wembley or Slane Castle were as nerve wrecking as Warsaw. He knew it perfectly that it wasn't because of the city or the country. Well, it partially was.
It was YN's home show. But also her whole family was just outside the gates or already walking down the hallways to get to their seats (VIP of course, besides YN's younger cousins that wanted the front row, barricade experiance). And probably the most important guests for Harry - YN's grandparents, especially her granny. A sweet 92-year-old lady that started learning english and using an iPhone to be able to talk and contact Harry. A lady who bought his heart with sweet butter biscuits that no one could replicate. A lady that listened and then learned his whole three albums for this day - the day she would finally see him play live.
So he was terrified to disappoint her.
"What if i mess up the lyrics?" he asked YN when she finally came to the greenroom, he had been pacing in.
"Then she will sing it to you."
"But what if she won't like hearing me live? I mean, it's- it's a possibility. What? Why are you giggling. I'm really stressed here, my darling."
"I'm so sorry." She kissed the crown of his head. "It's just that you're afraid of impossibility. There is no way she would laugh at you or be disappointed in you." YN stroke his hair, gently massaging it, bringing Harry peace.
"You sure?"
"I've never been more sure in my life."
"She'll like it." Harry reassured himself aloud.
"Yes, she will. Not only she loves you like her own grandchild, she's also nervous. This morning she facetimed me to help her pick up an outfit. She bought quite a few things after she saw some pictures of your fans on the internet." She laughed, finding it quite adorable.
"Did she?" Harry lifted his head from yn's lap. "Oh, bless her."
They spent the next few minutes in silence, letting Harry's heart to calm down and steady its pace.
"Wait, did you say that you've never been more sure about something in your life?" Harry eventually broke the silence.
"Yes?"
"So, you had doubts when I asked you to marry me?"
"Oh god."
——————————————————————————————
harryloveontour
Tumblr media
liked by harryupdates, stylesmaaan and 21 491 others
harryloveontour first look at harry at tonight's show in warsaw! it wasn't even the first minute, and he was already seen sending kisses towards yn!
view all 6 023 comments
harrysmylife and it was not only for yn!!! her whole family is with her. even her grandparents.
⤷ stylesbabie omg, they must love him soooo so much
ynandhmyparents they are the sweetest couple i've ever seen, like ever
harrysmoustache is anybody live??? i need to experience this show, i have tissues ready
⤷ hArrysbtch hslotwarsaw is live and it's in such a good quality
——————————————————————————————
hslotwarsaw
Tumblr media
liked by harryupdates, hArrysbtch and 21 291 others
hslotwarsaw this is harry's reaction to seeing yn dancing with one of the fans during adore you!!!
view all 3 491 comments
harryupdates omg, his reaction was priceless!!!!
hArrysbtch the way this man said "back off, my friend. she is taken. ring and all. no, no, no." he wa ready to jump from that stage to stop that man from hugging yn!
⤷ stylesbabie i mean, did that guy asked yn if that was okay?
⤷ lovingharry he did, you could see it on the videos that people already posted
harrysmoustache he's like "excuse me, man. that is my fiancée. MY fiancée."
harrysmylife oh, this concert just started and i know it's gonna be the best of all times
——————————————————————————————
lately you've been on my mind
honey, ah ah ah
The whole stadium was singing back to him. He could describe the feeling it awoke in him each time. It was similar but never the same. Especially today, everything seemed to touch him deeper, better, and clearer.
"Someone's stealing your girl, Styles"
Harry heard someone in his earpiece, making him stop singing. He played it cool by putting the mic towards the audience simultaneously looking for YN.
It didn't take him long. She was right where she promised to be. The space designed specifically for her family, not enclosed but clearly separated from the main audience. There she was dancing and laughing with some middle-aged guy.
Harry was a jealous person in nature. In particular when it came to his partners. He wasn't proud of it, and he definitely didn't have any way to believe that YN would sprint after every Tom, Dick and Harry. Every day she showed him how in love she was, there could be no way.
But here he was. Jaw clenched, not singing and glaring towards his fiancée.
"Harry, everything alright?" Again the voice in his earpiece.
YN stopped dancing, feeling that unmistakable eyes almost glued to her. Oh, it didn't look good.
"How you doin' Warsaw?!" Harry finally screamed into the microphone. The squeals, screems and whistles gave him all he wanted - distraction.
And when YN smiled at him so lovingly and sweetly, it was enough to carry him till this moment.
"Your sign says 'help me shoot my shot'. Is this person with you?" Harry asked the fan who was holding the very neat and colourful sign. Somehow he didn't recognise him from just a minutes ago.
"She's here."
"Wow! Your voice is so loud, man. But how do you want me to help you when she's here. She's next to you somewhere?"
And then if it would have been possible, Harry's jaw would touch the floor. That guy shamelessly pointed towards YN. Now he remembered.
People screamed so loudly, because everything was shown on the biggest screen behind the stage.
"Well, back off, my friend. She is taken. Ring and all. No, no, no." Harry tried to play it cool by laughing at the end. "And, as far as I'm concerned, we're not lookin' for the third one in the relationship."
Now the stadium was laughing along with the long 'ouuuu'.
"How did you know you'd be close to YN, anyway?"
"Manifesting."
"Manifesting?" Harry repeated so everyone could know the answer. "Well, you're doing it right, so I suggest betting or playing lottery. And, to be honest most importantly," he pressed. "Not stealing someone else's future wife!"
——————————————————————————————
harryupdates
Tumblr media
liked by hArrysbtch, harrysmoustache and 34 201 others
harryupdates harry introducing yn's grandmother at tonight's show.
view all 7 201 comments
hArrysbtch she is the sweetest lady, my god. i love her even though i don't know her 🥹
harrysmoustache "this show is very special to me. here are my future parents in law as well as grandparents. hello, hi!" i still can't comprehend harry being engaged...
harrysmylife "granny, how are you doing? do you need anything? no? you're good? excellent! that's what I wanted to hear. please give it up for granny!" and the way he started clapping both of his hands and the whistling???? and then speaking in polish i think???
⤷ polisharry Yes! He said 'dziękuję, babcia że tu jesteś' which means 'thank you granny for being here
harryfan82 this show is sooo good
outofstyles did anybody see harry constantly looking towards that area, where yn's whole family is?
⤷ harrysmoustache absolutely! i can't imagine how nervous he is, considering it's the first (at least that we know of) time he sings in front of them
——————————————————————————————
hArrysbtch
Tumblr media Tumblr media
liked by harryupdates, harrysmylife and 33 101 others
hArrysbtch HE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO PLAY MEDICINE BUT THE BAND STARTED IT WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE. I CANT. HES REACTION IS PRICELESS. HES TERRIFIED.
view all 8 101 comments
harryupdates he didn't even started it on cue, thank god the audience was so pumped up for it and sang it!
harrysmoustache "no no no no no. we weren't supposed to play it. sarah!" the fear and confusion in his voice was everything. they got him good.
outofstyles "you're gonna pay for it. all of you." this is so funny
stylesbabie the funniest thing is how when he started singing it, he was all touchy and sexy. it was like he forgot about the problem in the moment...
godstyles "granny's terrified" HARRY YOU DIDN'T PUT THE MICROPHONE DOWN, MAN
⤷ harrysmoustache but they showed granny being all smiley during medicine. i think she enjoyed it just like any other song!
——————————————————————————————
harryupdates
Tumblr media
liked by hArrysbtch, stylesbabie and 41 202 others
harryupdates harry smiling while talking to yn's little cousin (yn was translating everything to her and then to harry). she then opened as it was with "harry, I wanna say goodnight to you"
view all 3 201 comments
hArrysbtch i hate kids but that baby was so cute i wish i could squish her cheeks
harrysmoustache he was all smiles and gentle eyes while talking to her, he loves this family so much
styleslove i love when people are so open with their feelings for their partner's family
harrysfan081 so cute
stylesbabie give this man a child already
——————————————————————————————
hslotwarsaw
Tumblr media
liked by harryupdates, stylesmylove and 61 201 others
hslotwarsaw harry after splashing water at yn and her family at the end of the show!
and with this photo, we're ending our 'photo-stream'. thank you all for helping us prepare all of the fan projects and thank you for welcoming harry so warmly in our country! till the next time!
view all 8 20q comments
harryupdates you did amazing job!
hArrysbtch yn's granny got so happy at the moment harry decided to threaten her with a bottle
stylesbabie granny had a water gun and threatened harry back with it!!!!! it was soo cute, he run away laughing
harrysfan88 best show so far
harrysmylife "this one of the loudest show i can remember. and i know why. my fiancée's whole family is here. and believe me, they can make so much noise it's impressive!" my friend stood next ro them and confirmed, they were so loud during the whole set list!!
harryshands i can't imagine better way for harry to cope with this amount of pressure. he delivered one of the best performances in his life - sound and entertain wise. truly amazing
——————————————————————————————
"Harry, my sweet boy."
Harry turned 180° from the conversation he was having with Jeff to see the face of the lady with the heavy accent he knew so well.
"Babcia! (granny)" he exclaimed, jogging towards her and ambracing in a tight hug. "How I've missed you."
"You saw me yesterday, you."
"I know." He pulled away, still having his arm around granny. "But it's already been almost 24 hours. A long time, don't you think?"
Granny shook her head with a smile and placed her head on Harry's chest. She was rather exhausted from all the lights, noise, dancing and standing up for almost three hours.
"You wanna sit down, granny?" YN asked, squeezing her grandmothers arm in a way showing her she was nearby.
"Oh, yes. My legs aren't 20 years old as much as I would like them to be."
The three of them sat down on the green couch and talked about the show. Granny was impressed with all the fans having the time of their life, but specifically the ones that seemed to take in the show on their own terms.
"There were those two girls just hugging the whole time and singing softly all the songs. It was so lovely," granny explained.
"It's funny how they were two of very little to not use their phone during the show," commented someone in the room.
And before harry got the chance to defend people taking photos and recording, granny sat up straight.
"Well, in the 60s, my father took me to see The Beetles and I wish i had a camera then. It was such a magical moment that I would want it to be not only engraved in my mind but also on paper. I took so many photos of you, Harry. I need you to print them so I can show them to my friends on the next bingo evening."
YN nodded her head with a smile, not only planning to print the photos but putting the whole concert that harry recorded on the CD. Granny loved watching that type of thing on her telly.
"Harry," granny spoke up after a few moments. "I do have a question however."
"Ask away, granny."
"That song, medicine. What is it about?"
1K notes · View notes
zhongrin · 10 months
Text
| ◆ ch. vago mundo ⑊ zhongli
Tumblr media
--⟢ i. tales passed down for generations |   the people of liyue know of many tales…
𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ⬙ 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡 ⬙ 𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡
◇ tags ◇ (all tags from the series masterlist), sagau, pure fluff, dragon!li
◇ a/n ◇ yk what i told myself i won't post this until after i wrote the liyue chapter but ✨i✨don't✨care✨anymore✨ hsdlkfjskldjf i have no idea when i'll update universe abound and this has been sitting on my drafts for FAR too long... besides, it can be read as a standalone anyway. now. once again i am here to tell you that dragon!zhongli is love, dragon!zhongli is life. thank you for attending my ted talk-
Tumblr media
you stare.
dark brown scales, decorated with shining gold lines seem to pulse under the sunlight filtering through the curtains.
you stare harder.
the long appendage twitches before it shifts to hide behind the man standing right in front of you.
"your grace," morax coughs awkwardly into his fist and upon being greeted with your silence, decides to go back to fiddle with the coat he was halfway putting on before you barged in, "i believe it is still… thirty minutes before our scheduled stroll. is something the matter?"
instead of answering, you blurt out in an amazed voice, like a young child that just spotted their favorite candy, "you have a tail!"
"i… yes, well, considering that i am a dragon, and they do have tails-"
"it's so pretty! why don't you have it out more often?"
the genuine enthusiasm in your voice makes him smile.
"it's- ah, it could be an inconvenience sometimes."
you blink, not understanding the meaning of his words. he gives you a bashful look and proceeds to focus on his garments instead. knowing that he's not going to elaborate anymore, you choose to study the scaly appendage - unlike morax's still body, it's twitching and swaying around where it rests on the floor, almost as if…
….. hmm?
"zhongli."
"yes?"
"i love you."
the sudden confession makes him go still, and you observe his reactions in interest.
"i love you too, dearest."
aside from the short pause and the elegant smile on his lips, the man looks as dignified and unaffected as ever. however, your impossibly wide grin strains your cheeks as you eye the rhythmic thumping of his tail against the floor.
"rex lapis," you gasp, "… are you wagging your tail???"
"ahem. c-certainly not, i don't-"
"oh. my. god. that is the cutest thing ever!"
"............ beloved….."
"no no no no no if you hide your tail then i'm revoking our daily walks and regular kisses!"
zhongli's tail perks up and begins to sway anxiously, and you feel like crying from how adorable this whole thing is.
"now, let us not take such drastic measures, darling. i believe this matter can be discussed, perhaps over some tea-"
"please please please let me pet your tail!"
your lover's cheeks flush pink, and you feel like the happiest deity in teyvat.
Tumblr media
people of liyue have heard of many tales. stories about adeptus protecting liyue behind the city itself, of fearsome plains drenched in monster dust as they were struck down by their god, of the stone gate collapsing and effectively cutting off supply routes from the city of freedom - not that it has been used for quite some time now….
people of liyue have seen many things. terrifying disasters almost sinking their whole city into oblivion, their beloved archon appearing once more and taking charge against vicious monsters overrunning teyvat's landscapes, their own creator coming into liyue after continuous years of prayers and offerings…
but never in their life they would have thought the day would come when they see the god of contracts himself - known for hurling stone pillars that now stand as guyun stone forest, vanquishing countless gods in the archon wars, and sealing many divine beasts who have run rampant across the land - stroll about the city arm-in-arm with the divine creator, his draconic tail proudly in full display and gently swaying side to side as the two converses softly, eyes staring deeply into each other's akin to lovers who hadn't seen each other in eons.
they see it, and they think: yes, this tale too, shall be passed down to the younger generations.
Tumblr media
© zhongrin | 2023 ◆ no repost. reblogs much appreciated. feel free to reach out to submit suggestions, feedback, comments, or if you just want to talk!
Tumblr media
◇ taglist ◇ @genshinparty | @abyssmal-skies | @hamdehlesmis | @depressivecomforts | @sophiethewitch1 | @why-am-i-here-someone-save-me | @sunnshineflxwer | @heartonthemoon | @yuutasbabe | @percyval-archives | @carbs-need-more-love | @rebeccka | @queen-belial | @stygianoir | @silentmoths | @niktwazny303 | @dustofthedailylife | @herdrops | @diebischesther | @marina-and-the-memes | @angryhope | @mixed-kester | @shuangxo | @fiannee | @lordbugs | @anonymousficreader | @shizunxie | @ladylofspades | @sup-zfam | @ansy-tea | @irethepotato | @nachotrash | @algrimmammon | @sassy-cat-in-town | @syrenkitsune | @smokipoki | @pvbbyb0y | @shipperxchaos
537 notes · View notes
nerdqueenmari · 4 months
Text
Guys, I hate doing this. It makes me feel like I'm begging for alms and like I can't take care of myself. But pride isn't worth starving for, so here goes.
I live in an apartment where internet is provided with the space. I have zero control over my internet, and no ability to negotiate anything with the ISP itself. I work remotely for a company with stringent security requirements because of the nature of the information we handle, and am only able to use a wired workstation provided by my employer. My internet has been down for three days now, so I've lost out on three days' work, and multiple calls to the middle man internet tech support has resulted in only non-updates of that they are working on it, but they have no idea when it will be back.
All this to say: Due to circumstances out of my control, I am going to come up $250+ short on my check this pay period, depending on how soon my internet is back (though with the holiday, it's unlikely there will be much work available even when my internet works). I know it's holiday time and we're all strapped and struggling, which is why I hate to need help, but the fact is that I do.
Last year, my partner @trashprinceward helped set up a Ko-fi when I was in difficult circumstances. Bros, I gotta bring it back, and I'm being flippantly casual because I don't like to be a burden on anyone or to look like I can't take care of myself. If you have a few bucks you can toss to someone extremely worried about not getting evicted and also being able to feed her adorable cat, it would be very, extremely appreciated.
Thank you for attending my TED Talk about swallowing my pride and asking for help from my friends. I expect nothing, but anything is appreciated, even just a signal boost. Thank you, guys. Thank you for all your support and companionship.
Marisa's Internet Catastrophe Fund
153 notes · View notes
onceuponaoneshotfanfic · 11 months
Text
Gold Rush (Superstar Chapter 3)
But I don't like a gold rush, gold rush I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch Everybody wants you Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you
Roy and the Reader attend Rebecca’s charity ball... and uneasy feelings arise.
Roy Kent x Reader
5.7k words
Warnings: Language, Keeley making ~flirty~ suggestions, and a healthy sharp turn from fluff to angst
Thanks to everyone for the kind feedback on this series- I don’t deserve it! And big thanks to those who suggested a little bit of jealousy. Some of this was almost painful to write, so I’m excited to share my torture with you!
~
“Oi, did you get a dress for Friday yet?” Keeley plopped herself on my desk, not bothering with formal greetings. She raised her eyebrows at me expectantly.
“Friday…?” I closed my laptop, knowing I wouldn’t get anything done with Keeley in my office.
She rolled her eyes at me. “Rebecca’s charity ball! You’re going, aren’t you?”
Right. Rebecca’s big charity gala. She’d told me about it during my first couple of days at Richmond and extended a very enthusiastic invite, but I’d been so distracted by getting used to the job and starting up a romance with a certain football legend that I’d all but forgotten about the event.
“Oh. Right.” I made a face. “You don’t really think she expects me to go, right? It’s not like it’s a mandatory part of my job or anything.”
Keeley rolled her eyes again. “Of course you have to go! There’s fabulous music and free booze and good food. And the boys’ll be there and watching them get auctioned off is a hoot! Besides, it’s just a fun excuse to dress up and have a good time with everyone.” Her round eyes pleaded. “I’ll help you pick a dress,” she offered in a sing-song voice.
I groaned and tossed my head back, not bothering to hide my small grin that grew at the thought of a fun, fancy evening with everyone from the club. “I mean, I guess,” I grumbled.
“You guess what?”
Keeley’s eyes widened with excitement at the sound of Roy’s voice. “Oh, hi Roy!” She grinned at me not-so-sneakily. “We were just talking about Rebecca’s ball this weekend. You’re going, right?” Roy grunted in response. “Aaaaaand do you have a date?”
Roy’s eyes flickered in my direction for a fraction of a moment. “No.”
“Interesting.” Keeley looked like the fucking Cheshire Cat. “Say, Roy-”
I cleared my throat. “Roy, didn’t you need to go talk to Ted about that defensive strategy you wanted to try?”
He immediately took the hint and played along. “Fuck. Thanks.” He turned with his usual robotic stiffness and stalked out of the office, leaving Keeley and me in silence.
“Come on, why’d you do that?” Keeley whined, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “I was totally going to ask Roy about going to the ball with you!”
I shrugged, trying to keep calm. “Roy had coaching shit to do. Just doing my job. You know, being the coaching assistant and all.”
“Whatever,” Keeley scoffed. She paused, leaning close to the wall behind my desk, her mouth widening with glee. “Ho-ly shit. What the fuck is that?”
My eyes followed hers.
To my biggest fan. XOXO Roy Kent
Oh shit.
“Some stupid joke,” I mumbled, opening my laptop again, desperate to look too busy to chat. “I told Roy that my family’s big Richmond fans, he gave me some shit about it and wrote the note as a joke, that’s about it.”
“Look at you two, flirting in the workspace with a sexy orange sticky note.” Keeley winked at me. “Good for you, babes. Now all you have to do is let me help you pick a bangin’ outfit that’ll catch his attention Friday night!”
I narrowed my eyes at the girl who was having too much fun at my expense. “How about you help me pick something that looks nice, I’m comfortable in, and doesn’t kill my budget? We can leave Roy Kent out of my outfit.”
“Unless you’re looking super fit,” Keeley countered, jumping off my desk and heading towards the door. “In which case, Roy Kent will be spending the evening trying to get into your outfit.”
~
The night before, Roy had called with an offer to come over with food and a movie after work; it would be our first at-home hangout. I skipped out on work a tad early, complaining of imaginary cramps that Ted was immediately sympathetic to, so I could give my flat one last look over. I tidied up the things I hadn’t gotten to that morning before work and hid some of the more embarrassing family pictures that I wasn’t quite ready for Roy to see- like the one where my family and I wore the handmade Christmas jumpers my gran had made for us, each featuring the Greyhounds logo front and center. Nope, Roy freaking Kent did not need to see that.
With the flat tidy, I changed into some leggings and a cozy sweater, still wanting to look nice despite Roy’s assurance that all he wanted was a casual, comfortable evening together. I was running a brush through my hair when the now-familiar knock reached my ears. Trying not to look too giddy, I all but ran to the door and threw it open.
Roy stood in front of me, holding a box of pizza with a couple of DVDs on top. His face softened when he saw me, the way it seemed to always do when we were finally alone. He wrapped his free arm around my shoulders and pulled me in for the tiniest kiss as I pulled him into my flat, closing the door behind him.
“Hi,” he huffed when he let me go.
“Hi,” I whispered back, suddenly shy around the man I had just been kissing in an empty office hours earlier. Perhaps it was the fact that Roy Kent was standing in my flat, leaving us, for the first time since we’d been at my parents’ house, truly alone. Not surrounded by very well-meaning, nosy coworkers at the Dog Track. Not glancing over our shoulders at pubs to make sure no one was snapping a pic of a football star and a mystery woman. Just us, me and Roy, Roy and me, free to kiss and be close and just be a normal couple.
Couple. Whoa. There was a word I hadn’t allowed myself to say yet. It had only been a couple weeks of sending flirty text messages during meetings and sneaking kisses when Ted and Beard weren’t in the neighboring office and sitting in dark corner booths of pubs far from the prying eyes of A.F.C. Richmond, but already this felt serious. Real, as Keeley had mentioned the morning after my first date with Roy. Something that wouldn’t end with me stealing Roy’s watch in the middle of the night as he slept. (Yes, that’s what a model he dated did. No, I hadn’t brought it up yet, although I had plenty of jokes waiting for when the topic did inevitably arise.) Something that- and this felt way too soon to even whisper to myself in my innermost thoughts- might not have to end.
Roy could probably see the gears turning in my head, based on the face he was making at me. “You alright?” he asked, placing the pizza box on the coffee table. “You look like you’re thinking about somethin’.”
I shook my head, reminding myself to just enjoy getting to be with him. “Nah, just… I kind of can’t believe you’re here.” With the pizza out of the way, I could wrap my arms around him. “Like you’re here. Roy Kent. In my flat.”
The concern on his face was replaced with amusement. “Ah. Now I see the resemblance between you and your dad.” I blushed at the reminder of my father’s too excited reaction to seeing Roy Kent in our foyer. “It’s flatterin’,” he assured me, kissing the tip of my nose. “In fact, I’m a bit disappointed that you don’t have a shrine to me here.” He lifted his head and looked around my living room. “Such a shame,” he hummed.
“Don’t be so full of yourself,” I huffed, giving him a squeeze. “It’s not cute.”
“Fine. Can I be full of pizza then?”
I laughed and released him. “That works. Let me just grab some plates.”
Roy followed me to the kitchen, on my heels like a puppy. My heart swelled at the realization that he probably wanted to take advantage of being alone with me. I handed him the plates I pulled from the cupboard, reveling in the quiet, domestic moment, how natural it felt to get out plates for a quiet dinner at home with Roy Kent. I turned to the fridge and grabbed a couple of sodas, then led Roy back into the living room.
Curious about what Roy brought, I made a beeline for the DVDs. I didn’t bother to hide the surprise on my face when I saw the cover of the one on top.
“The Sound of Music?” I blurted incredulously, looking over at Roy as he made himself comfortable on the couch.
His eyes narrowed as he opened the pizza box and grabbed a slice. “You got a problem with that?” he growled, the playful look in his eye daring me to judge his movie pick.
I shrugged as I turned on the television and set up the movie. “Nope. I love The Sound of Music. Just not what I expected from you.”
“What’d you expect? Fast and the Furious? Transformers?”
“Or something dark, like The Shining,” I suggested as I joined him on the couch. “Not Julie Andrews.” I paused. “Not that I don’t love her,” I assured him. “She’s brilliant. Sound of Music is brilliant. Just a bit unexpected.”
Roy chuckled and scooted closer to me, pressing his thigh against mine as he leaned onto the couch. “The Shining,” he repeated. “A guy goes fucking nuts and tries to kill his family. Yep, that’s the kind of romantic impression I want to make.” He pointed at the screen, where scenes from the movie danced before us as the soundtrack played in the background. “This is fucking romantic. Sixteen Going on Seventeen, Edelweiss, Something Good, the fucking wedding with all the nuns singing How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria. Romantic as hell.”
I hit PLAY and grabbed myself some pizza, not bothering to hide the smile on my face. “Romance, huh?”
Roy smiled and shook his head. “Just watch the fucking movie.”
~
“Fuck, I’m so obsessed with the curtain dress,” I sighed, pressed against Roy’s side as Julie Andrews pranced around onscreen. “D’you think I’d look good in that dress?” I turned my head up towards Roy, who eyed me warily.
“I think you’d look good in anything,” he mumbled. He wrinkled his nose. “Was that too fucking cheesy?”
“Just cheesy enough,” I assured him. “If you think I could rock the curtain dress, just imagine me in the Mother Superior’s habit.”
He snorted, a huge smile gracing his face. “Once again, you’d look good in anything.” He paused, thinking for a moment. “Speaking of dresses,” he said, clearly looking for an opening in the conversation, “are you going to that fucking charity thing?”
I sat up a little. “That’s actually why Keeley was in our office today. She was asking me about what I’m going to wear and bugging me about asking you to be my date.” I fidgeted with my hands. “And you’re going, I assume?”
He nodded. “Kinda have to. At least this year I don’t have to worry about being auctioned off like some fucking piece of meat.” A smirk formed on his lips. “Although I’m sure you’d love that.”
I rolled my eyes. “As if I could afford those auction prices,” I scoffed. “More like I’d get to watch you get bid on by gorgeous models wondering how much they have to spend to guarantee the night ended in your bed.” As much as I tried to make my words come off as snarky and joking, I knew my jealousy and insecurities seeped through every word.
Roy seemed to notice too. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my hair, planting kisses there. “If it makes you feel better,” he murmured, squeezing me around my waist, “it was only the models’ old grannies that bid on me. Except last year, when Keeley was mad at Jamie and placed exactly one bid on me to piss him off, but I still ended up being won by a very horny old woman.” He shuddered, probably for my benefit as well as the memory itself. “If you want,” he whispered in that low, gruff voice, “we could have our own private auction after the ball.”
A shiver trailed down my spine, one he could probably feel. Roy Kent was not particularly flirtatious; he was snarky and often clever, he loved to tease and make fun of me, but he very rarely said something so… sexy.
“And during the ball?” I asked, desperate to change the subject and ignore the heat in my cheeks. “Like, do we ignore each other? Do we hang out?”
He sighed and sat back, tracing circles on my shoulder with the tips of his fingers. “I mean… it’s free seating, so we could sit together. And I don’t think anyone will notice if we dance together once or twice. Well, maybe Keeley.” He shrugged, gazing down at me. “I think we can manage to spend some time together while not raising anyone’s suspicions. Again, except Keeley. But who fucking cares if she figures it out?”
“Sounds like a plan,” I agreed, leaning up to peck his cheek. “Alright now shut up, they’re singing again.”
~
“Ah, there you are!” Richard Montlaur stood in the doorway between the coaches’ offices, smiling at me. “Oh, hello Roy.” He nodded to his coach before strolling across the office to my desk. “I have a question for you.”
I blinked at him. “Uh, hi. What’s up?” In my brief time at Richmond, Montlaur had hardly spoken to me. A hello here and there, telling me I looked pretty a few times, but nothing worth noting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Roy swivel in his chair slightly, clearly listening in.
Richard’s smile grew. “You are going on Friday, no? To Rebecca’s party?”
“Oh, yeah.” My puzzlement grew. “You?”
“Of course!” He leaned against the wall by my desk. “We should go together, yes?”
Roy stiffened. Fuck.
I cleared my throat and shuffled my feet. “Oh. Richard, that’s very sweet of you. But, um, I…”
“You have a date already?” Montlaur tilted his head, confusion covering his pretty face.
“Um…” I stopped myself from looking at Roy. “No, I don’t, I just…” I bit my lip. “I kind of planned on going solo. But it’s very sweet of you to ask.” I prayed the smile on my face didn’t look too forced.
Richard shrugged, unphased. “Ah, well. Just thought I would ask. You are, after all, the prettiest thing on this team. After me of course,” he added with a wink. He lifted my hand and pressed his lips to it. “At least promise you will save me one dance?”
I couldn’t make myself look at Roy; I knew he was fuming at his desk. “Sure, Richard,” I agreed. “One dance.” I took my hand back.
“Wonderful. If you’ll excuse me, I should go get ready for practice.” On his way out the door, he waved to Roy. “See you out there, Coach!”
As soon as Richard was out the door, I spun my chair around, finally facing Roy. He was already turned around, facing me with his arms crossed, his expression hard and stoney like it was the day we met. His mouth was in a perfectly straight line as he stared me down, reminding me of the way I used to see him stare down opponents on television.
“You really going to dance with that prick?”
I shrugged. “I mean, I guess? It’s no big deal, just a dance.”
Roy nodded slowly, his eyebrows knitted together as his face turned red. “Sure. No big deal.” He stood up. “I gotta go to practice.” He made his way out of the office.
“Roy-”
“Whistle!” The chattering in the changing room died instantly. “Oi, all of you, out on the pitch. Twenty laps as your warm up. Whistle!”
Nope. There was nothing I could do at this point; the boys would just all have to suffer. Hopefully seeing Montlaur run until he nearly puked would be enough to calm Roy down before he came back to the office. Trying to put thoughts of Roy and Richard and the gala out of my head, I turned my attention to my computer and opened a file containing personal project of mine: an American-to-British English dictionary just for Ted. The man desperately needed it.
“Hey babes!” Keeley sauntered in a couple hours later, her pink sparkly dress shining in the fluorescent light. “You ready to go?”
I cocked my head at her. “Go…?”
“Dress shopping!” she reminded me, pulling me out of my chair. “I already told Ted that I’m kidnapping you. So, let’s go!”
As we strolled arm in arm to different shops, I felt my mind drift back to Roy, wondering how practice was going. I prayed he wasn’t being too rough on the boys; it wasn’t their fault Montlaur unwittingly asked out Roy’s…. whatever I was.
“Hey, was Roy okay today?” Keeley peered at me over the clothing rack we were searching through, eyebrows raised. “I swear to God, you could hear him screaming whistle across the whole damn building.”
I shrugged. “I mean, he’s Roy,” I muttered, hoping I seemed nonchalant. “The man’s a ball of rage. Wouldn’t it be more surprising if he wasn’t screaming at the guys?” Come on, Keeley. Agree with my logic.
Keeley shifted her gaze to the dress she held out in front of her. “Hmm. I guess.” Her eyes found mine in a flash. “I did hear about Richard asking you to the ball. Guess I was just wondering if Roy got a little…” She popped her lips. “Jealous?”
“Enough,” I groaned, rolling my eyes. “Just help me find a damn dress.”
“Done.” Keeley held up a red dress that- damn her- I knew would look perfect on me.
I couldn’t help copying her infectious grin. “Fucking hell, Keeley.”
“You’re welcome.”
~
“Oi, d’you need a ride home?”
Roy stood over my desk, clutching his duffel bag, not quite looking me in the eye. A touch of pink colored his cheeks.
I tapped my pencil against my desk. “Well considering you drove me here this morning…” I raised my eyebrows at him.
“Right.” He tapped the toe of his sneaker against the floor. “Well, I’ll meet you at the car I guess.”
I sighed as I began packing my things. “You can just wait here for me,” I huffed. “If you want, I mean. I’ll be quick.”
“Right,” he repeated.
I felt his eyes on me as I tucked my laptop and other things into my bag and wrote myself a note reminding myself about the tasks I needed to tackle the next morning, sticking it up next to Roy’s note. Then I shouldered my bag and grabbed the shopping bag that held the dress and heels Keeley had helped me find. When I was ready, I looked over at Roy, who was sitting at his desk, watching me from over the top of his phone that he had been pretending to scroll on.
“You ready?”
Our walk to the car was uncharacteristically quiet, the air around us heavy. There was a sinking feeling in my stomach as we crossed the parking lot, wondering if I’d somehow managed to fuck things up already. Great job. You’re gonna lose the guy of your dreams AND make the best job you’ve ever had uncomfortable as hell.
To my surprise, Roy opened the passenger door and helped me into the car, the same way he always did. He squeezed my hand, a reassuring touch after the silence we’d shared in the office once I returned from shopping. With one hand on the steering wheel, Roy put the key in the ignition and started the car- and immediately turned it back off. He turned to face me, his face serious.
“I didn’t fucking like Montlaur asking you out,” he said bluntly. “He’s a prick and was probably thinking he’d get to sleep with you just because he asked you to the gala. But I guess it’s not his fault for not knowing we’re seeing each other. And us keeping things private was my idea, so I probably shouldn’t be so fucking defensive.” His hand tapped on the steering wheel. “So, I’m sorry for being short with you,” he finished. “And sorry if I made you feel guilty when you honestly didn’t do a fucking thing wrong.”
In his eyes I could see that same anxiety that I had seen as he waited for me to tell him what I’d thought of his pub. When he asked me about keeping our situation private. That look that told me that what I felt mattered to him.
“It’s okay, Roy,” I whispered, resting my hand on his leg. “I was honest when I told Richard I didn’t want to go with him, I just didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Like you said, it’s not his fault.” I smirked. “How many laps did the guys end up doing anyway?”
A sheepish grin appeared on Roy’s face. “Ted talked me down to fifteen laps. But then they did burpees right after. Dani and Sam both threw up.”
I shook my head, holding back laughter. “Those poor boys. None of them better ask me to dance Friday.”
Now Roy shook his head, leaning close, clearly planning to take advantage of the empty parking lot. “You can dance with them,” he whispered. I could feel his stubble brush against my skin before he closed the distance between our lips. “Just promise to save the last dance for me.”
~
“Over here! Ms. Welton over here!”
I stood on the edge of the red carpet, wincing as I watched the scene before me. My friends and colleagues, alone or with stunning dates on their arms, made their way down the carpet, stopping to pose for photos, smiling widely and cracking jokes at the photographers. They all looked so calm, so at ease, while I floated at the periphery, trying to decide if I should brave the red carpet, walk behind the whole mess like the peasant I suddenly felt like, or just go home.
The last one was starting to sound good to me when I heard a familiar growl behind me. When I turned around, there was Roy, his soft brown eyes contrasting with the hard look on his face and providing me with an anchor to cling to. To no one’s surprise, he was wearing all black, a fitted suit that made my heart slam against my chest. He took a step closer to me, his gaze flickering to the photographers who whispered to themselves with excitement as soon as he approached their view.
“Fuck you for wearing that dress,” he grumbled out of the corner of his mouth, clearly trying to look casual. “You look amazing.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the Roy Kent-ness of his compliment. “Keeley’s goal was for me to get your attention. I’m glad it’s working.”
He sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets; I could see him trying to suppress a smile. “You’d get my attention even if you were wearing Maria’s curtain dress,” he breathed. “This-” His eyes trailed the red dress that hugged every curve, as if it had been made just for me. “-this is fucking torture.”
Before I could respond, I felt an arm hook through mine, grabbing my attention. I turned around; Keeley.
“Hi guys!” she gushed, looking gorgeous in a rose gold dress and with Jamie right behind her. “Don’t you two look grand together.” She shot me a wink. “Walking the carpet?”
Roy stiffened up, eyeing the papps with unease. “Speed-walking, more like.” He nodded to the three of us, though his eyes were on me. “See you in there.” He turned towards the carpet and bolted across, ignoring the photographers’ pleas for a picture, answering with only his two favorite words: Fuck no.
Keeley nudged me, nodding towards the photographers. “You go ahead,” she urged.
“Um…” I knew she saw the grimace on my face. “Think I could just, I dunno, go around?”
Her face softened as she tightened her arm around mine. “How about we go together? There’s enough photos of me and Jamie floating around online, they don’t need any more.” She glanced at Tartt. “That alright with you babe?”
Jamie nodded. I finally realized the shirt under his suit jacket was black see-through netting. “Go for it.” He shot me a friendly wink, assuring me that yes, I could steal his girlfriend for a strut up the red carpet.
Arms still linked, Keeley and I approached the edge of the carpet, where the photogaphers screamed Keeley’s name, asking who she was wearing and who she was with. She struck poses, an absolute natural, and flashed the most gorgeous smile I’d ever seen. I knew Keeley was beautiful- I’d seen her in magazines and ads for years, and of course knew her in person now- but seeing Model Keeley, live and in person, was an experience.
“Come on!” she urged, pulling me close. I mirrored her pose, feeling silly, a bit like a teenage girl taking selfies with her best friend. But having Keeley give me a squeeze suddenly made it… fun. Keeley shouted out my name to the reporters, spelling it with ease, and declaring me the Richmond coaching staff’s “fabulous new administrative assistant”.
I giggled as I pushed her down the red carpet, ready to get to the party. My heart purred with pleasure when I saw that Roy had not gone into the building yet; rather, he was standing by the entrance, watching me with a soft fondness covering his face. For once, he didn’t bother hiding the joy I knew we both felt around each other. I was sure my face matched my dress as Keeley and I approached him, stopping so Keeley could go back and join Jamie back in front of the cameras; so much for there already being enough photos of the two of them.
“You have fun out there?” Roy asked, eyebrows raised in amusement.
“A bit,” I admitted, more to myself than anyone else. “You should try it sometime.”
He bit his lip, looking me up and down, clearly emboldened by the lack of eyes and ears focused on us. “Maybe next year. With the right date on my arm.”
“Oh.” That was all I could manage; was Roy Kent- Roy fucking Kent- implying that we would still be seeing each other a year from now? It sure as hell sounded like it.
And I sure as hell found myself hoping it would happen.
Roy seemed to understand my sudden bashfulness. “Come on. Let’s head inside before the papps actually manage to get a fucking picture of me.” He placed his hand on the small of my back, taking advantage of the formal setting to have some physical contact to guide me into the venue.
As we entered the ballroom, I resisted the urge to gawk at the opulence of the venue; surely my wedding wouldn’t be this nice (unless you marry Roy Kent, the voice in my head teased).
Surely Roy could feel how overwhelmed I was. “Let’s find some seats and go grab drinks,” he suggested. “We’ll need ’em.”
I rose an eyebrow at him as he led me through the party towards the tables taken up by our fellow Richmond staff and players. “You sure you’re not too comfy there, Kent?”
He shook his head. “Nah. Everyone kind of gets extra friendly at this thing, so no one’ll bat an eye if we hang out.” He shrugged. “Especially since we’re officemates. It’ll seem kind of… natural for me to hang out with you, we’re always together at work anyway.” He nodded towards an empty table. “How’s here?”
“Sure.” I placed my clutch on the table, saving mine and Roy’s spots. “D’you mind if Keeley and Jamie join us?”
Roy threw his head back. “Fuuuuuuu-” He glanced at the begging expression on my face. “Fine.” He nodded towards the bar. “I’m gonna need a drink if you’re gonna make me hang out with Jamie fuckin’ Tartt.”
“Deal,” I agreed. “Lead the way.”
~
“I’m gonna go grab another beer. You want something?” Roy raised an eyebrow at me as the band began to set up onstage.
Dinner had been delicious, with Keeley and Jamie cracking jokes with us and pointing out the most ridiculously rich people in the room for my benefit. The auction had gone off without a hitch; I particularly enjoyed the amusement on Keeley’s face as she successfully bid on Jamie for an outlandish amount of money. Best of all, Roy had been sweet and attentive, much to Keeley’s glee, which helped to calm my nerves.
This might be the best night of my life.
“Sure, want me to come help you?” I offered, starting to stand up.
Roy shook his head, gesturing for me to stay seated. “What kind of gentleman would I bet if I made you get your own drink?” he whispered as he stood. He nodded to Jamie, who he’d actually been really friendly with during dinner. “Be right back.”
The moment Roy was out of earshot, Keeley pounced into his seat. “Holy shit! He’s so into you!” She nudged me happily. “All you have to do to seal the deal is grind on him in that dress, and he’ll be begging to go home with you.”
“Oh stop, Keeley,” I begged, giggling from the drinks I’d had with dinner. “Roy’s just being nice. He’s a good guy.” I turned around to look at Roy, who’d be bringing back my favorite dri-
“Oh shit, look who Roy’s talkin’ to!” Jamie laughed over his drink. “What a fuckin’ reunion.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. Of course I recognized Brittany Brett, lingerie model and Roy’s ex-girlfriend. I’d seen photos of them in magazines for the four months they’d been seen together around Europe, often appearing wherever Roy had a match or she had a shoot. According to the tabloids, she devastatingly dumped him, and within two weeks she was spotted on a double date with some player for Barcelona and Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Messi.
And now there she was, wearing the tiniest dress I had ever seen and showing more cleavage than a renaissance painting. And, worst of all, clinging to Roy Kent. My Roy Kent. My face grew hot with envy as she laid a hand on his arm- the arm that had just been wrapped around my chair- and giggled. With his back to me, I could only imagine the expression on Roy’s face. Was it the scowl he usually wore around the rest of the world? Or was it the gentle smile he shared with me between kisses when we were alone? Or was it the look of adoration and desire he’d had a few hours ago when he complimented my red dress? Maybe it was the number of drinks I had, or the loud music that had started somewhere during my panic attack, or just the sight of this gorgeous woman hanging all over the guy I liked, but my head suddenly started spinning.
Before I could begin to fathom an idea of how to appropriately react, a hand landed on my shoulder. Richard Montlaur smiled down at me, handsome in his suit.
“I believe you owe me a dance,” he greeted in a friendly, teasing voice. He held his hand out to me. “Shall we?”
I shot one more glance at Roy, who still stood with Brittany Brett, no sign of my drink in his hand. “Sure,” I mumbled, taking his hand. “But maybe we could grab a drink first?”
Richard smiled as he helped me up. “Perfect.” He kept my hand in his as he led the way to the bar, settling us exactly where I wanted to be- right behind Roy and Brittany Brett.
I muttered my drink order to Richard and turned my attention to the conversation behind me.
“Roy,” Brittany purred in that syrupy voice I recalled from a couple interviews I’d seen online. “I’m so bummed you weren’t auctioned off tonight. I would have loved to put in a bid on you.”
Roy scoffed. “Come on, you know I hate that shit.”
“Who’s that girl you’re with? Not a date?”
My back stiffened as Richard handed me my drink.
“Er, she’s my assistant,” Roy mumbled. “I mean, she’s the coaching staff’s assistant. We share an office.”
“Aww,” Brittany cooed, as if Roy was talking about some cute thing Phoebe had done at school. “That is so sweet of you to sit with her. I’m sure she feels so out of place at an event like this, poor thing.”
That was all I needed to hear. I felt small, so fucking small, listening to Brittany fucking Brett simper over Roy and the charity case that was his assistant. I downed my drink and held out my hand to Richard.
“Let’s dance.”
I must have had too many drinks, or maybe I was just blinded by petty jealousy and anger, but I didn’t remember Richard leading me to the dance floor. I just knew that one moment, I was on the verge of tears behind Roy, and the next I was pressing my body close to Richard Montlaur as we swayed to a slow song.
As we swayed on the dance floor, I allowed my gaze to return to the bar. There was Roy, still chatting with Brittany Brett, but his eyes were on the table we’d been sitting at, a puzzled frown on his face. He craned his neck, eyes wandering until they landed on me and Richard. His frown deepened and he cocked his head at me. Even from this distance, I could see the hurt in his eyes.
But then I saw Brittany Brett lay her hand on his chest, clearly oblivious to the conversation Roy and I were having through eye contact. Instead, I tightened my grip on Richard’s shoulders as I watched Brittany Brett lean forward and kiss Roy’s lips.
I looked down, blinking away the tears that suddenly formed. “Um, I’m sorry Richard, but I don’t feel well,” I managed, taking a step back. “Thank you so much for the dance, but I-” I shook my head and left the dance floor, heading to the nearest exit, refusing to take another look at Roy Kent.
339 notes · View notes
seriouslysam8 · 4 months
Note
Thoughts on Gary Oldman as Sirius?
Look, Gary Oldman is a great actor… but he’s not Sirius material. He was too old (though there wasn’t much they could do since they cast Alan Rickman as Snape who was too damn old and unpopular opinion but I don’t think he should have been cast as Snape for age alone), he didn’t look like Sirius in my mind, and he didn’t play Sirius the way I imagine him in my head. The only thing I liked about Gary Oldman’s Sirius was how soft he was with Harry. It’s a softness that I wanted to see more of in the books and appreciated we got to see those two damaged boys hug in the movies. Although, the movies cheapened their relationship dramatically when Sirius called Harry his father’s name.
But, I mean, we didn’t get any depth from Gary Oldman. I’m not blaming him entirely. The writers are a big part of it too. Sirius’ character was watered down dramatically in the movies. I mean, we got him raising a glass and chuckling during Christmas dinner. Where the fuck was drunk Sirius singing at the top of his lungs?? Where was a socially intelligent Sirius in GOF explaining dynamics in the first war to Harry and practically working out the entire plot with info from some teenagers and scraps of newspapers? Where was the Sirius who wrote Harry every day leading up the final task? The Sirius who was bitter at Grimmauld Place? The Sirius who loved Harry more than anything??
One of the most tragic things in the entire series was how the Marauders era was robbed of their adulthood. They were young, arrogant kids who thought they knew everything but really knew nothing at all. They fought thinking they were more clever and could actually win. They were just kids. I mean, their brains weren’t even fully developed yet. I make a huge effort to point this out in Brumous. Sirius knew they were dumb kids back then. They made a lot of stupid mistakes. They thought they were smarter than they were. That part of the generation who survived was just bitter and cynical when Voldemort came back. Meanwhile, Harry and co are the dumb kids now. They’re diving in head first thinking they know better when they don’t. I think a lot of this nuance was missing from the movies.
You guys now I love to make parallels between characters and situations in my writing. This was done so subtly in the books as well. The parallels between Sirius and Harry, James and Ron, Draco and Regulus, Lily and Narcissa, Harry and Voldemort. It all revolves around the choices these characters made when they’re only kids. Who was raised in a moral environment, who wasn’t able to escape the indoctrination, who escaped the indoctrination. It’s fascinating to read who realized their mistakes in time and who didn’t. I seriously think having the Marauders characters aged up so dramatically (and let’s face it, the actors looked older than their age as well) cheapened these parallels. Because your mind sees how old these characters are and don’t appreciate just how young they truly were. It takes away a lot of the devastation because they were just kids who didn’t know what they were doing or getting into. Instead, you view them as adults who made the right choice and adults who should have known better.
I have never once pictured Gary Oldman when I write Sirius. Never. I’ve never pulled up pictures or videos of him when I write to base looks, facial expressions, or mannerisms off of.
Thank you for attending my Ted talk. 🤣🤣🤣
29 notes · View notes
discobiscotto · 3 months
Text
Underdogs’ Ages & When Stuff Is Happening
Yeah, I’m obsessive about this too. I feel like this is one of those areas a lot of folks don’t seem to completely sync up on.
I’m not boasting THIS IS THE ONLY ANSWER cus there’s still vagueness and every interpretation of this fictional story works, but here’s my OWN personal lowdown. 👇🏻
As far as AGES, I go 100% based on the original script. Luca, Alberto, and Giulia are NOT the same age.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Giulia’s birthday is in March, and she remains 13 for the rest of the year (in the movie’s setting).
Luca is 12 and will be 13 in November of that year.
Alberto is 14 turning 15 that September.
(I’m not certain but I suspect “age gap” probably leads to folks insisting that Luca and Alberto are the same age even though they are 2 years apart?)
THE YEAR the movie takes place is still sortof debatable and vague, although Enrico confirmed in a tweet that it’s 1959. That’s fair and makes sense to me! I’ve seen him say 1960 in another tweet answering the same question as well. I also accept that! I have other sources lightly confirming 1960 too. This is all okie-dokie!
I give it a vague answer of “around 1960”. That’s generally good enough.
For all intents and purposes, I stick to a hard 1960 when trying to make sense of when events in my own fic take place. and roughly how old they all are when they happen: IE the moon landing, when Luca sees the Star Wars premiere, when certain songs were popular, etc. It’s all extremely relevant and being TOO VAGUE will drive me crazy.
Example: I can’t have Luca claiming to be privy to knowledge in his field that is either no longer relevant or not yet discovered. Alot of stuff is hinging on accuracy.
So, in a way I’m rigid? (Canned laughter) However, I have soft answers to some of my own questions about my own timeline, thus I can be consistent!
-Luca, Alberto, and Giulia were born in the mid to late 1940s.
-Original source material is set around 1960.
-Luca and Giulia attend university in the mid 1960s. They get their PhDs in the early 1970s.
-Luca starts teaching in the mid 1970s
-Alberto takes over the family biz in the early to mid 1970s.
-Giulia goes on her first expedition abroad in the mid 1970s.
-Luca and Alberto begin navigating their life “together” in the mid to late 1970s.
-They are all in their early to mid 30s in the mid 1970s
-They are all in their late 70s present day.
Anyway, thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
23 notes · View notes
theowritesstuff · 2 years
Text
Operation: Tartt’s Heart
Tumblr media
Jamie Tartt x gn!reader
Summary: Jamie’s too scared to confess his (obvious) feelings for you, so when Richmond gets another clubhouse attendant who starts flirting with you, the team suddenly all become your guard dogs.
A/N: “Wah wah parasocial relationships are unhealthy” I don’t give a para-fuck. *points at a picture of Colin* This is my best friend. This is my best friend.
General Taglist: @nptnewr @violetrainbow412-blog
With Richmond gaining more success after rejoining the Premier League, Rebecca had decided that it was time to hire another clubhouse attendant. It was honestly kind of sad watching poor Will do all the clubhouse chores by himself while also helping with practices.
When Rebecca brought Matt on, Will was relieved, now he didn’t have to take on as much responsibility as before.
Matt got on pretty well with everyone on the team, and all the coaches, he was nice enough, but when Matt had met you for the first time, and had decided that he was going to pursue you, the team was in shock.
Poor Matt had no idea of course, but it was kind of an unspoken thing that you and Jamie were together. Now, you didn’t use any labels, and you hadn’t even kissed each other, but it was clear to everyone that you were his, and he was yours.
You’d been close with Jamie for a while, and Jamie had thrived in your presence. He was more calm, he was less likely to have emotional outbursts. He seemed happier, hell, he even played better.
The team watched in silence as you danced around your feelings for each other. You were afraid you wouldn’t be enough for the star footballer, and he was afraid of loading all his baggage onto you.
They saw all of your longing glances, all of your fleeting touches. They saw Jamie race to clean himself up after practices so that you’d leave the building at the same time and he could offer to drive you home. They noticed that Jamie had started to keep two jackets in his locker, because you had a habit of forgetting yours.
Needless to say they were surprised when it seemed Matt had decided he was going to shoot his shot with you. Apparently he hadn’t gotten the memo.
It had started when Sam saw Matt hanging around you on the pitch. You’d gone down to talk to Ted, and had caught Matt’s attention. The two of you seemed like you were having a friendly conversation, until Matt’s hand brushed against your arm.
Sam waited until the end of practice that day, and pulled aside a few teammates to talk to them about it. He didn’t want it to get out of hand, especially if it was nothing, but he also didn’t want to see you pulled from Jamie so easily.
He told Isaac and Colin about it, and asked them if they’d noticed it. Both had denied seeing the interaction, but had made sure to keep an eye out.
Sure enough, the next day the pair had caught Matt walking with you down the hall, too close for colleagues. Isaac and Colin returned to Sam, and planned to gather some other Richmond crew. This needed to be stopped.
Operation: Tartt’s Heart was a go.
The group consisted of Sam, Isaac, Colin, Dani, and Jan. The mission: show you that you were destined to be with Jamie, not Matt.
It felt a little odd when you came into the Richmond clubhouse that morning, and were immediately greeted by Isaac and Sam. They were both leaning against the wall near the door, as if they had been waiting for you to come in.
“Good morning boys.” You greeted them.
“Good morning Y/n. How are you today?” Sam asked.
“I’m good Sam, thank you. Is there something the two of you needed?” You asked, shuffling on your feet a bit.
“No.” Isaac responded.
You nodded your head. “Okay then, I’ll see you later.”
You made your way down the hall, and had almost made it to the stairs when Colin swooped into your path.
“Hey Y/n, you going upstairs?” He stood blocking the way.
“I’m trying to, yeah.” You laughed.
“Cool, so am I.” He looped his arm through yours, and started up the steps.
Colin glanced behind him and gave a nod to Sam and Isaac, and shot a glare at Matt, who had been peeking out of the locker room door.
The walk upstairs was a little difficult, the stairs were clearly only built to have a flow of traffic going up and a flow of traffic going down, so having Colin on your arm while others were trying to pass by was a little difficult. Nevertheless you were in a fit of hysterics once at the top. Colin had nearly tripped over his own feet twice, and you had almost knocked into several passerbys.
“Thanks for the help up the stairs Colin.” You managed to get out in between laughs.
“Yeah, of course, always happy to help a friend.” He said.
You watched as he made his way into Doctor Sharon’s office for his weekly session. You walked into yours, then sat down, and got to work.
Not too long after you’d started working there was a soft knock on your door.
“Come in!” You called out.
The door opened to reveal Jamie, still in his street clothes. The black sweater and fanny pack across his chest was a sharp contrast to the light grey walls of your office.
“Hi Jamie, what’s up?” You ask.
Jamie fiddles with his hands a bit, the sleeves of his sweater creating paws over the bottom half of his hands.
“I was just thinking about getting some lunch soon, and I wanted to know if you wanted to come along?” He asks you. His eyes wander over your desk, but come back to you.
“Sure Jamie, I’d love to.” You tell him. You’d been slowly becoming closer with the footballer as of late, and you’d decided it was time to figure out if there was something more between you two or not.
“Great, I’ll see you later.” He says, walking back over to the door.
“Hey, wait, Jamie?” You call him back in. “Are the guys doing okay today? A few of them seemed kind of off earlier?”
“I’m not sure.” He shrugs.
You left your office around the time the team should be taking their consecutive lunch break, and waited in the hall for Jamie.
“Hello Y/n!” Dani greets you, a wide grin on his face.
“Hey Dani!” You wave. “How’s it going?”
“Are you waiting for Jamie? I’ll wait with you.” Dani leans against the wall next to you.
“Dani, you really don’t have to, please, go enjoy your lunch break.” You tried to persuade him.
“Oh, hello Y/n.” Matt greets you, exiting the locker room.
“Hi Matt.” You say.
You could see Dani straighten up out of the corner of your eye. He seemed to be standing taller, and now had his arms crossed over his chest.
“How are you?” Matt asks.
Dani beat you to a response. “They’re waiting for Jamie so they can have lunch together.” He says. Dani’s words were almost cold, like he was angry at Matt about something.
“Uh, yeah.” You furrow your eyebrows, trying to think of something someone could possibly do to upset the always-sunny Dani Rojas.
Jamie comes out of the locker room next, and looks between the three of you, a confused expression on his face.
“Uh, am I interrupting something?” He asks.
“Not at all mi amigo!” Dani replies. He pushed you towards Jamie, who catches you in his arms.
“Thanks.” You breath out, your heart beating rapidly due to the close proximity of the man you have a crush on.
You clear your throat, and pull away from him. You could feel your face heating up a bit.
“Um, is it cold out? I should’ve brought my jacket.” Your eyes are glued to Jamie’s until another person comes stumbling out of the locker room.
Jan Maas now stands in the hallway with the four of you, a Greyhound jacket in his hand.
“Here! Take this!” He thrusts the jacket into your arms.
“Thank you Jan, but I don’t want to take your jacket from you…”
“It’s not mine, it’s Jamie’s.” He gestures to Jamie.
“Did you go through my locker?” Jamie asks eyes wide, a shocked expression on his face.
Jan nods in response, his smile never leaving his face as he does. You can hear Jamie mumbling to himself over and over “don’t be a prick, don’t be a prick”
You turn to face him, and hold up his jacket. “Would it be okay if I borrowed this? If not, that’s okay, I’m sure I can borrow a coat from Keeley.”
“I’ve got an extra coat if you need one.” Matt speaks up, his voice only barely audible above the chaos in the hall.
“No, it’s alright, wear my jacket.” Jamie says, although his eyes are now locked on Matt. Who was this guy to think he could steal you away from him?
“That was a bit weird, right?” You ask Jamie once you’ve made it outside.
The two of you walk down the sidewalk, in search of somewhere to eat.
“Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on with them. All of a sudden it’s like they’ve all lost their fucking minds.” Jamie comments.
You laugh and lean into him a bit, causing Jamie to smile. It takes a lot of willpower to not wrap an arm around you to hold you to him, so he shoves his hands in his pockets.
You find a cute little sandwich shop, and pull Jamie inside. You get in line and order your food, reaching into your pocket for money, when Jamie presses behind you, orders for himself as well, and hands the cashier his card.
“You didn’t have to pay for me.” You tell him. You want to turn around to face him, but he has you trapped between him and the counter.
“That’s alright love, you can get the next one.” He says in your ear. You can practically hear his smirk in his voice.
The two of you sit down at a table and eat your lunch, chatting about everything and nothing. Near the end of your meal you notice a few tables down, a group of five men, all in Richmond jackets.
You lean over the table, and whisper to Jamie. “I think we have a shadow. Well, five shadows.” You nod in the direction of the table.
Jamie turns around, sees his teammates, then turns back to you, rolling his eyes. “Fucking hell.” He sighs. He puts his face in his hands, and you can hear him quietly chanting his mantra again. “Don’t be a prick. Don’t be a prick. Don’t be a prick.”
“Jamie?” He lifts his head to look at you. “Be a prick. For just two seconds.” You tell him.
Jamie stands up, and turns to his teammates, who all try to hide behind their own sandwiches.
“Oi! Would you kindly fuck off?” He points to the door, and suddenly all five of them scurry outside, each one giving you a brief goodbye on their way out.
He sits back down once they’ve all gone, and sighs. You can’t help but laugh and the tired, and slightly annoyed, expression on Jamie’s face.
“They’re twats.” He says, picking at his food.
“They’re sweet.” You retort, still smiling.
“It felt like I was sharing you with half my team.” He grumbles.
“Sharing me?” You ask. Now it’s your turn to smirk.
“Well, I mean,” Jamie stumbles for words. “It just feels like we kinda have this thing going on, if we don’t that’s cool, I just thought that maybe we did and-”
“A thing?” You ask, a teasing lilt to your voice.
“Never mind. It’s nothing.” He shrugs, and continues eating his sandwich. He’s building up a wall around his heart now, to try to keep you out.
You finish your lunch in near silence, making Jamie unsure of himself. Did he screw up? Did he ruin whatever was going on between you? Did you feel weird about him? Questions flew through his head, a mile a minute.
On the walk back to the club, you find yourself pulling Jamie’s jacket tighter around yourself. You can tell he’s tense, keeping his hands in his pockets, walking on the edge of the sidewalk.
Maybe you shouldn’t have teased him. What if he doesn’t like you anymore? Have you just ruined this?
“Jamie?”
He glances at you out of the corner of his eye. You take a deep breath before you continue.
“I like you. As in, I do feel like there’s a thing between us.” You tell him.
Your walk slows down, as if Jamie needs a second to process what you’ve said.
You’re just about ready to melt into the ground from embarrassment, when you feel Jamie’s hand slip into yours. His fingers interlace with yours, and he moves closer to you.
When you walk into the building, hand in hand, the team practically cheers. Well, that is until Jamie shoots them a look, to which they quiet themselves and let him walk you back to your office.
You stop at your door, not wanting to pull yourself away from Jamie just yet.
“You know, if looks could kill you’d be dead.” You tell him.
“What?” He asks.
“Matt. He was practically staring daggers at you.”
“Well he’s just going to have to get used to this.” He lifts your interlocked hands up.
He uses his other hand to cup your face, and slowly brings his lips to meet yours. The kiss is soft, but you can tell Jamie wants more. He moves so that you’re pressed between his body and your door.
You only push him away when you feel his tongue prod at your lips. He whines, his lips still chasing yours.
“You need to get to training.” You say, smirking to yourself.
Jamie’s cheeks are flushed, and his lips are a bright pink color, and a bit swollen.
“Babe, I’m already the star player, I think I can skip a practice.” He tries to kiss you again, but you hold a finger up in front of his lips.
“We can continue this tonight, after our date.” You wink, and push him back toward the stairs.
“We’re dating now?” Jamie asks sarcastically.
“We are if you ever wanna get any further than you just did.” You tell him.
“Yeah, we’re definitely dating.” He nods.
“Go! Get to training!” You laugh, pointing him away.
Jamie rushes back up the few steps you’d managed to get him down, and pecks your lips again.
“I’ll see you after love.” He tells you before he rushes down the stairs, trying to formulate an excuse for his showing up late.
———
When the team see Jamie rush onto the pitch with a new spring in his step, they know.
Operation: Tartt’s Heart was a success.
1K notes · View notes
destinyc1020 · 3 months
Note
Confession: a lot of your anons, and you, are saying exactly what I’m thinking. I think Z unfollowing everyone threw newbies and younger fans for a loop. She’s been saying for a while that social media makes her anxious. I think the strike and postponement of her movies allowed her to see what life is like when she isn’t constantly working. She and Tom were able to continue building their lives together. They decorated their homes. They spent quality time with their families on different continents. Z was able to live without having to post on socials and I think she maybe realized how much she enjoyed being offline. She’s not about to get rid of Instagram, but unfollowing everyone is a way to make going online to post a quick pic about work easier. There are a lot of fans who feel entitled to her life, and messaging her, Darnell, and her family intrusive things. Once Challengers is released, I can see that immature people will flock to the comments, just like they did after a certain scene in TCR.
Z didn’t post about her quick trip to Brazil to attend the con with her Dune cast mates. She did not post the trailer or any of the other BTS clips that were released. She’s really taking a step back (but will be posting about it once her press tour starts). I think she’s largely done using social media for anything other than work. It drives me crazy when people automatically assume that clearing her following is solely about Tom because the signs of her wanting to be less active have been there. Z wants to protect her peace. Her relationship is part of that, but I don’t think that’s the only factor.
It also drives me crazy that some “fans” keep insisting or hoping that a break up happened. The man literally caught on film and emphatically denied a break up. A day afterwards (just last week!), Tom needed no prompting to mention Z in an interview. People just need to let them be and remember that they’ve never been the couple to be caught out and about every week at some hot spot. They genuinely enjoy their privacy.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. 😜 Sorry for the essay. 😅
Thanks for your confession Anon 😅
Although, I will say, I don't think it needed a confession tag since I think most people would agree with you post lol. But anyway, I completely agree 100% with what you just said here. Everything you stated is exactly how I feel as well. I also think fans freaking out about her removing who SHE follows is dumb. Now, if she went and blocked everyone and went PRIVATE, then I would be like: "Oh snap!!!!!!!!!" That would be totally different lol.😅 I don't even know if she would be allowed to do that tbh lol. I think she realized what is more important. And there are plenty of celebrities who don't like social media, and who don't even have social media, and they are doing JUST fine lol.
RE: Breakup rumors... I wish fans would use more common sense smh... 🤦🏾‍♀️ Why on earth would they break up right after they JUST spent the holidays together in London with Tom and his family? 🙄
Second, like you said... Tom emphatically denied any breakup rumors.
Third, as you mentioned, he mentioned her unprompted on the red carpet of the CCA's just last week! At this point, I'm just assuming that people who think they've broken up every 2 seconds are either super naive, or are just engaging in wishful thinking. 🙄
21 notes · View notes
geeky-politics-46 · 3 months
Text
Things that bother & irritate me a stupid amount as a Floridian (& amazingly this has nothing to do with politics)...
When people refer to alligator Loki as a crocodile or call him Croki instead of something like Lokigator.
That is very clearly an alligator. Alligators & crocodiles are very different. I literally see an alligator, maybe every couple of days here in Florida & live within a football field of probably at least a couple. From the coloring to the snout. Very clearly a gator.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Also, no, if you're being chased by an alligator, do not run in zig zags. They won't chase you for very long. They tend to lunge more than really chase.
Thank you for attending my TED talk for non-Floridians.
Tumblr media
23 notes · View notes
majaloveschris · 1 year
Text
Why nothing makes sense part 1.
Relationship edition
I wanted to write a post about why nothing in this story makes sense to me. This is my Ted Talk about why I doubt anything is real while not being delusional.
I think the most suspicious thing is that nobody has ever seen them together. I understand Alba isn't well known and that Chris can lay low. But I found it extremely unlikely that anyone, not a single person, has ever seen them together. If we just consider Chris's fame, people even took pictures of men they mistook for Chris. So in that 1 year they've never gone out to do anything together. Or even if she was sitting at his house in Atlanta, nobody knew about that. Not a single crew member has ever sent a blind to DM or sent an ask here, to anyone. People notice Chris even when he's alone, but especially when he's with someone. I still find it impossible that in this year of them being so in love with each other, nobody has ever seen them together. 
The timing. So according to the article, they've been together for a year now. During this year, the only "evidence" we got were likes and follows. Nothing else. And now, suddenly, after the WN trailer comes out, he likes her posts, even leaves a comment, then the pumpkin picture thing. I'd like to add that he only interacted with her work-related posts. And now, after one year of hiding this relationship, but not really, they realized it was finally time to make it almost official; exactly on the same day, her show came out. These coincidences are crazy! Why did they wait so long? They could've admitted that they'd been together for months prior to this, but they didn't. She wasn't at his friend's, sister's wedding, she never attended a single red carpet event of his. The fact that this article came out on the same day her show premiered makes it suspicious (at least to me). They could've easily announced them being together while doing SMA, why didn't that happen? Did these few days make any difference? I don't think so. 
A lot of people said they wanted to keep this relationship secret. If I want to keep it a secret that I'm in a relationship with someone, I don't interact with their posts, not even the nonpersonal ones, and my family or friends don't follow them. If I want to make a relationship public, I do it. Not with likes or follows, but with words, and by being out together. This whole thing was like them trying to keep this bullshit up so people would speculate about it, but at the same time they never did anything that would really confirm they're a couple. 
A few days ago, after the whole SMA thing, articles and magazines reported that he is single, and People was one of them. The editor of People magazine even said that if he is dating somebody, he will talk about it or people will see him with this person. And now we have this article posted by People. He didn't talk about it, and he was not seen with her, so where is the confirmation then? Just because a source said it. Even if it was his team, it still doesn't mean this is real, they wrote about Lily too, and were they together? No. 
It's been going on for 11 months. They were harassed, called different names, Alba or her team untagged her from Chris-related posts, the laser-focused comment, the SMA single thing, all to kind of make it official they're together, as I previously stated on the same day her show premiered.
I'm pretty sure I left something out, but all in all, the whole timeline of this "relationship" makes zero sense, it doesn't add up. 
Thanks for being here and reading this. I'm trying to be reasonable. 
Tumblr media
162 notes · View notes
sp00ky-p00ky · 8 months
Text
Hello friends!
This is your annual reminder that just because Pumpkin Spice is available, it doesn't need to be in EVERYTHING. Seriously.
I saw pumpkin flavored gum and frosted flakes the other day....
Please stop it. Stop. Right meow.
Also, Apple is the superior fall flavor anyway so yeah 🍎
Thanks for attending my TED talk 😆
35 notes · View notes
Text
Reconstructing the Jess Biel Break-up 2003-2004
Okay, so for those of you averse to "old stuff," look away!
My dive around yesterday that netted that A&F Quarterly snippet also produced receipts on the timeline for the first break-up with JB.
So, they film Cellular together in L.A. starting in September 2003. Chris is obviously filming a lot more than Jess. They do several "couple appearances" that fall: Texas Chainsaw Massacre premiere, Oct 15th; Playstation Tournament, Oct 25th; Halloween party, Oct 31st.
Cellular finished filming at the beginning of November 2003. The break-up happens very close to this time. It was not a good month for Chris. At the end of it, his close childhood friend Matt dies in a freak accident back in their hometown.
At press for Perfect Score release in January 2004, Chris talks about being broken up from Jess.
Tumblr media
Chris attends a pre-Oscars party alone in February 2004.
He's off filming Fierce People in Vancouver between April-May 2004.
He's alone at the premiere for The Notebook in L.A. on June 21, 2004. This is around the time he got the news that he had been cast as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four. In the later HPFA podcast from 2020 he would say that it was a win for him, because "he had just been dumped" at the time.
He goes off to film Fantastic Four in Vancouver in late August 2004.
However, at the same time, he and Jess were back together! By the Cellular press day on August 29, 2004, the director of the movie is saying they are back together and happy:
Tumblr media
So, the break-up seems to have been November 2003 to July/early August 2004 (about nine months). It looks like the first part of their relationship was a little over two years, since it began September 2001 and lasted to this first break.
Thank you for coming to my relationship TED Talk!
49 notes · View notes
Text
So what’s all this then?!
Tumblr media
We’ve been talking about the significance of the number three in relation to Buddie all season. It’s come up consistently throughout s6 especially. The lightning strike arc itself has been 3 eps long, Buck was dead for 3 minutes which was stated repeatedly by Bobby, Maddie, and Buck himself (3 people). And now we have Buck clearly holding his hand up to Eddie using only 3 fingers in the gif above. Uh yeah this is totally a Buddie thing.
Buddie has been drowning in number/math references in general since s3. Buck has had a Southeast Asian math game (mancala) on his coffee table fairly consistently since he moved into his loft. Eddie teases him about not knowing math during his fire marshall days. Eddie himself does Chris’ math homework with Ana in s4, poorly! Josh (the only remaining canonical gay man in the show) came to Buck’s door after the lightning strike with Sudoku, a number puzzle! Yeah you get the picture. Numbers and math represent a lot in the show: knowing your value, learning your worth, solving problems, and “figuring things out”. The Buddie focus with the math and number references is loud.
Back to the number three specifically since Buck is clearly flashing at Eddie in 612. There are lots of places to go for takes on number symbolism. I’m taking the numerology route - which is like astrology but with numbers - because it givens lots of historical, cultural, and whackadoo possibilities lol. I’m totally cherry picking here because of the sheer amount of number lore that exists around the world but the number 3 represents:
From the Cosmopolitan website:
Tumblr media
From the AstroTalk website:
Tumblr media
What stands out to me from the source material I’ve selected is:
Good things come in 3s
3 acts of a story
Curiosity & Communication
Problem solving
On a smaller scale, the scene absolutely have us the beginnings of Buddie communication about their shared/respective traumas. We also got curiosity represented via Buck pointed questions about the shooting. In that same vein we also got some problem solving via Eddie’s main advice to Buck. On a larger scale though, I’m thinking we’re in the 3rd act of Buddie Begins aka the start of confrontation of feelings and resolution for each of them individually and together. We’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: they are slowly but steadily coming together at this point. It’s glorious!
Then we have the good things come in 3s business and you guys (gn) do you know what 3 things are good af??? BUCK + EDDIE + CHRIS = yo family you beautiful idiots! I mean ffs Buck came to the Diaz house, put his feet up, and fell asleep on the couch. Buck is the 3rd member of the family and he/they are on their way to realizing/saying it. Buck showing up with his 3 fingers raised has to mean Buddie has solved the equation and they just don’t quite know it yet!!
Thanks for attending my number/math-flavored Buddie TED Talk 🤡
34 notes · View notes
literaila · 2 months
Note
it's been a while since i last went on one of these rambles about how much i adore you and your writing so here it goes.
so like where do i even begin. everything you write is so so beautiful and captivating amd so full off emotion and like ahisha. because each time i see you've posted something i do my best to read it immediately [even when i should not (exhibit a: when you wrote "still here" and i read it even though i should've been focusing on the seminar i had been attending that day)(exhibit b: when you wrote the little "a typical family" drabble today when i should have been revising for my chem exam)(exhibit c: everytime you posted something while i was at school i read it even though i was in class)]. it's like each letter, each word you write is more spellbinding that the last. and the way particular sentences and and dialogues are inherently you is so gorgeous to me. you are not only the best author i know but also one of the loveliest people i know and i'm so enamoured with you and your writing and everything about and i just ahsjkahakkkkl
that wraps up everything i can put to words right now, thank you for coming to my ted talk
Tumblr media
me to that
3 notes · View notes