noise dept.
Keni
JBB: An Artblog!
Mike Driver
Xuebing Du
hello vonnie
blake kathryn
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Cosmic Funnies
cherry valley forever
Origami Around
Product Placement
Cosimo Galluzzi
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Andulka
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
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Today's Document
trying on a metaphor
🪼
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@paintsart
THE SUN IS ALWAYS SHINING ... but the traffic man — it gets tough!
#𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐓 : an independent character study of TEDDY LEWIS, an original character inspired by SMALL TALK ( 2017 ), BROKEN HEARTS GALLERY ( 2020 ), AMÉLIE ( 2015 ), VICTOR IN PARADISE ( 2020 ), & LA LA LAND ( 2016 ) . illustrated by ray . affil. w/ @showsart !
docs. ic. june young.
The Notebook (2004) dir. Nick Cassavetes
@showsart : Why fall in love, just so you can watch it go away?
PERHAPS IT’S NAIVETY THAT COLORS HIS WORLDVIEW, at the least, he assumes so — the way that june looks at him — but he can’t stop the frown tugs at his lips. ‘ that … that sounds kind of lame, actually. i mean — why are you just assuming that it’ll leave? ’ chin is caught in his hand, and he tilts his head to the side, trying to catch her eyes. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HER. ‘ don’t you feel that thinking like that is just an easy way to set yourself up for failure? like, if you’re expecting to fall out of love, then as soon as you fall in love, it’s already doomed to fail? ’
shoulders roll in a shrug and frown looks more like a pout than an earnest scowl. ‘ i think it’s nice being in love. y’know, the butterflies in your stomach, that warm feeling in your face … it’s sweet — don’t you feel like that? ’
HAPPY GALLERY OPENING
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑶𝑭 𝑴𝒀 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑹𝑬 . ( a series of nsfw prompts , separated by quotes & acts . ‘ my ’ muse belongs to the one who posted the meme . send “ + REVERSE ” to reverse the prompts )
→ WORDS .
❛ i’m sorry , you don’t enjoy being teased ? . ❜ ❛ you know what i’m waiting for . ❜ ❛ keep your hands where they are . ❜ ❛ i want you to ride [ me / my fingers ] . ❜ ❛ you make the prettiest sounds . ❜ ❛ say please . ❜ ❛ i want to make this last . ❜ ❛ look at me . ❜ ❛ i’m yours , only yours - ❜ ❛ yeah , just like that - ❜ ❛ i’ve barely even started . ❜ ❛ i need you . ❜ ❛ god , shut up and fuck me already ! ❜ ❛ god , yes , [ name ] , don’t stop . ❜ ❛ you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to do this . ❜ ❛ who gets to touch you like this ? ❜ ❛ come for me . ❜ ❛ ah , ah - don’t touch . ❜ ❛ brace your hands on the wall . ❜ ❛ could you come like this ? ❜ ❛ please , let me come - ❜ ❛ god , you’re beautiful - ❜ ❛ i’ve been waiting for this all night . ❜ ❛ you’re such a tease . ❜ ❛ take these off . ❜ ❛ i want to feel your [ mouth / fingers ] . ❜ ❛ do you have any idea how good you taste ? ❜ ❛ tell me what you want . ❜ ❛ we shouldn’t - ah , we shouldn’t be doing this . ❜ ❛ faster , [ name ] , i need more . ❜ ❛ is this good ? ❜ ❛ keep your eyes open . ❜ ❛ i can’t wait to find out what else you can do . ❜ ❛ you don’t have to be so gentle . ❜ ❛ i want to hear you beg . ❜ ❛ can i take this off ? ❜ ❛ please , please , please - ❜ ❛ you’re doing so well for me . ❜ ❛ please touch me . ❜ ❛ keep reading , i want to see how long you last . ❜ ❛ i’ll buy you another one . ❜ ❛ say my name . louder . ❜ ❛ i can’t wait any longer . ❜ ❛ you feel so good . ❜ ❛ you’re going to leave a mark - ❜ ❛ touch yourself for me . ❜ ❛ do you deserve it ? ❜ ❛ did i say you could come ? ❜ ❛ i’m so close - ❜ ❛ they’re going to catch us - ❜ ❛ i want you right here . ❜ ❛ we have to be quiet . ❜
→ ACTIONS .
❛ pin . to restrain my muse’s hands during intimacy . ❛ mirror . to have sex with my muse in front of a mirror . ❛ deny . to deny my muse an orgasm . ❛ distance . to have [ phone / video ] sex with my muse . ❛ playlist . to have sex with my muse while music is playing . ❛ paw . to fondle my muse’s [ chest / ass ] . ❛ wall . to pin my muse against a wall . ❛ table . to hoist my muse onto a [ table / counter ] . ❛ clothed . to make my muse come while fully dressed . ❛ finger . to finger my muse . ❛ oral . to give my muse oral . ❛ fervent . to have sex with my muse after a fight . ❛ distraction . to rile my muse up during a film . ❛ mark . to leave marks on my muse [ optional : specify where ] . ❛ tie . to use restraints on my muse during intimacy . ❛ throat . to choke my muse during intimacy . ❛ sparring . for sparring to turn into sex . ❛ toys . to use toys [ vibrator / strap / otherwise ] on my muse . ❛ imagery . to send my muse a risque photo . ❛ drag . to pull my muse closer by a piece of clothing . ❛ tear . to tear a piece of clothing from my muse’s body . ❛ shower . to have sex with my muse in the [ shower / bath ] . ❛ sneaky . to sneak away from a gathering to have sex with my muse . ❛ beg . to make my muse beg . ❛ carnal . to [ scratch / bite ] my muse during intimacy . ❛ preoccupied . to rile my muse up as they [ read / work ] . ❛ jealous . to purposefully make my muse react possessively . ❛ dare . to have sex with my muse based off a dare . ❛ read . to re-enact something from a [ book / show / porn ] with my muse . ❛ collapse . to break a bed during sex with my muse . ❛ caught . to get caught with my muse during sex .
@performsart : ❛ it starts with a sex scene , by the way . ❜
‘ okay, so … ’ there is no version of this conversation that doesn’t end with teddy shoving his entire foot in his mouth, but it’s worth a shot anyway. teddy supplements his stupidity with a sheepish smile, especially as his hand slides back to scratch idly at the back of his neck. ‘ i know i’m more of a, uh, pictures dude … and i don’t … i don’t understand all of that, kind of — PERFORMANCE ART stuff. but you know i love you, and i want to learn — but what the FUCK is tonight’s whole thing about? not one thing you’ve told me has prepared me for the next. i’m terrified. ’
‘ um … hi. ’ he’s never been great alone. teddy’s better in a pair, in a group, with someone, anyone, by his side. this would’ve been much easier to manage two years ago. even a year and a half … it’s fine. teddy clears his throat, unable to bring baby blues to focus straight on the woman seated next to him. ‘ are you, uh — bride or celebrant? ’ he asks the question with confidence, before he catches the fallacy he’s lodged inside it. ‘ or … both. i guess — yeah, that would’ve made more sense. i’m , uh. i’m sage’s friend — i didn’t really know their fiancée — uh, wife, i guess, that well until pretty recently. oh god, i’m TOTALLY bombing this, aren’t i? ’ / @lovehurried
soft lighting scales the tall ceiling, accentuating the various neon signs that scatter across different sections of the room. a punching bag hangs from the ceiling right next to the stairs, a vinyl broken heart plastered right onto it with a pair of deep red, boxing gloves to match for a safe, physical release of emotion. ( one she had used quite a few times since the day they hung it up. ) in one corner, a make-shift photo booth is set up with items donated to the gallery ready to be used; in another corner, a colossal pile of broken dishes from break up fights symbolize the final crack in a relationship. the white board next to the front door allows patrons to leave their love at the door, and already, it’s filled to the brim with messages. two walls are dedicated to video submissions without sound, sheets hung up to create a makeshift feel; to listen, rotary phones sit on a table near the bar that all play a specific set of videos. a stack of antique luggage, the tiniest on top, are open to show it’s gorgeous, velvet insides with slips of paper and pens, notes to exes in the tall, clear box on a luggage cart nearby.
the statement piece sits directly in the middle, where june finds herself now. ( it’s only second best to a small corner in the back, sketches placed diligently in frames right in a spot easily overlooked; it’s june’s favorite part of the entire gallery. ) a vintage, yellow couch surrounded by tiny knickknacks collected from a once-shared apartment, now completed with a giant teddy bear holding a be mine heart that had been bear-napped the week prior by a near-giant. ( it was in the name of love! , teddy attempted to defend himself just the other night. ) just the thought of the conversation elicits a random giggle in the middle of her conversation with her boyfriend - boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend. what? what’s so funny? nothing. just you.
she takes that moment to glance around at the near-full gallery, taking in the laughter and warmth radiating off of everyone … then it hits her: THIS IS A SUCCESS. holy shit, she successfully opened an entire fucking gallery based on her own idea. she just… did it. no permission needed. it fills her body with an intoxicating feeling of pride, one she had never learned to have in herself until now. but then her crystal blues find matching baby blues and somehow, the feeling grows bigger than what her tiny frame can handle ( or frankly, what she’s aloud to do or say in public. ) so instead, june lets her gaze fall to the couch, grinning around her wine-filled glass.
“ IMAGINE HOW WE COULD’VE BEEN IN COLLEGE. high school, even. probably even more unbearable than now. “ an easy joke, one made with lightness, not regret. teddy’s laugh sounds like her favorite song, a melody only he can recreate. “ instead, “ she eggs on. “ we built a whole gallery before we got our shit together. “ she expects his sweet laugh again, one to mirror her own; instead, june finds a soft, lovesick grin that doesn’t hesitate to admit to her: “ YOU WERE WORTH THE WAIT. “
june realizes that there’s no possibility she’s been in love with anyone other than teddy lewis in this moment. when other partners paid a compliment or gazed at her with fondness, it never felt like THIS. breath taken away by a simple sentence, a genuine statement; it’s insatiable, the way she wants him near her always. a week without mental restrictions they put in place themselves and she’s ready to take his last name the second he asks her. she’s known teddy for so long and there’s so much more to him she doesn’t know still. she’s realizing, now, why so many works of art are centered around love; june would create anything that makes him smile.
the brunette has never been great with using her words, much less when her heart felt as if it would burst at the seems. she finds it much easier to bring herself to the tips of her toes and pull him into a gentle, soft kiss. it lingers in the way that feels private if viewed, but feels as if they’re the only two people in the gallery. the broken hearts gallery: a love letter to the hurt, the bruised, the damaged. that’s how june started at the beginning of this journey. but now, in the soft glow of the lights, she thinks maybe, in the end, it’s just as much love letter to teddy lewis.
@paintsart ❛ you were worth the wait.. ❜
@performsart : ❛ he’s an arrogant blonde white man . ❜
JUNE’S TOLD HIM ALREADY ABOUT SITTING ON THE FLOOR. the way teddy sees about it, the rehearsal room — well, not quite rehearsal room … but it’s SORT OF one, right? — the rehearsal room has a carpet. so it’s not the same when he lays down on the floor, legs bent and leaning against a rehearsal cube. a large bristol pad is laid out before him, pencil scratching across the page.
‘ well, y’know. HE WAS ON TV … ’ teddy offers, without looking up from his page. the matter - of - fact statement hangs in the air for a moment, before he looks up to meet alex’s gaze, and he breaks into laughter. ‘ dude, i know he sucks, but junie really likes him, so like … maybe we can just — tolerate it? she’s worth it, right? ’ pencil thrown down, replaced with an eraser he’s plucked from his pile of supplies. ‘ but, yeah, i’m with you on the whole rehearsal thing. kind of a dick move to just ditch you to hang out with his GIRLFRIEND — ’ the word feels bitter on his tongue, and he can’t place why. he’ll unpack that later, probably. maybe. not likely. ‘ — for what it’s worth, i think you sound really great. ’
@greenelight : "teddy, if i didn't ship you with june, i might think your cute. maaaaybe. but it just wasn't in the cards for us, bby. it's not you, it's me."
he can’t stop the gentle laughter if he tried. nor the soft blush that a simple mention of his girlfriend prompts. teddy finds himself in a familiar gesture, baby blues cast downward, sheepish grin pointed towards the floor, fingers brushing through his hair. ‘ y’know, i’m a separate person from junie … i’m still pretty cute on my own. ’ oh, sure, theodore, way to not sound like you’re fishing for compliments.
IT’S FUNNY ; he thinks. had he met mason before he’d met violet, he’s almost CERTAIN he’d have asked him out. ( and it’s not as if teddy could be faulted here — mason was cute ; funny ; a nice breath of air to the mundane. ) but life was a series of closing doors, and all of the doors slammed shut led him to where he was now : waking up every morning in the arms of the love of his life … an engagement ring waiting in his suitcase, still not fully unpacked … HE’S HAPPY, and every single closed door contributed to that. ‘ we would’ve had fun, i think, ’ he offers up anyway, rolling his eyes at the cliche that follows. ‘ i just probably would’ve been a bit TOO MUCH for you to handle. ’ and june said he wouldn’t have a second career in comedy!
greenelight.
nothing winds mason down after a long work week better than a party. well . . . okay , he does better at traditional parties usually held at tight little apartments , but he supposes having a party at an art gallery opening is okay too. the booze is decently tasty & the snack display is alright ━━ definitely not pizza & chips , though not quite as fancy as a charcuterie board either. but who is he to judge or complain ? free food & booze is good when you barely make a living & it’s nice to catch up with everyone who came here , ‘specially since this isn’t a crowd he usually hangs out with on his off days. because of that fact , it’s why he’s been hanging by teddy’s side most of the night , feeling more comfortable with him around than anyone else , especially since he’s known him the longest compared to everyone else here , which isn’t by a lot , but it stands for something , right ?
❝ i feel so naked compared to everyone else in the room. ❞ mason declares as he hides his face behind the glass of wine he carried in his hand ( his third of the evening ). ❝ everyone here looks so nice & fashionable. meanwhile , i still smell like a mix of cat hair & coffee. someone ought to bottle that scent & sell it. i’m sure that’d be a relatable cologne for all theater losers like me. “ he gently nudges teddy in the side , taking another long drink before he empties his glass , staring at it sadly for a minute before continuing onward. ❝ so what’s the plan for tonight , mister lewis ? ❞ mason slurs , grinning madly. ❝ gonna talk my ear off about this gallery showing or are you gonna try to pair me up with one of your art friends again ? dunno if i’m really all that presentable enough for you to play matchmaker tonight , ted. just a fair warning . . . slurring your words isn’t exactly a cute look. i’m in a vulnerable & emotional state ! ❞
( work weeks look different for everybody … to the people he surrounds himself with, it’s 9 - to - 5′s and five days a week. for teddy, well, it’s odd - hours every day of the week. going home after this — time dependent, depends on if he beats june home to the apartment, or if they’ll leave together, hand in hand, inseparable as a unit — will see teddy either seated back with a sketchbook and pencil right back to work. ) it’s supporting june’s openings that provide the much - needed break from his daily routine. HE’S NEVER BEEN QUITE AT HOME AT A GALLERY, never the high - class, art - buying kind of audience. ( well, perhaps he fits into the latter, but the moniker STARVING ARTIST has to come from somewhere, right? ) he adapts well enough, easier to melt into the crowd when he can catch june’s perfect smile, or hear alex’s warm laugh. mason is no different — it’s any sort of connection that he clasps to desperately. appreciatively.
TEDDY’S HAD A GLASS AND A HALF OF WINE — and a sip or two or four of june’s — and the only tell to this extent so far was the warm blush blossoming ‘cross his cheeks. ‘ dude, i’m pretty sure i have like six paint stains on these jeans, you’re SO okay. ’ ignore the deepening blush at the admittance — it’s nearly impossible to find clothing entirely paint - free. it’s messy, he’s messy, but he does put in the best effort he can for her. if for no other reason than that she deserves it, at the least. still, teddy can’t help but laugh, ‘ y’know, i was WONDERING why i felt like sneezing from the second we walked in here — eau de actor … i can see it. ’ smell it? ‘ hey — it’s your call, man. i don’t know this artist, so your take on half this work is good as mine. NOT MY FAULT junie finds the best artists to work with, y’know? EVERYTHING TELLS A STORY, or whatever they like to say — kinda getting that vibe here too … ’ well, that’s certainly a simple precursor to TALKING HIS EAR OFF ABOUT THE GALLERY. ‘ ACTUALLY — this place is swarming with all those tortured artist kinds tonight, ’ he says, with a mirroring grin. ‘ pretty sure that VULNERABLE and EMOTIONAL is what they all thrive off of, isn’t it? ’
sighs .
✦ 𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐃.
dialogue prompts taken from or inspired by the movie PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005). please feel free to change the sentences for pronouns and context as you see fit!
‘ do you not want to know who has taken it? ’
‘ I doubt I have any choice in the matter. ’
‘ have you no compassion for my poor nerves? ’
‘ so will you come to the ball tomorrow? ’
‘ if every person in this room does not end the evening completely in love with you then I am no judge of beauty. ’
‘ they are not all bad. ’
‘ one of these days, someone will catch your eye and then you’ll have to watch your tongue. ’
‘ do you dance? ’
‘ so what do you recommend, to encourage affection? ’
‘ only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony. ’
‘ you’re a great deal too apt to like people in general, you know. ’
‘ I still cannot believe what he said about you. ’
‘ I doubt we shall ever speak again. ’
‘ oh, please! it’s ten in the morning. ’
‘ do not be alarmed. excepting a sore throat, a fever, and a headache there is nothing much wrong with me. ’
‘ good lord, did you walk here? ’
‘ it’s all going according to plan. ’
‘ I never saw such a woman, she would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold. ’
‘ would you consider pride a fault or a virtue? ’
‘ my good opinion, once lost, is lost forever. ’
‘ I don’t know how to thank you. ’
‘ he can turn us out of the house as soon as he pleases. ’
‘ how happy for you, to possess the talent for flattering with such delicacy. ’
‘ shall we all look for some ribbon together? ’
‘ how do you like my ribbons for your ball? ’
‘ you may well be surprised, especially given our cold greeting this afternoon. ’
‘ oh no, it is not for me to be driven away. ’
‘ if you wish to avoid seeing me, you must go, not I. ’
‘ I hope never to encounter him. ’
‘ may I have the next dance? ’
‘ it would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe you for all eternity. ’
‘ please advise me of what you would like most to hear. ’
‘ do you talk as a rule while dancing? ’
‘ I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. ’
‘ why do you ask such a question? ’
‘ and what have you discovered? ’
‘ I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly. ’
‘ I hope to afford you more clarity in the future. ’
‘ what interesting relatives you have. ’
‘ almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companion of my future life. ’
‘ and now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affections. ’
‘ you are too hasty! you forget that I have made no answer. ’
‘ you could not make happy and I’m convinced I’m the last person in the world who could make you happy. ’
‘ go back now and say you’ve changed your mind! ’
‘ there’s no earthly reason why I shouldn’t be as happy with him as any other. ’
‘ not all of us can afford to be romantic. ’
‘ I’ve been offered a comfortable home and protection, there’s a lot to be thankful for. ’
‘ I’m plain and I have no money and no prospects. ’
‘ do not make yourself uneasy, about your apparel. ’
‘ your mother must have been quite a slave to your education. ’
‘ upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. ’
‘ no excellence can be acquired without constant practice. ’
‘ you would be in nobody’s way, you know, in that part of the house. ’
‘ I am well enough acquainted with you, to know I cannot alarm you even should I wish it. ’
‘ I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before. ’
‘ I came to ___ with the single object of seeing you. l had to see you. ’
‘ I love you. Most ardently. ’
‘ I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. ’
‘ I’m sure that the feelings which, as you’ve told me, have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it. ’
‘ might I ask why, with so little endeavour at civility, I am thus repulsed? ’
‘ I suppose you suspect that his fortune had same bearing on the matter? ’
‘ what excuse can you give for your behaviour to him? ’
‘ you take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns! ’
‘ oh yes, your misfortunes have been very great indeed! ’
‘ you have ruined his chances, and yet treat him with sarcasm? ’
‘ so this is your opinion of me! thank you for explaining so fully. ’
‘ and those are the words of a gentleman? ’
‘ from the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, made me realize that you were the last person in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry. ’
‘ I shall not renew the sentiments which were so disgusting to you. ’
‘ what are men, compared to rocks and mountains? ’
‘ believe me, men are either eaten up with arrogance or stupidity, and if they are amiable they’re so easily led that they have no minds of their own whatsoever. ’
‘ take care, my love, that savors strongly of bitterness. ’
‘ I’m so sorry to intrude. they said the house was open for visitors. I had no idea… ’
‘ there is something pleasing about his mouth, when he speaks. ’
‘ you don’t mind delaying our journey for another day? ’
‘ but I know very well that nothing can be done. we have not the smallest hope. ’
‘ would I could help you. ’
‘ sir, I think it is too late. ’
‘ this is grave indeed. I will leave you. ’
‘ I forgot! I shouldn’t have said a word! ’
‘ I’m just glad that you come alone, because then I shall see less of you. ’
‘ not that I’m afraid of myself, but I dread other people’s remarks. ’
‘ oh my goodness! everybody behave naturally. ’
‘ whatever you do, do not appear overbearing. ’
‘ stop that racket and sit down! find yourself some work! ’
‘ oh lord. I shall have a seizure, I’m sure I shall. ’
‘ I return to town tomorrow. ’
‘ so soon? ’
‘ for when you were in town last winter you promised to take a family dinner with us. I have not forgot you see. at least three courses. ’
‘ well, I’m glad that’s over. ’
‘ we can now meet as indifferent acquaintances. ’
‘ you cannot think me so weak as to be in danger now. ’
‘ I think you are in great danger of making him as much in love with you as ever. ’
‘ I know this is all very untoward, but I would like to request the privilege of speaking with you. ’
‘ first, I have to tell you that I have been an unmitigated and comprehensive ass. ’
‘ thank the lord for that! I thought it would never happen. ’
‘ I knew she could not be so beautiful for nothing. ’
‘ can you die of happiness? ’
‘ bravo! that is the most unforgiving speech you’ve ever made. ’
‘ you can be at no loss to understand why I am here. ’
‘ I warn you, I am not to be trifled with. ’
‘ if you believed it impossible, I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. ’
‘ you may ask the questions, which I may not choose to answer. ’
‘ you have insulted me in every possible way and can now have nothing further to say. I must ask you to leave immediately. ’
‘ I have never been thus treated in my entire life. ’
‘ for once in your life, just leave me alone! ’
‘ I couldn’t sleep. ’
‘ how can I ever make amends for such behaviour? ’
‘ you must know — surely you must know, that it was all for you. ’
‘ you are too generous to trifle with me. ’
‘ my affections and wishes have not changed. ’
‘ one word from you will silence me forever. ’
‘ you have bewitched me body and soul and I love and love and love you. ’
‘ I never wish to be parted from you from this day on. ’
‘ your hands are cold. ’
‘ I thought you hated the man. ’
‘ but will that make you happy? ’
‘ I was wrong, entirely wrong about him. ’
‘ you mustn’t tell anyone. he wouldn’t want it. ’
‘ you do love him, don’t you? ’
‘ I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you. ’
‘ and how are you today, my dear? ’
‘ I wish you would not call me “my dear”. ’
‘ what endearments am I allowed? ’
‘ and what shall I call you when I’m cross? ’
‘ how are you this evening, ____ ? ’
@showsart : ‘ we’re not old enough to get married, though. ’
SOME DAYS, it seems like june’s much more at home on his bed than he is. teddy’s focused on the laptop on his lap, legs kicked up onto the bed next to her, as he leans back in his chair. june looks adorable curled up on his bed, surrounded by teddy bears — a collection amassed over the past few years, all presents from his parents and june alike. ( something about him just attracts comedians, he guesses. )
‘ that’s not entirely true, though, ’ he says, face lit up by the dull, soft glow of the laptop screen. baby blues flicker between the computer screen and june, now holding her hand out to inspect the golden ring pop on her finger. he can’t wipe the smile on his face, or suffocate the laughter that’s begun bubbling up in his stomach. ‘ i just looked it up — in the state of new york … it says that sixteen and seventeen year - olds can get married with parents’ permission. so like. WE KINDA ARE. gimme like, five minutes, i’ll go call up the courthouse right now, alright mrs. lewis? ’
HE’S FUCKING TIRED. and he knows she is, too. she gets more done in one day than he’s able to successfully complete in a week. but god, is he exhausted. physically drained, sure. mentally, emotionally? all of the above. they’ve long since moved past can i transfer? as a joke, and are now firmly into how can i transfer? as a question to strategize.
sure, teddy’s apartment is significantly smaller than june and alex’s, but it’s cozy, and it’s ( for the most part, lately, at least ) clean. he lets june take the couch, while he’s comfortable, one leg folded under the other on the floor. he picks at his pad thai, beyond grateful to be able to sit - down for a meal today ; and watches june with smiling baby blues. laughter and ranting fill the room in equal parts, relishing in each other’s company as they dish about shitty exes, and recent dates they’d both been on that had crashed an burned. this topic, teddy wonders, might have stemmed from one of two places : either from teddy bitching about his boss & their department … a not - so - rare occurrence / or from the blossoming courage he’s been working up to ask her out for dinner after work on friday. he’s hoping it’s the latter … he’s hoping it’s mutual.
@showsart : he didn’t like it when i wore high heels
when june rants, she’s electric — fork waving in enthusiastic gestures, warm glow of the table lamp catching on her soft blue eyes. she commands attention … and teddy is more than willing to give whatever he has up to her.
‘ he’s an asshole, ’ teddy says, punctuated with a shrimp shoved in his mouth. he shakes his head, lips curled into a frown. ‘ no, seriously. fuck him. who gives a shit what he thought? thinks, even — he still doesn’t matter. ’ a brief thought flashes through his mind, I LIKE YOU IN HEELS. but that’s not the point. it’s not about what teddy likes, or what mystery asshole number whatever thinks. ‘ you like heels? wear ‘em. i mean, i know you don’t NEED ME to tell you this, but it’s easy — you’re at your sexiest when you do what makes you HAPPY. ’ a short pause, a cough when he realizes just what he’d said exactly, and tries to hide the blush blossoming across his cheeks as he tilts his head down, looking back into his noodles. briefly, he considers how much smarter it would be to shove another forkful into his mouth to prevent himself from having anymore space to shove his foot back in there again. ‘ i’m just saying. people suck. who gives a fuck what they think, right? ’
@showsart : it would be a fine proposition if i was stupid
he’s laughing. june is sitting on her bed, lips in a pout, arms folded across her chest, and teddy’s laughing. CAN YOU BLAME HIM? he’s in his uniform, at least now freshly washed and free of any substantial grass or dirt stains. HALLOWEEN — and there’s a party at jordan harris’ house that they’re going to be late for. HERE THEY ARE : in june’s bedroom, teddy with one arm behind his back, the other holding out a crisply folded pile of clothes. skirt, shell, scrunchie, ribbon. the whole nine yards. A PERFECT UNIFORM, PERFECTLY IN HER SIZE.
‘ c’mon, junie — it’s like, THE PERFECT matching costume. you didn’t like my other suggestions! THIS ONE WORKS! besides, i got one of the girls on the team to help snag a uniform in your size! … you’d really let me have gone through all of that effort for NOTHING? ’
other hand is pulled out from behind his back, one garment held out. ‘ look — i’ll even let you wear my jacket. really look the part, yeah? ’ hand holding the letterman jacket is shaken again, teddy’s stupid grin wider, and brighter. ‘ c’mon, you get changed, i’ll help do your hair, i can even help with your makeup — ’ well, if nothing else, the laugh june breaks into gives him the idea that at least he might have a second career as a comic. ‘ we’ll be, like, the HOTTEST pair at the party, yeah? quarterback and cheer captain? it’s cute. ’ you’re cute.
@showsart : i don’t even know her
‘ violet? she’s — man, she’s great. ’ their apartment isn’t big, not by any stretch of the imagination — but it’s a significant step up from the apartment that he and june had shared together. a couch that teddy can more comfortably stretch his legs out on … not that he could ; boris had claimed that half of the couch, and teddy would be an absolute fool if he thought it meant that he could convince him to move otherwise. as it stands, he’s seated instead, on the arm of couch in the living room, back to the doorway. through the doorway, however, from where she’s seated, june could see the guest room - turned - studio. for a moment, this must look like a perfect profile of teddy lewis, artist. then he laughs, hand moving up to scratch at his neck. no ; this is teddy lewis, june’s old best friend.
‘ i think … i think you’d really like her, y’know? she’s sweet. she’s really smart? i mean, duh. you kinda have to be, to do what she does. medical stuff confuses me — but she’s really smart. uh … she loves animals. we only have boris, ‘cause — he’s kind of a lot to handle … isn’t that right buddy? ’ teddy gets a huff in reply, pup in question stretching out more comfortably, taking up as much of the couch as he can so teddy couldn’t encroach if he tried. ‘ we considered more? y’know, we went to shelters … god, her heart was set on this one lab, bo? his paws were — ’ teddy holds his hands out as if to illustrate, a bright grin coming to his face. ‘ pretty sure once he’s full - grown he’ll be as tall as me. but y’know — at the time, her place was too small — and once we finally moved in here, another family gave him a home. but, y’know. she’s now trying to convince me on a cat. and, like, how am i supposed to say no to her? ’ perfectly illustrated with that soft blush blossoming across his face.
back to the topic at hand. ‘ she got me into, like, all these crime dramas? ‘cause like, she really gets into trying to solve the case before the detectives. she’s really good at it, too. she’s like. television sherlock, i think. not really into like, the fine arts so much, but she does like theatre? theatre, opera, all that kinda stuff. oh my god, so … for our anniversary, we were supposed to go see this ballet that she wanted, right? well, she got called into work and we couldn’t make it, so. do you have any idea the sheer NUMBER of theatre fails that live on youtube? it’s insane. anyways, we ended up just like, marathoning as many of them as we could … anyway, it was cute. she’s cute. i think you guys’d get along really well. ’
