#[[ I shouldn't even be surprised -eyeroll- ]]

[countlessrealities]

Send in 💗 for me to use a love meter to check the compatibility of our muses || Accepting !

@advnterccs sent: 💗 { To your Rick from my Rick bc of dumb reasons }

"F-Fuck yeah, perfect goddamn score!"

He's obviously proud of his little trick. And why shouldn't he? His score is the right one, no doubts there, so the stupid calculator and everyone else can kiss his ass.

"R-Rick's my soulmate, h-he can't be anything less that my perfect match. Y-You got a problem with that? W-Well..." He shows both his middle fingers. "S-Sucks to be you, I-I couldn't care less."

[strangersteddierthings]

I'm thinking of leaving town.

The words bounce around Steve's head endlessly. Eddie had said them so casually. Like it wasn't going to be a big deal to anyone that he leaves.

And logically, it's not. It shouldn't be. Eddie's a high school graduate and no longer a wanted criminal, thanks to the shady government that fucked everything up to begin with. The logical next step is getting out of the town that still hates him, even if they're no longer actively hostile, and make something of himself.

And he's not even the first to go. Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan are all off to their chosen colleges and

And Steve doesn't want to stop him from going. He thinks it'll be great for Eddie. He plans to leave town, too, once the kids graduate.

He just thought he'd have more time. To figure out himself. And Eddie. And if they could be SteveandEddie someday.

So, the words continue to bounce around Steve's head for the next three days, until Robin calls him for their weekly catch-up. He asks about college, and her new crush, a girl named Michelle, and if she's still planning to come back for Christmas break. She asks after him, too, what's going on in his life, how he's liking working at hardware store and is it better or worse than Family Video (it's better), and of course asks after everyone left in town.

"Eddie's thinking of leaving," Steve says.

"Oh. Really?" She sounds confused more than surprised.

"Just thinking. He didn't say for sure, but it's on his mind."

"And how are you taking that?"

"I thought we'd have more time."

"How much more time do you need?" Robin's voice is filled with laughter and he can just imagine the playful eyeroll. "It's been eight months. It took you like five seconds to ask out any girl that flirted with you at Family Video."

"Eddie's different."

"I'm just... it's not like you, to not go after what you want."

"Eddie's important."

There's silence on the other line before, "Important enough to love out loud?"

Oh. Oh.

Robin always knows what to say to get Steve to see the obvious thing in front of him in a way that doesn't make him feel like an idiot. "Yeah. Important enough to love out loud. I'm telling him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Quick turn around, Steve."

"Yeah, well, you're right. I always go after what I want, and I have to tell him before he goes. Even if he decides to still go, at least he'll know."

"Brave."

"No. Brave would have been doing this six months ago when I first looked at him and thought he looked kissable."

"No, that would have been stupid. You had a gay panic to get through and it was better that Eddie wasn't involved. Trust me."

And he does. Vickie was going through the same panic and had Robin and that... well, there's a reason he asks after Michelle and not Vickie.

"Right. Of course. Five months ago, then."

Robin laughs through the line and Steve feels resolve settle in his stomach.

-

Steve goes to the Munson house directly after his shift. Eddie's van is gone but Wayne's pickup is there, so Steve lets himself in, calling a greeting to Wayne.

"In the kitchen," Wayne calls back.

Steve wanders into the kitchen to see him with a rolling pin in hand and an empty pie plate nearby. "Baking?"

"Sometimes you just want a homemade apple pie," Wayne shrugs, "and there are two ways to do that. Woo somebody who will make it for you, or do it yourself. I'm picking the easier option."

Steve laughs, "alright. Need any help?"

"Recipes over there. Apples need peelin'."

Steve washes his hands and gets to work.

The pie is cooked and cooling, and Wayne has migrated to the couch with a beer since Steve offered to whip up supper. Wayne was going to make lasagna, so Steve starts pulling things from cupboards and the fridge and gets to work.

Eddie returns home as Steve is layering the lasagna in the dish.

"Wayne, I see you hired a chef!" Eddie shouts in the general direction of the living room before hopping up to sit on the counter opposite Steve.

Wayne laughs but doesn't say anything in response.

"Hey Eds," Steve flashes him a smile before getting back to dinner. He tops it off with more cheese and then shoves it into the oven. He grabs the dial timer from its spot in the cupboard and sets it before turning to give his full attention to Eddie.

"What brings you over tonight?" Eddie asks.

"I wanted to talk to you. Ask you something, really."

"Moi?" Eddie places a hand on his own chest, fingers spread and voice filled with fake surprise.

"Mmm, the one and only," Steve says, stepping into Eddie's space. Not close enough to touch him, but enough that he doesn't have room to hop back off the counter.

"And what could be so important that you had to make me dinner about it?"

"Would you go on a date with me?"

Eddie's eyes go wide and his mouth opens and closes a few times before snapping closed. He blinks down at Steve, but Steve's patient. He can wait for Eddie to process. "I- what, you're serious?"

"As a bat bite," Steve says, reaching a hand to rest it on Eddie's side, atop where he knows Eddie is scarred in the same way he is. "I thought I'd have all the time in the world to get there. To the asking. We'd get to know each other better. Deeper, I guess. But then. Well, you said you were thinking of leaving. And I realized I don't have all the time in the world."

Eddie's eyes roam Steve's face. Whatever he's looking for he must find because his legs fall open and he reaches for Steve even as he's already stepping into the space Eddie's created for him. "We can have all the time you want, Stevie."

Steve grins. "I don't want to stop you leaving, if that's what you really want. But, maybe we can postpone that? I want to stay close, until the kids graduate, but after that I'd follow you anywhere."

Eddie brings a hand up to Steve's face and before he's even made contact, Steve's shoving his cheek into Eddie's palm, nuzzling at him like a cat. "No need to be following. I'd rather you walk beside me."

"I can do that, too."

"Jesus, Stevie, I can't believe- I mean, I'd hoped, when you came out, but like," Eddie giggles and it's the sweetest sound Steve's ever heard, "like, it's hard to believe you want me back."

"Take it to the bedroom!" Wayne's shout from the living room startles both of them and they burst out laughing when they make eye contact again.

Eddie's other hand joins his first on Steve's face, and he pulls him into a kiss before they're even finished laughing.

[tyxaar-fics]

I wrote a thing vaguely based on Scar’s tweets recounting Grian’s fishing addiction lol.

Fishing spot

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: GoodTimesWithScar & Cubfan135, Grian & GoodTimesWithScar, Cubfan135 & Grian Characters: GoodTimesWithScar, Grian, Cubfan135

If there was anyone who knew what being possessed looked like, it was Hermitcraft's resident Vex population.

"He's still at it, still fishing."

Scar adjusted his binoculars from his perch atop Magic Mountain, eying up where his friend stood unmoving by the inlet. He'd been at it for weeks now, the last break Grian took was to build a little pier space for more fishing, and it was around that point that his suspicions got strong enough to warrant a proper investigation. So, he called in Cub for company.

"That makes it... three days at this point, three days of fishing without breaks. No sleeping, either." Cub muttered as he made a note in a little chart they were putting together. Scar didn't think it was needed, but a record didn't hurt he supposed.

Grian pulled in something, a salmon? Certainly a fish of some kind, and dumped it in a barrel before throwing his cast again. Some of their friends occasionally joined him in his fishing, (Gem seemed strangely into it as well, something else to investigate.) but other than that, everyone was running around, making traps, mining, and were just generally too busy feeling the high of a new world to really notice just how strange and off-seeming Grian was being. Even when he wasn't fishing, he seemed to itch to go back to it, a weird pull towards the ocean. He always carried his rod and tackle box around now.

Scar put the binoculars down and rubbed his eyes, he probably shouldn't stare through them for so long, but this was fascinating.

"I told you Cub, he's possessed! Do you think whatever's got him is also behind Big Salmon?"

That got an eyeroll out of his friend. "Nah man that’s just a joke that got out of hand." 

"Well, that’s just what Big Salmon wants you to think."

Cub chuckled slightly at the comeback, leaning back on the grassy cliff.

"That's some definite possession right there though. He seems to have some partial control in more lucid moments, but the ocean’s got him good."

Scar blew a cherry petal from his nose and flopped down on the grass as well. 

"I told you the fishing wasn't normal. You know Cub, I'm surprised you're not trying to get your claws on whatever's got theirs in Grian given your track record.”

As they chatted absentmindedly on the mountaintop, it occurred to Scar that anyone else would probably be taking the situation more seriously. After all, a friend of theirs had been possessed by some strange entity binding him to the ocean and it clearly didn't care about Grian's wellbeing, given that he hadn't slept in three days and only ate raw fish. Every part of this should be concerning.

But, Scar and Cub were exactly the wrong people to get concerned. After all, it'd been years since their Pact with the Vex and those first couple times waking up 500 blocks from their beds and panicking, and the feeling of giving in to the Hunger when it got too much… It was old news, that. The Convex were intimately familiar with the feeling of drifting to the back of your head and letting something else take your body and mind for itself, as well as the strange empty euphoria that came with it. Eventually, they just... got used to being possessed every now and again. It was just how life came and went now. Perhaps it was why Scar so eagerly gave in to the Boogey curse and red haze when they came during the games.

"Fishing is fun, but I’m good. I also don’t think the Vex would like me to be taken by the ocean." Cub gave another eyeroll and went back to reading through their Grian fishing notes again.

There was an argument to be made that his fellow Vex had gotten addicted to it, the feeling of being possessed. He denied it, but Scar knew better than most. After all, he seemed positively eager to let himself be taken by the Skulk, the infection spreading and taking root far quicker than one would expect. And a similar situation also happened with the Pharaoh. Not even mentioning that when Demise came both times Cub went overboard, he gave in to the violence and the traps. Scar could practically feel the buzzing bloodied magic wrapping its claws around his friend's mind.

Regardless, this wasn’t them this time, it was Grian. He was new to the whole thing. Scar frowned slightly and sat back up to take another look at his angler friend.

”Do you think we should be more worried?”

”Hm?” Cub paused his note-taking to glance over.

“Do you think we should be worried that Grian’s possessed?” He waved towards the pier, where Grian was busy reeling in a particularly stubborn catch. ”I mean, it doesn’t seem to be taking good care of his body.”

Cub seemed to take some pause and consider that fact, staring at Grian for a few seconds. “Uuh maybe? I dunno how worried we should be, Scar. If he gets that enchantment he wants and doesn’t stop the fishing it might be good to intervene.”

He gave a nod in agreement. ”Sounds like a plan.”

Scar then flopped back down on the cherry-scattered grass, letting the sun dance through the petals falling on his face and taking in the soft evening light. Cub and him would continue their watch from from atop the cliff and keep an eye on any developments for a while. Although, now seemed like a perfect time for a nap amongst the blossoms.

After all, it’s rude to try and take away what something else had claimed for itself. The ocean could keep Grian for now.

[modern-inheritance]

Random Bits of Writing #6: Some Credit

(A/N: This takes place well before Arya and Eragon become a couple, but they're at a very easy and very good point in their friendship, where Eragon is pretty much almost at Glen and Brom's level for how Arya sees him in her 'war family' in a way. Saphira's always been way up there, but it's been a decent amount of time and Eragon has regained her trust after the whole Bloodoath thing. Everyone has been looped into a black tie fundraiser in Surda to try and get in some more support for the war effort, and Arya was volun-told to be Eragon's platonic date to keep an eye on him and keep others/strangers from dancing with him to keep him as safe as possible. They both have perfected their outer masks for how to look and behave at official events, and they're doing their best to keep them up while also chatting on the way there. I bashed this out in 15 minutes, so it's crap but I had fun.)

~~~

"I promise I won't embarrass you." Eragon smiled as the elf took his offered arm. Together they walked the entrance, simply two more people in the sea of faces that were streaming towards the massive courtyard lit with golden lamps and shimmering with faint music. Saphira's bulk was already curled in one of the open corners, her scales reflecting the lights in a beautiful display.

Arya shook her head with a soft smile at his assurance. Even as she did, her eyes never stopped scanning the people around them, roving across hands and faces and ceremonial blades. "Hate to say it, but I'll probably be the one embarrassing you. It's been a long time since we've had one of these." At that thought the smile faltered, though only just long enough for Eragon's sharp eye to catch it before it returned.

The young Rider nodded to a passing nobleman, murmuring through his false flash of teeth, "I'm guessing you and Fäolin were a pretty stunning sight for all these folks." He found himself somewhat surprised that the dead elf’s name didn’t bring any flash of jealousy. Instead he felt some odd sense of warmth, almost like the soothing peace before finally falling asleep. Happy that she had someone, even if he was gone now. 

If she noticed his different tone, Arya showed no sign of it. She kept that little grin at her lips, the nearly coy expression of a hastily selected piece of arm candy that many of the noblewomen around them held. A mask to hide the sharp steel of two blades down the sides of her flat soled boots and the pistol strapped to her leg beneath the high collared black dress. “I couldn’t show favoritism. Glen, Fäolin and I were a packaged deal or we didn’t dance at all.” The grin took on more of a smirk, the very tips of draconic teeth showing as she suppressed an eyeroll Eragon could practically feel in a tiny shiver up the arm that wrapped around his own and heard in the dry tone creeping into her voice. “‘Course, if I showed up with or danced with any man we could hear half the place whispering about how I must be sleeping with him. I swear the Surdan court has nothing else to talk about besides who’s ffff…flouting about with who.”

A choked off wheeze snuck past Eragon’s guard at Arya’s quickly caught swearing. Oh, she was trying very hard not to be herself. “Well, that shouldn't be a problem tonight. Everyone here knows you’re a bodyguard for Saphira and me, and I’m pretty sure they all know we’re close friends.” As if summoned by his mention of Arya’s true duties, a couple moved to brush by the pair. With practiced ease, Arya shifted her stance, pushed Eragon just enough in the direction she needed to force them to squeeze past her side rather than his. “And it’s open war right now. I doubt anyone thinks you of all people are sleeping with anyone considering your service history.” It was his turn to smirk, a slight blush on his cheeks as boldness in their familiarity still made his heart patter just a little faster. “Not that I would know if you were sleeping with anyone.”

At that Arya let out a genuine laugh, and Eragon could not help but rip his gaze from the crowd ahead to take her in. There was warmth in her eyes, enough to break through that familiar happy squint as she covered her mouth to try and stifle the sound. For once nothing escaped her braid, carefully combed back and done in a traditional crested braid style that ran from the front of her forehead and down her back after much fussing over from Glen. Damn it, she looked stunning in an altogether different way than he usually saw. And while she glowed in the low light and looked every bit a goddess to him…he wished more of her true self shone out of this odd, put together facade that they both had to play in official events. Give him a goddess of war any day, and as long as it was her….

“No. No, I’m too busy.” Arya’s voice, still bubbling with laughter, shook Eragon from his reverie. There was the familiar smile, the wild fire in her eyes and feral love of life gleaming in the sharp teeth she bared. A flash, a moment, only for them to share as she leaned in closer and hugged his upper arm to playfully growl, “I spend all my time having to watch over this whelp of a Rider that’s got such a taste for trouble that his dragon has twice the wit he does and even more brains in her head after how many times people have tried to bash his in.”

Eragon barked out a laugh of his own. “Oh, owch, Major! Credit where credit’s due!” Arya just beamed at him, and he had to stop himself from jumping when she subtly pinched his ribs through his suit coat. “Saphira has at least three times my wit!”

[starseneyes]

Chenford- Lucy Chen / Tim Bradford - The Rookie - Season 5 - Ep 12

"Death Notice" aka "Bow Chicka Bow Wow"

SPOILER ALERT: If y'all wanna stay un-spoiled. Run. Just run. I say this with all love, but this is not the place to be. I am going to spoil EVERY SINGLE DETAIL that I notice. But, if you want to digest every morsel of deliciousness with me, come on in!

How'd it all shake out? Let's dive in!

Riding in an Elevator

Let's just call out Tim for stopping the elevator for Lucy, and her little breathless, "thanks". These two are adorbs. Also, shoutout to the makeup, hair, and costume departments who put a lot of work into this scene.

And Tim's eyeroll on the "Detectives" line? I was rolling.

Tamara and Lucy

FINALLY getting to see Tamara, again!

"You're here." "I live here. "I went to bed at one and you still weren't home. "Oh, I came home around then. I must've just missed you. Trivia went late." "And how was Trivia?"

Let's be real. The entire point of this conversation is that Tamara wants to let her know that she's onto Lucy. Tamara wants to talk about this new development, considering last she knew of Tim and Lucy was "This is work" when she caught them macking in the living room.

And Tamara is never going to judge Lucy, and will always give her space. But, it's about time the gal came clean with someone.

"You are such a smooth liar. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, all that undercover training." "I'm not lying. "I saw Tim drop you off."

I love the fact that Lucy literally drops the weight she's been carrying. Not only that, she slides around to sit on the couch and dish with her roomie about her new boyfriend.

Lucy crosses from behind the couch that was separating them and sits on it, leaning down to chat with Tamara. The camera moves down with her, the audience settling in with Lucy.

"Thank God. I am so over coming up with cover stories." "Why the big secret? You're both single." "I mean, we're just keeping things under wraps until we figure things out."

There are so many layers and levels here to the why. But this implies that Tim and Lucy don't want to go public until they have a gameplan. And that really makes sense for both their personalities.

I've seen folks ask, "Why is Tim so cool with this secret dating thing?" Do you know how weird it can be when friends start dating and they spend every. freakin. day. around their other friends? Everyone has an opinion.

Tim doesn't mind delaying that a bit longer. Same with Lucy. But, also, this is a huge transition. Even though they're both secure in the knowledge that they want one another, and they have years of history, they have to figure out who they are together.

"We're not sleeping together." "Why not?"

First off, the music cue had me rolling. Oh. My. Goodness. Director, Editor, whoever came up with that idea? Thank you. I had a much needed giggle.

But, also, remember that this is strange behavior for Lucy. Lucy isn't a one-night-stand girl, but she's also not a "dating you but not doing you" girl.

Tamara's gotta be wondering if Tim misfires or something, at this point, because there ain't no other reason she can think of that Lucy hasn't torn those clothes off by now.

And this is part of the maturity of Tim and Lucy's relationship that I love. They don't need to be sleeping together to be fully committed, but they're also not rushing to get to that moment.

"We're taking it slow. We want to do this right." "So, you're not sure how you feel?" "I know exactly how I feel. I mean, this is the most amazing relationship I've been in since, ever."

Oooh, the "r" word returns. Lucy tried to talk to Tim about their relationship on her last day riding with him as a Rookie and the man was not a fan of putting a label on it.

But, it's also important to note that Tim and Lucy have been dating a matter of weeks and she already knows this is the best relationship of her life. Not only the most important. Best.

"Okay. And you're waiting why… again?"

I hear Tamara's point! If y'all are on the same page and completely committed, why aren't clothes flying through our living room? For one, Tamara might want to get a look at Tim's bare chest in Jackson's honor. For two, what's the hold-up, lady?

I've talked a lot about them savoring this relationship. But, I also think Lucy has been using the "taking it slow" idea as an excuse so she doesn't have to think about the roadblock in her way.

Think about it. Lucy couldn't process through whether or not to date Emmett, so she needed to talk it out with Tim. Lucy couldn't process why she didn't want to move in with Chris until she talked it out with Tim.

What Lucy needs to do is talk it out with Tim. But, Tamara's push is taking Lucy in a different direction. It's not a bad direction.

They could have slept together and it wouldn't have wrecked anything. But, I think the security they have at the end of the episode (Yes, I'm skipping a little... go with me, here) is what Lucy needed.

Tim isn't facing the issue of their professional relationship. This whole episode demonstrates that. They need to take care of that power imbalance, because if they don't, then there's no point in any of this.

To truly be together, there were three things that had to go as outlined by Tim in Season 5, Episode 1. "I'm dating Ashley. And Lucy is with Chris. And I'm her Superior Officer, so..."

Tim told us himself what has to go for them to truly be together. And it's that last one that's still in their way, whether they acknowledge it or not.

"Morning." "Morning."

First, I have to say I love to see them greeting one another fully. Back in 5x06, Lucy kept trying to tell Tim "Good morning" and he kept looking past her or trying to avoid it. Because he was trying to avoid her and his feelings for her.

But that particular obstacle is out of the way because Tim knows how she feels about him and Lucy knows how he feels about her.

Now to the part y'all thirsty folks really care about:

Hands. Glorious hands. Wandering, sexual-desire filled HANDS. Lucy holds her keys in both hands so she can release one as she sidles up alongside Tim. Tim taps on her thigh with his fingers, a little, "hey, honey". Then he tries to catch her finger with his pinkie. In broad daylight. In front of the station. Are you insane, Tim Bradford?!

They can't keep their hands to themselves! Y'all, these two are outside a police station where they both work. Before they were dating, they would stand outside with at least enough room for the entire Holy Trinity. Now, they're practically walking on top of each other and "sneaking" in touches.

But nobody's gonna notice? Yeah, right!!

Tim seems to finally remember himself and wipe that gorgeous grin off of his face. But, oy, I love seeing him so happy!

Both of them quickly make fists with their hands after the initial contact, and Tim even presses his hand against his pocket as though checking for his keys.

But it's Tim's smile that I can't stop rewinding and watching. Look. At. Our. Boy. Have we ever seen him so happy? Tim is beaming and all they did was barely brush one another.

Because much as the physical is amazing, it's about simply being close to the person who makes you happiest in the world. Lucy is Tim's person and he gets to touch her and have secret moments with her.

He's no longer pining across the parking lot. He's walking alongside her knowing she is his as he is hers. And, let's be real, this isn't about being possessive. Lucy isn't a purse any more than Tim is a wallet. It's about knowing that this person is your person. And Tim and Lucy are each other's.

And don’t think I didn’t peep the ring. Lucy chose to put that on this morning when she told him it was naked time, just like she did when she came to the station to tell him Chris was out of the way. The streak continues!

Folks... I haven't made it past the first two words of the scene... Y'all know this is gonna be a looooong one. I hope you have snacks!

"Ummm."

Look how Tim is still smiling as he leans his head closer to hear what she's going to say. So cute.

"Tonight is the night."

Tim was not expecting that. I'm not saying that he doesn't want to add that layer to their relationship. I'm simply saying he wasn't expecting her to announce it in the parking lot at work.

"Oh, really?"

Look at that man's quizzical brow. He wants to be sure he understands perfectly, that he's not misunderstanding. Because, come on, he misread things once before and Lucy set him straight. They've been on the same page for a while, now, and he wants to be sure they still are.

Lucy, meanwhile, has already planned out the outfit she's going to wear when he finally undresses her. Come on. You know she has. After the disaster of running late to their first date because she couldn't pick an outfit, Lucy can't be late to her own apartment.

Lucy's got a plan, and she's ready for her man. Wow, Dr. Suess just got a kinky upgrade, and I didn't even intend it! Anyway...

"Yes. Really."

Come-hither Lucy has made her appearance, folks. Yowza!! The Velvet Voice has traded places, and Lucy is already seducing her man... in the parking lot.

And poor Tim can't even see the way she's looking at him... Like he's whip cream and her tongue can't get enough. Like he's a chai latte and she wants to drink every last drop. Like he's... Okay, you get it. Lucy's got it bad for Tim Bradford and I am here for it!

"My place or yours?"

With doubt out of the way, Tim is wasting no time. And I'm proud of him for it! He is so fully committed to this relationship, and so is she, and it really shows in the confidence they both have.

Let's talk about that for a second. Lucy doesn't look to the future with the guys she dates. She doesn't want labels. She doesn't want to meet the parents. She doesn't invest in the relationship because it's never been worth it before.

Tim is the exception. In the past, it was Tim who didn't want to label their "relationship" (partnership... mentorship), but Lucy has always put a label on it. Even when she blurted out her feelings, she labeled it a "relationship". That was while she was still dating her "work in progress".

Because it's different with Tim. She doesn't want to rush into bed because she wants to savor every second of this. I've said it before, but when you know it's your last anything... you savor it a bit more.

Lucy's already half-joking about grandchildren, and thinking about their future together. She has the confidence that this is built to last—and Tim does, too.

We've talked throughout the series about Lucy's issues with second-guessing, but Tim has his own self-esteem issues. He trusts himself as a cop explicitly, but as a man, far less.

That's why he was so cautious coaching Little League, why he minimizes himself and his wants in relationships. He's so afraid of being his father. He doesn't trust who he is outside of the job.

Lucy has helped him find himself, again. She helped him go after his dreams of Sergeant. She prevented him from sacrificing himself to protect Isabelle. She had his back with the false-fender-bender. I could keep going, but I'll stop.

The broken pieces of a man are almost impossible to put together, but like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, there is a way to mend them into something whole and beautiful. Different from what it was before, but no less complete.

Tim helped Lucy find surety in her decisions, sure, but she helped him find confidence in himself. They balance one another so beautifully, and in the light of one another's love, they're blossoming.

Tim is confident in who he is with Lucy. Lucy is confident in who she is with Tim. There's the promise of forever without the discussion. Because it isn't needed. They both knew as soon as they took this risk, it was all or nothing.

And now, they're taking the next step in their relationship, together.

"Jealous dog or nosy roommate?"

Kojo! Oh, Kojo is going to be so happy that his Mommy and Daddy are finally together. That poor pups been sitting there thinking, "When is the blonde lady who tastes gritty going to leave so I can get Mommy back?" Well, baby boy, your Mommy is coming home.

Just not tonight.

"Tamara knows." "What? You told her?" "No. She has eyes. I didn't have to."

Let's be real. Anybody with eyes (not you, Nolan) knows what's going on here. Tim's been smiley. Lucy and he are now glued to the hip out-of-uniform. He's doing an awful lot of "nothing".

"But she is staying at her friend's tonight. So…"

Suddenly Tamara's knowledge about them is a good thing. "I should go," Tamara once said... No worrying about her walking in on them this time.

And, look, I know some people really wanted to see Tamara catching them. But we already got that in S4 and it was hilariously done.

Not everything has to happen on-camera. Not every item on our wish lists will be fulfilled. And that's okay. This isn't the Chenford show (much as my Metas might suggest otherwise).

That's what fanfics are for! And, believe it or not, I wrote quite a bit back in my college days, mostly for Alias.

We are going to see some gooooooood stuff on-screen, even if we don't get everything we want. So, stick around, eh?

Side Note: It sounds like Eric has a cold! They really mean “the show must go on”. I once did a show with a fever of 102. I knew I wasn’t feeling great but had no idea how bad it was until I got off the stage. Performing’s a funny profession!

Grey whisks in, reminding me I'm supposed to be talking about Chenford and not me. Yikes! Let me get my focus back.

Tim and Lucy need that same splash of cold water because they are looking at one another and Lucy's doing that thing where she presses her lips together while thinking about Tim that is doing things to our boy.

"Mm, this is gonna be awkward. " "It doesn't have to be. We've ridden together hundreds of times." "Never as a couple."

Oooh, we've graduated! First it was "we're dating", then we got the "relationship" mention to Tamara, and now we've got the "couple" label. Nice!

Why am I making such a big deal about this? Lucy doesn't do labels. In that past she did, we know, because she mentions her boyfriends never being good enough for her mother. But with her guys in this show? Nope!

She wanted to keep things casual with Nolan and wouldn't leave her stuff at his place. Emmett was not her boyfriend, as she stated many times. Chris was her "work in progress".

Tim is a labels guy. He likes things to have boxes and labels and organization. His house is very put together and uncluttered.

But I feel like he is taking her lead on this. He knows Lucy. She doesn't do labels. But she does with Tim. Because Tim is the one she's been waiting for... she just didn't know it.

"So, are you telling me you're not gonna be thinking about tonight?" "Not at all. Thank you." "Me, neither."

It's like an un-said bet, except she is totally checking out his ass.

Also, Lucy and Tim opening doors for one another. Wow, is that a metaphor for this episode. Lots of opening and closing doors all over the place.

It started with the elevator with Tim making sure it stayed open and letting Lucy go first. Here, Lucy's the one opening the door for Tim.

Their whole relationship is littered with opening and closing doors. And this entire episode (much as the theme seems to be "judgment" and "the choices we make") is about opening and closing doors.

"I could tell Grey that I got food poisoning." "Just to get out of riding with me?" "I mean, I get the day off. We avoid all this weirdness. Wins all around." "You're overthinking this. We leave our personal life at the door, just like always" "Oh, And you can just shut it off?"

Lucy is the one thinking clearly, here. Look, I love Tim. He's my favorite character (Lucy is a very close second), but he's not facing reality. The reality is—something has to change.

And, oh, that is scary for a person who grew up with instability and clings to what is known and safe. The minute he acknowledges this problem, he won't be able to ignore it, and then they have to face it, and then everything has to change.

"At 7:59, I'm your girlfriend. At 8:01, I'm your, what? Your subordinate?

What. Did. You. Just. SAY!?!?! Lucy Chen, who has resisted calling any of the guys we've seen her date a "boyfriend" just self-identified at Tim Bradford's girlfriend.

I'm gonna need a minute, here. Because, OH MY GOSH IT HAPPENED!

I should save that for later, right? Right.

But, nope, I'm losing it. I'm squeeling into a pillow trying not to alert my kids so they run into the room saying, "Mama, Mama!" and then I miss what's next. Because Lucy bad*ass Chen just called herself Tim Bradford's girlfriend.

They've been dating three weeks! Remember Lucy's initial response to why she didn't love Chris when Tim asked. She said they hadn't been together long.

But everything is different with Tim. And it always will be. They were carved from opposite sides of the same stone, destined to reunite when the time was right. Or, we might take Plato's nod and think of the one being split into two, destined to search for their other halves.

"Really?" *models herself* "My duty belt. My taser is on the wrong side. Usually, you'd be all over me for that."

I admit, I didn't notice. Crap. I'm as in love with her as Tim is!

"You did that on purpose? You don't do Tim Tests. I do Tim Tests." "Well, that's 'cause this isn't a Tim Test. It's a Lucy Lesson. And, admit it, you're taking it easy on me. We're not even on duty, yet, and our dynamic has changed."

Damn, Lucy! Holding him accountable!! But I love Tim blowing air out as she said, "Lucy Lesson". He's so exasperated with his woman.

Lucy taps his arm, and I must applaud her restraint. It's definitely a "on-duty Lucy" touch in that her hand is open and barely connects with his arm. But, she's trying to check him.

"Get in the car." "It's called a Shop."

Much as I hate the point, she's absolutely right. Tim and Lucy on-duty dynamic together has changed. And it has to.

"You haven't noticed?" "What? That you're carrying your coffee in your gun hand? Of course, I did. I just haven't said anything because these Lucy Lessons are pointless." "You really don't think you're treating me differently?"

First off, Lucy's touch lingers, this time. Much as she's telling Tim that their dynamic has changed (and he does need to acknowledge it), she's demonstrating it accidentally as much as on-purpose.

Also, remember Tim barking at Lucy for holding her radio in her gun hand in front of Emmett? And how Lucy was angry at Emmett for making an issue of it, because Tim was technically the in the right?

That's where my brain goes, immediately. He rarely goes soft on her, and she always notices. But now Tim Bradford is f*cking mush around his lady.

Tim wants so badly for this not be an issue. It reminds me of him at the restaurant trying not to react to the two men arguing, hoping that it would go away. If he doesn't acknowledge it, it doesn't have to be faced... but this has to be faced.

"You're not a Rookie. You want to change up your duty belt, carry your coffee in your right hand, it's up to you. You know. This isn't about us. I'd give Thornsen the same leeway."

*cough* BULLSHIT *cough*

"This is robbery. Wait a minute, you had your gun! This is armed robbery." "I'm sure your earrings will come up. We will call you when we have them." "I want a receipt" "We don't issue receipts. Look, it's all in the report. If you want to file a complaint, you can do so at the front desk on your way out." "I didn't take the earrings." "I know."

Tim will never accuse you of stealing, but this is a big deal. And Lucy knows it. Tim knows it, too, but he wants to do whatever he can to save her.

FAST FORWARD: And, let's be clear, after exhausting every avenue, he was going to do it... to report her. But he was going to try everything in his power, first.

"God, I've been so focused on us. Did I screw up?"

Damn. This hits hard. Poor Lucy always does her best to do it by the book, the way Tim taught her. Where did the earrings go? Tim doesn't want to acknowledge it, but you can see how soft his eyes go, immediately. He's worried for her. He's not thinking about the earrings—he's thinking about Lucy.

FAST FORWARD: And, yes, I've seen the whole episode, now, so I know. But... I like to write these as though it's the first time. And the first time, I should have seen that Lucy Lesson coming.

I mean, it was so beautifully set up with Tamara commenting on Lucy's ability to lie so smoothly, and then with the string of Lucy Lessons. I should have seen it coming, but I admit I expected the worst and didn't.

I truly expect ships I love to go through horrible pain and be destroyed. I'm learning to trust The Rookie more as the show goes on, but I have a lot of harnessed distrust there to dislodge.

"We'll keep checking until we find them." "Wait, wait, okay. Look. You need to file a memorandum with the chief. It's protocol. I get it." "We're not there, yet."

Tim is avoiding. He's trying to hard to not have to face it. And Lucy's the one being practical, here. She can see that Tim is treating her differently and she knows it can't be that way.

He doesn't want to face it. He once felt responsible for pushing her towards a serial killer. We saw how unhinged he was, and they were nowhere near this level in their relationship, now. If he is the one to write her up and it tanks her career... He'd blame himself.

"Well, how long can it wait?" "I have discretion with things like this. We find the earrings no paperwork necessary." "But if we don't you need to report me to IA." "Maybe janitorial swept them up."

Lucy can see what Tim is clearly (yes, I used their word) missing, here. But she's trying to let him get their on his own. Talking to him about it was getting nowhere, so she changed tactics.

And I love how this is shot. It's giving me major CSI Grissom/Sara vibes. Flashlights and searching while dealing with tension and romance? Yeah, I've got a type.

But, seriously, there's such simplicity in the matching over-the-shoulder shots of them, on opposite sides of this issue, but still very much in line with one another. I love the symbolism, intentional or not.

"We canceled our date." "What happened?" "Well, Tim and I rode together today and it really drove home all of the problems with dating your boss." "It did seem tricky, but I didn't want to say anything. Does that mean you guys are breaking up?" "No."

No hesitation from Lucy. Look, I love Tamara (and her relationship with Lucy is one of my absolute favorites on the show). But, Tamara's view of relationships is filtered through her own experience.

Come on, all of us filter how we see Tim and Lucy through our own experiences, for better or worse. But those once-in-a-lifetime relationships are different. They change how you see your future because for the first time there is a future with that other person.

Tamara hasn't experienced that herself, yet, and based on what she's seen with Lucy, none of her other guys really stuck.

Tamara's known about this relationship one day, so she doesn't know all the details or struggles Tim and Lucy had getting to this point. There's no going back for Tim and Lucy. It isn't even a consideration.

"We'll figure out how to make it work. " "Great. How?"

This is tricky. This is tough. Tim and Lucy have to figure this out, and do it now. There's no more time to put it off, to pretend it's not an issue, to ignore what they know to be true.

Tim puts the people he loves ahead of everything because they are so few and far between.

He didn't want to coach Little League for two seconds, because just being on that field in that position risked him becoming his father.

We all know that risk is near impossible, but Tim doesn't. As a child of abuse, he's haunted by what he's survived and terrified of becoming it.

He will do whatever he needs to for Lucy... but that doesn't make it right. With Isabelle, he was about to go over that line if not for Lucy. We know he's capable.

And, to be fair to Tim, when there was no other recourse, he was willing to do what was right in this case. He hated it, but he was going to do it. Because he is still the man he was... thanks to Lucy.

"Lucy! Your boyfriend's here."

I love Tim's face on "boyfriend". This is likely the first time he's heard himself called Lucy's boyfriend, and it just makes me giggle every time I see it.

Tim has his hands in his pockets, much as he did the last time he stood outside this door, urging her to go to UC school as she feared he was pushing her away.

"Did she tell you I figured it out on my own? I'd make a great detective." "I have no doubt."

Such an interesting quirk to hear Tim echo those words in that doorway, again. Last time it was to Chris about Lucy's level of care. This time, it's about Tamara.

So, I have to believe that on some level, he means it. And that could be a very interesting turn of events if they ever wanted to take Tamara down the path of becoming "the rookie" since they try to have someone in a "rookie" position each season.

"Hey, I thought we canceled." "Uh, we didn't." "Oh."

Now that Lucy doesn't have to hide from Tamara, she goes in for the hug. And I love the way Tim's head ends up in the crook of her arm. It reminds me of the hug from Breakdown in Season 4.

It's like he's nestling into her. Because, it takes effort for him to bend down to that level. I'm always fascinated watching tall/smol ships and how they handle that.

Tim and Lucy have history to draw from, but I look back at The X Files and I giggle thinking about the "Gilly boxes" they had Gillian Anderson stand on to get them framed well in the same shot. I have wondered a time or two if they'd used them for Chenford. No lie!

But I love how... relaxed Lucy is in front of Tamara knowing that she doesn't have to hide Tim, anymore.

But this is a serious discussion, and they need Tamara to skidaddle. "Go on, kiddo. Mom and Dad need to talk."

"You have to report it, now." "I know." "And if it was Aaron, you would have reported him already." "I know. But it's not Aaron. It's you." "And you can't be objective when it comes to me, right?"

Look at Tim's sad face and the shake of his head. But this is where Lucy needed him to go. He needed to see that he is going to treat her differently, and that's not going to work.

"And now endeth the Lucy lesson." *giggle* "The what?" *giggles*

I love this, "What" Because Eric Winter puts so much into it that I am cackling with laughter.

"The earrings were never missing?" "Nope! I set them aside and I gave them back to Sergio after work." "That's evil. And impressive. And evil."

GIRLFRIEND! I am so proud of you. It's like a productive prank. Yes, she manipulated him, but much like some of the Tim Tests, it was what he needed. Tim helped Lucy become a better cop. She's helping him become a better boyfriend.

Because in this case, what he needs to do is be honest with himself. He can't be objective where she's concerned.

"I know, but you weren't facing the problem." "Okay, well now I am. So what do we do?"

These two are absolutely working together. I stan a couple who communicates. Because he slides that "we" in there so fast. Lucy and Tim are learning how to really communicate and work through issues as a couple, and I love seeing that on my screen.

When my husband and I first married, I came from a family where screaming and name-calling was the norm. He came from a family where conflict was ignored because it was "unpleasant". It took forever for us to learn how to have a productive discussion when we were on opposite sides of an issue.

One of the simple pleasures of The Rookie's track record with ships is getting to watch our favorite couples work together. Jyla and Wopez paved the way for Chenford, in that respect.

"We only have two real options." "Break up or one of us leaves Mid-Wilshire."

First off, I love how they never even entertain the option of breaking up. Because that isn't an option for them. Yes, it technically exists as an option, but it's not one Tim and Lucy will ever consider.

They're in this and neither one is giving up on it. No second guessing. No doubt. Tim and Lucy are completely sure about one another and secure in their relationship.

"It should be me." "No. No, you love it here." "No, I do. But there isn't an open Sergeant supervisor job anywhere else in the division. I checked. Which means you would have to take a demotion and that's not happening."

I love that she talked about it. And that she'd already researched other Sergeant positions. That's our girl! Sorry... Tim's girl.

But right this second, I can see the wheels turning in Tim's mind. Lucy is basing her assumption on what she's seen of him in the past.

She knew before Rachel did that he wasn't leaving LA. She didn't know about Ashley trying to pressure him into retiring, but anyone who knows Tim knows he loves patrol.

Different as this is for Lucy, I don't know if she yet realizes how different it is for him.

"Lucy-" "No, it'll be fine. Rookies leave their first station after making P2 all the time." "That's true." "So, this is the best move, right?" "Maybe, but we don't need to decide right now."

Lucy is ready to commit to this decision, and I love it for her and for Tim. Because Lucy is choosing Tim. Forget her friends, her commute, and her comraderie. In this moment, Lucy has chosen Tim. And what other woman in his life has ever done that?

It's a hard, hard decision either way, but they both are on the same page... something has to give.

And someone better do something, because there's footage all over these cameras of an Officer and Sergeant in love. Like, that could be a problem, too, if they don't get on top of it.

Tim and Lucy's Silent Approach

This is their first time in a dangerous situation together as a couple. Tim's trying to keep it straight, and so is Lucy. They have innocents to protect. This isn't earrings. This is human life.

And Tim and Lucy get the job done.

But was it harder because of their relationship? That's the question, here. Lucy already proved that Tim can't be objective because of her, but now they're looking at the other angle—what if that hadn't happened so perfectly?

"Nice work today." "You, too. It's not a bad way to end our partnership, saving a family."

First off, Tim has really embraced complimenting Lucy. Second, Lucy has fully embraced that they are no longer going to be in the same chain of command after today.

Look at her picking the lint off of his shirt, which was a classic relationship test in the series New Girl. And then she's touching him and

"Yeah, although we're still not partners. I mean, on the job, anyway."

Look at her tapping his arm in a very gentle hit. Because, now they are partners. And her adorable smile that coaxes out his loving one. Oh, these two!

"It's going to be so weird going to a different station knowing I'm not gonna to see you all day." "Yeah. And there's no guarantee that our shifts will sync up." "I hadn't thought of that. Wait. Wait, wait. So by doing the right thing, we're going to see each other a lot less?" "Most likely." "No." "Yeah."

Gosh, this is hard for them. Melissa O'Neil broke my heart with how Lucy delivered, "I hadn't thought of that". Because Lucy is often the one who has thought of everything.

But this is an area Tim knows better, and now that they're facing this reality, it kinda sucks. But note how Lucy doesn't change course. Because, much as it sucks, they both know it's the right thing to do so they can stay together.

"I'm going to put in my transfer request in the morning."

This is heart-breaking. Lucy goes to pull the bags out of the Shop, like she always does, but Tim grabs ahold of the one closest to him, waving for her to give him the other. He's carrying her burdens. And look at the way she smiles at him.

They hate that the status quo is going to have to change for them to be together. But they will be together. And that's worth it.

Meanwhile I'm screaming at the screen, "Swoop in and resign first so she can stay!"

"Got a minute." "Sure."

Well, that was fast! Tim closes the door behind him and takes a seat. He didn't even wait to get into plainclothes to have this discussion because he wants to be sure he gets there before Lucy does.

And, it's so easy to say, "Oh, there's Tim Bradford giving more, again." But he really isn't. He's giving exactly what Lucy was willing to give for him. Only this scenario is actually better for them even if it's worse for him.

Because Tim finally has a partner who gives and takes, who will hold his hand through the heartache, and call him on his bullshit, and be the one to hold him when he deals with the rolling emotions of his father finally passing. Tim finally has the love of his life. And that's worth all of this.

"I've been keeping something from you. Lucy and I started dating a few weeks ago." "I suspected as much."

No surprises here. We've always said that Grey was onto these two. But, I think he was waiting for them to come to him since it wasn't impacting anything, yet, from what he could tell.

"Sir, we wouldn't've lied, but we needed time to figure out how we felt."

Which means we've missed some scenes. Look, I know I was the first person to say that we're not going to get to see everything (and y'all fic writers are on it, I'm sure). But I don't think they needed time to figure out how they felt so much as they wanted to make sure the other was fully on the same page.

After half a season of miscommunication, Tim and Lucy are trying to get on the same page at every step. Lucy's "Lucy Lessons" illustrate that they have a ways to go, but also that she knows how to get through to Tim when needed. They've got this.

"And since we're having this talk, I assume it's serious." "It is, but for it to be appropriate, I need to move out of her chain of command."

First off, "it is." That's it. That's all Tim has to say because he has full confidence in Lucy's love. Have we ever seen him so sure? Have we ever seen him so secure in love that he will shift the course of his entire career? Of course not.

Lucy is his sun. She is "the one" that Grey once said starting over would be worth it for.

And Grey doesn't question that it only took a few weeks of dating for Tim and Lucy to get to that conclusion. He's watched them battle against one another and together. He's seen the dance as they wrestled with what they felt, and he wasn't oblivious when dancing around one another shifted into dancing together.

This isn't a "You're marrying a man you just met" scenario. Tim and Lucy have known one another in so many ways. The typical timelines and steps don't apply. Yes, Tim and Lucy are taking their time, but that's never been for lack of assurance in one another's commitment to this relationship.

And now Tim is doing what he needs to to protect that relationship... to put them first. Not Lucy first, as Tim too often has done in his relationships, minimizing himself. He's putting them first.

Grey doesn't love helping Tim with this because he knows he's losing a great Supervising Sergeant who can hold down the fort when he goes on trips to visit his daughter at University. This is going to create a giant hole in the Chain of Command.

But Grey's going to help Tim, anyway. Because, this is a man of integrity—a man who walked into this office to come clean without prodding, who wants to do the right thing, who has finally finally found love after all his heartache and loss.

Who wouldn't want to help a man like that?

"Okay. Unfortunately, there's only one position open that'll do that." "I'll take it." "It's not a great job." "Doesn't matter. I'll take it."

TIM BRADFORD. See this is what we love about Tim. When he's all-in, he's all-in. Before, it was the job. Now, it's Lucy.

He is walking away from the job he loves to get out of her chain of command and keep her from having to leave. This is such an incredible demonstration of love, and despite the Chenford scene following this one, this is the scene that has me in a choke hold.

Tim doesn't ask for a pay scale. He doesn't ask for a job description. Hell, he doesn't even know what the job is. He sees that it meets what he needs to maintain his and Lucy's integrity and not be separated from the woman he loves. That's it. That's what matters.

Some things matter more.

No, he didn't utter the line. But, he's saying it with his actions. By making this sacrifice, he's showing her that a job will never be more important than her. That his love of patrol is great, but his love of Lucy is greater.

Because, at the end of the day, he doesn't want to see Lucy only on alternating Tuesdays and bank holidays. He wants them to have time together so they can continue to build this relationship. He wants them to build a life together. And that takes time.

So, to give them the time... he takes a step back. Because this is true love, damnit.

"So, I've been thinking, Hollywood division would be kind of ideal."

I love Lucy cooking for her man. Because next time it's Tim's turn. This is something neither of them will ever do out of duty or expectation, but because they both enjoy cooking, and this is an expression of love.

Lucy has a whole meal planned out for Tim. There's salad bowls, an open bottle of wine, plates and placemats.

Second, Lucy's about to give me a Wings-style heart attack with how many candles she's lit (the place burned to the ground while the couple hooked up... it's the only episode of that show I remember).

We knew from end of Season 4 that she likes to light candles like my Dad when he was tipsy during a hurricane (so. many. candles), but last time they weren't actually considering naked time.

"Well, it's not necessary. I talked to Grey, And you're looking at the new Court Liaison Sergeant." "But that's a desk job." "Yeah. Out of your chain of command. "You'll be bored out of your mind."

First off, Lucy knows Tim well enough to know he'd never be satisfied in a desk job. She didn't even consider this job when she looked up available jobs. But he took it without looking at the job description. Because some things matter more.

"That doesn't matter. Look, you and I'll get to see each other every day. And you won't have to travel to some, I don't know, far away station where they'll make you work the midnight shift because you're the newbie."

He has a sound argument. My husband and I worked opposite schedules the first year and a half of our marriage. I worked nights and he worked days. It was awful. Building a marriage when you never seen one another is a struggle I wish upon none.

And at this angle, I FINALLY get to confirm that Tim is wearing a shirt that snaps open and closed. It's not even a button-up. He went for snaps. This man came prepared. Talk about understanding the assignment!

"Tim-" "It's done. Okay. No sense in arguing about it."

This is such a husband move. Like, we all know she was willing to be the one to go, but he jumped in first, and it means they get more time together. "Wins all around", right Lucy?

And Tim and Lucy could argue about it (because they are "worth the effort"), but it's unnecessary. What's done is done.

"But we're so good at arguing."

Lucy, now you are reminding me of the couple with the golf clubs. The horny side, I mean, not the property-destruction side. Because, YOWZA, you knew what you were doing leaning over and kissing him like that, leaving enough room for him to stand up and come to you.

Yes, I know there are pieces of tape on the floor showing them where to stand. Shhhh! I'm in Chenfordland, right now, and I'm going to give Lucy full credit for that move.

Tim slips in his "I know" before kissing her, again, practically murmuring it against her lips.

"I know. But I'm hoping that we're good at certain other things, as well."

Welp. THAT happened. I mean, how the heck am I supposed to get through this scene without taking apart every move of the hand, of the lip, of the eye, of the BELT!? Oy vey, y'all, strap in (heh), because this is gonna take a bit.

First off, Lucy's kiss when he was sitting was definitely a come-hither kiss. She's got her arms wrapped around his shoulders for balance, but also to put a little weight on him. I mean, for all we know she likes it on top, right?

As they stand up, she's already got her hands on his shirt, on his chest. She's telegraphing interest as Tim's right hand takes a trail up her thigh to her waist.

And. Look. At. His. SMILE! Tim Bradford just walked away from patrol to take a desk job, but it's all worth it because he's looking into the eyes of his love, and she's staring back at him. And now they're both ready for this next step.

Tim is glowing in the light of her love. I once likened Lucy to the sun and Tim to a star. Now, technically, a sun is a star, right? And some solar systems have more than one sun. Lucy and Tim are each other's light. Neither has ever felt this secure in a relationship. This alive.

Rachel wanted Tim to move. He didn't. Ashley wanted Tim to retire. He didn't. Chris wanted Lucy to move in. She didn't.

Three weeks in and they're both ready to walk away from the job they love for the other? In the words of How I Met Your Mother, "That's love, bitch."

"Want to find out right now?" "Yeah."

Tim's "yeah" is barely above a whisper, but it's there. I wasn't certain it would be subtitled, but I'm so glad they did!

And I love that they are both on the same page. There's no doubt or confusion about what's about to happen. Lucy invited Tim to cross another threshold with her, and he breathed that sweet "Yeah" that's peppered their conversations since they became a couple.

"Yeah" when she said she wanted to get dinner sometime. "Yeah" when acknowledging they would do the right thing but never see each other. His soft little "Yeah"s are multi-purpose.

But that breathless one just now? Oh, that takes the cake, folks!

Lucy wastes no time with Tim's shirt. Her hands were on his snaps before his mouth met hers. No wasting time, here. She starts with one snap at a time, but at the end it's like popcorn, tearing that shirt open because it is in her way.

And her little sounds as she's undressing him? Girlfriend is gone. (and I can say that, now, because I'm never going to get over Lucy Chen being Tim's girlfriend)

C'mon. When she was wiring him to go undercover as the Hit man she was totally scoping those pecs. And let's not forget Rachel's house where all the man was wearing was a towel. Lucy's seen things. Now she wants to fully appreciate them.

There's a difference between admiring artwork from afar and really getting your hands into the clay on the wheel. Lucy's done looking. It's time to get hands-on.

Tim's left hand goes for her face, but he feels the last button give. She pushes the shirt over his shoulders, and as he pulls the sleeves off, completely, Lucy is all eyes on her man.

And what I love about this is that as Lucy is appreciating every inch of Tim's chest, her hands tracing the V toward his pelvis, his eyes are watching her, drinking her in. Seeing her turned on is turning him on all the more.

Her eyes meet his, and she smiles the most serenely sexy smile. This is everything she ever wanted in a relationship, and tonight is everything she ever wanted in a last "first time".

The second he shakes that shirt lose, his lips are back on hers. Her right hand winds around his back, her other on his face. He has both hands on her face, directing each kiss with the surety Lucy once dreamt.

Tim loves to touch Lucy's face. Like the airplane bathroom and the kiss at the food truck. But this kiss is different. Instead of sweet, this is starving.

Tim is starved from his want of Lucy. Forget the dinner Lucy was making... Tonight Tim and Lucy feast on one another.

Lucy got the engine started, but Tim's the one driving, now. And like her dream of him, she's all the more turned on by him taking the lead.

He's firm, but not aggressive, as he kisses her, drinking in every taste of her mouth like it's his first drink of water after days without. Lucy is the only thing to sate his thirst.

Her hand traces his back before both hands land on his belt. She's pulling him as much as he's pushing her toward the bedroom. They walk in step together, like the hottest four-legged, sandwich-style race. Lucy giggles as they go.

Because sexy as this is, it's also still them. Tim and Lucy are enjoying themselves. And we've learned through the course of this relationship, thus far, that comes with some giggles from Lucy.

No doubt, she's built this up in her mind. They both have. But here in this moment, they aren't second-guessing or wondering. Tim's not standing before her, waiting to see if she's interested. Lucy's not thinking about the past and letting it still her.

In this moment, they are both living, breathing, and craving right now.

Tomorrow, there'll be the jobs, and the logistics, and all the other things to worry about. But in this moment, Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen are carefree save the love they carry for one another.

Every kiss is punctuated by desire fueled by love. There's echos of every other kiss they've shared—but these kisses are like breathing. In this moment, Tim and Lucy are one another's oxygen tanks, and the only way to exchange breath is to share it.

They could bee-line right to the bedroom, but Tim can't help himself. He doesn't want to wait to feel himself pressed fully against her—every curve of her body responding to his.

His right hand reaches for the door frame, so when he pushes Lucy back against it, she doesn't hit her head. In fact, his left hand is cradling her head, so it's his hand that meets his hand.

But she feels every muscle, every part of Tim pressing against her, wanting her, aching for her. With every touch of his bare skin against her skin, his taste on her lips, and his pelvis pressed against hers, her desire grows.

Her left hand winds to his neck, as though she could pull him even closer, somehow merging every part of them before they've even made it to the next layer of clothing discarded.

Tim shifts so his left hand is around her waist as she backs into her bedroom, Tim practically on top of her, not wanting to separate an inch now that he's finally here. He can feel her responding to him, and like her lips, he's growing addicted to that feeling.

Tim pushes the door most of the way closed as Lucy giggles, completely free in the wonder of his love. Locks of Lucy's hair catch the frosted glass as the door slams shut—Lucy no doubt with her back against that door (and possibly lifted up by Tim, judging on the placement of her hair in that window).

Tim Bradford once more forgetting the bed behind him because they're going to break it anyway.

Seriously. I fully expect "Lucy needs a new bed" to be a plot point. Just to see her scrolling options on her phone would be enough for me! That bed is not ready for the action it's gonna see tonight.

I have to say, I love that we can hear the scene. The music isn't overpowering this moment, and for someone like me whose ears hear everything, but can't separate if sounds are too close in decibel or pitch, that made the scene.

Back when they kissed in the airplane bathroom, we could hear the sounds of their lips. But this scene was so much sexier with all of Lucy's hums and gentle moans into his mouth. The music volume was perfect to add to the moment without distracting from it.

Fan Fic Writers... go do your thing!

And to Eric Winter, golly, I hope he wasn't too sick. Listening to how much of a voice he has in each scene and gauging shooting scheduled based on how weak it was was amusing. But, seriously, the job of an actor can be killer. Any job in the industry that involves being on-set, really.

My mom is a hair and makeup artist. She worked on a series in Wilmington in the late 90's where one of the lead actresses and she both had the flu. Didn't matter. They both had to work through. Mom has this photo of the two of them passed out on a couch together between scenes. It makes her smile, now, but it reminds me of how hard it can be.

We think about the glitz and glamor. And while that does exist, the hours alone can be a huge deterrent for any sane person. Creating art takes time, patience, and a crew of folks who sacrifice so much of their personal lives to make it happen.

If it's a good crew, it can become like family. If it's a complicated one, it can be incredibly trying to get through 18+ hour days stuck together, short turnarounds, and Fraturday schedules.

Also, I hope poor Melissa O'Neil didn't get sick from Eric Winter because of this scene. Because, golly, it's a weird job, right? I once did a shoot where I had to make-out with two separate men I'd never met before on the same day (no, it wasn't a porno). Like, you're really getting paid to do this. It's so weird.

Back to the show... There's a line in this episode that Wesley says to Angela that really sticks out for me... kind of the mantra of all the ships of The Rookie "It's not ideal, but we can handle it."

Romance in real life is messy. Too often, I see television shows go one of two ways... full on soap opera or train wreck. There are very few shows I trust with ships, even in hindsight.

The Rookie shows these very real people dealing with very real issues. Kids keeping you on a schedule that prevents you from getting any sleep. Having more kids. Shared calendars. New love and job schedules. All of that is so relatable, and it's so nice to see a show that is committed to showing people work through.

It's a detail that I really appreciate as a real person with real issues.

Anyway, if any of y'all are still alive, I want to thank you for reading. I have so much fun writing these, and the fact that people read and comment and enjoy them still blows me away. Thank you.

See you on the next!"

[firthbetterorfirthworse]

Becoming Ms Bennet (2019)

She is an American web series actress who has a huge online following, so she gets cast as Lizzy Bennet and is excited.

The actor for Darcy is experienced in film and either very short with people or all about business. He often has headphones. The actors for Jane and Bingley have a real life meet cute moment. The actress playing Caroline is very snobbish that their Elizabeth is American with a fake accent.

Uh-oh, she overhears Darcy complaining to the director after they ask him to help coach her in her accent. He's like I'm here to launch my American career, not hold some newbie's hand who hasn't even been trained. You cast her because she's an internet star? They assure him there's a performance clause so if she doesn't have the accent by the beginning of filming they can recast.

The Mrs Bennet actress is trying to matchmake with Elizabeth immediately after she bumped into the PA (meetcute? Mrs Bennet thinks so)

Honestly I'm just gonna refer to everyone as their character

Bingley and Jane are seriously vibing, but Darcy is like "she better not get any ideas, a lot of new actresses throw themselves at him for his family acting connections.

Caroline offers to help Elizabeth with her accent buuuuuuut we don't trust her, clearly.

Even Darcy was like maybe you shouldn't ask her for help anymore, but of course I'm sure Elizabeth took it insultingly.

Elizabeth you idiot you have 8 million subscribers you canNOT call your coworker a rude snob on your live videos are you kidding me

Wickham shows up and is charming. Darcy is like hey Elizabeth, be careful who you trust. Wickham tells some sob story about how Darcy stole a part from him and wrecked his career.

There's a very very important dinner with the producer who is already worried about hiring an American. Caroline tells Elizabeth that they moved the party at the last minute to a place across town, didn't she hear? [eyeroll]

The director is unhappy that they are secretly practicing with the Caroline actress as a secret understudy in case Elizabeth can't get the accent.

Pretty sure Wickham is willing to sleep his way to the top with the producer. Pretty sure the producer is willing for him to do so as well.

When Elizabeth finally does show up, helped by the PA that Darcy was dismissive of, the producer is bitchy so she walks away. Darcy compliments her on standing up for herself and asks her on a date to dinner. "You don't like me," says Elizabeth and lists reasons why, and he's like I mean some of those reasons yeah but I'm impressed with you. She accuses him of separating the actors for Bingley and Jane. He says he cautioned him, yeah. She accuses him of ruining that role for Wickham, and he sets her straight. He's like hey forget I asked, okay. (Hunsford proposal vibes)

He even left a voicemail that she listened to the next morning and tells her the whole story about him and Wickham.

Rehearsal montage time. A week to go.

They always seem to be perfectly rehearsing the scene that fits with what's going on with actors [insert animated Kirk's surprise face]

Oh surprise! Her video where she talks about the producer came back to bite her in the ass! [surpised pikachu face]

I think we just had our meeting at Pemberley? An awkward moment where they're being fitted at the same time. They're nice to each other. She asks him for a favor and he's privately coaching her on her accent. (also wtf zero people have suggested full-time immersion for the accent? She is only doing it while running lines? Even though everyone else around her has an accent? Honey you really are missing a ton of opportunities here, get your shit together) They're having a glass of wine together and opening up. They're having Moments.

She's making another video. She tries to be positive but breaks down and is like "I can't do this" and even is harsher than before about the producer and the Caroline actress, but talks about her accent improving and Darcy being helpful and how she really does think things are looking up even if she gets in trouble for posting that video.

Oh no! She dropped by wardrobe and found Caroline being fitted for her costume. Betrayal!

She's fired because of her videos (fair)

Darcy goes to talk to the director but walks in on Wickham and the producer in an intimate position. She says she wanted to recast him but he had an ironclad contract. He has a proposition for her.

Elizabeth gets a phone call - she's still Lizzy, but Wickham is now Darcy and vice versa.

Also, Bingley and Jane are having Moments again and Jane confides that OG Darcy convinced Bingley she might just be shy and they tried again.

Wickham as Darcy is uh. Not good. But the producer is like cooing at him. The director is apologizing to Elizabeth. Everyone is side-eyeing the whole Wickham/producer situation.

Caroline is like, I hope you thanked him for switching roles as long as you got to stay as Lizzy, but don't get used to it I will get that part.

She thanks Darcy but is like, I'm going to step down. So that you have your chance. This is too much. Then they heard a woman upset and it turns out the producer found Wickham and Caroline in bed together and was so pissed about it she fired them both.

So hey now the PA gets his big break as the new Wickham! Happily ever after for everyone? It's the last day of filming. They're at the second proposal. They're about to kiss and the director calls cut. They pause, but end up kissing anyway. Aww (I guess?)

Sidenote, I would absolutely hate the movie that they were filming. They pretty much rewrote the dialogue (why? I mean I understand mashing conversations together for the sake of time, but why rewrite the lines?), and they never once had any sort of hats/bonnets/gloves even in the outdoor scene? Just, no.

It wasn't a Hallmark movie, buuuuuuuuuuuut it could've been. (scathing)

[contreparry]

Hi Ann! How about "[grabbing wrist, pulling person behind them, sensing danger]" from couple prompts? Happy writing!

Absolutely! Here's some Zevran and Surana corporate espionage!AU for @dadrunkwriting

"The weather is as horrendous as I feared it would be," Zevran complained as they strolled through the park. It was snowing. It was a sprinkle of snow, truth be told, a light dusting of tiny snowflakes that melted away the moment they touched the earth. But the sky was overcast, the air was chilly, and his breath emerged from his mouth like a dragon's steam whenever he spoke, so Zevran felt justified in declaring that the weather was bad.

His companion scoffed and rolled his eyes. They were pretty eyes, dark as the night and prone to sparkling with a quiet humor that Zevran was learning to interpret. That particular eye roll and glint was one of born from exasperated amusement. Bran's eyerolls were a language of their own, and Zevran enjoyed puzzling them out. He especially enjoyed basking in the knowledge that Bran's annoyed eyerolls were seldom directed at him, and the fond ones were growing more and more frequent.

It was nice to have made a new friend. His time in Amaranthine would be miserable without Bran's companionship. They made an odd pair as they walked side by side in the park, him in his wool overcoat and Bran in his tattered hooded sweatshirt and scuffed boots. But as they walked Bran pointed out different study spots he frequented ("That diner has good breakfast and won't kick you out after an hour."), and Zevran teased him about his workaholic tendencies (as if he was one to judge.) It was... nice. Simply nice! Zevran couldn't remember the last time his conversations were so simple.

Zevran only wished that they met in better circumstances- or that this friendship wasn't built on a sand foundation. Zevran would be leaving soon enough, just as soon as he gathered the information his client required and stole Surana's research. Bran's research.

This was why their friendship wasn't real- at least, it shouldn't be. But Bran was so- Zevran chanced a sidelong glance at his companion, his eyes tracing that sharp profile and lingering on his small smile as little snowflakes peppered his black hair and melted into tiny water droplets that clung to the strands like jewels. There was something there, something fascinating about the way those steel piercings all along Bran's ears mingled with the faint smell of paper that followed him wherever he went. He was acerbic and quiet and incredibly patient when he wanted to be. There was a terrible kindness to him, fierce and warm and painful-

A thin, strong hand wrapped around his wrist and he was yanked back suddenly, and Zevran, surprised, followed the momentum until he was standing somewhat behind Bran's shoulder. A moment later a cyclist crossed their path, mere inches from colliding where Zevran was walking.

"Head in the clouds, Zevran?" Bran asked, his voice dry even as his eyes sparkled with that exasperated fondness that made Zevran's heart ache. Don't like me, don't see me, you can't you can't you can't-

"... yes. Your stormy, gloomy clouds," Zevran replied, the remark masking the rapid beating of his heart. Bran's hand was warm around his wrist, and he didn't let go as he pulled Zevran back to his side and continued their walk.

"Poor, delicate Antivans," Bran sighed, and his small smile was approaching a grin. "I'll find you a patch of sun. Or at least someplace warm so we can wait out the snowflakes."

"And some decent food, I trust?" Zevran asked, praying to whatever god was listening that Bran couldn't feel his racing pulse under his fingertips. Oh, how he wished that they were truly friends with no secrets between them, so that he could fall back into this moment without reservations or scheming or anything beyond the pure pleasure of enjoying Bran Surana's company! But they weren't, and so Zevran hid behind jokes and flirtation and hoped that Bran wouldn't notice the artifice and tear it all down with his brutal consideration.

"Of course," Bran said. "But only because I like you."

[hathorneheiress]

A night of escalation

(a continuation of A night of uncertainty)

We arrived at the restaurant right on time. The ride was very quiet. Grayson sat off to one side, silent and still as a statue. Face as stone.

Savannah wasn't any better. She seemed more relaxed, but kept herself at a distance.

I decided trying to talk to them wouldn't be a good idea. Instead, I buried myself in my phone. Looking on Pinterest in between texting with Slater.

Me: Warning! Grayson is in a foul mood.☹️

Slater: Don't worry I can handle him.

Me: I know. Don't say anything to rile him up.

Slater: I'll try not. No promises.

I sighed. This was going to be a long night. I sent him a text.

Me: For me, will you?

Slater: *Sighs* Yes. For you dear, I will.

Me: You're the best!!❤️❤️❤️

He didn't respond. I could see the eyeroll he was making at that moment for my use of emojis. He never used them, like someone else I know.

The five star restaurant was quiet, only an occasional loud voice here and there. We were led to a private room in the back. To my surprise, Matias Slater was already there.

I was even more shocked by what he was wearing. Usually attired in a ratty T shirt and pants, this time he had on a simple, but nice black two piece suit. A causal shirt could be seen underneath the dress coat. I tried not to think that he had pulled out all the stops for me.

"Gigi." He replied stiffly, all the while looking at Grayson with hard eyes.

"Slate." I said, using his nickname. "Nice to see you."

He nodded but didn't respond.

"Well," Savannah said, trying to loosen up the tension. "Let's eat."

We sat down to a hearty meal of grilled chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and blueberry pie for dessert.

There wasn't much talking. Honestly, it was me and Slater doing it, and that was hardly anything. There was no denying the tension in the room.

I thought we were going to make it unscaled, but then Savannah asked what Slater was doing for work.

He cleared his throat. "I gather information for my boss."

"Like an informant?"

"No, not exactly."

Savannah then saw the picture. "You're a spy."

Slater didn't deny it, but he didn't fight it either. Savannah didn't need him to, she saw.

"Well, I had no idea you were a spy. I assume it's for the government."

I tried not to laugh. Slater didn't work for the government.

"No." He replied "I don't."

"But," Savannah was cut off.

"He works for a girl named Eve." It was the first time my older half brother had spoken since we had started eating. His piercing blue eyes stared right into Slater's black ones.

"And who's Eve?" Savannah asked, for once unaware of what was going on.

"Grayson's old girlfriend." I said

"My boss." Slater replied at the same time.

"It's a long story." Grayson replied. "And one we will refrain from telling." His voice broached no agruement.

"I'll tell you." Slater said. I could see Grayson beginning to bristle.

"And I said no."

Slater didn't make a single move. No emotion whatsoever playing on his face or words. "If the young lady wants to hear it, I don't see why not."

"You leave Savannah alone." Grayson was getting riled. "And Gigi too for that matter. You are not to see her again."

"You're not her boss. Her mother is. She can tell her daughter who she can and can't see."

"You're right. But I'm sure she will agree with me that her daughter shouldn't be seeing a spy, or more less a murderer."

I gave a little gasp. "You murdered someone? You never told me that."

"You never asked." Slater was dead still. "And I don't know how you found out either." pointing it at Grayson.

"I have connections."

Savannah slowly raised herself with as much dignity as she could. "I believe it is time to go." she declared.

I stood as well. "Thank you Slate for meeting us. But Sav is right, we do need to go. It's getting late. Grayson, you coming?"

He looked up. "Yes, I am." Slater stood as well.

We were getting ready to leave when Slater called out. "Oh and Grayson? Eve wanted me to give you a message."

My brother turned ever so slightly.

"She said be careful what you say. It might come back to bit you."

[synonymouswithanonymous]

question answered

Of course it's ok to dislike some actions. I find it totally reasonable to dislike something a person does, disagree with what they say etc. Not everyone likes the same things. It'd be boring otherwise. Lol So no I don't care about people simply not liking something. But what I find appalling is dislike of a few actions turned into she's an "evil devil abusive leech worm talk." See there is a difference between the two. Disliking an action shouldn't suddenly translate into that person being evil. Again just from IG posts of her life, not like she got a DUI or worse. Some people are hardcore in their made up scenarios of abuse and manipulation. Over rather benign IG posts. Imo it's baffling. From saying they didn't like the drunk posts content (even if it was an accidental post bc she was clearly drunk too), to now she's a "toxic user" and has npd bc they can magically diagnose through a screen...*eyeroll* 😂😂 seriously? That's not just criticism, that's just hatefulness.

Just bc they don't like her content or how she posts her own boyfriend, it doesn't make her evil. I know most people understand this, I'm most likely "preaching to the choir" as G-Ma used to say, if anyone actually reads any of my posts (always surprised!). But some are acting real serious with their irrational hate.

[inafieldofdaisies]

do you have any evidence of that ? + Sabrina x John 💕

"You really want me to sleep here?" "Just grab whatever you want, Deputy.", John called out as he cracked the bathroom door open wide enough to sneak a peek at Sabrina, who hadn't moved from her seat at the edge of his bed, "I won't be long, so if you're going to be changing…" "Won't be your first time watching me undress.", she retorted as he disappeared out of view, the sound of running water being the only response she got. With the shower signaling of the limited time she had, she moved over to the dresser across from the bed and pulled the first drawer open to find neatly folded pairs of boxers. "Go figure… no 'yes' pattern or little planes in sight?", the words were barely a whisper, and she bit her lip as she slid the compartment closed and shifted her search onto the one below it. Dark satin sleep pants and matching shirts awaited in it, she doubted the latter were worn much considering anytime she saw him early in the mornings he was shirtless, prone to the same habit his older brother displayed even during sermons.

Sabrina shuffled through each pair carefully, fingers running over the smooth material, but made no move to take any of them out. The idea of sleeping in the slippery garment paired with his satin sheets gave her a pause. "Third one, it is.", she said out loud, "Bingo." A satisfied smile came over her when she grabbed a simple cotton T-shirt from the drawer, a black bundle falling at her feet in the process. "What the-", curiosity coursed through her as she bent down, gaze widening as she came to a realization that had her stand back up a rush. One of her underwear sets was folded into a tight roll. The same one he had smuggled into her bag, and she had threatened to set on fire after his brazen overstepping of boundaries. A part of her knew she shouldn't have been surprised he had done it again: gone through her stuff, and stolen the pieces of clothing he seemed so obsessed with.

"You're still not dressed for bed.", his voice rang out behind her, growing seductive when he added, "Were you waiting for me, Deputy?" She spun around quickly, completely taken aback by how close he actually was, cursing herself for not even having heard him approach as she took step back and her eyes settled on the towel wrapped around his waist. Her chin lifted up in defiance, his blue eyes drinking her in, "You're one to talk, Seed. Seeing how you're not even clothed." John shrugged as he ran a hand through his wet hair, smoothing it back while the other remained at his towel, ensuring it stayed in place, "I didn't exactly think of grabbing anything." "Did you, now?"

"I lived alone.", he strode forward, "I sleep alone. So why would I be used to anything else?" By then, he was standing in front of her, breath faning her face before his head dipped down to whisper in her ear, "Plus, remember your little stunt at your cabin, Sabrina? Certainly gave me a show of your own." He backed with a cocky gleam in his gaze, taking reign of her personal space yet again. "You were supposed to stay in the kitchen.", Sabrina reminded him slowly, refusing to let him see his nearness had any effect on her body. He ignored the jab and lifted his free hand, but instead of touching her, he grasped the handle of one of the drawers behind her. "May I?", he asked in a low tone, eyes darkening as they ran over her features, making her wonder what he was actually asking permission for.

"No." An eyebrow went up at her reply, "You want me to sleep naked? That would be interesting." In turn, she offered an eyeroll, further fueled by his arrogance, "Don't be ridiculous." "See, Deputy, you were bound to get in trouble with your affinity for the word. Saying 'Yes' on the other hand opens so many doors…" Calahan's words about potential secret rooms in the ranch came back to her then, "I don't even want to know." John had the audacity to act confused, "Hm?" "Nothing.", she sidestepped, putting space between them to allow him access to a change of clothes, getting her first indicator she was in for a long night. "Your eyes tell me otherwise.", he mumbled before unsurprisingly selecting a pair of satin pajama pants, "You might want to turn around."

The second the words left his mouth, the towel dropped on the floor, giving her a generous look at his nude backside before he stepped into the bottoms and pulled them up. Thankfully, her jaw hadn't followed suit, her expression remaining passive as he turned around, "You were looking." Her hands clutched the forgotten garments she held, "You literally gave me no time to react." "Did I, Deputy?", he retorted nonchalantly as he strode over to the bed, plopping down onto the matress. "Speaking of overstepping.", her gaze narrowed as she produced the set he had lifted from her room, "When did you take those?" He cocked his head to the side, lips pursed at the accusation, "I have no idea what you mean." "Like hell you don't." "If you want to wear them to bed…frankly, I won't stop you.", he smirked at that, resting his hands on his knees, enjoying every minute of the confrontation, not an ounce of shame or guilt present.

"Is this why you stole my underwear? To set this up?" "Do you have any evidence of that?" A sigh left her lips at the poor defense, same one guilty people would usually use as a come-back, not that she needed more confirmation of his actions, "The evidence is in my hand, Jonathan. A smoking gun." "Can you prove you didn't take those yourself and plant them in my drawer?" "You-" "You can't.", he rose back up, moving towards her with conviction, the same way he had upon their first meeting as she sat in his chair, "Which would beg the question… if you did do that, in fact…", he stopped in front of her, standing close enough that all he needed was to lower his head to kiss her, "what were you planning?" "You're a terrible liar. And lawyer." John let out a chuckle, "Far, far from it, Deputy." The crackling of the fire he had started drew her attention, "You're forgetting what I promised I will do with them."

Understanding passed over his face at once as she attempted to go around him, sights set on the stone fireplace and making true to her promise, but an arm snaked around, wrapping around her waist, and pulling her back into his body. "Don't.", his lips descended onto her ear, nipping gently as he snatched the lace set from her, "I call truce." Sabrina dropped her head back against his chest, sinking further into his embrace, "Confess, and maybe I'd consider it." A laugh shook his chest while his hold on her tightened, "You sure you want to play my game?" "And beat you at it."

[hearts4golbach]

Zombified. (Larry Johnson x Fem!Reader.)

part 5.

co-written by @cupid-isgone

The next few hours went smoothly, to my surprise. Larry was walking even closer to me than he did before. everyone knew I could walk by myself.

I carefully count my footsteps to get my mind off the interaction with Larry in the janitors closet.

"compared to this map, we should be about 2 miles out." todd boasted.

we all cheered quietly, careful not to manifest any zombies.

I looked down at the river fall below me. the ledge was small, so I had to pay attention so as not to fall off, but looking at the river was comforting.

"y/n, you can be too close to the e-"

larry began to scold me before I felt the ground fell out from under me.

felt like my stomach was about to fall out of my ass when larrys hand slipped off my waist, causing me to fall. I screeched, closing my eyes and waiting for death or pain about to come.

someone's strong hand gripped my wrist, painfully tight. Larry pulled me up quickly. "Jesus christ, y/n. you have to be more careful." Larry scolded me.

"Hey!" I retorted, "that fall wasn't

even my fault, I can't control the ground. "

"Hey guys, maybe we should take a quick break." Todd chimed in. He and sal left to do whatever, leaving Larry and me alone.

"You shouldn't have been that close to the ledge, you know." Larry continued, "you could've

died."

"So? I didn't die, then what's the problem?"

"i- you- the problem.. ugh!" Larry stepped away and paced back and

forth for a moment. "You could've fallen." his breath came in quick gasps as he gathered his thoughts. "What would, I-I mean we do if we lost you now?"

I shrugged. "Move on, probably. It wouldn't be that big of a deal for you, would it?" It was depressing, sure, but it felt true. After all, I'd barely hung out with the group

before this mess started and Larry was never friendly before.

"What, of course it would! What are

you even saying!" Larry was just staring at me now.

"Why do you care so much anyway? It's not that big of a deal."

"cause I care about you, you idiot!"

I stared at him silently. "What?"

"I care about you dude its pretty simple. we kissed, for fucks sake!" he face palmed.

"fuck it, I know! believe it or not, I was there!" I sat down.

"So what is that it?" he grumbled angrily.

"what rise do you expect from me?"

"I need to know that you care about me, too, y/n. i need to know that wasnt a kiss between strangers." he ran his fingers through his hair.

"what the fuck are you talking about? youre the one who was shitty to me, now youre switching up because I'm the only girl you've seen in months." I stood up again

and came face to face or him.

"what the fuck, no! I never wanted to treat you like shit, but I was fucking 17! dude, I don't know what you want me to do: that was almost 10 years ago."

"You know, I've always cared about you Larry, But I'm starting to think I cared too much." I sighed looking down at my feet.

"What do you-oh." Larry sat down

and gestured for me to do the same.

We got in front of each other awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

"So you liked me? Even back then?"

I shrugged blushing "a bit, maybe a little."

Larry looked at the ground. "Damn. me too..."

" What?" I reached forward and playfully shoved his shoulder. "why the hell did you say anything?"

he grinned sheepishly. "I never thought in a 100 years you'd like me back. plus, I did say I was an idiot back then."

"still, fuck you." I smiled sadly.

"I know you want to." Larry winked, earning an eyeroll from me.

[hughungrybear]

Me watching Laws of Attraction Ep. 5:

1. After two days of not being able to watch, I can finally sit back and continue this series 😭😭😭😭 Starting with Charn accusing the friendly neighbours as traitors (specifically, the brave lady from previous episode, Nam). I don't buy this. I still maintain that Charn's assistant (Wit) is highly sus.

2. Oh, wait. So, Nam DID sold Tin out??? I still have a hard time believing it. I think she's telling the truth about trying to set the reporter straight (which, unfortunately backfired). But I don't think she's the one who reveal all of Charn's cards to Thattep.

3. Charn, you and Tin just reconciled. Don't mess things up.

4. OMG. Tonkhao's bestie is also using the doll in public 😭😭😭 I hope Thattep does not find her (and the doll) first.

5. Grandma still captaining the ship, apparently 😅 Sidenote, I don't think I like this transition. We just saw Tin and Charn arguing about each other beliefs and morals, next thing we see Charn is in Tin's bedroom with an almost naked and newly bathe Tin. From a plot's perspective, it doesn't make much sense that they (especially Tin) are more than okay with each other's company (and flirting) again. 😑 Don't get me wrong, the scenes are cute. It's just that I think the timing (or editing) is wrong.

7. Charn is, opportunistic, to put it nicely. He just needs to channel that talent into good use. However, his cynicism is hindering him from looking at things from a (morally) positive angle.

8. I have said this from the very first episode: GIVE US CHARN'S FULL BACKSTORY, GAWD DAMMIT. I am this close 🤏 to googling spoilers 😭😭😭

9. Ms Club Owner and the gorgeous Silvy (in hot pink) side-eyeing Charn throughout the whole phone conversation is 😂😂😂 Also, Charn called Ms Club Owner, "auntie". Is he really her nephew? Because y'know, us Asians can call any female "auntie" (even complete strangers) without batting an eyelash 😂😂😂

10. Noooo, Charn. Don't leave Tonkhao's things in the open like that with Wit. 😭😭😭

11. Wit asking questions about the doll just heightens my suspicions towards him. So, yeah Charn, take your own advice and don't trust anyone, especially Wit.

12. I feel bad for Chai. I mean, wasn't it enough that they made him a fallguy? He needed to be killed too? The fvck. Also, the calculated way that Charn sacrificed this man's life to draw out the mole is every bit disgusting.

13. Thattep's reasoning. I cannot. 🤯🤯🤯🤯 What a sh*tty father. So, the reason why his own son is his first choice to be the fallguy is because it is a given that he will get away with it (just a probation, guys. No biggie /s)? He would rather have his son wrongfully labeled as criminal to what end???

14. Tanthai getting gaslit and made to believe that he caused two innocent people killed should be the bodyguard's cue to switch sides and tell the truth to protect his young master.

15. I KNEW IT. Then again, the series made it obvious that Wit cannot be trusted. Okay, I did not anticipate the gun(s), the action scenes, or that office fire/explosion that followed. Still, 😂😂😂😂

16. Not sure why the office exploded, honestly. I get it is for dramatic effect (and ensures that Wit is truly dead). But then again, from a realistic point of view, that sh*t shouldn't have happened unless Charn was keeping something that is highly explosive in HIS LAW OFFICE.

17. Grandma has a glow-up courtesy of Silvy (Maya) in a gorgeous 1920s-inspired fit. At this point, I seriously should start a Silvy fan club lol.

17. After the night's excitement, forgive me if I'm eyerolling Tin's highly questionable timing to flirt with Charn. 🙄🙄🙄

18. Mr. Bodyguard, sir, get an effing clue. At this point, I will not be surprised if Tanthai tries to un-alive himself.

19. Grandma being supportive of TinCharn's happiness is 🥺🥺🥺

20. Charn sleeps exactly like my two-year old nephew, right to the part of kicking anybody who shares the bed 😂😂😂😂 His parents learnt to sleep the very edge of the bed - sideways lol

21. Hold up. I think Wit is already effed up in the head, even without Charn's influence. He just got emboldened by Charn's very lax and questionable take on justice.

22. Wait, did Tonkhao's bestie moved to the town where Charn's traumatic past happened??? <after five seconds> Yep, there it is. Also, did the government has something to do with Charn's mum's death???

23. Charn's disgusting morals rears its ugly head again. Seriously, I wanted Ms Club Owner to slap him hard so he can get back to his senses.

It's official. I am having a love-hate fascination with Charn. He is so desperate to play an anti-hero that is almost pathetic, not to mention downright depressing. Will I get to finally see Charn's backstory in the next episode? I really hope so.

[curseconsumed]

To Clara's surprise (and yes, perhaps frustration), Anthony didn't so much as snap at her bait. He reassured Catherine that he could understand the need to defend one's sister, and scoffing, Clara didn't bother concealing her eyeroll.

"If you are truly so concerned for your sisters, sir, why is it you are so well-versed with the fairer sex? Do you ever stop to think that perhaps they are someone's sister, as well?"

Anthony straightened. "She is in no danger with me, unless you count my accidental stepping on her toes in the dance I was about to ask for."

Clara sneered at him. "I'm afraid I don't believe you," she replied. "When you were out on the dance floor mere moments ago, I saw nary a trip to your step. You don't strike me as a man nearly so clumsy, and most especially with your need to constantly be on your toes around the mamas."

Anthony remained unruffled. "For your sister's sake, I implore you to stop this crude talk. Can't you see she's near swooning?"

Clara pursed her mouth. She didn't wish to exasperate Catherine, and yet she knew the poor girl had heard far worse from her tongue. "Kitty is a big girl and can handle herself," she deflected. "Unless, of course, you are merely trying to find a far more simple and vulnerable sort to sink your fangs into?"

Anthony followed her out onto the dance floor. "Shouldn't this job fall to your father? Surely he's more than capable."

Clara snorted. "What, you wish to share a dance with Father? I'm sure he'd be flattered, but wholly opposed." She sneered, knowing full well what he meant. "I suppose even rakes have their limits with whom they seduce. But I can assure you, Mr. Bridgerton: his concerns do not extend to his daughters. Not beyond keeping us out of trouble, of course."

Anthony smirked, though there was an odd flicker behind his eyes. "As you wish, Miss Boyd," he agreed, "though I'm inclined to point out that the Bridgerton fortune is far above yours. Why then, would I need to secure any other?"

"Why, indeed?" Clara agreed. "Firstly, I don't think you are privy to my father's monetary figures -- and secondly, you know your family would be foolish to cross him, seeing how he has all the prominent members of society in his pocket. So naturally, I must assume you wish to climb the social ladder even farther. It isn't uncommon for two powerful families to join forces. But then, you know this."

Clara glared at him as though she’d happened upon a snake, one whose head needed to be crushed before it could strike, and while he didn’t particularly think himself a serpent, to Clara, he was no doubt one of the dangerous of sorts – the most venomous.

Any hopes he had of pursuing her sister easily were now dashed upon the rocks. If he wanted to make it work, he was going to have to go through her first, and something told him the usual charm of a gentleman wasn’t going to cut it. 

"Is it truly an insult when something can be proven as fact, sir? With as often as you've stuck your pillock into the local elite, I would wager you're on par with a breeding ground."

Catherine was appalled at her sibling’s behavior, demanding that she apologize to him, a plea to which Clara unsurprisingly refused.

“It’s quite alright, Miss Boyd. I’m unoffended by a woman merely looking out for her sister’s well being,” he reassured Catherine before addressing Clara, “Madam, I can assure you that is highly untrue.” 

It was. He’d never soiled a woman of status, only those who had no pull in the ton, those who were willing with nothing to lose. With sisters of his own, he’d never go so far as to take the virtue of a young woman that was at risk of being disgraced. 

“She is in no danger with me, unless you count my accidental stepping on her toes in the dance I was about to ask for.” 

"These sort of affairs all start with a dance, you know. And then before you know it, he'll be hounding you with bouquets and seeking your 'delicate flower' -- if you get my meaning."

“For your sister’s sake, I implore you to stop this crude talk. Can’t you see she’s near swooning?”

"Come," Clara commanded, taking hold of his lapel and tugging him toward the dance floor before he could so much as reach for his handkerchief to aid in fanning Catherine. "If you truly wish to prove yourself, then you must dance with me first. And if I deign you suitable companionship, then perhaps I'll allow it." 

“Shouldn’t this job fall to your father? Surely he’s more than capable.”

She glanced back at him, her emerald eyes aflame. Shockingly, Anthony could have sworn he’d felt himself shivering, "Unless, of course, you truly are only sniffing about because of Father's tremendous wealth?

Something stirred inside him, causing his heart to quicken as he smirked, “As you wish, Miss Boyd, though I’m inclined to point out that the Bridgerton fortune is far above yours. Why then, would I need to secure any other?

[charliedawn]

You hang out with them for Halloween

" Come on darling, be serious."

Carlisle says when you propose the idea.

" But I am !"

You insist, but Carlisle only pretends to be busy with his files and does not look up from his work when he replies.

" Me ? Going trick or treating ? It would be inappropriate, and what would I dress as even ? A vampire ?"

He jokes and you can't help but smile and slowly wrap your arms around his neck, forcing him to finally look at you.

" Please ? I'm sure you'll love it..Just give it a try, okay ?"

He finally sighs and looks at you one last time before giving in.

" Okay, but I warn you, you'll do all the treat and tricking as I am too old for that nonsense.."

You smile widely and embrace him tightly.

" Thank you !"

You then take him by the hand and slowly guide him outside. You then spend the rest of the day knocking door to door with a very ashamed Carlisle. Worth it.

" Come on..I know you want to.."

You say with a small taunting smile and Bella shakes her head, having to face another one of your crazy ideas.

" You're crazy."

She finally says and you only laugh before taking her hand and forcing her to stand up and make her twirl to the Halloween songs coming from the street.

" Come on..There will be cake ?"

You try to seduce her into the idea with food, but she only shakes her head again.

" I'm a vampire now, remember ?"

You don't let it discourage you and lean in to whisper.

" And ? We could always go throw it on Jacob and his clan.."

That gets her attention as she smiles devilishly and replies.

" Lead the way then.."

You get to buy lots of cakes and throw it at the werewolves' windows until they chase you down. Fortunately, Bella had super speed and succeeds in getting you both out of trouble before the werewolves catch you.

" No. Absolutely not."

She says categorically and you moan beggingly.

" Come on, Rosalie ! I can assure you it's fun!"

You then make your best sulky pout and teary eyes, knowing she couldn't resist it. And you're right, she gives in after another dramatic eyeroll.

" Fine, but stop looking at me like that.."

You squeal in excitement and wrap your arms around her excitedly.

" I love you !"

She laughs and pats your head.

" Yeah yeah..So I've been told.."

Rosalie follows you outside and, to your surprise, likes to knock on doors to ask for candy. She smiles and even laughs when some of the neighbors compliment her on her "costume". She enjoys herself and are there to witness hope blooming on Rosalie's face and in her heart.

" There will be pranks."

You know the magic word, he doesn't even need convincing.

" I'm in."

He automatically replies and it is the rest of the family that look at him with disbelief. He only shrugs his shoulders at them and replies with a smirk.

" What ?! I want to have fun !"

He then looks back at you with a side smirk.

" So, what did you have in mind ?"

You smile back before whispering.

" Something involving ice cream, glitter and werewolves.."

You don't need to talk more about the plan, you see in his eyes that he is convinced.

" This should be good.."

You spend the night gathering lots of ice cream and glitter to put them in a big bag and setting a trap in front of the werewolves' house. As soon as they step a feet out, the bag is released and covers them in glitter and ice cream. You both laugh histerically while the werewolves, having noticed your presence, growl at you. Emmett quickly carries you in his arms and runs as fast as he can.

" Treat or tricking ? Really ?"

He asks, more amused than opposed by the idea, and you chuckle.

" Oh come on! Just for one night!"

You promise and he raises an eyebrow at that.

" Why do I have the feeling that you're lying ?"

You smile mischievously at him before grabbing his arm and dragging him outside. Jasper is actually more interested in the fireworks than trick or treating. He would want to sit quietly somewhere and just enjoy the sounds, the view and all the atmosphere surrounding that very special night.

Bonus :

You come back home and open the door to fall face to face with a pile of wolf fur and sigh. You can already hear the manic giggles of the werewolves hidden behind the trees. You turn around and shout.

" Ah ah ! Very funny guys ! Is that all you got ?!"

You shouldn't have said that, because as soon as you say it, you receive a lemon pie in the face. You sigh again before turning around and going inside while pointing your middle finger at them.

" Happy Halloween, doggies !"

To that, they howl at you and you smile, already planning what you would do to them next year..

This is a request of @werewolf-himbo Hope you like it!

(oops, forgot Edward and Alice, I'll add them in a second part, my bad 😅)

[boop-le-snoot]

cupid carries a gun

masterlist • taglist & faq

dark!Bruce Banner x named!Reader. Rated R.

Dr. Banner is a serial killer known as the Doctor and Bailey has his soulmark. He escapes imprisonment and meets his soulmate. ~2,2k words. Serial killer fluff??

[no y/n, no 'you', no reader description, race/age/body type neutral, only first name]

This is more of a concept I wrote in an hour than an actual fic. I think it would make a good multi-chapter, but really, my hands are full now and I just needed to get this weird dream off my chest. Yes, I had a dream he was a serial killer and I was his soulmate 💀🖐🏻 I need to ease up on true crime shows istg...

St. John's was suffering a nasty collective psychosis. That would be the only logical explanation Bailey is willing to accept for the jittery, jerky way everybody is behaving. Some of it could be attributed to the armed guards roaming the halls and scaring the patients - but in America, a gun slung over the shoulder shouldn't invoke such a reaction from people.

Only select few know what these people are there for, anyways. Most hospital population is clueless, only vaguely perceiving the sense of dread those harbouring the knowledge seem to carry around. People are easily scared - the thought doesn't leave Bailey's head her whole shift.

She, however, knows exactly what is happening. She's good at her job, brilliant even, nerves made of purest steel and bedside manner perfectly compassionate and tender. It doesn't come as a surprise that she is the one that got chosen to handle the problematic, uncooperative patients.

The bar is high, and this time - neigh impossible. A man so dangerous, so volatile, it required the sheriff to dispatch their town's squadron of special forces - not that was anything but a slight setback for the Doctor. The halls of this hospital will be forever marred with their blood, will forever be haunted by the echoes of their screams abruptly cutting off with a wet squelch.

Bailey thought she'd done her part to protect the innocents. Her colleagues, young women just like her (they're not, Bailey's mind whispers), all safely locked away in a storage closet for the cops to find. There are no windows and He won't see or hear them... If they're smart.

There he is, the man everybody is savagely afraid of. He is everything and nothing she had imagined - Doctor Bruce Banner is on the shorter side, stocky and sickly pale in his hospital issue pajamas, the bluish tint to his skin contrasted by dark crimson stains of blood on the rancid green cotton of his clothes.

The axe in his hands is held firmly but clumsily - Bailey's sure it wouldn't have been his weapon of choice should he had been given one. A choice. She swallowed the unease that spread all over her determination like mold, seeing his eyes, wild and crazy, land on the crook of her arm - where his mark laid, bright red and angry, as if it had been carved into her flesh mere days ago.

"Are you, perhaps, in need of a nurse, doctor Banner?" Bailey inquired softly, fingertips shaking, as the man crossed the space between them with short, powerful strides. The woman's stance widened, involuntary shivers running through her bones at the unexpected tenderness coming from him - Dr. Banner's palms gently wrapped around her arm, warm, chapped lips touching the angry, red soulmark near the crook of her elbow.

"It's been so long since I had a nurse," the man's mutter was barely audible. His eyes, the warmest brown she'd ever seen, met Bailey's wide, shining ones, for her to discover no trace of the madness she was told should be there. Bailey smiled.

As the hospital building grew smaller in the rear view mirror, so did Bailey's anxiety, paving way to excitement and muted curiosity. Her mother always had told that fate had a way of intervening when it was needed - and her mom had oftentimes taken up the role onto herself, moving them out of the state when Bailey's soulmark began to appear on dead people's bodies, burned or cut into skin as a signature. Bailey was not old enough to understand what it meant, back then, but she'd always been a clever girl.

With her first mobile device, she figured out why her mother strictly prohibited her from speaking about it, why her mother always kept a stash of large bandaids to cover it should Bailey be required to remove her long-sleeve shirt.

Only Bailey's physician knew. She'd expected terror, disgust - or even pity, but Dr. Strange always kept his mouth and eyes shut. As Bailey grew older, blossomed into a fine young woman, she thought she saw envy leak into his chiseled features - but Dr. Strange was as quiet and cynical as ever.

As long as nobody tried to separate them, it would be fine. A small smile stretched her plush lips, hand squeezing the one holding hers with giddiness creeping into her youthful features. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed an expression of curious tranquility on Dr. Banner's- Bruce's face as his eyes stayed firmly on the road as the radio crackled static in-between songs.

"Penny for your thoughts?" The man she'd grown to crave and fear, his salt and pepper curls bouncing with every pothole the car hit; his warm hand, larger than hers by a stretch, provided comfort she hadn't known she needed.

"Where to, doc?" The woman couldn't hold back the anticipation. She wanted to hold him, to be close - closer than her small, cramped cheap car allowed them to be.

"I have some friends waiting for me," the man announced, as if he hadn't spent the last five years in a maximum security prison. Not that it mattered to Bailey - but knowing there was no way back from this, Bruce's so-called friends became a point of doubt to the young woman. The doctor noticed it, his responding smile both dangerous and comforting, all sharp canines and moist lips. "You know them, baby. Dr. Strange is a colleague of mine and Tony Stark is a great friend."

Bailey's eyebrows rose, mild disbelief caught somewhere in her trachea as she attempted to clear her throat. Her family physician and the businessman rumoured to be the largest crime boss of their side of the pond. Suddenly, Strange's long glances and penetrating stares acquired a new meaning, a sense of indignation seeping into Bailey's newly found joy. "And he never said anything," the longing, the countless nights spent studying every publicly available material on Dr. Banner, the killer surgeon that terrorised the Tri-State area burned acrid in her chest.

"He told everything to me," Bruce's remark stung if only from the fact that he'd known about her all along. "Who, do you think, pushed for your transfer to St. John's?" Bruce's smile glinted a little wicked in the meager light of passing-by streetlights as the evening sun simmered down to a rest below the horizon. "I don't actually have cancer," the second remark was more optimistic, spoken hopefully, with another gentle squeeze to her hand.

Bailey puffed out a breath she didn't know she was holding. The puzzle pieces slowly started to arrange themselves, revealing a bigger picture than the one before. She wanted to be mad - mad at Stephen, for not saying anything; mad at Bruce, for getting himself caught years prior. And the anger at her own mother, for taking away her right to stand by her soulmate, for all the countless fights and nights spent locked up in her room.

Bailey had been treated like a monster as soon as he soulmark showed up - and after so much time spent trying to show she wasn't one, perhaps, it was time to face the truth. Perhaps, it was time to show them how much of a monster she could be, if they were so unhappy before.

Gravel flew under the wheels of Bailey's beaten up Toyota Corolla, sending little pebbles to bang noisily against the bumper and the stone flower beds surrounding the driveway to a large two-story mansion. Two cars stood in from of it with two men leaning each against their own vehicle.

The shorter figure was well-dressed, suit obviously bespoke and expensive, sunglasses reflecting the headlights of her Toyota even from a distance away. The taller figure stood out with familiarity, a lit cigarette freely dangling between the finger of his gesturing hand - Dr. Strange and his long, sculpted legs, Bailey could recognise even from a mile away.

Bruce parked, killing the engine and exiting the car with a free, lopsided grin carelessly thrown in Bailey's direction. Fumbling with the lock of her seatbelt, the woman's eyes latched onto the figure of her soulmate eagerly embracing the shorter man, their reunion evidently long-awaited and happy. Stephen's coarse laugh penetrated the interior of the car as the wacky passenger side seatbelt finally let Bailey free.

Three pairs of eyes bore into her body still wearing the scrubs from the hospital - one laughing, Strange was amused; one curious - none other than Tony Stark and his shameless smirk had made an appearance at their first getaway destination; and Bruce, looking so damn proud and lovesick. The grin tugged at Bailey's lips as the presence of the other men barely registered in her elevetaed emotional state.

"Damn, Brucie-bear, lucky you," Tony Stark wolf-whistled, clapping the doctor on the shoulder and receiving a fond eyeroll in return. Those two really were good friends. "Well, I won't hold you two back from getting to know each other better," Stark wiggled his eyebrows salaciously. "We can talk business tomorrow," with that, Stark waltzed over to Bailey, snatching the keys to her car out of her hands with a quick flick of his wrist. "Can't have a car allegedly containing a runaway prisoner on my property, now can I? Don't worry, babycakes, my people will take care of it. Bruce is family. You better treat him well, or else," the river of words flowed from Tony's mouth, causing the surprised Bailey to simply freeze in place and withstand his rambling, surrounded by the smell of whiskey and Stark's expensive cologne.

Despite his easy tone and the relaxed demeanor, Bailey knew a dangerous man when saw one. Tony Stark was not to be fucked with. "Yeah," she mumbled, scampering for the trunk to take out the duffle bag she carried around everywhere - just in case. Just in case her serial-killing, incarcerated-for-life soulmate would somehow found his way to her.

Tony looked at the spectacle with amusement. "You won't need your ID, sweetheart. All of that is going to be taken care of, don't worry your pretty little head about it."

"Duly noted," Bailey couldn't help the annoyed frown at Tony's frivolousness. Her government ID was the last thing on her mind. She wasn't stupid, she knew her mother would go to the cops as soon as she saw the news. "I have my own business to attend to. Might need a hand," the realization came with the dull thud of the trunk being slammed shut.

Tony's eyebrows rose; Bruce approached her with caution, wrapping an arm around her waist from behind. "Is it urgent?"

"Her mother knows about their connection," Strange piped up, glowing ember of the cigarette flying somewhere over the car. The sound of a lighter followed immediately, another dot of shiny red standing out in the twilight. "Don't worry, Bailey, she's detained and sedated for the time being," he offered with a crooked smirk, nearly no trace of the quiet man who bandaged her boo-boos when she was a child.

"You planned this," Bailey observed, fighting the dread crawling up her spine. The realization - she will never step back, will never be able to escape this life - set in. She was unprepared, having acted on a whim, prepared to live on the run but not within an arm's reach of her previous life yet unable to resume it.

"A long time ago," Strange nodded. "You always were a clever girl, Bailey. It is delightful to finally you where you belong," he smiled at Bruce in earnest.

Bailey wondered what else was going on in the sleepy town of hers. What kind of atrocities were committed daily under her nose, by the very people she knew and trusted. There was so much evil in this world.

But not Bruce. He could never be evil, even as he cut the hearts out of the men that had been treating those around them as objects. Bruce merely made them what they should've been; the greed, the infidelity - what use did those men have for their hearts? The Doctor was merciful and true: he never caused his patients undue pain and always, always left them in a state they were true to themselves. It wasn't his fault so many of his patients were heartless beasts for men.

Those clever hands, the same hands that brought the world at his feet, brought Bailey at his - voluntarily so. Their bodies hot, impatient for each other, with their blood singing a song of lust and longing, both of them hidden from the world by the heavy velvet curtains of Tony's estate - it was hellfire in heaven.

No amount of time too long as Bruce's teeth closed around Bailey's jugular, sinking into the flesh tenderly, all the while her nails penetrated the skin of his back; both drew blood, content to drown in it and wash their sins away with it. Heaven and Hell were merely words for the two, anyway.

Bruce Banner taglist:

@couldntbedamned @mikariell95 @letsby @sleep-i-ness @toomanyrobins @mostly-marvel-musings @persephonehemingway @schemefrenzy @lillsxd @bluecrazedandbeautiful @slothspaghettiwrites @pilloclock @sapphicnoodle69

[countlessrealities]

The sequence of garbled radio sounds doesn't go unnoticed, of course, but Vox pretends to have missed it. Acknowledging it would mean acknowledging his words and there's no way he'd do that. Alastor's lack of verbal response is the perfect opportunity to never bring up it again.

Still, his thoughts linger, for some moments, a few scenarios popping in his mind, all starring him, of course, as the second participant. Oh, the things he'd do to the old-timer given the chance...

Thankfully, the radio creep decides to speak up and be a prick right then, because the Media Demon was already starting to feel his vents whirling a little faster.

Vox's distracted expression instantly morphs in a scowl, one that he hopes looks annoyed and not hurt as he's feeling.

"Being loyal to yourself doesn't count, you narcissist," he barks back, bringing the bottle up to his mouth and taking a few, generous gulps. "So, no, you can't."

Those are the facts, aren't they? He needs to believe that they are. Otherwise, it would mean that he wasn't enough for Alastor. A thought that makes him sick in the stomach.

The Radio Demon's obvious surprise is met with a raised brow, but deep down Vox knows that the other's puzzlement shouldn't surprise him. Of course he wouldn't know shit about interpersonal relationships.

"No, we are not. People can have sex even if they aren't dating," he answers with an exaggerated eyeroll. He takes another gulp of liquor before handing the bottle out. "You're really an old man inside out, aren't you?"

How is he even going to explain this to Alastor? The guy is stuck in the Middle Ages or whatever, mentality wise.

"Alright, let me put this in a way even a fossil like you can understand." Or at least, he hopes he can. "I like Val as a friend. We're sexually attracted to each other and have good sexual chemistry, but that's it. There's no romance or feelings or crushes of any kind. We fuck each other when the mood strikes, but we fuck other people too. I could date someone else, and Val wouldn't give a shit."

That was clear enough, right? He isn't even going to try to mention the word "queerplatonic". It would be a waste of breath.

"Then there's Velvette. She's my best friend. The person who knows my most embarrassing secrets and makes fun of me for them, but who would gut anyone who mocked or hurt me."

God, she's a queen bitch. His queen bitch.

"I love her...platonically. We hook up sometimes, but it's not...it's just another fun thing we do together, y'know? Like going to an amusement park or to the movies or getting drunk. I guess it's another way for us to express our affection towards each other."

Great, now he's rambling. Velvette will laugh her ass off when he tells her about all this.

"She's not Val's biggest fan, even if the two of them are friends too. But they don't sleep with each other unless I'm involved. So it's either a threesome or nothing."

He makes a quiet gesture for Alastor to hand the bottle back.

"Does this clarify shit for you?"

As expected Alastor doesn't respond nor does he make a move toward the door–he is not stupid enough to try nor will he ever find himself crawling anywhere in Vox's general vicinity. Or anyone else's, for that matter. If asked, his excuse will be that he is perfectly comfortable and sees no reason to leave his position.

He watches with disinterest as Vox fetches himself another bottle of liquor, and a comment about that being the last thing he needs is on the tip of his tongue. It sounds far too much like he cares, so it remains there rather than being spoken aloud.

Or maybe he should have said it.

There's a sound like a record skipping, a blat of static and stations changing all at once before he quells his shock. Behind his hand his mouth falls open in horror, eyebrows furrowed, though by the time Vox actually looks at him again he has composed himself and put his mask of indifference back on.

Where did that even come from ? What did it have to do with anything, and most importantly, how did he even figure that ? Must've put quite a lot of thought into it, and on the regular !

He's incorrect, anyway.

❝ I'm quite loyal when I choose to be. ❞ he responds flippantly, the dig having not much of an effect. Perhaps he can owe that to the several long moments it took for him to collect himself.

❝ You aren't in a relationship ? ❞ he inquires next, unable to keep surprise from coloring his tone. The Vees were one large irritating enigma, but if there was one thing he had been certain of it was that. Consider him thrown.

. . . Why did he even care enough to ask, or think that in the first place?

He holds a hand out expectantly. ❝ If I'm forced to listen to your drivel, ❞ and perhaps face other things, ❝ then you should at least compensate by sharing what you're indulging in. ❞