#“Ah Jamie that's sweet bro”

[storyshark2005]

🎁 STICK TO CHRISTMAS, CARRAVILLE!

A TRANSCRIPT OF THE MELTIEST CARRAVILLE XMAS PRESENT EVER (spoilers under cut)

Jamie: "So, eh, I've got you a couple presents... so eh, this relationship's been goin' on a long time, and I've gotta think of like, my greatest moments alongside you...had a lot of ups and downs!"

Gary: (watching in nervous amusement)

*Jamie begins opening Gary's present for him*

Jill (bemused): "Are you opening it for him?"

JC: (realises what he's doing): "Oh, sorry, yeah!"

*Jamie hands half-open prezzie to Gary*

ALL: *IN HYSTERICS*

Gary: (opens already half-open present)

Wrighty (leaning in to see): "What is it--?! AHHHH, I love those!"

Gary: *reveals snow globe*

Jamie: "I just wanted you to put it on the mantlepiece-- a little snow globe."

ALL: 'awwwwww!' -ing

Roy: "Aw, that's nice."

Wrighty: (hearty approval) "Jame, that's sweet, bro."

Jill: "That's cute."

Gary: (happily holds up his prezzie) "It's got Liverpool-Man United commentary picture."

Wrighty: "THAT'S BEAUTIFUL."

Jamie: "That has to go there [in studio?]"

Wrighty: (gesturing for prezzie) "Let me see, I wanna see-- I love that."

Gary: (handing over snowglobe) "It's quite nice, that. Very thoughtful."

Jamie: (shoots Gary a look of fondness)

Roy: (interested, to Wrighty) "Shake it, shake it."

Wrighty: "I love these." (shakes snowglobe, then holds aloft)

Roy: (in softest most gentle voice) "Don't drop it."

Wrighty: (in sweet, childlike wonder) "Yaaay!!"

Jill: "Aw, that's so cute."

Gary: "How much are they in Liverpool?"

Jamie: "Eh, twelve pound."

ALL Laugh.

❤️

Watch this absurdity here: https://youtu.be/FITOGVqRfEQ?list=RDCMUCjXIw1GlwaY1IzpW_jN9iCQ&t=342

[makethatelevenrings]

Somewhere Only We Know - FOUR

Chapter Warning: swearing, spoilers for 2x03, mediocre writing

Series Masterlist

“Fucking hell,” you grunted as you tried to balance a camera bag, your work bag, and the box of treats in your hand while simultaneously attempting to lock your car door. Glancing over your shoulder, you realized with dismay that after succeeding at this, you would somehow have to open the door to the training facility.

“Oi, babes, let me get that for you,” Keeley, your hero and savior, called. She exited her own car and took the large box out of your hands which considerably lightened the load on your arms.

“Y’know, if you needed me to kill someone, I would do it without question,” you gasped out as you finally locked the door to your car. She grinned and bumped her shoulder against yours.

“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind. What’s today’s treat?”

“Blueberry and strawberry muffins. Blue and red, like Richmond’s colors.”

“Fucking brilliant. Have I told you that yet? You’re fucking brilliant.”

“You’re just trying to butter me up for more sweets.”

Keeley batted her lashes at you and shrugged. “I might be, but I’m not lying. I wouldn’t be opposed to some brandy snaps if you ever make those.”

You chuckled. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

Keeley led the way to the locker rooms through the maze of halls. The blonde announced herself with a loud “knock, knock” before she pushed her way in. You set your camera bag and work bag down so you could take the box and free up her hands.

“Sam, I think I have something you might want to see,” Keeley exclaimed. “You want to look at your photos from the Dubai Air shoot?”

He had taken the photos a few weeks ago and they had the edits done in no time, giving you and Keeley a chance to come up with a few ideas on how to promote it.

“Ooo, yes please. I am very nervous, but also very excited. That’s similar to whenever Colin drives me anywhere in his Lamborghini.”

“Ah, it’s true. It’s way too much car for me,” Colin agreed. Having witnessed him trying to back out of a parking space yesterday, you knew it to be true. The boys gathered around to look at the photo and, of course, they all started ribbing him. In the short time you worked here, you quickly learned that these boys cared deeply for one another but didn’t hesitate to tease them endlessly. Despite the fact that you were still unsure about your place at AFC Richmond, you were warming up to them and, in turn, added onto the teasing when you had the chance.

“Sam, how does it feel to be the new face of teenage vandalism?”

“It’s remarkable. I feel honored,” he jested in earnest.

“Bro, why are you wearing your kit on the plane?” Bumbercatch added.

“It’s the only way they know he’s a footballer.” Jamie Tartt’s insufferable voice piped up above the crowd. Every head turned towards him, including yours. From what Colin had told you, Jamie hadn’t been the kindest guy in the locker room and it certainly seemed as though he had it out for Sam. Probably because Sam was a damn good player and Jamie was, well, an insecure twat.

His face fell and he recognized that his joke didn’t land. It’s hard to land a joke if all you were known for was cruelty. Hefting up the box in your hand, you lifted the lid to display the muffins inside to the boys.

“A little Richmond treat,” you announced before slamming the lid down before Jan Maas could grab one. “That you will receive after practice because there is no way in hell I’m being blamed for you all puking on the pitch.”

“But…” Bumbercatch whined.

“No.” You were firm but your eyes glinted with humor. “If you puke, you owe me a hundred. Do you want to be indebted to me?”

“No, ma’am,” they mumbled and began to disperse. You headed into the office to give Beard a muffin and to also store the box away until after practice. Keeley instructed the boys on joining Bantr as you placed a muffin on his desk.

“Your blueberry muffin,” you announced.

“I could kill a man for your food,” he replied, practically pouncing on the treat.

“I’m…not sure if that’s a joke or not.” But you thanked him nonetheless and tucked your box into the hiding place Beard made for you with the promise that he got first dibs. You walked back out into the locker room just in time to see Jamie fucking Tartt standing up and opening his big mouth. Oh, this had to be good. You leaned against the doorframe to the office and watched him put his proverbial foot in his mouth.

“I know I wasn’t the greatest teammate. I did some shitty things. I said some shitty things. But I want each and every one of you to know that I’m truly sorry and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make it up to ya. Yeah?.” Was this some kind of Twilight Zone? Or was Jamie Tartt actually apologizing for his behavior?

Silence met his declaration and you almost started to feel bad for the guy when Colin piped up.

“You called me a jaundiced worm.”

“Right, yeah. I’m sorry about that, Colin.”

“In a profile for my hometown paper.” You held back the snort of laughter that threatened to escape you. Sure, Colin was probably the closest friend you’ve made on the team next to Keeley, but jaundiced worm was kind of funny.

“You hit on my mum,” Bumbercatch interjected. “In front of my dad.”

“I apologize for that, Bumbercatch. Please tell your father I’m sorry. And give Janice me best, yeah?”

You muffled your laugh into your hand and turned so your back was to the team. Christ, that was funny as hell. The room descended into shouts, both French and English, as everyone tore into Jamie. Hell, you did start to feel bad for the guy. But he asked for this.

Ted directed the team to go outside for practice and you pushed off the wall, intent on following so you could get some good shots for the various social media platforms. Grabbing your bags, you sidled up next to Colin.

“A jaundiced worm?” you choked out through a laugh. “I’m sorry. It’s not funny. It’s a creative insult, though.”

“My da thought it was next to the funniest thing he’s heard since Thatcher croaked,” he complained.

You patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, if you were a worm, I’d still be your friend.”

A sniffle from behind you drew your attention to Dani who wiped a tear away. “That was a beautiful thing to say.”

That set off another round of laughter but this time Colin joined in. At least you were able to make him laugh after all the chaos. Practice wasn’t bitterly cold this week, but you were still bundled up in a jacket, gloves, and a Richmond beanie. You wished bitterly that you had a hot coffee or tea right now, but you knew they would be waiting for you back in your office. Fumbling with your camera, you tried to keep your fingers from growing stiff from the cold. Your focus was on the screen in front of you to see if you had enough photos from today so you could go inside.

That’s when you heard someone shout your name.

Your head snapped up just in time to see a ball flying towards you. With a yelp, you ducked and it slammed into the wall behind you before bouncing back and hitting your legs. It stung but it wasn’t as bad as a direct hit.

“Are you alright?” Sam exclaimed as he jogged over. You scooped up the ball and tossed it towards him. He caught it easily, but didn’t leave. This team was full of softies.

“I’m fine, Sam. Truly. I guess that’s a sign I should head in and start editing these.” You lifted your camera with a shrug and then bent down to pick up your bags. Before you straightened up, another voice joined Sam’s.

“I am so, so sorry,” Jamie Tartt apologized. “The ball just got away from me and I put too much power behind it and-”

“It’s not a big deal. No harm, no foul, right? I’m fine. Seriously.”

Sam shot Jamie a dirty look but you didn’t want that. You didn’t want the boys blaming Jamie for a genuine accident. You knew that standing on the edge of the pitch was always a risk. And you hadn’t been paying attention. That was your fault, not his.

“Go practice before Nate blows his whistle,” you said. Maybe you could go get some work done at the cafe Keeley introduced you to. That would get you away from the prying eyes and constant questions. As much as you appreciated working at Richmond, you weren’t the kind of person who would delve their entire being into their work. Everyone here seemed intent on being close-knit and connected. You were just the girl that posted shit on Twitter.

Keeley approved your idea of working at the cafe and reminded you that you didn’t need to constantly update her on your whereabouts. She was a very chill boss and if you kept delivering quality content, she really didn’t care where you got your work done. That found you at a small table tucked into the corner with your laptop in front of you and a half-drunk vanilla latte clasped between your hands. Steam curled off the top of the mug and you inhaled it, drunk on the heady scent of coffee and the warmth it provided.

You were so engrossed in your work that the plate being laid in front of you made you nearly jump out of your skin. Heather, one of the baristas, grinned at your surprise but apologized.

“I didn’t order this,” you protested.

“I know,” she retorted and jabbed her thumb over her shoulder. “He did.”

Jamie Tartt stood at the counter with a to-go cup dangling in his hands and a sheepish smile on his lips. He had some stupid baseball cap on his head that proclaimed him as an ICON and his flashy clothes made you roll your eyes but you gestured for him to join you.

“I just wanted to apologize for almost hitting ya,” he explained. “And I figured you like pastries and stuff so…yeah.”

“Sit down if you’d like,” you offered. He fidgeted for a moment before accepting your offer and sitting across from you. “I’ve been meaning to set up a meeting with you, to be honest.”

“With me? What’d I do? Don’t tell me the jacuzzi pictures are back.”

You suppressed the urge to roll your eyes once more and sighed. “No, I meet with everyone to discuss their social media presence, goals, and management they might work with. It’s to make sure I can cater to you all while building a steady presence.”

He sat back, his eyebrows raised, and nodded. “That…is smart. I’ve got a manager but, I don’t know, I’m not really sure he’s helping me.”

“Is he the one that convinced you to do a reality show?” You hid the disdain over that choice well because he clearly didn’t notice.

“Nah, that was all me. I won’t be doing that again, by the way. I don’t really have any goals, yeah? Nothing for the socials, that is. I should but…” He shrugged. “Gotta figure out what I’m doing with the team first.”

The day’s events flashed through your mind, from him being absolutely demolished in the locker room to the boys ignoring him on the pitch. Jamie looked genuinely defeated by today. His shoulders curved in, giving him the appearance of a boy protecting himself against the world. Something told you that it was a familiar position for him to be in.

“Have you ever considered that the team needs to see you be part of them rather than just hear apologies and see no change?” As you spoke, you unwrapped the muffin and cut it in half before putting one half on the wrapper and placing it in front of you and pushing the plate with the other half in front of him. Jamie opened his mouth to refuse, but you merely raised an eyebrow. He gratefully broke off a piece and ate it, chewing on the sweet as though he was chewing on your words.

“I dunno. I don’t think they’ll ever see me as anything but the twat I was.”

“Then make them see.”

Doubt painted his features, but you weren’t going to entertain his insecurities right now. Instead, you flipped your laptop around and showed him the photo you were editing. “Got any caption ideas for this?”

The two of you sat in the small cafe for nearly three hours, drawing up ideas for posts and analyzing pictures. Jamie was a genuinely funny person when he wasn’t insulting someone and you found yourself laughing at his quips more than you expected.

By the time you realized the sun had set, it was well past the time you normally get home. “Shit, I better get home. I need to prepare stuff for my other job.”

Jamie silently stood as you packed up all your stuff. You expected him to just say his goodbyes and leave you there, but he surprised you once more. He carried the dishes up to the counter and then doubled back to help carry your camera bag and laptop case, leaving you with just your purse.

“It’s dark. I’ll walk you to your car,” he explained.

“Thank you.” He acknowledged your thanks with a dip of his chin and then followed you outside into the cold winter air. You really needed to pull out your bigger coat because it was just going to get colder. Your teeth were chattering by the time you reached your car parked on the street. Jamie stowed your bags in the passenger seat and then he stepped back from your car and shoved his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. You couldn’t stop the small smile from slipping across your lips.

“Yeah. Have a good night, Jamie.”

He waited until you were in the driver's seat before he walked off in search of his own vehicle. Cranking the heat on high, you took a moment to relax back against the soft fabric of your car seat and exhale a deep breath.

Maybe Jamie Tartt wasn’t the twat you thought he was.

Maybe, just maybe, you should practice what you preach and give him a chance to show you that he’s changed.

Tag List: @shiptheship​ @teigo-the-explorer​ @geeksareunique​ @queenofthekill​ @actuallybarb​ @for-fucks-sake-im-alive @maggiecc​ @alipap3​

[thetarttfuldickhead]

So if there was a bro-off of some type between Sam/Jamie and Colin/Isaac and Beard/Ted, who would come out on top as #1 bros? I feel like Jamie and Isaac and Beard as the dark horse in particular would be down fight over who “wins” at being friends, Sam and Colin and Ted are coming along on this ride whether they want to or not.

Jamie and Beard would absolutely get into the whole ‘who’s the bestest best friend’, but to be honest I’m not fully convinced it’d be Isaac rather than Colin in that race… Though to be fair, I’m not fully convinced either Isaac OR Colin would be too bothered about it. Jamie and Beard now… ah, that could get rough! That could get ugly! Proper war like, all dirty tricks and such, while sweet sunshine beams Ted and Sam look on in bemused concern. (Sam: Should we intervene, Coach? Ted: Nah. It’ll be worse if we try to stop them.)

What does a bro-off entail, anyway? Are there that type of games when you are supposed to answer questions about each other correctly? Maybe guess each others’ calves from a bunch of other guys' calves? Lots of coordination and cooperation tests, like running around with your leg tied to your bro's leg? Oh, God, they’d stage a bloody Olympiad, wouldn’t they? Several different games, everyone’s invited to participate although Jamie and Beard both knows it’s all about them – only in the end the prize goes to Jan Maas and Dani or some such. Jamie and Beard are outraged and humiliated and need to go drown their sorrows together and maybe play some board games. (Ted and Sam try to join but are not allowed to, due to accusations of them not actually doing their best in the competitions.)

For real, though? Ted and Beard has this. Bros to outlast all bros. I mean, give the others a decade or two to grow into it, they might be able to compete, but for now? Bearded Ted has it all day, every day, until Judgement Day.

Sorry, Jamie. Go cry to Roy about it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[reachingforthevoid]

Dr Who: The Tomb of the Cybermen

I rewatched this serial, the first of Dr Who’s fifth season, on 9 January 2022. I have no memory of watching it as a child, and may not have done, but I do recall the excitement as this once considered missing story was returned to the BBC in the early 1990s. Older fans in Australia and elsewhere had always enthused about it, claiming it was one of the best Dr Who stories ever… Only when we watched it on an eagerly awaited VHS it didn’t quite live up to the nostalgic hype. Ah well. I haven’t watched it since, until now.

The basic story, seen in context, is pretty good.

The gaps between seasons are getting longer, so it’s sensible to have the Doctor explaining to Victoria about the TARDIS. Jamie is a bit like an older brother to her, which is sweet. I’m glad that during the story Victoria shows a bit of character, but she is parked rather a lot. And my word the far future is sexist.

The archaeological dig is reminiscent of Victorian explorers, or Agatha Christie murder mysteries, or Indiana Jones’s adventures than actual archaeology. At least the group aren’t all white men, and it’s mostly the white men who die off quickly. I note, though, that the human baddies don't have British accents. Meanwhile, the rocket crew are seriously channelling Star Trek vibes.

As for Klieg, the main human baddie… given what’s been going on in the social media world over the last decade or so, I can’t help but think that a contemporary version of this serial would have Klieg as a thinly disguised tech bro… as it is, he is a power hungry rich idiot.

This is the third Cybermen serial in nine stories, and we get yet another reinvention. This time, we’re on Telos, their home world. Unless I missed it - my attention did wander - Mondas isn’t mentioned. We do get to see the first iteration of Cybermats, which are terribly cute. And, since the Daleks now have a mega version of themselves with their Emperor, so do the Cybermen with their controller.

In summary, it’s better watched in context and without the expectations of it being brilliant.

[my-deer-friend]

*rolls up sleeves* Well hello there, darling. How about 27. Take notes. Watch and learn. AND 74. Blankets are for quitters. And this I would like to be with Hamilgan (Alex and Hercules) 😌❤️

Thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone, Henni! Have some sweet Alex & Herc being bros, with just a pinch of angst.

Alexander Hamilton & Hercules Mulligan

27. Take notes. Watch and learn.

74. Blankets are for quitters.

---

“That’s not a pillow fort.”

Alex crosses his arms and scowls. Hercules, who’s putting the finishing touches on the final corner of his ramshackle construction, looks up at him in alarm.

“The hell you talking about?”

“It’s not,” Alex insists.

It’s a testament to how much Alex trusts Hercules that he allows himself to talk back. Hercules is huge - easily double his size, even though they’re both fifteen - and Alex has enough of a self-preservation instinct to mind his tongue around the biggest kid in any foster home (and find subtler ways to get his own back later, if they make the mistake of picking on him).

Luckily, Hercules is just as kind and gentle as he is big, and this is one of the better homes Alex has been in. There’s pizza on Fridays, and a comfy desk for him to do his homework on, and Mrs Mulligan lets them play in the living room just as long as they put it back in order afterwards.

Hercules stretches up to his full height. “Why not?”

“Clue’s in the name. Pillow fort. Pillow. That’s a blanket.” Alex points to the roof of the fort, across which Hercules has very neatly tucked a blanket.

“So?”

Alex smirks. “Blankets are for quitters.”

Hercules lets out a roaring laugh. “You’re saying you can build a fort out of just pillows?”

“You bet. It’s far superior, since blankets end up sagging and getting tangled up.” Alex cocks an eyebrow. “Take notes. Watch and learn.”

Hercules gives him a skeptical shake of the head, but he steps back and waves an arm, inviting him to take over.

Alex dismantles the whole thing with one sharp tug and throws the offending blanket onto the couch behind him. He restacks the cushions so that the smaller ones form a wall against the side of the couch, adding more to create the height he needs. Then he balances the big couch cushions carefully on top - with a little overlap, just the way Jamie taught him when they were still living together on St Croix and things were simpler.

“See?” Alex says smugly. “I don’t need shortcuts.”

Hercules snorts, but reaches out and ruffles his hair; though it used to spook him, it’s a habit that Alex has gotten used to, and even enjoys.

Alex ducks inside. Hercules reaches over for the big bowl of popcorn and squeezes in after him. Alex holds his breath, but Hercules maneuvers carefully so he doesn’t bump the walls, and then settles with a contented sigh and gives the structure an appraising look.

“Not bad,” he says, with an impressed frown.

Alex digs his hand into the popcorn bowl. “Told you,” he teases.

He shoves the popcorn into his mouth, but it’s just a little too much, and the fine salt tickles his nose--

Oh - no!

Alex lets out a massive sneeze, knocking his elbow back against the pillow wall. It wavers for just a second, and then the whole thing starts to topple.

He cringes and braces for a thump to the head, but when it doesn’t come, he opens his eyes and sees Hercules with his arm stretched out above him, knocking the cushion aside and laughing uncontrollably.

Oh.

It must have been a completely instinctive gesture, for Hercules to reach out and shield him. Alex’s diaphragm tightens.

“Thanks,” he murmurs.

Hercules’ hand lowers and ruffles his hair again, then reaches down to squeeze his shoulder.

“That’s what you get for being cocky,” Hercules chuckles.

Alex huffs in return, then lets himself lean into Hercules’ side to hide his flushed face. He feels so good here, so comfortable, so accepted, in a way he hasn’t for a long time. He tries to remember the word for it.

Ah, yes.

Safe.

[crimsonandcloverwrites]

bhah ch6 it’s go time

excitable bby carson is so cute I love that kid

Dani uuuhhh being so in tune w Jamie always is so lovely. and Jamie almost being a bit scared of accepting her kindness when she’s truly hurting is so interesting like I think Dani really is her person but she still can’t fully let down all her walls around her. or tbh probably doesn’t have the emotional capacity to understand how she’s feeling and communicate that properly gah someone pls give her unending emotional support she makes my heart hurt so much

“There was an odd expression on her face that Dani couldn’t place” that’s love babey (i feel like there are a lot of moments like this lol I love seeing this all from Dani’s POV)

oof Dani trying to figure out where she’d ‘misstepped’ bc of a look Karen gave her god she doesn’t deserve this

the way she can make Dani have a fucking panic attack just by being near her ummmmmm I hate her. like i can’t even comment on this bit bc I’m mostly just trying to read it really fast and not reflect too hard

ah sweet Jamie

hmmmm is this the moment Dani falls in love with Jamie please it’s so sweet and casual and literally just Jamie being herself and caring about Dani with her whole heart. no wonder. also the contrast of this with her realising as an adult is beautiful. Dani u poor  little confused gay angel

the dirty paperback a staple of all good plotlines

dsfjhdfkjghkjfh when Dani straddles her and Jamie just fucking freezes oh my god this part makes me laugh so much you poor little lesbian

““As you wish,” Jamie said softly.” oh god oh no not the princess bride rn this whole bit is too soft

“Twenty-four hours alone with Jamie in her house, and it was like Dani had suddenly forgotten what the emptiness of it felt like.” oof just. Jamie is her home I can’t even think about that concept too hard it is too beautiful and all-encompassing

Milkshake Monday is so cute I’m gonna make a milkshake on Monday in honour of the O’Mara/Clayton/Taylor gang

Eddie’s “he rested his hand oddly on the ground between them, his palm up and hands loose“ is giving me flashbacks to the only date I ever went on with a man  please not this move

aww poor Jamie is jealous (and probably very sadly realising she will never get to be where Eddie is with the handholding and blossoming relationship ouch) (this is also giving me flashbacks stop living inside my brain)

oh my god Jamie sprinting away from David w the paperback i’m dying

aww lil D&D bebes

dfgdjfh “I cast: slap you in the face.” i think he has some points

Eddie and his endless sheets of notes and plans is actually super cute.

Carson wanting to be evil there is somethin to be said abt queer-coded villians and that is that I love them and the gravitational forces they apply to baby gays

god the sibling banter in this is so perfect this is exactly how this wld have gone down w me n my siblings

lmao eddie really is in his element this is so good

god Jamie just... so anxiously awaiting for the only source of stability she’s ever had in her life to return I am emotional

teeny baby mikey. Jamie’s parents are the fucking worst for the ways they treated their kids but I’m so glad Nan can be here for them

why is... jamie so upset?? is this like. it kinda puts the nail in the coffin of the idea of her family being whole again?? is it just because Jamie wasn’t told what’s happening and she feels out of control?? let me see inside ur brain jamie u poor confused angry little bird

ugh now I am thinking about the idea of family and building ur own and getting to choose the people that mean the most to you and it sucks that for some people the families they were born into can’t be that and this is too much for a Sunday afternoon

oh she’s upset by the change of it all (tho like... that’s probably just the easiest part to talk about rn I’m sure it’s a lot of complicated emotions)

the foreshadowing of “I’ll be the one to take care of him”

"She isn't going to just up and leave you alone with a baby, Jamie." genuinely too fragile for this rn

fuck i can just picture extremely sullen teenage Jamie with feelings too big to process properly trying to just survive and sweet understanding Dani giving her a really gentle place to kind of... reflect a bit and work through them. I am. also having feelings too big to process properly. i love that Nan knows Dani is this for her too and probably sent her after her for that exact reason

hhhmnngfhgh washing her hands for her the intricate rituals of it all

“Can just call him ‘Bawbag’ and be done with it.” jesus christ Jamie sdkjfhdkjdghk I am wheezing

Dani giving Mikey the nickname literally means everything to meeeeeeee

Dani picking up pamphlets for Ed and Jamie too is so cute

lmao Dani is like. a boy??? asking me to homecoming???? panic time

Roger’s lil crush on Jamie is so funny bro ur barking up the wrong tree... in the wrong forest... in the wrong hemisphere... lost in space somewhere

Jamie getting to grow her own flowers is so wonderful and Dani recognising this is where she’s the most fulfilled is so lovely (and I finally know where the pressed morning glory from the box is yus)

god Karen is so relentlessly mean to Dani why are u like this

Jesus christ the thought of Dani asking Nan what sodomy is. the heartattack she wld have

woof this like subtle ‘you’ll never be accepted bc it’s just not right’ vibe from Karen in this whole conversation w Judy this is tooooo familiar. no wonder she just keeps repressing it all (should i be using this fic to process my own life probably not)

Jamie taking them to an outdoor picture theatre because Dani mentioned wanting to go one time ow my heart. this is basically their first date no?? flip that’s cute. oh god a horror movie tho sdkjfhdjf Jamie

i think there’s such an interesting thing of Dani and Jamie just... falling into each other in this really uneventful way and their whole relationship being this really full thing without a big realisation of ‘this is what love/romance is’ and is probably half the reason Dani isn’t really able to name it as that?? like i love it and i think it’s so sweet but I wonder if Jamie was ever able to actually say something if that would have finally tipped her tiny lil repressed brain over into realisation???

this whole bit is so sweetly innocent I love it

another day 3 days another emotional rollercoaster of a chapter gbless

[murtaghsbeard]

Ep 13 - The Watch

In this episode bad men seeking protection money cause many headaches and Jamie is captured by the redcoats (again)

BUT the real theme of this episode is Bros 💕 and Babies. Ian 💜Jaime, bro’s for life

Bro I love you but please don’t say the guy I hate reminds you of me when you are trying to tell me you miss me.

You’ve made up for it by killing the dude who was extorting me. Thank you, bro. (Smooch)

I guess I will also become bros with the guy I formerly hated that you kind of treat like bro and tell him there is a price on my head

Bro, even though your wife is literally in the process of birthing your child, you should come along on this very not doomed mission and our bro love will protect us from harm. Grave miscalculation about the protective properties of bro love.

Ah, here is the barrenness talk. Props to Jaime for that expert level 180 degree reversal. He went from I want to fill this house with babies to I would never want you to feel the pain of childbirth ever in like 30 seconds. A stunning kick flip of solidarity. So very sweet.... but does he really mean it? Is he secretly pondering the fertility of that strumpet whose name I shan’t attempt to spell. This ball of twine will unravel further in time, I suspect.

Also, a burgeoning lady bromance- a direct result of giving utterance to the plan of one sticking their entire hand into the others vagina and twisting a baby like a corkscrew. That is next level bonding.

[dolldirector]

Fallen Realm Playlist Masterpost

Big infodump under the read more, if you like my OCs and/or agree with my flawless music taste this should be interdasting

1. MUSE - Thought Contagion

Vampire stuff, punk vibes, a nod to thriller, all of the above fit the mood of a FR show + the song is genuinely very good and I could see it being used on stage easily.

2. PAIN - Call Me

Absolute banger. But that's besides the point. I see this as being the bassist Jez/Jamie's song (with a side of Deuce as the second vocalist). Jez is a fairly quiet lad who generally keeps to himself but I always imagined that he’d be secretly very flirty and cheeky, but would mostly only really express it via music. I actually wrote a lil short story where most of FR's band (minus Rex and Isabella) find themselves in some dive bar after a show, and end up performing in the place of the no-show band that was meant to be there that night. That band ends up being the very same one that kicked Jez out, so it’s a bit of a revenge story for him. This short is on my discord by the by.

3. Emigrate - Eat You Alive

Oh boy, this is a strong one. Basically, just watch this video but pretend that Axl is Richard (the frontman). That’s it. That’s the explanation.

Being serious though, RZK is and always has been a huge influence for Axl's visual design, mannerisms and on-stage behaviours. On top of that, this is 100% the type of music he'd listen to, and the lyrics may as well just be plucked right outta his brain. Are the words meant to be aimed at Valeriya in a threatening way? Or is it a cheeky flirt with Trinity? Both? Neither? We’ll never know.

Also, completely unrelated I’m sure, here’s a wip you may or may not be able to force me to finish on stream via channel points soon...

4. Axel One - Out of the Dark

Can't exactly say much about this one cause it's spoilers, but I will say it's less about the song itself and more about the video, and that it does concern the one FR character who is already dead when the story begins.

5. Lord of the Lost - Raining Stars

Just seems to me like a real good song to perform to. I can imagine seeing acrobatic stunts in slow-mo to this track. That’s it for this one, just “I just think they’re neat”. Gorgeous song and video by an amazing band anyway though.

6. Oomph! - Supernova

Kinda the same deal as the Emigrate song, you can just insert Axl into this one in Dero’s place, along with Jez, Vlad, and Thatch. Once again the style and lyrics fit him perfectly, and this one earns bonus points since Dero is actually Axl's canon voiceclaim - specifically in this era of Oomph!’s music too.

7. Die Kreatur - Kälter als der Tod

At the risk of this thread becoming Oops All Axl TM - AH YES. This one is perfect for the point where Axl finally gets the fuck over himself, and stops being horrible to Vlad because of guitar jealousy, and they become bros.

Realistically, I doubt that Vlad - the clueless human vampire fanatic - will ever realise that Axl is a real actual vampire, but he'd be so glad that they seem to have this ~shared interest~ in them, and he'd by hyped as heck to do a performance like this with his guitar buddy. By the way, Vlad wonders to himself, isn’t it odd that he’s never seen Axl putting his fake fangs in?? Weird

As for the girl on the altar, there are a couple ideas I’ve toyed with. Random audience member for fun. Trinity but Axl gets mad jealous even though he thought and said he wouldn't. (No sharing!! Not even for jokes.) Valeriya but the poor thing is scared to the point of tears because this is just a little too close to a real experience for her and Vlad just can't figure out why. Axl insists she’s just being dramatic. Rex has to rescue her because she’s too shy to put her foot down.

Or perhaps Isabella would wanna join in, but she can't take it seriously and keeps laughing which just causes a chain reaction every time with even Axl cracking a smile. There are like a million cut takes now. Send help.

All in all a fun crossover to think about.

8. Adelitas Way - Still Hungry

This one is just Diesel’s anthem. This is the story of a young punk who can’t stop, won’t stop, never gives up and needs more. Right kinda music for him too.

9. MONO INC. - Shining Light

100% a full-cast song. I feel like the lyrics apply to a number of different things about various members of the circus' backstories, and their found family vibe together - if you think about them in super vague terms, at least. I liked to consider the vocals a duet between Rex and Isabella, being the two singers, but there are a couple lines that are kinda too adult for Bella and would make the duet sorta odd so ehhh 90% of it can be that, let’s say. (This is baring in mind that Isabella is an orphaned minor and Rex is like a father figure for her - as he kinda is for many of the members of the circus)

I also did a doodle of this. This one will also be on the force-me-to-work-on-this-WIP-live pile.

9.5. Lacrimosa - Lichtgestalt a.k.a the original version of Shining Light

Same song, just German and carrying a much darker, creepier tone. It fits in new, fun ways.

10. Oomph! - Viel zu Tief

OOPS ALL AXL TM

Lyrics are very important for this one. Once again, music is the right style, Dero is still his voiceclaim, and Axl actually speaks German in canon (and NO I didn’t do that just so Oomph! songs fit him better, shUT UP)

11. Pet Shop Boys - It’s a Sin

Bit out of left field for this playlist, sure, but with all the controversy and extremely shakey morals in FR's world and with its characters, this one just seems fitting. Plus I'd want em to cover it for a show. Banger.

Honorable mention goes to Ghost’s cover of this song. I don’t even listen to Ghost but my reaction upon finding out this exists was like “lmao yes, of course, why wouldn’t they”.

This song in general I associate instinctively with Vlad, purely because its 80s and campy and I feel like he’d be the type to listen to Ghost.

12. Destiny Potato - Lunatic

Very strongly feel this is a performance song featuring Isabella. This song fits the character - and in particular her tragic backstoryTM pretty well. I’d even go so far as to say the singer would be a pretty good voiceclaim for her if her voice wasn’t meant to be more robotic in canon. This is pretty close to what I imagine, though. Strong n sweet.

13. Nightwish - I Want My Tears Back

One of the first songs I imagined to go well with stage performances. This one for sure would be a duet between Rex and Isabella.

Plus at about 3:10 there's a long solo with a bit of back-and-forth between the guitar and hurdy gurdy (I think?) that I could 100% see Axl and Vlad doing on guitar and keytar respectively.

14. Lord of the Lost - Drag Me To Hell

Yeah this one is just Axl @ his ex

15. Lindemann - Steh Auf!

Bleib nicht liegen, es wär schade - Zirkus ist heut in der Stadt

So, this would be from Isabella’s perspective. Did I mention she was orphaned? Yeah. I guess this one is a little dark.

16. Otetsu & GUMI - Disordered Self-Restraint Girl

The song itself seems to be the story of a child who is trying to coax their parent/guardian into getting up and doing things, not realising that parent had passed away from a drug overdose. Drugs isn’t the way Isabella’s parents died, but the rest of the song fits that part of her backstory imo. Plus, it’s German, and Isabella is German, so yay!

Uh oh, vocaloid.

For a long time I've associated this one with Valeria, and her feelings towards the circus in the early days. After she's accidentally turned by Axl, Val gets effectively kidnapped by FR, taken in before she can even regain consciousness and completely against her will, since it would be incredibly irresponsible of them to just leave a fresh new vampire out in the world so they kinda don't have a choice. While she eventually finds her place and elects to stay after some time has passed, there was a period of time where she definitely would have felt trapped.

This is without even going into the fact that she's now stuck travelling and living with her would-be murderer, and - due to the fact that half of the circus don't even know non-humans exist, let alone what actually happened to Valeria - many of the people around her don't seem to care, or simply do not understand why she's so scared and stressed. It leaves her, at times, feeling like she could be killed tomorrow and nobody would give a shit.

Showtime, katanamochi bunbun furimawashi kubi kara ue hanetobashite mo - ashita ni nareba minna motodoori, waratte yurushite

Translation: Showtime, even if a sword wielder slices my head and makes it fly off, tomorrow everything continues as usual, smiling, forgiving

(Don't worry, in reality Rex, Diesel, and Thatch are there for her & understand the shit she's going through. I promise the folks in the circus do actually care. It's just hard for her to see it in this period of time.)

(There will almost definitely be more songs and doodles added here in the future, but for now that’s all folks!)

[beerecordings]

bro ur new Jamie icon is so cute hehe he just carving his lil pumpkin 🥺💕

AH thank you i’m so glad you like it! I also like your new Jamie icon :D but yes my favorite Jamie moments are when he’s just working on that pumpkin, not even acting for us or anything, just happily doing his lil job. sweet boy. he was so naive. anti took my baby away :’’’’( when will the tears stop falling for JJJJ

[quackspot]

ok i want to talk about my cookie run ocs so i will but below the cut because thats just how it be sdkljklsjklea (im going to TRY not blab out everything i think so then if you want you can send asks)

FROG!! 

ok so hes a liddol baby . he likes to hang out with sand ! theyre best friends and sometimes go to beaches and other places together. he’s very sweet and a little quiet. just a baby.

speaking of sand here they are!!! they dont talk much but when they do it sometimes freaks cookies out due to it being a drippy sand hole like

frog doesnt care about it too much . sometimes he tries to put sticks or something in their mouth just to see what’d happen. sand just eats the stick

rabbit’s foot is ! very lucky to say the least. hes also pretty gullible and easily fall for tricks but due to his luck they never seem to work out. very rarely does something harmful happen to him, though things like disappointing or saddening other cookies can happen. 

SPEAKING of disappointing or saddening cookies... fun dip! he’s often disappointed due to his tricks not working on rabbit’s foot but that only motivates him more. someone once said he looks like he’d be gumballs brother and honestly that’d be a chaotic pair of siblings (while im hesitant about canon relations with ocs..... who cares????). so yeah fun dip and gumball are brothers. 

rabbit’s foot is very much like a young child (though he is aware of a lot of things, he just has a personality alike to a young child. not a brain alike to a young child) and fun dip is a goofball prankster.

almond is very grumpy and they want to be a powerful wizard . honestly if they knew how to contact de or find her they would. also they are very emotional but tend to bottle it up (becuase in their tags on their ref its like “bad boy or crybaby” and i was like ‘’ok both’’). 

they dont hang around cookies often

and now for your local gamer boy. basically mlg jokes all the way around. mtn dew cookie references all that old stuff! theyre likely aware of other things too but theyre like “ah, nah, no thanks bro lolololol” and somehow they have that one robotic male voice? you know  the one in all of cowbelly’s videos that reads the memes? yeah that one. idk how to describe it

they also live off of doritos! besides their pet because it’s kind of obvious that’s a different dorito (plus g4m3r br0 has been existing for a while so it’d taste bad)

(mtn dew cookie is pangender)

garlic cooky! hes a dad and he’s married but that was on ponytown . i made him when me, kiley, and jamie decided to make a lil oc family . kiley made bread cookie his husband and jamie made butter, their daughter. garlic cookie had a very chaotic family when we all actualy messed around on there !

he also adopted some one’s herb pony on ponytown who acted very feral . we joked about dog with a blog because garlic called him the family dog . garlic cookie thinks toe toe (what he named the feral herb) is a dog unironically. like legit. also he’s a vampire ! he’s allergic to himself but isn’t dead yet somehow.

i could talk more about his family but yeah ! 

ravioli ravioli give me the formuoli (this oc was made on ponytown as well ! she acts like plankton) 

she is a gremlin. pretty small. why is there so much evil in you, little cookie? also i was playing with styles in that doodle so like  ? if you want me to draw in that style a bit more then just mention it

ngl i dont like how i doodled corn dog in that one but! corn dog is a baseball player and she’s very much ur classic jock. but nicer. she will want to play with you no matter what you want to play she loves ball games ! considering shipping her with orange cookie for some reason idk why but. if you want corn dog x orange then ig just ask for it sdkljdsljskl ;) i might doodle it too. corn dog x orange x lime? maybe but probably not since it seems like lime would get too jealous too easily

ASIDE from ships i really like how i first drew corn dog

what i struggled with with my doodle was her hair and i need to practice that a bit so i might look up things to practice with that ;-O

birthday cake ! he is chaotic party. very energetic. i completely imagine him whacking his face right into cake at a birthday party like if u gave him the 2nd anniversary cake his message would just be like. “*SPLAT* feels good on my face!” just to make it obvious he threw his face into the cake. also he has eyes he just likes to cover them up. maybe he’s blind but i based the blind fold thing off of terezifjseakljklw jklfjkldjkl jfkljwlkjioKLSJKLFJEKLRwer

gasoline cookie! i only made this character just recently on ponytown. he is very tired and lacking energy and is overall soggy in a sense. party pooper and very serious. i made this guy because i was joking like “if there were a gasoline they’d have a tension with fire spirit thats like ‘’DONT DRINK MY HAIR’’ or something” and then i made him

JAM!!!! they are my baby child and i love them a lot! i even made a blog for them but idk if its still up uhhh @cookiestuckinspace ! send asks there if you’d like i guess? the blog is very dead.  mtn dew is also there! there’s also unicorn cookie but i didn’t draw her.

they are a very sweet cookie who wishes to befriend many aliens! they’ve learned many languages and often mixes things up (as in, like, you know, accidentally saying an alien idiom in english or an english idiom in alien, forgetting words from either language then trying to describe it then BAM remembering. probably said an alien idiom in ANOTHER alien language while speaking in an english conversation). they know plenty of written languages and honestly? they try so hard to make sure every one is heard. theyre not very professional and theyre kinda bad at driving a ship 

whcih is why they let their space buddy drive the ship! yeah their dog, buddy, drives a spaceship. its funky but their dog is literally a spaceship itself.

phoenix!!! i only made him because.... on ponytown there was a mythical beast cult. he likes bugs and orange juice i think? capri suns? i dont know but i think he’s had a drink from a juice box before. theres not much about him but! yeah

RYE COOKIE! hes not really exactly a cookie. more like bread than gingerbread, if you catch what i’m throwing. jam tries really hard to be his friend but he doesnt speak any of hte languages jam knows and jam is trying really hard to figure out what he speaks so they can be friends.

thats all i guess ! please send asks about them or say “would ___ and ___ be friends?” i like to think about the relationships my ocs would have with each other ! 

heres the image i posted earlier with all my ocs with their names! if you read through this then i love you and have a good day <3

[herstuf]

GOT 8x5 reactions

This is going to be so long but here we go

◦ Huh, killing Varys? I mean I always saw that coming but damn

◦ Omg THE DRAGON OUT OF THE SHADOWS OMG WOOOWWW

◦ Awe the soft dracarys, it’s so sad and light. She’s thinking of messandei and that’s so sad

◦ Oh I do not like Jon’s way if looking at her when they executed him I do not like that at all

◦ Awe grey worm and Dany this is so sweet and raw. I want to cry.

◦ Trovo nudho?? Have I missed that before??

◦ Tbh Dany is a genius. And she’s so aware

◦ “I love you” YASS JON YASS

◦ this This this omg OMG omg no stop pulling back Jon stop it

◦ “Let it be fear” what????? What is this writing??

◦ Shit Jamie.

◦ It’s going to be so fun listening to everyone call Dany mad, when all she’s doing is being a strong ruler and if she wasn’t a Targarean and wasn’t a woman everyone would be applauding her

◦ I love Arya Stark more han anything on my life (cue Hamilton remake for GOT)

◦ “We speak the common tongue” lololololol

◦ Dany knows you’re going to see Jamie, oh ain’t sneaky Tyrion. You’re a dumbass who just betrayed her again. She just told you not to do that. “The stupidest Lannister alive.”

◦ Arya Stark waiting in the dingy “think again bitch”

◦ Awe Tyrion. That’s okay I forgive you now. This is sweet and he’s willing sacrifice for everyone. Touching

◦ Ugh fuck off uron I hate your face

◦ You know what’s interesting is that people all call Dany mad for her logic and emotions but nobody ever calls Cersei the mad queen, but she doesn’t more insane choices that anyone.

◦ Yasss Arya inside the gates

◦ Not exactly subtle but I guess the panic hides that?? Feels like a weird choice but okay

◦ Oh Jamie too. Interesting.

◦ We who’s the creepy guy at the front?? He looks like they plucked him from Les Miserables

◦ This is such a weird and un-strategic set up?? I feel like Jon is smarter than putting the entire army at the front gates ready to die??

◦ This little girl is adorable I hope she lives because she’s so cute.

◦ Awe Jamie didn’t make it too bad guess we’re fighting.

◦ Can dragons swim? Because it would be really cool if she came bursting out of the fucking ocean.

◦ Ugh buffering 🙄

◦ Ah damn it if the sky. But look at that dive, absolutely beautiful.

◦ YASSSS DANY YASSS DROGON

◦ I hope uron is dead.

◦ SHES DOING SO GOOD I LOVE THIS WOOOOOO BURN THEM ALL

◦ “Can you hear the people sing”

◦ I’m giggling like a maniac that was amazing you burn that gate omg

◦ Yaaasss grey worm with that spear. If I was straight I’d be so into him.

◦ Has Cersei ever cried? Ant remember

◦ This is epic?? I love all of this??

◦ They ain’t sell swords dumbass. Red keeps gonna fall today, because you suck and it’s time :)

◦ POWER WALK JON AND GREY WORK POWER WALKING

◦ They’re gonna surrender

◦ Don’t do it Tyrion. Don’t do it Jamie. Don’t fuck this up.

◦ Fuck if Dany burns these people fuck fuck fuck

◦ SURRENDER YES

◦ Rad love this whoop whoop

◦ Bye bye Cersei. I hope Arya slits your throat.

◦ Ringing bell ooooh

◦ Dany don’t do it don’t do it. You know better you’re smarter. She’s gonna get executed no matter what. Fuck Dany Dany no. WHAT??????????? WHAT IS SHE DOING WHAT THE FUCK RUSSO BROS WHAT THE FUCK

◦ Cool so we’re just counting more character assassination rad lvoe those nice job russos so glad you compromised consistency this much.

◦ Dany, freer if slaves, Meesa, Mother’s rif dragons, kind harder woman, would never do that and the fact that you think she would burn the entire city instead of just flying straight for the castle is absurd. Your shock value is dumb.

◦ Awe the little girl. None of the northerners would ever attack citizens like this?? Everything about this is like some kind of fever dreams and the russos are just putting Jon snow “white make saviour extraordinaire” as the end all be all again.

◦ The idea that Dany burned a bunch of civilians, who she knows have no choice, only to then go to the castle is dumb as fuck.

◦ Ugh Uron again. Why can’t he die. If he kills Jamie somehow I honestly think I‘ll just walk away.

◦ No offence but I do not care about them fighting? This could have been 20 seconds tops and now it’s so long and such a waste of screen time

◦ Oh guess I’m walking away?? What the fuck??

◦ Oh my god she’s crying woah

◦ I’m gonna be honest I really do not understand what is going on this season. Does anyone??

◦ Well at least uron is dead.

◦ Oh yay Arya is still alive and still determined yay.

◦ Awe adoptive dad and murder child moment this is so sweet.

◦ The mountain- voted most loyal

◦ Oh just kidding lol

◦ OH HES DEAD CREEPY MAGIC GUY IS DEAD WOAH

◦ Huh he’s kinda like a lizard man from Skyrim.

◦ Can the mountain die? Like is he able to die?

◦ Arya better bit die because of Dany because that’s some dissonance between my two faves I will not be able to handle.

◦ Okay the parallels?? I’m so here for this. Finally some good cinematography.

◦ Ah the mother and the daughter I love

◦ Vaguely poetic I guess having the brothers die together.

◦ Anyone else notice that we haven’t seen Dany since she stared burning? Anyone else notice how much the Russo brothers suck a character consistency with women?

◦ Oh yay Arya is alive!!!

◦ Shit

◦ Oh still alive. I’m getting really nervous here.

◦ Ah fuck is Arya gonna kill Dany?

◦ I hate all of this. Did Arya just burn alive??? I will murder someone. Mostly likely the Russo brothers.

◦ Sorry but this deep romantic thing? Between Jamie and Cersei? Big No.

◦ WOAH UNEXPECTED WOAH WOAH WOAH

◦ ARYA MY BABY OH MY GOD THANK GOD

◦ I guess Arya or Jon is probably gonna kill Dany now, huh?

◦ A white horse? Just causally?

◦ Well she was the number one person I wanted alive so I guess I’m here for it

◦ This episode was ridiculous I have no idea where the show is going and shock value is not worth character assassination. 👍🏽

[moody-by-nature]

Rescue Me | Chapter Thirteen

The sound of Andrea’s bare feet padding on the cool tile echoed into the kitchen where she found Shannon at the espresso machine.

"I would do anything you asked for one of those if you don't mind?" She gestured toward Shannon's cup.

“Hey Dee!" Andrea cringed and put her hands over her ears at the sound of his booming voice.

"Bear, please, my head." Andrea cringed, pressing her hands to her ears.

“Ah, so the sunglasses aren't a fashion statement. Someone is hungover." He grinned, then slid a cup full of espresso to her, "Double, with almond milk and one sugar. " Andrea pursed her lips to cool the hot liquid before taking a sip.

"Mm, will you marry me?" Andrea asked.

"Let's do it, we can elope! I think my brother would have an issue with that though.” Shannon said, leaning against the counter. Andrea smiled at his playfulness, taking another drink.

“Where's Jamie?" Andrea mumbled, placing her head on the counter.

"Jamie?" Shannon questioned. "Yes. I need to kick his ass for spiking the punch. I had no idea and drank SO MUCH." She lifted her head and massaged her temples, "I'm a one glass of wine on occasion kind of girl, Shan, I think I'm dying."

The side door creaked open and the sound of Jared humming flowed down the hallway. He appeared with both hands full of grocery bags. He sat them down on the counter.

"How are you feeling this morning, Andrea?" Jared asked.

"Like death. How did I end up in your bed?"

"It's not often you get asked that question, huh little brother?" Shannon chimed in, earning a glare from Jared.

“You don't remember what happened?" Jared inquired.

Andrea shook her head, "The last thing I recall is dancing with Shay and Jamie. Next thing I know, I'm alone in your bed with a splitting headache. Did I do something embarrassing?"

Andrea propped her chin onto her left hand, her eyes darted over the groceries Jared was unpacking. "You do your own shopping?" She asked in surprise.

"My new assistant got shit faced last night, so I had to. It appears she might also be a kleptomaniac. Nice shades, Tom Cruise." Jared teased.

“I'm really sorry, I had no idea the punch was spiked. You know I'm not much of a drinker! And I’m keeping these, I found them on your dresser.” She said, raising her voice and then cringed.

Jared walked over to her and wrapped her in a half hug, "I know you aren't. Come on, let's get you back upstairs to rest." He reached down and grabbed her hand, pulling her up off the bar stool and toward the stairs.

"Wait! I didn't say bye to my bear." She turned and walked to Shannon, who was waiting with open arms for a hug.

"Feel better, sweetheart." He whispered.

"Bye, Bear. Thank you for the lifeblood."

Andrea returned to Jared's side, wrapped her arm around his waist and they walked down the hall.

They reached his room, "Go sit on the bed," he commanded, "I'll be right back."

Andrea walked over and sat on her side of the bed waiting for his return. She fisted her fingers in her hair looking around the room, hoping for a flashback of the night before.

Jared returned, glass of water in one hand as well as a wash rag. He sat beside her, opening his palm and placed two Tylenol in her hand, handing her the glass of water. Next, he swept her wavy hair into his hands, gathering it into a haphazard bun on top, using an elastic tie around his wrist to secure it.

"This should help." Jared said softly. His fingers ghosted across her neck, pushing an unruly tendril to the side and placed the cool rag on her neck.Andrea looked up at him and smiled,

“Thank you, J. I appreciate you taking care of me. Will you please tell me what happened?" She batted her eyelashes at him, "Pretty please."

Jared grinned at her, "Your flirting will get you nowhere with me, Miss Bennett."

Andrea pushed her bottom lip out, "I assume it's really embarrassing if you're keeping it from me." She sighed.

“It was just the two of us, no one else saw you, and it wasn't embarrassing. It was fucking sexy and the hardest no I've ever uttered."

Andrea's mouth fell open, "Oh my god, what did I do?" Jared chuckled, brought his hand up to her jaw and pushed her mouth closed.

"You were dancing and saw me across the room. You pulled me into the hall and started kissing me, you dropped to your knees," he rasped, "Fuck, your mouth feels good on me by the way," he growled with a raised eyebrow.

"OH MY GOD, I DIDN'T!" Andrea yelled, her cheeks instantly red. She fell backwards on the bed and covered her face.

Jared chuckled, "I'm not done, shall I continue?"

"There's more? Jesus." Andrea gasped.

"I knew at that point you were wasted and decided to bring you up here to sleep." Jared laid down next to her, turning his head to face hers. "You have a naughty mouth young lady, that's all I'll tell you. I'm keeping the rest for me." He wiggled his eyebrows at her making her giggle. "I laid with you until you went to sleep and then I may or may not have had an issue to take care of in the shower. A very cold shower!" They both erupted in laughter.

"So when do we officially start working, boss man?" Jared turned toward her and propped himself up on his elbow. His eyes slowly drifted down Andrea's body, his fingers played with the hem of her dress distractedly.

"We can start tomorrow.”

Andrea slid her hand up his arm to his neck, running her fingers through his hair at the base of his neck. When their eyes met, she watched as Jared licked his lips before she pulled him down to her for a sweet kiss.

"I had a dream about you last night." She breathed.

"Oh yeah?" Jared smiled at her, "tell me about it." He said, watching her cheeks flush.

"You, um... I can't say this out loud," she said, and covered her face with her hands.

Jared chuckled, "You were quite vocal last night," he trailed his thumb over her exposed lips and placed a kiss on them. "Tell me, Andrea."

"You had your mouth on me. All over me. It was so hot." She rushed out, then sighed heavily.

"Can you be more specific?" Jared asked in mocked innocence, settling between her legs.

Andrea peeked through her fingers to see the ornery look in his eyes, "You know exactly what I'm saying, Jared."

He nodded, "I do. But I need to hear you say it again."

Her eyebrows furrowed, "So that wasn't a dream?" She giggled, "Oh my, drunk Andie is a dirty girl."

"So is sober Andie, she just needs to relax and embrace it." He replied, pulling her hands away from her face and over her head, holding them in place. He nipped at her neck, down over her chest, sinking his teeth through her dress to bite her left nipple.

Andie knotted her fingers into the sheets, lost in the kisses he placed all over her tummy, causing flutters deep within her. She wanted him to touch her, kiss her, make her his. But she knew he wouldn't budge without her vocalizing it.

“Jared, please put those perfect lips on my pussy." The deep, satisfied groan he let out made her shiver.

Jared hovered just above her center, he pushed the deep red fabric of her dress up, revealing her panties. Locking eyes with her as he lowered his head to place a kiss right where she wanted it, Andrea moaned at the contact.

"Hey bro, I just recorded this.."

Andrea and Jared froze, Shannon leaned against the doorway and glanced between them with a grin.

"It's about fucking time!” Shannon said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Jared pulled Andie's dress back down and rested between her legs, "The one time I don't shut my door..." Jared sighed. "I should go, I need to get home and shower." Andrea said, pushing Jared from her body and getting up, "I'll see you tomorrow at nine for work."

"Andie, don't go. Stay" Jared called after her.

"No, J, I should go. We can't do this, we're going to be boss and employee as of tomorrow. It's not appropriate." The guys watched as she gathered her shoes and walked out the door.

“Why didn't you try to stop her?" Shannon asked incredulously.

"Have you met her? She's so fucking stubborn, there's no chance I could have stopped her!"

"Yeah, she's a lot like you in that way." Shannon laughed.

“Fuck off, Shan." Jared replied.

"You're just pissed because I'm right. Look, Jared, I know you've had eyes for her since day one. I'm just ...please don't break her heart. Maybe she's right? With your track record, maybe you shouldn't pursue this."

"My track record. Fuck you, Shannon! Like yours is much better. She's not like the others, I get that! The last thing I want to do is break her heart, but I can't seem to stop myself around her."

Shannon rolled his eyes and sighed at his little brothers stubbornness. It was obvious he was wildly attracted Andie, he could tell by the way he watched her. "Just be careful with her, I like her and I'd like to keep her around. And I'm sorry, saying that was uncalled for."

Back at her place, freshly showered, Andrea sat on her couch reading until her stomach growled. She got up and started cooking some pasta and heard a knock on her balcony door.She walked over and opened the door and returned to the stove.

"What, you're not going to run off and put pants on this time?" Jared teased.

"Why should I? I was begging you to take them off earlier." Andrea countered.

Jared shook his head and walked up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her to his chest. He surveyed the pans on the stove.

"Something smells good, oh spaghetti, mmm!" Jared said, inhaling the aromas of her cooking deeply.

"There's plenty if you want to stay?" Andrea asked.

“You want some help?"

"I'd love some, if you promise it won't require calling the fire department!" Andrea giggled.

Jared goosed her ribs, "I make no promises. You add the spices, I’ll stir. It’s safer that way.”

“You’re right, as usual.” Andrea winked and laughed as she bumped her hip into his. After dinner Jared stood and pulled a small item from his pocket.

"I got you something." He said, placing it on the table and slid it across the table.

Andrea's eyes grew wide, "What is it?" She asked excitedly.

"Open it and see!" Jared said through a laugh.

She picked up the small brightly colored square item and realized it was a bunch of tissue paper folded together and taped shut. She drug her finger under the tape and unfolded it and gasped lightly at the beautiful gift inside.

"Jared, it's beautiful!" Her fingers folded under the antique colored gold chain and slid down, examining the tube shaped pendant, "I love it! Will you put it on me please?"

Andrea quickly stood and sat on Jared's lap. He swept her caramel hair to the side and fastened the clasp.

"There you go," he pulled her back flush to his chest, "it has a secret compartment too with something special inside it. It's handcrafted from this really sweet little lady that lived next door to where we stayed." He stated, grabbing the pendant that rested at the top of her cleavage and opened it.

Inside the pendant was a tiny pale blue flower. Andrea instantly remembered seeing them all around Joshua tree. She turned her face into his neck, bringing her hand up to his scruffy jaw.

"Jared, this is so sweet, but what did I do to deserve such a thoughtful gift?"

Jared maneuvered her so that she was facing him, "Because that was one of the best weeks I've ever had and I'm happy we spent it together. I wanted you to have something to remember it by. Furthermore, you deserve whatever your heart desires."

Andrea bit her lip as she listened to him, and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek, "Thank you, J. I love it so much."

Jared cupped her face, staring at her lips. Andrea repositioned herself to straddle his lap, she leaned into him and whispered, "I'd really like to pick up where we left off earlier." into his ear. Jared groaned and seized her lips in a fiery kiss, he gripped her hips and pulled her closer, then slipped his right hand between her legs to the apex of her thighs.

Andrea began grinding against his hand and threw her head back. He stood and lifted her onto the dining table, pushing her onto her back, their dinner plates nearly falling onto the floor. Their chest heaved rhythmically as he hovered over her while they kissed.

"What about earlier and not doing this?" He asked.

"You're not my boss yet, so we aren't breaking any rules. Besides, I can't seem to stop wanting you. Even if I shouldn't." Andrea replied.

Jared wasted no time pulling her panties off, gliding his long, slender fingers slowly down her legs towards her core. Quick kisses were placed at random down her thighs as he lowered back into his chair. Hovering just above her sex, he panted, dragging his fingers through her folds, his languid tongue dipped into her center.

“My god, Andie, you taste amazing." He growled. Andrea moaned his name loudly as he licked at sucked at her. His sensual attack too great, she arched her back, quickly coming undone, she writhed beneath his skillful mouth.

When her breathing slowed a little, Jared helped her sit up. Her trembling hands going to Jared's face, rubbing his stubbled jaw. Jared tucked a slightly damp tendril behind her ear, his eyes taking in her flushed cheeks and dilated eyes, thinking to himself how stunning she looked in this moment before he pushed his mouth to hers. She groaned, her taste still on his tongue, and a new arousal lurking under the surface.

“That was so good! It's much more fun to lay back and enjoy the ride when you're not having to do all the work." She giggled breathlessly.

“May I taste you now, please?" Andrea asked shyly.

Jared raised an eyebrow at her, "You may." Andrea licked her lips and pushed him backwards as she slid down off the table. Her legs wobbled as she stood, Jared grabbed at her waist to steady her and grinned.

Kneeling before him, she looked up at him through her eyelashes. With shaky hands, she untied the loose pants he wore and pulled them down, freeing him.

[robertdowneyhiddlesbatch]

RT8: Sweet Something

Note: writing style changes. May change in future as well

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Steven: *arrives to Chocoland with cartful of cacao plant*

Sergeant James, at the gate: Well, well. Welcome back, stranger. Miss us already?

Steven, swings off the horse: You're my best mate, James. I always carry you with me

*bro hug*

James: What brings you back?

Steven, looking back at the cart: I have produce. Call it the 'caca-oa'. Don't know what it does yet.

James: you best be takin that up to Hershey. He works with all the new stuff.

Steven: Why thank you, Jamie boy. I'll do that now. Where would he be found?

James, nodding in the direction: Lives up by the mill and farm. See two boys running around, and you're there.

Steven, walking his horse in: be seein ya now, James.

Steven ventures into town.

Natalie, from her porch: How ya doin, hot stuff?

Steven, smiling at her: discovering! How fair ye?

Natalie, fanning herself: killin the boys. one by one. But your sergeant's yet to come handcuffing me

Steven, laughs: I think he was the first of your victims, Ms. Natalia!

*Steven tips head and walks on to the mill.*

???: Evening, sir. How may I direct you?

Wendy: *pops up from the cart to look at who's talking*

Steven: Hi, there. I'm looking for Mr. Hershey.

???: I'm Jarvis. Mr. Stark's assistant. What services do you require?

Steven: I've found a new plant, and I don't know what to do with it.

Jarvis: Ah, you'll be heading to the barn first. I believe sir's already there. Up a few and to the right.

Wanda: "you don't need me up in there. I'll be right out here with Mr. Jarvis." Wanda popped out of the wagon and, fixing her skirt, went over to the assistant.

Steven: smiled. "Alrighty then. I'll be hunting down Mr. Stark then." He trod on towards the farmhouse up ahead.

Steven tied his horse to the trough and grabbed the sacks full of the cocoa plant, heaving them over his shoulder as he helped himself into the barn.

"Hello? I'm here to see Mr. Stark? Jarvis said you'd be in here," Steven called into the massive barn, looking around the many machines and ilk as he ventured inside.

"Be right with you!" Someone shouted from overhead. Steven twisted and turned to face the direction of the voice. A pulley lowered, bringing down a man with it.

Mr. Stark wiped his hands on his pants before making the bare minimum effort to dust them off. "Hi. I'm Anthony Stark. What can I do for you?"

"Steven Rogers. I brought this uh, new plant with me. People tell me you're the man to see," Steven rested the bags before him.

"Bring em on over here," Anthony thrust his head towards the direction and walked ahead. Steven picked up the bags again and followed the inventor to a lit up construction table. He dumped the pods over the space Anthony cleared for him.

"Nice. Any thing you can tell me about it?" Anthony asked as he tuned a light on it.

"Well, the natives told me it's edible. They t..." Steven's oration was interrupted by Anthony hacking through a pod. He watched as the man split it open and scooped out the wet white seeds with his bare hands.

"Interesting," Anthony lifted a handful of the seeds above his head and looked at them from underneath as the light came on them. He brought them down again and pulled one seed from the bunch, tepidly tasting it as Steven cringed, expecting the worst.

"Hmm!" Anthony popped the whole thing in his mouth, cleaning the nib of the flesh. "Tangy but sweet. Is that, orange? Pineapple? Floral, kinda citric. Want one?" Before Steven could answer, Anthony tossed him one and ate another one. "Slight floral flavor, much less acidic than citrus. Neat find, Mr. Rogers. You got em to the right place. I'll see what we can do with them."

"Thanks." Steve awkwardly pursed his lips and shoved his hands down his pocket.

"How long since you been gone?" Tony asked, watching him shift.

"Two years, three maybe. You weren't here when I left." Steve helped himself around the workshop.

"Yeah. Yeah, we moved here a few years back. Boys and I needed a change of scenery." Tony got busy sorting the new supplies.

"You're an inventor?" Steve asked, poking at a few gadgets lying around.

"I try. Keep the world moving forward. What did you say you were?"

"Oh, I'm a traveling tradesman. Was in the service before my ma got sick."

"So what made you turn to trade?"

"It's the travel, mostly. Trade keeps the pockets filled."

While the two talked in the shed, outside, Wendy was getting to know Jarvis better. In town, Tony's boys were in school, keeping other on their toes. James was keeping an eye on the neighborhood from Natalie's windowsill as he tried to ask her out.

Across town up the hill, town lord Thurgood was hosting a troop of returned soldiers. He was laughing around with one his good friends when he noticed the town physician walking out.

"Stefan! Pardon me," he excused himself and chased down the doctor.

Stefan stopped and waited for Thurgood to catch up.

"How's Luke doing today?"

"Your brother has been in good shape these past few days. Would do him better if he was in good spirits. Maybe you can allow him down from the tower for a few hours?"

"I cannot risk him getting sick, he's the only family I have left. Maybe you can prescribe him something that would lift his mood?"

Stefan scoffed lightly. "Yeah, I'm sure we can get Dr. Banner to create happiness in a pill. Until then, my lord." Stefan made his exit. As he left the dining hall, the courtyard allowed him to look up at the fore mentioned tower, it's occupant peeking from the window. Stefan gave a hopeful smile, waiting for Luke to smile back before he continued on his way. It hurt him to see the poor lad locked up in the tower.

If only there was something someone somewhere could do.

ch7 ch9

[thecoliverlibrary]

The Best Laid Plans

Gift Type: Fan Fiction Title: The Best Laid Plans Author: @coliverscribbles​ (sideblog) Recipient: @broodybluebird Rating: General Word Count: 2,134 Summary: Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and the Hampton-Walsh household is all abuzz. Author’s Note: Inspired by an episode of Boy Meets World, called Risky Business. I hope my giftee enjoys reading it! :)

“Well, what do we have here? Is that a valentine I see in your hands, little brother?”

Jamie looked up from the red heart-shaped card he was holding, and immediately flung it to the side at the sound of his older brother’s teasing voice.

“It’s not mine! I think it’s for papa from dad… See, it says: ‘Dear Hacker Boy - Roses are red, violets are blue. Valentine’s on Monday, let’s rendezvous.’ I found it standing on the cutting board.”

“Ah, the fathers are leaving goofy notes for each other again, Jamie. Allow me to bestow some wisdom upon you,” he continued loudly, rolling his eyes at the slashing motions Jamie had started making with his hands, “Dad and pops do these cheesy gimmicks to keep the spice in their relationship alive. When you’re a parent, it’s all you really have left,” he tapered off with a wistful sigh.

“What, cheese?”

“No, doofus, lame goofy attempts at romance-!”

“Evan, don’t call your brother a doofus, and please don’t try to bestow any more romantic wisdom upon him.”

“How long have you been standing there?” Evan asked turning around to face his father.

“Long enough, what’s this?” Oliver answered, sauntering into the kitchen and picking up the card.

“I tried to warn you, bro,” Jamie said, then turned quizzically upon hearing the strangled snort his father had just let out, “Are you okay papa?”

“It’s the cheese, he choked on it. You should get him some water,” Evan quipped.

“What? Oh no, I’m fine,” Oliver replied, fixing his older son with a calculating look. “I was just thinking that I need to get a sitter for Monday… Say, Evan, since you’re so knowledgeable about cheeses and spices, what do you say to fixing some up while you babysit your little brother and sister on Monday evening?”

“Uh-uh. Sorry, pops. No can do. I have my own valentine to rendezvous with. Lisa and I made up,” Evan answered, quickly amending his statement at his father’s raised eyebrow. “Well… we’ll be making up when I tell her about the awesome Valentine’s dinner I’ve got planned for her at Bon Giourno. I made reservations and everything.”

“Oh alright, I suppose I could try to call Karen. But, she might have plans that night too… Hmm, you know, I was around 12 when I first started babysitting, and you’re nearly 12, Jamie. Maybe you could stay with Charlotte. The job pays $2.00 an hour, you up for it?”

“Keep the cash, papa. Buy yourself a new tie. Consider it a signing bonus for first time clients,” Jamie replied with a mischievous smile, much to his father’s amusement.

“Gee, thanks, buddy. That is mighty generous of you. Monday night then. I’ll take a chance on you.” Oliver ruffled his younger son’s hair, thinking not for the first time of his striking resemblance to Connor with his messy dark brown locks.

———-

“Whatcha got there, Charlotte?” Jamie asked, seeing his little sister fiddling with something that looked suspiciously like a heart-shaped card.

“Papa’s heart!” She squealed happily, holding it out proudly for him to see. “I’m a'pose to give it to Daddy!”

“'Dear Lawyer Boy - Blue is the violet. Red is the rose. Meet me at 8:00PM at the restaurant where you proposed.’” Jamie read aloud.

“Poetry is not papa’s strong suit,” came Evan’s loud guffaw, “You know, Jamie, girls love poetry. Throw a couple of fancy rhymes together with some flowers, and they’ll be putty in your hands.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah! Here, listen to a master at work and soak up some brilliance,” he cleared his throat before continuing, “Uh… there once was a guy in a locker, who just got a date… What a shocker!-”

“Be still my heart, Jamie, I think we’ve got a Shakespeare in the family,” came Connor’s teasing voice as he walked into the living room and perched on a couch arm rest, “Evan, I say this with love, son, but please don’t try and compose poetry to win Lisa back.” he added with a smirk.

“Ha ha, very funny, dad,” Evan sulked, slumping down onto the couch.

“Aren’t I?” Connor replied with a wink, before turning to his youngest, who had begun clamoring for his attention.

“Daddy!”

“Princess Charlotte! Ooh, what’s that?”

“Papa’s heart,” she answered very seriously, “He said t'keep it safe until you came. Here!” She chirped, holding it out delicately with both hands to her father.

He took it from her with a kiss to her head and opened it up, his eyes widening with mirth as he read the contents, “Your papa rhymes about as smoothly as you, Evan,” he chuckles.

“Dad, how did Papa get you to fall in love with him if he can’t write good poetry?” Jamie mused, “Evan says the trick to getting someone to fall for you is through poetry and flowers.”

“First, do not take romance advice from your brother, Jamie. Your papa didn’t need to write me poetry or bring me flowers. He was perfect just the way he was, with his dorky coke-bottle glasses, shy gummy smile, and cute blush-”

“Don’t forget my beautiful mind.”

“Ollie! When did you get home from the store?”

“Early enough to hear the end of your gushing. I see you got my heart,” Oliver answered, bending down for a quick peck.

“I guarded it with my life, Papa!”

“Thank you my sweetness!” Oliver turned to his daughter, reveling in the peals of giggles he received in return as he squeezed her into a tight hug then booped her nose.

“Hey, where are you two sneaking off to?” Connor asked, noticing his two sons starting to slink up the stairs.

“I’ve got some homework-”

“I’m gonna call Lisa-”

“Dinner’s in an hour, boys, so I expect you to be down again by then.”

“Got it, papa.”

“Okay, pops.”

“So… is it a date?” Oliver asked, looking up at Connor from his position on the floor with Charlotte, who was now animatedly playing with his fingers.

“It’s a date.” Connor winked back, “I assume you got a sitter?”

“I thought we might give Jamie a chance. He’s nearly 12, he should be able to hold the fort down for a couple of hours. Oh, and get this - I offered to pay him, $2 an hour, and he waived it as a signing bonus! Told me to buy a nice tie with the extra cash!” Oliver replied with a chuckle, “I think he’s been hanging around one too many of your client calls.”

Connor, for his part, looked caught between sheepish amusement and pride, “That kid absorbs everything he’s exposed to! They’re all growing up so fast. Make them stop growing, Ollie.”

“Well, we’ve still got this little one.” Oliver responded giving Charlotte another tight squeeze.

“I’m a grown up too, daddy!”

“Oh no you’re not, Princess Charlotte! You’re going to be our baby girl forever.” Connor replied indignantly, moving to sit on the floor with the pair and start tickling his daughter, as Oliver gently extricated himself to attend to dinner.

———-

Jamie looked up from the puzzle he and Charlotte were working on at the ring of the telephone.

“Hello?” …

“Oh, hi papa! No, dad left 40 minutes ago.” …

“Yes, everything is fine. The house is still standing, and Charlotte is being entertained.” …

“Okay, bye! Have fun on your date!”

He made his way back to the couch, only to do an about-face when the phone rings again.

“Yello?” …

“Oh, hi dad!” …

“Everything’s fine. Papa just called to ask about you actually.” …

“No, dad. I’m telling you, he’s there.” …

“Okay, bye dad.”

Man, I can’t believe mom and dad can’t find each other. How big is this restaurant anyway? He wondered to himself, as he went back to Charlotte.

He was getting bored with the puzzle and the beginnings of a game of house tag starting to take shape in his head.

———-

“Connor, it was humiliating! How could you go to the wrong restaurant? Or was proposing to me that forgettable?”

“I can only say I’m sorry so many times, Ollie.” Connor replied desperately, watching his husband pace their backyard.

“How could you forget something so important?”

“You’re right. I am a crass, unfeeling dunderhead who forgot that I proposed to you at Trattoria.”

“Yes, you are. And, I may forgive you in time. What restaurant did you go to anyway?” Oliver asked curiously.

“Can’t we just forget about this, and just get on to the romantic part of the evening?” Connor replied with a suggestive wink.

“It’s cute that you think you’re still getting lucky tonight. Just tell me. Where did you go?”

“I went to La Lola.”

“La Lola? That’s- Oh.”

“What ’Oh’?”

“Nothing, come on. Let’s go inside.”

“No, wait a minute, wait a minute. That was a loaded, ’Oh’.”

“Can’t we just get on with the romantic part of the evening, Lawyer Boy?”

“It’s cute, how you think you can use my own words against me, but no, no, no. Don’t you Lawyer Boy me. I will not be distracted. I did propose to you at La Lola, didn’t l?”

“Yes, you did, Connor.”

“Ooh, I knew it! I knew it. What happened at Trattoria?”

“I was proposed to at Trattoria.”

“Not by me.”

“Are you hungry? I’m so hungry.”

“Now, wait just a hot minute, wait a minute. Who proposed to you at Trattoria?”

“Lucas Porter.”

“Lucas Porter? Lucas Porter proposed to you? Who the hell is Lucas Porter?”

“Some guy.”

“Some guy? Some random drive-by proposal? Somebody proposed to you, and you didn’t tell me about it?”

“No, Connor. No, I did not.”

“Well, why the hell not?”

“Oh, because silly me, I thought maybe you’d get angry!”

“Oh, well, fine. Obviously, you know me. I don’t know you.”

“Connor!”

“Did you accept the proposal? Do you have another set of children in Maysville, Kentucky? Are Beatrice, Christopher, and Jackson waiting for their father to come back after stepping out for gum eighteen years ago?”

“Okay, enough, Connor.” Oliver admonished, rolling his eyes. “You’re being ridiculous! Calm down. Let’s go inside and discuss this like mature adults. You’ll only aggravate your blood pressure!”

“Oliver, if that’s even you’re real name- What in the world happened here? JAMIE!” Connor broke off, his eyes widening at the state of disarray that the living room currently seemed to be in.

As his eyes swept the scene, he took stock of a broken lamp, some spaghetti strewn across the couch, and the rest of the furniture that didn’t seem to be in their right places. Charlotte was sleeping in what seemed to be a makeshift pillow fort on the floor.

“It’s all my fault. No one else is to blame except me. But don’t worry, dad. I’m going to pay for it out of my own money.” Jamie rushed into the living room frantically, holding a broom.

“Your own money? What ’own money’?” Oliver asked with an incredulous stare.

“Well, no charge for my subsequent babysitting services until this gets paid off?” Jamie asked with hopeful, but worried eyes.

“YOU THINK WE’RE GOING TO LET YOU BABYSIT AG-” came Connor’s disbelieving shriek.

“SHHHHH! You’ll wake up my dear little sister, who, thank God, is still alive.” Jamie interrupted quickly, trying to defuse his father’s anger.

“Oh! Well, thank God for that.” Oliver replied sardonically, placing a gentle hand on his husband’s shoulder and praying it wouldn’t be shoved off. They shared a look, and Oliver knew they wouldn’t be dropping their previous discussion anytime soon - just shelving it for now to deal with the mess at hand and get their kids to bed.

———-

“Here, papa.”

“What’s this?” Oliver asked, looking up from his laptop to see his youngest son holding out a small bunch of paper flowers.

“Art project for school.”

“And, you made this for me? Thanks buddy, that’s really sweet. But, it’s not getting you out of your grounding.” Oliver replied with a wink and a ruffle to his son’s hair.

“Eh, it was worth a shot.” Jamie replied, turning to walk back upstairs to his room.

“Are those from Lucas Porter?” Connor quipped, as he walked into the living room.

“No. It’s from Jamie Hampton-Walsh.”

“Well, in case they get lonely.” Connor replied, presenting his husband with his own bouquet of fresh flowers.

“Connor, they’re beautiful. What are they for?”

“Because,” Connor answered, looking down as he hugged a throw pillow to his chest, “Because, this was the worst Valentine’s Day of my life, and I don’t think yours was any better either. And, maybe I overreacted. A little bit.”

“Oh?”

"And, I was thinking that you may have been proposed to twice, but you only said yes once, and I’m glad it was to me. Happy Valentine’s Day, Ollie.”

“Thanks, Con.” Oliver replied, accepting the flowers with a relieved smile.

They sat for a while in comfortable silence - Connor had traded the throw pillow in favor playing with Oliver’s fingers - until Oliver spoke up again.

“So,” he teased with a mischievous grin, “What makes you think I was only proposed to twice?”

-FIN-

[gameofbrodon-blog]

S8E1: Winterfell AKA The Beginning of the End AKA Bran is a vegan

Ooooooooh Brodes. What. An. Episode.

Like dayum. I gotta say, it was too lovely. Like we’re gonna get totally forked this season. They gave us happiness in ep 1, cos they’re going to emotionally destroy us for the rest of the season. Just you wait. Battle of Winterfell in ep 3 is gonna be so traumatic I may need to call in sick at work the next day. Legit.

Let’s do this recap then... I’m writing this on my flight to Melbourne so I have no distractions and can dedicate a whole hour to it for you. Let’s go!

I’m OBSESSED with all the s1 throwbacks in this ep. The little kid running through the crowd and climbing the tree to see the royals (Jon/Dany) arriving in Winterfell is such a cute throwback to Arya and Bran doing the same in S1 when the royals (King Robert & co) arrived.

Dany has the most smug look on her face when all the northerners were scared of Drogon and Rhaegal. She’s really feeling herself since she banged Jon. Girl got laid so now she’s feeling like the top bench. Can’t blame her really ;)

Then Arya sees Jon and has the cutest smile on her face, which transforms to a scowl when she see’s The Hound (I think she legit thought he was dead. She’s probably annoyed that that she has to put him back on her list now!). And then she smiles again when she see’s her lover boy Gendry. Can’t wait for them to get married and have little warrior babies.

Reunion 1 happens; Jon sees Bran and he’s so shocked and happy. So cute how he rushes off the horse and gives him a big kiss. Major LOL at Jon being all “you’re a man now” and Bran being like “almost” COS HES THE THREE EYED RAVEN WE GET IT BRAN. Bran is like a vegan - he has to announce his status at every opportunity.

Sansa is so unimpressed by Dany, but then Bran goes vegan again and interrupts to tell Dany that Viserion is a WW now and she’s devo.

Skimming through now...

Reunion 2; Jon / Arya. I cried Brodes. Oh I cried. It was beautiful. Angelic. Gorgeous. Heavenly. Thank god they’re back together - you can actually see that they love each other it’s so sweet. Also hilarious moment when Jon is like “needle, have you had to use it”. LOL JON IF ONLY YOU KNEW!

Reunion 3; Sansa / Tyrion. Together again for the first time since Joff died. Loved the joke about how Sansa said that it was a highlight of the wedding hahaha Same gal, same!

So much happened in Winterfell. I’m so forgetting something but I’m trying to work chronologically and deffs failing at it.

Euron Greyjoy arrived back at Kings Landing with the Golden Company and new character Harry Strickland. Only 20k men and no elephants. Cersei mad. She should go see Dumbo at the cinema to get her elephant fix! My friend Emily has her name in the credits. Off topic but important to share.

Cersei and Euron bang. She’s not happy about it but I reckon she’s gonna pretend she’s pregnant with his baby to lock in his loyalty. She’s a shady one.

Theon rescues Yara and they split - she’s off to the Iron Islands to win them back as a backup plan for Dany to escape to if she needs it and he’s off to Winterfell to fight with Jon. Ahh siblings. Friends. They won’t see each other again before they die, sorry not sorry.

Back in Winterfell, Reunion #4 and #5. Arya sees The Hound in the blacksmith and have a tense but cute exchange. He’s all “you left me to die” and she claps back with “I robbed you first”. QUEEN.

Then Arya sees her boyfriend/lover Gendry and they flirt. He says “as you wish m’lady” and it’s GoT crossing over with The Princess Bride and like I can’t handle that - it’s both of my fave things! AH! G is making A a new weapon, cute.

Jon and Dany go for a casual dragon ride (JON RODE A DRAGON OMG) then have cute kissy time in front of a waterfall. Drogon though is not impressed at all. I love that they’re giving the dragons a personality now.

Controversial opinion: they gave us Jon on a Dragon too soon. They should have waited until like The Battle of Winterfell cos how cool would it have been for him to ride into the battle on a Dragon!

In Last Hearth, Tormund (yay! Tormund!) is alive! He and Beric are looking through the castle for signs of life, and they come across Edd and the best line of the whole episode happens; “STAY BACK HE’S GOT BLUE EYES” “they’ve always been blue”. HILARIOUS.

Then Lord Umber aka little kid is nailed to the wall but then he turns WW and starts screaming when they set him on fire. I may or may not have screamed in the cinema from fear. Whatever. You can’t prove anything.

Can we also take a moment to say, WHAT THE fork IS WITH CERSEI ASKING BRONN TO KILL HER BROS?! Like, surely Bronn taking the crossbow is just so he can go dob on Cersei to Tyrion. Tyrion promised Bronn that if anyone ever asked him to betray T then T would pay double. Bronn, you better be going after that double money and not legit planning to kill your two best buds T & J!

Back in Winterfell, Sam finds out that Dany killed his dad and bro and he’s heartbroken. Dany could have showed more compassion here tbh. She killed his fam, maybe apologise??

Sam then goes to the crypts and tells Jon the sad news... and then breaks the big big news. Jon finds out that Ned isn’t his real dad and he is heartbroken. He looked up to Ned so much and was proud to be his son. I can’t imagine how he feels now.

I don’t think he’s gonna tell Dany; he said that him being the true king was treason cos he’s sworn fealty to her. He’s gonna keep it a secret but dump her cos he can’t kiss or bang his aunty now that he knows. DRAMAAAAA!

Finally, bran’s “old friend” Jamie rides into Winterfell and when he sees Bran he looks terrified. I can’t wait to see what Bran says to him “I’m a vegan... oh wait I mean I’m the three eyed raven and I know you pushed me out of the window. Dude wtf”

Lots of setup here, but that’s normal for Ep 1 of a season. Let the chaos begin!

Can winter be over yet? Spring is coming? Maybe? I hope????

X Jords