#.....except that show had a better pilot there i said it

[ettadunham]

idk who needs to hear this other than kaos netflix, but licensing a song to play every 5 minutes in your tv show does not make up for actually writing some scenes. also, there's almost always a better way to do exposition than through narration, unless you have a clear purpose and/or do it sparingly enough.

[madlori]

On Tommy Kinard

"It's not that I don't like Buck and Tommy, it's just happening so fast, he's underdeveloped!"

*clears throat*

Here is a recap of what we know about Tommy. And this is just off the top of my head, I didn't rewatch anything.

He was closeted at the 118 before and found the atmosphere repressive. He (probably) acted like a dick to fit in. When presented with the chance to make things better, he took it, and developed positive relationships with Hen, Chim and Bobby.

He was in the army and trained there as a pilot.

He knows Muay Thai and has a set up in his house.

He likes to work on cars and has a lift at his house (where TF does he live is my question - he has some nerve being agog at Buck's loft if he has a muay thai gym and a car lift)

He is down for violating departmental policy at the drop of a hat (has done so on at least two occasions) to help a friend and has no problems fucking with the fire chief.

He is a nerd. He likes pub trivia and has incorrect Star Wars opinions, and can keep up with Chim in the movie-quoting department.

His favorite movie is "Love, Actually" and he likes craft beer and monster trucks.

He came out when he transferred to Harbor and felt comfortable enough to stop lying about who he was.

He follows MMA and has friends in Vegas who like him well enough to hook him up to a frankly insane degree.

He'll risk his own life and engage in helicopter skulduggery to save people he doesn't know...I mean, apart from doing that for a living.

He'll take time out of his day to give a tour to the cute boy who called him up and offer to give that boy flying lessons (a significant time investment) which was probably maybe about more one on one time with said boy.

He yearns for the belonging and found family that the 118 became after his departure and probably befriended Eddie hoping to earn a plate at the cookout, aside from just clicking with him.

He likes Eddie and Chris a lot and they like him. Chimney also likes him.

He was attracted to Buck right away and was emotionally aware enough to pick up on Buck's jealous feelings over Eddie and his friendship, even if he was surprised that it was him Buck wanted to get to know.

He respects and values Buck and Eddie's friendship and wanted to make sure Buck knew that.

He's brave enough to shoot his shot by planting one on a dude.

He's a lil bitchy but also generous and ready to throw in with this insane guy who's inviting him to a family wedding after 0.5 dates.

He showed up to a bachelor party when he was on call because Buck asked him to, then showed up in turnouts after fighting a fire for like 12 hours yadda yadda we all know this part.

He has got it BAD for one Evan Buckley, who he only calls "Evan" which according to LFJR is a conscious decision by the writers, which fascinates me.

He was willing to take a chance with a man just discovering his sexuality BUT wasn't willing to put himself through that if the man in question wasn't ready for it. When Buck showed him that he was, he was all in.

He does NOT take his coffee like that.

Oh and

He's a beast.

This is VASTLY more information than we knew about ANY of Buck's previous girlfriends with the possible exception of Abby. Even Taylor did not get this much development over 20 episodes (things we knew about her: she was an ambitious and ethically flexible reporter, did not eat fudge, had a dad in jail, and sometimes jogged for exercise, she was capable of being nice and did love Buck, I believe). And as for it being fast? Sometimes it just be like that? A relationship doesn't have to have year(s) of buildup. Sometimes people do just meet, like each other, and start dating, in fact in the real world that's usually what happens. It's in TV Land that you have to have eighteen seasons of UST before pulling the trigger. Most of the time in reality people just vibe off each other and decide to go out and THEN they learn about each other.

And they've got a great start. You'd think they'd barely spoken by how a few naysayers are talking about it - the loft scene was like a solid five minutes of very open conversation, the Cringe Date seemed to have gone well and again, open and honest (if cringey) conversation before Cockblocker Eddie showed up, and the coffee meetup was again....open and honest conversation. They're not gonna show us long scenes of them exchanging firefighting stories and workout preferences (I mean, I'd watch that, but it's not what the show is about).

In conclusion, anyone saying he's poorly developed or the relationship is "out of nowhere" either is being willfully obtuse or has ridiculously unrealistic expectations for relationships and/or what constitutes character development.

As for whether they have chemistry, that's a matter of subjective opinion. Given that a TON of people watched that harbor tour scene (even when it was posted as a sneak peek) and started going "wait...what's going on here...are they flirting??" might be a clue. People were talking about Bi!Buck maybe happening with Tommy based solely off that clip of the harbor tour and what they were seeing between them. And imho that loft scene was crackling. But we all see things through the lenses of our biases, myself included.

Got that off my chest, whew.

[thelostconsultant]

Secrets

pairing: Lestappen x reader

summary: Charles convinces you to join his relationship with Max.

warnings: Well, not much, except for mentions of sexual activities, unprotected sex (wrap it, guys) and pregnancy.

note: Just little snippets stitched together to give you a glimpse into their life.

The plan began to form in Charles’s head when it was announced you would become his race engineer from the 2024 season. As you got closer and got to know each other better, he began to flirt with you, making it quite clear that he wanted something from you, and when he kissed you for the first time, feeling it in his bones that he got you, he finally told you the truth. 

“There’s something you should know,” he told you softly with his hand resting on your cheek. “I’ve been in a relationship for a good… three years now, but me and my partner are looking for someone to play with, someone who would be willing to be a part of our little secret.”

“Why do you keep it a secret?” you asked him, flashing a curious look at him. 

Charles let out a long sigh as he thought about what to say to that. “We are trying to avoid a scandal.”

“So it’s someone people know. Hmm… If I was held at gunpoint and they told me to name one person you might be in a controversial relationship with, my first guess would be Max, but–” When you came to a sudden halt, he knew his expression gave away his surprise that you figured it out on your own. Well, he wasn’t that good at keeping a poker face after all. “No way,” you said slowly, your voice suddenly dropping. 

He smiled at you after shaking off the bad feeling he had. You wouldn’t rat them out, he could tell, but now he was worried you would say no and it would change the way you work together. “Now you know, but please, this has to stay between us.”

You nodded your head a few times. “Sure, I won’t tell a soul.” There was a short pause, but then you looked back at him and said, “So how long have you been looking for a third member for this relationship?”

“We weren’t actively searching. When I met you, I found you attractive, then I got to know you better and realized I like your personality too. Max heard a lot of stories about you, and he was also attracted, so we just came to the rational conclusion that we would love to have you,” he explained. 

You agreed pretty easily. Sure, you did point out that it was only a pilot period, you wanted to see if this could even work, but that was more than enough for Charles. And soon enough you fell in love with them the same way they fell in love with you, and being together in this relationship became the new normal for you.

During race weekends the two of you could spend a lot more time together, easily slipping into his driver’s room to have some fun, but times like this you usually put extra effort into showing Max how much you loved him when you got him in your company again.

Charles was in an extremely good mood in the evening, and when Max finally arrived, he was immediately pulled into a hungry kiss, his back pressed against the now closed door. “Good drive today, pretty boy,” the Dutchman praised him as he placed kisses along his jawline. “Wish we could talk a little more.”

“We can talk now,” he said before letting out a short laugh and slipping out of his grasp to move towards the kitchen. 

Max shook his head with a smile as he glanced into the living room. “Where’s our princess?” he asked with a confused look as he followed the other man.

“Left to take care of something. Actually, it’s good that she’s not here, because I need to talk to you,” Charles said as he passed his boyfriend a glass of soda, who seemed much more interested in what he was about to hear. Rolling his eyes, Charles reached out to take his hand. “Hey, don’t give me that look, I’m not planning to break up with you. I was thinking about why she wanted to go on a date. Do you think she wants to leave us?”

“No, I don’t think so. But… I don’t know, I once overheard a conversation she had with a friend or relative, and she was trying to explain to them why she hasn’t been in a relationship for a while,” he admitted. 

As he sat on a barstool, Charles let out a thoughtful hum. “It’s a good thing you mentioned this, because my idea could actually help this issue,” he began, earning a questioning look. “Maybe it’s time to make things official for our sake.” Max shook his head, but before he could say anything, he went on. “Not us, dummy. I know we agreed to keep it a secret for a few more years. I’m talking about you and her. Just hear me out. I can be seen in her company because she’s my race engineer and we’re friends as far as people know. But you? You’re on a different team, people think we don’t like each other. So if she was dating you, you wouldn’t have to feel left out even on race weekends, and I could jump over to meet her, even if she’s with you.”

With a thoughtful hum, Max rested his forearms on the kitchen island. “That’s… actually… not a bad idea,” he said slowly. “Have you told her about this?”

“No, not yet. I was waiting for you,” came the response. 

Nodding, he moved to stand behind him and wrapped his arms around his body. “Are you sure about this?” Charles let out a confirming hum in response. “Well, if she’s on board, I say let’s do this,” he replied before placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

Max woke up to the sound of you vomiting in the bathroom. He quickly jumped out of bed to see what was up with you, and when he opened the door, he saw you sitting on the floor with tears in your eyes. With a worried look, he kneeled next to you and kissed the top of your head. “Stomach flu?” he asked you softly. But you shook your head at this, carefully avoiding his gaze. “Tell me, what’s wrong? You’re hiding something.”

“What’s going on?” came Charles’s groggy voice from the door. When Max looked over at him, he saw the way he was rubbing his eyes, but then he focused on the two of you on the floor and quickly woke up. “You okay?”

You groaned, then flushed the toilet and went to the sink to wash your face. “I’m fine,” you replied defensively. 

“What are you hiding from us?” Max pressed on, knowing you well enough to sense there was more to the story. 

A minute or two passed in tense silence while they waited for you to finally speak up. Charles moved to be by your side as support, but he was stopped right away. He meant well, but this wasn’t the time to play nice. Max wanted answers, and if he had to be harsh to get them, he was willing to do it. And his strategy worked, because you finally took a deep breath and turned around to rest your hips against the sink. 

Your eyes moved back and forth between the two of them as you said, “I’m pregnant.”

Charles gasped next to him, barely able to hide his bright smile, but Max was hesitant. You had been with them for almost a year, and you had been publicly dating him for a while too, but this? This he wasn’t expecting. It’s not that he wasn’t happy, because he was. But you looked scared and maybe even ashamed, and this was killing him. So he quickly rushed over to you to cup your face with a smile on his face. 

“Are you sure?” When you nodded, he kissed your forehead. “I love you, sweet girl.”

“You’re gonna be a great mom,” Charles added as he joined you and put his arms on your shoulders. “So… I’m gonna ask. Who’s the father?” he wondered out loud with raised eyebrows. 

Shrugging, you looked down at your hands. “I don’t know. I’m on the pill, but both of you doofuses tend to forget to use a goddamn condom, so it could be either of you,” you mumbled. 

Max looked over at his boyfriend as he bit on his lower lip, feeling guilty since they had agreed at the beginning not to do this. But based on the look on Charles’s face, he wasn’t the only one thinking about this. Of course, this was nothing new for the two of them, they had discussed their preference to fuck you raw countless times, but they never explicitly told you about this. But you weren’t stupid, you just probably loved them enough to let them do what they wanted as long as you all tested yourselves on a regular basis. 

“Are you mad at us?” Charles asked cautiously, but you just shook your head. “Then what’s wrong? I can see there’s something else you’re not telling us.”

“That’s not how you wanted to become parents,” you eventually told them. 

The sentence made Max’s heart clench, and he could tell Charles felt just the same based on the look they exchanged. They had told you about their plan to one day either use a surrogate mother or adopt a child depending on how things stood in their lives. Adoption seemed to be the winning option at the time as they couldn’t decide whose biological child should it be if they chose the surrogacy option. 

But things had changed since then, a lot of things happened and their feelings also changed. Once the Monegasque nodded, Max took a deep breath and prepared to tell you what they were both thinking about at the moment. 

“We love you. Yes, we did have different options in our heads at the time we talked about this, but now you fully belong to us. Our gorgeous and smart girlfriend is pregnant from one of us,” he said with a smile as he tipped your head to make you look at him. “It’s so much better than anything we could dream of. You should be happy now. We’re here, we love you, we’re going to support you the whole time.”

On his side, Charles let out a quiet chuckle, then kissed your temple. “You’re not getting rid of us, baby, don’t even think about it.”

note2: I just wanted a little glimpse into their lives. I don't know if I should write more about them, little snippets or text or idk.

[thoughts-i-have-had-in-passing]

The Spock Universes Theory of Star Trek

Recently I made a very quick, late-night reply to a post in which I mentioned my ‘Spock Universes’ theory which to my surprise ended up being somewhat popular with the people, and so I have decided to give it its own post.

The theory is simple. Every time Spock is played by someone different on screen you are watching a different universe’s timeline.

Why does this work? First off it is canon that there are different universes. For one, the Animated Series was disavowed by Gene Roddenberry as not canon, which by extension means it had to have taken place in another universe, but we also have the mirror universe  which continues to exist even when we occasionally wish it didn’t. So Star Trek was doing a multiverse from almost the very beginning. So what is the easiest way to tell them apart?

Spock.

Spock is the key to the whole multiverse. Behold:

TOS: Nimoy Spock, Prime universe

TAS: Voiced by Nimoy but disavowed by Roddenberry, ‘Animated Prime’ universe in which everything that happened in Prime Universe also happened here, but everything that happened here did not automatically happen in Prime.

Star Trek Movies I through VI: Nimoy Spock, Prime universe

TNG: Nimoy Spock appeared in Unification Parts 1 and 2, therefore TNG is in Prime universe

Star Trek: Generations: No Spock. NOT PRIME UNIVERSE.

The evidence: In the TNG episode Relics the crew discover Scotty, played by James Doohan, trapped in a transporter buffer on an infinite loop. This is considered god-tier engineering by Geordie, who did not believe it was possible despite 70 years of advancements in the engineering space (more on that in the SNW section).

Scotty makes a comment that he thought Kirk got the original Enterprise out of mothballs to come looking for him, and was saddened to find out this was not the case. In Generations, Scotty is present when Kirk get pulled into the Nexus and everyone think he is dead. In Prime universe Scotty was not there or he would not have made this assumption, however there is one person who has to be there in order to determine if the universe is Prime: Nimoy Spock.

Who was originally supposed to be there according to the original script? Nimoy Spock.

Who forced a change to the universe by not showing up? Nimoy Spock.

In Prime universe Spock was there instead of Scotty, who had not delayed his retirement to see off the Enterprise B and instead was already on his way to the Norpin colony when Kirk was ‘killed’ the news reached the colony but not the ship, which because it never made it meant Scotty never knew Kirk was gone.

It is important to note that everything else happened the exact same way, except Lursa and B’Etor got hold of a much better ship solely because I said so.

DS9: In the episode Trials and Tribble-ations, the crew was thrown back in time to the days of the original Enterprise, in which Nimoy Spock appeared, even without the various TNG crossovers it’s still Prime universe

Voyager: No Spock, but pilot episode crossed over with DS9, and the character of Barkley crossed over from TNG on more than one occasion. In addition, in the episode Flashback there was an appearance by Captain Sulu, played by George Takei, who was last seen playing his character opposite Nimoy’s Spock. Most likely Prime universe

Enterprise: Predates the Spock schism and therefore theoretically belongs to all universes. It has been referenced in several of the newer series in various ways, however there is a continuity issue in regards to the Klingons, which may mean that the event which lead to Spock being played by someone other than Nimoy happen even further back in the timeline, with the majority of changes being negligible by the time of Enterprise other than the Klingon ridge thing, which Discovery and SNW do not follow

‘Kelvin’ movies: Two Spocks. Nimoy Spock is specifically stated to come from the future Prime universe and the events featuring Quinto Spock are now a new, branched timeline. Further proof for the theory.

Discovery: Peck Spock, new timeline. Other notable changes include the style and advancement of technology and the fact that the Klingons appear to have solved their forehead ridge-flattening troubles, plus added extra for good luck.*

SNW: Peck Spock, crossover with Discovery. Peck universe. This also means that major continuity changes like the Gorn being both known and evil monsters are due to the different universe. In addition, Dr. M’Benga hides his daughter in a transporter buffer to slow down her illness. As previously mentioned, this was god-tier engineering when Prime Scotty did it in 2294, however in this universe technology is more advanced as no one bats an eye at the doctor’s technical prowess when they find out what he did.

Prodigy: Nimoy Spock facsimile which uses Nimoy voice recordings, Prime universe

Picard: No Spock, pick your poison. Basically because there is no Spock this could be Prime or it could be the same universe as Generations. Clearly there are a lot of similarities between Prime and Generations universe, but as the ending shown in All Good Things is not the one we see in Picard, it’s possible, likely even, that we have crossed universes again. I blame Q.

Lower Decks: Somehow exists in a universe where all shows are simultaneously canon, including TAS, probably due to some weird phenomena  

*Challenges to the theory and how it has adapted.

It was pointed out to me that Michael Burnham watches a recording of old Spock once she goes to the future, and that this recording was of Nimoy Spock, and so I have had to alter my theory slightly.

The Spock Checkpoint can only be done when Spock is a young man. This is because once Spock approaches old age, regardless of who has been playing him, he begin to morph into Nimoy Spock. As Mr. Nimoy himself claimed in his second autobiography: I am Spock.

Dude wasn’t kidding.

Personally I find that this theory helps me deal with the more extreme continuity issues that NuTrek has brought to the show. It's easy to pretend that Turnabout Intruder's claim that women can't be captains never actually happened, harder to believe that everyone met the Gorn except Kirk, and that somehow they demonsterfied in about five to ten years, or that a doctor could rig a transporter as well as a master engineer with technology forty years more advanced. Spock theory has calmed my mind and soothed my soul so I can better enjoy Trek. I hope if you felt the same way then it can do the same for you.

Thank you for reading my waffle.

[genericpuff]

Hey so I have a question-

Is Rachel even contributing to LO's art anymore? Like, at all?

CAUTION: MILD FASTPASS SPOILERS AHEAD !!!

I've talked at length about the 'tells' of each assistant and artist, and while it doesn't guarantee that I can tell exactly who drew each panel, there's one thing there's been a lot less of in the most recent episodes that have caught my attention - things that I know Rachel would typically contribute.

And most of it comes down to her lineart.

The shading was always her, no doubt about that, you could tell with how consistently awful it is, how she would take actual decent flats from her assistants and proceed to butcher them with muddied shading.

AmyKim89's flats vs. after Rachel's gotten her hands on them:

(seriously Rachel why tf did you darken Persephone's legs here, it looked so much better before ??)

But there was also her lineart which, at first, I didn't realize who was drawing it. It didn't show up super often in LO but it was always very noticeable when it did so I knew it had to be someone on the team doing it:

The thickness of the lines and the extra little strokes added in along the knuckles and bends, that wasn't something that was really common in LO at this point... at least it hasn't been since S1:

And when comparing it to the lineart she used to do in The Doctor Pepper/Foxglove Show:

(look at the mouth in The Doctor Foxglove Show vs. Hera in the pilot version of LO, they're literally the same)

So yeah, it was certainly the revelation to discover that that one instance of "weirdly detailed lineart" wasn't one of her assistants having a little extra fun, it was Rachel herself. It was already so uncommon for her to contribute all the way back in S2 that her contributions seemed to be more of the exception rather than the norm.

And since seeing the art that's been in the newest FP episodes following the return of the series... is Rachel even drawing at all anymore? Because lately the lineart has felt very thin, in a way that I can't tell if it's her assistants just doing all the lineart now or if she's trying to emulate S1 LO more by using less lineart. But S1 didn't have thin lineart, it had very thick lineart, BUT only being used where necessary to emphasis shadows and depth.

Now the lineart feels very... dinky? Especially when you look at the eyelashes.

That said, there are moments from S1 that had similarly 'dinky' lineart, so take this with grains of salt. It still didn't feel as dinky though as it does today where the lines are practically non-existent in how thin they are.

There are also times when you can tell they're really trying to emulate that S1 look, the pieces are there but they aren't being put together very well:

So yeah at this point I wouldn't even be shocked if all Rachel's doing at this point is scripting and roughs. And considering there are definitely times where she'll just draw without knowing what to write, the 'scripting' is also practically non-existent. It's just her leaving her roughs off to the last second for her assistants to whip out with very little time to pay attention to what's being submitted.

Once again it's Rachel fundamentally missing the point of the criticism that's being made of her work. She's trying to forcefully emulate something that she didn't even have a process behind. I can attest as someone who's been trying to do studies of her past work to recreate it as faithfully as possible through Rekindled, it's very difficult to achieve the 'old LO' look because 'old LO' was literally just Rachel slapping down brush strokes until they looked good, there was no specific process or guidelines that she followed, she just made things look textured and colorful. Everything else was basically up to her figuring out what actually looked good, with panels often having their own vibes separate from others in isolation of one another.

Now she's trying to replicate that look while missing the point entirely that it's not something she can really replicate anymore. Though we do get the odd panel that's way closer to the point, those panels have one thing that she's clearly not putting into the comic as a whole anymore - love and effort.

(fr this panel is so gorgeous but I feel like at this point it was more sheer luck because of how rare it is to see panels like these nowadays, this feels like an accident LOL)

Case in point, this honorable mention towards Persephone's outfit which is literally just a color-swapped version of the sketch that Rachel posted to Blue Sky that got meme'd to death in the ULO sub:

Did you catch that though? The weird dark patch over her boob and the gap in the lineart of her cleavage?

That's because they copy pasted the first panel and then erased out the hands, but missed the part of the hand shading that was overlapping the breast and the gap in the lineart.

I shit you not, Rachel coming up with memes on Blue Sky that she's scraped out of shows she watched 20 years ago is basically the full extent of her writing at this point.

Haha take a thing and make it bigger! So funnyyyy!

(seriously Rachel's 'humor' feels like it's stuck in 2010)

Yep, you're really earning that #1 NYT Bestseller label that you haven't even gotten since Volume 3, Rachel. Put your hand down, there are no high fives for you here.

[pinazee]

Weekend warriors is one of my fave episodes for a multitude of reasons

The way Shawn flirts with Sally Reynolds at the briefing was fantastic. Shes such a memorable one off character and she doesn’t really do much. I credit that to Clair Coffee and her dazzling smile.

One of the best moments of Shawn showing just how amazing his memory is, and the little montage was wonderfully set up. But Gus really shouldn’t be surprised by now. Out of everyone (except maybe his dad) he should be the least amazed by his gifts.

It has my favorite most stupidest joke i still laugh at to this day actually ive been promoted. Its Captain Crunch now.

I have a deep appreciation of this show for never shying away from the fact that Gus is black. It seems like a lot of 00’s shows simply avoided the topic altogether (if they even had a black main). Starting from the pilot when gus placed his hands on the dash when the cop pulled them over. It goes to show how important it is to collaborate with your actors, particularly if your writing room demographics don’t correlate with your acting talent.

The fuck are you talking about henry. It took him 4 months after he was born to smile at you and thats when you acknowledge him??? I mean, i think they both know thats crap, but still lol

Solid Juliet moment. I love that they showed she was scared, but was brave enough to continue. Too many shows try to do feminism by making their female characters not feel fear for some reason? Or like, they’re kind of crazy and seek it out. Idk. Its nice that shes allowed to be afraid and vulnerable. It makes her feel like a real person.

THIS!

That end scene is the saddest fucking thing ive ever seen, and might be the most heartbreaking little shawn moment in the series. Im going to word for word this because i need ppl to share in my awwws

Shawn: Gus, when we grow up, think ill ever be as cool as you?

Gus: You’re better at kickball

Shawn: Not what I asked

Gus: We talking about your dad again?

Shawn: mm-hmm

Gus: Come on dude, the guy respects you

Shawn: Not like he does you

Gus: I’m not his son. I mean, he might like me okay, but he loves you

Shawn: Did he say that?

Gus: No.

Shawn: Well then how can you be sure?

Gus: You mean he’s never said it?

Shawn: Come on Gus, we’re guys.

SO MUCH TO UNPACK HERE but i’m going to do that in my henry analysis ep. Theres just too much to say.

[lover-of-mine]

Lady Whistledown. I totally understand if you don't post this. Huge no worries because honestly, their fandom is on fire, and it makes me sad the hate they send you. Like it's a damn ship, people. Just stop.

But to get where we are now you sort of have to go back to the beginning of epsiode 4 last season then repeat after every sentence their copium after 24 hours of rage was "well duh the Buddies are crazy so of course ". Oliver only posted he and Eddie for his coming out episode. Oliver never followed or promoted Lou and now they even admit there is bad blood. Oliver never talked to them only Lou took the money. Oliver gave too much attention in the BTS of the medal ceremony to Ryan. Oliver didn't talk about bisexuality in regards to Tommy only to the fact he is. Oliver never promoted interviews. Oliver posted more of Gerrard this season. Oliver flirts too much with Ryan. They didnt get Hen approval scene. No JLH scene after she said they filmed in the same building. They never got the family scenes of Christopher with his 3 dad's. Got more Eddie and Tommy. More Tommy and Eddie. Tommy was supposed to be a main. And as always they would throw Buck off a bridge to get Eddie and Tommy.

So now we lean into Narnia. They had a high after the first episode. OK he's there. But honestly after the initial time. It was a nothing scene. It was about Eddie. It could have been 2 friends teasing each other. Then everything fell apart after that. He wasnt with Athena. He didn't save the day. He didn't have a double date breakfast with Bathena the day after. The worst? They used his truck and he wasn't even there. There is a lot of chatter of the story is narrowing. All they wanted was a 118 family dinner. But he was iced out. Now it's pretty excepted he's not part of the 118. He will be regulated for however long to just Bucks partner. Saw one rage that at least they used Taylor in her job and they couldn't here. We are clearly going into Eddie's isolation arc. They hate his interviews that came out today. He won't be the one to get Christopher back. They basically lost all of their hopes. His story now is how Buck resolves Gerrard issues. Oh and weird fact they seriously thought that when Lou came out of hiding for ABs birthday that it was proof the Athena Tommy connection. She had his back. And well we know how that worked out.

Back on grass. Its been sort of wild to see them keep lowering their bar to make themselves feel better about the story. Well we didn't see Karen sort of thing. Oh but also an annoyance at Josh with Maddie. Apparently in their world there's a limit to queer people and it can only be BT and Henren.

Hello my love 🩷🩷

This made me giggle, ngl. Each episode proving their spec wrong was awesome lol. He was there for 30 seconds and had 2 lines and they were expecting him to be everywhere. It was extra sweet to see a black child do the thing they were convinced he would. He wasn't on the plane. He wasn't on the highway. He wasn't lowered through the hole in the cockpit. He wasn't on top of the truck. Buck didn't even mention a little plane fact he learned from him. He was only in the story when he was on screen and he was barely there. And now the conflict with Gerrard can't be good for the relationship considering his past. Of course they hate Oliver even though Oliver is the main character and he's made it very clear where he stands when it comes to them, but the flirting too much with Ryan made me scream. They are so mad they rpfing. I kinda love that they want more of Tommy and Eddie but even though he was in a scene about Eddie, he did not interact with Eddie, not really. I guess living of "you're a vision in a cone" is not good when there's a plane emergency and he's not there. And yeah, the show did find a way to incorporate the journalist, if they wanted to incorporate the firefighter pilot, they would, too bad they don't. I did not see the bathena breakfast spec, that one is funny as hell. I wanna say I can't believe they actually thought the comment was a message but, I totally can, and that obviously didn't go anywhere. And of course they are turning on Josh, why wouldn't they. I will say their cope has been glorious to read, like my god you guys are so close to the point and missing it. I can't imagine how mad they must be behind closed doors.

[samiiola]

How can anyone hate her 😭😭??

I just saw a tt that said "cry harder uzi" while showing Alice torturing uzi. She didn't do anything 😭😭

Some others are saying pilot uzi is better and that uzi rn has changed. They're also saying she's a pick me.

The angsty uzi we know from the pilot had no one. She had no one to care for her, except for thad. That's until N showed up, and then V started to care for her in ep 6. Uzi just found people who actually cared for her and they're breaking her angsty teen shell.

also, @toomanyhyperfixationsinmybrain thanks for pointing out that Uzi is getting blamed for V's "death" We're not gonna forget that her arm got CHOPPED off and that shes getting possessed by the absolute solver. She was also laying down in the elevator because she was too weak since her arm got chopped off and the absolute solver possessed her for 5 seconds at least. Not just that, she coughed up BLOOD. Not oil. Uzi isn't at fault, Doll is.

[dragonform]

Lurking on some Ninjago communities is driving me batty, so let me just get this out here.

"oLd NinJaGO wAs BetTeR"

"JuSt LeT nINjaGo dIE"

Look, buddy. Lemme tell you a story. (Buckle up, this is gonna be a long one.)

Last year, my kid Ry was six years old. Prime Ninjago age. He had already started watching Lego shows, and in fact already loved the dragon sets from Ninjago (we got him the sets for 4+ years the moment he was old enough to follow the instructions), but was a bit hesitant to start the show because some of it looked scary.

We started with Dragons Rising, because it was new at the time and Netflix was pushing it. As we watched, we got the sense that there was a lot of history behind it. My husband and I already knew Ninjago had been around for a while, having seen the sets in shops. So I looked up the history of the show to see how much we needed to catch up on.

"15 seasons!?" I yelped to my husband.

"Has it been around that long???" he responded.

We were happy, of course, that Ry had found a nice long Lego show to watch (we generally love Lego shows in this house, they all seem to be of much higher quality than other kids' tv shows out there. But I digress.)

We started from Season 1. Somewhere around Skybound (yes, ok, I know), it dawned on me that not only was Ry enjoying the show, I was enjoying the show. The scenes looked ridiculously cinematic, larger in scale than what Lego Minifigures should reasonably deliver. The action and fight scenes were ridiculously complex and fluid for little square plastic people. The faces far more expressive than what's basically an emoji printed on yellow plastic should allow for. And the characters and writing? Light years more compelling than any Hollywood superhero movie in recent memory.

"This show is ridiculous," I said to my husband, amazed.

One year later, we've collected almost all the sets we could find, and Ninjago is officially our favorite show in the entire household. Not Dragons Rising. Ninjago. All of it, from beginning to end, including the pilots and Day of the Departed (in both English and Chinese), all of it. Ask Ry if he prefers "old Ninjago" or Dragons Rising, and he'll tell you old Ninjago without hesitation. But he will cheerfully rewatch DR anytime. (We're rewatching DR S1 for the fourth time as I write this.)

What I'm trying to say is, you (imaginary OG Ninjago fan) may not like Dragons Rising, but it's how kids nowadays are discovering old Ninjago. To say it should end just because you don't like the changes? Is basically saying you're so selfish you don't want to share your childhood with the kids of today. Old Ninjago isn't going anywhere. You can rewatch it anytime. I hate New Ducktales because I grew up with Old Ducktales (jeez, now everyone knows how old I am) but I don't wish they never made New Ducktales. There's a whole new generation waiting to discover the same joy and wonder you felt watching your favorite shows. Let them watch it.

And before you say my kid and I are the exception, have you been to Legoland lately? The Ninjago rooms and ride haven't been updated since the Tournament of Elements. That's 2015 - almost a decade ago. And you know what? At our Legoland, the Ninjago rooms still go for a premium because the demand is so high. The Ninjago ride still boasts one of the longest queues in the whole of Legoland. The kids' t-shirts sell like hotcakes.

Just yesterday, at the mall, I watched a random girl, about 8 years old, sit down and pull out a copy of The Book of Elemental Powers (released in 2021) and read it. Ry has a copy of the same book.

Kids nowadays love old Ninjago AND new Ninjago. I don't know who needs to hear this, but it's right here for whoever does.

Ninjago is amazing and I wish it many long years ahead for the generations to come.

[nose-nippin-fun]

Hazbin Hotel Episode 4 Discussion:

I’ve seen a lot of nasty posts floating around today criticizing Vivzie and the show. I’m not here to discredit your feelings, but I think that the darker tone of episode 4 merits some constructive discussion beyond a knee-jerk, pearl-clutching reaction.

From what I’ve seen, the biggest complaint from viewers, myself included, is that this emotional episode with some fairly intense depictions of SA/r*pe was not prefaced with a content warning aside from the usual small text in the top left corner. I truly do believe Amazon should correct this going forward so that viewers can feel better prepared for tone shifts between episodes. That being said, here are my defenses of the show.

Hazbin Hotel has had a huge fan following since the pilot release back in 2019, which set the tone of the show. Between the pilot and Addict music video, people had a pretty clear indication of the adult themes that would be present in the project moving forward. The show is set in Hell, the place where the world’s worst sinners are trapped in the afterlife. This is not an excuse, this is an explanation. There are going to be several characters with tainted morality, some of whom are irredeemable. That’s why they’re in Hell. This show is not meant to glorify sins, but to shine a light on flawed, relatable characters who will grapple with ethics and other struggles and come out changed in the end.

“I can’t believe Angel doesn’t leave his situation and stays stagnant.” Have you ever lived through/witnessed abuse? It is never this easy to sever ties with an abuser. They position themselves in power to control and manipulate, and many times, it’s not physically safe to get away from them. Also, this has been ONE EPISODE, you cannot expect a character with deep trauma to be totally different after a 20-30 minute episode. Angel’s character arc will take time, but his interaction with Husk at the end is an important first step in that direction.

“So Angel is supposed to just get over his trauma because he and Husk sang a song about it?” No. If that was your takeaway, I’m truly sorry you missed the point. Husk is the only person who’s been raw and blunt with Angel (on screen) about dropping the Angel Dust persona and being Anthony. Angel is used to having to put on a flawless, sexy act at all times, so much so that that’s how people really believe he is at all times. Husk sees through this mask Angel developed to protect himself and tell him through their song that imperfect and broken as he feels, Angel isn’t alone in struggling with feelings of powerlessness and addiction. He’s not comparing his loss of overlord status to Angel’s horrible SA, he’s finding common ground and empathizing (the best way a Hellbound soul can). This song wasn’t a solution, it was a gateway to vulnerability and the beginning of change for both characters.

“We’re expected to just ship Huskerdust after Angel has done nothing but sexually harass and push Husk’s boundaries?” No. That’s absolutely the wrong reason to ship anything. While it’s true that in the first three episodes, Angel sees Husk as eye candy who might be able to distract him from his suffering, episode 4 brings a necessary shift in their dynamic. Angel is used to everyone around him wanting Angel Dust, the pornstar. But for the first time, someone doesn’t want that coveted persona, and he can’t comprehend this. Angel has no control over anything except the act he keeps up, so he clings to it as a false sense of power. It’s only after Husk tells him that he likes Angel for everything he is off camera that Angel starts to treat Husk with respect, which will pave the way for any future Huskerdust shipping.

You don’t have to agree with what I’ve written, and I absolutely don’t blame you if you’ve realized this show is not content you can comfortably consume, but please understand that depicting difficult material is not the same as glorifying or excusing it. This episode was hard for me too, because I care about Angel Dust, and I am so eager to watch his growth as the show continues. My heart goes out to anyone struggling from triggering this episode caused. I hope you’re able to safely navigate away from this show while respecting the viewers who continue to watch.

[ohtobeleah]

How about Ex!Husband Hangman being protective over Hawk?

No but you don’t understand just how far he’s willing to go for you. And we’re 100% going with this whole cross over universe with Chaos because I’ve gone too deep into it now. BUT you also don’t have to read Chaos! Just take it as a stand alone series if you want! After the shit show that was Clover Club yesterday please take this 5k chapter as my sincere apology.

Anyway—here’s the To Have & To Hold Masterlist

“I'm sorry I decked your husband.” You were sitting up near the Hard Deck on your laptop. Enjoying the sun but more importantly the show that was definitely more distracting than you ever thought it would be. Jake Seresin was many things, and a hot head with an ego the size of the entire posting of Miramar was definitely one of them. But watching as he paraded around, shirtless, glistening as the sun beamed down, surely cooking his skin to that nice tanned colour you enjoyed too much–it was hard to hold it against him. “He kinda deserved it though–”

“I'm inclined to agree with you lieutenant.” Finishing up your sentence before you looked up the figure who was now blocking your son. Lieutenant Chaos Kazansky. “My ex husband–” Correcting the Lieutenant who seemed to almost be remorseful for her actions. “Should know better than to bring childish nonsense into the workplace, especially when there is so much at risk here.” Sighing, you stood to meet her height. “If he's not careful he’ll end up with noone in his corner.”

“Ma’am?” Chaos was completely and utterly stunned when the rath didn't rain down on her like she was expecting it to. “Are you not going to chew me out?” From what you knew, Pete Mitchell had already done a pretty bang up job bringing the just as egotistical pilot back down to earth after Jake had egged her on. Knowing the Admirals were already hot on her tail, you decided Chaos didn't need shit from you too.

“You've already got the Admirals on your back Lieutenant–you don't need me as well.” It was a nice moment between two powerful women. You respected Chaos just as much as she respected you. Oly have known of each other's existence whenever Jake and Bradley were stationed at the same bases. Aviators like to talk. “I just trust that there won't be any more physical assaults?”

“No ma’am, none–” Chaos beamed as she smiled your way. The cheers of the squad getting into the game of dogfight football down by the water interrupting the moment you were sharing together. “I better get back to it then, Bob’s the only one on the shirts teams, don't wanna leave him hanging.” Turning on her heels, Chaos sent you one final look over her shoulder.

“Hey Chaos?” You caught her attention before she could get too far down the beach.”

“Yes, Lieutenant Commander Seresin.” God you hated the formalities. Rolling your eyes at the title you held before stepping closer.

“Don't let whatever is going on between you and Bradshaw distract you from being an exceptional pilot.”

“If I may, speak candidly ma’am.” Chaos waited for you to nod in agreement before she said what she needed to say. “You can do an awful lot better than Hangman–” It was almost venomous the way Chaos said it. Like she was warning you in the only way she knew how to. With honesty and forwardness. “He tried to hit on me at the bar before he knew who I was, I wouldn’t wanna be known as the women who’s husband wants to fuck anything with a hole.” Chaos didn't let you reply before she was turning in the sand again. Making her way back to the game. Pointing out Fanboy who had pointed her out first. Trying to shake off what you had just spoken about you tried to go back to your work.

Somewhere between your night with Jake and the confrontation you had had in your office a few hours before you found yourself sitting out on the deck of the hard Deck. Your wedding band had made its way from your dog tags to your ring finger. Absentmindedly twisting in around your finger as you worked and sipped the lemonade Penny had brought you a while ago. The ice had mentled, watering it down a little. It caught you by surprise then you had realised what you were doing and with what. Your wedding band was always something you tried to keep close yet hide at the same time. Being separated from the man you loved so dearly was confusing at the best of times. But it seemed as though your subconscious had taken over at some point in time. Doing the dirty work for you.

“I'll bet you twenty bucks Bradshaw and Kazansky are gonna be an item by the time this whole detachment finishes.” Jake's voice brought you out of your own head as you hid your hands under the table. Sliding your wedding band off your finger before placing it in the top pocket of your tan service uniform. “Just saw them sneaking off–” Coming to sit beside you. Inviting himself over.

“Oh I don't think either one of us are in the position to be judging other people's relationships.” Chuckling at how stupid Jake sounded. His shirt still balled up on the table, aviators covering his eyes, protecting them from the raise of the sun. “But if I had to make a bet I'd bet on the fact Bradshaw is in over his head.” Turning your attention back to your laptop. Running algorithms Jake didn't understand. “Chaos is a force to be reckoned with, she’ll be the death of him if he's not careful.”

“Damn, you’ve really got a horse in the game huh?” Jake snickered as he tried to understand exactly what you were working on. He knew enough to know that he could read the proposed egress climb. “Is that ten G’s I see?” pressing your tongue to the inner part of your cheek as you turned into Jake as he turned into you, the gap between you next to nothing as he sat beside you close enough for his slightly damp shorts to be pressing against your outer thigh.

“Can you not try and read classified material?”

“Sorry, sorry.” Jake smirked as he fished the wedding band he’d seen you place in your top pocket out. Grabbing your left hand gently as he slid the ring back on your ring finger. “Ah, that's better.”

“You're the epitome of annoying you know that right?” You couldn't help but to smirk, trying to hide your smile behind a stern look. Trying to hold your ground. “Surely there's some other hopelessly clueless girl you could be wasting your time on.” You really hoped there hadnt been. But after what Chaos had told you? You weren't so sure anymore.

“Kinda have my hands full with you already, wifey.”

“Wifey huh?” You teased, shutting your laptop so your full attention was on Jake. “Was I still wifey when you tried to hit on me at the bar without knowing it was me?” Jake rolled his eyes as he pulled you closer, sending one of his legs over the seat so you were between his legs.

“You have always been and will always be wifey–”

“Was I still wifey when you tried to hit on Chaos at the bar after I left?” Wait, who told you that? Where did you get that twisted information? Watching as Jake looked at you stunned into silence you knew you had him cornered. “I don't blame you for wanting to seek solace in other women, we’re separated Jake. You don't owe me anything, but don't play pretend and tell me I'm the only one when I'm not.” Jake had asked you to be honest with him, he said he’d respect it if you were seeing other people. He’d hate it. But nevertheless he’d respect it because he loved you too much to not respect the ever living shit out of you. You just wanted the same from him. He said it was hard with the tattooed wedding band, but he didn't say it was impossible. “You never really specified if there was anyone else and I'm okay with the fact there may have been a few women in your life in the time we've been separated.” Damn, were you about to cry? Why was your chest so tight? Why were your eyes threatening to water? “But I just wanna know before you know, before another woman shows up pregnant with your bastard child or something.” Leaning in to kiss your shoulder with gentle and subtitle kisses, Jake Seresin realised he’d been living a lie for far longer than he should have been.

“There's been a few.” fuck you knew it. Your heart physically ached at the idea Jake had been with other women, but you had absolutely no room to harbour hatred when you had been the one to walk away. “But I wanna be perfectly clear here, none and I mean none of them ever came close to comparing to you.”

“Oh I'm sure they still satisfied.” Trying to stand Jake held you down, he wasn't letting you run away this time. “Jake–”

“You left me, Y/n–” Jake hissed as his grip on your forearm tightened. “You were the one who walked out our front door in the middle of the night and never came back.” He wasn't lying, that's exactly what you had done. It was too hard to leave when Jake was begging you to stay. So when you knew he was down and out for the count? You slipped out of his grapes and left with just a few suitcases of clothes and photographs. “That was a decision you made in our marriage, you can't hold it against me if I slipped up and just needed to feel something every once in a while.”

“And I'm not holding it against you!” You were quick to argue. “But it still hurts knowing the truth.” Pulling yourself out of Jake's tight grip. “I am still very much in love with you, unbeknownst to all my instincts to run as far away as I can and never look back. I've tried that and it nearly killed me.” Jake's eyes lingered on your lips before he looked back up at your eyes, near watery and oh so full of inter turmoil. “But despite how much I love you, a marriage needs more than that, what if this marriage isn't worth saving? What if we’re just better off as friends?” Sielce lingered between the two of you before Jake broke the heavy atmosphere that had settled.

“A true blonde wouldn't overthink it as much as you are.” His childishness made you chuckle, of course that's the kind of reaction he would give you when you were discussing the state your marriage was in. “Look, I'll tell you what.” Tilting your chin up slightly as Jake looked at you with so much love in his eyes. “I don't know if you know this about me but I can be incredibly difficult and don't really like to lose.” Oh yeah, no you knew that already. “And I'm not ready to let you go yet.” It made your heart swoon as Jake left a soft lingering kiss on your lips. As soft as a kiss could ever be. “Whatever it takes to win you over, to prove I'm in this, I'll do it–I promise.”

“I'd rather you not make promises I already know you can't keep, Bagman.” Taunting and teasing his callsign, Jake pulled you into his chest. Kissing the top of your head. “At this point we’re just going around in circles.”

“I reckon if we actually have that dinner we’d end up on the same page.” Jake cooed as he let his arms wrap around your shoulders as you let your back rest against his exposed chest, now dry from the heat of the sun. watching the sun set over the water that some of the team still swam in. “ill even show up this time–”

“Oh yeah, no that would be a good start.” Chuckling together, you couldn't help but fall a little more in love with Jake Seresin despite all the warning signs. “But I could do dinner.”

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~

It was a relatively quiet night at the Hard Deck. Jake had however still gone to the effort of actually booking a booth out at the back of the dining side of the bar. Ringing Penny approximately five minutes after you’d said you could do dinner begging her to set the table all fancy.

Beside herself at the desperation in his voice over the phone—Penny agreed and played the part she was meant to play. Jake Seresin was on a mission to save whatever was left of his tattered marriage. She wasn’t about to be a reason why things didn’t plan out the way he hoped they would.

“Penny my dear—“ Jake beamed as he looked over his menu at you. Your eyes just popping over the top of the menu. “What’s on the special board?” Penny had come over with the drinks Jake had ordered for you. He’d gotten his regular order, an old fashioned. For you? He ordered a Long Island iced tea, with lemonade squash as the base. Yep—there surely had to be some intention behind that order, a Long Island was lethal.

“We’ve got baby back ribs, house salad and fries for twenty or slow cooked lamb shank with mash and greens for eighteen.” Penny held the empty drink tray against her hip as you and Jake mulled over your decisions.

“Lamb shank sounds really good, thanks Pen.” You smiled softly as you handed her back your menu. “And don’t let him order me another cocktail—“ Teasing Jake as he handed his own menu back, glaring at you as he did so.

“God I am just damned if I do and damned if I don’t these days huh?” Jake smirked back at you as he took a sip of his old fashioned. He really did scrub up alright. The fresh blue jeans, crisp white T-shirt and brown Bomber jacket. A simple outfit that he just looked oh so fine in. “I’ll have the steak please Penny—pepper sauce on the side.”

“Coming right up you too.” Penny sent you a slight all knowing smile as she turned on her heels. Playing the drink tray back on the bar before making her way over to the pass—sending your orders through. For a while you both just sat in comfortable silence, listening to the music that played in the background. Both people watching absentmindedly.

“So, what actually made you change your hair?” Jake asked as he stood from his side of the booth before slipping in beside you. He felt too far away. Watching as you slid across towards the window.

“Um—“ You wanted to just say something like you needed a change but that would be a blatant lie. “Truth be told?” Taking a sip of your drink, the burn of all the different shots of alcohol mixing in your chest as you swallowed. “It was either go blonde or shave it all off—you know full Brittany.” Jake couldn’t help but chuckle as he let his arm rest up and around the back of the booth. Keeping you close. “I tried to do a box job over the brown which ended up orange, so I made an emergency appointment to see an actual stylist and this is what we ended up with.”

“Oh so you DIY things now do you?” Jake teased, you’d never really been one to do your hair or nails yourself. You liked to feel pampered when you had the time and chance. But when your marriage began to crumble into a million pieces those things just didn’t seem worth it. “Could’ve just gone a darker shade—“

“Yeah well I didn’t, you saying you don’t like it?” Taunting Jake back you watched as his eyes trailed down to your lips then back up. “Hey, eyes you here Seresin, this is only our second date.”

“I love everything about you.” Leaning in to gently kiss the nap of your neck. Whispering sweet nothings into your ear as you tried to hide the giddy smile plastered on your face. Biting your bottom lip. “And I vividly remember our first date being unintentionally sexual—“

“That’s not happening tonight.” You were quick to reply, your hand coming to rest just shy of Jake's clothed length. You could feel how strained he was against his jeans. Huh, you could have a little fun with this.

“How much do you wanna bet?” Jake pulled back just in time, Penny had been walking your way with your orders. Placing them down gently as you and Jake separated slightly. “Thanks Penny.” He cooed, acknowledging the kindness she’d shown, how far she went to make the meek booth seem a little more romantic.

“More than what you wanted to bet on Chaos and Rooster.” Opening your utensils from the carefully wrapped napkin, you sighed as flavours danced on your tastebuds. “Oh fuck that’s good—“

“Well, usually Rooster would be here by now.” Jake looked around the other side of the bar, majority of the patrons as always were aviator’s currently stationed. But to no surprise two were missing. “And considering Chaos isn’t here either I’d say they’re together.” Down the rest of your drink you turned to Jake, tapping him on the shoulder as you chewed on the ice cube that you’d taken in your mouth. “What?”

“Move, I gotta pee and wanna get another drink.”

“Go pee and I’ll get you another round.” Jake grinned ear to ear at the reaction you gave him as he stood to his feet, letting you slide out of the booth.

“Oh absolutely not!” Slapping his chest slightly, he faked being hurt. His hand coming to cover his heart playfully as he sat back down. Popping a chip into his mouth. “I know you’re trying to get me drunk—“

“Oh I don’t need to get you drunk for you to come home with me doll, you’ll do that on your own accord.” You'd admit he was quick but you were quicker.

“Ask Chaos to go home with you, Bangman—“ Teasing your husband as you leaned into him as you stood. Cupping his cheeks. Keeping his chin pointed up your way.

“I think I’m good, don’t wanna catch something.” Sending you a wink as you glared down at Jake. His eyes the shades of all the perfect blues in the world. Swirling pools of unambiguous love.

“Like intelligence?” You smirked back before letting his face go, knowing that the moment you turned away his eyes were glued to your arse. “Be back in a few.”

“Hurry back or I’ll eat your shank!” You really wouldn’t put it past him. Making your way to the bar. Sitting on the stool as you waited for Penny to finish with her other paying customers. Jake sat back against the booth just drinking in the sight of you. So beautiful, all his.

He hadn’t really had a chance to see you dress up, or dress casually? Whatever you’d call the cute ensemble you put together. The ripped boyfriend jeans, the cashmere sweater with the white silk collar popping out the top. The sneakers that matched the pastel cream of the cashmere sweaters. A few gold rings. Nothing too fancy—but fuck your looked good.

“Can I just get a midori sour please Pen?” You asked nicely as you tapped your card on the bar. “I’ll get Jake another old fashioned while I’m here too.” Leaning on the bar as you watched her make your drinks.

“You too seem to be hitting it off?” Penny smirked as she poured the liquor into the shot glass she was using to measure your drinks. “Hangman seems—unusually likeable around you.”

“He’s trying his best—“ Looking back over your shoulder you locked eyes with Jake as he looked back at you. His eyes never leaving yours as he watched you by the bar. Your protector. “He really wants this to work.”

“Do you?” You weren’t all that sure if it was going to, but you wanted it to. So badly. You wanted Jake Seresin back. With every fibre of your being. Your husband, your best friend. Watching as Penny fixed your drinks, you sighed softly. “That’s all that really matters right?”

“Jakes never been one to back down from a challenge, I’ll let him squirm a little.” Chuckling, Penny turned her back as she wiped her hands, looking for the nearest soft drink gun.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?” The man who slipped beside you groaned as he downed the rest of his drink. “Another round bar keep—and put whatever she’s having on my tab.” Penny was about to step in for you until you sent her a warning look. One word. Don’t. “You come here alone gorgeous.”

“Sorry pal, you just aren’t my type.” He was so not your type. Rough around the edges biker dude with what looked like cheeto dust still prevalent in his beard.

“Enlighten me sweetheart.” Oh god was he really gonna play this game? Did he not know you were here with someone? Your husband for a matter of fact.

“Listen.” Turning your full attention to the man who now had his hand on your knee. “I couldn’t count on both my hands how many men in this bar would jump to my aid if I cried damsel in distress right now.” Pulling his hand off your knee before he had a chance to move it any higher with a look of grotesqueness and hint of disgust. Gesturing to the handful or so aviators who were crowded around playing darts and pool. “So unless you wanna see how far they’re willing to go I suggest you back off before the blonde one sitting in the booth behind you decides to use your head to ring that there bell.” You felt pretty confident that you’d given him the hint you really weren’t interested in his advances. Smirking as Penny handed you the two cocktails you’d ordered. Picking them up as you hopped off the barstool—you sent old mate a Cheshire cat smile. Holding your midori sour up in the chairs like fashion. “Have a good night, sweetheart.” Mocking the man who’s tried to hit on you.

“You fucking little bitch.” The guy had his hand twisted in your hair quicker than you could step away. Turning around in pure and utter shock you threw your drink in his face just to get him off you. Your scalp on fire.

“HEY!!“ Jake bellowed throughout the Hard Deck as he jumped out of the booth. Marching over with intent to kill. No one put their god damn hands on his fucking wife.

“Bar fight!” Javy, who had been paying more attention to the pool game in front of him than what had been going on at the bar shouted when he heard his friend's voice in a tone he only knew when things were about to go now. “Bar fight!” Throwing his pool cue absentmindedly as he took strides to cross the length of the Hard Deck. Watching with complete shock as the man who’d been trying to hit on you took your face in his hands and brought your face against his. Head butting you with the force of a thousand. “Oh fuck!” Javy paused as he tried to wrap his head around what just happened.

“Piece of shit!” You swung a right hook at the man before he could step out of your line. Connecting your first with his jaw. It didn’t do much, but the bar erupted in cheers before you went down to the ground on your knees. Blood pouring out of your mouth and nose. It was unbeknownst to the man that you weren’t alone, you were a part of a double act. Jake Seresin was enraged and completely blinded by the need to protect the woman he loved so dearly. Consequences be damned as Penny rang the belly loud and long. Grabbing the man who smelled of bourbon and cheese wiz by the collar of his shirt before throwing a face shattering punch straight into his nose. Holding him up so he couldn’t fall down.

“You don’t fucking touch her.” *Whack* There goes another one. *Whack* and another. “That’s my fucking wife you just assaulted you god damn mother fucker!” Throwing the guy down onto the ground Jake was quick to throw himself on top of the bloodied man. Laying punch after punch after punch. “Don’t you even touch a lady again!”

“Are you alright ma’am?” Bob's soft and gentle nature stuck out like a saw thumb amongst the chaos that had broken out. His hands on your shoulders somewhat protectively as he crouched beside you. “Hawk?”

“I’m fine!” You had to shrug Bob off as you tried to stand back up, a little dizzy at first but you managed. “Javy! Get him off of him before he kills someone!” You hissed as you held your nose.

“C’mon man he’s not worth it—“ Coyote tried to pull Jake off the man who looked about one more lunch away from meeting his maker. “Get off him.”

“She’s worth everything!” Jake didn’t go without a fight. His knuckles bloodied, his chest heaving. Javy had to drag him kicking and screaming out of the bar. “Fucking let me at him so help me god I’ll kill him Coyote, I’ll rip his throat out!”

“Well I’d rather you not do that.” Javy tried his best to calm down Jake as he blocked the front door. Keeping the clearly hot headed aviator from entering. “You've done enough—“

“Jake” instantly at the sound of your voice Jake was softening his shoulders, his eyes became less clouded with rage and anger and instead filled with devotion and heartache. “Can you drive me home?”

“Are you alright?” Cupping your cheeks as he assessed your nose. Your free hand cupping his. The other holding a makeshift ice pack. “Shit he really did a number huh?” Jake would throw himself in the line of fire for you, no hesitation.

“I’m fine, promise—just wanna go home.” Jake didn’t like the way you sounded dazed. He hated the blood you spat out of your mouth as he held the ice pack against your nose to contain the swelling.

“Okay sure thing.” Kissing to top of your forehead gently before wrapping his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into his side as he walked you to his car. You’d come back for yours at a later time. You couldn’t drive right now. No way no how. “But first we’re gonna stop by the emergency department and get you checked out—“

“Jake.” You sighed in disagreement as you stopped in your place. “I promise I feel fine.”

“Y/n—“ Oh he was hitting you with the legal name huh? Shit. “I mean no disrespect, but physically that man was twice, maybe even a good three times your size—I'm not sure how you're standing right now let alone talking coherently.” Jake was concerned for your well-being, that’s all it was. He wanted to make sure you were alright. That you were safe. “This isn’t up for debate, I’m taking you to emergency so they can clear you of a concussion, which will give me peace of mind.” His nostrils were still flaring as Jake stood before you. Reaching out for your hand—still looking over your shoulders at the Hard Deck in case someone else wanted to try something with his wife. “I just wanna make sure you’re alright.” His voice grew softer at that last sentiment. “You’re my everything, I can’t lose you to something I didn’t take the time checking out, emergency, then mine.”

It felt like a whole new feeling. Being loved by Jake Seresin. He was a tool on the best of days and still a hot shot on his worst. But he loved you, so much. He’d lay down his life for you. And that was something you had forgotten in your time apart.

He had a thing about working as a team—but you? You were his other half. He’d forgotten who he was when you left. He was only just now starting to find his way home.

“Okay.” You reached up to kiss Jake's cheek. “Hey, thanks for uh—thanks for having my back in there.” All Jake did was open the passenger side door in response, watching as you slid in and worked to clip your seatbelt on. Leaning into the car via the window that had been left down, Jake looked at you so seriously and with so much love in his eyes it nearly gave you a heart attack.

“You don’t know how far I’d go to protect you.”

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***

Tags: @justanothermagicalsara @alexsisrebekah @stinkyjax @starkleila @luckyladycreator2 @love2write2626 @shanimallina87 @dempy @mintellaine @kiarabellerum31 @abaker74

[jasongotdrip]

i had a thought. again. this may be one of my biggest yaps. +2 tiny arts included. Except it’s all horrible. It’s 2:30 am and I’m running on just straight brain power😭

wtf was charlie doing walking around during an extermination💀)

I had a daydream except it’s 2:30 am so night dream except im not really asleep but whatever. I imagined charlie found her and brought her back to the wherever and she just started YAPPING. Because she’s excited to have someone around, probably. She’s a lonely lil princess. I was thinking of a lot of different scenes this could happen in but I thought of this one the most. Charlie knows Vaggie is a “sinner” so she just casually mentions how she’s the princess, knowing (but not caring) about how most sinners disrespect her while even knowing her rank. So like she doesn’t care because she knows ‘this person won’t treat me better’. Or smth. Idk. Anyways. Keep in mind they’re not in the alley, but instead they’re… somewhere. Does charlie own the building of the hotel yet? Idk but we’ll just say yes for now because I don’t know where else they would be. Not Lucifer’s place, obviously.

but still, how/when did vaggie find out that the random girl who picked her up off the street was the literal PRINCESS OF HELL

P.s. charlie probably clipped vaggie’s hair out of her face for the sake of the bandage but i was too lazyz to draw it

CAN I JUST SAY??? CHARLIE WAS KIND OF ASS IN THE ALLEY SCENE. LIKE. WHY ARE YOU TUCKING YOUR HAIR BEHIND YOUR EAR. YOU CAN NOT BE DOWN BAD ALREADY LIKE I KNOW VAGGIE IS HOT AND SMEXY BUT GODDAM. LIKE YOU FIND THIS EYELESS WOUNDED GIRL IN THE STREETS AND ONE OF YOUR FIRST REACTIONS ARE LITERALLY WATTPAD LOOKING. (*tucks hair behind ear cutely snd looks away*) LIKE SHUT UPPPPPP.. I LOVE CHAGGIE BUT… THAT JUST IRKED ME. CHARLIE WOULD BE “OH NO I HAVE TO HELP THIS PERSON BECAUSE CLEARLY THEY GOT HURT FROM THE EXTERMINATION!! I HAVE TO GET HER PATCHED UP OR SHELTERED!!” NO!?? INSTEAD, SHE JUST TURNS FRUITY. OF COURSE SHE IS FRUITY.

i am.. so sorry for that. um. Anyways.

I like to imagine Charlie took Vaggie home, washed her up and they have a slow burn starting somewhere in there. Vaggie probably listened to all Charlie’s rants and dreams, while helping her slowly kick start the hotel’s physicality. They become better friends and begin to trust each other. because like, they’re all they got. Vaggie has no where else to go and charlie has no one else as loyal as Vaggie. So naturally they become dependent. Then romance ✨

. I know what i said about charlie tucking her hair behind her ear, but she was probably just noticing how pretty she was or sum. But still, you are in the middle of a warzone honey please stop being gay for a second 😭

but who had feelings first? Charlie, maybe because she already thought vaggie was pretty. But there’s also vaggie.. like of course she’s going to grow fond of someone who picked her up and started taking care of her when no one else would. Maybe they both started at the same time lol

No one really knows when they met Angel Dust but obviously before pilot right? I thought of a funny interaction that would kind of help the feelings be more known, if they weren’t established before they met Angel. Like there definitely are feelings in the air but they’re brought to attention by something snarky Angel Dust says when they first meet

THERE ARE SOOO MANY THINGS I COULD PUT FOR HIM TO SAY BUT I JUST CHOSE THIS CUS HE DOESNT HAVE A NOSE

Vaggie: CAN YOU SMELL MY FIST IN YOUR FACE??

then chaos. But like.. charlie and vaggie think about it. Then idk. That’s as far as my brain will take me. Hyperfixations help me yap a lot but it all stops at a certain point. There are so many ways chaggie could have been developed so it’s hard to just say one. So i kinda jjst want to see how it goes and how much they’ll show us of their backstory. I’m sorry for yapping.😭😭

[nanomooselet]

Episode Zero: High Noon At July

So anyway, Vash is right about everything.

Yes, I'm exaggerating. There are plenty of caveats to Vash's ideals. There are hard ethical questions surrounding humanity's relationship with the Plants, and those will have to be answered or neither species is going to survive much longer. But nothing's going to get better if all they have is Vash, busy getting shot at, and Knives, busy getting his brother shot at. What Vash has been struggling with from the opening minutes of the show is that he's been assuming all the blame for what Knives does, taking punishment and abuse from him and from humans without a word of protest, simply because he believes it's what he deserves.

And it's not. It never has been. He's never been to blame. It is, unequivocally, something Knives did to him.

From those same opening minutes, Knives has been the twin with agency. Never mind that he caused the fleet to crash and instigated the entire plot, or that he was also the one who actively sought to discover Rem's secret; I mentioned before that he offered Rem a choice before escaping in the shuttle. But what I noticed the second time was something equally crucial. Nai is the one piloting the shuttle. Vash is just a passenger, carried along as Nai steered, subjected to his decisions and forced to bear the consequences for his actions. And Nai didn't exactly... ask to be one piloting. He just sits in the chair and takes the stick, not a word said. He assumes agency for himself and for Vash both without room for discussion.

When Nai offered Rem a choice, and she refused, he resolved to give no one else he loved a choice, ever again. But Vash never got a choice, not with Nai. And that became a pattern.

When Nai told Vash: you're my accomplice, you're the one who gave me the program access code (I'm all but one hundred percent certain he means that when Vash accessed Tesla's records, Nai remembered the code he entered), Vash started to run. He fled. He couldn't bear the culpability - it's pretty much the instant he began to engage in suicidal ideation. He ceased to exercise his agency because he believed it lead to this unimaginable horror. The die is already cast: he's Nai's accomplice. It's decided.

Or rather, Nai decided.

Did Vash really keep running for a hundred and fifty years? Well, no, not quite - Knives (naturally) called time-out when Vash pointed a gun at his face. Just wait for a short while...a mere century or so. I promise I'll build a world of Plants. Even he, I think, realised slicing off Vash's arm was a bit of a dick move and had to regroup. But a hundred years later the game was back on and Knives's next move was founding his cult, stealing Plants, committing murders and framing Vash, and Vash was just as bereft of agency as before.

Vash the Stampede is a name that humanity gave him, but they gave it to him because of Knives. Note how it fits the naming scheme of the other members of his cult. Zazie the Beast. Elendira the Crimsonnail. Nicholas the Punisher. Livio the Doublefang. Monev the Gale. E.G. the Mine. A stampede is a herd of running animals too scared to think about the damage they cause as they flee for their lives. And that doesn't really apply to Vash, but it describes the twins as a combined force - Vash flees, Knives follows him bringing destruction. Vash is afraid of facing Knives; Knives is afraid of being without Vash. And between them, complete and utter ruin is left in their wake.

So what changed?

I said before that Meryl is the only other character besides Knives with agency, with a couple of exceptions, and I'll say right now that Vash isn't one of them. In this game, Vash's agency - really Vash himself, his power, his soul - is the prize. People want to have Vash. They desire him. And he doesn't think he has a choice but to fulfil those desires in order to make up for his sins, which is why he went to confront Knives in July - despite knowing, deep down, that his brother will not be convinced and he's walking to a hideous fate, perhaps his death. Vash is an Independent, but he doesn't seem to think he has free will. It's been beaten out of him so viciously he attributes all his hard-earned skills to luck and his compassion to some instinctive bodily urge, as though he's a trained animal. Which Knives takes just the most disgustingly cruel jab at - You need to smile, show your charm, and behave like a harmless pet./They only love your charm, your tricks, and the tightness of your leash. Imagine if Rem had ever heard him talk that way to his brother. (I'm curious how the translation worked there.)

Ah, Rem. We see so little of her. We know almost nothing about her, save that she was an imperfect woman who did her best, who loved both her children as hard as she could. Who chose to love them. Who told them that as long as you can make a choice, you can choose a better future.

I think that was a belief she privately struggled to hold, personally. Knowing that by her inaction an innocent child was subjected to a worse fate than death, it would have been hard to imagine there could still be a future for her. I hope that in the end she came to forgive herself, even if only a little, and not just because of the twins. But we'll never know.

And after Rem, Luida. Who told Vash he was a survivor rather than a coward and he deserved to live, and who survived herself because of Vash - the very last time he stood by, frozen, as Knives tried to take away someone he loved. Who, with Brad, showed that humans can change and learn, and that though they still need to rely on Plants they need not consume them. Who began to take real, practical steps towards that chosen future for both, who gave Vash his coat and built him his hand - a protective memory and the part of the body that reaches out to another that his brother cut from him. Because of them he found contact with his own kind, and began to bridge the gap that had always existed between the two species, and the two sides of his own nature.

And finally tiny Meryl. Inexperienced, sheltered, easy to knock down, easy to pick up, unarmed, all alone, and absolutely filled to the brim with rage. Meryl's way of caring for things is by getting righteously, furiously angry about them. I wonder how long it's been since anyone knew and cared enough about Vash to be in the position to get angry on his behalf, over what's been done to him. Knives didn't take the slightest bit of notice of her (except to dismiss her as "another parasite" because he's a bitch like that) until Vash responded to her. She wasn't even supposed to be there - Zazie just thought it would be funny. Zazie is the best.

(I always wonder if the song Vash sings was him trying to answer Meryl's frantic cries for him to wake up. If he somehow how meant to lift her closer or build the path she climbed to reach him. Conrad said he couldn't speak human language anymore. What if that was the only other way?)

These three women all shared faith in Vash and his ideals, and loved him, rather than what he's "supposed" to be or what he could do for them. All helped form him into the man he is now. Each of them had agency and made choices, even hard ones. And so in the end, Vash's victory over Knives's cruelty also belongs to them. Vash awakens because the connection forged by these women allowed him to pull himself free of the pit of corrosive pain Knives plunged him into - breaking chains of guilt his brother had forged to keep him by his side forever. When the question is asked, "Whose side are you on?" the answer is neither the side of humans nor Plants, despite what Knives thinks. It's the side of Vash choosing his own future, inspired and supported by the women who loved him, rather than being trapped and frozen in the past. Inevitably there will be mistakes, losses - even horrors.

And it'll still beat any future this asshole chooses for him.

[brightblurr]

rant about Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

So there were some things I loved about Gundam SEED FREEDOM. As a movie, it functions as a great bit of fanservice, does not take itself seriously, and moves along fast. It includes so many throwbacks that remind you of Gundam SEED DESTINY. It had some high moments and some low moments. While I enjoyed it overall, I didn't enjoy some things about it, and they're eating away at me.

How they treated any female who isn't Lacus. This movie obviously intended to put Lacus leagues above every female. Any female character who threatens to outshine Lacus is stripped of time in the movie. Cagalli? The fan favourite character, who won in polls against Lacus? Has minimal screen time. She has no planned figurines ahead. When the director couldn't continue to push Meyrin between Athrun and Cagalli, he started to outright exclude her. Outside of some scenes where she's in video calls or meetings in Orb, she has no real interactions in the same room with any characters. She can't outshine Lacus if she isn't really involved, right? Nevermind that she helped fund compass, she apparently recreated the Strike Freedom, the Infinite Justice and the Destiny Spec 2, and gave it to everyone. Lacus gets the special piloting suit, Lacus takes the special Might Freedom attachment to Kira. Lacus ends up with the credit. It isn't just Cagalli, either. Lunamaria and Agnes don't have especially flattering pictures painted of themselves. Meyrin is very sidelined. Murrue's scenes are limited to where she is acting as Captain, or around Mu.

There is no presence of Flay in the movie. Outside of a single flashback scene, Flay is never mentioned. We know, based on Kira's depression in DESTINY, and his shock over Flay's death in the last part of SEED, that he was traumatized from her death. Her spirit said it would protect him. If Shinn can have Stella haunting his mind, why couldn't Kira have Flay protecting him? I strongly believe it is for the same reason as my first point. Flay would severely undermine Lacus as a character. If Flay had been protecting Kira with her feelings, it would mean Kira has a person in his life besides Lacus. They center Kira entirely on Lacus and don't have him interact much with anyone except her in the movie. It would have been nice if Flay had been in a scene, had some sort of closure for Kira who had mourned her.

Kira's co-dependency and toxic relationships. Kira was co-dependent on Flay. He was then co-dependent on Lacus. I think this movie, which tries to show Lacus and Kira are truly in love, does the opposite. Kira literally breaks down the instant Lacus is taken away and does not know what to do. He is so dependent on Lacus that he can't function without her. Before FREEDOM, in DESTINY, we see that their relationship is virtually non-existent. No intimacy, no romance - they hug and kiss on the cheek at the most. It is actions that are the opposite of Kira in SEED, who made love to Flay and was not afraid of showing his feelings. The sudden jump to Kira being intensely in love with Lacus is jarring. It just shows that Kira left one unhealthy relationship for another. Even if Lacus is not openly manipulative, she is still forcing his co-dependency. This movie portrays that their relationship is still unhealthy.

Lacus is perfect. She is not perfect. But this movie tries to portray that she is. Lacus goes from being a young girl who can influence others with her music and her popularity to... basically better than the Ultimate Coordinator? SEED and DESTINY's main focus, especially, is how Kira is the pinnacle of human growth, and that he is the most powerful person in existence. This movie basically undoes the entire premise of SEED, and DESTINY, by having a group of mindreaders, and Lacus, who is essentially more powerful mentally and has better abilities than Kira himself. It becomes worse when they undermine Kira as the Ultimate Coordinator by saying he is a failed Accord. Further, when Lacus is suddenly able to fly the Proud Defender, it contradicts what had been shown in SEED DESTINY. In Destiny, Lacus struggles to even move the Infinite Justice. This movie suddenly has her piloting the Mighty Strike Freedom, using its armaments, doing things Kira Cannot Do. It is the strangest transition. They took away Kira's status as someone who is above and beyond all, and made Lacus a God. I almost don't know how to comprehend why the writers thought that making Lacus that powerful suited her original place. She was already able to break so many rules, such as going stealing mobile suits from ZAFT with no consequences, had almost no emotions most of the time... Now she's basically a God. The only Accord left. I liked the character, I still tried to enjoy it, but she reached levels of Mary Sue that were unbelievable in FREEDOM.

The Strike and the Archangel. I think this is just me speaking for nostalgia sake, but they didn't need to destroy the Archangel. It was the only thing that tied together SEED and DESTINY. It was the legged ship. Destroying it destroyed an important part of the series. It was stupid how it was destroyed, too. I'd also have really liked to see the Strike in some form (not the Strike Rouge). It was Kira's first mobile suit, it was where he had the most innovation. But it seems like they want to avoid having Kira near anything to do with SEED and his early relationship with Flay. The Strike, especially when Kira piloted it, was Kira piloting it to protect Flay and the Archangel. It is clear the FREEDOM is how they want to portray Kira and Lacus, connected. Destroying the Archangel only further separates Kira from his past.

Kira and his old friends. Kira never interacts with Sai or Miriallia. He never thinks of Tolle, Kuzzey, Sai or Flay. The movie completely wiped out Kira's connection to his old friends. I think it's a shame.

The side-characters were more interesting than Lacus and Kira. This movie did a fantastic job of bringing the side-characters up to par. I found that Orphee's motivations were far more interesting, were more to discover. This movie did an amazing job of ensuring that Shinn owned the spotlight. They showed him at his lowest after DESTINY, gave him a new motivation (wanting to work WITH Kira and help the world), and gave him an opportunity to show his loyalty and growth. In the theatre I went to, everyone went crazy when Shinn was in the DESTINY. He was the star of this movie, if only because he deserved it. Likewise, the movie gives one or two moments where characters speak about Athrun as if he is a legend. When Athrun does make his appearances, whether in the Z'gok, or piloting the Strike Freedom (too deceptively well, might I add), and finally in the Infinite Justice, we just continue to see how Athrun has worked for his prowess and his reputation, and how it is truly there. The movie cements Athrun as a legend, despite barely being in the movie. This movie, despite being named FREEDOM, was truly the Shinn Asuka and Athrun Zala movie.

When Lacus said yes to eliminating Kira. I understand that in the movie, Lacus is in a difficult situation... but instead of believing in her love for Kira, the person she has lived with and known for over four years at this point, she makes the decision of believing Orphee and killing him? And this is never addressed again. We don't see consequences of her actions. Because she is essentially the forced, perfect protagonist of this of this movie, she never faces any consequences. It is forgotten.

The Accords don't make sense. Nevermind that mind controlling villains don't fit SEED, but they should have jumped in in DESTINY. They should have been major players much earlier. If they were so attuned with Durandal, why didn't he call on them? Why are they enacting his plan out now? What benefit is it to them? Why didn't they take advantage of the chaos after SEED or DESTINY when the world was recovering?

No Rau Le Creuset. Because he's the best part of these series.

I think overall I have a lot of complaints about this than I do compliments. I wish they had just listened to fan feedback over the course of 20 years, and given them what they wanted. We had a lot of Lacus and Kira. I personally wanted a human Kira and Lacus. Not the god!Lacus we ended up with.

[oldiesstationlover11607]

Okay bestie I need a fake dating fic ?! I can’t think of a good idea so please use your amazing brain 🫶🏻 Josh or Tyler I just want the tensionnnn the piningggg yessss

Faking it - Josh Dun x Reader

Warnings: Tension and angst lol

Word Count: 2532

A/N: Girl I am so sorry this one took so long 😭 I've been very distracted this week so haven't gotten as much writing done as I normally would. Hopefully this makes up for it <3

‘Josh Dun and Halsey are over! What’s next for the twenty one pilots drummer?’ 

That was the headline on the People post at the top of my Instagram feed three weeks before I was contacted. Josh and I had been friends in high school–long before he met Tyler or had anything to do with twenty one pilots. At that point in our lives our small group of friends would spend Friday nights at his house, recording demos for theoretical albums in a desperate attempt to pass the long Columbus summers. Most of us had lost contact since we’d graduated and gone off to college. In fact, I hadn’t had Josh’s real number in my phone for at least 10 years. I’d be lying if I said that hadn’t bothered me. Celebrities were supposed to remember their friends, they were supposed to keep in contact and see them every time they visited home. Josh lived in LA. Tyler lived in Columbus. But everyone knew he came back to see Tyler and his family as much as possible–no one had heard from him. 

Except me. That one fateful day that changed everything. 

“Hi Y/N. It’s Josh. Josh Dun. I don’t know if you remember me from school or if this is even your number anymore,” the voicemail started. “I’m in town for the next few weeks and I’d like to catch up with you. There’s something I’d like to ask you but you know, it’s one of those things best said in person.” The faint buzz of another voice sounded in the background. The audio went silent for a few seconds before he continued. “So… uh… flick me a text or call me back or something but I’d like to see you. Bye.” 

It took me three days and a conversation with every one of our old friends to respond to the message. Half of them told me to ignore it–that Josh didn’t deserve anything from me–but something inside me felt like he needed it. Most of the pop culture news sites had been giving updates about the breakup and Halsey had been posting near constant tweets about the situation. It had to have been difficult on Josh, he was one of the most sensitive people I knew, and according to TMZ, he’d been keeping quiet about the whole thing. I’d stared at my phone screen for a long time, his voice still playing in my mind long after the voicemail ended each time I played it. As usual, curiosity got the better of me. Against my friends’ advice, I texted him. 

“Hey Josh. I got your message. How about we go to Margaret’s for coffee?” 

Margaret’s was a small local cafe we used to go to on Friday nights in the fall and winter, coffee being the only thing that kept us warm. 

Josh responded almost instantly, suggesting a time. I agreed, nerves building as the reality of seeing him again after so many years set in. What would we even talk about? Did we still have anything in common?

The day we decided to meet, I found myself at the cafe ten minutes early, anxiously tapping my fingers on the table. When Josh finally walked in, I was hit by how different yet familiar he looked. The years had sharpened his features, his hair dyed a bright yellow, his arms covered in more ink than I remembered, but his smile—the same crooked grin—instantly melted the years away.

“Y/N,” he greeted, pulling me into a quick hug, his scent instantly bringing back memories of those long summers. For once the man in front of me wasn’t the man in all the news stories or playing sold out shows–he was just Josh. 

“Hey.” I smiled, feeling his arms wrap around me before we split off and sat into the cozy chairs on either side of the little coffee table I’d chosen. We talked about everything, our old friends, our lives since high school, and then, after what felt like hours of catching up, Josh cleared his throat and leaned forward.

“So… there’s actually something I need to ask you. And I’m aware of how ridiculous it might sound,” he started, looking almost embarrassed. “But I really need your help and I didn’t know who else to ask.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on…”

Josh took a deep breath. “The media’s been relentless since the breakup, and it’s getting hard to deal with all the rumors and speculation. My management team suggested that if I was seen… with someone else, it might get them off my back. Temporarily, at least.”

It took a moment for his words to sink in. “Wait, are you saying… you want me to be your girlfriend?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend. I know it’s a huge ask, but we’ve known each other forever, and I trust you. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this with anyone else. It’d only be for a little while, just until things die down.”

I sat back, processing the situation. Fake dating Josh? I mean, it wasn’t like it was unheard of for celebrities to stage relationships for the media. But me? I wasn’t exactly a part of his world anymore. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to be. But the look in his eyes—vulnerable, pleading—told me this wasn’t just a PR stunt for him. He needed this.

“Okay,” I found myself saying, surprising even myself. “I’ll do it.”

His eyes lit up in relief. “Really? You will?”

I nodded. “On one condition—this doesn’t get weird. We’ll stay friends, no matter what.”

Josh grinned, a hint of his old mischievous self returning. “Deal.”

And so, the charade began.

The first few weeks were awkward, to say the least. Paparazzi seemed to follow us everywhere, and we had to carefully choreograph our interactions—just enough affection to seem real, but not too much to make it uncomfortable. Josh would hold my hand in public, drape his arm over my shoulders during interviews, and we’d smile for the cameras as if everything was perfectly natural. 

The Paramore show was supposed to be one of the easier ‘dates.’ At least, that’s what I told myself as we entered the packed arena. The buzz of excitement from the crowd, dressed in a mix of colorful costumes and band tees, should have distracted me from the knot tightening in my stomach. Josh seemed at ease, smiling and waving to fans who recognized him as we made our way to the VIP area just above the main floor. But even then, I could feel the weight of the act hanging over us.

As the lights dimmed and the band took the stage, I felt Josh move closer, his arm casually draping around my waist. It was a simple gesture, one that would seem natural to anyone watching, but the second his hands slid to my hips, something inside me tensed. He wasn't doing anything inappropriate, but the intimacy of it felt wrong. I wasn’t his girlfriend—I was playing a part—and this level of closeness blurred lines I wasn’t ready to cross.

I glanced up at him, hoping to catch his eye, maybe give him a silent cue to ease up. But he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, lost in the music. For a brief moment, I almost forgot the cameras were on us, the spotlight that wasn’t really ours pressing in from every angle. Then, he leaned down, his breath warm against my ear.

“Look at the camera,” he murmured, his voice low, almost too soft to hear over the music.

I stiffened. Even here, in this moment, we were still performing. I darted my eyes across the crowd, picking out the nearest lens trained on us like vultures waiting for scraps. I swallowed hard, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow to my own ears.

“Now laugh,” Josh added, his voice almost playful, but it grated on my nerves. Then, without warning, he pressed his lips to my neck, an action that was too intimate, too calculated for comfort.

I jerked back slightly, lifting my heel and grinding it down on the tip of his shoe—not enough to hurt, but enough to send a clear message.

“Watch it,” I muttered under my breath, just loud enough for him to hear.

Josh’s grip on my hips loosened immediately, his hands retreating as if he'd touched a hot stove. “I’m watching it,” he replied, his tone smooth but with a hint of defensiveness.

“You better be,” I shot back, trying to sound stern, but the words came out shaky. I didn’t know if I was warning him or myself. Still, a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth, a reflex that came from trying to play it cool, even though everything about this felt far from easy.

He caught the smirk, his eyes finally dropping to meet mine, and for a split second, something unspoken passed between us. Annoyance, frustration—maybe a bit of amusement at how absurd this whole thing had become. But whatever it was, it was fleeting, buried under layers of whatever we were pretending to be.

“You’re a terrible actress,” Josh teased, his lips twitching into a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Maybe I just don’t like my co-star,” I shot back, but there was no real bite to the words. If anything, the tension between us had only grown more complicated. I wasn’t sure if it was the act, the pressure of being watched, or something else entirely, but it left me feeling raw, exposed in a way I didn’t expect.

Josh’s smile faltered, and for a moment, he looked like he might say something more, something real. But instead, he just nodded, his gaze drifting back to the stage, leaving me standing there, caught between wanting to scream at him and wanting to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

As Paramore's set continued, we went through the motions—laughing, leaning into each other, playing the part. But beneath it all, there was a tension neither of us could ignore. The lines were blurring too much, and the more we tried to act like this was all just a game, the more it felt like we were both losing.

After a few weeks the articles started to slow. Things were slowly getting easier between us and we’d even managed to get a couple paps to catch us kissing. One afternoon, Josh invited me to a small gathering at Tyler’s place. It was supposed to be low-key, just the three of us hanging out—no cameras, no staged displays. Tyler had always been a grounding presence for Josh, and I wasn’t surprised when Josh mentioned he’d already told Tyler about our fake relationship.

“I want you to meet him,” Josh had said with a hint of pride. “He’s my best friend. And, well, it’ll feel a little more real if you’ve met him, right?”

So there I was, sitting in Tyler Joseph’s living room, sipping iced tea, and trying not to overthink everything. Tyler was exactly as I imagined—easygoing, warm, with a dry sense of humor that kept the conversation light.

At one point, he leaned forward, eyeing me with curiosity. “So, Y/N, Josh tells me you’ve known each other forever.”

I nodded, glancing at Josh, who was sitting beside me on the couch, fiddling with the string of his hoodie. “Yeah, high school. We were in the same friend group, used to hang out all the time.”

Tyler smirked, clearly aware of the irony. “And now you’re in a PR relationship.”

Josh groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “Don’t start, man.”

Tyler chuckled but didn’t let it go. “Nah, I’m just curious. I mean, you two seem pretty comfortable around each other. Doesn’t look that fake to me.” He raised an eyebrow, watching as Josh and I exchanged a quick, nervous glance.

“We’re just good actors,” I said quickly, trying to keep the tone casual. “Right, Josh?”

Josh nodded, but the smirk on Tyler’s face told me he wasn’t buying it.

“Look, I’m just saying,” Tyler continued, leaning back in his chair. “Sometimes these things have a way of turning into something else. Just make sure you both know what you’re getting into.”

It was a harmless statement, but it lingered in the air long after the conversation moved on. I found myself glancing at Josh more often, wondering if there was any truth to Tyler’s words. Did we know what we were getting into?

As the evening wound down, Tyler gave me a knowing look before we left, almost like he’d seen something we hadn’t.

A few days later, Josh and I were walking through a park near his place, taking a break from the media frenzy. The crisp autumn air had a way of making everything feel a little clearer, and I found myself wanting to address the strange tension that had been building between us.

“Tyler’s not wrong, you know,” I said quietly, breaking the silence.

Josh glanced at me, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“About this. About us.” I waved a hand between us. “I know we agreed this wouldn’t get weird, but… doesn’t it feel like things are changing?”

He stopped walking, turning to face me fully. His expression was unreadable, and for a moment, I wondered if I’d said too much. But then, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” he admitted softly. “At first, it was just this… fake thing. But now, being around you again, it doesn’t feel fake anymore. I don’t know what to make of it.”

The honesty in his voice made my heart skip a beat. I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “Josh, I don’t want to complicate things. We’re friends, and I don’t want to lose that. But lately… I’ve been feeling things I wasn’t expecting.”

Josh stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “I feel it too,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I don’t know what that means for us.”

I could feel the space between us shrinking, the air heavy with unspoken tension. My mind raced with a million thoughts, but none of them made sense anymore. All I knew was that the line between fake and real had blurred beyond recognition, and we were standing at the edge of something neither of us had planned for.

“What do we do?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Josh reached out, gently taking my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “We figure it out,” he said softly. “Together.”

I looked up at him, my heart pounding as I realized that whatever this was, whatever it would become, we were in it together. The charade was over—this was real now.

But as real as it felt, there was still the looming pressure of the media, the world watching our every move. And even as Josh’s fingers laced with mine, I couldn’t help but wonder how long we could keep this new reality to ourselves before the outside world caught up.

//

REQUESTS OPEN

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🤠💔💞🐓Getting Back Together (Part Two) Fic Recs🐓💞💔🤠

Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕

Ao3 Authors: 2manyf4nd0ms, Achillesfilms, All_InProcess, Alltherecklesshours, Bitter_Rabbit, Boobooblue, Booklover03, Charlie_mou, Contech00, Dalearden, Daringdrinkerofdreams, Davidbyrne, DraconisWing24441, Earthangel_44, Elwenyere, Greatea, HalbarryTrashcan, Highsmith, Hngstercity, Hushywushy, Indybob, JoAnna, Kateofspades, Kiddi, Mackwinnon, Marchrain, Nickies_Nonsense, Nocturnelight, Notchka88, Ok_thanks, PerpetualDusk, ReiverReturns, Sceld, Sky_of_starflowers, Spiritsontheroof, Theinsouciantknitter, Trinipedia, VarjoRuusu, Writteninwaves.

> Getting Back Together (Part One)

it's a bitter taste, it's a warning sign by writteninwaves {M}

I get so tired I can't sleep A thousand footstеps follow me Do you believе things that you can't see? Is this feeling real or just a dream? Billy Avalone and Jake Seresin are ... something. Bradley Bradshaw is an idiot in love. It hurts a lot before it gets better.

five long years (afraid of all my fears) by boobooblue {G}

It's the smile Jake directs at him when they're face to face after Bradley lands that seals the deal. Because that is not Hangman; it's Jake. His Jake smiling at him, his Jake that saved his and Mav's life. His Jake that Bradley should have never let go.

5 Times Bradley Calls Jake Sweetheart + 1 Time Jake Returns the Endearment by dalearden {M}

But there’s one thing above all Jake has really latched onto, that makes him literally swoon inside in such a way that he momentarily becomes a stranger to himself. It’s just a word and would mean nothing coming from anyone else but there’s something about the way Bradley says it, how it makes Jake feel to hear it coming from the older pilot. It makes Jake wish he could show his feelings so easily in return, makes him hate himself a little bit that he can’t.

(sometimes I feel) like a monkey pilot by charlie_mou {_}

Mav’s both eyebrows twitched. “That does sound like it’s going to be a problem.” “I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, making himself look straight ahead, avoiding eye contact. “He’s a shithead in the same way you are.” “Bradley,” Mav said, and he was using that tone, the one that made Bradley feel like he was fifteen again. “What? It’s true. He has the same lack of brain-to-mouth filter, doesn’t know when to quit, I can go on if you want,” he said, but Mav didn’t take the bait. They marched down the tarmac, getting closer and closer to the others’ hearing range, and Mav was still staring at him, expecting an explanation. He sighed. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.” “Your—” Mav exclaimed, falling a step behind Bradley, before catching up, striding inches away from Bradley’s side. “From before?” "Yep." “Why didn’t you say anything?” God, why was this tarmac so long? “As much as I’d prefer to avoid him, orders are orders, Mav.” Or, it's time for the special detachment and Bradley's decisions from five years ago are finally catching up with him.

I Lost You Once, But I'll Love You More Than That by PerpetualDusk {E}

As hard as he would love to forget about the time where Bradley, Javy, Natasha, and him, had all went to the same Naval academy- Bradley being two years older than them, but managing to stick to Jake's side, and make time for their friend group-, and had become familiar with one another, than their time at Top Gun shouldn't have been anything short of a friendly reunion. Except, it wasn't. Not in Jake and Bradley's case, for the most part. For them, it was a back-and-forth game of pushing each other's buttons, in which, most cases, Jake would be the first one to comment something that would rile Bradley and get him to fight back, to continue and escalate their verbal war where both of them were too stubborn to back down or admit they were both wrong. That was their thing, however. It was always about pushing the other's buttons- albeit light bantering when they dated-, and that worked for them. The bickering and the arguments happened occasionally, but they never got bad to the point where they plunged a knife deep into the other's gut and twisted it slowly, killing them from the inside. Perhaps, what worked for them was just bound to explode in their faces- and it did, which is why they are the way they are.

Don't let the light go out by JoAnna {M}

Jake doesn’t remember the route to the elevators or even what the rest of the ICU floor looked like, his only focus was to get to Bradley. They found room 309 at the end of the hallway. Jake paused before stepping into the room. He knew that when he stepped through the door his life would be divided into another epoch. Another before and another after and he’s so scared of what the after could be if it doesn’t include Bradley.

Homesick by theinsouciantknitter {T}

Bradley's been homesick for as long as he can remember.

Hangman Origin by Bitter_Rabbit {E}

When they first meet, they aren’t Rooster and Hangman. Not yet. They are just Bradley Bradshaw and Jake Seresin. ----- Strangers to Lovers to Exes to Lovers, because we all know they had history!

Old Habits by Sceld {T}

Jake shuts his eyes and wonders if Bradley knows he’s still here. Wonders if he’s lying awake and wishing with every fibre of his being that he was with Jake. Jake’s hand runs over the worn down fabric of the couch cushion directly in front of his face, letting himself believe for only a second that if he was face to face with Bradley right now he’d have the courage to stroke his cheek and slide into Bradley's embrace rather than making do with his own attempt at it. He'd finally find the words to say what his mind has been screaming for months every time he catches sight of the other. But maybe that’s just Jake. or; Jake has a system that steers him clear of rekindling old romances. It fails.

I’d come back if you'd just call by spiritsontheroof {T}

Jake never thinks about Bradley as the one that got away. That implies that something happened, something beyond control and beyond reason and beyond their best efforts, and it just didn’t work out. But Bradley left. So he didn’t get away. He pulled Jake’s heart out of his chest and crushed it on the tarmac after their TOPGUN graduation, and drove away like Jake wasn’t in the rearview. That’s all they had. Eight weeks, something like ten years ago, that was it. And they spent more of it bickering than they did doing anything else, besides finding secluded corners and supply closets that locked to steal ten minutes alone in. They fought and argued and competed, and spent every moment they could together in-between. Eight weeks. It took less than half of that for Jake to be more than half in love.

Icy Heart (Warm Me Up) by VarjoRuusu {M}

They booked this vacation almost a year ago, and Bradley will be damned if he misses it, but when he pulls up to the remote cabin high in the Sierra's...Jake is there. Eight months after they break up, Bradley and Jake both go to the cabin they booked together, not expecting that the other will turn up. Cue fighting, blizzards, talking, making up, near hypothermia, sharing a bed, make up sex, cute fluffy nonsense, and getting back together.

hold the line (love isn't always on time) by davidbyrne {E}

“So I guess we have to stick together, then,” Bradley says after a beat. Jake raises an eyebrow at him but doesn’t respond. It doesn’t matter; Bradley knows it’s a request to elaborate. “At all these events,” he clarifies. “It gets old being the only single person. It would be nice to have someone to turn to when they make everyone pair up.” Or jake and bradley are the last single people in their friend group, and neither of them ever plan to settle down. it makes sense to stick together, right?

cowboy like me by Daringdrinkerofdreams {G}

The first time someone just assumes Jake is an all-American farm boy he is too baffled to correct them. Navy people are gossips, it turns out and before Jake knows it, it’s what everyone thinks. People view him differently, his supervisors think “Cowboy” before they think “loose cannon”, so he runs with it. The only person who knows the truth is Javy, who would never rat him out.

First Love/Late Spring by HalbarryTrashcan {E}

These memories are the scenes replaying in Bradley’s mind over and over again as his plane plummets towards the earth. He always thought when he died he would be thinking about his dad or his mom - hell, given his weird and fucked-up situation with Maverick even that could have been an option. This was the last thing he expected.

hold me through the shakes by spiritsontheroof {_}

Bradley spills hot coffee on his hand three days into their post-mission leave. It’s not until he can’t get the bandage over the blister that he realizes his hands are shaking.

I Am Yours by Booklover03 {_}

Being an Omega with a mating bite and a half-finished mating bond without his Alpha in sight is hard. Hiding the fact that he’s a mated Omega is even harder. What happens when years later he meets his Alpha again? Especially when the other man doesn’t seem to acknowledge the bite mark he left on the Omega years prior.

all our yesterdays by Notchka88 {E}

Everything that happens on the carrier is clockwork; there’s no variation that Jake has noticed in anyone’s behavior or actions unless he initiates something. The changes he effects are inconsequential and the end result is always the same: Bradley dies. And dies. And dies. (Jake gets another chance at the mission, and then another, and another. At a certain point they stop feeling like chances and more like foregone conclusions.)

if it's right, you know by spiritsontheroof {G}

Bradley never saw himself as the kind of guy who settles down. Not because he never wanted to, but in his line of work, it’s hard to get serious with someone he barely sees or find anyone who appreciates his love of flying and doesn’t see it as a liability. Standing at the bar in the Hard Deck two days after the mission, he meets Elizabeth. OR the speak now fic that nobody asked for

spreadin' out his wings tonight by dalearden {M}

He needs this now, because not even an hour ago he nearly lost it forever. Thought it was lost forever anyway, because it’s been years and somewhere along the way love turned to hate and after everything, after nearly dying, Rooster realizes how much that had devastated him all along.

will the teasing of the fire be followed by the thud? by davidbyrne {T}

“Then why do you have to act like such an asshole?” There’s an edge of desperation in Bradley’s voice. Like he’s trying as hard as he can to understand. “Because…you always are first,” Jake offers, shrugging. It’s the truth, as lame as it may be. “I think I have the right to be a dick to the person who broke my heart,” is Bradley’s abrupt response. 

If you find yourself thinkin' About that boy from East Texas by Kiddi {M}

“Funnily enough,” he decided to say, hoping he was reading the situation correctly, “this isn't the first sunrise we’ve had, is it?” Jake chuckled softly and made a small noise, “no it is not,” he agreed, “just as pretty though,” “No matter where I go,” he retraced old conversations, “the sunrise always feels like back home.” They settled in comfortable silence for a bit before Jake spoke, “it's been a while since we’ve seen each other,” he said, looking down at the sand, “Spain was it?” he looked over at Rooster, “the last time I saw you?” A little bit of shame and guilt rose in his chest, neither of them kept in touch after Spain but Rooster always felt like it was his fault, “yea, it was,” he nodded, “you haven't changed a bit though, still as annoying as ever,” he laughed, and so did Jake, “but you’re still one hell of a pilot,” Or Bradley and Jake haven't seen each other since running away from their feelings and now they have to realize that they never really went away in the first place

Speak Now by mackwinnon {E}

“Jake,” Bradley whispered his name but remained where he was, not reaching for the other man again. “Just tell me this. Do you love him?” Jake forced himself to nod. “Say it.” But he’d never loved anyone like he’d loved Bradley. “Bradley…” “Baby,” Bradley breathed, finally taking a step towards Jake, noting that Jake didn’t take a step back. “He might have more money than God, might take you anywhere you wanna go and buy you anything you wanna have, but he will never love you as much as I do.” Or: Jake's getting married. But it's not to Bradley.

We Were Something, Don't You Think So? by indybob {T}

Jake has too much to drink, leaving Bradley to take care of him and take him home. When Jake confesses that he still has feelings for Bradley, they’re left with no choice but to talk things over the next morning. Or: Jake gets drunk at the Hard Deck, Bradley rescues him from a creepy guy, Jake confesses he misses Bradley, and they work things out.

Maybe This Time Is Forever by theinsouciantknitter {E}

Jake hasn’t slept in days. Three days, to be exact. Everytime he closes his eyes he sees an outdated F-14 going down in flames into the ocean.

Heaven in Your Eyes by achillesfilms {M}

Maverick had been hit. Then, it was Bradley. “Dagger 2 hit. I repeat, Dagger 2 has been hit.” Maverick makes it back to the hanger without Rooster, and everyone thinks he is dead.

When We Collide (We Come Together) by ReiverReturns {E}

A one-two punch out, thick black smoke belching in ropes from the hills and scrub. He was sure, so sure that was it. So he left the base, aimless with momentum and frenetic without cause. Seeing Hangman is the only time Rooster’s felt like stopping.

I Love You More than Tongue Can Tell by Contech00 {T}

The Valentine's Day after the mission doesn't go to plan for Jake which sends him spiraling back to the old flame that used to exist between him and Bradley.

dust in the ground by kateofspades {_}

The only place you'll lead anyone is an early grave.

or: jake lost a wso

When the Time Comes by elwenyere {T}

Bradley remembers it the way his fingers remember a chord: by ear, like he’s an echo of someone else’s sound. ----- Or, 5 times someone held Bradley + 1 time he held someone else

lovers like to burn by nocturnelight {M}

Jake’s problem, though, is that he’s never really known what was good for him. Never had much of a self preservation instinct. And if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results, then Jake might be the maddest man on earth when it comes to Bradley Bradshaw.

An Unexpected Visitor by DraconisWing24441 {T}

It's been a year since the mission, a year since Bradley and Jake have seen each other and decided to start over, but as friends. But when Jake decides to show up at Bradley's house one night, old feelings are rekindled and starting over, together, suddenly seems a hell of a lot more possible than before. ***** Unlocking the door, Bradley yanked it open with the full intention of ripping into the person pounding on his door for no good reason only to freeze as the open door revealed a soaking wet Hangman on his front stoop.  Frozen in shock – he hadn’t seen Hangman since the mission ended – Bradley found himself just staring at him as he tried to process the presence of the blonde aviator in front of him. Bradley asked, “Hangman?  Wh–what are you doing here?  And why are you soaking wet?”

This is me trying by Earthangel_44 {E}

Bradley tries to make things right before it’s too late.

One and Only by hngstercity {E}

“C’mon, Bradley.” Oh, now he’s using his real name? Fuck him. “You haven’t had anyone after him.” “I did. You know I did, Maverick. You’re the nosiest Alpha I know, and I know you know any time I’ve slept with someone. You can’t keep your fucking nose out of my business.” And he means it literally, because anytime Bradley had someone over, the next day Pete would always inflate his nostrils to process every single scent that came out of Bradley. Including his hormones, including Jake’s missing ones. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You haven’t had anyone you loved after him. You haven’t mated. If I asked you to talk to me about love, would you tell me about someone that isn’t him?” No. And that’s the fucking problem. Jake is back in town, and Bradley is forced to face him, their past and their future.

Cool About It by hushywushy {M}

If Jake thought hard about it, it was almost inevitable that he would end up here. Freaking out in his car on his way to Bradley fucking Bradshaw’s housing assignment. And he was terrified.

I can hear it now like I heard it then (c'mon, I dare you) by davidbyrne {M}

He and Jake have been many things to each other, from rivals to genuine enemies to tentative friends to lovers. But they’ve never once, in their entire acquaintance, been awkward with one another. Even in those early days of a relationship, when the boundaries between friendship and something more were soft and blurry, Bradley never felt at a loss for words. They fight and they fuck and they whisper embarrassingly soft things and they banter inconsequentially, but they’re never silent. But they’ve never been broken up before. Or two road trips, four months apart

bad idea, right? by ok_thanks {M}

From: ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT!!! (AGAIN) No greeting for me? Don’t I get that Bradshaw hospitality?

A Line Dancing Rooster by 2manyf4nd0ms {_}

“How come you’re not dancing?” Bradley asks, and Jake finally looks at him. Sweat gleams on the former’s forehead in the bar lighting. It’s Jake’s turn to smirk smugly, albeit feign. “I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.” “Right,” Bradley chuckles and takes a sip of his drink. “I forgot you’re the master at line dancing because you’re from Texas. My apologies.” Hangman rolls his eyes, playfully scoffing. “Damn right, I am.” Or, When The Hard Deck hosts a line dancing event for a night, Hangman takes the Dagger squadron for shits and giggles. He just doesn’t expect a certain Rooster to be good at it and old feelings arise.

When you love someone, you tell them that they're the one by alltherecklesshours {T}

The bunk was much smaller than Bradley remembered, but he knew he wouldn't let Jake slip.  "Marry me."  Bradley's breathing hitched. He wasn't supposed to say it out loud. They had stopped doing that for a reason. 

flying against ghosts by sky_of_starflowers {G}

When Maverick's busy asking everyone why they didn't survive the training course, Hangman goes mouthing off. He touches a nerve, and Mav and Rooster have a little bit of explaining to do. “You fly against a ghost, Rooster,” he continues, undeterred, and it shakes Mav’s brain, rattles loose a memory of Goose telling Mav the same thing at TOPGUN. Goose asking Mav to let them graduate because he’s got a family to think about, a wife and a kid, Carole and Bradley, and all of a sudden, Mav’s 24 again and cocky, recently reprimanded for a flyby that his backseater asked him not to do. It steals his breath away, Goose’s voice ringing in his ears, and he’s staring at Bradley when his knees start to give out.

Second Time Around by All_InProcess {T}

With the way that everything ended, Jake knew that he had no right to start getting jealous now. The whole mess was on him in a way, anyway. That logic, however, didn't stop the jealousy from creeping into the back of his mind when he heard about Bradley moving onwards and upwards. And, just like everything else with the two of them, trying to figure out where to go from here wasn't nearly as easy as either of them wanted to be. They just had to hope that it was all going to work out in the end.

It's the only way we know how to rock by trinipedia {T}

Bradley and Jake, once deeply in love, separated for reasons now shrouded in regret. As they navigate separate lives, the echoes of their past leave them yearning for one another, while they grapple with the possibility of rewriting their love story.

Home for the Holidays by Nickies_Nonsense {G}

“Well let me know if you need a ride anywhere,” Rooster said. Jake did not think he was serious. “For real?” he asked, shoving the note of hope back down his own throat, “I might need to take you up on that like..soon.” Rooster gave him a little smile, “I mean it, it’s the season of giving and all that bullshit,” he drawled. “Plus you got me coffee so I owe you.” Or, how Jake and Bradley got back together just in time for the holidays with the help of one broken car, a scheming Maverick, and the spirit of Christmas to guide them. Featuring lots of Jake questioning his life decisions, his ideals, and why Bradley needs to consume unreasonable amounts of sugary coffee everyday.

my heart is a christmas tree farm by greatea {E}

It's not like going to your ex-boyfriend's family Christmas while pretending to still be dating is a common favor to be asked for. But he did agree to this, when Jake phoned him up. It hadn't even taken much convincing. First, Jake had expected an immediate no when he called Bradley one Thursday evening. That didn't come. After Jake explained the situation, Bradley had said that he'd think about it. He called back an hour later. Jake's unsure what he would have done if Bradley had said no. Called his mom back and said, "Hey, do you remember when you asked me if I was bringing my boyfriend Bradley to Christmas this year, and I said yes? Yeah, we broke up two months ago and I lied for no reason"? - or the one with the fake dating

C'mere by Highsmith {T}

Jake never starts shit. Not in the traditional sense. Shit is more like the eventual consequence with him a lot of the time. But he does his best to get the last word regardless. For that, he needs to not be scrambling at the last moment, clotheslined by forces outside his control.

It's not living, if it's not with you by marchrain {G}

i think about you (so don't let go)

Bradley turns his entire body to face Jake, his heels snugly dug into the poorly shovelled snow. He just looks at Jake, a soft and gentle look lingering in his gaze. He had missed this, being alone with Jake, seeing him under his gleaming armour of Hangman, acting as no one else but Jake Seresin. Jake, he thinks. Not Hangman. -- or: jake & bradley take a morning walk in the winter, and they talk about their feelings

it's the same damn thing that made my heart surrender

“You know, you can be honest with me, Jake,” Bradley says, tone like he’s talking to a small puppy, tone so gentle. Honest? He doubts complete honesty is possible when the need for Bradley as something more than friends gnaws at him with every waking moment. -- or: jake & bradley take a morning walk in the winter, and they talk about their feelings (jake pov this time)