#8x04 what are you hiding

[momowoah]

He just posted a picture advertising the episode unprompted. 😶.

[rosyhoneydew]

911 8x04 sneak peek coda with buddietommy because my brain wouldn't let this go until I wrote it.

"Okay," Tommy lifts his hands placatingly. "Well, if we're going to talk curses, I'll need to be way more caffeinated. You want anything, Eddie?"

"Nah, I'm good."

"Right," Tommy says. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Eddie's been flipping through the hospital-provided magazines in Buck's room for the better part of an hour, but his eyes flick up to catch the movement of Tommy leaning toward Buck.

He doesn't mean to watch, it's instinct that has him looking on. Nonetheless, he catches the way Buck shifts just a little as Tommy moves in, and feels a sympathy pang for the way Tommy changes course to pat a hand on Buck's shoulder rather than the kiss it had initially looked like he was going for.

Eddie quickly flicks his eyes back to the magazine, not wanting to let on that he'd seen.

He hears Tommy head back out into the hallway and sits up, turning his attention on Buck.

"What was that about?"

"What?" Buck asks, fiddling with the top sheet on his bed.

Eddie levels him with a look when Buck finally makes eye contact again. Really?

"It's nothing," Buck sighs eventually.

"Sorta felt like something," he counters.

Buck grimaces. "I don't know..." Then he finally caves. "I guess I just thought it might be weird."

"Weird? To... kiss your boyfriend?"

"Weird for you," he says, looking at Eddie out of the corner of his eye. You knew what I meant, goes unsaid.

"Buck," Eddie starts, uncrossing his legs and leaning closer to the bed so he's impossible to ignore. "I told you that you being with Tommy doesn't change anything, remember?"

"Yeah, I-I know but like it's different, knowing that we're dating and, like, seeing us make out or whatever."

A random, hot thrill strikes Eddie when the thought conjures up the image. He thinks of the way Tommy's hands must fit, sure and heavy, on Buck's jaw, his neck, as they kiss. He imagines the way Buck tilts his head back to let Tommy's tongue slide in deeper, moaning when the wet slide of it imitates something even dirtier.

"Make out, huh?" he manages weakly. "Didn't realize hospital beds got you going like that."

Buck flushes and rolls his eyes. "You know what I mean."

"I do," Eddie says. "Look, Buck, it doesn't bother me, okay? You shouldn't do anything you're not comfortable with, but you don't have to hide this part of you for my sake. Not ever. Got it?"

Buck nods, looking relieved.

"Plus-" Eddie starts before he realizes what's about to pour out of his mouth. He snaps his mouth shut.

"Plus?" Buck prompts.

"Plus, I don't know... it's not like you guys are, like, hard on the eyes or anything." He's stammering. "I mean, it's not like a hardship, you know?"

Buck sits back wide-eyed. Shit. Eddie hadn't meant to make it weird, but it definitely was, right? That's probably not a normal thing to say to your best friend about him and your other best friend dating.

"You-?"

"Sorry." Buck cuts himself off at the sound of Tommy's voice, thank god.

"I had to wait for someone to track down the creamer, at least it's somewhat drinkable now." Tommy frowns at his coffee like it's insulted him just by existing.

Buck smiles at Tommy. He's shaken himself out of the state of shock he was in when Tommy walked back in, but he's got a glint in his eye that's making Eddie feel a little on edge.

"Can I have a taste?" he asks.

Tommy cocks a brow. "Sure."

But when he steps closer and holds out the paper cup, Buck bypasses it altogether. He grabs Tommy's hand, the free one, and pulls him down enough to get his other hand around the back of Tommy's neck.

Eddie couldn't look away if he tried. Tommy lets out a huff of surprise as their lips lock, a gasp as Buck deepens it immediately, licking in so fully that Eddie can see the movement from his chair. There's thick anticipation and intrigue simmering in his gut at the sight, but it's over all too quickly.

Tommy leans back, smiling and pecking Buck once more, before clearing his throat and looking over at Eddie a little sheepishly.

"Okay," he says, voice low, "what did I miss?"

[ameliagiovanna0]

For your writer truth or dare

🛼, 🍄, ❄️, and 🪲

describe your latest wip with five emojis

👮‍♀️👮‍♂️👶💍🐶

share a head canon for one of your favorite ships or pairings

Chenford: I have a few, but I'm just going to talk about one for now lol. Tim joking called Lucy a freak in the sheets, but I can't help but think he may not have been joking???? I just have this thought that they actually are a little freaky from time to time. The thing that really cemented it for me was when Lucy told Tim he owed her for making the audiobook when he was studying for the sergeant's exam. The way they looked at each other, their tones, expressions, sjlbfvsifhv the way Lucy tapped his chest before waltzing off, AND the look Tim gave her before he followed her askfhjlvsawfk. It really just set it in stone for me. There's no way they didn't go home and go wild

Upstead: they're actually super tactile when they're alone. They have to be professional at work, and they got used to it after hiding their relationship, so it became habit. Even after they got married. So, when they're at home, they're always touching somehow. We saw them cuddling in bed in 8x04, so I'd like to think they're like that all the time. When they're cooking together, they'll brush past each other with a hand on the other's back, Hailey will mold herself into Jay's side while they watch TV together, Jay will put his hand on her thigh while they're sitting at the bar eating dinner.

what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best?

that is such a loaded question?? I don't know what my dream fic would be, but I'm absolutely entrusting it to Ella, whatever it is. That girl is a wizard. For Chenford, I know I would like to see more with Tamara and Kojo. Anything with Angela being the diabolical menace she is with Tim and his relationship with Lucy is always welcome. We love her for that

add 50 words to your current wip and share the paragraph here

She took a deep breath, trying to replenish the oxygen she'd lost from sprinting to the door and jabbering a collection of words that didn't make much sense as she opened the box and showed it to him, "I wanted a ring I could wear at work.”

Lucy finally looked up at Tim, prying her eyes away from her rather exciting, albeit sort of plain, purchase. He stared at her with a warm smile and kind eyes, the lines around his eyes and mouth becoming more prominent.

He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a finger, booping his nose, before he could manage the first syllable. 

"I got you one too. We're starting a family," she continued, taking another breath, "We're not married yet, but we're on our way there, and I thought you might eventually want one too.

Like I said, you don't have to wear it if you don't want to. But I wanted you to have it. For now or later."

Those same kind, gorgeous, blue eyes shone back at her like they could see right to the depths of her soul.

"Lucy," he grabbed her hips and pulled her into his lap, her knees on either sides of his thighs, "I will absolutely wear it now," he breathed, his forehead resting against hers.

[esther-dot]

At one point I was thinking that maybe Jonsa is romanticised more in show than it would be in books. D&d had romanticised many relationships in show so I thought maybe jonsa will also be romanticised one. But after looking so many visual parallels with almost all couples in GOT made me think why are they super focussed in this ship. Why did other ships get some kind of closure but not Jonsa? In books too Jonsa clues are there and it seems most positive. So why the makers backed out?🤔

There are so many possibilities, anon!

Jonsa wasn’t ever a thing (books or show), and we’ve made connections no one intended to exist

Show Jonsa was something that happened as a result of Kit and Sophie’s unexpected chemistry and the writers played with it just because it was good tv without ever planning to actually go there

Show Jonsa was something they came up with, toyed with, thought about making explicit, but then abandoned

Book Jonsa is a thing and D&D wanted to hint at it but were never going there themselves

Book Jonsa is a thing and D&D didn’t want to do it but Kit and Sophie had such great chemistry we made show Jonsa a thing despite their distaste for it

I’m probably missing some variation, but you get the idea. Personally....

I have a hard time believing that the same showrunners who tried to shoehorn in a last minute reason for Dany burning KL (even though they knew that was happening for seasons and she talked about her willingness to burn cities to the ground from like s3 on) were thoughtful enough to create a meaningful dynamic between Jon and Sansa (while they simultaneously kept hinting at Sansa being a traitorous bitch) that spanned three seasons. 

Even if I can accept that as a happy accident, I don’t believe for a minute that D&D came up with the idea of Jon and Sansa reuniting first of all the Starks or working to protect the North/their family together. They whitewashed villains, but they cast a lot of doubt on whether or not Sansa was loyal to her family, and they stripped her of her romanticism, and they didn’t give her a love interest although all the other mains had one, so, their habit of painting with a gentler brush never extended to poor Sansa.

What could have happened is that they looked at what Martin told them and thought they’d mix and match, shuffle the order of things to make it work better for their audience. As in, Cersei and Dany, the only women in power were dying in the end, so they thought making Sansa queen after that would forestall accusations of sexism. I think Sansa will be queen in the books too, but it’s possible that Jon is chosen KitN, his identity becomes known, and he marries Sansa to unify the North when it might all fall apart otherwise. She could be queen earlier in the story, but obviously, that ticks different boxes than her being chosen by her people to lead. If that were how the books were to play out, then I could imagine D&D thought it felt more empowering to do away with the Jonsa marriage and allow Sansa’s rise to power to be about her alone and it might make their lives easier if it happened in the same episode in which Dany was killed.

Or, another option is that book Jonsa is a chaste love. Emotionally rewarding and fulfilling for the characters, meaningful as they choose each other over and over, but ultimately, can’t be together. If it’s something that romantic but not absolutely plot necessary, D&D could have decided to have their cake and eat it too. Still use the Jonsa relationship as an important part of the arcs emotionally, but never acknowledge the nature of their feelings, and instead do Jxnerys which was far more popular with the fans.

I really don’t know what to make of what D&D did, especially because it doesn’t feel like they dropped it before s8 in which they had Sansa behave in such a noticeably jealous way people who hated Jonsa before started to wonder after 8x04 if it was real. My tendency is to think that when they opted to hide Dark Dany, the nature of Jon and Sansa’s bond (whether it was ever meant to be acted on or not) couldn’t be revealed until after the burning of KL, but then they realized how badly this all was going to come across and scratched it.

[justmypartner]

Loving your top 3 answers! Have another for you if you’re interested. What are your top 3 heart eyes Jay moments? 😍

Oh I love this one - also, I’m having way too much fun with these🫠

1. “See you later?” | 8x04: this man had one night with the woman he had spent years pining over ONE NIGHT and this is how he looked at her. This is the ultimate heart eyes moment. I truly don’t think I’ve ever seen a man more in love. He’s watching his future flash before his eyes here and it makes me want to sob uncontrollably.

2. Stolen Stare | 6x08: this one, oh this one. The way he looks away when she glances over and rubs his lips to hide his smile is so adorable. He may have been undercover here but his feelings certainly weren’t. I can’t watch this one without smiling like an idiot.

3. “I wanted to tell you something” | 7x10: he knew what she was going to say. He was excited for what she was going to say. Then the phone rang, we yelled at our screens, and she came to her senses to realize the timing was off. STILL the look on his face, his voice when he said “okay”, and the hopefulness in his eyes will forever be one of my absolute favorites.

[whateverthedragonswant]

Jon was always going to choose the Starks - 8x04 setup breakdown

In this scene, Dany tells Jon that he needs to keep his true identity a secret. That he needs to swear Bran and Sam to secrecy but not tell anyone else or it will ruin her claim to the IT. (because let's face it, like Dany says here, no one loves her on this side of the sea & only sees her as a foreign invader)

Watch Jon's reaction as she tells him this. When she says "and tell no one else" he then gets to his feet.

This is super important because for Jon, he's always wanted to be a Stark. So not only is Dany telling him not to be honest with the family he has been a part of all of his life and the siblings/cousins that he's come to care for a great deal, she's also telling him to deny who he is. She's sentencing him to be a bastard forever, when now he knows he truly was not a bastard this whole time. It's not so much that he wants to embrace his Targaryen bloodline or proudly assert that part of his heritage loudly for all to hear, but he is actually now one part of something he despised, something he never wanted to be: a bastard. And instead of accepting him as who he is to her, she's telling him to shut up about it and not tell anyone, including the other half of his family who supported him being a King.

The same crown she diminished and eventually made him give up in order to protect his people. Like Sam said in 8x01 "You gave up your crown to save your people. Would she do the same?"

So everything that Jon has become now has to come second to her destiny and he has to be who she wants him to be to her. She's not embracing him as family or as a legitimate part of the Targaryen line. (since she's no longer The Last Targaryen, that also chips away at her so-called extraordinary destiny) She is literally doing the same thing to him as Cat but worse. She's not just keeping him outside from a feast so he won't be seen. She's keeping him at her side (and alive) as long as he is who she says he is and is not giving him the option to be who he really is. Even though he tries to assure her time and time again that he will be loyal to her, he doesn't want a crown or the IT, she is still scared to lose her place in the running for the throne, especially after seeing how love Jon has from his people. The Wildlings are essentially to the Dothraki when it comes to the Jon/Dany coin. She has seen how the Northerners, the Night's Watch, and even the Lannisters (well, Jaime and Tyrion) have banded together under Jon's (and Sansa's) leadership. Tyrion is still loyal to her but he also has ties to Jon and Sansa that he doesn't have with Dany.

She is literally keeping him a dirty little secret, which is what Jon's story has developed away from. It would only set him back to season 1 and Dany being in Cat's place, but it would be worse because now he has to adhere to her every whim, always be wary that he could be executed at any moment (and his family/people), and give in to her desires whenever it struck her fancy. All to keep her placated and happy and reassured.

Later on, we get this scene:

This is the antithesis of that Jon and Dany scene. We have Arya and Sansa assuring Jon that he is absolutely a Stark. That he's just as much Ned's child as the rest of them. Arya even makes sure to emphasize that he is their brother, no matter the blood status. She literally says "You're not my half-brother or my bastard brother, my brother."

This scene is just as important as the other one because here the Starks (unknowingly) are not telling Jon to hide who he is & that they accept him as he is. He's family and that's that. He's not a threat to them and they automatically have him in the pack, crown or not, bending the knee to Dany or not. We see Jon's reaction to Arya's words and then the kicker: him looking to Bran who says "It's your choice." While this plays to Jon's arc this entire season, it's also important because it shows that Jon is actually able to choose. Should he not decide to tell them the truth, his identity will stay secret, hopefully Dany will be placated, and while he (and his family) might never be safe they may stay alive that bit longer. He'll do his best to guide Dany and keep her attention focused elsewhere. Whereas the choice Dany presented him with "We can. I've just told you how" is not really a choice. It goes back to what she said in 7x03 "As far as I can see, you are the enemy to the north."

Many people think that Sansa was the only one Dany didn't want told about who Jon is because she didn't trust Sansa's intentions. And yes, this was in the dialogue in the bedroom scene. But looking at the dialogue closer, Dany also didn't want Arya told. Arya wasn't a threat and since we know that Jon (or Tyrion) told Dany about Sansa's past abuses and how beautiful Sansa allegedly was, there's a good bet he may have mentioned Arya to her as well. Maybe not their history (because he definitely made sure to temper his reaction back in 7x05 to the news that Arya was alive as well as Bran in front of Dany) or how close they were, but enough to know that Arya and Bran do matter to him. Arya kept her promise and didn't tell anyone. She would have kept it because that's what Jon wanted. She was an assassin, not a politician, so she didn't need to come up with a way to try to protect Jon from Dany, except for what she tells him in 8x06, and until what she witnesses in 8x05. So why couldn't Arya be told? Because Dany didn't want anyone to know. And guaranteed, if the truth got out through some other way than Sansa, Bran and Sam would have been in danger, too.

So the show literally gave us these two scenes in the same episode to show us not only who had Jon's best interests at heart, but also to show us that the family he always wanted to be a part of, by the end also wanted him just in their pack just as much.

Jon was always going to choose Stark in the end. They laid it all out in this episode.

Bonus:

This is why this scene is so important, to show us just what Jon was giving up by honoring his promise to Dany:

[neurodiversebones]

autistic brennan !!!

in my autistic opinion... here you go. a SLIGHTLY more organized version of what i have dropped in the DMs of anyone who is willing to listen, copy and pasted from a google doc i have so eloquently named "bones is fucking autistic" !!

this headcanon is like. 95% confirmed, which kind of makes my heart do a little "!!!" <3 idk brennan means a Lot to me and always did as a young autistic afab person :-) so here you go !! (under the cut)

okay SO here is my explanation for my headcanon, explained in bullet points- this took up multiple google docs pages so i hope you're ready

emotional display:

has absolutely zero poker face- we see this frequently. there are too many instances to count where she cannot hide her facial expressions !! it is also referenced by booth in late season 8, and i think a few other characters have mentioned it throughout the series?

this is especially in the earlier seasons, but her response to stress and trauma is Very Neurodivergent. she rarely has an outward response- it's so rare to see her cry before season 7/8 ?? this could also definitely be a trauma thing but like,,, trauma symptoms and autistic traits are unfortunately hard to differentiate between because autistic people tend to go through more traumatic situations

not exactly emotional display, but similar- she clearly has alexithymia, or something of the sort (basically, she struggles to recognize her own emotions). this is exhibited a few times- the one i can remember right now is "i don't understand what i'm feeling" "you understand happy, right?" (conversation with angela, season 9). this is actually something i have rarely seen in a character- at least not done well. it makes me very happy !!!

empathy:

she struggles to understand why others would think differently than her- her view of the world is Correct in her eyes, and she finds it difficult to look from someone else's point of view. this frequently ends in her criticizing those around her- her view of the world is incredibly black and white, so when others disagree with her, she believes they must be wrong.

extension of the black and white thinking- she doesn't understand concepts, no matter how hard she tries. she needs evidence and proof. examples of this would be her views on god/religion, love (pre-season 6), and marriage (pre-season 8)

despite her lack of empathy toward people, she exhibits a lot of empathy toward animals. this is actually a really common autistic trait?? examples of this would be her emotional attachment to the dogs in 4x04, or her explosive reaction to finding out the tiger was killed in 8x04

social/conversational skills:

this is probably her most obvious and easily recognizable autistic trait- it's what made me go "she's autistic" after watching a few episodes

she does not understand jokes or sarcasm very well- she frequently gets confused by jokes, explaining why they aren't funny or don't make sense, especially pop culture jokes. when she does understand jokes or pop culture references, she gets very excited and explains them out loud, even though everyone around her already understands (just adding- i love this so much ?? her explaining jokes is Very Cute. i'm sorry i'm a simple gay who can't go ten minutes without declaring my love for her)

struggles with small talk and social niceties- this is used as a joke in nearly every episode. she doesn't do small talk well- preferring to talk about topics that are actually important or interest her. she doesn't see the need for most social conventions either, which leads to her frequently being seen as rude.

she misses social cues in conversations- she frequently brings up topics that are probably not Appropriate for the setting (talking about dead bodies in a restaurant, talking about sex while standing over a dead body, etc.)

she is incredibly literal, and doesn't understand metaphorical speak. this goes hand in hand with the not understanding jokes- she takes many phrases at face value, sometimes confusing others

tone:

she frequently comes off as cold or blunt without meaning to be- many people read her as "heartless" or just uninterested because of the way she speaks, even when she is very invested.

i don't know how to explain this other than her speaking pattern is Very Autistic- the way she pauses mid sentence all the time, the facial expressions she makes while speaking, it's all autism babey !!!

intense focus on one topic:

okay it's very obvious that her special interests are forensics and anthropology

she gets hyperfocused, often losing herself in her work and putting herself through the ringer for it. she puts her work above (almost) everything, and has stated on multiple occasions that she would be nothing without her work.

she often explains the things around her with references to anthropology and ancient civilizations- she uses these references to explain her feelings, the situations she's in, and frequently, to solve crimes. things make sense to her when she thinks about them like this.

not engaging with peers in an "expected" way:

she is often showed to have difficulty getting close with people- she doesn't like showing emotion to others, and would rather just talk about the task at hand. this could very well be explained by her trauma background- but i believe it's probably a bit of both.

she finds it difficult to bond with her peers over common things, like pop culture, and rather talks about work or other things. she doesn't open up to a lot of people, even those who she is incredibly close with.

other/misc.:

stimming !! this doesn't have enough instances to get its own section, but i like to interpret that wonder woman scene as vestibular stimming, purely because i love to spin and jump !!!!

detail oriented, to the point of obsession. it's common for autistic people to get caught up in the details of things, which she definitely does.

views on sexuality differ from the "norm"- she is very critical of monogamy during the first half of the series, and does not see the point in marriage. also she's definitely arospec, just putting that out there <3

i am autistic and i love her therefore i'm right

final notes:

i think she's one of my favourite autistic characters to exist- i usually despise the socially awkward detective trope, but it's handled well here. the people around her don't expect her to change the innate aspects of who she is- rather, they love her unconditionally (even if they are exasperated at times- which is natural to feel with people that you love)

i very much like that they didn't go with the socially awkward + smart = unattractive trope either- she knows that she's hot, and so do the people around her. i'm so sick of nerdy girls not being allowed to be hot 😭 especially when it comes to autistic-coded characters- let autistic people have sex lives 2k21

she just,,, holds a very special place in my heart. as an undiagnosed autistic afab kid, she meant a lot to me. i saw a woman on screen who was smart like me and sometimes confused people because of her intelligence, who didn't really get social situations, who didn't know how to express how she felt. she was like me- and she loved herself, and people loved her. she's a very important character to me and has been since i was really young <3

thank you SO MUCH to anybody who read this- brennan is the loml and i will infodump about her until the end of time

[upsteadhq]

there’s a burning shirt on

prompt: “you mean our shirt”

happy upstead appreaciation week everyone! this is day 1, let’s see how many days i can last

this is set somewhere between 8x04 and 8x06 :)

title is from rachel stamp’s ‘stealing clothes’

Jay was woken up by the rising light streaming in from beneath the blind. He stirred and tried to keep his eyes clamped shut. He didn’t need to be awake, not this early, Intelligence had a late start this morning. But being awake at the crack of dawn was a nasty habit he was trying to break - on the days he didn’t need to be at work at least.

He rolled over so he was facing away from the window and reached his hand out, expecting to have it rest around Hailey’s waist to bring her in closer but instead his hand falls to land on the still slightly warm mattress. His eyes open quickly and he sits up, looking around the room. That’s when he notices the bedroom door leading straight out into the living room open ajar.

Despite the fact all he wanted to do was go back to sleep, the curiosity got the better of him. He removed himself from under the warmth of the sheet and he trudged toward the door. Peeking through the crack, he sees Hailey with her back turned, reaching into one of the overhead cabinets. He smiles because even though he can’t see, he knows she’s standing on her toes.

Jay pulled the door open and walked out, the sound of his footsteps being enough to make Hailey turn around to see what the noise was. She grins the moment her bright eyes meet his.

“What are you doing up?” Jay asks as he continues to make his way into the kitchenette of her apartment.

She shrugs, quickly turning back over her shoulder to grab two mugs, then shuts the cabinet and steps to the small island. “Couldn’t sleep, thought I’d surprise you with coffee.” She replies, inserting the cup into the machine.

Jay rounds the corner and instantly spots the shirt she was wearing to cover up the fact she was still only in her underwear. The shirt was a unbuttoned plain button-down, something he was used to seeing her in, but this one seemed to come down to to her thighs, and the sleeves were a little too long. He furrows his eyebrows at her. “Is that my shirt?”

Hailey doesn’t even try and come up with a lie to cover it up, instead she just proudly grins and nods her head. “It’s my shirt now.”

He tries to hide the smile growing on his face because he had never seen her wear one of his shirts before. They had only been dating a few weeks but had never had a slow morning before, usually it was a quick change and out the door for a new case. It hugged her small frame, and he felt his heart flutter.

“But that’s my shirt.” He goes on.

Hailey looks up from the coffee machine and over her shoulder at him, hooking an eyebrow up. “You mean our shirt?”

This time Jay can’t hide the grin as his heart does a second jump, and he takes the two steps it was to her and presses his chest to her back, instantly wrapping his arms around her waist like he’d prefer to have done in bed. He leans down and kisses her cheek, smiling when she turns her head to the side with him. “Good morning.” He mumbles into her skin.

“You too.” Hailey responds.

Jay moves his lips down Hailey’s neck and the smile becomes a playful smirk as he hears a soft moan hum from her lips when he kisses underneath her ear. He pulls away an inch, staying close enough that she’d be able to feel his breath tickle at her ear. “It looks way better on you anyway.” He whispers, his voice hoarse.

He continues to own the smirk when he watches the profile of her face switch, to which Hailey abandoned the mug on the side and spins on her heels so she was facing him, before pushing her lips against his fervidly, and the idea of coffee and the shirt were simultaneously dropped as Jay lowers his hands to pick her up into his arms to carry her back off into the bedroom.

[riseandfxll]

Retribution, Chapter Eight

Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven

Summary - Hailey gets shot while off-duty in a seemingly random attack, but what the intelligence unit uncovers while she’s in the hospital fighting for her life will change everything.

Sincerest apologies for the year long hiatus (if you can call it that). Another apology for the questionable writing - I haven’t written anything besides research assignments for over a year, so I’m a bit rusty, however I lost my tiny little mind over 8x03 & 8x04, so this was me trying to cope. 

[also posted on ff.net and ao3] & as always, story is not beta read (we die like men)

Jay was right, as per usual; the night had dragged on for so long that Hailey was almost certain the universe was messing with her. Even through the exhaustion plaguing every cell in her body, she felt content, Jay was still pressed up against her side in the hospital bed, slowing her heart rate and calming her electrified nerves as the pair continued flipping through the seemingly endless collage of faces that made up Hailey Upton’s career in the police force. It was something that the detective wouldn’t have been able to do with any other person, the memories of hard cases and victims that she had pushed so far down now threatening to escape. 

By the time the sun had risen the pair had been able to put together a list of nine names that were potential suspects. Criminals that Hailey had once locked away to keep innocent people safe, who now walked free once more. Jay was the first to lift the fog that had settled over the room, “I’ll call Vought, let him know we have potential names.” He told her, reluctantly swinging his legs off the side of the bed. “Try get some sleep, yeah?” Jay placed a kiss between her eyebrows, smoothing down her rumpled hair before leaving the room.

Hailey sat in the quiet of her hospital room, the sounds of the machines connected to her by the wires that were still connected to her body echoed through the bare room. In the midst of all the chaos, Kim had managed to bring Hailey her go-bag, which now sat discarded in the corner waiting to be opened. She wouldn’t mind changing into her own clothes, instead of being stuck in a hospital gown that left everything on show for all to see. 

Taking in a deep breath, Hailey pushed herself up the bed, sitting up properly for the first time in almost 24 hours. Holding back a wince, she pushed the bedsheets back until they only covered her feet and ever so carefully manoeuvred her legs off the side of the bed, still trying to fight the persistent pain shooting through her body. Her feet just touching the floor as the door swung open, the fluorescent lights from the hallway barging into the room, along with Jay.

Jay reached her side in a matter of seconds, “What’s wrong? Why are you up? Do you need something?” his hands bracing her, moving to lie her back down.

She pushed his hands back off her, grabbing his shoulder to stay upright on the bed, “well I was trying to get some fresh clothes from my go bag,” she answered, “but I guess now that you’re back you can grab it for me.” She smirked at him playfully, pointing towards the black duffle on the floor.

Jay took a step back, turning in the direction of the bag before picking it up and placing it on one of the chairs. “There should be a button up flannel and a pair of sweats in there,” Hailey told her partner, “hopefully the buttons will make it easier to put on,” she continued, wincing as she tried to roll her right shoulder, even with the meds the doctors had given her, the pain was almost unbearable. 

“You really shouldn’t be moving, Hailey, you need rest.” He told her, putting the flannel and sweats on the bed beside his injured partner. 

“I’m sorry, I was under the impression that your brother was the doctor in the family,” Hailey snorted, a smile taking over her face. 

Jay made a face at her, “At least let me get the nurse to come and help you.” 

“They’re busy Jay, I’m not going to make them come all the way here just to help me put some clothes on.” Reaching for the clothes as she spoke, a wince escaping her lips as she tried and failed to swallow it back down. 

Jay took a step closer to the bed and taking the clothes from where Hailey had failed to retrieve them from and discarded the sweats on the side table before unfolding the shirt, “fine, if you won’t let them help you, at least let me.” His eyes met hers, searching for her response, “unless that’s too weird… or I can call Kim If you want?”

The smile crept back onto her lips as she watched her usually well-spoken and stoic partner fumble and stutter over the words. “It’s fine Jay, I don’t mind you helping me. And besides, it’s 5:30 in the morning. Do you want Kim to murder you?” Hailey joked, receiving a huff of laughter in reply. Kim Burgess was a lot of things, but a morning person, she was not. 

Hailey watched as Jay seemed to be contemplating how to go about dressing her, “let’s start with the sweats, yeah?” she offered, the words bringing jay back from his thoughts.

“Okay, yeah,” he replied, still not sounding completely sure of the situation. He rolled the legs of the grey pants up and crouched down in front of her. This definitely wasn’t what she imagined when she had thought about the detective on his knees in front of her, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t slightly enjoy it. Hailey helped line her first foot up with one of the pant legs, doing the same with the next, holding in a shiver as she felt her partners thumbs brush against her calves.

Jay slid the pants up Hailey’s legs, holding his breath as he felt her skin against his fingers. “Do you want to, uh, try stand up for a second?” he asked, clearing his throat.

Hailey only nodded, not wanting her voice to betray how Jay’s touch made her feel. How it made her react. She took his hand to steady herself, his callused hands rough but comforting against her hands, she felt safe with him. When they were together, it was as if none of the things that lurked in the shadows could get her. 

She braced her other hand against his shoulder as she let’s her feet touch the floor, feeling the cool of linoleum even through her socks as Jay began sliding the sweatpants up her legs, the warmth of the fabric a stark contrast to the cool of his touch.

He felt his heart start to race as he slid the pants up her thighs and under the stiff fabric of her hospital gown, listening to her breath become heavier, and the weight of her hands on his shoulders become more obvious as she fought to keep upright. Allowing his fingers to brush against the soft skin of her thighs as he started to stand; pulling the waistband over her hips to sit on waist, allowing his hands to rest over the fabric. 

Hailey lifted her head, her eyes meeting the intoxicating green of Jay’s, a slight smile toying on her lips as she whispered, “you know, if this whole detective thing doesn’t work out, you’d make a pretty decent nurse.” 

His eyes didn’t leave hers as he spoke, a laugh escaping from his throat, “good to know, I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.” Now it was his turn to lose his breath as he felt one of her hands slide from his shoulder to cup his jaw, a finger running over the slight stubble he’d let grow. 

“Hailey…” he breathed, trying to hide the shakiness in his voice. God, he was absolute putty in her hands and she’d barely even touched him. 

Hailey’s breathing was equally as shaky as she smiled at him, still moving her thumb against his cheek.

Tears threatened to fall as he returned her smile, “I was so scared, Hails, I-I don’t know what I would have done if you had died…” this time he didn’t try to hide the emotion in his voice as he spoke, “I thought I’d lost you.” 

She used her hand to guide him down, his lips meeting hers. The kiss was soft, as if to say “I’m right here, Jay. I’m not going anywhere.”

She felt her own tears fall down her cheeks as they finally separated, giving him a small smile as their eyes met once more. “You know, this was the first time someone has put more clothes on me before kissing me.” 

Jay choked out a laugh “I guess I’m just not like the other guys then” he spoke, his words full of the humour and comfort that is always there when they’re together, bringing his lips back down to hers to kiss her once more.

[anniesardors]

Hi!!! So I’m loving From the Beginning and something that has stuck out to me has been the fact that Voight knows the two are an item, but the rest of the team doesn’t. That’s how I imagined it to go in the show, but if LaRoyce’s comment from last Wednesday is true, then it’s the other way around. What’s your take on how/why everyone but Voight knows about them and do you think this is something that we’ll get a scene of?

Aw thanks anon! I think a lot of people always assumed that Jay and Hailey would wait a little to tell everyone, but according to LaRoyce, we were wrong! The fact that he knew that AND made a comment about it makes me think we are going to get some type of scene about it. 

I’d assume that Jay and Hailey told their friends because after waiting for so long to be in a relationship, they did not want to have to hide it from the people who are so important to them. I remember reading an article around the time 8x03/8x04 were airing and it said Upstead was not going to hide their relationship for too long because they didn’t want to be sneaking around. So, maybe it’s that. I think they both wanted to do it right so they were honest with their friends from the beginning. As for not telling Voight, they probably wanted to show him and themselves that they can be in a relationship without it affecting their ability to do their job. 

How it happened? I’m sure they did not make a big deal about it. They probably told them over drinks at Molly’s. I’m sure there was a little bit of teasing and questioning, but I doubt any of their friends were too surprised. 

8x11 is supposedly going to be a Hailey centric episode, so maybe we will get some answers! 

[gabigabworld1]

Hailey was interest in Jay from day one #Upstead

It feels to me, like Hailey from the the day one in the unit was interest in Jay. In 5x06, when she hold her hand on his arm, it’s looks like small thing, but his reaction was, like „why she done this”, and she was like „i went too far” and every single episode, Hailey always had his back, even when he done stupid things, very stupid.. and her romance with Adam, I see this like ‚okay, i can’t have what i really want, so i will have fun’. When she said to him „i care about you’ i was like „BUT”, say it „BUT”, and by ‚but’ I mean, „i dont feel in love with you”. For their whole relation we were getting signals, like her and Jay are getting closer, but Adam were their ‚safe space’. By the ‘safe space’ I mean they can hide their feeling, don’t deal with it and wait till it end. It was no jealousy between the  but it was something weird in this not mention love triangle.

My point is 😂😂 for long time they were creating their bond. And I feel like Jay from first four season is a little diffrent then in 4-8. Like he with Hailey learned a lot more about himself then in seasons where Erin was. And I’m scared, they will write it wrong, and he will do stupid stuff, absolutely with no sense, like it was with Erin.

His and Hailey bond are really strong and I want their relation stay like this.

I trust you, i follow you, i be here for you.

So I believe, really hard believe, they make stuff a little weirde. Like they will have to figure out, what it means to their work, but their don’t be like ITS NOT GOOD IDEA. They have 3 season to think about it, and pull back.

I want mature relationship, where they are talking, working together, and see Jay taking action, not only wait for her move.

If episode 8x04 will be hard to Hailey i want to Jay be there for Her, like always, and doesnt give up, or pull back. I even want to to Garret be alive, it will be a big twist, where Jay could show us, have he care for Hailey, and how he doesn’t give up easily.

So, I want Jay to be Jay who end with being scared, and acting like he knows what he want. Their always figure out their shit togheter and it have to stay that way!!!!

[talatomaz]

present tense | dinah drake x fem!reader

a/n: this takes place during 8x04 where ta & fta meet. this is shit, i know but i couldn’t get this idea out of my head. i practically used the same intro from my other fic for this one, don’t @ me but i just had no other way to start it. this also has references to dinahsiren in honour of dinahsiren week

warnings: mentions of blood

word count: 3.6k

masterlist | request list | request rules

i do not give you permission to repost or translate my fics on any platform - likes/reblogs are okay and are much appreciated

“Can we stop with the sob fest and get back to what we came here to do?”

You joked, interrupting Mia and Zoe as they reconciled over the argument they had earlier.

Just before Zoe could respond with a witty remark, the three of you became distracted when JJ arrived and proceeded to stab Mia in the neck.

Then, before you could even make a sound, he drove a sword through Zoe’s back. You screamed your canary cry, making him stumble back before you ran towards Zoe who had now crumbled to the ground, blood seeping from her body.

Holding back your tears, you gathered her into your arms and put pressure on the wound.

You barely took any notice as Connor went hand-to-hand with his brother, instead, you and Mia were holding Zoe.

As the three of you were huddled together, you felt a flash of bright lights surround you and with a blink of an eye, you were back in the bunker. Except this time, it looked...cleaner and technologically old.

You found yourself standing beside Mia, William and Connor; with you and Mia coated in Zoe’s blood and Mia’s neck still bleeding.

“Dad?”

You glanced over your shoulder at Mia then looked ahead where four adults stood in front of you. Your eyes widened as you recognised who they were. Oliver Queen, John Diggle, Rene Ramirez and...Dinah Drake, your mother.

All of you stood there, as if your shock had frozen you all in place. Time seem to begin again when William walked up to Oliver and hugged him in a tight embrace.

“Dad?”

“T-Those are my kids.” Oliver asked, tears falling down his face as he looked between William and Mia.

Then you watched Connor’s interaction with John and then everyone looked over at you.

“Hi...Mum.”

Everyone stared at Dinah as her mouth dropped.

“M-Mum? I-I don’t. I’ve not got a daughter.”

“Because you haven’t yet.” William stated and you glanced back at him in question.

“I think we’re in the past.”

Mia and Connor had a look of disbelief on their face whilst you agreed with William. You were one of the few people in the future to have ever experienced time travel; your Aunt Sara having taken you on a few missions on the waverider.

“He’s right. This place is new and our parents. Look at them. No gray hair, no wrinkles. What year is this?”

You asked, looking back at the group of parents.

“2019. What year is it supposed to be?”

Oliver asked when you and the rest of your friends let out a gasp.

“2040.” You answered.

“Okay, guys, we need to talk.” Oliver said, going into leader mode as he walked to a corner of the bunker, the rest of the parents following.

You and FTA followed suit and found an empty corner beside some weapons.

“How the Hell did this happen and why do you seem so okay with this?” Mia asked.

You were currently stitching her wound, as the bleeding had steadied, when you pulled on the last thread harshly as you answered.

“Because I’ve time travelled before. My Aunt Sara let me go on some missions with her when I was growing up. I got to see different time periods and she got to teach me how to fight. Win-Win situation.” You answered coldly.

Now that everything had relatively calmed down, you allowed yourself to run over the events that had just passed and suffice it to say, you were pissed at Mia because Zoe wouldn’t have been there in the first place had it not been for Mia’s stubbornness.

“Y/N-“

“I don’t want to hear it, Mia.” You replied coldly, closing the first aid box.

Connor then interrupted and explained how he was unsuccessful in killing JJ due to the fact that you guys had ended up here the moment he was about to kill him.

Mia then began to allude to killing a young JJ to prevent his reign of terror in the future before you, Connor and William disregarded her plan.

“We can’t tell our parents about the future or what just happened.” Mia stated, tenderly touching the bandage that now covered her wound. “Thank you, y/n.”

You merely nodded your head and listened as William began to argue.

“As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Mia. How are we meant to tell Rene his daughter is dead and John’s son is the one who did it? We can’t, William. It will have repercussions that we cannot control.”

You all then looked over as Oliver cleared his throat to get your attention. He, your Mum, John and Rene were stood in the centre of the bunker, quietly watching how the four of you were arguing.

“How about we all get some rest? We’ve all had quite a big shock tonight.” Dinah said to everytime, but maintained eye contact with you.

Since having revealed that you were her daughter from the future, she, understandably so, hadn’t said a word to you. But it still hurt.

“We have nowhere to stay. If you want, we could stay here?” You asked before your Mum interrupted you.

“No, that’s silly. You can come stay with me.”

***

“Home sweet home.”

Dinah said, closing the door behind her as she dumped her keys on the table.

“Where’s Laurel?”

“Oh, she wanted to be alone because she’s still grieving.” Dinah answered, confused as to why you were wondering why she wasn’t here.

“I’m sorry. Will she be okay?”

“I hope so. She knows she has us all, so there’s something at least. How about you? Are you okay? Are we okay? In the future, I mean.”

Dinah asked as you both sat on the sofa. Now that you were alone, for the first time ever, you found yourself in an awkward environment with your mother. Conversation usually came so easy to you two but finding out you have a daughter when you’ve not even been born yet kind of throws a wrench into that.

“Yeah, we’re good. We’re more than good. You’re the best part of my life, Mum. Dinah. I’m sorry. This is awkward and I don’t know how to handle this.”

“It’s okay. You can continue calling me Mum, if you want. I kinda like it.” She shrugged as she ran her hand over your arm in comfort.

The gentle embrace had you tearing up, as you hadn’t fully processed Zoe’s death and you knew you couldn’t even mention it to your Mum in fear of the rest finding out.

“Y/N, are you okay?”

“God, I’m just so exhausted, Mum. Like so exhausted.”

“What do you mean? I thought the future was a good place?”

“I-It is. I’m just so tired. My personal life is kind of a mess back home.” You said, lying through your teeth.

“Oh honey, it’s okay.”

Your Mum said soothingly, not even hesitating before wrapping her arms around you in a motherly embrace. You relaxed in her arms, and just like every time you hugged her, you felt your problems wash away and your mind ease, if only for a few moments.

***

“One of these days, I’m gonna slap Rene upside his head.”

You looked up at your Mum in question.

After your mini breakdown last night, you and your Mum had spent almost the entire night talking, just like you used to in your time. It made you feel better about this entire situation and you were grateful for your mother in any time period.

“What’d he do, Mum?”

“He just messaged me saying that William told him he becomes Mayor and now he’s acting as if he’s my boss.” She said, reading the text from her phone and rolling her eyes.

“I told William not to say anything about the future.” You added, rolling your eyes too.

“You really are your mother’s daughter.”

You and Dinah looked up to find John and Connor standing in front of you, grinning at you both.

“Oh, I didn’t know it was ‘bring your kid to work’ day.” Dinah said sarcastically making you smirk and fight to hide a laugh.

“Right back at you, Dinah. Connor thought he could help. He was an agent at an organization called Knightwatch.”

“It makes A.R.G.U.S. look like a kindergarten class. The Canaries are comparable, though.” He said, grinning once more at you as you rolled your eyes again.

“Canaries?” You glanced back at your mother and then widened your eyes at Connor. You guys weren’t doing a great job at not revealing things about the future.

“Haha, uh, he-forget it.” You waved your hand as if you were literally dismissing something real.

When Dinah and John raised their brows in question at each other, you smacked Connor‘s arm and scolded him.

“Ow, jeez, y/n.” He whispered and when your parents looked at you, the two of you suddenly smiled and pretended to act nonchalantly.

Dinah then changed the subject and showed you both something that was left at the crime scene of a bombing at Starling General. Connor then revealed the hidden message using a black light. You watched as he frowned and then excused himself to check his phone when it rang.

“This is Mia, I should probably go. Y/N?” He said, widening his eyes slightly to let you know he found out something he didn’t want your parents to know about.

“Yeah, I’ll come too. We’ll catch up later?”

“Yeah, of course. Be safe.” Your Mum said, kissing your cheek and quickly hugging you.

As you and Connor walked out SCPD and made your way to Oliver’s apartment, you started to speak.

“I’m sorry that you and John aren’t as close at the moment.”

Though you were glad that you and your mother were on good terms, you did feel bad that the rest of your team’s relationships with their parents had gotten off to a rocky start since you guys came back.

“It’s okay. It’s to be expected. I’m glad for you and your Mom. I know how close you two are. Time has no impact on that.”

“Thank you,” you smiled, “so, what did you see?”

He then began to explain the phrase he saw and the relevance it had to JJ.

“Shit, what are we going to do?”

***

After having relayed the information Connor had told you to William and Mia, you were all divided on how to handle the situation. You and William wanted to tell your parents but Connor and Mia wanted to handle this themselves.

You found yourself starting to get even more annoyed at Mia’s stubbornness but relented when Mia said that they could avenge Zoe by going after JJ themselves.

You all then went to an abandoned building that would later become Galaxy One’s home base. You decided to split up, with Mia and Connor in one direction and you and William in another.

As you and William started to look through the empty space, you heard Mia and Connor yell, “JJ” and before you could run up to join them, you found yourself surrounded by a handful of Deathstrokes.

Just by looking at them, anger coursed through your body as the image of JJ ramming a sword through Zoe’s chest came to the forefront of your mind.

“This is gonna be fun. Don’t move, William.”

You ran straight for the Deathstroke soldiers and began fighting them. You narrowly missed the swipe of their swords and you ducked under one of their arms before putting your full force into your kick to one of their chests. They fell to the floor, the sword clattering down beside them. Quickly picking it up, you stabbed the soldier on the floor and got ready to fight the other two remaining.

Just as you were about to strike, they fell to the floor in front of you, revealing John and Rene with their guns raised. You all jumped when you heard an explosion and ran out the building to find Connor and Mia, now joined by Dinah, Laurel and Oliver.

“You guys have got some explaining to do.” Laurel said, coughing as the smoke filled the air.

***

After the explosion at Galaxy One, which was sure to have consequences, you all went back to the bunker where you were scolded by your parents.

You all explained the significance of the building and that the Deathstroke’s leader was Grant Wilson, Slade’s other son.

“So if you knew it was Grant, then why did you call him JJ?”

You all stilled at the mention of JJ and looked at each other as if mentally asking whether or not to reveal the truth.

“Connor, what’s going on?” John shouted causing you all to flinch.

Connor then explained that JJ was the Deathstroke during your time and that you all thought he had come back alongside you. William then revealed the true nature of Star City in the future and how it’s overrun with crime and corrupt cops and politicians.

Then when William began to refer to Zoe’s death, he was harshly quietened by Mia.

“No, Mia. They have a right to know.”

William continued to explain how JJ had killed Zoe causing Rene to storm out with John and Connor following him.

“Now look what happened. We shouldn’t have told them.” Mia said, shouting at the both of you.

“You know what, Mia? I’ve had enough of you. This is your fault. JJ may have killed Zoe but it would never have happened if you hadn’t been insistent in us going in the first place! She told you that it was a bad idea. We both did.” You started to raise your voice then willed yourself to calm down and speak with a steady tone.

“There’s a reason why we were left in charge. For God’s sake, Mia. You jump into situations without thinking it through. Learn something from your goddamn father, for once.”

You watched as the blonde opened her mouth then closed it, unable to think of a retort. You hoped that, this time, she’d finally take your words into consideration.

Just now realising that you and Mia were still in the bunker, surrounded by Dinah, Laurel, Oliver and William, your cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Realising that, William attempted to change the subject.

“Zoe was fighting to fix exactly what her dad helped cause. That's why she was a Canary like both of you.

“You guys had a whole network of them in the City.” You added, smiling.

“And that's what Connor was talking about earlier?” You nodded at your mother. “And yet, we still failed to save the city.”

“Mum, you and Laurel helped us try and make it a better place. You trained Zoe and I and countless other women. We saved so many people, all because of you both.”

“Thank you, honey. I’m gonna go check on Rene.” She sighed.

“C-Can I come with you?” You asked with uncertainty but relaxed when she nodded.

***

“Aunt Dinah! I didn’t know you were gonna be here.”

You were currently outside Rene and Zoe’s apartment building in the Glades that looked a hell of a lot different than it did in the future. You watched your mother and Zoe hug when they pulled away and the latter looked you confused.

“Hi, I’m Zoe. Nice to meet you.” You shook her hand.

It was extremely weird and heartbreaking to see Zoe so young and happy.

For as long as you’d known her, she’d been so worried about the city and was later broken by Rene’s betrayal. The only time she was ever truly happy was when she was with you.

“I’m Tina. Dinah’s...cousin.” You lied, using the name your mother used when she went undercover.

Rene then ushered Zoe inside leaving you, Dinah and Rene alone. Rene expressed his fears of the numbered days with Zoe when Dinah offered some advice.

“Mum’s right. Just because she’s gone now doesn’t mean she will be. The future isn’t cemented. We can change it. It’s not all that hard to change honestly.” You explained, shrugging your shoulders.

“What? How do you know so much about time travel?”

“Aunt Sara used to take me on the waverider growing up. You and Laurel are great fighters but she wanted me to learn some League skills so she took me to Nanda Parbat where she, Nyssa and Talia taught me how to fight.”

You laughed when Rene and Dinah’s mouth dropped but was soon interrupted when your phone pinged with a message. It was Connor explaining that Mia had stormed out with Laurel and Grant had given a warning.

“We should get back, Mum. Rene, I’m sorry about Zoe. But I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure she’s alive. I can’t lose her again.”

***

After arriving back at the bunker and discussing the next steps, you watched Connor storm away and put on boxing gloves. You approached him just before he threw the first punch.

“What do you want, y/n?”

“I get that you’re angry. I am too.”

“Oh really? Your relationship with your Mum is fine. Mine with my dad is not.” He said snidely making you push him.

“For fuck’s sake, Connor. I’m pissed about Zoe. Your brother killed my best friend. I’m not just going to forget about that!” You whispered harshly, keeping your voice low to prevent your parents from hearing.

You then tied your hair up and discarded your top, leaving you in your sports bra.

“Come on, a moving target’s better.” You sighed, picking up two sets of bamboo sticks, throwing one to Connor.

The two of you began sparring, aware of your parents watching you both.

***

“I need 3 units at the docks and another 2 in Pennytown, okay?” Dinah ordered one of her officers.

After your sparring session, Curtis had explained that the drive that they had found had revealed that Grant was planning another siege. Everyone, with the exemption of you, Dinah and Rene, had left to take care of the bombs.

You then watched as another officer brought in a handcuffed male and sat him in a chair. You and your Mum looked in confusion when you saw the male place something under the chair.

Then all Hell broke loose. The individual put on a Deathstroke mask and began fighting officers. You and your Mum ran over to the chair when you were grabbed by the Deathstroke soldier.

You grabbed his arm and flipped yourself to get out of his grasp before ducking to miss one of his punches. He pulled a gun from one of the officers but before he could shoot anyone, you screamed your Canary Cry, effectively flinging him through a window where he slumped unconscious against a wall.

“BOMB!”

You ran back to your mother and kneeled on the ground beside her.

“Bomb squad’s not gonna get here in time.” Your mother said.

“I got this.”

You had been taught how to disable bombs from different people over the years. They were skills that definitely came in handy.

Removing the device from the chair, you gently placed it against the ground.

“It looks like an IED but there’s something different. The way it’s pulsating makes me think that it’s linked to an intervalometer meaning that there should be a transfer switch in the original device. Luckily if I disable this, it shouldn’t trigger anything. I just hope the intervalometer is with the rest of the team because Connor will be able to disable that.”

You started to inspect the device. You gently removed the plastic cap, revealing two wires. Pulling a switch knife out of your pocket, you grabbed the red wire and cut it, rendering the device harmless.

You sat back against your heels and let out a breath. When you looked up at Dinah, you saw a mixture of shock, surprise and pride on her face.

“God, you’re brilliant.” She said, hugging you close to her.

“Well, I am my Mother’s daughter.”

***

After defusing the bomb, Connor was able to do the same, leading to Grant’s capture and imprisonment in Blackgate. Everyone then went their separate ways to spend more time with their parents so you, Dinah and Laurel ended up going back to SCPD after getting some Big Belly Burger.

The three of you were laughing like you did back home and it made you smile as you thought back to some of your happier memories.

“That sounds gross, Laurel.”

“Just try it.”

Laurel pushed her milkshake towards you and Dinah so you both grabbed a fry and dipped it into the drink. Surprisingly, it tasted quite nice.

“Not bad, Laurel.” Your Mum said as they both smiled at each other.

Though you had revealed a lot about the future, there were a few things you had omitted from mentioning.

“So, here’s a question, y/n. Why do you call John, Rene and Oliver by their names but Sara by Aunt?” Laurel asked you, going full DA mode.

“Ummm, because she is?” You said, unable to think of a lie. “These fries are yum.” You said, swiftly changing the topic causing Dinah and Laurel to share a look.

“Okay, that was weird. I need to run a quick errand but I’ll be back in a bit to work out the logistics of the Canary network. See you, Dinah. Bye, y/n.”

“Bye, Mum.”

The words were out of your mouth before you could stop them. You covered your mouth with your hands, as if trying to will the words back in your mouth, but the damage was already done.

“I’m sorry, Mum?”

Your Mums looked at each other in shock and then at you.

“Oops.”

[morganas-pendragons]

Best Carol/Melissa Episodes

So I got bored in Quarantine and I was so moved by Look At The Flowers that I decided to make this list of the best episodes that either feature Carol/Melissa as a lead or she plays a large part in them. I haven’t seen S1-2 since like... 2014 as they’re my least favorite (i know i’m sorry but i did include honorable mentions) but I’m so freaking proud that I couldn’t not make this list. Here we go! Feel free to add to them! ** means they’re my favorite performances of Melissa! I do mention some scenes that are also with Norman/Daryl as he is a LARGE part of who Carol is. If you think it’s ‘’shippy’’ which it might be, don't read it. I worked on this for almost two hours. 

season 1

- for real, what woman keeps a grenade on hand? That was it. That was where I started paying attention to her. 

- also, the scene where she digs the pickaxe into Ed’s head? I think Daryl and I both fell for her then. 

season 2 

- the honorable mention!! the barn scene in which carol learns the fate of her daughter. I don’t remember most of s2, but this one I do. I think this might’ve been the first point in the show where I was like, “Hey Google, how to protect someone who isn’t real.’’

season 3

- walk with me: We get to see how Carol has changed during her time on the road after the farm and how much she’s learned. This is also, unfortunately, the last time we see her for a couple episodes until Daryl finds her in the cells below. 

- hounded: daryl finds carol. It’s sweet, it’s warm and soft and there’s alot of reunions and alot of mourning over T-Dog and Lori. 

season 4

- Carol has become a leader in her own right for this season. She teaches the kids how to defend themselves during the ruse of a story time and takes on Lizzie and Mika as her own after Ryan is bit. 

- indifference: After killing Karen and David to stop the spread out a virus, Rick takes it into his own hands to banish Carol. This one hurts too because it’s quite obvious why she did it. She did it to protect herself and the people she loves, but sometimes that’s just not enough. 

- the grove: emmy emmy emmy emmy material. Holy crap, I CANNOT stress this enough! This is the make or break episode for Carol as a character. There’s beauty and devastation and anguish all wrapped up into 45 minutes. This should’ve made Melissa well known. This should’ve won her multiple awards, and it didn’t. But we know. We know. 

season 5 

- sanctuary: this one goes down in history for multiple reasons, and most of us know them. 1.) Caryl reunions galore. Even if you don’t ship it, that moment is so, so sweet. 2.) If it weren’t for Carol, your fave would be dead. That’s literally it. 

- consumed: OOF. Really. 

- The back half of season 5 after the arrival at Alexandria is hilarious to me. Because these people are so sheltered from the darkness and the cruelty of the outside world that Carol takes on their own persona to blend in with them, to know the naivety of these people and to hide easily among them to get what she needs. This is also how she befriends Sam, who probably reminds her of Sophia which is why she’s so cruel to him. 

season 6 

- jss**: ‘’Miss Peletier, you are an honest to goodness hero.” No. Freaking. Way.  I remember watching this episode and rocking back and forth on my heels in anticipation because up until this point, I think this might’ve been one of the bloodiest moments in the show - and right in the center of it all is Carol - who is now of the mindset that, ‘’hey, we need to kill, we don’t have a choice.’’ and she portrays the internal struggle behind all of this so, so well. The scene with Melissa holding the body on the stairs was what won me over for this episode. It’s very much a merciless 45 minutes. 

- no way out: Carol is not a lead in this episode, but Melissa is very heavily influenced between this one and the previous because of her confrontation with Morgan. I remember how angry that made me, having to watch him bodyslam her (a former domestic abuse victim) against the floor. Outside of Carol, this episode is one of my favorites in the show. 

- not tomorrow yet/the same boat**: Carol moreso plays a bigger part in the latter as opposed to the former, but these two episodes really showcase two things: Her heart to protect her family (IE: A now pregnant Maggie) and her deteriorating mental state. Outside of The Grove, I think this is one of Melissa’s most powerful performances. it’s also the only female led ep in the show  

- east**: I cried the first time I watched this. Carol vs The Saviors, #2. This episode breaks between Morgan and Rick going out to look for her (HENCE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE QUOTES ABOUT CAROL: “That woman, she’s a force of nature.) I don’t think I really understood the power behind the eyes in the midst of television until I saw this episode. I can’t find the gif, but I’m sure most of you who’re reading this know what I’m talking about. 

- last day on earth**: again this episode shifts between perspectives as TF is trying to get Maggie to Hilltop for her pregnancy complication, but Melissa is stellar here. Carol doesn’t want to love because if she loves, she has to kill, and she attempts to manipulate one of the survivors from the massacre into doing what she can’t: taking her own life. She just wants to go, and Morgan won’t let her. This one is a bit darker, and the episode as a whole is not my favorite, but it’s definitely up there in my favorite performances for Melissa. 

season 7 

- the well: if there was ever an episode that would show you that Melissa aces comedy, it was this one. This is meant to be an introductory to The Kingdom, but the hilarity behind the way Carol talks to Ezekiel is so entertaining. It’s kind of hard to believe she ends up marrying the man (we’re not going into shipper discourse here, friends) but this one also shows you something through Carol’s eyes: The differences between people and walkers and her desire not to kill. She wants to hide, and she does. 

- new best friends: Daryl lies to Carol about what happened in the clearing with Negan. This one is so so heartfelt. It’s deeply intimate. It showcases two people who’d move heaven and earth to ensure the safety of the other, both physical and mental and emotional. Norman and Melissa aced this. I can’t say it more simply then that. 

- bury me here**: I love love love love love this episode. The entire thing is a metaphor, but I love it anyway. If I remember right, this is also the one where Morgan tells Carol about Glenn and Abraham. Remember what I said about the power behind a look? This is another instance in which Melissa shows she is the master of this. 

- carol spends alot of the time at the kingdom for the rest of the season and i cannot really remember any more memorable performances for this garbage, as they took my fave and reduced her to a side character for this and most of s8.

season 8 

- the only performance i will give any credit to in this season is 8x04, which is Some Guy. I barely remember the rest of it. Minus the moment where she finally saves a kid - Henry - instead of losing one. And a heartbreaking moment between her and Morgan that I also barely remember. Case in point, S8 was and still is garbage. 

season 9 

- 9x01-9x05 all have Carol in them because whenever Angela Kang took over the show, she had the brilliant idea to actually use her lead women as leads. Season 9 feels like an eternity ago and I can’t remember if she took over before or after AL signed off, but my point remains. Between Carol’s loyalty to Ezekiel because of Henry, (who she has now taken as her son), and their marriage, and her short stint as the leader of the Sanctuary as Negan is in confinement, there’s something in Carol here we haven’t seen in years. It’s something akin to peace, or as close as she’s gonna get to it. 9x03 and 9x04 (particularly the conversation b/t Rick and Carol) are my favorite of this cluster for her. 

- I almost dropped off after 9x05. I thought that was it, I thought that was gonna be where I ended. Nope. This woman - AK- took this show and made it what it had been and I’ll never be able to thank her enough for it. 

- Who Are You Now: I only remember this one because of the scene where Carol and Henry are in the carriage - side note: I really need to go back and rewatch this season again - but one of the things that caught my attention about the after of the bridge was how the relationships b/t parent and child are approached as significant. They’re not the future. The adults are building for the future of the kids. Michonne/Judith, Ezekiel/Henry and Carol/Henry. It’s sweet. Very sweet. 

- Stradivarius: this is a very Caryl heavy episode, but we find out something here: Even with being married to Ezekiel, Carol has still gone out to see Daryl where he resides by the same river that took Rick. Henry sees the relationship between him and his mother. It’s as obvious as the nose on your face. This one is just adorable. I love it. 

- The Calm Before**: Ow. OW OW OW OW OW. You want more pain? Here you go! Carol faces the dark truth as she crests the hill that holds her worst nightmare: Henry has died. She’s lost another kid. You wanna restrain yourself from breaking through the TV to comfort Carol for the umpteenth time as she breaks? Cool. That’s what you get here. 

- The Storm**: Split apart by the death of Henry, Carol and Ezekiel no longer remain married. She gives up that fairytale - one of the happiest she’d ever had - and begins wallowing in her suffering over the loss of her son. Heartbreak and grief do not come easily to her. They never have. Can you imagine being suffocated by things you’ve never talked about? Can you imagine having to live every day with your grief? Well, look here... that’s exactly what Carol does, and you want to know who her guiding force is? 

It’s Daryl. 

season 10 

- I remember when Season 10 aired, I watched the first episode in Kenya and loved it. I’d heard something about how PTSD was a BIG factor in the progression of the story throughout this season, and as someone who wants to go into mental health counseling, I was so intrigued by this that every single episode kept my eyes glued to the TV. Carol is the lead female now besides Michonne, but I’m gonna tell you every single favorite episode of mine anyway. 

- Ghosts: Carol makes a mistake and fires at Alpha when they meet her at the border. She wears a mask that’s so composed it’s almost hard to see the heartbreak beneath it, and that’s the point. She’s not considering her life. She’s considering vengeance for the life that was taken. This is a constant circle for her. Alot of people are tired of this arc and I get it, I do. But the difference between this one and the three seasons previous is that we’re meant to get to a resolution now. This episode broke my heart. Especially the last scene in the gym. 

- Bonds: Another Caryl heavy episode. I love this one. It’s very lighthearted compared to the rest of the season. 

- Open Your Eyes**: This one is utterly terrifying and eerily reminiscent of the one in S2 where Daryl interrogates Randall. Carol, having just brought back a Whisperer from her escapade with Daryl, interrogates him to find out the location of Alpha’s horde without any real consideration for the people around her. She also uses Lydia for her own personal gain, and I’m not gonna lie - Even though this one is one of my favorites because of Avi Nash (WHO WAS SUCH A GOOD ADDITION TO THE SHOW I LOVED HIM AS SIDDIQ) This episode made me so angry because of Carol’s motives. 

-  The World Before**: And when I said I was angry, this episode turned it all into heartbreak. This one remains one of my favorite of the show and of Carol for one very specific reason: The scene in the woods between her and Daryl. 

As someone who has never done grieving well, this scene hit me so. hard. She’s so set on this path of vengeance and blood that she’s neglecting a very real truth that she has never done well: talking about her burdens, talking about the pain and if she does that, if she acknowledges it, then she will hurt. 

- Squeeze: I don’t have to talk about this. I just have to show you. 

Ow. Please, please let her heal. I’m so tired of seeing her hurt. 

- 10x11 and 10x12 don’t really have Carol, and neither does 10x13, but she’s there. We see her a couple of times, we have a conversation or two. Let me get to the penultimate moment. One we’ve waited for years to see and which next week will give us the rest of. 

- LOOK AT THE FLOWERS*****: You can be a Carol fan for five minutes or five years and still somehow managed to love her MORE after watching this one. There’s a couple reasons why this one is probably in my top 3 for both Melissa and Carol as a whole. 

1. I have waited years to see Negan meet Carol. JDM has made it very clear how he feels about MMB and I knew, I knew, that once this interaction happened I would not be disappointed. I should’ve realized she was the one who let Negan out, but I didn’t. That entire first scene is gold. 

2. This entire episode is just.. art. The fact that Carol’s darker side takes the form of the being of her hatred - Alpha - is fitting, and it’s also the first time we’ve really gotten an actual dialogue about multiple things that have formed her character for the last several seasons: The Grove, the loss of Sophia, Ed... It’s heartbreaking to see because she keeps telling herself pushing people away is better, it’s better to be alone because there’s no one to burden, and the darker side of her asks a very simple question: What do you want? 

Her answer is clear, at least to her. I want to be alone. But the fact that the darker part of her, the one that keeps calling out on Connie, doesn’t agree. No. There’s something deeper. Something she’s too afraid to acknowledge. 

3. That whole final scene. Wow. I’ve watched it like four times because Samantha Morton is just so good as Alpha, as Carol’s dark counterpart, trying to mock and taunt her into doing the one thing she never was able to do herself: Dying. This episode is dark because of this realization. “Look at the flowers’’ is akin to ‘’It’ll all be over soon.” but instead of choosing death, instead  of choosing the one thing that would let it be over, she chooses life. She essentially chooses to fight for herself which she has not done in YEARS. The minute she acknowledges that it’s never too late (FOR WHAT?? HM??) the demons disappear. I think that this point into 10x15 will give us two things that every Carol fan is desperate for: Healing for Carol (FINALLY!), and a resolution to this endless arc of suffering. 

Also... Why do we think that Daryl is the one who ends up welcoming her home? Why is he the one who opens the gate? 

Long story short: I love this character. I love Melissa McBride as she is one of the most down-to-earth, humble and compassionate actresses in Hollywood. It’s a shame she’s not gonna be recognized by The Academy because if ever there was an actor/actress on this show to win, it’d be her. 

[esther-dot]

Hi! I'm almost 100% sure jonsa won't happen in the sequel. Anyway, I was wondering, if for some reason it does happen, what do think the reaction of general audience would be?

I think it depends on how they contextualized it. Would the writers present it as the explanation for all the weird tension between them and jealous/protectiveness they have for each other? You could very easily have another moment of Jon threatening a man when he mentions Sansa only this time Sansa sees it and her reaction would set off that little “oh” for the audience. Or Sansa could be jealous during another celebration when a woman flirts with Jon and the audience would be prompted to think “I knew that scene in 8x04 was odd!” You could have that and then in one of their arguments one of them kiss the other—that would make it feel like yeah, this was always in the cards, we’re just finally doing it. And then, even if audiences sigh, and think, “Really Jon? Another relative?” It wouldn’t feel like it’s just to shock the audience but built on what was already there.

If they carefully work towards Jonsa becoming explicitly romantic, I think people could shrug and say “well, it’s GoT,” and then see why it makes sense. Jon was KitN, he can’t go and have a family with someone else because it would be a threat to Sansa’s life/rule, so there’s logic why it has to be Jonsa if Jon is to have a family. Not that I think the sequel will care, but theoretically, that should be a big concern for the characters.

Also, as much as show Jonsa will always have their arguments, if the writers were going for a romance, they’d stop pretending that Jon and Sansa are morally opposed. D&D convinced the audience that a disagreement over the manner of ruling between people who had the same goals (protecting their family and their people) were more at odds than a person coming to conquer said people. They wouldn’t be trying to hide the rise of a villain, so they wouldn’t tease Dark Sansa and this would mean allowing for the audience to appreciate who Sansa is, the significance of what she did in embracing Jon as a Stark, her loyalty to him regardless of how betrayed she felt because of his decisions, and I think unbiased people would respond well to that.

Even so, there would be a lot of comparisons to Jaime/Cersei because Sansa was painted as Cersei 2.0 by D&D, and I think there’d be the tendency to say it’s just trying to recreate the shocking moments of GoT in a weird way that destroys the Starks. I really don’t know that that would be the overwhelming reaction though. I’m trying to imagine scrolling through Twitter if something happened, and I don’t think it would turn people off of the show even if it wasn’t written well, they’d just think it was dumb. If properly developed, I think the reception could be neutral to positive even if critics panned it. It’s just hard to imagine the sequel going there after GoT rested so much on Jxnerys’s doomed love, but a sequel has a reputation to live up to and I don’t think the general audiences would be as bothered by it as the people in the fandom who hate Sansa would be.

I’m with you, I don’t expect Jonsa at all, but it is fun to think about how they could do it!

[impracticaljokerssub]

ADVERTENCIA El siguiente programa contiene escenas de estupidez gráfica entre cuatro amigos que compiten para avergonzarse entre sí.

Qué tal a todos y bienvenidos!

Aquí iré subiendo capítulos de Impractical Jokers subtitulados al español a medida que vayan emitiéndolos por TruTV Latinoamérica. Y mientras me sea posible, claro. El subtitulado proviene de ellos y yo me ocupo de capturarlo del canal de cable. Para los usuarios de celulares, es recomendable usar un navegador web para la correcta visualización de la página en lugar de la aplicación.

Subir todo esto costó bastante trabajo y tomó mucho de mi tiempo así que me hice una cuenta en Cafecito.app para que, si lo sienten, puedan contribuir con unos pesos, lo que me ayudaría un montón y me alienta a seguir subiendo contenido de estos cuatro bromistas que tanto queremos. De nuevo, si lo sienten y quieren, todo monto es más que bienvenido :)

https://cafecito.app/impracticalespanol

Muchas gracias y que lo disfruten!

- Fran, admin

(Actualizado: 22/12/2020)

Capítulos disponibles:

TEMPORADA 1

1x01 - Pay It Forward 1x02 - Butterfly Crime Scene 1x03 - Unmotivational Speaker 1x04 - Boardwalk of Shame 1x05 - Drawing a Blank 1x06 - Panty Raid 1x07 - Out of TP 1x08 - Who Arted 1x09 - A Loser Presents 1x10 - What Did I Eat? 1x11 - Starfart Macchiato 1x12 - Bellydancer 1x13 - Charity Case 1x14 - Theater del Absurdo 1x15 - Pick a Loser 1x16 - Supercuts

TEMPORADA 2

2x01 - The Stoop Sessions Part 1 2x02 - The Stoop Sessions Part 2 2x03 - Elephant in the Room 2x04 - Art Attack 2x05 - Strip High Five 2x06 - Birds and the Bees 2x07 - Sound EffeXXX 2x09 - Psychotic Not-Line 2x10 - The Truth Hurts 2x11 - Get Out of Dodge 2x12 - The Love Expert 2x13 - Out of Fashion 2x14 - Scaredy Cat 2x15 - Joker vs. Joker

TEMPORADA 3

3x01 - Look Out Below 3x02 - The Great Escape 3x03 - Field of Screams 3x04 - Nationals Disaster 3x05 - Bonus Footage 3x06 - Toasted 3x07 - Scarytales 3x08 - Inside the Vault 3x09 - Bigger in Texas 3x10 - Snow Way Out 3x11 - Takes the Cake 3x12 - Anniversary Edition 3x13 - Jokers Playhouse 3x14 - Make Womb for Daddy 3x15 - Puncture Perfect 3x16 - Junk in the Trunk 3x17 - The Good, the Bad, and the Uncomfortable 3x18 - Baggage Shame 3x19 - Quantum Mock-anics 3x20 - Clash of the Jokers 3x21 - Tooth & Consequences 3x22 - Fe-Mail 3x23 - The Lost Boy 3x24 - Up Loser’s Creek 3x25 - In Poor Taste Buds 3x26 - The Permanent Punishment 3x27 - Parks and Wreck 3x28 - A Legendary Fail 3x29 - B-I-N-G-NO 3x30 - Just Say No 3x31 - Brother-in-Loss

TEMPORADA 4

4x01 - Welcome to Miami 4x02 - Below the Belt 4x03 - Uncool and the Gang 4x04 - Wrong Playwright 4x05 - Elevating The Game 4x06 - The Blunder Years 4x07 - Deal With The Devils 4x08 - Damned If You Do 4x09 - The Dream Crusher 4x10 - Joke & Dagger 4x11 - Pseudo-Sumo 4x12 - Car Sick 4x13 - Cruisin' For A Bruisin' 4x14 - Bathroom Break 4x16 - Captain Fatbelly 4x17 - Sneaking Number Twos, Going Number One 4x18 - Blind Justice 4x19 - Tied and Feathered 4x20 - Smushed 4x21 - Live Punishment Special 4x22 - The Big Uneasy 4x23 - Hopeless and Changeless 4x24 - Stripped of Dignity 4x25 - The Taunted House 4x26 - Doomed

TEMPORADA 5

5x01 - HellCopter 5x02 - You're Cut Off 5x03 - Ruffled Feathers 5x04 - Stare Master 5x05 - Bidder Loser 5x06 - The Good, The Bad, and the Punished 5x07 - Putting the P in Pool 5x08 - Statue of Limitations 5x09 - Brother of the Sisterhood 5x10 - Dark Side of the Moon 5x11 - Whose Phone Is Ringing? 5x12 - Centaur of Attention 5x13 - Browbeaten 5x14 - The Coward 5x15 - Virtual Insanity 5x16 - Laundry Day 5x18 - Hitting the Wrong Note 5x19 - Heckle and Hide 5x22 - Ash Clown 5x23 - Spider Man 5x24 - Stage Fright 5x25 - Training Day 5x26 - Nitro Circus Spectacular

TEMPORADA 6

6x01 - Swim Shady 6x02 - Lady and the Tramp 6x03 - The Parent Trap 6x04 - Catastrophe 6x05 - Vampire Weakened 6x06 - Footloose 6x07 - X-Man 6x08 - Medium, Well Done 6x09 - Drum and Drummer 6x11 - Stuffed Turkey 6x12 - Crickets 6x13 - Universal Appeal  6x14 - Paradise Lost 6x15 - Mime and Punishment 6x16 - Three Men and Your Baby 6x17 - The Q-Pay 6x18 - Rubbed the Wrong Way 6x19 - Flatfoot the Pirate 6x20 - Remember the Pact 6x21 - Silence of the Lame 6x22 - The Walking Dread 6x23 - Take Me Out at The Ball Game 6x24 - The Party Crasher

TEMPORADA 7

7x01 - The Marathon Man 7x02 - Guilty as Charged 7x03 - No Good Deed 7x04 - Stripteased 7x05 - Indecent Proposal 7x06 - Turning the Tables 7x07 - Lords of the Ring 7x08 - No Child Left Behind 7x09 - Pulling the Rug 7x10 - Speech Impediment 7x11 - Card Against Humanity 7x12 - Bull Shiatsu 7x13 - The Running Of The Bullies 7x14 - The Needy and the Greedy 7x15 - Washed Up 7x16 - To Hatch A Predator 7x17 - Like A Boss 7x18 - Chick Magnet 7x19 - Dropping Knowledge 7x20 - Hump Day 7x21 - Out of Left Field 7x22 - Autograph Corrector 7x23 - The Bogey Man 7x24 - Hell On Wheels 7x26 - Staten Island Holiday Spectacular

TEMPORADA 8

8x01 - Crash Test Dummies 8x02 - The Closer 8x03 - Tipping Point 8x04 - Full Mental Jacket 8x05 - Blue Man Dupe 8x06 - The Dumbbell 8x07 - The Eggman 8x08 - Cake Loss 8x09 - The Antisocial Network 8x10 - Off the Reservation 8x11 - Fraudway 8x12 - The Show Stopper 8x13 - Sucks for You 8x14 - Well... 8x15 - The Prize Fighter 8x16 - Sun-Fan Lotion 8x17 - Urine Trouble 8x18 - Irritable Vowel Syndrome 8x19 - Bad Carma 8x20 - Fast Feud

ESPECIALES

British Invasion A Day in the Life (Making of) Unseen Scenes All Aboard! One Night Stand Up Joker for a Day - Part 2 The Murray Jury Sizing Up Sal Judging Joe Critiquing Q Humiliation for the Holidays Fan-tastic Countdown   Punishment Countdown March Madness Showdown March Madness Bracket Attack

EN ESPAÑOL LATINO

2x11 - Get Out of Dodge 2x12 - The Love Expert 2x13 - Out of Fashion 3x08 - Inside the Vault 3x17 - The Good, the Bad, and the Uncomfortable 5x16 - Laundry Day 5x17 - Water Torture 5x18 - Hitting the Wrong Note 5x19 - Heckle and Hide 5x20 - The Chairman 5x21 - Wrapper's Delight 5x22 - Ash Clown 5x23 - Spider Man 5x24 - Stage Fright 5x25 - Training Day

AFTER PARTY

1x01 - The Q-Pay (6x17) 1x02 - Rubbed the Wrong Way (6x18) 1x03 - Flatfoot the Pirate (6x19) 1x04 - Remember the Pact (6x20) 1x05 - Silence of the Lame (6x21)  1x06 - The Walking Dread (6x22)  1x07 - Take Me Out at The Ball Game (6x23)  1x08 - The Party Crasher (6x24) 1x09 - Dover and Out (6x25) 3x01 - Crash Test Dummies (8x01) 3x02 - The Closer (8x02) 3x03 - Tipping Point (8x03) 3x04 - Off the Reservation (8x10) 3x05 - Fraudway (8x11)

Puedes ver Impractical Jokers por TruTV Latinoamérica todos los días a las 06.00, 14.00 y 22.00 hs.

[smoaking-greenarrow]

Sweet and Fiery (8x04 Bonus Scene)

Read on AO3

It's really hard to sleep in the place where Mia knows her parents had once wanted to call their home. They'd wanted it to be her home. They'd wanted a life for her and William, raised as siblings, as family. And how could that not break her heart? Knowing that for her dad, that dream still seems possible. Knowing that her mom, who hadn't even been able to tell her that she has a brother, had wanted them to grow up together.

As angry as she is at Oliver, Mia can see that his intention was never to keep her and William apart. He'd never wanted Star City to become the nightmare that she's seen. He'd never meant for her to be alone most of her life, having no other option but to hide. To be trained by Nyssa al Ghul and live her life in constant fear, always looking over her shoulder.

Oliver didn't intend for any of that to happen.

For some reason, he believed that after his death, they could go on living as if his absence wouldn't send a ripple not only through their family, but the entire city.

Unfortunately, Mia knows better.

Her dad is going to die under that hood, and he'd never get the chance to see her grow up. The fact that they'd been dropped in 2019 doesn't change that. It doesn't change that she'd never known him, or that her mom was forced to mourn him for the next twenty years. Mia has no idea what Oliver sees when he looks at her, but she knows what she sees when she looks at him.

A martyr.

Since she isn't going to get any sleep anytime soon, Mia pushes out from under the covers, moving on silent feet across the bedroom. She reaches the door and opens it slowly, just a crack, and listens.

The apartment is silent aside from the sound of William's snoring.

Quickly, she slips out of the room and down the hall. The space is full of boxes, some of them still unpacked, as if her parents had intended to return, just like Oliver said. As Mia tip-toes through the kitchen, she notices her dad asleep on the couch, his arms folded over his chest and a perpetual frown pulling his lips downward.

It's a place that he looks comfortable in. Of course, this is home to him. But Mia can't imagine her mother living here. It isn't just the dark, cold interior of the place, although that doesn't seem like her mom at all. But more than that, Felicity had kept far away from Star City for as long as Mia could remember; with good reason. It's just hard to imagine her mom, the always-jumpy, constantly-looking-over-her-shoulder woman, so at ease in this apartment; preparing to raise children in this city.

And Mia isn't quite sure what to do with herself here, either.

No matter what Oliver said, it's impossible to ignore the fact that he's a stranger to her. Yet she also couldn't shake the desire to know him. Even now, a part of her wants to nudge him awake, talk to him, ask him a million questions, let him hug her. And somehow, that all seems so much scarier.

He's always been a ghost, a "what if" in her life. Mia had never even considered the possibility of meeting him, and definitely not the 2019 version of him. But she can't stop thinking about what she'd said to her mom, back at Oliver's grave. After she'd met her brother and they'd found Felicity, after they'd taken down the wall and everything was said and done...she wished she had gotten the chance to know Oliver.

Isn't that exactly what she has here? A chance to know him?

And if another flash of white light comes tomorrow and sends her back to 2040, would it have all been worth it?

Taking a few steps forward, Mia releases a shaky breath, trying to build up the courage to wake up her sleeping father, the stranger, and open a door that she isn't sure should be opened.

She's just about to touch his shoulder when she sees the photo on the table from earlier. Mia hesitates, caught off guard again. When Oliver had first brought them here and she'd seen the picture, she'd wanted to pick it up and take a closer look. But it isn't Oliver in the shot that strikes her. It's her mom.

Felicity looks more at peace in this one snapshot of a moment than Mia has ever seen her.

With a huff of surprise, she takes the picture now, pulling it close to her face to analyze the expression on Felicity's face. And she slumps back into the chair behind her, in awe.

Apparently her slight movement is enough to stir Oliver, and Mia freezes as he sits up on the couch, sucking in a breath. She stares at him, pressing the frame against her chest as his eyes dart around the room for a brief moment. Once he's centered, remembering where he is, he notices her in the chair, and he stares back at her with the same expression that Mia assumes is reflected on her own face.

Shock. Disbelief. She doesn't take a breath and she's pretty sure that he doesn't either. Because even if they've had a few days to process all of this time travel nonsense, it will never take the away the ache in her chest when she looks this man in the eye. Her mother often spoke of him as if he was a saint. Her brother would probably call him a legend. But how could Mia see him as anything other than a ghost?

Oliver slowly sits up, swinging his legs over the couch and pushing aside the blanket that'd been strewn over his body. "Hi," he whispers gently, hesitantly. "Couldn't sleep?"

Mia shakes her head, trying to catch her breath again and praying that the darkness is hiding the moisture in her eyes.

"Me either," Oliver shrugs, scratching his hand through his hair as if she hadn't woken him up. And Mia tries not to laugh at that, both of them knowing that he'd been fast asleep just a few moments ago. But Oliver catches the hint of a smile on her face, and he returns it with his own. He sighs, leaning back against the couch again as he watches her.

"Sorry to wake you," Mia offers, unable to take her eyes off of him.

Oliver just shrugs again, raising a hand to gesture at the photograph she's still clutching, hugging it to her chest. "What do you have there?"

A wave of embarrassment runs through her, followed with a blush that reddens her face and neck. And again, she's grateful for the darkness in the room. Of course, she can't hide what she'd been doing. So instead, Mia leans forward, setting the frame back down on the table where she'd first seen it.

Oliver's eyes shift from Mia to the photo, his face falling slightly. "That's one of Felicity's favorites," he says quietly. "She loves that picture, she loved that adventure." His eyebrows push together, and Mia feels a strange sense of familiarity, seeing herself in her father's expression. She assumes that he's thinking about whatever memory the photograph comes with, so his next words take her off guard. "Your mom doesn't have it? I—I just—you haven't seen this picture before?"

Eyes wide, Mia shakes her head.

"Does she...Did she keep any? Pictures of me, I mean?"

Mia cocks her head to the side, watching him. "Some," she answers carefully. "Most that I've seen of you are from when I was a baby. Or you in the hood." It's an honest answer, but there's still a part of her that wants him to know the pain he's caused, because she isn't sure he understands the vastness of it. And part of her needs him to feel it, too...because Monte Cristos and a heart to heart over their combined losses isn't going to fix this. "I guess pictures like this were just too hard for her to have around the house."

Oliver swallows, forcing a smile as he nods in acknowledgement. "I'm sorry, Mia...for so much. I know you think that I don't understand. And maybe I don't, not exactly, at least. But there's been a weight on my chest since the second I walked away from your mother. I just want you to know that I didn't leave you because I want to play the hero. There's nothing that I want more than to be back there with the two of you."

Leaning forward, Mia picks up the frame again, looking down at it as she feels her father's eyes on her. They can't avoid this conversation forever. Guess it's time to jump. "You know...it's strange. My whole life, I was told that you were a hero," her voice is low, her eyes never moving from the photo. "And then I decided that if that were true, you would've been there. If you were really a hero, you never would have left us. All of that anger, and confusion, led me to Star City. I left mom, too."

He doesn't speak, but Mia hears the uneven breath he lets out. Still she can't look at him. "I left her because I was upset with her for lying to me. We argued, and I left, and the next thing I knew, she was in trouble. She'd been digging into Rene and all of the corruption in the city. When it came back to bite her, I wasn't there to stop them."

"Felicity—" Oliver gasps her name, fear in his voice, and Mia's eyes finally fly up to meet his.

"She's okay," Mia immediately assures him. "We saved her. But now..." Oliver bites his lip, his eyes wet with tears. "She's on the run. I haven't spoken to her in months...because it's not safe. My mom is alone right now. Hiding. And before that, she was being kept hostage. William and I are doing everything we can to make Star City safe, to make it right." She feels her own emotion bubbling to the surface, joining Oliver in the tears that already cover his face. "And maybe I've just been afraid to admit it, or worried that it will make me look weak...but I miss her."

Finally, Oliver stands up from the couching, reaching her in two strides. Without a word, he takes her hand and pulls her up, too, wrapping his arms around her, leaving her arm and the frame wedged awkwardly between them but neither of them notice or care.

God, she's never felt this small. Or this protected.

Even though Mia knows she has every right to be upset with her father, it's impossible not to melt into his embrace. After a stunned moment, she hugs him back with her free arm, her fingers latching onto his sleeve as she buries her face in his chest. "It's okay, Mia," he mumbles, holding her tighter. "It's okay to miss her. I miss her every day." Oliver's hand cups the back of her head, shielding her, assuring her. His arms are an unexpected, welcomed comfort that almost feels as if they've been doing this her entire life. "You're safe here, it's all going to be okay."

Taking in a deep breath, Mia squeezes her eyes shut tight, wanting to believe every word coming out of his mouth. But how could he know? She only knows Oliver through the stories her mom would tell. She can't help but see him how Felicity saw him. A hero. But this is also the same man who left and never came back.

And it isn't lost on Mia that the time for that to happen is soon.

Nudging out of his arms, she takes a step back, sniffling and looking away from him. Oliver's face crumples while Mia puts up her wall again, keeping herself a safe distance away, holding out the frame for him to take.

After staring at her for a moment, Oliver finally nods, reaching for the picture without taking his eyes off of her. "I, uh, I'm sorry that you never got to see us like that, Mia. And I want you to know...the way that I feel about your mom..." he shakes his head, giving her a watery smile. "She's the love of my life."

Mia lifts her shoulder, crossing her arms as soon as the frame is out of her hands. "Mom said the same thing about you. But you were gone, and she never really got over you. To me...that just seemed sad."

"Well," Oliver pinches his lips together, squirming as she analyzes him, trying to see what it is about him that left her mom mourning for twenty years. Trying to understand. "I'm sure that wherever I...went...I never got over her, either." He looks down at the picture, smiling through the pain this conversation is digging at. "We love each other with everything we have. I hope that at the very least, you can see that."

Coming towards him, Mia straightens her back, her jaw clenching. She points down at the picture, "you really don't get it, do you?" Oliver opens his mouth, taken aback by her sudden anger, and closes it. "When I look at that picture, I don't see two people who loved each other with everything they had. In fact, I barely notice you at all. When I look at this, all I can see is a woman who looks like my mother, but somehow, she's not the person I know."

"What do you mean?"

Mia rolls her eyes, grabbing the frame back out of his hand. "This woman looks relaxed, carefree, and in love," she gestures to the picture. "But my mom? More than anything, what I saw in her was fear and paranoia. I never left Bloomfield, because mom was terrified that I'd be put in danger for who I am. For being your daughter," she explains, venom in her tone. "I didn't go to school, I didn't have friends. I spent every day studying with Felicity and every night training with Nyssa al Ghul."

Oliver raises his hands, like he's yielding. Surrendering. "I'm sure that your mom did what she had to do, Mia. She kept you safe."

Tossing her arms to the side, Mia scoffs. "At what cost!? She drove herself sick with worry to do it! And all because you weren't there. She kept me hidden, not safe."

"Mia," Oliver's voice is one of warning, that parental tone that comes so naturally to him, yet gets under her skin like nothing else. "I don't need to know what happens in 2040 to know that Felicity did the right thing."

She shakes her head, her energy draining. "You're misunderstanding me," Mia whispers. "She has the biggest heart in the world, and I know she was protecting me. But what did she get out of it? Because I've never seen her like this," Mia points to the photo. "I'm not blaming mom." Mia raises her chin towards Oliver, narrowing her eyes. "I blame you."

"That's fair," Oliver responds without missing a beat. "I understand why you're angry at me, Mia." He reaches for her again, but the idea of being lulled into the false security that her soon-to-die father provides is...petrifying.

Mia lifts her hand, and Oliver instantly stops, just like he had in the bunker.

"I know that I can't make up for not being there to raise you," he eventually whispers after a long, tense silence. "But I don't want to miss the chance to know you now, okay? And I can see...Mia, I can see how difficult this is for you, but I think you want the same thing, too."

There's still so much they don't understand. It's not that simple. "We have no idea why the Monitor brought us all here," she mumbles, crossing her arms tightly over her chest again, as if it will protect her. As if this form of self-preservation can keep her safe from having her heart ripped out when she inevitably has to say goodbye to her dad. When she has to lose him again. "We have no idea how long it's going to last. How can you ask me that?" Tears fill her eyes, making her vision blurry. "How can you ask me to know you, to spend time with you...when this is the year that you die?"

Oliver inhales, reaching for her again. And Mia doesn't stop him when he runs an unsure thumb across her cheek, wiping away a tear. Both of his hands land on her shoulders, anchoring her to this moment. "Mia, I have been trying, so hard, since I left the cabin to be okay with my choice. I thought I was doing the right thing. I don't know what the Monitor's game is, but I can't stop thinking about the future you and William have told me about. And to be honest, I'm having a harder time than ever accepting that decision."

Her heart tightens in her chest, "dad...what are you saying?"

"I'm saying...if there's one thing that your mom taught me, it's that we can always find another way. That's what I want to do, Mia. I want to find another way to survive this Crisis that doesn't end up with Star City in shambles, with you and William never knowing each other, and with Felicity...not having me there to help raise you both."

Mia stares at him in disbelief. "You're serious? You want to try to prevent your own death?"

He nods, squeezing her shoulders. "Yeah, I do. If it means watching you and William turn my hair gray over the next twenty years, then of course I do."

At that, Mia smiles. "Wow...okay. I only wish mom was here. You know, I wish I could tell her. When I was a kid, she always had this strange way of talking about you. Like you were dead but not gone. She used to say that you were still with us, watching out for us, but I could tell how sad it made her.”

Oliver doesn’t bother hiding his emotion, bringing his shaking hand to his lips. And Mia flinches, a wave of guilt running through her, because this time, she hadn't meant to cut him with her words. Not like she'd been trying to do earlier. Thankfully, Oliver composes himself quickly, maybe seeing that she hadn't been trying to hurt him. “Listen, Mia...about that...I think it's time we told your mom what's going on here. Well, you know, your 2019 mom."

Not expecting him to say that, Mia raises her eyebrows. "You're not afraid of messing with the timeline or whatever William and Curtis were rambling about?"

With a shrug, Oliver pulls out his phone, "I think the whole point is to mess with the timeline, isn't it? Change it. And dealing with something like this, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on our side than Felicity."

"Wait," Mia stops him, putting her hand over his as he scrolls through his phone. Oliver glances down at her in confusion. "You're just...you're just going to call her and I mean, like, tell her that her children are back from the future?"

He blinks, keeping his hand steady under hers. "Well...yes."

"Right," she breathes. "Because for you and mom, that's just a normal Tuesday."

Oliver grins, shaking his head as he turns his hand over to squeeze Mia's.

"Yeah, okay. Let's just," Mia sighs, shaking off her nerves as if this isn't as big of a deal as it feels. "Let's just call her."

Yet part of Mia can't help but worry that this Felicity won't take to her so kindly. She had been quite cold to her dad, after all. Mia doubts that the woman in the cabin is prepared to navigate her adult daughter bickering with her husband. Would she be mad at her for the way she spoke to Oliver? Would they argue about this, too? Or would she understand?

"Hey," Oliver gets her attention, looking at her as if he can read her mind. "There's nothing to be afraid of," he gives her a small, innocent shrug. "It's just your mom."

Mia lets out a breathy laugh, "oh, please. I'm sure we both know how scary her loud voice is."

"Good point," Oliver chuckles back. Then he nods once, "Okay. Let's do this."

He holds his phone out in front of him, leaving the speaker on as it rings. After the shrill fills the silent room, Felicity's groggy voice answers. "Oliver?"

As she looks up at her dad, Mia sees the way he smiles at the sound of her mom's voice, and even something as simple as that...it mends pieces of her heart that she'd never been able to admit were broken. The soft expression on his face isn't one that Mia has seen before, leaving her to wonder if it's especially reserved for Felicity. "Hi," he greets her, "sorry to wake you."

"It's okay. I'm glad you called," Felicity assures him, despite the fact that her words are muffled by a yawn.

Oliver's lips tilt into an even bigger smile, his eyes on the phone. "How are my girls?"

"Tired," Felicity groans. And even her voice carries a lightness that's unfamiliar to Mia. "I just got the baby back to sleep. She's been waking up so much during the night lately. And then its like trying to wrestle a tiny alligator to get her to relax again. You know, I totally think this is your fault. No child of mine would hate sleeping as much as Mia seems to. And we both know you're a two-hours-a-night-is-just-fine kind of guy. Insanity, Oliver. Insanity."

"Felicity—"

"Or maybe she just expects to see you. I swear, when I heard her fussing and went to get her out of the crib, she glared at me. I think she's just used to seeing your face for these late night visits. But maybe it's just me, hoping that she remembers you, you know? Anyway, we're both good. She's getting quite the little personality, actually. You know her...sweet and fiery as ever. And she's determined as hell to start crawling any day now."

Mia holds her breath while her mom babbles, already being thrown a stack of information that she hadn't known before. She was restless as a baby. And they had some kind of ritual where Oliver would get up to take care of her when she cried in the middle of the night. And they joked about her being sweet and fiery?

Well, she'd definitely shown Oliver plenty of fire upon their second introduction.

"Hey," he tries again, his voice barely above a whisper as he tries to get Felicity to slow down. But Mia knows as well as he does how hard that can be when she's on a roll. "There's something I need to tell you." Oliver speaks slowly, lifting his eyes to look at Mia again.

"You're in Star City," Felicity fires back without a pause. Mia chokes on her breath, covering it with a cough that gives her away. "Oh," Felicity squeaks, "you're...in Star City and you're not alone. Who was that?"

Oliver sighs, "how did you know I'm here?"

Felicity clears her throat, "I found you on Earth 2, ye of little faith. But last time you called, you were in Hong Kong...what errand does the Monitor have you on back at home?"

"Well, um," Oliver takes a deep breath, preparing himself. "I don't really know. That's why I called, I—I'm not sure what's going on, and I could really use your help."

"Of course, Oliver." Her voice is soft, encouraging him because she can probably tell how nervous he is. "What do you need?"

"First, there's something you should know..."