#Ok at least Buck and Tommy are happy in that last one??? And at least Sal knows Tommy is safe/loved???

[quintessenceofdust88]

perfect (it's not all it's cracked up to be)

Hello everyone! I promised you guys that the sequel for this prompt would be up by the weekend, right? Turns out I only sorta lied cause it's still Monday hehe. I hope you enjoy it!

You can read it on AO3 if you'd prefer! ❤️

When Tommy wakes up, it’s like his body is on fire and freezing at the same time; half of his body feels numb, and the other half is hurting like never before. Huh, maybe his father had a point and all queer freaks end up in hell. Then again, considering one of his last deeds on Earth was walking out on sunshine itself, maybe it’s not about his queerness after all; it’s about Tommy himself. 

He hears a heart monitor at his side, and that gives him pause; he doesn’t think the afterlife bothers with medical devices, so… So maybe he’s alive? If only opening his eyes didn’t feel like it would hurt so much, Tommy could try and find out (not that he knows what hell looks like; it could be like a hospital room, for all he knows). He tries it anyway, letting out a grunt as it, indeed, hurts like a bitch. 

“Oh my God, you’re awake!” A voice says to his right side, and yeah, now Tommy’s pretty sure he’s not in hell. Evan Buckley doesn’t belong in hell, not even as part of Tommy’s eternal torture. 

As his vision clears, Tommy sees Evan is on a chair by his side, and he looks… Rough. There’s stubble covering his cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. He’s looking at Tommy with despair clearly written in his permanently wet eyes, as if he’s afraid Tommy will disappear if he looks away. And to Tommy, it’s still instinct to comfort Evan, to try and find something to say that’ll make him feel better.

“You found your present” He says dumbly, his eyes not leaving the burgundy hoodie that’s so beautifully wrapped around Evan’s frame, making him look as cozy and adorable as Tommy expected. And, well. It might not have been the smartest thing to say, but he supposes there’s a lot of morphine going through his body right now. 

“Well, yeah, after you told my sister where it was as your helicopter crashed? After you wished me Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as your parting words?! It wasn’t so difficult” He answers with a somewhat hysterical chuckle. “What the hell, Tommy?! You’re too much of a coward to actually let yourself be loved and see a future with me, but not to send a farewell message to me through dispatch?! You’re unbelievable!”

“Buck…” He starts, but it’s clear he won’t get to say anything this time. For one, his brain is still working a little too slow to translate thoughts into words. Evan seems to notice it, and lets out a defeated sigh. 

“We… We’ll talk later, ok? Let’s get a doctor to check on you first. Sorry, that should have been the first thing I did” He says grumpily, and presses the button by Tommy’s bed. 

From them on, it’s a flutter of doctors and nurses, and Tommy learns the extent of the damage: a broken femur, at least five crushed ribs and a small concussion, not to mention the thousand bruises that turned his whole left side black and blue; he hasn’t looked at a mirror yet, but it can’t be pretty. 

“Yeah, well, you should’ve seen the other guy, doc” He attempts to joke, and Evan’s scoff and the doctor’s exasperated look make it clear it wasn’t his best attempt. “So, let’s talk business, doc. Will I fly again?” Tommy asks, because that’s the question that matters the most. 

He realizes with a treacherous skip to his heart that Evan looks as interested in the answer as Tommy himself. During the whole time the doctor is talking to him about treatments and physical therapy and his perspective to get back to work, he stays by his side, nodding attentively at everything the doctor says (as if he’ll be involved in your treatment, a hopeful part of his brain that should have quieted down weeks ago supplies, and Tommy does his best not to listen to it, because it’ll hurt so bad when it’s not the case). 

When the doctor makes it clear that Tommy will not go back to the air for at least six months, Evan squeezes his hand and gives him a look of solidarity that goes a long way to make it not feel like the end of the world. And when the nurse comes to up Tommy’s dosage of morphine and redress his wounds, he doesn’t let go of his hand. Tommy wants to say something, anything, but he’s received a lot of information and the morphine running through his veins makes it difficult to put his thoughts into words. But he doesn’t want to fall asleep; he doesn’t want to let Evan go. 

“Sleep, Tommy” Evan tells him in a firm tone. “I’ll be here when you wake up. Then we’ll talk”

It sounds too good to be true; Tommy refuses to believe it. Evan would have every right to leave him to fend for himself; he wouldn’t blame him in the slightest. He closes his eyes, fully expecting to find an empty room when he wakes up.

But contrary to all expectations, when Tommy opens his eyes again, feeling slightly more like a person and less like a shapeless bruise, is to find Evan in the same chair, only with the black hoodie this time, and a cup of coffee in his hand. 

He’s impossibly handsome in black, Tommy thinks dazedly, taking advantage of the fact Evan’s looking down at his phone to take a good look at him. There are dark circles under his eyes, and Tommy wonders if he’s been home at all. 

His heart does another one of those treacherous leaps, and Tommy is having a hard time keeping the hope from bubbling in his chest. Because if this man saw Tommy at his worst, physically and (especially) emotionally, and was willing to stay this long by his side, who’s to say he won’t stay longer? He was willing to; Tommy was the one who fled, thinking it was about the excitement of a new relationship, but staying by his side after a helicopter crash is something entirely different. Who’s to say he won’t just… stay?

Tommy has to be brave; hell, he’s been brave before, on that glorious night where he took a leap of faith and placed a kiss to the man who had maimed his best friend for Tommy’s attention. Evan had been brave, if a little misguided, when he invited Tommy to move in with him. He owes him some bravery right now. If nothing else, he owes him some honesty after everything.

“You were right” He blurts out, and Evan looks up from his phone, staring at him with widened blue eyes. 

“H-hey, you’re up! Do… Do you need anything? I can call the nurse…” He trails off when Tommy’s hand, the one which is less covered in scrapes and bruises, reaches out to lightly touch his.

“I just need you to listen to me. You… you were right, Evan. I was a coward. I am a coward. I… I don’t know how to be loved. I never was” He admits it, and hates himself for choking up as he says it. This isn’t a pity party; he’s just stating a fact: the sky is blue, alcohol is flammable, Thomas Kinard was never loved. He hates how it makes Evan’s whole demeanor soften, because Tommy doesn’t deserve it. 

“Then let me love you” Evan whispers, taking Tommy’s hand in both of his. “Let me teach you how it feels. It’s… It’s not like I’m an expert at it, ok? I… I haven’t always been loved either. But… but I love you. You broke my fucking heart, Tommy, and I still love you. Do… do you love me?”

“With all of my heart” Tommy whispers back, and he can’t keep a tear from running down his face. Hell, he almost died, he’s allowed to be emotional. “T-that’s why I had to leave, Evan. If… If you didn’t love me back… If you found out I wasn’t perfect…”

“I know you’re not perfect, Tommy. But guess what? I love you anyway, you idiot” He says, pressing a kiss to Tommy’s forehead, another to the tip of his nose, and a very tender one to his lips. “You… You always wanted me to see you as perfect. You barely let me in all the time we were together. But I saw it anyway, Tommy, and I still wanted you. I still want you”

“I… I was so afraid of being hurt that I didn’t think I’d be hurting you” Tommy admits with a sigh. “A-actually I didn’t think you’d be hurt. I… I thought you’d be okay. I’m sorry, Evan”

“Well, I wasn’t okay. Just ask all of my friends and the thousand loaves of bread in their pantries” He says with a chuckle, and then looks Tommy deeply in the eyes. “Next time, talk to me instead of doing a dramatic exit. And don’t wait till you almost die to let me know where my Christmas presents are”

Tommy chuckles, and squeezes Evan’s hand. He wishes he could sit up and kiss him within an inch of his life, but it  sounds a little out of his physical abilities right now. He’ll content himself, with a peck on the lips before Evan sits back down, still holding Tommy’s hand in his. 

“I promise Christmas will be perfect” He says, and Evan shakes his head.

“I don’t need perfect, Tommy. I just need you”

–

And Christmas is not perfect. Tommy’s still mostly on bed rest and his leg’s still in a cast. Buck’s staying at his place for now to help him around, but they decided to leave any serious conversations about moving in to after New Year’s. They haven’t really decorated (Tommy was too depressed to bother, and Buck didn’t really have the time between his shifts and taking care of Tommy) and their plans for the day mostly consist in staying in bed and alternating between cheesy rom-coms and documentaries. 

It’s not perfect. They are not perfect. But they’re together, and Tommy finds himself thanking any deity out there for his accident. That it brought Evan back to him, and more importantly, him back to Evan. 

Buck’s wearing his new burgundy hoodie, and he gives Tommy the airplane model that he stubbornly kept in the hood of the Jeep all this time. They assemble it together, and it’s not the best, because Tommy’s hands are still a little sore and Buck’s not very good at the whole arts and crafts thing, but Tommy puts in his nightstand with adoration anyway. 

And if there’s no tree, no Christmas dinner, no cheesy sweaters, well. They can always make up for it next Christmas.

--

Tag list: (let me know if you’d like to be removed or if I missed anyone! Also if you'd rather only be tagged on Little Blobs' verse, also let me know! ♥)

@bidisasterevankinard @unhingedangstaddict @silversky9 @music-is-the-voice-of-the-soul @asmugfirefighter  @rubydaiquiri @racerchix21 @actuallyitsellie  

[rdng1230]

Your post has me desperately needing a bucktommy/saltommy edit to mitski’s washing machine heart but continuing on because ✨pain✨

Anyways because i need more angst do you think sal ever thinks about that night and wishes he had stayed. Had had the courage to whisper words in the daylight instead of moon light. Do you think he’s happy for Tommy when he sees him with Buck but goes home and brings out the old whiskey bottle because he cant stand to look in the mirror because he’s scared what might stare back at him, scared to accept both of them moved on but a part of them both will always be tangled under those sheets under a night sky and lost promises.

(Honestly i gotta quit getting drunk and writing shit at 1:30 in the morning ignore this if ya want to)

ya know I wish I had the patience to become a good video editor, but I honestly fear the monster I would become. I am also chronically bad at remembering song names so I had to Spotify that one real quick and as soon as that little electronic beat came on I was like “oh fuck it’s THAT ONE” I see you anon, I see your vision.

on to the actual answer. There’s two nights you could be talking about so I guess we’re doing double trouble angst on this fine evenin’

Toxic Sal Tommy version with the bad call and the bottoming and the being a fucker afterwards? I think that version of Sal is a lot more terrified of the idea of wanting to be taken care of rather than letting tommy love him specifically. And also just the fear of being truly known, no cocky arrogant mask, no hierarchy, just a guy who is *deeply* affected by the horrors of his job and for one night let’s those wounds be seen. I don’t think this version of Sal truly loved Tommy, I think he profoundly trusted tommy, and that scared the shit out of him which is why he lashed out and ended it. I don’t think seeing Buck and Tommy together specifically would affect him. I think just seeing Tommy as he is now, such an open person who’s honest and doesn’t hide, I think that’s what would haunt Sal the most. I also think his behavior is a repetitive pattern. It’s a matter of 2 steps forward 3 steps back. He finds someone he can bond with, eventually builds a trust, let’s them in for the briefest of encounters, and blows it up again. Rinse lather repeat.

ok doomed lovers Saltommy? Dear god. I think so much of his decision to go into Tommy’s room that night is wrapped up in about 10 layers of guilt at probie’s death, shame at wanting comfort for something he thinks he caused, desire because that pounding in his chest that happens only around Tommy has become undeniable, and just wanting someone there to share the grief with. And even with the crushing tide of all those negative emotions, being in Tommy’s arms for the first time is still one of the best nights of his life.

But the rest of their relationship? That’s the part he truly aches over. He knows the way things ended hurt Tommy deeply, and all the hurt was avoidable if Sal had just admitted his own cowardice, that he knew he was going to hold Tommy back and that it was for the best he leave Sal behind. But instead he let that resentment of Tommy’s bravery build up inside him and made Tommy feel like he was doing something wrong or that Sal just didn’t love him. He used Bobby, a man he knew deep down was right to call him out, to place himself in exile, finally giving Tommy the freedom Sal couldn’t bear to give him himself.

when he sees the picture in the paper he spends the day letting himself cry in a way he never has before. He cries for the dead probie, he cries for all the people he hurt because he couldn’t stand their vulnerabilities, he cries because he knows the man he loves is truly lost to him. He genuinely does feel better after letting it all out and he ends up resolving himself that even though they’d never be together, he should have the decency to tell Tommy it was never his fault, and that all those things he’d said when their romantic relationship ended were completely untrue. so he writes that down in a letter. Tommy’s moved since they cut contact, so he decides to deliver the letter to harbor station in person.

when he gets there he’s surprised to see the 118 kid clearly bringing Tommy lunch. Sal stands just out of sight but he catches their conversation. He realizes Evan Buckley is already fixing all the pieces of Tommy’s heart that Sal broke. And that knowledge makes Sal happier and sadder than anything else ever has.

[aroeddiediaz]

8x01 coda- depression cupcakes

(Sorry this is super depressing but Eddie needs a nice long sulk after that devastation of a birthday party. Also maybe mild tw for some kind of disordered eating.)

The cupcakes should taste like ash, Eddie imagines. Cardboard, maybe wet sand. Something bland and sour, to match the blankness Eddie has been feeling as he watches Christopher get sung Happy Birthday without him, cut into a cake without him, play with his dozens of new friends in his grandparents’ backyard without him. It went on for over an hour before the laptop sitting abandoned on the picnic table in an El Paso backyard lost battery and winked out.

Instead, the cupcakes are sweet. Cloying, sticky sweet. The frosting sticks to the roof of his mouth and bits of crumbs get stuck behind his teeth. The kind of sugary confection that would have given Eddie a sugar rush back when he was Christopher’s age.

Eddie chews his way through his first cupcake mechanically, then reaches for a second one. Behind him, Buck and Tommy make quiet rustling noises as they take down the decorations and balloons they had helped him set up earlier. None of them have spoken a word since the interactive part of the video call ended.

The second cupcake wrapper falls in a limp heap on the coffee table on top of the first one. Eddie grabs a third cupcake. His teeth ache and his lips tingle as he takes another bite.

What if Chris never wants to come back? What if this is all their relationship will ever be, and Eddie fucked it all up for the last time? What if Chris is so happy with his goddamn pool club and his new neighborhood kid friends and Eddie’s parents build him a pool so he never comes home?

It takes increasing amounts of effort, it feels, to wallow each thick wad of chewed up cupcake matter. It clumps up, sticks to his throat. He can taste sugar now, even when his mouth is empty.

He takes another bite, only to taste dry crumbs on paper. He already finished the third cupcake.

He drops the third wrapper on top of the other two. Somehow Eddie doesn’t feel full, he doesn’t think. At least, no fuller than he had been before he started on the cupcakes. There’s a creeping sour taste in his mouth, and some sensitivity in his molars when he runs his tongue along the gums.

He reaches for a fourth cupcake.

Buck’s hand lashes out and grabs him by the wrist before he reaches the tray of cupcakes.

“Uh, whoa there, buddy,” Buck says with a hesitant chuckle. “Maybe save some for the rest of us, huh?”

Eddie blinks. Suddenly, like his senses had been turned down and just now returned to full volume, he feels aware of sensations all over himself, none of them particularly pleasant. Sticky, greasy fingers. An unpleasant rumble somewhere in his intestines. More dry stickiness across his mouth, chin, and for some reason, a single fingerprint on his cheekbone. And his mouth tastes like a sewer rat had crawled in to die.

Eddie gags a little, trying to summon enough saliva to wash out the sourness in his mouth. He struggles to his feet, ready to duck into the kitchen to grab a cup of water, and maybe gargle in the sink a few times.

Before he can make it anywhere, Tommy’s there, holding a bottle out to him. Eddie takes it gratefully, not quite able to look him in the eyes. “Thanks,” he mumbles as he cracks open the cap and takes a long swig.

Eddie takes a look around. The decorations are all gone now, all the streamers and party hats and balloons. Everything except the half-eaten tray of cupcakes in front of him. Looking at it turns his stomach a little now.

“You guys take the rest of the cupcakes home with you, ok?” Eddie says. “I think i just ate more sugar in one sitting than I did all month long.”

Buck and Tommy exchange a wordless glance over Eddie’s head. Silently, Tommy reaches for the tray of cupcakes.

Buck nudges Eddie’s shoulder. It’s probably the one part of him that isn’t covered in sugar residue. “Hey,” he says softly. “I know that was rough. But I promise things won’t be like this forever. He’ll come around, you’ll see.”

“When, Buck?” Eddie says, clutching the bottle tightly enough that the plastic bends and creaks. “It’s been months already, and he’s barely said a word to me.”

Buck tries for a smile, but his eyes are tight and his voice trembles a little. “You just gotta show him. Show that you’re not going anywhere.”

Eddie nods helplessly. Nothing to do but sit and wait. Sit and pray.

Eddie missed three birthdays when Chris was a baby, out on deployments or in a hospital waiting for his bullet holes to heal up. All he can do is hope that by Chris’s next birthday, things will be different.

tagging: @cal-daisies-and-briars @aspecbuddie @pirrusstuff @jesuisici33 @steadfastsaturnsrings @lemonzestywrites @your-catfish-friend @inkmortal-trash389 @evanbegins @wildlife4life @eddiebabygirldiaz @diazsdimples @epicbuddieficrecs @kitteneddiediaz @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @coatedpanda16 @nicotinewrites @estheticpotaeto @babytrapperdiaz @snowviolettwhite @wikiangela @jesuiscenseedormir @made-ofmemories @asexual-fandom-queen

[vanmarkus]

idk if you've been asked this before but is there any scenario where you would be happy/ok with a bucktommy breakup? your gifset made me think he's already pre-approved by the most important people in buck's life and they (accidentally or not) made it work so well lol what on earth could they have planned IF they're not supposed to be longterm anyway

mm i do get some form of this question every once in a while, but you know, things change, people's opinions change, so i don't mind going into a bit again

to be very real, regardless of where this and any future relationship of Buck's goes, it won't really have a bearing on my enjoyment of the show, so let's start there.

i have my opinions and ideas about where the show might be headed, but you know, this could be the very last season or there could be 10 more and the writers have to kinda work with that in mind too, so whatever happens and when that happens have to work for either scenarios which is not an easy place to be in

but ngl a bucktommy breakup would definitely break my heart (shatter it to teeny tiny smithereens more like) however amicable it'd be and i absolutely wish that if that's something coming our way they stretch out their time together before, so we can see them bloom as partners and get to know more about their dynamic, maybe let us see some milestone moments (yes, i am very aware that it'd just hurt more, but if it's gonna hurt anyway, at least give me this!!)

more on the perspective of the show though... yeah, Tommy has everyone's approval and he's clearly a great match for Buck in many ways that we already saw and possibly in other ways we haven't yet seen. but that's not a guarantee of anything, good relationships can hit just one roadbump that's too big to overcome, people deeply in love can break up due to wanting fundamentally different things, life is a bitch and that applies universally, even in fiction.

i do think they will be longterm though, whatever that'll actually mean in the terms of the actual episodes. i also think Tim might be a bit more cautious this time around to take the fan's reactions into account and that he might have a general idea of where he wants to go with them, but the man writes episodes 2 days before the first day of shooting, so i think there's a lot of wiggle room either way

in any case, they accidentally turned this relationship into a narrative goldmine, so they'd be real stupid not to exploit it as much as they can (and give us a beautiful love story in the process, final outcome notwithstanding)

[emmy-likes-attention]

Ok hear me out!

Eddie finally realizes he’s in love with Buck and goes to the loft to confess his feelings. While there he notices how Buck smiles when Tommy gets brought up.

“he really makes you happy, huh?”

“yeah he really does”.

Causing Eddie to feel like he’s too late but it’s ok because at least Buck is happy.

Before leaving he tells Buck how happy he is for the two of them and as he reaches the door, Bucks back already turned, he decides to take one last look at the man he loves.

Cut to him at home alone tearfully trying to reassure himself “it’s better this way” before the screen fades to black.

(I have been thinking about his not stop since these stills dropped)

[bidisasterevankinard]

Not sure which titles haven’t been asked yet so instead: tell more more about a fic you are loving writing most or one that hasn’t been asked that you’re excited about 💜

Hi purple 💜

I want to talk about Tommy feels fic snippets here and here here

It's a Tommy begins fic started from Tommy being a kid in bad family, just 18 in army. Him being in closet, getting out of it and then finally happiness with Buck

Snippet:

Tommy pays with a gentle smile, but he can say his date feels the same as him. It was their first and last date. Not that Tommy is surprised. He knew this blind date idea was trash from the start.

“It was nice to meet you,” Alec starts, looking at his watches, “but I need to go now, if it’s ok.”

“Of course,” Tommy nods with the same gentle, but more fake smile, “have a good night.”

“You too.”

And like that, without even polite “see you soon” to at least fake the possibility of a second date, Tommy is alone in the restaurant that is full of happy couples.

“Stupid Valentine's day,” Tommy whispers under his breath and holds his hand to get the waiter's attention. He needs whiskey to drown his sorrow.

[thedanceronthestreets]

Ok so, the new episode has evoked multiple trains of thought in my head and although they all are related to the buck/tommy/eddie situation, i think it makes sense to put them down in several categories here:

Overall feel of the show at abc: i'm gonna say that the show definitely feels a bit unsettled after the network change, they seem to have a hard time balancing personal relationship plots and actual firefighter stuff. I know a lot of the cases in previous seasons were silly but they were still believable. The whole cruise disaster thing was just so over the top and now in the last 2 episodes there has been next to no action. The promo for next week's episode looks kinda like absolute mayhem. I do believe the abc team will figure this out and that they just need a little time to get comfortable but it's defo noticeable.

Buck's character: completely removed from his new romantic relationship, i am soooo loving his coming out arc. They've shown 2 amazing coming out scenes and one (and a half) dates and yet the word bisexual didn't even need to be said!!! It just makes sense as a story on its own!! It feels so natural and buck seems so so happy and in love and settled and has gobsmacking chemistry with tommy. I love that we get to watch him make mistakes and get things right while figuring himself out, it just feels so close to real life and i think the writers (and actors) are doing a fantastic job here.

Tommy's character: OBSESSED WITH HIM. HE'S SO FUNNY. And i think he's an excellent first male love interest for buck because he doesn't beat around the bush. He's comfortable in his own skin and is very aware that he doesn't have to give that up for buck despite crushing on him hardcore. I love that he gives buck the space to make mistakes and come to terms with his bi-ness, but not at the expense of himself. He is a great mature influence on buck and i think will eventually help him to become confident in his sexuality in a way buck may have taken way longer to do on his own. Which leads me to ...

The buck/tommy relationship: this is where things start to get complicated. My head says "let's microanalyse every scene in regards to buddie" but my heart says "enjoy how fucking cute buck and tommy are being on screen right now". I DON'T WANT THEM TO BREAK UP. AT ALL. THEY ARE CRAZY ABOUT EACH OTHER. WHIPPED, IN FACT!!! I do think buck/tommy isn't "endgame" per se but i do think they fit so well together, they should be given the opportunity to last a little while at least. Buck needs someone like tommy now who will hold him accountable while being entirely sympathetic. It's a great dynamic that i would be very sad to see go (and so would buck i think because i have never seen heart eyes that intense on that man before....)

Buck/eddie: look. I can't unsee it, just like everybody else. Doesn't matter how cute tommy and buck are, i hold my breath whenever buck and eddie share a scene now. There's some weird shit happening there. I think the writers have been very clever with the latest episode because it leaves buck and eddie on good terms without insinuating what exactly comes next. Buck is completely focused on tommy right now (which is good!) and eddie has his own stuff going on, so a rushed buddie arc would make zero sense right now. As a lot of people have already said, buddie is very much a long-haul game and while we can start to see seeds at this point, i'd hate to rush into it. Cause the slow burn is part of the fun right :D right ????

Eddie: eddie. My silly goose. I love what they're doing with him this season. He seems so much more able to let loose and enjoy himself. He's getting sillier and i love that for him. He also seems to have headspace for new things now.... such as recognising that he's limited by catholic guilt..... which is the number one symptom of being into hot godly women.... right ... right..... I'd probably kill a man to quiz the writers on how they came up with the concept of eddie/tommy. Because that means they've thought about how gay eddie would make sense. They will have discussed his motivations and experiences over the last few seasons and recontextualised them. And mould them into the life of a closeted gay man. Gnawing. Clawing, even.

Conclusion: buck/tommy slay. Hate to see them go. Would love to see eddie be gay and get his own independent coming out arc just like buck did. Want them to be gay buddies for a while. And then see what that makes of the situation.....

[athousandis]

ok ok ok let’s

so first: LOU! your performance was chef’s kiss like oh my god you put tommy into the 911 hall of fame. like imagine meeting these two guys who are best friends and then realizing you want to be friends with them so you start hanging out with one of them and the other one starts acting slightly odd about it but you don’t worry too much until someone actually gets hurts and so you figure out what’s going on so you go clear the air and explain that you missed some of the people in your life and wanted what they had and the other guy makes you feel like you are a part of it even after all the years and then the situation starts turning a little more flirty but you though that the two guys had a thing or something but then this other guy tells you that he was trying to get you to notice him and you think that maybe this could be going a different way and so you test your theory out a little and it seems to work and so you feel good and the other guy is over there have a completely new life-changing experience but you have to go to work so you make plans to see him again and it’s looking up expect yeah you really just were the reason someone had a huge realization about themselves and just left because you know that this is the kind of thing he needs to go through himself but you’re still so kind about it and reassuring because he needs it and you know what it’s like

second: the way the last scene played out was so intelligent, it starts with tommy thinking that he should do this in person so nothing is misunderstood and probably the knowledge that buck is best reassured in person. and he essentially tells buck that him being in their lives can be a good thing because they all have different aspects that make them good friends but he also tells buck that he was jealous about a family of kind and accepting people that he wasn’t able to have when he was at the 118. but like we know that despite not keeping in touch as much, tommy still had that 118 dog in him and dropped everything to help. and then buck goes through a realization that his jealousy was coming from a place he was unfamiliar with like we literally get to see him go through that in the scene. and tommy gets a little more confident about the situation because buck is starting to use his flirty voice and body language and so tommy figures he should take a chance. and so we see the true shock that buck experiences with kissing a man for the first time, like this is something he never thought about but like wow that just changed his life. and now buck is clouded with the emotion and joy of discovering a piece of himself. and tommy makes sure he didn’t cross a boundary (mwah beautiful) and he sees that it’s quite the opposite, he found something for buck that buck didn’t even know he was looking for. and then tommy asks buck out because he wants to explore where this can go, hopeful that he can at least have a good time with buck but he leaves because he knows it has to go slow because it’s all so new. and buck is going through it and probably spends the rest of the night going over and over everything in his mind. and tommy makes sure to bring it back to eddie and that buck needs to remedy the situation because nothing can start if eddie and buck are not eddie and buck.

third: on the complete one-in-a-million chance that oliver sees this, thank you. truly it has been so wonderful to see these last 24 hours unfold. thank you for understanding how much your character means to so many people, how the representation that buck brings is a way for people to see themselves on screen in a positive light. thank you for caring enough about telling a queer story but just telling a good story. you care so much about buck and we can see that in your performance. i am so happy for you and the rest of the 911 family and the fans. we have been trying to get here for a long time, and here we are. and it feels better than i could ever imagine. i can’t wait to see you continue to tell buck’s story <3

finally: to 911blr, wow what a night. i started watching 911 about two years ago but little did i know it would have such a big impact on my life. this show that i watched on a whim and now means so much to so many people, there is such a great community here. and though i just watch the show and spend many hours a day dissecting it all in my head, i would feel so different if it wasn’t for the community here. seeing everyone get so excited and enthralled over this show has made me feel less alone. to you all, who love and root for these characters and pairing and take an already wonderful show and make it better with your stories and analysis. the show would not be what it is or where it is without you.

i am really emotional about all of this and i still cannot believe this has actually happened. i am so excited for what the future has in store for these blorbos :)

[oabf45]

Ok so I finally watched the new 9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star episodes and here is what I think overall for the seasons so far, the characters, and part 2 of the seasons. Badically my opinions no one asked for 😁

9-1-1

- Let's rip the band aid off. I'm sorry but we're never getting Buddie. I'm a huge Buddie shipper myself, but I honestly have reached the point where I just don't see it happening. For one their friendship alone just isn't what it's been the past two seasons. Idk if its just me feeling this, but their scenes together, though sweet, just haven't been what they've been in the past. I mean this last episode is the most connection I feel from their characters than i have this whole season. I'm still not over Eddie's lack of reaction to Buck being trapped when Buck was ready to dig through the earth to find Eddie. Though I think there is still a chance Buck could be BI I just no longer have hope that Buddie is going to be a thing. I mean, they've at least hinted that Buck could ride that way, but Eddie has given zero signs of being into men at all. But honestly if they at least explore a BI Buck then I'll be happy, even if he's not with Eddie. It also doesn't help that there's a HUGE possibility that Oliver and Ryan don't get along anymore. They stopped following each other on social media and they post pictures with all the rest of the cast except each other. Its just looking extremely unlikely.

- I don't think Ana deserves as much hate as she's getting. I wasn't so fond of the Eddie/Ana pairing either, mostly because I was so into Buddie. But Ana does seem genuinely a great person and its a plus that Christopher loves her. I just wish that if they were going to persue this they would have built it up more and showed us more of her character. I mean we know close to nothing about her which is what makes it hard to like her or like her with Eddie.

- I'm glad that even if Buck doesn't end up with Eddie he still is obviously going to be someone very close to Christopher. Their relationship is so absolutely darling and even if its not Buddie, Buck is very obviously like a second dad.

- At first I was not at all happy with them bringing back Taylor. I found her character so freaking annoying in the past. But honestly her character seems to have mellowed out and I actually liked her. But I am PRAYING that if she sticks around its just as a friend and not a girlfriend. Buck and Taylor are just a huge NOPE in my book.

- I need more of Athena, Bobby, and Michael ASAP! I miss seeing them more on my screen!

- I'm super excited for baby Chimney/Maddie. And I'm so happy Chimney felt safe enough in his relationship to express his feelings about an at home birth. Their relationship is so sweet and healthy and it makes my heart so warm

- I swear on everything I love if they take that little baby away from Hen and Karen I will RIOT! I also hope to see more of Hen's mom and can't wait to see her pass her exam.

- Albert was wrong for dating Buck's bad date, but he's a good guy and overall a good friend. Buck needs more friends outside of Eddie. I hope they give him more of a storyline in part 2.

- Overall loved the first half of 9-1-1 season 4. I hope they do another crossover in part 2 so that Buck can meet Carlos.

9-1-1 Lone Star

- Yes I have hated the baby trope this first half, yes Gwyn has been annoying af and I'm ready for her to go, and YES Owen has been annoying this season too. But I still love Owen and no I don't believe he's a bad person or a bad father. I hope they do right by his character in the second part and bring the old Owen back now that his life is going to go back to what it was. But I also know this is going to leave room for another romantic interest which you just know they're going to bring in. Maybe they'll bring Michelle back 🤷🏽‍♀️

- The amount of screen time Carlos got is *chefs kiss*. I'm so glad we got to see more into his family dynamic. And how great he is as a cop?! Like make that man a detective already! Also Rafael's acting is superb. He has the most expressive eyes I've ever seen! His face with Owen compliments him on his caring heart and how that makes him a great cop? He BEAMED and it was like no one had ever told him that before. I wanted to hug him so badly.

- I'm so happy they're showing a healthy gay relationship. Sure they've had their ups and downs, but they show TK and Carlos working it out perfectly with good communication which is what we need to see represented more with LGBTQ+ couples on TV. I have no doubt they'll last because they're literally the reason most people tune in and the showrunners know that. And that reuniting hug? Ronen and Raf's real life friendship makes their on screen relationship feel so real and I hope that never changes.

- I need more Mateo. The only thing we know is that he's dyslexic and has a cousin in LA. He's such a great character I wish they'd give him more screen time.

- I know that most y'all see them as just a brother/sister pair, but I love the idea of Mateo/Marjan as a couple. I feel like she could help him grow up a little while he could help her have more fun. But either way I love their relationship and want to see more.

-PLEASE give Paul a GREAT love interest. Someone who loves and accepts him for everything he is. He deserves so much love.

- Tommy Vega is THAT BITCH! She deadass basically said "shoot me. You won't". LOVE seeing a strong black woman on the screen. And I hope they give more screen time to Nancy. I feel like she could be a really interesting character.

- Am I the only one that kind of wants to see them bring back Billy Tyson? I know thats so random, but I think he needs redemption. Idk 🤷🏽‍♀️

- Last but not least......thank GOD I read spoilers before watching the episode because if I hadn't prepared myself and they ended the show with that bridge scene......all I gotta say is JUDD AND GRACE BETTER BE FUCKING OK! OR I'M FIGHTING EVERY DAMN BODY! But honestly I think they will be. These two make the show, for one. Judd is deadass the glue that holds that firehouse together and is overall a great character. No way they're killing him off. And Grace is a fucking saint and also a great character. And she's one of the only two black women on the show. Showrunners, y'all really wanna try that? They're such a great, healthy relationship who are literally so unstoppable together. I think they'll have some trauma but survive. And possibly a Ryder baby? Yes please, and please let it be a baby boy. Judd needs a little mixed cowboy 🤠

- Overall the season has been good, but too Owen/Gwyn central. Hoping the next part has more spotlight on the others. Maybe some "Character Begins" episodes? I think a "Judd Begins" Episode would be perfect to start off with to tie into the whole "omg is he alive" aspect we're bound to get.

[the-great-imagines-of-1812]

Through The Years pt. 4 (Bucky Barnes x fem! Stark! reader)

A/N: enjoy! as always, any feedback is appreciated as always! also, props to you if you know the flower symbolism. This chapter is fluffy and angsty.

tw: gunshots, mentions of violence, kidnapping half of a regiment, sexism.

tags: @the-romanian-is-bae @a-girl-who-loves-disney

~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOVEMBER 1ST, 1943 

LONDON, ENGLAND

You finished securing the rolls of supplies on your bag right as Howard came up behind you. 

“Hey um- sis”

You turned back to him with a smile. “Yes Howard? What is it?”

“You keep safe for me, okay? WE may not be celebrating your birthday together this year, but that doesn’t mean I want it to be the last one we ever celebrate, alright?”

Bringing him into a tight hug, you said “You’re not going to lose me. This mission will be a success and I’ll come back in one piece.”

“Promise?”

“Cross my heart, Howwie.”

You pulled away from the hug “You got everything? The armor, swords?”

“Yup!” you nodded, knocking on your clothed shoulder, to show you had it on underneath. “Sure do. I’m ready to punch a Nazi.”

Howard helped you pull your stuff on the military bus which contained the 107th, with you leading them. 

“I’ll be back soon. Don’t miss me to much, brother.”

He saluted, causing you to laugh. He walks away and you make your way to the drivers side of the bus. You turn the keys and the bus turns on, causing the men to already laugh and make noise.

You tuned around, and lifted the flap that separated you from them. “Gentlemen! This is a simple in and out mission! We’re crossing France into Italy to invade one of the main HYDRA bases. If we succeed, it may secure a victory for the Allies. We’ll set up camp along the way! understood?”

“YES LIEUTENANT GENERAL MA’AM!” 

Some sort of pride swelled in your chest. “Alright! I don’t want to hear ruckus back hear. Save your energy, boys.”

“Maybe you should save your energy for the kitchen!”

Several laughs filled the bus. “Leave her alone, why don’t you? She’s probably doing a better job than you ever will.”

Bucky. 

“Barnes if you love her so much, why don’t you just marry her!” a soldier yelled. “You know what, maybe I will!” he winked at you, making his way up front to sit in the passenger seat. 

“Let’s just go, regiment!”

You collapse back down to your seat, pressing the gas and driving out. You felt Bucky sit next to you, in passenger. “I don’t need your help, you know that, right Bucky?”

He settles himself before saying “I know you don’t. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. And besides; every Queen needs a King, right?”

“You make me blush too much, Buck.”

“All in a day’s work, sweetheart.”

You sighed. You all drove in silence for a while, with the exception of soldiers i the back who kept making noise.

Going up a dirt road on a hill, you say to Bucky “I don’t think I’m cut out for this. What was Phillips thinking?”

He then proceeds to lay his hand over yours, intertwining your fingers and bringing it up to his lips. “Darlin’ please stop spewing nonsense. You know you can do it. You can’t let these men get to ya.”

You blush about as red as a tomato. “L-let’s just- just let me keep driving.”

“You’re the boss, doll.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE NEXT DAY - NOVEMBER 2ND, 1943

BORDEAUX, FRANCE.

It had been an entire day since you had left the camp in London. It was also your birthday. You has set up camp in the early morning in Bordeaux, giving the men a few hours to rest before going down to Monaco and crossing the border to Italy. 

Now it was mid day, and you were stuck in your tent, planning out battle strategy. Not exactly your ideal birthday, but it wasn’t the worst. Outside, there were men having heir lunch, drinking and smoking or playing cards; awaiting their next orders from you. 

You shifted a bit uncomfortably under all your armor, swords and the clothes on top of it. You thanked Howard for making it as comfortable as it was. 

You heard a knock on on one of the poles of your tent. “Come in.”

“Happy Birthday, sweetheart.” It was Bucky, with his hands behind his back.

This brought a smile to your face. “How’d you know buck?” you finished, standing up while crossing your arms. “I may or may not have eavesdropped one of your conversations with Howard. Sorry, doll.”

“You scoundrel!” you gasped,feigning shock. 

“Call me all the names you’d like sweetheart, but i got something for ya. I asked my ma back in New York for this one. I told her about you, you see. She loves you already. She’d love to meet ya one day.”

“What you got for me, Barnes?” 

��Turn around. And lift your hair for me, doll.”

You did as told and felt a chain be wrapped around your neck. “Okay, sweetheart. Open your eyes.”

You looked down at the chain “What flower you got me, Barnes?”

“This-” he said, pointing to the charm on the necklace. “Is an amaranth flower. My grandma used to grow them, before she passed. One thing I can remember, though, it that- they never lasted long. So i got you this, so this one would last forever.” 

“You are all too charming, Barnes. But you didn’t need to get me anything!”

He laughs, shaking head. “But I did! You’re my best girl after all.”

“Your girl, Buck?” approaching him. You two were so close, you could feel his breath on your face.

Before you could comprehend anything, his lips were in yours and his arms tight around you. Your heart was beating unimaginably fast. Relaxing, you wrapped your arms around his shoulders, just as he pulled away, looking to the ground. 

“Yea, I’m your girl, Buck”

He looks back up to you with the widest smile you’ve ever seen on just about anyone. “I’m glad, baby-doll. I’ll make you so happy.” 

“Will you, Barnes?”

“You bet, doll. You’ll see.”

He kissed your forehead.

“LIEUTENANT GENERAL! LIEUTENANT GENERAL!” that was the voice of your right hand solider, Tommy Andrews.

You made your way outside, with Bucky trailing behind you. “What is it, Captain?” he hunched over to catch his breath. “LIEUTENANT GENERAL, THEY’RE-”

Gunshots ran throughout the camp. HYDRA. “Andrews, I need you to take a deep breath.” You took the keys out of your breast pocket, tossing them to Tommy. “Tommy. Fill the bus with about as many supplies and men as you can. I need you to make it safely to Italy.Go behind the forest, don’t stop for anything. As fast as you can. Get in touch with the General. AS SOON AS YOU CAN. UNDERSTOOD?”

Tommy salutes. “YES MA’AM.” he then proceeds to round up as many men as he could, grabbing as many suppl

You turned to Bucky. “Sergeant,get your men and their companies. We need to fight back as much as we can.”

“Yes Ma’am.” He runs off, but after giving you a kiss on the forehead. 

~~~~~~~~

ABOUT AN HOUR LATER

You and your men had been fighting easily for at least forty-five minutes of more. To be fair, you couldn’t see HYDRA. But somehow, HYDRA could see you. 

“MEN! RETREAT! I REPEAT! RETREAT!”

The men shoot a couple of more shots, and some make it back to the camp. Your main squadron and a few more, including Bucky’s and about 3 more. 

You kept shooting until every single bullet was gone. 

All the companies grouped together into one, throwing what you could at HYDRA. Sticks, rocks, guns, spare metal, you name it. 

You fought about as hard as one could. That was before several more gunshots rang out form Hydra’s side. 

All the men on your side collapse, about as far as you can see. The last thing you see is Bucky. “Y/N! Y/N! Darlin’ we’ll be ok! He collapses as a sack is thrown over his head, and he collapses. 

“NO! BUCKY!” you can’t see anything. They’ve got you too.

Happy Birthday to you. 

~~~~~~~~~

A/N: WOW. ok. this was something to write really. feeback is appreciated!

[cbmification]

Big Brother Sims: S01E04 - Chaos Is My Middle Name

Padma: Good evening and welcome back to one more episode of Big Brother Sims. Last week, power struggle over backdooring or not the main target led to some animosity to appear inside the Power 7 alliance. Will that be enough to see them crumble? We’re about to find out.

Esme: The votes were announced and everyone’s eyes had already turned towards me and Kalani. We simply could not understand how that happened.

Cass: I simply cannot understand how have I become such a huge pawn. And why are Esme and Kalani constantly trying to get me out? I don’t get what I’m doing wrong.

Chris: You know, I haven’t been very happy with how things are going on with the whole blaming the girls thing. My plan was to play a honest game and I haven’t been doing that. It’s time to change.

Chris: Dani, listen up. I have to tell you a secret. 

Danielle: Sure, C. You can trust me.

Chris: Well, that’s exactly it. You shouldn’t trust me. I’m hoping this will help me gain your trust again. 

Danielle: Go on...

Chris: You know those votes Cass has been getting? It’s coming from Tommy, Jared and up until this last week, myself.

Danielle: WHAT?!

Chris: It was always a plan to split you guys up, but I’m not comfortable with it anymore.

Danielle: Man, was I pissed! How dare they underestimate our intelligence like that? And trying to take out King and Jazz, probably my two biggest allies? I won’t let it go this easy.

Jazz: They what?!

King: I can’t believe it...

Danielle: I swear, guys. And it all adds up to how they have been behaving lately.

King: This changes everything.

King: How dare they go behind my back and try to betray me like that?! But that’s perfect, because I like my friends close and my enemies closer.

Tommy: Chris, can you get me a spoon?

Chris: ...

Tommy: Chris?

Chris walks away.

Tommy: For some weird reason I feel like Chris has been avoiding me like the plague. And I don’t know what could it be... Should I be worried?

Swamped The Houseguests must transfer water from one jug to another jug at the end of a slippery lane. There are three jugs - one that awards the HOH position, one that awards $10,000, and one that awards safety for the week. The Houseguest that fills the HOH jug first will become the new Head of Household.

Jazz wins safety for the week and Kalani wins $10,000. Oddly, Danielle is very fast at finishing the HoH jug, which surprises both King and Esme, the ones coming right behind her.

Danielle: Man, what the hell did I do? So clearly I was trying to throw comps as I always do. But then I thought: Well, 10000 bucks wouldn’t hurt, would it? But this dumbass right here filled the wrong jug and ended up as the HoH while trying to throw the comp. I simply do not know what to do with myself.

Jared: Honestly I couldn’t be any happier. The Power 7 keeps on winning and we are about to mop the floor with the competition.

King: So we all agree with putting up Esme, right?

Danielle: Yup, as promised.

Tameka: Ugh, it’s gonna be so good! I love it!

Danielle: As for the pawn, I’m thinking of putting up Kalani just to leave Cass out for a week.

Jared: It’s not like the pawn really matters this week.

Jared: We’re golden. Esme is going up against Kalani and soon the biggest challenge threat on this house will be gone.

Danielle: You know, as I saw that amount of people inside my HoH room, I kind of had an epiphany. Like, this is a game for a million simmeons. We can’t all be winners. I got voted into this house promising one thing and that thing is what I’m gonna deliver: girl power. 

Danielle: Guys, I’m gonna let you in on something. I’m planning to take out Jared this week. For everything he’s been up to lately.

Jazz: What? Are you sure this is the right time?

King: Yeah, please, don’t play too fast too soon.

Danielle: I don’t think this is too soon. This is actually the perfect time, when they’re not expecting it.

King: No, I’m telling you. Don’t do this or you will regret it later.

Danielle: What? Is this a threat?

King: No, I’m just saying. This is not gonna be good for us.

Danielle: I’ll think about it.

King: Danielle is playing with her heart and this is pissing me off. She’s not thinking straight because of this whole vendetta. Esme is the right move now. But I gotta pretend I agree with whatever she says. I mean, I’m not crazy.

Danielle calls the houseguests to the living room as it’s time for the nomination ceremony.

Danielle: I have nominated you, Jared and you, Tommy, for constantly conspiring behind mine’s and the entire house’s back. 

Jared: What the hell?!

Tommy: ...

Danielle: Jared, you are my target because not only do I think you are the mastermind behind this scheme, but I also think you are fake, conveniently befriending people only when it interests you and very, very arrogant. There, I said it.

Jared: This is not over, girl.

Tommy: I can’t believe this is happening. Our plan was perfect, there’s no way in hell she could have figured it out by herself!

Jared: I wouldn’t let her get away with this so easily. So I obviously went to the HoH room as soon as the ceremony was over to try and figure out what had happened.

Jared: How dare you not only nominate me but try to make a fool out of me on TV?

Danielle: What? You’re the one who has been pretending to be this nice singer persona from the get go, asshole!

Jared: I knew I should never have trusted some trashy girl like you?

Danielle: Who are you calling trashy, D-list celebrity?

Jared: What did you say?

Danielle: Did I stutter?

Jared: You realize this is the end of the road for you, right? Game over.

Danielle: Oh yeah? And why?

Jared: Cause the house is gonna side with us, I’m sure of it.

Danielle: Really? So how about I call them in here?

Danielle: So, girls. You wanted an explanation for why there have been some random votes involving the two of you? These two here can explain.

Cass: What?!

Esme: Are you kidding me? That’s so dirty!

Tommy: Man, we should have just let it go...

Jared: Shut up, Tommy.

Danielle: I never wanted any of this power, but now I love it!

Cass: I am furious! I almost went home because these two don’t know how to play like decent human beings!

Esme: I was so pissed when I found out about why me and my original allies were being hunt down. But forget that, this is not the time to be sad. For the first time in forever, no Silent Assassin is on the block.

Esme: I know you pulled your strings to keep me here and I’m so thankful for that.

Jazz: No worries, babe. It’s not like I did much, really. But you can count on me and Dani whenever you want to.

Esme: Thanks, I’m sure I’m gonna remember that. And I owe you guys one.

Esme: Jazz is just such a captivating person. I love her. She has this aura, I don’t know how to put it... There’s some kind of energy that pulls people towards her. It’s truly magical.

Tameka: I’m not happy with everything that went down, that’s for sure. How dare Danielle use me like that last week to get who she wanted out, out, and then now, when it’s time for her to do her part of the deal, she backs down completely.

Tameka: Can you guys tell me what was that all about?

Jazz: Tameka, calm down, we can explain.

Tameka: I AM CALM! What I’m tired of is being left out of everything by you two. Did you guys forget what we promised to each other right here?

Danielle: I...

Tameka: I see it. Well, just give me some time. I’m a little hurt.

Tameka: Danielle takes me for a fool. Now I’m sure of it. More than ever. But I gotta find out how to play this smart or else I’m gonna get screwed real soon. Unfortunately, I think I’m gonna have to drop Jared in order to survive. With Tommy we can win comps and take them all out one by one.

Tameka: Guys, first of all I’m really sorry. And I swear I’m with you, and not them.

Jared: Sure, but how can we trust you...?

Tameka: They don’t let me in on any of their decision making and I’m tired of it. Apparently this all started because of something Chris told Danielle. And then they decided to betray our alliance without consulting me.

Tommy: I mean, it’s pretty obvious that Chris double-crossed us because of how he’s been acting. But for them to aim at us right now...

Jared: Ok, Mama T. We are really gonna need your help. But you gotta pretend you’re still with them.

Tameka: But they’re hanging out with Esme now, and after what she did to me...

Tommy: Hmm, about that-

Jared: See? That’s why you can’t trust them.

Jared: It’s good to see that at least someone in this house isn’t playing like a total fool. I don’t know how I can survive this, but I sure as hell am going to try.

Tommy: Kalani, there has not been a single person talking to me for the last few days. How do you deal with this?

Kalani: I don’t know, man. I just sit out here in the open. Usually take care of the plants, look at the water.

Tommy: You’re a little weird, did you know that?

Kalani: A good kind of weird?

Tommy: A good kind of weird.

Kalani: Tommy, he’s pretty fun and carefree. I think he can be a valuable ally going forward with his challenge strength. I just enjoy realizing that, step by step, I’m slowly becoming friends with most of the people in this house just by socializing. What a change, right?

King: So Kalani came up to me and told me that Tommy went to her to talk about life and stuff, but I know that’s all game. So I’m gonna talk to him and try and figure out what is this about trying to take me and Jazz out of the game.

King: So, how you feeling, man?

Tommy: Not great, really. But I’m getting used to it.

King: So, I gotta be honest. Chris told Danielle about you guys trying to gun for me and Jazz, is that for real?

Tommy: What? No way! The whole voting for Cass thing was just to make the girls not trust each other. I mean, we’re Secret Squadron till the end, right?

King: Sure, of course. I knew there was some kind of misinformation there. Danielle may have made this up to get us against you guys.

Tommy: Yeah, totally.

King: Ugh, look at myself in the mirror here... My hair is a mess. Can you lend me your hat later?

Tommy: Sure, no problem.

King: Do I believe what Tommy is telling me? Of course not. But I need him to be by my side, because when these big targets go for each other, I’m gonna need shields like him. And nothing better than this sudden bond with Kalani to get him saved this week.

King: Listen up, Kalani. We have to focus on winning this veto if we get picked. We gotta get Tommy off the block and have Danielle put Tameka up since she’s been so passive aggressive towards them. If we get Tameka out, the people who hate each other will still be in here and gunning for each other. At the end, only you and I will be standing.

Kalani: Ok, I get it. I guess.

Kalani: I’m happy with going with whatever King says. All I wanted in this game was an ally and having one like him is just perfect.

Danielle gets everyone together for the veto selections.

Danielle draws Houseguest’s Choice and chooses Kalani as someone less likely to win.

Tommy draws Cass and she immediately shouts.

Cass: Oh, how ironic!

Cass: I laughed my ass out, honey.

Jared draws Chris.

Chris: ...

Candy Counter The Houseguests each stand in their individual booths. Each round they are required to estimate the amount of a certain candy-related item. Once they all reveal their guesses, they must decide to 'stay' and play for a point and risk elimination if they are the furthest from the correct answer or to 'fold and move on to the next round. The first Houseguest to earn 3 points or the last Houseguest remaining will win the Golden Power of Veto.

Kalani messes up and ends up as the first one out. Chris and Danielle are really competitive with Tommy and Jared, but none of them realize that Cass easily gets the 3 points and defeats them all.

Cass: I can’t believe it! Not only is this my first win, but it’s also exactly when the two guys who have made my life hell are on the block. There’s zero chance I’m taking either one off.

Jazz: A funny thing is, this whole thing began because Jared and Tommy were so scared that the girls would get together. And now look at us! We’re more united than ever and it’s all because of them.

Jazz: Like, do you guys realize how great this probably is for the girls at home? Seeing good examples being set by us here?

Cass: You’re so right, I just can’t see us being on the wrong here.

Esme: Yes, it’s just gonna be such a powerful message!

Tameka: I’m just there standing with them while they spew the whole girl power thing with my best fake smile. You gotta understand, I’m all for women empowerment. But these girls are playing like fools. Total incompetents. If they were my employees, they would all have been fired by now.

Tameka: OH MY GOD, YOU’RE SO FUNNY!!!

Danielle: ...

Cass reunites the houseguests for the Veto Ceremony.

Cass: This certainly doesn’t come as a surprise, but I have decided not to use the power of veto.

Cass: Looking at their faces while I denied their only shot at staying in the game? Golden. It was like taking candy from little kids.

Jared: I can’t believe this is it. I’m just beyond pissed my game is over because a guy could keep it in his pants.

King: You know, I’ve realized how close and happy all the girls are. But honestly? I’m not happy at all. I never wanted any of this to happen. I told Danielle that. So I decided to talk to Jared to get any info he may have. He was my first ally in this house, after all.

King: So... The whole getting rid of me and Jazz thing?

Jared: I swear to God, specially because you’re my first ally here. It was all Tommy. I had nothing to do with it.

King: He says otherwise. You wonder why?

Jared: I know how I can guarantee you it was all him. He actually overheard you and Jazz in the HoH room talking about a final two deal.

King: What?!

Jared: Yeah. And he immediately told me and Chris. And that’s how it all started and why we wanted to make sure the girls were weakened.

King: You’ve gotta be kidding me. That lying son of a bitch.

Jared: That was my last pitch. If it works out, it works out. But I’m not hopeful. Besides, what could King really do in this situtation?

King: You know, chaos is my middle name. I’m pissed at Tommy for going around telling people something that did not concern him and put my game in jeopardy. And I’m also pissed at Danielle for going against me when I specifically told her not to put members of the Power 7 up. If she wants to shake up the game, I’m gonna step in and shake it up some more. As the vote is coming up, I don’t have much time to do something.

King: Kalani, would you be willing to vote for Tommy?

Kalani: What?!

King: I know he’s your friend now, but you gotta hear me out.

Kalani: I’m just so confused at this point. We were saving Tommy, now we’re sending him home? I don’t know what I should do. I really think he’s gonna be useful for me going forward.

King: Obviously only Kalani and I aren’t gonna be able to take him out. So, to evict the great gambler Tommy, nothing like a good gamble, right?

King: Girls, I know you’re friends with Jazz and Dani and won’t want to go against them, but I need you to think about something.

Cass: Go ahead.

King: Jared has had multiple fights with Danielle now and he’s clearly against her. By keeping him in, the conflict they have will keep them from working together and let the two of you remain safe. If Tommy stays, he’s gonna go under the radar and at the same time stay a comp beast.

Esme: Oh God, no... I don’t think this is a good idea.

King: I know we don’t have much time, but please consider it...

Esme: It’s so good to have a little bit of power in this game. But at the same time, I feel like I have no idea if making a big move like this is the right thing.

Esme: So what are we gonna do?

Cass: I mean, he’s got a huge point with the whole keeping the conflict in the house.

Esme: But I don’t want to go against Jazz and Dani after they just helped us out this week...

Cass: Girl, I know. I loved that the girls got all together. But what we gotta remember is that we are still the underdogs here. We’re the ones outside of any alliance. We gotta make what’s best for us and us only.

Cass: I hope what I told Esme was enough, but I’m not sure she’s very happy with this plan. As for myself? I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in this house.

Kalani: The vote is coming up and I have no idea where anyone stands. This vote is pure chaos and there’s only one person who really knows who’s going home. And that ain’t me, bitch!

Padma: Hello, houseguests. It’s time for another eviction. And remember! After tonight, we’re going to the jury stage of the game, so you gotta think very carefully about every step you take.

Tameka: I unfortunately vote to evict my dear friend, Jared.

Cass: I gladly, gladly vote to evict Tommy.

Jazz: I vote to evict Jared.

Esme: I truly hope this isn’t a mistake. I vote to evict Tommy.

Chris: I hope we can go forward with the more honest players. I vote to evict Jared.

Kalani: I vote to evict Tommy.

King: It’s funny how we get ourselves into these spots, right? I know you won’t see it coming, but never, I mean, NEVER, come for the King. I vote to evict Tommy. By the way, thanks for the hat. This is what I call a social game.

Padma: The votes are in. And by a vote of 4-3...

Padma: Tommy, you have been evicted from the Big Brother house. Please grab your belongings and say your goodbyes.

Danielle: What the hell?!

King: Hehehe...

Tameka: This can’t be happening...

Tommy: ...

Padma: Let’s hear it for Tommy!

Padma: Tommy, I gotta say, you certainly don’t know this, but King led a last minute power move to get you out. Do you know why he did it?

Tommy: He probably caught wind of me trying to get him and his girl out. I gotta say I respect the move, but I don’t know how he’s gonna make it to the end now. And damn... He did all of this while using my hat. I got so bamboozled I didn’t even remember to get it back.

Padma: Now that you’re out and just missed out on jury, who are you rooting for?

Tommy: My partner in crime, Jared. Or Kalani, I guess. That would be a wild ride.

Next time, on Big Brother Sims…

I can’t deal with an alliance where there’s zero trust. I’m done with him.

Is this what winning feels like? I wish I could have tasted it sooner!

See?! This is why we shouldn’t have gone for our own alliance first! Our game is over and it’s all because of you!

[quintessenceofdust88]

Ohhhh it’s so hard to choose—

🍼🍼🍼🍼 & 🚁🚁🚁🚁

(It wasn’t hard at all you’re doing my two of my favorite things!!!) 🤣🫶

HAHAHA and then you chose both, I love that! Thank you smmm for sending them and for the tag <3 Let's start with 20 sentences of Little Blobs for you:

“Hen, you don’t think I’m…” Buck can’t even say it; the possibility had never crossed his mind, and yet… It feels like his brain is short-circuiting as he revisits his latest symptoms in his mind. 

“Well, why not? You are a carrier, aren’t you? You told me that when you were debating if you could be a surrogate to your friends” She says, and Buck nods dumbly. “And, well, I know you and Tommy get… busy with each other very often.�� “We…Well, yeah, but I take birth control” Buck says, frantically recalling the last few weeks in his mind and wondering if he could’ve forgotten to take the pill at some point. And then it dawns on him how frantic their wedding day had been, and yeah, he doesn’t remember taking it on that day. Or the day after. Or during their weekend honeymoon in San Diego (they had been… busy, as Hen would put it). “Oh, fuck, Hen, what if I’m pregnant?! I can’t be pregnant right now, it’s not the plan!” “Buckaroo, I don’t know what the plan is, but life doesn’t tend to care for it. Maybe you’re not; I’m just saying it’s a possibility and you should check it” Hen says placatingly. “If it’s positive, you and Tommy will figure it out; if it’s negative, you owe me 30 bucks for the tests”

--- And now for 20 sentences of CRASH!THAT!HELICOPTER! angst:

“You found your present” He says dumbly, his eyes not leaving the burgundy hoodie that’s so beautifully wrapped around Evan’s frame, making him look as cozy and adorable as Tommy expected. And, well. It might not have been the smartest thing to say, but he supposes there’s a lot of morphine going through his body right now. 

“Well, yeah, after you told my sister where it was as your helicopter crashed? After you wished me Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as your parting words?! It wasn’t so difficult” He answers with a somewhat hysterical chuckle. “What the hell, Tommy?! You’re too much of a coward to actually let yourself be loved and see a future with me, but not to send a farewell message to me through dispatch?! You’re unbelievable!”

“Buck…” He starts, but it’s clear he won’t get to say anything this time. For one, his brain is still working a little too slow to translate thoughts into words. Evan seems to notice it, and lets out a defeated sigh. 

“We… We’ll talk later, ok? Let’s get a doctor to check on you first. Sorry, that should have been the first thing I did” He says grumpily, and presses the button by Tommy’s bed. 

From them on, it’s a flutter of doctors and nurses, and Tommy learns the extent of the damage: a broken femur, at least five crushed ribs and a small concussion, not to mention the thousand bruises that turned his whole left side black and blue; he hasn’t looked at a mirror yet, but it can’t be pretty.  --- I hope you like it and have a wonderful week, my dear <3

[rdng1230]

lost Tommy scenes

I really really wish we could see all the scenes between tommy and the other characters that are alluded to but not shown. Like I Know it’s in service of first the reveal that buck/eddie/chim have beaten Hen to harbor, and then the reveal that buck is craving Tommy’s attention and tommy likes buck romantically. But dammit I think we miss so much of the foundation of Buck and Tommy (and Tommy and Eddie’s friendship) because they wanted to keep those reveals under their hats.

(side note, I agree with the buddies partially that bucks behavior doesn’t make sense if viewed purely from a “buck is jealous that eddie is getting Tommy’s attention” because why would he act like that particularly with the whole eddie being on the phone and him watching him like a Hawk because eddie could’ve been on the phone with anybody? however I don’t think it works purely from the other perspective either, because then why would buck want a tour of harbor station? And then why would he continue to hype up Eddie as a person tommy should be friends with? Honestly it reads more rejection dysphoric/that ole fear of exclusion, the same kind that made buck act out when eddie first showed up, at least to me)

ok where was I. So yeah I wish they hadn’t cut so much out in service of those two reveals because I really want the scenes where

Buck and Eddie actually meet Tommy. You can kinda tell Tommy is really feelin himself when Hen shows up, and I think that’s Tommy being a) happy to save the day and b) havin’ a little ‘just met a cute boy’ swagger. That is one peacocking pilot is what I’m saying. I also think that Eddie must have introduced himself first, using his first and last name, and then Buck, not wanting to just say Buck, introduced himself first and last name too. Otherwise I really have no idea where Tommy would’ve even learned bucks first name. Eddie said they clicked immediately so it’d be interesting to see what that meant and whether or not Buck already started on the jealousy train.

when stormy weather is playing as Tommy lands the helicopter, you can see Buck has moved to the front seat, with Eddie in the back with Bobby and the kid he rescued. I’d really love to have heard what kinda conversation went on between them, if any. Clearly time has passed because when eddie and Buck find Bobby and the kid it is fully dark and when Tommy lands the helicopter it is fully daytime. What I find interesting is once they land, Tommy and Eddie don’t interact with each other at all. The three of them just watch the bathena reuniting moment. Eddie leaves the frame without acknowledging Tommy, while Buck specifically pauses and reaches out for Tommy for their little musical beat (actually three beats, in terms of the music) I don’t know, it just seems like that scene makes way more of a case for a Buck and Tommy instant connection more than an Eddie and Tommy one. And I would’ve loved to see the in between scene to pepper in more details.

god do I want to see a Tommy and Chris scene SO BAD. Clearly chris regaled Tommy with tales of him and bucks adventures and I wish we knew what exactly Tommy knows and his reaction to it. I think that also would’ve given more insight.

I also want to see Buck and Chris’s scene talking about Tommy (gee can you tell I miss Christopher) is Chris really as interested or is Maddie right and Buck kept the conversation on that topic? Inquiring minds wish to know.

I want to see the scene with Tommy taking Eddie To get his leg fixed. When exactly did they have this heart to heart about excluding Buck and what did it entail? Tommy says that they both “felt bad” tbh I really wish we had seen this firsthand because eddie had seemed kind of preoccupied with his own stuff in those episodes (that asking Buck to babysit thing was OUT OF POCKET, even though I know he didn’t mean to be rude) and I would’ve loved to have seen him show that concern toward Buck. Tommy clearly gets the importance of Buck and Eddie’s friendship and I kinda want to see what moments led him to understand how important that relationship is, to the point he literally drives over to bucks place just to apologize for getting in the way.

anywho yeah I know we really haven’t got that much to go on as to Buck and Tommy’s relationship and I know a huge part of that is the 10 episode run as opposed to the normal 18. But yeah I want more bucktommy because there is so much good stuff there and I want them to really get the time to explore it.

It’s not that I don’t like buddie, I really do! They have a very strong foundation and case for them becoming a romantic pairing, like for reals these two are not normal about each other, and they haven’t been since the beginning. But I think Buck is having that initial bad behavior in the same way he did with his little boycrush on eddie. And the difference between Eddie and Tommy is that Tommy actually is open and ready to commit to him romantically. I don’t think it’s a matter of whether or not there’s feelings deeper than friendship with buddie, to me that’s an unequivocal yes, but I do think it’s a matter of whether or not eddie will get his shit together in time for Buck to still be there waiting for him. And I think the clock on that is ticking fast because Buck cannot stop smiling at that pilot man. And who can blame him?

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Gyroids clad in plaid

It’s gyroid hunting time and we’ve got a busy week ahead! Emilie’s back at the camp with a familiar face - Kat - and two new faces - Amy and Natara. Dixie’s joining us too, though she won’t be here until the day after tomorrow. 

It’s nice to see Emilie again, especially since we had so much fun at the last gyroid hunt. She’s doing a lot better as she extended her short break from work for a few months longer and time has been good for her. While she’s not working at her main job, Emilie’s been focusing on hobbies, self care, and the agency - her side gig. In fact, she’s been strongly thinking about leaving the bureau and transferring to Dixie’s agency as an agent. 

Considering how stressful working in the FBI is and how it’s been burning her out, I think it’s a good idea for Emilie to step down. Also with people like Rocky, Lex, Kat, and Jamie on the team, I know she'll fit right in. 

The thing is that it’s gig based so on one hand, you’re not working 40 + hours a week, but you might have times when you’re in the office for six months and then spend the next six months globe hopping. But it’s super flexible and since it’s not like a full time job, it leaves you with plenty of time to focus on other stuff when you’re not on a mission. So those kind of hours might appeal to some and detract others. In Emilie’s case, I think that’s a plus for her.

Even though she’s not doing field work, Emilie’s busy training two new recruits who were handpicked by Dixie - Natara Lakshmi and Amy Leang. Both are students at Spectrum University studying in psychology and computer science respectively. If Dixie chose you to join her team, then it’s a big deal. 

Up until today, I never got to really know Natara and Amy that well. All I knew is that they’re friends of Jamie and Delanie so our circles kinda overlapped, but never really meeting up completely. I’m glad that after all these years, our paths finally crossed!

Natara’s an aspiring criminal profiler who not only has strong intuition, but she can also ready people like a book. She began taking an interest in criminology after she and her friends managed to thwart a crooked businessman’s attempt at taking over her father’s company. Although she saved her father’s name, Natara lost his respect as she disobeyed him and put herself in danger. 

While her friends are happy that Dixie recruited her - a dream come true for Natara - her family’s not so keen on it. Growing up in a strict Asian family it sometimes feels like you’re twice as pressured to pursue your own ambitions and meet your parents’s expectations. If they contradict each other, you can’t help but blame yourself because you shouldn’t have to struggle so much to gain approval.

At least for Amy, her family’s a lot more supportive. But the pressure to succeed is just as high, as well as the pressure to excel. Her mom works as a data analyst, which is what Amy wants to do too, except instead of finances, she’s interested in law. 

Amy’s also a self taught hacker and was notorious for clearing her school’s name when they were accused of leaking test answers. She also played a role in helping Natara take down her father’s rival and was partially responsible for taking down a criminal hacker group - both happened when she was in high school. In short, Amy’s got an interesting history as a vigilante hacker, which I’m pretty sure was what caught Dixie’s eye.

And there’s Kat, who’s been having a crazy year so far. From having to take her mother’s place as queen, becoming a prisoner in space, getting her friends out of trouble multiple times, ending a long war, and reuniting with her presumed dead father - it’s a lot for anyone to handle. Though compared to her father and brother - who never met each other until then - Kat feels like she’s the least disoriented out of the three.

Reuniting with someone you thought was dead for almost two decades is as jarring as it sounds. While things are a bit awkward as Kat’s dad still sees her as a little girl he’s slowly adjusting to having not only one but two almost grown kids. I still can’t get over the image of Micah - the kind of guy who runs headfirst into trouble - hiding behind his sister like a little kid after seeing his father for the first time.

The elder Micah’s adjusting well for someone who was thrown to the frontlines after a long absence - or at least that’s how he comes across to everyone. Now that things have settled down Kat thinks the full impact of everything that has happened is finally getting to him. Since then he’s been keeping himself busy by making up for lost time, which according to Kat’s aunt, is his way of avoiding dealing with his own problems. 

After confirming that he’s in fact not okay, Kat, Micah, and their friends staged a coup by forcing him to do absolutely nothing for a month, which he wasn’t too keen on. So they threatened to lock him in his room and tie him down to the bed if they have to. In the end he gave in so now he’s trying to relax as well as make up for sixteen years worth of lost time with his son. 

Kat would’ve invited her friends and family to join us for the gyroid hunt but they’re all obviously busy. Everything’s still a bit of a chaotic mess, but it's nothing that Kat and the others can’t handle.

So the theme for this event is a cozy plaid aesthetic, which is totally my thing! After the success of the matcha mint gyroids, Reese and Cyrus enlisted Daisy Jane to help design the furniture we’ll be building with the gyroids. Knowing Daisy Jane, this kind of aesthetic’s totally in her element!

First stop is Lost Lure Creek, where we took the time to catch some fish as my inventory was running low. We had a pretty early start so we’re in no rush to collect gyroids. Plus it’s nice to sit down and hang out with the campers. There were a lot of gyroids hanging from trees so Emilie and Kat had a lot of fun swinging branches as well as finding special fruit and bells hidden under the leaves.

Next stop was the Market Place, where we met up with Isabelle, Tommy, and Timmy. I don’t normally drop by there on a regular basis during my rounds but for gyroid events, it’s a must. It’s also a good thing that we did because Natara found a book that Pecan dropped yesterday. Sometimes there’s a lot of gyroids lying around and sometimes there’s none. We lucked out today!

Then we went to Sunburst Island, where we went bug catching with Bea. I might have gotten a bit distracted with the horned dynastids but I had to catch them in order to shake the trees to get the gyroids so either way I get both. Kat was fascinated by the butterflies, Amy helped Gulliver log in his inventory, and Daisy Jane taught Emilie and Natara how to make flower crowns.

At Saltwater Shores we collected shells, went fishing, and harvested coconuts. There weren’t a lot of gyroids hanging around so we went for a swim for about an hour. Daisy Jane almost went overboard after catching a king red snapper so it took me, Emilie, Kat, Natara, Amy, and Buck to keep her feet on the ground. Looks like we’ll be having a big campfire dinner tonight!

After taking our well deserved break and making a quick stop at the campsite to drop off the big catch, off we headed to Breezy Hollow. I normally stop here at the end so I can restock on fruit without having to go back and forth between hangout sites. Today not only happened to be full of gyroids, but perfect fruit as well! While the others went picking fruit and wildflowers, I restocked my marketplace with grapes and crafting materials. I also bought some lychee and lemons for tonight’s bonfire.

Last stop is OK Motors, a place that I don’t visit too often unless my RV needs tuning up, someone lost something over there, or if I just want to hang out with Beppe, Giovanni, and Carlo. Like the Market Place, gyroids sometimes pop up here and there. Emilie, Kat, Natara, and Amy took turns playing Brake Tapper - Natara won the most caps with Emilie coming in  a close second. Amy did fairly well while Kat was all over the place. 

Maybe one day I’ll finally have enough caps to trade them in for a t-shirt. But right now I’m more interested in collecting plaid gyroids. Gotta make some trips to Shovelstrike Quarry sometime this week - with a group as big as ours, it won’t take too long for us to get in.

Then it’s back to either the campsite or cabin where we just hang out for a couple hours before going back out to hunt for more gyroids. At the campsite Amy taught Daisy Jane the basics of building a website - which will be very useful for her in the future. Kat showed off some cool spells she learned from her dad, including a fireworks one that’s perfect for tonight. Natara made coconut mango lassi while Emilie baked brownies and I made a pasta salad.

We had a pretty good haul today - not enough to build furniture yet, but it’s a good start. It was a busy but also a kinda chill day. It’s nice seeing Emilie and Kat again and just having a great time with them. 

At the bonfire Emilie and KK put together an impromptu show that was fun to watch. Celeste and Natara took turns looking for constellations and nebulas. Kat showed us how to manipulate fireworks into cool shapes (and accidentally caused a few small explosions here and there - nothing serious though, it’s just something that happens from time to time). Amy, Goldie, and Kitt went looking for shells, gyroids, and whatever treasures that were buried in the sand. 

While sitting by the waves I can see Daisy Jane sitting by a coconut tree, both of us scribbling in our journals while the memories of today are still fresh in our minds. Book in lap, pages full of words and sketches, ink smudged hands with an uncapped pen, plaid gyroids lying in the sand or hanging from a branch above, all illuminated by the moonlight.

[bri206]

Soulmates Part 4

Later that night after the credits were long gone, Oliver looked down to see her glasses askew  and hair in several different places. A soft smile crosses his lips, as he gently reached over to turn off the movie, causing the room to go in darkness.

After getting out from under her, he lifts her up effortlessly and takes her back to the master bedroom. Laying her down on the queen size bed, he goes through their night ritual, scraping her of her slippers, tucking her under the sheets and last but not least, pulling off her glasses and laying them on the nightstand. After shedding everything but his boxers, he joins his wife in her bed. One thing he is happy that hasn’t changed, is the act of falling asleep in her arms.

The next morning, Oliver wakes to an annoying buzzing sound. Opening his eyes, he immediately sees his wife wrapped around him like a spider monkey. For a second he thinks that he just woke from a cruel dream, but then everything halts that chance at hope, when his phone goes off again, Not wanting to disturb Felicity, he slowly reaches for the phone beside her glasses on the nightstand.

“Hello?”

“Ollie? Oh thank god, where have you been, I’ve been calling you for the last 30 minutes.”

The moment her voice hits his ears, Oliver’s eyes go wide.

“Laurel” he whispers.

“Yes, Laurel, who else would it be?”

“No one, ummm, what do you need Laurel?”

“I need to know why you bailed on me last night. Ollie, last night was supposed to be a huge night for us.”

Deciding he didn’t want to have this conversation with his wife literally clinging to him, he slowly untangles her and gets out of the bed and heads to the living room.

“Laurel look, I’m sorry ok, I came down with a… bug.”

“Wait you got sick last night? Was it the shrimp, I knew there was something off about those apps.”

“What? Uh, yeah it was the shrimp.”

“Oh, well do you want me to come over and take care of you?” “NO.” he clears his throat. “I mean no, you don’t need to be around me, and besides I’m pretty sure I’m getting better.”

“Are you sure, because that’s what girlfriends do, take care of their boyfriends.”

Cringing at the title and situation Laurel just explained, Oliver pinches the bridge of his nose.

“I’m sure Laurel.”

At the end of his sentence he hears footsteps behind him. Looking up he sees Felicity wiping sleep out of her eyes and giving him a questioning look. Shaking his head he silently assures her it’s nothing.

“Ok, well then I’ll come and check on you in a little bit.”

“Laurel you really don’t have to do that-”

“I’ll see you in an hour, I love you.”

“Laurel-”

‘Click’

“Laurel?”

Taking the phone away from his ear, he sees the call has ended.

Sighing, he closes his eyes.

“Girlfriend problems? Or is it ex-girlfriend problems, because…”

He gives her an adorable  look that says ‘please stop’

“Did I wake you?”

Walking in between his legs, she says “Only when I got cold and realized my space heater was no longer there.”

“Is that all I am to you? A source of heat?” “And very attractive sight for my eyes.”

Leaning down, she kisses him.

“Good morning.”

“Morning” he says in his husky voice.

Leaning back up and heading to the kitchen for coffee, she asks, “So what did Laurel want?”

“Oh you know an explanation on why I left her early last night.”

“And let me guess, the excuse was … you live in a bad neighborhood so you had to get home early?”

“You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”

“Never” she whispers.

“ I do hope you didn’t tell her that the real reason you left her was to see the woman that has your heart and watch Return of the Jedi?”

“No, I thought it’d be best if I told her that I got food poisoning.” He says wrapping his arms around her.

“The crab cakes?”

“Shrimp.”

Before he can kiss her again, his phone goes off again.

“Argh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok , you should probably go anyway, people are going to be wondering where the prince of Starling is, if he doesn’t show up soon. And judging by how you conversation ended, I’m going to say that Ollie has some issues to work out.

“Let me at least make you breakfast first.”

“As much as I would love that, I can’t, I’m already running late.”

“Then I’ll make you toast.” “You are one determined man Oliver Queen.”

As he starts to prepare the toast, she goes back to her room to get dressed.

After about five minutes of content silence, Oliver remembers something.

“So, I never asked, did you come up with a plan yesterday?”

Walking into the room in a black pencil skirt and red top, she sighs while putting her hair in its signature ponytail.

“No, I mean I really came up blank yesterday, but in my defense I was doing double time. You?”

“I got nothin.”

“Well we better come up with something, and soon, because if we’re still here in two weeks our situation is going to become even more difficult.”

“The Gambit.”

“Yeah. As much as I don’t want you to endure that again, you’re gonna have to get on that boat if the time comes.”

“I know” looking down at their intertwined hands, he meets her eyes again. “I know.”

“Hey, but that is worse case scenario, I promise. Right now we just need to find a way to get in contact with Sara, which will be my mission for the day.”

Going off for the third time in ten minutes, Oliver is very tempted to shatter his phone against the wall.

Looking down at the flashing screen that says 10 missed calls, 20 missed messages, & 5 voice mails. Felicity takes a deep breath and simply lays a loving kiss on his cheek.

“Lock up on the way out will you?” she says as she grabs the toast and coffee Oliver prepared for her, and heads for the door.

“Yeah. Felicity.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

And with one final step out the door, Oliver is left alone with his thoughts, and they weren’t good.

When he opens the door to the mansion, the first person he runs into is one of the last people he wants to speak to, his mother.

“Oliver, where have you been? You left so abruptly last night, I got worried.”

“Yeah, sorry, Laurel had a headache.”

“Oh, did you stay with her last night?” “Um, no.”

“No?”

“I stayed with… Tommy. Laurel had a really bad headache and I didn’t want to disturb her so I dropped her off and headed to Tommy’s.”

“Oh”

“Yeah, so umm I’m just gonna go lay down.”

“Ok” she simply says as she watches him go up the stairs and disappear behind the wall.

Walking into his room, he immediately closes the door and sighs. Everything was not going well, and he knew if they stayed here any longer it would be inevitable for things to change, and he couldn’t let things change because no matter how much he hated those 5 years, he wouldn’t give them up if that meant he got to have Felicity and William.

‘William’ how easy would it be to just write a letter to his son and save so many years of pain and questions for him. But he couldn’t because there could be so many consequences if he did. But even that thought didn’t stop him from gazing at his desk, or slowly walking over to it and sitting down. But before he could grab the pen, there was a knock at the door, and someone entering.

Thinking that it was Laurel, his shoulders immediately went tense and his senses on alert.

“Hey man”

At the sound of a deep familiar voice, Oliver’s demeanor went slack. Turning around, his eyes went soft.

“Tommy”

“Uhh it’s the one and only, no need to get all nostalgic or anything.”

“Sorry, umm, it’s been a morning.”

“Yeah your telling me, have you seen the headlines?” “What headlines?”

“The one where Oliver Queen goes to an unknown Thai place near the glades in full out suit and tie.”

Standing up, he immediately takes the phone out of Tommy’s hand.

“Oh no” he whispers.

“Man, I swear you could sweat a bead and people would go crazy” Tommy says flopping on the bed. “People will do about just anything to make a buck and get your attention.”

Noticing that Oliver isn’t paying attention, Tommy waves his hand.

“Yoohoo, Earth to Oliver. Dude that is literally the least you need to worry about, I mean who cares, you were getting Thai. Although that is a bit odd, since when do you like Thai?”

Finally looking up from the article, he processes everything his friend just said.

“Look it’s a big deal because, I may have lied to Laurel on where I was last night.”

Knowing that his comment is risky considering the fact that he knows Tommy is in love with Laurel, has him being hesitant. But then he remembers that past him didn’t know that so he tries to put it off like he doesn’t care. For a second he swears that he sees a hint of hurt in his friend’s eyes, but just like that it was gone.

“So where does she think you were last night?”

“Here, sick. But my mom thinks that I was with you.”

“Oh Ollie, always the one stuck in a web of lies. Your lucky I like you, and I guess I can lie for you, as long as you tell me where you really were last night.”

Oliver knows that his friend was not in the dark when it came to his indiscretions, in fact sometimes he encouraged it, which made this a little bit easier for him, no matter how much he hated this part of his life.

“I was with a girl last night.”

“Are you just gonna keep me hangin on this, I mean I could just simply accidently let it slip that you never made it back to my place last night. Unless you gave me deats. Was she hot? A good lay?”

“OK, yes she was hot and really good in bed.”

Those weren’t lies and he doesn't feel bad for bragging about his wife, in fact that’s what a husbands supposed to do right?

“And for the record, you wouldn’t have outed me.”

“You my friend are right, gotta keep that promise we made back in second grade.”

Before he can respond, there is another knock at the door. Laurel carefully walks in.

“Hey Ollie, I brought you some chicken noodle soup.”

She stops when she sees Tommy.

“Laurel look I appreciate it but I really am ok, like I said I was.”

“Yeah it’s a miracle, he can walk again.”

“Shut up Merlyn”

“Ok Lance, just trying to help.” Turning her attention back to Oliver, she asks, “So now that you’re feeling better maybe we can go get some breakfast or something.”

“I-”

Before he can say anything, his phone goes off. Pulling it out of his pocket, he sees it’s an unknown number.

‘SOS’

His alerts immediately go into overdrive, but then go down slightly when the next message goes through.

‘It’s Felicity by the way’

“I have to go.”

“But Ollie, what about breakfast?”

“I’m sorry Laurel, my dad needs me right now, but I’ll call you later” he says leaving the room.

When he gets to QC, he practically runs to her office, looking for the threat. When he arrives, he immediately sees her standing in front of something and thinking really hard. When she sees him creeping in, she gives off a little huff.

“Relax Oliver, I’m not in danger.”

At those words, he slightly relaxes.

“You sent an SOS, what am I supposed to think?”

“Oh yeah, that, it wasn’t because I was in danger, It’s because of this.” She says pointing at a board she created with sticky notes.

“What is this?”

“This is my plan to get back home.”

“That tone doesn’t sound promising.”

“That would be because we can’t do everything else unless I get a computer. And before you say I can buy one for you, A- I can’t wait & B- None of them are what I need. Which leads me back to square one.”

“Which is what exactly?

“Me here talking to you. Oliver, I’m running out of ideas, and we need to get out of here before things change.”

“It might be a little late for that.”

Turning around abruptly to meet his eyes that are currently looking down at her desk. “What do you mean to late? What did you do?”

“Nothing… Ok it was something, but it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”

“What did you do?”

“Well apparently there’s a photo and article floating around about me buying our Thai food last night.”

“Ok. What were you supposed to be doing?”

“I was supposed to go back with Laurel last night.”

“And there’s more. Why was last night so significant?”

“I remembered this morning that, she was going to tell me that she was thinking about going to law school, but she didn’t know if it was a good idea because she wanted to wait for me, and I was supposed to tell her to go for it, but…”

“Are you telling me that because you did not have that conversation last night, Laurel Lance may never become a lawyer, meaning that she won’t be able to get us out of our situations. Oh god Oliver, this is not good. In fact this is really bad.”

“I know. I know.”

“And there’s also the fact that if she sees this article, she’ll know I was lying,  which-”

“I got it” she says putting her hands up to stop him. Taking a deep breath, Felicity starts to process. “Ok I will deal with the article, and you need to figure out how to have that conversation.”

He nods his head.

“And Oliver, don’t touch anything. I mean it.”

“I won’t, I promise.”

As he is about to leave a thought occurs to him.

“Hey you said that no one has the technology that you need right?”

“Uh yeah.”

“Well you’re wrong, because we do know someone that has advanced tech that could get a signal through.”

“And who would that be…. No, No absolutely not.”

“Felicity think about it ARGUS is our only bet.”

“Yeah but you’re forgetting something, we don’t have friends in the inside, meaning we can’t just waltz in and take anything we want.”

“No but have you forgotten who I am?”

“Don’t you mean who you will be?”

“Felicity, while I may not have powers like Barry or Kara, I do have my brain and my skills. That is my superpower. So what makes this any different than a recon mission in our own time?” “Well, we kind of don’t have the equipment. And we can’t forget that Amanda Waller is in charge.”

“Look I will deal with everything and I will pick you up after work.”

He turns to leave.

“Whoa, wait what? After work, we can’t just leave.”

“Felicity we don’t have a choice and the sooner you get the equipment you need, the sooner we can get back to William.”

At his name everything goes away, and she knows for a fact that he’s right.

“Ok. I’ll be ready.”

Nodding his head, he simply says “Good” and walks out to clean up his mess. 

@candykizzes24 @wherethereissmoak @ao3feed-oliverfelicity @almondblossomme @dreamalongwithamy @smkkbert @miriam1779  @jcc04220 @emisfritish @smoakqueenalways @leuska

[peakyblinders1919]

The Answer Pt. 8

for @roshanaks because she’s ignited my need for more Elouise/Michael and I can get her what she wants quicker ;)

“Rise and shine!” Maggie’s singsong greeted Elouise as she rolled over in bed with a grunt. Her voice was low from sleep and muffled by the pillows and blankets, but Maggie could just make out the faint ‘no’ falling from her friend's lips, disappearing further in the bed. “Come on Lou,” Maggie said, trying to find her friends foot to grab onto. Once she found it she started pulling, though Lou fought back as her hands emerged from the shadowy depths, grabbing onto the bars of the headboard. “You...can’t...stay...in..bed..forever.” Maggie groaned in between each tug in this game of war, as Lou gripped harder, her nails digging into her palms.

“I can.” Her voice a muffled whisper.

“You can’t.” Maggie said, giving Lou’s ankle a final, rough tug, just as Lou had finally given up and let go, sending both girls toppling over. Maggie soared through the air, landing down hard on the floor, sending Elouise shooting up to make sure she was ok.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Maggie squeaked as got up, rubbing the side of her leg as she made her way over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it. She looked at Elouise long and hard before saying anything, seeing her friend in this state of dejection truly for the first time. The silence filled the air around them for a few moments, Elouise staring blankly out the window, her mind trailing off into the distance.

“I know you’re upset, but you gotta snap out of it.” Maggies harsh, but true, words broke the silence, pulling Elouise from her trance-like state, looking at Maggie for the first time in a while. Her reassuring smile made Elouise feel something she hadn’t in the past few days; hopeful. She sat up straighter, ready to listen but not willing to say anything. “You gotta get out of bed. Get out of the house. You haven’t been to work in five days.”

“I’m not even sure I have a job anymore.”

“Well why don’t you go find out or something. Sulking around all day is not good for you.”

“I can’t face them.”

“You can Elouise. They’re probably worried about you.”

“Doubtful.”

“I give up.” Maggie said abruptly, standing and heading towards the door. “I’m trying to help you but Polly was right about this self-loathing. Go talk to them or don’t, I don’t care, just get out of the goddamn house for a few hours. Go buy us some alcohol at least, since we’ve run out.”

Elouise perked up at that, knowing deep down that Maggie was right, she’d get nothing accomplished if she stayed inside and surrendered. In these few days without the Shelby’s, she had been truly familyless, and she hated that feeling more than the feeling that she didn’t have her very own family, instead of being taken in by one. She sighed, finally standing up and walking to the closet where a few of her things were hanging amongst Maggie’s, a clear divide between the darkest dresses and super girly ones.

“You trust me to go buy alcohol? Last time you called me an alcoholic if I remember correctly.”

“I said you might have a problem, it’s different. But of course I trust you, just bring the bottle back full.” Maggie smirked, throwing her some money before leaving for her fashion class.

And it was that easy to be alone again. Elouise sighed, pulling on a dress and getting ready to face the world after being disconnected from it for what felt like forever. As she stepped outside, heading towards the city full of demons, she wasn’t sure the world was ready for her again.

Elouise hurried into the first liquor store she saw when it had started to rain. She wasn't in a rush, but she didn't want her hair to get wet, sometimes she cared about girly things like appearances and stuff. But besides that her feet were beginning to ache, as she had went out of her way to go to a store on the opposite side of town as an attempt to steer clear of the Shelbys. It was times like this she wished she could have a car of her own, but she knew she was lucky to even be allowed to drive it sometimes, albeit how bad she was once she was behind the wheel.

A little ding filled her ears as a bell rang when she entered. She shook the little droplets of water off her coat and wiped her shoes as she looked around. The only other person in the store was the man who owned it, giving Elouise a smile and then walking towards she when she started looking at the whisky.

“I think what you're looking for is over here.” The man said, pointing her towards the wine. Elouise sighed, crossing her arms as she stood firmly in front of the section.

“I know what I want, thanks.”

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Can...can I help you with anything?”

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m looking for top shelf Irish Whisky.”

The man’s eyes grew wide at the request, but nonetheless he what she had requested, which was hidden behind the counter. She grabbed a bottle of gin as well, Maggie’s favorite, and walked over to the counter, waiting for the man to ring her up.

“Top shelf Irish Whisky, that’s what they have down at the Garrison. What’re you doing all the way over here?”

“Minding my own business. Can we hurry please, I have to go.” She said worriedly now, almost hopping from foot to foot as the possibility of any one of the Blinders coming in now, because if this guy knew about the Garrison, obviously Elouise hadn’t gone far enough.

“That’ll be 20 pounds.” The man said with a fake smile now as he watched Elouise dig through her pockets and place crumpled bills on the counter.

“Shit, shit, shit…” she said under her breath, digging through her pockets hoping to find more than the few bucks Maggie had given her. The man looked at her cautiously, like most people do when she enters a room. In the midst of trying to find enough money to pay, she hadn’t notice the faint bell ringing again.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, I’ll just take the gin.” She said, cursing herself for needing the money her job had provided, wondering how she was going to munster up the courage to drag herself back across that threshold. She might have to beg for her job back, publically apologize to everyone, who knows what she’d have to do but she needed her job. Unsure why, but standing in the little liquor shop without enough money to pay for booze, Elouise realised maybe Polly was right; she needed to turn her life around.

“I’ll get the Whisky.” A voice beside her made her jump, ready to defend herself against the creep trying to buy this for her, probably hoping he’d get her into bed afterwards.

“Look, fuck o-” she started, only stopping when she saw Michael beside her, digging in the deep pockets of his coat and placing money on the bar. “Michael? What’re you…” She asked confused, watching him take the bag of booze from the man behind the counter and starting to walk out. She followed reluctantly, still throwing an intimidating gaze over her shoulder at the man as she left.

“What’re you doing here?”

“I was just out running an errand.”

“On the opposite side of town?”

He just shrugged, stepping into the street to cross without looking, and Elouise followed a second after, getting honked at by some car passing by. She sped up to be by his side again, noticing the suit he was wearing, another old one of John’s. She furrowed her brows as she tried keeping up with his long strides, wondering about all she had missed in the past week if Michael was now wearing John’s old things on a daily basis.

“Well, what were you doing on this side of town?” He countered

“Trying to avoid you lot, can’t imagine that’s your reasoning too.”

He shrugged. “Happy coincidence I guess.”

She laughed under her breathe, crossing her arms as the clack of her heels filled the air. “He’s looking for me.”

“What?”

“Tommy, he’s upset I haven’t come into work.”

“Well, I mean yeah. I had your pay for this week but just spent it on this little thing.” He said, waving the bottle around at her, causing her to grab it from his hands.

“What the hell are you doing with my money?”

“The world didn’t stop just because you left El, thing’s are changing.”

A shiver ran down her spine as she heard the name.

“Changing huh? You sound like her.”

“Sound like who?” He waited but when she didn't answer, having slight flashbacks to the fight she and Polly had in the bar he ignored it and continued. “Anyway...are you gonna come back?”

Elouise stopped in her tracks, staring at him thoughtfully. Sure, he was wearing John’s old clothes, but he looked even more like Tommy when you stared at him. The light eyes, the clenched jaw, he already looked different than when he first showed up a couple weeks ago. She tisked him as they kept walking.

“So it’s Poll who’s sent you to find me.”

“Well, she was worried about you yeah, but she wasn’t the only one.” He said, looking at her sideways and a hint of a smile playing on his face. She tried not to blush too hard, but she literally didn’t know she was even capable of blushing. “How are you doing after the auction.”

“It’s over. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fair enough.” Michael stated after clearing his throat, the two turning the corner and Watery Lane coming into view. In the time they had spent talking, she hadn’t realized how much they had walked and the betting shop was on her right with the Garrison on her left, and she held her breathe at the thought of seeing anyone else.

“El?” He called, stopping at the doors of the shop when he realized she wasn’t following anymore.

“Uh, I have to get back to Maggie’s.”

“Right well, you won’t have to talk about it at the party this weekend?”

“Party?”

“Yeah, it’s my birthday, everyone’s going to the Garrison. They’d all like to see you.”

“Oh I...uh...I don’t know…”

“Come on, at least do it for me.”

She scoffed at that, stopping before getting to close to either of the Shelby territories. Her eyes roamed the street, constantly checking if anyone was showing up and when she knew she was in clear she turned back to Michael with a playful smirk on her face. “You might look and sound the part now, but you've got a lot left to learn Gray. No one tells me what to do. Thanks for the Whisky.” She finished off as she walked away, sighing deeply when she was gone again, trying to regain her composure she seemed to lose every time she was around him.