#Roofing Marlow

[frmulcahy]

We Have Always Lived In The Castle graphic novel when

[everygayhere]

May the fun commence

hey this the first fanfic i've ever posted so like if you could give any notes that would be really appreciated and also go a little easy maybe... possible pls.

summary: Y/N a college student who is traveling to Malibu beach and have a fun vacation and maybe get to know her crush Marlow a bit more, while also avoiding Tara the most annoying person. Little does she know that maybe more interesting paths await her at this beach house. Tara carpenter a free spirted women who likes to have her fun drinking and hanging out with friends and avoiding the one person she knows won't be here Y/N.

Part 1, Part 2

Loud sounds of pelting rain hit the roof. As Y/N sits in her room with the murmurs of the television in the background which has been forgotten. Scrolling through her Instagram mindlessly noticing everyone enjoying their summer, FOMO at an all time high. She has a long exhale of breath as she sees her crush Marlows’s post. Jealousy consumes her as she analyzes the photo of a random girl’s arms wrapped around their body. To close for her comfort she thinks. Quickly scrolling past to see her friend Alva’s post about her lavash vacation and the summer sun, wishing she could be there.

Yet here she lays in the comfort of her bed wasting the day away. You see it’s not like she wasn’t invited to come along with them on their vacation. She just said no. Her parents didn’t mind her going, it's just that sometimes they embarrass her. When she told them that her friends wanted her to come along on their vacation her parents were fine with it; they were actually happy. They couldn’t wait to get their daughter out of their house for some alone time and so their daughter could have fun.

To Y/n credit she was packing to get ready to go but then her mum pulled the stunt of giving her condoms and a sex talk and that just made her not want to go. So now the envy of her friends having fun, well she was stuck at home once again was on her this time, but maybe it was for the best since Tara Carpenter was there. A part of her didn’t mind that she wasn’t on Malibu Beach sun tanning and basking in the warm air but the other part was so pissed off.

A knock was heard at Y/N’s door, “darling hey I was just coming up to see if you were okay or needed anything?”. Her mother questions at the closed door. “Ah no i’m good thanks though mum” Y/N heard her mother sigh as her footsteps became distant. Is it possible for my summer to get any worse she thought to herself. *DING* the sound of a notification rang out into her room, her screen lighting up from the right of her. Of Course it could, why the hell would it not. There on her locked screen lit up a notification of a post Marlow  just uploaded and in the tagged mentions was Tara Carpenter insta. As Y/N clicked the notification the image of Tara and Marlow was brought up to her face. The two of them grinning into the camera with their eyes covered by sunglasses. Marlow was wearing a wife beater while Tara had an unbuttoned Hawaiian style shirt and a Nike sports bra underneath.

Now normally Y/N would be smiling at this photo like a kid in a candy store but she couldn’t seem to hold that expression not when Tara was in it arms crossed over her chest, abs on display her biceps popping out with the sweat that dripped from her arms. Ugh why the hell did Tara have to ruin everything. She just had to be friends with Marlow. I mean who cares if they were friends since the start of college, maybe Y/N didn’t want Tara to ruin her only chance with Marlow. 

That’s it this is how my love life is going to be something or someone is going to always get in the way. No matter what. I am just destined to be alone forever. Y/N thinks to herself as she continues to see her mutuals all hanging out and having fun, couples kissing each other and posting about their life while on vacation. She then decides to get up and leave her room and go somewhere. I mean she has several more weeks before she’s back at school. Maybe she should just go to Malibu and hang with her friends. They did say that she could fly over and stay at their villa when she was ready, and this is her being ready.

Y/N packs her bags once again and heads down stairs where she sees her parents in the living room. They both turn when they hear her footsteps coming down the stairs. “Hey honey, what are you doing with those bags?” her mum asks.  “I’ve decided to get ready to leave for that vacation with my friends in LA” Y/N says looking at her mother with her head held high. “Well that’s wonderful news, but how are you going to get there darling? Flights are already fully booked for the next 2 weeks” her father responded with a confused look on his face. Amelia nudges her husband. “I was just going to drive there, nothing says great freedom like taking a 9 hour and 53 minute drive from here to LA, well LA Malibu beach”  Y/N responded. “ Well okay then have a fun message when you get there and remember safe sex is the best option besides no sex but you know what i mean” her mother smiles at her giving her a wink. “Ew mum like I said I am not going to have sex i’m just going to hangout with Alva and the others” Y/N responded while walking out the front door towards her car. “Okay well don't forget that you have to wear protection when you get a little frisky with girls honey and also, please understand you could still get an STD!” her mother shouts out towards her. “Yes, I know mum, I take health class!” Y/N  responded back, packing her bags into her car.

She hops into the front of her car and puts the directions on her GPS and connects her phone so she can listen to music on her way there. As she’s driving off she decides that this time is probably the best to get herself a coffee. So she pulls up to a cafe and off onto the road she goes. 

Several hours of driving and great playlist’s later she arrives at the villa Alva messaged her when she was driving down. At this moment she second guesses herself on whether or not she should be here. Then she sees Alva on the balcony and texts her telling her she's here, she can see Anika read it since Alva bolts from the balcony 2 minutes later she’s running out of the front door and towards Y/N’s car. “You actually came!!! Oh my god, holy shit I really thought you were bullshitting again.” “At this moment I really do wish I was too.” Y/N responded with dread filling her face.

“Oh come on, it's not that Y/nn” Alva responded by wrapping her arm around her shoulder and dragging her along with her. “Not that bad?... look how many people are here.” as Y/N scans the driveway jammed packed with cars like a goddamn puzzle. With the music blasting out to the where the two stand outside facing the front entrance. “Look it’s really not this packed all the time we just so happen to have a party the day you arrived….” Alva says well looking away from Y/N to the house. Y/N turns back to face Anika and gives her a raised eyebrow “oh really? You know that's pretty weird considering you’re good at planning ahead of time and you knew I was going to be here today.” Alva doesn’t look at her as she response “what… that’s not-” in the middle of Anika responding she turns to Y/n to explain and see the really? Face Y/n is giving her “okay maybe i did know… but it doesn’t matter now you're here and you are going to have fun with me.” Alva gives Y/N a big smile and drags her to the house by her forearm.  ‘May the fun commence.. I guess’ Y/n thought as she entered the front door.

[cozycitrus]

Peppermint Winter

Post Story One-Shot Thing : ] …no beta we die like men or whatever they say bc I've spent too much time on this

——

“That's enough come o- ackk. Stop!! Too tight, too tight!!” Marlowe whines as she tries to grab at the scarf to no avail as moon wraps it tighter around her neck.

“Stop whining. It’s cold up there.” Moon’s tone hardly gives any room for argument as he finishes tying off the scarf into a bow. “There.” His grin widens a bit as he looks her over one more time before snickering. “You look JUST like one of those overly-dressed up chihuahuas." His broken cackle bounces off the hallway walls as Marlowe sinks into the scarf. 

"You suck..." 

"I could say something back but, I think I have a little more class than that." He smirks as he turns back towards the hallway to the rooftop door. 

She audibly groans and rubs her hands over her face. "You're disgusting. You don't even-UGH ...whatever let's go."

He chuckles again before continuing down the hall, clearly satisfied he won this round. It's quiet as they walk down the corridor, aside from the faint jingling of bells and the thud of boots as they approach the hatch. Arriving at the access ladder, Moon waves his hand near an access panel and the heavy mental door at the top creaks open, to which he promptly grips the edge of the opening and pulls himself out with no use of the ladder in one quick, and swift motion. 

Marlowe squints as she watches him disappear into the hatch as she climbs up the ladder. “Show off…” She hisses under her breath.  As she makes her way to the top she uses the rails to pull herself up and out, but of course nothing can go her way and she slips on the last rung of the ladder, face planting into the miserably cold snow that's covered the roof. 

She lays there for a moment- contemplating. Thinking. Pondering. She already knows when she looks up that he's going to be standing there all smug with that shit eating grin he always has on. Alas- it is far too cold to continue laying face down in the snow so she begins to push herself up off the ground- only to suddenly feel herself be plucked up into the air by the back of her safety harness. She flails for a moment before giving up and going limp as Moon spins her to face him. 

“I don’t think you should lie in the snow like that- getting sick is snow joke.” He grins, way too proud of himself- that won’t do.

…

She sneezes right in his face. Could she have covered her nose? Yes. Did she? No- that was the worst joke she's ever heard and retribution was in order. 

His eyelights widen in mock horror as he feigns offence- getting sneezed on is nothing new to him considering the amount of kids they handle but still- he raises his free hand to his chest before scoffing and shifting her around till he's holding her like some kind of stuffed animal, his large hands hooked under her arms. 

“Now you're the disgusting one. Who taught you manners? A dog?”  He lightly shakes her as he asks, her feet limply kick as she tries to wiggle out of his grasp. 

“Sure something like that–” She grins. “Can you put me down now?” 

He looks at her, clearly trying to decide if he wants to just drop her flat on her ass or sit her down properly. Luckily for her he chooses the latter and gently sits her back down onto the ground.

“Thank you~~” She hums, before starting to dig around in her jumper pockets as she turns to walk to the rooftops far corner. He slowly trails behind her watching as she pulls the pack of cigarettes from her pocket, tapping the box on her hand before opening it. “You should really stop smoking those. I don’t like it. Dirty habit.” He grimaces as she fiddles with her lighter, the wind making it a lot harder than usual to light the cigarette she's already stuck in her mouth. He’s said it hundreds of times by now, and she always says the same thing.

“I will–- eventually. This is not working. Here move this way so you block the wind.” She replies, half listening, as she slightly moves him to the left. She hunches over pressing her forehead against the metal of his torso as she continues to fiddle with the lighter.

Click-   Click-   Click-  Click-  Click-   Click-   Click- 

Alright that's enough. Moon pulls back and before she can protest he bends down to her height and snatches the lighter from her. Using just one hand he blocks the wind and sparks the lighter with the other, successfully lighting the cigarette. She looks at him as she pulls the first drag off the cigarette before looking away with a slight flush across her face. If he asked about it, she would probably just say it was the cold. A lie as clear as day, but even despite everything that's happened over the past 3 years or so she still tries to keep some sense of pride. 

Three years. Her hand twitches for a moment before stilling again. That's a long time isn't it. She pulls another drag off the cigarette and exhales, watching as the smoke dissipates into the wind. Maybe so- maybe not. Three years might as well be a drop in the hat considering the circumstances. Maybe best not to dwell.

“You've got that look on your face again.” He's suddenly, awfully close again, his face plate twisted to look at her while he's crouched down next to her. 

“Just thinking…” She scratches at her side and looks away before looking back at him. “Nothing important.” 

He squints at her for a moment before letting it go, it's Christmas after all, even he can respect the desire to keep the day holly and jolly. 

They sit in silence for a while, the only sound being the wind and the occasional tapping of fingers along the metal railing. It's a pretty night despite the chill and heavy clouds covering the stars and moon- the real one that is. Snow falls softly on the rooftop, the little flakes landing and gathering on Marlowe's shoulders and head. She's already on her 3rd smoke, she's not exactly in a rush to head back inside to deal with the mess left over from the Christmas event the plex ran today.  How 15 staff bots managed to get destroyed is beyond her and that's just the beginning of the issues. She sighs before laying her head down on the railing and snuffing the cigarettes.

Moon glances down at her sprawled out over the rail. He quietly reaches over to brush the snow off her shoulders- she jumps for a moment before relaxing again, and he repeats the motion to sweep the snow on top of her head off as well. Her hairs gotten considerably longer, the previously self-inflicted haircut has long grown out and been replaced with something much neater but still choppy. He absent mindedly drags his fingers through it to straighten it out. 

The actions remind her of a cat and Marlowe lightly chuckles to herself, she enjoys it and he knows as much. She full-body shudders for a moment and sneezes again. Achoo-

“You're going to get sick–” He hisses out at her, hands stilling on her shoulders with a loose grip.

“Just turn your heater on for me..come on five more minutes…please.” She purposely drags out the last bit, making sure to sound extra pitiful while she leans back into him.

“Five.” Moon agrees and the gentle humm in his chassis starts to pick up as his heater kicks on.

Marlowe just about melts into him as he slowly heats up to a comfortable temperature. If she could purr she surely would be right now. There's a light rustling of fabric and bells above her and before she can look up her vision is momentarily obscured by dark blue fabric. Not for long however, as he adjust his far-to-big for her hat on her head. 

It smells faintly of peppermint and fresh laundry-

“Are you smelling my hat?”  Moon suddenly snickers loudly and tightens his grip on her. “Oh that's revolting.”

She opens her eyes and immediately drops the end of his hat that she was in fact- smelling. “Ohmygodim- .” Horrified, she flushes completely red. “I wasn’t-” she whines before giving up and goes limp completely against him singing further into the scarf around her neck. “I hate you.”

“No you d̵̟̃o̴͖̗͑n̶̜̽̍t̸̪̦̏~ ” Moon purrs right into her ear- his voice deep and scratchy. Her breath hitches momentarily before she whips around and pushes him down into the snow, catching him completely off guard as he topples over into a plume of white snow. 

Her voice warbles before she begins to speak. “You…You did that on purpose.” She huffs out pointing an accusatory finger at him.

“I would- never!!!” He lunges forward from his spot on the ground, grabbing her by the ankle and pulling her down into the snow as well- she screams as she crashes down onto him. 

“Your mean !!! Mean!!.” She slams her hands down on his chassis as he holds her against him. 

“-And you sound just like a bratty toddler.” He sneers back, which quickly shuts her up. 

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” His grip loosens on her and she sits up, wiping snow off herself in the process. All the previous grooming is now all for naught- Marlowes hair is tousled this way and that, where it sticks out from under the hat and the scarf hangs limply around her shoulders that are slowly rising and falling as she steadies her breath. The sight alone is–- his cpu cooling fans kick on embarrassingly loud. 

“Oh—” She grins big and wide. “Your little plan backfired on you huh. If you don’t cool off your gonna pop a fuse Moon~”

He groans before pushing her off of him, clearly dissatisfied at the outcome. “Alright enough- enough you win.” 

Marlowe stands up absolutely delighted and double checks everything in her pockets before turning twords the roof hatch. “I’m done up here, let's go back in.” She extends her hand to him to help him up- which he doesn't need but it's the polite thing to do. He takes it and pulls himself up and dust himself off. “Hey– bend down real quick.” He complies and his joints creak as he leans closer to her. 

“Hmmm..?” His eyelights cast a faint red across her face as she puts his hat back on him, brushing the end with the bell to the back. She pauses for a second before pressing a chaste kiss to his faceplate. 

“Merry Christmas Moon.” 

[valyalyon]

3 Chromatic Residue

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SEA MASTER LIST OR #LYONSEA

DIVIDERS

CW: smut, jealousy, explicit language. MDNI. 1.5K Words.

Ember was standing in the art gallery, exchanging hot kisses with Arthur as he pressed her against the wall.

He pulled away just enough to talk, “we’ve been dating for a week today. I can’t wait for a month, a year, I bet I’ll shout from the roof about it.”

Her eyes widened and she met his honey eyes, “happy one week, Apollo…”

Arthur kissed her again and was about to respond when the door to the gallery opened.

The man quickly pulled away from Ember and made his way to greet the customer.

Ember stood at the wall for another minute, attempting to catch her breath before following far behind Arthur.

Even if some of the paintings were of her, she tried to make it seem as if she was shopping for art too.

She quickly noticed that the customer was a woman, maybe mid-twenties, and she was uncomfortably nice with Arthur. Ember felt a twinge of jealousy watching the woman flirt with her man, but she felt guilty…

Did she really have any room to be mad at Arthur for flirting with the customer if Ember had still not said she loved him? He had said it so many times, but Ember kept waiting.

The woman’s flirting was tame at first, but eventually she reached out and touched Arthur’s arm as she was laughing, “you’re the most interesting man I’ve ever met, Mr. Marlowe.”

Ember saw the interaction but she wasn’t staring directly at them, trying not to make it obvious that she was ready to explode.

The man laughed, removing the woman’s hand as he did, “don’t touch me, I’m a taken man. Are you looking for any art in particular?”

“Do you do custom paints for customers?” the woman asked curiously, seeming to drop the flirty attitude.

“Depends on the subject. What ideas did you have?” Arthur asked, smiling at the woman respectfully.

“A painting of me,” she replied.

“Portraits would run about…” he began, but the woman interrupted.

“I was thinking a fully nude piece. Maybe even with your inserting yourself in the final product,” her voice returned to the flirty rhythm, and she again reached to touch him.

Arthur stepped back, “I don’t do nude art for anyone other than my beautiful lover. I’d be happy to make a portrait of your face, but please behave a little more professionally.”

“I really want to fuck you, though,” the woman replied.

Arthur rubbed his head in irritation, “Jesus fucking Christ. Get out of my gallery or I’ll call the police.”

The woman left the gallery, muttering under her breath about ungrateful men.

Ember was amazed by how he handled it, almost believing that he had set up the entire situation. She turned her attention to him and his face displayed his irritation.

“Really a waste of my time to walk in here acting stupid,” Arthur commented, shaking his head and turning his attention to Ember, “you make my life better every time I see you.”

Ember’s eyes widened as she stared up at Arthur, “did you really mean everything you said to her or did you just talk like that because I’m here?”

“We’ve gone over this. I’m a man of my word. I meant everything I said, I should have called her ugly too,” the man added, voice hoarse with annoyance.

“That’s mean,” she replied quickly, and turned her attention away from him, deciding to walk away.

Before she could get far, he grabbed her arm and turned her around, pulling her to his chest. He lifted her face and kissed her, “I can show you mean if that’s really what you want.”

“You want to prove that you’re a bad man, then?” Ember’s voice sounded curious and taunting.

“Absolutely,” Arthur said, and pulled Ember’s top off her body, setting it aside and pulling her skirt down her legs, “When you left your panties, I kept them. I love smelling the scent of your pussy juices.”

The younger woman moaned slightly. She watched at him as he removed her panties and smelled them, “that’s not right, you can’t just undress me and try to fuck me wherever, whenever you want.”

“That was one of my requests from my girl,” Arthur reminded her. He let his fingers run up her legs, as he kneeled down, “do you not think you can keep up?”

“Fuck you, of course I can keep up,” Ember responded with anger, looking down at him as she continued, “why do you treat me so bad when I love you?”

“You love me?” His honey eyes opened wide and a smile spread on his face. He stood up, his fingers moving in between her legs to finger her as he kissed her lips, “I love you. I don’t treat you bad… I just want every bit of you.”

When you move, Honey, I’m put in awe of something so flawed and free.

Her green eyes rolled back as she felt the pleasure of his strong fingers inside of her, “mmm, Apollo… that feels really good.”

He went a little faster with his fingers, while his free hand focused on taking off his pants and getting his thick cock out for Ember, “you’re so wet and hot… You drive me insane.”

His muse moaned as Arthur grabbed a chair and sat down, rubbing his hardened cock. Ember slid down onto his cock, wrapping her legs around him and rolling her hips as she lowered herself, “fuuuck…”

He thrusted up to meet her every grind, groaning slightly as he grabbed her ass, then quickly moving his hands up to her breasts and squeezing those as well, “perfect. You’re the best, Calliope. My Ember…”

She bounced faster as his thrusts became harder, and her sounds echoed even louder. Ember’s panting turned on Arthur even more so he smacked her ass several times as she sped up.

Ember had been correctly taking her birth control so when Arthur started to reach his peak, he felt no need to pull out or slow down. His intensity was unreal and the girl was drunk off the feelings he gave her.

The orgasm was mutual and loud, with Ember’s vagina squeezing around his shaft and extracting every drop out of him. They shared wet kisses and their hands greedily felt the skin of the other, as they both repeated, “I love you”.

…

Two days after her love confession to Arthur, Ember was returning to the gallery from a grocery run. She had needed a few ingredients for their dinner, and had two bags she was easily able to carry with one hand.

As she entered the Artist Alley, she was caught off guard with a familiar scent.

The smell was that of an expensive cologne, accompanied by hints of cigarette smoke, whiskey and the essence of the road.

Lazarus James…

She didn’t make it very far into the aroma, quickly spotting Lazarus as he scanned the crowd for her.

Ember thought she lowered her head in time, but their eyes met and as she picked up the pace as she heard his voice behind her.

She didn’t make it far when he grabbed her hand and stopped her in her tracks. Ember looked at him, then down to their hands, “Lazarus, please let go.”

“I’ve been looking for you since you left me. There’s no one for me like you, Angel… I’m ready to change and be whoever you want me to be,” the older man told her.

His eyes were just as dark as she remembered, his hair a little longer and more unkempt but still black.

Lazarus wore his signature leather jacket and Ember caught herself worrying if he was too hot, before quickly burying the silly thought.

Her green eyes looked into his black ones, and she tugged slightly at her hand, “I’ve had to move on, Lazarus. That was a long time ago and we’re different people. You need to move on.”

“I don’t want to move on,” his voice shook as he responded, “the Cowboy is dead, I’m here… Be mine again.”

“I met someone else… I can’t just drop him because you show back up in my life,” she lowered her eyes, but her hand was still in his. She gazed over his veins, and along his strong arms.

“If you need me, will you call me?” Lazarus reached in his pocket with his free hand and pulled out a folded note, “here… please.”

“I don’t want to take this and give you false hope,” Ember responded, again tugging at her hand to get it away from him.

Honey, don’t feed me, I will come back.

He pulled her hand open and placed his note inside her palm, holding her hand closed after, “it’s not hope. I have to know you can reach me if you need me, it’s the only thing that will keep me calm.”

Ember looked into his dark eyes, but there was a storm coming that she could see behind him. She swallowed and shook her head, “don’t wait up for a call. Bye, Mr. James.”

She pulled her hand away quickly, and turned back down the alley, quickly making it back to the gallery with her groceries.

3CR and 4CR are both really short, very sorry about that but I wasn't holding back. I wanted things to feel quick, so hopefully I'm doing it semi-right.

Love u all qt pi's !

SONG REFERENCES

Movement by Hozier

It Will Come Back by Hozier

[pad-wubbo]

"PINK" ピンク

* Great hammerhead.

* Works tirelessly on the Crableg Capital special economic zone.

* Has never worked on Hammerhead Bridge, don't assume things like that.

* Has been injured many times, always gets back up.

* Bleeding-heart leftist.

* Thinks Pearl should be guillotined.

* Can look at the floor and the roof at the same time, makes him a very useful construction worker.

* Proud father of 29 children, named Finley, Ripley, Hammer, Steven, Brick, Claw, Wrecker, Bolt, Marlow, Atomheart, Steely, Sprocket, Wreath, Diesel, Axel, Spike, Slate, Gridiron, Jetblack, Surge, Brix, Crusher, Tusk, Rafter, Torque, Cinder, Scuttle, Grunt, Shale and Chisel. They're all the same age.

CC-BY-SA 4.0

[fervidus]

@storiesfabled asked: You’re new. from this 911 meme

❝ do you really not recognize me, connor? ❞ she hates what happened... how far she and mackenzie have had to come. at least, she finally got her sister to feel comfortable to move on with her life past taking care of her. connor had been upset when his father hadn't taken in marlowe and he was gone by the time cornelius had been breathing down mackenzie's neck for getting paid back for helping her with legal fees and housing her after their parents died. mackenzie had shut down any time marlowe tried to bad mouth connor, but she couldn't deny that she held some resentment for how he'd ran from chicago for medical school and his residency without a glance back in the direction of chicago... of mackenzie -- who had looked up to him as an older brother figure.

❝ marlowe crawford. it's also my sister mackenzie's first day. because -- you know, she had to put off college to pay back your father and keep a roof over my head. ❞

[felineverdure]

anywaysss manga jean >>> anime jean

dont get me wrong he is still one of my best bois. finally caught up to the anime and was lowkey upset that a lot of good jean dialogues/reactions/little things were shafted, cut out or moved to other characters. (mostly s1-s3 stuff.) some rambling of mine on parts that they change that i dislike.

one small thing that they changed it up for anime was his motivations for joining the mp. sure we all know that his purpose was to live what little time he has left comfortably in the interior. but he also emphasize on being sick living in the frontline towns that is prone to titan attacks which is pretty normal and valid reason to want to escape to the inner walls imo. animes only sees jean as a spoiled brat bc eren says he is but manga jean is not?? also his face calling out marco in manga is just * chef kiss *

2. this one bugged me A LOT. i think they move this whole dialogue to a another character. ( i cant rmbr) basically jean aint dumb. he went on to school eren on the 'reclaim wall maria operation' aka the culling when eren chastised him for his 'selfish' reasons for wanting to join the MP. here we we have the classic pessimist, defeatist jean kirstein. (also lowkey baby anarchist)

3. his jealousy towards eren isnt really purely from his crush on mikasa but more of eren dragging mikasa and armin into 'an early grave'

4. THIS ICONIC FACE

5. jean eventually stopped slacking off but likely to get back on eren (love his level of pettiness)

6. after training everyone wants to be in marco's team with marco as a leader which prompts marco to tell jean he makes a much better leader than him. (i find it weird that they insert the dialogue in the trost arc itself. it gives little time for jean to digest the idea of him being a leader whereas it makes more sense here in the manga, pacing wise)

7. his motivations to join the scouts. its not just eren or marco words that inspired him into joining. NO. trost arc made him realized he does care about his comrades. his decision to joining the scouts includes him wanting to not have to worry about his other comrades dying. (i feel that this doesnt translate well in the anime ugh) if u noticed, connie and sasha's fear was 'to be eaten by titans' for jean its 'watching his comrades be eaten by titans' its not about him saving humanity or be a leader. he just doesnt want his friends to die.

8. strategist jean!!!! (i know this is included in the anime but i like the manga ver more. it feels like he has more confidence and authority here) and reiner's thoughts on jean's change.

9. after the entire military rescued eren from reiner & bert, suffering huge losses, jean gave eren a reality check. (i think this part was shorten greatly and moved to another scene in the anime) + the scene of the scouts noting how jean has changed was removed completely.

10. when jean managed to bring marlowe and hitch to help them. levi says GOOD JOB JEAN.

& the whole scene was changed from the MP compound to the MP checkpoint where jsc busted through with a cart. manga was pretty badass in that we were shown how levi squad arent children anymore, having the need to wound the mps to reach their goals. (plus jean and sasha busy being baddies on the roof sniping and shooting arrows at the mps ??? )

11. I CANT FORGIVE YOU REINER line. it make no sense in the anime for them to remove this because annie's 'what about me' makes no sense without that line!!! also makes their conversation on the flying boat and titanic scene more impactful later on.

12. jeans & floch relationship!!!! please please trust me when i say floch makes one of the best jean relationship & interaction because how they are each others foil and weakness. the anime straight up made jean a floch hater and floch that one weirdo who cant take a hint. their relationship is so subtle and nuanced in the mange. PLUS jean straight up tries to stop floch from bleeding to death, something the anime cut out bc they dont want to show someone cared about floch!!! also trying to stop someone from dying even tho its 100% happening?? not a very jean like reaction me thinks (ooooh). and the manga panel focusing on flochs dying words with jeans stressed expression is so so good

13. THIS

ok anyways these are just some of the things i can think of reagarding to jean at least. there are also other parts of the story that i was upset that they didnt include. i know anime runs on strict time limitations but *grumble* *grumble*

other things that im upset about: eren kruger adaptation in anime was meh. warriors training era was cut out. RBA spying days was cut out too which is a big L IMO. also facial expressions in the manga were so much more impactful than the anime version like how??????? and manga is jean is top tier hot. i hate what mappa did with him.

[scotianostra]

On January 28th 1927 hurricane force winds struck Scotland, killing 22 and seriously injuring 150 people in Glasgow.

The following day, the Larne Times told readers that practically ‘every property in Glasgow was damaged’ - with two tenements completely destroyed. Locals described the crash of falling debris in all corners of the city.

With schools shut down, trams halted, and the telephone systems down - Glasgow was chaotic. Fifty fire engines were on hand to help the city, with eight ambulances continuously carrying the injured to hospital.

On Newark Street, a repairman was crushed by a snapped tree blown down by the winds – killing him instantly. Elsewhere in the city, several of those killed were crushed by falling masonry - such as George McDonald who was rendered unconscious by a falling chimney and died in hospital two days later.

The largest death toll was caused by the collapse of a chimney head at Marlow Street in Kinning Park, with the falling wreckage killing five people outright. The gales threw masses of solid stonework down through successive flights of the homes, tearing occupants and furniture in an avalanche towards the ground.

Two infant children miraculously escaped at Marlow Street. One child, who fell two storeys, was found among the debris - with a dummy still in its mouth, crying but unhurt.

A second child, who had been sitting in a pram on the ground floor, was unscratched by the masses of stones, plaster, and stoves which had fallen around.

Across Scotland, 22 deaths were recorded - nine of these due to the collapse of buildings. In one case, a man trying to get home by way of the train tracks to avoid falling masonry was killed by a night train.

On February 1, the Lord Provost announced the opening of a relief fund for the hurricane. He appealed to Glaswegians: “Great distress has been caused to many deserving citizens by the disastrous hurricane of last week, especially those who have bereaved and rendered homeless by the collapse of their houses, and the destruction of their furniture and other belongings.”

Elsewhere in Scotland, a horse-lorry driver was killed by a flying piece of iron from a nearby building in Dundee. An East Lothian farmer lost her life when the roof of the farm hen house collapsed on itself.

The damage in Glasgow was estimated at around £250,000, which is £16million by today's standards.

Those lost in the 1927 hurricane included; Nan Dicke (12), Hugh Gallacher (44), James Brown (46), Martian McIntyre (25), Lizzie McIntyre (8), Charles Rennie (4), James Duncan (2), George Henderson, Charles Connelly (36), George McDonald (39), and George Hunter (21).

The video shows footage from British Pathé of the aftermath of the tenement terror.

[jj-maybanks-daughter]

fix you too.

maybe we could be something somewhere down the road...

not proofread, all over the place, I need something to get the song stuck put of my head 😝

pink is the girl character (doesn't get a name, you can think its you if you want 😘)

blue is jj

purple is both

by the looks of the ceiling there's rain getting in through the roof...

she lived in an old house. it was a nice size but super old. made of bricks and wood. there was constantly problems that needed to be fixed. new refrigerator, new lights in the bathroom, new AC, new door hinges, new window seals. you name it, it needs to be replaced.

the old soles in these boots are worn and cracked....

jj never threw anything away, even the things that were gone 50 miles back. he knows he needs new boots and other stuff but he can't afford to fix anything at the moment. he doesn't have time or money to put effort into stuff that's just going to get worn and beat down anyway.

and I need some work myself...

she had issues from when she was younger. trauma that she had never done anything about. she knows its there, she knows she needs help, but shes just too exhausted to get anything done from the talking relationship with jj

when my edges ain't so rough

jj knew he had rough edges. he was never going to be anywhere close to being perfect, and he owned up to it. the so called edges weren't harmful, but they sure did get in the way of the relationship

i keep taking the broken and thinking ill be the glue...

she always gotten herself into things she couldn't handle. she knows, but she doesnt learn. she's had boys like jj in the past, trying to be the girl that makes everything perfect, but it just leads her to a broken heart. she doesn't want it to happen with jj.

and breaking your heart is the last thing I wanna do...

jj loved her. even if they werent together. being friends for as long as they have made them love each other. he never wanted to hurt her. knowing that hes imperfect and not exactly the material she needs in a relationship, making him not want to get to involved. he loves her so much he doesn't know if he wants to be a thing with her.

i know that a younger me couldn't sit here now and tell those blue eyes no...

she always had a crush on jj maybank, making it so much harder to move on from whatwhat wasnt even a relationship. she knew it was better if they fixed themselves for each other before going in with a relationship. there was so much to do, overwhelming her to the point where she couldnt think about her feelings. his blue eyes were hypnotising but she was too focusrd on being perfect for him that she had to wait

when you get your shit together

jj knew she had problems. he was the first to be told when her parents starting fighting when they were in second grade. he knows she's not ready either. he knows she needs to prepare herself before jumping into a relationship with the jj maybank. he needs her to be able to help him. they need to help each other

i don't want to have to fix you too

they both are fully aware they have shit to do before they can fix eachpther. if their both broken, how can they care to heal eachother. the bills and payments are stacking up. they need to fix everthing to settle down enough to have a relationship.

maybe we could be something somewhere down the road

they know once they do get themselves together, they would make a great couple. a poor boy with a great sense of humor and a comfortable girl that laughs. once their ready, they'll be perfect.

song- fix you too by Megan Moroney and Kameron Marlowe

[sidewalkstamps]

D. C. Messinger Contractor (Photo taken by me March 26, 2023)

There were many listings for Messinger’s work, mostly as a designer but earlier included some contracting. He was the designer and contractor for a residence for an Emma Thompson at 408 E. 66th St. He was a contractor with L. O. Fiscel (?) on a bungalow for Ruth Williams Ingraham in Washington Heights at Reservoir & Gladstone streets. At that time Fiscel & Messinger were located at 315 W. 61st Street. In the same year, he was released from a lien by National Lumber Company. (Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, Volume 3, Engineers and Architects Association of Southern California, 1909.)

Messinger was located at 216 (and sometimes also 217) Bradbury Bldg in 1919. That year’s notices included designing two bungalows and garages on Hillcrest Terrace for D. H. Harrocks. Messinger “prepared the plans” for G. F. Sloan to build a “2-story 19-room hollow tile residence on Irving Blvd. near Sixth St. for J. E. Adams” and for a double bungalow to be built at “163 East Forth-seventh Place” for Chas. Roth, containing “two flats of four rooms and bath each” with “concrete foundation, redwood siding, shingle roof, pine trim, oak and pine floors, disappearing beds, water heaters, plumbing, wiring.” Messinger was designer and superintendent for the construction of a bungalow and garage (5 rooms) at 1239 Kenmore Ave. for A. M. Shaw (Southwest Builder and Contractor, p. 23, December 19, 1919).

He also “prepared plans for a 2-story frame and plaster flat building to be erected on Gramercy Place between 6th St. and Wilshire Blvd., for Gertrude R. Nash., was the designer for a bungalow and garage at 1839 N Van Ness Ave.,  and was the designer for a 2-story, 10-room resodemce at 857 S Bronson Ave.

This was the best little blurb I found about him:

Most of this information was from Southwest Builder and Contractor, F. W. Dodge Company, 1919.

By 1925, he had moved again to 1210 Taft Bldg. in Hollywood (some say that was the fictional Philip Marlowe’s office) and had “completed plans [to] build two-story, 6-stores, 12 offices at the northeast corner of Porter Ave. and Brand Blvd., San Fernando, for B.A. Munn” (Building and Engineering News, Volume 25, Issue 1, 1925).

[willmarstudios]

Bookworm Will Review 2025 (#33)

Title: Death At Morning House

Author: Maureen Johnson

Rating: 2.75 / 5

Review: (MILD SPOILERS)

I am not the biggest fan of parallel timelines, but I was really intrigued by this cover and I couldn't say no to giving it a try.

Marlowe Wexler is taking a summer job away from home after she had accidentally burnt a neighbors house down. She is now working as a tour guide at a famous house known for its peculiar history as well as peculiar former residents. With an unsolved mystery continuing to ask questions, Marlowe is unfortunate enough to find herself playing detective.

So right off the bat I was intrigued, however, I was really taken aback about how hard the book was trying to be humorous and #relatable. Marlowe's POV kept making me think this was almost a middle grade read while the actual past timeline read as more YA. The teetering back and forth was not something I found enjoyable.

With the conflicting narrator voices aside, the mystery itself just took a while to start up. Right away we understand that the youngest Rolsten child, Max, drowned and his oldest sister Clara, died by jumping off the roof in her grief, but then the story just takes a while to pick up. There was a lot of time spent on characters doing things that didn't completely flesh them out or progress the story in anyway. Yea there was obvious signs of crushes forming and awkward teen interactions so some of it had a reason, but compared to the mystery itself, we didn't get much.

Granted the last 25% of the book had me intrigued where we sort of discover everything and that was nice. I like hearing how pieces fall together. The buildup was just a bit lackluster.

Overall, not *BAD* but not quite the level of Johnson's Truly Devious series or so I'm told.

[glenngaylord]

Who Will Buy This Beautiful Musical? - Theatre Review: Why Am I So Single? ★★★★½

All of the great musicals I’ve seen have what I like to call “lift”. Call it a key change, increase in tempo, clever word play, or a simple crescendo, but it’s that you’ll-know-it-when-you-feel-it burst of energy almost willing you out of your seat. I knew Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the creators of Six, had the gift of lift as soon as I heard that show's first big number, the Beyoncé -esque jam, “No Way”. A big key change, stomping beat and vocals pushed to their limits brought the crowd to its feet. It’s no wonder the show won the Tony for Best Original Score. How does one follow up such an international juggernaut as this?

Faced with that high pressure dilemma, Moss and Marlow went on a writing retreat in Connecticut and sat around discussing their personal lives, wondering like so many others, why they couldn’t find romantic partners. From this they birthed their self-described "big fancy musical", Why Am I So Single?, which opened at the Garrick Theatre in London on September 12, 2024 and is sadly closing early on January 19, 2025. As someone lucky enough to have caught the show, I can’t recommend highly enough that you book a ticket to the West End ASAP for this perfectly imperfect but hugely entertaining show. The lift is real!

The most meta of meta-musicals and loosely based on the creators’ own lives, the show tells the story of Oliver (Jo Foster) and Nancy (Leesa Tulley), two best friends and playwrights hanging out one night lamenting their single status and feeling the pressure to craft a follow-up to their previously successful musical. They seek out advice from their friend Artie (Noah Thomas) as they face a large and talented ensemble, who play everything from bad dates and baristas, to actual pieces of their furniture. It’s no surprise that Oliver! is their favorite musical with characters named after those from it and certain numbers mirroring its story. Although having a more traditional structure and presentation than Six, which told the story of the wives of Henry VIII as if it were a pop concert/singing competition show, Why Am I So Single? feels so fresh and current. Utilizing texts, social media and enough Millennial and Gen-Z lingo to make you exclaim, “This def slaps, no cap!”

And wow, those songs! Filled to the brim with bangers and heart-tugging ballads, Marlow and Moss have created one thrilling set piece after another. To date, four have been released, so watch them on YouTube or listen wherever you stream music. The title song, a more standard Broadway show tune features the hilarious couplet, “We are well read / Good at giving…advice”. “8 Dates”, a club banger of a patter song in which Oliver details a string of cancelled hookups and ends with a laugh out loud reference to Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango” has the most in-your-face, hip-shaking move in musical theatre history. My favorite number, “C U Never” a raise the roof tap sequence, has Artie giving Nancy the tools needed to stop obsessing over her ex. With its syncopated stop/start rhythms, superb harmonies, and “Consider Yourself” energy, it instantly earwormed into my brain. In my own personal life, I have sent this song to any flake or ghost who crosses my path. We also get a gorgeous 11 o’clock number, “Just In Case”, where Nancy says she’ll drop everything to be with the one that got away. Highly reminiscent of “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver!, Leesa Tulley got me ugly crying with her piercingly beautiful vocals and cute-as-hell Scottish accent. There are many more where these songs come from, with Foster embodying a disco ball, the ensemble chasing a bee in their flat, or them simply proclaiming that “Men R Trash”. There’s a song about Ross and Rachel from Friends (“I Got Off The Plane”) and a supermarket sequence cleverly titled, “Meet Market”, both of which created a perma-smile on my face.

Ellen Kane, who co-directs with Moss and choreographed the show, deserves special mention for the highly energetic and creative dancing from the gifted ensemble, the hardest working and most talented group I’ve seen in eons. Combining hip hop, ballroom, jazz, tap and more, the cast never seems to stop moving for the entire run of the show, each creating unique characters yet moving as a unit with extreme precision. “8 Dates” and “C U Never” particularly captivated me with the cast not only hitting their movements with such power, but also impressively embodying such things as text messages being sent or the typing or erasing of them acted out with finger and toe taps.

Leading them all, Foster and Tulley, two talents who previously impressed in & Juliet and Six respectively, provide galvanizing performances and unquestionable chemistry easily deserving of the same recognition currently bestowed upon Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Foster, who identifies as non-binary, has perfect comic timing, a gift for speedy transitions, and a clear, soaring vocal ability. Tulley has such a unique flair for dancing, an undeniable belt, and a knack for drawing you in with her adorable, lonely, passionate Nancy. These are two of the best leading musical performances I’ve seen in a long long time. Noah Thomas steals every scene he’s in with his sardonic, hyper-sarcastic Artie, who goes from super slick to flying off the handle at the drop of a hat. He had me at “Slide right out of my DMs / Hit me up again in your dre-ams!”

Costume Designer Max Johns dresses the cast in the coolest, most eye-popping contemporary outfits, such as Tulley’s red cutoff sweater over a white dress shirt or Foster literally wearing their heart on their sleeves. The sets by Moi Tran, while simple, feel of the moment and clean. If I were to quibble with one aspect of the show, it’s the bookended scenes of our main characters represented by actors wearing masks and the overuse of the ensemble playing furniture. It sometimes feels like the show contains too many layers, and by pulling back on some of it, one can focus on the real emotionality at hand.

Ultimately, the show has a very simple, RuPaul-inspired message of loving yourself while also celebrating platonic friendships. Sure, us singletons out there would like someone to cuddle with or snog, but the love between friends can feel just as if not more satisfying. There’s no doubt Why Am I So Single? is a bit of a hot mess at times, but I’ll take a diamond in the rough over something too polished any day of the week. A bit of restructuring, editing and perhaps bigger stakes could result in musical perfection. With such great acting, singing, dancing, songwriting and a message that feels of the moment, I’m going to say a few holiday prayers for this show: Please find a way to bring this back to the West End soon! Please release a full cast recording! Please bring this to Broadway!

Why Am I So Single? is running at the Garrick Theatre in London until January 19, 2025.

[gallowsheart]

♢ Marlowe Hendrix (21+) ⭒ final girl ⭒ Vanessa Morgan ♢

♢ name: Marlowe Jem Hendrix ♢ age: 21+ ♢ faceclaim: Vanessa Morgan ♢ occupation: Waitress and carhop at Baby's Malt Shoppe; drummer for her garage band, Ultraviolet ♢ education: Working toward a bachelor's in journalism ♢ family: Caroline Sinclair (mother), Theodore Hendrix (father, estranged), Spenser Hendrix (brother, older)

♢ history: Life was interesting being the child of a teacher and a firefighter. Her mother encouraged her to use her intellect, which meant that if she could logic her way out of punishment, she could avoid a grounding at home (so long as the argument was also true). Her dad, on the other hand, taught her how to surf and play guitar and cheat at cards. Altogether, it gave her an unusual sense of justice and punishment, and a young Marlowe found creative ways to deal with her problems--super-gluing the school bully to his chair or filling the science teacher's car with frogs freed from the lab--and she never got caught unless she wanted to.

It was around high school that the fighting started. Her mom had gone back to college to get her master's degree, and her parents couldn't seem to agree on anything anymore. Marlowe escaped to the roof to write songs so she wouldn't have to listen to them argue. It wasn't a surprise when they decided to get a divorce, but it still hurt. It hurt more when her mother sat them down and told them about her father's affair. Her dad left, and Marlowe refused to take his calls or see him when he visited. He was the one who walked out and traded them for a new family, and she didn't owe him her forgiveness. She was taught to value reason, but reason failed in matters of the heart.

At that point, she figured she'd earned a little rebellion. Her mother tolerated the garage band, the roller derby, the motorcycle, and the belly-button ring, but she wouldn't hear of her bailing on college. Aside from her job at the diner, Marlowe had been working summers at the same camp since high school. Training week for the counselors turned into a bloodbath when a masked killer with a hatchet showed up. To this day, she doesn't know whether he left her alive on purpose or not. She'd wounded him fighting back, but not as grievously as he'd wounded her, and she'd fully expected to die stumbling through the woods for help. But she lived, the only survivor of a horrific unsolved attack.

♢ verses: ⭒ horror!verse: Marlowe's main verse, where she's the final girl of the Camp Silver Lake Massacre.

♢ wishlist: ⭒ Final girl support group ⭒ Camp killer, stalker obsessed with the murders, etc.

[fervidus]

@storiesfabled asked: "There's nothing bad inside you. Nothing." from the sounds of nightmares meme

tears shining in her eyes, marlowe all but launched herself into her sister's arms and clung to her tightly. she had only been within her sister's care for a few days but it was by far the happiest she had been since their parents had died. the damage was still there of how awfully kevin and maureen had treated her in those few months she had been with them. their discouraging words had gotten into her mind and she was forever fortunate that her situation wasn't as bad as it could have been.

❝ i know that -- i guess i do. somewhere. i -- feel like i'm cursed. mom and dad, mr. rhodes not wanting to take me in, now you're working two jobs to keep a roof over our heads instead of going to college. ❞ the tears fell harder now. their parents had locked away their money in trust funds for the two sisters to gain access to when they turned twenty five... having no idea that disaster lurked around the corner. they had two large homes and barely saw any of the money from the sales between cornelius and their father's former business partner. ❝ i want to help but i can't do anything. ❞

[bucketfullofstrawberries]

FALLS THROUGH THE ROOF AND LEAVES A COMEDICALLY GAPING BOY-SIZED HOLE IN THE FLOOR

HEY, HI, I CAN'T. REMEMBER IF I EVER TRIED TO SUBMIT SOMETHING FOR THIS BUT HIYA, HEY HELLO!!!

BY THE BY, I APOLOGIZE IF I'M LATE I'M DOING THIS ON A WHIM AT 5AM WITH THE NEED & URGE TO PASS OUT COLD INTO MY PILLOW BUT WE BALL!!!!

ANYWHO, ANYWHO,

CCAAANN I OFFER YOU A MX EDGAR MARLOWE IN THESE TRYING TIMES PERCHANCE? /NF

THE REF UP TOP IS OLDD BY THE WAY, HES HAD A LIIITTLE BIT OF REFINEMENT IN DESIGN AS SEEN IN THE REST OF THE IMAGES PROVIDED BUT STILL!!!! MIGHT AS WELL SEND IT ANYWAY WHILE A NEW ONES IN THE WORKS!!

YAY OR NAY, EITHER WAY, I HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAY REGARDLESS & IF NOT I HOPE THINGS GET BETTER!!! TOODLE-PIP!! 💞💞

Hey hey hey tsp(ud) fans I’m interested in drawing some designs ! Send me an ask or reblog this post with a reference of your Narrator, Curator, Stanley, Mariella, Tk, or whoever you want and I’ll try to draw them :3

[violetswritingg]

Only in Darkness

Jason Todd X OFC!

Description:

"Only in Darkness can you see the stars."

Or

Marlowe Knight stumbling upon a girl prophesied to end the world and going on the adventure of a life time.

Rating: M (Blood, cannon typical violence, sibling rivalry, scars, torture, trauma, angsttttt)

Want to read the other chapters?

Click here

16

Chicago, Illinois

2018

The Doctor stood at his kitchen Island, preparing himself breakfast, glass mixing bowls set out before him holding different ingredients, not a speck of disorganization could be seen amongst the expensive countertops and fine dishes. Something seemingly so psychologically clinical about it all, the plain ringtone interrupting him from continuing to stir the contents in one of the pans on the stove.

“I trust you’re calling me with good news.” The man spoke, almost robotic in his phrasing, cold and clipped.

 A woman’s voice on the other side of the phone, “Not yet, we’re experiencing some difficulties with the patient, but we understand how important this is.”

The doctor, obviously not happy with what he’s just been told, frowns, and grabs a metal device with a clear button on top from next to his phone and moves it around in his hand. Manicured nails lightly scratching along the side of the technology, his thumb coming to rest on top of the button as he spoke down at the phone, “I’m not sure you do.”

His thumb circled the button, caressing the device as the woman spoke again, a twinge of panic under her own strict cadence.

 “We have been able to secure the independent contractor.”

The man’s head tipped ever so slightly to the side, his frown turning up at the corners. His thumb leaving the button and dragging down the side of the body.

“Good, I’ll be seeing you shortly.”

~~*~~

Marlowe didn’t know where she was along the route to Chicago, but she could barely keep her eyes open while driving. Even with the plethora of energy drink cans littering the car she had borrowed from the Columbus safe house. So, going until she could see the little sign for lodging at the next exit she got off the road and pulled up to a rundown looking motel.

Not the best place, and there was definitely something nicer up the road but she was just too tired to really care too much. So, pulling her half-asleep self from the car she went into the front office and called out. A surprised looking woman came out from the back, bags under her eyes she attempted to cover with makeup and blood shot eyes, as well as the slight fizziness in on one side of her hair let Marlowe know she had woken the woman up. With a wince Marlowe apologized under her breath.

“It’s okay, no worries, how can I help you?” The woman asked, eyes slightly brighter at the prospect of actually having someone renting out one of the rooms.

“I need a room for the night, one bed.” Marlowe rasped out, and the woman nodded.

“Any preference, ground floor, second floor? Front? back?” The woman obviously tried to joke, her own laugh falling pitifully from her lips.

“As secluded as it gets, please.” Marlowe attempted, succeeding in making the woman smile. Paying and being handed the key with a ‘let me know if you need anything, I’m in room 101.’ From the owner.

 Finding her room in the back corner of the motel on the second floor, Marlowe’s eye also caught the fire escape the lead down the ground but also up the roof. A small smile caught her lips as she settled in for the night.

She took a quick two-hour nap and was right back at it. Pulling out her laptop, she spent the next hour trying to read the same paragraph over and over until it stuck in her brain. Her frustration building the longer she tried, and the more tired she got.

 Her not so concentrated concentration was broken by her phone ringing, a young Michael Jackson singing to her.

“I could feel you thinking too hard.” Jason’s voice came softly across the speaker.

“What are you doing up?” Marlowe checked the time; Bruce would have sent him back from patrol by now.

“I could ask you the same thing.” Jason responded, his voice lilting up at the end, his smile and amusement evident.

“I had some work to do, stopped for the night and wanted to feel productive.” Marlowe sat back against the headboard and played with a loose thread on the bottom of her sweater.

“How’s that going for you?” Jason asked, a smile in his voice, and Marlowe puffed out a breath through full cheeks.

“Like shit.”

Jason’s laugh brought an uncontrollable smile to her face and Marlowe couldn’t fight the yawn that came over her.

“So, definitely thinking too hard then.”

“You could say that, yes.” Marlowe sighed.

“I knew it, I’m always right about these things Marlowe.” Jason laughed and Marlowe couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

“I take it back.”

“Can’t do that, it’s against the rules.” Marlowe could picture in her mind Jason leaning back in a chair or on his bed, arms crossed and smirk painted wide on his lips. Wild blue-green eyes lit up with mischief and overwhelming warmth that would make Marlowe’s whole body fill up with what felt like bubbles ready to burst.

“And who made these rules? I’d like to have a conversation with them.” Marlowe barked out a laugh, moving to lay on her side on the bed, legs curling into her chest slightly.

“Me. Mission accomplished… Speaking of missions, Bruce mentioned something about Chicago.”

“You keeping tabs on me?” Marlowe slowly rolled onto her back, eyebrow raising to the ceiling.

“How else am I supposed to know if you’re okay?” The bubbles burst and Marlowe sighed, knowing that she was already failing to keep Jason updated like she told him she would.

“Sorry.”

“Hey, I get it. You’ve been busy, I know it can’t be easy going at it alone.”

Marlowe paused, grabbing a strand of dyed blonde hair, and twirling it. Slightly brassy from not keeping up with it. The once beige blonde looking warmer than she thought looked good on her.  Just more evidence that she hadn’t really been keeping up with anything lately, all by herself. 

“Yeah…. Alone.” Marlowe dropped her hair and sat up slowly, mindful of her ribs, and wincing when they twinged.

“But you got this, and you have me if you need me. But you’re a certified badass, so I know you got this. You’re gonna find him and beat his ass like he deserves…” Marlowe knew he wasn’t done, so she waited, “And if you go a little farther than that, I won’t hold it against you, and I know Bruce won’t either.”

Jason liked to think he knew Bruce, and he did, kind of. But Bruce would hold it against her, for a while maybe. Not forever, because she knew the thought had crossed his mind at least a dozen times with some of his rogue gallery who had done a fraction to Bruce compared to what The Mist did to her. But that thought scared her.

The thought of going too far, she already had once so far on an innocent life. A cop that was just doing their job. She couldn’t even remember her name. Guilt, hot and heavy as a lead weight pulling her under water settled in her chest. She really liked Jason, they were best friends, but she knew that she couldn’t tell him any of this, because just like he thought he knew Bruce, he thought he knew her.

But the truth is, he never wanted to see her as anything less than a ‘certifiable badass’, but she was scared, and she knew that if she told Jason he would brush her off and tell her it would all be okay because she was amazing at what she did.

He was a great hype man, just sometimes missed the que to get a bit more emotional. It just wasn’t something Jason did. As if Jason was afraid that any kind of positive association would break him. And if Marlowe was honest, she was in the same boat. Wanting him close but not that close.

Close enough to be there, but not to see the whole picture. She wasn’t ready for that. They walked a dangerous line and they both knew it. Jason was just a bit more reckless than she was.

“You okay?” Jason asked, breaking Marlowe from her introspective ditch.

She was too tired for this shit.

“I think I’m gonna call it for tonight, thanks for calling. I’ll be better about keeping you updated, okay? I promise.”

They said their goodbyes, Jason telling her not to miss him too much before hanging up. Leaving Marlowe to stare at the home screen photo on her phone. The cracks in the screen cutting through the smiling faces of her, her dad, Sadie, and Hailey.

Marlowe turned her phone off with a sigh and rolled over.

~~*~~

The next morning Marlowe was awoken by the Staff, the living weapon nudging her with excited shifts of light and high-pitched whines.

“Someone had a good night’s sleep.” Marlowe sarcastically grinned. A wolfish quality to her smile that made the Staff dampen, sounds of protest leaving Cosmo. Marlowe softened and chuckled as she rubbed sleep from her eyes, “You are a child.”

The Staff shut themselves off and Marlowe scrambled to catch them before they hit the floor. Wide awake now, glaring at the staff, and grumbling under her breath as she set them down on the bed and proceeded to get ready for the day. Eyeing the dark roots starting to come in on the top of her head with a huff.  

 Once showered and all packed up Marlowe made her way to the front office, texting Jason that she was about to get on the road again as she opened the door.  The bell chimed as she ran into something solid and was knocked back slightly. Maintaining her grip on the cellphone in her hand. Not wanting to drop it and break it literally a day after she got it.

 “What the fu-”

 “Marlowe?”

 Marlowe’s eyes snapped up to brown eyes she hadn’t seen since DC, hands gripped her shoulders, Dick looking at her like she may disappear if he stopped looking at her.

“Fuck.”

~~*~~

The last thing Marlowe expected was for Dick to pull her in and hug her, his arms cinching around her shoulders as hers went shock still by her sides. Her duffle bag and phone hanging by her side, having put her case in the car she was borrowing from Bruce already.

“Are you okay?” Dick breathed, scanning her over when he pulled back, holding her at arm’s length. The man only slightly relaxing when he couldn’t see any visible blood stains or injuries. Flashes of DC coming back to him in waves.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Can you let go now?” Marlowe pried herself out of his hold, looking at him like he had grown a third head. “What are you doing here?”

 “What am I-” Dick’s eyes widened and he huffed, putting his hands on his hips his shoulders bowed forward and he seemed to hover over Marlowe, “What are you doing here? Kory told me she left you in Columbus on your request. With a stab wound and severe blood loss, why are you not still in bed?”

Marlowe’s jaw ticked as her eye narrowed at Dick, the man seeming to understand he went a little overboard but not apologizing. Only sighing and running his hands through his hair and trying to take her duffle bag from her, motioning her to come with him.

Marlowe took a step back, shaking her head. “I can’t Dick. Rachel is safe and I have to go-”

“Rachel isn’t safe anymore Marlowe, something happened at the convent, Rachel lost control. She’s here and we need all the help we can get.” Dick knew phrasing it like that wasn’t fair, but he had just found her again.

“What? I- what are you saying right now?” Marlowe barked out, disbelief and confusion coloring her cadence.

“Rachel needs you.” Dick reiterated, and he saw the conflict raging on inside her eyes.

“She probably hates me now Dick, she doesn’t want me around.” Marlowe spoke, her voice breaking in the middle of her sentence, “Plus I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Chasing ghosts isn’t going to help you.” Dick took a step towards Marlowe, who didn’t move back but still wouldn’t look Dick in the eye.

“That’s rich coming from you-

“One day, just stick around for one day. We can figure out how to protect Rachel and go after the Mist. Please Marlowe, just one day.” Dick pleaded, Marlowe finally looking at him. Her eyes narrowed as she huffed, biting the inside of her cheek.

“One day. And then I need to leave.” Dick would take it, if it meant being able to keep an eye on her. Marlowe handed over her bags to Dick and went into the front office pay for another night.

~~*~~

Dick led Marlowe to one of the three cars in the parking lot, carrying Cosmo across her back and her duffle bag much to Dick’s protest. The closer they got to the car the slower Marlowe’s feet moved, static filling her ears, muffling the sound of car doors opening and closing and shoes sinking into gravel.

“The fuck?” Kory breathed out as soon as she laid eyes on Marlowe, drawing attention to her figure partially hiding behind Dick.

The older teen and Rachel met eyes and Marlowe tensed up when Rachel stepped towards her, closing the distance between them, piercing gaze cutting into Marlowe.

“I’m sorr-” Marlowe couldn’t even finish the second syllable before Rachel had her arms thrown around Marlowe’s middle in a tight grip.  

“I missed you.” Marlowe felt a jolt through her ribs but dropped her duffle bag and wrapped her arms around Rachel’s shoulders. Holding on just as tightly, the tension in her body draining as Rachel tucked herself under Marlowe’s chin.

“Hi. I’m Gar.” The newest member caught Marlowe’s attention as Rachel pulled back, keeping a grip on Marlowe’s jacket sleeve. Marlowe looked on at the boy with green hair with a suspicious gaze and a tense smile.

~~*~~

“Okay listen up, we’re all in one piece, more or less. We need to figure out where we stand and determine what’s mission critical.” Dick spoke, pacing a couple steps by the door of his motel room, Kory leaning back against the wall between the bathroom and entry way, Rachel and Gar devouring pizza from Edder’s, Marlowe sitting on the bed. Rachel joined her and offered her a bite of her pizza. Marlowe turned it down with a soft smile in thanks.

“Mission critical?” Rachel asked, shifting on the bed, making Marlowe’s position move in a way that should have disturbed her ribs, but Marlowe didn’t feel the usual jolt.

“Is that a cop thing? Sounds like a cop thing.” Gar asked, holding a whole box of pizza.

“I had some combat training when I was younger.” Dick stood up a little straighter, putting his hands in his pockets, Marlowe giving him a look. Receiving a clear signal to stop from Dick, she just rolled her eyes and let herself fall back on the bed, arms by her head. It was weird how nothing hurt the way it did not even a couple hours ago.

“He’s also a cop greenie.” Marlowe said, tilting her head back to meet Gar’s eyes for a second before going back to how she was before.

“I’m sorry, you were referring to “we”?” Kory spoke up, her eyebrows coming together in judgement.

“We as of right now are a group of people who share a common enemy.” Dick danced around the subject and Marlowe brought her hands to her face, groaning internally.

“Which makes us what?” Kory pushed.

There was a tense pause from Dick as he looked at everyone in the room and took a breath, “Let’s call it an alliance. One born of mutual need.”

Marlowe wanted to just leave the room, this was ridiculous.

“And what is that?” Marlowe didn’t want to like Kory but she had to applaud the woman for not backing down. It was almost laughable how uncomfortable Dick looked right now. There were not many people in this world who get under his skin.

“To stay alive.” But of course Dick had to ruin the fun and get all serious, Marlowe pushing herself up and leaning back against the headboard.

“We have no idea how long we have until they find us.”

“You just said they, who are “they”, what do they want?” Asked Gar and Marlowe had the same question but was really worried she knew the answer already. Her eyes locked with Dick as the man shot her a glance and her stomach dropped.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” Marlowe groaned, scrubbing her hands over her face and glaring at Dick. The man cleared his throat, Gar looking back and forth between Marlowe and Dick and looking more and more concerned.

“We don’t know who they are, but they want me. And they’re willing to hurt anyone in their way.” Rachel spoke up, being honest with Gar but not necessarily calming him down in any way when Rachel looked at Marlowe and grabbed her hand. As if making sure the older teen was really there and alive.

“They’re some kind of doomsday cult. Which is enough said. Don’t give them more credit than they deserve, I was off my game the last time they showed up. Won’t happen again.” Marlowe corrected, glancing at Gar when she did, before looking to the girl in front of her and squeezing Rachel’s fingers with a small grin.

“It’s because of her… Abilities.” Dick further confirmed. Nodding along silently.

“They make violence look like an art form.” Kory spoke up absently, eyes looking through everything in the room and into the distance.

“The people that attacked us fought in unison. They were perfectly coordinated, we’re not.” Dick started up, not liking the dampened air left from Kory’s comment, “We can’t fight like that unless we learn each other’s moves.”

“Inspiring.” Both Kory and Marlowe commented, the two women glancing at each other with uncomfortable looks.

“And how do you suggest we do that?” Kory recovered, directing her question to Dick with a raised eyebrow.

“We stick together,” Dick’s shoulders shrugged ever so slightly before his eyes cut to Marlowe and then back to Kory, “And we train.”

Marlowe puffed out a breath, “I was really hoping you wouldn’t say that.”

~~*~~