#alex leaves the fandom two to three business years and then comes to slap us in the face with a WAKE UP BITCHESSSS

[regulusrules]

One question only: WHY

[trekscribbles]

Triple Threat: A Stone Triplets Fic (Chapter 2)

Fandoms: Leverage/Leverage Redemption, Librarians, and Almost Paradise

Cross-Posted: Ao3 and FF

Summary: Eliot and Jake are both in the Philippines for separate jobs that turn out to be related. Kai takes the existence of Alex's brothers as a personal attack on her mental health. Ernesto happily goes along for the ride.

Read Chapter 1 here.

Chapter 2: Double Trouble

The last time Eliot saw Alex was when they were 16 years old. Alex had been living with Uncle Danny for 6 years at that point, so the brothers didn't have much of a relationship even then, and the reunion had been awkward and tense. Jake was the one who tried to keep them together, who talked their father into hosting Christmas that year. He was the one who'd called Alex and begged him to come home for a week. Just a week.

They'd lasted three days.

At the time Eliot had blamed Alex—immature, bull-headed Alex, whose verbal and then physical fights with their father had led to his living with Uncle Danny in the first place. If he could have just learned to keep his mouth shut, most of the fights wouldn't have happened. Eliot and Jake had learned that lesson—why couldn't Alex? He always had to have the last word, no matter what the cost.

That last visit was what finally convinced Eliot to leave home. He thought about college, but eventually decided to enlist as soon as he turned 18 (without telling their father). Jake was supposed to go with him, but he'd wanted to see Alex one more time before they left. When months went by and Alex didn't come back, Eliot left both his brothers behind.

Age had given Eliot perspective, but by the time he was ready to apologize, Jake wouldn't take his calls. Alex had already joined the DEA, and a series of undercover assignments for both of them made it impossible for Eliot to reach out. And then he got involved with Moreau, and getting in touch was no longer an option. It would have put them in too much danger, and that was one thing Eliot would never do. But after a while, even that became an excuse. After he escaped Moreau, after Nate created a team and a family for him, he let the silence continue. He'd made that choice on his own.

And now apparently Alex was in the Philippines. Permanently, according to the detective who introduced herself as Kai Mendoza. That was all she would tell him (through gritted teeth, as though Eliot had committed some unforgivable sin by asking). "We have to take care of this mess," she'd grumbled. "Then we'll take you to see Alex."

She hadn't asked if Eliot wanted to see Alex, and part of him was glad for that. If he'd been given the option, he wasn't sure he'd have said yes. It would have been easy to say that he was too busy, that he couldn't stay, that it was better for them not to meet. But now that the offer was there, Eliot couldn't turn it down. One way or another, he was going to see his brother today.

Kai and her partner Ernesto drove him and the two men they'd arrested to the police station, where Eliot was firmly told to stay in the car. Kai paused after giving the order as if waiting for him to argue, even after he nodded and promised to stay put. Apparently Alex hadn't changed much since they were kids.

While the others were inside, Eliot took a few minutes to call Hardison and update him on the job. It was just the two of them on this one, with Hardison pulling the strings from somewhere in Vietnam while Eliot worked on the ground in Cebu.

Hardison picked up on the first ring. "All done? I booked you a flight back to New Orleans on—"

"I ran into a little snag," Eliot interrupted.

"What kind of snag?"

Eliot explained most of his encounter with Kai and Ernesto, but he couldn't bring himself to include the fact that he'd been mistaken for one of his long-lost triplet brothers. Hardison knew he had siblings, but Eliot hadn't ever gone into details about them. He wasn't sure what he'd say now, and he knew Hardison would have questions. Best to leave it be. He'd give Hardison a more in-depth explanation later.

"So now what?" Hardison asked.

"Now we wait and see if they can salvage the sting. If they arrest Flores, our work is done."

"And if they don't?"

"I'll let you know."

There was a pause, as if Hardison was trying to decide whether or not to voice his next thought. "Is there something else?"

Eliot sighed. He tried not to lie to Hardison or Parker, but he didn't want to have this conversation now. "Not about the job," he answered. "I'll explain later."

To his credit, Hardison didn't argue, even though he had to be burning with curiosity. "Okay. Call back when you have more to share."

"Yeah."

It was another twenty minutes before Kai and Ernesto emerged from the police station, both wearing grim expressions. They were talking as they approached the car, and Eliot caught the tail end of their conversation through the open windows.

"I didn't want to bring him in on this," Kai was saying.

Ernesto shrugged. "We don't really have a choice anymore."

"Things get messy when his family is involved. It'll only complicate things."

Interesting. Which of his relatives had already come to the island? Evidently Eliot's family had a knack for disrupting the locals.

"Ocampo's orders," Ernesto said. He opened the passenger door and slid into the car, turning to look over his shoulder at Eliot. "We'll take you to see Alex, but you're going to have to come back to the station and explain what you were doing with Flores."

Eliot crossed his arms. "Figured you'd want to know that first."

"We do," Kai said, with a frown at her partner. "You owe the delay to Alex. He's helped us out in the past, and Ernesto thinks we should tell him you're here before he finds out from someone else."

"The surprise could kill him," Ernesto said mildly.

"You just want to see his face when we show up with his doppelganger."

"Don't you?" Ernesto asked. Kai huffed and dropped into the driver's seat.

They lapsed into silence during the drive, which Eliot appreciated. His stomach had begun an uneasy churn, though he told himself it was just because of the heat. There was nothing to be nervous about. Sure Eliot hadn't reached out, but neither had Alex. Neither had Jake, for that matter. Eliot had gone home once, just after he got out of the service, and found Jake had taken over the oil company. Their neighbors said that Jake was turning things around, digging out of debt and even managing a profit, and Eliot accepted the blessing and drove out of town without stopping by the house. It was enough that Jake was happy. He didn't need Eliot coming back and ruining things for him.

Kai pulled into the parking lot of another hotel, dodging groups of brightly dressed tourists as she went. "He owns the gift shop here at the resort," Ernesto explained, flashing a friendly smile over his shoulder. Kai didn't look at him as she got out of the car, but Eliot was happy to keep his silence. He trailed behind her as she led the way through the resort, winding around pools and umbrella-covered tables, slowing every few moments so Ernesto could greet someone. Apparently the friendliness wasn't an act—or else it was a very good one. But something about the man felt genuine, as if he couldn't be bothered to put up a front.

Kai, on the other hand... she was harder to read. Especially now that she wasn't giving Eliot anything to work with except the occasional glare.

Before long the bustle of the resort faded as concrete transitioned to sand beneath their feet. A small building rose ahead of them, still against the backdrop of gentle waves and lazy clouds. A soft breeze ruffled Eliot's hair, filling his lungs with salt and sunshine. He wanted to stop, to look out at the water and breathe in the sea spray and the silence, but the others kept walking.

No wonder Alex had picked this spot. If retirement was in Eliot's future, he could see himself in a place like this.

Ernesto reached the door, and Eliot took one last windswept breath to brace himself.

"You look nervous," Kai murmured.

No he didn't. He knew he didn't, because the only emotions he gave away were the ones he wanted people to see. And he was most definitely not nervous. But her eyes lingered on his, and something softened in her expression.

"Don't worry," she said, giving him a small, hesitant smile. "It'll be fine."

"Alex," Ernesto called, and Eliot's stomach gave another roll. This was a mistake. He shouldn't have come. He tried to back away, but Kai put her hand on his arm and cut off his retreat, guiding him inside.

The gift shop was empty besides one man restocking a rack of post cards. He stood with his back to them, but it was impossible to mistake him for anyone else. He had the same build as Eliot, the same brown hair he'd have to fight to keep straight in this humidity, the same scarred hands from years of work and fighting.

"Hey!" Alex said without turning around. "Check it out, I got new cards."

Ernesto started across the room, gesturing for Eliot to follow. "How come you didn't tell us you had a twin?"

Alex looked at him. "A twin? I don't have a tw—"

His eyes fell on Eliot, and his words died. Eliot could feel Kai watching them, waiting for a reaction, but he couldn't think of anything to say. Hey, how've you been the last 30 years? Oh, me? Well, first I was an international assassin, and now I work with a group of thieves who steal from the rich and give to the poor. I still punch people for a living though. How about you?

Something started beeping. Eliot started—no, not started, just looked around for the source—but Alex slapped his hand to his wrist and the sound stopped.

"Everything okay?" Ernesto asked. Alex made a noncommittal sound, glancing at him before returning his attention to Eliot. His eyes seemed bluer than Eliot remembered. It was probably just the lighting, but since it was the only thought that didn't spiral out of control, it was the one Eliot clung to. Blue eyes like their mother's, like the pond water in the back yard. Blue eyes that had been red with anger and hurt the last time he'd seen them.

"Which one are you?" Alex asked.

Behind him, Kai made a choking sound. Ernesto shushed her.

"But—" she sputtered. "Are there more of them?"

Eliot refocused on his brother. "You don't recognize me?"

"You both look the same," Alex deadpanned.

"Well, we're in the Philippines and I'm speaking English."

For a long moment Alex simply stared at him as if trying to read the details of their separation in his face. Then he reached out, and Eliot braced himself for the punch. He wouldn't fight back—not at first, not unless things got out of hand. He could take a hit or two, let Alex burn off some of his anger, and then try talking. They weren't 16 anymore. They could handle this like adults.

But Alex didn't hit him. His arms flashed out past Eliot's head, wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him tight. "Eliot," he murmured, crushing him in a hug that drove the breath from Eliot's lungs. He didn't care. He grabbed two fistfuls of Alex's shirt and squeezed, pressing everything he couldn't voice into the embrace.

"It's good to see you," Alex said at last, gruffly. He pulled away without taking his hands from Eliot's shoulders. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh... work."

Alex frowned at the hesitation. "What kind of work?"

Eliot sent a look over his shoulder, where Kai and Ernesto still waited. They clearly had some kind of relationship with Alex, but how far did that extend? Likely not far enough to keep from arresting Eliot for the half-dozen laws he'd broken to secure his meeting with Flores. "I'll tell you later."

"Now's as good a time as any," Kai said. "You can tell us now or at the station, whichever you prefer."

"We can give them a little longer," Ernesto argued.

"Flores is still out there. The longer we wait, the more time he has to act."

"Who's Flores?" Alex asked. He let his hands slide from Eliot's shoulders, a frown settling over his face.

Kai gave him a pointed look. "I'll tell you later."

"I think you should tell me now."

"I don't care what—"

Ernesto held his hands up, putting himself between the two of them. "Kai, we can give them a few more minutes to catch up. We'll be outside, Alex. Ten minutes." He looked at Eliot. "Then you come to the station with us. Understand?"

"Fine," Alex said. "Ten minutes. I got it."

Though Kai looked like she wanted to argue, she allowed Ernesto to guide her toward the door. "Nice friends you've got," Eliot muttered.

He'd meant it as a joke, but Alex gave a serious nod. "Yeah. They are. They're closer than some of my family."

Apparently they were going to fight after all. "I didn't know how to contact you," Eliot said.

"You're smart. You couldn't figure something out?"

"Couldn't you?" Eliot countered. "The last I heard you were undercover. Reaching out would have put you in danger."

"I'm retired now," Alex said.

"So I hear."

Alex crossed his arms over his chest. "I did try to find you. There was a rumor going around that you'd died."

"I didn't. Well, I did once, but it didn't stick."

"How long ago was that?"

"While you were still undercover."

Alex gave a frustrated growl. "Fine. We both could have done more, alright? Just... fill me in on the case."

The case was a safe topic, so Eliot embraced the change without complaint. He gave his brother the basics as he knew them: Robert Flores was looking to set up a base to smuggle drugs to the United States. Hardison had been tracking him throughout Asia, but when business kept him in Vietnam he'd contacted Eliot about finishing the job. "Should have been simple enough," Eliot said. "Set up a meeting, figure out his weakness, take him down."

"But you weren't the only one after him," Alex said. He heaved a sigh. "How mad was Kai when you showed up?"

An involuntary smile pulled at Eliot's lips. "She thought I was you. I think she wanted to kill me more than Flores's men did."

Alex chuckled, sobering a moment later. "So this is what you do? You go after international criminals?"

"More or less."

"With who? I mean—CIA? Interpol?"

"It's kind of a freelance operation."

Alex shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense."

"It's a lot to explain," Eliot said. "And I will, I promise. Soon as we have the time."

"Right." Alex gave him another long look, and a small grin appeared on his face. "It's good to see you, man. It's been too long."

Eliot didn't try to stop his answering grin. "You go by Walker now?"

"You'd already taken Mom's name. Didn't leave me with much of a choice."

"Yeah, but... Walker? As in Texas Ranger?"

Alex hissed and shot a look toward the door. "Don't say it out loud, man. I've got a reputation to keep up here."

Eliot laughed, but Ernesto chose that moment to knock and peek into the gift shop, effectively ending the conversation. "You two finished?" he called.

"For now," Alex answered. "Where's Kai?"

"She went to get some coffee. She'll be back any minute."

Alex nodded. "Good. I wanna be back before the afternoon rush."

"You're not coming," Ernesto said. "I don't think Kai can handle two of you."

Eliot folded his arms. "For the record, I'm not Alex's double. If anything he's my double. I'm older."

"By eight minutes," Alex snapped.

"That's older."

Alex huffed a wordless reply, and Eliot felt a glow of something familiar in his chest. This was an argument they'd had hundreds of times—Eliot, being the oldest, started it most often when they were kids. Jake had come next, and then Alex—Baby Alex, they called him, whenever he was being annoying. Eliot was pleased to find the joke still funny.

Even better, Alex seemed to still find it annoying. Eliot couldn't say why that felt so comforting. Maybe it was just that he was thankful to see a glimpse of the old Alex, the one he'd known before they let their father and their pride get in the way of their relationship. Maybe it was the fact that Alex was relaxed enough to have this conversation in front of Ernesto. Maybe Alex had found a team the way Eliot had.

Maybe it was a good thing he'd come here after all.

[chayacat]

Devil’s Sweet Star (33)

Fandom: Dead by Daylight

Ghostface x Female Reader  

Rated M for Violence, Language and Smut  

***

Aaaah...(Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N). What mess are you in? You don't realize how much your life is going to change. Certainly, your career, your business, flourishes day by day, to the point that you are solicited for great events. Well, I recognize that for the moment, you have just been asked for cakes for the local festival. But imagine the success you could have! the whole area could hear from you. But... It may not be for that reason.  

Your life could change... because of this "deal" that you have made with Ghostface. I have to admit that, if I had been given the same proposal, I would have finally accepted it. But not as quickly as you did. The curiosity and eagerness you felt to know the true identity of the Roseville Assassin... could destroy you forever. How... it’s still a mystery. But back to our business, will you?

The whole city was aware of your participation in the festival. The information spread very quickly, and in a city like Roseville, it's not very surprising. Everyone is wondering about, this famous cake that you are going to prepare for this special occasion. And it's a good opportunity to get ideas. Even if you already know what you are going to do, having or rather hearing people come up with ideas, can give you new inspirations. Amy and Corey also stay on the lookout for any ideas that might be interesting to explore. As you were preparing the next batches of cakes, the phone rang. Amy being too busy taking the orders, it’s you who take the call.

“Welcome to the Nebula, where our pastries came from Outerspace! How can I help you?”

“(Y/N) sweety!!! How good it feels to hear you after all this time!” said a woman cheerfully.

“Aunt Marnie! How did you get the number of... Oh that's right. Mr Parkson had to tell you about my business and had to give you the number. it's so nice to hear you after... You know what. How is Uncle Joey? And Daisy and Tobias?” you respond with a smile.  

“Daisy has managed to get a scholarship for her studies in geology, she will be able to start this year. Tobias still plays on Gary's American football team. The city has not changed. some people come to settle there while others go elsewhere. As for Joey... Let's say he hangs on as he can. You know how much he cared about your mother; She was his little sister... he feels guilty for not being there to protect her.”

“Me too you know. I'm sorry if I left the area but... I needed to change the landscape. To start from scratch.”

“Oh, don't worry you Butterfly, we all understand that you needed to do that. You are much stronger than us, never forget that. So, tell me! How does it go in Roseville? is your business going well?” She replied.  

“Everything is fine! I was offered to make cakes for the local festival and Jed and I will move in together!” you answer.  

“Jed? Who’s Jed?”

You suddenly realize that you have made a slight blunder. When you separate with Alex, your aunt Marnie protects you like a mother hen. And this is even more the case since the death of your parents. No boys could approach you without her being around to watch for any suspicious movement on their part.

“Jed is...is my boyfriend. He works for the Roseville’s Gazette. It's recent, but don't worry about it, aunt Marnie, he's very nice! this boy is... he’s an angel. He’s the complete opposite of Alex.” you explain, worrying about her reaction.

“... Well, if you're sure what you're doing... And from what you say, I want to believe you. A journalist you say? Well, he had to live things from it! You will have to present him to us one day. And if possible before you are married.”

“Don't worry about it, we're not there yet. As I told you, it's recent but... he’s someone of trust. Believe me. Listen aunt Marnie, I have to go back to work, I'm going to give you my number like that if you want to call, you can call me directly on my phone! you always have the same, don't you?”

“Yes of course! I'm not going to bother you for very long either, I have a few groceries to do on my side. I hope we can see each other soon, and with your boyfriend! I love you very much (Y/N). See you later.”

“See you later Auntie. I love you too.”

You hang up before you get back to work. It felt good to have talked to your family again since the death of your parents. Poor Uncle Joey. He is your mother's closest brother. They both adored themselves. And yet, they couldn't help but argue about something. by force you were used to it and you wondered each time how long they would resist before arguing. And especially on what. And every time it ended in the same way: in the water of the pool, laughing like two idiots. They couldn't even remember why they were arguing.  

When your parents died, Joey didn't say a word. For several weeks, he had locked himself in the guest room, without eating or even talking. It was you who managed to get him out of his silence. You sigh as you think back to all this. From the whole family... he’s the one who has suffered the most. And he still suffers today. Luckily, he has a wife and two children who love him and help him. Otherwise, who knows how he would have turned out. Bad, very bad if you want my opinion.

You return to work when Melina enters the café with Mattew and Jed. The three greeted you from afar and went to sit down at a table that Corey had just cleaned. The latter took their order, which did not change the habit. You won't even need to ask them what they want by force. But Jed looked... annoy. You were wondering why.

“This guy is really twisted anyway. Hiring a guy to kill his own partner, it really goes too far. McKellan was an asshole, but Hoggins is twice as much.” said Melina, crossing her arm on her chest.  

“What amazes me is that the guy Wilhelm interrogated is not responsible for this murder. Are you sure that he didn't lie?” asks Mattew.

“Wilhelm passed him twice to the lie detector, left him alone for several minutes to see if he was going to say something and the results showed it well: he did not lie and he said nothing. Wilhelm said he knew Devon well, we can ask him anything and everything, but killing someone is not in his ropes and in his principles. At least he doesn't kill when the person has done nothing to him.” said Jed.  

“What do you think in this case?” you ask suddenly, making all three of them react.

“... Either Hoggins hired someone else... or he was the one who killed. But in this case, you have to prove that he went at McKellan’s home. But Wilhelm has interrogated the guards. They did not see, neither Hoggins, nor his car in the vicinity. So there remains only the first option, remains to know who he hired.” responds Jed.

“It doesn't seem to be going. Do you have a problem?”

“Let's say in short, that if I had this asshole in front of me, I would beat him to death.”

“Hoggins said things about you two that...  didn't really please Jed.” explain Mattew.  

“I think I know what he said. But you don't have to care, I won't leave you for anything in the world.” you said, kissing Jed on the cheek which made him smile.  

You suddenly remember the conversation with your aunt and take the opportunity to tell Jed about it. If at first, he was a little reluctant, worried and uncomfortable about the situation, he was rather reassured to know that your aunt was delighted to know that you are in a relationship with someone. Luckily for you, she doesn't know anything else... and so is Jed. Better to avoid talking about Ghostface.

*You have all the cards in hand, and two lives. Let's see if you get to the end of the game. *

Two lives...No, more. It’s not your life and Jed's that is in your hands, but also that of all the people who are close to you, Melina, Mattew, Corey, Amy... and even your family. So many lives in your hands, which may or may not be a victim of your choices. It's way too much for your shoulders, but you have no choice, you can't go back now. All you can do is say nothing to Jed. Even if it bites your lips, that your heart tightens at the thought of having to lie to him, you must hold. For the good of all of them.

The day went smoothly, although for once, a few annoying customers gave you a hard time. It takes everything in this low world, otherwise everything would be wonderful. Corey and Amy helped you clean everything up before returning home completely exhausted. Jed was waiting for you outside leaning against his van. You close the café after checking that everything was locked and then join him.

“Still worried about my aunt? I told you, you don't have to worry, they will adore you, I'm sure.” you said when you see his face.  

“No, it's not related to that... It's... it’s in relation to Hoggins. How can such a guy appropriate someone like common merchandise? When I heard him say that you were a bird of paradise and that it was a shame that you were with a guy like me... I refrained from sticking my fist in his face. It's easy for him to have a woman by his side, he has the money and the luxury.” He responds, clenching his fist.

“Hey! Don't say that. I could have hanged out with him, not worrying about finances and having everything I want. And I chose you. So, he can do whatever he wants, offer me all his fortune if he likes it, I would say no. He is repugnant, narcissistic, old, a real head to slap. It’s out of the question for me to go out with such a moron.”

“Hahaha that’s why I love you honey. Ready to go?” Jed replied, holding you close.  

As you were about to leave, a group of men surrounded Jed's van. And obviously they weren't there to talk. Jed gently pushed you behind him, blocking you between him and the van.

“Get in the car. Right now. And lock yourself in.” He said seriously.  

“But Jed...” You start.  

“I said RIGHT NOW.”

You get into the vehicle and lock it as Jed asked you. The men came a little closer, revealing iron bars. Some of them made them spin while sneering, others hit the ground with them. Jed didn't seem panicked, he didn't tremble. He gently removed his glasses, tapped against the glass so that you would take the glasses with you and then turned to the group of individuals.

“I suppose... that you were hired, were you not? It's Hoggins I bet.” He said calmly.

“We have nothing against you, man, but the boss... he can no longer stand you. On the other hand, he paid us to bring the girl back to him too.” said one of the men.

“Just try to see.”

It was then that the fight began. Despite the fact that there were several of them, Jed managed with disconcerting agility to dodge punches and iron bar blows. He even managed to put some men on the ground, before unfortunately being blocked and punched before being thrown to the ground. You knock against the window of the truck screaming his name, actually starting to worry when you see him spitting out a light trickle of blood. Suddenly, as if caught in a sudden rage, you see Jed throwing himself at the man in front of him, hammering him with fists.  

He took the iron rod to knock one of the men who was trying to attack him and then returned to the one on the ground. Despite the windows you could hear the man on the ground begging Jed to stop. But he kept on. As if he was taken with an uncontrollable rage. A monster. Jed again took the iron rod and raised it to hit the man on the ground, when suddenly he stopped and turned his head towards you, realizing that you were still there. Then police sirens were heard.

“Hands up! not a gesture you are surrounded!” shout an officer.  

“Olsen! put this iron bar down! Right now!” said inspector Wilhelm.  

Jed dropped the iron rod before collapsing next to the man he had just beaten. You unlock the vehicle and get off it to go see Jed shouting his name. The officers handcuffed the men one by one, while another called doctors to take care of Jed. It took them only a few minutes to arrive and take care of Jed. This one grimaced when the doctor applied the disinfectant.

“Are you okay, Olsen? nothing serious?” asks Wilhelm.

“I'm fine, nothing too serious except spitting a trickle of blood. These guys told me that Hoggins had hired them. They did not say it directly, but they made it clear to me.” responds Jed.

“We're going to take them to the station for that. Both of you go home. Miss, I count on you to take care of him.”

“You can count on that Inspector. Thank you.” You said, turning to Jed. “Does it hurt?”  

“A little, but don't worry, I've experienced worse. And then you're fine that's the main thing. I guess I will have to give a deposition tomorrow at the first hour?” He responds.

“Yes, unfortunately for me, it’s I who will have to take your deposition. It looks like the roles have been reversed between you this time. See you tomorrow Olsen. Miss.” said Wilhelm before leaving.

You and Jed go back to the apartment. There is no question of leaving him alone tonight. He will sleep at home. You both go to bed, Jed hugging you. He wished you good night, told you that He loves you and that he will not let anyone harm you. And you take his word for it. The Jed you saw tonight, scared you. He has protected you and protected himself in a sense. But from there to almost kill a man...  

Now you understand better why you should never piss him off. And it scares you.

***

(I’ve to finish RE8 Village but I don’t want to kill Heisenberg! He’s my favorite Lord!  I must admit I’m a little disappointed about the fact that we can’t choose to help Heisenberg or not. While we could choose between saving Mia or Zoe in RE7. Even if in the end both survive (Thanks the DLC: the End of Zoe). This could have led to an alternative path! But I'm quite curious to see the DLC that CAPCOM is developing for RE8! I hope you’ll like this chapter like the others ones! Well, it's time for my brain to rest! Have a great weekend to you all!  See ya!)

[lacommunarde]

Snart and Scofield to the Company Came - Chapter 11: Aldo

Chapter 11: Aldo

Chapter 1: A Case of Mistaken Identities

Chapter 2: STAR Labs

Chapter 3: What is Leonard Snart?

Chapter 4:  Safety in Central City

Chapter 5: Meetings and Decisions

Chapter 6: Licence Plate Game

Chapter 7: Utah

Chapter 8: The Van, the Truck and the Bike

Chapter 9: Plans Collide

Chapter 10: The Waiting Game

Fandom: The Flash, Prison Break, Arrow (sort of) Rating: Mature Warnings: Prison Break typical level of violence, (sort of major) character death, Torture, Surgery, Cancer, Child Abuse, Past Child Abuse,

Notes: Spoilers through season 4 of Prison Break, The events of the Flash happen ten years earlier: Len Mick and Lisa are ten years younger but everyone else is canon age, Len is 33, Michael is 28/29 when the fic starts, Linc is 32/33, Mick is 35. Snart Family Feels, Scofield and Burrows Family Feels,

Relationships: Mick Rory/Leonard Snart, Leonard Snart & Lisa Snart, Lincoln Burrows & Michael Scofield, Michael Scofield/Sara Tancredi, Maricruz Delgado/Fernando Sucre, Michael Scofield & Leonard Snart, Michael Scofield & Christina Scofield, Leonard Snart & Christina Scofield, Mick Rory & Lincoln Burrows,

Characters: Leonard Snart, Michael Scofield, Mick Rory, Lincoln Burrows, Lisa Snart, Cisco Ramon, Barry Allen, Caitlin Snow, Sara Tancredi, Fernando Sucre, LJ Burrows, Joe West, Iris West, Maricruz Delgado, Felicity Smoak, Alex Mahone, Paul Kellerman, Bill Kim, Christina Scofield, General Krantz, Aldo Burrows, Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell, Wally West, Lewis Snart, Brad Bellick, Oliver Queen, Axel Walker,

Summary:    When Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows swing by Central City to get a potential plan B for getting to Panama (in case they need it), they are mistaken for Leonard Snart and Mick Rory. Leonard Snart, who is laying low (not in Central City) is mistaken for Scofield. Once their identities are straightened out, Len, Mick and Lisa and the Flash team decide they are going to help the brothers (and Sucre, Sara Tancredi, and LJ) find out why the Company wants them, and the Rogues call in a few favors.

They walked in to find Caitlin talking down a microphone. “I want you to apply pressure to the injury and find something clean to bandage it with – preferably something with a little give to it.”

There was a ripping sound, followed by a low groan.

“Who’s injured? Who is it?” Sara asked, approaching the microphone.

“Sara? Is that Sara?” Michael’s voice said over the speaker. “Is she safe?”

“Scofield, you can triple check that your girlfriend’s okay or you can take care of your father, but with the amount it sounds like he’s bleeding, you can’t do both,” Caitlin responded to him, meeting Sara’s eyes.

Sara turned to Barry and Cisco, both of whom were sitting there watching Caitlin give instructions, Barry balanced over the back of a chair, leaning forward and chewing on his lip, Cisco with a Twizzler in his mouth. “What happened?”

Cisco removed the Twizzler from his mouth. “Aldo Burrows – that’s Michael and Lincoln’s dad – was shot. The bullet supposedly just grazed his arm but he did something with it and now it’s bleeding a lot.”

Sara frowned, recalling the details from Michael and Linc’s medical sheets. “Didn’t he leave when they were both very young?”

Cisco nodded.

Sara gestured for the mic. Caitlin saw and moved so she could get close. “You’re going to need to give him water and do what Dr. Snow says. Additionally, keep applying pressure and see if you can make him a sling for it so he doesn’t move it until it until it heals.”

“Who the hell is this?” came a gruff voice over the line. Male and very put out by the sound of it.

“I’m Sara Tancredi, I’m a doctor as well.”

Caitlin leaned forward with an aggravated sigh. “Mr. Burrows, unless you want to keep your arm from healing, you had better listen to Dr. Tancredi – who took care of your sons while they were in prison – and to me.”

“Burrows, may I recommend you do as she says then we can resume planning afterwards?” said another unfamiliar voice, this one female and deferential.

“Oh for Pete’s sake, Snow,” drawled a third voice. “Is it safe to move him via Scarlet Express? Less safe out here than Burrows or Scofield!”

Sara turned to Caitlin for an explanation, but Caitlin was already answering, “That’s actually a good idea, Snart.” Which must mean that the drawl was none other than Leonard Snart.

“Have them every so often, Snow,” came the response. “Now about Scarlet?”

Caitlin turned to Barry. Before Sara’s eyes, he blurred and vanished. She blinked and he was back, only now wearing a red, skintight suit. It occurred to her that it should have dawned upon her sooner that the Flash was the same superhero she had been seeing occasional reports about.

“Snart, send your location,” Barry – the Flash – called into the mic.

Cisco typed at his computer. “Got it!” He gestured at Barry, who zoomed out of the lab.

“What the hell is that?” Aldo’s voice yelled from the other end of the mic after there was a moment of static.

“Mr. Burrows, try to stay calm. I’m going to take you back to STAR Labs so Dr. Snow can treat you and we can keep you safe,” Barry’s voice sounded very upbeat, and Sara could swear she heard a shit-eating grin in there: clearly he didn’t have much respect for Aldo either.

“Flash, remember to apply pressure to his arm,” Caitlin instructed down the mic.

“I demanded you put me…” Aldo’s voice could be heard saying before the frequency of his voice got too low to hear.

Cisco grinned at Mick and Sara. “I love the Doppler effect so much.” Mick smirked back. Cisco raised a surprised eyebrow at him, then shrugged.

There was a breeze, and Barry appeared, red suit on and cowl up around his head, carrying a man who could be presumed to be Aldo, his arm wrapped in a piece of relatively clean white shirt.

Sara moved into action, applying pressure to the makeshift bandage. “I’m Dr. Tancredi. You’re alright. You’re safe.” was her typical calming prattle. Even though she guessed it wasn’t necessary with Aldo – She had difficulty calling him Mr. Burrows after years taking care of Lincoln – she still said it anyway.

Caitlin’s fingers entered Sara’s field of vision and with quick precision, removed the compress and bandage from under Sara’s hands and applied a liquid from a spray-tipped bottle to it. The liquid foamed and Aldo’s winced. Sara could feel the temperature of the liquid from where she was and guessed it was something to numb it. Then Caitlin slapped on a bigger bandage onto his arm and handed Sara a roll of bandage tape.

“What was that? Where am I? Where’s Jane?” Aldo demanded, barking out orders. His voice was much gruffer than Linc’s had ever been and far more used to getting his way.

“You’re in STAR Labs. We’re saving your arm from future pain,” Caitlin explained, clearly accustomed enough to people not liking medical treatment that her voice had taken on a no-nonsense tone. “If Jane is your guard, she should be along momentarily.”

Sure enough, another breeze and a blur a second later told Sara that the Flash was back. He was holding a blonde woman bearing an expression like she was deciding whether fight or flight was the better response.

“Jane, stand down,” Aldo barked, then groaned and looked at what Caitlin was now sticking into his arm.

Caitlin met and held his eyes before he could react with the explanation, “Anti-septic.”

Jane was taking Aldo instruction's to heart and standing at ease, though the type of ease that someone trained and living this way for a long time tended to have. Sara imagined military. “Where are we?” she asked.

Cisco answered. “You’re in STAR Labs, Central City, Missouri.”

“How did we…?” Jane started.

Aldo gestured at where the Flash had been standing. “What is…? Where’d he go?”

“Speeding back here to pick up Scofield and Burrows, and the kid and the sweetheart,” came Snart’s drawl over the mic.

“Good thinking, Captain.” Sara recognized Sucre’s voice over the mic.

“Sucre, you are still messed up in Scofield and Burrows’ business?” Sara asked. “What happened to Miss Delgado?”

“Doc, Mami, she’s in Mexico on her vacation, but she said no to Hector,” Sucre said. “She said no.”

“On second thought,” Snart’s voice drawled, though there was more than a hint of amusement, “Scarlet, come get Romeo here first. This much saccharine sweet and I’m gonna be sick.”

“As though we ain’t seen you and Rory,” Linc’s voice said.

“Burrows, I know exactly where to aim this so it won’t do any lasting damage but it’ll hurt like hell, so think very hard before you go implying me and my partner have feelings or that we ever could be that lovey dovey.”

Mick chuckled. “How much like Romeo he been acting, boss?”

Sucre said, “Aww, come on. I haven’t been talking about her that much!”

The mic went static for a moment. “Ahh. ‘Bout time, Scarlet.”

“Snart, who am I taking next?” the Flash said.

“Burrows,” Snart said.

“Uh uh. Not going till LJ goes,” Linc responded.

“Agreed,” Michael’s voice said. Sara felt her heart give an embarrassing pitter-patter.

“Scarlet, will you do the honors?” Snart said. “And there he goes. Delivery of the Burrows kid on its way. Should be there in five, four, three, two, one.”

The Flash appeared, holding LJ. “That was pretty cool!”

“I know, right?” The Flash grinned.

“Wait, how do you know how fast the Flash runs?” Caitlin asked.

“Snart’s brain just works that way, and it’s necessary for heists,” Mick’s voice said from the doorway, where he was lounged against the wall.

Aldo turned to him and stared. LJ started in his direction and stopped. “You aren’t Dad.”

“No, I ain’t, kid,” Mick answered. LJ nodded and tipped his head, but was still staring at Mick.

LJ wasn’t alone. Aldo glanced at Sara. “Are you done with me?”

Sara nodded. Aldo pushed himself up, wincing, and walked over to Mick in fascination.

Mick noticed the look of fascination. “What’s your problem, Shoes?”

Aldo stopped. “Shoes?”

“You’re named after one of Lise’s favorite shoe stores.”

Sara and Caitlin laughed and looked at each other, embarrassed expressions on both faces.

Aldo tipped his head. “Interesting. Relational thinking. Very useful.”

He approached Mick even closer.

“We ain’t related, Shoes. So you call me ‘son,’ I’ll light you on fire,” Mick warned him.

“Are you sure you aren’t related to my son?” Aldo said, still approaching.

“I lit my family home on fire when I was eleven with my family still inside.” The blasé manner in which he said it left Caitlin wincing, Sara gaping, and Cisco looking uncomfortable.

Aldo however just drew closer. “You’re an arsonist?”

“He’s a pyromaniac. Feels the need to start a fire every so often. Any more invasive questions, Burrows Sr, or you want to stop giving him every reason to start one under you?” Snart’s voice drawled over the mic, tinged with daggers and ice.

The Flash appeared with Linc tossed over his shoulder and put him down. Linc staggered and took a step back. Aldo turned to them, taking his fascination off Mick and moving towards his son.

Mick took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m alright, Snart,” Mick whispered into his mic.

LJ beamed at his dad. “Dad, wasn’t that cool?”

“No,” Linc said, stepping away from the Flash. “Allen, that’s got to be the least dignified way of traveling I could think of.”

LJ shrugged at the Flash, who grinned back. The Flash made to run off again. “Bear, candy bar,” Cisco warned him. The Flash nodded and blurred down the opposite hallway before exiting.

“You know what that is?” Aldo asked Linc.

“Yeah, that’s the Flash. This is where Michael and me was mistaken for Captain Cold and Heatwave.”

“That’s so cool!” LJ grinned.

Linc chuckled at his son. “Come here, LJ.” He ruffled the kid's hair. “Only you would think it cool that your convict dad and uncle were mistaken for supervillains.”

LJ shrugged and glanced at Cisco, Caitlin and Mick. “It's cooler than having your dad in prison for killing the President's brother. Besides, everyone at school would think it’s cool. Cold and Heatwave are action figures.”

Cisco choked on his Twizzler. Caitlin wasn’t much better. “They have action figures?”

LJ nodded and realized he didn’t know either of their names. “Hi, I’m LJ.” He stuck out his head, then looked down at it like he was appalled by how dorky it was being, of its own accord, of course.

“Cisco. She’s Caitlin. That’s Heatwave,” Cisco pointed them out. Caitlin came over to shake his hand before he could withdraw it.

Linc saw Sara. “Doc, hey,” he said, approaching.

She swung and decked him before anyone could blink. Linc wasn’t expecting it and went down. Jane moved into action, pulled her gun. Aldo rocked his weight forward so he was standing on the balls of his feet. Linc waved her off.

“You and your bastard brother ruined my life,” Sara said and only realize due to the ringing in her ears that she was shouting.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea he planned to betray you. I know it’s not any consolation, but he felt really shitty about it.”

“I gave your case to my father, and it got him killed,” Sara added.

Linc winced.

Aldo interrupted in a soft yet firm voice. “He would have been killed anyway. He wasn’t willing to play the Company’s games.”

Sara turned to Aldo. “I’m sorry. When did I ask your opinion?”

Linc said, “He’s the expert on the Company.”

Sara looked between them. “What the Company? I mean, other than what bad spy movie call MI6 and the FBI.”

Cisco snorted a laugh. Caitlin said to Aldo, “I have to second what she’s asking.”

Aldo waved off the questions. “Everything will be explained shortly.”

“Apparently, Ecofield’s part of it but not all of it,” Linc answered.

“Oh, it’s bigger than Ecofield,” Cisco responded. Everyone turned to him. “What? Friend of mine hacked the NSA and put a tracker on an FBI guy. Sara recognized this guy,” he spun a photo of her support group friend - Kellerman was his real name - around, “As the guy who was in her support group and then she saw him in Congress when she was going to meet with her dad. His name is Paul Kellerman, and he is with the Secret Service. And this is the FBI guy who was after Prez and Tattoo in Utah and in Cook County Courthouse,” he spun around another photo. “By the name of Agent Alexander Mahone.”

Aldo picked up the picture. “He’s new. I don’t recognize him.” He picked up the first picture as well. “Kellerman, I already know.”

The Flash blurred back into the room, holding Sucre then back out again, leaving Sucre blinking. “Hey, Sink.”

“Sucre.” Linc nodded a greeting.

“Michael will be along soon,” Sucre added, then to Sara, “Doc, how are you?”

Sara nodded. “Sucre, I’m doing well, as well as can be expected.”

“Michael would like to apologize to you. Says he never wanted to involve you in any of this.”

“Oh my god,” Linc interrupted. “He better not be getting cold feet. Where’s that mic?” Cisco offered it. “Michael, you better not get cold feet! Get your butt over here.”

Michael started, “I’m not getting cold feet. I just...”

Snart interrupted, “He wanted to make sure all his loved ones were safe before he got to safety. Commendable and self-sacrificing. I’d keep an eye on him if I were you.”

“I’d prefer if you didn’t make me the target of your analysis, Leonard,” Michael said.

Linc laughed. Sucre said, “Now you know what it’s like, Papi.”

“How do you most like to be carried, Scofield?” Barry’s voice said, letting everyone know he had arrived.

“Come on, Michael. Get aboard,” Snart said.

“What about you?” Michael said.

“Lise and I’ll drive the vehicles back to Central -." Evidently, Michael started to respond, because Snart started a new sentence, "Don't. You worry too much. Known how to make sure nobody mistakes me for somebody of note since before I went to juvie. Sides, they ain’t gonna mistake a brother and sister UPS team for you and Linc, not with my Central City accent.”

“Be safe, alright, Snart?” Barry said.

“Barry,” Snart said, his voice holding warning. “You try to hug me again, I’ll ice various parts you don’t need for running.” He paused. “They’re on their way.”

“Good. After he’s here, if there’s a room, I can show you all what I know about Scylla, so I can have your help in getting it out of the Company’s hands and into law enforcement’s.”

“Why would that make any difference? They’re in the FBI and Secret Service. What makes you think they aren’t also in law enforcement?” Linc asked.

“I have a guy I trust who’s in the anti-Conspiracy with me. After that, we publicize it, send it to NGOs and news networks, make copies of it. Then we go to ground. Vanish off the radar till it blows over,” Aldo’s tone said he had thought of everything. Sara bristled – her father had acted like that shortly before he was hanged. Caitlin and Cisco didn’t seem very comfortable with it either, udging by the way Cisco's shoulder went up and Caitlin became less threatening and more surface-level polite

The Flash appeared shortly after carrying Michael over his shoulder. He set Michael down and blurred off and then back again wearing civilian clothes.

Michael gave his head a little shake. He looked like the last week had aged him even more than Fox River Penitentiary had – his eyes were darting everywhere, his ears flicking at sounds Sara could barely hear. Then his eyes fell across her. A warm smile overcame his features. She couldn’t help the smile that came across hers.

“Sara.” He approached her, aiming with those long fingers and tattooed arms of his to hold her.

She might not have been able to help the smile, but she could sure help that and let him know she wasn't ready to forgive him yet.

Her hand batted his away. He looked momentarily heart-broken, his eyes showing too much emotion that he kept bottled away. As he was frowning, she smacked him across the cheek. Linc started approaching  - she could tell from the corner of her eyes - no doubt because she had dared smack his brother. And a glance at that brother showed him putting his delicate fingers up to his cheek, his eyes looking more hurt than anything, like it caused him such guilt that it was threatening to overwhelm his eyes with tears, which was really unfair, the way they brightened his eyes, and the way they reflected her emotion, what her every micro-gesture was no doubt telling him she felt. She reached out and caught his shirt, pulling him close and burying her face into him so she didn't have to see that guilt. The fabric was so much softer than the last time she’d touched him, while he was still in prison garb - before he’d manipulated her into helping him and seven other prisoners escape. She curled her hands into fists against his chest.

“How dare you, Michael? You used me! You used my feelings for you! You knew I had them, and you led me believe you had feelings for me, too. How dare you?”

“Sara, it was real.” He pulled her back, cupping her face in his hands and gazing into her eyes. She once again caught her breath with how much emotion his eyes held, how much she wanted to be kissed by his lips. And, goddamnit, she was falling in love with him again, after she had promised herself she would demand an explanation from him for his emotional manipulation of her before she ever allowed herself to feel anything for him again. “My feelings for you were real. I had to save my brother. But I never intended to hurt you. The escape, it was supposed to go through the pipe in your office. Every day I came in to break through it a little bit more. But then they put a new pipe in that I couldn’t break through. So, I had to ask.”

She shook her head. “I left it open for you. I had to. They’d have killed him otherwise.”

He nodded, running his fingers along her face and lowering his other arm to her hand, pulling it up and kissing the palm of it. “I am so sorry you did.”

“So you’re the girl who won Michael’s heart,” Aldo observed after this display.

Sara turned to him with an expression that said she was considering murder. “So you’re their father and yet you never came to visit Lincoln even when he was going to be executed. Not once in three years.”

Aldo inclined his head. “They would have been looking for that.”

Sara made a strangling motion with her hands, then shrugged out of Michael’s arms and over to Aldo. “You know what? Never talk to me again.” That said she stalked out of the room.

Caitlin glanced after her fellow doctor then glared at Aldo. “There’s another room next to this one that has a table and a white board,” she announced. “I suggest we reconvene there, so you can tell us what you know about the Company and then we can all go our separate ways before there is yet another death here”

[bellabooks]

The Lesbian, Bi and Queer Year in Television 2017: Love, bravery, and found family

2017, if you ask me, has been an absolute toothbrush of a year: cleaning out the toxic plaque, bloodying the gums a little in the process, and hopefully leaving us with a minty fresh start to 2018. Optimism, in the face of that exhaustion which December almost always dredges up, is a tough sell. Personally, I find it helpful to take a look backward, to find something productive if not inspirational to stand on in the past twelve months — something to arm yourself with, essentially, as the calendar turns over and the seasons begin anew. Though media remains, by most accounts, leaps and bounds behind where we’d all like it to be in terms of representation, there are some occasions in which the stars align between the creator’s vision and the viewer’s hunger, and characters have an impact larger than could be predicted. The 100’s Clexa, for example, along with Wynonna Earp’s WayHaught, and Supergirl’s Sanvers — all characters and couples subject to their own individual issues and idiosyncrasies, and yet have left lasting marks on the current state of queer women television fandoms, inspiring fans to show up in droves at conventions and signings. Sanvers, in particular, seems to have left its mark on 2017 as the ship to discuss, even if (like me) you’re a season behind.   HONORABLE MENTION: ALEX DANVERS OF SUPERGIRL Coming out stories have become a staple for lesbian, bi and queer character introduction, and variation on them is rare — Alex Danvers stands apart, in company with One Day at a Time’s Elena Alvarez in its focus on family. Where Alex Danvers is concerned, we’re given the epitome of the late bloomer that tugs itself away from stereotypes and corrects for them — soft and cautious at first, pulled out of her shell by an unforeseeable, intense connection, exploring a world not just new to her, but finally the right fit after purported years of her character struggling to understand the more intimate relationships in her life (or lack thereof). Alex, and her subsequent relationship with Maggie, has undoubtedly meant so much to so many. Bold, then, that they should separate — but in a world where the buried gay trope is, ironically, alive and well, a parting centered not on fatality but on future plans is unfortunately refreshing. A little haphazard, a little slapped together in its reasoning, but the decision to have Alex hold strong on something evidently so important to her is respectable. In the way that we watch straight main characters on shows run through seasons of love interests and deal with the aftermath, it’s just as refreshing to have an opportunity to see how Alex grows into herself as the series continues.   Looking back on my watchlist from 2017, I can track four distinct characters (and their respective relationships, romantic and otherwise) that struck a real chord with me this year. I’ve tried to focus on characters from brand new shows, with one exception, as the story arc snuck in pretty much under the wire and absolutely blew me away. Tying the year together with a neat knot is impossible, but if I had to pin it down, the discussion of family, when we find our own and when we let them go, seems to sum it up pretty well. -cue Seasons of Love- SPRING: DEVON OF I LOVE DICK I Love Dick is a show that (at least in my corner of the internet) went largely unnoticed. Its story is a mess of threads, a triangle that’s not really a triangle so much as it is a Venn diagram of desire and insecurity, and Devon is little more than a B story to that plot. But her cool, collected search for artistry in a town that traps her as much as it inspires her, creates the foundation for an amazing character. We see it in her backstory, in the show’s fifth episode, “A Short History of Weird Girls”, where the three main female characters tell a brief history of their lives and their artistic journey. Devon walks us through her battle for identity, her unwillingness to conform to gender stereotypes, and the college girlfriend who left her heartbroken when she was unwilling to jump wholeheartedly into a relationship. Devon ends up dropping out of school, moving back to her hometown, and getting a job fixing other people’s problems. It’s when Devon opens up and begins mingling with the artists gathered in Marfa that she begins to let go of her control a little. She may not agree with a person’s methods of self-expression, but defends to the point of arrest their right to do it, as we see when she defends the borderline drifter girl she’s seeing, Toby. Toby, an incredible character in her own right, is an artist who finds artistic, aesthetic beauty in the shapes and colors of hardcore porn. Their scenes together are electric, their relationship intense, full of conflict and the tossing of social and sexual norms — but Devon’s possessive attitudes drive a wedge between them, in a scene that makes the jilted jock stereotype of someone so fervently attempting to reject such banality. There seems to be a link here between Devon’s sexual and gender fluidity and her journey to letting go of her own rigidity. By the end of the season, she’s leading the cowboy and trucker men of Marfa in a dance, allowing them to open themselves up to expression outside of their prescribed slot in the gender binary. Every breath of her screen time is resistance. Artistic expression. Entirely genuine, combatively unique. Even when I Love Dick suffers from its more abstract concepts, Devon takes no shit, stands tall, refuses to suffer for who she is. When her brief fling with Toby all but ends, she continues her work, tireless, seeking unity — if not of her hometown, then of herself.   SUMMER: KAT EDISON OF THE BOLD TYPE Kat Edison takes no prisoners. Her approach to a conversation is a strong fist against a table and an open hand already waving away your ill-formed argument. Armed with a mountain of professional know-how and instinct, her inexperience, it turns out, is more personal, an inability to slow down long enough to re-evaluate aspects of her life, and the people who are important to her. It’s when she’s met with someone so totally opposite, someone who puts the individual under the lens and captures it, that she begins to shift. Kat’s focus is on the social, the community — Adena’s is instead on the expression of the individual. Their initial interactions are rife with misunderstanding and discomfort, but it only pushes Kat further, to explore the draw between them, to a woman as outspoken and independent as herself. A crush becomes more. A friendship becomes a deeper form of sharing, of educating one another, of support. And even when it becomes physical, their relationship comes back to that point — even when separated, even when protesting from opposite corners of the world, there is a through line of supporting each other in their separate paths, returning to each other when they can, but never damning their respective causes. Put simply? Ultimate power couple.   AUTUMN: WENDY CARR OF MINDHUNTER I picked up Mindhunter on almost a whim. Fincher’s style didn’t disappoint, nor did the vast majority of the characters twined in the interrogation, interview, and in-depth analysis of the 1970’s most notorious serial killers. Anna Torv’s Wendy Carr is more than a pleasant surprise — she’s a vision of strength, a sturdy by-the-book intellectual standing tall in the face of a twenty-something sliding down a slippery slope to doucheville and the grouchy borderline Old West sheriff serving as his mentor. When she flies from Quantico to Boston halfway through the season, shoulders heavy with the choice between her old life and a new one, she goes home to consult with her partner. Her partner is an older woman, a fellow professor, a fellow intellectual. I’ve written about their one scene together before, but the long and short of it is this: Mindhunter recognizes Wendy as a character whose personal life does not dominate the process of hunting serial killers, and so her personal life does not dominate the structure of the show. There’s a few scant kisses, the stroke of knuckles, but for a pair of women well in their adult years, the focus isn’t on sex — it’s on stability. And their relationship, while stable, has a toxic edge, one that compels Wendy to leave it behind her and move on, to Quantico, to a new profession. Season Two of Mindhunter may not expand much further on Wendy’s lesbianism — in fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if it remains a sidelined facet of an already busy show — but for now, her strength to pull away from the only family we’ve seen her have in an effort to protect herself from being steamrolled is a mark of her character, one that will apply to everything she does.   WINTER: ROSA DIAZ OF BROOKLYN NINE-NINE This is a month where censorship of both the internet and the CDC has been a hot topic. This is a month where we have been trying to wring the truth out of powerful people, to get clear concise language. This is a month where half the cast of Brooklyn 99 said various forms of the term “bisexual” multiple times. The con has been on for seasons to set up the arc of Rosa’s coming out — multiple episodes where Rosa’s disgust in sharing personal details about herself while dating Marcus, or Pimento, or about her family, even where she lives. Rosa is a private person. Rosa could have a stamp collection, and we’d never know. Why? Because it’s personal. And for Rosa, personal is private, until it isn’t. Usually, the revelation of details about her life is a total accident, and in this case, it’s no different. It’s bullpen quirkmeister and all-around lovable loudmouth Charles Boyle who’s the first one privy to the info, and his reaction? He understands that coming out is on Rosa’s terms, and does his absolute best to keep quiet (which, given what we’ve seen in past seasons, is incredible in itself). Rosa eventually announces it to the squad, even allowing stereotypical questions for a brief period before moving on to more important matters. The focus Brooklyn 99 puts on this plotline, for a comedy cop procedural, is stunning. The story spans two episodes, including one which serves as the fall finale of the show, a lingering final note for their audience to reflect on. The casting of Rosa’s parents, which could easily have been thrown away roles, go to Tony Award-nominated actress Olga Merediz and certified stone-cold badass Danny Trejo. The tension of “Game Night” builds through the mistaken assumption that Jake is Rosa’s boyfriend and comes to a head as Rosa, standing in front of a Pictionary-esque drawing board, has to explain to her parents that she’s bisexual, that it isn’t just a phase while she waits for a husband, that it’s something she’s known for a long time. Something true. It’s a heartbreaking moment when her father states, “There’s no such thing as being bisexual,” and Rosa responds clearly, in that matter-of-fact Rosa Diaz tone we know and love, “I know there is because that’s who I am.” The redemption moment comes a few short scenes later when Rosa’s father turns up at the precinct, promises her that he accepts her for who she is — but the scene turns bittersweet when he asks her to hold off on joining them for game night again. It’s clear that, while he’s willing to work to preserve their relationship, the family dynamic will never be the same — so the squad gets to work, and on Friday night turns up en masse to Rosa’s place for, as Jake puts it, “family game night��. Rosa’s character, ever the private, distant, steel-plated detective, has made leaps and bounds towards becoming more open. In season one, the squad didn’t even know where she lived, and now not only have her address, but are somewhat welcome there. Even then, they don’t push for information, taking what she offers them in stride and making sure she feels welcome. Captain Holt pulls her aside and gives her a heart to heart, thanking her for her bravery, for helping to make the world “a better and more interesting place.”   I hope 2017’s media helped you find your community, or inspire you to create worlds and characters of your own. And offline? A new year is an opportunity to celebrate differences in our community as much as we triumph over unity, to work harder to make the world a better, more interesting place. Here’s to 2018. Let’s use it wisely.   pic 1 arrow.wikia.com pic 2 I Love Dick FB pic 3 Bold Type FB pic 4 Netflix pic 5 Fox Youtube http://dlvr.it/Q6sTv8