#alex rider - everything machine

[mcskullmun]

Kyra: googling “how much emotion should you feel when your friend dies”

Yassen: reading over her shoulder I have found ‘none’ works best

Kyra: Got it. 10/10 method, looks like it’s really working out for you

[lolli-says-stuff]

I like the cello episode… we learn a lot about dear Ian

[maccreadysbaby]

OPERATION: ULTRAVIOLET

alex rider + oc insert

tw: none

wanna read more? here’s the table of contents!

me 🤝 torturing kai's motion-sick self via elevators and airplanes

part six

❝ PLAYING HERO ❞

WEDNESDAY — MAY 4, 2001 — 8:02PM

THE ROYAL AND GENERAL BANK LOOKED LIKE… WELL. A bank. 

The entrance was large and expensive, with shiny marble floors, three huge elevators to the right, classical furniture sprinkled about, and, much to Kai’s curiosity, a row of clocks above the reception desk that showed the times in every major city. In New York -- the same time zone as Miami -- it was three in the afternoon. There in London, it was eight at night.

According to a few hasty calculations, he concluded that he’d been awake for thirty-two hours straight, and during that thirty-two hours, had endured probably the most stressful night and morning of his entire life. As the adrenaline and swirling feelings inside of him finally started to simmer down after a dozen or more straight hours of nothing but stress, Kai began to seep slowly from tired to exhausted territory.

The man who’d brought him in spoke quietly to the receptionists, and then left, telling Kai to wait in the lobby for a man named John Crawley to come retrieve him.

So naturally, he ended up curled on one of the leather couches in the lobby against his better judgement, unwillingly coaxed into a light sleep by the hushed sounds of the receptionist’s keyboards and ticking clocks. He guessed the MI6 headquarters would be the safest place to accidentally take a nap…

His eyes finally drifted back open when a gruff voice came, with a thick London accent: “Uhm… Malachi Blackwell?”

Kai blinked quickly, the bright lobby swimming into focus as reality rushed back to meet him. He looked sheepishly down at the arm of the couch where his head had been resting, then up at the man before him — a tall guy, with a blotchy face, brown hair, and grayish blue eyes. He was wearing a dark blue polyester suit and was looking at Kai as though he didn’t really know what to make of him.

“Uh… yeah,” Kai mumbled, rising awkwardly from the leather couch, glancing around as his face burned slightly from embarrassment. “Um… sorry. I didn’t…”

“It’s alright,” The man announced. “I can guess that you’re extraordinarily jet lagged, with everything that went on last night. I’m John Crawley.”

The man stuck his hand out, and Kai shook it hesitantly. Part of him wanted to ask how he knew about the previous night’s events — but the other part knew what the answer would be. They were MI6, and they’d been in contact with the CIA. It was simple as that — all of Kai’s information belonged as much to them as it did to the Americans now.

Crawley smiled a strange grin at him. He guessed it was supposed to be welcoming, but it sort of just looked like a grimace. “Well, don’t worry — we aren’t going to keep you very long tonight. You’re going to be briefed on your operation, and meet Alex Rider, the agent you’ll be working with — I’m sure you’ve heard loads about him. Please, follow me.”

Kai followed Crawley through the lobby and toward one of the three elevators on the far wall. The man pressed the button and the machine whirred, beginning its descent toward them. “We’ve already booked you into a high class hotel here in London, less than three minutes away. After your briefing, we’ll have an agent escort you there for some much needed rest.”

“Okay…” Was all Kai could manage. He felt very strange and out of place, suddenly being thrust into some governmental world that was all the way across the sea from everything he found familiar. He and Crawley stepped into the elevator when the doors slid open, and then the metal sliders closed back behind them, shutting them off from the lobby of the so-called bank.

Kai stood awkwardly as the box jolted to life. This elevator was much faster than the security-laced one at his penthouse, and the difference in motion was enough to throw off his inner sense of balance. It was strange — cars didn’t bother him, and they moved a lot more than elevators. He guessed the subtle movements of things like airplanes and elevators without any visible signs of motion just had a way of messing with him. Embarrassingly enough, he found himself grabbing ahold of the rail against the elevator’s wall in a bid to right himself.

Apparently, Crawley decided he just had to mention it. “Do elevators make you uneasy?”

Kai fought the urge to roll his eyes, gritting his teeth and cursing Joe Byrne’s name into the wind for humiliating him so many times in one twelve-hour span. 

“I haven’t been in many elevators,” He replied shortly.

“Oh, I wasn’t passing judgement!” Crawley laughed awkwardly, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Elevators used to do the same to me.”

Kai said nothing, just held onto the bar against the wall and waited out the ride. 

A child super-spy who couldn’t even ride an elevator without feeling weird. What business did he have here, doing this? Why couldn’t they have picked a different ultraviolet kid? Kai was sure he’d been chosen simply out of convenience, because he was Joe Byrne’s stepson, already under the highest security and legally nonexistent. Not because he wanted to do it, not because he had special skills or experience. They were forcing him into a mold he would never fit; like the CIA had opened a brand new puzzle and tried to make it into a completely different image. No matter how hard they shoved the pieces together, they’d never actually fit. And he was left to fill in the gaps on his own.

The elevator finally stopped, and Crawley led him down a bright hallway, lined with carpet and abstract paintings, illuminated by modern light fixtures that reminded him of bubbles. They took a few turns and then stopped at a large wooden door, with no name or plaque around it at all.

“This is Alan Blunt’s office. He’s the Chief Executive of MI6, our equivalent of your stepfather’s position,” Crawley explained with a forced grin. “Mrs. Jones, the Deputy Head of MI6, is inside too. Some say the pair can be intense, but just know that they mean well. I believe Alex Rider might already be inside as well.”

Kai nodded subtly. “Do I need to… say something?”

“Oh, no,” Crawley waved him off. “They’ll explain everything to you once you get inside. Ready?”

Kai didn’t have time to answer; because in a moment's notice, Crawley was throwing the door wide open, halting an already transpiring conversation dead in its tracks. 

Three pairs of eyes immediately landed on Kai like three harsh and calculating machines; two dark pairs, and one, a blank, mysterious gray. He suddenly felt scrutinized, like his very atoms were being reviewed and searched for flaws. Kai merely looked around uncomfortably, his hands fiddling awkwardly by his sides.

Crawley cleared his throat, gesturing for him to step inside. 

Kai did so. Crawley exited the room without offering any more support whatsoever, leaving Kai simply standing near the door.

The office was similarly decorated to his father’s — a big desk, shelves, chairs on either side. What demanded his attention most, though, were the three people in the room. The first one he scanned was a woman (Mrs. Jones, he assumed), tall with dark skin, hair, and eyes. She was standing next to the huge desk like some kind of gargoyle bodyguard, seeming cold and detached despite her efforts of looking friendly. Said efforts being the fact that she had worn a plum purple blazer and skirt for the occasion, instead of something colder, like black. That… was about the only friendly thing about her.

The man sitting on the other side of the desk was oddly colorless and devoid of life. He was older, maybe fifties, and wearing a gray suit that made the entire rest of him look gray, too. He must’ve been Alan Blunt, but the longer Kai looked, the more he started to think he may have been mistaking a statue for a human being. Blunt merely looked at him as though he was reading him as freely as a library book, his expression completely, and utterly, empty.

And the last person in the room, sitting in one of the chairs opposite Alan Blunt, was Alex Rider.

He looked just like he had in the photograph provided to Kai in the files. Slightly unruly blonde hair and big brown eyes that seemed to calculate his every movement. His expression was scrutinizing, or maybe curious, but even then Kai preferred it over the ancient roman statues that were watching him from the other side of the desk.

“And you must be Malachi Blackwell,” Alan Blunt spoke matter-of-factly, his gray eyes seeming to peer directly into his soul. “Right. Have a seat.”

Kai said nothing, but simply sat in the only other chair in the room — a leather one across from Alan Blunt, right next to Alex Rider. The boy looked over at him, but neither of them spoke, sharing brief glances instead. Kai noted that Alex looked just about as happy to be there as he felt.

“As you already know, I’m Alan Blunt, Chief Executive of MI6 Special operations. This is my colleague, Mrs. Jones, deputy head,” Blunt explained, nodding his head toward the woman who still hadn’t moved much. “I assume the CIA has told you the bare minimum about your operation, per usual.”

Kai said nothing for a moment, then looked down at his shoes. “I… know about Leon Waters and the planes...”

“Well, that’s a start, at least,” Blunt sighed. “Let’s get on with it then, shall we? I’m sure you’ve heard that Leon Waters owns a summer camp in the Australian outback; River Rocks.”

“Bit of a bold name for a camp that’s set up in the desert,” Alex inserted. Kai glanced over at him, but he didn’t seem the slightest bit phased by the unamused looks he got from both adults in the room.

“Each summer, Leon personally attends the camp for the full two weeks as the head counselor. Their primary goal is to teach children about the importance of wildlife and ecosystems… essentially, trying to create more wildlife activists like Leon and his father. They only have room for a hundred campers, so the attendees are chosen via a raffle. Their parents still have to pay, of course, if they’re chosen,” Blunt continued, weaving a hand off to the side. “He also owns zoos, rehabilitation centers, and wildlife reserves around the world. Not very far from the River Rocks camp is the single largest and most profitable project he’s ever had the pleasure of creating; the Ménagerie du Monde. It translates roughly to the zoo of the world.”

Kai said nothing, simply listening, fiddling with his fingers in his lap and trying to keep his eyes from drooping.

“It is a completely climate controlled indoor zoo where every single exhibit is tailored to the needs of the animals. He can house creatures from all over the world there, from the most basic to the most exotic. Even animals from remote and harsh locations,” The man continued. His hands were suddenly folded on top of a file that sat on his desk, though Kai hadn’t seen him move. “The Haywire Enterprises planes that may have been carrying hazardous material landed strangely near both the zoo and summer camp.”

Kai said nothing, picking at his fingernails as Alan Blunt simply regurgitated things he’d already read. Was this the life of a spy? Being spoon-fed information over and over until they were kicked to the curb to go do something about it?

“But, we’ve come across some rather interesting information as of late that adds a new perspective to the operation. Information the CIA does not have in their possession,” Blunt continued, and Kai’s eyes flicked up to him. For a moment, the man stared at him, as though mocking him for being American. He managed to make Kai look back down uncomfortably without sparing even a single expression his way. “There’s a second company that Leon Water’s father owned; and it was kept off of as many records and documents as possible. It was a private mining company; a subsidiary of Haywire Enterprises. They have several drilling rigs set up across Australia… and recent private sales show that they’ve been digging for uranium and thorium — two of the elements found inside of nuclear weaponry.”

Kai blinked to himself as the pieces began to click in his head, something a bit more serious threading into the air of the office. “You think he’s making bombs?”

His own voice and American accent sounded foreign in the room, like a strange, off-key chord in a symphony. It seemed to gain everyone’s attention at once. He shrunk down in his chair and looked back at his hands, choosing, promptly, to pretend he didn’t exist at all. (Which wasn’t very hard, considering he hardly existed in the first place.)

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. It could all be innocent, of course… but Haywire Enterprises moving such hazardous materials near to places like summer camps and zoos that are highly populated and vulnerable has drawn our concern,” Blunt spoke lowly, fiddling with one of his golden Union Jack cufflinks.  “At the end of the camp, Leon takes all of the campers to the Ménagerie du Monde. That means his campers will have access to both locations; and that’s exactly why the two of you will be attending.”

Kai glanced over at Alex, who seemed caught up in his own head. And then the other boy spoke: “But you said he chooses the campers in a raffle. How will we be sure our names get in?”

“Leave that to us,” That was the first time Mrs. Jones had spoken, and she finally moved from her spot, taking a few steps toward a bookshelf that stood to her right. Kai watched her — she moved almost like she was floating, smooth and perfected. “We’ve created fake identities for the both of you, complete with already existing families and paper-trails. We’ve manipulated the online raffle to ensure, with all certainty, that you’re both chosen.”

We’ve manipulated -- past tense. Thats when Kai realized that, in order to already create their fake identities and already have them entered into a raffle that they’d already manipulated, they had to have been working on the details of this operation prior to his arrival. Prior to his fake kidnapping, even. MI6 and the CIA both had been planning to strip him of his free will and freedom even before he had a clue about any of it.

The whole thing put a really sour taste in his mouth.

Alex sat quietly in his chair, resigned to silence, waiting for the next barrage of information to come. There was something about him that Kai couldn’t quite place; some kind of irritated familiarity floating in the back of his dark eyes. Almost like he’d been here before.

“This camp is very expensive and very prestigious, as far as summer camps go. The prices of admission alone target the children of wealthier families, the ones that have more influence, that can spread word of Leon’s cause to as many bystanders as possible,” Mrs. Jones explained. “We’ve acquired you both wealthy pairs of parents that have agreed to help us with your cover story.”

The woman produced files from virtually nowhere, laying one folder in front of each boy. On the front of Kai’s was stamped the name Malachi Cross in black ink.

“Alex, from now on you will be known as Alex Harper; the son of a husband and wife team who own a series of law firms across the country; Richard and Denise Harper,” Mrs. Jones explained. “Luckily, we managed to get our hands on the names of some of their colleagues and friends. There’s another husband and wife pair of law firm owners based out of the United States; Adalind and Jeremiah Cross. The two couples share business models and such. Malachi, they will serve as your cover parents; Malachi Cross.”

Kai nodded slightly. 

“The two pairs are good friends and often travel between Britain and America to visit, so it should raise no suspicion for the two of you to already be friendly with one another,” Mrs. Jones spoke matter-of-factly, her eyes flicking from one boy to the other, as if letting the term friendly linger. “Both of your identities are fully integrated on the internet and in false documentation — school reports, birth certificates, passports, local newspapers, the like. They’re water tight.”

Kai said nothing, but continued looking down at his hands, stifling a soft yawn. Apparently Blunt found it disrespectful; he stared at the teenager with a cold, gray glare, so icy that Kai shrank even further down into his seat and decided he’d rather be anywhere else, as long as it wasn’t there.

“Furthermore-“ Mrs. Jones continued, clearing her throat lightly. “We’ve had to take a different approach to this mission. Obviously, the campers will be traveling �� caving, canoeing, climbing, the like. Most days are spent outside of the main camp, which is why the two of you are going to spend a fair amount of time separated.”

Kai blinked, resisting the urge to huff. What was the point in being briefed and going in with another agent if they weren’t even going to be together?

“It will be beneficial to have one of you along on the trips, looking into the other locations Leon’s staff frequents that could potentially be related to the suspicious activity. But we will also need one of you that’s able to hang back and stay around the main camp, specifically at times where the other campers are out doing activities,” Jones explained, leaning to the side and propping her arm on the desk. “Alex, you’ll be attending the camp activities like normal. And Malachi, we’ve integrated two excuses into your fake identity that is likely to get you out of enough of them for you to do some scouting around the main buildings,” She exhaled. “Asthma, and anxiety.”

Kai said absolutely nothing.

He was sent all the way to London by the CIA, to work with MI6, only to be told that he was going to have to play the role of an emotionally crippled and chronically ill teenager? He found himself unable to fight back a sharp scoff of disbelief, crossing his arms over his chest as the same rage toward his father kicked up inside of him in the form of a terrible annoyance. He just knew that Joe Byrne was rolling in amusement right about then. 

“Are you kidding?” The words seemed to force themselves out all on their own, laced with a tangible venom and audible disrespect. Not that he had meant to be disrespectful -- all of the spite building up inside of him was waiting to be unleashed on his father; but right then, his father wasn’t there.

Mrs. Jones stared at him. Kai had never had the slightest of a maternal figure in his life, but he’d learned enough from television to know that the look she was giving him was the same look mothers gave their children when they were mentally talking themselves down from slapping them across the face.

“Do I look kidding?” She deadpanned.

Kai stayed quiet and exhaled slowly, his eyes trailing back down to his lap. 

“All of the miniscule details of your fake identities are in those files. They need to be committed to memory,” Mrs. Jones continued shortly, obviously irritated at Kai’s sudden attitude. “On Friday, the both of you will be meeting up with your families here in London to fly out to the Darwin international Airport in Australia.”

“This is strictly a scouting and reconnaissance mission,” Alan Blunt inserted, and Kai’s eyes flicked to him. His gaze seemed particularly trained on Alex, though. “No matter what you see, figure out, or stumble upon, you are to not engage under any circumstances. Leave that sort of thing to MI6 and the CIA. You will have means to report back to us and I expect you to keep us completely up to date on anything you find, small or otherwise. We will have another brief meeting before your departure Friday morning,” The man breathed. “Malachi, go wait in the lobby; a driver will be here shortly to take you to your hotel. You’re dismissed. Alex, stay.”

Kai could’ve sworn he saw Alex roll his eyes as he forced himself out of his chair, sliding the Malachi Cross file off of Blunt's desk. Not another word was sent his way as he retreated through the same door he’d come in with Crawley, closing it behind him.

With a sharp exhale, he paused, and then let out an ironic chuckle. 

This couldn’t possibly get any worse.

He turned to head back toward the elevators and lobby -- but before he could get even five steps away, he heard Blunt’s voice, muffled through the door. “I mean what I said, Alex,” His tone was different; harsh, almost weary, in a way. “It is in your best interest if you behave yourself during this operation.”

With his curiosity momentarily peaked, Kai backed up a few steps, stopping right next to the door and stilling.

“Behave myself?” Kai heard Alex ask, incredulously. 

“You have a rather ill-sustained talent of getting yourself into things you have no business being in,” Blunt stated. “What I’m saying is, no playing hero this time.”

“Playing hero?” Alex scoffed. “You didn’t much care what I did before the American showed up. So long as I got the job done.”

“You sent an airplane falling out of the sky on your first operation. You nearly got yourself hit by a train a mere week ago, and both times you were supposed to remain covert,”

“I nearly got hit by a train because I sent out a distress signal and you didn’t come!” The teenager fired back. “Grief was going to murder me and you decided to turn your head the other way when the alarm came through! What else was I supposed to do?”

Kai heard Blunt sigh. “I’m not going to argue with you. This time, you’re going to gather information, and that's it. Nothing else. Got it?”

“You didn’t care at all about throwing me headfirst into danger from the moment you met me, but now you’re getting uptight?” Alex questioned. “What, you have to be careful with the American? Is he too fragile for you?”

Blunt breathed. “Wouldn’t want to send home damaged goods.”

There was a pause. “I was in the hospital three days ago because you didn’t respond to my distress signal. And you want to talk about sending home damaged goods?”

“You’re dismissed,”

“Why don’t you just send him home and have me go alone? I don’t need help,” 

“Alex,”

There was a moment of quiet.

“Fine. I’ll play it your way. But when he goes and gets himself killed, I’m not intervening. Per your request,” Alex replied venomously. 

“Actually, Alex,” It was Mrs. Jones now. Kai had forgotten about her. “You and Malachi are going to need to spend time together in order to play off your friendship in the field. We’ve arranged for you to stay in the hotel with him while he’s here in London, so he isn’t alone.”

A beat passed.

“You’re serious?” Alex argued, mirroring Kai’s thoughts exactly.

“Deadly,” She replied. “You’re dismissed. Go to the lobby and let him know you’ll be joining him.”

There was a moment of quiet, and then suddenly, the door was torn open in a fit of annoyance, and Alex nearly ran right over Kai where he stood in the doorway, halfway stumbling over himself to avoid slamming into him.

For a second, their brown eyes locked. Alex’s expression twisted from momentary surprise to annoyance, so Kai mirrored it right back at him, just for good measure.

Alex huffed. “Looks like he already knows.”

And then he walked away, his file titled Alex Harper swinging in one hand.

“Eavesdropping, are we?” Blunt asked, and Kai glanced from Alex’s retreating form to the gray man, who was looking at him with the faintest hint of smugness on his face. It was at that very moment that Kai decided: he hated all of these people.

“Isn’t that what spies do?” He asked, blankly.

Then he walked away.

Joe Byrne had sent him into his own, personal, living hell.

--

Kai had been taken to a nearby hotel by himself, carted by a man in a suit who drove a Mercedes. Apparently, Alex had gone home to pack or something. Kai wasn’t sure. He didn’t care.

Now, he swiped a keycard across his door handle and stepped into the hotel room, a mirror image of the one he’d stayed in with Lionel. Exhaustion and despair and rage all seemed to be coursing through his veins at once, creating some kind of toxic cocktail that did nothing more than piss him off.

He hated Joe Byrne. He hated Alan Blunt. He hated Mrs. Jones. He hated being there, and he hated his mission, and he hated MI6 and the CIA. And, glancing at the two king beds in the room, one of which would be holding a boy he hardly knew in the very near future, he promptly decided that he really hated Alex Rider.

Kai didn’t even slip his shoes off before he flopped, face-down on the leftmost bed, letting out a yell of rage into the sheets.

All of this was bullshit.

And that was his last thought before he heard a door click shut. He peeled his eyes open, aware now that they were sticky. The lights had been on when he laid down, but they were all off now, besides the bathroom -- the door was slightly ajar and light was spilling into the hotel room from there. He was no longer laying on his stomach, but was, instead, curled up in a ball atop the neatly made sheets.

Alex Rider had just come out of the bathroom and sat down on the opposite bed. Kai wasn’t sure how long he’d been there, but he’d obviously slept through his arrival.

He watched the blonde boy sit criss-crossed on his bed and unfold the file he’d been given about his fake identity. At the same time, Alex seemed to sense his eyes -- he glanced over at him momentarily, their gazes catching for a brief moment.

Kai rolled his eyes and turned the other way. 

Maybe he’d pretend to be his friend tomorrow.

—

tag list!

@skylathescholarly @flyrobinflyy @mcskullmun

[bigmilk-13]

CSOC WEEK: DAY 3

Prompt: Relationships

@carmensandiego-ocweek

FAMILY:

Francessa Messina Denaro - daughter of an Italian mafia godfather (Sent to kill Orfeusz but killed his brother instead since he's an identical triplet). Was killed by her family after they found out she didn't finish the job, but that was ten years after Florence was born.

Orfeusz Meadowes - Died in a "terrorist attack" sent by Francessa's family. The youngest Admiral in Polish Marines history. Loved his daughter a lot even though he barely saw her because of work

Zeus Meadowes - Florence's uncle, Orfeusz's identical triplet. He was the one Francessa killed, since she fell in love with Orfeusz and she knew that her family would kill her if she didn't do her job. She ran away with Orfeusz to Poland afterwards.

Tadeusz Meadowes - Part-time member of the Polish Land Army since he has a muscle disease, only living relative of Florence (well, used to be), raised her till she was 16. Taught her everything she knew and died protecting her from a machine gun

WORK:

"We women have got to have each others back, Phantom."

Julia Rothman - Leader of Florence's former organisation, SCORPIA. Was quite attached to Florence when she first came, since she saw "The Incident™" happen first hand. Was the one that ordered to take Florence and invited her to join the international criminal organisation. Florence was by far the most skilled and the youngest, so she became her favourite.

She gave Florence the nickname Phantom, which then evolved into the codename "The Phantom Sniper" after she did nearly all her sniping missions successfully without getting caught.

Professor Yermalov - her mentor at SCORPIA, was in charge of the martial arts unit, helped her become even better at stealth than she already was. She was quite attached to him and he was like a father to her even though most people at SCORPIA considered him rude and frightening.

Countess Cleo- Basilisk's mentor. Forced them to do everything and also was the one that made her anorexia get worse. Basilisk looked up to her but Cleo just saw her as just some other extra

Tigress - Mortal enemies, always competing but Tigress knows that Basilisk is better than her. She liked the challenge though

Carmen Sandiego - all will be revealed in cs-oc week prompt 7

Alex Rider - To be honest, they were best friends at SCORPIA. When she came, she became the youngest but earlier he was- so they bonded over being the youngest at the criminal organisation. Alex always respected Phantom and vice versa. When SCORPIA fell after Basilisk's experiment, and she saw Alex's face in the news after some kind of escape- even though she was brainwashed she knew she remembered him. She just didn't know who he was.

[canyoucount-suckas]

Hallo

Your Alex rider incorrect quotes are pretty neat :D love that shit

Okay bye

Haiiii

Very funny that I saw this just now, considering I just finished reading chapter 6 of Everything Machine :D

I think I'm in love with MDF

Okay byeeee :)

[anitalianfrie]

Right so what's up with MotoGP omegaverse?

so, this should be the moment where i admit i don't even remember half of the guys competing because i started after the end of the season and i laser-focused on the marquez brothers and the italian guys. Anyway, I'm not going to give you a list of who i think is what, because we're here to talk about DYNAMICS. thoughts under the cut because i got a bit ranty.

So, motorsports are an hypermasculine enviroment, every single one of them. Think how bad it gets when you are riding death machines at 200kph that will try to kill you at every turn. You have to be strong you have to be aggresive you have to be a real man you have to fuck a lot (i'm not sure how this translates to being able to ride motorcycles but i also never claimed to be in the head of somebody really stupid) = you have to be an alpha. So of course for the longest time only alphas where considered strong enough to ride properly. Betas? too weak, not aggressive enough. Omegas? they can hold the umbrellas, maximum. They are too submissive, they will never overtake an alpha, they will lay down and show their neck to be mated right then and there when the alphas should do their real manly racingTM.

This of course doesn't take in account the fact that kids will start riding minibikes waaayyy before showing their second gender (in their puberty) so. Beta riders are most definitely there, and once stereotypes around omegas start to subside in the family sphere (thank you omega activists) and parents allow their omega kids to continue racing, omegas are there too.

Which doesn't mean that betas and omegas (in particular the latter) aren't treated horribly and always underestimated. A couple of omega champions (Jorge and Marc) change a bit the perspective, but the rosquez divorce sets everything back to 50 years. (No, i'm joking. Mostly. Just know that the rosquez divorce here is bad. really bad) Still, in the paddock there isn't much equality: alphas are almost always half of the grid, if not more, followed in numbers by betas and then omegas.

Are relationships between riders incentivized? OF COURSE NAWT, because those evil cunning omegas will try to make the big, strong alphas loose their focus from the championships with their evil ways. And betas are not even considered, because a true alpha rider will only fuck a traditional, stay-at-home omega that will raise their pups while he throws himself down the circuits at 200kph on the other side of the world. (you know, like true alphas do). And of course omegas are expected to not get pregnant because they're an investiment for the team and the least they can do is not getting a pup bred inside them and ruin the championship for everyone. As you might imagine, omegas get offered waayyy less contracts than alphas and betas.

I said before that i wasn't going to say who's what because i've put down like, maybe five riders, but i changed my mind, so.

Jorge is an omega, as per @whatwepostintheshadows amazing post, as is Marc. Vale is an alpha, more on those two here. Dani i'm not really sure, because I can see him both as an alpha and a beta, always criticized for not being alpha enough/not agressive/strong enough. Alex is probably a beta. Enea is probably an alpha (is this purely based on his nickname being "la bestia"? maybe. I'm open to discussions about him). And for the academy, I'm sure of pecco being a beta, but i'm not sure about anybody else.

Suggestions/ideas in the askbox and/or dms about this are highly appreciated please do come to talk to me about this :)))

[sithwitch13]

Forbidden Door 6/30/24

Amanda and Negative One, I'm gonna cry

Ooh, Serpentico? I didn't know we were getting Serpentico!

Newly beltless Kyle Fletcher cheering himself up by destroying SNAKEMAN

Roddy, grabbing Gabe Kidd in an aggressive hug: "LOOK AT MY NEW FRIEND, ISN'T HE SO COOL, UNLIKE A CERTAIN BABY SEAL BOY"

KOR, chilling with the Conglomeration plus Ishii and Willow: "Sorry, did you say something? We were busy making friendship bracelets."

BARK-OFF

STAT TIME AND ALSO STOKELY AND MOMO WATANABE

WILLOW TIME AND ALSO TAM NAKANO

Forming a conspiracy board because Tam and Momo are wearing contrasting colors while Kris and Willow are wearing the same color.

Oh my god Toni's ringside outfit

YEAH MARIAH

And here's Mina to keep the love triangle going

LIJ, you are so adorable

Aww, Alex's face paint

Aaaaaa it's time

So is the crowdsurfing a reference to Cody, Punk, both, or neither? I'm good either way

Is it just me or does MJF not have his usual dogshit spray tan?

LOL Kenny's face blurred

Double LOL they called Okada the Best Bout Machine

Okay gremlins let's see how cunty you're feeling tonight

Reasonably, excellent

Oooh Okada is very shiny tonight

Dying at Nick and Okada doing Antics

God I love these horrible little scamps

Dragon vs Dragon time!

Ah, it's the time of the match where Danielson tries to give us all a heart attack

EVERYONE SHUT UP IT'S TIME FOR THE SAPPHIC LOVE TRIANGLE

Oh my god Toni lol

Mariah's beautiful face acting, she's so amazing and the absolute heart of this story

Mariah: "now kiss"

TEAM POLYCULE WINS

THE HORNINESS CONTINUES WITH OC VS ZSJ

Black Glasses Dark Jeans Orange

Thank you Tony Khan and Hiroshi Tanahashi for your gift of squirming men

Is my brain failing more than usual or was this supposed to be a Zero Hour match?

I have been informed it was always a main card match and now I am sad

Aww, yay for Hook

This is the most "whoever wins, I win" match of the night for me

Ladder matches always make me nervous since every time I try to use a ladder I injure myself

ELP nipple attack, congrats to us all!

OW FUCK JESUS

Don't mind me, I'm just sitting here screaming "PLEASE BE CAREFUL" every 30 seconds

:3

Stephanie's whole look is reminding me of Hela from Thor: Ragnarok and I'm here for it

I have no good occasion to do eye makeup like Mercedes' but I really really want to. Maybe just for sitting around and playing video games.

Holy shit Stephanie's dragon screw is brutal

BRITT

SHOW IN JAPAN I'M GOING TO DIE

Mox vs Naito time!

Oh good they didn't make Taz or Nigel leave when JR came in

Oh shit yes and the Death Rider theme

RED SHOES

Mox why are you not wearing the NJPW shorts

Please stop saying "tran-KWEE-low," it's pronounced "tran-KEE-loh"

Mox has two gears, Nigel: "violent" and "clumsy puppy"

Aww, grats Naito

MAIN EVENT, LET'S GO SWERVE

Garcia watching? HMMMM

I HAVE BEEN SHRIEKING THIS WHOLE TIME OH MY GOD

I may actually be dying

HEAD PATS AAAAA

SWERVE!!!!!!!!!

The forehead kiss

The tears

Fletcher comforting Ospreay

I love everything

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"THIS IS DRAGPUNK, FUCKER!" -- ONLY ON MAN'S RUIN RECORDS.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on the "Werewolves On Wheels" picture disc to the "Demons On Wheels" album by San Francisco garage rock band THE DEMONICS, the band's second full-length released under the late, great Man's Ruin Records in the fall of 2000.

ALBUM OVERVIEW: "Combine an infectious, hook-laden hard rock/punk blend with an obsession with '60s biker movies, and you have THE DEMONICS, whose "Demons on Wheels" is an invigorating exercise in rowdy, reckless fun. If this California band had been around in the '60s, this release would have been the perfect soundtrack for Dennis Hopper's "Easy Rider." Everything on the CD is about the misadventures of bikers, and infectious gems like "Race Against Dawn," "Dustin' the Fuzz," "Dunebuggy Denise," and "Fuel-Injected Suicide Machine" give the impression that THE DEMONICS loved every minute of "Easy Rider ."" 

-- ALLMUSIC (Alex Henderson)

Definitely one of the coolest picture discs in my music CD collection to date, which is why I just had to display the disc twice in this post. Duh! It's so @$!*#&% awesome!! Halloween vibes galore!

Sources: www.cdandlp.com/en/the-demonics/demons-on-wheels/cd/r119044162, discogs, & my extensive music CD collection.

[sharkpupsblog]

😭 Back Pains 😭

A Katja x GN! Soul Rider Reader Fanfic!

Wooo!!!! Another silly fluffy Katja fic!!!! Once again I’m not using the ‘Katja freezes everything she touches’ thing to make it extra fluffy :D had a lot of fun with this one but it feels a bit ooc and short :( …so sorry for that 😭💔 also I SUCK at commas and all that I’m so sorry for that :( hoping to improve on it soon🙏 huge Ty to @ mistfalldruid for the req I had so much fun writing this silly fluffy fic u saved Katja fans from my angst evils 🤭 also I realized this is my fifth katja fic wow . 😭❤️ anyways ty and enjoy !!! :D ❤️❤️❤️

Summary: You spend time with Katja after you get hurt and she worries for you.

Warnings: none.

You lay down on your stomach on Katja’s bed. You stretch and let out a quiet groan as your bones crackle and pop. Once you’re done stretching you let out a sigh going completely flat on the bed your body slowly relaxing. Today had been hard your team accidentally bumped with Katja’s during a mission to destroy a Dark Core machine in Hollow Woods and obviously Katja’s team wasn’t fine with letting you do that, so a fight broke out. While you gathered enough energy to destroy the machine your friends fought the dark riders. You thought you were safe from the fight and that you were clear to do your job but right as you were about to deliver the final blow Sabine and Khaan came out of nowhere and knocked you off your horse. You hit the ground hard. Hard enough to knock all the air out of your lungs and leave you with a horrible pain in your back. Your horse kept running for a bit before realizing you had been knocked off. When you recovered you got back up with the help of your horse who came running back to you when they realized you were not on their back anymore and together you both destroyed the machine. As you did you kept your guard up terrified to get hurt again. Once the fighting was over due to the fact that the machine was destroyed Jay and Sabine rode off. Katja looked for you and once she found you and you made eye contact with her, she looked to Valedale she was trying to tell you to meet her there. When you nodded, she rode off following her teammates. Your friends didn’t see Katja’s interaction with you since you were behind them, and they were celebrating their win. When their little celebration was done you told your friends you would stay behind and clean up. once you were done with cleaning you could see Katja, but Alex told you they would do it. Alex and the others saw your fall, and you went red clearly embarrassed, but they assured you that you were fine and since it looked like a hard hit it would be better if you went home to rest. You got on your horse you thanked your friends wishing them luck with the clean up and you rode to Valedale If they asked you any questions about it you would just say you took the Valedale trailer home. Once in Valedale you rode up the little mountain that held the entrance to the Valley of the Hidden Dinosaur. You rode into the entrance taking the elevators down into the valley and then you rode through it and to the ice witch lair. You rode slow because of the ice and because your back was killing you. when you made it to the lair the magic protecting the entrance slowly faded and the ice spikes that looked like fangs slowly went down to let you in. when it was clear to go in you led your horse inside to a little spot where Mortifa was eating hay. You had taken a while to get here so Katja got home first. Your horse neighed and Mortifa neighed back welcoming you both. You took your horse’s reins off and you put them away watching as your horse trotted over to Mortifa to join her in eating. You walked deeper into the lair, and you went straight to Katja’s room thinking she would be in there. She wasn’t but you were too tired and sore with no energy to go and look for her, so you laid down on her bed. And now here you were on her bed waiting for her. You sighed again this time the sigh was from boredom. You closed your eyes maybe you could catnap while you waited for her. You closed your eyes only a few seconds passing before you felt a blanket be draped on you. You opened your eyes seeing Katja and what was draped on you was not a blanket it was her poncho. You smiled at her, and she smiled back at you sitting next to you she put her hand on your back. She watched your face making sure you were not in too much pain before rubbing your back “how are you feeling?” She asked you and you hummed “like shit” you laughed softly “your friend hits hard.” Katja’s nose scrunched a bit in anger and her brows furrowed “I saw what she did and that brute is not my friend” she shook her head Katja didn’t want any harm to come to you she was angry really fucking angry.

Angry enough to cause her magic to react to her emotion making her hand cold, cold enough for you to feel through the poncho and your clothes. You shivered a bit, and you said her name causing her to tense as she realized how cold she had gotten she quickly removed her hand from your back apologizing. You reached for her hand, and once she made sure it was safe she allowed you to grab it. You kissed her palm and then the back of her hand making her relax she frowned “I should have kept an eye on you.” You shook your head “it’s my fault I should have been looking around” you let her hand go propping yourself up on your elbows letting out a quiet groan of pain as you did. You laughed and you covered your eyes with your hands confessing something to her “I’m so embarrassed!” You laughed more your cheeks turning red “I keep imagining how it happened and I feel it must have looked incredibly silly” you huffed and smiled at Katja she did not return the smile. “It looked horrible It didn’t look silly” when she said ‘silly’ it sounded angry. you sat up when she said that the poncho sliding off of you as you sat up. You frowned “Katja I’m fine” you picked the poncho up from behind you putting it on you loved her poncho it was really warm and soft, and it smelled like her perfume which you loved because it smelled like vanilla and cinnamon. “I’m fine I really am and if I don’t laugh about the pain in my back then I’ll cry about it” you rubbed your back it still hurt a lot. “Don’t be upset Katja I’m fine” you pouted a bit when the angry look on her face remained. She let out a huff looking away from you not wanting to see the sad look on your face and you scooted over to her nudging her. “Laugh with me?” You kissed her shoulder that got her attention she looked at you the angry look on her face gone replaced with a surprised one. Your smile returned and you kissed her shoulder again and even though she was still a bit angry she smiled back because she knew you hated seeing her upset and she loved the affection she got from you “I promise I’ll stick by you next time” you rest your head on her chest and she messed with your hair. Katja was about to say something to you, but you beat her in speaking “also I’m stealing your poncho” you were playing with her trying to lighten the mood and remove any negative emotions she had left. She let out an amused laugh “you wouldn’t be stupid enough to dare steal it from me.” You kissed her cheek before you slowly started to scoot off the bed and she narrowed her eyes at you “don’t you dare” She saw you look behind her and she followed your gaze seeing you look at the door. She was about to stand to block the door of her room, but you beat her, and you got off the bed laughing loudly as you ran out of the room. Katja laughed surprised by your little game, and she stood up running after you. The rest of your day was full of laughter, and you completely forgot about the pain in your back and Katja forgot her anger.

TY FOR READING! ❤️❤️❤️🐎🐎🐎

[too-many-rooks]

Tag people you want to get to know better

Thanks @strangesoulmates for tagging me!

Three ships (As I’m writing this out I’m realising they all have pretty similar themes, I guess I have somewhat consistent taste, this is all just reminders of humanity, enemies to lovers, trying to kill each other and excuses to cover my blorbos in blood.)

1.) Alex/Yassen

Can I be controversial and admit this one took a lot of convincing? Originally I was expecting the fandom to be more into ‘unlikely parental figure’ Yassen (which is a trope I’m an absolute sucker for.) but any way these two characters interact is interesting to me, and I’ve definitely come round to it from a perspective of this is only ‘healthy’ because it’s them and no one else can really understand them like the other can, and if it’s not ‘healthy’ it’s all dubious and quite fun. Big sucker for the (sort of one sided?) enemies to lovers, borderline obsession, as character foils of each other, with Yassen kind of representing Alex’s future and the dichotomy of like... sunshine puppy and murder kitty vibes. Then there’s the loyalty to each other before their ‘side’, different worlds and different morals but a unique understanding of each other.

(Also worth mentioning that I like Yassen with basically any Rider - I don’t see John/Yassen as anything but unhealthy hero worship/daddy issues/manipulation but that itself is still interesting, and I’m a huge sucker for Ian/Yassen, either as like an old married couple or people who have a few brief, but very intense encounters throughout their lives. I feel like there’s been a bit of a ‘Yiannaissance’ recently that I’m really enjoying. Do we have an official ship name? Yian? Iassen? Neither seem great.)

2.) Jonathon Reid/Geoffrey McCullum.

Peak different sides, enemies to lovers, vampire hunter and powerful newborn vampire in 1918 London in the grip of a pandemic, great gothic industrial vibe. I played this game obsessively during lockdown. (Can’t imagine why.) Themes of duty and purpose and humanity and horror, the game sort of rushes you into a forced romance with one of the female characters but the chemistry between these two is insane they are kind of obsessed with each other and the fight that happens when one of them tries to kill the other is just TEEMING with homoeroticism.

3.) Villanelle/Eve Polastri

First two seasons of Killing Eve are some of the best television ever created. The theatricality of the murders, and the comedy contrasted with some just devastating moments, the OUTFITS. That ending really took the wind out of my sails with this one and kind of spoiled it for me but what was there with the themes of mutual obsession, both trying to kill each other, Villanelle drawing out this dark side of Eve that has always been there, Eve drawing out this humanity that also been in Villanelle, just the whole vibe of being the only people in the world who could possibly understand the other properly and hating that so much you try and kill each other before realising they can’t be apart.

First Ship - I think the first one I really went insane for was Morrigan/Warden from DA:O. Morrigan helped me realise I was a lesbian I was so in love with her. Still am tbh.

Last song - ‘King’ by Florence + the Machine, I went to her concert this week and she ran right past me it was amazing.

Last Movie - finally got round to watching Everything Everywhere All at Once, so incredible!

Currently reading - chapter 3 of ‘The Viking Diaspora’ by Judith Jesch for my seminar tomorrow. (I really want to read more novels this year!)

Currently watching - His Dark Materials, interspersed with weird niche YouTube video essays, and mildly embarrassing amounts of Bluey.

Currently consuming: last thing I ate was some cinnamon raisin bread with one of the fancy jams I got in the jam advent calendar I bought myself. Now I need to figure out where I can find pineapple and yuzu jam bc I want to eat it forever.

Currently craving: supermarket bakery chocolate chip cookies, and some sweet and spicy fried chicken.

Tagging @countessrivers and whoever else fancies!

[mcskullmun]

[Now Everything Seems Clear. You Waiting Under Streetlights, For Dreams To Disappear]

[lolli-says-stuff]

Oh Smithers meets Alex? Nice.

[tothemaxxx]

My Favorite Films and Performances of 2021

Another year of watching movies mostly at home! Would I have enjoyed certain titles more had I seen them on the big screen? Very likely! Did we buy a slightly larger TV? We sure did! Big screen or small, I found plenty to enjoy this last year... there may have even been a few instant classics. As per, I didn't get to see everything on my list. But I am excited to say that I've finally gotten back into Letterboxd after almost a decade's hiatus and it has injected some new excitement (and more organization) into my film-viewing habits. Here is my Top 20 as a list on Letterboxd, if you're into that sort of thing. Otherwise, keep scrolling! Thanks for your passing interest in my taste in film. Happy watching!

TOP 10

Ranking is VERY loose, and subject to change as the years pass and the details fade.

1. DRIVE MY CAR, Ryusuke Hamaguchi

2. LICORICE PIZZA, Paul Thomas Anderson

3. BERGMAN ISLAND, Mia Hansen-Løve

4. BENEDETTA, Paul Verhoeven

5. WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY, Ryusuke Hamaguchi

6. THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, Todd Haynes

7. ANNETTE, Leos Carax

8. SPENCER, Pablo Larrain

9. THE POWER OF THE DOG, Jane Campion

10. THE LAST DUEL, Ridley Scott

Imagine my surprise upon drafting this list, that at some point in the last year Tumblr imposed a limit of 10 images per post! What's a guy with a top 20 to do other than be bummed out?!

Here's 10-20, sans photo, also loosely ranked:

TITANE, Julia Ducournau

WEST SIDE STORY, Steven Spielberg

RED ROCKET, Sean Baker

THE LOST DAUGHTER, Maggie Gyllenhaal

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, Joachim Trier

MALIGNANT, James Wan

CRYPTOZOO, Dash Shaw

DUNE, Denis Villeneuve

ZOLA, Janicza Bravo

THE SOUVENIR: PART II, Joanna Hogg

And a special commendation to is-it-a-film-or-a-series, Peter Jackson's THE BEATLES: GET BACK

I also enjoyed:

About Endlessness, Azor, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, Beckett, The Big Trim, Boiling Point, Candyman, The Card Counter, Caveat, Censor, C'mon C'mon, Compartment No. 6, The Duke, El Planeta, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, The French Dispatch, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, The Good Boss, The Hand of God, A Hero, I'm Your Man, In the Earth, Jockey, Lapsis, Last Night in Soho, Limbo, Mad God, Mandibles, The Many Saints of Newark, MASS, The Matrix Resurrections, The Mitchells vs The Machines, The Night House, Nightmare Alley, No Sudden Move, No Time to Die, The Novice, Old, Old Henry, Only the Animals, Parallel Mothers, Paris 13th District, Passing, Pig, Prime Time, Quo Vadis Aida, Riders of Justice, Saint Maud, Seance, Shiva Baby, Stillwater, The Summit of the Gods, Swan Song (the one with Udo Kier that is), Test Pattern, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Undine, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Violation

And these documentaries:

Becoming Cousteau, Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, Julia, kid 90, Like A Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres, Listening to Kenny G, Procession, The Rescue, Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, The Sparks Brothers, Tina, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror, Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage

And some memorable (and mostly underdicussed) performances worth shouting out:

Niamh Algar as Enid Baines in Censor

Moises Arias as Gabriel in Jockey

Javier Bardem as Julio Blanco in The Good Boss

Don Cheadle as Curt Goynes in No Sudden Move

Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges in The Last Duel

Anders Danielsen Lie as Joseph in Bergman Island and as Aksel in The Worst Person in the World

Ana de Armas as Paloma in No Time to Die

Ariana DeBose as Anita in West Side Story

Benicio del Toro as Moses Rosenthaler in The French Dispatch

George DiCaprio as Mr. Jack in Licorice Pizza

Virginie Efira as Benedetta Carlini in Benedetta

Adèle Exarchopoulos as Agnès in Mandibles

Mike Faist as Riff in West Side Story

Brendan Fraser as Doug Jones in No Sudden Move

Isabelle Furman as Alex Dall in The Novice

Skyler Gisondo as Lance in Licorice Pizza

Seidi Haarla as Laura in Compartment No. 6

The Haim family as the Kane family in Licorice Pizza

Brittany S. Hall as Renesha Bell in Test Pattern

Rebecca Hall as Beth in The Night House

Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom in Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Harriet Sansom Harris as Mary Grady in Licorice Pizza

Sally Hawkins as Maggie in Spencer

Simon Helberg as The Accompanist in Annette

Kathryn Hunter as Witches in The Tragedy of Macbeth

Amir Jahidi as Rahim in A Hero

Riley Keough as Stefani in Zola

Udo Kier as Pat Pitsenbarger in Swan Song

Vicky Krieps as Chris in Bergman Island

Tōko Miura as Misaki Watari in Drive My Car

Katsuki Mori as Nao in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Tim Blake Nelson as Henry in Old Henry

Hidetoshi Nishijima as Yūsuke Kafuku in Drive My Car

Allessandro Nivola as Dickie Moltisanti in The Many Saints of Newark

Woody Norman as Jesse in C'mon C'mon

Masaki Okada as Kōji Takatsuki in Drive My Car

Taylor Paige as Zola in Zola

Park Yu-rim as Lee Yoon-a in Drive My Car

Martha Plimpton as Gail in MASS

Renate Reinsve as Julie in The Worst Person in the World

Simon Rex as Mikey Saber in Red Rocket

Jonathan Richman as himself in The Velvet Underground

Agathe Russelle as Alexia/Adrien in Titane

Makita Samba as Camille Germain in Paris, 13th District

Rachel Sennott as Danielle in Shiva Baby

Reece Shearsmith as Zach in In The Earth

Kiyohiko Shibukawa as Segawa in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Milena Smit as Ana in Parallel Mothers

Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon in The Power of the Dog

Suzanna Son as Strawberry in Red Rocket

Timothy Spall as Major Alistar Gregory in Spencer

Dan Stevens as Tom in I'm Your Man

Tilda Swinton as J.K.L. Berensen in The French Dispatch

Honor Switon Byrne as Julie in The Souvenir: Part II

Fusako Urabe as Moka in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy

Annabelle Wallis as Madison Mitchell/Emily May in Malignant

Jeffrey Wright as Roebuck Wright in The French Dispatch

[nemorialex]

First Ride

For Alex’s 22nd birthday, their brother got them a bike. It would be a quaint gesture if it wasn’t a full motorcycle, which came with it’s own charging garage, and already-paid-for lessons to boot. Never, for one second, think that Zack Miller does things half-assed when it came to spending money or spoiling his family (unless he finds it funny.)

Alex unlocks the garage and flips on the light. In the middle under the spotlight is a simple, small motorcycle with a black teardrop shaped body and silver trimming. Alex didn’t know what sort of brand or make or model it was, and for the most part didn’t much care either. It was a bike! And that was just cool.

For a moment Alex simply sits on the vehicle. Unplugged, helmet on, engine off, getting a feel for the shape underneath them, treating it carefully like it was a slumbering beast they were hesitant to wake up. They’ve studied manuals and rules of the road inside and out. Aside from actually getting a test and being awarded a license (something which, while the right thing to do, still seemed questionable to them somehow...) they had everything they needed.

To say the past few days have been weird would lead to an odd spiral that leads to “the past entirety of their life has been weird.” That being said, Alex felt a sort of jumpstart as of late. A refresh. Something had knocked some sense into them and it was too soon to tell if it was nonsense or just the sort of kick they needed. It jostled them from confident joy one day and crushing anxiety the next. Which brought them to here and now, carefully starting up the engine and feeling it roar to life underneath them. They close their eyes. More than the rumble shaking their ribcage, they can sense the ripples it leaked into the earth beneath. Even on tiptoes, through boots, if they really focused, they could feel the echoes of this beast make it’s presence known farther out than could be seen. 

Their eyes flutter back open. That’s not why they’re here. They aren’t going to tap into something supernatural or profound here, or try to reawaken or stretch any ill-used powers on their part. They are here for the basic, deafening urge  that has been calling to them for a long time now, that they haven’t given into thanks to obligations or illness. 

They need to RUN. 

And with that thought they rev the engine once and peel out of the garage, barely remembering to hit the button to close the door on their way out. It is so, so much faster than using feet alone, and despite the fact that they’re just sitting and barely moving, their heart races with the pace of it. The helmet muffles out most of the chittering, purring song of the electronic beast, but they hear it regardless and enjoy the white noise. It’s not Nothing, but it’s nothing that their brain can focus on either. It’s a basic pleasure. An indulgence. 

Alex is careful to only take backroads and long stretches of straight-aways. The busy city and the twisting mountain paths were no place for an novice rider. For now, anyway. Despite the adrenalin of the moment, they were only going about 30 mph. There was a voice in their head praising them for remembering to be safe and to figure out how to brag to Frenchie about their level-headedness later. In the meantime, Alex would drive as long as they could stand or the battery would last, whichever came first. Then they’d carefully portal back to the garage and lock this marvelous machine away until another day. 

Another day perhaps very, very soon.

[turnipotentiary]

Hamlaf Coffee Shop AU

This is the fic I was talking about in my last post! It’s pure fluff, and I love it. Tell me what you think, reblog and comments are always appreciated! I think I missed the “Alex is a food rider” part, but oh well. Below is the inspiration, done by @shanshala​, who is absolutely amazing.

Lafayette smiled at the coffee shop counter. His hair was tied up in a big poofball bun, he was wearing the signature white shirt and purple apron of the shop that contrasted nicely with his dark skin, and a perfect customer-service smile. He was ready to start his shift.

And then in came human hurricane Alexander Hamilton, the bell tinkling as he shoved the door open, clearly in a rush, cheeks pink from the cold outside. Lafayette felt his customer-service smile drop, replaced by an absolutely lovesick expression.

“Bonjour again, Alexandre,” he said, grinning charmingly at Alexander, who huffed. “I need a black coffee with four expresso shots, nothing else,” he said, hopping from one foot to the other impatiently. Lafayette laughed, going to the coffee machine. “You seem to run on coffee,” he observed, and it was true. Every day without fail he came running in, ordered a black coffee with an insanely unhealthy amount of caffeine, and ran back out in a hurry.

Alexander nodded, not in the mood for small talk. “I do, which is why I need that coffee,” he said. Normally other baristas would be indignant, and in fact several other employees had quit the morning shift just to avoid Alexander. But Lafayette found this incredibly endearing, and he’d volunteered for it, begged for the shift, in fact. He was quite the romantic. But still, he wasn’t in too deep, he told himself; the manager paid him extra to work the shift. So it was practical as well.

Lafayette smiled, writing “Alexandre” in loopy cursive on the cup and handing it over. “Bonne journée, mon Alexandre,” he called after Alex’s retreating figure. Receiving no response, he sighed dramatically, returning to the coffee machine. He didn’t see Alexander admiring the fancy cursive Sharpie on his cup as he turned the corner.

This pattern continued as it always had; Alexander would rush in, Lafayette would flirt shamelessly with him, and then he’d leave, and Lafayette would pine. Then one day Alexander just…. stopped coming.

“What happened? Do you know where he went?” Lafayette asked Hercules the next day, trying desperately to be casual. He failed, judging by the huge grin on his friend’s face. “Why do you care?” he asked, knowing full well why. “No reason, curious only,” he said, flustered. “Well, I heard he went on vacation,” Hercules said. Lafayette nodded. “Ah.” And so he set about his day, resigned to wait until his Alexandre came back.

And he did. Two weeks later, he came back, hair in a messy bun that somehow seemed to endear him even more to Lafayette. He approached the counter and Lafayette immediately got to work on his order, knowing it by heart after months. “How was your vacation?” he asked flippantly, hoping for a response, even though the more rational part of his brain told him that he’d probably get a grumpy one-word answer in response.

To his surprise, Alexander started talking. “Oh my god, it was horrible! Well, the vacation itself was pretty fun, me and a buddy went down to LA, and yes, it’s way more sunny than the Seattle weather here, I swear I was almost blinded-” Lafayette giggled- “but once I got used to it, it was complete heaven, like, it was actually warm! Can you believe that?” Not stopping for an answer, he continued on. “And the beaches were amazing! But the horrible part was that all the hippies there made the coffee shops assume that I wanted, like, creamer or something,” he said, emphasizing creamer as if it was some instrument of the devil. “And the barista at the coffee shop near the place me and my buddy rented was horrible, just yes or no answers, not friendly at all! The customer service in LA sucks,” he finished. Noticing Lafayette staring at him, he blushed slightly. “Sorry, I know I haven’t been the best customer either,” he said sheepishly. Lafayette began to reassure him that it was no problem, really, but Alexander talked on. “But yeah, really, sorry for that, y’all must go through some shitty people,” he said, still talking at the rapid pace he had been for the past five minutes. “Oh my god, was I talking too much? Sometimes I get overexcited, shoot off at the mouth, I’ve been told it’s very annoying,” he said quietly.

Lafayette wasn’t a very violent person, but at that moment he wanted to punch whoever told him it was annoying. How could anyone possibly say that, with the way Alexander’s eyes shined as he talked and the passionate way he described everything? Lafayette felt like he’d melt any second, he was so smitten. “It is alright, Alexandre,” he said. “I quite enjoy it, actually.” He winked. Alexander flushed, but recovered quickly. “Oh yeah, I forgot- the worst thing about that coffee shop in LA was that the barista was nowhere near as attractive,” he said, grinning. Lafayette blushed. “Is that so? Perhaps time away from me has made you realize you’ve grown attached?”

Alexander grinned. “Exactly.” There was silence for a bit as Lafayette busied himself with adding something extra on his cup, handing it over as Alex’s phone pinged. He pulled it out of his pocket, grabbing the coffee with a hurried “thanks” and rushing out the door, same as always.

Except several hours later, when Alex got off the phone with his boss, he found a number written elegantly beneath his name, in which Lafayette had added a little heart.

And several hours later, Lafayette felt his phone buzz as he cleaned up in preparation to go home.

“Bonjour?” “Hey Laf! This is Alex.”

And several weeks later, the number labeled “❤️Alexandre❤️” texted him, telling him to meet at the park.

And several minutes later he was there, Alexander looking nervous as he sat across the park bench from him, fumbling with his words.

And several hours later, Lafayette left, lovesick smile on his face as he kissed his new boyfriend goodnight.

And years after that first time, he was kissing Alexander again, this time in celebration as a ring glinted on his finger.

Yes, the customer service is trashy eight times out of ten in LA (although there are some really nice people) and yes, it’s set in Seattle because I just thought it fit. And yes, I’ve been there, and yes, the weather is very grey, although I might be biased because I’m used to sunlight.

oh yeah, and the Space Needle is awesome.

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

Finishing Out Summer 2020 TBR List! - Updated 7/31

Starting back in March, I was adding novel after novel for purposes of reading during social distancing and Summer 2020. I’m hoping you all found some great reads, even if you haven’t been able to read them all. *Here is another batch to round out Summer 2020, and I’m thrilled by the selection that includes sapphic, trans MCs, and more eras and locations than any list to date.

Leather and Lace by Rebel Carter (Good Sky series #5) - May 20th - sapphic

Mary Sophia James came to Gold Sky, Montana to find a husband at the insistence of her overbearing mother. Striking out in spectacular fashion after setting her eye on Julian Baptiste, her options are dwindling, and time is running out. She needs to find a man to marry before her condition becomes…obvious. Her mother’s prejudices and sharp tongue aren’t helping matters and Mary, to her shame, hasn’t behaved much better. But all her plans are derailed when she spots the most beautiful person she’s ever seen across the town square. Alex Pierce is strong, intriguing, looks stunning in a pair of trousers…and a woman.

Gold Sky is accepting of all types of love, and that between women is no different. Still, Alex didn’t expect to be so floored by the sight of the firey haired, yet fragile looking young woman. Mary needs to be married and Alex has a solution. Because in Gold Sky, Montana there are many ways to be married…and not all of them include a man.

Leather and Lace is a 35k word novella set at the same time as the events of book 2, Hearth and Home. It includes a passionate and romantic f/f love in a town where diversity, and love, reign supreme.

Note : Leather and Lace has a bit of mail-order, arranged married, kind of secret baby with some foreced proximity sprinkled on top!

The Sugared Game by KJ Charles (The Will Darling Adventures #2) - August 26th

It’s been two months since Will Darling saw Kim Secretan, and he doesn’t expect to see him again. What do a rough and ready soldier-turned-bookseller and a disgraced, shady aristocrat have to do with each other anyway? But when Will encounters a face from the past in a disreputable nightclub, Kim turns up, as shifty, unreliable, and irresistible as ever. And before Will knows it, he’s been dragged back into Kim’s shadowy world of secrets, criminal conspiracies, and underhand dealings. This time, though, things are underhanded even by Kim standards. This time, the danger is too close to home. And if Will and Kim can’t find common ground against unseen enemies, they risk losing everything.

The Revolutionary and the Rogue by Blake Ferre - August 24th

Perrin deVesey knows pain. As a member of Crimson Rose, a secret club for men who love men, he’s taken the vow “to stand and shield.” Standing together during these perilous times is the only thing keeping their necks from the guillotine. Now their leader is using the club to rescue wrongly accused traitors. After losing a past lover to an unjust execution, the decision to support this treasonous cause is easy…until a devastatingly handsome Committee Officer complicates Perrin’s whole world. Officer Henri Chevalier hates aristocrats. But the man he finds while investigating Crimson Rose is more than just wealthy and fancily clothed. He’s a rogue that could take him to the heart of the uprising and stop it before it starts. His plan to get close to Perrin and steal his secrets backfires, though, when Henri finds himself falling for the damned aristo and his dangerous smile. His heart is even more conflicted as he learns the truth behind their cause…and the truth his own people have been hiding. Together they must make the choice—to stand and shield at any cost—and their love might be the deadliest weapon in all of France.

Healing Lance by MD Grimm (A Warrior’s Redemption #1)- July 28th

A baby’s laughter. A mind uncaged. Lance is known as Scourge, the warrior in the black armor, the dog of the warlord Ulfr Blackwolf. He was just a boy when Ulfr found him and molded him into the perfect weapon. He slaughters and pillages on command, merciless and numb, devoid of emotions. Then a baby girl laughs at him during a raid. And everything changes. When Gust, a talented healer, is out deer hunting and stumbles across a magnificent horse bearing a mortally wounded rider, he has no idea that his life is about to change forever. Gust applies all his skills to his patient, determined to save the rider’s life, and is rewarded when the man opens his eyes. As friendship, and more, bloom between warrior and healer, so does the danger over the horizon. Ulfr has not forgotten, and Lance must take his first steps on the long road to redemption.     

The rest of the series is either out this Summer or finishes in Sept!

Unhallowed: A Novel of Widdershins (Rath & Rune Book #1) by Jordan L Hawk - July 17th

Monsters. Murder. Librarians. Librarian Sebastian Rath is the only one who believes his friend Kelly O’Neil disappeared due to foul play. But without any clues or outside assistance, there’s nothing he can do to prove it. When bookbinder Vesper Rune is hired to fill the vacancy left by O’Neil, he receives an ominous letter warning him to leave. After he saves Sebastian from a pair of threatening men, the two decide to join forces and get to the truth about what happened to O’Neil. But Vesper is hiding secrets of his own, ones he doesn’t dare let anyone learn. Secrets that grow ever more dangerous as his desire for Sebastian deepens. Because Kelly O’Neil was murdered. And if Sebastian and Ves don’t act quickly enough, they’ll be the next to die.

My Heart’s in the Highlands by Amy Hoff - July 17th - sapphic - time travel

The year is 1888. Brilliant and beautiful, Lady Jane Crichton has fought the constraints of her Victorian Edinburgh upbringing to become one of the first women to attend university for medicine. Denied a degree because of her gender, she decides to marry a closeted gay man, providing him with political and social cover and herself with the time and money to pursue her scientific interests—one of which is a time machine. Jane’s machine works…but not exactly as she expected, and soon she has crash-landed in the 13th-century Scottish Highlands. There she is rescued by a wild, red-haired warrior woman, Ainslie nic Dòmhnaill, next in line to the chiefship of the great Clan Donald, the rulers of the Sea Kingdom of the Isles. Despite the constant threat of attacks from enemy clans, harsh winters and a touch of homesickness, Jane finds herself bewitched by this land, this time and this magnificent woman. The rough and warlike Ainslie also feels the magic and revels in a passion and love neither she nor Jane had ever imagined. But Jane is hiding a dangerous secret—one that threatens to tragically transform their Highland fairy tale.

Kinship and Kindness by Kara Jorgensen (A Paranormal Society Romance #1) - releases July 29th -trans MC

Bennett Reynard needs one thing: to speak to the Rougarou about starting a union for shifters in New York City before the delegation arrives. When his dirigible finally lands in Louisiana, he finds the Rougarou is gone and in his stead is his handsome son, Theo, who seems to care for everyone but himself. Hoping he can still petition the Rougarou, Bennett stays only to find he is growing dangerously close to Theo Bisclavret. Theo Bisclavret thought he had finally come to terms with never being able to take his father’s place as the Rougarou, but with his father stuck in England and a delegation of werewolves arriving in town, Theo’s quiet life is thrown into chaos as he and his sister take over his duties. Assuming his father’s place has salted old wounds, but when a stranger arrives offering to help, Theo knows he can’t say no, even if Mr. Reynard makes him long for things he had sworn off years ago. As rivals arrive to challenge Theo for power and destroy the life Bennett has built, they know they must face their greatest fears or risk losing all they have fought for. With secrets threatening to topple their worlds, can Theo and Bennett let down their walls before it’s too late?

More under the cut...!!!!

My Highland Laird: Sci-Regency Book #5 by JL Langley - releases August 10th

Bannon Thompson, talented artist and youngest son of the Duke of Eversleigh, is hastily shipped off after his latest indiscretion. After crashing on rural Skye, leaving him and his valet the sole survivors of a diplomatic mission, Bannon must navigate the complexities of a primitive clan society and take up a role he never wanted: helping a sexy Highlander ensure the safety of both their planets.

Laird Ciaran MacKay wants nothing more than to keep his clan safe from the off-world intruders who killed his father. Suspecting complicity among his own people, he has no choice but to trust outsiders from a spaceship crash—and he can’t seem to fight his attraction to the stubborn redhead. Drawn to the handsome laird, Bannon risks a bold affair. But there is more at stake than reputations as they find two lost Regelens and uncover the Intergalactic Navy’s plot.

Artful Deception by Jackson Marsh (The Clearwater Myseries Book #5)

“Deception. The lie that tells the truth."

A damaged painting tempts Lord Clearwater to a final battle with his arch-enemy, and it's not a summons he can ignore.

Archer must free his homicidal brother from incarceration and reinstate him to the title. He will be left humiliated and penniless, but free to live his life with Silas with no threat of exposure. The alternative is death.

Drawing inspiration from a work of art, Clearwater manipulates a series of illusions to stay one step ahead of the endgame. While James, Tom and Silas race to solve clues and reach Archer before the fatal deadline, the assassin, Dorjan, remains hot on his heels ready to kill.

The sixth book in The Clearwater Mysteries series brings back popular characters from previous adventures in a fast-paced, twisting mystery that can have only one of two possible endings.

Or perhaps one of three. After all, deception is the lie that tells the truth.

Ten or Fifteen Miles by BL Maxwell - May 27th

Tim Latham had only been riding for the Pony Express for a week before he has to show the new guy the trail. Being raised on a farm in the Sacramento area, the Pony Express gave him an opportunity to see more of the country beyond his family’s little plot of land. He loves everything about the job: the adventure, the scenery, and the speed. Racing the wind on the back of a horse was as close to perfect as he could imagine.

Jeremiah Rollins grew up in San Francisco under the shadow of his father's successful shipping business. But Jeremiah craves the adventure he reads about in the dime novels he can’t get enough of. On a whim, and despite his father’s disapproval, he signs up for the Pony Express and leaves his old life behind for the steep, rocky trails that cross the Sierra Nevada. Both men are excited to begin their journey on their first ride together to Nevada Territory. They set out, making their way from station to station, racing as fast as their horses can carry them, and their friendship grows every mile. They both wanted adventure, but they may end up getting more than they dreamed of. Every ten or fifteen miles brings new experiences, and new feelings that grow with each mile they pass. 

People Like Us by Ruby Moone (Winsford Green #2) - July 21st

Arthur Fitch clawed his way out of the violence and poverty of the slums of London to become a valet to the aristocracy. His ambition to secure a higher position led him to a disastrous appointment with a cold, brutal man, and when things come to a head, Arthur is forced to flee into a snowstorm to find safety. Joseph Wilkinson is the Winsford Green blacksmith. He has a good life, good friends, owns a thriving business, but at the end of the day when he goes home, loneliness consumes him. When he stumbles upon a small man determinedly trudging through the snowstorm, he invites him into his home to shelter. Arthur Fitch is older, smart-mouthed, and as prickly as hell. But, as Joe peels back the layers, he discovers a warm, funny, vulnerable man whose tastes in the bedchamber leave Joe gasping and desperate for more. Trouble is, having found the real Arthur Fitch, how can he convince him that life in a small town can be infinitely better than working for an Earl? That love really is possible for people like them? Particularly when Arthur’s past catches up with him in horrifying fashion.

Seaworthy bu KL Noone (Character Bleed Book #1) - August 1st - bisexual MC - contemporary, but with a lot of historical touches

An epic motion picture! A gay Napoleonic War love story! Ballrooms and battles at sea! Romantic happy endings on the silver screen! And a film that’ll change everything for its stars ... Jason Mirelli can’t play adrenaline-fueled action heroes forever. He’s getting older, plus the action star parts have grown a little thinner since he came out as bisexual. This role could finally let him be seen as a serious dramatic actor, and he needs it to go well -- for his career, and because he’s fallen in love with the story and the chance to tell it. The first problem? He’ll be playing a ship’s captain ... and he hasn’t exactly mentioned his fear of water. The second problem? His co-star: award-winning, overly talkative, annoyingly adorable -- and openly gay – box office idol Colby Kent. Colby’s always loved the novel this film’s based on, and he leapt at the chance to adapt it, now that he has the money and reputation to make it happen. But scars and secrets from his past make filming a love story difficult ... until Jason takes his hand and wakes up all his buried desires. Jason could be everything Colby’s ever wanted: generous and kind, a fantastic partner on set, not to mention those heroic muscles. But Colby just can’t take that chance ... or can he? As their characters fall in love and fight a war, Colby and Jason find themselves falling, too ... and facing the return of their own past demons. But together they just might win ... and write their own love story.

The Engineer (Magic & Steam Book #1) by CS Poe - May 28th

1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton is a magic caster with the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam. He’s sent to Shallow Grave, Arizona, to arrest a madman engineer known as Tinkerer, who’s responsible for blowing up half of Baltimore. Gillian has handled some of the worst criminals in the Bureau’s history, so this assignment shouldn’t be a problem. But even he’s taken aback by a run-in with the country’s most infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly. Gunner is also stalking Shallow Grave in search of Tinkerer, who will stop at nothing to take control of the town’s silver mines. Neither Gillian nor Gunner are willing to let Tinkerer hurt more innocent people, so they agree to a very temporary partnership. If facing illegal magic, Gatling gun contraptions, and a wild engineer in America’s frontier wasn’t enough trouble for a city boy, Gillian must also come to terms with the reality that he’s rather fond of his partner. But even if they live through this adventure, Gillian fears there’s no chance for love between a special agent and outlaw. Based on the short story, “Gunner the Deadly.” Entirely revised, newly expanded, and Book One in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.

Pirate’s Promise (Pirate’s of Port Royal Book #1) by Jules Radcliffe - May 12th - the rest of the series is also out this Summer!

Press-ganged as a boy, Job Wright must learn how to live as a free man.

For years Job has been a captive, treated as a servant—and sometimes more—by a crooked merchant crew. Until the day his ship is attacked by pirates. English pirates, no less, and Brethren of the Coast, a brotherhood of free men who owe allegiance to no one but themselves. Job thinks he's been rescued at last, but he's badly mistaken. As an Englishman aboard a Spanish ship, the Brethren believe he's a traitor and an enemy. But just when pirate justice is about to be delivered, Garrett Dubh intervenes. He both saves Job's life and recruits him to the pirate ship Audacious.

Surrounded by a fearsome crew, Job finds protection under Garrett's wing. He's ready to do anything for the handsome pirate—things he'd never willingly do for another man. But Garrett ignores Job's shy overtures. He believes Job is too traumatised by his past. Too young to know what he wants. And nothing Job says will change his mind.

To show Garrett he can take care of himself, Job leaves the safety of the Audacious. He joins the most ruthless Brethren crew in the Caribbean, led by the enigmatic and cruel Rusé.

But in the French pirate haven of Tortuga, thoughtless actions can have fatal consequences, something Job is about to discover. And this time, Garrett isn't there to save him.

Chasing a Legacy by D. A Ravenscroft - May 2020

Against the tense political backdrop of the Second French Empire, siblings Camille and Marianne find themselves wrestling with personal demons both past and present. As Camille strives to keep family secrets buried and unveil a plot against them, Marianne becomes involved with the handsome Baron Auclair and his mysterious younger sister. Little do the siblings know that soon their very different lives will come crashing together…

-

The sequel to a sequel! In this follow up to the unofficial Les Mis sequel ‘Chasing a Ghost’, we follow Enjolras and Grantaire’s children, Camille and Marianne, through dangers untold and family strife. Set in 1866, towards the end of the Second Empire, this story has murder, mystery, romance, drama, comedy, and a pet lion. And yes, it’s very, very queer.

https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/d-a-ravenscroft/chasing-a-legacy/paperback/product-y58wrq.html

Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks Book #3) - June 23rd

Will Sedgwick can’t believe that after months of searching for his oldest friend, Martin Easterbrook is found hiding in an attic like a gothic nightmare. Intent on nursing Martin back to health, Will kindly kidnaps him and takes him to the countryside to recover, well away from the world. Martin doesn’t much care where he is or even how he got there. He’s much more concerned that the man he’s loved his entire life is currently waiting on him hand and foot, feeding him soup and making him tea. Martin knows he’s a lost cause, one he doesn’t want Will to waste his life on. As a lifetime of love transforms into a tender passion both men always desired but neither expected, can they envision a life free from the restrictions of the past, a life with each other?

Best Laid Plaids by Ella Stainton (Kilty Pleasures #1)- August 31st

In 1920s Scotland, even ghosts wear plaid.

Welcome to a sexy, spooky new paranormal historical series from debut author Ella Stainton.

Scotland, 1928

Dr. Ainsley Graham is cultivating a reputation as an eccentric.

Two years ago, he catastrophically ended his academic career by publicly claiming to talk to ghosts. When Joachim Cockburn, a WWI veteran studying the power of delusional thinking, arrives at his door, Ainsley quickly catalogues him as yet another tiresome Englishman determined to mock his life’s work.

But Joachim is tenacious and openhearted, and Ainsley’s intrigued despite himself. He agrees to motor his handsome new friend around to Scotland’s most unmistakable hauntings. If he can convince Joachim, Ainsley might be able to win back his good name and then some. He knows he’s not crazy—he just needs someone else to know it, too.

Joachim is one thesis away from realizing his dream of becoming a psychology professor, and he’s not going to let anyone stop him, not even an enchanting ginger with a penchant for tartan and lewd jokes. But as the two travel across Scotland’s lovely—and definitely, definitely haunted—landscape, Joachim’s resolve starts to melt. And he’s beginning to think that an empty teaching post without the charming Dr. Graham would make a very poor consolation prize indeed…

The Gentleman’s Thief by Isobel Starling (Resurrectionist Book #2)

Tuesday 28th December 1897. Mr. Benedict Hannan, the owner of Hannan’s Auction House in Fitzrovia, London, receives an unexpected visitor at his Bloomsbury home. The man on his stoop sends Benedict’s heart into a flutter, and on inviting the mysterious stranger into his house, he is inviting mystery, adventure, and volcanic desire.

Sebastian Cavell—master thief, gives the impression he has sought out Benedict for the sake of business, but the kind of business Sebastian has in mind has nothing to do with making money!

Cavell has been tasked with finding the whereabouts of a missing German aristocrat. With Benedict’s society connections, Sebastian gains access to his Gentleman’s Club and to men whose behavior is not so gentlemanly!

Benedict is pulled into the circle of a dangerous secret society and he not only learns the truth about the mysterious Sebastian Cavell, but learns the truth about himself and all he truly desires.

The Curse of the Mummy’s Heart by Julia Talbot - June 30th

Something is rising in the desert sand, and between two adventurous men.

Famous 1920s Hollywood actor Douglas Fitzhugh and his brother Donnie are headed for Egypt on a classic monster movie quest. Their mysterious benefactor, a man they call Grant, has sent them to find a stranded archaeologist, and all they have to go on is a handwritten journal. That's just the kind of adventure Douglas loves, and he never passes up the chance to get away from his studio-driven life.

Charles Angeloff is also on his way to Egypt with a special object his father has asked him to return to the tomb he ripped it from. Charles is just out of university, and when he meets Douglas, he falls hard for Douglas' charm and his worldly ways.

As they travel, more men of adventure join them: a cowboy, a rich seminary student, and a librarian. When they're all together, it's like magic happens, and the men all realize they're on a mission to stop the horror that stirs beneath the desert sands, even as that creature sets its sights on Charles. Will Douglas and Charles lose each other just when they've found what they both think is the man they want to be with forever?

Starcrossed: A Paranormal Historical Romance (Magic in Manhattan #2) by Allie Therin - May 18th

When everything they’ve built is threatened, only their bond remains… 1925 New York Psychometric Rory Brodigan’s life hasn’t been the same since the day he met Arthur Kenzie. Arthur’s continued quest to contain supernatural relics that pose a threat to the world has captured Rory’s imagination—and his heart. But Arthur’s upper-class upbringing still leaves Rory worried that he’ll never measure up, especially when Arthur’s aristocratic ex arrives in New York. For Arthur, there’s only Rory. But keeping the man he’s fallen for safe is another matter altogether. When a group of ruthless paranormals throw the city into chaos, the two men’s strained relationship leaves Rory vulnerable to a monster from Arthur’s past. With dark forces determined to tear them apart, Rory and Arthur will have to draw on every last bit of magic up their sleeves. And in the end, it’s the connection they’ve formed without magic that will be tested like never before.

Another Chance For Love by Ellie Thomas - July 4th

Former British Army Lieutenant Adam Merryweather survived the Western Front of WWI and has slowly recovered from his injuries. But can he heal from a broken heart? Torn between family duty and personal happiness, he sacrificed his love for Alf and has never ceased to regret it in the two years since the war ended. Adam is slowly putting his empty life back together, working for the family firm in the city centre of Bristol and trying to stop his mother’s meddling to find him the perfect socially acceptable bride. When he happens to meet Alf out of the blue, Adam is determined to try again. But convincing Alf to give him another chance may be too much to hope for. Can a chance meeting bring them back together? Or has Adam lost another chance for love forever?    

The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite - July 28th - sapphic

When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it’s the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be the victim of a thousand bees. But when a beautiful beekeeper arrives to take care of the pests, Agatha may be in danger of being stung by something far more dangerous…

Penelope Flood exists between two worlds in her small seaside town, the society of rich landowners and the tradesfolk.  Soon, tensions boil over when the formerly exiled Queen arrives on England’s shores—and when Penelope’s long-absent husband returns to Melliton, she once again finds herself torn, between her burgeoning love for Agatha and her loyalty to the man who once gave her refuge.

As Penelope finally discovers her true place, Agatha must learn to accept the changing world in front of her. But will these longing hearts settle for a safe but stale existence or will they learn to fight for the future they most desire?

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*If more come to my attention after this is posted, they will be added!!!