#but this time there is a better excuse because owen is just dumb

[thalassofiles]

❛ We should keep moving-! ❜ Even if you are smiling towards your companion, your tone is a bit more panicked then you want it to be. Maybe she hasn't noticed? You hope she hasn't because you know it's just a trick. It's not real, but still- looking back towards the front of you and seeing everyone that had been outside freeze and start staring in the direction of you both was always freaky. It happens frequently but you don't think you'll ever get used to it. You can only hope she doesn't mind- maybe she is used to stares? But even this is ... different. It's wrong. Dead eyed stares are so freaky. ❛ I-It's best not to worry about it~ Let's just go into the antique shop! The shopkeeper in there is pretty friendly! ❜ sc. @lielove

[astro-ellie]

thinking about being abby’s best friend and absolutely hating owen. you don’t think he deserves abby at all, he’s such a douche. he’s just not good enough for her, that’s it.

it’s totally not because you’ve been hopelessly in love with your best friend for the past five years. nope, it’s cause she could do so much better than that. owen is an idiot. he’s not her boyfriend yet, but they’re definitely past the talking-stage now. just a matter of time before they make it official.

when abby shows up at your front door for your weekly sleepover, snacks in hand and her bag hanging off her shoulders, you push your thoughts about owen to the back of your mind and focus on her instead. focus on abby, focus, focus, focus.

when you’re both laying on your bed, watching some old romcom on your computer, you don’t notice the way abby looks at you. you’re fully focused on the screen, but abby’s eyes never leave your face. it’s not until she reaches over the pause the movie you look up, and the look in her eyes is enough to have you blushing.

“hey…” abby nibbles on her lip before continuing; “is something wrong?” there’s a concern in her voice, and she looks genuinely worried. you stay silent for a few more seconds while your eyes dart around her face. you hope, hope she doesn’t notice the way your eyes linger on her lips.

“what do you mean?” you’re playing dumb now, you know she’s not really talking about tonight. you’ve been acting weird lately, avoiding your friend group and when you do actually spend time with them you don’t really talk too much anymore.

but how can you tell abby it’s cause her stupid boyfriend is there and you hate his guts? that something is wrong, and that is that she’s with him and not with someone like you.

“c’mon, something’s off. you can tell me, we’re friends right?” and abby bumps her shoulder into yours, and nibbles on on her lips again. just hearing the word friends is enough to make the feeling of disappointment spread in your chest. letting out a defeated; “yeah, we’re friends.”

abby just keeps on looking at you, waiting for an explanation why you’ve been weird. you can tell she’s not going to drop it so eventually you cave in. “just don’t do wanna get in the way, or like i don’t want to… third wheel? just don’t wanna…”

it’s a lousy excuse. really, how can you be the third wheel when manny’s always there? you’re like, the fourth wheel.

you feel a little bit embarrassed when looking at abby, but she just seems confused. “who you third wheeling?”

“uh, you and owen?” now you’re the one confused. who else could you possibly be talking about? are you missing something, or has abby been hit by a sudden wave on amnesia?

the embarrassment you felt earlier just grows stronger when abby starts laughing at you. it’s not a mean laughter, more like a surprised one. still stings though.

“me and owen aren’t- we’re not together or anything.” abby just leans her face closer to yours, and you can practically feel her breath on your own lips.

a bitter “yet” is all you let out and abby can’t help but smile at the pout on your face. she lets out a breathy laugh, bumping into your shoulder once again. “oh my god, me and owen are not going to get together. ever.”

“but i thought-“ and before you can finish your sentence, abby interrupts you. “i’m not even into owen like that. i like someone else” abby’s words has you speechless, feeling your cheeks heat up in frustration. so it’s not owen that you need to worry about, but someone else. great.

somehow it felt worse that it was someone else. because owen has always been a douche. it’s easier to compete against an asshole like him than someone who’s actually nice, and funny, and pretty. three boxes that this mysterious crush probably ticked off.

“what? who?” your hands are on her shoulders now, and you playfully shake her. abby just smiles mockingly at you before she presses the space bar on your computer, the movie you had forgotten about how playing again.

“hey! you gotta tell me, we’re like best friends, best friends tell each other everything” you wince after speaking, cause you don’t tell her everything. guilting abby into telling you about this crush when you haven’t told her about your crush feels low, but it’s too late now. your words are left hanging in the air, until abby suddenly starts speaking again.

“okay, okay. i actually thought she knew i liked her, been into her since forever.” she completely lost you the moment she said “she” instead of “he”. ever since you two first became friends all abby ever had eyes for were boys. and you had learnt to be fine with that, knowing that she would never look at you like she looked at those guys.

you didn’t know if it made you happy to hear this, if it felt good knowing you had more of a chance with her than you initially believed. it did feel a little bit like you were playing in the same league now that you knew she had eyes for women as well.

but you knew that there was no guarantee that she one day would reciprocate your feelings just because she liked women. it felt bittersweet, and lost in your thoughts you didn’t even notice abby had stopped talking. slowly, she closed your laptop completely and moved it further away from you two.

when she moved in front of you and into a sitting position, you finally snapped out of it. sitting up as well, trying to play the way you zoned off. “sorry, you were saying?”

“i said, i thought she knew. that i liked her. but i’m not sure anymore” it almost felt as if she was teasing you, with her head leaning to the side and that small playful smile on her lips.

“really? why’s that?” clearing your throat, trying to make yourself sound casual and cool. abby leans forward a little bit, and whispers as if she’s telling you her biggest secret. “she keeps on inviting me to her apartment for weekly movie dates. but i’m starting to suspect that she thinks they’re friendly hangouts and not dates”

if there’s one thing abby anderson has always been good at, it’s making you speechless. tonight is no exception, and if honestly takes you a good minute to manage to get any words out.

“oh my god, abby! you’re totally fucking with me!” it does feel a little bit humiliating, but obviously abby doesn’t know you like her like that. so how would she be able to know about the hurt her joke left you with?

“no, i’m not!” all she does is laugh at you, grabbing onto your shoulders before letting out a soft; “it’s you. i like you”

and before you know it, abby presses her lips against yours. it’s a soft and quick kiss, innocent and pure, but it’s enough to make butterflies spread through your body.

”wait- why, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” it’s hard to get the sentence out, all you can focus on is the way abby’s staring at your lips.

“like i said, thought you knew. until you started getting so jealous over owen” and you open your mouth to deny the accusations before you realise there’s no point. also, abby likes you back. who cares if she knows you were jealous of owen? “even manny knew, said he could see it in my eyes and all. didn’t realise you’d be so oblivious-“

“abby, just shut up and kiss me again.” and abby grins at you one last time before leaning in, your lips so close they’re almost touching. she mumbles something against your mouth before pressing another kiss, this one much longer and less soft.

“yes, ma’am”

[moviemunchies]

I thought it’d be good to rewatch Jurassic World for when the next movie comes out. In theory I’d watch Fallen Kingdom again but I don’t have time for that. I got other things to do. So just this one, because I hadn’t seen it since it was in theaters.

Jurassic World starts in an interesting place: the park is open, it’s wildly successful. Problem is that the owners of Jurassic World are worried that people find dinosaurs too tame now, and so they opt to use genetic engineering to create a hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex. As you can predict, the monster escapes and begins causing havoc in the park, and so the park’s staff has to figure out a way to contain the situation and keep people safe while not getting eaten.

So about this movie…it’s, um…

[folds hands]

It’s kind of pretty dumb. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fantastic popcorn flick because of it, and I am very happy that I got to see it in theaters. It’s the kind of movie you enjoy seeing and have a lot of fun with while you’re watching, but there’s a lot being juggled and I don’t think most of it really works, or is very smart. It’s AWESOME, or at least a lot of it is, but it’s also pretty dumb.

Let’s excuse that they managed to actually open this park after everything that’s already happened–yeah, that’s dumb, but that’s a believable kind of dumb, the different kind of dumb then what I’m talking about.

Let’s start with the overstuffed aspect: there are four main characters we’re following, who all have got a lot going on. Like first off, we’ve got these two boys, Zach and Gray, the brothers, who don’t always get along but are on this vacation together. In theory, they’re meant to be with their aunt Claire, but she’s running the park and doesn’t have the time. They’re given a babysitter, Zara, who they ditch the first chance they get. But also their parents are getting divorced. But ALSO Zach has a girlfriend but he keeps checking out every girl he sees while standing in line in Jurassic World.

That’s kind of a lot? And the only things that really get resolved from that are their relationship with Claire (kind of?? They like Owen better) and that they get along with each other better, bonding over the experience of trying to not die in the park.

That’s not getting into InGen has Owen training raptors to prove it can be done, so that they can create a genetic super-dino that’s officially a new attraction but actually so that they can market dinosaurs to the military as weapons? And Owen’s relationship with the raptors is its own subplot.

As well as Owen and Claire’s relationship! Which is, like, they used to date, but she was too uptight, or something? And given that the movie seems to be pushing that Claire needs to spend time with her nephews, and her development is accepting her family, some audience members read the movie as saying she needs to stop being a career woman so she can get with the guy and hence, a very sexist character arc. It doesn’t help that she’s wearing heels the entire movie. I don’t think that was the intention, but it seems a series of missteps on someone’s part to not think of that reaction. 

Thing I need to throw out there: Katie McGrath was done dirty in this movie. I remember seeing this movie, and also in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, both of which utterly waste her. She’s a great actress, and she’s in this movie to be the boys’ babysitter and then die horribly. In a weirdly mean-spirited way, usually reserved for massive douchebags in these kinds of movies? It’s jarring how horrible, drawn-out, and humiliating her death is.

There’s also a ridiculous amount of product placement in this movie. And I understand that the movie takes place in an active resort and theme park, which obviously would have restaurants and the like there. So I didn’t mind much, but it is kind of a lot and it’s fairly noticeable.

Overall though, I think the main thing that sticks with me is this: what is this movie really about? The original Jurassic Park movie is about how trying to harness and control nature, especially nature that you don’t understand, is a flawed endeavor that’s going to end disastrously. It tones down the book’s themes of how greedy douchebags are going to cut corners in their pursuit of profit, but it at least had that serious ‘controlling nature’ theme. But this movie feels like it doesn’t understand that, because the park apparently works under competent management. It’s just that they make a hybrid dinosaur.

And while you can read the ‘made a hybrid dinosaur’ as ‘trying to control nature’ we find out that the reason it was made was because, after seeing that training raptors was potentially possible, someone decided that it’d be cool to try to make dinosaurs for military applications. So it doesn’t read as ‘Trying to control nature is BAD’ as much as ‘The military is made up of short-sighted douchebags who will always screw up a good thing by building and keeping an obviously unstable serial killer dinosaur!’

That’s kind of a far cry from what the original movie is about. Plus, the idea that humans and dinosaurs CAN bond is an interesting one, if not really utilized all the well in this movie. I’d have liked to have seen how the zookeepers of Jurassic World interact with other species.

So it all leads to a final fight which is dumb, because it’s just the “good” dinosaurs fighting the evil one. But you know what? I still love it. I love that final fight. Because no matter how dumb it is, it is objectively five times as AWESOME as it is dumb. Watching dinosaurs duke it out on the big screen is always going to be a fun time, and it is well worth paying to see this movie just for that.

That’s far from the only really cool scene in this movie. That’s just the best one, and thankfully it’s saved for the climax.

If you want to see cool dinosaur action, or a sort of loud monster movie where you don’t have to think too much, then Jurassic World will do the trick. If you’re really hoping for something as smart or meaningful as the original… welp, this movie’s not going to do it for you. You might get mad, in fact, because it’s a pretty dumb movie.

[moonflowerlesbians]

“choose your battles wisely”

Un-beta’d and written after surgery, so please take with a grain of salt. I’ll reblog with the AO3 link in the morning!

Rated T, ~4.1k. Fluffy, Hurt/Comfort

~~~

Jamie is an idiot.

Or, to be more specific, she is an absolute goddamn buffoon of the utmost clownery.

This is, more or less, Dani’s internal monologue as she follows the sound of pained grunts to a somewhat obscured section of the sprawling statue garden, where she comes across a rather disgruntled gardener lying flat on her back in the mud. Her oilskin hat has fallen to one side, and Jamie stares, bleary-eyed, at the grey England sky overhead. There is a decently sized marble sculpture on the ground beside her.  

“You alright, there?” Dani calls, after only a brief moment of amused silence.

“Jesus!” Jamie swears, her entire body twitching, which causes her outburst to dissolve into a groan. “Christ, Poppins, wear a bloody bell,” she grumbles.

Dani rolls her eyes. “You alright?” she repeats, quieter this time.

“Oh, who, me? Yeah, ‘course. Just, you know, enjoying some ‘me time.’” She moves to raise her arm in a weak attempt at waving Dani off, but the limb makes it mere inches off the ground before flopping unceremoniously into the dirt. “Taking in the views...”

“Some view,” Dani notes, with a playful, sardonic lilt to her voice. A pause. “Owen made sandwiches if you’d like to come in for lunch.”

“Be right there,” Jamie replies halfheartedly. She does not stir, her gaze still fixed on the dreary cloud cover, a firm set to her jaw. “Don’t wait up.”

“We might as well walk back together.” Dani crosses her arms. “That is, assuming you’re almost done with your ‘me time.’”

“Almost done. Right. Yeah.”

Dani watches the deep inhale as Jamie steels herself, the muscles of Jamie’s stomach flexing with effort. With a sharp gasp, Jamie pushes herself onto her elbows, but she only lasts a quick second before she’s once again lying prone, muttered curses falling from her lips.

Dani winces sympathetically. “Oh, baby, don’t hurt yourself.”

“Bit late for that.”

“What did you do?” She kneels at Jamie’s side, moist soil dampening her jeans, and brushes wispy brown hairs from her face.

“Picked a fight with the wrong woman.” Jamie nods at the overturned statue. “Credit where credit’s due, she’s stronger than she looks. Heavier, too.”

“So, you decided you were going to move a marble statue, on your own, after a rainstorm, which resulted in you, what, throwing out your back?” Dani translates. “And you thought this was a good idea because…?”

“Never said it was a good idea.”

“And yet here we are.”

“Right, well,” Jamie sighs, “we’ve established I’m not the sharpest knife in the block.” Her eyes meet Dani’s, defeated. “If you would be so kind as to lend me a hand, I’d rather not like to die like this.”

“All you had to do was ask, sweetheart.” She thinks she catches a fleeting smile before it is replaced with a grimace.

Gingerly, Dani wedges her arm between Jamie’s shoulders and the earth below, murmuring gentle apologies at each indication of discomfort. She offers her other hand for Jamie to grab. Together, they work her into a sitting position. Jamie’s chest heaves, and her face is a ghostly shade of white.

They stay like that for a minute. While Jamie catches her breath, Dani’s fingers rub what she hopes are soothing circles into her back. How long has she been out here?

“Are you okay to walk?” Dani asks.

“Suppose we’ll find out,” Jamie says in a tone not at all reassuring.

Dani braces herself and takes both of Jamie’s hands in her own, digging her heels into the dirt. “One...two…”

On three, she pulls, and Jamie staggers to her feet, with Dani catching the majority of her weight as she topples forward and the air goes out of her.

“JesusshitfuckingChristfuckshittinghellgoddamnit-”

“Okay, you’re okay,” Dani says, trying to angle herself to best support the woman about to get herself excommunicated for blasphemy. She can feel the tension radiating off of Jamie in waves.

“I’m fine, I’m good,” Jamie promises, very much not fine and very much not good. “Nothing’s broken, I don’t think. Just, ah, a little crooked, s’all.” Her breathing is labored as they take a few tentative steps.

“Look, you just rest here, and I’ll run back and get Owen--”

“No, absolutely not,” Jamie cuts her off. “If that man finds out, I’ll never hear the end of it. Little shit still brings up the Rosebush Incident of Eighty-five whenever I break out the pruning shears.” Her arm drapes heavy around Dani’s neck as they round a corner.

“What--”

“Don’t,” Jamie wheezes, “ask.”

“You realize how dumb that is, right? And I’m definitely going to ask,” Dani says, guiding them toward the front door. Jamie stops short.

“Side door,” she explains, “servants’ hall. Won’t go past the kitchen. Can use one of the empty rooms until I sort myself out.”

“You might want to get your head checked if you think I’m leaving you alone like this.”

Dani readjusts her grip, while Jamie nimbly flips through a massive ring of keys Dani swears she’s never seen before, yet Jamie handles with the expertise of someone who does this daily. Which, Dani realizes, feeling rather stupid, she probably does.

“Fuck,” Jamie says under her breath as the door opens, revealing a hallway Dani has yet to explore. Dani sees the problem. She looks at Jamie. She looks at the narrow staircase. She evaluates her upper body strength.

Then, Jamie is making a rather undignified noise as Dani lifts her without warning, and Dani would be lying if she said the look on Jamie’s face isn’t extraordinarily satisfying. Something about seeing her stoic, mulish girlfriend, gone limp in her arms, looking at her, a little awestruck, well… it’s a sight Dani intends to cherish. And definitely not for the potential blackmail purposes.

Only after Dani gingerly deposits her on the blue quilt in Dani’s room does Jamie say, deadly serious, “We never speak of this again.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dani says, “take these.” She plops two pills and a cup of water in Jamie’s hand and disappears into the adjacent bathroom.

“That’s the spirit, Poppins,” she calls after her.

“Come on,” Dani says, reappearing in the doorway. “We need to get you out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold.”

“I’m fine,” Jamie scoffs, visibly shivering.

“The mud stain on my duvet says otherwise. Come on. Up you get. The bath is filling.”

“I can’t ask you to let me use your bath.”

“Good thing you’re not asking, then.”

The half-formed rebuke dies on Jamie’s lips, and she nods as if to say, touché, but Dani is certain she will not be hearing the end of this. She beckons Jamie up and pulls her into the other room, leaning her against the countertop. Without thinking, she begins undoing the buttons on Jamie’s top.

“Blimey,” Jamie remarks, not pushing Dani away, but stilling her movements.

Dani can feel the heat rise in her cheeks. She backpedals. “I, um, I didn’t-- I’m so sorry.”

Jamie just laughs, “Only teasing, love. But, ah, I can probably take it from here, yeah?”

“Um, yeah. I’ll just… be in the bedroom. If you need me.”

Dani slumps against the door as it closes behind her. The sound of the water running mimics the rush of blood in her ears. They’ve only been doing... whatever this is between them for a month. Not long at all. Certainly not long enough to be undressing her in the middle of the day with people in the house while she’s in pain. Dani hadn’t meant it in an erotic way but, Jesus, Dani, show some restraint.

She exhales. Right. Organize. Jamie will need a towel. She’ll need dry clothes. Maybe tea? A warm compress. Or ice? What do people put on sore muscles? A massage? Dani swallows thickly and shakes off the thought of Jamie’s smooth skin beneath her fingertips, tightness dissipating as Dani works the knots away. She absolutely does not imagine Jamie melting into the mattress or the moans that might escape through her lips, and she decidedly does not dwell upon the rare sight of Jamie, pliant and entirely relaxed.

Absolutely not. Shove that into a box and come back to it later. It’s worked well enough in the past.

Right then.

Dani sets about making the necessary rearrangements, shuffling her boots into the closet, digging out appropriately loose clothes for laying about, and swiping a plate of sandwiches from the kitchen, making some excuse about Jamie being too busy to come in, but she sends her thanks. Owen raises an eyebrow at this, but apparently does not feel the need to comment. Hannah, however, takes one look at Dani’s muddy knees and frowns.

“Miss Clayton, you had better not be tracking mud through my house.”

“Yes, Miss Clayton, or else you will have to mop up the mess just like Miles!” Flora states, intently focused on the cucumber and cream cheese sandwich on her plate.

“I told you it wasn’t me!” Miles objects loudly, his drinking glass making contact with the table with a bit more force than necessary.

“It’s in the past,” Dani dismisses, before the situation can get out of hand. She turns to Hannah, and, in her best I’m-setting-an-example-please-go-with-it voice, says, “Of course, Mrs. Grose, I made sure to wipe my feet at the door, but I will clean up any messes I made because it is very important that we all clean up our own messes.”

“Right you are, dear.”

“Could I get a cup of tea to take to Jamie as well? I’d make it but…”

“Say no more,” Owen rises from his seat at the table. “Wouldn’t want to poison poor Jamie, now would we?” Then, with a chuckle, “She’s got you properly whipped, hasn’t she? Trekking lunch out to whatever corner of the grounds she’s wound up in.”

“Why’s Jamie whipping Miss Clayton?” Flora pipes up.

Dani feels her face flush. “Oh, sweetie, she’s, um, that’s not--”

“What Owen means to say, is it’s very nice of Miss Clayton to deliver a meal to Jamie while she’s working,” Hannah says pointedly.

Owen coughs. “Ah, yeah, to-tea-lly leaf-ly of her to help out.”

“Hannah, I was thinking of taking my lunch with Jamie. Would you mind keeping an eye on these two for a little while?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” Hannah chaffs, “They’re an awful lot of trouble, these two.”

“You think,” Owen chimes in, “they’d behave if I told them I could use a hand baking biscuits this afternoon?”

“I suppose that might do it,” Hannah says, an expression of faux pensivity creasing her forehead. “What do you think, children?”

“Oh, yes, Mrs. Grose, that would be perfectly splendid!”

“Can we make snickerdoodles?”

“Don’t see why not,” Owen says. He hands a teacup to Dani. “Off with you. Go find your knight in mud and dungarees.”

Dani shoots them a grateful smile and heads back upstairs, delicately balancing the cup with the plate of food. She knocks thrice.

“Yeah.” Jamie’s voice comes muffled through the heavy wooden door as Dani cautiously turns the knob.

Dani lets out a moderately embarrassing squeak and immediately averts her eyes, intent on looking anywhere except at a very wet, towel-clad Jamie. “Oh, um, good. Y-you found the towel.”

“That I did. I, ah, wasn’t sure if these were for me,” she gestures to the neatly folded stack of clothes on the bed, “didn’t want to assume.”

“They’re, um, they’re for you.” There’s a fascinating crack in the floor Dani has never noticed before. It’s about four inches long and almost invisible.

“Hey, Dani, you can look.” Jamie sounds almost concerned. ‘S’okay. It’s not like you haven’t seen it all before.” She grins wryly.

“No, no, yeah, I know. It just, I don’t know, feels different when it’s not for that reason.”

“Dani Clayton, not a fan of casual nudity. Noted,” Jamie teases.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t a fan.” Dani places the tea and sandwiches on the bedside table, stepping into Jamie’s space.

“That so?”

“Mhm,” Dani hums, “and I’m going to stop this runaway train right here. You’re injured.”

Jamie huffs. “Bloody rude.”

“How’s your back?”

“Feels fine. Right as rain. I’ll just get dressed and go back out--”

“You most certainly will not. You are going to get dressed and get in this bed and you are going to rest.”

“But I’ve still got to finish in the statuary, and Hannah’s brought up a crack she wants me to fix, and--”

“--and all of those things can wait. I’ve taken care of enough idiotic teenage sports injuries to know that straining it will only make it worse. So, put these on, and get into bed.” She leaves no room for disagreement.

“I can’t believe you just used your teacher voice on me.”

“I can’t believe you’re being this obstinate.”

“I’m fine!”

“Why won’t you let me take care of you?” It is not aggressive. It comes out softly, a hint of confusion combined with an ounce of desperation.

Jamie freezes. “I don’t…”

“You only took a bath after I practically forced you--”

“I wouldn’t--”

“You could’ve really hurt yourself.”

“I know, but--”

“How long would you have laid out there in the mud before calling for help?”

“Dani,” Jamie interrupts, an appeasing thumb running along the inside of Dani’s wrist, “look, I just…” she sighs. “It’s not that easy.”

“It is, though,” Dani insists.

“No, love, it’s not. Not when you’ve been… well, not when you’re me.” She pauses, sits on the bed, and nudges Dani down next to her. “I don’t like feeling useless, s’all. People look at you, see you laying about, they see weakness. Someone to be pitied or someone to be taken advantage of. Just once is all it takes for them to get the idea you can’t stand on your own two feet.”

She seems a million miles away, a decade, even, and Dani waits. Jamie will continue if she wants to.

“I don’t like being pitied. And I know that’s not...that’s not what you’re trying to do.” She chooses her words carefully, as if walking through a minefield. Dani stands on the other side. “No need to give me the talk about everybody needing help. ‘Cause, in theory, yeah, that’s true, but when you’ve always been the one doing the helping... it… it’s not all that easy to be on the receiving end.” The last sentence is rushed, and Jamie finishes with a humorless snort of laughter. Her thumb has halted its caress of Dani’s skin.

Dani is silent for a moment. Coddling would be met with rejection. Not outright, no, but Dani knows better. Jamie has lain bare this piece of her soul, held out a fragment of her identity in tender hands, and trusts Dani to take it under her care, treasure it. Jamie had woven the tale of her life under the moonlight, and Dani has spent the past month trying to unravel the threads, to understand. Now, Jamie has given her a new string to follow, but she cannot pull too hard, lest it fall apart.

Dani speaks, quiet, but firm. “We’ll just have to practice then, won’t we.”

A flicker of confusion passes over Jamie’s face as she processes. Then, she softens. Her thumb resumes its rhythmic movement.

There will be other times, Dani has said, and I will stay and I will be here for you because you aren’t alone anymore.

And that seems to be enough.

Jamie exhales through her nose.

“Bit nippy in here. Might, ah, might want to put on some clothes.”

Right. Yes. Of course. Jamie is still in a towel. Gooseflesh has risen along her legs, and she shivers.

“Oh, oh, yeah,” Dani stammers, “I’ll just--” She mimes turning around and is met with a chuckle.

“You weren’t this shy the other night, if memory serves.”

“That,” Dani reiterates, “that was different.” She makes a show of fussing with the corner of the duvet, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles.

Jamie makes a noncommittal noise low in her throat. “I’m decent.”

Dani had picked the clothes, sure, but for a woman who prides herself on preparedness, actually seeing Jamie in Dani’s old elementary school t-shirt and loose-fitting, flannel trousers causes the circuits in her brain to fry.

“Your tea’s getting cold,” she says dumbly. “I didn’t make it,” she adds, noting Jamie’s look of skepticism. Apparently satisfied with that answer, Jamie sips at her beverage and slides under the covers, gesturing for Dani to join her. She shakes her head. “I still need to clean myself up. Hannah’s watching the kids for now, but I really should get back to them.”

“A tragedy of Shakespearen proportions.”

“You need anything else before I shower?”

“No, thank you, love.” Modest affection shines on Jamie’s face, and she speaks so genuinely Dani’s heart aches. She smiles.

“Get some rest, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jamie gives a mock salute, at which Dani can only roll her eyes before exiting  into the bathroom with an extra towel and a change of clothes.

When she returns, wringing her hair out, she finds Jamie soundly asleep. The teacup has been placed on the table, next to the plate now missing a sandwich, and Jamie is curled on her side, puffing slow, measured breaths.

Chamomile tea. Who knew?

Dani makes sure to close the door quietly, and she does her best to herd the children away from that side of the house.

It’s about time for supper when Dani makes her way back to her room. When Jamie does not answer her knocks, Dani opens the door, praying the hinges will not squeak for once. Jamie is still nestled in Dani’s bed. She’s rolled over, though, facing the door, and Dani can see her bangs billowing slightly with every breath. Jamie’s nose twitches where the hair tickles it.

This isn’t the first time Dani has seen Jamie in her bed, and she certainly hopes it won’t be the last, but this, this casual intimacy, is something so precious to her. She wants it to last.

Dani perches on the edge of the mattress, reaching out to remove the offending strand of hair from Jamie’s face, and Jamie stirs.

“Hey,” Dani whispers, and Jamie cracks an eye. She presses a hand to her forehead. One of her shirtsleeves has fallen to the side, revealing pale collarbones.

“Hey.” Her voice is gravelly, sleep-laden, in a way that makes Dani’s stomach turn over itself. “Time s’it?”

“Around six, I think?” That grabs Jamie’s attention. Before Dani can stop her, she’s scrambling to sit up, completely forgetting that’s a terrible idea and acting surprised when she topples back onto the pillows with a grunt.

“Easy, easy…” Dani scolds sweetly, as Jamie gasps. “You’re okay. Just lay back. That’s it.”

“Christ.”

“Forgot why you ended up here in the first place, huh?”

“I can’t believe you let me sleep all day,” Jamie says, when the stab of pain fades. “Thought you’d at least wake me up after an hour or so. Had things to do.”

“We said they could wait.”

“You said they could wait.”

“You can’t seriously be mad at me for making you take care of yourself.”

“Feel like I wasted a day, s’all.”

“Well, you didn’t. Taking care of yourself is never a waste,” Dani says, effectively ending the argument. “Do you want to come down for dinner, or do you want me to bring it up to you?” Jamie opens her mouth, but Dani continues, “Before you answer, I want you to think about whether you’re making this decision based on what’s easiest for me, or what you actually feel capable of doing.”

Jamie’s brows raise. “Someone’s feeling bold this evening.”

Dani resists the urge to shirk away, to cave. She knows Jamie would drop it instantly, reassuring Dani that she hasn’t actually overstepped. Instead, Dani says, quietly, sincerely, “You don’t have to put your needs aside to make my life easier.” She considers, leans down so that she’s laying next to Jamie on the bed. “Besides, I like taking care of you.”

Jamie studies her. Whether she’s looking for the lie or for Dani to pull back and say, “just kidding!” Dani doesn’t know. Jamie presses a gentle kiss to her lips, a kiss that speaks the words she cannot. A kiss that says, I’m working on it.

Dani stays close when they break apart, their foreheads touching. “So, dinner?”

“Should probably make an appearance.”

Dani gives her a pointed look. “‘Should’ or ‘want to.’”

“Want to,” Jamie assures, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“You know,” Dani says, helping Jamie sit up slowly, “we should probably tell them how you hurt yourself, or they’ll assume it was from less, hm, virtuous activities.”

“Dirty bird.” Jamie swats her arm. “Owen, maybe, but not our good, Christian Hannah.”

“But do you really want to deal with the comments at the table?”

“Fine. We tell them I fell, and that’s it.”

“Right, so I shouldn’t mention your incredibly stupid idea to move a heavy marble statue without help?”

“Not ideally, no.”

Dani pouts. “Do I at least get to ask about the Rosebush Incident of Eighty-five?”

“You’re not gonna let that one go, are you?” Jamie sighs. “Fine. Ask Owen, then. Suppose you’ll find out about it eventually.” Dani places a gleeful kiss on her cheek.

“Come on, let’s get some food into you.”

The few hours of bedrest appear to have paid off, Dani thinks smugly, as Jamie is perfectly capable of walking herself down the hall. Jamie, however, seems to be rather content to use this as an excuse to lean into Dani, and Dani can’t say she minds all that much. She stands on her own as they near the kitchen and moves with only a slight limp and a wince Dani only catches because she’s looking for it.

At another time, she’ll wonder how often Jamie has hidden her pain.

“There she is!” Owen exclaims when they take their unassigned, assigned seats at the table.

“What happened, dear?” Hannah says simultaneously, as Owen does a double take, clearly trying to figure out what he’s missing. It dawns on him a moment later.

“Fell. ‘M fine,” Jamie shrugs.

“Must’ve been some fall,” Owen remarks, with a smirk that has Dani wary.

“Hm?” Jamie does not look up from the roll she’s buttering.

“You’re wearing Miss Clayton’s clothes,” Flora observes helpfully. Dani chokes on her water. Shit. How could she have missed that?

To her credit, Jamie continues without faltering. “Tripped, landed in a mud puddle, and I didn’t have a change of clothes in the truck. Miss Clayton was nice enough to loan me hers.”

Well, the first part, at least, is true. Dani pinches herself for not asking if Jamie had her own clothes to change into. Even if she does look divine in the free t-shirt they gave Dani when she started teaching.

Owen seems skeptical, but, blessedly, he drops the subject in favor of animatedly recounting the story of their baking adventures that afternoon.

Hannah catches them after dinner, just as Dani is preparing to send the children to bed. “Will you be staying the night, Jamie? In the unfortunate event your injury acts up, of course,” she says with a mirthful wink.

Jamie looks to Dani for an answer, her mouth moving but no words coming out.

“Yes,” Dani decides for them.

“I’m assuming I won’t need to make up the guest bedroom for you?”

“Oh, um, no, thanks. That won’t be necessary.” Dani isn’t sure why she’s blushing. It’s not as if the whole manor doesn’t know about them. They’d tried hiding at first, sneaking about and slipping into dark corners like teenagers. They were not very good at it.

Later, with Miles and Flora safely asleep and Owen and Hannah having taken their leave for the evening, Jamie returns to Dani’s bed, this time with Dani sliding in behind her. Dani nuzzles into her back, careful not to touch any sore areas.

“I know I was an idiot,” Jamie’s voice cuts nervously through the darkness, “but, ah, just wanted to say thanks. For caring about me. Not really...not really used to that.”

Dani can feel her entire body tense. She presses tender kisses along Jamie’s back. “Of course,” she murmurs, and she hopes her conviction comes across. “Always.” She hesitates. “You’re not wrong about being an idiot, though,” Dani giggles.

“You like it.” It’s not meant to be a question, though Jamie’s voice wavers.

“I do,” Dani confirms affectionately, “I do.”

Jamie relaxes against her.

[snowdice]

Little Kestrel (Part 6)[Birds of Different Feathers Series]

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Logan & Patton & Virgil (future Virgil/Patton but not in this story)

Characters:

Main: Logan, Patton, Virgil

Appear: Thomas

Mentioned: Janus

Summary:

It was supposed to be a quick job either way. Either Virgil would assassinate King Thomas of Prijaznia or he’d be caught and get executed. Yet, when Virgil gets the wrong bedroom and gets caught by Prince Logan and his future royal advisor, Patton, the job ends up getting way more complicated for the 14-year-old. He also ends up sleeping in a (actually pretty comfortable) closet for a few weeks…

Notes: Implied/referenced child abuse, assassination attempt, knives, torture mentioned, captivity, teenagers being really dumb

This is a prequel to Kill Dear. I wrote it 100 words at a time on my blog, but this is the edited version. If you want to see how it was crafted, look at the tag proofread stories.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Virgil had started to feign sleep about an hour after Logan had left to his potions lab. Patton could tell he was faking because his arms never relaxed. Despite the boy no longer responding, he kept talking to him in soft tones. He seemed exhausted, but he was also clearly not planning to truly sleep any time soon. Patton wondered what had led up to him being here both recently, which had caused the dark circles under his eyes and long term that had caused the sunkenness of his cheeks.

Patton’s stomach growled, reminding him of the passage of time. He had no idea how long whatever Logan was doing was going to take, but someone was going to have to go to the kitchen and get some breakfast soon. The snacks truly had not been enough to hold them through the night.

He felt secure enough even knowing Virgil wasn’t actually sleeping to push himself to his feet and walk over to the potions lab door. “Hey Lo,” Patton called. Virgil still hadn’t moved to indicate he was still awake.

“Yes?” he asked.

“How long are you going to take? I need to get food soon and maybe come up with an excuse for at least one of us to stay here all day.”

“It’ll be a little while longer,” Logan said.

Patton glanced back at Virgil. He caught the boy with his eyes open this time and saw him wince at being caught. “Maybe Virgil can stay in there with you while I go get things?”

“That would be fine,” Logan said, turning back to what he was working on. “Bring him in here if you’d like.”

“Okie dokie,” Patton chirped. He turned to Virgil who was looking up at him. “I’m going to take your arms and lead you to the other room, okay?”

He nodded and Patton leaned down and grabbed his wrists. He got even tenser somehow when Patton moved his arms to his front and Patton frowned, but didn’t comment. He helped him get to his feet and led him into the other room.

“You can seat him over there,” Logan said pointing.

Virgil was looking around the room with wide eyes and Patton had to stop and think about what this room might look like to someone who hadn’t been enthusiastically introduced to every new potion ingredient and piece of equipment as they arrived. There were shelves of ingredients, all organized and labeled. Logan kept all powders in uniform glass vials and liquids in bulbous containers. Whole dried herbs hung from strings in one area and there were containers of fresh ones glowing a soft green; the preservation spells that Logan came up with himself kept them fresh for months longer than they would usually last.

Logan had three separate areas for potion making. There was one space for potions that required more dangerous ingredients which currently had something simmering at it, but the enchanted protective curtain wasn’t drawn around it, so Patton imagined it must not be doing anything that could be too harmful at the moment. The table he used for experiments was empty and thoroughly cleaned, so he was clearly making something with an already well-established recipe. Currently, he was standing at his table reserved only for non-harmful substances. He was chopping up what appeared to be mint as two smaller pots boiled in front of him.

Patton led Virgil over to the indicated chair which was out of the way of even the non-dangerous ingredient zone. He still seemed to be trying to take in the room as Patton settled his wrists on the chair’s armrests.

“Any requests?” he asked Logan.

“Not really,” Logan replied. He glanced up at Patton. “Though if you can sneak me some of the leftover macaroni salad from dinner, that would be appreciated.”

“That’s not breakfast!” Patton chided.

“Which is why I requested that you to sneak it.”

Patton shook his head and turned back to Virgil. “What about you?” he asked.

He looked up at Patton and shook his head. Virgil looked a bit scared and out-of-sorts. He wanted to reach forward and pat him on the head or kiss his cheek to comfort him, but he imagined that would go over worse than badly. Instead, he flashed the boy a quick smile and then turned to leave the room.

He left Logan’s private chambers and closed the door behind him before walking down the hall.

“Good morning Patton,” one of the stationed guards greeted.

He smiled at her and the other guard. “Good morning Kalani. Hi Owen.”

“I see you and the prince had a sleepover,” Kalani said. “Should we be planning on him not making it to his royal duties until later today?”

“Actually,” said Patton. “Maybe all day. He was feeling a little sick. Had a headache.” It was… probably true. They hadn’t slept a wink last night.

“Hmm,” Kalani said. “Maybe there’s something going around. Clover said she had a bit of a dizzy spell last night.”

“Oh,” Patton answered. Clover had been one of the two guards set to watch the door to the royal wing. At least Virgil had been telling the truth about not hurting anyone.

“I hope she feels better. I’m going to go get Logan something to eat for breakfast since he can’t come himself, so I’ll see you again in a few minutes.”

The guards nodded to him and he turned to walk down the hall. The areas around the kitchens would be pretty busy at this point in the morning so instead of taking any of the busier paths to it, he walked past the dining hall towards the guest wing and took the staircase that led straight outside. It was a longer path because he had to go around and through the garden, but it was worth not getting in anyone’s way.

Patton always did like the garden. It was pretty at every time of year. Even now as the flowers started to get sparser in the fall, it was still wonderful, and it smelt great. He took just the briefest moment to himself to splash a hand through one of the fountains with a giggle. He turned away to continue on his path to the kitchen, which is when he saw her.

“Oh,” he said softly. “Hi kitty.”

Ghost Kitty was there and stared at him briefly before taking off into one of the bushes.

“Bye kitty,” he said just as soft. He smiled even though she’d ran away because that was the closest, he’d ever gotten to her.

He continued his trek to the kitchen and snuck inside on quiet feet, hoping to be unnoticed as he went for the chilled storage box. Luck was on his side, because Mama was busy talking in hushed tones to the gardener, Mr. Deknis, as she peeled potatoes.

“Well certainly no one has joined the kitchen staff who has a child,” Mama said. “I’d know.”

“Perhaps a maid or even a guard,” Mr. Deknis suggested.

Mama was frowning. “We don’t usually hire many people towards winter for those positions. Maybe someone in the stables?”

“But he needed to get back to the castle, not to the stable hand’s lodging.”

“Well then,” Mama said. “I don’t know Jeff. I’ll ask around.”

Mr. Deknis sighed. “I should have asked him more questions, but the poor thing seemed ready to startle out of his boots, and I didn’t want to push.”

“Well if he’s new to the castle, he’s probably just a little out of sorts and nervous,” Mama reasoned.

“It didn’t seem like normal nervousness. He was…” Mr. Deknis shook his head. “Anyway, tell me if you figure anything out.”

“Of course,” Mama said.

“Also, your kid’s steeling macaroni salad for breakfast.”

“Patton!” Mama said, rounding on him. “That’s not breakfast!”

Patton shot a pout at Mr. Deknis, but he seemed unrepentant. Patton pulled his hand away from the macaroni salad. “The prince wanted it,” Patton said.

“That’s not breakfast for ‘the prince’ either.”

“But,” Patton argued, “he’s not feeling well.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Is he not feeling well or is he tired?” she asked.

“…Both?”

“Mmhmm.”

“No! Seriously mom!” Patton said. “Kalani said that Clover wasn’t feeling well this morning and she sees Logan all the time. I even convinced Logan not to do any unnecessary royal duties today.”

“Well he must really be sick if that’s the case,” Mama admitted, “unless of course he found an interesting book to read or had an idea for a new potion.”

“It’s not about a book or a potion,” Patton promised.

Mama considered him. “Fine,” she said, turning back towards the countertop. “Then give me a few minutes to make him and you a nutritious breakfast that doesn’t consist of 80% mayonnaise.”

“Pancakes?” Patton asked hopefully.

Mama shot him a look over her shoulder. “I said nutritious,” she said, wagging a finger at him. “Besides, I thought you said he was sick.”

“He’s not nauseous, mama,” Patton said. “And if you put blueberries in it, it’ll be healthy!”

“Mmhmm.”

“It will!”

“Now I know my own son doesn’t think I was born yesterday,” she said.

“Please mama,” he begged. “I promise we’ll both eat some other stuff too.”

“I don’t believe you.” Patton gave her a wobbly lip. “No,” she repeated.

“But Mama.”

“You and Logan are going to have a healthy breakfast or so help me…”

“… but Mama.”

Want to read more? Click below!

Part 7

[omnivorousshipper]

Hey Omni! I got no ideas, so free request? What’s a prompt you’ve been waiting to write?

Friend. You should never give me this much power. I will abuse it

~~~

Letty took a drink of her beer and nearly spit it back out when she saw Roman

She, Tej, and Ramsey were relaxing in her backyard while Dom was inside putting Baby Brian down for a nap. Brian and Mia and their kids would be coming around later

Roman had texted her earlier saying that he and Owen would be late, but hadn't given her a reason

Now, she was scared of what that reason was

Because, when she sees Roman, the first thing she sees is his very obviously broken nose

"Fuck, Rome! What happen?" She asked as he walked closer to where they were sitting. Without prompt, she handed Roman a beer and sent him a sympathetic look when he book the cool glass on his face

"It was just an accident." Roman shrugged

"But what happened, man?" Tej asked, curiosity peaked as well

Roman nervously looked away

"I, uh, fell."

"And smashed your face?" Ramsey asked incredulously

"Got unlucky, I guess." Roman mumbled, but still didn't meet any of their eyes

Letty narrowed her eyes and felt a creeping sense of dread go through her

Why was Roman lying?

Did something happen earlier?

And where was Owen?

Suddenly, a horrible thought went through her mind

Did Owen do that to Roman?

She felt her stomach clench awfully at just imagining Owen ever purposely hurting Roman. He loved Roman too much to ever hurt him, and Owen was never one to resort to violence with a loved one

Frowning, Letty wanted to press Roman more, but he had already changed the subject. Obviously not wanting to talk about it more

Excusing herself, Letty went inside and pulled her phone out

It only rang two times

"Shaw."

"Owen, what the fuck happened to Roman?" Letty hissed. She was standing in the kitchen and peaking out the window to watch the three outside

"What do you mean?"

"Don't give me that shit, Oh! Why is his nose broken?"

There was a small silence, and then a heavy sigh

"I broke it this morning." He mumbled quietly. And even though Letty could hear the thick layer of guilt in his voice, she could feel a quick anger rush through her

"What the fuck do you mean?!"

Another sigh

"We were in bed, and Ro was giving me a massage." He started

Letfy really hoped that was as detailed he would go with his love life

"Well, he got to my feet, and you know how he likes to joke around."

Letty firmly kept her mind out of the gutter

"He thought it would be funny to tickle my feet." Owen finished quietly

Letty blinked

And let out a loud snort

"He tried tickling you and you kicked him in the face?" She laughed. She clutched at her stomach and almost couldn't breathe

"It was an accident!" Owen snapped. "It was just a knee jerk reaction. I didn't know I had kicked him until he screamed."

Taking deep breathes, Letty should have known not to have worried

Not when it involved two idiots like Roman and Owen

"So, is that where you guys were? Getting his nose fixed?"

"Yeah."

"And why aren't you here, making him feel better?"

"He doesn't want to be around me. Not when I hurt him."

"Did he say that to you?" Letty frowned

"No, but-"

"You're a fucking idiot." Letty sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "If anything, Roman wants you here to kiss his booboo better."

"... are you sure?"

"Yes, Owen. Roman would rather you be here so he can whine and get sympathy sex from you later."

That finally got her a soft chuckle

"If you're sure."

"I am."

"I'll be there in ten."

Hanging up, Letty shook her head

Her family could be dumb sometimes, but they were hers and she wouldn't trade them for the world

~~~

I hope you enjoyed friend!

[elly-hiddlesherloki]

didn't we see stop Loki stop building falling on people i think that probably only time he got to be badass compared to Sylvie other wise it felt i been watching the Sylvie show feat loki the clown sidekick rather than the loki show, or the powerful TVA with clown slave loki, but otherwise does seem Sylvied gets be more badass etc while Loki doesn't like someone else said his a prince so what Thor was too? did people watch the Loki in Thor, Avengers etc the guy can hold his own but now he can't nhandle a bunch of humans and Sylvie is better than him but people use the excuse his a spolit prince as excuse for his sudden insuperiority etc? he was a prince in thor etc but held his own with Thor and frost giants and held his own with the avengers. they also been hammering it that it fact Sylvie is the superior Loki, it not loki's story and Loki always destined to make others look better so guess this fact rather than opinion from what we seeing. Owen Wilson also said before show aired is it when Tom said the show is called Loki says it all, it not really about Loki he just their to draw in a audience in using Tom/Loki popularity.

Honestly ain't that the truth. Hiddleston was like it's the Loki show and Owen goes "weeeelll..." I thought it was a joke. Starting to wonder if they were serious. It really does seem like marvel can't help but use Loki to prop someone else up

Sigh. I'll stay through the bitter end, I wanna see president Loki because his outfit looks cool but my hopes are nonexistent at this point. I figure sylvie will save Loki and I dunno Loki will get the snot beat out of him or watch uselessly as she does everything, or he'll do something to make it worse as the bumbling side kick.

On the bright side! We get to see more of Loki's beautiful face for another 2 hours and hear him taking and whatever other magic they include. 😀 so think of the fanfic! Because like we got Loki singing and even if that was dumb in context, it is beautiful to listen to and amazing for fanfic tropes. Cus you bet your grey sunglasses that it is my nightly lullaby.

[wonderlandleighleigh]

98 Thoughts while watching A New Hope

1. Who was that silver protocol droid? What happened to them? Are they okay? where are they now?? I bet they’re cooler than 3P0.

2. Rebel helmets are just silly.

3. I love how dirty R2 and 3P0 are. 

4. Man, Rex is right. Empire-era Stormtrooper armor is total shit.

5. Shut up Anakin.

6. Oh Space Mom. I will miss Carrie Fisher forever. 

7. Anakin fucking - he asks a question just as he kills the dude. Like- why-? Shut up Anakin.

8. Something I really love about this first movie is that Leia doesn’t do anything overtly sexily. When she gets shot, she’s literally just laid out on the floor, on her belly. It’s not meant to be hot. And even later when she’s tortured, it’s not meant to be a male gaze thing.

9. For fuck’s sake Anakin. Your daughter is standing right fucking there, and you can’t even sense it. What a dumb. 

10. R2 is like “Fuck. This place again?”  But 3P0 was created on Tatooine and he doesn’t even remember. That’s kinda sad. 

11. As Dettiot says, you can really tell that 3P0 was created by a 9 year old Anakin. Yeesh.

12. I really love the Jawas. They’re so strange, and wonderful. 

13. I wonder what R2 was thinking about when he was walking all that time by himself on Tatooine. Was he thinking about Anakin? Was he thinking about the war? Or Padme? Or Ahsoka? 

14. Man, Tatooine at dusk is beautiful, isn’t it?

15. These Stormtroopers have sand on their butts. I never noticed. 

16. I remember thinking the Jawa going “bobit! bobit!” was very funny as a kid.

17. Beru Whitesun. Former slaver liberator. Secret bad-ass. She and Owen really deserved better. 

18. R2: I cannot believe my old master’s son is leaving me the fuck behind. What the fuck is this shit. Get back here. Do you know how much I suffered for your dumb dad? 

19. Luke playing with toy ships just like Anakin did. And didn’t Obi-Wan make some of those in one continuity or another? *sad* 

20. R2: ANOTHER SKYWALKER OH GOD. 

21. SHE IS YOUR SISTER. Do NOT falling in love with your SISTER.

22. R2′s memory has never been wiped. Aside from Leia’s message, gold only knows what other recordings are saved on his hard drive. 

23. Blue milk! 

24. And Owen lying his ass of to Luke. Ugh.

25. I remember as a kid thinking that Owen was too grumpy/mean. But he’s a really good person. He raised this kid, and wants nothing more than to do right by him. Done so dirty. 

26. But Luke’s pensive moment watching the suns set is so beautiful.

27. I desperately want to know how Beru’s cooker works. I want one. It looks so cool. 

28. I want a Bantha. 

29. R2 trying to wake Luke up is such a moment. 

30. Obi-Wan’s krate dragon impersonation is amazing. I wish he’d do it more often.

31. I have feelings about his old, dusty Jedi robes.  In fact, everytthing about old Ben gives me feelings. He lost everything, and has been hiding in the desert for twenty years. 

32. “He’s searching for his former master. I’ve never seen so much devotion in a droid before.” Obi-Wan’s face is so haunted in this moment. Fuck.

33. R2: WHY YOU PLAYING YOU KNOW ME! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU

34. Owen told Luke his father sold drugs. The. Fuck.

35. “He was the best star pilot. And a cunning warrior. And he was a good friend.” *sads* 

36. Obi-Wan sat in the desert with his brother’s lightsaber for twenty years, just mourning everything that had happened. Fuck. 

37. Obi-Wan stop LYING. 

38. Obi-Wan’s face clearly says, while Leia’s recording plays, “Oh shit. All this crap is catching up to me. Again. I’ll never ever be rid of Skywalkers.” 

39. Obi-Wan has such terrible ideas. Still.

40. I just love that Vader hates the Death Star. Anakin hates the Death Star the way Steve Rogers hates Stark Tower. 

41. Aaaand bye-bye senate. I wonder if that will happen here in the US at some point if Trump keeps Trumping along.

42. Tarken and Vader’s bromance is such a thing.

43. Ha! “accurate.” “precise.” Stormtroopers. Ha. 

44. Owen and Beru’s fate is so gruesome. I was always so shocked by how much we were shown. Damn. Grim. And again, done so dirty. More Skywalker adjacent family dead. 

45. Shut up, Anakin.

46. More grim shit. Burning the Jawa bodies. 

47. Poor Luke. He lost everything that day. He thought his father and mother were both dead, and now his uncle and aunt are truly dead. So yeah. Following a weird wizard on a quest. 

48. Mos Eisley doesn’t seem dangerous. Just goofy. 

49. Alec Guinness’  delivery of the Jedi mind trick is so casual. So sly. Love it.

50. CHEWBACCA! WHAT A WOOKIE! 

51. Why does everybody hate droids??? 

52. omg. Luke tugging on the bartender’s shirt. Wtf Luke. Just say “Excuse me.” That’s so rude.

53. Obi-Wan just slicing off that dude’s arm...a little reactionary maybe? AND NOBODY DOES OR SAYS ANYTHING. 

54. Obi-Wan is so unimpressed by Han. omg.

55. Obi-Wan is just gonna hit up Bail and Breja for cash when they get to Alderaan. Dang. 

56. “I’m never coming back to this planet again.” heh.

57. Han shot first. Fuck all of this.

58. You know why her resistance to the mind probe is considerable? BECAUSE SHE IS YOUR DAUGHTER YOU DUMB ROBOT MAN. 

59. CGI Jabba is weak sauce.

60. “Even I get boarded sometimes” is the name of Han Solo’s sex tape. 

61. Luke’s poncho is so cute.

62. Leia is the best. 

63. Tarken is wearing comfy slippers.

64. The reason why even if Vader made amends with Luke, Leia will never forgive him, is right here. Not only did he torture her, but he stood back and watched while they destroyed her home. She will never be able to forgive him. Ever. And that’s legit. She doesn’t have to. 

65. I believe Chewie actually does beat someone with their own arm.

66. Obi-Wan’s smile when Han says there’s no mystical Force controlling his destiny was so good.

67. Even when there’s nobody else in the room, Vader doesn’t get to sit down. What the fuck.

68. Obi-Wan knows he’s gonna die.

69. Mark Hamill talks so fast.

(I accidentally took a nap during Leia’s rescue and the trash compactor scene. I was tired, and I’ve seen this movie so many times)

70.  Han screaming after the Stormtroopers is such a fucking mood.

71. Vader vs. Obi-Wan here...I have a lot of feelings about these two disasters fighting agai- SHUT UP ANAKIN.

72. Not only does Obi-Wan sacrifice himself to give Luke an exit, but he does so because he’s giving Anakin a choice in terms of killing him or not. He’s giving him a moment of grace here, I think. To not be an evil fuck. But uh...Vader.

73. When Obi-Wan says “You can’t win.” He’s not talking about the duel. He’s talking about over-all. Being a Sith means that he can’t win. And his “If you strike me down, I’ll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine” refers to the amount of guilt and shame Anakin will feel in killing his brother. That that will eat at his soul. And it does.

74. Vader stepping on the robes to make sure Obi-Wan is dead is hilarious in such a weird morbid way.

74. In a weird flip, Vader now has Obi-Wan lightsaber, as Obi-Wan had Anakin’s. 

75. Poor Luke. Owen, Beru and Obi-Wan all in one day. 

76. 1st person shooter time! 

77. Oh Han and Leia. My first fucking ship. So fighty. So sexy. I love them.

78. Stop flirting badly with your sister Luke.

79. ...who is Luke jealous of here? 

80. I love the HC that Vader knew about the weakness in the Death Star, and hated that fucking thing so much he never mentioned it. 

81. R2 back in starfighter with a Skywalker.

82. I swear Red Leader looks like Don Knotts. 

83. I love X-Wings so much.

84. Vader’s reflexes behind the controls of a starfighter must be fucked compared to what they were pre-Mustafar. 

85. Luke watching all these people die like “Ooh. I guess this is what Han was talking about.” 

86. Oh Tarkin. You gonna regret everything in a couple minutes. 

87. Biggs’ mustache is majestic.

88. Luke saves Wedge’s life by telling him to get the fuck out. Later, Wedge will likely sing “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.” 

89. The targeting system feels so old-timey. 

90. Obi-Wan you trained him for like 20 minutes. He doesn’t know what he’s doin- okay.

91. ANAKIN! HOw dare yOu ShoOT R2! 

92. Good job Han. <3 I actually really love Han a lot. He’s not a smart man, but he’s a pretty good man. 

93. The Death Star is destroyed, Tarkin dies, and Vader goes spinning off into space. Some fics have him traveling through time! 

94. The original trio is so pure in this movie. I love them so much. The sequels did all three of them so dirty. 

95. Leia’s necklace is so good.

96. And Luke’s Jacket is so bad. I’ve seen photos of it replaced by a brown jacket and it is so much better. 

97. Remember everybody. Rex is at the ceremony somewhere, watching a Skywalker get a medal. 

98. I love this fucking movie. 

[mirkwoodshewolf]

The city kid and the horse whisperer; Charles (Joe Mazzello Wooly boys) x reader

*Author’s note*

Okay let me first start off by saying I have NEVER WATCHED WOOLY BOYS SO IF YOU HAVE AND I GET ANYTHING WRONG, I AM SORRY!!! There’s just no way for me to watch this film unless I buy it. But I figured I give this a shot, hopefully you all like it and I’m planning on one more Charles fic in mind but until then I hope you all enjoy this one.

Warnings: drowning (just vague scene of it, not really any major details), some flirting, playful banter, teasing (platonically), and a writer who has no idea about this film other than from what she’s seen in the trailer and a clip or two of the movie.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things​

@waddles03​

@ixchel-9275​

@psychosupernatural​

@simonedk​

@dancingcoolcat​

@queensdivas​

@queendeakyy​

@kairosfreddie​

@geek-and-proud​

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​

____________________________________________________________

I watched from afar as Charles was struggling to get onto Whiskey and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.  How could someone that is related to the great AJ “Stoney” Stoneman, and not know how to ride a horse? Guess city folks really don’t get it.  I stood there with Stoney’s white stallion ‘White lightning’ as I continued to stroke his mane.

“He really is trying isn’t he boy?” he grunted as he turned his head towards me and nickered softly.  “Oh come on he’s not that bad.”

“I swear every time I hear you talk to them, it’s almost like you do have witch-like powers.” Stoney’s voice soon spoke up.  I turned and smiled at the old man who’s been the only real positive male figure in my life.

“Just call me one with Mother Nature’s creatures.” I joked.

“You know; you are the youngest rider out of Shuck and I. And Charlie there won’t really listen to a bunch of old geezers like us. Why don’t you give him some tips on riding?” I chuckled softly.

“That’s funny.” When I heard Stoney not laughing nor chuckling along, I looked back towards him and said, “You’re being serious?” his brow raised. “Stoney, he won’t listen to me. You know that right?”

“Well he’s pretty pissed off at me and Shuck doesn’t really believe he can be a Wooly boy. Besides no one else is a better rider than you. Remember how you bested them Spratt boys last year at the rodeo?” I grinned smugly, “You lasted longer than either of them arrogant little assholes did on the bull ride, a full 20 seconds.”

“Yah those boys hadn’t let me live it down ever since. Always challenging me to a rematch or claiming I was cheatin.”

“My point is, I think my grandson could do better with some company around his age.”

“You sure this is about letting your grandson learn to ride? Or are you just avoiding him?”

“He’s getting no better teacher. Hell might be good for you too.”

“What are you talking about you ole coot?”

“I maybe old and sick my dear but I know when a mare is interested in a stallion. And sweetheart you’ve been eyein my grandson the second he arrived here.” I punched his arm which made him groan.  “Didn’t I ever teach you about respect for your elders?” he teased.

“Yes but I counteract that when said elder person decides to be a busybody towards young one doing the ‘disrespecting’.” I teased back to him.  I looked back towards Charles who was finally up on Whiskey but was struggling on trying to keep him calm.  “Alright, but only because if I don’t then Whiskey’s gonna piledrive him to the ground.”

I walked right over to the riding ring and I leaned up against the fence as I could hear Charles say to Whiskey.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy. Easy. Just—hold still…..”

“He can sense your uneasiness yah know?” Charles suddenly turned towards me which made Whiskey nicker nervously.

“No offense but I have ridden a horse before, okay?” I raised my brow at his arrogant attitude before he suddenly deflated, “Okay. It was—virtual saddle. And I—don’t remember it being this high.”

“City kids and your fancy tech. You can try to make it as easy as you can or make it seem you’re really doing it but all that crap, doesn’t even come close to what people like us do.” I hopped over the fence and placed my hand on Whiskey’s strong neck and took one of the reins and whispered soothingly. “Easy big guy, steady young buck, steady.”

Whiskey’s nervous pacing soon stopped as his head touched my shoulder and the only thing that moved from him was his tail, whipping every now and then.

“Good boy Whisk. That’s a boy.” I patted his neck before giving it a gentle and soothing stroke.

“So it—it is true.” I heard Charles say.

“What’s true?” he tried to get down with ease but his foot got caught up in the stirrups.  As he tried to wriggle it out, I couldn’t help but softly smile and try to hold in my laughter.

“That you really can talk to the horses.” He said as he finally got himself free.

“Well it’s not really talking. I mean yeah it is but it’s also showing respect. These creatures have been around and helping mankind for literally millennia’s. They gave us speed, power, and companionship in a way. Cowboys in the wild west had no one but their posse, if they had one, and their horses. One thing that mankind seems to forget is how to respect those that have helped us. That’s why I always treat any horse of Stoney’s with respect and dignity.”

“But—aren’t they just animals?”

“Just because they’re animals doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings too.” I sassed at him. The two of us stared at each other as I unhooked Whiskey’s saddle. “Your grandad wants me to help you learn how to ride. So be ready tomorrow at dawn.”

“Can’t we start after breakfast?”

“No can do Yankee-doo. Besides, I needed to go out hunting anyways for Shuck, might as well give him his winnings before he nags me to next month.”

“Winnings for what?”

“Oh last month he and I had a bet on whether or not Stoney would actually have the guts to go see yah in the city. I bet he wouldn’t, so—you can pick the story from there.”

“Am I supposed to be insulted that you lost a bet because of me?”

“Don’t kid yourself city boy.” I laughed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go put Whiskey up before you do anymore further trauma to him.” I took the reigns and led him toward the barn.

“I didn’t—”

“Loosen up Yankee I’m kidding again!” I laughed as I turned my head towards him before grinning and turning my head back to continue to the barn.

The rest of the day was just helping Stoney around the farm and by the time the sunset we all sat around and had dinner before I finally decided to retire for the day.  I showered, brushed my teeth and put my hair up in a bun before finally falling asleep.

Early the next morning as soon as the rooster crowed, I woke up and stretched myself out.  I got on the first pair of clothes I could find before heading downstairs to the kitchen to see Charles asleep on the couch.  I grabbed an empty vase and filled it up with cold water.  I walked over to Charles and shook him.

“Oi get up.” He groaned tiredly and turned away from me.  Okay but don’t say I didn’t give him a chance.  I then dumped water on his face which immediately woke him up.

“What the hell!?”

“Oh good you’re awake. Get up and get dressed.”

“For what?”

“Oh don’t tell me you forgot about our riding lesson.” He groaned again as he almost went back to sleep. “You know I can dump the rest of this water right? Or would you rather have me hogtie you till you scream uncle?”

“Didn’t know you were that kinky.” He teased as he peeked out from underneath his pillow.  I blushed and turned aside before dragging his butt out of the couch.

“Just get dressed and meet me in the stable!” I didn’t once look back at him as I raced outside and ran towards the barn.

I had just finished saddling up Whiskey and now I was saddling up my stallion “Tornado”, a pure black mustang.  Few years back Stoney and I came across him after he had a nasty encounter with a mountain lion.  After chasing the demon cat away, Stoney and I took Tornado to the farm and I stayed with him and healed him up.

Now if I told you it was all trust and immediate connection between us, you’re wrong. Tornado definitely proved himself to be a pure, wild stallion.  Hell if I didn’t know any better I’d say he was the leader of his herd.  He wouldn’t even let me anywhere near him for 3 days till finally his injuries got so bad I feared he was gonna die.

So it was then I stepped in and cleaned out the injected wounds, wrapped him up and stitched him.  Every now and then I gave him peace offerings of apples and water which he gladly took. Weeks passed and he showed great improvement, of course his wild nature still stayed (and of course I was dumb enough to think I could try to ride him, got my ass whooped a few times)

Finally I knew that I wouldn’t be able to ride him so I let him go.  He raced off and never did I think I would see him again.

Until one day seven months after Stoney and I had rescued him; I was out alone scouting for the annual hog trails when the Spratt brothers tried yet another of their failed attempts to flirt with me.  After I had denied them, the youngest and most relentless one Billy got so assertive that he had the nerve to cup a feel of me.  Well I’ll have you know I didn’t take that sitting down, so I gave him a right hook so hard, I heard a crack of his nose.

Pissed and beyond angry that I had the nerve to attack his brother, Owen took me to the edge of the cliff we were on that overlooked the river and he pushed me down off the 10ft cliff.  I fell into the river and was dragged down the rapid miles away from the trail.

As the river overtook me and forced me down underneath its rapid current, I thought I was dead for sure.  But the next thing I see running up along the side of the river was a large black creature. I almost couldn’t believe it myself but I recognized that shape and pure black stallion anywhere, it was him.  The wild mustang.

I watched as it jumped into the river and actually swam after me.  He put himself between me and the rest of the current as I reached out and grabbed onto him.  He then swam with all his might against the current to get us to the shoreline before the river could sweep us away further downstream.

I almost doubted it but Tornado proved to be one strong mustang.  He reached the shore line and got me out of harm’s way. Exhausted from traveling down miles of strong rapids, I collapsed on the river’s edge and instead of him abandoning me. Tornado knelt down and stayed with me till I woke up around nightfall freezing cold.

When he noticed that I had woken up after passing out, he adjusted himself so that I could not climb up onto his back and actually ride him.  He stood up and trotted back the 20 miles back to Stoney’s farm.

Now three years later, Tornado has not left my side.  I saved his life and he repaid me back by saving mine.  After that debt was paid, we had this—incredible bond, and that is something that no one can ever take away from us.

Once I hooked him up I said to him.

“I don’t know Tornado, maybe I’m just going crazy.” He nudged shoulder and gently nibbled the ends of my long hair.  I giggled and shoved him away from my hair.  He nickered at me as he moved his head towards mine so that he and I were staring at each other eye to eye.  My forehead touching his muzzle. “You Mister are as much of a busybody as Stoney is.”

“So, are we doing this or not?” Charles’ voice suddenly rang out.  I backed away from Tornado and I said.

“Well you seem eager.”

“Not really. I just didn’t want to get water dumped on my head again.” I scoffed softly as I grinned.

“Normally I’m a bit easier when it comes to wake up calls. But you’re still not getting the hang of being here on the farm are yah? Here we wake up as the sun rises and go to sleep as soon as it sets. If not for us you wouldn’t have any of those vegetables or fruits. Nor your wooly sweaters at Christmas time, or even the milk and eggs you eat every breakfast.”

“Alright, alright I get it. So—is the black one mine?”

“Not unless you wanna get kicked across the barn. Tornado don’t let anyone but me ride him.”

“Is he picky or just clingy to you?” Tornado huffed at Charles and I saw him stomp his front right hoof in a challenging gesture.  

“Steady Tornado, steady. For your information smartass, he’s a pure bred wild stallion. He’s only ever really trusted me.”

“Why’s that?”

“That’s a story for another time. You’ll take Whiskey again, but before we ride; I’m gonna teach you the proper technique on how to mount him cause let’s face it, after yesterday—you’re gonna need it.” I walked up to him and he and I stood beside Whiskey.

I told him the proper way on how to mount a horse on the left side, how to hold the reins and which foot to step onto the stirrup before shifting your weight to fully mount the horse.  I mounted onto Whiskey so that he could properly see how it was done before I got off of him and stood on the right side of him now.

“Okay city kid, your turn. Like I showed you, hold the reins first and foremost before you even think about stepping up.” He took hold of the reins and waited a bit for Whiskey to get used to him before he used his left foot to get on the stirrup.  He counted down softly to himself before finally hauling himself over with ease and as soon as he was on Whiskey, Whisk started acting up again, this time circling around nervously.

“Okay, okay now what—hey, hey what do I do now?”

“Take hold of the reins and even them out. Don’t grip them though. If you hold them too tight, it’ll show Whiskey you’re nervous. Ease and loose.” He did as I told him and Whisky immediately calmed down his nervous circling. “Now with your legs, don’t tuck them inward. Let them come outward. Have you ridden a motorbike or anything?”

“I once went boat racing with some friends of mine one summer.”

“Okay that’s good. You know how you have your legs relaxed and your knees pointed outward?” he nodded. “Do that.” He adjusted his knees and for the first time Whiskey didn’t react at all.

“I did it. I did it!” Charles laughed happily.

“Great kid don’t get cocky yet. You just got on the horse. Now you need to learn to ride.” I grabbed my hunting rifle and wrapped it around my shoulder before I mounted on Tornado and urged him outside with both my right foot and clicking my tongue.

Charles followed awkwardly behind me, I could hear him nervously telling Whisky to slow down.

“Telling him to slow down will only make him speed up. Try not to have your legs kick him every time too, that’s a sign to him that you want to go faster. And keep those reigns even.”

“Maybe we should just give this up. There’s no way I’m ever gonna ride a horse in New York City.” Charles whined.  I stopped Tornado and turned him around and I said to Charles.

“Listen Charles; I know you think this is pointless. But out here, this is life. Best way any of us get around here is through horseback. Not everyone is automatically born a horse rider. We all had to learn, your grandad, Shuck, the Sheriff, even me. Hell I was worse than you were when I first started. But how bout I give you a little piece of advice my teacher gave me.”

“What?”

“He told me ‘(Y/n), life is like a horse itself. Somedays you’ll be riding freely like a bird in the sky. Other days it’ll haul you off and slam you smack down into the ground it’s like all your insides are busted. But it’s up to you to get back on that horse and ride on. Cause if you don’t, then you’re just sitting there in the dirt watching life go by without you. And only the dead need to do that’.” Charles looked at me in awe and he said.

“Damn. That’s—that’s deep.” I nodded. “Who was your teacher?” I smiled softly and said.

“You’re living with him.” We continued onward the trail and didn’t speak another word to each other for a while.

As the day got brighter and the sun moved higher into the sky we finally reached the entrance to the forest trail, the perfect place to get Shuck a deer.

“We’ll tie off the horses here and continue on foot.” I urged Tornado onward closer to the forest.  Charles urged Whiskey behind me, suddenly a bunch of birds suddenly flew out from the bush which startled Whiskey and the next thing I heard was Charles exclaiming as he was knocked off to the ground and Whiskey running into the forest.

I steadied Tornado and got off his back and raced towards Charles and stood over him.

“Can you move?”

“I think so.” I held my hand out to him and he took it.  I helped him up and groaned in pain as he rubbed his head.

“You don’t have a concussion do yah?”

“Yeah, my vision isn’t blurry or anything.”

“Good. Well most likely Whisk ran about several yards into the forest. He usually don’t stay scared for long when something startles him, especially if he finds something to eat.” We walked towards Tornado and I grabbed his reins and we walked into the forest.

Low and behold we soon found Whiskey standing beside a tree eating some grass and wild flowers not even a half mile as soon as we entered the forest.  I walked up to him and grabbed his reins and said to him.

“A bunch of sparrows Whiskey and you go running off like a big fat ninny!” he raised his head and allowed me to tie his reins to the tree.  I whistled for Tornado and he came up to me and allowed me to take the saddle off of him to lighten him up.

“Aren’t you gonna tie him up too?”

“He gets restless is he stays tied up. So I allow him to just roam around a bit whenever I go out hunting or we go for a ride. But he knows to stay close so that he can hear me call out for him when I need him. Like I said, pure blood wild mustang. You can take him out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of him.” I took the reins off of him and he happily spat out the metal bars between his teeth and shook his head.

I smiled and stroked up his muzzle as he nickered in gratitude before turning around and trotting off deeper into the woods.  I hung the reins over a thick branch right beside where Whiskey was tied up and took my hunting rifle off my shoulders.  Standing there for a bit I looked around and said.

“This way.” We walked Northeast for about 10 minutes till we finally reached a good rest stop near a small creek where animals would be coming for a drink. Charles and I perched up against a tree and waited.

“So—how did you become part of my grandfather’s farm?” a slight smile came at the corner of my mouth.

“That is a long story.”

“I think we got time.” I adjusted myself to fully turn towards him.

“Your grandad has been with me since all before I was born. My father used to help him out when he was growing up before he met my mom. Sadly when I was born, my mama died. Complications from the birth or something like that. After that, my dad was ruined. He drank—a lot. Then when I was—six, maybe seven my dad got the final strike when he and I got into a car accident when he was drinking and driving. After that, Sheriff put him away and Stoney actually stepped up and took me in.”

“I’m—I’m so sorry (y/n) I……”

“Didn’t know. It’s fine. I…..really don’t like to talk about it much. Never went to see my dad cause let’s be honest he never really was a father to me. I was just a visitor to him. Sometimes he’d get so drunk he’d get confused and just call me ‘little tenant’. So Sheriff did me a solid and I hold no grudge against him. Until I was told when I was 14 that my dad died in prison. I never really cared to ask how he died. But Stoney’s been good to me, as have Shuck and the Sheriff.”

Suddenly the sound of a twig snapping alerted me.  I cocked my gun and raised it up to my eye as I aimed forward towards the shrub.  Only to see a mother deer step out and a second later, her baby.  I lowered the gun and smiled lovingly as the mother deer and her baby walked towards the creek to get a drink.

“Do you—ever miss your mom?” I heard Charles ask.  I looked up at him and that’s when he said, “Sorry stupid question.”

“No it’s not stupid. And yeah. I wish I got to know her, that way I could decide for myself whether we would get along or just end up hating each other.” The reason why I mostly said that was cause I knew how Charles was towards his mom. His face immediately turned to regret as he said.

“Guess I should really rethink about how my mom’s been treating me lately.”

“Take it from me Charlie boy. Never take life for granted, cause you never know when you got something that someone else doesn’t. Be thankful that your mom is still in your life and is doing what she does because she loves you. Yeah it may seem cold at times but that’s tough love. And coming from your grandfather’s bloodline no doubt she’s a Wooly girl, just in a city environment and adapting as the times and laws change.”

It was then we both heard the chittering of squirrels just nearby.  One squirrel had a surprisingly good sized nut all to himself but there was another squirrel slowly creeping up on him wanting to steal it.

“You know if you wanna hear something really stupid. When I was a kid, sometimes I used to commentate on what an animal might be thinking in a situation.”

“Seriously?” he chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah go on laugh it up.”

“No I’m not laughing. I think it’s—kinda cute. What do you imagine those squirrels are saying right now?” I chuckled and said.

“Well the one with the nut is probably saying ‘hmm I lucked out today. Got me a really big nut. This’ll last me till winter time for sure.’ Now the one coming up behind him is saying, ‘that nut will be mine. Bucky always gets the big nuts, well not this time’.” We then watched as the squirrel behind quickly stole the other squirrel’s nut and took off running.

As the squirrel who had the nut previously chased after the thief squirrel I continued to commentate the chase scene.

“Oi Daryl that’s my nut give it back!”

“No way Buck finders keepers!”

“I found it give it back you thieving rodent!” Charles softly laughed hearing my ‘squirrel’ voices as we watched the two squirrels chase each other up and around the tree they were standing near.

Unaware that the mother deer and her fawn had left and that another deer was coming in for a drink.  This time an adult male one.

Charles and I continued to watch the squirrel’s chase each other and I continued my commentary till I stopped when I heard a twig snap.  I turned my head and that’s when the large buck and I met eye to eye.  Slowly and carefully I raised my gun back up to my eye as the buck soon took off running.

“Cover your ears!” I said to Charles as I fired the shot and the buck immediately dropped to the ground mid run.  After a few minutes of it not moving, we walked towards it and I handed him some leather gloves. “Put these on. Never know with bucks, I heard of one case where someone took a 8 pointer buck without gloves and ended up with lime disease.”

I put my gloves on as well and the two of us worked together to carry the 6 pointer buck back towards Whiskey.

After getting him tied onto the Whiskey’s back, I whistled for Tornado and within minutes he came trotting back towards us.

“Hey big guy, have a good time roaming?” he nodded as he nickered happily. “I’ll bet you did. Unfortunately though, we’re gonna have to saddle you back up boy. But we’ve done what we needed to do. Come on boy let’s get you hooked up.” I walked back to get his saddle up ready for travel.  Once he was good and ready, I mounted onto him and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

It was roughly mid afternoon when we were about 3/4th of the way back to Stoney’s farm when I stopped by the river and I said.

“Hey Charles,”

“Yeah?” I got off of Tornado’s back and I said as I grabbed the pail bucket from one of the tacks I had on him, “I just remembered I promised the Sheriff some of Stoney’s fresh river water. Think you can fill this pail up to that I can take it to him?”

“Why can’t you do it?”

“Yeah and leave you to watch Tornado? Please he’d snap you like a twig.” Tornado gave a proud huff as Charles submitted.

“Fair enough.” He got off of Whiskey and took the pail from me and jogged towards the river.  As soon as he went down, I smirked and got off of Tornado and whispered into his ear of my devious plan.  I saw Tornado blink one eye at me, like he was winking at me before he silently walked towards Charles.  Oh man was this city kid gonna get a surprise.

Tornado finally stood over Charles and he still had no idea what to expect.  Next thing he would know was something shoving him into the water.  As he fell into the river, I couldn’t help myself from laughing, while Tornado reared up and whinnied what sounded like a laugh.

“Did you tell him to do that?!” I walked towards the river’s edge wiping a tear away.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. You’re just too easy. Here, let me help you.” I reached my hand out for him.  He took my hand before he said.

“No, let me help you.” next thing I knew, I was pulled into the river right next to him. I resurfaced and saw him now laughing at me.  I splashed some water in his face to shut him up and soon it escalated into a water fight between the two of us.  

After our water fight ceased, Charles and I stared at each other exhaustedly.  The way his auburn hair shined under the sun reminded me of the reddish tint that the sunset makes especially during the summer time.  And the way his pale skin gleamed off of the water’s reflection, it was like looking into a fresh pail of milk.  The two of us continued to stare at each other till he finally broke the silence.

“(Y/n)?”

“Uhh—yeah?” I whispered softly.

“Do you……uhh��.I mean has anyone t-told you—” he stammered nervously.

“Told me what?”

“Has anyone ever told you that you have really pretty—”

“So there you two are. I was beginning to think you both decided to hit the trail and take off out of the state line.” We looked up and there on their horses were Stoney and Shuck.

“Sorry Stoney, we were just……” I started off before Stoney once again said.

“No need to explain. We can see what’s going on here.”

“It’s not like that you old coot!”

“Seems our horse whisperer has finally gotten on the horse after all.” Shuck teased. I groaned and got out of the water as Charles followed behind me.

“Here Shuck, I got you yah damned deer. My debt has been paid and now I bid you all adios.” I said as I unhooked the deer from Whiskey and dropped it at Shuck’s horses feet before going on Tornado and riding off back to the ranch.

As the day went on I avoided Charles or anyone for that matter.  I kept myself busy around the farm, caring for the sheep and of course taking care of the horses.  Currently I was brushing Tornado’s mane when I heard the voice of the boy I really didn’t want to hear right now.

“Hey (y/n).” I circled around Tornado to hide my face from him as I kept brushing Tornado.  “Are you really not gonna talk to me anymore? You’ve been avoiding me all day.” I bit my bottom lip as Tornado looked right at me with a slight huff.  He lowered his head and nudged me away from his side before finally nudging me outward so that I now stood in front of him, but also in Charles’ line of sight.

“Damn you stallion.” I muttered to my horse as he bopped his head up and down nickering and whinnying.  I turned towards Charles and I said.

“Okay. You’ve got me now. Now what is it?”

“Well when you talk like that it almost makes me not want to say it at all.” He grouched.

“Well sorry I wasted your time then.”

“What is wrong with you?” I scoffed.  “No seriously, ever since the lake you’ve gone back to the cold-hearted girl that I first met when I came here. Did I do something wrong? Cause I swear I didn’t know Stoney or Shuck would come looking for us.”

“No it’s not something you did per-say.”

“Then what is it? Tell me cause right now I’m completely……”

“I LIKE YOU OKAY!?!?”  There was dead silence in the air.  Charles’s eyes turned from anger to shock in the manner of a second.  His mouth slightly dropped as he just gawked at me.

“You….. you like me?”

“Please don’t make me say it again Charles. I—I’ve never really been interested in any of the boys in this town, but then your grandad drags you here and……I don’t know you made me feel things I’ve never felt before. But I didn’t want to be all smoochy-gooey-goo about it. That’s just real sissy stuff but I—” I was interrupted by feeling Charles grab my arms and shutting me up with a kiss.

I froze right there on the spot for a moment not even believing what was happening till finally I succumbed and kissed him back.  I wrapped my arms around his neck as I felt his wrap around my waist bringing me closer.  After awhile we separated for air, our breaths mixing in together in a warm dance.

“I—I’m sorry. I’m sorry I….I didn’t mean to do that. I mean not the kiss that I mean kiss you so suddenly, I was just….” This time I interrupted him with a kiss. This time, it was much more softer and meaningful.  I separated from him and he whispered. “Your eyes.”

“My what?”

“Back at the lake. I—was going to say you have really pretty eyes.” I smiled happily and leaned my forehead against his.  

“Thank you. No one’s….ever really said that to me.”

“I’m more than happy to say it to you as many times as you want. Hell I’ll say you have a pretty foot if you want me to.” We both laughed and I said through my giggles.

“Please don’t though. I’ll just take the ‘pretty eyes’ compliment.”

“Hate to break it to you angel, but I’m gonna add more cute body parts to compliment.”

“Such as?” he cupped my face in his hands and just stared into my eyes.

“Well I love this pretty nose,” he kissed my nose. “And these pretty cheeks,” he kissed both my cheeks, “Especially when they get red from either the sun or from you blushing.” He teased.  I poked his side which made him curl inward for a brief moment before he continued, “And those pretty lips.” He gave me a soft and ginger kiss. “I especially love your lips. They’re not all poofed up or overly coated with lipstick like the girls have back home. It’s natural, with a hint of cherry chap stick.”

“Farm work can cause chapped lips. And the cherry was the only flavor available when I first started working here. Guess it just kinda stuck.”

“Well I love it, please keep getting that flavor.” I nodded as he leaned in and captured my lips one more time in a passionate kiss.  This time I was now pinned up against the wall and I felt Charles’ hand slowly slid down my side, to my hips and slowly back around.

But before I could feel his hand go any closer towards my butt, that’s when Tornado let off a warning neigh.  Not just any type of neigh, it’s the type of neigh that almost makes a horse sound just like a demon.  Charles immediately backed up as Tornado huffed through his nose and glared at him. I laughed softly and said.

“Oh you mind your own business Tornado. I’ll bet you were way worse with the mares of your herd.” I playfully swatted him with my cowgirl hat and he walked back towards his stable but kept his eyes on Charles.  After locking him up in his stable, I turned back towards my auburn city boy and took his hand and the two of us walked out of the stable together.

“Is he ever gonna warm up to me?”

“After seeing that, probably not. But no worries, I think the only approval you’ve got to face and already gained was your grandad’s and Shuck’s.”

From that day on, Charles and I continued to grow closer and closer with each other.  He slowly improved on his farming skills and dare I say, he went from city boy to Wooly boy in a matter of a few weeks.  Never have I been more proud to call that city kid my boyfriend.

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

Everlasting Peace (Favored Ones, Part 30.)

Series description: Many things were surely fucked up in the year 2038, but no-one ever told anyone how all of it went down. What happened before a group of people left for Seattle to handle personal matters? Why did one girl refuse to leave all of it be? And why there were so many dead in the end?

Quote for the chapter: “ Now. We are one. In everlasting peace.” - Radiohead

Part summary: Finally, you were at the last stop of your journey - and just as you told Lev, you didn’t plan to let Abby die. But you also knew that you will be walking on mighty thin ice when you’ll be trying to change Joel and Tommy’s mind.

A/N: Well, we have one last chapter in front of us and it feels good to be almost finished with the series after all the hard work that went into it. But I already feel it’s dragging a lot.

Warnings: Depiction of torture, bone breaking, depiciton of blood and manslaughter, anxiety, rage, anger

Word count: 3.5 K

Tagging:   @nemodoren @xxgoldenhour @missdictatorme @davnwillcome @pickleriiick @jodiereedus22 @gladiosamicitias @tamkashi @eternallyvenus @avengerssstuff @fangirl-inthe-us @avery-miller @mikah-writes @mad-hatter-98 @sadiaafrin99 @flavorishy @gabymiller

Series master list: H E R E

Joel Miller’s playlist for the bonfire occasions: H E R E

Youtube playlists: JACKSON DAYS | SEATTLE DAYS

Seattle, day three - midnight:

You were back in the next few minutes, putting the bow safe into the boy's arms, making sure the kid's holding it. Frantically, you told him to try it out - you needed to know that no matter what happens in the next ten minutes, at least he will walk out of the situation on his own. It was a strange feeling of wicked solidarity. If everything would be going as planned, you wouldn't feel anything against the enemy. But your brain already realized that the boy is a lot of things, but lastly, he's something like your enemy. It was just a damn kid in this apocalyptic world. 

How did you plan to save Abby's life? You hadn't got a single idea. You didn't understand how could you do something as bad as saving her damn life - well, it wasn't exactly bad to save someone's life, but your brain still kept on remaining you this fucking woman sat you down on a chair and beaten you up with her friends. Just like Owen told you, you were surely losing your mind.

One thing you did know. You knew that once this will be all said and done, you needed to pack and leave the whole place at once after it. Tommy's reaction was unpredictable - this man demanded to seek your revenge even when you told him that you've already been through enough. In some way, Tommy was more or less obsessed with the goal that led you to the city in the first place. And now, when he had a chance to get his hands on a woman because of whom his leg and arm got irreversibly damaged, you were sure he wouldn't just let her go. And what Joel thought about the whole situation now, you didn't know. Whether he was just making sure you won't be hurt by Abby again or if he was caring more about himself - all you were sure of was that the man was in there with his brother... And Abby. And you also knew that he has his revolver tucked behind his belt on the small of his back.

"We'll go for her, okay?" - You whispered to Lev, hoping that somehow, no-one else will get hurt apart for Abby. - "You'll stick behind me and you won't aim at anyone. I will handle the situation since it's mine... It's my fault you're here." - You weren't sorry for what happened, not exactly. You were just sorry for Abby and Lev, let alone Mel, for coming back after you. But Lev didn't say a word, he just caught your elbow in his palm. He was a vulnerable kid - and his gaze told you everything you needed to know.

Lev could understand why did you use him as a shield against Abby. It wasn't a personal thing - you just knew that these two knew each other in one way or another and that if she cared about the boy, she wouldn't be physically able to hurt him. If you would be in that situation and someone would be holding Ellie, Dina, Joel, or Tommy under their necks, you wouldn't shoot at them under any circumstance. Abby did exactly what was expected of her, she acted just like you wanted her to react. For which, she was now paying in one way or another. - "Let's go." - You told yourself to hype your mind in some way, wiggling from under Lev's warm touch.

Abby's screams were accompanying your journey through the upper floors of the theatre. Just like before, Joel didn't see sense in hurting Mel - but it was clever to put the woman in a nearby room, showing her what could happen to her too without actually giving her some visual interpretation. The door to the room where they first dragged Abby into was opened up - they had taken her to another room. There was another unlocked storeroom at the end of the floor - and your suspicion of Abby's presence was confirmed by a low growl and a blunt blow, probably from some kind of a bat or another kind of wood. Just when you put your palm on the doorknob, you turned to the kid once more, sighing from the depths of your lungs.

"You're not going in there, we clear?" - You asked quietly, getting yourself ready for seeing Joel in action. Now, you've already seen Joel killing other human beings, yes, but you've never seen him hurting someone for the sake of torturing. - "Listen, I know you want to save Abby because she's your friend... But these men are my friends too, okay? Abby didn't do only good things and neither do we do good things, understood? I'll signal you and you'll cover me, but until then..." - "I'll be here, in cover, making sure no-one's coming." - Lev stepped away from you, nodding at you as he kneeled. By giving your bow to Lev, you showed him that you mean it with the boy. And the weapon was better than his last bow. This one was perfectly balanced and the boy could feel the wood responding to every small movement of the strings.

With that, you finally opened up the door, making both of the men inside the room freak out a bit. Tommy put a palm on his chest and Joel quickly looked away from you, having a suspicion of why you were there with them. But you stopped your gaze on beaten up Abby. You were right - they were beating her up with a wooden cue. How long was it since you talked? Half an hour, roughly an hour? You wouldn't be able to recognize her now - his face was slowly swelling, blood was dripping from a small rip on her lips, and another one on her cheek. They were just about to try something else, but to you, even the cure thing was more than brutal. Surely, they put Abby in the same position you were in when you were at Baldwin - her tugged out top was indicating that they had already punched her stomach like a punching fucking bag.

With a short sigh, you looked at Joel, making sure his back is in your reach every time. Of course, you didn't let your eyes wander down to the man's lower back. You weren't that dumb to give yourself away so quickly, since you felt Tommy's gaze on your face. So you quickly looked back at him, looking tired as ever. - "Whatcha doin' here, huh? I thought you don't wanna have anythin' common with this." - Your brother-in-law cleaned his palms, furrowing at you. Yeah, you did tell him that. - "Have you change your mind, girl?" - Tommy sighed and precisely tidied up the things laying on the table.

You knew that Tommy isn't a fucking psychopath and you were even able to understand what was most likely going on in his mind. From his point of view, this was completely understandable, basically a logical response to everything that happened in the last few months. Tommy was simply in a dark place now. Let alone he was alone for the last couple of weeks - he was alone until Ellie and Jesse bumped into him. He had nothing but a mess in his head at the moment. But that wasn't an excuse to continue the rampage. If you hadn't seen what this seeking of revenge can put you into by massacring Owen in the aquarium, you would be probably in the same mindset the man was in too.

What happened the day earlier showed how did Seattle corrupt the way you were perceiving the reality. You felt emotionless, empty, and cold until Owen made you realized what a monster you had inside your head - which, naturally, made you conclude that whatever this was, it has to stop already. You have done precisely what you wanted to do - Abby was alone, vulnerable and she quite literally didn't have anyone and anything. But Tommy didn't see it at all. Joel most likely understood both sides of the problem, but he carried on with killing Abby before siding up with you.

"I had changed my mind, yeah." - You nodded, putting your palms on your hips as you marched in front of Abby, catching her jaws in your fingers to look her in the eyes. All she did was that she gave you back a grin as the fought for another breath. - "I change my mind." - With a furrow, you looked her in the eyes and that was precisely when she saw it. The small hint of humanity, of that so-called solidarity. Funny. You were very funny.

"You deserve it, kid, come on. Let's strike back." - Tommy tried to hype you up - and to Abby's surprise, she saw the hint of unwillingness and slight despair in your face as you thought about what you should tell the man back. And because you weren't dumb and you knew perfectly that Joel registred that your hesitation, no matter how slight it was. Slowly, you let her face go, gritting your teeth as you turned to Tommy, still making sure to stand close enough to Joel.

Simply, you shook your head as you stared into Tommy's eyes without a single drop of emotion on your face. To show Tommy that you're not playing along with his small game, you crossed your arms on your chest, slowly moving in front of the woman, yet still keeping Joel in the radius. - "No-one's dying tonight. Not me, not you, not Joel, not the kid, not Mel... And certainly not Abigail." - And ever since, there was the tension building up in the air. - "This needs to stop... Right now, Tommy. It's not fun anymore." - "This was never fun." - The man answered quietly.

He was trying to figure out if you're just fucking with him or if you're for real about the words falling out of your mouth. Sure, Tommy did agree to leave Abby alone and to leave Seattle with you, but you hadn't talked about the instance of this woman coming to you on her own. This, in his eyes, was enough to reason why he was allowed to do what he came to do. - "She killed Jesse, huh? Don't you remember?" - Tommy answered. Now, Joel almost wanted to leave the room - he didn't want to be dragged into a fight going on between his girlfriend and his baby brother.

"And we killed everyone who was hinted to know her, come on. We made maybe double, even triple the damage. Jesse was my friend, yes, and I will miss him very fucking much - but death was something we all signed up for by coming to Seattle, did you forget?" - Now, you were putting up one of your mocking tones with which you tried to get a hold on the situation. And Joel could see and feel you keeping him around and keeping him close for a reason. He didn't know whether he was too afraid to move, in case he would attract your attention, or if you were feeling better when having him that close, but he more or less just leaned his back into one of the walls, waiting for the whole situation to play out. - "It wouldn't matter if I would die, if Ellie would or if we would kill the little kid who is here with Abby... The outcome would still be the same. Someone would be dead. Some life would be lost." - You tried to reason with Tommy, being grateful for the whole situation not going downhill... At the moment.

"What is your point? If I remember correctly, you and Ellie were the ones who wanted to leave. Why did you want to see this one dead, huh? Because she wants my damn brother dead, who, if I may remind you, is your lover by the way." - Tommy pointed a knife he was holding in his palm in Abby's direction, growling at you in the process. - "What were you talking about? We all knew what we were signing up for? This is what you signed up for. We're... This close to finishing it. She's here." - The man pointed at Abby once more, trying to get his point across more clearly than you did. Yet in the meanwhile, Abby was starting to grasping what in the world was going on inside the room. For some unknown reason which just... Crossed your mind all of a sudden, you were refusing to kill her for the sake of your redemption. Which was sweet and all...

Yet Tommy was a realist. Tommy had seen, talked, and worked with people who were like Abigail Anderson - who had told her cute daddy story to them as well. The woman, as soon as she would get better would come for you again... And again... And again. She would get closer and closer each day until she would slice your throat. And sure, maybe it was naïve of you to trust some strange boy, but you did put your trust into him.

"I'm kinda getting bored with you and me going back and forth, again and again, Miller." - That was all that you said just seconds before you finally revealed why did you keep Joel so close the whole time. Your palm tugged the loaded revolver from his jeans as you defused it right away, putting the barrel right to Miller's face.

This was maybe too fast and too harsh, but you didn't want to go through the same debate you've had yesterday. Your hands were shaking, yes, but there was no way Tommy or Joel wouldn't believe you that you'd shoot one of them in case anything would go off the rails. - "Because we already talked about this, Miller. What do you feel now, huh?" - You asked and moved away from Joel to keep him inside your frame as well. - "Speak or shit letters, come on."

"What the fuck are you trying to do?" - Abby sighed from under you and without hesitation, you gently kicked into her leg to keep her silent. You were most likely going crazy, who could know? But aside from that, both the men were quiet for a moment, both holding their palms up in the air to let you know they aren't armed or dangerous. - "Baby girl, that's enough, huh?" - Joel rose both his eyebrows, making the first step forward to take the gun away from you. - "If you wanna leave, fuck, let's just leave together now. But now, you're dangerous, come on, come to me." - One of his palms patted a small place next to his heart to let you know he means it. - "We've talked about it and you know I understand you. You're not a monster, are you, huh? We're goin' back to Jackson." - Sure, you almost fell for your man trying to lower your attention enough for Tommy to circle the room before taking the gun out of your palms - but suddenly, you looked at the other brother, letting him know that Joel failed with his mission.

"I understand what you're going through now, Tommy, I do. Because we're on the same page here, remember? You've told it yourself - we left for Seattle because of the same reasons. And I was at the same place you were at. I had to lose it with Owen before to everything click in place. Because I don't feel anything now. I would shoot you and feel absolutely anything. And Joel? He went just because he knew I'd get killed without him." - Quickly, you acknowledged everything Joel was doing for you in the past few days, nodding at him. Slowly, you aimed the gun into the ground - but you still let both the man know about the revolver being defused. - "Joel, yeah, he was scared of a possibility that there's someone who is after him and he was terrified of the someone coming after his family..." - Joel opened up his mouth to oppose you, but you just gave him a tired look. - "Shut up, will you?

And I thought I was coming here to kill this woman, but... That isn't it. I came here for a conclusion. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't walk, I was messed up. I didn't realize what I was doing... How many lives I've impacted and fucked up by killing one person - let alone how many I ended up killing in the end. This isn't a solution. Killing Abby won't make you feel better. It won't make you forget about what happened. It won't heal you, it won't do shit." - Now, you finally fused the gun and defused it right away, playing with it as you spoke. - "You don't know the last thing about me or him, girl. So don't try to play someone who knows everythin', will you?" - Tommy answered to make concentrated on something else, while Joel watched your fingers on the fuse of the gun. - "Forgiveness will free you. I swear." - You promised, looking at your brother-in-law. And just at the moment when you fused the gun again, Joel quite literally ripped it out from you.

You watched the man dragging you from his brother, holding his arms around you as he did so. All he was trying was to stop you from freaking out. But the tighter he held you, the more you try to wiggle out - at least, the gun fell on the ground, so Joel's baby brother wasn't now in danger. Joel was telling you something, but you were still gritting your teeth, trying to push him off of you. You wouldn't be able to walk out of the room and look Lev in the eyes if they'd simply murdered Abby.

"And you? What is even on your mind, huh?" - You got out when you finally calmed down enough to just hang from Joel's arms which were circled your chest. - "Go on, Joel, speak. I hadn't heard any of your thoughts in the past few days... I had heard some, but now, you have time so speak." - Finally, you felt the man letting you go. But he was just staring back at you. Tommy stayed quiet in the corner of the room, watching it playing our while Abby was slowly gaining back her strength to at least breathe.

"I see, Miller, I see." - You nodded before putting your palm on his heart, concentrating on the rhythm of his heartbeat to feel it. It was calming you down most of the time - but this was a definite exception. Jesus, you couldn't believe that you're about to sink so love. Emotional extortion as the last source was maybe too far and very lame too, but honestly, you didn't know any other way to stop this from happening. - "Lemme tell you this... Yea? If she dies, we're done here." - And as far as it seemed, you seemed to be serious.

This dirty move threw Joel off the rails. Usually, he was the one using emotions as extortion. He used emotion as an excuse for murdering a whole hospital of Fireflies, he used emotion to still keep the relationship with Ellie alive. Joel was an emotionally abusive person when it came to him being threatened in some way - he proved this time of his persona time after time with Ellie and the Fireflies. But never had happened that someone would be as smart as him, pulling the emotional card as well. But you were standing in front of him, staring him in the eyes, showing him that you can pull out the same card as he did. - "This is just fuckin' ridiculous. You can't be serious." - Tommy called you out on the shitty, shad move - about which you knew is shitty and shady.

But if you had at least one chance with saving Abby, you needed to direct the chance on Joel. He was the one you had to put pressure on -mainly because Tommy was already knee-deep in the shit he was doing. But as you were looking at each other, Joel knew that you were perfectly serious. - "You can be better than you are now, Joel. Come on. Walk away from it and let her live. We proved ourselves and Abby has two, almost three, people to protect now. And these people will die if you kill her. Think about that. Now, it's on you." - You pulled him in for one last kiss, not knowing how it plays out as you were leaving the room and Seattle as a whole.

[nellie-elizabeth]

Grey's Anatomy: Leave A Light On (16x16)

Okay so what the hell went down between Justin Chambers and the show-runners, that this had to go down this way? Wow.

Cons:

So yeah, I'm not happy about this. Izzie? Seriously? Listen, I can appreciate that they were backed into a corner because Chambers left so abruptly. Was that even his voice in the voice-over, or just a sound-alike? I'm not entirely sure. But come on. If you'll indulge me for a moment, here's how I would have re-worked this:

After being thoroughly ghosted, Jo receives a letter or voicemail from Alex explaining that he talked to Izzie, found out he has two five-year-old kids, and flew to Kansas to meet them. He intended to come back and talk to her about it, but he got swept up. He wants her to come to Kansas, to move there so they can be closer to Alex's kids. Jo is understandably furious that Alex just up and left without talking to her, and demands to know why Izzie and the kids can't move to Seattle, then? Why should they have to disrupt their lives/careers? But Alex is insistent. Izzie and the kids have a good set-up, he doesn't want to ask them to move. Jo, hurt and confused, decides that for the sake of her marriage, she at least has to go over there to talk to Alex in person. So Jo leaves, and for the next two or three episodes, she's gone while we follow other characters' stories. Then, abruptly, Jo comes back. She shows up on Meredith's doorstep and hands her a letter. Turns out, Alex isn't coming back.

We find out, partially through Alex's letters to Meredith, Bailey, and Richard, and partially through Jo explaining things to Link over drinks, what happened. Jo went there, and saw how happy Alex was with the kids. She wanted to imagine her life there with him, but she couldn't. She kept trying to talk to him about making a joint decision for their future, but it occurred to her pretty early on that Alex wasn't willing to compromise. He had already made his choice. He chose his kids. Jo realizes something else, too. Even if they can't see it, Alex and Izzie are already acting like a couple - seamlessly co-parenting and making compromises and accommodations for each other. Heartbroken, Jo realizes that it's not just the kids that Alex has fallen in love with. She decides to go back to Seattle. She hopes Alex will come back for her, will figure out a solution, but she knows in her heart of hearts that it's over.

Life moves on, and eventually we learn from Jo that she and Alex have been talking on the phone, and that Alex is sending over divorce papers. The future of Alex and Izzie's relationship is left uncertain - we know that Jo thought there was something between them, but maybe they just stay friends and parent their kids together without getting back together. Who knows.

And... curtain call. Justin Chambers can come back to play Alex in cameo roles in future, and while Jo and Meredith et. al have every right to be furious with him for taking off and lying to his wife about where he was, we no longer have this bullshit scenario where Alex cheated on his wife and instantly fell back into something with Izzie without even trying to make his relationship with Jo work while still having a relationship with his kids.

It wouldn't be the perfect solution, but by god would it be better than what we were given here.

If I can just break down a couple of the ways Alex's character has been assassinated by this decision? We already had Alex deal with the Izzie drama. There wasn't any unresolved tension there. He got his closure. He loved Jo. For the show to manufacture this idea that all along, Alex was looking for an excuse to get in touch with her, is such obvious bullshit. He straight-up told Jo he didn't need to call Izzie, didn't want to. We saw that in a flashback during this episode. And yet we're supposed to believe that's all bullshit? Come on.

Also, there's that heartbreaking scene at the end where Zola wants to show Uncle Alex her science project, and Meredith has to explain that basically the only remaining male authority figure in Zola's life, the man who wanted to have family breakfasts with Meredith and her kids every week, has up and left without saying goodbye, and with no intent to ever come back and visit. Alex's letter talks about how he has kids, and how he loves them so much, and how he hopes someday Meredith will come to meet them and they will call her Aunt Meredith. With absolutely no irony. Alex, you have Zola and Bailey and Ellis. And I know this show tends to forget about the kids a lot of the time, but still. Alex's whole thing is how he's this screw-up with a heart of gold, and one of the main ways of illustrating that is through showing his behavior around children. He abandoned Meredith's kids. He straight up abandoned them, and it sucks.

I liked a lot of the bits and pieces from some of the letters, to be honest, but Alex's letter to Jo was mostly just a slap in the face. He loves her, and tells her straight-up that if it was a matter of Jo vs. Izzie, he'd pick Jo. But because of the kids, he wants to stick with Izzie. And his rationale here is that he and Jo both know what it's like to grow up in these broken homes without stable parents. Bull. Shit. If they had gone with my scenario above, I could forgive this. Of course Alex wants to be around his kids that he just found out about. And I could even understand not wanting to move them to Seattle. But to just decide, right off the bat, that he has to abandon his marriage in order to make that work? That is not the Alex Karev I have watched grow and develop over sixteen seasons. All of his language, about how Jo is so great, how she deserves better, how Alex loves her... gross. And he has the audacity to thank her for "fixing" him and helping to make him a better person. Gross gross gross. This should have been different. This should have been this messy thing, where Jo and Alex try to make it work, but it falls apart gradually over time. They could have given us that, and not turned Alex into an utter dickhead.

And then there's the Izzie of it all. Say what you will about her character, about the way she left Alex... she's still supposed to be a human being. She was still a character that we followed for many years, that we saw through heartbreak and triumph. And her voice here is completely erased. She didn't contact Alex when she used frozen embryos to create his children. That's a little bit unforgivable all on its own. But she had her reasons, and then one day Alex calls her out of the blue, and suddenly she's like - yes, come move here and live with me and leave your wife and be a father? What does she think about all this? Does her opinion here hold no weight? This sucks and I hate it!

I feel like I could go on and on. But I do want to include a "pros" section here, and talk about some aspects of this that I didn't downright despise.

Pros:

I don't mind that they did the flash-back clip show thing. If Justin Chambers couldn't be here, it was the best they could do. And it was fun/infuriating to see Alex's character over the years, to see his romances with Izzie and Jo, to see his friendship with Mer, the mentorship and trust that grew up between him and Bailey, and him and Richard. It was a smart move to narrow the focus on just the characters that matter in the long-run to him. The episode wasn't cluttered with Maggie, Amelia, Owen, Teddy, etc. and their nonsense, or any of the other secondary characters. Their stories will have room elsewhere. This was for Alex, and I did appreciate that.

Here's something I will say: I don't hate the outcome of this ending for Alex. The thought of him being there for his kids is absolutely beautiful. I actually started crying a few times during the letters, especially the one to Meredith. He's describing how when he first met his kids, they pulled him immediately into their room and wanted to show them all their toys. And he's so awed and honored that he gets to provide stability and comfort to these two people, when he himself grew up without that. So did Izzie. So did Jo. The episode did a good job of acknowledging that, and of setting up why the idea of Alex having a stable life with a good career and kids to dote on, is the proper ending for his character. The endgame is on point. The path to get there is where I have serious, serious issues (see above).

I also liked how they managed to tie Alex's ending in to the existing story-lines with both Richard and Miranda. We'll doubtless see Jo (and possibly Meredith) dealing with this in a more direct way as the weeks go by. But for the two people who mentored Alex, who raised him, we see how much he affected them, and how much they truly cared for him. For Richard, there's a sense of betrayal. At a meeting, he talks about how much being a surgeon and being a teacher has meant to him. And he can't understand Alex giving up everything he's worked for, all for the sake of a woman and his kids. But on the flip side? He didn't get to know Maggie growing up, and he can't honestly begrudge him his decision. I liked the complexity of his reaction here, how he can understand, and still be angry.

Bailey, meanwhile, thinks about all of the struggles Alex went through, and how much dumb luck was involved in him turning in to the person he is today. He was a smart, capable young man who could easily have been lost to the world, wandering and aimless. Even though he ended up happy and successful, it isn't right that he had to work so hard to achieve that, without support. She wants to offer stability to Joey. Ben is in agreement - I like that Bailey's decision to take Joey in didn't start a whole avalanche of drama between the two of them. They've been through enough. I also really appreciated them talking about their communication issues. Both of them have the problem of hiding big, important things from one another. Bailey's heart-attack, Ben's career change, and now Bailey's decision to adopt Joey. But they are both all in, ready for whatever craziness comes their way. And now Joey is a part of their family, which I quite enjoy!

So that's... that. Jo deserves so much better. And Alex deserves so much better. Hell, Izzie deserves better. Without Justin Chambers, there was no satisfying way to end this character's run on the show. Even with him, it would have been difficult to pull this off. But this final result? Ugh. It does such a disservice to one of the most brilliantly developed characters on this show's entire long run. I'm pretty sad about it, to be honest.

4/10

[thisartemisnevermisses]

Going Under 9/12

Paring: Mostly Steve Rogers x Reader; little Clint Barton x Reader

Warnings: angst, fluff, out of character acting, probable smutt in later chapters, sad reader, broken, sweet ending.

Summary: You work as head oversight for the Avengers. After a party and a little kiss, you start crushing on Steve. Only an event from you’re rookie years, is sabotaging the possibility of your crush to evovle into something more.

A/N: So were back at the beginning, were it all started in chapter 1. We finally get to know who’s behind all those lies.

Chapter 09: Kill my pain

Your brain is working overtime. It takes little time for you to put the last piece of puzzle together. "Bucky, every mission that went wrong, she was there. Sharon was there. All those missions were in commission of the CIA, of HeR. She wasn't blond in Nevada, because she had been undercover. But she was the second blond on the scene. Lorelei didn't mean you, Steve, she meant Sharon. She’s behind all these sabotages, there’s no other way."

“Steve, what do you think, your very quiet at the moment”, Bucky looks at his friend, a defeated pose forming his body. His head hanging, fist clenched and barely able to hold back the tears. “Hè, Steve, wallowing in self pity can wait we need to solve this, if its true that Sharon has set this up, we need to fix this and clean y/n name.” Bucky shocked Steve’s shoulder.

Looking up with tears in his eyes, he speaks with a hoarse voice,”I'm sorry, I know it’s not enough, but it’s a start. Y/N, I’ve been such a fool. I offended you just hours ago. I feel dumb and such an asswhole. PLease let me make it up to you,” he pleas.

 “Everyone, I would like to start with the meeting”, Tony announces. “As you all know. Our last few missions have had a lot of collateral, in ways we couldn’t imagine”, he continued looking at the faces of his team. It was clear to see that there was a rift between the fieldactive team, known as the Avengers and the analytic team. Each team, sat at one side of the table, creating an invisible border.

“Maybe some people need to do their job better”, Natasha snapped looking at you and your team. You met her Eyes, giving her a warning look, but she wasn’t impressed. “Please, don't do that. It’s inappropriate and disturbed the meeting. Where one team, please keep that in mind”, Tony warns and hands the plans out. “Y/N, you’re up.” “As you can see the overview of the area isn’t changing. There’s a little village nearby, so be aware of travelers. As for the people we’ve been montering, they have pattern –“ you start, but get interrupted by Steve. “It’s the same way you've prepared all those other missions. How can you be sure that this approach works? How can you be so sure, that this mission won't backfire. Do we come back alive, all of us ?”, Steve asks, emphasising his words. Crossing his arms, giving you a questioning look. The grin on Sharon’s face stands more out, than Steve’s staring. How you would love to wipe away that grin.  

“I can assure you that this is the best way for preparing such operations. I would suggest that you look at the bigger picture. You focus on the 4 missions that went wrong, but it’s almost 2 years that we work together and had multiple missions that were a success, with little to no damage”, you counter back at Steve, who’s taken back by your words.

“Steve, let her do her job, she is trying as best as she can. She just gives information, what you do with it on the field, is your decision. You’re the Captain”, Sharon reminds him while giving you a fake smile. Was she indirect trashing you, the grip on your tablet thightens.

“Excuse me, who do you think you are. We don’t just give information, we make sure you have a save mission, multiple ways out, a backup plan for extraction, make sure no civilians get hurt in the process, we are just as many hours up as you. Sure we don’t stand in the field, but we are you’re extra pair of eyes..”, Owen snaps at Sharon.

“Well, how’s that been going.” Clint snaps back. “Look at those missions, we didn’t come back safe, we had wounded team members, a lot of people dying.” he adds his voice raising at the end.

“Look, out of the 60 missions we’ve had you only complain about the four that went wrong. In my opinion that means that 56 missions did go as planned,” Lexi counteracts.

“Those four cost us more, then we gained all those 56, Lexi. You remember, Rumlow, how wounded were our team members, how many civilians died? What about Lorelei, we almost lost Steve and Clint to her”, Sam argues.

“Maybe, some people need to focus on their work, instead of pursuing other teammates”, Natasha remarks, eyeing you. Do you really have the energy to react to that remark.  Nearly two years are you listening to those snarky comments, walking on eggshells and hoping they would ask you your side of the story. When Steve showed interest in you, you hope things would change. But he soon joined the rest of his team.

“WHAT!, she isn't the one pursuing someone, they pursue her! I don’t know what you think about her, but it sure doesn't add up to her but it sure doesn’t add up to her personality. She does her job with the most precision I've ever seen. It’s like she got a sixth sense when it comes to analyzing all the conditions. Her workethick is spot on, her moral compass points the right way, knowing what her strong points are and when to delegate it to someone else. She stays up longer then any of us, she doesn’t sleep until everyone’s save. Your image about her is wrong. Tainted with lies that someone started. What kind of hero’s are you. You’re no hero to me!” Callie angry spoke.

“Hearing you speak of her that way, makes me think you slept with her to. Maybe she got bored and decided to check off the Avengers. Starting with Clint, soon followed by Steve. If we let her, she’s soon in another one's bed.” Wanda snickered.

“You take that back this instant, you make her sound like a slut. Which she is not, not even close. I feel sorry for you thinking that way about someone. Someone who makes sure, your come back alive“, Avery proclaimed

“Let be honest, she slept with Clint, she kissed me, more than once.She made mistakes, more then once, it even caused much collateral and endangered our team. Steve spoke, not even taking a glance at you. You were staring at him, it wasn’t you who initiated the kiss, but him, all those times it was him. Not once did you dare to believe you were worthy for him. Always believing, he was still in love with Peggy.

“There are two in this game. If she ignited the kiss, which I know she didn't, you could have declined and say no if you didn't want to. But I know well that she didn't do it they way you make it sound. That’s very low, it’s beneath the belt, SteVE.” Lexi shouted.

“Well, beneath the belt is something she’s good at”, Natasha smirked, “I think it’s for the best if she left. Seeing that she was involved with Clint and Steve, who knows,

who she will choose next. It’s the team that is falling apart because of this”, Natasha smirked.

“YOU WHAT!” Owen screams, slamming his fist on the table and tipping the chair. With a loud noise.

Tony stands beside you, eyeing your reaction. Thankfully you had listened to Fury and told him the whole story, as soon as you started. He knew what was going on, he even offered to investigate the rumor and speak to his team, about handling the situation.

You had declined it, you didn't want him to interfere and make things awkward. Beside you didn't think that something from your past would hunt you down here.

So you started working and dealt with the situations as they came. Only dealing with them, became more difficult each time. It started out with a glare, but soon evolved into snippy remarks and insults. Living in the compound had become difficult and you tried to go them out of their way, changing your daily routine as much as possible. But resently it had infiltrated your meetings and missions, made working together  nearly impossible. Now a simple briefing, had ended in a fight. Your team against the Avengers.

Standing in front of the bickering crowd, you zone out. You’re done, you can’t deal with it anymore, why do they make it so difficult for you. All you want to do is your job, make friends, maybe even find love. Deciding you don’t want to stay any longer in this room, you lay your tablet down and walk out of the door.

The only person who notices you gone, is Bucky. During this whole meeting, he watched you and your reaction to all the insults and accusations. When you were guilty of all those things, you hadn’t reacted the way you did. You had shot down, didn’t interfere nor answered back in defence, the look on your face said enough. You were tired of the constant walking on eggs, it was time that someone finally listened. With a loud shreesh of his chair, Bucky stood up. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to talk to her”, Bucky announced and walked out the room, slamming the door shut.

The elevator pinged, seeing Tony step out, makes you relieved. Earning a questioning look from Bucky and Steve. "Sweetie, got finally Those two Dorks to listen to you." Hè smiled. "What? You knew about this all the time?", Steve asked agitated.

"It seems I was the only person ready to listen to her. When Fury assigned her to us, he made sure she had someone to talk to”, Tony answer back, an edge to his words.

“My team and Tony kept me standing in all this ruckus”, you swallow hard, trying not to spill anymore tears. “Seeing as nobody would listen to me and kept believing all the lies. And only a few hours ago, you were yelling at me." You look at Steve, guilt and remorse all over his face. “So let me make this clear, you knew all of it?” Steve looking surprised at Tony. “Yes, Steve. I knew all of it”, Tony looks at him, questioning the intelligence of the super soldier at the moment. “That she slept with Clint, too?” Steve asked, trying to define all.

"Yes, STeve, I would advise her to sleep with other people, then birdboy, but yes" Tony raising his eyebrows, getting a small laugh from you. Hoping Steve would stop asking stupid questions. “Why didn't you interfere with what was happening?”, Bucky interrupted Steve who was going to ask another idioot question.

“Because she asked me not to." Tony looked at you. Steve and Bucky turned towards you. "Why y/and?", they simultaneously asked. “Tony knew the whole story, everything Steve, even the little things”, the way you look at Steve shuts him up instantly. “I wanted him to be the person I can comfy in and discuss with what was happening. After the Rumlow-mission and the diagnostics came out clean, we figured there had to be something else that causes this. When Callie found those emails we were sure someone within the team was sabotaging. It wasn’t until Lorelei that we figured it had something to do with me. Seeing that both you and Clint were the only persons she went after. All we have to do is figure out, who is behind this. Putting the pieces together, it looks like Sharon was the one, but I don't know for sure.." you look at the men in front of you. “You think she started that rumour of you and your promotion too?”, Steve asks, looking at you. “Theres only one person, who really knows that. I don't think he’s ready to talk about it", you shrug your shoulders. “I think I am", a voice behind Tony, startles you. Stepping out of the shadows is Clint. Nobody has noticed him exit the elevator. “I am ready to talk, y/n”, Clintlooks defeated at you. “Y/N, as I told you a while ago, I’m truly sorry for this. I was foolish to believe her and let her ruin the friendship we could have had. For some reason she has something against you. With her, I mean....Sharon Carter”, Clint swallows, looking straight at you, hoping you would see the sincerity and truth in his eyes.

[blogging-not-my-forte]

ok so like, dont hate me 4 sending a lot (you can leave some out if you want) but for the character thing: Noah, Eva, Izzy, Trent, Courtney, Owen and Alejandro

Don’t worry about it Dude! I love babbling on about these dumb kids! 

I, However do hate that this is the second time I had to write this, because Tumblr Hates me, and Life is Pain!

I hope this is as good as the first one I wrote, or at the very least, I hope you aren’t disappointed by my answers.

NOAH

How I feel about this character: Noah is definitely my favorite TD character! It is, however, important to note that I hate him and his dumb mean face. It’s also important to note that, in spite of being, just the worse, I do love him with all of my heart. I cherish him, and he does not deserve it.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Nowen is the OTP, but I also really like one sided Alenoah! I think there are quite a few moments in WT that suggest our boy got a crush! Most notably that little smile he gives in “Newf Kids on the Rock” when Alejandro helps him out of the water. I also think he had a short lived Crush on Cody after the Kiss, that he will take to his Grave. I just really like the Idea of this Cynical Boy getting Crushes and being mad about it.

My non-romantic OTP for this character:  noah.... an eva... r.... frens...

My unpopular opinion about this character: OK so originally I had two things here, one of which being that he sucks, which is true, but I feel  like people already know that. So instead I’m going to share a headcannon that I’ll die by? Which is kind of an opinion? 

So basically, I HC that Noah Loves physical affection, but he also Really Cares What People Think Of Him, so he, like, denies his want for hugs. But, the thing is, he can’t help himself when sleeping, and he has a tendency to cling to the nearest thing. Which is why we usually see him sleeping with his arms wrapped around himself, and when we see that he didn’t do that we next see him wake up wrapped around someone. This is also why I think he hugged Bridgette back in WT after Courtney Suggested they huddle for warmth. I think ya Boi weighed his options and figured this would be the best time to get some of that sweet sweet Physical Attention That He Craves that also comes with a believable and simple excuse. I would even go so far as to say he picked Bridgette specifically  because she’s Nice and Chill, and he figured she wouldn’t make a big deal out of it (But his plan doesn’t work how he intended, since Bridge is on Edge cause of Alejandro.) I also think this is one of the things He likes about hanging with Owen; because Owen lives and Breathes PDA, so Noah doesn’t have to embarrass himself by asking for hugs, he just has to wait until Owen does it by himself and pretend he’s upset by it. 

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.:  I really wish he had character Development? Like  actual  Character Development. So, in Island and World Tour, he’s just a sass boy. His only purpose really was comic relief, and he does his job well. But RR rolls up and he’s not the same boy? Like he’s still Noah, he still say’s things he would say, and like he’s just grown up, but like, we don’t see that? We don’t see  Noah Change, we’re just told he did? I mean I guess there’s a  Little,  and I mean  LITTLE, bit in WT, with how we see he loves his dog, and the subtle way he treats Owen. Like he’s still being kinda mean, but it’s always softer with Owen in WT, or with a level of fondness that you know he didn’t mean it to be Rude (Which was a good move, I think, because the Idea that Owen and Noah have very different ways they show affection is very good.) But that really isn’t??? Anything???  And it doesn’t help that the RR’s explanation for his change isn’t even that he’s grown over time, no, the change is hand waved away with, “Oh, well he’s in love Now :)” Like???? There’s a lot wrong with that, but let’s focus on how we can make this boy’s conclusion better and more satisfying. 

So first, instead of falling for Emma immediately after she does some flips (Which???? You tellin’ me, Local Lazy Boy, who won’t Even Watch  Dodge Ball let alone Play it, is turned on by some Flips??? Falsehood.) We have Owen and Kitty become friends due to their similar fun loving and friendly personalities, which causes the two teams to be around each other more. At first Noah and Emma hate it, but then they start complaining about their partners, which leads to jokes, which leads to “Oh, wow, they’re smart.”, which leads to Respect, which leads to talking about more personal stuff, which leads to Friendship.(And, I guess if Fresh really wants a smooch, it could end in romance, but it’s not Necessary.) And then audience get’s to watch Noah let down his wall of snark and let another person into his life, which would of been more rewarding. (Also, it would be Better for Emma this way to, because her Arc would be about trusting people again after her break-up) 

EVA

How I feel about this character: Eva is very  Good. I really love her competitive personality, but the little moments are the ones that kill me. The ones where she’s with her friends, and you get this feeling that Eva is just A sweetheart Who cares a lot about things?? That’s the best.

All the people I ship romantically with this character:  Evzy is adorable. I love the Idea of them meeting on the Playa de Losers, and Eva being absolutely smitten with Izzy, cause she’s strong and athletic, but also filled with all of the energy and is just a blast to be around. I have this headcannon that when we see them hanging out at the beginning of Total Drama Drama Drama Drama Island, I think Eva joined the Marshmallow/Burping contest to impress Izzy, and was really disappointed that she could only do 37. But it’s fine because Izzy loves her buff Girlfriend anyway

My non-romantic OTP for this character: eva..... noah.... fren...

Ok, I’ll give a little more on this, but only because their friendship is a hill I’m prepared to die on. So, I think that they bonded on the Playa, being the 2nd and 3rd people out, they had a l lot of time to get to know each other, and at first their friendship was more just a solidarity between to people who hate people. But then they started sharing insults with each other, until it grew into the two of them sitting back on the Playa, far enough from the other Losers where they couldn’t hear them, but close enough to see the others, and just do insulting voice overs? Do you know what I mean? Just talk over what the other were saying, and laughing together at what they came up with? I think that’s nice. I also think that when all of Team Escope + Owen get together to hangout, they do this, but it started with Eva and Noah.

My unpopular opinion about this character: I don’t know if this is unpopular or not, but I think when it comes to her friends and others she cares about, Eva is a Sweetheart. Like she’s still very irritable, but she does her best, and she loves her friends and I think that’s beautiful.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Eva deserves more Screen time. I think she has so much potential, and the little we’ve been given is already really good. I think they cold have gotten another season out of her where we could watch her build and solidify relationships. (I’m actually working on a rewrite of TD, because apparently that’s what I think of as fun, where Eva is in the final two of Island and has this whole arc about making friends and letting people in, and that should happen but for real.) 

IZZY

How I feel about this character: Izzy was one of Baby Me’s Favorite Characters, but as time has gone on I’ve Kinda out grew her? I still LOVE her though, especially her Interactions with others.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Baby Sky would of Sworn by Ozzy, but now I feel they work so much better as Friends. However Eva and Izzy are In Love.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Though Izzy and Noah’s friendship is something precious to me, Izzy and Owen are BFF’s. Like they’re the kind of BFF’s that when together, their brain turns off and they go and do the dumbest stuff and have a blast doing it! I think I would go so far as to say that they’re soulmates with how well they go together.

My unpopular opinion about this character: This probably isn’t unpopular, but What Is That Girl Wearing???? She’s Active and Outdoors-y, She wouldn’t wear that??? Where did she even get that??? I strongly disagree with her outfit.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon:  I wish they showed more interactions with Eva and Noah. The three of them go together really well, and when they’re together you can really feel the friendship. My favorite example of this is in TDWT episode Slap Slap Revolution, where Alejandro Put’s Noah in charge of Izzy, and when it cuts back to the two Izzy is just carrying Noah around??? Like??? That’s so Cute??? I would have loved more stuff like that.

TRENT

How I feel about this character: Oh???? Good Boy Time??? I’ve always Really liked Trent, and I will die mad about what they did to him >:(

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Gwent will always be cute. Trody however has cleared my skin and saved my Crops. I’m Flourishing. I can’t quite put my finger on why I like them together? I only just started shipping them, and  there is so few fanworks with them, but they are adorable which is basically my only criteria. 

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Honorable mention goes out to the Drama Brothers, who are all friends, and it’s very good. However, ya boy’s Best Friend is definitely Gwen. I think post breakup, they make up and continue a friendship that is similar to what they had on Island sans wanting to smooch. I just feel like the two can talk for hours about absolutely nothing.

My unpopular opinion about this character: I Like the Nine Thing, It’s not That Bad.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: I wish if they were gonna give Trent the 9 thing, that they introduce it in Island? Like in “Not Quite Famous” Gwen Catches him doing it before auditioning and asks what it was about, and he’s embarrassed but he shares with her anyway. And he does it again before preforming and it get’s established as a thing he does when nervous? Like he would do it other times throughout the show, but one that’s coming to mind is when Lindsay makes him the Puffer fish, he could tap his fork 9 times before eating it. Stuff like that.This is also stuff in my rewrite, oops.

COURTNEY

How I feel about this character: Oh! Good Girl Alert! I think Courtney is very cool. Sure, she’s a little High Strung and Intense, but that’s what makes her Courtney!

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Duncney is very cute when you ignore Him Cheating and Her wanting to change 47 things about him. But like, when he’s looking at the stars and asks if Gwen thinks Courtney is looking at the same stars??? That’s adorable. Gwourtney, also seems cute, and I might ship it more after I watch All-Stars! Heather and Courtney seem cute to, and so does Bridgette and Courtney...  Courtney is good in ships, is what I’m saying.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: My gut was Telling me to say Bridgette, but then I got punched with the Thought of Emma and Courtney being Friendly Law Rivals and..... Emma and Courtney are Friends. I think that they’re similar in a way that would cause them to butt heads, but I feel like their relationship would have a lot of respect and understanding to where they wouldn’t stay mad at each other for very long. I also think they’d agree on a lot, and just really enjoy their conversations with each other.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Honestly?? I’m pretty sure all of my opinions of Courtney are pretty run of the mil? Maybe after finishing my Re-watch of WT and finally watching AS I’ll have opinions that people would want to fight me on, but as of now, I got nothin’.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: Courtney is such a hard worker, and she’s also really smart and determined. She definitely should have made it to the final two in a season, and I feel like the reason she wasn’t was because she stopped being Courtney, and became  Courtney, Duncan’s Girlfriend; or Courtney, Duncan’s Ex; or Courtney, the one with a Strained Friendship. She didn’t get a chance to be her own character. Maybe that’s an unpopular opinion? Maybe I could have put that above this? Who Knows.

OWEN

How I feel about this character:  *GASP* Here Comes another good Boy! I really love Owen, even if I don’t always appreciate how they use him. 

All the people I ship romantically with this character:  He loves his little Buddy So much :’)...... He wants to Top His Honor Roll :’)......... He wants Noah to be his Hero (Which he already is). :’)........ Noah Helps him with his fear of Flying :’)....... And Owen helps Noah come out of his shell and not be afraid to be himself and have fun:’)..... They..... They love Each other so much :’)

My non-romantic OTP for this character:  Owen and Izzy are BFF’s! Owen Loves Izzy SO much, and I think he definitely misunderstood all of his love as Romantic at one point, and when he realized he didn’t like her that way he didn’t want to say anything at first because he does love her and he didn’t want to hurt her. Which is not the right choice, but he’s such a good Boy :’)

My unpopular opinion about this character: I don’t think He should have won Island. I think there were other characters who were trying harder than Owen, and who wanted to win, as apposed to Owen who just wanted to have fun and Make friends. Which there is nothing wrong with that, and I do think he should of made it far, but I think there were other characters who deserved the win more. I think a better end for Owen in Island would have been, instead of the Losers repeating Leshawna’s Name, they do that with Owen’s. I think this would of been a nice end for our boy, because all he wanted was to make Friends and have a good time, and this elimination would be a testament to how good at that he was.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: I wish they had focused less on fart jokes and fat jokes, and more on his friendly and fun loving personality. Owen is a really good Boy, and I feel like that get’s overshadowed by how he’s used as comic relief, and that’s a shame.( I want to clarify that my problem isn’t that he’s comic relief, it’s the comedy they use with him. )

ALEJANDRO

How I feel about this character:  I think Alejandro is a Really good Villain. He’s fun to watch and to Root against. (I’m not as familiar with Alejandro as I am with the others, so I won’t have as much to say as the ones prior)

All the people I ship romantically with this character:  Aleheather is very good! I’m a big fan of their dynamic.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I’m not sure yet. I’m Currently          re-watching WT, so I might come to a conclusion by the end of it. Or maybe in AS. But I will find him a Friend. I will, Oooh, I will.

My unpopular opinion about this character:  0/10 Not Enough Eel.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: So far, the show has done pretty good with Ya boi, which is surprising. I hope it will stay that way, but I kinda doubt it? There is also nothing I can think of that I’d want to see? Maybe him insulting someone in Spanish, but saying it like a complement, but there is a chance he has done that, and I Just Didn’t Catch it.

[outofinspo]

The Beer Burglar

Summary: Brooklyn 99 and The Good Place crossover in which Jake arrests Eleanor

This is my entry for the @b99fandomevents summer fic exchange.

it was written for @cheeto-anaconda hope you enjoy it :)

             The discussion of their faith was starting to get really confusing. None of the humans could understand what was going on, they were just mere (dead) mortals in the middle of a conversation that was really beyond them… and somehow, about them.

“Mmm… Okay, let’s do it.” The Judge concluded, bringing an apparent good ending to the debate.

“Yes!” Michael cheered, seeming extremely pleased.

“I don’t know why, I’m just feeling kinda funky. But there have to be strict rules. Otherwise, the results will be tainted. And I reserve the right to change my mind at any point.” The Judge continued, like she was explaining a simple game of ‘Uno’ to the clearly confused humans.

“About what?” Eleanor finally voiced what all the four were feeling.  “Would someone who’s not an eternal being please explain to me what the-”

And then it all started over. 

--

             “Excuse me, ma’am. Do you have two minutes to talk about the environment?” Jake exploited his previously used genius cover. In fact no one looked him in the eye and he passed as basically invisible.

           Jake had come up with the idea of dressing like an environment enthusiast way back, when he started dating Amy. Now, a year into their marriage, it was still his favorite disguise, it just always seemed to work. That is, of course, until an incredibly rude lady came across him.

           “Do you have two minutes to talk about the environment?” Jake asked to a random person while looking for the perp reported to be there just a few minutes ago.

           “Do you have two minutes to eat my farts?” Eleanor said, the phrase almost becoming an automatic response by now.

           It had passed around 8 months since Eleanor had gone through her near-death experience and she had basically given up on being a good person. She was basically back to her pre ‘margarita mixture related incident’ self, the only difference being her new place of living, Brooklyn.

           “Wow, that was uncalled for.” Jake muttered under his breath.

           “You’re uncalled for.” Eleanor answered quickly, making the detective direct his glaze at her.

           “Wait a minute…” Jake said.Short blonde hair, blue eyes, short, apparently drunk… “You’re the beer burglar!”

           Usually the NYPD wouldn’t use their good detectives for a case this insignificant. But the constant local stores calls about missing packs of beer and bottles of liquor were starting to get annoying, and somehow the beat cops were still unable to get the perp who was committing said crime.

           “Oh, shit.” Eleanor exclaimed, widening her eyes. Seconds later she seemed much more relaxed “Hey, she’s making a name for herself!”

           “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I’m gonna have to take you in.” Jake said, getting a little bit annoyed by the fact that this was the biggest case he had scored that month.

           “Don’t you have to do some procedure stuff?” Eleanor remembered him, clearly enjoying her little moment in the spotlight.

           Jake rolled his eyes before starting the well know discourse.

           “You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything… Ma’am!” Jake yelled as the woman who had commited the crime jolted down the block, managing to catch Eleanor in the middle of the second block down his previous location.

           “Man, that was quite a run.” Eleanor said, panting “Oof, how aren’t you tired?”

           “You have the right to remain silent if you do say anything what you say can be used against you in a court of law you have the right to consult with a lawyer present during any  questioning if you cannot afford a lawyer one will be appointed for you if you so desire.” Jake let all the discourse out under one breath, making no pauses. He was pretty sure he had just beaten some kind of record with the speed the speech was declared.

           “Wow, that was impressive.” Eleanor said, in fact looking surprised with the speed of the detective’s speech.

           “I know, right?” Jake said with a little smile plastered on his face, being extremely proud of himself “Now, I’m gonna have to cuff you.” he finished being brought back to reality by his surroundings. After properly capturing the perp, Jake directed her back to the police car.

 --

             “So, is that our suspect?”

            “Rosa, I’d hardly call her a suspect, she basically admitted committing the crimes when I caught her.” Jake replied to his partner in this case.

            “Cool.” Rosa nodded at Jake with a smirk on her face “How’d you like to go about the interrogation?”

           “I’ll just try something straight forward, she seems like she’s gonna confess pretty soon.”

            Jake made his way to the interrogation room, sitting in front of a seemingly really annoyed Eleanor.

            “Look, dude, I have no time for this, can you please just let me go?”

            “You spend your free time stealing beers what is it so important that you can’t miss?” Jake asked in a high pitched voice, being irritated by the atmosphere Eleanor was creating

            “Number one: I did not admit anything!” She said articulating every word with exaggeration “Number two: I have a ‘Jonas Brothers’ show tonight. I can’t miss it, they’re too cute!”

            “Fair point.” Peralta said under his breath “But no, we can’t let you go because of a concert.” he continued.

            “Can’t I just go there and come back? I swear it’ll be really fast.” Eleanor pleaded, not really planning in returning to the precinct after the show.

            “I swear it’ll be really fast, title of your sex tape.” Jake muttered to himself, not being able to stop himself.

            “What?”

            “What?” Jake responded quickly, pretending he hadn’t said anything “Ma’am that will not be an option, you’ll have to stay here for further questioning.”

            “Did you say title of your sex tape?” Eleanor asked still a bit confused “Nice one, dude! You’re funny, detective.”

            Jake had already understood, form the moment Eleanor threw that snarky remark at him on the street, that the suspect had something special to her, maybe a good sense of humor, maybe just a pleasing aura. But at that exact moment, the woman had just given the cop what he loved most: validation. He couldn’t help but soften a little.

            After a question or two, the pair completely forgot about the crime and started having a pointless conversation, noting their similarities.

            “Right? Like, who doesn’t like Taylor Swift?” Jake exclaimed, not sure how they started talking about the pop star.

            Rosa was starting to get annoyed in the other room. It had been approximately 10 minutes since Jake and Eleanor had stopped talking about the case and were just talking about a list of attractive celebrities. The cop watching the conversation had doubted Jake’s sexuality since they were in the academy, but hearing him talk about the Hemsworth brothers with the suspect had basically confirmed to her the other cop’s bisexuality. Detective Diaz knew it was time to play a little ‘good cop, bad cop’ game.

           “Jake, there’s been a new lead. We need to discuss it immediately.” Rosa called for her partner from the other part of the questioning room.

           Jake hesitantly left the room. He was having a really good time talking to Eleanor and he didn’t want to ruin it by arresting her, it seemed a little too harsh of a way to start a friendship. But the cop knew he had to do the right thing, so he made his way to talk to Rosa.

           “Dude, what the fuck are you doing?” Rosa asked harshly as soon as the other detective stepped foot in the room. “You talking about Hollywood hotties won’t get us anywhere. I just wanna be done with this case already.”

           “Ok, I’m sorry” Jake said with a little tone of irony in his voice “I’ll go back and do some actual questioning.”

           “Uh, I don’t think so.” Rosa stopped Jake as he made his way to the door “You lost your questioning privileges as soon as the words ‘fat ass’ came out of your mouth. I’m doing the work now.”            Peralta tried to stop Rosa but she had already left the room. At that point Jake could do nothing but sigh as he watched his newly built friendship get destroyed by her partner in the case.

           “All right, here’s the thing: I know you’ve got something to do and I really don’t wanna be here” Rosa started talking as soon as she entered the room “so could you maybe just give us anything useful?”

           “Wow, I really liked the other dude better.”

           “Ok, listen; my partner might be a softy…” Rosa said through her teeth.

           “Hey! I can still listen to you.” Jake said through the microphone.

           “Shut up, Jake!” Rosa yelled, growing really frustrated.

           “Ok, go on.” Jake said in a high pitched voice, failing to hide the fear in it.

           “I know Peralta might be a softy, but i won’t go easy on you,” Rosa said almost in a whisper “so maybe if you just confessed it would be easier for both of us.”

           “Look, I don’t wanna be here either, but there’s nothing I can do.” Eleanor said “I didn’t do it!” she continued over-articulating her words again.

           “You were in the place of the last crime, you ran away when approached by the police and you fit the description: short blonde hair, blue eyes.” The detective was now losing her temper at the blonde woman.

           “Dude, that’s the vaguest description ever. It could be Owen Wilson, have you considered him?” Eleanor said getting really mad “Of course i ran away when I was approached by the police, it’s reflex.” 

           “What kind of reflex is that?” Rosa asked, genuinely confused.

           “Oh, I’m sorry, like I’m the only one who runs when someone thinks they committed a crime.” Eleanor exclaimed, throwing her hands up to the air.

           “I mean, if you didn’t do anything there’s no reason to run.” Rosa answered, finally returning to herself.

           There was a moment of silence in the room; Eleanor seemed to be reasoning something to herself. Rosa sighed, she was done with that case; it was a dumb crime and there was no reason to make such a big deal about it. Most of the beverages stolen were worth less than $10, summing up all the thefts, there was an estimated amount of $200 in products. The penalty would probably be a $500 fine.

           “Rosa, could you come here real quick?” Jake called the detective from the other side of the room.

           “What?” Rosa asked dryly when she entered the ambient.

           “Looks like Jennings just brought in our guy.”

           “What is that supposed to mean?”

           “Somebody else confessed to the crime, she’s innocent.”

           Rosa looked through the glass, looking at Eleanor in shock. She was telling the true, the girl just had some real troubles with making good decisions when it came to her actions.

           “You bonded with her, go tell her she’s free.” Rosa said to Jake, too embarrassed to confess she felt a little bad for being harsh with an innocent woman

 --

             “And that’s one more point for the uniformed crew.”

           “In my defense, Ames” Jake said stubbornly to his wife “I knew she was innocent, Rosa’s the one who kept trying to get a confession out of her.”

           The couple was back at their apartment, after what had been a long day at work for both of them. They had already changed into their pyjamas and were sitting in their bed, discussing their day. Since they somehow managed to turn everything into a competition, Amy kept a scoreboard in her bedside table with the number of arrests her crew had made versus the detectives of the 99.

           “Say what you want, the point is still ours.” Amy said reaching for the scoreboard, not opened to making an exception to their rule by not marking that arrest.

           Jake rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically, faking annoyance. The truth is: he loved how Amy was proud of every single arrest her team made; it made him feel proud of her as well.

           It didn’t matter which team would win or lose the bet on the year’s arrest. What truly mattered was that they were all a family; and, by the end of the day, they all had each other.

[amazingmsme]

Mission Gone Right

AN: I got a lot of feels over Spies Are Forever, so I wrote what I think would’ve happened if the mission hadn’t gone wrong. So, yeah here it is.

Owen couldn't fool Curt. How stupid did he think he was? Seriously, was a hat and a fake mustache the best he could do? And Russian really wasn't his best accent. But as soon as he saw his friend walk in with his very own dumb henchman, he knew he had to play along. It was like a game to them; they would always play the part of a villain while the other was caught only to reveal their true identity and bust out.

So he cracked jokes and one liners and flashed a smile here and there, even when Olog nearly crushed his balls. He wasn't going to lie, he did get a little nervous when he saw the metal bat so close to his crotch. He was relieved when it knocked against his chair and hit Olag between the legs instead of him, and he shook his head in mock sympathy.

Curt had never seen Owen so into a character ever since he had been strapped to a spinning wheel and the Englishman had been posing as an "evil magician" who was "practicing his aim" by throwing knives at him when he refused to answer his questions. Owen was seriously lucky that he was a good shot or else Curt would've killed him. Evil magician, Russian interrogator, Owen sure had a thing for cliché disguises. He bent down close to his face, and he could feel his hot breath on his shoulder. It smelled minty. Of course it did. He always had mints or gum on him, and he was thankful that he had chosen the former because he really didn't want to hear him smacking in his ear. Instead he heard him ask, "Where do you get off?" Oh he should know better than to use such wording...

He rattled off various places where the two of them had hooked up and felt him back up in shock. Curt liked this. He liked that he still had a sense of power even when tied to a chair. His smug smile was quickly replaced by a look of fear when he saw Owen pull out a long white feather and ran it over his neck. Damnit he was pulling out the big guns and if Curt kept up with his tough guy act who knows how long his friend will torture him for, so he easily gave in. But he still swiped the feather from his ears to his jaw, but finally backed off.

Finally Owen said the line that always indicates it's him before he tears off his disguise: "Personal history does have its benefits, Mega."

Curt rolled his eyes to the ceiling and watched as he shot both of Olag's kneecaps, sending him crumbling to the floor. In a swift motion, he rips off his mustache and hat, shaking out his hair. "Owen Carvour you limey bastard, I knew it was you all along. That accent sure could use some work though."

"Oh sod off, it fooled 20 Russian security officers and our dear friend Olag over here," he said with a smirk. After knocking him out and running and gunning their way through the building, Curt answered the call from his boss. Only to have Owen grab his wrist so that he could talk to her instead. He swore she liked him better, and he wasn't even part of their agency, but he couldn't blame her. He was very charming, even after letting a poor excuse of a bad guy "rough him up a bit."

And since the rocket shoes were a no go and the watch was boring, it was time to blow up the building. They were heading down the stairs and Curt just finished his healthy on the job snack and tossed the banana peel on the ground. At Owen's incredulous look, he explained, "What? The whole place is gonna be garbage in a few minutes anyway, who gives a shit?"

"Uh, I do because you just knocked off that safety rail, and that is a very bad place for a banana peel. They are slippery you know, it's not just in cartoons."

"Well do you see a trash can anywhere?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do." Curt didn't like that look in his eye, and punched him in the arm when he grabbed the peel and tossed it on his head. Owen laughed and turned around, and no sooner than he did he started mocking him behind his back, pretending to hold a teacup with his pinky up and silently repeating what he said, shifting his jaw to the right to match his crooked smile. Owen sensed something was up but when he looked back at Curt he seemed to be doing nothing.

"Y'know, I think you were exaggerating when you said that accent fooled 20 security guards. You sure you didn't mean two?" he teased with a smirk, jabbing him with his elbow. He shot him a glare, "No you twit, I know how to bloody count." Curt held his hands up defensively, "Hey all I'm saying is it needs a little work." They then reached the bottom of the stairs, setting the timer.

"Atta boy, three it is." He knew they were pushing their luck by setting the timer so low, leaving no room for error. Lucky for them they don't often have those, and he has to admit it's an exhilarating game they share. They both live for the thrill of the rush, the adrenaline coursing through their veins. They were about to leave when suddenly they were surrounded.

They froze like deer in the headlights, standing back to back, their hands in the air. Well, they've been in worse situations... The ground beneath their feet began to shake and their captors fell to the ground, but they were able to keep their footing. They needed to get out of there immediately or else they were gonna blow.

"That's our cue, love," Owen shouted and grabbed him by the wrist. They ran up the stairs and rounded the sharp turn, where Owen almost lost his footing. Curt grabbed his arm and pulled him close before continuing their daring escape. "Told you that would've been a bad place for a banana peel!"

Curt huffed out an irritated breath, "Yeah yeah, can we just get out of here and do the I told you so's outside when we're not about to die?"

"Sure thing love, I'll get right on that. Say, how much time do you suppose we have left to get out with our bodies intact?"

"I'd say about a minute and 15 seconds."

"Christ! Cutting it a bit close, aren't we Mega?"

"Which is why it'll feel even better when we make it out!"

"You better be right about this!"

"Relax, I'm always right."

"Oh get off your high horse, clearly that interrogation did nothing to humble you."

Curt found the exit and kicked down the door. They ran as fast as they could through the parking lot and turned around just in time to see the building explode. They let out triumphant cries, jumping into the air and high five-ing each other. They hugged one another in a tight embrace, relishing in the flames and shrapnel. Curt let out a sigh of relief, "That was close."

"I'll say." Owen turned to look at him and locked their gaze, reaching out to grip his shoulders tightly. "But there will be no beating this record. We barely made it out with time to spare, and I for one am quite pleased with this time. I mean three minutes, that's quick."

"Under three minutes," Curt corrected him.

"That's barely the length of a song," Owen mused.

"Cynthia's going to be very pleased I'll say and- oh no."

"What do you mean oh no?"

"The blueprints, I must've dropped them!"

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?" Owen yelled in shock and anger. "We just nearly died and you're telling me that they're now destroyed because of your butterfingers?"

Curt tried his best to keep a straight face, but the upturned corners of his mouth gave him away and he couldn't help but to start laughing. He was doubled over as Owen placed his hands on his hips, chewing the inside of his cheek to keep his own smile under wraps. He wagged a finger at him, "You're luck I didn't punch you in the face."

"Oh no, you'll leave that to our dear friend Olag, won't you?"

"Don't be so sore about it, it was all in good fun. And you held your own very well I would say, it's always best to have practice. Besides, I made sure to grab the least competent person I could find."

Curt narrowed his eyes, studying his friend. "How did you know he was the least competent?"

"Because I saw him follow seven men through a push door and when he reached it he still tried to pull," Owen said with a laugh, and his partner couldn't help but join.

"No wonder you were the better interrogator. Even if your accent was bad."

"You're still hung up about that fucking accent?Next time I'll be sure to use my Cockney one instead since you're so critical."

"Hey, I'm sure anything else would be better than "real-rerearelreareally nice"," he said doing his best impression of his terrible accent, and even Owen had to chuckle.  "In this business you need to be on your A game." He flashed him a grin and winked.

Owen scoffed, "Says the secret agent who caved to a little tickling." He smirked as Curt's face fell, "I only did because you were wasting time and Cynthia wants these blueprints ASAP." He started walking to where his car was but Owen just walked with him, even stepping in front of him and walking backwards so he could face him. He hoped the smug bastard would trip.

"You sure that's the only reason Mega?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Curt looked away, trying to hide his blush. Only when he looked down, he saw what Owen had in his hand and a nervous smile found its way onto his face and he held a hand up defensively. "Because personal history does have it's benefits." He reached out and Curt tried to duck away, but was a second too slow. He immediately burst into high pitched giggles, trying to swat his hand away.

"Now what was it you said earlier? That you're "deathly ticklish behind your neck and ears"? Because that's what I seem to remember. I wonder what good ol' Cynthia would say when she finds out the great Curt Mega surrendered to a feather."

He finally managed to wiggle free of his grasp and panted, "She will never find out, because I'll kill you if you tell her. I'd never hear the end of it! She'd kick my ass and fire me before I could even defend myself against your lies. 'Cause for some reason she believes just about anything you say."

"Not a lie because that's how it happened. And good to know about Cynthia. Totally not going to use that to my advantage. Say, you wouldn't mind if I left this with her would you?" he questioned, twirling the feather between his fingers.

Curt rolled his eyes, "As long as it's not in your hands I'm fine. And I was serious when I said she wanted these ASAP, because the longer you keep me the longer I'll get chewed out for how long I took," he emphasized.

"Don't worry, I'll use my new found knowledge to protect you from her lecture. I'm sure as soon as I say that you had to wait on me she won't be mad."

It turns out Owen was right. As always. And the next day when he was called into her office, he wondered why she seemed so... he wouldn't necessarily say happy but, amused. It wasn't until he tried to leave and he felt something light and fluffy brush over his neck did it all make sense. He whipped around to see a smiling Cynthia holding the white feather. She tilted her head to the side, feigning innocence. "Was there something else?" He knew from the teasing look in her eyes that she was never going to let him live this down. He was going to kill Owen.

[bitsygirl9]

Review Torchwood: S2 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

I wrote this ages ago when I was still heavily into Torchwood. It’s a review for the opening episode of s2 ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ so I figured I’d put it up here because why not? 

(Also currently listening to Jenny Lewis ‘You are what you love’)

So Jack tells Ianto that he came back for him (sort of). Ianto is so swayed by this meaningful moment he responds by completely blanking Jack when he suggests they do it on the photo-copier (or something). Jack is so surprised by this because, apparently, this routine is usually fool-proof, even if you just came back from buggering off to be with another man without so much as a 'see ya' note and can't believe Ianto isn't responding accordingly. Realising that his 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours’ routine probably isn't going to cut it this time he decides to ask him out on a date. (That's what they still do in the 21st century, right?) lol. JB's surprise face is hilarious in this scene when Ianto isn't having any of it and it shows up three times in this ep. When he finds out about Gwen's engagement and once with John.

So, yep, a bit late and I still haven't finished s1, but I'm going to try and rewatch s2. So Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang. So this is a cheesy, cheesy, like supersized cheesy episode and some of the dialogue is a bit terrible, but there are some interesting character moments particularly between Jack and John. Well, their cheesier moments make me cringe quite a bit, but their more serious moments are interesting and mostly more effective to me. I get that Jack is supposed to be conflicted about John or something, but he's really the master of mixed messages. And also non-sequiturs.

Best Moment: Don't really have one so I'll just go with Ianto eye-rolling at Hart's comments in the boardroom scene just because that made me laugh out loud. Also lol at the coked-up, family hostage-taking blowfish stopping for the light. Still got to respect that road code even if you're an amoral, druggie criminal type, I guess.

Worst Moment: Don't exactly have one of those either, but I'll go with the 'See how Gwen is in charge scene' at the beginning. Honestly, they sell Owen taking charge in the earlier car chase scene better than they do Gwen. This scene is so awkward and self-conscious like even the writers don't buy what they were trying to sell. I guess that's why Gwen needs to remind us a few times that she was in charge. Lol. Does Tosh really need to be told to update the database and Ianto to take the dead body Owen's finished with to the Morgue? Lol. These are all pretty routine aspects of their job, surely. They don't really need Gwen for that. If you need to dumb down other characters to sell the abilities of another character I suspect you're doing it wrong. Also if the point is to show that the team missed Jack, but still managed to function without him then maybe having him have to come to their rescue once again probably isn't the way to go. So cool entrance and some pretty awkward meta via blowfish to get the newbies up to speed, but way to undermine the idea that this is an effective team once again. Also, if Ianto is supposed to be the least effective field member why exactly is he taking point? Just so newbies get that he's the least effective field member? lol I get that they are a man is down, but surely dealing with the immediate threat should be a priority.

WTF moments: It's Torchwood so yeah. Are they ignoring The Empty Child's existence? In that we're told Jack is bitter about the Time Agency because they stole 2 years of his memory and that's why he left and is even happy to con them. Granted a lot of time has passed since that moment, but time doesn't seem to have much of an effect on Jack's memories so should he really come off as that nostalgic about them? Kind of a weird moment.

Also, does Jack have to have a problem using his words all the time? Maybe the show wants it to ambiguous about Jack warning Gwen not to let John kiss her so we wonder if he's jealous for a while or are surprised by the real reason or something, but it kind of makes Jack look like a bit of a moron that he doesn't just tell her that Hart's likely wearing some sort of poisonous gloss and that's why she should be careful about him kissing her and not simply because he's just that kind of letch. Also, Gwen is probably the most likely to fall for an easy sob story so I'm not sure I buy her argument that she's the best one to get info out of John lol.

Also shouldn't Jack be aware that John's wrist strap can likely jam signals and so have anticipated that? Of course, it could be a new model or modulation on John's part, but it seems like it should be pretty rudimentary considering how much more technologically advanced they're supposed to be.

Are we supposed to assume John knew where Jack was for a while, but was just looking for an excuse to show up on his doorstep?

Also, he tells Gwen specifically that Jack will never stay. Is he supposed to be referring to her specifically? Are we to assume Hart is jealous of Gwen because he immediately just gets how Jack feels about her or something? Like the nostrovite in SB. Any thoughts?

Also, is it just me or were those canisters not well hidden at all? I get that it was a trap, but unless they'd only just been put there anyone could have just picked one of them up and wondered off with them lol.

In EOD Rhys is murdered and Gwen is supposedly so devastated, unwilling to live with this loss she's willing to destroy the world to get him back. I don't know what the time-line is supposed to be, but are we to assume this event had such an emotional impact on her that the only person she cares enough about to remember is Jack when she's about to die and that she's still in just give me the signal and it'll be 'Rhys, who' mode? So what was the point of all that again?

Is Owen supposed to be coming on to Tosh in their scene in the lock-up? I would say yes, but I've seen Meat. So um. Ok. It feels like he's feeling out a potential relationship with her, but are we also supposed to seriously believe by this point that Owen still doesn't get that Tosh fancies him? Her innuendo asking if he needed a hand 'getting it up' in Countrycide too subtle for him?

Gwen's comment that she tells Jack everything and he tells her nothing. Did they basically just then turn around and recycle this moment for Ianto's use in ep 4 of COE? Or should I give the writers more credit and believe they're aiming for something much deeper i.e despite living all this time and with all these experiences Jack really doesn't change his tune all that much. It's still the same old music. Because it does kind of feel like that in this episode anyway.

Anything New: Not really. I mean the special effects are cheesier than I remember.

Religious/Literary: Well there's the whole life is meaningless, there is nothing routine. Does that count? Which follows on to:

Humanity: Good or Bad: Apparently we're all just a bunch of sad sacks with nothing to look forward to except death. Is it because the writers are all at or close to middle-age or something because, gees, these people are slit-wrists inducingly miserable about life. lol. And there are still 12 more episodes to go. Where's the Prozac?

Anything Else:  I guess Ianto and stopwatches is a thing. He's more excited by that than he is by Jack asking him out lol.