#he liked olives he wanted to be a writer he was cheeky

[sunbloomdew]

i was showing my dear friend @ancient-romes one of my fav games of all time, to the moon, and at one point he was like "rip joey you would have loved anime" KSJFHKSHFKSFPLEASE

very in character, extremely funny <33 yes joey would have loved anime

[sloshed-cinema]

Dial M for Murder (1954)

A Hitchcock movie is like going to Starbucks if it were actually good. No matter where you show up, you know that your order for a mocha is going to be too sweet, or that ordering an ‘oleato’ is a one-way trip to Schitts Creek, except the madmen at the top decided to perpetrate the combination of olive oil and coffee across the continent and have yet to answer for their crimes. No, with Hitchcock, you always know what you’re going to get, but it goes down smooth and satisfying. It will always be executed well, and any attempts at innovation will be carried off with actual finesse. Here, we have all of the classics: there is the cameo, of course (easier to catch than in some cases), and the cheeky jerking around of the audience with fake-outs (Margot reaching into her handbag at an inopportune moment, only to reveal she just wants Aspirin, for one). Funny little character details bubble up to the surface in gestures like the inspector’s perpetual muted irritation with the eagerness of mystery writer Mark Halladay to help the investigation, and smug pseudo-mastermind Tony Wendice's obfuscations. The attempted killing is pulpy in its execution, audience again implicated as voyeur as we watch the killer-for-hire hovering behind Margot, wondering if he’ll get a chance to slip the stocking around her throat, almost in a macabre way wanting the act to be carried to its dreadful conclusion, if only for the momentary thrill. It’s all a teetering tightrope walk of near-misses and the burden of expectation. All this to say, Hitchcock knows what he’s cooking, and even with all of the knowing showing of hand and meta-awareness of murder plot tropes, there’s another ace up his sleeve. His gestures and camera language are simple: in the initial interview between Hubbard and the Wendices, Margot is often alone in frame against Hubbard with her husband hovering in the background, a manipulative influence. But they get the point home.

While it doesn’t go as hard as the likes of 10 Rillingdon Place or others, Dial M is a soft-shoed indictment of the British court system. That Margot is sentenced to death entirely on hearsay evidence framed conveniently for the naming of a suspect, and her freedom is entirely on the whim of an irked police officer, is satisfying here but horrifying in its implications.

THE RULES

SIP

Someone says 'letter' or 'key'.

People share a kiss.

Someone checks their watch.

BIG DRINK

Someone pours a drink.

Tony leads Margot on in questioning.

[chaoticgeminate]

Kinktober 2022 - Day Twenty Two

Pairing: Javi Gutierrez x f!Reader

Rating: Explicit (If that was not entirely clear)

Series Summary: You’re a fanfiction writer turned novelist, which was great since it was the path you wanted your writing to take you down in life. What you never thought would happen was meeting the Javier Gutierrez, who you actively write smutty fanfiction about from his film with Nic Cage, and you especially didn’t expect him to have a crush on you.

Fast forward several months of dating, with a good chunk of your relationship being distance due to his constant traveling and having to go home to Mallorca, when he surprises you with a prompt list and a vacation planned around exploring it.

You haven’t even worked up the nerve to tell him about what you write and post to Tumblr about him as a character yet.

Notes: Going to be using prompts from @the-purity-pen for my meta as hell indulgence! There are feelings in this (I have no idea how they got there) and I may end up removing some possible chapters here and there depending on how I’m feeling, I apologize in advance if that happens because my brain is super mean sometimes.

Possible Warnings: Smut, Phone Sex, consent discussions

Phone Sex (1.5k)

It had been an emergency flight.

Javi had apologized profusely about interrupting but there had been some issues with the olive business back in Spain and the vendors were refusing to budge if Javi didn’t make an appearance, likely tied to Paulina and her brother but you had no clue since even Javi had been in the dark about any problems happening.

He left yesterday, after you two fucked like rabbits in his study, and you’d been writing notes and blurbs and tidbits of ideas for new fics or even new concepts for your novel series. The inspiration of this place, of this month, was unreal and you were glad you had prioritized time with Javi over everything.

Even notes in your phone had been unimportant compared to just being here with him.

But now that you’d had him at your side for so long, you lived with him and woke up with him, you missed him more. Which was stupid, you had him to yourself -basically- for three weeks and you couldn’t realistically be by his side every waking second of the day.

“I really am sorry-“

“Gabi, hey, I get it. You’re not to blame because the workers won’t talk to anyone except him, and I wouldn’t want you dealing with their continued attitude by refusing to contact him just so we could finish our trip out.��

“A vacation is meant to be a vacation, that is all, I wanted you both to have this.”

“I can speak for Javi when I say, we do appreciate it, truly. You have been a great friend, to both of us, and we know you only called because you had no other choice.”

“As soon as we are done I will get him back to you.”

“I know you will, and thank you for helping me with this. I hope he likes it.”

“Javi will love it, I promise you, I cannot wait to see his face.”

Your phone beeped and you glanced at the screen, your boyfriend’s cheeky grin captured on a picture taking up your screen.

“He’s calling now, thanks again.”

“Ah, anytime.”

Hearing Gabi’s excitement only amplified yours and you swapped over the call after carefully closing the drawer beside you, not wanting any chances for you to slip up that surprise before you were ready. Javi’s face was close to the screen when the video call connected and you couldn’t fight the giggle that left you.

“Cariño, you can’t teleport through the phone like that.”

“I wish I could, I should have brought you here, Solecita.”

“Javi we can’t be attached at the hips 24/7 no matter how much we want to be.”

“I miss you always but it is worse now that I’ve had you for so long without work obligations in our way.”

“I, uh, was looking over my contract with the publishing company. Gabi sent it to your employment lawyer to read over too… I can buy the rights to self-publish my existing novels and pay myself out of a legal obligation to stay where I am.”

“You mean… to move in with me?”

“Mhm, but only if you’re okay with that, I haven’t made a move yet because I wasn’t going to without consulting you first.”

“I was going to ask you what the legalities were with where you lived. I want you to live with me, even if you wanted me to downsize-“

“No, no, I had hang-ups in the past over the wealth imbalance but that was a me thing. You never once made me feel lesser because of it, that was my own mental block, trust me when I say that I won’t ask you to change a thing about who you are or what you have.”

“I love you, so much. I wish you were here, so I could show you everything. I want to see your face when I take you out on the boat the first time, when you see the pool and the cliffs… to sleep with you in my bed knowing that you won’t be across an ocean the next time I want to see you.”

His voice went soft and you set your laptop aside, watching his face as he looked away from you, and you couldn’t help but smile softly at him.

“Javi, I will need to handle the legal of things on my end but I’m- I am ready to move in with you. I took some time to just think and reflect, to talk with my therapist and my friends, and they reminded me that long distance or not there isn’t a set timeline for any relationship. That it’s okay for me to want everything even though it feels early.”

His eyes were round in disbelief for maybe half a second before he was crying, joyful tears with a smile that made you want to kiss him, and your own eyes welled over in response.

“I’ll let the staff know, do you want your own office for writing?”

“I would appreciate that, but you’re never barred from coming in okay?”

“That is- the same for you as well, even if I’m on a call, you’re welcome any time.”

Javi refused a phone tour, wanting to do one in person, and then he grinned in a way that was far from innocent.

“I am alone and have some time before I meet with the lead of staff, Solecita, if you were here I would encourage you to come sit in my lap.”

You couldn’t fight the thrill of excitement if you tried, adjusting how you were sitting in the bed, and it was a small blessing that the television stand at the end of the bed was there since you could prop your phone very easily into the groove and have both hands.

“Oh really, just to sit in your lap, or would you want me to be bare?”

He set his phone down with it propped up and you watched him lean back too, you couldn’t see much below the desk but you did know his hand was out of sight.

“Bare, of course, maybe with a flowy skirt so that I could fuck you and anyone who might walk in would be unable to tell exactly what we’re up to.”

“They would know, we aren’t exactly subtle, especially when I get so wet because of how good you make me feel.”

“Are you wet now, mi amor?”

“Just thinking of your cock inside me makes me want you, cariño.”

“Show me.”

It was easy to slide your hands down into your shorts, gathering the wetness before it could soak into your underwear, and Javi moaned at the shiny gleam on your hand.

“Play with that pretty clit for me, Solecita. You know how I touch you, close your eyes and imagine its me.”

“Fuck, Javi-“

You did as he said, closing your eyes and letting him croon through the phone as you circled your clit with two fingers, and Javi was panting into the speaker as he watched your face.

“Are you nice and wet for me, are you going to cum for me?”

His praise about how pretty you looked, how good he knew you felt, all of it made your body propel toward an orgasm that had you seeing stars and you knew he’d cum based on how hard he was breathing and the flush of his skin on your camera.

“Javi-“

“I’m taking a red-eye, I will be home as early as I can, and I will be waking you up if you’re asleep.”

Javi’s voice was rough and you knew he wanted to take care of you, to cuddle with you and stroke your hair and whisper words of love into your skin, he was an aftercare king. But the door was wide open for a conversation that you hadn’t been sure how to have with him.

“You don’t have to wake me up, Javi. You have my consent to do what you want to me while I’m asleep.”

“Solecita… you truly consent to me being physical with you while you’re sleeping?”

“Yes, Javi, I do consent to it. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up before but the idea of CNC is something I am interested in.”

“Only if you are sure, Solecita, I do not like the idea of violating your trust-“

“Which is why I trust you, Javi, you’ve been nothing but respectful and open with me.”

“If you wake up and don’t want me to continue you must safeword, do you understand?”

“I promise you if I don’t like something I will safeword, Javi.”

He nodded and a knock on the door on his side of the call made him apologize, likely shoving his cock back in his pants and trying to not look like he’d just cum, so you let him go and smiled at the small screen for just a second.

Surer than ever with what you had planned.

All Fics Taglist: @hardc0rehaylz @wordsnwhiskey @pagannightwitch @radiowallet @musings-of-a-rose @amneris21 @trickstersp8 @practicalghost @rominaszh @alwaysdjarin @alexxavicry @all-the-way-down-here

Just Pedro Taglist: @maievdenoir @beecastle @littlemisspascal @writeforfandoms @AynsleyWalker @lovesbiggerthanpride @MSWarriorBabe80

Alt Taglist: @imtryingmybeskar @fan-of-encouragement @grogusmum @sizzlingcloudmentality @deadhumourist @prostitute-robot-from-the-future

Kinktober Only: @nicolethered @katareyoudrilling

[antigonick]

hello! hope the new year is treating you well (so far!) i decided i wanted to read more in translation this year, especially poetry, and i was wondering if u had recommendations for works translated into english (or french) from living or 20th century poets. it’s not a strict preference i just really want to expand my horizons ! anyways i love your blog it’s a much appreciated resource ❤️

Hi! Aw, that’s such a lovely idea. Honestly I mostly read English-writing authors (you must have noticed...) but I do have a few things to recommend.

• Rainer Maria Rilke’s works, most notably Sonnets to Orpheus and Duino Elegies trans. by Martyn Crucefix, but also The Book of Hours trans. by Babette Deutsch.

• Twenty Poems of Anna Akhmatova, trans. by Jane Kenyon, though I also like Stanley Kunitz’s take, and Marina Tsvetaeva’s Selected Poems, trans. by Elaine Feinstein.

• Odysseus Elytis’ What I Love, trans. by Olga Broumas, and my favourite The Sovereign Sun, trans. by Kimon Friar, who also translated Sodom and Gomorrah by Nikos Kazantzakis. Also, C. P. Cavafy’s The Complete Poems, trans. by David Mendelsohn or Poèmes, trans. by Marguerite Yourcenar (what??) and Constantin Dimaras.

• Federica Garcia Lorca’s A Season in Granada, trans. by Christophe Maurer, and Octavio Paz’s Collected Poems, trans. by Eliot Weinberger, others (including Denise Levertov and Elizabeth Bishop) and Octavio Paz himself. Also, Kelly Martínez-Grandal’s Zugunruhe, trans. by Margaret Randall, and of course Jorge Luis Borges’ Selected Poems, trans. by several translators (among others, W. S. Merwin and John Updike.)

• Speaking of W. S. Merwin, he translated a lot of poems, spanning centuries and languages, and he’s a beautiful translator; I’d recommend his Selected Translations. 

• Edith Södergran’s We Women, trans. by Samuel Charters, and Matilda Olkinaitė’s Matilda, trans. by Laima Vince. 

• Adonis’ Selected Poems (trans. by Khaled Mattawa) and Saadi Youssef’s Without An Alphabet, Without a Face (by Khaled Mattawa too). 

• I’m also thinking of Women of the Fertile Crescent: An anthology of Modern Poetry by Arab Women. You can find a lot of beautiful excerpts on @soracities blog.

• I know it’s not 20th century, but I have a soft spot for modern translations (some more interventionist than others) of classic poetry. My very favourites include Anne Carson’s If Not, Winter (obviously), Mary Barnard’s Fragments of Sappho, Renée Vivien’s Sapho, Marguerite Yourcenar’s La Couronne et La Lyre, Emily Wilson’s The Odyssey, Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf, Kenneth Rexroth’s 100 Poems from the Japanese (some of them you can find in this one—though be careful! Sometimes Rexroth claims he’s translating for shits and giggles when he’s really the writer, like in The Love Poems of Marichiko), A. K. Ramanujan’s The Interior Landscape: Classic Tamil Love Poems and the gorgeous Andal’s Autobiography of A Goddess, trans. by Priya Sarrukai Chabria and Ravi Shankar. 

• In the same vein, though they’re plays rather than poems, I’d recommend Oliver Py’s very cheeky take on Shakespeare’s Roméo et Juliette, and Anne Carson’s Bakkhai (Euripides) and An Oresteia (Aiskhylos, Sophokles, Euripides). 

Aaaaand... that’s that! Sorry, this is severely lacking in contemporary poetry, but I hope this helps—oh and happy new year to you too ♡

[alphabet-mafietta]

A little rant about the DW season 13 finale…

Not being funny but it’s taken to Jodie’s last episode of her last full season for Chibnall to actually watch Who and write her as the doctor we all knew and loved (and clearly, we could see from that episode, Jodie could play, perfectly).

Jodie is a cracking actress and I love that she’s the doctor and when she gets to shine, boy does she shine!

I think she’s got exactly the same qualities Tennant brought to the role, equally able to play the dramatic as the comedic (and she’s genuinely really funny - we caught a glimpse of cheeky Ten in that final ep which was brilliant!) BUT the writing post her first ever episode has just been a bit crap and that’s on Chibnall. Chibnall insisting on having different writers with no Who experience write each episode to diversify the writing room made the previous 2 seasons really clunky with little in the way of stand out episodes and minimal character development. It’s like the writers sat down, read a brief synopsis of the characters and were then allowed to write an episode and it really didn’t work.

I haven’t recognised this doctor for the past 2 seasons I didn’t recognise the dynamic between the companions and the doctor (why did we need Yaz AND Graham AND Ryan?!) - I just couldn’t stomach the doctor needing her “fam” to get things done/save the universe etc when 9, 10, 11 and 12 were able to do this, in the most part, single handed.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Yaz, she’s a good companion (she’s obvs not up there with Donna or Clara but hey) but they gave that character far too much of the hero action when she should have been there supporting the doctor and keeping her morals in check not piloting the Tardis and coming up with clever solutions to mind bending problems only a Time Lord would know. Let’s not forget, Yaz is a human ex-police officer, not an alien with experience of the universe, space travel or Time Lords for that matter! this didn’t work either.

What did work was separating the doctor from her “fam” and letting her get on with saving the universe in her own clever way and it was brilliant! this is the doctor I was waiting for! honestly, if Murray Gold’s score came in at the end too I genuinely would’ve cried!

Anyway, this is only a mini rant, I’m not dissing 13 or Yaz so don’t come at me, I’m just pissed off Jodie’s on her exit arc and it’s only now Chibnall’s got his head around the character and how to write her/a good episode of Doctor Who!

Jodie was the perfect choice for the doctor but Chibnall was not the right choice for show runner, it’s very telling that they’ve asked RTD back…

Side note, I really liked Dan, probably because he reminded me of Donna…anyway…

Also, before I sign off, why bring Kate Stewart back only for her to have naff all screen time and actually do bugger all in the episode? did I miss something? what did Unit/Kate actually do? I love me some Kate Stewart/New Unit too but that was a slap in the face!

What? they couldn’t give Osgood/Ingrid Oliver a bit of screen time? no, let’s give a load of screen time to two new random, 1 season characters instead! I’m looking at you Vinder and Bel - I don’t really care for your race across the universe to find each other, naff off I want to see what Unit were up to when Kate went dark!

Also, just lastly, is Thasmin real?! It felt like they were going to go there but I’ve been so confused with the previous writing, I’m not quite sure what they’re trying to say about Yaz or the doctor… or their relationship?…perhaps we’ll see in the last 4 specials of Jodie’s doctor, although I wouldn’t put money on it…

[johns-prince]

John also had a lovely mix of masculine and feminine physical traits, though this wouldn't become obvious until 1968. When he was on the skinny side (which I loved, sue me) you could tell how beautifully delicate and dainty his bone structure was, way more than Paul's imo. He had those gorgeous long legs and graceful narrow hips that you most commonly find in fashion models. And I love that until at least 1975, he showcased his body beautifully, especially those legs.

Ironically I feel as if people didn't embrace John's femme beauty as well as they did with Paul. I don't know why. Most people seem to prefer him with the more masculine look of 1966. Which was great as well, he was gorgeous but I am a big fan of the 1968 to 1974 run. Btw, note to fanfic writers: please, show John's body some love, I know Paul is stunning but it's kind of exhausting reading 10 pages about how pretty he is and when it comes to my boy John he barely gets a paragraph 😂

Alright, I feel like I’m probably gonna rub a lot of people in this fandom the wrong way with what I’m going to say but this is my blog and you did send this to my inbox so here we go; At the end of the days these are my thoughts and feelings and I might not articulate them very well or I often ramble till I do!

I have my issues, and a complicated relationship with 1968-70s John Lennon. I love John, and thought him healthy and just right in his body type, basically up until 1968, and it’s spotty onward throughout the 70s. To me, John was naturally masculine looking, there’s not exactly an era or year that I could give you like you gave me [Specifically 1966? What about his teddy boy days? All of the early 60s? Hell even throughout the 70s, to me John still was masculine looking to me] He was a bit awkward in his teenhood, but all the boys were, and gradually grew into his adult body. Boy was built and sturdy, naturally thick and strong. 

So we’re probably split on this, because while you see the positives in 1968-1974/70s John, I only really see the negatives. You say skinny, I say malnourished and/or sickly. Depressed druggie who was pushing everyone and everything he loved away, and becoming pathetically dependent on an individual like Yoko [and the other vultures during that time who were terrible influences] 

George was skinny, John was not well and either starving himself or simply using drugs and alcohol as the basis for his diet. And diets.. don’t even get me started on that, the diets he was on, the unhealthy lifestyle that his wife only seemed to enable and help him get on. 

When I look at George, sometimes I get the need to feed him, like an old Mexican mother. When I look at John, who’d lost an unhealthy amount of weight for what it looked like for his body type, I don’t see delicate and dainty bone structure. I see a man who just, he’s not well, something’s wrong.

I’ll give it to you that 1974 New York photoshoot looked very nice, he had muscle again in his arms, though he was still relatively skinny, he didn’t look sickly, or depressed. So I can give you that period during the 70s, I will give you that [hey he was away from Yoko during this no fucking wonder he looked pretty good here] and that shoot was definitely a model moment, wasn’t it? [Not like he didn’t have many of those moments throughout his life] 

So there moments in the seventies where I think John doesn’t look half bad? Even relatively fine? Certainly, I’m devastatingly attracted to this man, dear God almighty have mercy on my soul yes I am. So I’ll agree that yeah, there were periods during the 70s in which John seemed to hold himself fairly well, I’d still climb it.

But I’m at least willing to admit that when John started his spiraling, in 1968, that he was Not Okay. And I personally believe he wasn’t all that okay throughout most of the 70s too... Maybe my issue isn’t with him being ‘skinny’ as it is I don’t like the underweight/severely underweight look on John, I just don’t. The incredibly unhealthy way he went about losing weight... Physically frail doesn’t fit him, and it only upsets me whenever I see photos of him that show how thin his legs became or how you can see his ribs, just how wasted away he’d look at times throughout the 70s, up until the last days of his life. 

You want a “skinny” or ''skinnier'' John Lennon? A healthy, ‘’skinny/skinnier’’ John Lennon for his body type, is ‘66 and ‘67 in my eyes, and even then it wasn’t a radical change in weight loss; John still looked like John.

And speaking of 1968-1969, or the White Album era; don’t think it isn’t lost on me when I see people making light of John’s unhygienic appearance during the making of the White Album. Boy was depressed and hurting for whatever reason, again, spiraling, and getting lost in Yoko and heroin as a means of escapism and someone to tell him ‘it’s alright it isn’t your fault it’s everyone else’s fault’. Of course he didn’t care much for his personal appearance or hygiene... I will say I appreciate your appreciation for him during that period, instead of getting the whole ‘stinky/smelly rat man.’ Maybe I’m too much of a ‘’stan’’ but I don’t find it very amusing or endearing. 

Don’t find me mocking or ‘’teasing’’ Paul’s depressed ass and his appearance during the breakup period/white album era-- but I suppose it’s because Paul actually tried and wasn’t on hard drugs, and had a good wife, so he was able to wear his depression and struggle with alcoholism a bit better, hmm? I don’t like Paul’s beard simply because I know it was the result of his lack of energy, depression, and falling into the drink-- he simply didn’t feel the need nor had the energy to care for himself, so that’s why he let it grow out. I don’t like it because of that, but that’s as much as you’ll get from me. 

Anyway... Maybe I just don’t see John as characteristically feminine/effeminate as Paul, although he has his moments of acting and wearing clothes that are campy and elegant or give off a softer appearance, specifically around 1968 and throughout the 70s. But otherwise, I can’t agree, John didn’t have the same mixture, or balance of masculine and feminine traits as Paul-- and if it’s only made obvious during the downfall turning point of The Beatles and John (1968), then I don’t think that really counts as a ‘’lovely’’ mix of masculine and feminine traits for the reasons I mentioned. So I’ve got to disagree. John's always come off as much more masculine, or naturally masculine, both physically and characteristically, to me.

You know maybe it’s just the blogs I interact with, but I feel like it’s the other way around. I know I can sometimes come off as aggressive but at the end of the day I don’t necessarily care what one person thinks or believes, since it’s all relatively subjective to our own ideas of things and biases, etc... I have my thoughts and beliefs and theories and whether people agree or disagree with them on tumblr dot com... Well, what’re you gonna do? Nothing, it’s not my problem. 

What I 100% agree on you with is about showing Johnny’s body a bit more love and attention to detail when it comes to writing about him in fanfiction! 

There’s his auburn red hair, a darker ginger, which was thick and fun to watch as it lit up like fire when sunlight hit him, and could easily go wavy and curl when left unkempt and natural. The splattered and scattered galaxies of light freckles up and down his arms, his shoulders, his back, even a couple on his face. His aquiline nose, a relatively square jawline and facial structure, thick, heavy eyebrows which really intensify expressions of rage and hurt, almond shaped eyes which are the color of honey-amber when the light hits them just right and outlined with thick, long lashes, blind as a bat without his glasses but can give a mean squint which either helps scare off trouble, or brings it right to him, especially when he’s got thin bitten lips that could pull off a devilishly cheeky smirk or a no-good, charming grin to showcase teeth with the upper front turned slightly in towards each other, gives that imperfection which truly just perfects it-- a face like that of a tragic hero in a Greek Romance, distinctive and handsome. How he just oozed filthy sex and genuine trouble, sweaty leather and smoky dancehalls and rock & roll that crawls up your spine like an orgasm. Hips that could roll like Elvis and strong legs, thick thighs which would make a lovely place to sit. Broad shoulders, strong arms that could easily manage to lift you up and manhandle you in any way he’d like. Big hands, almost like shovels-- beautiful hands, with fingernails usually bitten short and occasionally had black ink or charcoal under them from when he’d be working on art, and rough, callused fingertips from playing guitar till they split and bleed, add a lovely roughness to any gentle touching he might do. A naturally thick midsection, a normal, healthy layer of fat which covers the sinewy just beneath. Any hair is light, light and lightly colored, on his arms and legs and chest. Cute tush, nice butt, a nice boy butt, slightly muscular bubble butt. 

Fun facts; he had the largest feet out of all four Beatles. John isn’t circumcised. John and George share the same height. John has a surprisingly long tongue. John’s skin tone may be light, but for comparison, he’s much tanner compared to Paul-- he’s a bit more olive or wheat to his skin tone, and tanned very, very well. John’s cheeks could become easily red though. John liked the scent of citrus to wear--  he was also self conscious about the fact he could easily sweat and so usually wore such colognes or scents, didn’t want to smell bad. He started smelling of witch hazel when with Yoko. Despite his issue with sweating, he didn’t smell bad naturally. John was a true romantic, being an artist outside of being a musician/rock and roller-- he just didn’t like to show it, and growing up in his time, you couldn’t. John’s a swimmer, he loved to swim and loved the ocean. 

[crazy4myself]

<TEASER> No Harm List | Pt. 11

 Warnings: None, a lil suggestive ig

Rating: PG 13 

Word count: 577

A/N: wow okay. I really wanted to post an update in celebration of NHL 1 year anniversery! But that’s jusnot happening. So instead I am posting this short little teaser. I wrote this scene back in likee October, I think it’s so cheeky, so I hope you guys enjoy it when you give it a read. Please know this is very bold of me to post bc I do not have chapter 11 written or even drafter super well so I’m really commitmening myself to this moment here. But I hope it does spark joy! Thanks again for all the love and for making my first year as a writer so dang wonderful! 

-----------------------------------

You groaned as you rolled over. Even with your eyes closed, you could feel the morning sun mercilessly shining down on you through your eyelids. 

You could tell you fell asleep without removing your makeup by the way your lashes seemed to resist when you moved to crack one eye open. They were nearly fused together by the clumped waterproof mascara you foolishly applied before going out. 

You went to nuzzle your face deeper into your navy blue pillow, becoming all too aware of how your throat was dry and your tongue felt too big for your mouth before you remembered you don’t own a navy blue pillow. Your bedding was grey. 

Your body went rigid as you took in the plush king-sized bed that was far nicer than the second hand full you furnished your apartment with, and smelled enticingly of a spiced cologne. 

This is Hoseok’s fault. 

You thought bitterly as you recalled his promise that he wouldn’t allow any one-night stands. He abandoned you and left you helpless to be lured by some sexy stranger. OR worse. 

You felt like cold water was poured down your back at the potential that you weren’t in a stranger's bed but in one of the members of BTS. 

Oh god, oh god you had to get out quick. 

You hoped out of bed your head spinning and your sore body protesting as you made your way to the windows. Your smooth thighs brushed together and you looked down to see you were not in your clothes from last night, but instead, an oversized olive green tee shirt that hung just above your knees. 

You had to admit it’s more modest than what you wore last night. But being in a mystery lover’s clothing did leave you unsettled. You pat your bottom for a moment and smiled in victory when you confirmed your panties were still on. 

You continued your dizzying journey to the window now more bodily aware. Your hangover wasn't the worst you’ve ever experienced, but that didn’t mean it was comfortable when you pulled back the blinds slightly to peer through the window to try to get a check on your location.  

You hissed at the morning light as you took in the familiar rose garden that lined the back of the Den’s property. Your stomach sunk at the view and you still don’t know if you rathered it be a stranger. 

Suddenly you became aware of a lack of noise. 

With a creak of a faucet handle and the groan of the pipes in the walls, you heard the shower come to a stop in the connecting bathroom. 

Your heart raced as the chances of you facing your dance partner of the night came closer. 

Ready to just bite the bullet and face your doom you made your way to the bathroom door and knocked lightly before pushing it open. 

“Hey I’m so-AHHHHHH”

“AHHHHHHHH” Taehyung shouted back at you as he struggled to wrap his towel around his waist. 

“Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” you cried as you pulled the door shut. 

Your breathing hitched in panic, and you struggled to slow it in your flustered state. After a moment of hearing him shuffle around the bathroom, you knocked again, louder this time. 

“Are you decent?” You called hesitantly. 

You swear you could hear his smirk through the door as he responded, “Morally? No. But if you're wondering if I have pants on, yeah, you’re good.”

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Can't help it I want to send you another one - Clark/Oliver for #8 Roommates (oh my god they were Roommates 😏) Also dealer's choice but I would not complain if Lois found her way in this too lol 👀

Haha send as many as you want! As long as you're willing to accept that I can be a very slow writer. XD Also, by found her way into this, you mean took over, right? Because that's definitely what happened.

Send me a ship and a number

clark/lois/oliver. ~2.5 k. Same age/college AU- they're all graduating soon and Clark's afraid of losing the two people he loves the most.

“Smallville, you are an angel.”

“You probably say that to anyone who gives you caffeine, so I won’t let the praise go to my head,” Clark said, dryly, moving to give Oliver his own cup of coffee, before settling down on the couch, with his own mug.

“Nah,” Oliver drawled from his spot on the armchair, his laptop on his thighs, as he shifted forward, to pick up the cup. “I think angel is a good description.”

Clark rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t deny that the words still resided deep in his heart.

“Besides, normal people don’t make coffee like this,” Lois pointed out.

“Considering how much you’ve had today, can you even tell the difference at this point?” Clark challenged, looking pointedly at the clock, which declared it almost 1 am. “Sleep is probably better for you than another cup.”

“Please, don’t insult me- I am an expert in all things coffee,” Lois proclaimed, from the other end of the couch, as she shifted her sock covered feet to rest in Clark’s lap. He was all too used to her antics at this point, and just let them linger. Besides, he couldn’t deny how much he liked her open affection. Both her’s and Oliver’s really. “Anyway, I’m almost done with this paper and then I can call it a night. Two more finals and we’re done for good.”

Oliver repeated the sentiment with obvious enthusiasm, neither noticing how much work it took for Clark’s face not to fall.

Two more finals … and they were done.

Clark should be excited. He was graduating from college, with a degree in journalism, ready to stop studying and start a career that he was passionate about.

But as he looked between Lois and Oliver, as they all resided in Clark and Oliver’s apartment (and Lois was there so often she was practically their third roommate), preparing for finals week, all he could feel was dread.

Dread, because the sooner they were done, the sooner he would lose them.

Two of the most important people in his life, the ones he was so used to seeing on a daily basis … who also happened to be the two people he was desperately, hopelessly in love with … they would just be gone.

Sure, Lois and he were both planning on journalism as a career, but the field was so competitive that the chances they landed in the same state, much less the same city or paper were slim. As far as Oliver went, he would move back to Star City, where he would take over as the CEO he was destined to be.

Clark would be lying if he said he hadn’t looked up jobs at the Star City Gazette, but just because they would be in the same city didn’t mean that they would see one another.

It wouldn’t be the same at all. And Clark, who had always struggled with change, found he wasn’t ready for this one.

These thoughts had been plaguing him, especially the past few weeks, no matter how hard he tried not to think about it. He could too easily picture how their lives would unfold post graduation. Maybe they would see each other now and then but growing apart was almost a certainty. Soon, communication would slow down, as they fell into their own lives and they would see each other at a reunion or maybe he would get invited to one or both of their weddings (perhaps to each other- he had felt the chemistry and was still truly surprised they never dated).

One day, he would just be ‘their old friend from college, Clark’, and the idea made him sick.

But it seemed that he wouldn’t have a choice. He didn’t know how to stop the changes he knew were coming.

Fingers snapped in front of his face, and brought him out of his gloomy thoughts.

“Smallville!” Lois said, and he looked over to meet her frowning face. “Are you listening?”

“No,” he admitted. “Sorry, I got caught up in my thoughts. What were you saying?”

“We were saying that we should have a big celebration, when we’re done,” Oliver answered, expression unreadable as his gaze was focused on Clark.

“Think we can get Clark over to a club?” Lois asked, with a cheeky smile.

Clark grimaced, causing them both to laugh.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Lois finished.

“I mean, I guess we could try-” Clark started, thinking back to Lois’s 21st birthday the previous year. That place hadn’t been that bad.

“Nah,” Lois said, waving her hand. “I was joking. We’ll find something for the three of us. One thing is for certain- this summer, we are doing that road trip!”

“Can’t I just fly us to wherever you want to go?” Oliver asked, wrinkling his nose, and setting his laptop down on the coffee table.

“Silence, rich boy, this is about the journey, not the destination,” Lois declared, causing Clark to let out a small chuckle.

“The journey to see the World’s Biggest Coffee Cup?” Oliver said skeptically, but Clark could see the twinkle in his eye and knew he was just messing around.

Lois knew it too, from her expression. “That’s part of it!”

“I’m putting my foot down at renting an RV,” Oliver warned. “And I don’t care what you say - I am paying for a hotel. We are not sleeping at the nearest, cheapest roadside dump you find.”

“You are going to have to get over what happened in Austin eventually,” Lois complained.

“I saw things that I will never forget,” Oliver said darkly.

“Spoiled.”

“Guilty.”

“Now, now, children, play nice,” Clark teased, head moving back to rest against the couch.

“This is not the time to be the rational one, Clark,” Oliver insisted. “You know I’m right. You don’t want to be sharing a room with the cockroaches any more than I do.”

“They aren’t very considerate roommates and they refuse to even chip in for the bill,” Clark acknowledged, causing Lois to pout. “But that doesn’t mean you can book us all the Ritz, Oliver. We’ll find something reasonable.”

“Fine, fine, have it your way,” Oliver said fondly.

“It could be fun though,” Clark said, smiling wistfully. “One last trip.”

“Yeah, and then we’re off to work,” Lois agreed. “I’ve been looking up jobs- both the Star City Gazette and the Sentinel have multiple openings, and I talked to someone in HR there, and they are expected to have at least two more in the upcoming months. What do you think, Clark?”

“Me?” Clark asked, eyebrows furrowing, confused. “Of what?”

“Of Star City,” Lois replied. “Unless you want to be back in Metropolis, so you can be closer to home. The Daily Planet doesn’t seem to have any openings right now though, and well, Ollie is obligated to be in Star City for the time being, but who knows in the future, right?”

Oliver nodded. “Yeah, I am going to be traveling a lot anyway and for the first few years I have to be in Star City, but Metropolis could eventually be an option. Besides, if you both end up in Star City, you can just stay with me.”

Clark tried to keep up with the conversation, but it felt like he was lagging behind and wasn’t sure how to make headway.

Lois swung her feet off his lap and he missed the touch immediately. She let out a long yawn, rubbing her eyes. “Oh, it is way too late to be talking about this, but we do need to start planning our future soon.”

“Our future,” Clark echoed, dazed. “As in the three of us.”

“Obviously,” Lois said, standing up and stretching. “What, did you think we’re just going to go our separate ways after graduation?”

“Yes.”

The answer was out before he could think about it, and Lois stopped in her movements, turning to him, eyes wide and mouth turned downward. As he looked over at Oliver, he saw his friend looked surprised and hurt.

“Do you … want to go our separate ways after graduation?” Oliver asked, tone uncharacteristically cautious, and expression blank once more. Clark found he really hated that look, the one where he couldn’t immediately understand what Oliver was thinking and feeling.

“I thought that was what you guys would want,” Clark explained hurriedly.

“But all we’ve done is talk about ‘we’ and ‘us’ in the past when we were talking about our next move,” Lois pointed out, sitting down again, this time right next to him.

Sure, but he didn’t think they meant it. Didn’t think they had included him in their plans. Why would they? Clark wasn’t the one who was considered; he was the one people tended to leave behind.

“We’re not leaving you behind, Clark,” Oliver said tightly, and that was when he realized he had said that out loud. His face turned red, cheeks feeling hot, and he dropped his face, eyes focused on his feet, which shuffled awkwardly against the wooden floors, brushing against the rug under the coffee table.

His throat was tight, and he couldn’t form the words if he wanted to.

“Clark.” There was Lois, her arm on his shoulder, and he leaned into her touch. “How could we ever leave you behind? Did you really believe we don’t care about you at all?”

“I guess I didn’t think about it,” Clark muttered, finding his voice.

Lois lightly punched him in the shoulder. “You made two big mistakes, Smallville: you fed us and took us home with you to meet your parents. You’re stuck with us now. Deal with it.”

“Really?” He couldn’t stand how insecure he sounded, but couldn’t help it.

Oliver got up and sat down on the arm of the sofa, leaning against Clark for stability.

“Obviously,” Oliver said firmly. “And while we’re on the topic, we’re not talking platonic bonds here either, just so we’re clear. I’m crazy about you. Lois is too. Getting rid of us now is basically impossible. You’re going to have to change your name and go into hiding or something.”

“You never said anything,” Clark murmured.

“Well, there was no right time to ask, ‘hey, Clark, what are your thoughts on a polyamorous relationship’?” Lois said, one side of her mouth lifting up. “We have a good idea that you felt the same, but we didn’t want to risk losing you. Figured it could come up on the road trip.”

“And you both have talked about this?” Clark asked, looking between them, wondering how much they had decided.

“Only once,” Oliver assured him. “Just to confirm that we were on the same page. You’re harder to read than you think.”

“So, are we?” Lois asked hopefully. “On the same page?”

How could he say anything but yes? The idea that he could get everything he wanted, everything he thought he never could have was still a little mind boggling, but he wasn’t dumb enough to miss the gift that was basically being handed to him.

“Yeah, I mean, I care about … both of you,” he admitted. “I just didn’t think you felt the same.”

“Oh, there are some strong feelings there,” Lois promised. “And if neither of you mind, I would really like to kiss Clark. Do you know how distracting that mouth has been? It’s not even fair.”

Oliver let out a loud laugh and Clark could only watch Lois as she came closer, and he didn’t stop her as she kissed him, and he returned the kiss with equal passion, and when they parted a few moments later, he was grinning, the taste of Lois’s mouth one he never wanted to do without again.

“How was it?” Oliver asked, leaning forward.

Lois licked her lips. “Amazing. You should try it.”

Clark turned his head toward Oliver and Oliver watched him, hand lifting up to caress Clark’s cheek.

“Can I?” he asked quietly, warm brown eyes searching Clark’s own.

Clark stared at his friend and roommate, thinking of how far they had come over the years, and all the not quite friendly fantasies he had been having about him almost as long, and how he wanted more than anything for Oliver to kiss him. Had wanted that, and more for ages.

So he didn’t reply, instead surging forward to meet Oliver halfway and as their lips connected, Clark felt at home. He could hear Lois whistle and he smiled into the kiss. Oliver was just as good a kisser as Lois, and Clark wrapped a hand around Ollie’s neck, tugging him closer and Oliver fell right onto Clark’s lap, the two of them resting their foreheads against each other even when they separated.

“Now that is a show I wouldn’t mind seeing more of,” Lois chipped in.

Catching his breath, he looked at Oliver and Lois. “Aren’t you two going to kiss?” he realized.

“Why? Do you want to watch, Smallville?” Lois asked, but her eyes were on Oliver. “Secret exhibition kink? Here I thought you were a boy scout.”

“Not so much,” Clark retorted. “And something tells me you don’t mind putting on your own show.”

“Plus, his hand is currently on my ass, so I’m guessing not a boyscout,” Oliver remarked.

“Problem?” Clark countered, letting his hand stay where it was, and Oliver shook his head.

“Not a single one.”

“And who can blame him,” Lois offered. “So, what do you say, Ollie?”

Clark held his breath as Lois and Oliver leaned in and shared a long, deep kiss. He had never been a big fan of PDA, uncomfortable with public displays, but this? This was definitely the exception. To say he wouldn’t mind seeing more was an understatement.

“Huh, why did we wait so long to do this?” Lois wondered afterwards.

“Clearly, we’re idiots,” Oliver responded instantly.

“Have you two really never kissed before?” Clark asked, not feeling resentful or jealous, just genuinely curious and surprised; it was amazing what requited feelings could do. “But I thought you said you talked …”

“Only talked,” Oliver interrupted. “We were waiting for you.”

“Oh.”

“Finally get it now?” Lois asked, but she sounded kind. “We’re not letting you go.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

His heart filled with a mix of love and joy, gaze darting between the two of them, and he couldn’t imagine being happier. Lois rested her head on Clark’s shoulder, her hand coming up to entwine with Ollie’s, who seemed quite content sitting on Clark.

He loved them; somehow, they both loved him along with each other.

And he definitely got it.

Clark was suddenly very much looking forward to the future.

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Choking On Sapphires 91

Characters: Alfie Solomons x Genevieve (OFC)

Title & Song: Golden Hour

Summary: Alfie and Genevieve head home together after her bat mitvah and his marriage proposal. The past isn't the only thing they put to bed that night. - Song is Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves

Warnings/Tags: FLUFF. Sexual Content.

Click on my icon then go to my Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.) Please like, comment and reblog if you enjoyed it! It helps out us writers A LOT!

Genevieve stood in the room full of flowers that Alfie had given a new reason to love, for the remainder of the night. The staff broke down the rest of her bat mitzvah behind her but she paid them no mind. Now alone, she drank deeply of the scene before her to carry the portrait in her mind long after she had to leave. With everything but her lovely sanctuary now tidied, she had to say goodbye but held onto all the inspiration she needed to paint it later with the aid of the soft-focus memory and romanticizing lent.

“Perhaps I should’ve brought you your own canvas.” Alfie muses as he approaches with warm hands to her shoulders.

“I’ll never forget this. Even if I tried. No need to worry, the lense of remembrance compared to reality always makes for an interesting interpretation.” Her eyes finally tear away from the view to meet the eyes of her fiancé.

“With a mind that forms opinions like that and a mouth as lovely to speak em, how did I go so long without askin’ you to be my wife?” He gives her a well-intentioned smirk and raises her chin for a brief kiss. One with a glad proudness to it for his good fortune and decision to seal the contract of a lifetime.

“Because we’re both stubborn as mules.” She arches one brow high in an honest and only slightly sarcastic response. “Overachievers who want the best and yet are smart enough to know that perfection, an ideal, isn’t realistic, yet we chase it.”

“Keep talkin' like ya and we’ll be given ‘ese lads a show right here in the floor, love.” He whispers with the same playfulness her smirk lends him, giving her a cheeky wink that causes his favorite laughter to erupt from her painted lips.

“I’d much prefer the comfort of our bed and so would your knees.” A pleased smile graves her mouth that smiles at him softly with no judgment, only an intimate knowledge of the things he preferred to whine about come morning. “Shall we go home, Alfie darling?” A sweet suggestion laid upon him just like her hands to his chest.

“Whatever it is Mrs. Solomons wants, she gets, innit?” He plants a whiskered kiss on her confident smile, a pleased hum emanating from her throat.

“It’s been that way for some time now, Mr. Solomons. Have you not been paying attention?” She asks playfully as she pulls away and turns, looking back at him over her shoulder.

“Ya little minx. Callin’ me ‘ats gonna make an old man feel some things.” He gives a stern brow with his tone, but it covered giving eyes and amused lips she could read better than anyone else.

“You are my old man now.” She reaches back for his hand. “You may not be young, but the night is, there’s plenty left for both of us to feel lots of things.”

———————

He spoke softly in her ear, lips pressed to the soft skin by her sentimental teardrop sapphire earrings that swayed as they pulled into the long drive up to their home. In the darkness, they said very little with words, a closeness that hasn’t required them for some time swells and encapsulates them both in the passing moonbeams as they study one another like new lovers. They arrive home late, after their friends and family but they are all smart enough to leave them be after a night like this one. His hands never leave her body, gentle and strong to assist her out of the car, up the stairs and through doors as he acts like a gent and clears a path for her the way to their bedroom.

The newly proclaimed future Mrs. Solomons walked aimlessly as her betrothed started removing layers to achieve the level of comfort he preferred to have in his own quarters. She watches him, a case study of masculine self-assurance with his lean, functional muscles that were never showy and made for and from hard work. With no one to witness, she sips her champagne flute of water and swoons to herself as his face shows an Alfie Solomons only she gets to know. A lack of fine lines of intimidation and anger, a soft fullness to a relaxed mouth that felt no need to mumble and mutter for the sake of making those around him wonder if the visible signs of anger would be lashed out at them next. He was tired, bless him, she knew him well enough to know one eye would close more than the other when he was feeling sleepy. A tell that she believed only she knew of him. Just as she knew he had the tendency to stare over his glasses at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention, a look very similar to sleep but not so, in his blue eyes that she recalled with fondness and no real anxiety now. His eyes give him away every time for her, and it was suited as they were windows to his soul, and they would share one very soon.

It was an intimacy she no longer feared, this side of her incident fear had no real place in her life any longer. She’d seen death and faced it, beat it into submission and said not today. She knew herself, her strengths, her weaknesses and how to play them and those around her. She would never again let a man scare her, for any reason. She would never bend to them with a seductress approach. There would be no more sexualization of herself for work, she didn’t need it now. That was child’s play and she was a woman. She would be a wife, she would be a mother, God granting, and there was a power in that no one could take away. Alfie had seen that in her, and thus he was the only one who would see that side of her again.

“Alfie darling,” She asks with an inquisitive exhale.

“Yeah, love?” He says as he looks across the room to see her fingers toying with the jewelry she wore. Her newest gift caught the light like a vision, the sound of precious jewels and metals clinking and sliding across her olive skin, once again warm and tan from the sun of summertime.

“Would you like to assist me in readying for bed?” Her eyes were soft but dark, her sultry tone sent warmth into his belly as he sat up at attention and watched her with her hand wrapped around the large sapphire pendant, moving her chest much to the delight of his more unevolved needs. The full swell of her hips, a newly rounded and soft body from age, injury and indulgence in her love of cooking are prominent as her hand rests on her hip. A touch of attitude as she welcomes him to touch her.

There had been a clear line between them. One he did not mind now and respected, despite his own body growing restless some nights as he watched her disrobe. His twitching fingers always warned him of the incoming swell of his cock. His hands missed touching her, feeling her soft under them as he removed her armor of stones and sequins to reveal the pink and imperfect woman beneath. It was a process he found so erotic, so intimate he’d never indulged in it before he was with her. He’d paid plenty of girls for plenty of things but never the intimate act of undressing a woman, of caring for her to relax and ease her at the end of a long day. He saw her opening up to him, offering that sanctity of the near-religious ritual for them both again. He’d not wanted to insult her, to suggest she couldn’t do anything on her own so he had stopped initiating the process. But he saw his respect had earned him a place in her heart and in her bed once again.

“Oh pet,” his voice soothing and deep as he rose in his silken pajamas, the top still unbuttoned as his hand rubbed the fluff that covered his chest in a gesture to show his thanks. He watches the smile bloom across her face, a softness to the round cheeks and dark lashes only he could create with his words and he relishes in it as he approaches. Her body language opens, arms to her sides as his hand slides to the small of her back.

“I know you’ve missed it.” She only has to speak softly for him to hear so close as his height makes her fall into his shadow.

“I have. I have.” He nods with a masculine tone from his chest that warms her.

“Would you like to start with the jewels? Or leave them for last?” The tease in her smile makes him hum happily and lean down to kiss her. “Or perhaps not remove them at all?” Her nose wrinkles as a quiet, brief laugh erupts and his smile turns gentle, eyes crinkled at the edges with amusement for her.

“Cheeky bugger.” He scolds playfully. “Where’s this woman been, eh? She has been reborn from the ashes of her former self? A fuckin’ Phoenix that is. I’ve seen this strong, resilient and powerful one with her dagger eyes and stone face now for so long in the place of the former. But I’d be fuckin lyin’ if I claimed to not be enamored by her as well.”

“This woman is only for you now. No one else deserves her… this side of me now. Only you.” The vulnerability in her voice was clear, and soft exhale as she savors the feeling of his skin against hers in such a way again. A burn and chill deep in her body as the flames inside died and a new woman was born for the purpose of their physical affections. One with a still raw sensitivity to touch, ones whose wounds were closed but still pink and tender just like her body was for him.

“Few things could make me as happy, love.” He whispers as he presses a kiss to her cheek and lingers. “Shall I?” He offers with a mood-setting drag of his strong nose against her jaw that sent a quivering jolt down her neck and veining out into her extremities.

“You shall.” She nods slowly. “Ready your little wife for bed.” She suggests breathily, quickly answered with a deep territorial grunt from him she sighs wistfully and smiles. The heat between them no longer from their spatial relations but from a reigniting of a long-dormant ember that had refused to die they both shared.

“Fuck me, it sounds even better when you say it, love.” His coarse voice drags across her skin as he keeps close, her deep perfume with hints of lavender that was so distinctly her fills his nostrils as he kisses his way across the crown of her head to stand behind her. “I’ve thought of you as mine for so long. Seems like it’s been this way for years now, yeah?”

“It’s hardly been years we’ve known each other.” She remarks with raised brows, watching their reflection in the mirror in front of her.

“We’ve been through enough for two lifetimes already.” His brows match hers in their expressiveness. A silent confession that it had all felt too much for a time.

“Perhaps we had it easy in a past life. And perhaps this trip will assure our next one together will once again be simpler than we are now.”

“It’s a lovely sentiment.” He says with a clear tone of disbelief.

“But not very likely yes?” She gives him a light-hearted smile that told him she was still firmly Grounded.

“Not fuckin’ likely.” He nods as he continues gathering her hair after removing the combs. His hands were far gentler than any time before with her. No rush to his movements or words, only a sense of duty and patience for his other half he was displaying fully. “Ya know...before ya were sick,” He begins delicately. “You would’ve insisted on your correctness and that I was a stubborn arse who had no imagination.” A smile crosses his face and a laugh he doesn’t expect bubbles up from her chest as he works on taking off her jewelry.

“It was another time. I was different. Now we’re both jaded.” She shrugs. “Both stubborn, hateful things now.” she frowns and he reads the clear playful nature of her honest observations.

“Always been stubborn love.”

“We BOTH have always been and always will be.” She corrects with a pointed finger. “But now we are both on the same page.” She exhales with a pleasant expression. “All my whimsy is tied to you now, my love.” She gives a single nod to him in punctuation as he meets her eyes in the mirror. “Although I could never rightly claim you have no imagination. After tonight in the museum I would especially be eating my words.”

“What a giving observation.” He thanks her with a kiss to her shoulder as he unpins her earrings, Everything being gently laid in the gilded tray on her vanity. “But it was you what gave me the idea, right?”

Her head tilts in question at his words.

“Ya might not recall, but when I brought you back home and you were on your medicine,” the ease with which they spoke of it now was a blessing. With the air clear between them on the events that followed her abduction and her strong arming herself to overcome her own anxieties, not left with a choice but to be successful as a woman in the world she lived in, their communication was more transparent than ever. “You would stay up in your studio and paint. I’d leave ya with a canvas on the wall and I’d come back to retrieve you and the paintings would be all over the wall around the little square.”

“I only recall staring at lillies.” She answers quietly, a hint of shame still when she spoke of it.

“You were paintin’ your little hiding place at that time, yeah? You would talk to ya self when I didn’t announce myself. And you’d say things… very similar to your musing tonight actually, about the barrier not being real and that. The hindrance of artistic freedom you would say. Your water Lilies would cover those walls. And they were lovely. Soft and fuzzy, much like you at the time.” He adds with another affectionate kiss to her hand and forearm, stroking it gently and looking at the sapphires that weighed down her delicate wrists.

He recalls those wrists being injured and bruised and useless. Now only pink scars as reminders, her fingers healed and now a tiny bit crooked looking in the absence of her rings. They’d healed and he found the comparison of his memory of her injuries to be a perfect match for how their relationship had evolved.

“It was unconventional but I did like the avant-garde approach. The dreamy state of you spilling out into reality what where it was only in Ya head before.” His brows knit and he very slowly and hesitantly removes the heavy bracelet. “I wanted that for you tonight, love. I wanted to show you in my way that anything in that enthralling mind of yours is possible.”

“Even a beautiful proposal from the man I love.” She takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes as he kisses up her arm. “After all the ugliness we’ve endured. The parts of me I’ve had to let go of to survive,” She speaks calmly but as always, her self reflection is something he greatly admires. “Once again you’ve changed my view on love and what it truly is.” She keeps her eyes closed as his kisses land on her cheek.

“Ya fuckin brilliant Chanah.” He whispers “I can only agree and say the same of you. Didn’t think women like you fuckin’ existed. Certainly didn’t fink I’d even love someone as I do you, neshama sheli.”

“Ani ohev otkha.” She replies softly as he exhales onto the bend of her neck.

“Ani ohev otkha.” He wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly. Maybe it was that she was speaking Hebrew with a tongue that sounded like it was born to do so. A woman worthy of being held higher than others. It could be the emotions wrapped up in the long overdue events of the night that led him to have such feelings. “Chanah…” He begins with a kind tone, his cheek pressed against her hair. She hums quietly in response, hands gently rubbing over his forearms. “We don’t have to do this.” He says with a less amorous tone.

Her eyes flutter open in surprise. “Do what? Get married?” She asks with an offended tone as she turned quickly in his arms.

“Fuck no love! This the…” He motions with his hand between their bodies. “We don’t have to be physical like this. This feels like its leading to bed and I don’t want you feelin' like you have to just cause-“

She puts her fingers over his plush lips and chuckles. “Oh, Ari.” She sighs, shaking her head at him as if he were a child. “To be so intelligent you certainly can be a fool.” She moves to hold his cheeks.

“What the fuck ya on about?” He gruffs out.

“I want you to listen carefully. Because I mean what I am about to say.” She gives a nod of her chin his way. “I will never again do something for a man that I don’t want to. And that includes you.” She adds with a gentle pat of his face. “That includes any wifely duties.” She kisses his lips as she watches his face turn into a look of understanding. “Although it is you who has the obligation to me.” She grins and bops his nose before pushing his hair back affectionately.

“I just know it’s… delicate for ya pet.” He adds softly with a tone that only makes her more sure of her want of him.

“It is. Was.” She waves her hands dismissively. “But I will not let that fear rule me or my actions. I love you, and I love expressing that affection physically. Tonight has made me feel warm and safe and full in a way that astounds me. I know you would never hurt me in this way. I know you are a wealth of understanding for me and I’m not afraid of it anymore. Not when it’s with you.”

“Ya sure? Is there no part that wants to wait? Until the wedding? Keep these acts of tradition going?”

“Is it something you want?” Her eyes narrow as she studies him.

“Don’t make a fuckin difference to me, love. You’ve been me wife in my mind for a while now. Nothin done between us can be seen as wrong as I see it.”

“You have, have you?”

“From ages ago.” He answers dramatically. From that night you came over to me house after Paris, yeah? And you forgave my sorry arse for up 'n leavin'. For being such a bellend and thinkin' you weren’t the best fing to happen to a bastard like me. But I knew ya were then. And the night you were taken…” his voice slows and moves to a deeper, less showy inflection. He pulls her against him, kissing her for a long moment to make up for lost time like he’d wanted to for months now and all those nights she’d been missing. "That gift I gave you tonight had been gatherin' dust for months now. Had it polished to where you could see your reflection in it that night, I did. Had flowers, a plan…”

“Then I had to go and fuck it all up.”

The humor behind her words surprises him but makes him smile at the dark honesty of it. “Yeah, ya did.” He caresses his nose against hers and they both share a laugh for a brief moment.

“I had no idea that night. Or this. Always full of surprises, you are.” She wrinkles her nose at him affectionately.

“Just have to get ya distracted is all.” He mutters to make it sound less impressive than it was.

“And modest.”

“Only when it comes to you. I fuckin know betta. You’ll put me in my place.”

“And so perceptive.” She kisses him softly. “I would’ve said yes then, same as now. We are only stronger now, more resilient than before yes? Had to earn it. We can’t take each other for granted. We won’t now.”

“Never. Every day I have you I am acutely aware that it could be the last. I’ll promise it now to ya, yeah. For granted is somethin' I’ll never take ya. Even if I’m not around, or I’m being a right cunt. Know that I know, right”

“You are somehow more charming to me now than ever.” She snickers.

“Thank fuck for at because if not I’d have nothin goin' for me.” He remarks loudly and they fall into a breathy laugh that turns into a kiss.

“I am so looking forward to being your wife.” She admits openly after a moment of resting their heads together. “In the meantime how’s about we pretend hmmm? Finish readying me for bed and join me. I want to be yours tonight.”

“Whatever you want my lovely, missus.” He coos with less cheeky boy and more experienced man to his body language as his hands moved to unbutton each silken circle down her back with patience.

The soft curve of her nape is revealed, a kiss to the rounded bone visible there. She allows herself to melt when his lips touch her. Each button was undone, another kiss down her back between her shoulder blades. His hands are rough on the peaks of his palms and fingertips, but soft to the touch on her buttery skin as the shoulders of the gown fall easily and he wraps his hands around her to untie the waist.

It didn’t take long for it to occur to him as he watched her in the mirror that she wasn’t wearing a bra. “What sort of good little Jewish girl goes without her pants at her own bat mitzvah?” He teases.

“I do have knickers on.” She defends herself. “The dress was so tight I didn’t need one.” She explains.

“Fuckin' ell ya ain’t lyin', love.” He dotes as his hand rub the pink marks around her waist from the tight dress, falling to the floor and proving her statement about her pants true. “Why ya wear it if it hurts you? Leavin' ya with marks.”

“I hardly notice anymore.” She shrugs.

“Let your husband take care of these. Can’t have a wife go to bed like this. What sort of man would I be?”

“The sort I wouldn’t marry.” She teases as he grins against her skin, whiskers twitching and tickling.

“And you are mine. So I betta take care of this. Here. Step out of these, let me free you up. Certainly not an excuse to see this heavenly vessel move about.” He kisses her bare shoulder as his hands ran over her hips and her silk lingerie joins the dress where they’ll stay until morning. “Fuckin hell you are gorgeous.” He groans into her collar bones as his hand wanders freely. “This is alright, yeah?” He questions with concern in her ear.

“Perfectly so.” She strokes the side of his face for his consideration. “If it’s not, I will tell you. Promise. I want you, without editing, give me my Ari back tonight and let me be his.” Her poetic words still make him feel warm from the inside out. A suspended reality when they were together where he was a man who deserved such things. The air hit his skin as they kissed and moved together in a lover's dance toward the bed, her pushing his loose shirt off on the way.

A long, naked snog under the covers takes away everything else that could be holding them back from one another. There was no past in this moment that she surrendered to. There was nothing to remind her of her time in that dark room there. There was never love, security, Respect or passion like this. This wasn’t what had happened to her she realized. She’d been connecting the wrong ideas. What had happened to her wasn’t sex. But neither was this. This was making love and between two consenting adults who were committed to one another and bound by something fierce that neither could rationally explain. They let go of their hardened and logistic minds together, neither wanting to explain what they felt with words any longer. They only wanted to lose themselves in whatever seemingly unexplained connection they felt after feeling so separate for so long.

He touched her as if she might break, but not out of fear of doing so, but from adoration. His patience coming through with his mouth at worship of every part of her. She was soft and full like a goddess in a renaissance painting. She was built for love and life he thought, feeling her full thighs around his head. He buried himself in the lavender-scented garden between her legs and ate and drank the nectar of her. This would be the first time she let go for him that night.

The next was sudden, distracted by the bunching of sheets around them, her limbs wrapped around the strong body of the man she took her power back with. She had only requested his mouth to never leave her when he asked what she needed of him. Nothing else mattered. She craved the closeness, the intimacy of skin to skin and the smells and tactile sensations of their joining. His muscles moved with years of knowledge behind them as her hands grasped at them. The sweat from the act itself, their bodies so immersed and exhausted their skin wept, the smells of masculine and feminine mixing into something that could never be replicated by anyone else.

He had slowly and without remark opened her and pleased her to allow him inside without pain. Keeping his promise to never hurt her. The longest lovemaking session they’d ever had led her to be so aroused her skin flushed at its surface and glistened with beads of sweat as they moved. Her nipples hard and aching, same as her clit that felt the rush of blood from her racing heart. He used every bit of himself to soothe her as he brought out the side of herself she’d been suppressing in fear. He stroked and pet every piece to make her mind quiet and her body softens, he reminded her why she loved this before, and why she would once again.

She would never silence herself for any man in or out of bed and she practices this vow in full. Her cries up at the canopy, into his fussed hair or muffled by his shoulder as she sucked away at him, they always reached his ears and made him ache for the time they’d lost. He had missed her. The sex had always been great between them, but now it was about more than that. A way for two people who made their living with words and violence to leave it behind as if who they were outside of each other was shed like a snakes skin before they joined in bed. Both leaving their hard selves outside the bedroom door and letting the real raw versions come out only for one another. There were no words needed, those cried out were their given names and called out in pleasure and praise.

There was no parting as they finished, a way to keep it holy by not wasting a drop as he stayed inside her and kissed every bead of sweat from her face, tasting her salty sweetness. As his arms shake she directs him to her chest, ordering him to rest. There was nothing amiss with him shielding her from the outside world like this, connected as one even as they slept. It almost felt like the closing of a chapter for them, a period to end the long winter they’d faced together. But it couldn’t be truly so, as their stories had only merged. Becoming a single tale to recall in legend years after they were gone. Yes, it was only the beginning for them, for as joyous as it was for them, some would be against the pairing in a way just as impassioned as they were.

Please like, comment and reblog if you enjoyed it! It helps out us writers A LOT!

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[msbeccieboo]

Arrow 7x21 Brain Dump

Late, late review…oops! This episode was SO GOOOOOD!!!! I’ve seen a real mix of reactions for 7x21, but personally I LOVED IT!! TOMMY MERLYN guys…nuff said!! Obviously, it was painfully Olicity-light, which is criminal given our time restrictions, but when an episode was this good, I can overlook some things haha! I’m going to take it as an episode in its own right, even if we should have had it earlier in the season, again. I actually thought that this would be a short review this week as, being a bottle episode, not a lot really happens. But with Tommy back in play, a whole boatload of emotions, and my flash-forward Olicity babies being back in play, it got long as usual. Sorrynotsorry.

Oliver and TOMMY!!!!

Oh Oliver. Poor Oliver went through it this week. The episode picks up where we left off last week with Oliver in a concrete sandwich (luckily dodging all the rebar), after sister-dearest dropped a building on him. Coming to, he calls for Overwatch and John (he knows who’s important) he looks up and we hear:

“Need some help?”

*Roll titles* Da da da da da da dah-da!!🏹

More beneath the cut

TOMMYTOMMYTOMMYTOMMYTOMMYTOMMY!!!!! Once more for the haters….TOMMY MERLYN!!!! YAAAAASSSSS!!!! In case it isn’t clear, I love me some Tommy Merlyn 😍😍 I will gladly accept any and every version of him that they can give us. Rat Poison Hallucination Tommy? Yup. Flashback Tommy? Sure. Earth 27.3 Evil Clown Tommy? Bring it! Any version, any time, anywhere, I’m there! So that is where I stand on the Tommy Merlyn debate haha! I loved how he was used in this episode. For me it didn’t feel like it had been overdone before, as I’ve seen some people say. We have actually had very little Tommy since he died. We have only had him as a ghost/hallucination for one tiny scene in 2x09 (I’m not counting the Alien dream as he didn’t even speak, and was just a really bad CGI job), since then he’s been back either in flashback, Earth X, or Human Target form, so the opportunity for a prolonged vision-Tommy, as the voice of Oliver’s morality?? Sign me the hell up!!

Colin still knows, and plays Tommy so damn well. He slips straight back into the character, and he is so like the character we knew from S1 conversationally, and in his mannerisms. How he has differentiated between the various versions we have seen over the seasons is just testament to Colin’s acting ability. Ugh, he’s fabulous.

So Oliver escapes from the rubble with help from Tommy and a trick arrow, and then a whole emotional rollercoaster ensues for a decent portion of the episode. I liked that straight off the bat, Oliver notes that he must have a concussion, he knows he’s dreaming, and he doesn’t care, he just goes along with it for the opportunity to ‘speak’ to his oldest friend again. I was living for the easy nostalgic conversations they had. They joked about the whole secret half-sister thing they now shared, with a cute little nod to Thea, Tommy’s beard 😂and a story of ‘Ollie’ hotwiring Malcolm’s car and getting grounded. This was so cute and light, given the dire circumstances.

Source: smoakmonster

The conversation eventually turns round to Serious Things, and a hashing out of Oliver’s duelling feelings on Emiko, on redemption, on killing for the right or wrong reasons. Oliver’s Daddy issues manifest, and it was emotional to see just how fucked up Oliver still is by the actions of Robert and Malcolm.

Tommy warns him that he needs to break free of his and Robert’s cycle of lies and hate that he is trapped in. He has a chance of a clean slate, to keep his past from hurting his kids, but Oliver won’t listen, convinced that he must kill Emiko to keep his family safe. He eventually breaks out of the room and joins the team. Not heeding Tommy or Dig’s words of caution, he leaves the team and pursues Emiko, intent on killing her. She tells him she knows about the baby, and the rage we saw on Oliver’s face was epic!

Despite Dig catching up with him and telling him not to, Oliver takes aim and shoots Emiko in the chest, killing her. However, when Oliver turns around he sees that Diggle has an arrow in his chest, and he falls down to his death, where we see the rest of the team, also all arrowed!! Then snap!! Back to Tommy…it was all a dream.

Source: arrowdaily

WRITERS, NEVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!!! I NEVER WANT TO SEE JOHN THOMAS DIGGLE DIE!! 😭😭😭

We get back to Oliver with Tommy, with Oliver crying over Dig’s ‘death’ 😭 no baby nooo!!! Tommy tells him his vision was a “reminder of what it feels like”. Oliver replies "Of seeing my loved ones die? Of seeing my family be threatened?" His voice breaking on the family part ended me 😭😭😭

Source: olivergifs

Tommy likens these feelings to how Robert must have felt; that fear leads to vengeance then to cruelty and abandonment. And that as long as Oliver keeps giving in to his worst impulses, he will never be free of Robert’s cycle. He advises him on what he needs to do regarding Emiko.

A lot of Tommy’s words to Oliver here and throughout the episode sounded more like Felicity in their nature, from the lighter parts:

Source: ebett

To the more supportive words he had for Oliver: 

“Lean in to the best parts of yourself; your loyalty, your selflessness, your courage, your compassion, and show that side to Emiko. You are living proof that people can change, and you’ve got to find a way to see that in her too.” 😍

I can almost hear Felicity telling him ‘Tommy’s’ words. And this makes sense, with being a dream/hallucination and all. These are all voices in Oliver’s head; a mix of his own thoughts and the words of the two people who knew him best before (Tommy) and after (Felicity) the island. So, once more for the Tommy haters in the back…this wasn’t a conversation between ‘Tommy’ and Oliver, Oliver wasn’t asking for Tommy’s opinion; it was an internal dialogue between two conflicting desires within Oliver; it was Oliver’s conscience having a little tête-à-tête.

Oliver hears the team coming for him, and realises his time with Tommy is up. He says goodbye to his friend by telling him:

Source: misomeru

DEADED! Sobbing.like.a.baby. This felt like a true, final goodbye. Oliver took his realisation from ‘Tommy’. He knows what he has to do to stop Emiko and keep his soul and his family safe.

Anyway the team rescue Oliver and take him back to the lair, where they learn that Emiko and co. have stolen back the bioweapon from last week and are in the middle of slaughtering the SCPD, with Emiko dressed as Oliver *le sigh*. Oliver confronts her on the roof of the SCPD (ah, the memories…), has the opportunity to kill her, but doesn’t. He tries to reach her, offers her a chance at redemption once more “help me end our family’s cycle of violence”. Instead, half-sister-supervillain tells him she is going to kill him, his family and his city, then dares him to kill her. Oliver tells her no, and she actually looks…disappointed?? Then just zooms away on a zipwire arrow…see you next week Emiko!! The team arrive on the roof, just as an SCPD helicopter arrives to apprehend them….the end!

With regards to Oliver’s stance on not killing Emiko…I am totally ok with it. I don’t think its’s character regression on his part, it’s his choice to end a cycle of violence and guilt. I wrote a little more on redemption here, but my personal take is that redemption isn’t necessary for Emiko, just the opportunity of it. Oliver could easily detain her indefinitely and help her to redeem herself, or not, that is her choice. But it is important to Oliver that he tries his hardest to give that chance to her. I hope that he sees her choice in the matter by the end, and doesn’t continue beating the proverbial dead horse. (Or, you know, that someone else just kills her, or she falls off a cliff or something 😂)

Olicity

Ok, yes, I was hoping for more this week…a hug at least! We got the concern and the love, both separately and very briefly face-to-face 😡. Much as in my perfect world all episodes would be full of Olicity moments, this week, taken as a standalone, didn’t need a lot of Olicity in order to be a good episode. It was a great episode…on it’s own, in a vacuum. But it’s the penultimate Olicity episode ever. I would have liked more focus, that’s all.

Anyway, here’s the pretty:

Source: olicitygifs

Source: olicitygifs

Bonus: Cheeky bum grab 👀😏

Source: lucyyh 💗

Felicity

Felicity wasn’t the primary focus of the episode, this was definitely an Oliver episode, but given her dual storylines in the present and the FFs, we still got a lot of her on our screens. My gripe is that this would have been fine in any other episode, but this was her penultimate show!! But it is what it is…onwards and upwards and all that!

We first see her, back at Smoak Tech HQ, where Alena tells her that the SCPD are there with a warrant. All Felicity wants is some tech to help her locate Oliver (said tech is being manhandled by ‘Lieutenant Butterfingers’ LOVE HER 😂😂), but Sergeant Bingsley (ugh) has other ideas. Emiko has sent them the footage of Roy killing the guards, and they also linked the Ninth Circle bomb to Archer, and Archer back to Smoak Tech, and he is there to arrest Felicity…RUDE!!! Felicity and Alena escape, by taking out all the officers with a supercharged Canary Cry-esque burst from Felicity’s security system. YAAAASSSS GIRL!! 👑👑👑

I liked the focus on Alena and Felicity’s friendship in this episode; meant to mirror the ‘reveal’ in the FFs, and set up Felicity’s leaving, no doubt. Alena tells her that of course she will help her “I’m not letting you do this alone”, and they head to the bunker to find Oliver and the team. (Side thought: if the team are now working for the SCPD, why don’t they SCPD know where the lair is? Why don’t they go there to arrest Felicity/Roy/anyone else? Huh.) Felicity gets in touch with the team, but not Oliver, and helps to guide them through the building. Classic Overwatch. I loved how Alena was all of us when she asks Felicity how she breathes when she does this!

Then we see Emiko show up at the lair. Change. the. locks. people! 

Source: felicitysmoakgifs

NOOOOOOO!!!! Save baby Mia!! But now Emiko knows agggghhhhhh!!!!! I loved Felicity’s attempt at reasoning with her; her baby is innocent, just as Emiko was, and it seemed to work, as Emiko left them unharmed. This was really a reality check moment for Felicity, of the direct danger that her baby would/could be put in if they continue this lifestyle as it is for much longer. I think Felicity is just so naturally positive, and has such faith in her own abilities, and in Oliver, that she had honestly believed that they would all be ok up until now.

Source: feilcityqueen

Felicity’s reality, her feelings, (and her hormones) all come crashing upon her at once, as she compares her situation to her own childhood experiences. And where she had always hoped that things would be different when she had her own children. Her whole speech about her comparing her childhood with her dreams for her own children, and her doubting her parenting ability was just heart-breaking:  

“Growing up my parents made my life miserable, and I promised myself I would do better when I became a parent...I imagined this life and this is not it. Somehow I have done something worse...I can’t even keep my children safe.” 😭😭😭

NOOO!!! I just wanted to give her a hug! This leads into Alena suggesting that there’s ‘another way’ for Felicity. She tells Felicity that she can go off the grid, run the company remotely, but raise her family with Oliver in private, away from the SCPD and all the ungrateful fucks in Star City (I may have paraphrased slightly there!). This seed planted here is likely going to be how we see Felicity written out in the finale next week 😭

Source: ebett

Team Arrow

Roy Freaking Harper. The man. The legend. Love him. He’s the hero Team Arrow has deserved, and has been missing. NTA could never. And it was never more apparent than in this episode. After the blast, Felicity gets in touch with them and updates them with the SCPD developments. 

As the generator kicks back in, they realise that the blast bringing the building down blew out a gas line and the whole of the lower level is filled with a toxic and flammable gas. Gas + generator = BOOM (hmmm this plot sound very familiar). Unfortunately the generator is on that same lower level, and needs turning off in order to save them all from going up in flames.  So on one side we have Rene crying over his rep, Dinah bitching about losing her job and saying that Roy should give himself up to save the rest of the team. Then we have Roy, who just parkours straight into the toxic gas, sacrificing himself to turn off the generator and save the team. Eat it NTA. And they did! The overreaction by Rene, and especially Dinah, who sinks to the ground like the love of her life has just been killed (again 😬) is just ridiculous! Roy, being the badass parkour ninja bunny that he is, manages to jump back up and out of the gas. Yay Roy! Next thing, Dinah’s guilt clearly kicks in and she’s giving a still remorseful Roy a pep talk, telling him how the world and the team needs a hero like him. What the actual fuck Dinah? MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND! This woman could win the world yo-yo championships. Her weekly, or hourly, flip-flopping from one completely different viewpoint to another is tedious, exhausting and whiplash inducing. Go away. I beg of you. This pep-talk should have come from Dig. He’s Uncle Dig, pep-talks are his jam. And he would actually believe and stand by his words. Instead, Dig was sidelined again for more ridiculous bird action, because comics.

Roy’s guilt and apparent suicidal tendencies over the pit-rage-fuelled killings last week, combined with Dinah’s “dying is the coward’s way out, every day that you stay alive you try to redeem yourself” can only be leading to his exile on Lian Yu, surely? That will be where he seeks his redemption. But 20 years?? Man, I think he might have some more pit-mishaps coming up first!

FFs

My boy William is back!!! YAY!!! We got some overdue future family Clayton-Smoak-Queen feels this week. First off, just look at these little Olicity babies…those expressions!!!! 😍

Felicity says that in order to stop the Archer-powered Army, they need to take Archer down for good. William tries to help, with a ‘quick and dirty virus’, but Felicity denies him, insisting that he keeps safe. He rebuts with another plan to take Archer down by hacking Slimy Galaxy One Dude in proximity, employing a little flirty-flirt…Season 1 Felicity reference FTW!!!! Felicity again tells him no, that she wants him safe. This leads to him blowing up at being excluded, just like when he was a kid, and his anger at being left behind come up. Felicity apologises for not coming back for him, and tells him they just wanted him safe, and to have a normal life, but she is interrupted by a hacking emergency and Will walks off. This leads to him opening up to Mia about his feelings of abandonment, and this was another chance for us to see Mia’s softer, empathetic side, especially in her defence of Felicity. She reminds him that Felicity was still watching over him, that she backed his company and helped him to succeed, to which William replies “I didn’t need her money, Mia, I needed a mother” 😭😭 I just want to hug him!! Mia tells him that the only way to come to terms with it, and to find out their real reasons for ‘abandoning’ him is to confront her head on. This never gets to happen in the episode, but this conversation must surely mean that this will happen next week? And I’m guessing her answer will come with a surprise of some sort (hopefully of the Oliver-variety!!).

Will decides to ignore Felicity, and goes to hack Archer directly from Slimy Guy, who is still as cringe-inducing as ever. Not nearly as cringeworthy, however, as Rene’s terrible hair, as he is brought out as the man who ‘inspired’ the Zeta project?? Ugh, ratty rats must be killed. Squeak squeak Rene! Slimeball gets an alert and leaves them, only to return moments later with a gaggle of Zeta soldiers. They have detected William’s DNA, and Slimer announces that he knows who William really is, with “Such a pleasure to finally meet the son of Oliver Queen and Felicity Smoak”!!!!! I adore hearing him be called both of theirs son soooo much!!

Meanwhile, back in the lair, we meet the “mad scientist that converted Archer into Frankenstein’s monster” (Felicity’s words haha), who turns out to be non-other than…Alena! Ok, so not the biggest reveal ever, but I still loved the scene. Felicity summoned her to help destroy Archer by freezing her bank accounts and passport (still got it!), and we get to see angry protective Mia confronting her, while Alena looks at her, rather softly, and laments:

Source: eloquence-of-felicities

She then goes on to apologise to Dinah for what happened to her Canaries. And she means it. She explains how she came to releasing Archer to Galaxy One. I liked here how they didn’t go with her being an outright evil mastermind...she tried to license out the program, then was subject to a hostile takeover, and had her loved ones threatened by Slimey Dude Kevin Dale. A shared look between them implied that maybe her 'loved ones' possibly included Felicity? Or maybe just that she was hoping Felicity would empathise with that choice? We never get to know, because the lair is suddenly swarmed with Zetas, as the remaining team (minus Connor and Zoe) are apprehended by Galaxy One. 

To be continued…

Bonus:

William: *hacks*, Felicity: *that’s mine*, Mia: *who can I punch?*

So yes, exciting times in both timelines!! ONE EPISODE LEFT GUYS!!! HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT?!?! 😬😬😬

Thank you as always to the fabulous gif makers, you beautiful people! 😍😍 (The uncredited, poor quality gifs are mine haha!)

[tsukkeilate]

Love Scenario

Summary: “Before we wrap things up, there’s a question that everyone’s dying to know about.” The interviewer started, making Oikawa curious enough to lean forward from his seat. “Oh?”  “People have been asking if there’s a special someone. Everyone’s at speculation ever since you posted that photo in Instragram with a heart-warming caption and left many jealous and/or soft.” Pairing: Oikawa Tooru / Kageyama Tobio A/N: Oikage Winter Week day 2! I’m late sorry, had to do my case study (which I’m not yet done hahaha rip) Warnings: OOC, no beta, rushed ending 

A man jumped on to the stage, making the crowd roar. He was wearing sparkly black tuxedo and a cheerful smile on his face. The camera zooms in to get a view of him better. The man, noticing the camera’s attention, winked and made finger hearts that triggered the crowd to be rambunctious. As the background starts to play, and the man got into position. The crowd started chanting when the first few lines of the song was delivered, screaming when the man went down the stage to hold hands with some of his fans.

After few moments of the fan service, he strutted back on stage wherein he started to dance as he sang, getting down on the floor and grinding his hips seductively, which the crowd lost it, yelling various of obscenities that include impregnation and profanities; definitely not safe for children to hear.

“Wow, Tooru is truly amazing, don’t you think Jon?” The female reporter live on the television said, few seconds after the performer finished his segment.

“No doubt Gale. He turns even the straightest man gay.” The male reporter beside her commented. He seemed to pause before adding,

“I think I’m gay.”

“We all are, Jon. We all are.”

Kageyama watched with interest as his senpai of two years charmed the people on stage with his performance. His moves are amazing, he thought idly as he slurped his noodles and took a bite of his chicken, making even the male reporter gay with it. Though he blanched at the finger heart and wink in the beginning; that man really thought he looked cool with that. Kageyama thought it made him more pretentious than usual.

At the middle of the show, his phone alerted him of a text, no doubt coming from him.

Annoying Alien Did you see my performance today?

He rolled his eyes and wiped his fingers clean with tissue.

Me Yes.

The response came immediately.

Annoying Alien The finger heart and wink are for you! <3

Seriously? This man got no shame.

Me It’s disgusting, Oikawa-san. Please don’t do it again. It makes you look pretentious than usual.

After pressing send, Kageyama diverted his attention from his phone and towards the television. His favorite band is starting to play and Oikawa could wait later. He started cheering for them as he watched, going as far as doing their fan chant that perfectly synced with the people at the live venue. Once their performance was done, however, he went to check his phone that got numerous texts he received from Oikawa.

Annoying Alien Mean! This is why you’re not cute Tobio-chan

Annoying Alien Also what happened to Tooru-san?

Annoying Alien It’s okay to admit you like it you know~ it’s for you

Annoying Alien Hey don’t forget to watch my interview later okay~

Annoying Alien shiratori must be playing so you’re not replying

Annoying Alien I’m much better than them though

Annoying Alien Tobio-chan, pay attention to me :<

Annoying Alien I’ll pester you more

Annoying Alien …..

Annoying Alien Seriously, reply to me you little brat

Me Are you done being childish, Oikawa-san?

Annoying Alien So you’re alive! Don’t forget to watch my interview okay?

Annoying Alien Also I’ll be coming home late

Me Ok.

Annoying Alien Why do I even put up with you honestly…

“Good Evening everyone. Today we have a very special guest. He is a model, singer song writer and an actor who is currently swooning the hearts of everyone. Without further ado, may I call on Tooru!” The female interviewer introduced and the audience started cheering.

Oikawa came into the set dressed in smart casual, waving his hands at everybody and giving them his award-winning smile. Due to this, the cheers started to amplify that Kageyama lowered down the volume of his television to avoid becoming deaf.

Fans are a force to be reckoned with.

Oikawa sat opposite from the interviewer, facing directly to the camera. The interviewer, who decided to let the cheers die down before asking questions, smiled at him. Once the crowd settled, she wasted no time hammering out the pre-approved questions at Oikawa.

“So Tooru, I heard your latest album was a success! It reached the Bilboard’s Top 50 in less than a week. What do you have to say about that?” The reporter asked him, smiling.

Oikawa laughed at that, “well, I have to thank my fans for it. They’re always the reason behind my every success. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here conducting an interview with someone as prestigious as you.” He said, smiling at the blush and charmed look on the interviewer’s face.

He then turned to the audience, “Thank you all for your support. I love you guys!” He exclaimed, making a heart with his arms above his head.

Kageyama snorted when the audience started screaming. He even heard a ‘We love you too Tooru-sama!’ somewhere at the back.  These people are being fooled by that gentleman demeanor. Oikawa is anything but.

Again, the interviewer paused to let the audience calm themselves before continuing. The questions were easily answered. Yet each time, Oikawa find ways to make the audience rowdier than before. Kageyama swears the interviewer’s slowly losing her cool and would join the cheering herself if the cameras weren’t trained at them.

Kageyama scoffed at her blatant puppy crush. He made side comments each question until the last one rendered him speechless.

“Before we wrap things up, there’s a question that everyone’s dying to know about.” The interviewer started, making Oikawa curious enough to lean forward from his seat.

“Oh?”

“People have been asking if there’s a special someone. Everyone’s at speculation ever since you posted that photo in Instragram with a heart-warming caption and left many jealous and/or soft.”

The said picture was posted on the LED screen behind them, which Kageyama recognizes. It was him buried under the duvet, his black hair peeking out as Oliver their cat was curled beside him. Kageyama felt his face flushed when he read the caption.

okwtr_0720 My heart, my beloved.

“I will be putting those speculations at rest. Yes, I do have special someone.” He held up his hand to silence the audience that was steering, “though I will not give out their name, for privacy reasons, I just want this person to know how much they mean to me.”

“They’re the person whom I would want to spend the rest of my days with, no matter the circumstances. Even if they’re cheeky, rude and uncute sometimes, there’s nothing I would trade in this world just to see them smile. Their happiness is mine as well.”

He had a soft smile on his face and a gentle look in his eyes that reminded Kageyama the day they got together, when he was a bumbling mess over the spontaneous confession to his senpai at his graduation. The joy he felt when he received the third button from Oikawa’s school uniform and the fireworks he saw when Oikawa pressed his lips against his. It was one of the happiest moments he have and one of the moments he holds close to his heart.

Oikawa was just about to head home when his phone chimed several times. He fished them out of his pockets to see who sent them. A smile bloomed on his face as he read the texts sent. 

‘He’s so cute.’

Tobio-chan   That’s playing dirty, Tooru-san. You’re so unfair.

Tobio-chan …

Tobio-chan I love you too.

Tobio-chan Thank you for putting up with me Tooru-san.

Me <3  

[hargrves-blog]

Like What Friends Do [ 2 ]

PART ONE || PART THREE

pairing → billy hargrove x reader

summary → billy’s life is on the line after making a mistake.

word count → 1.8k

warnings → swearing, gun use

a/n → sorry if this is terrible. i was writing on writer’s block.

(not my gif)

You see, the Reapers run like a family. If someone messes with a Reaper, you mess with the whole gang kind of deal. If there was a raid going on, no one is doing it by themselves and no one is left behind. Sometimes you forget that this is a crime-ridden group because you’re surrounded by so many people like you who act like siblings, and that’s beautiful. The only thing that’s terrible is people get uneasy when someone in a mob decides to get close to a person who isn’t.

A few of the Reapers your age enrolled in Hawkins High a few weeks into the new school year. Although you all weren’t close, they still kept a close eye on each other including you. They found it odd that you prefer to be alone in school rather than stick together. Despite their protests, you respected them and they respected you.

The sun was setting behind the trees as you and a few members sat around the campfire, their motorcycles parked a few feet away. They passed around rolled blunts of marijuana while they talked about which girl had the tightest pussies or the biggest tits. It kept you silent yet observant, since you didn’t see why you should partake in immature conversations.

“God, you’re such an idiot,” Hunter teased and took a swig of Corona. “Maria’s tits are way bigger than Jean’s.”

Daniel sucked his teeth. “Sure, but Jean has a tighter pussy.”

Peaches, James, Hunter, and even you laughed. Daniel rolled his eyes and took a drag of his blunt, then letting the smoke flow past his lips. “What’s so funny?”

“You’re a virgin, dumbass,” Peaches giggled and snuggled closer to James, letting his hand run through her hair.

Daniel sneered at her. “No I’m not. I definitely screwed girls more than once, including your mom and your sister.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he smirked. “I don’t even have a sister,” she jabbed.

“Speaking of screwing,” James interrupted. “What about you, Y/N?”

Eyes filled with curiosity turned to you, waiting for an answer. You felt heat rise to your chests and your heart stopped for a brief moment.

“What about me?” you asked.

“Are you knocked up with someone?” Peaches twirled a strand of red hair around her finger and smirked, her olive gaze meeting yours.

Your nose wrinkled at the thought. There were times where you had some close calls, but not full-on sex. “No. I don’t even have a boyfriend.” “Liar!” Daniel exclaimed and wagged a finger at you. “I saw you talking with someone after school the other day.”

James and Peaches let out hoots and whistles, and you rolled your eyes. “I’m not that interested in him. Besides, I don’t even know him like that.”

Daniel scoffed.

Peaches inched closer to you and cocked her head to the side. “So, what’s his name?”

You remember hearing it somewhere, and the memory of you and the two boys in the bathroom popped. “Pretty sure it’s Billy.”

“You mean that blonde kid who thinks he has a big dick?” James asked sourly.

“Yeah,” you said and raised a brow. “Why?”

Peaches clicked her tongue and shook her head. “The kid’s no good,” she answered. “He’ll move onto you, screw you, and move to another bitch.”

“I’m not interested in him!” you exclaimed. Peaches and Daniel gave each other a look.

“Y/N likes Billy-Willy! Billy-Willy wants to stick his itty-bitty-willy in Y/N!” Daniel howled and jumped up from his seat. Walking over to you, he ruffled your hair and tugged at it, and you swatted at his hands like they were flies.

Peaches joined him and laughed, sticking her tongue out at you. “You like Billy-Willy and his itty-bitty-willy,” she teased.

“Fuck off guys,” you hissed at them, but they kept laughing. “Not funny.”

James chuckled and you glared at him. “Relax Y/N. They’re just messing with you.”

You roll your eyes and continued finishing your beer, hoping the alcohol with distract you from their teasing remarks and nicknames.

---

The thought of staying out there during the night didn’t sound safe, so you all drove to downtown Hawkins out of boredom.

The chinese restaurant that sat on the edge of town was one of the few places that was alive; the others being a bar and a small store. With the new drinking age law in place, no one under the age 21 could drink. There was nothing to do at the store anyways.

You parked your bikes in the alleyway and waited until the others caught up. Their bikes rolled up behind you, their engines shutting off.

“Let’s tag this place,” Daniel said and rummaged through his bag.

“Are you crazy?” James sneered and got off his bike, Peaches following after him. “They’re gonna catch us here.”

Daniel shook a spray paint bottle and took off the cap. “As long as no one sees us, we’re fine.”

James and Peaches each took a can and started to tag the brick wall, using the lamp hanging on the roof as their light. You leaned on the wall parallel to the other as you watched the others draw various sizes of dicks and faces in different colors. You just wanted to go home. Your eyelids felt like they were weighed by sandbags, and blinking it away nor pinching yourself didn’t work. Although covering the wall with graffiti did sound fun a few minutes ago, it was about time you started to go home.

“Y/N?”

You and the others stopped what they were doing and turned to look at whoever called your name.

“Well, look who it is.”

Billy goddamn Hargrove.

You pushed yourself against the wall and slowly strided towards him, arms crossed. “What are you doing here?”

He held up a take-out bag that smelled of Chinese food. “Getting a late-night snack,” he said with a grin. Billy’s smile then faded when he noticed your friends, motioning towards them with a nod. “Those your little friends?”

“Yeah,” you replied and glanced at them. “Just a few of them.”

Peaches looked at you with a cheeky grin while Daniel and James stared at Billy with a suspicious gaze. You gave them a reassuring smile.

Billy nodded. “They don’t look very happy to see me,” he mumbled lowly.

Daniel was the first to step up. “Is he bothering you, Y/N?” he asked you without taking his eye off Billy.

“No, I’m fine,” you replied. “You should get home, Billy. It’s late.”

“I’m fine. I wanna to meet your little gang friends first.” He extended a hand out to him. “Name’s Billy.”

Daniel looked at it skeptically and didn’t take his gesture. “You think I care, hotshot?”

“Daniel!” you hissed. “Don’t be rude.”

Billy put his hands to his hips. “And I thought your friends would be a bit nicer than you,” he said.

“Yeah, I thought so too.” Daniel clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white as he tried not to put up a fight. “Go home.”

The blonde-haired boy swiped his bottom lip with his tongue. “You know, I don’t remember saying ‘hi’. Pretty sure I was talking to Y/N, not you,” he snapped. “Let’s start again. Hi, my name’s Billy. Who are you?”

Daniel had enough. He grabbed Billy by the collar of his shirt and pinned him against the wall with a loud bam, hovering him a few inches above the ground. James was about to rush at him but Peaches held him back, telling him that ‘it’s not your fight’. Despite his numerous protests, James held his place.

His face was so close to his that Daniel could feel Billy’s short breaths on him. “Mock me again, and your ass is grass, Hargrove,” he snapped. He slammed the boy on the wall again, making him gasp in shock.

You tried to pry Daniel away from Billy with all your strength but he wouldn’t budge. “Daniel, let him go!”

After a few silent moments, he let Billy go. Daniel shoved him back, making him stumble backwards but eventually regained his balance.

Billy grew his shit-eating grin. “This all you got? Huh?” he called out and outstretched his arms. “Bite me, bitch.”

In a matter of seconds, Daniel and Billy were rolling on the ground, throwing punches at each other. Blood splattered on the ground and your stomach dropped at the sight of Billy’s bloody nose. You froze. You wanted to stop them, you wanted to stop Daniel from hurting Billy any further, but you just froze.

Peaches held James back from getting involved. Their objections were faint and covered by the sounds of you yelling and Daniel’s curses.

“You two, stop!” You finally got the courage to step up. You tugged at Daniel’s shoulder but he just shrugged you off like a piece of dust. “Stop hurting him!”

Daniel finally let go of Billy after giving him several punches to the nose. He glanced back at you with a raging fire in his dark eyes. “So you’re sticking up for him now? What happened to being loyal?” he yelled. A knot in your throat tightened.

Billy stood up and wiped blood from his nose with the back of his hand. Blood trickled down his chin, and his face was covered in purple bruises. He flashed his cheeky grin, his teeth stained red from all the blood in his mouth.

He spat onto the asphalt. “That all you got?” Billy asked as he caught his breath.

“You two need to grow up and stop,” you commanded. “Daniel, you need to go.”

He ignored you. Daniel kept staring at Billy, his hand slowly sliding up to the inside of his jacket. “You’re going to regret ever laying your hands on me, you son of a bitch,” he hissed.

He pulled out his Glock 19 pistol and pointed it straight at Billy.

“Daniel, stop!” You pulled his arm down, but Daniel dodged your grasp and shoved you onto the ground with his shoulder.

“Stay out of this Y/N.”

Billy was wide-eyed and silent, unsure of what to say out of shock.

“Daniel-”

“Stay out of this!”

You were done. You couldn’t afford to lose another friend, even though Billy was just a nobody. After years of people disappearing from your family from deaths or arrests, you got tired of losing people from your life. ‘You’ll get used to it,’ they said. ‘It’s part of life when you’re in a mob.’ But you didn’t get used to it. You didn’t want to.

Reaching under your shirt, you pulled out your pistol and aimed it at Daniel’s head, your finger on the trigger.

“I said, that’s enough.”

---

Taglist: @missblasphemy @dacremontgomerylover @wearemightyghosts

[misssophiachase]

Happy AU Week! So, this is my take on a Klaroline fusion with the Bold Type (which is an amazing TV Show if you haven’t seen it yet, and btw I’m so excited they got another two seasons). Image not mine FYI. 

Three twenty-something girls working for a women’s magazine in New York City navigating their way through life and love. Although not expecting the heads of a rival publication to ruffle their feathers so much. 

Living Out Loud

Butter, Midtown – 70 West 45th Street

The magazine’s 30th anniversary party was in full swing. Caroline Forbes looked around proudly knowing that every element carried her signature style, even down to the colour coordinated macaroons.  

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. She ran her palm along her lace, violet dress, thankful that even with her dismal salary the magazine had a perfectly stocked, designer wardrobe to borrow from in times like these.  Their Editor-in-Chief was in the middle of the room, champagne flute in manicured hand and from the satisfied smile on her face, Caroline knew she was pleased with the event she’d so meticulously planned for the past six months

If anyone could organise an event it was Caroline Forbes and, sure, she loved it but wanted more and after four years at Arabella Magazine, she was ready for a new challenge. Unfortunately, what she wanted was highly competitive to obtain. Positions in the magazine’s fashion department were extremely rare and even then they required some kind of relevant experience. Something Caroline, as a finance major, didn’t possess.  

“Kat is pissed,” Bonnie interrupted.  She turned to her friend; dressed in a stunning, pink, halter neck, floor length gown, her dark tresses falling in waves past her shoulders. As much as she loved her deeply thoughtful, writer friend Caroline knew she had a tendency to worry over nothing.

“So, what’s new?” Caroline asked, taking a long sip of her champagne. “Kat is pissed when the guy at Starbucks gets her coffee order wrong. Between you and me I don’t blame him given her long list of unrealistic demands.”

“She’s currently in a twitter war of words with GQ Magazine.”

“About what exactly?”

“She retweeted their article about dating a feminist and told them if the magazine was going to write something they might like to look up the definition in the dictionary first.”

“Ouch. Watch out GQ,” she chuckled. No one ever entered into a debate with Katherine Pierce about feminism and emerged unscathed.  She was Arabella’s Social Media Director and, although incredibly impulsive at times, their editor loved her passion and commitment. “I hardly think she needs our assistance, Bon.”

“You know who their new Editor-in-Chief is, right? That guy can hold his own.” Caroline gave her a look which plainly said she didn’t before she continued. “Enzo St John.”

“The same Enzo St John from Esquire Magazine?”

“Formerly of Esquire you mean,” she shot back. “He’s finally joined the Mikaelson family empire since marrying Rebekah last month.”

Mikaelson Publishing was well known, especially throughout New York City where their headquarters were based and had an impressive number of quality publications, including the highly popular Men’s Magazine GQ, in their stable. Although Caroline didn’t know the family personally she’d read an article in Time about their metaphorical rise from meagre beginnings in rural England to becoming media royalty in the Big Apple.

It didn’t hurt that they weren’t entirely bad to look at either. Elijah, the eldest, was the revered CEO and rumoured to own at least five hundred suits, Kol the Chief Financial Officer was often described as a cheeky womaniser and youngest sister Rebekah, the Communications and Marketing Director, was stunningly beautiful but incredibly icy. 

However, it was Chief Operating Officer and middle brother Klaus that made Caroline slightly weak at the knees. He was a Harvard Law and MBA graduate. She wasn’t quite sure whether it was the steely blue-eyed gaze, sexy stubble, sinful crimson lips or those deep set dimples. She’d come to the conclusion it was probably a mixture of everything, including the power and intelligence he exuded in the accompanying photographs.

Still, if Caroline knew anything looks and brains didn’t guarantee a winning personality and from all reports they were incredibly difficult. She figured you didn’t get that far career wise if you weren’t.  

“Lucky Enzo,” she joked.  

“Kat’s going crazy,” Bonnie said, holding up her cell and showing her the increasingly terse twitter exchange. “I’m not sure she can be responsible for her actions.”

“Fine,” she conceded, noting the tweets had moved on from decidedly terse to slightly offensive. “Where is she now?” 

“According to Friend Finder, she’s at the fountain in Central Park no doubt shouting insults and punching the cell keypad beyond repair.” Caroline rolled her eyes, gesturing to the exit as they made their way towards it.

“How many times have I told you not to walk around the park by yourself at night?” Bonnie offered as they approached their best friend, dressed in a stunning, gold gown that brought out her naturally olive complexion.

“I wouldn’t have activated ‘Find My Friend’ if I knew you were going to go all protective like on me, mom,” she scowled, not even bothering to lift her eyes which were focused on her phone screen intently.

“Someone’s in a mood,” Caroline teased, taking a seat next to her friend on the side of the fountain while Bonnie took the other.

“Whoever this guy is, he’s an ass,” she growled. “Apparently I’m the one who needs a dictionary, can you believe that? At least I stand by my convictions and my identity, this coward is hiding behind GQ’s twitter account. 

“You don’t know who it is?” 

“It’s probably best I don’t given I might be tempted to go over there and kick his chauvinistic ass.”

“Why do you care what some idiot from GQ thinks anyway? You’re Katherine Elena Pierce, the fiercest Social Media Director in New York City.”

“I am, aren’t I?” She murmured, finally lifting her gaze from the screen, a satisfied twinkle in her brown eyes.

“You’re also incredibly modest,” Bonnie chuckled, taking her hand and squeezing it affectionately. Caroline laid her head on Kat’s shoulder, enjoying the relative solace that came from being with her friends and listening to the rhythmic cascading of the water from the fountain.

“That fountain is really making me want to pee,” Kat broke the silence. So much for solace.

“Way to ruin the moment.”

“I came here straight from the party and have been a little a little preoccupied with…”

“How about we go back to our apartment, watch a really bad movie and stuff our faces with Chunky Monkey?” Bonnie suggested and Caroline nodded, there was no way they wanted to get her all riled up again tonight. 

“Gigli?”

“Anything but that, Care,” Kat groaned as they made their way through the park. “Please? I can only take so much Ben Affleck before bed.” 

“Well, Bonnie did say bad.” Before either could respond, Katherine’s phone beeped signaling a new email. She lifted up her phone expectantly. “Kat, you need to get off that thing for your own good.”

“It could be important,” she said, the light from the screen illuminating her face as she read. “That’s strange.”

“Strange?”

“That it’s 11 PM and from the Magazine’s Legal Department.”

“What’s wrong?” They both asked in unison as Kat stopped in her tracks. 

“Mikaelson Publishing is suing Arabella Magazine for defamation,” she uttered in disbelief. Caroline stood there, mouth agape. And here she thought Gigli was the worst possible fate they’d face tonight. 

The Penthouse, One Madison Avenue, NYC

“You did what?” Rebekah demanded, her Jimmy Choos stomping on Klaus’ floor. Rebekah’s temper tantrums hadn’t changed much since she was a toddler and they were threatening to ruin his beautifully polished hardwood. “How dare you hack into the Magazine’s twitter account without my bloody consent?”

“It barely constituted hacking, little sister.”

“What because you’re CEO and think you can do whatever you like, Elijah?”

“Well, that too but I was actually referring to the fact you still have the same password as when you were eleven.”

“Princess?” Klaus asked, finally entering the discussion. To be honest he’d been annoyed to find out Elijah had decided to get into an unnecessary twitter altercation but even more frustrated to find out he’d slapped Arabella with a law suit without his consent given his position as the highest ranked legal officer at their publishing company. “You are still using that?”

“It was her desperate attempt to acquire Prince William and a royal title all those years ago,” Kol teased, taking a sip of orange juice. “And yet here you are title-less and married to…”

“Watch it, little Mikaelson,” Enzo growled unappreciatively. “Funnily enough this issue isn’t about passwords, it’s Elijah’s unwise and completely rash decision to enter into a twitter war with Arabella and about feminism of all things.”

“I couldn’t let that woman get away with making such false accusations.”

“You mean Katherine Pierce?” 

“What?”

“If you’re going to slap a defamation suit on someone you should really know her name,” Klaus offered, throwing the legal brief on the table for his benefit. “I’ve organised a meeting with their legal team later this week. I’m sure we can reach a private settlement agreement.”

“A settlement? This woman has tarnished the reputation of one of our most popular publications,” Elijah argued. “She can’t be allowed to get off so lightly. Surely I’m not the only one who thinks this?”

“Maybe if you’d come to me or Enzo, you know the editor of said magazine, with your concerns,” Rebekah growled. “I would have told you that fighting with a women’s publication, especially about the definition of feminism, is futile.” 

“But there was nothing wrong with the article. If anything it was giving all those Neanderthal males out there advice on how to treat women with dignity and...”

“Even so, waging a twitter war isn’t going to help. If anything you’re inciting a media storm this company doesn’t need given the recent drop in share prices.”

“Everyone’s feeling the share market pinch. I stand by my actions,” he huffed stubbornly to Enzo, beginning to pace back and forth in front of the expansive windows like a caged animal, albeit one in an immaculate, grey suit. “That woman is always shooting her mouth off impulsively without correct information and cause.” 

“Oh, the same woman you didn’t know the name of about two minutes ago?” Kol enquired, sending his brother a mischievous grin. “And here I thought you were asexual.”

“As much as I love these little family gatherings,” Klaus intervened before Elijah could. “I wanted to meet here first to discuss this before going into the office so we can present a united family front.”

“Well...” 

“You’ve said enough, Elijah,” he interrupted. From the looks on his other siblings’ faces they agreed. It was unusual for Klaus to be the calm one over his usually sensible elder brother but he was quite pleased to be right this time. “Settlement talks will be held on Friday.”

Klaus was never the responsible one, that was obvious. In fact; Kol and Klaus were considered the more playful members of the Mikaelson family. He was surprised to see Elijah’s unexpected social media outburst and equally annoyed about the lack of consultation. At least his brother would owe him one now.  

Looking at the case he figured this settlement would be reached within five minutes and forgotten immediately. Klaus was someone who dealt with things swiftly and clinically. He detested unwanted drama and emotional entanglements. The way he saw it they were just distractions he didn’t need.

“And here I thought we were actually going to be enjoying some more positive and upbeat vibes given it’s your birthday, big brother,” Rebekah offered.

“Didn’t I tell you all to take that particular day off the calendar when we were teenagers?” Klaus was not a fan of birthdays or surprise suffocation by sibling. 

“I would, except I need to mark the day you came into our lives and ruined them forthwith,” Kol chuckled.

“Just tell me a poorly baked cake and off key singing isn’t involved this year.” 

“That was one time,” Rebekah growled. “And I was ten.”

“Yet, your singing or cooking hasn’t improved much since,” Kol teased while Enzo attempted to stifle a laugh. 

“Someone’s not getting any for a while.”

“Rebekah,” Elijah complained, covering his ears for added effect. “Must you torment us so?” 

“Serves you all right,” she shot back her tongue poked out. “Don’t worry Niklaus, there’s no cake or party. Heaven forbid anyone we know should have to put up with you during their social hours given they do it every work day.” 

“Well, I did happen to reserve a table at the Whiskey Ward tonight. And, before you whine like a petulant child, it’s dark and located on the lower east side so pretty sure no one will even notice your sullen ass.”

“Well, when you put it like that Kol, how could I refuse?”

Mikaelson Publishing, 1705 Fifth Avenue, New York City    

“You said we were coming here for Mexican food,” Caroline growled half annoyed and equal parts famished as she looked at the foreboding structure ahead on Fifth.  

“What can I say, you’re always so easy to fool when it comes to food, Forbes,” Katherine offered gruffly. “And Bonnie hates being left out so really it was a win-win.”

“I don’t break rules, Kat,” Bonnie hissed. No surprises there. After being friends for the better part of four years, they both knew Bonnie loved order and breaking rules of any kind was severely frowned upon “And I’m a terrible liar, my skin breaks out into this red, weeping rash and…”

“Now, not so hungry,” Caroline muttered. “What the hell are we doing at Mikaelson Publishing? Last time I checked they’re suing your ass so walking into the lion’s den not such a great idea, Kat.”

“You didn’t see the way Jenna looked at me,” Katherine admitted. “She was so disappointed. All I need to do is go in there and explain myself and this legal suit will vanish as soon as it appeared in my inbox.”

“And against the explicit wishes of our legal department,” Caroline hissed.

“I did nothing wrong,” Katherine baulked. “All I want to do is talk to them personally and they’ll understand it was a slight misunderstanding. It’s the least I can do for Arabella.”

“They won’t care, all Mikaelson Publishing understand is profits, popularity and success.” 

“Fine,” she conceded, nervously perusing her conservative black, skirt suit one last time. “I’m hoping to appeal to their sensitive side.”  

“What does Katherine Pierce know about sensitive?”

“I think she’s still drunk from the weekend,” Caroline suggested to Bonnie.

“If you want to stay here and mock, that’s fine,” she scoffed, striding away towards the revolving doors. 

Caroline looked at Bonnie helplessly. She knew this was completely stupid and reckless but for some reason she felt this overwhelming responsibility to her best friend. Damn her. The look in Bonnie’s warm, brown eyes told her she was thinking the same thing.

“All for one?”

“And one for all,” Bonnie finished, quoting the famed Three Musketeers motto. “Although I’m fairly certain Alexandre Dumas never imagined this particular scenario.”

“Hold the lift!” Caroline yelled, running into the fast closing doors.

“You came?” Katherine asked, her usually determined expression softening slightly.

“To be honest, I just wanted to see Bonnie break some rules,” Caroline joked, swatting her serious friend on the ass playfully. “So, what’s the plan exactly?”

“What plan?”

“Don’t tell me I jumped into this suspended steel trap on a crazy whim,” Bonnie mumbled nervously. She’d never been a huge fan of lifts.  

“I’m going to appeal to his sen…”

“Oh, we are so screwed,” Caroline growled, noticing for the first time a young delivery guy in the corner laden with boxes. Even with the earphones, she could hear the steady musical and familiar beat. Who knew the emo looking guy had a thing for Taylor Swift?

“Excuse me?” She yelled for added benefit, gesturing for him to take out his earphones. He complied, albeit reluctantly. “I couldn’t help but overhear your music.”

He looked immediately nervous at being sprung and Caroline knew she could exploit the situation to her benefit given her contacts at the magazine. “It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone. In fact, I happen to have a spare ticket to Taylor’s concert next month and…” 

“I’ll take it,” he blurted out, obviously not caring about any embarrassment with the promise of a ticket to see his secret idol.

“Well, I’d be happy to give it to you but there’s something I need you to do for me first.” 

“We hardly look like delivery people,” Bonnie said, gesturing to their heels and fitted skirts five minutes later.

“Speak for yourself,” Caroline laughed, pulling down the Boston Red Sox cap she acquired for her trouble over her golden waves. The delivery guy may have been extremely weird but he had good taste in baseball teams.

“We have a delivery for…” Caroline paused, reading the name on the box aloud to the receptionist. “Klaus Mikaelson.” Wait, what? Caroline didn’t sign up for this assignment. If anything she was kind of afraid that he might look even more irresistible in person.  

“Another delivery for the birthday boy. His assistant is down the hall, first door on the right, she can sign for it.”

“Birthday boy? Of all the days we decide to break and enter,” Bonnie murmured nervously.

“It’s hardly a felony, Bon,” Kat drawled. “No. This is perfect; their guards will be down so we can strike…”

“If this is you supposedly showing your sensitive side then I’m a little worried about your upbringing. You weren’t dropped on your head as a baby were you, Kat? You know just asking.”

“No brain damage as far as I’m aware,” she muttered, obviously unimpressed. “Where is this office, didn’t she say first on the right.”

“It must be that one,” Caroline gestured. What they found was completely unexpected. It wasn’t a personal assistant but the entire Mikaelson family seated at an expansive boardroom table.

“Someone needs to learn their left from their right,” Bonnie growled under her breath.

“Now, this is more like it,” Kol grinned taking in the three girls. “This is how every board meeting should take place.” They were all silent, rooted to the spot. 

“Excuse me?” Bonnie enquired. She may have been straight laced and prone to hives but she also detested cocky males with no respect.

“You’re excused,” the attractive blonde scoffed, flicking her hair in obvious frustration. Rebekah Mikaelson was as beautiful as she was scary.

“Is there any reason you’ve interrupted our meeting?” Elijah’s pristine suit looked even more immaculate close up.

“We have a delivery,” Katherine announced. By the slight blush that crossed her face, Caroline was pretty certain the suit was doing its job on her too. “For the birthday boy.”

“Please tell me you’re going to sing or…”

“Smack you out?” Bonnie replied defensively.

“Well, if you like it rough, darling…” he teased. From what Caroline could make out Kol Mikaelson didn’t have a subtle bone in his body. Given Bonnie’s unimpressed glare she knew her friend was ready to rumble.     

“Last time I checked this was a boardroom not a circus.” A demanding English voice enquired. He seemed annoyed by the interruption but as soon as she placed her box on the boardroom table his steely expression seemed to soften, only slightly though.

“I think we all know who the clown is in this scenario and it’s not us,” Caroline challenged thinking just how precious his siblings had been since they entered the room unwittingly. “We obviously took a wrong turn, so if you’ll excuse us.” 

“Now that you’re here it would be a waste not to open some presents, hey big brother?” Kol teased, leaning across greedily for the package Bonnie had in her grasp.

He opened it slowly, his eyes widening at its contents. “As long as Rebekah didn’t make this I think it’s actually going to be edible.” Caroline would know that Magnolia marble cheesecake from anywhere. Suddenly the fact she’d had no lunch was beginning to effect her resolve.

“And what do you have there?” Klaus asked unexpectedly, a stray dimple flashing in her direction. She knew he was just being an arrogant ass but for Kat’s sake needed to keep up the ruse.

“How would I know? I’m only the delivery girl,” she shot back thinking just what a smug bastard he was. She decided to take back all that initial misplaced infatuation and blame it on temporary insanity, even if his aftershave was messing with her composure. 

He smirked knowingly, his blue eyes flickering over her body hungrily before pulling the package towards him. What he uncovered beneath the tissue paper she wasn’t quite expecting, a black, lacey thong to be exact. He held it up slowly, his eyes dancing over every detail of its intricate design. Caroline was mortified but had no intention of betraying her feelings. 

“You really shouldn’t have, love but I’m not sure…” 

“What? Not your size?” If she could have captured his shocked expression in that moment, Caroline would have framed it. It was obvious no one spoke to Klaus Mikaelson like that and got away with it but right know Caroline had no intention of placating his over inflated ego.

It was at that point his assistant Lexi decided to make herself known, breaking the tension and stray snickering from his siblings. His gaze never wavered as she was ushered from the boardroom. 

Given the unexpected and unfolding events, the supposedly brave Katherine had actually wilted under pressure, no doubt due to a well fitting suit, and Bonnie was decidedly incensed about the chauvinistic younger brother for good reason. 

Caroline had chosen to stay behind five minutes to sign the paperwork and made her way to the elevator, the relief rushing over her as the doors began to close. It wasn’t until she heard the metal doors halt abruptly that she noticed a familiar face making his way inside.

“Thanks for holding the door.”

“I didn’t,” she barked. How she thought this smug idiot was attractive Caroline would never understand.

“You know, for a delivery person you seem to have quite a bit of attitude,” he said, leaning against the wall as the numbers began to descend the floors. 

“Sounds like something we have in common then,” she muttered. “Although given your earnings I figured you might have a lot more to smile about.” 

“Don’t tell me that little snippet of Mikaelson family drama back there didn’t pique your interest?”

“I have no interest in your family dramas.” Before she could expect a witty retort, the lift came to a grinding halt as the lights flickered and then they were plunged into darkness. The force from the motion causing Caroline to fall into his broad chest as a result.

“Well, you could have fooled me.”

“Seriously?” She growled pushing him away, albeit shakily. “We are stuck in a lift and all you can do is use one of your cheesy and recycled lines?”

“You really don’t like me, do you?”

“At least your skills of perception are slightly better than the rest of your repertoire,” she uttered. “Given you practically own this building; I’m really hoping help is close by so I don’t need CPR with that over inflated ego.” 

“I’m certain of one of those things…”

“The over inflated ego? Yeah me too,” Caroline answered, sitting on the ground and placing her head against the wall in frustration. And not just because he was an idiot either but causing a few untoward feelings to venture south.  

“I was actually talking about your thoughts on my perceptiveness,” he quipped, taking a seat beside her and crossing his right leg over the left. “Like the fact you’re not a delivery person.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve never met a delivery person who has questioned my underwear size,” he chuckled. To be honest Caroline was surprised by his change in demeanour.

“It seemed fitting given you are such a man whore.”

 “A man whore?” Klaus baulked. “I didn’t send that underwear last time I checked.”

“But it seems like someone else did and you obviously entertain that fact.”

“Oh, I get it,” Klaus deduced, standing up and beginning to pace back and forth impatiently. “You are some college psychology major that is trying to mess with my feelings for an experiment.”  

“Excuse me?”

“Even down to the Red Sox cap.” Caroline rolled her eyes, this guy obviously had more than family issues and it was threatening to mess with her beloved baseball team.

“Do I need to add sore loser to your file, Yankee?” She drawled. “Call me crazy but I thought birthdays were supposed to be a happy occasion.” 

The lift suddenly jolted back to life, Caroline losing her footing briefly but making sure not to make any further body contact. The brief and hurt look in his blue eyes was telling Caroline that there was more to this guy than she first thought.

The elevator dinged announcing their arrival on the ground floor. He continued to stare, Caroline felt her breath hitch in her throat. Before she could work out what it meant, Klaus Mikaelson was gone in a flash. If she was being honest, the guilty ache she felt in her stomach wasn’t entirely coincidental.

“Finally!” Bonnie exclaimed as she made her way through the revolving doors outside.

“The lift got stuck,” she admitted, not willing to go into further detail. Caroline figured it was the last she’d see of Klaus Mikaelson, so it didn’t really rate much of a mention.

“After today I think we all need a good drink,” Katherine smiled. “And given my extreme stupidity, I figure it’s my shout.”

“Well, I do have a story to research,” Bonnie smiled mischievously. “I’m writing about the best places to meet men in New York City.”

“I’m almost too afraid to ask,” Caroline mumbled.

“Well, guys love whiskey but when it comes to a fine woman over a fine scotch the decision is decidedly blurred and not just due to the alcohol content. I’ve heard the Whiskey Ward on the Lower East side is the place to be if you’re interested?”  

“Well, we can’t do worse than we have today,” Katherine joked. “Can we, ladies?”

Caroline had to agree. All she needed to do was get him out of her head and maybe a night of whiskey with her friends was all she needed to rid herself of the memory.

On FF Here

TBC? It became much longer than expected. Thoughts on another part would be appreciated. Thanks so much for reading : )

[olixxfawkes-archive-blog]

7, 8, 9

7. celebrity crush?

Oliver doesn’t really pay attention to celebrities and things of the sort. He believes that people are people, no matter if they act in movies, or own thrift stores. He makes friends with people he takes a liking too whether or not they have over a million followers on instagram. So, to say he has a celebrity crush would just be pointless. However, if Elizabeth Olsen asked him on a date, he would cancel everything he had planned that day to go.

8. are they close to your family?

It’s more complicated than Oliver likes to admit. Yes, he’s had two loving mothers his whole life, but he’s also had foster siblings that come and. Some stayed for a few months, others a little over a year. So unfortunately, while Oli is relatively close to his mothers, it never really felt like a family to him.

9. best thing in their life?

About a month ago, Oliver would’ve said his writing, his career, they way he gets to create new stories anytime he wants, they way he can escape at the drop of a hat. But, now, even though he would never say it out loud, it’s Tea. From the moment she made that cheeky comment about a grammatical error he made, she’s challenged him. She’s made him a better writer, a more social person. Tea has flipped his world upside down and is slowly stealing Oli’s heart. There’s absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for her. @tcacampbcll

[femkinkharry]

Discussing Louis Tomlinson’s Back To You Playlist Pt. 1

or, lauren rambles on about music. lemme first start by saying that i’ve split this up into three parts because this is long as hell already. also i’m not a music major, i didn’t study music history or anything like that. music has always been a huge part of my life [as has louis!] and i believe that music taste tells a lot about a person. i did this for fun and to share my thoughts, so don’t take it too seriously! each song has a description of the feelings/moods, the colours i associate with it, and what i felt was a powerful lyric. so enjoy! Part 2! Part 3! Louis Tomlinson ft. Steve Aoki – Just Hold On Quite uplifting. Maintaining a positive outlook, keeping one’s head up, and acknowledging that one bad day does not equal a bad life. Electric music, soft vocals. Neons, stark black.

Important lyric: “the world it turns no matter what”

Aerosmith – I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing Romantic. Power ballad. All about freezing time to stay with a loved one. Memorizing skin and breaths and touches. Almost sicky sweet. Ocean hues- blues, greens, everything soft in the world.

Important lyric: “and just stay here in this moment | for the rest of time” Green Day – Jesus Of Suburbia Anger and resentment, but also fun and rebellion. Indulgence. Embracing yourself as you are and all the things that make you stand out! Heavy drums and guitar and energy. Olive greens, blood reds, splashes of yellow.

Important lyric: “and there’s nothing wrong with me | this is how i’m supposed to be” and “so i run, i run away | to the lights of masochists” Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum Upbeat on the surface, but the lyrics reflect a certain kind of domesticity. A commitment. An argument. A make-up. Cheeky and nostalgic but very loving. Knowing someone so well that you know their quirks and mannerisms. [As an aside: a parallel to the lyric “the fridge light washes this room white” in reference to kitchens.] Stormy greys, bright blues, maroons.

Important lyric: “well can’t we just laugh and joke around | remember cuddles in the kitchen” Courteneers – Not Nineteen Forever First interests, love [lust?] at first sight. Seeing someone you just have to have. Being young and making a fool of yourself trying to get the attention of someone you fancy [but who’s out of your league]. Boppy music with lyrics that seem to make a joke of the writer if you look too hard. Smokey greys, forest greens, leather jackets.

Important lyric: “i know it seems strange but things they change” One Direction – Little Black Dress Sex. Sex. Sex. One of the only songs [maybe the only one] that Louis leads the whole song. This was arguably their transition from bubblegum to adult. Less focus on harmonies than most of the other songs, more focus on the music. Shiny blacks and red lipstick.

Important lyric: “i wanna see the way you move for me, baby” Amy Winehouse – “Tears Dry On Their Own” Another song that sounds rather uplifting at first, but the lyrics paint a different picture. Nostalgia, regret, sadness. Picking yourself up and moving on, though you don’t really want to. A siren song to a love that took up a huge part of your life. Bright blues, sunshine yellow, hints of shadow blacks.

Important lyric: “all i can ever be to you | is the darkness that we knew” Oasis – Go Let It Out Breaking free. Packing up and leaving. Being put up on a pedestal without wanting to be [namely with the lyric: “and ordinary people that are like you and me | we’re the keepers of their destiny”]. Being shoved into the spotlight and being controlled by people who don’t deserve to be in charge. This is probably my favourite song he’s put on here so far because it took a while of thinking and deciphering, but it’s very telling. [Of course, I could be dead wrong and always welcome criticism.] Desert yellows, fern greens, the white lines on highways.

Important lyric: “i’m goin’ leaving this city | i’m goin’ drivin’ outta town” Ed Sheeran – Barcelona Fun, sweet love song. Travelling without luxury, your thirst being quenched by your lover. Dancing until you’re out of breath. Smiling until it hurts. Summer nights under the stars.

Important lyric: “i guess that is destiny doing it right” The Beatles – All You Need Is Love Perfect follow up song to Barcelona. Continuing the love theme. Uplifting, pure, happy. Sharing kindness. A classic! [As an aside: quite a few videos on youtube use this song to support the queer community.] “We have a choice, every single day that we wake up, of what we can put into the world, and I ask you to please choose love every single day.” Rainbows, sweet pinks.

Important lyric: “it’s easy | all you need is love”

[kierantc-blog]

DC are spoiling us with fantastic artists right now - A look at the stars of today and tomorrow

This week in DC Comics we were treated to another excellent week of story telling, but we were also treated to some fantastic artwork too. I’ll admit to not being an artist myself but i know what i like and i think i can see how certain artists make a perfect fit for certain story types.

In August, DC are starting a new series of books under the banner “Dark Matter”, an imprint of sorts that supports artist driven work and is going to feature regular monthly books from the likes of Jim Lee (Batman: Hush), Kenneth Rocafort (The Ultimates) and Andy Kubert (Dark Knight III), but the focus on artists has been building at DC for a few years now. But this week? Well we were treated to something special, and we didn’t even realise it.

Aquaman #25

First of all we’ll look at Aquaman, written by Dan Abnett and artwork by Stjepan Sejic, and when i say he does the artwork i mean it literally, pencils, colours and the cover. This is Sejic’s first on-going job doing interiors at DC and he starts off with a story by Abnett that follows a deposed and presumed dead Aquaman hiding in the depths of Atlantis, while the new King makes plans to shore up his own power.

First of all, Atlantis. For years i knew that Atlantis was a semi-advanced society that just so happened to be underwater but for years we never really got to see the depth of it, but in one issue Sejic has already showed us what Atlantis is like.

Here we see some of the splendour of the top half of Atlantis. The city itself is made up of vertical layers known as Trides, going from 1 to 9 in numbering, with 1 being the top and 9 being the bottom. This also represents a socioeconomic side of Atlantis too and it’s something Sejic has captured, starting with this first image. Tall buildings, domed buildings and a large highway dominate the city, with the royal palace dominating the skyline.

In this picture we see the lowest part of the city, the Ninth Tride. As Arthur explains, this part of the city splits it in half from North to South, perhaps much in the same way that London is separated by the River Thames. Here we see a lot of glowing lights packed together tightly, a sign that perhaps the Ninth Tride is one of the most densely populated areas of the city. 

As you can see from the comparison of both images, they tell a different story and intentionally or not it plays into the idea that not all of Atlantis is equal.

I lastly want to show you some of his work with characters themselves, because while the detail in each character is stunning, he also manages to convey a range of emotions and no 2 panels have a copy and paste effect in action.

I can’t really do this artist justice with my analysis but i think his work speaks for itself. As i said at the start, Sejic does all the work himself and that’s incredibly important for a gifted artist, because pairing a pencil artist (or penciller) with someone they’re not compatible with can often ruin the best work and make artists seem inconsistent. This isn’t a prevalent situation though as most artists work in tandem with a specific set of inkers and colourists. This however, with one person doing everything, allows for the artists true vision to come to the fore.

Clearly it works a treat for Stjepan Sejic, and i hope to see more of his fantastic vision for Aquaman going forward.

Batman #25

Next up we have the newest Batman issue, the start of the newest story from Tom King titled The War Of Jokes And Riddles, with pencils and inks from Mikel Janin and colours by June Chung. This is the second arc of Tom King’s Batman that Janin has worked on, previously lending his skills to the “I Am Suicide”, also featuring June Chung on colours.

Janin excels in setting the mood. In this story the mood is extremely sombre, two villains are about to go to war and drag Gotham City into the mix. What Janin does to set this up is by showing you just how dangerous The Riddler and The Joker truly are in quite shocking ways. The way Janin uses shadows allows him to cover faces in most panels but it remarkably allows for him to use body language in telling the story.

With The Riddler, he exerts himself by manipulating the guards of the prison he is in into releasing him, with them firmly believing that he is capable of finding their families and killing them unless they stand aside. He does this by standing tall, confidently strolling along like a man with a purpose.

And The Joker? Well he takes over a comedy club in Gotham, forcing patrons to try to make him laugh and if they fail (they do) he shoots them in cold blood, before leaving the club and blowing the place up and casually shooting a passerby. He’s stoic in his body language, almost emotionless to match his mood.

When they both face each other, Janin takes that mood setting and tries to see how it plays out when they confront each other. Riddler tries to physically dominate Joker by standing over him, and Joker tries to hold his nerve by not flinching, moving only his eyes to follow Riddler’s train of thought. In a way they come out of this evenly matched, and only become undone at the end (with Joker shooting Riddler) because Riddler doesn’t appreciate just how unpredictable Joker can be.

This eventually works its way in at the end with the narrator, Bruce Wayne, who is telling the story of this War to Selina Kyle AKA Catwoman, with the premise being that she must hear this story before she agrees to marry him.

Bruce’s body language in this, as well as the shadowing, reflects Bruce as a person in a way. He’s trying to be open with the woman he loves and wants to marry but a part of him is still masked, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see that as the story goes on that we see him become less rigid around her.

Mikel Janin’s art is beautifully executed in detailed pencils and his ability to convey the mood of a character without even seeing their face is truly remarkable. With Janin doing pencils and inks, he is able to maintain some control over the detail of his work, and by leaving the colours to another artist it allows him to take the time he needs to complete his work on a bi-monthly basis. June Chung’s colouring wonderfully compliments Janin, in the “I Am Suicide” story it was brightly lit to match the locale and in this it is slightly more muted to match the gloomy landscape of Gotham.

Green Arrow #25

In this weeks Green Arrow, Ben Percy gives us an Oliver Queen that looks set to go on a road trip to discover the truth, and is joined in that journey by artist Otto Schmidt, another artist who likes to do it all. Schmidt has been on this Green Arrow series since the start of Rebirth, swapping out with Juan Ferrerya on alternating story arcs.

The style Schmidt utilises is difficult to really categorise, his work isn’t as detailed as Janin or Sejic but it’s rather more fun and colourful to look at. That’s not to say it’s a barrage of colour though, as he knows how to deal the story telling and the apparent mood of the moment.

In Dinah’s scenes in this issue, we are greeted to darker tones and more muted colours. Dinah is exploring the human trafficking group’s underground network so of course there would be little light, but also the people she’s tracking just so happen to be monsters of some kind, so shadowy figures and glowing red eyes win the day here.

Of course, this isn’t an entirely dark issue, Oliver is out of prison and realising the journey he must undertake, makes a few visits to friends to settle things before he goes. With Team Arrow member Henry Fyff, he assumes he’s dead but is happy to see him alive. These sections of the issue are of course a lot brighter but not necessarily more colourful, the tone of the issue is consistent.

One of the things i love about Schmidt’s work is the character he puts into the people he draws. In this image for instance, he captures the essence of characters like The Flash and Nightwing quite well, the more cheery of the superhero community, whilst also capturing the cheekiness of Harley Quinn and the brooding of Damian in one group pose. But you know what else Schmidt manages to do? He makes these characters seem as fun as they actually are. I don’t want this to sound like a negative but there is a child-like, cartoon wonder to his design philosophy. Big smiles, sharp faces and emotion-filled eyes give more wonder to these characters and the colouring he uses doesn’t take away from the serious tone that Percy writes. Burn victims, cultist rituals and monsters play a large part of the series and Schmidt is as comfortable depicting a monster as he is depicting Hal Jordan.

Like Sejic, Otto Schmidt is able to do all aspects of the main body of art for the book and the results are fantastic to see. A pattern emerges with this but it’s not over yet, as we explore our last issue of the week.....

Trinity #10

Francis Manapul is a jack of all trades, and he does a convincing job of mastering them all too because while Sejic and Schmidt done all of their art duties, Manapul also writes the story for this book. Manapul’s aspirations as an artist/writer are not new, he also drew and shared scripting duties on the New 52 Flash series with Brian Buccellato, but here his work really shines through.

In Trinity, Manapul likes to use a bombastic array of pastel-like colours and sharp pencils, often capturing the fantasy and sci-fi elements of the stories he writes to perfection.

On this page, Superman and Wonder Woman stand tall as a stranger invades the Justice League Watchtower. The striking thing about this page from my perspective is, well, the perspective. The middle image of the heroes looking up at their uninvited guest captures the situation nicely, a big alien should be threatening to most but not these two.

With these panels, Manapul shows us how he can go from one situation to the next seamlessly as we jump to an action scene with Batman and The Flash holding down an infected Aquaman. Part of what stands out to me in these panels is how busy it is, shards of glass or metal all over the place give you an idea of the frantic situation the characters are in.

Overall, Francis Manapul mixes a wonderful array of colourful scenes with some equally wonderful detail, all while writing the story too. He is a man of many talents and i hope he sticks with this series for a while.

Final Thoughts

There’s a few things you can take from this post.

1. I don’t know much about art.

2. DC are cultivating a great breeding ground for artistry.

3. Giving a level of trust to truly remarkable creators is a worthy endeavour.

4. They also had a hell of a Wednesday.

Hopefully you can take all of that from this look at four of the best guys at DC right now, and they’re not alone either. There’s also Riley Rossmo (Batman/The Shadow, Constantine), Bilquis Evely (Wonder Woman, Legends Of Tomorrow), Carmine Di Giandomenico (The Flash, Robin War), Dexter Soy (Red Hood & The Outlaws), and many many more. Please check out their linked websites and see their work for yourselves.

When Dark Matter was announced, it was said that DC were taking advantage of certain negative comments Marvel had made about artist led comics, but the truth is that DC Comics has done a remarkable job of entrusting some quite refreshing talent with some of their biggest characters and has been doing it for a while now.

Long may it continue too, even a philistine like myself can appreciate the wonders of artistry like this and hopefully it will help dictate the output DC has in the future too.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the weekend!