#hickley

[positieveonrust]

A relic of Sir John Franklin's last expedition 1845-48. A bone-handled table knife inscribed with initials of Cornelius Hickley, Caulker's Mate, HMS 'Terror'. Hickey was 24 at the time of the expedition and came from Limerick. The item was obtained from the Inuit at Repulse Bay in 1854 by the Rae Expedition. The Inuit said they had found the material at a camp to the north west of the mouth of the Back River where a party of Europeans had died of starvation.

source Royal museums Greenwich

[treaturself]

Draco Malfoy had always lived at the whim of others. 

When he was younger, he devoted himself to the noble pursuit of mimicking his father’s every sneer and hair flip, perfecting the “I’m-better-than-you” look by the time he could tie his own shoes. 

By sixteen, however, he had a new boss—a megalomaniacal, noseless dark wizard who handed out assignments like, “Murder the most beloved and powerful wizard in Britain,” as though it were a perfectly reasonable extracurricular activity. 

After that, he was at the mercy of a string of parole officers who monitored him during his house arrest with the enthusiasm of a Niffler at a jewelry shop.

So when Head Unspeakable Hickley popped up one afternoon, interrupting his robe fitting at Madam Malkin’s, and proclaimed, “The universe has demanded your service at the Department of Mysteries,” Draco barely batted an eyelash. He didn’t question it. He merely adjusted his cufflinks, nodded solemnly, and asked Madam Malkin to add to his order a set of the most soul-crushingly dull dress robes available—ones that screamed “I’m just another cog in the Ministry’s bureaucratic machine.”

And just like that, Draco had a new overlord: the universe itself.

Deep within the bowels of the Department of Mysteries, nestled somewhere between the Time Room and the Hall of Prophecies, there was a magical ball of yarn that allegedly conveyed the universe’s whims and fancies. At least, that was the most sensible explanation Draco could come up with for it. Unspeakable Hickley preferred grandiose terms like “the threads of time and truth” that indicated every possibility of their universe and any other universes parallel to it.

Draco figured “glowy yarn ball” was simpler. 

Continue reading on Ao3

[kermitgasm]

are there any songs you think they should bring back for the setlist or a song you wish they would play live?

also which live performances are your favorite? (you could even go by era cuz i think each era is pretty unique)

ok so i need to start this off by saying BRING POOL BACK IMMEDIATELY!! please with the intro and everything. it’s just so fucking good. next up, which i know might be controversial, but i’d love to hear fences live once (i would watch this video all the time when i was younger, it just seems like a lot of fun). i always think it sounds so cool. and then obviously i’m on my knees screaming and crying for them to bring back Let The Flames Begin / Part II, which i know they’re probably sick of but it always turned out so good!!! and Turn It Off & Careful are my #1 picks. like, genuinely I need to hear them live or else. Also, Sugar on the Rim.

anyways i used to be better at pinpointing my favorite performances because i would watch them to a point where it was super concerning, now i’m a bit more mellow about it. however, since you asked i will attempt to deliver. just for you, dear anon.

this is in no particular order or anything, basically i’m just going off what i remember really saying damn this is good about (which is super easy when you love a band like paramore).

First off let’s start with the Miracle Outro performed during Brand New Eyes era. this song just goes so fucking hard and i curse Josh Farro for the fact that he wrote it so they couldn’t record it and release it since he left the band soon thereafter.

Paramore at Wembley Arena in 2009 — This concert is so good. like thank god this person filmed it and decided to upload it to youtube. I cannot get enough of Intro / Ignorance. truly.

RTMorasonMD had a great full concert vid from 2010, the sound quality is great for 2010 too. considering most of the time videos look like they were filmed with an nintendo D.S..

Paramore at The House of Blues in Anaheim, California (2006) this is like nostalgia city for me. I remember running my old paramore fan account on instagram and stumbling on this and being like… i’ve hit the paramore jackpot. shout out to Paramore History for always posting the real hard to find stuff… where would we be without you?

When Paramore performed Careful at Warped Tour in 2011 or like the whole Warped Tour Set — i will say this over and over again on this post but i have to be real with you when i say, i watched these videos so much it’s crazy. but careful was my favorite. i love careful. any performance or careful and i’m there.

Paramore live in Paris (2013) when i tell you i watched this religiously i mean it. i could probably do all the dance moves / movements hayley did in this specific video way back when. i was obsessed.

Paramore performing Let The Flames Begin / Part II at Bunbury in Cincinnati (2014) i just love this one. like all of these are just nostalgic for me and i can’t help but want to show you.

When Paramore performed Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and then it went into Hallelujah by Paramore (lol) at Parahoy (2016). What a way to open the show. i mean, i remember watching the final riot and being totally in love with Hayley’s voice and the way she sang it. I think I was introduced to Hallelujah by Shrek but Paramore was the second one to show me the ways of Leonard Cohen. Thanks for that.

I Caught Myself in Hamburg (2017) is an obvious one but I feel like I had to mention it… the emotion Hayley fucking pours into this performance makes me want to cry.

Turn It Off live from Grand Casino in Hickley, MN (2017) we’ve all seen this one i think? but what an incredibly breath taking performance of turn it off. i mean.. damn.

Fake Happy performed at Rock for People in the Czech Republic (2017) the quality is insane for this one. I remember being totally obsessed with this. so i’m adding it here; to share with you.

Pool / Idle Worship in Paris (2018) something must be in the water when they go to paris because i love these videos.

Pool live in Amsterdam (2018) is another one that came to mind cuz the sound quality goes crazy. it’s just beautiful.

The full 2018 RED ROCKS show because the sound is great and i just remembered being obsessed with this. you’re kinda cracking my head open like an egg with this ask and i love it.

Paramore at Concrete Street Amphitheater (2018) incredible footage, incredible show.

Simmer live in Bakersfield (2022) i have to add this because she’s gone too soon. like they should be performing this one nonstop. but i also understand crystal clear is a bop so it’s fine… i’m fine. PLAY SUGAR ON THE RIM OR ELSE!!!

Crystal Clear debut in Dublin / Dreams (the cranberries cover) (2023) I mean….. we all know about the Dreams cover but I just have to add it here because wow. i love it. it’s incredible. and the crystal clear debut is just insane because the person filming that knew what they were doing. High Quality to the MAX baby.

Crave / Outro live at The O2 in London (2023) I mean I just love this video. like, what’s not to love.

Speaking of quality, this video of You First performed in Cleveland Ohio (2023) is available to watch in 2610p60, which basically means it’s better than your eyeballs. incredible stuff. just insane.

there’s probably a whole lot more i can’t think of at the moment, maybe i’ll make a list eventually. but i hope you like this in the mean time. ❤️ thanks for sending me this ask and letting me talk about my favorite band. send me an ask anytime (goes for everyone, i love this).

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 15 February 2004, rioting broke out in the Sydney suburb of Redfern, Australia, following the death of Thomas "TJ" Hickey, a 17 year old Aboriginal Australian, the previous day. Hickey's family and the local community claim that he was being chased by a police vehicle when his bicycle was either clipped by the vehicle or crashed and he was killed after being impaled on a fence. Police claim they just happened to be driving by when a freak bike accident occurred, to widespread disbelief. But officers did lift Hickley off the fence, which goes against standard first-aid practices as it can cause people to bleed to death. Around 100 people, mostly Aboriginal young people, but with some other supporters, angry at the death and police harassment in general, took to the streets and attacked officers with rocks, petrol bombs and fireworks. Clashes continued until the following morning. Many subsequent protests were also held demanding justice, and the dropping of charges against those arrested during the riots. More info, sources and map on our Stories web app: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8666/redfern-riots https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.1819457841572691/2210492399135898/?type=3

[stonedpiece]

top five people you want to smoke with? (real or fictional)

right now i feel like smoking with

buddy dwyer

the guy who shot jfk

john hickley jr

tetsuya yamagami

snoop dogg

[gayweeddaddy69420]

John Hickley Jr. has the opportunity to make the funniest tweet in history

[gingersnapsdvd]

just finished watching the terror me and my friends would’ve jumped hickley with hammers i can tell you that much

[shree3redranger]

Here is my version of the entire Wonder Woman Family on New Earth/Prime Earth. 1938: The Golden Age begins. 1940: The JSA was formed. 1941: Queen Hippolyta of Paradise Island arrived in Man’s World and made her debut as the first Wonder Woman. Helena Kosmotos made her debut as the first Fury. The Seven Soldiers of Victory were formed. The All-Star Squadron and Freedom Fighters were formed. 1942: Queen Hippolyta joined the JSA. The Young All-Stars were formed before they eventually became part of the All-Star Squadron. 1948: The Seven Soldiers of Victory were scattered throughout time. 1951: The JSA disbands. Queen Hippolyta returns to Paradise Island. 1953: All the Fawcett heroes were in suspended animation. 1956: The Freedom Fighters disband. 63 Years Ago: Diana and Nubia of Paradise Island were born from clay. Nubia was kidnapped by Mars. 50 Years Ago: Diana made her debut as the first Wonder Girl. 47 Years Ago: Hippolyta Trevor, the daughter of Helena Kosmotos, was born and raised by Joan Dale and Derek Trevor. 46 Years Ago: Donna Hinckley was born. 44 Years Ago: Steve Trevor crash landed on Paradise Island, causing Diana to arrive on Man’s World, graduate as the second Wonder Woman, and took on the identity of Diana Prince. Diana saved Donna Hickley from a burning apartment building, causing [Donna] to be sent to Paradise Island to be raised by Queen Hippolyta. 38 Years Ago: The Silver Age begins. 36 Years Ago: The JLA was formed. 34 Years Ago: Flash of Two Worlds. 33 Years Ago: The JSA came out of retirement and have their first team up with the JLA. Donna Hinckley made her debut as the second Wonder Girl. The Teen Titans were formed. Cassie Sandsmark was born. 32 Years Ago: Paradise Island disappears after Diana gave up her powers, causing Diana to leave the JLA and move to NYC. Donna Hinckley took on the identity of Donna Troy. 31 Years Ago: The JLA and JSA rescue the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Paradise Island reappears. Diana regains her powers and meets Nubia. The Teen Titans disband. All the Fawcett heroes returned from suspended animation. 30 Years Ago: Paradise Island returns. Nubia moved back to Paradise Island. Kara Zor-El was adopted by Queen Hippolyta. The Freedom Fighters were reformed and teamed up with the JLA and the JSA. The Twelve Labors. Diana rejoins the JLA. 29 Years Ago: The Teen Titans were reformed. The JLA, JSA, and Squadron of Justice team up to defeat King Kull. 28 Years Ago: The Teen Titans disband again. Diana has her first team-up with Donna Hinckley. Orana of Paradise Island made her debut as the third Wonder Woman before she died. Diana moved back to DC. The New Teen Titans were formed. Judgment in Infinity. Diana meets Lyta Trevor. Donna Hinckley learned of her origins. Lyta Trevor made her debut as the second Fury. Infinity Inc. was formed. 27 Years Ago: Donna Troy and Terry Long were married. The JLA disbands to form the Justice League Detroit. 26 Years Ago: Crisis On Infinite Earths. Diana and Steve Trevor were married before Diana was killed by the Anti-Monitor. Hippolyta Trevor graduated as the fourth Wonder Woman. The JSA was sent to Limbo. 25 Years Ago: Legends. Diana was resurrected with her memories intact and revealed her identity to the world. Diana and Steve Trevor moved to Boston. The Justice League Detroit disband to form the JLI. 24 Years Ago: Millennium. 23 Years Ago: Yara Flor was born. Lyta Trevor and Hector Hall were married. Infinity Inc was disbanded. The New Teen Titans graduated as the New Titans. Donna Hinckley graduated as Troia. The JLE was formed. Invasion! 21 Years Ago: Daniel Hall was born. War of the Gods. Armageddon 2001. The JSA returned from Limbo. Robbie Long was born. Eclipso: The Darkness Within. 20 Years Ago: Bloodlines. Hippolyta Milton was born. Donna Hinckley graduated as a Darkstar. Zero Hour. The JSA disbands again. Artemis of the Bana-Mighdall made her debut as the fifth Wonder Woman. 19 Years Ago: Artemis was killed. Diana and Steve Trevor moved to Gateway City. Underworld Unleashed. Lizzie Trevor, daughter of Diana and Steve Trevor, was born. Daniel Hall made his debut as the fourth Sandman. Artemis made her debut as Requiem and was resurrected. Cassie Sandsmark made her debut as the third Wonder Girl. The Final Night. The New Titans disband. 18 Years Ago: The JLA was reformed. Genesis. Donna Hinckley and Terry Long were divorced. Diana dies and becomes the Goddess of Truth, causing Queen Hippolyta to return as the first Wonder Woman. Day of Vengeance. Young Justice Was formed. 17 Years Ago: The JSA was reformed. Donna Hinckley graduated as Donna Troy. The Titans were reformed. 15 Years Ago: Our Worlds At War. 14 Years Ago: Cassie Sandsmark forms a romantic relationship with Conner Kent Superboy. The Titans and Young Justice disband to form the first-generation Young Titans. 13 Years Ago: Titans of Tomorrow. Identity Crisis. 12 Years Ago: Cassie Sandsmark learns that she is the daughter of Zeus. Infinite Crisis. Paradise Island disappears again. Hippolyta Milton was kidnapped and captured by Ares. The JLA disbands again. Hippolyta Trevor and Hector Hall disappeared. 52. 11 Years Ago: Donna Troy made her debut as the sixth Wonder Woman. One Year Later. The JLA has reformed again. Paradise Island returns again. The Titans reform again. 10 Years Ago: Final Crisis. The JSA All-Stars were formed. The Titans disband again. The JSA All-Stars disbanded to join the JSA. The Odyssey. Flashpoint. Cassie Sandsmark graduated as the third Fury. Young Justice was reformed. The Outlaws were formed. Robbie Long made his debut as Wonder Boy. 8 Years Ago: Forever Evil. 7 Years Ago: Multiversity. 6 Years Ago: Convergence. DCYou. Darkseid War. 5 Years Ago: Rebirth. Robbie Long graduated as Darkstar. The Titans have reformed again. Cassie Sandsmark found Hippolyta Milton, causing [Hippolyta] to graduate as the fourth Wonder Girl. Lizzie Trevor made her debut as Trinity. Artemis joined the Outlaws. The Supersons were formed. Peng Deilan made her debut as the Wonder Woman of China. The Justice League of China was formed. 4 Years Ago: Cassie Sandsmark found her brother Jason. Artemis formed a romantic relationship with Jason Todd Red Hood. Dark Nights: Metal. 3 Years Ago: Cassie Sandsmark and Conner Kent Superman were married. The Outlaws disband. Dark Nights: Death Metal. Diana sacrificed herself to save the world. 2 Years Ago: Infinite Frontier. Yara Flor arrived in Brazil. Nubia arrived at Man’s World and made her debut as the seventh Wonder Woman. Diana returned from ascension. The Lost Children (renamed the Young Society) returned. 1 Year Ago: Trial of the Amazons. Yara Flor graduated as the fifth Wonder Girl. Dark Crisis. Hippolyta Milton graduated as Lyta Wonder. Lazarus Planet. Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods. Now: Dawn of DC. Yara Flor graduated as Yara Flor. Knight Terrors. 2 Years From Now: Time Crisis. 7 Years From Now: Secret Crisis. 85271: The Wonder Woman of the 853rd century made her debut. The Justice Legion Alpha was formed.

[deckervsdracula]

my band/artist names

The Numbskulls

Jank

Hayne Sprucewood's Critters

The Slack McDougal Experience

Shutterstockdotcom

4 Country Bumpkins

Grandmaster Querty & The Numpads

Willy Nilly

Bruise Hickley & The Ticklers

One Hot Crockpot

Freez R. Burns

Tedd Sedimentary

The Jaxxon Twins

Utensils Of The Kitchen Drawer

Canned Who-Hash

Piece'a Crud

We The Wiseguys

Rough 'N Toughers

Cole & Flintlock

The Low Down And Dirty Band

Slurphead

The Beddy-Byes

Whistlers of Wisconsin

7 Tekkens

[shortystats]

AFL Top 100: Port Adelaide 2025.

Ken Hickley has been coaching the Power since 2013 and in that time has shown himself to be a master coach, reinventing the team on a number of occasions and playing in a total of 7 final series. The Power have made it into the preliminary final on three occasions Including this year when they lost to Sydney by 6 goals but have yet to make it to the Grand Final under Hinkley’s reign giving him…

[antonio-velardo]

Antonio Velardo shares: Swiss Museum in Financial Straits Sells Three Cézannes for $53 Million by Catherine Hickley

By Catherine Hickley Museum Langmatt said the sales were necessary to keep its doors open. Critics had said they violated industry guidelines on when a museum should sell off parts of its collection. Published: November 10, 2023 at 01:36PM from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/kdL2O15 via IFTTT

[caffeinatedwoman]

Start watching the Terror and Hickley is 😌🔪

HICKEY EDIT!!!!!!!!!!!

my most specialest boy on the doomed arctic expedition 😊

like/comment on youtube pleaseeeeee,

[learnphotoo]

Is Nazi Loot Amid His 6,000 Oils, Some Grenades and Napoleon’s Toothbrush?

By Catherine Hickley The daughter of an eccentric Swiss collector has asked an independent panel to review whether items in his massive collection were stolen from Jews during World War II. Published: February 7, 2023 at 08:00AM from NYT Arts https://ift.tt/MehODxn

[fuojbe-beowgi]

"Is Nazi Loot Amid His 6,000 Oils, Some Grenades and Napoleon’s Toothbrush?" by Catherine Hickley via NYT Arts https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/arts/bruno-stefanini-collection-looted-art.html?partner=IFTTT

[mt-musings]

Bluebell

Chapter 37

After being abruptly transferred to the BAU at what she suspects was Gideon's request, Cassie Boann struggles to find her footing. Shy and solitary by nature, the transition is made all the more difficult when Dr. Spencer Reid seems to take an almost immediate dislike to her. Unfortunately for them both, their respective areas of expertise leave them paired off more often than not. But when Cassie's past literally starts hunting her, Spencer is forced to consider that he might, in fact, not hate her at all.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Spencer Reid x OC

Warnings: Canon typical violence, kidnapping, stalking, drug use, blood, injury, death, PTSD, eventual smut, more tags to be added

Series Masterlist

Read on AO3

37. Disarm

Gideon stared at the girl across from him in the narrow diner booth, staring out the window. She was thin, her black curls wild, freckles more prominent for how pale she’d become. She wore a black sweater that was at least four sizes too big for her and a pair of ripped jeans, both clearly worse for wear. Her sneakers were dirty and too small, judging by her stride walking in and the left hinge of her glasses had been repaired with scotch tape. There was a fading bruise on her chin, right below the healing split to her lip. 

“Are you going to tell me what happened to your lip?” He asked, trying to catch her eye, to get her to look at him. She’d refused to do so since he’d picked her up.

“Nope,” she replied, popping the P. He sighed. 

“If you’re being mistreated—“

“What does it matter? It’s not like the next placement will be any different.”

“We can find you a better placement. I can call Robert right now and work it all out.”

She didn’t answer, just continued staring blankly out of the window.

“Bebe—“

“Uncle J, just leave it, okay? It doesn’t matter.”

“It absolutely does matter.”

“Just—can we talk about something else? You’re here because of those murders down by Akron, right? The dude with the machete?”

“It’s not an appropriate conversation to be having.”

“Why not? It’s in all the papers.”

“Because you’re ten.”

“So? It’s not like I haven’t seen people hacked up before.”

Gideon sighed. 

“How’s school?”

“Boring. Every time I transfer they’re always reading Catcher in the Rye. If I have to read it one more time I might finish Reagan off myself. I’m starting to think Hickley was on to something.”

“That’s not funny.”

“It’s a little funny.”

They both looked up as the food arrived. Gideon thanked the waitress as Bebe dug in, not bothering to wait for it to cool. She ate too fast, like she was scared it would all disappear. 

He’d have to call Robert. 

“Do you have any new leads? ‘Cause I was thinking maybe you should get the lab to test for bisphenol in the first hundred microns of the bone. I mean, the amount of osteoporosis present in the last one doesn’t fit the profile of the others, unless there was a contributing environmental factor that accelerated bone density loss.”

“We’re still working on it. I’ll see what I can do, I have a contact down at the lab that owes me a favor.”

“Tell them to check for phalates and pesticides too, they can also lead to bone loss.”

“How’d you learn all that?”

“They got computers at the library here, you can find pretty much anything on them. Only decent thing about this place.”

She turned back to her food.

“Got anything planned this weekend?” Gideon asked. 

“Like what?”

“Don’t you have games on the weekend? I thought you played soccer.”

“In Virginia, when I was six. Besides, I’m at the high school. Everyone in my class is almost four years older than me. They’d wipe the floor with me.”

“What about at the Parks and Rec department? It’d be good for you to do something with kids your own age.”

“Why? They’re boring, and I’d rather go to the library. I have to think about college.”

“That’s still a ways off.”

“Not really. Unless WitSec screws up my transcripts again I’ll be applying in three years. Two, if they let me skip Sophomore year like I want to.”

“Three years is still a long time.”

“Not that long. Then, once I finish my I can join the Bureau,” she said, avoiding his gaze. 

“You have to be twenty-three to join the Bureau.”

“Not if they make an exception, which they do for special candidates. And I have an IQ of 174 and have been studying forensic analysis since I was nine, so they’d be stupid not to.”

“And what if we find him before then?”

“Then I’m going to be an archeologist and study genomic trends in the evolution of early hominids, or go excavate old tombs or something. I don’t know."

"I thought you wanted to be a concert pianist, like your dad? You were always so talented."

"Can’t really consider it as long as Shit Head keeps sending me vertebrae, can I? Plus, it's not like I can practice anymore.”

“We’re going to find him.”

She stared at her plate for a long moment, a white knuckled grip on her fork.

“You know, I got in trouble last week? For ‘ignoring’ my history teacher? ‘Cause she kept calling ‘Adrienne’ and I just got used to Madeline. And by the time I get used to Hanna it’ll be Sydney, or Julie, or Claire. This is my fifth placement in less than three years.”

“I know, kiddo. I’m sorry.”

“Why can’t I just come back to Virginia with you?”

Gideon felt his heart break a little at the words, at how small she sounded, at the tears welling up behind her eyes. 

“You know I’m on the road all the time with cases.”

“I can take care of myself. I promise, you won’t even know I’m there—“

“You know that’s not the problem. No judge would sign off on it. You’re still a kid, you need someone looking after you.”

Bebe just stared at him a moment, defeated, before turning back to the remainder of her meal. It was the same argument they’d had a dozen times, the same heart-rending conclusion. But she always asked, even though he knew she knew what the answer would be.

He took her to the bookstore next door while he called Robert from Witsec to see how quickly he could get her moved. She disappeared into the poetry section, shoulders slumped. 

“How fast can you move B39567’s placement?”

“The kid? He sent another one?”

“No. But she’s showing signs of abuse. Won’t say anything but it’s pretty clear.”

“Shit, alright, I’ll see what I can do. It’ll probably take me at least until the morning though. You good with keeping her until then?”

“Of course. Just let me know what you come up with.”

“Will do. I’ll call you when I have something.” 

He hung up. Gideon sighed and turned around, looking for wherever Bebe had wandered off to. He found her at the back of the shop, engrossed in a thick volume. He watched her for a moment, noting the way her brow had softened for the first time since he’d picked her up, how she looked nearly her age, just eleven, despite the fact that she was tearing through Witold Gombrowicz’s Cosmos. That she resembled her father so much in that moment, book in hand, that he could almost hear the old, crackling vinyl copy of Debussy playing in the background, the scent of Panamanian cigars thick in the air. 

Gideon still remembered how Rasmus had doted on that little girl, remembered the look of unadulterated joy on his face when he and Liliya had first introduced her, how happy he’d been to be a father. He’d watched his friend shift, as if his world had a new gravitational pull centered in his daughter, how his life revolved around what was best for her. 

He wondered, if he had lived, what Bebe would have been like. She’d always been clever and curious, but she’d grown morbid and withdrawn since her parents’ deaths, sharp and secretive. 

He turned away, towards the anthropology section that was little more than a shelf and a half. They didn’t have anything on the genomics of early hominids, but they did have a book on the mummies of the New Kingdom. He grabbed it without flipping through it, crossing back to where Bebe still read, cross-legged on the floor. 

“Come on kid, we’ll take it to go. We’re going to go pick up your stuff and get you set up at the hotel while Robert finds you a new placement.”

She stared at him a moment, no relief in her expression, only resignation, before double-checking her page number and getting to her feet. He handed her the other book as he lead her to the counter, digging his wallet out of his back pocket. 

“Thought maybe this way you could get a head start on that archeology career,” he said, raising a brow. 

She huffed a laugh, the corner of her mouth barely twisting up in the hint of a smile. 

---

It should have been a textbook takedown.

Spencer didn’t know when it had all gone so wrong.

Cassie had rounded the corner first, gun drawn and the unsub had leapt out and pistol whipped her. She dropped to the ground, gun clattering out of her hand. He’d kicked it out of reach. 

Spencer had never been a good shot. He’d failed his recertification more than once in his time with the BAU, something he was thoroughly ashamed of. 

He fired twice, trying to focus keeping his gun steady, on aiming and following through. The first shot missed, the second grazed his bicep. He whipped around to face Spencer, gun aiming straight for his chest and he braced himself, hoping the vest under his FBI jacket would catch the worst of it, his mind instinctually calculating the amount of force he was about to be hit with considering the make of the gun and distance between him and the barrel. 

He couldn’t help but remember the last time he’d stared down the barrel of a gun, after being beaten and forced to dig his own grave, panic seizing him. Even if the unsub shot him in the vest—at this distance it still could be enough to kill him. And that was if he aimed for his torso at all. A head or neck shot would leave almost no room for survival, and even a shot to the thigh could sever the femoral artery and leave him with minutes before he bled out. 

A shot rang out, but there was no pain, no force to throw him back. Instead he watched a spray of viscera explode out of the top of his head before he dropped like a stone. Cassie still lay where she’d fallen, gun still pointed at the place the unsub had been only a second before. She lowered her arm, eyes searching his face.

“Are you okay?” She asked, pushing herself into a seated position. There was blood streaking down her face, one eye already purpling and swelling, and she was asking him if he was okay. 

He was still frozen to the spot, eyes wide as he took in the damage. He was still stuck halfway between his panicked memories and the scene in front of him.

Morgan burst into the room from the door at the other end, followed closely by Hotch who took one look between the unsub dead on the ground and Cassie dazed and bloodied and dropped his grip on his gun in favor of his walkie talkie.

“I need medical in here stat, I have an agent injured and a dead suspect,” Hotch said, cataloguing the unsub’s wound. “Who took the shot?”

“I hit him in the arm, Cassie hit him in the head.” He just nodded. 

Morgan crossed to Cassie’s side and crouched in front of her, examining her face. It was bleeding profusely from the laceration under her eye, but that was to be expected of a head wound. Still what concerned him was how unfocused her gaze was.

“Alright sweetness, how many fingers am I holding up,” he asked, holding three up. She looked at them a second before answering dryly.

“Too many.”

Morgan snorted. “Sounds like you might have a concussion.”

“Feels like one,” she groaned, words coming out slightly slurred as she clumsily holstered the gun still in her hand, “What happened to my other gun?”

Spencer crossed wordlessly to where it had ended up on the other side of the room and handed it to her. She hummed something indistinct by way of thanks. She tried to examine it but gave up after only a few seconds and holstered it underneath her other arm, dropping her head back against the wall and letting her eyes slip shut. 

She murmured something indistinct. 

“What was that?”

Spencer slid down the wall to sit next to her, examining her face for himself. The laceration wasn’t as long as he’d first thought, though it was fairly deep. She’d definitely need stitches—he’d have to make sure they had a plastic surgeon do them to make sure there was minimal scarring. He knew how much the bothered her. 

He shrugged off his jacket, flipping it inside out so he could press the soft cotton lining to her cheek to attempt to stop, or at least slow the bleeding. He knew it wasn’t sterile, that he was introducing all sorts of bacteria to the area, but he also knew that injuries to blood-rich areas like the head were more likely to lead to death by exsanguination. He’d judge by the amount of blood running down her neck and pooling in the hollow of her collarbone that she’d lost about 300ml. 

She melted into his side and groaned, making a face as she looked up at him through half-lidded eyes.

“Said I fucking hate Ohio.”

Morgan laughed, shaking his head, and even Spencer cracked a smile. 

---

Spencer had insisted on being the one to accompany Cassie to the hospital, not that anyone had particularly fought him on it. He’d insisted on staying by her side throughout everything—the consult, the CT scan, the stitches. 

Cassie had insisted on an MRI as well, though she’d struggled to articulate why. The concussion diagnosis had been fairly glaring and the doctor seemed inclined not to argue with either of them. Spencer knew enough to insist on physical and digital copies of both the tests for Cassie’s perusal later. 

The doctor had found zygomatic bruising on the MRI—no doubt why Cassie had insisted on it—but said it should heal naturally in the next month and a half as long as the inflammation was kept in check. She’d prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory drug as well as a narcotic pain killer for the bone bruising and for the flight home, which she said would make the concussion more painful. 

She’d taken both before they boarded the jet and curled up on the couch, pulling the neck of the oversized Harvard sweatshirt he’d found in her bag up and over her head to block out any light. Spencer wanted nothing more than to hold her, to be close enough to assure himself that she was, in fact, okay. But he couldn’t, because they’d both decided it was better to not tell the team. So he sat at the table with JJ and Morgan and Prentiss playing cards, sneaking glances at Cassie whenever he got the chance. 

Hotch gave them a few days off when they landed—it had been a few cases since they’d had a proper break, not just a handful of paperwork days. Spencer had assured both Hotch and Gideon that he’d make sure Cassie got home safe, something that elicited raised eyebrows but no further prying. 

Morgan had been far less subtle, yelling “See ya, Lover Boy!” from across half the parking lot. Spencer had just ignored him, focusing on making sure they got to the train station in one piece. He didn’t know if it was the concussion or the strength of the painkillers, but she wasn’t exactly steady on her feet, or present. She curled into his side on the train, dropping her head onto his shoulder. 

By the time they made it back to his apartment it was dark. He left their bags by the door to deal with later and led Cassie to his room. He made sure she was perched on the bed before crossing to the bathroom. He returned with a damp washcloth and gently scrubbed the remaining blood from her face and neck, from where it had pooled along her collar. He apologized each time she flinched, doing his best not to aggravate anything further. He pulled out a clean pair of his own pajamas for her to change into, closing the door behind him as he crossed to the kitchen and retrieved an icepack and a pair of water bottles. 

He knocked on the door to his room, waiting a few moments before cracking open the door. Cassie had managed to change, though she’d put his old CalTech shirt on backwards, her bloodied clothes left in a heap. She was curled into a ball at the end of the bed.

Spencer turned down the sheets, setting the water bottles on his bedside table next to the ice pack. He coaxed her up and under the sheets, making sure she was propped up enough to help with the swelling.

He pressed the icepack into her hand, guiding it to her cheek. “Keep this on, it’ll bring the swelling down. Would you mind if I hopped in the shower before joining you?”

She shook her head. He grabbed her clothes and dumped them in his hamper, trying not to be struck with the simple domesticity of the action. It took him precisely seven minutes and forty-eight seconds to wash the remains of her dried blood from his skin and change into pajamas. He tiptoed back to the bed, expecting Cassie to be asleep. He climbed into bed, pressing a featherlight kiss to her forehead. 

She hummed, slowly blinking her eyes open. He reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“How’s your pain level? The doctor said we should be concerned if it went up more than 2 points on the pain scale.”

“It’s okay. About the same.”

“That’s good. Tomorrow I’ll go out and pick up some omega three and antioxidant supplements, they’re supposed to help accelerate at least the first stages of healing. You should also increase your daily protein intake. I can swing by your place, too, if you give me your keys, and grab you some comfy clothes and anything else you might want for the next week or so—“

“You don’t—I’ll get out of your hair tomorrow.”

“What—no, Cassie. You’re hurt, you need someone to look after you.”

“I’m okay, Spence. I’ll just sleep. You should enjoy your days off.”

“Hypersomnia could be an indication of more severe or worsening symptoms. Besides, I’d enjoy them more with you, knowing you’re okay. Just let me take care of you, alright?”

Cassie just stared back, her lower lip trembling. A tear streaked down her cheek, then another. 

“Oh no, Cass, is it your head?” He asked, panic flooding him. Sudden worsening symptoms could indicate a brain bleed and she’d been hit right by her temple, which gave the highest chance of hemorrhaging. The doctor had said the CT and MRI had been clear, but she could have missed something that got exacerbated by the flight and the pressure inside the cabin. 

She shook her head slightly, wincing at the motion.

“It’s stupid.”

“It’s not. Please?”

“I—You’re taking such good care of me and it’s just—I know how to take care of myself and get by because I’ve been doing it since I was a kid, but I don’t know how to let someone take care of me.”

She dropped her gaze, fingers tightening on the icepack as she pulled it from her face. Spencer felt her words like a punch in the gut—He’d practically raised himself, after his dad left. He’d been the only person he could truly count on. He loved his mother fiercely, but her condition had made it impossible for her to ever play a consistent caretaker, and more often than not meant that he took care of her. 

He was sure growing up in foster care wasn’t much more consistent. 

“Hyper-independence is a really common reaction to trauma, especially when experienced in childhood. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I also don’t ever want you to feel like you have to suffer alone. I’m here for you—I want to be here for you, to take care of you. Please, let me.”

“I’m—I’m trying.”

She swiped the tears from her face harshly, forgetting about her bruised cheekbone and fresh stitches. She swore, the curses a jumble of English and Ukrainian, pressing the icepack back to her cheek. 

“This is worse than being stabbed. I need my brain and it’s so stupid right now,” she whined. 

Spencer couldn’t help but huff a quiet laugh at her scrunched up, angry face. She glowered at him for a moment before her face softened.

“I mean, it, I’d rather be stabbed than have garbage brain.”

“Then you better listen to the doctor and rest, so you recover faster.”

“I always listen to you. Mostly.”

“Alright. Rest and let me take care of you.”

She snorted, closing her eyes. “Are you tired?”

“Not yet.”

“Would—would you read to me?”

“Not Child of God,” he said, smile evident in his voice. 

“No—no. You pick, just—just want to listen to you.”

“Alright. Just hang on a second,” he said as he got up. Cassie gripped the blankets tight for a moment, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. Spencer shook his head and laughed as he crossed to the living room. He scanned the shelves, finally settling on an anthology of Pushkin he’d purchased after devouring the one she’d gifted him. Not in Russian, but he supposed it would do, for tonight. 

He walked to the entryway where he’d left their bags and dug out both of their phones and chargers—even with a promised three days off it was best to be prepared. He paused over Cassie’s open bag, looking at the transparent yellow bottles nestled on top of her hastily folded clothes. Diclofenac for reducing the inflammation and hydromorphone for the pain. He knew it was the generic for Dilauded, knew that the doctor had over-prescribed, knew what a bottle like that would run for. 

He picked up the bottles and just weighed them in his hand. Then he shook his head, plugging in both of their phones before returning to the bedroom. He set the pill bottles on the nightstand nearest Cassie and climbed back into bed. She curled up next to him, head on his chest, arm around his waist, eyes still closed. 

He wrapped an arm around her as he started to read, tracing loose patterns across her skin. She was fast asleep barely a half hour later, her hand gently gripping his shoulder, her breath warm against his chest. 

He marked his page before closing the book and setting it aside. He could, of course, finish it in another half hour if he read at his usual pace. Instead he just stared at Cassie asleep on his chest, absently playing with her hair. 

The bruising was worse now than it had been in the hospital. Her right eye was nearly swollen shut and blackened, as was her cheek and temple. Stitched shut the laceration was only two inches long, running from under her eye up to her temple. 

The single blow had been hard enough to bruise bone, to leave her dazed and unsteady and nearly incapacitated, but she’d still made the shot. 

If she hadn’t—

His stomach lurched at the memories of the graveyard, of the sting of ropes against his wrists, of woodsmoke and burning liver. 

He leaned over before he could sink any further into his thoughts, grabbing the bottle of Dilaudid. He shook one into his hand before shoving the bottle back on the far nightstand and dry swallowed it before chasing it with one of the water bottles. 

He knew he shouldn’t, knew he’d been working so hard to stay sober,cbut in that moment all he could think of was the both of them dead on the ground, their brains splattered all over the concrete. 

He’d jump back on the bandwagon tomorrow. It was only one pill, after all and it was less potent than the stuff he’d been using before. It was just a brief stopover to get him through the night.

He kept telling himself that until he drifted off into fuzzy, dulled sleep, arms still holding Cassie close. 

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[aokozaki]

Oh it's alright for some, isn't it Hickley!

finally, a reasonable voice on the matter, known for his dedication to peace and harmony