#i don't think the good wife did a great job with her love interests

[aflawedfashion]

The most suspenseful thing about that episode was whether or not Elsbeth was going to get Kaya to go to the gala with her

[fluentmoviequoter]

Bats Need Lives Too

Requested Here!

Pairing: Bruce Wayne x wife!reader

Summary: Bruce and the boys have bad days, and as their mom, it's your job to make them better.

Warnings: Bruce and Damian are on the autism spectrum, Jason jokes about dying, mentions of murder and Joker, fluff and comfort

Word Count: 2.1k+ words

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Photo from Wayne Family Adventures on Webtoon (via Google)

A/N: I don't have autism so I based this depictions off research and common symptoms; if it's inaccurate, please let me know and I'll do my best to fix it!

“Bruce!” you yell from the top of the stairs. “Damian!”

You pause, but there’s no reply. Taking a step down, you hit the creaky stair that Bruce hasn’t fixed (for security purposes).

“Ma,” Jason greets as he comes up the stairs. “I’m going to go get some sleep. I told B and the demon brat to do the same, but you know them.”

You smile at his attempt to stay on your good side and wave him past as you wish him a good night. He has a room at the manor like all of the kids do, but it depends on their day and Bruce’s mood as to whether or not they use it.

“Bruce, honey,” you call again as you descend into the Batcave. “It’s time for bed. You too, Damian.”

“We’re almost finished,” Damian replies without looking away from the screen.

“Bruce,” you repeat firmly.

“Almost done,” he mumbles.

You look up toward Wanye Manor, then reach over Bruce’s shoulder to turn the computer monitors off. Damian huffs as Bruce continues to stare at the black screen.

“Boys,” you begin again, squatting between them with a hand on their shoulders. “I know you’re getting close, but you have to sleep. Especially you, Dami.”

Damian considers it for a moment, then nods. Bruce turns toward you slowly, and you smile when his eyes meet yours.

“I’ll hug you both until you agree to go upstairs if that’s what it takes,” you threaten.

That threat used to be more effective before Damian came to expect your hugs daily. Both he and Bruce, all of the Bats for that matter, tend to run from love, but you’ve become the loving mother they need, even when they don’t like it.

“Go to bed, get some sleep, eat some breakfast in the morning, and I promise Gotham will still be here when you’re ready to investigate more.”

Damian slips away from your hand and walks toward the stairs. He calls a weak, “Goodnight,” over his shoulder as you take his previous seat and look at Bruce. He looks tired, though you’ve come to expect it now.

“Bad day?” you murmur, gently taking his face in your hands.

“Will I always be two steps behind?” he asks against your palm.

“If you don’t stop to rest, you’ll be three steps behind,” you answer honestly.

“You’re supposed to say, no, love and light of my life, you’re doing great,” Bruce teases.

“And you’re supposed to listen to me. Now, are you going to bed with me, or shall I invite Goliath to keep your spot warm?”

“When did you become the bad cop?” Bruce asks as he pulls you up and against his chest.

“Since your children started acting just like you.”

“What will Alfred think?” Bruce asks dramatically.

“That he deserves five times as much vacation time now that there’s so many of you.”

When Damian’s teacher at Gotham Preparatory called you in for her concerns about Damian’s behavior, you took what she said seriously. You knew about Damian’s past and his family, of course; when she kindly suggested having him screened for autism, you already knew what the doctor would say. You’ve suspected for years that Bruce was on the spectrum, but having him or his children screened would be a Gotham Gazette headline and a press nightmare that you did not need. So, you did your own research on how to help your boys whenever they need it. Within a few days, Damian was interested in your new approach and set out to learn about the disorder with you.

“Dick told me it was impolite to call people disgraces, but disordered is acceptable?” Damian asked as he read an article on the screening process.

“The person isn’t disordered, Dami, it’s a neurological and developmental disorder. That just means the way you learn, and act isn’t the same as normal people,” you explained. “Though, personally, normal has always felt like more of an insult.”

Damian tutted in agreement before he continued reading, and you smiled as you flipped through a list of symptoms you’ve seen in the manor for years. Many of them had occurred before Damian came along.

“Hey!” Dick calls as he and Jason enter the manor. “So, gala tonight. Is it mandatory?”

“It is,” you answer with a sympathetic frown. “Though if you bring a date, I’d be more than happy to make up excuses for why you leave early.”

“That’s never gotten me out of patrol before,” Jason argues.

“Are you talking about when Poison Ivy doused you with her plant toxin?” you reply.

“I wanted to leave early with a date.”

“She would have killed you,” Dick interjects. “What is wrong with you?”

Jason shrugs as he uses his default answer of, “Died once.”

“That’s enough,” you stop them with a chuckle. “Yes, you have to come to the gala, but you don’t have to stay the whole time. Especially if you’d like to take Damian with you when you leave.”

“I thought he was doing better,” Jason says.

“He’s getting better at the social communication issues, but, you know, it’s Gotham and he’s got a social battery just like the rest of us.”

“Is that why you’ve been separating him and Bruce?” Dick asks.

“Just on the bad days. They need space and a chance to do something they actually like. It’s worked better than anything else, and then, when they’re ready, I force them to receive my love.”

Jason shudders dramatically before you direct them to see Alfred for their suits for the gala. Dick and Jason both hug you on their way out, and you sigh as you return your attention to a memo for Wayne Enterprises about Bruce’s upcoming sabbatical. He doesn’t know it’s coming, but he needs it, and you will make him take it.

The night after the gala, you roll over in bed and reach for Bruce. His side of the bed is empty, and you open your eyes after your arm meets the cold sheet where your husband should be. You swing your legs off the bed, reach for your robe, and sigh tiredly. Bruce has been running himself ragged recently. You know why, there’s been a string of murders and timed escapes from Arkham, but he can’t solve everything in a night sitting in the Batcave.

He's been Batman more than Bruce the last week, and it’s time for you to step in and intervene. The Batcave is cold at night, and you pull your robe tighter around you as you walk toward Bruce’s back. He’s still in his cape and cowl, and when you sit beside him, he glances over quickly but pointedly avoids your eyes. You lay your hand on his arm, but he rolls his shoulder and opens the same file for the third time since you arrived. He’s getting obsessive and repetitive, and if you don’t stop him now, he’ll get impulsive and get himself or one of your kids hurt.

“Bruce are you okay?” you ask softly.

Bruce stands quickly, knocking his chair over and letting your hand fall back to your lap. “Do I look okay?” he exclaims, throwing his hands up.

You raise your hands but don’t speak. Bruce turns away quickly and reaches for the computer controls. Slowly, you stand and place your fingers over his wrist. Bruce slows but doesn’t stop or look at you.

“Why are you wearing the cowl?” you ask.

“I have to stop him before he does it to someone else.”

“Joker?” you guess.

Bruce’s jaw tightens, and his forearm stiffens beneath your touch as his fingers curl into a fist.

“Bruce, you need a break. A real break, not just a walk around the manor while you think about it.”

“And if it happens while I’m on a break? Then I have even more blood on my hands!”

You shake your head and take his hands in yours. “It will be on mine, too, then. But do not take yourself away from me and the boys because of him. He’s done more than enough.”

“I have to finish. Batman has to end this.”

“And you will, but right now, you’re only hurting yourself and the people closest to you. Exactly what he wants.”

Bruce drops his head before he releases your hand to rip the cowl away from his face. You smile at him, but his eyes are on the floor.

“You need sleep,” you whisper.

Bruce nods and turns away from you to remove the rest of his equipment. Your love may be tough love sometimes, but it is what Bruce needs on days like today.

“Where are the boys?” you ask.

“Damian’s here, in bed. Dick and Jason are in Blüdhaven and Tim is on patrol.”

“Alone?”

“Helena’s with him,” Bruce assures you. “He’s safe.”

“Then leave Batman, the files, the lack of sleep, all of it down here, and let’s get you somewhere safe, too.”

Bruce allows you to lead him upstairs and into bed, but before you can ask if he feels better, his arm tightens around you as he drifts to sleep.

“Good morning,” Alfred greets.

“Good morning, Alfred,” you reply. “Bruce won’t be joining us just yet.”

“Thank goodness. If only his child felt the same urge for resting.”

“Damian?” you assume.

“Yes, ma���am.”

“I’ll bring him to breakfast. Thanks, Alfred.”

Alfred nods and resumes cooking as you begin searching the manor for Damian. He tends to gravitate toward the room with the most swords, the display room on the third floor. As you enter with a knock, Damian keeps his eyes on the floor. A row of model cars is lined up before him, and the weapons on the wall are untouched.

“Hi, Dami,” you say.

“Mother,” he answers quickly.

“Are you practicing or playing?”

“There is no reason to continue practicing,” he answers.

You take a deep breath as you lean against the back of the chair. Damian has done this before, restricted himself from one of his hobbies, and it’s the hardest thing to bring him back from.

“Why not?” you inquire.

“I understand that there are more things I should know how to do, regardless of my interest in it.”

“Dami, you can do what you like. You don’t have to be a stereotype.”

“I am not a stereotype; I am simply expanding my skillset.”

“By…”

“Memorizing the make, model, and best year of popular cars.”

“I see,” you respond as you sit in the chair. “And these are in… year order?”

“Alphabetical model.”

You nod and look at the row of cars. “Is the blue one a Corvette? Because it should be on the other side of the Camaro.”

Damian freezes momentarily before he sinks to his knees and flips the car over. He sets it down and shoves it harshly, sending it into the wall as he presses his fists into the floor. You move to sit beside him but don’t touch him.

“Breathe,” you encourage. “It’s okay.”

“I can’t change them,” he mumbles. “It doesn’t work.”

“That’s okay. Put them however you want.”

“Will Baba allow me to patrol this evening?” he asks, changing the topic.

“That depends. He’s taking a break right now.”

“Then I should be out defending Gotham!”

Damian stands quickly and pulls a katana from the display case. He looks at it, then returns it.

“Dami, not right now,” you say as you stand.

“I don’t need Batman with me!” he argues.

“I’m not saying you do, Damian. What do you need here, in the manor?”

Damian shakes his head, and you remain in your place. Damian’s shoulders drop slowly, and he picks up the Corvette he shoved away to return it to its place. You smile when he looks up at you, and Damian stands closer to you as you tell him that Alfred is making breakfast.

“C’mon,” you urge him. “Let’s go eat and when Bruce wakes up, you can ask him about patrol.”

“Perhaps I could take a break as well,” he suggests.

“That would be nice,” you agree. “Maybe you’d like to join me for a movie night.”

“Movie night?!” Dick yells from the dining room. “I’m in!”

You and Damian shake your heads together as you walk in.

“Maybe it should be a family night,” Bruce interjects from the head of the table.

Damian sits beside you as you begin discussing which movie to watch. While Damian joins the discussion, Bruce meets your eyes from across the table and mouths, Thank you.

You shrug. You’re the mom of Gotham’s Bats, it’s your job to keep them in line and remind them to live.

[hell-is-not-an-excuse]

Not so sorted Ghostfuckers thoughts

Firstly, this episode was an improvement over the last few, at least in my opinion - That isn't to say that it's great, or even particularly good, but I can say that I was more invested in this episode, even if only a little. It had more focus on the original concept of the show with an I.M.P mission finally not just being reduced to a short... Though the mission still doesn't take full priority, something I will expand on momentarily.

Before that though, I'll start off with the things I did actually like.

The bankruptcy joke got a quick giggle out of me. It may be that I'm still an immature little homonculus, but the jokes that don't fall into the unnecessarily crude/sexual category still elicit a reaction from me.

This joke got me too - I know that this was almost definitely intended as a jab towards critics, however it loops back around to being funny to me, as I joke a lot about being "objectively correct".

These frames of Moxxie specifically - I love him a lot and wish he was in a show that took better care with its character writing

I enjoyed seeing the flashback designs for the I.M.P crew - Moxxie isn't too different, but I actually sort of prefer the others past looks here.

Lastly, this specific moment/line! This is a massive improvement over what was given to us in those leaked boards - In the original boards, I had a hard time believing that Millie would have this suicidal fit out of seemingly nowhere because... Some other demon told her she was a bad wife? This is a much more "in character" line for Millie, given what we already knew about her as an audience (which admittedly, wasn't a lot, but she never gave off the sort of insecurity/suicidal ideation that the original boards appeared to have been pushing for).

I think I've gotten all the praise I can wring out of my system - Now comes all the issues I take with this newest episode. These criticisms come in no particular order.

There's the usual thought that comes whenever a new episode drops - The swearing and sexual humour is too frequent and over the top. I'm an enjoyer of well placed crude and sexual humour, but this isn't well placed. With every second line containing profanity, innuendo, or explicit sexual content, they become less and less special and interesting to hear, to the point that watching characters interact becomes a slog.

Blitz is supposedly having this month long breakdown because... He had a breakup that wasn't really a breakup? He himself admits they were never in a relationship, and gets upset at the concept that him and Stolas will never be together. Obvious criticism of Stolitz notwithstanding, until Apology Tour, there have been no genuine moments of "love" between the two - This all comes off more as Blitz mourning this potential (now dead) relationship because the writers feel it's time for him to do so, without selling to the audience why he would give a damn about Stolas in the first place. I hardly believe Stolas and his pining back in Ozzie's, let alone the shameless display that we're getting now.

Speaking of Stolas, this is a perfect segue into what I said I was going to expand upon further down in this post; despite this episode having an I.M.P mission be a main setting, that's all it is - A setting. I wouldn't mind so much if this was purely for character building, but it's yet another instance of things happening because of Stolas. This feathered fuck haunts the narrative even when he's not present! The mission is presented more as an avenue of helping Blitz "get over" Stolas as opposed to just being a job that the members of I.M.P need to, you know, live.

Speaking of, how financially stable are I.M.P and its employees? Despite having nearly two seasons to expand on the concept of a business owned by the lowest caste of Hell's systems, nothing is done with it. With a setup like that, there should at least be some narrative drama involving the company facing challenges and instances of being in financial dire straights. Instead of this however, Blitz is able to blow a months worth of money on useless knick-knacks and owls to burn? With no real show of consequence as a result of this?

While I enjoyed seeing a bit of Millie backstory and her relationship to Blitz, Helluva still suffers from its "tell don't show" rule. Millie mentions she loves to have fun with Blitz, but we have never seen an instance of these two having fun together in show.

Honestly, the backstory of Blitz/Millie's meet and subsequent partnership should have been its own episode; we could have actually seen her steal the target from I.M.P as a solo assassin, we could have seen the state of I.M.P before her addition - If you wanted a bit of shipping fuel, you could also have an instance of Moxxie being too starstruck by this mysterious, wrathful rival to take a shot on her. So many possibilities! All wasted.

Millie's development episode shouldn't have come at the tail end of season two - She's been in the show since episode ONE, she deserved something in the first season to flesh her out.

I do not buy her reasoning for looking up to Blitz; if she thinks of herself as only a simple country girl or a brute, this would have been nice to actually see hinted to us throughout the show.

The casual ableism in the joke about the Hotel Owner's new cleaner - Not only is the way he is depicted simply dehumanising, framing him as this object of disgust rather than a person, this is driven further by being called a "poor thing" and only being reacted to with vague disgust by Blitz and Millie. And of course he's barely verbal, with the exception of a funny swear word (/sarc).

The whole sequence where Blitz is alone and being tormented by visions of Millie and Tilla is... It sure exists. Subtlety is lost in most of this dialogue here as once again, we are bluntly told what the problem with Blitz is - We know he makes decisions that fuck over others for his own benefit, we know he's selfish. We've seen this time and again!! This is not something that needed to be explicitly spoken for what feels like the millionth time in this (so far) two-season run.

Speaking of mothers! Millie and Loona get shafted into a role of taking care of their respective man for the episode - As a matter of fact, both their conversations involve Blitz or Moxxie. After nearly two seasons, I don't think they've had a conversation that wasn't about their male coworkers/relationships.

What is an infestor demon? Have they shown up before? What in God's name am I supposed to know about them? Somehow when it comes to worldbuilding, the need to explain everything explicitly is gone.

Why is Blitz being emotionally tortured again while Stolas sees no real consequence? This is getting to be a really tired pattern.

The whole ghostfucking bit was already testing my patience within the first couple of minutes.

Anyway, that's all I have of like... More surface level critiques of this episode. I'll probably make a few more minor posts about this episode later and elaborate on some new thing my brain is sticking to.

[feninina]

𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ༉‧₊˚.⁀➷

𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗯𝘆 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿.

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: desperately, you come to tommy shelby for help, hoping he would lend you a job that could finally free you from your sorrow, not knowing he had other things in mind.

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: SMUT (minors dni!!!), heavy dubcon, mentions of sickness and death, poverty and slight angst. gunfucking, oral, implied dacryphilia, cheating, oral (f receiving), hair pulling, spitting.

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 3.6K words.

𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: hi!! i was gone for a very long time but now i’m finally back, yayyy!! 😁 hope y’all enjoy this little thing i wrote, lmk if there’s a mistake, it’s always good to receive some feedback.

smut under the cut

It was a lovely afternoon outside, the sun bathed the streets of Birmingham with a warm shine, the birds chirped on the trees and the children played outside their classrooms. You wished nothing more but to be there, sitting between the flowers watching your students run and chase each other, listening to the sweets laughs that came out of their throats with every step they took, but instead, you were there, sitting in front of Thomas Shelby, and those, were no longer your students.

"Someone's here to see you" Lizzie Shelby announced to his husband moments prior, who was focused in the papers on his desk, not raising his eyes to meet his wife on the door of his office.

"Who?" he asked sharply, more interested on the work he was doing in that moment than any potential visitor.

Lizzie accustomed to his unwavering dedication to business, sighed softly as she stepped into the room, exposing you to his sight, standing timidly behind her, waiting for Tommy's approval to go inside. "It's your son's teacher"

Thomas Shelby finally tore his gaze away from the papers, a mixture of surprise and curiosity flickering through his eyes. "Yeah? Bring her in," he replied, setting aside his work momentarily, intrigued by the unexpected reunion.

Lizzie nodded before giving you an unenthusiastic look, gesturing you to go inside. You complied, smiling awkwardly at her and starting to walk towards the desk of the imposing man in front of you, who's only presence made you feel weak at the knees.

He stood, offering you his hand to take, stretching it with such a formality that made you regret coming here, to ask what you were about to ask.

"Miss" he said, clearly not even remembering your name. His tone was calm, but a hint of curiosity sounded clear in your ears as he spoke. "Is my son giving you trouble?"

Your fingers were trapped inside his large palm and your tumb brushed against his knuckles, making you sense how rough his hands actually were. The smell of smoke filled your nose and your mouth parted slitghly, not losing the sight of his mesmerizing blue eyes as your soft skin met his, a soft sigh coming out of your lips.

"No, sir" you said, your voice breathy as embarrassment ran through your whole body, you put your hands together in front of your legs as he let go of it, the feeling of his calloused skin lingering on yours. "Charles is an amazing student"

He sat again, gesturing for you to do the same, he knitted his eyebrows for a second, his silence feeling everlasting in your buzzing ears. You felt your whole face burn in anticipation, a knot in your stomach building since the moment your brain came up with this little twisted idea.

"Is he?" he asked with a light chuckle, lighting up a cigarette, you nodded. Once you were sitting, you crossed your legs so the shaking was less evident, putting your lips into a fine line when Tommy continued speaking. "Because I don't think you only came here to tell me what a great student my son is. Did you?"

Smoke came out of his velour lips along with his words, the grey cylindrical cloud making its way up to the ceiling and forming a faint curtain that enveloped the both of you. Still, even between the smoke that enveloped him, you could still feel his eyes burning holes through your skin, making you throw your head down, your gaze glued on your fidgeting hands that rested on your trembling lap.

"Actually, Mr. Shelby" you stuttered, raising your eyes for a moment to meet his stoic face. God, you felt pathetic. "I- I'm not Charles' teacher. Not anymore"

"Yeah?" he said, licking his lips. "What are you doing here, then?" his tone was plane, a little intimidating in your ears, and you were so nervous, that you didn't notice the amusement behind it. Him? He was having a blast. A little young beautiful thing like you sitting on his office, practically entering the wolves mouth by your own will.

You could feel the humiliation flow through your body as you tried to come up with a way to tell him what you needed— to do that beyond your beliefs request that you were there to do. And you stayed quiet, lost in your own thoughts, trying to come up with an idea to speak your mind.

You were desperate, you truly were.

Last week, your sister fell sick, and for her bad look, your family was poor. Starting with your already struggling parents and adding your low wage job to that, she would be death within the span of two months or less. You adored teaching, every little part of it, and the little payment wasn't really a problem to you, but that was before your sister contracted the fever.

Now, the bills were too much to handle, and your poor and elderly parents expected something out of you, to maybe ask for a little extra payment at the school, but you knew that wasn't possible, they barely payed you the minimum. But going against your instincts, you did as you were told, and asked for a raise, or, maybe an advanced payment— the only thing they gave you was a nice and simple "Clear up your desk".

It's an euphemism to say that your parents were disappointed. They supported you during the course of your teaching career because they held hope for you to marry a wealthy man, who would help you to support your family with their expenses, but that was very far away from reality.

It was unrealistic, to run into a man's arms just to save your penurious family from a dying child. You could do it, jump in with both feet into a marriage with no love just for the economical part, but what man, in his right mind, would marry a malnourished and poor woman like you? You weren't even that beautiful in your own eyes.

You were lost in your own thoughts, playing with your silk handkerchief between your fingers looking down at your lap. It was silly, even considering coming here, but this was your best choice.

Not the last— you could be a hostess, you could swipe floors and wash clothes, maybe even beg for your old job back, but you know that it won't pay the bills, it won't save your sister, but this? Oh yeah, this will.

You knew about the Peaky Blinders, everyone on Birmingham knew about them, and last year, you had the luck to teach the child of the one and only, Thomas Shelby. Charles was a well-behaved kid, it surprised you, to be honest, knowing the reputation attached to his last name you thought it would be a nightmare to have him in your classroom, but Charles was sweet, polite.

But beyond his good manners and perfect grades; you noticed, his shinning shoes. His fancy clothes. The endless talks he starred to the other kids about his father horses and his big house.

And you always despised the Shelbys, they were criminals, evil people. You were just another permanent victim of their damage to Birmingham, that's what you considered yourself and the other folks like you. It was just a logical thing; they profited by destroying the city, the city that you barely afforded to live in.

But now you wanted to be a part of them, because you knew that it could be the only way to save your sister. And you begged to god that Thomas Shelby would take pity on you and maybe hire you to at least wipe his floors.

You'll do anything.

"So," he said again, snapping you out of your intern turmoil "what are you doing here, ey? Wasting my time?"

You took a sharp breath, looking at him with those big, teary eyes that made him wish to jump to the other side of the desk and tear you apart, a big sigh leaving his lips at the delicious thought of laying his hands on your tender skin, that shinned like gold in his sight, to touch and mold it to his will.

But he stayed there, waiting for you to speak as he watched with that unsettling stare of his that made you wish you never came here in the first place as you opened your mouth and closed it again, trying to find a way to say— to ask what you came here to ask.

"I know that the pay here is good" you started, your body covered in a cold shiver that ran down your spine as you spoke. "And I really need the money-”

Your words came out rushed, your tongue pushing them our of your mouth before you could think twice about it, urging you to say them before the man in front of you would lose his patience and kick you out of his office.

But he didn’t speak, amused, looking you through the smoke of his cigarette, the corners of his lips twisting into a minacious smile, the way you struggled to talk, to look at his eyes, it all entertained him.

He was thinking, very carefully, about what to do with you. You were being ridiculous, of course, he had to suppress a laugh when he realized what you wanted, and if you were any other person you would be out of his office whitin the blink of an eye. But he was trying to decide what to do with you.

You were a lucky woman, he thought. Because, luckily for you, he was more focused on the way your dress hugged your body in all the right places, the bright red color of your cheeks and those eyes full of tears— Luckily for you, he meant no harm, but his thoughts weren’t exactly good ones.

“I want a job” You finally admitted, his silence only encouraged you to keep speaking, sighing heavily and feeling the urge to explain yourself to him, but he quickly cut you off the moment you opened your mouth to tell your tragic little story.

“I’m not hiring” his voice startled you, and that only sentence felt like a slap on the face. “And if I was, what can you do for me, ey?”

You finally broke down, tears falling down from your eyes as you couldn’t answer that, shaking your head and mouthing a little ‘I don’t know’, your voice coming out as a soft whimper, music to his ears.

“I really need the money, mr. Shelby-”

“We all need it, don’t we?” he said, putting out his cigarette as he leaned in, resting his arms on the desk, trying to get a clear view of you. “But do you know what we do, honey? Can you kill a man? Are you good with numbers?”

“I- I am” you pathetically tried to answer his second question, but he laughed at you, coldly. “I was a teacher- I can-”

“Nah, that’s not enough” he said, pursing his lips. He then reached for something in hip, making your blood run cold as you registered his movements and your brain understood what he was looking for.

When you saw it in his hands, tho, you nearly got up from the chair and ran away, but your legs were so shaky, that you just looked at him with pure terror, not knowing what was going to happen.

“Do you know how to handle one of these?” He asked roughly, putting the gun on the desk and you felt a deep sense of relief going down your body, but still, you were scared. You shook your head, unable to say any words.

“So, you came here to waste my time, after all” he snarked, leaning back on his chair with a cocky grin, making you shiver. You should have ran away from that room several minutes ago, but for some reason, you felt like he was luring you in into something you didn’t know about.

“I don’t want to waste your time, mr. Shelby, my sister, she’s sick-” your pleas felt like honey to his ears, and he couldn’t help but lift himself up from his seat and walk towards you, rounding the desk and grabbing the gun in the way.

“You came to me to help your sister” he repeated, like he was trying to understand your reasons, nodding as he stood there, besides you. You looked up to him timidly, bitting your lip. You wanted to notice about anything else than the silver weapon in his hand, but you couldn’t, your eyes were glued to it. “That’s a good girl”

You knitted your eyebrows at the shift of his tone of voice, the fear now twisting your stomach, and you couldn’t help the way you grimaced when he brushed his free hand through your hair, which made you look at him with a hint of curiosity, your venison eyes not leaving his face.

How clueless you were.

“I can help you” he told you, his caress suddenly turning into a strong grip on your hair, yanking it so you stood up in front of him, making you yelp in surprise. “But you’ll have to help me, too”

Suddenly, your whole body ran cold as you felt the cold metal of his gun trail along your thighs, a gasp leaving your lips as panic filled all of your senses, more tears gathering around your eyes.

Tommy groaned at the sight, dragging the pistol upwards, sneaking it inside of your dress and in between your legs, the sensation of the weapon resting right outside of your mound making your knees fail you, but lucky for you, his strong grip on your hair kept you steady.

“Mr. Shelby…” you pleaded, closing your eyes when he started to move the gun in a circular motion, making your mouth betray you and slip out a pretty moan, that made Tommy’s pants grow tight on him.

“You see, that lady out there, it’s my wife” he explained, making you open your eyes while you tried to understand him, the way he brushed your clit with every quick movement of the gun between your legs making your brain send waves of fear and pleasure through your body. “She doesn’t satisfy me, not anymore”

You nodded, your agape mouth liberating soft gasps for him to hear everytime he pressed the blade further against your cunt. You wished nothing more than to him to pull it away, but at the same time, you wanted to beg him to keep doing whatever he was doing.

You could feel your panties get stickier by the second, your wetness flowing out of your pussy with every passing second, and you breathed heavily, not sure of what to do.

“I’ll pay you a generous salary to do that” and with that, you nodded even more feverishly, the idea making you feel repulsed, but something about the way he touched you and talked to you made your insides pulse. “And I’ll use you as I please, got it?”

Tommy smiled, moving your panties to the side and running the barrel up and down through your folds, making your heart run in circles on your chest, but you swallowed the fear, something about him having total control of you now made you feel even more attracted to him.

“I do, mr. Shelby” you chocked out, bitting your lip when he pushed the barrel inside of your slick hole, your hands coming to wrap themselves around his arms when you felt the weapon stretch your pussy out, closing your eyes in pure bliss.

With a dry chuckle from him, he started pumping in and out the gun from your cunt, and you mouth hanged open as you tried to find some kind of steadiness by grabbing his arms. He noticed the gun get slippery by how wet you were, and his eyes were fixed on how your nipples were showing through the fabric of your pretty dress.

A loud click from the gun made you open your eyes, but that didn’t stop the way your hips jerked against his relentlessly movements, the fear mixing with the pure pleasure you felt— and he, with those cold, blue eyes of his examining you, had you right there where he wanted you from the moment he saw those big and hot tears leave those eyes of yours. At his full and complete mercy. For him to use and abuse.

“You like this, don’t you?” he murmured, working the gun even faster, sensing how agitated he had you, the sight of you being completely lost at the feeling making him laugh a little. “You are a good little whore”

You nodded, your hands traveling to his shoulders as you had spread your legs even further, begging for him to not stop, the sound of your whimpers fulfilling him, doing unspeakable things to Tommy that you didn’t even imagine, but you would find out any time soon.

“You are, yeah?” he continued, and then you thought he would go easier, he trusted the gun more aggressively, making sinful sounds that made you blush at how wet you were, and then he leaned down, yanking your hair harder than before when he clashed his lips with yours.

You moaned into the kiss, letting him move his lips against your open mouth, your tongues dancing with each other at the rhythm of the forbidden song your body played everytime the gun entered and slipped outside of you, making your way through your orgasm.

His lips were soft against yours, his teeth making the slightest contact with your lower lip, the way he kissed you so tenderly made your stomach twist even more, pressing your eyes shut as you could feel your insides twitch and squeeze against the gun.

When he pulled away, you looked for his lips again only to find a teasing smile from him in return, one that made you feel tiny in his arms. And when you were about to beg for more, he pushed the barrel even deeper, only a moan coming out of your lips.

“Your body will be only mine to use” he whispered against your mouth, and by how hard he was pulling your hair, you feared that he would rip it out of your scalp. “You’re my property now, do you understand?”

You nodded, not wanting him to stop, your tongue pocking out of your mouth by how much you were moaning, a sigh of relief leaving your when his hand freed your hair, only to grip your jaw, keeping your mouth open. You knitted your eyebrows in confusion, one that was erased away when you felt his cold saliva on your tongue after he spited on it, closing your mouth with his hand to make you swallow it.

“Such a pretty girl” he whispered, moving the weapon even faster, fucking you mercilessly with it. “Going to come? Cream my gun?”

You nodded, moaning desperately as you could feel your climax approaching, pressing your body against his when you knew that your orgasm was close, your eyes rolling to the back of your head as he pulled you by the arm and bent you over the desk, pushing your dress out of the way as he kneeled over, admiring the way your pussy sucked the barrel of the gun so heavenly, switching the angle so suddenly that it made you see stars.

“So good, you’re doing so good” he moaned out, spreading your folds with his other hand to have a more clear view of your swollen cunt, bitting his lip at how soaked it was, his mouth practically watering at the sight.

“Mr. Shelby” you moaned, closing your eyes as you could feel drool dripping from your mouth, wetting the papers he had on his desk. “Mr. Shelby, I’m close”

He smiled, licking his lips as he leaned in, his hand still fucking you with the gun in a pace that made you shake, shiver and scream. He was rough, unforgiving and brisk with his movements, so it surprised you when you felt the tenderness of his lips suck so gently on your pulsating and unattended clit.

The moan that left your lips was so loud, that you would hear surprised if Lizzie Shelby hadn’t heard you on the outsides of the office by now. And you couldn’t care, because with Tommy doing God’s work on your pussy like that, even if your sister died now, you wouldn’t give a fuck.

You arched your back against his face, moving your hips erratically against the gun, feeling your orgasm finally unleash and hit you with an animalistic force, painting his gun white as you soaked up his face, and he drank it all, thirsty for you.

“Oh, God” you mewled, bitting your lip, never feeling something so intense before. He let go of your clit with a loud sound of his lips, chuckling when he heard you.

He shook his head, helping you ride out your orgasm, moving the gun more slowly before finally pulling it out. He was going to take good care of you, and you felt relieved; he was going to save your sister, and also, fuck you so good.

“Don’t call for him, sweetheart” he said, and you looked up at him in confusion from your position in the desk. Your heart sinked in your chest while your stomach churned with excitement when he put the gun beside you on the desk and began to unbuckle his belt. “God won’t hear you here, only I will”

thanks for reading, w/ love, fenina 😌

[georgevilliers]

Mary & George thots

I watched all 7 episodes this morning starting at 4:30am on about 4 hours of sleep so here are all of my very sleep deprived but professional opinions. Also, I read the book The King's Assassin by Benjamin Woolley so i have Extra Opinions

(spoilers and lengthy thots beneath the cut)

These are not going to be in any specific order because I can not be bothered (see: me being up since 4am on 4 hours of sleep) and as a blanket statement I loved the show!!!!! Most of the things I will say are going to be neutral statements relating to differences I saw between what I read in the book and what was in the show. These are not good or bad things, just observations! I think it's fun and interesting to look at the things they changed to make it more interesting and palatable for a tv viewing audience, and I don't think it changes the quality of the product at all! With that out of the way, let's get on to the content:

we'll start with the things I loved

NICHOLAS GALITZINE. Like. HELLO??? I am very familiar with his work (watched everything he's been in and recorded a podcast about it) and I know he's been criminally undervalued in almost every project he's ever done but this really, really tested his limits and I mean that in a very good way. You can tell this whole project was a test of his abilities as an actor both physically and mentally and he really rose to the challenge in such an impressive way. I'm not really sure if this is ever going to be Emmy/awards fodder (if they meant it to be they released it at a very poor time but thats a different discussion for another time) but I do think this is going to lead to some very interesting places for him. People (important decision making ones) are going to see this and realise what his abilities are and this is a very good thing.

The costumes are so incredible. The details, the colours, the cuts, the CAMP. I'm not a costuming expert so I have no way of knowing how accurate any of the costuming was but damn did it look good.

On that note the CAMP. Oh my god. This really had that je ne sais quoi that makes something camp in the way only queer people can make something camp, so really hats off to everyone involved in the production value.

I should mention all of the actors here, including Julianne Moore and Tony Curran. I am biased, being that I now seem to only exist to consume Nicky G media, but everyone did such a great job.

The script is so complex and rich, I really don't envy the actors having to memorize some of the tongue twisters that were part of the dialogue.

I think they did a really good job of crafting George as a character. As someone who is predisposed to love Nick's face (lol) I really did feel a bit of hatred towards him sometimes. I found him embarrassing, hot headed, full of himself, and pitiable, sometimes all within a few scenes!

Let's talk about some of the big changes I noticed

they really REALLY made up about 95% of Mary's storyline, I would say. This is just going off the King's Assassin, mind you, but from what I learned about Mary from that book is that essentially her only role in the course George's life took was the initial bit: sending him to France to become a learned gentleman, and sending him to London to try to catch the king's attention. If anyone has any recommendations for sources about Mary's life I could read about I would be very interested in it in order to piece together more fact and fiction! In general, I would just assume the vast majority of Mary's storyline did not happen, but it was fun though! One thing that is mentioned in the book is that her and the king did become good friends.

I really missed the use of nicknames from James. I guess it was hard to show most of them on screen as a lot of them appeared in letters they wrote to each other when they were apart, but James often referred to him as "Steenie" referring to St Stephen who apparently "had the face of an angel", amongst numerous other nicknames such as wife, dog, and child etc.

I also really wish they had included this famous speech of King James' to his privy council, because it is burned into my brain I can literally recite it word for word now: "You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else, and more than you who are here assembled. I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. Christ had John, and I have George."

I think they sort of removed some of George's abilities in order to make him rely on Mary more to involve her character in the storylines. In reality he made all of his own political decisions, knew how to play the king without help if he needed, and was a competent (if not terrible and easily swayed by bribery and trying to level up his own interests) member of the government

One of my favourite things to learn from the book is that when George took a wife (which, I believe in reality he was all too happy to marry in order to secure his possessions with an heir) she was welcomed by the king with open arms. King James became besties with Katie and he considered her as sort of part of their "family". In general I think they played up the "jealousies" from King James.

While it is alleged that George did kill James, it was not by asphyxiation. According to the book, he was suffering what is now known as malaria and had a violent fit, thought to be brought on by a "medication" George gave him which was provided by a doctor but actually administered by George, which is what ended up finally killing him

In general I wish the end hadn't felt so...rushed? Maybe it only felt that way because I know how it actually plays out and maybe if I rewatch while not trying to think about real life events so much, it might feel less so. But the whole issue with Spain took up such a small amount of time in the show when in real life it was like...a problem spanning multiple years. And I know they obviously can not show all of that within a 7 episode television show, it does seem like maybe they should have left it out altogether if they weren't really going to see it to its full justice?

My other small complaint is that it felt to me in some parts that the love between King James and George wasn't there. Certainly it feels to me like perhaps George did not feel the same level of love towards King James as the king felt for him, but the king certainly felt so much love for George. There were multiple instances outlined in the book in which they were "on the outs" because George started ignoring him in favour of Charles, or for other reasons, and it seemed to really tear at the king and he seemed to often be the one reaching out to George trying to keep his love close, rather than George trying to rein the king back in under his power. At that point, George had all of the power he needed and the king was so passive and loved him so much, he stayed the king's favourite until death, and George had very little to worry about in that regard.

There! That's all I can think of for now, and I think this has gone on quite long enough. I feel I need to rewatch the show and try harder to not think about real life situations and just enjoy the story. The fiction in the series is greater than the fact but I still think it's fun! And I recognise that there is a need to dramatize things greatly because the way things really played out in reality would not make good television at all. I hope no real history scholars find this post, and if you do please be gentle with me! I am not really an expert, just a history fan (even though I do find myself wanting to quit my job and become a George Villiers scholar).

If you read all of this you really deserve a medal, and you have all my thanks!

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

My memory is terrible so I wanted to do a breakdown of my stuff every once in a while. Might be monthly, might be whenever I feel like it.

QL - Currently Watching

🇹🇭23.5 [11/12] - This show is not working for me anymore. Of course I'll finish because there's only one more episode but honestly I don't really care if any of them are together and that's a problem.

🇯🇵25 Ji, Akasaka de [5/10] - I'm so normal about this show. The way this show is using the show within the show is really smart and the editing is very good. I'm actually looking forward to see how the 'rival' will shake things up, which is odd for me.

🇰🇷Boys Be Brave [2/8] - So far so good. Gi Seop is obvisouly not the best boy but there's something about his energy on screen that is compelling to me. I really liked that Jin Woo was honest about his feelings and I like the 'I love you but I don't like you' dynamic a lot. The second couple gave me some ODS vibes so I'm bracing for some angst. [Finished will write it up at the next round up]

🇯🇵Living with him [6/8] - Filler episode with not a lot of new information, but I did enjoy the supermarket scene. I continue to delight in Kasuhito's expressions.

🇰🇷Love Is Like a Cat [2/12] - I'm waiting to binge this one. Didn't like how this started and the rhythm just isn't working for me. [Finished]

🇹🇭My Stand-In [1/12] - Pretty is pretty. But I don't trust Thailand with high concept so I have reservations. I hope I'm wrong. I liked the first episode so we'll see.

🇹🇭Only Boo! [7/12] - Well the Shone thing was what I feared and I don't think it really fit with this show at all but now it's over and I'm ready to forget it ever happened. Moo continues to be an absolute delight to watch and I'm looking forward to seeing a more relaxed Kang. The sides are pure torture. Payos sweetie, you need to confess or let it go cause I can't take it anymore.

🇹🇭We Are [8/16] - I'm enjoying the friendships in this a lot, it all feels very natural when they are together. I'm not super invested in any of the couples, although they're all doing a good job. I'm having a good time with Tan/Fang (Aou is so fun to watch) and hopefully I will have a good time whenever the show decides to give me Chain/Pun. I also think some of the actors have really improved, I was really impressed with Satang specially.

QL - Finished

🇹🇭1000 Years Old - I wrote before that this one wasn't really my thing and obviously the finale didn't really change that. The different lifetimes I think could've been explored earlier and would probably make this a bit more interesting to me. It's not like there was too much going on to use the time for that but it is what it is. Also the whole thing with the vampire girl/wife, it was so unexplored that I didn't really get why all of a sudden I should care about her at all. All in all, it started fun but halfway through it lost me a bit and now it's over. Bring on the next vamps.

🇹🇭Deep Night - This one surprised me a bit. There was a refreshing amount of good communication and they gave the people what they wanted, poly and older lesbians. I wish there were more acrobatics and the editing was weird in places but overall it's an entertaining show.

🇰🇷Gray Shelter - This is weird one. Because I feel like I have to fill in the gaps myself and that just shouldn't be the case. I enjoyed the actors a lot, and Lee Jae Bin presence on screen kept me engaged for most of it. There is definitely potential here if they had the time to explore all the different elements. But this runtime it's just not enough to fully flesh out these characters and the complex issues it wants to tackle.

🇯🇵Love is Better The Second Time Around - Started great but lost itself by the end. I don't think it needed that external conflict by the end with the brother and the mother because they weren't on firm ground to begin with. If I were to make a list like this one by @lurkingshan I don't think Myiata and Iwanaga would make it there. Iwanaga was amazing to watch though. He pretty.

🇯🇵My Strawberry Film - One pining gay boy does not a bl make. With that said, even as a drama there's nothing interesting here.

🇹🇭To Be Continued - Meh. It was fine. I wish I had more of the side couple because Gumbie is adorable. Midway this was getting into The Promise territory, and while it's not that bad, and I guess the reason for the separation is a valid one, I don't think Achi being the 'bad guy' for most of the show actually makes sense.

🇹🇼Unknown - The last two episodes were a bit of a letdown if I'm honest. I have nothing to say about the first 10 episodes. Incredible. The character growth is so well done, and the family scenes feel very grounded. Just all around outstanding work from the whole cast, but specially Kurt and Chris. I think Kurt showed Yuan growth so well and I'm in awe of Chris' acting all the way through. Even with the little stumble at the end this show and these characters will stay with me for a while.

Rose Watches OJBL

Junjou (2010) - Second chance romance. I liked it. It's a nice watch, nothing particularly outstanding or new about this one, although that's not really fair considering it's more than a decade old, but alas I've seen other versions of this particular type of bl. Nevertheless I liked the characters, specially Tozaki,

Athlete (2019) - The visuals were the best part for me. There are several things I like in this, the main actor does a really good job imo and I truly enjoyed the bar scenes. But it doesn't all come together for me. I don't have a problem with the ending as much as how we got there.

Other - Watched

This was a slow month for me. I started a new job and some other stuff happened so I haven't really been in the mood to watch new stuff. Mostly comfort watches and rewatches. Oh I did watch Heartbreak High S2. It was good.

That's it for right now. My ask box is always open. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday tomorrow💜

[dealingdreams]

The Acolyte s01e08: The Acolyte

*sobs* didn't want the rewatch to end but here we goooo. Same as before, I'll condense all my thoughts then do some final general thoughts at the end

Spoilers obvi

In the moment thoughts:

Even the recap is like...they are a couple putting that anger fear desire voice over over Qimir touching Osha's arm all soft like

He looks so worried!!! Like immediately runs to her. Immediately concerned. He's so scared but so strong to actually be able to pull his helmet off her

Also the red saber light in her eyes is just damn

They spend a lot of time following each other around

Also their lil bit of banter is adorable

Sol is in fully unhinged mode and honestly...kinda hot. he looks all disheveled

Bazel was protecting Pip that's my theory at east for why he pulled those wires

"When you're looking up to heroes you don't have to face what is right in front of you" DAMN

The way he asks 'would you ever consider?' is so fucking adorable

'last chance' he says you know...like a liar

Plagie being a creeper

Osha shutting off his coms and his facial expression kills me.

Look at them in their matching outfits

Why you have to say 'are you sure' like that...that was so sexy. Also him like just vanishing still gets me

'thank you for leading me to her. We make a great team' so snarky...the double meaning of this also

I love this fight between Qimir and Sol tho so much. I love that like flying moment. They both are so cool

Amandla did such a brilliant job in this scene with Osha and Mae.

Osha's scream was so cathartic and Mae's face of surprise was just so good

I feel like Qimir had a few openings to kill Sol

Also I love that he took his helmet off to face Sol like..if you are gonna kill me you have to look me in the face

Osha's voice breaking when she asks 'is they true' hurts me

This scene hurts my heart

The shot of the kyber bleeding is a fav

The difference in reaction between Mae and Qimir to Osha killing Sol is so interesting to me. Mae looks proud but Qimir looks...not sure if sad is the word but he for sure isn't celebrating. I think he really gets what this cost for her

He looked genuinely scared when he felt Vern's presence

Osha looking for Qimir and looking all disappointed when he's not there

I think it's really interesting he didn't attack Vern either when she was alone (he left to go get his wife)

What do you want, Osha? And she TURNS TO QIMIR!!!!!! Still wrecks me truly

Him handing her the saber with the dangerous bit facing him is sexy

I also love that he waits to take Mae's memories till Mae gives him the go ahead.

Sol reminds me so much of Anakin.

Him only stepping closer after a bit of non verbal communication 😍😍😍

Also his slutty thumb

General thoughts:

Fucking love this episode

The fact that Qimir went into that fight with Sol knowing that he wasn't going to be the one to defeat him is so interesting to me. like was he just toying with Sol? Was he wanting to make it a little easier for Mae? Did he wasn't to just buy time? Like what was going thru your brain baby???

A Lightsaber also presents life. That's a big reason why Qimir and Osha holding the saber together is such a big deal. Their life is now tied together. They are married I swear. Had a hand tying ceremony. Mae gave her sister away lol

10/10 episode

[rxmqnova]

Could you write one with Lizzie where yn and her are waiting if the academy nominated Lizzie for an award but they didn't, Lizzie lose hope about being nominated and today, she was gardening and even if they lost the interest about it, yn decided to check about the golden globes and went running to Lizzie saying that she's been nominated and that she still had hope for this one, and hug her and lift her, yn always supportive and being with her no matter what

Nominated

Y/N'S POV My wife is such a great actress. I've never met anyone more talented than her. She did an excellent job playing Candy Montgomery in Love & Death and seeing everyone around getting nominated but her makes me so angry.

The list of Golden globes nominees should be announced today and I really hope Lizzie will be one of them. She deserves it for all the hard work.

"Y/N/N, I don't think they'd nominate me anyway, let's just do something instead of sitting on the couch and waiting" Lizzie sighs, resting her head on my shoulder and taking my phone.

"Fine" I sigh. I have a good feeling about it, I'll definitely check it later. "Can I get my phone back now?" I raise my eyebrow, holding out my hand.

"Nope, you'd be checking it every five seconds. Let's just do something together, yeah?" Lizzie suggests, scrunching her nose cutely. I know her well though and I know she's trying to hide that she's actually a bit disappointed.

"Yeah, okay. What do you have in mind?" I give her a smile, receiving a smile back.

"I don't know… how about… cookies? We haven't baked cookies together quite a while" She suggests, so I give her a nod immidiately.

I love cooking and baking and with Lizzie it's even better. Last time when we baked cookies together, I accidentally dumped a whole bag of chocolate chips to the dough, so it ended up being extremely chocolatey.

"No, no. This time I'm the one who adds chocolate chips" She teases, taking the bag out of my hands and making me roll my eyes playfully.

"It happened one time" I sigh, making her chuckle, and receive a kiss on my cheek from her on which I can't help but smile.

Anyway, we'll get into making the dough and of course I decide to mess with Lizzie a bit. I dip my finger in flour and boop her nose on which she scrunches it cutely, repeating my actions and doing the same to me.

Of course it ends up being a flour fight, but Lizzie's laugh is my favorite sound ever so this was definitely worth it… though I'll be the one cleaning the kitchen up as it was my idea.

Whatever, we actually manage to put the cookies into the oven, so I'll get into cleaning while Lizzie goes to take care of the garden as she usually does.

Once I'm done and the cookies are still baking, I glance at my wife who seems to be busy with gardening and reach for my phone which she left on the counter.

I just can't take my mind off of the Golden globes, I need to check it. I tap on Instagram, searching for the right account and clicking on it once I see it.

Going through every cathegories I finally find the one my wife's name could be. I take a deep breath, counting to three before looking at it, my eyes widening when I see her name on the screen.

I immediately place my phone back down, running to Lizzie with the biggest smile on my face. I lift her up, making her squeal, and spin her around, causing both of us get wet as she's been holding a hose.

"Oh my god, what are you doing?" Lizzie chuckles, brushing a strand of wet hair out of my face.

"I just couldn't hold it and checked it. You got nominated!" I squeal happily with a smile.

"Really?!" I immediately get pulled in for a tight hug by my wife, receiving a loving kiss from her right after.

"I'm so proud of you!" I pull her into another tight hug, holding her tightly until I realize the cookies must be done by now, my eyes widening. "The cookies!" I immidiately sprint back inside only to hear Lizzie laughing at me.

I quickly take the cookies out of the oven, letting out a sigh of relief when I see they're not as dark as I thought they would be. I mean… they're burnt, but still look edible.

Lizzie meanwhile finishes her gardening and joins me inside, both of us immediately changing into something dry and comfy.

"How about we watch a movie now? When we have those super cookies" Lizzie suggests, making me roll my eyes on the last part. She's definitely gonna tease me about that.

"Movie sounds great and the cookies aren't that burnt" I respond, earning a small chuckle from her before she just pulls me out of the room and drags me downstairs.

We sit on the couch, cuddling up together as Lizzie chooses a movie for us to watch.

"Thank you for everything, Y/N. Your support really means so much to me. I love you" Lizzie tells me, making my cheeks turn a bit red.

"I will always support you, Liz. I love you too"

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

Elizabeth Olsen masterlist

Masterlist

[gabessquishytum]

Hob works in a rich bitch cafe; it's not called that of course, but most of the restaurant clientele are women who don't have "jobs" and who can eat (and drink) lunch for 3 hours a day. Hob's not complaining - the tips are good and his ass only get pinched a few times a month.

The most interesting group of ladies who come in seem to be some kind of exs club; they all dated or were married(?) to this guy Morpheus. They have a litany of complaints as their monthly lunches get more lubricated -- he's so intense and smothering, except when he's busy and disinterested; the sex is good, when he wants it, but who can tell went that is; he's so moody; he looks better in couture that (we) ever did. The best they can agree on is he's pretty and the moneys good.

Hob kind of feels bad for this guy - these ladies don't seem to ever had respected this Morpheus guy. It's too bad, but it is a bitch club so maybe they are just venting. If Hob wasn't dating this absolutely fantastic guy, Dream (the sex is great, he's intense in a way Hob loves, and Hob enjoys just cuddling him when they both need some quiet time), he might have tried to look this Morpheus guy up -- just to see if he swung Hob way; Hob would have offered to blow the guys back out, at the very least.

Oh well.

It's the monthly Mimosas & Morpheus club 😭😭 and I fucking love it.

Hob watches on in amusement. He's got to the point where he recognises the ladies and even knows some of their Morpheus-related backstory: Nada, the college girlfriend who he proposed to after just one month and then refused to even look at her again after she declined. Titania, who is at least enthusiastic about the guy's skills in bed. Calliope, the ex wife who is perhaps the kindest but also the most savage. There are others who come and go. Hob almost looks forward to hearing their stories.

One day one of the women (Bast? Hob thinks her name is?) is like "I hear he's trying men now. For goodness sake, was it not enough to traumatise the entire female population?" And the girls all laugh, and some speculate that maybe Morpheus was gay all along (Hob takes mild offense at the blatant bi erasure but it's not his place to say anything).

And then he's distracted anyway, because Dream just swanned through the cafe doors! Hob is thrilled to see his boyfriend and greets him, giving him a big ole smooch when the manager's back is turned. Dream looks pleased, but then he looks over Hob’s shoulder and all the colour (not there was much) drains from his face.

Hob follows his gaze and sees that all the ladies from the mimosas & morpheus club are staring back, jaws on the floor. Calliope stands up and quietly calls out - "Morpheus? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

But the moment she speaks, Dream - Morpheus? Slips out of Hob’s arms and flees through the door. There are angry tears in his eyes, and Hob is halfway through following him before someone tugs him back.

"Let him have a moment." One of the women - Jo, Hob remembers. She doesn't come often, counts herself as a hookup rather than an ex, and never pays for her own booze - "He looks good. Better than he used to. Obviously he just needed to find the right bloke."

Hob smiles slightly. He'll go after Dream, anyway. There's no way he'd leave his beautiful boyfriend to deal with this alone. Hob tries to imagine what it would be like to walk into a room full of his own exes and nearly gags.

When he comes back with a reluctant Dream in tow, Hob finds that he still has his job, thanks to the mimosas and morpheus club. They've also bought an entire basket of pastries to apologise and made themselves scarce.

Dream buries his head in his hands. "No doubt you have heard every sin I have ever committed, in vivid detail."

"And I still love you. Even though you do leave your knickers on the bedroom floor for days." Hob grins. "You were just looking for the right bloke, love. I think you found him."

[onionjulius]

Alright so, ER rewatch is happening, but I'm swamped with work and so I'll have to wait for episode posts. For now, an initial inventory of my remembrance of the main characters/my opinion of them:

Love: Carol Hathaway, Mark Greene, Susan Lewis, Kerry Weaver, Abby Lockhart, Luka Kovač

Really like: John Carter, Doug Ross, Peter Benton, Elizabeth Corday, Lucy Knight, Jing-Mei Chen, Greg Pratt

Like: Jeanie Boulet*, Cleo Finch, Michael Gallant

Unlikeable but not devoid of complexity: Robert Romano, Dave Malucci

I remember your existence: Neela Rasgotra, Anna Del Amico

I don't remember your existence: Sam Taggert, Ray Barnett, Archie Morris, Tony Gates, Simon Brenner, Cate Banfield

*Jeanie's on the cusp between Like and Really like.

I'll be curious to see if my opinions change much watching this show 15-30 years after it initially aired. No doubt there will be cringe "Oh wow that aged poorly" moments, but hopefully also some that hold up well. It'll also be interesting to watch a pre-Prestige TV critical hit post-Prestige TV (and yeah, nostalgic, I'm getting quite nostalgic in my old age). And I'm wondering how my impressions of the characters will hold up in a close watch; I think I'm much more analytical now, and I'm pretty sure my opinions reflect the characters at their best without necessarily accounting for them at their worst. Although maybe that's not a bad thing as long as it's consistent.

More character recollections, some quite spoilery:

Mark's death slew me. It was so protracted too, he was suffering so much and his family was fraying at the seams and I just remember him trying so hard to handle things the best he could with that understated irony of his and just feeling so terribly for him. There was that thing with the guy in the elevator that he just let die, I don't remember what became of that ...

I love so much that Mark is really just Some Guy trying to do his job well while having normal Some Guy things like a wife and kids and basketball breaks. He's smart, decisive, dedicated, compassionate, a good teacher, and truly a deserving leader.

I know that Jeanie had at least one great story, which of course is the HIV story. I'm actually struggling to recall much before that, so that'll be fun.

I just ... I remember having such complex reactions to Kerry, and all these years later that has registered in my memory as love. I love Kerry, warts and all. You could feel so bad for her while simultaneously hate what she was saying or doing, and I do think she learned things over time. She was an outsider, a party pooper, ambitious and career-driven, a disabled lesbian, oil to Doug Ross' water. She was not easy to love, and so I loved her. Also, she was ER Mom. Love you, Mom!

I also loved Kim/Kerry. They felt so real and human and not simply an "issues" story. I find myself not recalling much of her relationship afterward, so looking forward to seeing if it is a worthy follow-up.

I loved Mark/Susan. They were such easy friends, so natural and believable together, so bright and breezy and (mostly) supportive and wonderful. I think they would have made a fine endgame, it was so easy to want good things for each of them, and what an unforgettable, lovely and bittersweet moment when she left Chicago on that train.

For all that though, I liked Mark with Elizabeth. It's true there wasn't the same will-they-won't they (and I remember feeling like her thing with Peter ended rather abruptly) but their domesticity was very sweet and she was a kick-ass character, strong and funny.

Romano was ... Problematic ... but his bond of some sort with Elizabeth was probably the best thing about his character.

I remember feeling that Peter was shafted, but that said he did last 8 years and I remember some good stories with his mother and sister, work vs parenthood, the custody battle, and of course (of course) his evolving dynamic with Carter.

Seriously though. Benton/Carter.

And on the topic of BroTPs: Mark/Doug!

There's something about the two most ambitious characters being Peter, a black man, and Kerry, a woman, that I kinda love.

Upon reflection, it seems to me that at least some of my affinity for Susan and Abby have to do with their family stories--particularly, having to deal with flawed family members, walking the line between loving and enabling, battling the desire to hope because of the need to protect against disappointment. It's ... interesting? ... because I don't have any deadbeat family members or family members who refuse to take responsibility for their illnesses, but something about how they use sarcasm to deal with life resonates with me, even though Susan in my head was a sunny character while Abby was a little black raincloud.

I loved Abby. Abby was a hot mess, a human disaster, a trashfire. Abby was strong, but also a coward. Abby was full of contradictions, Abby mistook self-abnegation for independence, Abby was only happy when it rained. Abby was hard to love, and so I loved her.

There was something about Abby/Luka that I found compulsively watchable. Something probably having to do with being really messed up and dysfunctional and full of maladaptive habits, but nevertheless wanting love like any other human being. There was a brooding intensity and understatedness to them that I remember just eating up. I was an undercover emo kid, what can I say.

That said, there was a phase in which he was truly insufferable (which I know was them taking a page out of the Doug Ross book ... but he isn't Doug Ross, even though he was brought on as a direct replacement). I'm curious if, on my rewatch, it will feel like an organic arc given how sweet, patient, gentlemanly and sensitive I recall him being at the start. Oh tragic little meow meow.

The final scene between Carol and Luka is so etched in my brain. "Because I'm still in love with him. I've been in love with him since I was 23 years old. He's everything to me. I feel complete when I'm with him and I feel empty when we're apart. He's the father of my children, and he's my soulmate." Yes, Doug was a manbaby and yes I was so hurt on Carol's behalf that he left her for Seattle, but really Doug/Carol were the Truth. You bought their connection so thoroughly and George Clooney's chemistry with Juliana Margulies was critical to that.

I remember thinking that Peter/Cleo's chemistry was nothing in particular to write home about (you know, not bad, but not special) ... but hell if they weren't beautiful together. Michael Michelle was just so stunning.

I really thought that they were heading for a lot of yummy Carter-denying-his-feelings-for-med-student-Lucy angst, which I was so there for. But I can't deny that what ended up happening (you know ...) was unforgettable television.

On that note, Carter was never the same after That. There's such a sad lost innocence about his character, given how earnest and caring and even hapless he was at the start. That's not necessarily a bad direction to go, narratively speaking, but one would hope for some eventual hard-won optimism for him all the same.

And yeah, at some point ER became darker and soapier, but I honestly have good memories of a few of those years, before becoming bored.

Like, another scene seared into my brain is Maggie Wyczenski turning on a dime and going postal right in the middle of the ER, screaming "I'm leaving! I'm leaving! I'm leaving! Iiii'm leaving!" and "You're my daughter you bitch!". God did Sally Field earn that Emmy or did she earn that Emmy. I wouldn't want to have missed out on that story, for all that it was such a downer.

Apparently Sam, Ray, Archie, and Tony came on more or less when Neela did, but she's the only one I remember. How'd that happen? Though I can't say I remember her stories, so there is that.

I remember watching with my sophomore year roommate the night that Romano freaking lost his arm to a helicopter. It was crazy. And I really thought it couldn't get any crazier, but then, as you know ...

The look of the show really changed from beginning to end, which, given that it lasted fifteen years, is probably to be expected. But I remember most the constantly moving camera in so many of the medical emergency scenes, and I hope that doesn't go away.

Mark's daughter and Peter's son were impossibly cute. Impossibly cute. So so cute. So so so so so cute.

Speaking of Chicago in the 90s, goddamn do y'all remember how incredible the Bulls were? I don't know why I'm putting that in this post, but I guess I am.

Carter/Jing Mei were such great friends, they never stopped being competitive with each other but they nevertheless grew up together and I love that the show never hooked them up.

I don't recall quite why but I feel like Doug and his dad were reminiscent of Riker and his dad from Star Trek. I don't know.

Okay yeah that's all for now.

[madwomansapologist]

Hi, i was wondering if you could write a smutty Agatha fic based on the song "Hypnotic" by Zella Day? Every time i listen to this song, it makes my think of Agatha and reader 💜

you taking over me | agatha harkness

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synopsis: You were a good person. You spend you live making sure that everyone would think that. A good daughter, a good wife, a good neighbor. You were a good person, but Agatha Harkness didn't care about your goodness. [3K]

warnings: based on "hypnotic", by Zella Day. smut. non-consensual voyeurism (in so many ways). saphic couple. cheating (both you and agatha cheating on your husbands #feminism). oral sex. public sex. fingering. nudes. people pleaser!reader. kinda of manipulative!reader. female!reader. bisexual!reader.

ps: thanks for that rec! i didn't knew this song, and it is sooooo great. that vibe, that clip 🥵 (bisexuality really won that day), it's so Agatha coded. really anon, your mind is amazing. and dear anon, i have a rec for you "eu comi a madona", by Ana Carolina. even if you don't know portuguese or can't find a translation (and if you don't just send me an ask that i will translate everything for you), that song just scream: I WILL EXPLODE IF I DON'T FUCK HER. hope you like it! and i'm open for more songs recs!

You always knew who you were and what you would become. Indecision and uncertainty were not part of your life. You knew what people expect from you, so you gave it to them.

Mom wanted you to be nice. Dad wanted you to be assertive. Friends wanted you to be fun. Colleagues wanted you to be smart. Teachers wanted you to detach. Lovers wanted you to be the one.

It's easy to give people what they want when they are so obvious about their desires. You just needed to formulate yourself, and in response they too would give you what you wanted. It's a fair exchange.

People do so many things for those that reach their expectations. They give them a name, reputation, notoriety. They give them respect. They don't believe when they hear something negative about you, bitter truths become malicious lies for their ears, uncomfortable favors become the least that could be done for someone so kind.

And you always did reach them.

Good. All your life this word followed you around. Good daughter, good friend, good co-worker, good student, good neighbor, good samaritan. Good, good, good. It was only a matter of time until you were a good wife.

And then, when people thought you were the perfect girl with the perfect life, all you had to do was to be happy and enjoy the fruits of your hard labor. Enjoy all the things you build because you had a name, a reputation, notoriety. To enjoy your perfect, carefuly construct dream life. Your perfect home, your perfect job, your perfect husband.

So why are so discouraged? You should be the happiest person on earth, but nothing is interesting. No one is interesting.

Your husband was the right decision. The right man at the right time. He gave you everything you wanted, all the things you didn't even ask for, and made your reputation even better. Your parents love him. He should be the one, he is the one, but every second spent with him is a second you're lying to his face.

He bores you to the bone.

You don't blame him. You spent your whole life practicing smiles, faking orgasms, laughing forcefully so you would have what you wanted. You lied to get him, and you lie to kept him beside you. Why did you expect that after the marriage anything would change? You are the liar and the lie in this relationship, and he is who he always was.

So you resigned yourself to that. If in case to have the perfect life, to have everything you ever wanted, you need to kept pretending all the time... whatever. That's just another tuesday for you. A momentary unhappiness compared to everything else in your life isn't that important.

You were sunbathing the first time you met your new neighbor. And for sure you didn't knew you would met her.

For how long did you lay there, next to the pool, just letting the time pass and your mind wander? You don't know. You can't even try to guess. All you know is that the oil penetrating your skin made you smell like lavander. Your drink made your mouth sweeter and your legs weaker. Your bikini made the calm breeze carress your skin, and the sunglass on your face was helping you starting to fall asleep.

Put even with your guard down and mind free, you still just as able to feel when someone is looking at you. And what you felt made you guess if a burning gaze was trying to break into your soul.

You supressed your smile. Yes, your husband is a pain in the ass, but it's nice to feel desired. To feel wanted. Without opening your eyes, you slid your fingers down your body, the oil pooling against your digits. You could feel his gaze following your movements, looking at what you wanted him to. Behaving like the good pet he is. You lifted one of your legs and played with the tiny string that tied your bikini.

When you started to dismantle the knot, someone else's voice made you shiver. "Hello there, neighbor!"

You searched for the source of the voice, and found her on the other side of your fence. That was the first time you could've done something different. You could have walked away from there, covered your body with an towel, ignored her. You could've closed your fucking legs.

But you couldn't look away from her solstice eyes. You felt hypnotize by them. Her delicate smile, the soft skin of her exposed neck, her purple vintage t-shirt floating with the breeze. The malice on her eyes were so magnetic.

"Welcome, Agatha", she didn't seem surprised by you knowing her name. You took off your sunglasses, a perfect smile decoring your face. "Enjoying your new home already?"

Agatha was clearly working to organize everything. The hair tied in a loose ponytail, the hands dirty with white paint, the lack of makeup. You could see the tiredness, the effort, the dedication to make everything the right way. Agatha was natural. Genuine. You couldn't look away from her.

"Westview is... different. But I have a good feeling about this place", Agatha sounded so confident. So comfortable with herself. "I know for sure that I already love the view."

Your almost couldn't stop yourself from rolling your eyes. To hide your smirk you took another sip from your drink. And still, you couldn't just look away from her. You didn't even tried. "We're counting with your presence for this week's meeting."

"It will be a honor", Agatha took a step back, part of her body dissapearing behind the fence. "See you there."

Now you rolled your eyes, laying back to enjoy the sunlight. You could still feel her gaze lingering on your skin. Part of you wished Agatha was still looking.

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The neighbors meeting wasn't necessary. It never is. And yet, you have a bright smile on your face. No need to say that it was a fake one, but gosh it was beautiful. Charming enough so people wouldn't look at your apathetic eyes.

Your mind was somewhere else. Somewhere way more interesting.

You had just finished getting ready for the neighbors meeting. Your husband wouldn't make it, he always fail to escape the rush. You were locking the main door when you noticed that you forgot to your perfume. With the lights off, you ran upstairs and opened your drawer.

Now smelling like your favorite fruit, you got goosebumps when cold air made its way throught your house. Closing your bedroom's window, you didn't choose to observe the other house. It just happened.

Agatha really liked purple. You think that it was her bedroom that you were seeing. A long bed, with dark sheets kneaded, had a few clothes on it. You could see her old, wooden wardrobe. Her wallpaper remind you of those scenes where movies show witch's houses.

Then Agatha entered her bedroom. Using only a towel.

You could almost sense the warmth of Agatha. The faint mist of the hot bath had followed her. You could see the water running down her exposed back, her hair dripping against the the towel she used to dry it. Her rose cheeks. They look so soft. You wanted to carress them.

You kept on watching when Agatha put oil on her hand and used it on her body. You followed her fingers, seeing the careful way she massaged her skin. And you kept watching as she opened a drawer on her wardrobe and choose her underwear. It was a simple, velvet lilac piece. She didn't put on a bra. And you did kept on watching her when Agatha dropped the towel.

A hot sensation passed thought your womb, a burning wave you couldn't control or deny its existence. You could feel the shiver running down you spine, the way unconsiously your thights rubbed against one another, the way you lose control of your heartbeat. You stopped breathing and didn't even noticed.

You didn't even tried to look away.

Your mind wasn't under your control anymore. Your imagination was free to go whenever it wanted to.

You saw you pressing your thigh against her thigh, begging to taste her. Yourself lost between Agatha's thights, eating her out like she was your last fucking meal. You fingers into her, hers into you, your bodies linked as one. Her smirk against your neck.

She's the kind of woman that deserve to be devoured. On all fours, side, front, back, bottom, standing. You saw yourself smear on Agatha for as long as she wanted you to. Trembling, moaning, cumming.

You watched as Agatha slid her legs into the underwear, choose between the black dress and the blue skirt, perfumed herself. You wondered what her scent would be. You admired Agatha while she chose what earrings to use, what shoe would look better with the dress, combed her hair.

You were late to the meeting. And there you couldn't even understand what they were talking about. All you could do was to focus on the way your womb itched, how a simple movement made your pussy fucking ache, how empty you felt. It was like your body missed her.

It was wrong. You know that it was wrong, and you also knew it while it was happening. And still, you couldn't look away. It was like Agatha put a spell on you. She's your magician, the owner of your eyes, a woman capable of hypnotizing you. You knew it was wrong, you just didn't care.

Hearing your neighbors discussing about why motorcycle's noises were impossible to ignore or forgive, trying to keep up with the conversation in a way to calm your body down from this delirium, you didn't noticed when she got there. You didn't noticed Agatha staring at you from across the room, devouring you without any shame, feeling her mouth full of saliva and desire.

With the pictures of Agatha repeating itself in your mind, your eyes were of no use. All you did was try to listen, and then you felt it. A sweet, not cloying or childish, aroma. You could sense cinnamon, and maybe a scent of apple deep down. It was so alluring.

And still, you only knew it belong to Agatha when you look at who had just sat beside you. Agatha smiled to you, her eyes closing a little bit because of the gesture. "Are you as bored as me?"

That was when shame finally hit you. You felt your throat drying, your heartbeat suddenly so loud in your ears. "We are trying to make this neighborhood better", your words were so empty of meaning. You couldn't think of anything better to say. You felt so dirty.

"We?" Agatha was even prettier up close. Her eyes... they were something. It was like looking at the stars. So alive, so bright, so energetic. "Do you agree that motorcycles should be everyone's priority? That if you don't yell at your neighbor about it the world may end?"

You bit you tongue. "No", you got closer to her, now whispering only for Agatha to hear you. You put your arms on the large table, stretching them. "But I agree that one meeting peer month is way better than a group chat. You should've thank me. I saved you from endless midnight discussions about... well, anything really."

Agatha sat deeper into her chair, her face so close to yours that you could feel her mint breath. Your cheeks prickled. "So you're the neighborhood heroine? That surprises me. You don't look like one."

And for the first time in such a long, long time, you were really interest in something. In someone. "Why?"

"I can see disdain in your eyes."

Oh. Your role was not played as well as you thought. You fixed your posture. Away from her, you crossed your legs and forced a polite smile. "You have a exquisite way to befriend people."

"I wonder what would entertain you", Agatha didn't get her eyes away from you, even if you were no longer facing her. You could feel her gaze. And when you didn't answer her, you felt Agatha's digits on the hem of your dress. "That's the problem, isn't it? You're bored."

"As you said, noise isn't really that big of a problem", you answered her with a dry tone. You could feel your body softening under her touch. You grabbed her hand and tried to take it off your lap, but Agatha just caressed your thigh with her thumb. It was a slow affection, so intimate. "Stop that."

"That's not the first time I see this look in your face", Agatha whispered, somehow her voice got so husky. Her nails scratched your thigh, a movement so slow it almost made you wish she would just rip your skin apart. Any pain would be better than that bitter absence. "Your smile is bright, but no intricate lie ever reached your eyes."

"What are you doing?" Your mouth moved, but no sound came from it. Still, you knew she understood.

Agatha played with a strand of your hair, twirling it around her finger. "Trying to make you open your legs, sweetheart."

You felt your insides squirm. You looked around, your neighbors were still arguing about something that didn't matter. You were in public, close to people who are part of your environment. This is so wrong. But then you stared at the hand on your thigh.

The lilac nails, the delicate fingers, the veins marked in the skin. Her fingers moved with a mixture of affection and teasing, each slightest movement left you wanting more. But what you stared at, what made your eyes return to the immensity of Agatha's, was the golden wedding ring.

And that was what you needed. A sign that Agatha had as much to lose as you.

The first thing that came to your mind when she moved her hand between your thighs wasn't about how wrong it all was, how you had a husband waiting for you at home, how no one there could ever find out what Agatha was doing under the table. When you felt her thumb approach your panties, all you could think about was how Agatha wasn't wearing a bra.

Agatha's fingers rub against the already stiff nerve, her nails sliding over your panties. You moved your hips. You were already so sensitive, and Agatha didn't seem to be in a hurry.

The hand that was playing with a strand of your hair went up to your head, the fingers intertwining with the roots of your hair. She squeezed, clinging to you, and smiled gently. "You will need to be quiet. Can you do that for me?"

You didn't answer her, you just smiled. And your smile was a thousand times more convincing than hers. You took your hands off the table and lowered it to your thigh. Observing the environment, making sure no one was paying attention, you squirmed in the chair to get your panties off. You slid it down your legs, and the fabric fell to the floor. You pulled it with your foot, bringing her closer to you, and picked her up off the ground.

You placed it on Agatha's lap. "Of course I can", you whispered back.

And without hesitation, you placed iy on Agatha's lap

Agatha's fingers were warm. Certain. She explored your lips, goosebumps ran up your spine, played with your pussy. You closed your eyes, the most careless part of you wanting to focus on the pleasure only. When you felt the pressure on your clit, you bit your lips.

You were getting used to the speed, getting used to the delicious pressure between your legs, Agatha simply slid her fingers inside you. Two fingers, without even giving you time to prepare. At a slow, agonizing pace, Agatha opened you up. She curled her fingers, your eyes rolled back, and no matter how much time passes you have no idea how she was able to fuck you so good without anyone noticing.

Agatha is better at it than your imagination convinced you. She's hypnotic. You couldn't think about anything else. All you could do was to make sure your mouth was well shut as Agatha broke into you.

With your mouth locked, eyes open and hands still, no one even imagined that your legs were shaking under the table. Or that when Agatha bent down after dropping her bag it was just an excuse to lick her fingers soaked in your juice.

That night you told your husband that you were going to help your new neighbor with a recipe and then go home. While he slept in the room you shared, Agatha made you hers in the house next door. She ate you, drank you, breathed you.

You both didn't even close the curtain.

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Many people when are caught cheating say it only happened once. That it was a mistake. A moment of weakness. Something that had never happened before and would never ever happen again. If at any point these words come out of your mouth, it means you have finally stopped caring about the truth.

The photos Agatha has prove that you are much more than a bad habit.

You wearing that same vintage t-shirt from when you met her and nothing underneath. The still damp bikini staining Agatha's bed. Your mouth drenched with her juice. Your face contorting as Agatha fucks you

With Agatha, even blood tastes sweet. You couldn't lie with her once and then move on with your life. Who, when given the chance to explore the ocean, decides to swim in the shallows? Not you. Not when it comes to her.

It would never be enough. Agatha would never be able to end your hunger. You will always want something more of her. More, and more, and more.

You were barely breathing. Your entire body shook, every cell of your being changed. Agatha seemed able to decode yourbrain using just her tongue. “Ralph will be here soon,” you said. Or whispered. Or muttered. Or screamed. Or he just thought he said it. You had no idea what your body was capable of at that moment

Agatha didn't move away from your wet pussy. "And I couldn't care less." Her fingers penetrated you once more, searching for another orgasm. "Be a good girl and cum for me again."

You were always good. But with Agatha it wasn't an act.

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

[anhed-nia]

The Not Blogtober Chronicles

As I have testified elsewhere, writing for the content mill is frequently hard and frustrating, but it's also sort of interesting. Committing to a full cycle of research and writing every single day has a kind of tough, zenlike, "chop wood, carry water" quality to it that I'm beginning to enjoy. And while there is a lot about it I can't control--like I don't love almost anything about the format or the pervasive concessions I have to make to SEO--I try to look at it as an opportunity to tell people something I really think they should hear. I (rudely) assume that the average CBR reader is really only interested in "10 Times Batman and the Joker Totally Should Have Frenched", but the editors let me have this job, so now people will have to hear what I think is interesting until they take it away from me! Like way more people should have seen BORDER, and talked about it. Amazing movie, should not be obscure. If you're not watching and loving BORDER then you have bad taste, and not the good kind!

And then I got to talk about the Adams family, this couple and their daughters who make these totally independent, totally self-created movies that are extremely surprising in their quality and cleverness considering what I just said, and I think everyone should know about them. But also I think there's a lot of danger in the "outsider artist" label, so while I know that the way they operate outside any system is a VERY interesting fact, I didn't want to risk being condescending about it. Happily, the new movie that just landed on Shudder presented lot of opportunity to talk about what is actually in one of these movies, rather than just leaving it at "Isn't it weird and quirky that people make movies all by themselves?" Plus it had this cosmetic connection to ROMULUS, so I can hijack the SEO thing to force more people to find out about the Adamses.

I was really excited to write this and also to tell the Adamses about it, and I got to have a super rewarding conversation with Toby Poser, the wife/mom of the family who stars in the film (which she co-directed and co-wrote as usual). She loved that I said "Toby Poser and her husband" where people normally say "John Adams and his wife" which I wasn't even thinking about. I just think she's really cool and compelling, and it was great to find out how honored she was by my thing.

Sometimes my opportunistic SEO strategy isn't as interesting. Like I was kind of scrounging for topics that both CBR and I would enjoy, and I had to ask myself like, do people really not know this yet?

By which I guess I mean, most of the people who would actually care about David Cronenberg's grudge against Dan O'Bannon have probably already heard about it from a more interesting and focused source than CBR. But I needed to make my quota...and also once I dug into it, I started to find a point of view and things to say that were not included in all the other content mill articles on this exact subject. If you're really following your own curiosity, something boring can become fun when you least expect it.

My weekly scramble for topics to pitch is inevitably influenced by a certain amount of word association and I'm always slightly worried they'll ask me to vary it up a little more and then I won't have enough ideas at a time. Fortunately this has not happened, and I got to chase my old Cronenberg thing with a new Cronenberg thing. And this is probably something nobody has said yet--in part because Caitlin Cronenberg's movie is being unfairly ignored. And fuck that! It's really good, people should see it! So this was my big opportunity to force people to think about a movie they might otherwise miss, but that they also might like if they actually give it a try. I'm gonna @ her about it later, even though it probably won't turn her into my new friend like Toby Poser. But maybe. MAYBE...

[elliegoestodownton]

As an anon asked about my hopes for this season's PD, I'm gonna write down my wishes for both Fire and PD (I don't watch Med actively though I may start now that Sarah Ramos and Darren Barnet have joined the cast...).

Fire 🔥🔥🔥

What I wish for every year: no drama for Stellaride. I know Severide's brother will cause clashes and there's gonna be tension over the whole baby thing. If they're going down that road, then let them go through it in an organic way. Let them talk, not fight.

New Chief. It would be nice if they went for something different than the usual "new guy challenges 51 but after 3 episodes he understands how great it is, submits to the 51 way and everyone loves everybody else". We've seen that billions of times. It would be much more interesting to see how instead 51 adapts to a different leadership style.

Also the new Chief has an ex-wife (so pumped for KaDee!). I would absolutely love a sort of "comedy of remarriage" thing. I'm a sucker for second chances.

Novak is super fun and it would be great to see her develop as a character on her own, not on the basis of a romantic relationship (already rolling my eyes at the whole vibe with young Severide). Let us see her be good at her job and have loads of fun.

Speaking of Novak. A true party girl, who I feel would get along very well with Trudy (who, we have established, had a certain reputation back in the day). I am hoping for some short interaction at some point. Imagine that! Throw Violet (aka the captain of Trudy's fanclub) into the mix and I'd be very happy.

The return of Annabelle Herrmann. That's it, that's the wish. I love that menace to society.

More quality screentime for Ritter.

Kylie coming back and staying on Truck.

Mouch, my beloved! Of course, I haven't forgotten you! Just keep him alive, doing stupid things with Herrmann, but I also want to see him study and prepare for the Lt. exam. Study session with Trudy anyone? 😏 She, of all people, would know how to make him pass that test.

Plouch being Plouch.

PD 🚨🚨🚨

We might be getting patrol back with Kiana. Our prayers may have been answered. I'm hoping for less character-centric episodes and more of a balanced, choral vibe where there's also space for levity. I will be disappointed, I know, but dreams never go out of business, right?

Let Kiana stay on patrol a while. I don't want her to jump right back onto Intelligence. It would be the same as they did with Torres and we need patrol.

A recurring Petrovic, if not a regular. I like her.

It would be time for people to get promoted. I think both Kim and Kevin would be ready at this point, although it seems there will be one promotion only.

More quality screentime for Kevin. Let his centric episodes/cases go beyond race.

More girl!dad Adam.

I hope we will get to see the Burzek wedding. Keeping my expectations low on this and certainly I don't think we will get a crossover (not even Mouch as much as I'd like to), but I'd want to see some bits of the ceremony with everyone from PD there.

Also hoping for a throwback to THE wedding planner and Kim chucking down vodka at Trudy's wedding. Maybe Kim can get those $20 back.

I would still kill for a scene between Trudy and Mack.

As I wrote ages ago, and as I say every 3 seconds, more 👏🏻Trudy 👏🏻 on screen! 👏🏻 For Trudy to be involved more in cases, but also for her to have a more focused episode since she hasn't had one since friggin' S4. As I wrote here, I'd LOVE for Intelligence to pick up a case that links back to an old one Trudy worked on when she was in Robbery and Homicide and explore a bit of Trudy's career and past.

[gyllenhaalstories]

Laurie!! 💛 (sorry, I just live in your inbox now 💖)

I'm back on duty and I'm here to tickle the collective fandom brain.

With Presumed Innocent coming out soon (aaaah), I would just like to hear all your thoughts on Rusty. 

Is he guilty? If so, would we still do unholy things with him (duh, obviously)? Or is he just an innocent little guy and only guilty of cheating and murdering pussy? He obviously likes being choked and I'm not complaining. What else might he like? Is he a pancakes or bacon/scrambled egg breakfast kinda guy? He does need his protein tho, for several reasons... 👀

Please let me/us know all your thoughts and hopes for the new show and the character we're blessed with this summer, thank youuuu.

Paying my Rusty tax for inspiration ✨ (again)

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! 💖 it's so good to see you in my asks again, daphne! thank you for the rusty tax (and the painful reminder that i wish this was ME) and the great questions! i've thought about that man A LOT but the majority of those thoughts are just about how badly i need him so... they're not too constructive... let's see what my -1 brain cell comes up with pretty much on the spot! 🤭

i don't think he's guilty. since the first teaser, i just had the feeling that he's innocent and his wife killed carolyn. clearly he has a talent for lying and manipulating facts (isn't it essentially his job?), he even lied to his therapist in one of the recent clips i saw! trying to lie to the human equivalent of a lie detector is both bold and dumb. he's clearly not completely innocent. cheating on your wife is bad but when your wife is ruth negga it's DOUBLE bad! i watched a quick interview of the woman who plays carolyn and oof. renate has something special. so i kind of get it <3 but i am better than a man and i would not ruin my marriage! the text messages and calls he's sending her are also very bold and dumb. he should know better than anyone how to avoid looking guilty. the dna, the messages, the stalking, the affair that was not so hidden since they were going out together and everything, this is just so stupid! he'd probably be so mad if he defended a client who basically did everything he shouldn't do and now tries to plead for innocence. i'm interested to see if we get an insight on how an attorney of his prestige and of his rank can turn into the most stupid person you've ever met. i mean, we know how, he's desperate to get his dick wet. but still, maybe there's more to it. maybe carolyn isn't that sweet, smart, picture perfect girl either. i'm giving her the side eye too.

i'm soooo excited for the show!!! my only point of reference is defending jacob so i like to compare both series. defending jacob had some really good twists so i expect the same from presumed innocent. in my opinion, one of the most powerful plot twists in defending jacob included the mother, laurie (i can still hear chris evans saying i love you laurie it was an amazing moment <3). so maybe that's why i focused on barbara sabich right away. i don't know, i'm so curious to see. i want to watch the original movie after the series, just to compare as well. i might never do it but at least i'm planning on it! anyway. can we just take a moment to appreciate how crazy it is to have this kind of show as your first television project? jake really popped off with this and his acting is absolutely insane in what we've seen so far! everyone in the cast seems solid. i'm guessing they showed most of the freaky sexy scenes in the trailers already to tease the audience, but i'm curious to know if there is more of that good stuff that they're hiding! i'm also looking forward to watch jake and peter saarsgard on screen again! and the glasses. i can't word vomit all of this and not bring up the glasses. now that we know jake is practically legally blind, i proclaim myself the protector of his corneas and i demand that he wears glasses more often. my motivation is purely selfless and it's not because i fold like a folding chair at the sight of jake with glasses (vision pun intended).

i saved the best stuff for last apparently! but mmm. what is that man into? i can't cook to save my life so he's eating cereals for breakfast. i'm kidding! (well not really but still). we know he's into choking, finger sucking, doggy style, public sex/sneaking away in a public setting, he loves the thrill of forbidden things and we see how touchy he is with carolyn so i'm guessing he's into marking because it's like a proof of something that is happening in secret of others? idk, just thinking. i don't know if his stalking habits fall into kinky or just regular obsession over the one thing he can't have under his total control, but i'd lowkey like it if he extended his stalking with some spicy elements. the way he holds on to carolyn, touches her everywhere, it's giving possessive and i love it. the ring though. oh the ring. why doesn't he take it off? does carolyn like it, does she get off knowing she has a taken man under her spell, that this greek god of a man prefers her to his wife? does rusty like the reminder of his cheating? does he like the self-inflicted guilt and pain of being reminded of his horrible and immoral actions? i think there's definitely some masochist tendencies in him. he's so quick to apologize for everything like oh no i might have killed a woman but i'm sorry tho </3 he might loooove the fake pity and fake apologies. whether he uses this tactic or if it's used on him does not really matter. to put it briefly: rusty is a FREAK and i want to be the somebody who matches his freak!

thank you for doing this, daphne! it was so fun to ramble pure nonsense fuelled by the sad 2 hours of sleep i've gotten last night 😭 i can't wait to read this tomorrow and be weirded out by how little sense it makes. i especially can't wait to read this after watching the entire series and seeing how wrongggg i was. it will be just as much fun as writing all of this! mwah mwah ily! 💖💖💖

[thestagthatlovedthewolf]

I finished Harlots, and I want more!!! I haven't watched a show this fast in a long time, I was just very immersed - and I've now added a few books to my list!!! - the setting and the life of these people were so interesting, and I really liked the different classes!!!

I really LOVED a few characters here, Violet and Betsey were great and I liked them working outside of a house, but with the support of Nancy still, I really Amelia Scanwell, and I think they did an incredible job with her mother in s2!!! And then still character, but also shipping house, Will and Margaret got me immediately - I LOVE strong marriages/relationships at the center of a show, and I love blended families and the love Will has for Charlotte and Lucy was beautiful to see (also little Jacob is a star character in this show, I love him so much, he's such a good kid!!!!) - and then Nancy and Margaret, this love and trust and history with each other, how they are also partners, and this understanding of each other... and in this triangle you also have a really good Will and Nancy dynamic, this care and friendship that is beautiful to see!!!

Still with characters, I really like how season 2 and 3 brought you a different side of the justice, and you have these people who want to fulfil the law, but also learning that the law is not everything. Now I don't particularly like that s3 left so many characters behind, and having no idea where they went - you had lost Betsey before but you do learn what happens, not here - so it feels like a completely new show, which I wasn't ready for...

Continuing with season 3 thoughts, it was a bit of a let down after the first two... it wasn't the same, it still did interesting things... but the biggest thing is I feel that the ending wasn't satisfying (it's not a bad ending, but it does not leave you satisfied) - and this starts with Margaret Wells leaving!!! I don't mind the introduction of Jonas - I like him - but the leaving with nothing to come after, feels empty, I'm here waiting (and even more than at the end of s2 - that felt like a more satisfying goodbye)... and then it also feels the pairing up of Will and Nancy (with their own respectively women) feels like a bad choice, the pairings work and make sense, but I feel they implied too hard to make the audience forget Margaret was sent away in an unsatisfying matter!!!

I'll now come back to better things, season 1 and 2 were really good with more of a focused in the two factions, but also with always the side reality of the courtesan with the Wells sisters!!! The show also does a really good job mixing up the dynamics and pairings with the characters and keeping important relationships but bringing new ones as well - Will and Harriet was one I really liked, bc there's this understanding between them of being black but also raising biracial kids in that world, and then Nancy with all the girls!!!

Still on characters, Emily Lacey has such a good arc, she was never a favorite, but she was someone you wanted to see and follow, always planning and preparing!!! I also like, that just like with the justice becoming better, they also give us some culls that we don't mind seeing - my favorite is Fanny's favorite, and the line of coming to her because she reminds him of how his wife was hit well!!!

Really this is a good show, with good characters and setting, that got me crying for at least two episodes - I was especially a mess during 2x07!!! And I've now read all the Will and Margaret fic on ao3, but I'm following to check the Margaret and Nancy ones!!! Definitely recommending this show!!!

[aliypop]

Return To Sender : Chapter 3

Word Count: 2,134

Writers Note: Alright so here's part 3! @sissylittlefeather you'll love this!

Warning: Language

Pairing: POC OC x Elvis / OC x Jerry

Plot: It's 1968 and Natalya Dyer a divorcee and single mother is tasked to interview Elvis and Cecelia Presley at their humble mansion Graceland about their spicy relationship only to learn more about them as people.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Taglist

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

@richardslady121

@thegettingbyp2

@presleyenterprise

@dkayfixates

@rjmartin11

@thetaoofzoe

@your-nanas-house

@zayurir

@60svintage

@sillybookmarks

@leapresley

@everythingelvispresley

@dreamondina94

@elvismylove04

@pocketfulofpresley

@elvispresley1956

@poeandmoonknightgirl

Memphis August 1968

The drive home wasn't long, but it was oh-so torturous. Every radio station had a love song playing. It made her feel warm and lovely and disgusting inside. Parking her 1961 station wagon in her driveway, she unlocked the door and picked up Jericho. Fumbling upstairs, she placed Jericho in his bed and kissed his forehead. She then went to her bedroom and got into her nightgown. She sighed, looking at the empty side of her bed. Natalya remembered when she'd have someone to come home to who wasn't just her son. She remembered how it was to feel an embrace, but those days were over. Or were they?

As the morning sun rose, Natalya paced around, making breakfast for her son as he came down groggy and in his school clothes, "Mama, do I have to go to school..." Jericho asked, 

"Yes," She smiled,

 "But why?"

"So you can be smart." She handed him orange juice,

"But why?"

"So you can graduate." 

"But why?"

"So you can have a career." She sighed. Boy were eight-year-olds testy with questions.

"But wh-"

"Look, the bus is here!" She pushed him out the door, "LOVE YOU!" Was it too early for a glass of wine and a cigarette? She thought to herself until her delightful phone rang again. "The Dyer residence speaking," Natalya said, through her early morning I don't have coffee smile. 

"Ah, Natalie darling." 

"It's Natalya..."

"It's me, your boss, Mrs. Moon. Did you get the story?" She asked her, "Bit rude, no good morning?" Natalya said under her breath, 

"Yeah, I did. But uh-" 

"Good, send them over to me. I can't wait to read what the Presleys do." Mrs. Moon smirked, "Sure, they're a dirty, kinky couple." Natalya sighed. She wanted to break the news that she'd quit and sparked interest in other topics, "Oh, Ronald, right there!" Mrs. Moon said as Natalya shuddered, 

"You know I was thinking about quitting..."

"Ah~ For what? You're the best we have. How are you going to support that girl of yours."

"Son, I have a son, and I know some people," Natalya smiled, sounding confident. Though in reality, she was scared, "Mmm, well, Zachary can cover your spot. And after you send that story. You're fired. Faster~ " Natalya was fuming, but it was what she wanted. Wasn't it? Hanging up the phone, she poured herself a glass of wine and contemplated drinking it. Her phone rang again, 

"Natalya Dyer speaking..."

"YOU QUIT THE JOB I GOT YOU!"

"News travels fast in Cali, I see..." She laughed, "Daren, so lovely to hear from you." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "This is why I should be raising our son..." He smirked as she laughed,

 "Yeah, you'll teach him that cheating in life gets you everything." 

"Very, funny Nat," 

"Anyway, what do you want..."

"Heard you've been hanging around Elvis and his wife."

"Yeah, I have. Is that a problem..." She asked. Her ex-husband was a huge fan, so huge that their son was named after one of his gospel songs, "Just wanted to know if you've been slutting yourself out to him,"

"Last I checked, I'm not you." Her pride was starting to crumble the more he talked, and she could feel how little he still thought of her, "It's been great being belittled by you, but I have to work."

"You have a-" He heard the dial tone as he cursed under his breath. A gut-wrenching scream left her body. She heard the shattering glass at Natalya's feet, hot tears down her face as the phone rang again, 

"WHAT!"

"Hey... You, okay dear?"

"Who's this?"

"Names Midge, I'm with Valmos Sound. I was told by one of Elvis's Memphis men to call you." 

"Jerry..." She said, a sound of laughter in her voice, "Y-Yeah, I was invited to come." She smiled,

"Well, you better get down here before they get here."

"Of course!" 

"Is she coming?" Jerry asked, sounding like an excited kid, "I think so," Midge smirked, eating a sandwich her wife made her.

 "Good, good, good," He nodded,

"You look like Elvis when he's waiting for Cecelia to finish a session." Midge joked as Jerry rolled his eyes, 

"I do not..."

 "Is Cece here yet?" Elvis asked pink roses in hand. 

"She's setting up with the techs," Midge winked. As Jerry looked at Elvis, maybe Midge was right. Jerry couldn't get his mind off Natalya even if they didn't talk long. He just knew he needed to see her, 

"Sugar lamb..."

"Don't talk to me..." Denise snarled 

"Shit... She's late..." Midge sighed as she saw a woman walk in with a blue babydoll dress and yellow stockings, "Nat, thank God you're here!" Jerry smiled. Midge tried not to stare as she shook her head, 

"First room on your left."

"Uh... What's going on?"

"You're interviewing Denise Valmos and Alfonso Reed." Elvis smiled, "Good luck."

"Wait, what!"

The air in the office was thick. as she sat by a table next to Denise and Alfonso, also known as two pioneers in their rightful genres.

 "So what's this interview for?" Alfonso asked,

"My magazine..." Natalya said,

"What's it called?"

Shit...

Her brain went blank as she tried to think of a name. Some flew through, and others left, 

"Well?"

"The Dyer Music Inquirer!" She blurted out, "We're new." 

"Can't wait to read it." Denise smiled, 

"So... Let's get started!" A few moments later, Natalya walked out of the office. She had completed the interview, and she hadn't noticed where she was walking until she heard a THUD.

"Hey, are you okay..." 

"Uh..." Natalya looked up. It was Carlotta. She was as beautiful as she was in her pictures. Carlotta looked her up and down with a smirk as she did the same. Jerry, however, was worried. He couldn't compete with Carlotta. One could even say she'd drink him under the table, 

"Hey Carlot-"

"Fuck off Presley..."

"Knock it off you two..." Cecelia sighed, "But she started it!" Elvis grumbled, "And you're my husband." She kissed his cheek. Natalya then stood there as Jerry walked over, "Nat."

"Jerry, I lied and said I had a magazine," 

"Okay..." He looked at her. 

"I called it the Dyer Music Inquirer..." 

"Catchy," He smiled, "What's the issue," 

"I have until next month to pull this shit together..." 

"Well, then I'll take you to Beale Street." He smiled, "You wanna write about local artists, known artists?"

"Both,"

"Then meet me at the mansion?"

"You got it."

Natalya had been at Graceland in Cecelia's separate closet, sitting on the floor. "Cece-" Cecelia had made it her mission to get her dressed and ready as she was throwing outfits at her, "Try these on!" Natalya laughed, "I'm a mom..." 

"So am I, but tonight, you are a journalist going out with a Memphis Mob member." She smirked, "Cece... I look like a Sharon Tate." She twirled in the dress as they laughed, 

"Mmm... try this, "Cecelia handed her. Her two-piece orange outfit, "Too much skin..." 

"You got a shape, so show it!" Cecelia recommended, "C..."

"Nat..." Cecelia smiled, "You're beautiful, and I mean this in the most straight way possible-"

"Straight isn't what Moon and Sun called that Ann-Margaret threesome," Natalya smirked as Cecelia laughed,

 "God, I miss her..." Natalya sighed, "What? You aren't the only woman in her life." Cecelia laughed as she shook her head, 

"Put this on! Ms. Nasty!"

"Takes one to know!" She stuck her tongue out. Walking out to Cecelia, she was wearing a turtle neck sweater, some jewelry, black hot pants, and boots. With a belt, "Hot mama!"

"You think so. I mean, it's not a date,"

"Definitely could be..." Elvis popped his head in as Cecelia blushed, 

"It's not a date."

"Okay..." He nodded, "Say, uh, is Jericho allergic to anything?"

"Jell-O makes him throw up," Natalya mentioned, 

"You sure he'll be fine?" Natalya asked, "He's playing with the horses," Cecelia smiled, "We'll treat Jericho like he's our third child," She hugged her, 

"Now go have fun. You deserve it." 

"E! C!..." Jerry asked,

"Upstairs," Joe responded. Jerry saw Jericho. Who was wrestling Jesse and Elaine as he laughed, "Alright. Jerry, be good." Jerry was confused as he saw Natalya, his mouth dropping open, 

"You look nice, Mr. Schilling..." His jeans matched his Jacket, "You look amazing." He smiled, holding her hand and helping her down the steps. Her heart fluttered, but she tried to ignore it.

As the night progressed, Natalya interviewed every musician she could find. Jerry helped with pictures and anything else she needed. The streets were alive with music and culture. She had gotten lost in it all. This was home, not California, but this, 

"That's Club Handy's"

"Can we go in?" Natalya asked.

"Yeah, I mean Cece's God uncle owns the place." He shrugged,

"You mean..." 

"Mhmm." He nodded as they walked across the street and towards the guards, 

"Stop right there..." Jerry sighed, "I-"

"I got this, Natalya Dyer of Moon and Sun." flashing her work card as they let her in,

 "How'd you?"

"I'm still hired until I send that story in." She winked. Natalya and Jerry sat in a dark corner listening to music as he ordered a beer and some fries, 

"Want anything?" 

"Nah, I'm good." She smiled, "I'll be back." Jerry watched her get to work yet again. As he laughed, he was starting to see a life with her. "Okay, I think I got everything I needed," She took a bite out of his fries and sipped his beer,

 "Thought you were good." 

"Eh, I changed my mind. Women can do that, you know." 

"Fiesty, you always like that?"

"Little bit, you always shy?"

"No, just respectful." He winked, "So, Memphis, huh?" He questioned as she nodded, "Yeah, I uh used to sing when I was younger, and said I'd move like my idols did," She laughed, 

"Your idols?"

"Cecelia and Elvis and Cash,"

"Big fan?"

"Sons named after Joshua fit the battle." 

"That makes sense." Jerry chuckled,

 "What about you, you a fan?"

"Met him when I was 12 in 1954." He smiled, "Been friends ever since," 

"Aw, you're a baby, I was 19." She teased as Jerry rolled his eyes, "What are you like 2."

"I'm 28."

"I'm 33."

"And damn good-looking 33 you are." He joked as she blushed, "Made you smile," He held her hand, "Yeah, you did. I needed that." She smiled, 

"I know you were on edge earlier,"

"My boss fired me, and my ex called me a slut basically..."

"Shit... I'm sorry." He paid for the tab, and they left out, "Don't apologize, you're better company anyways." Natalya grinned. The stars were out, and so were the lovers. As she continued to walk by his side, she noticed how beautiful he was. he was no Elvis, but he was someone she'd like to- 

"So I was thinking...We could get your magazine published under EPE?"

"You mean..."

"I mean it. E's been thinking of going into publications, and why not try it with you?" He smiled, taking her by the hand and twirling her around as she laughed, "You're so kind." She blushed, music playing in the streets as he dipped her, "I get told that often," their eyes meeting as he began to let her lead,

"Sounds like it's going to rain..." Jesse said, tucked under the covers as Jericho was lying in Elaine's old twin bed, "Yeah..." Jericho sighed,

"You sound sad..." Jesse whispered,

"A little..."

"What's wrong?" Jesse asked, his head in his hands, 

"My mama's not back yet..." Jericho mumbled, "Sometimes mama's and papa's go out for a long time." Jesse smiled, 

"Why's that?"

"To do boring parent stuff." Jesse grinned, "But, hey! You can have my hound dog!" The thunder began to rumble as Jericho held the stuffed animal, 

"Thanks, Jesse."

"Of course! You're my best friend!" 

As the rain poured down, Jerry and Natalya got caught dancing in the street, the two getting drenched as he held her close to him swaying to the song cheek to cheek. Natalya was looking into his eyes as he was looking at her lips. He placed his hand on her cheek as she hummed. Her eyes were closed as she felt soft lips on her own. There was a spark, but she had to fight it. She tried to fight it, kissing back as she almost lost herself to only say.

"Friends don't do that..."

"Yeah, you're right," 

Driving back to Graceland, Natalya looked out the window, as Jerry sighed. He hoped he didn't ruin anything,

 "Say, are you free next week?"

"I should be?" Jerry said,

"Good, uh, wanna help me with the magazine?" 

"I'd like that." He smiled, "I'll bring some wine,"

"I'll buy ice cream." Natalya smirked,

"Deal."

PART 4 MAYBE?