#i must say i love Janey

[luveline]

Please a Hotch (new girl dad LMFAO) little fic where he discovers the joys and wonders of being a girl dad 😭🤍 like dressing up and playing tea party, or ‘honey, what do I put in her hair?? A bow? A ribbon?? A headband?? A clip??’ Or something about their baby girl always running to him when she bumps her head or falls!! I think it would be really cute

“Do you mind?” you ask through giggles. 

Aaron rubs his hand up the length of your stomach. It tickles in a strange way, but you’re laughing because he’s cornered you on the couch. He takes up the entirety of your view, the air hot between your close faces. 

“No,” he says simply. He has big hands, warm hands. They leave heat in their wake where they touch you. 

“No, come on. I can’t see Jane.” You’re mostly kidding. You really can’t see Jane, but she’s about three feet away, and your living room is baby proofed.

Aaron peeks behind his shoulder. His smile says more than words —he must have caught her smiling herself. “You okay, honey?”

“Yes. Okay. Okay?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, I’m okay, I’m just giving mommy some kisses.” Aaron strokes your stomach with a loving thumb. “You want to come over here for a cuddle?” 

Jane doesn’t answer. Aaron turns back to you with a glowing smile. “She’s very happy. Now let me kiss you–” You’re laughing again as he kisses you, your cheek, the high point and the end of your brow. 

“I can’t believe you’ve cornered me,” you say, nudging him away to hold his face in your hands. “It’s too warm in here for this, you need to give me some space.”

“I don’t want space from you,” he jokes, matching your playful tone.

“Daddy!” Jack calls from somewhere deeper in the house. “I need help!”

“With what?” he calls, sitting up and away from your touch. He squeezes your leg as he leaves, his voice echoing against the hallway walls, “Jack? What’s the problem, buddy?” 

He waits for an answer he doesn’t get before heading upstairs. You weren’t lying when you said it was too hot for kisses —the winter chill is pervasive and Jane is vulnerable to the cold, so the heat is high and the Hotchner boys are pink in the cheeks every time you see them. You fan your face, tracking Jane’s clumsy waddling as she ferries a pink teddy bear next to her baby doll beside the picnic blanket you’d laid out for her. 

“Having fun, Janey?” you ask. 

“Baba,” she mumbles. 

“Alright, that’s fun. How about I go make us some dinner?” 

“Babababa…” 

“Bababa,” you say back. 

You set about cleaning the mess she’s making before it can explode and prop the door between the living room and the kitchen open to watch her while you peel some potatoes. She plays happily for a while, and upstairs you can hear the celebratory shouts of the boys having figured something out. “Come have some juice before you do the next part,” Aaron says. 

With a sudden bump and a telling silence, Jane falls over. You drop your potatoes and wipe your hands on your front, prepared to sweep her up in your arms and coo away any tears. Her crying rings like a storm siren, so loud you miss the rush of footsteps down the stairs. 

“Baby,” you say softly, holding out your arms as you approach. Aaron and Jack trickle into the room behind her. “Let mommy see? What did you do, huh?” 

She climbs onto her feet. You don't even realise she’s looking away from you until she’s running at her father’s legs, completely ignoring your offered embrace. “Oh, sweetheart,” Aaron says, bending down to meet her. “What did you do? You hurt yourself? Let me have a look. Let me see.” 

Your chest is a pit, that falling feeling as though you’ve missed a step, but the open joy on Aaron’s face soothes any jealousy quickly. “What did you do?” he asks again, lifting his head to accommodate her little body as she wraps her arms and legs around him. He picks her up. She looks small under his chin. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” 

Jack weaves around him to hug your thigh. “Did she fall?” he asks. 

He can come to you for anything, big or small, just like Jane can go to her father. You ruffle his soft hair with a smile. “She’s just shocked when things don’t feel nice because she’s so little. It probably didn’t hurt very much, okay? Don’t worry.” 

“Don’t listen to mommy,” Aaron murmurs, patting what looks like the entire span of Jane’s back with a barely opened palm, “I’m sure it hurt lots and lots.” 

“Dad,” she mumbles tearily.

Aaron gives you the look. One he does all too often when he’s feeling grateful for the things he has, his brow pinched into a gentler furrow than usual. “I know, honey. That floor is so mean, always hurting you. I think we should get some soft carpets instead, what do you think?” 

Jack tugs on your hand. “Can you make me some apple juice, please? I think he will be here for a while.” 

You’re thinking there’ll be carpets fitted in here within the month. “Sure, babe. You wanna help me make some French fries?” 

[harleehazbinfics]

Learn more about you Cannibal chef! reader m.list | Author profile

Word Count: 512 A/N: Hello, lovies! Been so long since I updated. But hey! I came back to also say I graduated woohoo! Nothing permanent yet, I don't want to get your hopes up with daily updates like I used to since I'll be looking for a job now, omg. But, I'd love to hear requests from you. I honestly don't know what more I should add to Cannibal Chef!Reader. I'm out of creativity lmao. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HOLDING OUT THIS LONG! MWAH!

"Good morning, Miss Rosie!~"

"Y/n! Sweetheart! Here to take your order?"

"Yup!"

"Here ya go. Looks like a big order. Did something happen?"

"Unfortunately, yeah. So, Sir Alastor was in a good mood, and we went to eat at a restaurant in the circle, but the food was so inedible that Sir Alastor had to spit it out in public. Something, I've never seen him do honestly. Then after we bumped into the Vees and got into a bit of a scuffle with them. After making it back to the hotel, Sir got splashed with alcohol right in the face," you mutter, awkwardly laughing.

"Well, that's one hard day he had there. You gonna make him something then?" she asks flashing you her sharp teeth.

"Mhm! I was thinking of making hotpot or a casserole. He must be famished after such a tiring day," you smile.

You then hear the bell tower chiming then whipping your head to see the time.

"Well, that's my cue. I'll see you around Miss Rosie!" you called before leaping from building to building.

"Take care, dear!"

You arrive at Alastor's room where you hear the bathroom door close and hear the rushing water after. You nodded to yourself as you walked to the kitchen he conjured just for you and tied your hair back to prep your meal.

After leaving it on the stove with a timer on. You strolled back into the living room and picked up Alastor's drenched clothes into the laundry chute for you to deal later. Of course, not before you took his handkerchief and took a whiff of it. Eyes drawing into hearts that in delight.

Amidst your happiness, the handkerchief got tugged away and thrown into the chute along with the rest of them. Alastor stands behind you, still dripping with water from the bath. Chest bare-naked and red shorts around his waist, and his towel on top of his head as his hair stuck on his forehead.

"Come on now, if you wanted one you could have just asked, sweetheart," he says with a smirk before pinching your pouting face.

He turns away from you and sinks into his favorite chair with a drawled sigh. You compose yourself and slowly walked beside him after.

You pursed your lips and pouted, "You just don't understand the smell fresh from the source, Sir Alastor."

"Oh, believe me. I know the feeling," he chuckles, waving his hand as shadows appear under you and lifted you onto his lap. He embraces you and sniffs from your collar, as you stared at him with shaky heart filled eyes as he stares back with his half-lidded ones.

"I-I never knew you were this cheeky, Sir," you stutter under your breath nervously. Your hands on his chest while he purrs under you snuzzling closer and closer.

"There are many things you don't know yet," he mutters as he grazes your neck with his teeth then his eyes flicker from your neck to your eyes and asks, "Would you like to learn?"

"I'd love to." <3

Cannibal Chef! Reader Taglist 🍴:

@bonnie-02 @marxo5 @whaatttlaufey @froggybich @rybunnie @midorichoco @lucifers-silhouette @kimmis-stuff @bontensbabygirl @janey @akiqvq @wonderlandangelsposts @spoiled-slutt @roboticsuccubus83 @atlas-rin @yuriohoe04 @azullynxx @milk-bulb @hahalame @aria-tempest @speedycoffeedelight @0strawberrysorbet0 @amitiel-truth @corvid007 @kaminarithebest @enby-goblin @whydosnakesnotdance @wtvbabes @willow404 @psychoanalyze0 @sweetadonisbutbetter @manachpo @dionysusismypatrongod @obessivlyonline @idkwhy5000 @izzieg3987 @nishayuro @gabile18 @skyeliteratures @nanaloverz @bonbontastical @saccharine-nectarine @pastelpinkhobbies @sooha-neul @purplerose291 @parasite-bubble @futureittomainn @galaxyreader260 @sappire904

[fandom-chic]

Please Please Please: Chapter 13

Summary: Y/N is only a child when she and Tommy Shelby meet. The two quickly become best friends as they grow up in Small Heath. As the years go by, Y/N and Tommy know there may be more to their friendship than they originally thought.

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Y/N

A/N: Final chapter my friends! Thanks for reading this, it means a lot to me. Enjoy <3 Also for those who are curious, the title of this fic is based off The Smiths song, "Please Please Please, Let Me Get What I Want". Give it a gander if you haven't.

Previous chapter

Year: 1924

Her curls did not want to sit properly on her shoulders. Y/N had been standing in front of her mirror now for twenty minutes, focusing on the strands of hair that would not cooperate. They seemed to be skewing and frizzing in directions she could not control. Even running a comb to loosen the curls did not seem to do the job. Finally, Y/N sighed and let her hands fall to her sides, accepting that this was the mess that was her hair that day.

She just wanted to be perfect. She had to be. 

A day like this is one that sticks in someone's mind for a long time and she must leave a favorable impression. Or at least pass as somewhat graceful, especially in the wake of what has happened.

“Mummy!” Her daughter’s shout reverberated through the house, interrupting Y/N’s racing thoughts. It may be for the best that she approached this day with her mind as a blank slate. That was what this day was, blank and with zero expectations. If it was anything else to her, it couldn’t be. One may say that was cruel and unfeeling. Y/N didn’t really know anymore.

“Coming sweetheart,” Y/N shouted back, dabbing a final blot of red lipstick upon her lip before heading out of her bedroom door. When she entered Jane’s room, she saw the little girl in her PJs still, holding a doll in each hand. Jane looked up at her mother, using the doll to gesture towards her.

“Play with me, Mummy.” Y/N let out a sigh before heading to her daughter’s bed, holding up the dress she laid out for Jane. 

“Janey, I told you to put this dress on,” Y/N said, annoyance mixing into her voice. Jane frowned, fixating back on her dolls.

“I don’t want to,” Jane stated, as if the conversation was over. 

“Well, you have to.” Y/N retorted tiredly, not wanting to argue with her five year old daughter. 

“No,” Jane whined, standing up and throwing the dolls to the floor. 

“Yes,” Y/N responded, “We have to leave in ten minutes or we’re going to be late.” 

“I don’t want to go,” Jane screamed, the tantrum on the precipice of beginning. Y/N could feel frustration simmering in her gut as she bent down to her daughter’s height. 

“I know you don’t want to, love, but there’s no one to watch you,” Y/N said, placing a hand on her daughter’s arm, “Plus, you don’t want Mummy to be alone today, do you? She’s going to miss you so much.” Her daughter’s face softened immediately, as if the idea of her mother being all alone was the worst thing imaginable. Jane quickly shook her head, grabbing the dress from her mother’s hands. 

“No, I don’t want you to be lonely.” Y/N nodded at this, feeling that with each day that goes by, she is becoming more and more like her own mother. The guilt tripping was beginning early. Y/N helped pull the dress over Jane’s head and took her daughter in. She truly was the best thing in your life. 

“Ready to go?” Y/N asked. Jane answered with a nod. Y/N gave her daughter a smile before taking her and leading the two of them out the door. It was too nice out today to drive, so Y/N decided to let them walk. It wasn’t the farthest walk in the world, only twenty minutes away. The weather seemed to put Jane in a better mood as she began skipping down the road of Small Heath. Looking down at her daughter, Y/N couldn’t help but see herself. This was about the age she was when she moved to Small Heath. This was the age she was when her life changed and she still isn’t sure if it was for the worse or the better. Regardless, William would be so proud of their little girl. 

The walk went by quickly and soon they were there. It was a small funeral, smaller than Y/N expected, especially since the deceased was a well loved member of town. Y/N and Jane went into the church and were greeted by a closed casket as well as a beautiful portrait of her, Grace. The barmaid from that day all those years ago. Y/N stood and examined every inch of it, taking in the soft blue eyes and the quaffed blonde hair. Tommy did pick a beautiful wife. 

To be honest, Y/N still wasn’t entirely sure why she was here. She and Tommy hadn’t spoken since that day five years ago. It was probably for the best, even if Y/N had spent many nights dreaming up conversations with her best friend. She played back that last night in her head, wondering what would’ve happened if she let him stay. She sighed to herself, squeezing her daughter’s hand gently.

Deep down, Y/N knew why she was here. He was her best friend and, even if he wasn’t there on the worst day of her life, she had to be there for him. A tear pricked the corner of her eye as she pushed that thought down as people began to file into the church. 

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s take a seat.” At that, the woman and her daughter went to one of the back pews and took a seat. The two of them observe the service from afar. They weren’t family and they were barely friends anymore. 

Loved one after loved one spoke about Grace, remembering the wonderful woman that she was. The event seemed to almost drag on until Tommy finally rose. Y/N’s breath caught in her throat as he looked out at the crowd. She hoped he wouldn’t see her as she tried to hunch into the pew. 

He cleared his throat of tears before speaking, “I didn’t think this day would come. The day I would have to say goodbye to my Grace,” His voice wavered slightly but he continued, “But here we are. Grace, I love you beyond words and I will miss you for the rest of my life.” At that, he was done and he was seated. It was short but sometimes that’s all you can say when your spouse suddenly dies.

Soon after this, everything came to a close. Y/N and Jane rose quickly and began to head out. Tommy didn’t need to know she was here. As she’s about to make her way out the door, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze, not sure if she should look at who was behind her.

“Hello, love,” she relaxed at that voice. Arthur. She turned around and brought the man into an embrace.

“Arthur Shelby, it’s been too long,” she felt his hands go around her waist and hold her close. He then pulled away, putting his hands on both her shoulders, taking her in.

“Each time I see you, you just get more and more beautiful,” Y/N couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his comment. His gaze then moves to the little girl attached to her mother’s hip. He bends down, going eye to eye with the child.

“And you must be Jane, you look just like your mum,” Jane, usually not a shy girl, hides in Y/N’s skirt. Y/N gave a small chuckle as she looked back at Arthur.

“She’s not usually like this,” Arthur shrugged.

“It’s not every day a little girl has to go to a funeral.” Arthur stopped himself short before he could say anything else. He looked into Y/N’s eyes to see if he touched a nerve and noticed the slight sadness that entered and left her face. It was just a moment, but anyone who knew Y/N would’ve noticed. He cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing, “I’m sorry again about William.” 

Y/N’s gaze immediately went to the corner of the room. This was a discussion she was used to having at this point. It had been three years since she lost her husband, but the wound still hurt. It was like the scab got peeled back and slowly picked at until blood started to flow. 

Y/N let her hand fidgets with her skirt as she tried to look back at Arthur, “It’s alright, it’s been years now.” Arthur takes her hand from her skirt. 

“That doesn’t make it any less awful,” He gave her hand a squeeze, “The least I can do is ask you back for drinks at Arrow House. I’m sure the rest of the family would want to see you.” 

“Arthur, I’m not sure-”

“I won’t take no for an answer.” Y/N sighs, considering what the next part of her day would look like. Before she knew it, she was on the grounds of Arrow House. It really wasn’t a house though, a mansion was a more apt word for what this estate was. Even though the home could’ve fit hundreds of people in it, only a couple were there now. Family and Y/N and Jane, but Tommy nowhere in sight.

Everyone seemed to disperse around the house, including Jane who went off with Ada’s boy, Karl. Y/N tried to schmooze with the Shelby family, but couldn’t help her eyes from wandering. She had to find Tommy. She knew he was somewhere in this mansion. There was no way he wasn’t. So, when people seemed distracted, she left the crowd and began searching. It didn’t take a lot of exploring before she noticed a door with a light peaking through the bottom. Her curiosity didn’t allow her to knock; she reached for the doorknob, pushing the door open. 

Y/N was correct in her assumption because there Tommy was, head in his hands as he sat hunched at his desk. She knew she should make her presence known. She knew the least she could do is say hello. It would force him to look up and acknowledge her. But that’s not what she did. She couldn’t because all she saw was the boy with the baseball from all those years ago broken into millions of pieces. Her feet led her right to him and her body did what it had to. She scurried over, taking him into her arms.

His instinct was to twitch away, even try to swat at the random hands but then he saw her. Even though it was years, he couldn’t help but lean in. He knew it could’ve been decades, even lifetimes and he would always lean into her touch.

“Y/N.” The word came out in the timbre of a whisper, but Y/N heard it. It was her Tommy, how could she not?

“Tommy.” His arms wrapped tightly around her waist as her hand went into his hair, stroking it. “I’m so sorry.”

She waited for Tommy to respond, but he didn’t say anything. He just held her. So she let him. She let him take her in like she had so many times before and she felt a semblance of peace. Maybe for the first time in a long time. Minutes ticked by like this before Y/N felt Tommy move. She looked down at him to see him rising to his feet. Soon, her hands were on her cheeks as he gazed into her eyes.

“I can’t believe you came,” he whispered. Y/N couldn’t help but lean her forehead against his. He let her.

“You’re my best friend, Tommy,” she responded, her voice quivering, “it’s what best friends do.” She felt him twitch at that, knowing she may have accidentally hit a nerve.

“You can’t say that, Y/N,” the volume of his voice began to rise, “when William died I was nowhere to be seen. I left you alone like a fucking coward.”

“Don’t say that,” Y/N soothed, but Tommy pulled away.

“No, I will,” Tommy said, running a hand through his hair in frustration, “Your fucking husband died and I couldn’t put my ego aside long enough to see you.” 

Y/N stood in silence, watching him, taking in his words. At the time of William’s funeral, Y/N was half a woman. Not even, she was not even one percent of who she used to be. She was all alone with a toddler and a restaurant, unsure of how the next day would go. And despite all of that, she wished she could cry in Tommy’s arms. She also wanted to punch his chest in frustration. 

When she received the news of Grace’s death, she was ready to stay home. To spend a day like any other day, until she got a knock at her door. When she opened it, Polly stood before her, more sullen than Y/N had seen her in years.

“Polly, what are you doing here?”

“Hello, Y/N,” she said, letting herself in. She took off her gloves and took in the home quickly, before continuing, “I wish I could’ve come with better news but…” she trailed off before continuing, “Tommy’s wife died.” 

Y/N’s hand instinctively flew to her chest, “Oh god, that’s awful, what happened?” And Polly explained the series of events of the last few years and the rise to power the Peaky Blinders had come to which, inevitably, led to Grace’s death.

“I’m so sorry Pol, what a terrible thing to happen,” Y/N said, “Please send my condolences to Tommy, I’m sure he needs it more than ever right now.” Y/N had expected the conversation to be over now, but Polly didn’t move.

“He needs you, Y/N. More than ever.” Y/N averted her gaze from Polly. The last thing she wanted to do was see Tommy.

Y/N let out a sigh before saying, “Polly, I’m not sure that’s a great idea. Besides, he didn’t come to William’s funeral and that was-”

“I know, but you have to realize he couldn’t.” Polly’s hand went to Y/N’s, giving it a squeeze, “He may seem like a man who is invincible, but with you… it’s different. He becomes that little boy again. You’re more than he is and I think he knows that.” 

And those words stuck with Y/N, especially here in Tommy’s office. She didn’t care about his ego anymore or the jealousy or any of that bullshit. All she knew was he needed her. So she reached out to him, hoping he would come.

“It’s the past now, Tom.” The words shocked him and seemed to surprise her as well, but anger had to leave at some point. “You’re my best friend, you always have been and you always will be.” 

So he goes to her, pulling her into his arms. Even after all this time, they still fit like puzzle pieces. True, they were a bit more jagged now, but they still were perfect matches. 

“I love you, Y/N,” She knew those words were real.

“I love you too.” And slowly, they knew that one day, they could heal. 

End

Taglist:

@mrharringtonsbae

@mysticwitchcraftco

@globetrotter28

@swordofawriter

@annesunlight

@litteltourtius

@oneboygenius

@rubyxx16

@thoughtfuldonutdragonherring

@cryptidsrcool

@jensfraise

@stranger-the-better

@msjaeger

@lavanderskies

@ay0nha

@likearaindropfilledwithgoldust

@budugu

@edencherries

@thhriller

@amberpanda99

@lostgirl219

@sousydive

@tortilla-maria1

@oodlesofn00dles

@mariaelizabeth21-blog1

@lulukings92

@oodlesofn00dles

@sherbitdibdab

@adsss0

@shittyprofilebutfuckit

@esquivelbianca

@thefuckingstar

@crashingwavesofeuphoria

@johnmurphys-sass

@elliaze

[molinaesque]

Cooper Howard and Lucy MacLean's rare and wonderful dynamic (and how it's ultimately alright if they don't become "endgame" or whatever)

First off... I'm saying this as a HUGE ghoulcy shipper btw. I don't wanna hear about some bullshit about how "you just don't like the ship" or something dumb like that (have you SEEN the state of my blog??). I ADORE this ship. These are also ultimately my own thoughts. Do not be affronted if this somehow doesn't apply to your hcs. At the end of the day, this is fiction, nothing more.

Something I have to note on about the wonderful dynamic between Cooper and Lucy. Even if ghoulcy stays platonic, I'm fine with it because this is the closest dynamic to Jack/Liz from 30 Rock that l've seen, and if anyone's seen that show, you KNOW what I'm talking about. Let me explain.

Jack/Liz were two v complex characters that had so much chemistry but the way their "relationship" worked was so unique in that they were never romantic but they're WAY more than just colleagues/ friends, etc. There was literally an article titled like "why you'll never see this kind of relationship in television again" and ghoulcy has the potential to be that again which is still GREAT! It even goes on to talk about how they're COMPLETE AND POLAR OPPOSITES but the dynamic still works and how they feed off of each other in the only way no other characters can. The "dynamic" is THEIRS and theirs only. Seem familiar?

From what we're getting not just in the Fallout show but from interviews with the actors and creatives involved, we're already getting that special dynamic. However, I must stress that many of the comments and those interviews (imo) are sometimes taken TOO literally. The existing text and subtext of the ship is already abundant and ripe so I feel like not EVERYTHING has to be referred to the ship and the ship only. I know it's mostly funsies but I legit wonder if some of this is taken too seriously to the point of misconstruing an actor's words and getting tunnel vision JUST for the sake of the ship and ship only, in turn cheapening what is already there. Kinda like what I've seen with people having to vilify Barb further with unnecessary inferences to scenes that give her more layers (like questioning her genuine love for Janey and Cooper. She can be loving AND a villain y'all. Both things don't have to be mutually exclusive) EVEN THOUGH SHE IS CLEARLY VILIFIED BY THE SHOW BY THE REVEAL SO WHY MAKE UP STUFF? To "punish" her more?? Apologies but this kinda reads as "I need to prop up my ship further so I MUST degrade the other ship" even though it's again... SUPER UNNECESSARY (I must stress I've seen this on ALL sides of shipping/character stanning. Both sides suck when you engage in this behaviour). Have fun and faith in the strength of your ships (ESPECIALLY if they're not "canon" adjacent)!

Anyway, as I was saying...

Going back to 30 Rock, there's literally a scene in the show where they get married due to shenanigans, they get in a big fight the whole episode and in the end sit down and have the most revealing discussion with a councilor about why they're so much more complex than typical relationship. And another scene where they sleep in the same bed together and addressed why they never hooked up with each other and why that's okay. By the way, I was also a HUGE shipper of these two... But I was fine with how they ended up with because the story of their special relationship that makes them uniquely THEM was clear and concise. This did not stop me from reading fics where they make kissy faces. It is possible to do both and I think some ppl tend to forget this.

I'm not saying this for the antis (don't like what you don't like, but if you harass shippers then you can suck eggs and leave. This applies to shippers to non shippers too btw. Be. Nice.), I'm saying all this because I want shippers to not "despair" if the ship that they've become so invested in doesn't come to fruition (and not go overboard into thinking that writers should listen to whatever audiences want all the time, we've been down this road SO many times, it's terrible. Do we REALLY need to talk about how The Rise of Skywalker turned out the way it did due to unnecessary pressure from the loudest antis/asshats in fandom? I think not). Maybe this is also more towards the younger audience members as a cautionary tale because we old ass millenials have seen and been through this but didn't have the immediacy of social media at our finger tips, so it was kinda easier to not be as reactionary. I don't like playing the "you youngins don't know what it was like" card, but at some points it is just a statement of reality. Some of you are/were LITERALLY too young to have experienced this.

Ultimately, what I'm saying is even if ghoulcy doesn't become "romantic", I'm fine with it as long as they stay within the "something more/beyond definition" dynamic which is ALWAYS refreshing to see. Give us more "what are we"! Give us more "it's complicated"! Give us more "we can't be summarized in neat little boxes"!

As long as they don't end up in the pit of "one dimensional interpretation of the Found Family trope which is somehow only just Familial and in this instance Father-Daughter". Please, I BEG. Nothing wrong for people to like this dynamic, but to immediately categorize this into that box is just... Tiresome. You can make the same arguments about "shipping two living beings together on screen all the time" too for sure... But again it leads to my point of if we're going the platonic route how about we NOT just shove it in the same boring dynamic of Father-Daughter that if you want, can find in multitudes of other forms of existing fictional media.

Tldr; have fun but always remember this is all fictional media in the end where we play with dolls in a sandbox. Just remember to BE. NORMAL. and not forget this and start shitting in it and flinging poo at each other. That goes with relationships with creators of said media too. Do NOT become parasocial and expect everything to be catered to you. The creators want to tell a story THEY came up with in the first place.

LET THEM.

[mswyrr]

i find stories with long-term romantic relationships fascinating - especially marriage. and what i see in barb and cooper is that... she despairs first and stops caring what happens to other people, because the only thing she thinks she can do succesfully is protect the ones she loves. (and, given how bad things had gotten, can we say for sure she's wrong? can we really say if she had tried to fight Vault-Tec she wouldn't have ended up a ~mysteriously dead~ whistleblower? do we imagine nobody in the company tried to get the truth out?? did the majority of people in the America of 2077 even want to hear the truth? side note they didn't give barb the iconic "war... war never changes" line for her to be 100% evil - we will learn more and see dimensions of what went down in the past imo) and then cooper becomes lost to despair and stops caring about others too. they mirror each other - or, he follows her down the same despairing path.

there's also the level on which what barb loved about cooper--his sweetness, his loving, romantic nature--was ultimately the thing that she came to believe was good reason to treat him like their child and make major decisions for both her husband and their little girl without consulting him. their separation while he was at war and then the way he understood things radically different from her when he came back (how wilfully blind and naive he must have seemed) probably played heavily into this.

but i see both insight into how a couple can lead each other astray - down the path of despair - and how a major way to do that is to start thinking negatively of the very traits that drew you to someone instead of continuing to engage with those and let that person cooperate with you to shape your shared path forward in life.

(barb started seeing the sweet heart that had drawn her to cooper as a liability rather than an assert, to use corporate speak lol)

i'm genuinely excited for what more we'll learn about how this romance went tragic and in seeing barb and janey in the present storyline. i'm a multishipper and there's a lot neat to explore and all of that is valid - but i think, speaking in terms of what the narrative is doing with the canon ships, those are neat in the sense that we've got a tragic romance in the past that symbolically represents the world being broken -- and then a present day romance that's about two young people trying to make something better than the cruel hand they've been dealt

[aardvark-123]

~Fallout 4 Companions React to a Quiche Lorraine~

Ada would be mildly interested. "Ah, a savoury pastry dish with a cheese, egg, and bacon lardon filling. Packed with energy for a hard day's scavenging. It isn't often you find something that nice out here."

Cait would stare at the quiche in a mixture of desire and trepidation. "Janey Mack..." she'd whisper. "I haven't touched a quiche since my parents tried to drown me in one! Held my face under the delicious, creamy, cheese and onion-based filling until I blacked out, so they did, to punish me for sneaking food earlier. Bastards." Whoever offered Cait the Quiche Lorraine would be so horrified by her tale, they wouldn't notice her devouring the whole pastry without leaving them so much as a slice.

Codsworth would be pleasantly surprised to see such fine cuisine two hundred years after the apocalypse. "By George, where on Earth did you manage to find that?!" he'd exclaim. "Did you bake it? Good heavens, I simply MUST have the recipe!"

Curie would be worried about the quiche at first. "Alors, you cannot be certain zis dish is safe to consume! Given zat it smells so good, it cannot contain much in ze way of preservatives..." Then she'd take a small bite, and her eyes would light up. "OH! Sacre bleu, ze quiche, it is making LOVE to my tongue! Oh, help, I fear I shall BURST from ze sheer pleasure of it! Aaaah... If zis is ze last Quiche Lorraine in ze world, I shall die..."

Paladin Danse would grab your hand halfway to the quiche. "Not so fast, soldier," he'd say sternly. "One of our rules is that a knight cannot feed themself until they've fed the Brotherhood. Luckily, as I am also in said Brotherhood, you can fulfil your obligation by cutting me a slice first..."

Deacon would wear the Quiche Lorraine as a hat, after which he'd be too busy laughing to eat much of it.

Dogmeat would sniff the quiche. His ears would prick up in delight, and he'd give you a pleading look, as if asking for permission to tuck in. If you gave him the go-ahead, he'd spend five minutes chowing down on the quiche, as quite possibly the happiest dog in the world.

"Heheheh... Now, there's a tasty dish!" Porter Gage would laugh. "Reminds me of all my favourite things, like torturing innocent victims, and selling children into slavery. Good times!"

Glory hasn't had much contact with baked goods before, and at first she'd be confused by the Quiche Lorraine. She'd get the picture after a few mouthfuls. "Man! Now, THERE'S a pie that can look a girl's tongue right in the eye!" she'd exclaim upon finishing the quiche. "Just needs some chips, coleslaw and a side salad, and maybe some mustard... Wait, how the Hell do I know what those things are? Weird."

Hancock would complain that the quiche was too salty and needed a side of apple juice.

MacCready would be ever so excited to have a delicious Quiche Lorraine, but he'd freeze with his fork half-way to his mouth. "Is this- is this paid for?" he'd stammer. "I don't have to pay for the quiche, do I? Just checking. I mean, it's probably worth a few caps, but I don't want any nasty surprises in the financial department. So are we all square? Right, good. Just making sure."

"Well, I'll be damned," Nick would chuckle, seeing the Quiche Lorraine just sitting there. "Genuine pastry and egg, just like old Mrs Calkowski used to make in that little place down on Mass Avenue. Times like this make a man miss having a stomach. No, don't feel bad, partner; you get some of that down you. It's cold out there, and you're gonna need your strength."

Old Longfellow would probably also eat the quiche.

Piper would cheerfully tuck in as soon as she was offered some quiche. She'd eat every crumb of the quiche, lick the plate (if there was in fact a plate involved), and immediately ask for an interview about where you found the quiche. "If there's still food like this out in the ruins, the public have a right to know! I want names, places, anything to do with the source of the quiche! This... is going to be big."

Preston would fetch some paper plates and start dividing up the quiche for everyone nearby, or everyone who needed it most.

Strong would dig out a rusty machete and hack the Quiche Lorraine in half. "Human! Eat pizza so you can grow big!" he'd bark, handing you half of the quiche. "Strong also eat pizza, so he can stay big," he'd chuckle, tucking into the other half.

X6-88 would be unimpressed. "Such a primitive pastry construction," he'd remark of the quiche. "This dish demonstrates poor nutritional balance, with excessive salt and fat. Eating too much of it may cause minor health problems. I recommend that both of us take a small slice, and we hand the rest over for molecular analysis. The Institute's scientists will surely be able to generate a better, healthier quiche."

If you've never heard of Quiche Lorraine before, it's a type of egg and ham quiche originating in Lorraine, which is in France. It's a tasty dish.

[misseviehyde]

BITCH SWITCH

"Yay, thanks so much for doing this for me Tom,” smiledJaney as she practiced her stretches with her body-swapped boyfriend.  “I know you really hate your step-sister Brooke, but by you swapping bodies with her I finally have a chance to get on the cheer team.”

Tom had no idea why his likeable girlfriend Janey was so desperate to be a cheerleader, but he would do anything to make her happy, even swap with his horrible slutty step-sis. 

He and Brooke did not get on - she was vain, spoiled and bitchy and represented everything he despised.  If he didn't love Janey so much he would never have agreed to this plan. Working himself up to say the words of the swap spell had been tough, but now he was inside Brooke's body it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be.

“Brooke would never have sponsored you otherwise.  This way I can get you onto the team, then I’ll swap back with her. I can’t wait to get my body back once you're on the team. I’m so sick of having to hang out with Brooke's bitchy friends and act like a stuck up drama queen all the time.  I’m glad the try outs are today."

Reflecting on it, it hadn’t been an easy process at all. Brooke had been furious when they swapped, and Tom had had to threaten to shave off her sexy hair and delete all her social media accounts to keep her quiet about swapping.  She had finally gone quiet and sulky, storming off in his body and to be honest he had hardly seen her for the last few days which was a relief.  The trials were this afternoon so by tomorrow he would be able to get back to normal.

In the last few days, Tom had had to learn everything about being a hot teenage girl as well as practice with Janey constantly. Who would have thought being popular would be this complicated?

He would be glad when this was all over.  Just a few more hours and it would all be done.

"Let's get on with this."

**********

Hours later Tom and Janey were half-way through practice, when Tom turned to see his body suddenly enter dressed in a tight fitting leotard.

“What the hell are you doing?” snapped Tom as he shook his head at the ridiculous get up his sister had his body in.

“Oh didn’t I tell you Tom?  Since you stole my body and dumped me in this one, I’ve been doing some thinking.  I’ve decided I’m going to try out for the team as well.  It’s about time we had a male cheerleader again.  I’m sure all the boys at school won’t mock you too badly.”

Tom gasped as he realised she was deadly serious. “You bitch - you can’t do this.  You are NOT entering the try outs as me, forget it.”

Brooke sneered. “You started this by stealing my life. Switch our bodies back or I'll turn you into the biggest sissy bitch at school."

Tom sighed, his devious sister had him by the balls and she knew it.  There was no way he was letting her humiliate him like that.  He had no choice but to give her back her body.

“Sorry Janey, I’m going to have to swap back with her, she’s serious.”

Walking over to the sofa, Tom rummaged inside where he had his favourite hiding place and he pulled out the magic spell book he had used to swap with Brooke, flicking through to the body swap page.

“Oh no you don’t - NO WAY,” screamed Janey. “I am not letting her ruin this for me.  If you swap back with Brooke I’ll never make it onto the squad, especially now we did this to her.” 

Grabbing the book off the surprised Tom, she flicked through urgently. “There must be another spell here we can use to stop her.”

“Janey, be careful with that book, the spells inside are dangerous.”

“Aha - there’s a spell that will give Brooke your personality and memories - then she’ll be more helpful. I don’t know why we didn’t think to use it in the first place.”

Before Tom could stop her, Janey had read the spell and there was a bright flash.

“Oh no Janey, what have you done?” groaned Tom gripping his head.  “That spell doesn't just affect Brooke, you cast it on me as well.”

“What? No! How do you reverse it?” screamed Janey as she saw her boyfriend double over and grip his head in agony.

Janey’s stomach churned as she suddenly noticed there was no way to reverse the spell.  In her panic she flicked through the book looking for a solution but she couldn’t find one!

Meanwhile Tom and Brooke were both going through a new transformation, only this time mental. Their memories and personalities were being exchanged. It was like having all your memories poured out and new ones flowing in.

Tom groaned as his head filled with new thoughts and memories.  His life as Tom was fading and Brooke's slutty memories were welling up to overwhelm him. 

Wow, I never realised how hot it feels to be a slutty bitch.  My step-sister is sooooo cool, mmmmmmh, I like being her. 

The last few days have been such fun, why would I want to go back to being a dumb boy?

What am I saying?  I am Brook now.  I can keep her body and be the bitch I want to be.  I’m hot and popular and I can do whatever I like, no one can stop me.

Tom couldn't fight it. He was becoming a teenage bitch and it felt so good. Laughing he stopped resisting and grabbing his old body laughed in glee. "Yessss give it all to me bitch - I'm Brook now!"

Tom moaned as his pussy dripped with lust and he felt the last of his worthless boy memories flow out of his head.

You are no longer Tom. Now you are Brooke

Stretching her flexible perfect body, Brooke grinned as she pushed Janey back against a wall and grabbed the spell book from her. "I'll take that loser."

She giggled as she tossed her blonde hair in delight.  “You dumb bitch, you just turned me from your innocent boyfriend into your worst nightmare.”

“You should have used this spell instead - the mind control spell,” laughed Brooke as she flicked through the pages. Intoning the words, she read it and Janey and Tom groaned as their eyes went blank.

Brooke grinned. They were hers to program now.

“Tom - you will forget you were ever a girl named Brooke. You have always been Tom and you have the biggest crush on me your step sister.  You no longer want Janey and in fact you despise her.  You will believe you have been fucking me for weeks behind Janey’s back.”

“Janey - you will forget all about the magic book and the events of the last week.  Now wake up both of you.”

Janey and Tom opened their eyes as Brooke hid the book again.  Her former girlfriend was now totally clueless as to what had happened and the new bitch beckoned Tom over.

 “Tom - you look kinda hot in that outfit.  Why don’t you show your dumb girlfriend some of the new moves we have been practicing together?  I’m horny and I wanna cum."

“Are you sure?” he asked uncertainly.

“Yes, do it, show her what you really think of her. Fuck me in front of her and show her what a real man wants in a woman”

Janey gasped in horror as Tom yanked up Brooke's dress and slid his cock into her tight shaven pussy.  She moaned happily as her step-brother began to fuck her in front of Janey - long slow pumps sliding in and out of her tight cunt and making her gasp in pleasure. Sex as a girl felt amazing.

Brooke turned her head to regard her former girlfriend. "I don’t think you should bother trying out for the squad Janey, you have no chance of getting on.  Nobody likes you - not even your former boyfriend.”

“You bitch, how long has this been going on for?” sobbed Janey.

“Oh weeks," lied Brooke. "Tom is my lover now.  It feels so naughty to fuck my own step-brother.  Mom and Dad will be mad when they find out, but I don’t care.  Now Tom, I want you to cum inside my slutty pussy. In fact I have an idea.  Stay where you are bitch, you don’t want to miss this."

Janey cried as she watched Tom intensify his thrusts and with a grunt - orgasm hard into Brooke.  The evil bitch moaned in satisfaction as hot cum flooded her pussy and she commanded Tom to carry her to the sofa.

“I’ve changed my mind Janey. I’ll let you onto the squad on one condition.  Come here and lick all of Tom’s cum out of my pussy.  Show me how much you want to be a cheerleader and I’ll help you after all.”

Lying back, Brooke smirked.  Ohhhh yes, being a twisted slut felt so good.  She was so glad that this happened and she ended up as a bitch. There was no love left for her old girlfriend or life. The memory transfer had been completely successful. Now the only question was, would Janey eat her out?

Brooke smiled with satisfaction as the whimpering girl went to her knees and advanced.  Yes being a bitch really was amazing, she couldn’t wait to find out what else she could make people do now she was hot. This bitch-switch was really going to work out and Brooke loved it.

[phryneluvbot]

so, I basically live tweeted my (third) watch of crypt on twitter (it's the same name as in here, if anyone interested), so let me just drop everything I passed by this entire evening:

goofy opening, but where is my dancing silhouette and the 1920's godly music?

detective inspector jack robinson would like to know your location

tip: ALWAYS keep your sight on that woman, ALWAYS

I just love how phryne changed from a golden dress to a red outfit (I love it btw) that quickly, also one of her 8 languages is arabic!? MY GIRL!!

PRISON BREAK OUT FOR AN INNOCENT GIRL WHO WANTS TO SHARE THE TRUTH OF HER VILLAGE?! PHRYNE, YOU ARE AN AMAZING WOMAN

PLEASE GET INSIDE THE TRAIN PHRYNE, PLEASE GET-

oh...

oh...

oh no... she did actually... oh my god no

OMG DOTTIE IS PREGNANT AND VULNERABLE, MUST PROTECT AT ALL COSTS (and hugh too)

(also, the only scene where we saw a part of the wardlow crew - where's mr butler, mac - HER BEST FRIEND, AND JANE, HER DAUGHTER!? COULDN'T WE SEE THEIR REACTIONS!?)

so, he never went after her... makes it even more heartbreaking

he even still saved the photos, his face showing the tears being retracted... I want to hug you so badly jack

"You meant so much more to Phryne"

OK, THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE PAINFUL, I-

on the floor, crying and sobing

oh, aunt prudence is here (but not phryne's parents, on their daughter's funeral - I might get that most likely they have trauma from Janey and couldn't mark their presence in another funeral for their last daughter, but it would have been nice to be present and meet her boyfriend - aka jack - who is noticeably suffering a lot)

SO, YOU WERE ACTUALLY ALIVE THE LAST 6 WEEKS!? COULD HAVE JUST SENT A LETTER TO SOMEONE, GIRL-

I get it that she didn't knew she was presumed dead, that would have worried everyone she knew and loved, so it was a perfect time to apologize and show the empathic phryne we love

instead it was a "oh" and some awkard smilling

Phryne, I love you, a lot... But you can do better, and especially that you saw the man that loves you the most broken

"I came here for one thing, to farewell you. Farewell" I could hear the pain on his voice, poor Jack...

Well, this scene was iconic

"Jack, are you awake?"

well, he said he wasn't

proceeds to appear on the church moments later

and the man was murdered

and they can't leave england (my condolences)

oh, this is ending badly

"And I am sorry if I am not dead"

phryne, don't say the word "death" to that man again, he thought you died twice in the space of a few months (idk, this movie doesn't even say how after it is from the show). I understand that you might be hurt that he never came after you, I really do, but please, the poor man is still processing that he almost lost you.

also, both (still) don't know what personal space means

(kinky)

oh, so that thing is cursed and... oh, this movie is like if indiana jones was an australian detective, good to know

from the creators of "singing in the rain", we present you "almost kissing in the rain"

oh, you're going to break in his house, so you while use your old stealth black outfit like in melbourne, righ-

why. did you. chose to use. a jumper. with. your. initials. (I still love it, and the entire ouftit, I'd like one of those too please designers)

ooooh, he brought her a gift (and tuxedo jack, meow)

please, both of, learn what personal space is

oooh, they're dancing again... cute

arguing

more arguing

Palestinian man finds out that the people of the country that occupied his country are all douchebags

HE DIED, HE GOT SHOT AT THE HEART, WHY!?

Sharim, I am so sorry...

oh, those guys again... great

well, now they're going to Palestine and find the crypt of tears (OMG IT'S THE NAME OF THE MOVIE)

"I just hope she doesn't fly like she drives"

"I HEARD THAT!"

they are so married

oh, it's a mercenary... well, we're getting of quickly then

bombastic side eye

woman, why are you so hot?

Jack, she just wanted to take the gun, don't worry...

and now they have no guidance, great-

Phryne, we both know how it ends

steps on quicksand

"JaCK, I NEED YOUR HELP!"

Jack continues to not give a fuck after their arguing

"IT'S QUICKSAND"

Jack proceeds to run into her

"I'm not losing you like this, not after all the stupid ways I've nearly lost you."

"WHAT STUPID WAYS?"

Phryne, we both know which stupid ways

not saying a thing, just admiring

ok, they found one of the points of the map, they just need to connect all and boom: entrance found

damn, nice crypt

lesson of the day: don't ever trust "british" man

and it wasn't an accident, YOU MURDERED A VILLAGE AND DOOMED THAT GIRL'S LIFE, THAT IS NOT CALLED AN ACCIDENT

and of course the butler was part of this, and jonathon's father!? Ok...

he thinks he's cursed, blames everything on himself, and wants to die there so he can be free and find forgiveness from the people of the village... I hope you have found forgiveness jonathon, and that your father is going to suffer forever

goodbye sharim, we're all hoping you can motivate many other young girls and women with your spirit

Yeah, trying to shoot a giant spider is a very Phryne thing

Yay, Jack "killed it"

"It's my only fear, Jack. Apart from spending a long flight with Aunt Prudence"

omg, it's going to happen...

"You're afraid if you fall in love with me, I'll turn you into a policeman's wife and... try to stop you from saving the world." Jack, you are so wrong (except on the marriage part, she would only accept one in her own terms)

"And I don't need to marry. I just need your heart, as god knows you've already got mine"

"Jack, I've already gave you my heart a long time ago."

OMG, IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN

"For a detective you don't notice much"

IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENED, IT ACTUALLY-

dies in excessive fangirling

THEY FUCKED, THEY FUCKED, THEY ACTUALLY FUCKED!! THE PHRACK SEX IS REAL!!

and it ends with a teaser for a sequel... that atp I think we won't get (hope I am wrong)

well, that was fun, now it's the spin off left (that got cancelled after season 2 of finished-)

[iguessyouregonnamissthepantyraid]

JNVEFOHBEFVQRUHBQVFUHBQCVGIU2FHBU3RGNJI3VRJNI3QRVFIJN2CRBOH2HBOV3RJN 3RV I JUST READ UR FALLOUT FIC!!! OMGOMGOMGOMG I LOVED IT!! PLS TALK TO ME MORE ABOUT FOUND FAMILY WITH THEM BC I WROTE MY OWN FIC, AND IM GONNA BE WRITING MORE ABOUT THEM AND I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THEM!! sorry its in all caps, im really excited

NEVER apologize for all caps and excitement!!!! in this house we lose our minds over found family dynamics TOGETHER and we are NOT calm about it lmao

under the read more because spoilers and also i got long winded (shocker)

ugh but literally. i need to do a rewatch because fallout is definitely one of those "watch once to get your brain blasted, watch a second time to catch all the little hints you missed the first time around" kind of shows, and also i just. NEED to watch this again with the full knowledge that cooper's been hunting down his family this whole time. yeah we knew cooper was a dad from the beginning but for us, at first, the logical assumption is that his wife and daughter must be long gone by now! it's been 219 years! it's not until the last episode or two that we start realizing that a lot of people from Before are still kicking around, and that cooper KNOWS that, and that the one thing keeping him going for longer than anyone else is the fact that he wants to see his wife and daughter again. the angst potential of this has me foaming at the mouth, by the way, and that's without even considering lucy yet

like, what's his plan? find janey and barb and... pick up where they left off? maybe two centuries of nuclear fallout will patch up his relationship with his ex-wife? how does he even know they weren't both unfrozen and lived their whole lives without him and died already? (i'll argue that he has not even considered that possibility, and will not, because that'll break him.) and say he does find them, and they're alive. maybe they haven't even been unfrozen yet and he can be the one to wake them up. ideal scenario, right? but will they even recognize him anymore? not just by his physical appearance, either! he is not the same person he was before the bombs fell, not by a longshot! janey's dad wasn't a ruthless mercenary bounty hunter who does what he has to do to survive and makes jerky out of human meat and sells random women to organ harvesters to get drugs! he was a guy who loved his dog and loved his family and who was so morally upright that he didn't even want to fake shoot a guy in a movie, because he believes that's not who his character is. and don't even get me STARTED on the fact that The Ghoul is a character to begin with, it's an act, because he's an actor who fell into this role because i guess it was easiest to survive that way, which means that at heart The Ghoul is also not someone who should be shooting guys. the kindheartedness is there under about 219 years of irradiated, decaying skin. but it's there

and then we get lucy, who's very deliberately written as his echo, a kindhearted morally upright person who doesn't want to let the wasteland change her, and i'll bet MONEY that as the series progresses cooper's gonna have to watch as it really doesn't change her. sure, she'll bite a guy's finger off in self defense, and yeah, she'll mercy kill a ghoul that's way past saving. but through it all she's going to try so hard to do the right thing, every single time, and i'm TELLING you, it's not so much that cooper's gonna get dragged back kicking and screaming into being a good person again, but it's more like he's gonna just start being better. it'll be kickstarted by lucy's influence and the fact that he cannot suppress the dad instincts to save his life, but the reason it'll really stick is because that's his natural setting! whether he wants to admit it or not!

anyway. uh. i ranted about this more than i meant to LOL but please always feel free to shout at me about grumpy morally gray old men allowing fatherhood to gently tug them closer and closer to the neutral good square on a dnd alignment chart. gets me every time

[lagingersnapz]

Some Rain Must Fall - (Fallout Fic) Chapter 11: A Mapping of Scars

Chapter: 11/?

After Cooper wakes Lucy up from a nightmare, the two of them have a conversation about the time Cooper tried to sell her for vials.

Characters: Lucy MacLean/Cooper Howard(The Ghoul), Dogmeat(CX-404), Original Characters

Word Count: 3482

Warnings: Violence, Swearing

Author's Note: I have no idea what to say. I am so tired right now. Some downtime in my morning. Sipping on hot cocoa because coffee doesn't do jack for me. I can barely see from the fatigue. There's probably errors everywhere. Tunnel vision. Hazbin Hotel soundtrack. Remember me. Also I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Previous Next

Ao3

~~~

Cooper lay in a Vault-Tec Vault, in a Vault-Tec bed, wearing Vault-Tec pajamas, with a Vault-Dweller curled up against his side. If ever there was a time to reflect on things, this was it. Specifically, Cooper decided to try and dissect the impulses he was starting to feel in regards to Lucy. He wasn’t surprised, exactly, that there might be a little bit of an attraction forming on his side of things. He’d always been drawn to strong women; Barb had been strong, too. But as far as following through with any of these feelings or impulses, Cooper knew he absolutely could not let it happen.

Finding himself a partner had been so far off of his radar that it had never even come to mind. When he had realized that the radiation was changing him, rather than killing him, he had despaired. For a few years, Cooper had wallowed in pity for himself, wishing he was dead. Janey’s look of confusion when Barb took her but left him haunted him. After awhile, Cooper decided that he needed to make sure Janey was still okay.

When he returned to the Vault he had left them in, he found it damaged and abandoned. Cooper had spent over a month, combing the Vault from top to bottom looking for signs of Janey and Barb. In the end he had managed to get into one of the working terminals and found logs saying that those who had been living in the Vault were being moved, but it didn’t say where they were going. One thing Cooper knew was that neither Janey or Barb were there, so they must have been moved. And so his new goal in life was set: he would do everything and anything to find Janey again.

Lucy had set him completely off track in his goals. When he had first found her, Cooper thought she might be a solution to his problems in a way. The daughter of someone he had known before the war and of someone who had worked directly for Barb? Sometimes the world felt like an awfully small place. If anyone would know where Barb was, and by extension Janey, it would be Henry MacLean. If Cooper followed Lucy, he knew he would catch up with him eventually. And then he had lost track of her at the Super Duper Mart.

“How the fuck did I end up here?” he breathed out again, repeating the question he’d asked before Lucy had fallen asleep. The familiar frustration and anger stirred in his chest. He’d been so overwhelmed lately that it hadn’t had a chance to really sink in just how crazy things had gotten. The rule of there only being one pace was so far out the window he couldn’t even see it anymore. And as far as Lucy doing what he said when he said it… Cooper shifted in his lovely new Vault-Tec pajamas. This was bullshit.

Eventually Cooper felt himself starting to fall asleep. The days had been hectic enough to wear him out, and there was nothing better to do. If he kept thinking about how fucked up everything had become, he’d just get more and more angry without any outlet for it. It was Lucy’s sob that woke him back up. She was still pressed against his side, her face buried against his ribs, one hand clutching the fabric of his shirt. A shudder ran down the length of her body, and her breath hitched.

“Hey, Sweetheart?” Cooper didn’t bother with a quiet voice. It was obvious she was in the grips of a nightmare–so much for his presence being calming for her–the least he could do was wake her up. Easing his arm out from under her he sat up, reaching down to shake her by the shoulders. “Lucy?”

Lucy’s eyes flew open and she let out a strangled shriek. Her arms came up and she shoved him harder than Cooper expected, sending him off balance. His first instinct was to grab her wrists and stop her from trying to strike him until her brain caught up with the fact that she was awake now, but he suspected restraining her would only make her panic further, so instead he put an arm over his face to protect it.

Lucy was up quickly, throwing a leg over him so she could pin him down and raising her fist up to strike him, while the other shoved his arm out of the way. Then she paused, breathing hard, and in the darkness Cooper saw her looking around. Ghoul eyes worked better than human ones did in the dark, so he knew she couldn’t spot anything familiar around them like he could.

“Wyatt?” Lucy asked, voice thick. Her breath hitched, and he felt her body relax on top of his. “Cooper.” This time it wasn’t a question. She must have remembered where she was and who he was. Cooper’s arm fell away from his face and he looked up at her.

“You alright?” he asked.

Lucy took a deep breath, shoving both hands back through her hair to push it out of her face. “Yeah, I’m…” She trailed off, looking around at the room. “I forgot where I was. I thought we were still outside. I thought…” She shivered, resting one hand against his stomach and rubbing at her eyes with the other. “Damn it.” Looking down, she realized how she was sitting and shifted, pulling herself away from him. “Sorry. I was having a nightmare.”

Cooper snorted. “Yeah, no shit.” He moved to sit up, scooting himself back against the headboard of the bed. “Wanna tell me about it?”

Lucy settled herself next to him, straightening her tank top which had become dangerously askew during her moment of panic, then leaned heavily against the headboard as well. “I don’t think there’s much to tell. It was a bunch of things.”

“Like..?” Cooper prompted.

“Mostly it was people. Max, Irene, Monty, Rob, Ellie, Moldaver, my mom.”

“Shit, Sweetheart, that’s a hell of a list,” Cooper tried to make his voice light. Part of him wanted to reiterate that the surface wasn’t gentle and that these losses were to be expected and that she should just get used to it like he had. But a much bigger part of himself didn’t want Lucy to become like he had, so he kept it to himself. “That Max fella wasn’t dead when you left him though, right? Should he really be on that list?”

Lucy cast him an annoyed glance. “Oh, I’m sorry. Let me just tell my subconscious to stop feeling guilty about abandoning Max, since at least he wasn’t dead yet like the others were.”

Cooper hummed. “Ah, so it’s a list of people to feel guilty over, is it?”

“Not all of them. I don’t feel guilty about Monty.”

“So why’d he make the list? Who’s Monty?”

Lucy bit her lip, clearly thinking over what to say. Her answer couldn’t have been more surprising.

“Monty’s my husband.”

***

Lucy knew she had to amend her statement as soon as it left her lips. “Well, he was my husband. Until he tried to kill me and my dad drowned him in some pickles.” She turned her head to look at Cooper and found him looking right back at her. The room was dark, but her eyes had started to adjust, and she could see the confused twist of his mouth.

“There’s a lot to unpack there,” he finally said. Lucy snorted.

“Not as much as you probably think. We thought we were trading with a neighboring Vault to get me a husband, but they ended up being raiders led by Moldaver. They killed a bunch of our people and kidnapped my dad. Monty didn’t try and kill me until later, after the wedding, when he had me alone. Stabbed me right here.” She raised a hand to the scar on her side.

Cooper cleared his throat. “And you said your daddy did what, now?”

Lucy picked at the blanket she had pulled back up into her lap. “Well, I thought I killed Monty in our housing unit, so I went to help the rest of my Vault, but he came back and tried to kill me a second time. My dad showed up and hit him with a shovel, then drowned him in a barrel of pickles.”

Letting out a low whistle, Cooper shook his head. “Well, god damn. Gotta say, I don’t think much o’ your daddy, but I can’t fault him for his reaction. If someone ever tried to do anything like that to J-” He cut himself off abruptly, but Lucy had turned to look at him as intently as she could in the dark room. He had mentioned family before, his reason for surviving so long was apparently the ongoing search for them, but beyond that he had had a wife before, she didn’t know anything about them. For as much as her dad talked about Cooper Howard, he had never mentioned a family.

“Sorry, Sweetheart. Ain’t ready to go down that road, yet.” He was quiet, almost whispering, but she heard a depth of emotion in his voice that betrayed his unease.

Lucy reached over and patted him on the leg. “Don’t worry, Wyatt. You don’t have to talk about it if you aren’t ready.” They sat in silence for awhile, and Lucy tried to forget her nightmare. Once she had woken up she had forgotten most of the details, but she knew she had seen the faces of a lot of the people that had been lost.

Eventually her eyelids started to feel heavy again, and she leaned over, putting her head on Cooper’s shoulder. “Thanks for waking me up. Sorry I jumped on you.” She felt Cooper shift a little bit.

“‘Course, Darlin’. And no worries. Ain’t the first time someone’s jumped on me like that.”

Lucy thought of how she’d been perched on top of him and chuckled a little, but chose not to say anything else about that. “Can you talk to me about something?”

Cooper shifted, moving so the two of them were laying down again rather than sitting against the headboard. “About what?”

Lucy managed a little shrug from her place nestled at his side. “I don’t know. Anything. Just talk so that the last thing I’m thinking about isn’t my nightmare again.” She could hear his heart beating in his chest, a slow, steady rhythm, and when Cooper hummed thoughtfully she felt it against her cheek.

“Remember the Super Duper Mart?” he finally asked.

“I thought you were gonna distract me from my nightmares,” Lucy said dryly.

“Well, I figured there was something you should know about that whole clusterfuck.”

“Okay, and what’s that?”

“I wasn’t gonna leave you there.”

Lucy’s mouth twisted in confusion and she propped herself up on her elbow so she could look down at his face. She wanted to be sure he saw the disbelief plastered over her features. “You remember that you sent me inside to have my organs harvested, right?”

“Well,” Cooper started, drawing the word out, “normally they don’t get right to the harvestin’. I was gonna get my vials and come right back in to get you, but they took their sweet time delivering on their end of the bargain.”

The skepticism on her face must have been plain, because Cooper continued with his explanation.

“Not out of kindness or no Golden Rule bullshit, but because by that point I figured maybe you really were related to ol’ Henry MacLean, and I wanted to have a word with him. Plus you had that handy little tracker for the head strapped to your wrist. Needed to keep you close.”

It took a moment for Lucy to digest this. “So, you were going to pretend to sell me to organ harvesters, which I thought was going to be sex slavery, by the way, until the robot clarified things for me, and then you were going to break in and steal from the organ harvesters afterwards?”

Cooper made a little strangled sound in the back of his throat. “You make it sound like stealing from people who sell organs is a bad thing. And hold on, you thought I was selling you to be a sex slave ?” He sat up again, looking down at her until Lucy sat all the way back up as well.

“Well, I mean, what was I supposed to think?! You were selling me! I’d never exactly been sold before.”

“Holy fuckin’ shit. I can’t believe you didn’t scatter my brains across the dirt when you had the chance that day.”

The two of them sat there, staring at each other for several long breaths until Cooper let out a heavy sigh and laid back down, putting a hand over his eyes and rubbing like he had a headache. Lucy didn’t lay back down yet.

“How many other people have you sold to them before?” The conversation from before came back to her. She knew he had done plenty of bad things in his time, but how many people had he traded to death so he could stay alive? Was he responsible for any of the other ghouls she saw locked up in there?

“I fucking didn’t.” Now Cooper sounded genuinely angry. “I done a lot of bad shit, but I’ve never sold an actual person before, Ms. MacLean. I just knew they did that shit there. I’ve traded for vials with caps and other drugs before.” Cooper growled in the back of his throat and then pushed the blankets away from him, standing up and pacing for a second. “Fuck, what the fuck am I even doing here right now? I said there’d be one pace, and here I fucking am, getting nowhere and being sidetracked by every other’s person’s goddamn problems in the Wasteland but my own.”

Turning to the doorway, he reached down, pulling off his shirt as he went. “Where’s the damn laundry? I’m putting my actual clothes back on. This is ridiculous.”

Lucy scrambled out of bed to follow him, picking up the shirt he had left on the floor. “Cooper, wait.” She reached out to put a hand on his shoulder but he spun, grabbing her by the wrist to stop her from touching him, and stepping her backwards until her back bumped into the wall and she was looking at him wide-eyed.

“I told you not to call me that here.” His face was dark, but Lucy could tell there was more going on under the surface than outrage at her for thinking he was selling her. Though that wasn’t all that had her attention. The lighting in the living room of the unit was brighter than the bedroom had been, and with the shirt off, Lucy got her first good look at Cooper’s skin. He was usually so careful about keeping himself covered that all she had seen before was his head and hands. Even when he had been butchering the frogs he hadn’t so much as pushed up his sleeves.

The flesh of his torso looked burned, like his face, and was covered in scars. Long slashes from blades and more healed bullet wounds than Lucy could count in that moment, some fresh enough that she knew they must have come from the fight with the raiders. Though Cooper kept a firm hold of one of her wrists, pressing it back against the wall next to her head, Lucy dropped the shirt from her free hand, raising it to touch one of the more recent wounds. Cooper flinched at the contact, his breathing a little ragged, but he didn’t say anything, didn’t move to stop her, letting her map out the scars.

As her fingers explored, Cooper moved ever so slightly closer, and she noticed his eyes drop to watch her hand. Under some of the scar tissue she felt the hardness of what must have been old bullets still lodged in his body. Was his whole body like this? An unhappy story mapped out across his skin for the rest of his life?

“Please stay,” Lucy’s voice was quiet, like she was talking to a frightened animal, and she looked back up to his face, leaving her fingertips against the skin of his chest. The scar tissue almost burned under her touch. She wanted to ask him about them, where he had gotten them and if he remembered the first one. Were they all from after the bombs dropped, or were some of them from the war he’d fought in before the world ended?

Slowly, Cooper’s grip on her wrist relaxed, until he finally let go of her, keeping his hand braced on the wall instead. Lucy didn’t move yet, waiting for his breathing to slow back down, noticing that her own had picked up too. Their eyes locked, and Cooper started to lean forward. For a second, Lucy thought he was going to try kissing her, and in that second she wondered if she would have let him. The air felt charged in a way she hadn’t noticed before. Yes, she decided. If he wanted to kiss her, she’d let him. Maybe she even wanted him to. The thought felt like an immediate betrayal of Max, but Lucy tried to ignore the sudden twist of guilt in her stomach.

Instead of trying to kiss her, Cooper’s eyes closed and he leaned his forehead against hers, drawing in a deep breath through the hole where his nose would have been and letting it out slowly from his mouth. They both stood like that for awhile, heartbeats settling and breath slowing. It felt like a wordless apology between them. Eventually though, Cooper moved back again, and his hand fell away from the wall.

“Come on,” Lucy said, stooping down to pick up the dropped shirt. Then, taking his hand in hers, she slowly eased back towards the bedroom. “We’ve all been through a lot. We need sleep.”

Cooper let her lead him back into the room, and when she offered the shirt he took it wordlessly, looking at it for a heartbeat before he put it back on, hiding his torso from view again. Lucy crawled under the blankets, looking at him expectantly. Eventually Cooper joined her, though this time she was determined to give him some space. At least until he moved his arm, silently inviting her back to his side. Gratefully, Lucy accepted the invitation. Whether he believed it or not, his presence did help, and she’d prefer having the human contact over laying there alone.

This time it was Lucy who waited awake until she heard the sound of Cooper’s breathing become slow and even before letting herself drift off. Eventually she was woken again by the artificial sunlight coming in through the fake window set into the wall. With a groan, Lucy shifted. As she slept she had rolled over, and now instead of her being pressed to Cooper’s side, he was pressed up to her back, his arm wrapped around her waist. Her movement apparently woke Cooper as well, because he snatched his arm back and rolled back away from her like he was expecting her to bite him. Lucy could guess why.

“No need to worry. It’s a perfectly normal thing to have happen in the mornings,” she chirped, hopping to her feet.

“Christ, Sweetheart, I don’t need you to tell me how my body works,” Cooper grumbled. His agitation just made her smile. After their little argument last night, she had been worried what would happen when they woke up. Would he get up and immediately leave? Would things be awkward between them? Her fears were apparently unfounded, because Cooper was still here, and he sounded like his usual self.

“Okey-dokey.” Lucy left the bedroom, finding Dogmeat and the kids in the living room, already watching the TV, an open box of Sugar Bombs in front of them.

For the next hour, Lucy let herself play pretend. As she cooked breakfast, she let herself pretend this was Vault 33. The marriage trade had played out perfectly and she had been married for years now. This breakfast was for her family: herself, her husband, and their children. What surprised her about her little fantasy was that her partner in it wasn’t Max, but rather Cooper Howard. Not Cooper Howard from the movies, but the one she knew now, sour temper, no nose, burned skin and all.

The ridiculousness of this little daydream was driven home as they were eating, and Kelly set down her forkful of powdered eggs with a sharp clatter. Her eyebrows were drawn down sharply, and she looked Lucy straight in the eyes.

“I want to go with you and Wyatt,” she announced, and the room went quiet.

[fierce-stream1]

I need to go to bed aka introducing my starter families

I just want to preface this by saying that this took way too much time to put together, and I'm not even done yet, lol.

The Escarlata Family:

Davyd Escarlata | Scorpio | Vampire | Bisexual | Fortune/Knowledge | LTW Earn Lots of Money

7/10 Neat

5/10 Outgoing

6/10 Active

5/10 Playful

3/10 Nice

When push comes to shove, Davyd is a man who will get the job done. With his new fangs and blood lust, he must balance his thirst with the demands of his rap career.

Riley Escarlata | Taurus | Human | Straight | Pleasure/Popularity | LTW Became Celebrity Chef

5/10 Neat

7/10 Outgoing

2/10 Active

7/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Riley has her eyes set on the kitchen, but she lacks organization and the discipline to succeed in the culinary business.

Christopher Escarlata | Capricorn | Human | Straight | Family/Knowledge | LTW Spent 200 Hours Teaching Others

7/10 Neat

5/10 Outgoing

2/10 Active

6/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Christopher is a wise and well-travelled retiree who used to be a real family man until his wife refused to retire and his son became a vampire. But now, his biggest problem lies with his unmotivated daughter.

Yolanda Escarlata | Scorpio | Human | Straight | Fortune | LTW Self-Employed Talent

6/10 Neat

5/10 Outgoing

6/10 Active

3/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Despite her advanced age, Yolanda has a sharp mind and a love for writing. She has no plans of retiring, and continues to pursue her true passion of culinary journalism.

The Chi Family

Yogi Chi | Scorpio | Human | Aro-Ace | Knowledge | LTW Became Cult Leader

8/10 Neat

7/10 Outgoing

10/10 Active

3/10 Playful

7/10 Nice

Yogi's young, handsome, and has a smile that draws people in. A friendly yoga instructor by day, nobody knows that once they're in his clutches, he will use his persuasive powers to convince them to do his bidding.

The Roomie Family

Greta Green | Cancer | Human | Bisexual | Knowledge/Family | LTW Became Ecological Guru

7/10 Neat

1/10 Outgoing

5/10 Active

5/10 Playful

7/10 Nice

Greta is a shy but passionate botanist who is determined to make a difference in her own quirky way. When she's not poring over environmental data, she enjoys spending time with her fashionable roommate, Janey. However, Greta can't help but wonder if her feelings for her gal pal go beyond just friendship.

Janey Styles | Taurus | Human | Gay | Popularity | LTW Self-Employed Talent

5/10 Neat

5/10 Outgoing

3/10 Active

6/10 Playful

6/10 Nice

Janey values style, fashion, sophistication, and has a passion for all things high-end and exclusive. Although she can be a bit bossy, her heart is in the right place.

The Silver Lining Family

On the left: Luna Wilde | Libra | Human | Gay | Popularity/Pleasure | LTW Become Rock God

2/10 Neat

8/10 Outgoing

6/10 Active

7/10 Playful

6/10 Nice

Fun loving and spontaneous, Luna is just one of those people who exudes energy and positivity no matter what.

On the right: Ella Elite | Aquarius | Human | Bi | Knowledge/Popularity | LTW Gain 5 Gold Badges

2/10 Neat

5/10 Outgoing

7/10 Active

6/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Ella is trendy and always on the lookout for the next big thing. When she's not performing, she can usually be found protesting.

On the left: Aiden Spade | Virgo | Human | Straight | Knowledge/Fortune | Became Game Designer

6/10 Neat

4/10 Outgoing

6/10 Active

4/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Aiden is as comfortable with a comic book as he is a guitar, and enjoys delving into the unknown. He's a self-proclaimed ghost hunter and is always up for a game of trivia.

On the right: Reid Stifled | Aquarius | Human | Gay | Family | LTW Graduate Children From College

5/10 Neat

1/10 Outgoing

6/10 Active

8/10 Playful

5/10 Nice

Reid is part of a band, but struggles to connect with his more social bandmates, who always seem to hog the spotlight. While he may be the unassuming one in the group, Reid has a playful personality that is a stark contrast to his shy demeanor.

And that's all for now! My god, that was too much. I hope to add more supernatural sims as well as some proper traditional families in the future to tie everything together. I'm sorry for any mistakes or missing context, I am exhausted, and some of this information I haven't gotten around to yet.

[savingthrcw]

@wandercr asked for a starter

She's sitting at the stool of the open bar, with Pat and Roy on one side and a few more raiders checking out the specials, and she's kept an eye on the boy wandering around town in tears, with a piece of paper on his hand. Must not even be twenty yet. He disappeared for a while but now he's back and one of the guys for hire there ask him what he wants, so the kids explains his father was taken by the Vipers the day before and he can offer 100 caps for his rescue. The killer for hire is not on board, obviously. "Kiddo, ain't no way in hell somebody is gonna go get your daddy for a hundred caps," Janey takes a shot of whiskey, trying to burn away the pity she feels. Kids and their daddies, she gets it. "Chances are the vipers killed him already anyway." "Then I'll go myself, t'least we'll die together!"

Yeah, she got that too. Keeping an eye on him, which makes her raiders keep an eye on him, she watches as he starts messing with the gun he's carrying, which has to belong to his dad. She just has to ignore him, as much as she'd love to mess with the Vipers. Isn't her business. Nobody got parents around there. "What's he doing?" Roy wonders. "Is he... Is he trying to work out how the safety works?" "... Son of a bitch!" she swears, slamming down the glass, and Roy winces and then swears after her, realizing what she's about to say, "Fucking fine, give me the damn drawing. And the caps, if he's dead I ain't letting you keep those in memory of. And I get to keep whatever we pull out of the Vipers, got it?" "Boss, we kind of had a job..." Roy points out hesitantly. "Yeah, I'll do this myself. Take Pat as cannon fodder, whatever. Don't thank me, I'll punch you," she warns the kid, who's doing just that. "But there are so many of them, it can't just be the two of you, ma'am-" Well, look who was ma'am-ing her now, looking around for backup he's not gonna find. "They are heavily-armed..." "Good, more for me to take," she mutters, not particularly concerned.

[pesterloglog]

Roxy Lalonde, )(er Imperious Condescension

Act 6, page 5699

tipsyGnostalgic [TG] began bothering gutsyGumshoe [GG]

TG: jane

TG: jane

TG: jane

TG: jane

TG: janes 4 ev

TG: /take deepest jane yellin breath

TG: JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOmfg yeah right

TG: like there is any chance u answer me

TG: with today being international everybody ignore roxy day

TG: LEEEEE sigh

TG: like

TG: doing literally the frenchest of possible sighs over here

TG: its wearing a lopsided beret in the city of goddamn light falling in FUCKING love

TG: such is my sigh

TG: am packing TOTES ennui janey

TG: or shd i say.......

TG: ennOUI ;)

TG: wait

TG: ennui is probably already a french word??

TG: not sure that one needs anymore frenching up...

TG: i should know this b cause my last name is french sounding

TG: even tho im p sure my mom did not hail from france

TG: idk

TG: who even "LA CARES"

TG: hehehe fuck you, A CERTAIN LANGUAGE

TG: uum yeah

TG: so the report is

TG: that i already said to some chumps & im getting max fatigued repeatin it

TG: im on derse we need to be god tiers and die on slabs n junk

TG: + im invisible cause of ring

TG: w/e

TG: oh

TG: i think your dads here and hes probably alright?

TG: so theres that

TG: oh!

TG: i saw callie 2 shes ok

TG: well i mean shes dead

TG: but in ghost form

TG: so shes as ok as one can be who is also dead

TG: which is apparently just fine?

TG: so the lesson of the moral is u can be way fine & dead at sames time

TG: jane let us now reflect upon the weighty existential ramifications of that thing i said

TG: yesssss

TG: just me an my bestie, ballin hecka reveries 2day

TG: the biggest questions which have tormented the wisest scholars and pundits for mad epochs just got so roflariously owned

TG: hey callie also said she would send you a bday thing?

TG: did u get

TG: she must have sent a code

TG: which you have to make urself

TG: so

TG: maybe youre doin that now?

TG: hope ur doin that

TG: im real curious 2 know what it is suddenly

TG: man

TG: im bored

TG: like we got all this big deal crap to do and i cant even talk to no one

TG: jane

TG: ambiguous voidey powers notwithstanding

TG: im starting 2 think i might be genetically predisposed to ramblin at length into empty chat clients

TG: well

TG: hit me up if up see this

TG: maybe ill try 2 txt fefeta

TG: my dear precious fefeta

TG: i know SHE would never ignore me ;3

TG: SWOOOOON + <33333 @ FEFETA, AND THUS MAKING CROCKER SO JELLIES

)(IC: yo dont fuck with my heiress

)(IC: gurl got royal bidness porpoises to attend

)(IC: and do not even T)(INK i dont know you out a jail bitch

)(IC: you take a flip thru ma secret jam yet

)(IC: dat sparkle shit i left w tha dance clowns on

TG: oh noes

TG: is the witch

TG: .___.

tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased bothering gutsyGumshoe [GG]

[project1939]

Day 28- Film: Belles on Their Toes 

Release date: May 2nd, 1952.

Studio: 20th Century Fox 

Genre: Comedy 

Director: Henry Levin 

Producer: Samuel G. Engel 

Actors: Myrna Loy, Jeanne Crain, Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter, Edward Arnold 

Plot Summary: This is sequel to 1950’s Cheaper by the Dozen, about an eccentric family in the 1920s with 12 children. Now that the family patriarch has died, Mrs. Gilbreth must support the entire family herself, but not many people will consider hiring a woman with a PhD in engineering. 

My Rating (out of five stars): *** 

I was really looking forward to seeing this today. Not because I’ve seen the film this is a sequel to, because I haven’t, but because I love Myrna Loy so much. (She was one half of the coolest married couple in Hollywood film history, as Nora Charles in The Thin Man movies. And that’s just one thing!) 

Sadly, this movie didn’t really thrill me that much. It was basically just a bit of family fluff. I’m sure if I had seen the first film, I would have found it more enjoyable. I didn’t dislike it, but I just don’t think it stands up very well on its own. 

The Good: 

Myrna Loy’s character. As the mom of the family, trying to support 12 kids on her own, she was not a “typical” Hollywood mom. Lillian Gilbreth was a talented engineer with a PhD! That would be remarkable in 1952, but the real character was living in the 1920s! She had to put up with serious sexism in the movie, but I’m sure it was way worse in real life. 

The cute random little bits of singing throughout the movie. It’s really not a musical, but there were several times where something akin to an informal musical number happened. 

There was definitely a sweetness to it, but it never really went off the deep end into sticky sentimentality. 

Doctor Bob Grayson, the romance for Jeanne Crain. He wasn’t the greatest actor in the world, but he was exquisite blue-eyed eye candy! 

The Bad: 

The plot was barely a plot. It was more like a series of vignettes with the throughline of- “Will the family find a way to stay together given their financial woes?” 

With 12 children, none of them were really developed much as characters. I only learned the names Frank, Anne, Janey, and Ernestine. The other eight? No idea. 

Please let me say it again- I adore Myrna Loy, but it kind of felt like she just phoned this one in. The usual sparkle I find in her wasn’t often there. Granted, the script didn’t give her a ton to work with. 

Why did they do such an awful job with Myrna Loy’s makeup? I like that they didn’t glam her up into Mildred Pierce, but would it have been so hard to give her some color? The utter lack of makeup was not only unflattering, but it was distracting because her face was just a monolithic beige. 

[soil-just-needs-water-to-be]

Chapter 13

Word count : 2419

Mention of drugs , it’s cute and angsty still and supportive and just fluff

Matty's POV

Once I write the text I read it over to make sure I didn't miss anything out and then send it knowing an answer will never come is still upsetting but it's also grounding knowing I can say anything and not be corrected or told to think about things. I spend sometime reading over things I've sent since she passed it's bringing tears to my eyes again. I don't quite know how long I'd been lying there, but i here his little voice come from the screen

"That doesn't look like sleeping to me love", he's looking a little bleary eyed and confused "are you okay ?"

I look up at him and drop my phone down onto my pillow like a child who'd been caught up after bedtime chuckling a little bit at myself "I'm alright I was just reading some stuff", I smile at him to confirm I'm alright.

"What we're you reading, you looked a little upset", pulling the duvet around himself more he rubs his eyes and tries to get everything into focus again.

"Just old texts I sent to Janey , I sent her a text just telling her about you , I've been doing it a-lot since she passed it helps a lot", I pull my pillow under me better so I can lay right. I feel better than before It must be wearing off and I'm much more settled.

"About me , why ?", he looks so young right now, so gorgeous , I know I've said it before but I'll keep saying it's because it's true.

"I was telling her about this guy I met and how lovely he is and how much he helps me", fuck I'm blushing again, my face is warm from the blush, I can't deny it though he constantly makes me blush, the idea of being able to maybe love him one day keeps playing in my mind it's weird.

"I'm lovely? , I'm sorry Matty , are you good bruv ?" , man even his sarcasm is cute , but seriously I could talk about him all day , he then begins to laugh and sits up a little "it's funny though"

"What's funny?"

"I was just telling my friends about this guy I'd met , how interesting I find him , even though I don't know him all the well but he's really handsome" , he's blushing too now and seems a little nervous with this revelation, he doesn't need to be I do find him lovely and VERY attractive "I wasn't lying earlier when I said your fit"

"Neither was I" , letting out a sigh I'd been holding without realising, I switch on my bedside light now feeling alot better that before, I feel like a 14 year old teenager again just falling for someone without even knowing them it's stupid " I really like having you around"

"I like having you around too, I wish I could I’m hug you right now", he still seems shy I could easily change that one day

"That would be amazing if I'm honest just to hold someone for a minute", I want to I really do

We get talking for a while a lot into the night talking about the things we like and don't like , stories of friends and funny anecdotes, he tells me the story of when he broke his wrist.Where laughing at it , I'm laughing that hard my stomach hurts and my eyes are streaming. This guy is amazing. I swear I've never felt this close to someone before other than the boys and Janey . I tell him the story of Ross when we were 13 smoking for the first time how high he got and ate basically everything in my fridge and how mad my Mum got because he ate what she had bought for dinner. The story of when my brother was born and how scared I was because I thought I'd break him but now we're literally the most inseparable brothers could be.

"You really love everyone in your life dont you Matty?, you hold them so close", Since starting the conversation we'd both woken up a lot and started becoming more animated but I"ve learned how much this kid talks.

"I love em all there all amazing, you should meet them one day", I swear one day I'll make sure he meets them

"You mean you actually wanna meet me?", how is he still unsure of that I want him around.

"Your an actual twat G , yes I want to meet you", he's smiling like an actual numpty again as am I. I don't really know if I'd ever stop smiling while he's talking to me. He really does make me feel safe "Can I tell you something George , please don't go mad at me though."

"That's ominous , but yes go ahead you can tell me anything", I really hope this doesn't push him away but people are always telling me to be honest, so im going to be honest the most honest I've ever been. Not even my mother knows.

"Well ...I think I might have a drug problem". My face is red right now but not from blushing this time more so nerves and how scared I am of being sincere and honest.

"I have an inckling that you don't mean weed do you ?" , I can tell he's listening because he's looking at me so much worry in his eyes and he's paying attention but he doesn't seem cross or mad so I keep going.

"No I mean , cocaine , I used to only do it at parties or when I was out with my mates , not that they ever would there amazing , but lately it's more often and it makes me feel better about things and stops me thinking for a while" I stop to take a breath then continue "and I know I shouldn't rely on it , and it's probably the worst thing I could turn too but it helps it really does"

"Matty slow down, you don't have to explain to me okay,I'll help you stop if that's what you want , is that what was wrong earlier ?",Im so glad he's not mad , I would if it were the other way around and I was talking to me but that's why he's so different, and he's so understanding. I didn't think he'd be this calm but I'm glad he is. "Like I knew something was off about earlier but I didn't know want you to be upset with me"

"Yeh in all honesty,after singing that song , I knew it would take me hours to calm down". It's weird being honest and not being pushed away or getting in trouble. I don't know how easy it will be to stop but if he really means what he said I'll try for him.

"I'm sorry love, how does it make you feel", he's now sat fully up and trying to find something I don't know what but I'm sure I'll find out eventually. I don't know how it makes me feel really it just empties me out and calms me, settling me down per say

"It just for lack of better words makes me feel nothing, just clears my brain of everything that's making me feel out of place", The room is starting to get a little warm so I remove my jumper just sitting in a T-shirt and my boxers, I know being honest is good but it really doesn't feel that good sometimes

"Well , I'm going to help you feel that way when you need it but what I need from you is to tell me when you feel like you need it and please for the love of god don't disappear" . As I remove my jumper I can see him eyeing me up a little even though he's trying to be serious, but I can't help but blush at the little twinkle in his eye as my T-shirt rides up a little.

"I'll do my best, I won't go anywhere that I can promise but it might be a little harder to do the other thing , but I'll try", I wanna play with him a little I get up out of the bed and place my laptop on the desk at the other side and take off my T-shirt then come to the desk sitting down and getting my Xbox remote putting my headset around my neck looking like I'm about to put them on I can see him blush again and he's slightly fidgety. I don't want to take it to far it would just be a little weird this early on but I can guarantee he loved it , trust me I know how to flirt.

He coughs a little to get his voice back " That's , that's okay so long as you know I'm here" , he's still bright red and his pupils are still blown wide "I know where having a serious conversation right now but your really handsome"

"I am , am I?" , I smile at the screen and start playing with the headset wires rolling it through my hands , I can see myself in the corner of my screen my hairs a mess and my shoulders and top half of my torso is showing I look a mess , slightly skinny as my coller bones are protruding and my arms are like twigs. But I can't deny I'm still pretty

"Yeh", I know he's young but I don't know if he knows how to flirt but you know what he's cute so I'll deal with it.

"Wanna play something, we can play fifa if you want ?"

"Sure , that would be cool". I run over to get my remote and come back and he's already up getting everything prepared, I wait till he's ready before starting a game "what team you gunna be but you can't be no shit second league team"

"Ahh young warrior you know nothing , I'm playing as Newcastle United and if you say anything this game ain't gunna happen" , I pick my team and I see he picks Sunderland I swear it was just to annoy me , rival teams and all "I swear you did that on purpose"

"Maybe I did" he chuckles to himself and the game begins.

The first half is played really poorly by both of us, none of our teams are doing what we wish they'd do, My goalie is honestly the only player playing right. I know I'm controlling it but nope it's not my fault none of them are playing right. I've netted at least two goals to his one. We went silent as the second half approached. The second half was alot better everyone is cooperative and Ive managed to score another two goals, Im really doing George's head in, he's really trying but I've managed to accidentally injure two if his plays causing one of mine to get a red card so we are both down team players but by the time the end of the game comes he is really not winning. I cheer to myself when I do win trying not to wake everyone up in the house as it's a little late and I know my mum will tell me to go to sleep if she hears me up

"See I told you I'd beat your ass", he's sat on the other end of the screen looking like a petulant child because he didn't win , and if he didn't look so cute I'd be totally turned off right now so he's lucky

"Nah mate I swear you cheated, I demand a rematch" , he's also moved over to his desk for better setting and game play action.

"Sure but watch me just beat you again , one more game and then bed because it's late and we said we'd go to bed hours ago ?"

"Sounds good to me love"

We start up another game same teams as before just to keep it mutual, he manages to score within the first five minutes.he cheers to himself which makes me smile. I really have to show I mean business and I won't just let him win because he's cute, I tackle his defenders just before they get into my goal line and break way past his centre mid player passing it to my stricker and score and amazing goal. I swear if I could play this well in real life I could be a footballer. The second have breezes by 1 - 1 each not to bad but the second half we both up our anti he scored a few more times and i equalize there's two minutes of extra time which causes me to score my last one just before the game ends "fuck he's just in time"

"Fuck you man", he's smiling though and he looks like he had a good time, we're both calm and in a world of our own. Just at that my mum come into my room wearing her dressing gown and her glasses are at the end of her nose like she'd put them on hastily "Matty love it really is time you should be in bed , tell your friends your going offline now and try get some sleep okay you've got school" I turn in my chair and smile at her before she leaves "sorry mum"

George and I have a good little giggle about it but we know we do need to go to bed. So we turn the game off as we both get settle into bed. Placing my laptop onto my bed next to me and I watch him get back into his getting comfortable and trying to stay warm "I really do wish you were here Georgie". I smile then get comfortable myself

"Me too love , but let's try to sleep again yeh, time for shush now" he moves his hand up to the screen like he's trying to ruffle my hair "good night love"

I smile at his cheesy little action but feel those butterflies in my stomach that people say they get when they like someone "goodnight darlin" I turn off my bedside lamp and really fall asleep this time hoping I do have good dreams.

[hits1000]

Top Songs of 1985 - Hits of 1985

Top Songs of 1985 - Hits of 1985 Top Songs of 1985 including: a-ha - Take On Me, Bad Boys Blue - You're A Woman, Baltimora - Tarzan Boy, Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas, Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days, Bryan Adams – Heaven and many more! Subscribe to our channel to see more of our content! 1. a-ha - Take On Me 2. a-ha - The Sun Always Shines on T.V. 3. Alaska Y Dinarama - Ni Tú Ni Nadie 4. Aretha Franklin - Freeway Of Love 5. Bad Boys Blue - You're A Woman 6. Baltimora - Tarzan Boy 7. Baltimora - Woody Boogie 8. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas 9. Billy Ocean - When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going 10. Bobbysocks! - La Det Swinge 11. Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days 12. Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire 13. Bruce Springsteen - Janey Don't You Loose Heart 14. Bryan Adams - Heaven 15. Bryan Adams - Somebody 16. Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69 17. Bryan Ferry - Slave To Love 18. Cazuza - Exagerado 19. Century - Lover Why 20. Chanteurs Sans Frontières - Éthiopie 21. Commodores - Nightshift 22. David Bowie & Mick Jagger - Dancing In The Street 23. Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) 24. DeBarge - Rhythm Of The Night 25. Dire Straits - Money For Nothing 26. Dire Straits - Walk Of Life 27. Double - The Captain Of Her Heart 28. Duran Duran - A View To A Kill 29. Elton John - Nikita 30. Eros Ramazzotti - Una Storia Importante 31. Eurythmics - There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) 32. Falco - Jeanny 33. Falco - Rock Me Amadeus 34. Fancy - Bolero (Hold Me In Your Arms Again) 35. Feargal Sharkey - A Good Heart 36. Glenn Frey – The Heat is On 37. Gold - Capitaine Abandonné 38. Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F 39. Hombres G - Devuélveme A Mi Chica 40. Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love 41. Iván - Baila 42. Jean-Jacques Goldman & Michael Jones - Je Te Donne 43. Jeanne Mas - Johnny, Johnny 44. Jennifer Rush - Destiny 45. John Mellencamp - R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60's Rock) 46. John Parr - St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) 47. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill 48. Katrina & The Waves - Que Te Quiero 49. Katrina & The Waves - Walking On Sunshine 50. Kool & The Gang - Cherish 51. Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me 52. Madonna - Into The Groove 53. Madonna - Material Girl 54. Mecano - Hawaii-Bombay 55. Miami Sound Machine - Conga 56. Midge Ure - If I Was 57. Modern Talking - Cheri Cheri Lady 58. Modern Talking - You Can Win If You Want 59. Modern Talking - You're My Heart, You're My Soul 60. Mr. Mister - Broken Wings 61. OPUS - Live Is Life 62. Paul Young - Everytime You Go Away 63. Phil Collins - One More Night 64. Phil Collins - Sussudio 65. Righeira - L'estate Sta Finendo 66. Roupa Nova - Dona 67. Sandra - In The Heat Of The Night 68. Sandra - Maria Magdalena 69. Simple Minds - Alive And Kicking 70. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) 71. Starship - We Built This City 72. Stevie Wonder - Part Time Lover 73. Sting - If You Love Somebody Set Them Free 74. Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World 75. The Cure - In Between Days 76. Tina Turner - We Don't Need Another Hero 77. USA For Africa - We Are The World 78. Video Kids - Woodpeckers From Space 79. Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You 80. Wind - Für Alle Related Searches: Greatest Hits of 1985, Best Jukebox 1985 Playlist, Late 1985 Non Stop , Top 1985 Non Stop, Mix 1985 Compilation, Best 1985 List, Late 1985 UK, Best 1985 Playlist, Best 1985 Non Stop, Best 1985 Video, Greatest 1985 Non Stop, Mix 1985 Playlist, Best Jukebox 1985 List, List of 1985 Mix, Top 1985 USA, Best Songs of 1985, Top Music 1985, Hits of 1985 Relate Hashtags: #songsof1985 #hits1985 #songs1985 #listof1985mix #hits1985 #bestsongs1985 #classic1985playlist #greatest1985nonstop #best1985list #best1985video #top1985mix #greatest1985video #mix1985playlist #top1985nonstop #mix1985compilation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIUSweMU9YU