#i think three or four episodes in was about when i started fixating on the suckening

[art-from-the-juice-box]

wonderlust stuff :]

[anthurak]

So with Ghostfuckers providing a fair bit of detail on how our four main characters came together and the formation of I.M.P. proper, I thought it would be fun to dive into the potential timeline of Helluva Boss again. Because at this point, I think we can actually glean quite a bit of information from what the show has stated or hinted at.

First off, the confirmed ‘hard dates and times’ we can look at to establish a broad, overall timeframe for the show:

We have Spring Broken taking place (shockingly) during Spring Break, putting it in March.

We have The Harvest Moon Festival coinciding with the actual Harvest Moon (not some Hellish equivalent, but the proper Earth moon), putting the episode on/around September 17th.

Then we have Unhappy Campers which actually notes a specific date with a poster showing that Millie’s big show takes place on July 17.

Finally we have Apology Tour taking place specifically on Halloween, aka October 31.

And now Ghostfuckers has Millie mentioning that it’s been ‘over a month’ since Blitzo and Stolas broke up, meaning either The Full Moon or Apology Tour, which puts us pretty squarely in early December as the current time of the show.

This means we are looking at a total of one year and nine-ish months between Spring Broken and Ghostfuckers.

Which in turn, given the indeterminate amount of time between the first three episodes, I’d say likely puts us at just shy of two years since the start of the show proper with Murder Family, and DEFINITELY a little over two years since Blitzo’s first night with Stolas, getting the Grimoire and the start of I.M.P.

Something that is actually further corroborated by Blitzo’s comment in The Full Moon about Stolas letting them keep the book for ‘another year’, implying that episode likely took place near around the ‘anniversary’ of Blitzo getting the Grimoire from Stolas. And I think we can all appreciate the dramatic irony/angst of Stolitz imploding almost two years to the day as their first night together.

So with a proper timeframe for the show as a whole established, what other interesting things can we glean?

Well for one, I think a couple of seemingly innocuous lines in Western Energy can actually tell us a fair bit about LOONA. Which funny enough, kind of confirms the official creator statement that she is 22, but also makes it a bit more… nuanced.

You see, Blitzo mentions in Western Energy that it’s taken him five years to get an appointment for Loona’s hellbies shot. Now obviously, we can assume that Blitzo started trying to get this appointment not too long after adopting Loona.

Combined with what we know about Loona being less than a month from turning 18 when Blitzo adopted her, this not only confirms that it’s been about five years since Loona was adopted, but also means that Western Energy actually takes place not too long before or after Loona’s birthday. Given that the next episode is Unhappy Campers, probably in the April/May/June range. And also that Loona is actually 23 at this point.

And what’s really funny about this in regards to the official statement of Loona being 22 is that, if anyone else remembers, we actually GOT that statement sometime between the releases of Ozzie’s and The Circus. Which WOULD be a point in the show when Loona IS 22.

Even though Loona would definitely be 21 at the actual start of the series, then turned 22 likely sometime between Spring Broken and C.H.E.R.U.B.S. then turned 23 sometime around Western Energy.

Admittedly I’m not sure how any of this might be actually relevant or otherwise significant aside from simply having a good idea when Loona’s birthday is, but I think it’s a fun detail nonetheless.

Now speaking of characters with confirmed ages that the fandom has become way too fixated on, let’s talk about Octavia.

Obviously, given that we are way over a year since Loo Loo Land, Octavia is DEFINITELY NOT 17 anymore. Heck, given that we’re clearly close to two years since that episode, Octavia could easily be 19 at this point. Remember that unlike Loona, Octaiva being 17 was mentioned officially before she even appeared in the show, meaning that we really HAVE to assume that she is 17 in Loo Loo Land. Other than that, the only mention we have of Octavia being 17 is in The Circus, which really only means that the present-day portion of that episode (along with Ozzie’s and Queen Bee, given that they specifically take place the night before) takes place less than a year after Loo Loo Land. Like if those episodes take place in early-mid October and Octavia’s birthday is in November, then she would be 19 at this point.*

And while we’re on the topic of Ozzie’s, Queen Bee and The Circus, ANOTHER notable detail that might be easy to forget is that Ozzie’s happens to take place on Moxxie’s and Millie’s one-year wedding anniversary. Which gets particularly interesting given what we now know from Ghostfuckers.

We know, or at least can infer, from Millie’s narration (“that year I spent getting to know your ragtag team”) that Millie joined up with Blitzo, Moxxie and Loona about a year before they formed I.M.P. Which in turn also coincided with Blitzo’s and Stolas’s reunion, given that Blitzo is shown to have the Grimoire in the flashback of the four moving into their new offices.

What makes this interesting is the fact that Moxxie and Millie seem to have been ALREADY married when Blitzo got the Grimoire and set up I.M.P. Which given, again, that Ozzie’s specifically takes place on the M&M’s one-year wedding anniversary, I think REALLY narrows down the timing of a number of events.

Like given that Ozzie’s takes place AFTER both The Harvest Moon Festival and Truthseekers, we have to assume that Moxxie’s and Millie’s wedding likewise probably happened after September.

And we know from The Full Moon taking place shortly before Halloween and the previously-discussed lines from Blitzo implying that it’s not too far off from the ‘anniversary’ of him getting the Grimoire from Stolas, that Blitzo’s and Stolas’s first night together probably happened in-or-around October.

So… putting all of these together, I think we can in fact narrow down Moxxie’s and Millie’s wedding, Bitzo’s and Stolas’s first night together AND the start of I.M.P. all to October.

Millie’s and Moxxie’s wedding, and by extension the events of Ozzie’s, Queen Bee and the present-day sections of The Circus, probably happens at the start of/early October.

Then just a few weeks, or even days, later, Blitzo tries to swipe the Grimoire and has his first night with Stolas. Heck, you want a fun theory/headcanon? What if Moxxie and Millie getting married actually spurred Blitzo into accelerating his ideas/plans for a human-assassination business and going after the Grimoire? Because he wanted to have a better business/life for Moxxie and Millie?

Which then puts the ‘moving in’ flashback from Ghostfuckers and the proper start of I.M.P. in late/end of October. I mean, given that Murder Family and a number of other episodes have released on Halloween, and given the apparent in-universe significance of the date for demons we learned about in Apology Tour, it would be rather appropriate for the Immediate Murder Professionals to have opened for business on Halloween.

And one other notable detail about Millie joining Blitzo's crew specifically a year before the proper start of I.M.P., meaning three years before the current time of the show, is that this gives us about a two year window (really more like a year and a half given Western Energy) wherein Blitzo recruited Moxxie.

Now, will any of this be actually relevant or important to the story going forward? I mean, probably not much. I imagine it's mostly just the hard-dates I mentioned at the start which establish an overall timeframe for the show that are really worth keeping in mind.

I will say that Octavia being old enough to inherit her father’s position and power does feel like a chekhov’s gun that could become important in whatever ‘Goetia Trial’ it’s looking like we’ll see in the next episode or two.

But mostly, this is just some fun analysis and ramblings.

--

*Which of course perfectly lines up with how much Octavia has been emphasized by characters and narrative alike to not be a CHILD anymore. Like as of Western Energy, she’s apparently considered fully capable, at least by law, of inheriting all of Stolas’s position, power and holdings should he die, which was the entire reason Andrealphus wanted Stella to call off her hit. Which would line up perfectly with Octavia having turned 18 sometime between then and The Circus.

[another-day]

its time for to review something i’ve been waiting for for four years now

finally, i am very happy to say, we have EPISODE IN REVIEW for the fresh new episode of SEASON TWO EPISODE 15!!!!

spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched it already!!!!

i feel like i knew where this episode was going from the start, but we’ll get there ;]

first off; taco was such an interesting character in this episode, and i’m really glad they took the time to flesh her out!!!

obviously yeah she has a whole song about her desires and all, but even through dialogue and interactions she is taken care of very well and i really appreciate that!!

her desires are still humanised even though she’s the anti-hero of the season, and i think it really shows you that she was a contestant too at one point, and she had a negative experience with the show. does this mean i don’t think she was totally manipulating the final four? not in the slightest, but its still peculiar.

this time skip had me a little confused, because from paintbrush’s statement in regard to lightbulb “missing a lot”, one can assume that season three already ended

i’m hoping this’ll be explained at some point but i’m just confused!!!

i could essentially guarantee she was going to be eliminated from this line alone, probably by her own choice. lightbulb has a tendency to fixate somewhat on things she finds important in sentences, so i knew from here.

LOOOOOK AT HIIIIIM HE’S HERE!!!!

okay but for real; this was a masterful song, and i absolutely adored all of the musical progressions and just EVERYTHING. Rheagan Rizio’s vocals were amazing and the song was totally captivating, i love it.

this scene was incredibly interesting to me, this being the moment after suitcase says she genuinely befriended balloon and didn’t do it out of spite.

its like taco forgets people have different desires, and almost believes them to reason things the same way she does, because she knows that if she were in suitcase’s situation at that point that she would’ve done it out of spite, SO INTERESTING!!!!

this was one of my favourite scenes by far, because it brings to light an underlying storyline that has been there since the beginning

knife has been trying to be a better person throughout season two, and this is where that kind of comes crashing down for him. its something so rarely brought up, but bringing it into fruition like this was a fantastic choice, especially when his beliefs of “getting better” are immediately brought down, because his “better” may not be what actually is “better” overall.

ough,,,,,, season two episode twelve parallel save me i love these two so much i had to include it

i had a feeling after episode 14 that lightbulb would be out in this episode, because she was mentally at the weakest point she’d ever been in, but now i can see how much mental strength it must’ve taken to leave behind something that has been such a constant in her life for something that she found mattered to her much more.

she’s such a wonderful character, and i know people will be upset, but she’ll be far happier like this, and that’s already made very clear in later scenes

and to finish, there he is again !!!!

i’m so happy they’re canonically friends too!!!

but overall, taco’s development has been so interesting this episode. i really think she’s starting to fully understand what she wants now, and i suppose now i can only hope she’ll actually talk to them about it next episode

i freaked when i saw this

its not the fact that mephone has his name saved only as steve cobs, but the fact that he has it saved at all.

i understand that this could just be an embedded contact from creation, but i still feel that cobs wouldn’t just put his name in as such, and that mephone wouldn’t have just deleted it by his own accord.

also the fact that COBS is calling HIM. steve cobs has been shown to show little to no interest in mephone following season one, rather focusing on his newer phone models, so what triggered this? if the timeskip is correct, then i’d like to assume its the prime shimmer that influenced him to call mephone. i dunno why, but its a thought yknow!!!

but in conclusion, this was a spectacular episode. a friend of mine screen recorded the entirety of taco’s song so i am very excited to listen to that again, and i hope to see you all next time oooooon… episode in review!!!!

[warsamongthestars]

One of the things that struck me in TBB, that after processing, immediately told me how the so called "family dynamic" worked and how it immediately grinded and gritted against fandom interpretation...

And how badly TBB really did fuck up TCWs character dynamics...

Was the episode "Common Ground". Season 1, Episode 10.

I can argue details and semantics all day, but that would require an episode by episode breakdown.

Common Ground, however, is an easy episode to point out that literally has all the flaws, in their showing, that every episode before it only inferred... and how those flaws grew afterwards in only weirder and weirder shapes.

Common Ground was when the Bad Batch were sent after a Separatist Senator, and Omega was left in Cid's bar.

There are several things to point out in this episode. Several that show case the flaws, and one that hits so closed to home that I can't, I really really can't, accept fandom interpretation of TBB family dynamics, because of.

Let's start with the flaws:

Hunter's repeated problem of expecting Omega on the team, when she's not on the team.

... One, You left here at the bar, Jackass, for safety.

... Two, goes against anything Hunter says about giving Omega a life, by immediately expecting her on mission.

... Three, Even when she's not there, she keeps having an impact on the story that isn't needed and certainly isn't wanted.

... Four, shows this nearly obsessive fixation that he never fucking gets over at any point in the show. A fixation that costs even Omega.. and I'll get to that one.

... Five, you think this about Omega, but Not about Crosshair.

Number Five on the above, is another one--The total lack of any group conflict or battlefield failure, thanks to losing a vital member of the team, Crosshair.

It only comes up here when its about the kid, who absolutely shouldn't have any reason to be on the battlefield at all. ( SHE'S LIKE FUCKING NINE YEARS OLD)

It is only roughly inferred by previous episodes (and only if you're looking for it), but for some reason, the Bad Batch never seems to suffer losing Crosshair or their Sniper, and no attempt as exploring what his duties were or what he meant to the team, is ever brought up.

The constant giving of his position and objects to Omega, really makes Omega into his Replacement, if not a full on team rebound.

And this is never explored. 3 Seasons are done now, and it was NEVER EXPLORED. Oh yes there was the Cross and Hunter confrontation, but that wasn't a confrontation, that was a pissing contest until the monster showed up. Every confrontation had been a pissing contest, because this show cannot write meaningful communication that isn't about the golden child donut steel or isn't a pun or one-liner.

Even TCWs would communicate meaningful, even when it was being funny.

Personally, if a team I had grown comfortable with, knew the dynamics of, relied on and was relied on whilst as a teammate, and had been with FOR YEARS-- decided that after my mindcontrolled zombie ass was taken / kidnapped and had gods knew what done to me... if they decided to replace me immediately with someone a quarter of my age with no training but having all my duties... I would be beyond pissed.

I would frankly never return to this group again, and would go out of my way to avoid them, will curse them for the rest of my fucking life. That sort of thing would destroy any relationships, and forget healing and repair and any communication--this right there would pretty much tell me that, the thing that was beyond my control, allowed my team the excuse to remove me entirely.

Forget trying to save me, it was easier to replace me and nobody gave a shit.

So yeah, that's another major flaw this episode brought up.

The regulation of Echo into bitchy sidepiece.

Nothing Echo says or does has any meaning in this episode. The Bad Batch don't listen to him, he doesn't do anything of import, and y'know, this kind of episode should have been an Echo Episode.

It should have been Echo centric.

Why? Because if there is anyone established in the Bad Batch group that would have a cow and character conflict with helping Seppies, it'd be Echo.

He was tortured, forcefully changed, and made into a weapon against his nation, his ideals and his brothers.

Confronting a Seppie Leader or a Seppie mission would be the perfect opportunity to dive into the character of Echo and his past conflicts.

But what does this episode do? Regulate him into bitchy side piece, and proving that the Bad Batch does not really give one shit about their brothers.

They already replaced Crosshair, so losing Echo wouldn't have been no skin off their teeth.

( So much for the TCWs team that adopted Echo because they knew how to care for them. Fuck them I guess--let's have these apathetic cardboard cutouts instead, OH LOOK AT THAT ONELINER THEY PULLED ISNT THAT AWESOME )

Exactly what do Tech and Wrecker do in this episode exactly?

Y'know, Tech and Wrecker were memorable in TCWs. But I can't seem to remember what they did here exactly that made them stand out. In fact, you could cut out Tech, Wrecker, and Echo, and leave the episode (as is) to Hunter alone, and the same shit would still be relevant.

In fact, that's pretty much a lot of TBB anyway. They removed Crosshair, and not a damn thing happened. They removed Echo, and not a damn thing happened. They removed Tech, and not a damn thing happened.

( Oh yeah, they pasted Echo back in a few times, cos y'know, Hunter's skillset means fuck all comparison to that written obsession of his )

Might as well have removed Wrecker too, they sure as hell didn't give him any satisfying endings or even character arc. Oh yeah, he's real cute when with Omega--but tell me exactly how interesting and important a MAIN character is if they're are only defined by how they look when in frame with another character.

Okay. Now, for the last one, and the personal bit.

Hunter yelling at Omega at the Bar.

Look, I like Omega as a character. My issue with here is what she represents in the narrative, how the narrative treats her, and what is spent in order to make her a good character. I would adore her more if she was a side character or side kick instead, someone who's really is meant is to define the main characters and add an extra dynamic or aspect--and maybe star in an episode or two to really get to know the side character.

The narrative treats her too much like the end all be all in everything, even in adult conflicts, and Treats that as a Good Thing.

Time for the personal stuff...

As someone who had once been a child, dragged into adult situations against both my health and my will, and worse, relied on by adults (who were suppose to nurture Me) for emotional support at cost and under threat either by forces outside or forces inside, especially after being sheltered and having been taught no skills but being expected to have those skills anyway, never once being taught communication but being expected to communicate and under a hierarchy of "Do what I say and anything to the contrary is Your Fault"--I know Omega's situation when applied to the Real World.

( Obviously I never ran from governments, never flew in space, and I sure as hell didn't have super duper genome brothers in the millions. But I did have one real shit homelife and its amazing what can translate to and from metaphor. )

( And how all the sudden, how I can have a really fucking hatred for shit writing, and writers who thought it was a good idea. )

You don't turn into a hero at the end of that journey. You don't even really get a sense of self until far into your own adulthood. Most of the time, the biggest quest of the day is getting out of bed or off the laptop to do even the most basic of things for one's self.

Now personal stuff over...

Omega is, like, nine. She was already left in a seedy place. She's young enough to trust adults without issue to any perceived flaws, because she wouldn't know what minor red flags look like.

And because she's really good at strategizing a game (cos apparently we couldn't allow Echo to do that, who was explicitly captured because he was THE stradegist), the local adult that she was entrusted to, exploits her ability to do so against potentially hundreds of customers.

And while this had benefits, cos it cleared the family debt (... for now), this was still exploitation of a child by an adult.

Then the Bad Batch return, and what does Hunter do? Give Omega her rights for causing attention. Even though she is Nine, and clearly, she couldn't possibly advertise for so many people, and frankly, probably couldn't say No either.

(And given the Racing episode that occurs in Season 2, Hunter Only does this to Omega ).

Sure, Hunter gets the "you're being an asshole" treatment and things seemingly clear up by the end of the episode.

But do you honestly thing that an apology game is how you remedy that sort of fuck up? That maybe, there should've been commutation about how the local seedy barkeeper is probably the last person you want to leave your kid with?

That y'know, an exspec ops super mutant might know a thing or two about communication and trust and enviromental awareness?

OR THAT MAYBE YOU SHOULD REALLY STOP GOING ON COMBAT MISSIONS AND JUST FUCKING LEAVE ALREADY!? YOUR DEBT IS PAID, GO AWAY, LEAVE, GET OUT, DO SO NOW.

Common Grounds, as an episode, highlights why the TBB doesn't work. Its not a case of "But only THIS episode is Bad and can be Ignored!" because Common Grounds highlights the prime elements of TBB, which are its many flaws.

Its underutilized characters, its total lack of environmental awareness, the emphasis on the super duper oc donut steel, and worse, its utter inability to bother reaching out to its audience unless its to twist a knife in.

( Just look at what they did to poor Tech. )

It doesn't try to be a hostile narrative, in fact its really good at being hostile to its characters and its environment, but it doesn't work any good without attempting to tarnish or ruin that good and it never considers what a positive step looks like that doesn't involve it coming off as shallow or excuse based--it overdoes Chandler's Law.

It is Common Grounds for Negligence.

... ( and I wasn't totally thinking about how that ending came together, but fuck, that checks. )

[lizaluvsthis]

How was the episode?

Once Upon an SMG4 and... gay theories-

*METAL PIPE SOUND EFFECT*

WHAT DO YOU THINK????

Oh- I think many of you guys miss how I hyperfixate some stuff out- sorry if I kinda missed some chances on using it to PV's-

I got mind block atm so I may or may not have much theories-

Spoiler theory-thoughts incoming...

I knew that Three was self aware from the beginning. I wish everyone of four's crew would break the reality. We're not even sure if this is THE crew we're watching on. Or these are fake?

He knows. Not a bit long enough for him to realize that whatever he's doing is for PV's desires to make the show on forward.

We didn't get any shots for tari. Where is tari? Where is she? Shes not here yet? Where couldve she'd been gone off to?

She knows how simulations work.

Perhaps pv kept her back to where she was trapped? During the time on that train?

What if she's locked in a prison? Or keeping herself busy with something?

Theres a high possible chance that Tari escaped and will be helping rest of her friends regain their conciousness back again. (By having a talking metallic arm she has- I think Clench might be the one who can help Tari)

Lets all say that everyone is asleep. And PV is doing literally everything to place the crew off character roles from each stories.

Meanwhile they're all trying to fight it off.

Just like how Three did. Remember when I created a hyper fixation about Three being self aware during Western Spaghetti, which whom he said he'd been asleep for a hundred years that felt like it.

Almost too real for him that he jinxed it-

Now that he's trying to wake himself up from this nightmare hole, he couldn't escape.

Can tari save everyone again? Will they fail? Who knows? Its only been 2 episodes for PuzzleVision's videos. Its 2 out of 3 more.

I'm pulling out that I guessed right. It was bob. Since I had a HUGE feeling that it might be bob than PV on that role.

"I wish we could all escapre from here..."

Smg4 is seen to be grinning a little. Is it because his concious mind says "he did it." ?

Is it because Four couldn't do anything because of PV? And that only Three can? Maybe four realized? Started coming back from everyones thoughts that- THIS ISNT REAL. THEY HAVE TO WAKE UP.

Besides from the main characters- what about the other people? Saiko? SMG1? SMG2? (Actually i think they both retired but who knows if they can both save the crew- high chance but not sure-) swag? Chris? Anyone at all? Where the heck is eggdog and Beeg?

They're not here- to who PV victimed. Bowser is also included. He was also shown in western spaghetti. Just like how he was also trapped with the rest. Would this possibly happen to the others if they tried to interfier with PV's job?

I mean- I dunno man-

[starleska]

[oh hey ig what im talking about may still be new. Uh. Maybe slight spoilers for Avery Pokémon’s Sync Pair Story in Pokemon Masters EX?]

Star, I must repent. I think I followed you at the tail end of your Avery obsession. I must admit, I did NOT get it, I did not see The Vision™️

But things changed, you may already know, but I downloaded that mobile Pokémon game, Pokemon Masters EX, bc I’m broke and know no other option; Avery was put in the game…like…yestetday?; I go “OO! Star’s guy!”; I obtain Avery; etcetera etcetera, yada yada

It’s 5am, I’m sitting someone else’s house with little to do bc I was watching a family’s dogs while they were on a weekend trip. I open the app and decide to play the little side story for Avery bc ofc I love the 💖Lore💖 and thought it’d be cool to gain clues on who he is (bc there’s no introductions in the game, really. You just go in and they expect you to already know these guys…I, in fact, know none of these guys).

Avery greets the player and starts briefly talking about his powers, his family, his Slowpoke, gym leading, etc. (probably just referencing what already happened in Shield but-) and I’m like “…omg…he is lovely <3”

and. then I see him “teleport”. For the first time…I…HE DID SAY “oh I was supposed to have all these powers but only got Telekinesis” BUT. I WASNT . I WAS NOT READY. I DON’T KNOW WHAT I WAS EXPECTING!!!! BUT IT WASNT THAT TURN AROUND AND FULL SPRINT AWAY INTO THE NIGHT, LEAVING THREE (3) OF HIS POKEMON JUST SITTING IN FRONT OF ME, VIBING

I don’t remember what noises I made, but whatever it was, I startled awake all four of the dogs I was watching. I was almost SOBBING. That got me so bad. I still look up at the ceiling everytime I think about it.

Tragically, my YouTube search history is rapidly becoming a mess as I try to find every compilation of this guy ever,

bahahahahaha YES!!!!!! WELCOME TO THE AVERY CULT!!!!! oh it's so funny that as roach brainrot takes over my whole being, Avery finally gets you. we really can't control when that little light switches on and makes us insane, can we? 🙈💖

gosh i ought to check this Pokemon Masters EX game out-

MY LOVE!!!!!!! 🙈💖🙈💖🙈💖 OHHH so that's why i've seen so much gorgeous art of Avery over on Twitter over the last week!!! i thought people were just finally waking up to what a handsome and funny guy he is 🥰💖 i'm so, so happy he's become your husband too...you have to be confronted with what an elegant little weirdo he is to truly fall victim to his charm!! (i'm not gonna lie when i read you calling Avery 'Star's guy' i got so giggly 🙈🙈 now he's OUR guy!!!) oh my god. TELEPORT IS WHAT GOT YOU???? i'm in PIECES 😂😂😂 we love our silly fellas with a big slice of pathetic, don't we. bless his heart he's so troubled and has so much familial angst yet is equal parts bishie bully and ready to break down in tears at ANY second!! when did he start doing the teleport thing, do you think? has anyone ever told him how ridiculous(ly pretty) he looks? 😖💖💖💖 that art you've drawn of yourself is making my sides shake that is EXACTLY how i felt when i first saw Avery. just one look at his outfit and i was absolutely gone 😭😭 omg my goddd though Kayleigh McKee, his voice actress in Masters EX, does such an amazing job, i'm gobsmacked!!! i was kicking my legs hearing him laugh so haughtily 🥴💖 hufjgk i would kill to have him in a longer anime episode please good lord...!!! Mr Big Hat over here would be so terribly smug to know he's gotten you all flustered 🥴💖 very much looking forward to the inevitable ship art of yourself and Avery (and of course your other Pokéblorbos, because we can never have just one!! 🥰)...gosh you're making me want to draw him!!this is that time where i promote the hell out of my extremely talented friends who've drawn lovely art of Avery and my OC Nix (AKA Crystelekinesisshipping 😉): art by @/mruuhaha, art by @/MrKlausSelfShip, and art by @theredmists 🥰🥰 and to feed your little Avery fixation, i made this silly little AMV for him when in the throes of my own 🔥 lying down, blood on my face. there are too. many. pretty. characters. in the world. how dare you bring Avery back i am trying to rizz up a French bugman 😂😂 Lorelei, it is a pleasure as always!!! thank you for bearing with me while i've been crushed in fixation hell, you're a champion and i am IMMENSELY looking forward to reading through your Avery brainrot backlog 😉

[zizzlekwum]

Stranger In A Not-So-Strange Land

Masterlist

CHAPTER TWO

Reid suspects a kid who reached out to him for help is a serial killer when he talks about killing prostitutes. Follows the events of Criminal Minds Season 2 Episode 11 “Sex, Birth, Death.”

Trigger Warnings: talks of suicide and suicidal ideation; non-graphic suicide attempt of side character

Word Count: 7,360

Tag List: @leftoverenvy @itsmeanobody @ctrljuls @theclassicgaycousin [if you want to be added to the tag list, please comment or send me an ask]

You’re walking away from the coffee machine, mug in hand, as Reid rushes by you. “What’s the rush, Reid?” you ask.

“Oh, hey guys,” JJ says, coming around the corner.

“JJ, who’s your contact at the DC police?” Reid asks, walking quickly to his desk, writing in his notebook.

“Uh, Victor Barnes,” JJ replies as you follow him. “Why? You need me to call him?”

Reid ignores her, grabbing the phones at his desk and dialing. “Hi, Detective Barnes, please.”

“What’s wrong?” Gideon asks from behind you.

Reid points at his notebook. “Need to get that to everybody as soon as possible,” he says. “Uh, hi, Detective Barnes. This is Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid at the Behavioral Analysis Unit at Quantico. Have you had any recent murders involving prostitutes, maybe just Jane Does? They would’ve been stabbed to death and their hair would’ve been cut off by the killer.”

JJ gives you a look. What’s going on? She mouths. You shrug.

“When was the most recent victim?” Reid asks over the phone. “I’ll explain when I see you. I’ll meet you in a half hour.” He hangs up the phone.

“What’s going on?” Gideon asks.

“DC may have a serial killer,” Reid says. “And I think I just let him get away.”

“What?” you say. “What do you mean?”

“There was this kid, he came up to me at the subway. He said he went to my lecture about how we caught the Mill Creek killer. He started asking questions, and then asked what it would mean if someone cut the hair off of a prostitute after killing them.”

“That’s… not good,” you say bluntly, unsure what else to say.

“He walked away before I could get his name,” Reid says. “I’m going to go meet with the detective.”

“We’ll come with you,” Gideon says, nodding at you. You follow Reid to the elevator and down to the SUV. Gideon drives.

* * * * *

When you get to the ME’s office, Detective Barnes is already there, standing next to the covered body of who you assume is the dead prostitute. After introductions are made, he moves to uncover the victim’s head. “We found her four days ago in an alley off of K Street,” the detective says. “Still no ID.”

Hotch walks in. “Hey, just got your message.”

“Aaron Hotchner, Vic Barnes,” Gideon introduces them.

“Hi,” Hotch says, nodding to the detective. “What have we got?”

“This is the second victim,” Reid tells him. “The first one was killed three months ago.”

“Both in the early morning,” you add.

“Both had their hair chopped?” Hotch asks.

Detective Barnes nods. “Uniform didn’t make the connection because he was fixated on this.” He pulls the sheet farther down to expose the victim’s belly, where ‘HELP’ has been carved into her skin.

“The first victim didn’t have anything carved on her, I assume?” you ask.

“Just a routine Jane Doe,” the detective says, shaking his head.

“Take a look,” Gideon says, pointing to the cuts. “A lot are shallow. They’re hesitation marks. He’s not certain he wants to be killing.”

“Makes you think the message he carved is sincere,” Reid adds. “He’s asking the police to help him stop.”

“Fits with your kid, seeking you out,” Gideon says. “Part of him wants to get caught.”

Reid shakes his head. “I let him go, I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault, Reid,” you tell him. “I know you didn’t do it on purpose. We’ll find him.”

“If both murders took place in the morning, how come there were no witnesses?” Hotch asks.

Detective Barnes sighs. “The motels and alleys around the Capitol are notorious. People go out of their way not to look.”

You finish up the conversation before heading back to the BAU. When you get there, Hotch tells you, Morgan, and Prentiss to go canvas the streets where the bodies were found and see if anyone recognizes Reid’s sketch.

* * * * *

“So the kid just happened to have a conversation with a serial killer on his way to work?” Morgan asks as he drives. You’re in the back behind Prentiss in the passenger seat.

“Seems like it,” you confirm.

“That’s weird, even for us,” Prentiss says. You hum in agreement.

“Weird just seems to find us,” Morgan notes, pulling up to the curb. The three of you exit the vehicle and begin to look around. You split up, Morgan going in one direction and you and Prentiss in the other, looking for someone who might know something. Not everyone is eager to talk to you, afraid you’re here to arrest them, but you finally find a girl to talk to. She looks barely eighteen. You introduce yourselves and begin to ask her questions.

“Business is pretty heavy here in the mornings?” Prentiss asks.

The girl bites her bottom lip, looking skeptical. “How do I know you’re not just lookin’ to crack down on us?” she asks.

“Because we’re telling you. We’re here trying to protect you,” you tell her. Morgan walks up behind you, inspecting the dumpster, as another woman, presumably a friend of the girl you’re talking to, goes to her side.

The girl sighs. “A lot of johns from the hill stop by on their way to work,” she explains.

Her friend jumps in. “We always say the same politicians yellin’ about cleanin’ up the hill are the ones droppin’ fifty bucks with us before they make the speech.”

“It’s true,” the first girl says. “And the more important they think they are, the quicker they accidentally finish up with us. It’s weird like that.”

“No, that’s pretty much universal,” Prentiss says. You snort.

Morgan fights a smile, holding up Reid’s sketch. “You recognize him at all?”

“I don’t know his name or nothin,’” the girl says.

Her friend shrugs. “He hangs around, tries to pretend like he’s not watching us. He’s just a horny kid, you know.”

“You didn’t see him talking to any of the other girls out here?” you ask.

The woman shrugs again. “I just figured he’s the kind, gets his little bit of danger, and goes home and takes business into his own hands.”

“Is he the one who did this?” the first girl asks.

“We don’t know,” you tell her.

“But someone did,” Prentiss adds. “So you need to be careful.”

The woman nods. “We stick to the daylight and only work the high-end blocks.”

Prentiss eyes the first girl. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-one,” she says immediately. Prentiss glances at Morgan then back at the girl, shaking her head. “Fine, nineteen,” the girl admits.

“Just watch out for each other, okay?” Prentiss says.

They nod and begin to walk away.

“Well, if he is the killer, they obviously don’t see him as a threat,” Prentiss notes to you and Morgan as you walk back to the SUV.

“Looks can be deceiving,” you say, opening the back door and getting in.

“Don’t we know it,” Morgan says, sliding into the driver’s seat. He begins to drive back to the BAU as you continue to discuss the case.

* * * * *

When you get to the office, Hotch is in his office with a woman, so you all go to your desks to wait for him to be done. When the woman walks out, she notices Prentiss and makes a beeline for her, giving her a hug. They exchange pleasantries as you notice Hotch watching from the behind the window of his office, a solemn look on his face. Swallowing, you decide to go let Morgan and Prentiss fill Hotch in, and you head to Garcia’s office to see what she’s doing.

“This is impossible,” you hear Reid say before you enter the room.

“What’s impossible?” you ask.

“Finding this kid with how little we have,” Reid explains.

“It’s not impossible,” Garcia insists.

“There’s nothing in the juvenile offender records,” Reid argues.

Garcia shrugs. “So you think like a high school kid.”

“I was twelve, and I hadn’t been through puberty when I was in high school,” Reid tells her.

“Don’t look at me,” you say. “I was a loner who ate lunch in the computer lab.”

Garcia sighs. “Okay, reset. I think like a high school student. You guys think like profilers.” You both nod. “He said he was a junior, right?” Reid nods. “Okay, so the first rule of the teen years— when talking to an authority figure, always lie and say you’re older. He’s probably a sophomore.”

“Okay,” Reid says. “His coat was lamb’s wool, but it didn’t look vintage. It… fit like it had been tailored to him. That means money.”

“In DC, money means private school,” you add.

“Even a lie has to be within the depth of your own experience, right?” Reid asks.

“Fair enough, fair enough,” Garcia says, nodding.

“Uh….” Reid thinks for a second. “Pull up the district that serves Northwest High.” Garcia begins typing. “Are there any private schools within those boundaries?”

“Uh, three,” Garcia says.

“Do any of them offer elective courses at Georgetown?” Reid asks.

Garcia’s computer beeps. “One. The Morton School.”

“Pull up the junior class,” Reid says.

“Sophomore class,” you correct. Garcia smiles and begins scrolling through the pictures of students as Reid looks over her shoulder.

“Wait wait, stop. There,” Reid says, pointing.

Garcia blows up the picture. “Nathan Harris.”

“We got him,” Reid says, sounding surprised.

“I’ll go tell Hotch,” you say. “And Garcia? You’re awesome.”

“You know it,” she says, smiling at you as you exit the room, heading for Hotch’s office.

You knock on the open door before stepping inside. “Hotch? We have a name.”

He stands up from his desk chair. “Great. I’ll have Gideon and Morgan go with Reid to talk to him. You stay here with Prentiss and JJ.”

You nod. “Got it.” You walk back to your desk and sit down, sighing. You turn on the computer at your desk and begin researching more crime statistics while you wait.

* * * * *

When Gideon, Morgan, and Reid get back, Nathan Harris and his mother walking behind them, they bring Nathan right to the interrogation room while JJ takes his mother to a conference room. You head to the observation room to watch the interrogation.

“Nathan, if you didn’t do it, how’d you know the details of the murder?” Morgan asks.

“‘Cause I saw the body,” Nathan answers. “It was early. It was before school. She-she was dressed in red. She’d been stabbed a lot, and her hair was all chopped off.”

“Where was that?” Morgan asks, leaning on the table as Reid sits in the chair across from Nathan.

“In an alley off of K Street,” Nathan tells him. “They take men down there for sex, I see ‘em do it all the time.”

“What were you doing down there?” This time, it’s Reid who asks the question.

Nathan shakes his head. “I don’t know, I just sort of… end up there sometimes, you know? I-I-I stay out all night, and I just come back in the morning, and if my mom’s at work, I don’t even bother coming home.”

Reid sighs. “Why didn’t you call the police?”

“I don’t know,” Nathan says, shrugging.

Morgan takes a breath. “Nathan, the prostitutes I talked to say you watch them.”

“I’ve never touched them,” Nathan insists.

“You fantasize about having sex with them?” Morgan asks.

Nathan sighs. “No, I told you, I think about killing them.” Morgan and Reid share a look. “Look, after the lecture, I saw you at the metro stop a few times, and I thought maybe you could help me.”

“How?” Reid asks.

“I don’t know,” Nathan answers. “I saw that body and I felt excited and that really scared me.”

“Is it possible that you actually killed those prostitutes, but you just don’t want to admit it to yourself?”

“No,” Nathan says with finality.

“Then why’d you run away from me?” Reid asks.

“‘Cause… I don’t know, I thought you’d say I was crazy and there was no way to stop it.”

Morgan and Reid look at each other again before standing and exiting the room. You walk over to them.

“Wow,” you say.

“Yeah,” Morgan says, sighing.

“What are you gonna tell the mother?” you ask.

“I want to hold him overnight,” Morgan says. “Just in case.” He walks up to where Gideon and Nathan’s mother are sitting. They stand as Morgan approaches. “Ma’am,” Morgan starts, “we’d like to let the juvenile authorities hold him overnight so we can do a psychological evaluation.”

Nathan’s mother looks at him in shock, shaking her head. “I can’t believe this is real.”

“Well, right now it’s just an evaluation,” Gideon tells her. “I’d encourage Nathan to have a lawyer present.”

“I don’t know what he’s going through, but the Nathan I know is a sweet boy,” Nathan’s mother insists.

Reid nods. “I believe you.”

“Do we have your permission?” Gideon asks. Nathan’s mother sighs and nods.

“I’ll show you where to sign the paperwork,” Reid says, walking away with the mother just as Prentiss comes over.

“The juvenile authorities are waiting for Nathan Harris,” she tells Gideon.

“He’s in interrogation,” Gideon says.

Prentiss nods. “Is he our unsub?”

Morgan shakes his head. “I don’t know.”

“I don’t think so,” you chime in. “I think he’s just scared of his mind.”

“He says he didn’t do it,” Morgan adds. “He actually seems sincere. But he’s a smart kid. And part of the sexual-sadist profile is the ability to mimic honesty and sincerity.” Morgan shrugs and walks away.

“Well, I’m going to go bring Nathan to the juvenile authorities,” Prentiss tells you.

“I’ll come with you,” you say, walking next to her. “Not like there’s anything else for me to do.”

She opens the door to the interrogation room and steps inside. “The police are here for you,” she tells Nathan, who nods and stands. The two of you escort him down the hall.

“Dr. Reid?” Nathan says as you approach Reid and the authorities.

“Yeah?” Reid says. Prentiss nods at you and walks away. You move to stand next to where Garcia is sitting on the corner of Reid’s desk.

“I know I, um, don’t deserve any favors,” Nathan says, “but whatever my psych eval says, you promise you’ll tell me the truth?” Reid nods. “Uh, my mom says a promise doesn’t count unless you say it out loud.”

Reid chuckles. “I promise.”

Nathan nods. “Okay, thank you.” The juvenile authorities escort him out of the room.

“You know,” Garcia says, “he might’ve killed two women. It’s not your job to hold his hand through this.”

Reid sighs. “It’s like with my mom. I used to think that is I could just understand absolutely everything there is to know about schizophrenia, then I’d somehow be able to fix it.” Your heart hurts for him.

Garcia smiles sadly. “You can’t.” She opens her mouth to say something else, but is interrupted by Hotch.

“Hey guys, I need everybody in the conference room. If Nathan Harris isn’t our unsub, we need a working profile.” You nod and follow him to the conference room, sparing a sad glance back at Reid. When you get there, JJ is standing in front of the TV screen, which is displaying pictures of the victims.

“DC Police sent us these photos of the first victim,” she says as you take a seat next to Prentiss.

“This was the unsub’s first kill,” Hotch says as JJ flips through the photos on the screen. “He held his urges in check for three months, and when he couldn’t control them anymore, he sent this message to the police.” JJ clicks to the picture of the second victim’s carved belly. “We know the ‘HELP’ and the hesitation marks mean he was ambivalent about the kill. What we don’t know is why he chopped the hair.”

“It’s weird that he didn’t take it with him, right?” you say. “Means it’s not a trophy.”

“It’s probably a way to minimize some of their power, robs them of their femininity,” Gideon says.

“That fits with him killing during the early morning,” Reid notes. “It’s the time when prostitutes have the least power sexually as opposed to the night, when he might see them as being on the prowl.”

“Hey, I know we’re just spitballing this here, but this profile points to Nathan Harris,” Prentiss says.

“I don’t wanna talk about Nathan Harris,” Hotch says.

“She’s right, though,” you say.

Morgan nods. “He reached out for help. This is an adolescent kid. He’s probably intimidated sexually. I don’t care how many times he says he didn’t do it, he knew about the last victim, and he admitted to getting off on seeing her dead.”

“We’ve got Nathan Harris. It doesn’t do us any good to talk about him now,” Hotch insists. “I just wanna make sure that if it’s not him, we stay on top of this thing before it takes on a life of it’s own.”

“All right, all right, all right, all right,” Gideon says. “We know our unsub is a sexual sadist.

“The symbolism of stabbing them probably means that he’s impotent,” Prentiss adds.

“The only way he can get off is by killing,” Morgan says.

“Considering that cutting their hair and killing during the early morning, both stem from feeling powerless, there’s a chance his pathology’s more than sexual,” Reid says.

“What do you mean?” you ask, frowning.

“This is DC. Power’s the most important commodity,” Reid notes. “Maybe this guy feels impotent in his professional life, as well.”

“But why these particular women?” Morgan asks.

“Simplest answer is that he has access,” Reid answers.

“Well, Northwest DC has three major hubs of prostitution— near Florida Avenue, off Logan Circle, and McPherson Square,” JJ tells you, drawing up a map of the area with her remote. “Where the victims were found.”

“Probably works in or around Capitol Hill,” Gideon concludes.

“Well, I’ll go back out on the street in the morning and see if any of these women know someone who fits that description,” Prentiss says.

“I’ll come with,” you say. She nods.

“Good,” Hotch says. “It’s late. Let’s go home.”

JJ frowns. “Um, shouldn’t we get word out to the papers?”

“Not yet,” Hotch says.

“Well, it’s not too late to make the morning edition,” JJ reminds him.

“I said no,” Hotch says firmly, turning and walking away. JJ shares a look with you as you follow him, going to your desk to grab your things before heading home.

* * * * *

In the morning, you and Prentiss meet up at the BAU before driving together to the area you spoke with the women yesterday. When you get there, a new alley is taped off with yellow crime scene tape.

“Looks like Nathan Harris isn’t our unsub,” you say as you exit the SUV. You and Prentiss cross the crime scene tape and find yourselves faced with the body of the girl you talked to yesterday. A new word is carved into her stomach.

“‘Failure,’” Prentiss reads. “You think he’s talking to the police?”

You shrug. “It would fit with his last message. A failure to help him stop killing.”

Prentiss reaches down and takes out the victim’s wallet. She sighs, shaking her head. “She was only sixteen.”

Morgan, Reid, and Hotch walk up behind you. “He’s getting angrier and blaming the police for not stopping his impulses,” Hotch says as Morgan crouches down next to Prentiss.

“Certainly not cooling off between kills anymore,” Reid notes.

“Which means we’re looking at a whole lot of bodies,” Morgan says solemnly.

“Meanwhile, in two days, Congresswoman Steyer’s gonna stand up at the Capitol and declare Washington crime-free,” Hotch says.

“That seems a little premature,” you say.

“Hey, what did she want with you the other day, anyway?” Prentiss asks Hotch. You try to make eye contact with her to get her to drop the question but fail.

“It was a private conversation,” Hotch says, his voice short.

Prentiss nods. “Right, of course. I’m sorry.”

“Well, this just confirms Nathan Harris isn’t our unsub,” Morgan says.

Prentiss nods. “Y/L/N said the same thing. Should we call Gideon and tell him not to bother with the eval?”

“No,” Reid says. “He wants to understand what’s happening to him. He deserves to know.”

“Probably a good thing to go through with it, anyway— see if we have anything to worry about in the future,” you add.

Hotch nods. “Let’s head back to the office. There’s nothing left for us here.”

*   *   *   *   *

Back at the BAU, you sit down at your desk as Hotch turns to Prentiss. “Can I see you in my office for a second, please?” She nods and follows him up the stairs as you grimace, figuring he’s still upset about her asking about his meeting with the Congresswoman.

You fidget in your seat as you wait for her to exit Hotch’s office, fighting the urge to look in that direction. When she does come and sit down at her desk across from you, she’s frowning.

“If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think it was about you,” you tell her quietly. “He’s been weird ever since the Congresswoman talked to him in his office the other day.”

Prentiss sighs, leaning back in her chair and stretching. “I don’t think he trusts me.”

“He will,” you assure her, frowning. “And I know that for a fact.”

She chuckles. “Oh, you do, do you?”

You shoot her a grin. “From another universe, remember? I know things,” you say with a wink, gesturing to yourself.

“Don’t remind me,” she tells you, smiling. “You’ll give me an existential crisis every time I remember I’m just a character in some TV show.”

Laughing, you shake your head. “The way I look at it is that the creator of that TV show was just able to somehow see into this universe and just thought it was an original idea. Does that make it better?”

She nods contemplatively, chewing her bottom lip. “That does make sense,” she says slowly. “At least, as much as any of this whole situation makes sense.”

*   *   *   *   *

The rest of the day drags on, and right when you’re about to leave for the night, Reid gets a call from Nathan Harris’ mother, telling him that Nathan isn’t in his room. You volunteer to go with Reid and Morgan to look for him.

“He’s gotta be out here, right?” Reid says from the passenger seat as Morgan slowly drives down the streets where Nathan had said he watches the prostitutes, looking for the boy. “Where else would he be?”

“No, I agree,” you tell him, peering out the window of the SUV to see if you can spot him.

“I still can’t believe his mother’s not out here searching for him,” Morgan says.

“I told her it’d be better if she waited for him at home,” Reid says.

Morgan glances over at Reid. “Reid, you know this is not your responsibility.”

“It is,” Reid argues. “I-I can’t explain.”

“Well, maybe just try,” you say.

Reid sighs. “He knows I understand him.”

“Of course you do, you’re a profiler,” Morgan says.

“No, it’s more than that,” Reid tells you.

“How so?” you ask.

Reid is silent for a moment before answering. “I know what it’s like to be afraid of your own mind.” No one says anything for a minute before he decides to change the subject. “What’s up with Hotch today?”

Morgan chuckles. “I don’t know. Maybe he tied that knot in his tie a little too tight again.”

You and Reid laugh. “Funny,” you tell Morgan, still smiling. “But seriously, I was just talking to Prentiss about how he’s been off ever since his meeting with that Congresswoman yesterday.”

“Isn’t she the one who introduced that anti-crime bill a few months ago?” Reid points out.

“You know what, I think you’re right,” Morgan says.

“If so, it makes sense,” you say. “She probably heard that we have a potential serial killer in DC and wants it kept quiet so it doesn’t look like her initiative isn’t working.”

“I—” Morgan starts to say something but is interrupted by his phone ringing. He flips it open and puts it to his ear. “Yeah.” There’s a pause. “Okay. We’re on our way.” He closes his cell phone and sighs, glancing at Reid. “They just found a body.”

“At night?” You frown. “Either the unsub is devolving, or….” You don’t finish, but you’re sure they both know what you mean: or it was Nathan Harris.

You’re at the scene in less that two minutes since you were already in the area. You follow Morgan and Reid up the steps to find the victim lying in a pool of her own blood, a dark red spot on her abdomen greatly contrasting with the white fabric of her dress. Gideon is already there, looking down at the body.

“I’d say he’s getting bolder,” Morgan notes.

Gideon glances at him, frowning. “If it’s the same unsub.”

“Think it could’ve been Nathan?” Reid asks.

“This kill was fast and messy,” Gideon says.

You motion towards the victim’s head. “Her hair wasn’t cut.”

“No message carved,” Morgan adds.

“Not to mention killing at night.” Gideon shakes his head. “None of it’s our unsub’s signature.”

An officer comes up the stairs behind us. “Excuse me, Agent? They found the boy you’re looking for.”

You, Morgan, and Reid move to follow the officer. He leads you down the stairs and across the street to a church. “Says he’s been here four hours,” he reports as you all step inside. You spot Nathan sitting in a pew. He doesn’t turn around.

Reid moves to sit next to him. “You had a lot of people worried.”

“Sorry,” Nathan says, slowly looking over at Reid.

“Told that policeman that you’ve been here four hours?” Reid asks carefully.

Nathan sighs, looking down at his lap. “I snuck out, and I started walking, like I couldn’t control it, so… I figured I’d come here and try and fight it.”

“Has anybody seen you here?” Reid asks.

“It doesn’t matter, anyway,” Nathan says, shaking his head.

“But it does matter, Nathan. A woman was stabbed tonight, and nobody saw you.” Reid pauses. “I’m gonna have to bring you in as a suspect.”

Nathan doesn’t react, seeming resigned to the outcome. “You gonna cuff me?” he says finally, looking at Reid. Reid turns his attention to Morgan, who slowly takes out his handcuffs and hands them to Reid.

Reid takes the cuffs, standing. “Let’s go,” he says to Nathan quietly.

Nathan stands and holds out his hands. “Do you wanna know what I’ve been doing all night?” Reid hums in response, placing the handcuffs over Nathan’s wrists. “Just been sitting here, thinking… the only way for me to save people’s lives in the future… is to kill myself.”

Reid doesn’t answer, instead leading Nathan out the door and into the back of the SUV.

* * * * *

After you, Morgan, and Reid drop Nathan Harris off at the police station, you head back to the BAU. Reid goes straight to the coffee machine and makes himself a coffee. You and Gideon wait for him before making to walk back to your desks.

“So, Nathan’s in custody?” JJ comes up from behind you and walks beside Reid.

“They’re holding him downtown,” Reid tells her.

“You really think he killed that last woman?” she asks.

“It’s possible….”

“But…?” JJ prompts.

Reid sighs. “Nathan’s evolving. This last kill, it feels like a devolution.”

“It was sloppy and angry,” Gideon adds as he starts up the stairs to the conference room. “Nathan’s smart and directed. He’s used to achieving. If he decides to kill, it’ll be clinical and efficient.”

“So where does that leave us?” JJ says.

Gideon sighs. “Back to the profile.”

You all take your seats around the table in the conference room, the rest of the team already there. Hotch clicks the remote, pulling up a picture of the first victim. “First victim, he gets a taste for killing,” Hotch says before changing the photo to show the second victim. “Second, he asks the police to help stop him. By the third, he feels like they’re failed him. He’s already devolving. The fourth, no ritual, no message. Just a brutal murder.”

“It’s true that he’s devolving, but this last victim definitely had a message,” Gideon counters. “You don’t dump a body across from the Capitol building by accident.”

“Especially not when a Congresswoman is about to proclaim success against the crime epidemic,” Prentiss adds.

“Exactly,” Gideon says.

“Guys, that press conference wasn’t announced yet,” JJ points out. “Only someone with inside information would know that.”

“We profiled that the unsub felt impotent in his job,” Reid says. “What’s more powerless than being a bit player on the Washington stage?”

“You know, if he felt like he did his part to clear the prostitutes off the street, but was never heard, he might have felt so personally betrayed that he literally had to carve his frustrations out on those women,” Morgan says.

“So you’re saying the profile was right,” you say.

Reid jumps in. “Exactly, we were just wrong about who the message was for.”

“We need to get a list of anyone who advocated on behalf of that bill,” Gideon says.

“Prentiss, Y/L/N, when you two went back to talk to the prostitutes, did the profile ring a bell with any of them?” Hotch asks.

“A couple described what sounded like it could be the same man,” you say.

“We tried showing them mugshots but we came up empty,” Prentiss adds.

Hotch contemplates the information before nodding. “Let’s go back to them. We’re gonna need their help.”

“What are you thinking about, Hotch?” Morgan asks.

“I need to get a message to Congresswoman Steyer,” he says.

“Well, a press conference announcing that DC has a serial killer would be the easiest way to do that,” you say. “She’d be pissed.”

Hotch nods, looking to JJ. “How quickly can we put a together a press conference?”

JJ smiles. “How fast do you need it?”

“Tomorrow morning is fine,” Hotch tells her. “The rest of you can head home for the night. We’ll continue this tomorrow after the press conference.”

*   *   *   *   *

The next morning, you find yourself with Reid in Garcia’s office, trying to narrow down the list of suspects.

“Garcia, can you search people who are involved with research or advocacy groups dealing with crime control or prevention?” Reid asks.

Garcia types away at her keyboard. “I’m gonna need a little more than that.”

“The lower the group is on the Washington food chain, the better,” Reid adds.

You nod. “This guy feels like he’s not being heard, and he’s targeting prostitutes, so definitely check the groups with a theme centered around morality or values.”

Garcia sighs, shaking her head. “Okay, reality check. What you’re looking for— needle. This? Haystack.”

“Garcia, we don’t have to find it,” Reid says.

You frown. “We don’t?”

He shakes his head. “We just have to get to the people who can.”

Garcia continues typing. “Okay, I’ll let you know once I have something.”

“Thanks, PG,” you tell her, patting her on the shoulder as you walk out of her office and go to your desk. You notice Hotch’s press conference playing on a TV in the corner of the room.

“May I have your attention please,” Hotch says on the TV as he steps up to the podium, JJ at his side. “A day from now, there will be an announcement across the street on the steps of the Capitol that crime is down significantly in Washington. This is a fact. It is also a fact, however, that there’s a serial killer who’s been targeting the prostitutes who work in this area. In fact, the last victim was found not a hundred yards from where we’re standing. We’re here today to let you know that the police and the FBI are working tirelessly on this case.”

“We’d like to stress to the woman who work on these streets to please take caution,” JJ says. “All right, first I’m going to give a brief description of the man we’re looking for, and then we’ll take some questions. We believe the man responsible for these crimes works on or around Capitol Hill, possibly at a research or advocacy group dealing with issues of crime control or prevention.”

Your attention is drawn away from the TV when you notice Prentiss walking into the room, followed by the women you interviewed who recognized the profile. You stand and make your way over to her, saying hello to the women as they’re lead to the conference room. Reid is already there, standing off to the side. You all sit down around the table, and you and Prentiss make small talk to ease their nerves.

After a few minutes, Hotch leads Congresswoman Steyer into the room. “That was fast,” you mutter to Prentiss, who stands to greet her.

The Congresswoman ignores Prentiss and turns to Hotch. “Just what point are you trying to make?”

“These women described similar experiences with the same man,” Hotch says. “We showed them police mug photos and they didn’t recognize him. We thought maybe you might know who he is.”

Congresswoman Steyer rolls her eyes. “Did you think you could shock me by treating me to this sideshow?”

You clear your throat as the woman across from you glares at the Congresswoman. “Sideshow?” she scoffs.

The woman to her right shakes her head. “Lady, enough of the men you work with treat themselves to us every day.”

The Congresswoman, to her credit, has the grace to look apologetic for her outburst. “My apologies, ladies.”

“Could you please tell the Congresswoman who it is we’re looking for?” Prentiss asks politely.

“He’s tall and bald, and he’s got sad eyes,” the first woman says.

“He was always wearing a turtleneck with this long, dark coat,” the woman all the way to the right says. “Looked like a mortician.”

The second woman nods. “That’s right. Hung around just watching for months before he finally got his nerve on. But then he just wanted to watch.”

“Freak paid me and Racine 200 bucks to turn each other’s knobs,” the third woman adds. “But then he started screaming at us that we were just low women.

“Same thing with me,” the first woman reports, “and his voice got real high and nasal when he got excited.”

“Does that sound like anyone that you know?” Hotch asks the Congresswoman.

She looks at Hotch. “No.”

Reid steps forward. “I’m gonna read you a list of groups that lobbied on behalf of your legislation. Keeping in mind the description you just heard, tell me if anyone associated with these groups could be the man we’re looking for. Uh, The Crime Policy Institute, The Center for Safety, Citizens’ Brigade, Decency Watch, um—”

“Oh my God,” Congresswoman Steyer says, interrupting Reid.

“So, Decency Watch?” you ask.

“The man who runs it,” the Congresswoman says.

“Ronald Weems,” Reid says.

“Do you know him?” Hotch asks.

“No,” the Congresswoman says, then shakes her head. “I-I mean, yes, but he’s a nobody.”

Prentiss takes a step forward. “But he fits this description?”

“Perfectly,” Congresswoman Steyer says with a nod.

You and Prentiss share a look as Hotch turns to the prostitutes. “Thank you for your help,” he tells them.

“We can go now?” the middle one asks.

Hotch nods. “That’s all we needed.” The three woman stand and begin to file out of the room as Prentiss leads them out.

You turn to the Congresswoman. “Congresswoman Steyer, I can walk you out.”

She nods. “Thank you.” You nod in response, escorting her to the elevator before returning to Hotch.

“So, what’s our next move, boss?” you ask.

“I’m going to take Morgan and Gideon to Weems’ residence, see if he’s there. You stay here in case he’s not and we need to look for him.”

You nod. “Got it.” You head back to your desk and sit down to wait.

* * * * *

Less than an hour later, your phone rings. The caller ID tells you it’s Hotch.

“Was he there?” you ask.

“No,” he says. “I need you, Prentiss, and Reid to head to the area the bodies were found and start looking. We’ll meet you there.”

“Will do.” You close the phone and slip it into your back pocket, rising from your chair. “Reid, Prentiss, we’re up,” you tell them, both looking up at you from their own desks.

About forty-five minutes later, you’re out in the night, holding a picture of Ronald Weems up to everyone you meet.

“Have you seen this man?” You ask a homeless woman. She shakes her head so you move on to the next person and ask the same question. You make your way down the street as Prentiss makes her way up it, doing the same thing. When you meet up, you look to her hopefully, but she shakes her head.

“Damn,” you say. “Me either.” You both turn to head down an alley to your right, where Morgan is asking another prostitute.

“Nothing?” he asks you.

“No, you?” Prentiss asks. He sighs and shakes his head.

“Well, he’s gotta be out here somewhere,” you say as the three of you make to exit the alleyway. Suddenly, you hear a whistle blowing. You spare a glance at Prentiss as you all break into a run.

As you run up to where Hotch has his gun pointed at Ronald Weems, one of the women you talked to on the first day of the case runs up to Weems, pulling out a can of mace and spraying it into his face. Weems yells in pain as Morgan pulls the woman away.

“He killed my friend!” she yells, struggling against Morgan.

“I know he did, stop it!” Morgan says as Hotch cuffs Weems, who’s kneeling on the ground.

“She maced me!” Weems exclaims.

“Yeah, she did,” Prentiss says, her hand on her gun. You snort.

“They said they’d clean ‘em off the streets,” Weems says as Hotch leads him to the police car that just pulled up to the curb, siren blaring and lights flashing. “They lied! What was I supposed to do?! I had to do something!”

Hotch forces Weems into the backseat of the cruiser, shutting the door and cutting off Weems’ tirade. With the unsub in custody and nothing left to do, you and Prentiss start walking down the sidewalk in the direction of your SUV.

*   *   *   *   *

Back at the office, you sit down at your desk to finish up some paperwork before you leave for the night. You’re almost ready to go when Garcia walks up to Reid at his desk, followed by Nathan Harris.

“Hey,” she says, gesturing over her shoulder at the boy.

Reid stands as she walks away. “Hey,” he says to Nathan.

“Hi,” Nathan says, holding his arm nervously.

“I heard the juvenile authorities let you go today,” Reid says. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

Nathan shakes his head. “Mm, it’s all right.”

Reid looks around the room. “Where’s your mom?”

“Oh, she had to go back to work. I told her I was coming to see you.” Nathan sighs. “So, were you there when they caught him?”

Reid nods. “Yeah, I was.”

“Did he say how long he knew what he was?” Nathan asks.

“No,” Reid says, shaking his head.

“Do you think it’s possible for me to maybe talk to him or….”

“I’m sorry.” Reid shakes his head again. “You’re not him. Who we are is— it’s constantly evolving.” He chuckles. “I’m a lot older than you, and I-I’m changing all the time. You know, this-this job changes me. You’ve changed me. You sought me out to try to understand how not to harm people. That’s a far more important part of who you are than the one that scares you.”

Nathan looks down. “My mom wants to… have me go to a hospital for a little bit.”

“Maybe that’s not such a bad idea,” Reid suggests.

“You know, once they lock me up, they’re never gonna let me out of there,” Nathan says sadly.

Reid chuckles. “You don’t know that.”

Nathan shrugs. “Whatever. I just came to say goodbye.”

“When you going in?” Reid asks.

Nathan swallows. “Supposed to be tomorrow. So last night of freedom.” He pauses. “I don’t know, I— thank you for caring.”

Reid shakes Nathan’s hand and Nathan turns to walk away. You stand and pat Reid on the shoulder. “You did good with him,” you tell him.

“You think so?” he says with a frown, watching Nathan walk away.

You nod. “I do. And I think you may have saved some lives in the process.”

Reid gives you a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” you say. You fight back a yawn. “All right, I think I’m gonna head out. See you tomorrow.”

“‘Night,” Reid says with a smile as you walk back to your desk and shut off your computer, grabbing your backpack and walking down the hallway to Garcia’s office to say a quick goodbye.

You’re almost home when your cell phone rings. You groan and answer it. “Please do not tell me we—” You’re interrupted by Garcia’s panicked voice. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, slow down. What’s wrong?”

“I, uh, I was with Reid, and we were gonna go hit a bar, and he got a phone call, and now we’re with Nathan Harris because he slit his wrists and I—”

You curse, turning your car around. “Okay, okay, Garcia, just breathe. I’m on my way. Where are you?”

She gives you the address in a shaky voice. “There-there was just so much blood and I— oh God, Y/N.”

“It’s gonna be okay. I’m assuming the ambulance is there?”

“Yeah, they, uh, they just got here. I-I’m gonna call Morgan, okay?” she says.

“Okay, I’ll see you soon,” you tell her. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

Within fifteen minutes, you’re there. You step out of the car and walk over to the ambulance, where Nathan is laid out on a stretcher. You spare a minute to ask the paramedic how Nathan’s doing before you step away to look for Garcia. You spot her off the side and immediately go up to her and wrap her in your arms.

“Oh, Y/N,” she says.

“Are you okay?” you ask, leaning back to examine her. Her hands are stained red with blood, a bloody towel held tightly in her grasp.

“It was horrible,” she says, her voice shaking.

“Garcia!” You turn around to see Morgan jogging over to you. “Baby Girl, are you all right?”

“She’s shaken up, but unharmed,” you tell him as he pulls her into a hug.

“How did she know to call Reid?” Morgan asks her after a minute.

Garcia takes a shaky breath. “Nathan set Reid’s business card on the table before he cut himself, like a suicide note.”

“The paramedics say you and Reid saved his life,” you tell her softly.

Garcia glances over at the ambulance before quickly looking away. She sighs. “He didn’t want us to save him. He kept telling Reid to let him die.”

“He’s sick,” Morgan tells her, rubbing her arm.

“All I keep thinking is what if he eventually kills someone,” she whispers. “What if someone dies because we saved him?”

“It wouldn’t be your fault,” you tell her firmly.

“Profiles can be wrong, you know,” Morgan points out, though he doesn’t look convinced.

“And if it’s not, then we’ll find him and catch him,” you say. “Now come on, let’s get you home.”

You and Morgan walk Garcia to her car. Morgan tries to convince her to let him drive her home, but she refuses, not wanting to leave her car, which you come to learn she’s lovingly named Esther. Morgan settles for following her home to make sure she gets there safe, and you wave goodbye and head back to your car, finally ready to go home and sleep.

NOTE: If you think I missed any trigger warnings, please let me know!

[adventuresinanarchy]

unordinary ramble

ok so i recently got back into unordinary and i'm just a tad bit fixated on it, aka i reread all of the episodes within 3 days

first of all WHY ARE THERE BARELY ANY FICS IM GOING MENTAL

second of all i only have two coins on webtoon. i can't wait six days i'm gonna get withdrawal

onto the actual unordinary part

so in that one episode there's like the papers with remi, blyke and isen's info and stuff and there's like spots for relatives and we learn that blyke has three unnamed relatives and i believe isen has four and i AM SO CURIOUS ABOUT THAT

i know we probably won't see them anytime soon but how come we get remi and sera's siblings but not the others :( i know leilah and rei both have major importance but i think it'd be cool if we had some silly younger sibling mentions here and there

also i am OBSESSED w/ isen. like back when i first started reading i was too but i just love him sm i dont know what it is i just need more isen content so badly

ALSO IN EPISODE 39, it's said like sera meets w one of her father's business partners for an intership at NXGEN

one of her father's BUSINESS PARTNERS??? like that has to be relevant right right

(ep 305) i really hope elaine doesnt go into a villain arc :( like i get how she feels since she's just there for healing and i didnt really like her at the beginning but she's so sweet i hope she doesn't like go insane

that is all thank you tumblr

[lacrimosathedark]

I have made some DC posts that people actually show interest in (and most of them seem to like with...one exception) but I know a not insubstantial portion of DC fandom watches the Young Justice cartoon, and I don’t. I have no intention to change that in the near future. But because I Have A Problem and constantly feel the need to explain myself for things, I’m going to do that.

Before that, DISCLAIMER: I am NOT saying the show is inherently bad, nor do I think anyone is dumb or wrong for liking it or even preferring it to the comics. It’s just not MY thing.

If you are sensitive to people not liking things you enjoy, seriously, don’t read this. I’m not attacking anyone, this is all my personal opinion and preferences.

So!

Reasons I Don’t Watch Young Justice

1. I suck at watching things.

Honestly my biggest reason. I was that kid in school that everyone was like “you haven’t seen [supposedly culturally iconic or currently popular movie]?! Seriously!?! That’s insane! You HAVE to!”

AND THEN I DIDN’T

A big part of that is my brain is Dumb. I have Inattentive-Type ADHD. This means my brain is very bad at focusing, especially on things I’m not like, super fixated on (and even then, I often overwhelm myself). So I’m not good at sitting down and watching things, even when I AM interest.

People have been telling me to watch and/or read Lord of the Rings for pretty much ever. GUESS WHAT I’VE NEVER SEEN

I loved Supernatural, as shitty as it could be. I haven’t watched every episode in any season past season 6.

I have had lists of anime and video games I want to watch. Still haven’t.

I’ve been recommended books (and I’m generally better at reading than watching) that sound awesome that I STILL have not picked up.

I have been intending to watch Moon Knight, which I actually really want to watch. Guess what I haven’t done.

2. My brain seems to like comic books more.

I didn’t get to have comic books as a kid just because it wasn’t a big thing where I lived so my exposure was limited. However, there’s a crossover exposure that my brain liked.

I grew up loving anime, and read a lot of manga. I also grew up playing Spider-Man video games. And then, I also grew up watching the old Teen Titans cartoon.

All these kind of combine into a certain predisposition towards consuming media in a certain way.

3. It doesn’t mesh with my comic experience.

I, like I presume a good chunk of other tumblr users, got into comics because of ThePandaRedd from TikTok. He is just so fucking funny and it drew me in. And if you don’t know, a lot of his content is Bat family related. So, that’s what I was drawn to. Growing up with the Teen Titans show, I was also lowkey predisposed to an interest in Robin anyway.

I quickly learned all I could about all of Batman’s many kids (because wtf my guy). To do that, I started watching comic videos on youtube, reading wikis, finding comic book pages on tumblr. I eventually grew to love all of them.

But I learned about and almost immediately fell in love with Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Cassandra Cain.

Why does this matter to my point? Well...

4. That’s not Young Justice.

The show is called Young Justice, but like...that’s not Young Justice. That’s basically the Teen Titans.

I have seen clips of the first episode. I don’t remember all of it, but three characters I distinctly remember being present for the formation of that Young Justice was Dick Grayson, Wally West, and Roy Harper. In comics, they were never Young Justice. Those three specifically founded the Teen Titans with Garth and Donna Troy. Like???

Young Justice in the comics is formed by Tim Drake, Superboy (later named Kon-El and Conner Kent), and Bart Allen. Not long after they add Greta Hayes and Cassie Sandsmark and on and on but like, those three boys are at the center. So much so that them, along with Cassie Sandsmark, are known as the Core Four among the fandom. And they are all intimately close friends and those relationships actually mean a lot to me.

Just a glance at the wiki makes me just...my skin is crawling. Kon joins the team with Dick, long before Tim is on the team. Ugh.

Kon dates Miss Martian, which...I don’t know much about the Martians and Kon is a flirt but like...the other characters he’s usually closer with--ugh.

Tim dates Cassie??? Without the influence of losing Conner??? And also idk does he date Stephanie? Because Tim and Steph are like, a big thing and tbh the only more intimate relationship Tim has is with Conner effin Kent, and I know Steph is in the show. (Also for a show that has a bunch of queer stuff, why does my duck boy not have a boyfriend of any kind? I know Bernard is super recent but he’s been like queercoded forever so like where is it?)

Speaking of that relationship, where is it? Even in a platonic sense, because Kon is consistently borderline obsessed with being Tim’s friend. Tim is probably the most important person to him; throughout especially the Teen Titans run Kon relied on Tim for emotional support and put a lot of faith in him. Tim literally lost his goddamn mind when Conner died. Like, he tried to bring Steph back with a Lazarus Pit. Okay, kinda fucked, but it’s happened. But when Kon died, Tim changed his costume to match Kon’s colors, tried to clone him, and “dated” his ex-girlfriend (who had, at the time, literally joined a cult who had hoped to bring Conner back). Um??? And then when Kon came back, Kon’s support made a huge difference in Tim’s shitty mental health. And the second time they met after Kon came back, Tim threw himself at Kon to hug him. And Conner refused to accept anyone but Tim (Damian specifically, but also Steph) as Robin. To him, Tim will always be Robin (and he will always be Tim’s clone boy <3). These two are a pair, platonic or otherwise, and that they aren’t so close in this show is upsetting to me.

Bart at least doesn’t appear before Tim does but he’s still seemingly not close to the rest of the “Core Four” and that just makes me so incredibly sad. I mean, points for making him not straight I guess but like...those friendships are really important to him. Like, Kon has historically been almost like his mom-friend, making sure he’s taken care of even when Bart is doing everything to avoid his issues (not that Conner’s much better at that, but yknow). The newer Young Justice comics, Conner totally mom’s Bart. He full names him (”Bartholomew Allen the Second! Don’t run away from me!” literally all that’s missing is his middle name and a scolding “young man”), and grabs some of his favorite snacks for when he wakes up after he passes out. And he also immediately called Tim because from the beginning there’s been the joke of the co-parenting Bart. And another point to Conner relying on Tim and just UGH.

And y’know, if they’re just gonna do Teen Titans, where are Vic and Raven and Kory? Like, I’m glad they had lesser known Titans like Karen Beecher and Mal Duncan but like...idk. I personally grew up with them, and if you’re gonna have Beast Boy, I feel like Cyborg and Raven kinda come with that package. And Starfire comes with the Raven package. Just my personal feelings there.

Small note since I mentioned my other beloved Bats: I know very little about what’s happening with them, but Cass is Cassandra Wu-San and Jason seems to still be brain-dead. Like, pre-Lazarus Pit brain-dead. Like I just...don’t know.

5. Artemis unreasonably pisses me off.

Prefacing this with, she’s not necessarily a bad character (I honestly can’t judge that with what little I know). This is honestly mostly because my brain is dumb.

First of all, it takes my brain several jumps to figure out who someone’s talking about when they talk about her.

“Y’know, Artemis.”

“You mean Artemis Grace of Bana-Mighdall, badass redhead Amazon, archer and ax-wielder,  and Jason Todd’s bestie/former girlfriend?”

“No, the blonde archer, in Young Justice.”

“...You mean Cissie King-Jones, Arrowette?”

“No, from the show.”

“...Oh.”

And then she’s paired up with Wally West apparently. Which unnecessarily gets under my skin.

Look, the only person I can see Wally with other than his wife Linda is Dick Grayson, and that is really because he seems just as obsessively protective about both of them. I cannot imagine Wally without either of them, and tbh the idea of him not have Jai and Irey makes me so fucking sad. Man would do literally anything for his children. I know he’s dated other girls before Linda, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

In that same vein...

6. Zatanna

I know she’s implied to have...been with Dick Grayson in the show. In general, who can blame her, it’s Dick Grayson.

However, in the show, she’s around Dick’s age.

In the comics, she was childhood friends with Bruce Wayne. Those two are best friends. They sort of almost dated for a while. I may be wrong, but I think Z may even be a little older than Bruce.

And that just really freaks me out, okay? It puts me off. My brain doesn’t want to compute that her age is different than it is in the comics.

(Also I’m a fan off her on-off relationship with the lovable chaotic fuckboy that is John Constantine.)

7. What the FUCK is going on with Roy Harper? Also Cheshire and Lian.

Like, there’s like, three different versions of him or something? And the “real” Roy isn’t even Lian’s father? Like, this is things I’ve just learned from vague clips and they make me irrationally frustrated.

As for Cheshire, I know she’s played to be sympathetic in the show, to at least some extent. Which isn’t a problem.

But I don’t like her.

She did, at one point, truly love Roy. She genuinely loves her daughter probably more than anything in the world. She is, arguably, the best mother she could be given the circumstances.

That being said, this is a woman who loves what she does. She revels in her job as an assassin. She enjoys the taunting, the fighting, the killing. She finds amusement in seeing people fall to her poisons. And as much as she loves her daughter, she would not give up being an assassin to raise her.

Jade Nguyen is an awful person in my eyes and that cartoon won’t change that.

I’m also not invested in that Lian.

Every clip I’ve seen of cartoon Lian looks nothing like any version of Lian I know and love. Like, the closest is Kingdom Come Red Hood with her long red hair, but her hair was distinctly curly and she looked like Jade, according to little Lian. Then there’s little Lian, black haired, clearly Asian girl, being raised with numerous superheroes and knowing Navajo traditions, sweet and clever and brilliant and whose favorite color is red. And then there’s Shoes, who while many don’t like her mostly due to her amnesia, I do. Blue hair and usually blue lipstick, seemingly temporary (or at least inconsistent) tattoos on her neck and arms, one of Catwoman’s Alleytown Strays and upcoming vigilante Cheshire Cat. Clearly clever, already a hacker, wears a red baseball hat (like Roy!) and fishnets (like Dinah!) and all around a ‘fuck you’ attitude while still being a sweetheart, very much like Selina.

The overall white-looking brown-haired girl in pink I keep seeing doesn’t click as Lian to me. That’s not the girl I adore. And as of late, Lian has been really important to me.

I don’t know if that’s even everything, but I felt I had to get it out of my system. Particularly about Artemis. I really don’t know why that makes me so upset but I don’t like it. At All.

Sorry, my content, aside from maybe a jokey reblog, will never be about the Young Justice cartoon. I don’t intend to bash it, but I’m not gonna watch it, and comment much on it either. If that’s content you want, you won’t find it here.

[skullitonin]

Okay.. Hear me out on this. I personally think Eddie Munson is alive and this is how they could bring him back. Plus this is a mind dump too so sorry if my thoughts are all over the place.

(I am not in denial as i think this theory brings up a lot of points and hints throughout season 4 that hint at Eddie returning even though he was set up to die.)

Spoilers for Season 4 Volume 2.

One point I see people bring up quite a lot is why did Eddie died to the demo bat and Steve lives? I don’t think this is a very good argument to make as Steve was attacked by maybe three or four Eddie was attacked by a huge swarm of them. I know that doesn’t help the point I’m making but the duffer brothers were asked by an interviewer “How lethal do you think being bitten by a demobat is?” They responded by saying “I wouldn’t worry about the bats thing, that’s more my thing. I have this thing where I’m worried about bats. I was just fixating on bats at that moment.” (Notice how they say plural)

They’ve basically confirmed that demo bats cannot kill and looking at their design their teeth and claws look too small to cause any major injury. I know that blood loss is an option but looking at the demobats designs it looks like they wouldn’t even be able to puncture any vital organs and it also confirm that they don’t have illnesses or carry disease so infecting Eddie wouldn’t be possible. It is possible however to faint from losing blood so your body can heal itself while you are in a more unconscious state of mind. Especially if they have been animal attacks in real life that are worse than a swarm of bats and people have survived from that.

I would also like to point out the fact that Eddie isn’t being attacked by any bats while he is dying because the bats die due to vecna being set on fire and shot by Nancy, Robin and Steve. So his body would have enough time to go into a state of shock, cause him to pass out and at least heal his wounds quicker while he’s not using any energy. Just think of the attacks characters have survived that are worse than Eddies.

I have seen some people also try and point out the fact that apparently Eddie legs have been chewed up to the point you can see bone. This can be disproved because you see his legs both move when Dustin attempts to get him up and it’s just a mix of debris, bat remains and the shine of his combat boots. Also if they were chewed up then I have no doubt that the Duffer brothers would have added in a shot of them to further drive home the point that Eddie cannot stand up after Dustin attempts to get him help. There are also a few pictures of Joe Quinn in the costume he was attacked in after the attack and there are no prosthetics or areas of green/blue screen on any of his body, further proving my point.

I would like to point out the tape Eddie holds up when they’re talking about music in eddie‘s room at the start of Episode 9 (?). It’s an Iron Maiden tape. Their mascot is also called Eddie and he is basically an undead zombified character who they use for all of their promotions and does have a striking resemblance to Eddie Munson and also Vecna.

I would also like to add that in 1986 Iron Maiden brought out an album called Somewhere in Time and the song titles on that album seem too convenient of a parallel to not mention. “Caught somewhere in time” “Stranger in a strange land” and “The loneliness of the long distance runner” are the ones that stand out the most. If you also look at the album Art to the right of Eddie (Iron maidens Eddie) There is a black spray painted poster with “EDDIE LIVES” sprayed in white paint.

Also the Michael Myers mask that Max gave Eddie could also signify him coming back because the premise for the Halloween franchise is Michael Myers can’t die and can regenerate and the only two characters that have worn or had anything Michael Myers related to them is both Eddie and Max. Both characters who would be very critical condition but also have time to heal from their physical wounds with no harm coming to them. (That’s just me speculating though and I could be wrong)

Another point I would like to make is the fact that the song “when its cold, I like to die” by Moby plays when Eddie is saying his goodbyes to Dustin. I know at the same time Max was dying in Lucas‘s arms but I couldn’t help notice both of those things happening at the same time, to the same song that played when Joyce and Hopper found Will in the upside down back in S1. Might have been a call back but I think the Duffer Brothers are smarter than that. The song also played just before hopper “died” in season 3. I’m sure if that intention wasn’t meant for Eddie too then they would and easily could’ve split both scenes with Eddie dying first and then seeing what happened on Max, Lucas and Erica’s side while this song played separately and Eddie had his own death song. But they didn’t do that..

Music also has a very powerful meaning in the franchise too. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eddie survives, went into shock and his body slowly started to heal as he was in a relatively safe place when he fought the bats. Plus his trailer in the upside down wasn’t directly harmed either. It was just a gate so he still has some type of shelter to crawl to if he wanted to make a full recovery.

I hope everyone can see the parallel of someone being killed in the upside down and that song playing because at the point where Will was found, he had a very very very light pulse and Dustin didn’t check Eddie‘s wrist or neck for a pulse as far as we know. I know the duffer brothers wouldn’t skip over this, especially with a character as cautious and calculated as Dustin and a beloved and well reputable character like Eddie. I just hope the duffer brothers stay away from the trope of bringing a well received character in and killing them and try to change things in season 5 with Eddie coming back.

Moving onto Joseph Quinn and what he has said in interviews up to this point. Joseph Quinn has stated multiple times that he would love to be back in season five and him and Joe Keery have been thinking of ways they can bring Eddie back. One of the ways Quinn would like Eddie brought back is through a series of flashbacks or by Vecna tormenting Dustin with the thought of Eddie as that is now Dustin’s trauma point. I think they could bring in Eddie to play the part of Kas, Vecna’s right hand man who ultimately betrays him or Vecna could use Eddie as a puppet (Hint Hint.. master of puppets. Also.. in D&D Vecna has the power of necromancy as does 11 as shown by when she saves Max.)

This is how I think they could bring back Eddie and also characters who have died in the past. (Also driven from Noah himself as he hinted at the possibilities of bringing character back from the dead in season 5.)

I would like season 5 to go FULL Dungeons and Dragons on us. Billy was used as a physical puppet by Vecna in season three and we know it’s Vecna’s doing because he sent the physical form of the mind flayer to destroy the star court mall. That didn’t work but Max got away twice now and Vecna is going to be fucking pissed. I want Vecna to pull out all of the fucking trauma of every character. I want him to use Alexei to torment Joyce, Hopper and Murray, I want them to bring back Eddie as a puppet or even the embodiment of Kas the Bloody-Handed to torment the hellfire club and possibly use him as a threat over Hawkins making Eddie clearing his name, that much more of a possibility and I definitely I want him to bring Billy back to further torment Steve, Max and Lucas. Barb coming back to also torment Nancy and Robin would be awesome as nancy still feels guilty about her death as Robin was Barbs friend too.

The fact that Vecna shaped the mind flayer and used it to possess Billy‘s body is such a vital plot point that I don’t doubt they wouldn’t use it again. I think it would be cool for them to also give these characters are proper goodbye. For example if Billy died again then Max would have a proper heart-to-heart with him before he died because she never got that and he had so much to say as he had an awakening type moment of clarity before his death when he saved 11. Same with Eddie, same with Alexei, Barb, Bob and hell even Brenner to further torment 11 for what she did to Vecna. 

I know it would look like a cop out to re-use these same characters but it is the last season and I know the Duffer Brothers will pull out everything they had to make this the LITERAL end game of the stranger things world and wrap up the cult of Vecna campaign our loveable metal head started and was a apart of.

I think everything I have mentioned is too coincidental for the duffer brothers to write Eddie off as just another side character who dies. Especially looking at the monetary side of things where everywhere I have looked hellfire Merch seems to be everywhere. I don’t see how they can see how well received a character is, kill them off and continue to sell the Merch without thinking that people are riot over Eddie‘s death and possibly stop buying.  I’ve also seen people threatening to cancel their memberships if Eddie dies and if they stick to their word then this is going to have a pretty decent hit on Netflix and the Duffer brothers.

I do wholeheartedly believe that Eddie Munson will make a return!

[thunderheadfred]

🤚The Second Worst (Pt. 1/?)🤚

Part 2 of my Shigaraki Thesis Headcanons. HC's // The Second Worst: 1 - 2

The half-mad ghost of Shimura Tenko is in love with you, and your life is about to become a tragic wreck. -- AKA here's when I gave up on bullet points and went off the fuckin rails

I'm self-conscious about writing so much, so uhhhh, please be kind, hahaaa. This is rather long and involved. Are these still even HCs or just a self-indulgent AU outline? There are some mysteries we may never solve.

This is on AO3 now, if you prefer reading there. Anyway. Minors do not interact.

- - - - -

You met Tenko before the League existed.

Believe it or not, there are a million ways it might have happened, but in the end: you were both bargain-binning in Akihabara.

You reached for a copy of a collectible bullet-hell cute-'em-up (near-mint! CIB!!!) and accidentally bonked hands with a complete stranger. He flinched about five million feet away from you. Ouch. You're just a nobody, quirkless and average, but you didn't think you were THAT repulsive.

(You're not. Hell, even if you were, this guy couldn't care less. He barely registers that you have a face.)

(Shigaraki is accustomed to getting in and out of this shop in seconds. He always comes in before anyone else and goes straight home. -- Is that really home? Is 'home' a real place? -- ANYWAY he's already pirated this shit, god, why does he even care? He doesn't need to be here. Father doesn't like it. Is that why he's here? Just to do something Father doesn't like? That's pathetic.)

He's had at least ten complete internal arguments with himself before he so much as looks at you.

You know in the tenth of a second he actually meets your eyes... this fucker is going to fight you to the death over this game.

- - - The death match ends in a draw. He was not expecting you to know the first fucking thing about this game. Nobody knows about it, even in Japan. Who the fuck do you even think you are? Oh, no, he's still taking it. But... maybe he can show you how to play it it. He'll give you a little taste, just to make you jealous. He's got his hoodie pulled down like he's going to commit an act of terrorism. What little you can see of his face looks twitchy and messed up. If you have any survival instincts at all, they're kicking in right about now. But... why not. You're not going anywhere with this dude unsupervised, so you suggest a crowded web cafe down the street. The cafe has the necessary console... but the retro gaming booth is laughably small. The TV is about four inches across and you end up having to practically sit in his lap. You were sure this guy was a nasty fucking creep, but he's................ only mostly terrible. Way too angry, for sure. Has no idea how to have a normal, friendly conversation. Inadvertently insults you every other sentence and seems to have a deep-seated persecution complex.

You'd prefer to be mad about the awful company, but... he's obviously deprived of human contact. When it's established that you two share a lot of media fixations, he calms down and starts treating you a little more like a human being. Or at least like a fellow elite.

Wherever he came from, he doesn't seem to want to go back. He keeps pushing you to play one more level, pretending he wants to beat your score. You feel kinda bad for him. You get the distinct feeling that his life is a disaster. He looks like he's never had a full night of sleep in his life. He trips your trigger hairs in that 'is he gonna follow me home?' kind of way, but... up close, he's a lot more depressing than scary. At the very least, you want to buy him a stupidly cute dessert. Just... as thanks. For letting you try out the game and stuff. It's not a big deal, so just pick a flavor, okay? The world isn't actually that awful, y'know.

It's not even that impressive... Definitely not a great cafe. But he takes practically a full hour to eat a single slice of strawberry cake.

When the hoodie comes down. He's all shriveled and dried out, like someone left him him in the desert to die. He chews on his peeling bottom lip and nervously scratches his neck. He doesn't thank you for the cake. Which is fine. It's not a big deal. Actually, you wish he would eat faster; you feel weirdly responsible for him now.

Under all that mess he's... gorgeous? His hair is stunning: a bright, gleaming silver that catches the light. His bone structure is flawless. If it weren't for all the scars and the misanthropic slouch, he'd look like a fairy fucking prince.

You were not prepared for that. In another life he could have been a model, the type of guy who would never even look at you. But something bad happened to him. Something... very bad. Do you even want to know? You have no idea how to ask. Has anyone ever been nice to him? It doesn't seem like it. Should YOU be nice to him? You sort of want to try. - - - This becomes a regular thing. This weird little secret. You should probably tell someone when you see him, just in case you don't come back one day, but you say nothing; how the hell would you explain why you want to see him so bad? You don't know his full name. Maybe he's on a watch list. When he gives you a long string of random numbers so you can schedule meet-ups (is THAT his e-mail, really?) he tells you to just... call him Tenko. Or whatever. It doesn't matter. (He sneaks out when Father is deep in his plots. As long as he comes home on time, it doesn't really matter where he goes, right?) He brings a different game every time. He has an insane collection. Where does he get the money for all this? You know he doesn't work. God, is it drugs? It's probably drugs. Wherever these hidden gems came from, he proudly shows them off to you, like he's never had an audience before. It's sort of cringe-inducing, the way he one-ups and rubs every little victory in your face, desperate for attention.

But at the same time, you are becoming too... something...to mind. Do you... like him? He's not funny, but he thinks you are. His mouth is huge when he laughs. He seems to hate everyone but you, and you've had to earn the distinction of being merely tolerable. Still, he gets really excited about random shit like the garage kit black market and haunted dolls and the price of weed on the dark web.

And... strawberry cake. The realization hits you both at the same time when the waitress brings one piece with two forks. God, what the fuck, are you... are you dating? Quick, think. You look forward to seeing him, and don't even mind sitting close to him anymore. Sometimes you push your leg up against him just to see if he'll still flinch away... and he doesn't.

You jealously notice the way he touches everything but you: with delicate precision, one finger at a time. His large, elegant hands always have a pinky up like he's aspiring for a fiefdom, and you wonder what his skin feels like. You go home and dwell on the way he plucks flowering weeds out of the pavement in front of the cafe. The way he stands rooted to the spot as you leave, just... looking at nothing, unsmiling.

You watch his lips too much, and not just because you want to buy him chapstick. You catch him gaping at you all the time. You thought he was just creepy like that, but maybe... Yeah. I guess you are dating him. Shit. - - - Okay, so, yeah. Bringing him back to your place was definitely a bad idea. You know you shouldn't trust him, even if he is... apparently... your boyfriend? Sort of? You still don't have his phone number. So. Um. What now? You order overpriced pizza and queue up a campy horror movie. What the fuck are you even doing. You don't really think he's going to murder you anymore, but... still. Is the suburban massacre scene gonna give him ideas? Turns out, no. He doesn't like gore, even when the blood is neon pink. He gets upset. Like, really upset. Shaky and green, like he might puke on you. He can't stop scratching that scaly spot on his neck.

Tenko, are you crying? Fucking hell, did you just trigger him? Of course he has a traumatic past, it's carved all over his face. You're so fucking stupid. You don't know how to make it right. You want to hug him, kiss him... anything. But he's never really touched you, and you're too afraid to push now. It ruins the whole night. He leaves without explaining anything. Doesn't even say goodbye. He just. Leaves. Maybe you'll never see him again. Maybe that's for the best. Your chest hurts. - - - He shows up at your door a few weeks later. You haven't heard from him since that disastrous movie night. You had pretty much accepted that you'd broken up with a boyfriend you never actually had. But no. Apparently not.

This time, he’s brought his own entertainment. He's holding a boxed set of some show you're not familiar with. You're distracted by these weird little half-gloves he's wearing, like a cyberpunk hacker. That's a new look, and even if it's a bit edgelord adjacent, he makes it look cool. You tell him as much. It's the first time you've let on how attractive you find him. He's wearing a tight black shirt with a deep, deep V-neck. That's distracting too.

He clears his slender throat and doesn't look at you.

You try to apologize for before, but he's acting like it never happened. What are you even talking about? Have you seen this OVA or not? Get out of the way and let him in already. You've watched three episodes now, but you still have no idea what this stupid anime is about. You can't pay attention to a single frame. All you can think about is how his arm has crept up behind your shoulders. A few inches more and he'll be holding you. Does he... want to hold you? You lean toward him so slowly your spine creaks. One molecule at a time. After a thousand years, your head slides nervously under his chin. His arm comes down, locking you in, fingers clutching your sleeve in a death grip. Even that snobby little pinky. His head tucks down into you hair. A sharp collarbone bites into your cheek. His heartbeat is hard, fast, and irregular. There's not a scrap of fat on him, and as you wrap your arm around his stomach, you think you see a twitch in his pants. Is that just you being desperate? Or... hopeful? This is really happening. --- Soon, you learn that Tenko is a clumsy kisser. It doesn't matter; the fact that he's kissing you at all is good enough for now. His lips are dry, but not half as dry as you expected. There's a slick of menthol helping things along; he's been using something medicated on his lips. Plus, his mouth tastes like he drank a gallon of mouthwash.

All this thrills you more than a little, because it means he came here wanting to impress you. Wanting you. Full stop. Underneath that minty sting is a strange, worrisome aftertaste, like something rotten. Your brain fires off an alarm. Stop kissing him. Right now. This thing will make you sick. But his hands nervously slide over your body... and you decide not to worry about it. Instead, you kiss him deeper. He makes a sweet, startled little noise. Your brain is a fucking liar. It occurs to you he's probably never done this before.

When you lace your fingers in his and try to pull one of his gloves off, he rips his hand away.

Don't. That’s the only explanation he gives.

No need to ask if it's a quirk thing or a trauma thing. Judging by how jittery he gets, it's probably both. You remember the way his hands almost float over objects without ever holding them. Maybe his touch is dangerous. Maybe that's why his face looks like that.

Maybe you should learn more about him before things go way too far...

No. It can't be that bad. Now that he's in your arms, everything frightening about him evaporates. He's vulnerable. He's alone. He's shaking a little. Has anyone else ever seen this side of him? You want to keep him all to yourself, just like this.

So what if he has to touch you with gloves on? You've heard of worse quirk-related inconveniences.

It's okay, Tenko. Do you want to keep going?

You put his hands back on you and wait for him to kiss you again. It doesn't take long.

---

You open his pants. He's long and thin, calloused even here. Every part of him feels untouched, unloved. You hold him tight and squeeze.

It doesn't seem to occur to him to please you in return. He looks afraid. Confused. You're sure you scared him earlier with the glove thing. Is this too much? No. He gasps and leans into you. The tiniest, broken please.

He cums in your hand right away, face buried in your shoulder, his eyes wet and hidden.

I have to go, he says. Over and over and over.

It's okay, Tenko.

You know he doesn't want to.

- - - - - (oops I wrote more)

[tari-aldarion]

“all i want is to trust you”

a 4.12 episode coda inspired by this post

read on AO3

"I don't trust anyone."

Damn. Who knew four words could be such a suckerpunch. 

Buck had said it almost flippantly, talking about the treasure hunt, but the way he scowled down at his plate...

Why was Taylor the person he chose to team up with? When did Buck start trusting Taylor more than Eddie? 

Or was this something Eddie should've expected? It's not like Buck had ever explicitly reciprocated the statement of trust, but Eddie had thought...

He'd thought.....

Well it doesn't really matter what he thought, does it?

He couldn’t help the sudden fixation on those four words, that one decision, turning it over and over in his brain, feeling equal parts bitter and scared. He and Buck hadn’t spent as much time together, both of them busy or working opposite schedules. But...that didn’t mean they weren’t still just as important to each other.

Right?

Three days after Buck said those words, Eddie found himself at Buck’s apartment in the evening, still thinking about them, completely unable to get past that moment. He watched Buck gesture and laugh absently, reminding himself that he was here in Buck’s apartment. Buck asked him to come over. They still hung out, still talked.

They were fine. Just as close as before.

Weren’t they? 

“Why did you go to Taylor first?” Eddie blurted out, realizing too late that he had interrupted Buck. Buck stared at him, mouth still open from where he’d been cut off mid-word.

“What?” He asked, cocking his head and frowning in confusion. 

Eddie swallowed, regretting the impulsive question. “I was just surprised that we didn’t, uh, we didn’t look for that treasure together first...” he trailed off, grimacing at the underlying neediness in his words. 

Buck looked surprised and Eddie winced internally, wishing he had never said anything. “From what you were saying, I didn’t think you’d be interested,” Buck explained. 

Oh. Eddie breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t him, he didn’t mess it up, they were fine - 

“And I thought it would be fun with Taylor, help us bond or something,” Buck said with a smirk, interrupting his thoughts.

Eddie went incredibly still, feeling every single muscle tense all at once. “I thought you weren’t interested in her like that?” He asked carefully, unsure why the thought of Buck being interested made something unpleasant churn in his belly.

“I don’t know,” Buck looked down at the counter thoughtfully. “I’ve thought about it. She’s different now, but I think she just wants to be friends.”

Eddie tried to ignore the pulse of self-satisfaction in his chest. “I didn’t know you were dating again.”

Buck fiddled with his beer, making a face. “I’m not sure about dating,” he emphasized, “it’s such a messy thing.” Eddie nodded, leaning forward and holding out his beer for Buck to tap with his own in silent acknowledgement. Buck sent him a quick smile. “I just want to find someone and start making a real family, y’know?” 

We are your family. 

For half a second Eddie couldn’t breathe with the intensity of that thought, all the air punched out of his lungs. “The 118 is a family,” he said hoarsely, purposefully editing the thought and struggling to keep his features calm.

Whatever Buck saw on Eddie’s face had him rushing to explain. “You guys are my family,” he said earnestly, gesturing emphatically. “I just kinda want something of my own, you know? Like Maddie and Chim. They started their family. Or like- like you and Ana!” He pointed at Eddie. “You’re trying to make a family again. I want that too.” Buck looked pleadingly at Eddie, clearly willing him to understand. 

“Right,” Eddie said slowly, “like me and Ana.” He couldn’t quite understand the thought in the back of his mind that whispered not like me and Ana at all. He looked up to see an almost wistful look in Buck’s eyes. Eddie swallowed hard. “You’ll find it, Buck.”

Something flashed across Buck’s face too quickly for Eddie to catch before it turned into a sincere smile, Buck’s blue eyes lighting up like always. “You think so?”

Eddie couldn’t help but smile back weakly. “Yeah.” He suddenly felt exhausted, the feeling seeping down into his bones, like that short conversation had sapped every ounce of energy from him. He took a long swig of his beer and then sat it down on Buck’s counter definitively. “I think I’m going to head home.”

Buck frowned. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just tired.” Eddie stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket. Buck mirrored him, trailing behind as Eddie headed for the door. He opened it then paused, something nudging him to turn around and meet Buck’s worried gaze.

Eddie stepped forward and rested his hand on Buck’s shoulder, his thumb brushing against Buck’s collarbone. He stared at it for a moment, reminded viscerally of another time, another memory.

There's nobody in this world I trust with my son more than you.

“Eddie?” Buck’s quiet voice drew his eyes up to meet Buck’s concerned eyes. Eddie’s heart started pounding, his thumb stroking unconsciously across the soft skin. Buck drew a sharp breath and Eddie dropped his hand suddenly, feeling like he was vibrating all over with tension. He whirled around and grabbed the door handle to pull it closed behind him before he paused, following an instinctive impulse that jolted through him.

“You’ll find someone,” Eddie said hoarsely, gripping the handle while his heart thumped so loudly, he almost thought Buck would hear it. “It’s impossible for people not to love you.”  

He fled, closing the door loudly behind him before Buck could say anything.

Not like me and Ana at all.

[mari-beau]

GIVE ME A REASON: PART SEVEN -A Rogue One fanfic

Final part to this story! 😘😘😘

Read on AO3

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Title: Give Me A Reason: Part Seven

Genre: Hurt/Comfort

Characters: Jyn Erso POV, Cassian Andor

Pairing: Cassian/Jyn (mostly pre-ship?)

Spoilers: Rogue One; Episode IV A New Hope

Setting: Post-Rogue One AU (Cassian & Jyn live); Also during/post A New Hope

Warnings: None?

Words: 2,888

Story Summary: Jyn’s entire universe has been turned on its head, so maybe she’s clinging a little too hard to the one thing she feels certain of (strangely enough) as she tries to figure out her place in the galaxy. And maybe she’s being a little overprotective of a wounded captain.

Also can be found on AO3.

Nervous.

The hardened rebel spy was nervous. So was Jyn, of course, but it was still a surprise to find the tangible expression of Cassian’s jangled nerves. She thought he’d be better at hiding it. At hiding all of his emotions when he wanted.

But maybe he didn’t feel the need to hide it from her? Although it was a subconscious tick he probably wasn’t aware of… Which wasn’t helping the butterflies in Jyn’s own stomach. In fact, it was really starting to annoy her.

She reached for his hand, wrapping her fingers around his in an attempt to still their drumming against the side of his leg. He was still standing, but with no thanks to the Alliance. The inconsiderate bastards could’ve maybe provided a chair for the wounded captain. Not that Cassian would’ve accepted, anyway. At least everyone was just milling about until the ceremony started, so they were able to take a position against the wall, allowing Cassian to casually lean against the immense stonework for support.

He’d been looking around the large hall, watching the crowd of Alliance personnel and council members, observing and evaluating, as the spy habitually did. But when she touched him, his eyes snapped immediately to her hand on his. They widened and then that furrow formed between his brows and he frowned.

So that was how it was going to be?

In his bed, he could hold her so tight their bodies practically fused together, could nuzzle her neck, his lips could ghost over her skin in tantalizing, teasing non-kisses, he could lean into the touch of her palm on his cheek, make salacious pleased noises when she stroked his head and neck, or trailed fingers down his spine. But any sort of affectionate display in public wasn’t allowed.

Not that she wouldn’t have grabbed his hand to still his annoyingly drumming fingers if they were only just friends. They were only just friends, anyway.

He twisted his hand free, gently, casually, but removed it from her grasp nonetheless.

His dark eyes met hers and she held the gaze. Let him see the hurt, even as she thought it a stupid thing to feel hurt about. And yet… Meeting Cassian Andor had redefined her world, her existence, how she felt, how she dealt with those feelings. Her very place in the galaxy seemed to have changed.

Because here she was in a giant hall in a ruined temple, surrounded by hundreds of Alliance soldiers, waiting for a princess to tell her ‘good job’ or some such. But even stranger, she was standing beside a person she truly trusted. She couldn’t remember ever trusting anyone before, not wholeheartedly, with no reservations, no reluctance or doubt. Not since she was a child living in that cozy home with her parents that now seemed a dream.

This seemed rather dreamlike, too. Mon Mothma, the head of the Alliance’s council, dressed in regal white, looking like some ethereal being -maybe the ones Cassian had told her about in that intimate, vulnerable moment- had entered the hall and a hush formed as everyone scrambled into neat military rows, coming to attention as the elegant woman approached the dias.

She began to give a speech, but Jyn couldn’t focus on it. Cassian had started fidgeting again, shifting his weight and drumming his fingers against his leg. It seemed so entirely unlike him, and yet Jyn could sympathize. She had always tried to maintain an unreadable exterior, too, or rather, she had always tried not to feel things because everything she felt was too painful. She imagined it was similar with Cassian. And she imagined he was likewise nervous now, because being the center of attention felt wrong in every way, and just such a situation was imminent.

Jyn hated the idea of Cassian’s vulnerability being exposed to the world, that he would be required to limp the ridiculous distance up to the dias at the front of the room, in front of everyone, probably with her assistance, if he’d accept it. The man did not deserve anyone’s pity. They should only respect him for everything he’d done for the rebellion, for everything he’d sacrificed. And from what Jyn could tell, he didn’t even want that, it was so ingrained in him to work in the shadows.

She grabbed his hand again, but it was honestly more to calm herself than him. This time, though, his fingers encircled hers and did not pull away. His attention remained on Mon Mothma as she finished up her speech and introduced the princess.

Dank farrik.

Princess Leia was young and pretty, likewise clothed in regal white, but in a dress that hugged her perfect curves and accented the elegant line of her neck. Her brown hair and dark eyes offset her perfect porcelain skin. More enticing, the princess had the bearing of someone like Mon Mothma, but there was something more lively in her, adventurous and passionate maybe. Jyn would’ve felt justified in her previous unwarranted flash of jealousy when Cassian had described Leia Organa as if he knew the young woman, if Jyn didn’t find the princess extremely attractive herself. Force, if it didn’t feel like Cassian had been imprinted on her very soul, and if Jyn’s libido hadn’t already decided it wanted him and no one else would suffice… But a princess would’ve been way out of her league, anyway.

Cassian’s fingers squeezed her hand, and he leaned in, a whisper tickling her ear.

“You’re staring.”

“I’m just paying attention,” she whispered back.

A very quiet chuckle escaped him.

“Sure,” he said and she glared at him but continued to hold his hand, an anchor against the tide of nerves roiling in her stomach. “Why were you surprised that I might... kiss men sometimes? You like both men and women, too?”

“I rarely like anyone.” She stroked her thumb over the soft flesh at the base of his thumb. “But when I’m attracted to someone, it doesn’t seem to matter what their gender is.”

If they were pretty, they were pretty. She couldn’t really say why or what criteria made someone attractive to her. Although Leia had some gorgeous brown eyes. And so did Cassian for that matter, although his were a little darker, and as much playful as perceptive as they studied her face. And maybe she had become so soft that she’d gone to actual mush, because she could stare into those eyes forever.

Was that her thing? Is that what did it for her? Was she an ‘eyes’ girl?

Oh. Maybe she was. Because she found herself utterly captivated by Cassian’s beautiful eyes, finding everything she wanted and more in their dark depths... An if she didn’t know better... She could swear that he wanted-

“Captain Andor. Jyn Erso.”

Jyn nearly jumped out of her skin. Alarm likewise flashed across Cassian’s face before it was promptly hidden by a facade of professional pleasantness as he straightened. His hand slipped out of hers but landed at the small of her back to urge her forward out of the ranks.

And then Jyn found herself face to face with Leia Organa. And felt such gratitude that the princess had come to them and not made Cassian come to her, limping on an unsteady, barely begun to heal leg, that Jyn found herself smiling broadly, genuinely, at the kriffing gorgeous young woman.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for the rebellion. I know you’ve lost much.”

Jyn bowed her head, although being as small as she was, the even more petite princess still could’ve managed to drape the medal over her head with no problem.

“We all have lost too much,” Cassian said, after bowing to receive his own medal from the princess.

Leia Organa was good at maintaining her facade but Jyn saw the sadness in the young woman’s eyes. Jyn had cried while Cassian was in deep, medicated sleep, when she heard that Alderaan had been destroyed, feeling like she had failed after all. But what pain that loss was to its princess, Jyn couldn’t quite fathom. She had lost much, her parents, her childhood, but she had never loved an entire planet, full of people who she was a leader to. She had sort of led a unit of soldiers. And they all had died. And that was agony.

Except for Cassian. She still had Cassian. And if Jyn was honest, he was more than an entire world to her. He was a kriffing galaxy. She slid her arm around his waist because his hand on her back was not providing enough contact when Jyn felt like she might fall to pieces at any moment.

“I’m truly glad you both survived Scarif,” Princess Leia said, as if the loss of just two more lives would’ve crushed her, that the knowledge that some had survived, that some could and would survive this fight, was what kept her going. “Your bravery has saved us all.”

“Thank you,” Jyn said, unable to think of anything else to say.

The princess inclined her head, a bittersweet smile on her face, before she turned and began walking back to the dias. When Jyn returned her attention to Cassian, he was looking at her again with that expression in his eyes.

“We should probably get back in line,” she whispered, but was unable to break away from his captivating gaze.

“When have you ever been one to stay in line, Jyn Erso?” There was the small flash of his tongue wetting his bottom lip and Jyn nearly forgot how to breathe. No longer fixated by his eyes but his mouth. Was he-

His hand at the small of her back urged her closer, his other hand cupping her face and-

Oh.

Cassian Andor’s kiss was… Perfection. It was everything a first kiss, any kiss should be, excited and eager at the start, making it perhaps a little too rough when his mouth crashed against hers, but then suddenly softer, gentle, a tentative question, which she returned, sliding her lips against his, parting them in invitation, which he accepted, deepening the kiss. He tilted his head, angling his mouth against hers, sucking at her top lip then her bottom, submitting to her own explorative press and slide of her lips, the small nips she made with the edge of her teeth. His tongue darted over her lips, swiping into her mouth just the smallest fraction, just enough to tease and tantalize and make her release a groan of pure carnal want.

The room, the world, had faded away entirely but suddenly came crashing back hard. People were hooting and clapping, whistling and chuckling and shouting lewd, encouraging comments. Cassian broke the kiss, breathing heavily as he rested his forehead against hers for a moment.

He had just kissed her. In front of everyone. They might as well have been standing on that dias, in front of the princess, making out for the entire Alliance to see.

“You kissed me,” she said, still incredulous.

“Yes,” Cassian met her gaze with his dark brown eyes, which seemed to be honest-to-goodness twinkling, for Force’s sake. “And you kissed me back.”

“But, you kissed me. In public. In front of everyone.”

“Yes.” Cassian was a good liar, pretending that it wasn’t a big deal for him to so openly display an emotion such as affection. He shrugged. “It was a bit territorial of me. Sorry.”

Jyn hadn’t even thought of that. She was so busy fighting her possessive feelings for Cassian, it hadn’t occurred to her he might be feeling possessive of her.

“Don’t apologize.” Don’t take it back. Please.

He smiled at her. And parts of her that she hadn’t previously known existed before meeting him, responded, filling her with warmth, as seemed inevitable whenever she was in the glow of that smile of his.

“Let’s get out of here while we can,” he leaned in to whisper, a little closer than necessary so that his mouth was just a couple of teasing inches away from hers.

“Yeah,” Jyn whispered back. “Your leg must be bothering you. I think we need to get you back to bed.”

His mouth twitched and he raised his eyebrows at her. Like he was in any condition to follow through on the innuendo that she actually hadn’t intended.

“Do you know of… er… a back way out of here?” Jyn asked as they ducked back into line. Things seemed to be picking up for the next part of the ceremony. And she’d honestly had enough pomp and circumstance for the day.

“Of course. I’m a spy,” Cassian said, giving Jyn a wink as he took her hand and somehow began to sidle through the ranks of rebel soldiers, weaving seamlessly between them and towing Jyn along, none the worse for wear for his injured leg.

They managed to reach the wall, slide along it and duck into a shadowy corner that was the entrance to a hidden narrow hallway just as all the troops came to attention and did an about face. Apparently the heroes of the Battle of Yavin were making their grand entrance. Jyn would’ve been curious about them if she wasn’t being towed along by the most compelling person she’d ever met, the most frustrating, uptight, passionate, tortured, beautiful man in the galaxy.

Halfway back to his quarters, his limp was worsening, so Jyn pulled her hand out of his and slipped her arm around his waist. It was difficult to say whether he maybe just wasn’t as much a stubbornly independent sort as she thought, or whether he trusted her like no other. But either way, he accepted her help and being snuggled up against him felt like where she belonged.

When they reached his quarters, Cassian collapsed onto his bed with a sigh. It had been a long day, even for her, and she was only recovering from comparatively minor injuries. So she was actually a little surprised when he didn’t immediately pass out. Instead, he gave her that look again.

“Come here.” Sitting up, he reached for her. And Jyn came, more than willingly, practically jumping into his lap, only hesitating when part of her shouted to be careful not to hurt him.

He smiled. Oh, that smile.

“It’s okay.” His hands found her waist. And oh, they fit her curves like they were made to hold her.

“But your injuries. I don’t want-”

“Straddle me.” He tugged gently at her waist. Heat blazed through her, and a wanting she’d never experienced the likes of before. “You can keep your weight off me that way, if you want.”

“Oh, right.” She put a knee on the bed on either side of his thighs, settled onto his lap without -he was right- placing her full weight on him. Cassian made a pleased noise, his hands never leaving her waist, but beginning to stroke up and down her sides, beneath her vest but separated from her bare skin by the fabric of her shirt, which she was honestly a bit thankful for. Her senses, her kriffing emotions, were already overwhelmed, especially when she looked down to find his face tilted up towards hers, his pretty dark eyes fixed on her, showing her everything he kept locked up so deep inside.

His eyes were all soft and imploring, filled with a desperate need to give and receive affection, to be understood and loved, to connect with another person on a soul deep level, emotionally… physically. It made her heart race and her skin prickle with gooseflesh. She had the same longing she had never been able to define before.

Jyn took his face in her hands, leaned down and kissed him. It was as good as the first time. Maybe even better. No less eager for one another, the ambrace was enthusiastic and a bit sloppy. But it slowed to that intense teasing exploration of one another, this time deepened by their tongues eager to taste one another, stroke and caress. The kiss was seeking and answering. It was… It was...

Kissing Cassian was a revelation. Not just confirmation that her attraction to him was reciprocated, but a soul-baring epiphany.

Most of her life, all of her adult life, Jyn had had nothing beyond surviving, no reason for living besides that death was the alternative. Cassian had tried to give her one, give her the Cause, his cause, the Rebellion. And for a while, she’d adopted it. She would still make it hers. But she was too cynical for it to be her reason for living. And if she was truly honest with herself, it was only her Cause because it was his.

Cassian Andor had given her something to live for, something to fight for, but it wasn’t what either of them pretended it was.

He was her reason. He was her Cause.

The kiss broke, and Jyn rested her forehead against his, the need to be close persisting despite the biological requirement that they break for want of air. His hands released her waist to cradle her face.

“Cassian…” She could barely recognize her own breathy whisper, could not find any words.

His thumbs stroke her cheeks and he sighed, his voice low and husky when he spoke.

“Me, too, Jyn. Me, too.”

END

[spaceorphan18]

99 Perspectives on a Single Love Story #37

A/N: The Story of Kurt and Blaine told through the eyes of everyone else but them. Each chapter is a different perspective in the ongoing tale of their love story.

I started something like this a while back - and now I’m taking the idea and really running with it. Each chapter is a ficlet of a different character at a different point in Kurt and Blaine’s life - documenting their love story. This starts in Audition, and each chapter will be paired with a different episode until reaching Dreams Come True.

[Ao3]

***

Cooper J. Anderson (Big Brother) 

“It’s a misnomer that only certain people can play the leading romantic roles. Of course, there are some people, such as myself, who embody both looks and smarts and therefore don’t have to put in as much effort. However, acting is about presentation. So, even if you are ugly, if you act hard enough, you, too, can still land the lead in the quirky rom-com of your choice. Believe me, I know. I have watched over two-hundred films, and most of those actors are just not as good looking as I am.”

Cooper J. Anderson takes a chair in his parents’ dining room and turns it around to sit on it backwards. His baby brother (Blaine) and his baby brother’s boyfriend (Kurt) had been doing their homework that afternoon when he had walked through to get a protein bar for his afternoon snack. He had been stopped but Kurt, who had asked if he had any more acting advice. Of course who is he to deny his own expertise in the field?

Kurt is looking up at him with wide eyes, frantically nodding as he speaks. Blaine could work on his enthusiasm, though. Frown lines are bad for the soul. How many times does he have to tell his baby brother that?

“What do you actually know about being a romantic lead?” Blaine asks. If there’s sarcasm in his voice, Cooper doesn’t catch it. Because it is a great question. And he always has more wisdom to impart.

“I have had to play the romantic lead in over four commercials,” Cooper says, a hand to his chest. “And I have found that there are three keys to making sure that you are leading man material. Would you like to hear them?”

Kurt’s hanging on to his every word. “Oh, yes, definitely!”

“What? Don’t indulge him,” Blaine says.

Cooper points a finger at Blaine though remains fixated on Kurt. “Not a rule, just a piece of general advice -- ignore him. He would rather be on stage instead of in front of a camera. And he has no idea what he’s talking about.”

“Thanks, Coop…”

“And how many commercials have you been in, Blainey? Oh that's what I thought. Zero. So, why don't you listen?"

Blaine rolls his eyes at him.

"Rule number one,” Cooper says, his voice loud and booming. Presence is, afterall, everything. He grabs a cantaloupe that happens to be sitting in a bowl in the middle of the dining room table. It will make for a great scene partner. “Good chemistry comes from them wanting you. So you have to make them want you. How? By giving them your best sexy stare that says -- I know I am good looking and you know you want this.” Cooper gives his best smouldering look to the cantaloupe.

“Oh, my god…” Blaine’s jaw drops open.

“Rule number two,” he holds up two fingers to illustrate, “is talking.”

Blaine tilts his head. “Really, talking? That’s it? So, if I just continue to talk right now I’ll get all the leads? Great advice, Cooper, I’m just going to keep talking until--”

Cooper, again, points his finger in Blaine’s face. “Hush. Hater. I’m trying to teach Kurt some real world advice.”

“Oh, that’s what this is? You’ve been in LA for six months because Denver, Colorado wasn’t working out for you. Though, really, you’ve spent most of your time in Columbus, Ohio - so I don’t know how much real world advice you really have...”

Kurt is gleefully watching between the two of them. Good to know he still has his real audience.

“Shut up, Blaine, rule number two is talking,” Cooper says quickly over Blaine’s continued babble. “You have to tell your scene partner that you are the one that they want.” He continues his sensual gaze at the cantaloupe. “Baby, I know you want a piece of this. Let’s make sweet, sweet love and if we’re lucky, we’ll make a bunch of melon balls.”

“And this has landed you four commercials?” Blaine asks. “I really have to say I’m impressed.”

“Thank you, Blaine. Finally some positivity out of your mouth,” Cooper says. “I did hit it out of the park with all four of the female casting agents I auditioned for. Maybe you’ll have better luck with the male casting agents. We’ll just have to see. They did not seem to appreciate my methodology much.”

“Shocking.” Blaine deadpans.

“Okay, okay,” Kurt says excitedly. “What’s rule number three?”

“Rule number three,” Cooper says, his voice demanding attention. “Is seduction. You have to show your partner just how much they should want you.”

Kurt tilts his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

“Of course you don’t. He’s insane,” Blaine mutters under his breath.

Cooper holds up the fruit again. “Let me demonstrate on my scene partner who, I have to say Blaine, is much more giving than any actor that I’ve had to work with yet…”

“It’s a cantaloupe!”

“Blaine, I’m working, no distractions…” Cooper brings the cantaloupe to his lips and begins to kiss it. Not some lame peck. He is, after all, full method. He kisses the hell out of that fruit, open mouth, tongue gliding on the (god, ew, bitter bitter bitter) rind, some slobber but not too much. It’s important to be a good kisser after all. After another moment, he pulls off the fruit, trying to play down his grimace as he wipes his lips. “See - that is rule number three.”

“Yay!” Kurt lets out a little squeak.

Blaine is nearly doubling over in laughter. “My phone is charging. Do you mind if I grab it so you can demonstrate again? I think this is definitely something the internet needs to see.”

Cooper is about to make a retort and Kurt surprises him. “No, no, Blaine, I wanna try,” Kurt says, turning to face Blaine.

“Yes, okay, good, a scene to direct,” Cooper hands out the cantaloupe.

“Please don’t make out with a fruit,” Blaine says.

Kurt waves his hand at it. “No, I’m trying it out on you, silly.”

“Oh!” Blaine perks up.

“Oh?” Cooper tilts his head. This is not what he had been expecting, but he can work with it. “Okay, Kurt, remember the three rules. And…. action!”

Kurt schooches closer to Blaine. He bites his lip, pretending to be unsure while looking Blaine up and down. And then begins to give Blaine a deeply sensual look, glancing from his eyes to his lips to his eyes again. A smirk climbs on Kurt’s face as he hovers his lips above Blaine’s. Blaine is in unexpected shock

“Okay, good, good,” Cooper commentates. “You’re a little closer than I feel comfortable with, but I think it’s working. Rule number two -- talking.”

“Blaine…” Kurt’s voice is much lower than Cooper expects. It’s a little rumbly and raspy, and completely unnerving that someone would speak to his baby brother that way. “You make my heart undone. Your skin lights my soul on fire. I would make love to you until the sun rises, and even then it might not be enough to express how deeply I feel about you.”

“Okay, well, that’s a little more about him than you…” Cooper interjects. “Still, good effort.”

Kurt moves in for a kiss. It’s gentle, at first, but then he leans into it. Blaine opens his mouth, accepting the kiss, turning it much more heated than Cooper needs to see.

“Okay, and end scene,” Cooper says. They continue to kiss. He’s pretty sure he’s witnessing tongue. “What are you guys doing? You’re, like, twelve, and I called the scene....” Blaine lets out a little moan. Okay, this is becoming less and less about him… “Guys, it’s seriously time to end the scene.”

They break apart, both looking a little dizzy and giddy. “Thanks for the advice, Coop,” Blaine says, standing up, taking Kurt’s hand in the process.

“Well, I do have a few notes…”

“Nope, we’re good,” Blaine says, pulling Kurt up. Kurt’s grinning at him. “We’ll be back by tomorrow morning.”

“Wait, where are you going?” Cooper yells as they scurry out of the room. “I’m supposed to be babysitting you. Blaine, get back here! Blaine!”

Cooper lets out a huff as he stares at the cantaloupe resting on the table. Well… if they’re busy, maybe he can work on his next audition tape for Michael Bay. He picks up the cantaloupe and bounces it into the air. And he can’t go wrong with a good prop.

[chelseaheskett]

12:14PM, TUESDAY. AUGUST 11TH, 2020.

She’d been in this situation so many times. Too many times. 

The drive down to Charlotte after her second round of artificial insemination, sitting in the clinic waiting room with her Mom by her side. Holding her hand and praying. Chelsea tried not to get her hopes up, tried to bury the excitement. The first round had been unsuccessful. So much of her money and savings spent, just for it to fail. Her doctor greeted them with a huge smile on her face. Ushered them inside her office. 

A pee-on-a-stick pregnancy test from a grocery store she’d never been to before. New town, new city. All the way on the other side of the country. No Mom to hold her hand this time. Chelsea shyly smiled at the checkout person when they scanned it through. Snuck it off to the nearest restroom. Washed it off and boxed it up, after the result came through. 

Her doctor’s office after lots of dizzy spells. Nausea. Rocking three kids, three toddlers, in a stroller back and forth with her foot while she waited for a diagnosis. A reason for all her symptoms and sickness. 

This time it was a self-service checkout. The same grocery store she always went to. She avoided the aisle with the eggs. Bagged up the test on her own and drove home. Took it into the bathroom off the entryway, so she didn’t have to run into her Mom looking after the kids. It was just a precaution. She just had to rule it out. It was impossible for the test to be positive, anyway... until it wasn’t. 'Til it wasn’t impossible and it was positive. “I gotta duck out again, I’ll be back!” Chelsea called out, already halfway out the front door. She drove back to the store, foot a little heavy on the gas. Parked the car the way Elliot usually would: poorly, and practically illegal. Shoved two different brands of take-home pregnancy tests into a bag. Just to be sure. Just to rule it out. False positives happened. 

Three false positives in a row didn’t look too good. Chelsea loved probability. Tutored Jenny in Math all the time. She was a numbers person, okay? She typed them into her phone, over and over, searching for a doctor’s office with any available appointments. Drove half an hour into the city to see somebody, anybody. The guy didn’t ask her any questions. No medical or family history, nothing. Chelsea didn’t choose to tell him anything, either. Didn’t say I have four biological children under the age of four, a teenage step-daughter, and a husband who got a vasectomy. Told him about the three at-home pregnancy tests, though. He got her to pee in a cup. It was any wonder Chelsea had anything left, after all of her previous attempts. She asked for a blood test, too. Didn’t mind waiting a few days for the results, she just needed to be sure. A nurse came to draw her blood and then handed her off to somebody else. Another doctor in the clinic for a sonogram. 

The urine test was positive. Chelsea refused to believe it. Got changed into a gown for the ultrasound and hitched her legs up in the stirrups. The doctor got going with the wand, making small talk. Chelsea nodded; replied like a robot. Clenched the fabric of the gown around her stomach to keep her hands from trembling. Shifted around, uncomfortable, from the pressure of the wand moving around inside of her. She refused to look at the screen until the doctor pointed it out to her, lining over the image with his fingertip. 

“Here’s the yolk sac.” He said, before moving his finger out. “And the gestational sac…” 

Chelsea nodded again. Quick, frantic. Grit her teeth to keep from crying. 

“And this tiny white speck? That’s the embryo.” Chelsea had to squint to see it. But it was there. It was there. “I’d say you’re around five, maybe five-and-a-half weeks pregnant.”

There must’ve been something in the water. They had a barbecue on the weekend with the twins. Macy and Amy and their families. Macy balancing Ollie, her three-year-old son, on her hip while Caleb hugged her from behind. They announced they were pregnant. Eight weeks along. Their second pregnancy, with three years in between. Four, by the time the new baby arrived. That was acceptable, that was… that was normal. Four years between, like a regular person would. Unlike Chelsea, who had practically been pregnant every year over the last four. Who had four babies under the age of four. 

Everything was a number. Jack had just turned three about a fortnight ago. Jenny had turned thirteen-years-old weeks before that. A teenager. It was the twins’ second birthday in two days. They were meant to have a party on the weekend. Luca was only six months old. Vasectomies were 99.9% effective for preventing pregnancy. That was one pregnancy for every thousand vasectomies. And Chelsea was pregnant again. Chelsea was about to be pregnant for the fourth time, with her fifth biological child. Five under five. Luca had only just gotten his first tooth. Only just started eating solids, when he agreed to it. Six months. Six children. Six fucking children. One in one thousand. Pregnant, again.

Chelsea felt like a robot malfunctioning. Broken and spitting out numbers. It got like this, this bad, sometimes. Fixating on numbers and figures, as if her brain couldn’t process things any other way at this capacity. This overwhelmed. When she was feeling something that couldn’t even be named or described. She took the sonogram printout and walked out of the clinic. Without paying, without even realising. Just walked to her car and stopped to sit on the curb. She eased her head between her knees, forcing herself to breathe. Birthing classes gave her plenty of practice, right? In, out. Nice and easy, the way Elliot would always say. Elliot. How was she gonna tell Elliot? Again?

The courthouse wasn’t far from the doctor’s office. Chelsea didn’t even think about it: when she got calm enough to get back in her car and drive, she did. She’d already driven into the city for the appointment, anyway. Somehow remembered to fill the meter for street parking in front of the building. She found the right courtroom and slipped into a pew at the back. Nobody noticed her entrance. Didn’t notice that she was severely underdressed in an oversized tunic and jeans. Flat sandals. Elliot was sitting up the front of the room at his bar table, head bowed and scribbling something on a notepad. Chelsea couldn’t see his face from this angle, but she’d know that hair anywhere. The shape of his body, hunched over in his seat, suit jacket pressing tight against his back. She could see the arms of his glasses tucked behind his ears, too. Chelsea got lost in the sight of him. Pretended to herself that she was just here to watch, just to see him in action, and not for any other completely life-altering reason. Nope. For now, she wasn’t going to think about that. 

The other lawyer, the prosecution, was pacing around before the guy on the witness stand. Gently questioned him. Chelsea didn’t know much about the case, but it only took a little while to figure out what was going on. The man on the stand was the victim. Yeah. “Victim.” Chelsea furrowed her eyebrows, listening to the guy talk. Rehearsed and manipulative. The lawyer gave a thank you and sat back down at the bar table across the way from Elliot’s. Hey, at least something had gone right today! It looked like she had gotten here just in time to see her baby—no, bad word!—her husband work his magic. 

This was a very serious assault case—Chelsea shouldn’t’ve been grinning ear-to-ear in the back row, but she couldn’t help it. Elliot stood and unbuttoned his suit jacket. Pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Chelsea got antsy when he said lawyer stuff like objection or verdict at home… this was next level hot. Seeing him in his element. His cross-examination was smart. Completely clever. Turns out the “victim” was a wife beater. The accused, Elliot’s client, was the wife. And Elliot made sure everybody knew it. Constantly looked over at the jury, giving Chelsea a shot at his side profile. There was someone in the gallery taking photos. Yeah, how did Chelsea get a copy of that? Hey, maybe she could be a court photographer. That’d be cool. 

Elliot was getting the victim, the husband, pretty worked up on the stand. Hitting him where it hurt. Asking the right questions. From the evidence Elliot was providing, the guy had a temper. A really short fuse. And Elliot knew which buttons to push. Chelsea was getting worked up, too. Flushed cheeks, a bead of sweat collecting on her forehead. This should not have been arousing, but it was, Goddammit! Hormones notwithstanding. Elliot was confident and cunning and she was so proud of him. Practically had the guy on the stand exactly where he wanted him until the prosecution, rattled, called for a recess. The judge dropped his gavel and said something about breaking for lunch. Chelsea felt like she was in an episode of SVU. She’d have to bring Jenny to one of these, one day. She’d love that. It was good. It was a good distraction. But as the gallery started to disperse, and the judge and jury filed out of the courtroom, Chelsea’s stomach twisted into knots. Time to face the music, huh?

Elliot was shuffling paper into his briefcase. His client, the wife, left the room with who Chelsea could only assume were her parents. Some support system or another. Chelsea gave the woman a small, soft smile when they crossed paths. Elliot hadn’t caught sight of her yet. She stood a few steps behind him, fingers wrapping around the thin strap of her bag, hanging over her shoulder. Chelsea cleared her throat. Rolled back on her heels. “Y’know, it should be a crime...” Talked before she even thought about touching him. Knew he would recognise her voice and wouldn’t get jumpy. “You up there being so sexy. Just out there on display for the whole world to witness.” She teased, voice slightly high pitched. Had to push through all this anxious, nervous energy. The pit in her stomach.

“Hi, handsome.” Chelsea said, breaking the distance between them by the time he turned around to face her. She didn’t want him to seem unprofessional or anything, so she caught his wrist and stroked his arm instead of giving him a hug or a kiss in greeting. Didn’t call him baby, because she was actively avoiding that word for the moment. Handsome wasn’t used nearly as much as he deserved, anyway. And standing there in his suit, hair falling over the frame of his glasses, it was fitting. Appropriate. Despite her gut feeling, Chelsea smiled up at him. Let her shoulders drop and relax with a deep, drawn out exhale. “Nothing bad’s happened, I promise.” Well. It depends how he saw it, really. Chelsea didn’t want to put that out into the universe, though—no matter what ended up happening with this pregnancy. She knew him, though. Knew he’d panic and wonder why she was here, at the courthouse in the middle of his work day, if something wasn’t wrong. 

Before he could question it, Chelsea got to talking again. Ran her mouth some more. “You’re doing really great, honey. He was about to crack, I could see it!” The minimal touching thing was hard. Chelsea smoothed out the lapels on his jacket. Fidgeted with his tie. It was really for her own benefit, not for his or his appearance. ��You’ve totally got this in the bag.” Her hands slid up to his shoulders, giving them a reassuring squeeze. “God, you’re so talented. You’re so good at this, Elliot.” She’d known it this whole time, of course, but now she had actual evidence. And he couldn’t argue back if she was using legal jargon! 

She wished it could stay like this. Light, unserious. Chelsea tried to keep it going for as long as possible. Tried to keep the shake out of her skin, and the caving emptiness out of the pit of her stomach. Chelsea flit her gaze away from his face. Briefly, momentarily. But he knew her. He knew her better than anybody in the entire world. No matter how much she wanted to right now, she couldn’t hide from him. She couldn’t hide from this. “I don’t wanna interrupt your lunch time, hon, but... is there someplace we can go to talk? Somewhere quiet?”

[jobrookekarev]

New Hair, but No New Engagements

Chapter One of One

Words: 3256

Summary: Link tries to fix Jo’s hair while the two of them talk. Link comforts her about her worries for leaving Luna in daycare, and Jo tells him not to keep pushing Amelia to marry him.

Fandom: Grey’s Anatomy.

Relationship: Jo Wilson & Atticus Lincoln, Alex Karev/Jo Wilson (Mentioned), and Atticus Lincoln/Amelia Shepherd (Mentioned).  

Characters: Jo Wilson, Atticus Lincoln, and Luna Ashton Wilson.

Rating: General Audiences.

Additional Tags: Fluff, Angst, Haircuts, Babies, Serious Conversations, Relationship Advice, and Friendship.

Read at AO3

Read at FFN

AN: There wasn't nearly enough of Jo and Link in last night's episode.

……………………………………………………………………

“Are you sure about this?” Jo asked, holding up the mirror looking to where Link was holding a strand of her hair, getting ready to make the first cut. 

“Yes, trust me. I'm much better at cutting hair than you are,” Link said as Jo scoffed, remembering the time she tried to cut his hair. “Besides, you've seen how I keep up this beautiful hair.” 

Jo rolled her eyes but pinned the towel around her shoulders and let him continue. After they deep conditioned her hair in the kitchen sink and worked out most of the tangles, Jo decided that although some of it could be saved, the majority of her ends were completely unsalvageable. So she put Luna on a play mat on the floor as Link grabbed the scissors. 

Jo closed her eyes as he made the first cut. As soon as she heard the snip of the scissors, she opened one eye and looked at it in the mirror she was holding. She let out a sigh of relief as, thankfully, it didn't look too bad. As Link continued to cut, Jo looked down at Luna, she was supposed to be doing tummy time, but she had rolled over onto her back and was currently staring up at the suspended animals while playing with her toes. 

“Does Lana have object permanence yet?” Link asked, catching Jo's attention as she looked at him in the mirror. 

“Yeah, she’s really good at not fussing when I lose her favorite blanket. We still play peek-a-boo all the time and it's her favorite,” Jo said, looking down at Luna again as she glanced at her, and Jo put her hands over her face before pulling them back and saying peekaboo to her as Luna laughed.

“So Luna knows that just because she can't see something doesn't mean it's not there. The same thing applies to you when you drop her off at daycare. She knows that you love her, Jo. I've seen the way she looks at you, and just because you drop her off at daycare doesn't mean that Luna doesn't know that you love her.”

“Thanks,” Jo said with a sigh, looking down at Luna, who was fixated on her and smiled down at her little girl.

Luna looked over at her with a wide smile as Jo waved at her, and Luna waved her arms as well before looking back up at her toys. Jo couldn't help but smile as she stared at her daughter. Her perfect little girl was so happy. She never wanted Luna to worry about if Jo was going to pick her up from daycare. All Jo wanted was to let her daughter know that she was always loved and wanted. 

“I know it's not as easy as I say it is. I’m still terrified that Scout is going to get cancer,” Link said, letting out a sigh as he picked up another strand of her hair. 

“Even though I've told you a dozen times that the likelihood of that is pretty small?” Jo said, looking up at him. “By the way, how was his 1-year appointment? “

“It was great, except for the fact that we over shared with the doctor, but Scout is doing fine. He's, he's perfect,” Link said, with a smile as Jo looked back at him, but it quickly disappeared before he shook his head and picked up another strand to cut. “But I still worry, you know, I don't think that I'll ever not worry.”

“I don't think I'll ever not worry either,” Jo said, staring at Luna before looking back at him in the mirror. “And Link, you gotta stop proposing to Amelia.”

“I just want to marry her. Is that so wrong?” Link asked with a sigh, running a comb through her hair and holding up the ends before he trimmed them. 

“You're pushing her to do something that she's not ready to do. Amelia has a really good reason for not wanting to marry you. She's been married before, and she loves you, and  I can tell that she doesn’t want to rush into a marriage she's not ready for. I was in her position and do you know how many times I turned down Alex’s proposal? He asked me like three or four times before he decided it wasn't enough for him and we broke up for six months.”

“Didn't he also punch DeLuca and almost go to jail at the start of those six months?”  Link asked, pausing to turn his head and look at her. “Also, weren't you still married to Paul and you hadn't told him yet, so technically, you couldn't have accepted the proposal even if you wanted to.” 

“Yes, but that's not the point,” Jo said, waving him off with her hand as he went back to cutting her hair. “Alex was pushing me to do something I didn't want to do. Both in terms of accepting his proposal and telling him about Paul. We were only able to work things out when he accepted that. Then down the road, I realized that I wanted to marry him, and so I proposed, and we got married. I mean, he still left, but...”

Jo trailed off, she wanted to say that they were happy together, but she questioned how much of that happiness was real. She knew that Link and Amelia were different, but given her failed marriages, sometimes she felt like she had no right to be giving relationship advice. Still, she clung to what was true for her and Alex and what she saw that Link was doing with Amelia. 

“Look, it doesn't matter. I still wasn't ready to marry him, but Alex decided that being with me was more important than marrying me!” Jo said, and she waited until he pulled the scissors for her to turn around and look at him. “You have the option to choose to love her and you're throwing it away! Do you think I would do that if Alex was standing in front of me right now? I wouldn't care if he brought an ex-wife and two kids with him. So long as I could have him, I would be happy. Are you telling me that so long as you have Amelia and Scout, you wouldn't be happy?”

Link looked down and away from her. She knew he wasn't quite ready to hear her words. He was still hung up on the fact that Amelia wouldn't marry him. She hoped that he would truly listen to her and Amelia, and they could work things out. Link looked back up and caught her eye again. He didn't say anything as he picked up a strand of hair by her face, measuring it out before he started cutting again. 

Jo turned back around and looked down at Luna, who had rolled over onto her stomach. Luna got up on her hands and knees, she wasn't quite crawling yet, but she would hold herself up and wiggle. Jo smiled and held her hands out to encourage her to crawl. Luna got the most adorable, determined look on her face as she moved back and forth, not quite crawling. After a few minutes, she got frustrated and started to cry out, sitting back and holding out her arms for Jo to pick her up. Link let go of her hair, and Jo reached down to pick up Luna before she sat back in the chair and held Luna on her lap. 

“You almost did it, Luna, you're going to be crawling before Mama knows it,” Jo said, reaching out and bopping her finger on Luna's nose as Luna almost went cross-eyed trying to watch her finger. 

“She is certainly getting close. You'll have to learn how to whip your phone in time to capture it,” Link said as he ran a brush through her hair before he started cutting it again.

“What if she crawls for the first time at daycare and I don't get to see it?” Jo said, her eyes widening as she looked at Luna.

“She's not going to crawl for the first time at daycare. Nothing ever happens for the first time at daycare,” Link said with a little laugh, and she felt another chunk of her hair fall off her shoulders. “The first time she crawls for you is still the first time and she's going to remember if you were there for the real first time or not. You're still going to get to watch her grow up and do so many first, Jo. You have a whole lifetime with her. A few hours in daycare is just nothing compared to that.”

“I know,” Jo said, picking up Luna’s little pacifier with a small brown bear stuffed animal attached to it and waving it around before Luna reached out for it and Jo put the pacifier in her mouth. “It feels so different than when she was in the NICU. Back then, I would visit her whenever I could, and that felt like it was enough. I never felt like I missed anything or like I was abandoning her. Now that she's home with me, it's different, and I don't know why.”

“It's different because she's home,” Link said, pausing to hold a strand of her hair and making sure his cuts were straight. 

“I've been home with her for 12 weeks and I still feel like I did the first day I got her. I've barely even unpacked. I've just been living out of boxes for three months,” Jo said as she glared over at the stack of boxes that she hadn’t unpacked yet.

“You've got a 10-month-old baby, a preemie 10-month-old baby girl, and you're doing everything on your own. So long as you keep yourself and her alive, I think you're doing pretty good,” Link said, putting a hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

“Thanks,” Jo said, looking back at him.

Jo let out a sigh as she looked around the room again. She never imagined her life turning out like this. Even with Luna, the penthouse felt big and empty at times. She was glad that Link was staying with her now. This was the first time that she had lived on her own in six years. She had never gone more than a few months without a roommate or without Alex. As she looked down at Luna, she smiled. Jo could tell she was getting sleepy as she ran her finger over her forehead and down the bridge of her little nose, and her eyes fluttered. It was a trick that Alex had taught her to get the NICU babies to sleep. She knew that even if they were still together, she would have still adopted Luna, but she always thought that Alex would be the one to make her mother or at least be with her through all of this.  

“I never thought I'd be doing this alone. I thought that I'd have him with me,” Jo said, looking down at Luna. She had settled in Jo's arms, her eyes were growing heavy, and she struggled to keep them open and soon closed as she fell asleep. 

“I know,” Link whispered as they both fell silent, save for the sound of the scissors cutting her hair. 

“Whenever we talked about kids, he always got this big smile on his face. He made all these promises to me. He promised me that we would move into a good house in a good school district and that we would go on all of the vacations that we never got to take his kids. Disneyland, and the beach, and roller coasters, and water parks. He promised me that he would change all of the diapers after I gave birth, and I would roll my eyes, but I knew that he would do his best to keep his promises.”

Jo couldn't help but get choked up even a year later. She still grieved for the things that she lost when he left as tears collected in her eyes and a lump formed in her throat. “I adopted Lena alone, and I knew that I was going to be a single mother, but I never thought I'd do this alone.”

“You're not alone, Jo. You have me,” Link said, although he still had the left side of her hair to do. He dropped the scissors and wrapped his arms around her, putting his head on your shoulder. She leaned her head against his, letting a few tears slip out of her eyes. “I never thought I'd find the love of my life and that she wouldn't want to marry me. I never thought that I would be raising my son half the time. I don't want to be alone either, so why don't we stick together? Then we’ll never be alone.”

Jo could only nod as she closed her eyes and shuffled Luna into one arm so she could put her arm around Link as he hugged her. Jo let out a sigh as she let out her tears, although it was just a few. Every time she cried about Alex, she cried less and less. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but it was what it was. Once she pulled away from him, Link let go of her and gave her a tissue to wipe her face. He double-checked that she was okay before he went back to cutting her hair. 

“So if I'm going to move in, we should probably move you and Luna into one of the bedrooms, otherwise it's just awkward,” Link said, as Jo let out a little laugh and tried not to jostle Luna too much. 

“Okay, so do you want the bedroom with the fireplace or without the fireplace?”

“The guest bedroom has a fireplace?” Link paused, moving his head around to look at her as Jo nodded. “Yep, and the master bedroom has both a fireplace and this huge jacuzzi tub that can fit like two people.”

“Wow,” Link said with a shake of his head. “It's so weird that you're rich now.”

“It's super weird,” Jo said as she looked around the penthouse a little bit while trying not to move her head. She still wasn't used to it and didn't think she would ever get used to it. 

“Alright, I'm all done. What do you think?” Link said as he ran a brush through their hair one last time before Jo held up the mirror to look at her hair. 

It was shorter and blond, and she didn't look anything like herself, but she was happy with it. “It looks great. Thank you”

“Don't act so surprised. I told you I know how to cut hair,” Link said as he took the scissors and went to grab the broom.

“It is kind of a little surprising, though,” Jo said as she got up to go put Luna in her crib. When she put her down, Jo lingered there. She held onto the side of the crib and just watched her for an extra second. 

“Hey, come help me with this?” Link said, holding out the dustpan to her, and Jo knew that he was trying to pull her away, but she let him and grabbed the dustpan to help him sweep up her hair.

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

Later that night, Jo laid in bed staring at Luna in her crib. She just got on her back down and was just watching to make sure she didn't wake up again. As Luna slept peacefully Jo found that she couldn't close her eyes. Some Nights the bed still felt too big and empty, no matter how many pillows she squished up against her back. Every time she reached out to feel the cold space next to her, it was just another reminder of the person who should be there. 

Jo let out a huff as she reached out to her nightstand. She sat up just a little bit as she opened the drawer and pulled out the photo that she kept hidden away. It wasn't even her photo and frame. It was the one that Alex kept on his nightstand. The glass of the frame was gone and it was now held together with a little bit of duct tape after she threw across the loft, breaking it. The second she tossed it, she ran to get it and put it back together. Jo looked at the photo, it was them on their wedding day. They looked so happy and he looked so in love with her. She ran her fingers over his face, tracing the lines of his hair and the little curls in his hair. She still didn't know when that love stopped. 

“I wish you were here. I wish I would have given you a baby earlier. I wish you would know and love Luna like I do,” Jo said as she let herself whisper aloud. S

She could feel the tears that came up earlier in her eyes again. She took in a deep breath, and she closed her eyes as she settled, and the tears disappeared. Whenever she did that, she didn't know if she was holding in her tears or letting them go, sometimes it felt like doing a little bit of both.

She heard Luna stir and move around and saw her kick in her crib. Jo put the photo down and got up to glance at her, letting out a sigh of relief as she saw Luna was still asleep. She smiled too as she watched her little girl move in her sleep, dreaming of happy things. Her peaceful watching was interrupted by a loud snore from Link as she looked over at him. He was asleep on the couch and spread out with one leg up on the armrest and the other dangling off as he was too big for the couch. 

As much as she wished that she had Alex with her, she acknowledged that her life was pretty good right now. She was surrounded by people who loved her. She had a family and a daughter whom she loved more than anything. She was pursuing a new career that she was passionate about. If she had left with him and gone to Kansas, she wouldn't have any of this. She looked back at Luna and reached out, tracing her fingers across her arm down to her hand as her little hand wrapped around Jo’s fingers.

“You are worth the heartbreak a thousand times over,” Jo said, although the tears welled up in her eyes again and this time, she let them fall on her cheeks. “I hope you hear me and I hope you know that. I love you so much, my Little Moon.” 

Luna smiled in her sleep and Jo shared her smile. She squeezed Luna's hand one last time before she let her finger slip out of her grasp and went to crawl back into bed. She put the photograph away in her nightstand and moved the pillows up against her back again as she tried not to miss Alex. Instead, she watched Luna in her crib just for a moment. Her daughter would be okay in daycare and she would know that she was loved even if Jo wasn't with her all the time. Then she closed her eyes and she smiled as she fell asleep.