#listen I'm sure Alex also has his lovely moments

[deaderthandoubledead]

I find it hilarious that at first Jonny Sims' presence appears serious and somewhat intimidating and then you see/hear him on a stream and in turns out he gives off major cool&chill uncle vibes.

Alex J Newall on the other hand, at first glance, has that innocent puppy look but then you see/hear him on a stream and realise this one is the one you should be afraid of.

[nrdmssgs]

Little things, they do (Alex, Soap, König) (headcannons)

Masterlist

Part 2 (Price, Ghost, Gaz) here

Ok, guys, first of all, thank you all for giving this little sketch THAT much love. Honestly, I'mm shocked. I'm blaming mister Riley here, but boy, thank you so-so-so much for 100 beautiful followers. I`ve actually had something for this milestone, but I was sure, it would be hit somewhere in the end of the summer. Hope, you like it!

Little things, they do, that get you every time. Silly, warm, heart-melting, wholesome things.

Alex Keller

Almost unconsciously lowers his head to stay on your eye-level whenever you two are sitting at a table and chatting.

If you are cooking and even insisting on doing it solo (maybe it's just your thing, maybe you like to have more room in the kitchen), he is never leaving you. He will just sit there and keep you company, or tell you some stories, or maybe find a youtube video for you both to listen to, while you're doing your magic.

Talking about your cooking, he never turns down anything, you've made. Never. “Alex, don't take that bun, I burnt it!” Eats it anyway, because it's your effort that counts and makes anything you cook so special to him.

If you are dating, and he needs to go early in the morning, he covers your eyes with the corner of his blanket (very carefully so as not to wake you up!). That way, he can turn on the light and collect his clothes without waking you up.

Def pulls you closer in his sleep. Buries his face in your hair, mumbles some sweet nonsense, places a soft kiss on the top of your head. (by gods I need more headcanons on this man sleeping)

Sometimes just stops whatever he is doing to say “I love you” and give you a kiss. The fridge is still open, his sweater is halfway off him, his hands still wet and water runs on uncleaned dishes? Doesn't matter, the kiss is what important to him.

Johnny Soap MacTavish

Once Price saw how you two interact and commented it like “Looks like our Tweedledum finally found his Tweedledee…” And while other pairs could get offended, you two weren't bothered at all (you're two chaotic crows, nothing can stop you!). In fact, from that moment anything he buys or makes for you, comes with a small handwritten note, saying, “to: my Dee. from: your Dum.”

Once he cooked an absolutely amazing pie. You were practicaly moaning, while savouring it and he just sat there all bright with pride. In a few years you saw the same kind of pie in a menu in the pub, where you were supposed to meet Johnny and others from the 141. Once you pointed it out to Johnny, others flinched and looked at each other. In response to your uncomprehending look, one of them admits that Soap was so worried that you would not like his cooking that he practiced at the base for several weeks. Because of it, their diet consisted only of Johnnys` pies for these weeks.

Has no concept of “too girly stuff”. Will gladly go shopping with you, paint your nails, help you dye your hair at home, if you feel like it. Will sneak your eye patches, because they smell so nice, and he feels so fresh after using them!

During his deployments, sends you tons of the most random photos just to calm you down and cheer you up (because every time you are too scared, this could be his last mission). “Ok, bonnie, this time I present you the collection of random rocks, I've met on work.” For the next week, you keep getting… exactly that. Photos of rocks with short comments like “Here's wee one.”

You don't know why the last photo he sent you that week was a photo of some guy in a creepy mask. You also don't have a single idea, why Johnny then goes radio silent for two days and why he has a brand-new phone, when he's back.

König

You have a stiff back? He will gladly take you by the hands and lift you up so that your spine is extended. "König! No, no, wait, don't, OH!... Oh… Sweet mother of jesus, I actually feel better..."

Even if you are just friends, and you are staying over at his place - he presents you with a shampoo, shower gel, conditioner and body lotion of EXACTLY the same brands as you're using at home. He just notes these small things and wants you to feel relaxed and taken care of when you're around him. 

You can call him anytime on any occasion and if his phone is on, he will answer in SECONDS. You had a bad dream, and it's 4 am, and he lives on the other end of the town? In another town even? No problems, he answers almost immediately and comes to you as soon as he can. Even if It's just to hold you for 15-20 minutes, while you slowly drift to sleep, and then to drive back to his place for another good hour. 

Thanks you for everything, and not only verbally! Writes small notes and leaves them on your bag or just straight gives them to you. He doesn't take anything for granted. Every your intention is a gift for him.

And that goes not only for the time, when you two have just met each other. You are his wife or husband since 10 years, you already have 2-3 beautiful kids? He still writes you notes, thanking you for the most incredible goodnight kiss, you gave him yesterday (every your goodnight kiss is the most incredible to him).

[lcriedlastnight]

Y/n asks Oscar for help in order to get Lando to fall in love with her, but y/n breaks her heart in the process, realizing that she loved Oscar the entire time

ohh okay anon! your mind is literally brilliant. also i'm not sure if you wanted lando to break her heart or not but that's what i did, kinda!

tw: fem!reader, kinda arsehole lando again, oscar pines hee hee, lnk if you want me to add anything. ignore any mistakes can’t i cba proofreading rn!

w/c: 1.5k

"oscccc" you sing as you skip into the mclaren hospitality. the look on your face lets oscar know that he most definitely will not like whats coming next. oscar sings your name back to you in the same tone that makes you laugh at him.

"i need your help!" you ask sweetly, plopping yourself down next to oscar on the couch he was resting on. your feet come to rest in his lap as you give him your best puppy eyes.

"don't give me those eyes. you haven't even asked me yet." oscar says although he cannot hold back his own smile.

"i'm sure you know how much i like lando? alex says it's pretty obvious." you start, a little bit nervous now with your words. speaking of your words, it is like oscar is stabbed in the chest as you confirm your affections towards his teammate. what he would do to be lando right now, oscar is never usually envious but this is so much different. the australian had an inking of suspicion that you liked lando but he did not know for sure so he could gaslight himself into thinking that it was all in his head and that you were just really friendly with the tanned boy.

oscar's mouth feels like it is full of cotton as he wills his brain to generate a response that is not just oscar confessing his love for you.

"uh yeah, yeah i may have heard something about that."

you blush a little at oscar's words a little embarrassed about how many people know about this apparently obvious crush you had on lando. you clear your throat.

"right, well. you know lando quite well right? you surely do because you spend so much time with him. i was wondering if you could maybe put in a good word for me?" you practically beg oscar. the boy seriously thinks he is going to die from heartbreak. you were coming to him to ask him to put in a good word? him? who has been in love with you since you had first arrived in paddock. what kind of karma was thing? was oscar really that horrible in his past life?

oscar copies you and clears his throat too. "sure, i'll say to him after free practise." oscar offers. he so badly wants to be one of those people who will not let you have anyone else if he cannot have you, he wants to be that person so badly right now. but he is not. all he wants is to see you happy and if that was not with him, then he would just have to make do with that. the way you squeal in response to his offer makes him want to kill himself right there and then. okay maybe he was being a little dramatic but his mind was already thinking about having to watch you every race weekend, hanging off of lando's arm. oh god he would have to retire from f1 in his second year.

you skip away again as oscar is stuck in his mind. he has never felt this depressed in his entire life he thinks. like his thoughts summoned him, lando comes padding over. you could not be far then, oscar surmises.

"hey, man." lando greets as he sits where you were just sitting moments ago. oscar just decides to do it now and get it over and done with, waiting until after free practise might actually kill him off. he would rather just say to lando then he could get it out of his mind and concentrate on getting you out of his mind.

"hey, i've gotta ask you something." oscar says, his heart hammering in his chest. he has no idea why. a part of his is praying he rejects you, in a nice way, of course. then maybe he will not have to retire his promising racing career.

unbeknown to both mclaren drivers you were lingering around, listening in on their conversation.

lando cocks his head in questioning, silently telling oscar to continue and oscar does exactly that.

he utters your name. "she wanted me to put in a good word for her, if you know what i mean." oscar tries to make it lighthearted and not act like one single sentence shattered his heart into a thousand pieces and the only girl who held the glue to piece it back together was longing after a man who was near enough the complete opposite from him.

lando smirks. "oh yeah, i heard she has a thing for me." he says, cockily. a part of oscar fears for where this conversation is headed.

"and?"

"and what?" lando asks.

"and are you gonna ask her out or what?" oscar questions like it was obvious because to him it was. how could he not ask a girl like you out? although oscar was guilty of the same thing it was not for a lack of wanting from oscar, that much was true.

"nahh. she's not really..." lando trails off. oscar gets defensive as soon as the first word rolls off the brits tongue.

"not really what?" oscar's words bite like bullets.

"you know man, she's not really wag material." is all lando says.

your face drops even further from your listening spot. this was not the way you had seen this conversation going. you were almost certain lando had liked you back. seems like you were wrong.

while you cower and hide to nurse your broken heart, oscar seeths at lando.

"that is no way to speak about a girl, nevermind her." oscar defends you. "it honestly seems like you don know what you're missing out on because she is a lovely girl. even though there is no such thing as 'wag material' i know for a fact that she is that and much much more, you are just too blind to see it. some people are surface level pretty and pretty on the inside too."

lando's brows raise at oscar's rant about you. the brit seems surprised at his view on you. the kind words not unusual from oscar but he could hear the devotion and love behind them, anyone with a pair of working ears could hear how deep his fondness for you went.

"if you like her that much much then why don't you ask her out, man?" lando asks. oscar is not stupid he can hear the teasing tone in his voice but he chooses to ignore it as he sighs.

"i can't she likes you." oscar just barely gets the words out before you appear at oscar's side. your eyes are teary and that just confirms his worst fear. you had heard everything. everything lando had said about you, he hoped you knew that it was so far from the truth.

"you really think that about me?" oscar winces as he assumes the questions was aimed at the older of the two papaya boys but when he opens his eyes he sees your eyes are pinned on his. oh you were talking to him. he had forgotten that if you had heard what lando had said you had most likely heard what he had said too. it was not too special and nothing of a confession but the heaviness behind his words told you much more than his words ever could.

"yeah i do" it is false confidence oscar speaks with but he really wants you to know he meant every single word and he could not convince you of that if you was a stuttering mess. "i like you."

you just stare at him. somewhere in this lando had ended up leaving you both to have some privacy, he had that much decency.

"i think i like you too." you tell oscar, although your words are a little unsure, definitely not as sure as oscar's.

oscar scoffs. "you don't. and you don't need to say that because you feel bad."

you roll your eyes. "i'm not just saying it. i think i do really like you."

"no, you like lando. you only like me because i'm the only option you have." oscar frowns at his own words, saddened by the mere thought of you only wanting him because you cannot have lando.

you take the seat lando was sitting in, and you before him. you take his hands in yours and hold them gently.

"i think i wanted to make you jealous by asking you to put in a good word with lando for me?" you tell him. to oscar is seemed that you had not even made sense of your own feelings.

oscar finally nods as he sees the sincerity in your eyes.

"if you do really like me then i would love to take you out." oscar says, his words less sure than before and a little more shy. it makes you smile and that is when you are sure that you do like oscar. and yeah maybe you do still like lando but you are almost certain that it was just a harmless crush. this with oscar? you know this could very much be something real.

"i'd love that." you nod as oscar grins back at you, you have never seen oscar smile that much and you have known him for a while now.

[rebouks]

Invictus: Author's Note

Now that we've all survived the horrors, I figured I'd do a bit of a commentary on Robin's nightmare below the cut...

I guess the central themes we were going for within Robin's dream were threefold; the fact that he feels lonely/alone with the burden of his gift, that he's worried about Alex, and that his friends (and some other's) are annoying/confusing him, so let's break that down to begin with.

Robin was always destined to be the last one alive, mostly to compound his feelings of desolation, but also because planning/executing various endings would've taken way longer than 2-3 months to plan on my own 😅 He doesn't dare tell anyone about his abilities due to the fear of being judged or ostracised and I don't blame him. Most people wouldn't believe him, and those that might would probably avoid him or at least act differently around him even if they supported him; he's also paranoid that if a medical professional found out, they'd want to study him or god knows what else, hence the scepticism from the group when he told them (in the nightmare) and his twisted view of Doctor Abbott (who's actually a perfectly lovely psychologist in the waking world).

Alex hasn't written for over six months at this point and Robin doesn't know why; it's not as if they've slowly been losing touch over time with less and less communication either, her letters stopped without warning! Half of him expects there to be a reasonable explanation, but he can't help worrying. Clearly his subconscious mind ran away with all that concern...

Robin's classmates personalities were spot on (thanks to Robin's gift) but slightly exaggerated since each one of them is a proverbial thorn in Robin's side at the moment.

Levi: Extra impulsive, standoffish and contradictory within Robin's dream, I think it's fairly obvious Robin's still pissed at his friend. I toyed with the idea of Robin being the only one to make decisions that we could vote on, but thought the loss of control he'd feel from not being able to stop bad outcomes from happening off the back of other people's choices was far more apt. Levi continues to tread a questionable path irl and Robin can't stop him.. if only he'd just apologise!

Penny: Robin strongly dislikes Penny, hence her being super annoying.. not that she's much better in the waking world! If the psychic doesn't rate someone, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet they're not such a great person.. I'm sure he wishes his friend wasn't so into her 💀

Aster: I think the fact that Aster's stood up for Robin twice now had a big impact on how he acted; he tried to keep the peace where he could and was the only one who supported Robin after he'd told the group about his gift. Robin doesn't know him very well outside of his dream though, so some of this could just be a projection based on what little evidence he has 🤷‍♀️

Jacob: Robin's a bit annoyed/put off by Jacob right now.. he barely spends any time with him and Jude anymore and as they've gotten older, their personalities appear to be veering in different directions. He's volatile, haughty and obsessed with girls, hence his distrust toward Robin after the revelation of his gift and his less-than-stellar treatment of Tess.

Tess: Tess goes where Jacob goes, simple! Though Robin feels bad for her because he knows that she's way more into Jacob than he is and he's not faithful; that's why he so obviously dismisses his own girlfriend within the dream. In the waking world he's much more convincing, but Robin knows better.

What the hell was "x" about?

The dolls - they were usually found pointing toward danger and/or bad decisions, but did we listen? NOPE! Instead we chose to vilify them 😩

The Lab - this was actually a warped version of the seed vault/hydroponic garden Robin, Wren & Oscar explored in Granite Falls. That's why the retina detection system recognised him, 'cause he has technically been there before. I'm not a professional, so don't quote me on this, but apparently our minds can't conjure up people/places/things from nothing, so what we usually see in our dreams is stuff we've seen before or an amalgamation of various things mashed together, even if we don't actively remember them.

The Asylum - Sunnyside Asylum is a real place Robin read about on a late night internet delve down a rabbit hole (don't judge him, we've all done it) he just forgot he'd read about it or seen it before 🤷‍♀️

The butterflies - they're Alex's favourite animals (along with the humble moth!) so Robin thought they were leading him to her, but they were not ;-;

"So, I suppose you know-..." - what was Aster going to say!? Aster was about to assume that Robin knows he has a crush on him, and he'd be correct! Robin never really picked up on it before, but after recent events it's pretty obvious.. to Robin at least! Does he like Aster back? Well, maybe he doesn't know yet, or maybe it's a secret, but (spoiler alert) Robin's pansexual, so there's a chance he could.

Doctor Abbott - briefly mentioned before, but let's dig deeper!

Dr. Abbott is the psychologist Oscar/Courtney sent Robin to a while back for his selective mutism after it started hindering him/his schoolwork etc since starting high school. He's terrifying simply because Robin's terrified of him-.. though I suppose not him personally. Robin's torn between a rock and a hard place when it comes to professional help; on the one hand he'd love to offload all his troubles and get some real guidance, but the other side of him worries what that'd mean. He can't tell anyone the full story, so how could anyone truly help him? Is his mutism even connected to his gift, or does he just use it as a convenient excuse? What if they didn't believe him and labelled him insane? What if he IS insane and imagining everyone else's thoughts? What if they do believe him and want to experiment on him?! 😱 If he's gonna tell anyone about his abilities, it sure as shit isn't gonna be some stranger he doesn't trust, even if it appears they mean well! He'd love to know where his gift came from though. Why him? Where'd it come from? Does anyone else have it?? He doubts anyone would be able to answer these questions but it still kinda ties into the whole theme of being experimented on etc. I think at this point he's wondering who he is (as every teen does around his age) or who he'd be without his abilities too, like another part of him is worried he'd be a mere husk of himself if science somehow explained away his world. It's just a part of who he is now and I think he's starting to accept himself as is, so the thought of someone picking it all apart after his acceptance is perhaps more scary than letting anyone in to help make sense of it. Maybe it's just one of those things, or maybe he's bonkers and has no idea? He doesn't know.. he's very confused, hence the complicated feelings around poor, well-meaning Dr. Abbott.

Mr Handy - he gets an honourable mention because it's funny to me.. like he's usually on the players side, right?! Yeah, but Robin isn't fond of technology in general so in dreamland good ol' Mr Handy is a dickhead instead lmao 😂

Some fun what if's & titbits...

I'm not gonna break down all the what if scenarios because there were a LOT but I still wanna take some time to point out some fun stuff n' share a few fun things we missed out on 🤸‍♀️

If Levi tried to scare Robin, it wouldn't have worked in the slightest which I just find amusing 🤭

If Robin n' co. chose to hide instead of run earlier on in the dream, he would've gotten stuck in a closet with Aster eheuheuheu (this is the fun thing I said y'all missed out on!!)

There were numerous ways for Levi to piss Penny off during the duration of the dream (somehow he only managed one so well done ig) that would've potentially changed their demise and one was Tess falling off the ladder and Levi helping her.. look at those mad lil fists on Penny LMAO 😂 You can also see another lovely doll pointing in the direction of the monster that was chasing them but everyone would've been like ewwww! even tho she was just trying to help.. shame on us tbh ;-;

Just Aster being cute tryna keep the peace.. IF HE'D SURVIVED! T-T

Mr Handy being absolutely demented.. love that for him.

Robin being yeeted back to the asylum.. skjsk idk I just like these screenshots lmao

Aster being a menace to both Levi and Penny ehehe

I had such fun creating this little project (I say little but it literally took months fkfjgkj) and October was kinda shitty for me so thank you to everyone for reading along, voting and generally having fun with me, it gave me something to look forward to! 🧡

I love horror and taking a break from a more realistic style of storytelling is always good fun, dreams especially 'cause they can be as wacky as you like!

I suppose my main inspo for the what if's/voting was Until Dawn but I think we can all thank games like Silent Hill, Outlast, Resident Evil, Amnesia etc etc for the general vibes I was going for 🤔

EITHER WAY! Very fun.. 10/10 would recommend trying to stretch yourselves into doing something something similar, I had a blast!

I think I covered a fair amount of questions n' stuff but feel free to ask anything else! ILY 🧡🧡

[starstruckunknown-princess]

Yarrow - Santiago "Pope" Garcia x Reader

Yarrow (Achillea) - Meaning: Cure for a broken heart, healing

Summary: After a humiliating trip and fall when you find your boyfriend cheating, you call Santi for a ride home.

Pairing: Santiago "Pope" Garcia x Reader

Word Count: 1205

Warnings: Mentions of infidelity, language, reader has a broken wrist in a cast but is otherwise not described, bit of a clueless/hopelessly in love situation, snuggling

Day 8! My word count is creeping up and up the last few days...not sure what that's about. I'm also sick and really tired so forgive any errors.

In Bloom Masterlist

Likes, Comments, and Reblogs are appreciated! <3

“So…you gonna tell me what happened?” Santi asked, pulling the car out of the ER parking lot after picking you up. It was late, and raining, and you’d been there for hours so you were beyond ready to get home. At least the pain in your arm was dulled by the meds.

Your head rested heavily against the window of his pickup. The painkillers were making your eyelids droop, and the situation was embarrassing enough without reliving it. However, you figured you owed Santiago an explanation since he schlepped all the way to the hospital at this hour to give you a ride because the stupid doctor wouldn’t let you drive home all doped up. 

“I caught Alex cheating on me. Tripped down the stairs while I was running out. Caught myself on my wrist.” You said, giving him a noncommittal wave with your cast-covered forearm. “I shrieked so loud that they both ran out to help me. Then, turns out the chick he was banging is a nurse and said I should get checked out for a concussion too. She drove me.” 

“Ouch,” Santi replied. Whether to the actual injuries or to the fact that you had screamed so shrilly as you fell that Alex and his booty call had run half-naked out of his apartment to check on you. 

“She’s actually nice,” you admitted, keeping your eyes focused on the passing scenery. “Pretty, too. No wonder he was fucking her on the side.”

Santi’s warm hand landed on your denim-clad knee, “Hey, don’t do that. Any guy who would cheat on you is a fucking idiot who doesn’t know what he has.” 

Your head lolled on your neck as you turned your attention to your friend. While he was stopped at the light, his dark eyes staring at you betrayed his sincerity. You weren’t sure if it was the meds or how tired you were or what, but you stared right back, taking in how handsome he looked in the light of the street lamps. All dark eyes and heavy brow, the firm line of his plush lips, the stubble along his sharp jaw. 

“Thank you,” you whispered into the space between you. “For coming to get me.” 

“Anytime, you know that. I’m sorry this happened to you, querida. You deserve someone so much better than that jackass,” he said as the light turned green and he pulled into the intersection. 

You shifted in your seat, “He didn’t seem like a jackass until tonight.” 

Santi was quiet for a moment, then said, “I could tell. When we met him last month, we all figured out he was a jackass.” 

You snapped your head towards him so quickly your vision went fuzzy for a split second, “Then why didn’t you say anything?” 

Santi shrugged, “Will said it was a bad idea for your guy friends to get involved.” 

“Well next time you think someone I’m dating is a jackass, get involved.” Your tone was flat as you rested your head against the window again, relishing the cool glass against your skin. Letting your eyes drift closed, you listened to the soft click-click-click of the windshield wipers and the rain pattering the truck. You couldn’t summon the energy to be angry at Santi and the guys for not warning you about Alex right now, exhaustion dragging you down, down towards sleep. 

From the driver’s seat, Santi could feel how tired you were and figured it would be better to let you drift off. He could see the bruising on your arms from your fall and looked at the neon pink cast encasing your left forearm, unable to stop his jaw from clenching and his fingers from flexing on the steering wheel. 

That night he and the guys had met Alex he’d wanted to pull you aside and tell you, but Will intercepted him before he got the chance. Ever the perceptive one, Will had caught on to Santi’s growing feelings for you and gave him an ultimatum — if he did approach you tonight, he needed to tell you about his feelings or let you be happy with this guy. And you had looked happy, Alex was attentive enough, and seemed to like you back. 

But now you were half-asleep against his passenger door, injured and in pain after finding that asshole cheating on you. 

Who in their right mind would cheat on you? Wonderful, funny, intelligent, beautiful, generous you. Santi had half a mind to confront your ex, pummel him into the ground, and dump him off in the Everglades naked and disoriented. Instead, he turned down your quiet street and pulled into your driveway, putting his truck in park and turning off the engine — none of which woke you so he put a hand on your shoulder. 

“Hey,” he said, “Querida, we’re home.” 

You awoke to Santi’s face near to yours. The truck was parked in your driveway, rain lightly pelting the window. 

“Right, thanks again Santi,” you said through a yawn, reaching to open the door but Santi stopped you. 

“Let me make it up to you?” Santi asked, dark eyes full of hope as he looked at you. 

You shook your head lightly, confused and still sleepy, “What do you mean?” 

“For not telling you Alex was an ass,” he explained, brushing some of your hair away from your face which made your heart stutter. “Let me take care of you. Please?” 

Your breath caught in your throat at his proximity — when had he moved? Or had you moved toward him? Either way, you both leaned over the center console and were getting closer by the second. All you could do was nod. 

You didn’t miss the smile that broke on Santi’s face as he closed the distance between your mouths, his lips pressing against yours in a gentle but firm kiss. Sparks exploded behind your eyelids, but before you could deepen the kiss Santi pulled back. You chased his lips but his steady hands on your shoulders held you back. 

“As much as I want to continue, you’re about to fall asleep sitting up. We should get you into bed.” He stroked your cheek with a featherlight touch, making you shiver. As awake as his kiss made you feel, you knew he was right. 

He exited the truck and rounded the front to open your door, helping you down and guiding you into the house with gentle touches to your lower back, arms, shoulders. When you got to your bedroom he helped you change into pajamas, his gaze and touches (unfortunately) remaining respectful. 

He pulled your covers back and held your hand while you slipped down into them, making sure you were settled before asking if you needed any more meds or water. 

“No, I’m fine for now. C’mere,” you said, lids falling closed once more. You heard his light chuckle and he rounded the bed, the rustle of his t-shirt coming off and the clink of his belt as he shucked off his pants preceded the other side of your bed dipping under his weight. He took the Big Spoon position and your last thought before falling asleep was how easy, how natural, how right his arms felt around you.

[bellaturner]

Hi! I am loving the writings at the moment! I was wondering if you could write something where reader is dating Alex and also an interviewer and she has to interview him. So its all flirty and if their relationship isn’t public yet Alex constantly nearly gives it away.

I just kinda had the thought and thought it would be cute and I have no time to write atm and honestly you could probably write it better anyway lmao

Alex sat across the sofa from you, and you attempted to maintain a professional demeanor despite the playful tension in the room.

"So, mister Turner," you began, but before you could continue, he playfully interrupted.

"Oh, you sound so sexy calling me 'mister'," he teased with a mischievous grin.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his antics. "Come on, Alex," you said, raising your hands to your face in mock annoyance. "I'm trying to do my job here," you sighed, a hint of amusement in your voice.

"Sorry, babe," he apologize, but moved his hand up your thigh at the same time "I'll behave myself," he promised at the same time he fixed his sunglasses on his face.

"Al, please," you asked, once again, "I'm gonna get fired if you don't cooperate." you were practically begging this time.

"Sure, love," he said, removing his hand from you. "Ask your questions, but i'm gonna fuck you so hard after we get home." he winked at you.

You took a deep breath, attempting to regain your focus. Your boyfriend's flirtatious behavior was undeniably distracting, but you needed to continue the interview professionally. "Ahem," you cleared your throat and made another attempt. "So, Mr. Turner," you said, maintaining direct eye contact, "your band's latest album is titled 'The Car'." You pointed out this fact, well aware of the answer to the upcoming question. "Could you enlighten us on the reason behind that choice?" You asked, attempting to appear genuinely curious, though you suspected you weren't doing a great job of it.

You had been actively involved in the entire album composition process. You'd even assisted Alex, your boyfriend, and the rest of the band in brainstorming some of the song titles. You were aware that certain songs were inspired by your relationship, which added an extra layer of complexity to your professional life.

"Well," Alex began, avoiding direct eye contact with you, "we wanted it to have that perfect 'road trip' sound, you know?" he explained, trying to maintain a casual tone.

"Interesting choice," you responded, a sense of frustration creeping into your voice. You were beginning to feel exasperated with the interview, and you hadn't even reached the halfway point yet.

You decided to press on with the interview, determined to maintain your professionalism despite Alex's distractions. "I see what you mean," you replied, shifting your focus back to the questions. "The album definitely has a vibrant, on-the-road feel to it. Can you tell us more about the creative process behind it?"

Alex leaned back in his seat, appearing more relaxed as he delved into the band's creative journey. He began to share insights into their writing sessions and the stories behind some of the songs. You listened intently, trying to keep the conversation on track.

As the interview continued, you couldn't help but notice the way Alex's foot subtly brushed against your leg under the table. It sent a jolt of excitement through you, but you had to remain composed.

Throughout the interview, Alex managed to toe the line between playful banter and professional discussion. It was both exhilarating and maddening, knowing that he was purposely teasing you while you had to maintain your facade on camera.

As the interview was getting near the end, you couldn't help but exchange a subtle glance with Alex. It was a silent acknowledgment of the playful dance you'd been engaged in throughout the conversation. He smirked ever so slightly, and you knew he was eager to continue this game behind closed doors.

You wrapped up the interview with a final question about the band's upcoming tour, and Alex provided a thoughtful response.

This would be a tough one to edit - the viewers were none the wiser about your romantic involvement - but you were proud of your ability to mostly maintain your professionalism.

Once the cameras stopped rolling, Alex wasted no time. He leaned in closer, his arms trailing your body and his lips dangerously close to your ear. "You were amazing, babe," he whispered huskily, sending shivers down your spine.

"Thanks," you replied, your voice trembling with desire. "Are you taking me home now?" You asked, turning to pack your handbag.

"Oh no, cutie pie, I'm having you bent over the very table you were using to interview me." He said calmed, collected and demanding, getting out of his seat and towering you.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Hihiiii 💕

Felt like doing this one today, it's been long forgotten on my askbox, sorry, my love.

I hope you enjoy it anyway ❤️ (it was wrote while I has high on sleep meds and not prof read)

Lmk if you'd like to be tagged in my posts s2

As always, love you 💕

~ Bella

[captain-mj]

Graves obsessed with Price killing Shepherd VS. Price obsessed with Graves in that suit FIGHT

No but seriously, I'm loving this, thank you for always being the fucking boss when it comes to PriceGraves

I like to think when Graves does find out Price has been jerkin it to him in the suit, he gets offended because that's not even his best suit! So he just casually puts on his best one and takes some definitely not work appropriate photos in it and leaves them on Price's desk as a thank you for killing Shepherd :3

I'm combining like... so many people's asks into this because I got a ton of asks along this idea! I hope everyone likes it <3

Graves knew that Price had killed Shepherd. It didn't take a genius to figure it out. Nor did it come as a shock that he found it attractive. Murder was always a good turn on for him.

No, the true surprise of the night was that Price found him attractive in a suit. And that none of his friends (coworkers? Family?? Graves was unsure) were unhappy about this.

Right now, they were trying to do an... intervention? Of some kind? They were currently going over a list of his crimes to date, most of which were stuff they had also done, just framed in a significantly worse light..

Graves was wearing a suit at the moment, having been wearing one for a meeting that he was going to have with Farah and a few higher ups in the Russian government. It was supposed to be just a few things to smooth over everything and she thought his presence might be helpful. Alex would also be there and he was also in a suit. Apparently Gaz had been particularly excited about it. Not excited enough to overlook Price's... interest though.

He was listening to them talk to Price about all of the bad things. They tried to get Alex to pitch in but he just vouched that Graves was a pretty nice guy, just goal oriented. When he had a mission, he didn't stop.

Graves appreciated the comments. He looked at himself, thinking about his much more expensive, much more fitted suit. They had only gotten through Ghost, the least talkative one, in the time that Graves was listening, so he took this as an opportunity.

Graves went back to his room and got redressed. He put on some cufflinks, even added a few rings. This was his chance to maybe get Price as obsessed with him as he was.

They had moved on to Soap who was ranting at length about the fact that Graves shot Soap in the shoulder, which wasn't even correct because technically it was one of his Shadows.

Graves waltzed in, pretending to be fixing his sleeves. "Alex, I think the time zones got me a bit messed up. How long until our meeting?" He glanced at them and he made sure to look... unimpressed.

Price grabbed his jacket and immediately put it in his lap. Graves almost smirked, but instead, he just glanced around at them.

Soap and Gaz looked defeated. Graves wasn't good enough at reading Ghost to figure out his expression. He thought it was acceptance honestly. Ghost had known Price the longest according to what he had heard and he must know what Price looked for.

Graves talked to Alex for another moment, hearing Gaz whisper shout at Price "Really?? You're bricked up right now??"

Alex answered, clearly trying not to smile. "Actually, we should probably go now. We'll be back in two hours, guys."

Graves waved at them and if he made sure to make eye contact with Price, fluttering his eyelashes before leaving, Alex close behind.

Alex waited until they were out of earshot of the two of them. "He's down bad."

Graves smiled. "Yeah... Might have to take him on a date. Think if I treat him somewhere fancy, he'll let me take him home?"

"On the first date?? Probably if you wore a suit."

-

Graves groaned as he came home. The meeting ran late but he was excited to be home to take a shower. He went to take off his jacket before Price cleared his throat.

Graves glanced at him, in the dark, beanie on and in civvies. "Was this what Shepherd saw in his last moments?" He motioned to him.

Price nodded and took a puff of his cigar. "Yeah, it was. Different shirt though."

"Ah..." Graves felt his mouth go dry. He was so hot it made his head dizzy.

"Am I making you nervous, Commander?"

"Not at all, Captain. I'm actually glad I'm talking to you."

Price leaned back and spreading his legs a little more, as if getting comfy. "Really?"

"Interested in dinner with me?"

Price's expression didn't change as he slowly took another drag. He was luckily Graves didn't mind cigar smoke. "I wouldn't mind it."

"There a particular reason you covering your lap right now?"

Price didn't look away. "You're sexy in those suits. You changed on purpose."

"Knew you'd see right through me, even if your team can't." Graves slid his jacket off, not missing the way his eyes lingered. "Be nice to me and I'll wear a suit on our date."

Price laughed softly. "Right..." He stood up and walked closer, clearly looking Graves up and down. They were both too confident. Headstrong. Ambitious.

The sex was going to be mindblowing.

"I look forward to our date, Commander."

"I said dinner. Not a date."

Price's eyes widened a little, reminding Graves of the puppies in commercials. Quickly, he corrected himself. "Of course it's a date, Captain. I'll see you tomorrow night?"

Price nodded but he took a moment to admire the view before leaving.

[meraki-yao]

RWRB: A list of thoughts on the Campfire Scene

Ok I went to sleep for another hour to calm myself down and now I can form coherent thoughts about the scene and not just scream and squeal

It's a three-minute scene with two shots. The first shot is a little over two minutes

When Alex asks his question, Henry, who was looking into the fire, tilts his head towards Alex as if to listen better. After Alex finishes, Henry looks up towards the sky, like he's wondering how to answer

Alex doesn't really react to Henry's "Once upon a time" even though he's not directly answering Alex's question. He just listens, and that's such a beautiful thing

Nick deserves a round of applause for this scene, his monologue was two minutes long, and monologues are really hard to perform because it's just you who keeps talking, you don't really get to react to other things or people, it's just you, so Nick is a fantastic job

Nick's delivery and tone, and the way he sometimes ends a sentence a bit like a question (ex: "acutely") makes it sound like Henry's been thinking about this story/ metaphor for a while but this is the first time he ever verbalizes it, so while he knows what he wants to talk about thus he doesn't need to pause a lot to think of the story, he does occasionally need to think of the next word or line because again, he never actually said any of this out loud before, and Nick does that so well

@pippin-katz pointed out that Nick misspoke and said "sent the suit a prince of armour" which is hilarious, and while because movie, this shouldn't happen, realistically we all have moments where we mix words up so it almost feels more... authentic? Also, I didn't pick it up but now that Pippin mentioned it I'm really aware of it lmao

Also Henry/Nick's voice here is so soothing? I can almost imagine him telling bedtime stories to his and Alex's kids like this in the future. I wonder if Henry would write children's books because it feels like it'd be something he do and something he could write really well, if this clip is anything to go by. Plus I stumbled across an audio of Nick reading "The Emperor's New Clothes" before (I literally have no context of why he was reading that and it was literally just audio, not sure if I can find it anymore) and it was so soothing and calming that I fell asleep to it one night. Besides the full-cast RWRB audiobook that I'm practically demanding at this point, I wonder if he would be interested in doing more audiobook/narration stuff. He's really got the voice for it

The King sending a suit of armour to protect the prince's heart kind of further proves my point of the King being a much more loving grandparent to Henry than the queen in the book, and him worrying more about Henry himself than the image of the crown. He noticed that 1, Henry is an emotionally sensitive person, 2, Henry is gay, and both of those things could be turned against him easily, and he will get hurt. He does love Henry, just not in a way that's good for Henry. If we get a sequel I do hope we can see them reconcile in one way or another. It'd be a nice example for people in the same positions.

The "Nothing will ever happen to him" line!!!! I wrote a whole essay about Kensington and this line because somehow this line was one of the most powerful ones to me, but to know that it was originally Henry's word just adds another level of pain to the Kensington scene

You can see Henry's face light up when he starts talking about the peasant boy. And Alex's quick eyebrow raise and deep chuckle. It's so beautiful, I wanna cry

We talk about Alex's heart eyes, which, yes, but Henry's look of pure adoration and love at Alex when he says "Truly Alive" makes me want to melt

I yelled a little at Alex when he started to lay back down (as in I verbally shouted "DAMMIT ALEX LOOK AT YOUR MAN") because I felt like if Alex saw Henry's face in the following lines he'd figure out Henry has issues earlier? But then I saw a take saying the shot was framed like theatre where Henry's both centre stage and in the spotlight so the focus is on him, so Alex was designed to lay back down on the timber bench to make the entire space for Henry

Henry's look of sad longing when he talks about the peasant boy pulling apart his armor is heartbreaking

I wonder if this was originally planned to be the changing point from Alex's POV to Henry's POV? Because in that case I do think the lake scene worked better as a changing point

I also wonder how did Henry end the story in his head up to this point? Because as hopefully as the last line is, at this point in the story, Henry still doesn't believe he can keep this

I get why scenes are cut because when you're putting together a movie, there are a lot of things you don't see for individual scenes until you put them together. This is why as much as I want the cast and crew to get the premiere they deserve to have, I don't really want an extended cut of the movie, because things were cut for a good reason

That being said, if the cornetto scene and this scene proved anything, is that the scenes themselves are fascinating, and I WANT THEM ALL

[misslavenderlady]

MONSTER MANIA CON POST!!

This weekend was an absolute dream come true! Everything I had hoped and dreamed for my very first convention. And I'm incredibly grateful that I got to be there with @ghoulgeousimmaculate @bloodsuckingfiends & @silvermaplealder (and his friend Jess). Everyone was so kind and fun to be around. I'll give the rundown of who I met in this post and I'll add another post later on with more pictures!

💜💜💜

The first day Ghoulie and I checked in early and got all dolled up to meet Alex Winter first. I got both an autograph and a photo op with him. He seemed a little tired/out of it and I assume that's because he JUST got back from the U.K. and went straight to the convention. His photo op was super quick and I was only able to pose next to him, not with him.

But still, he was super cool and was very happy when I told him how I introduced my fiancé to the Bill & Ted trilogy. I also showed him an art commission I requested of Ricky Coogan! He was a nice dude overall 😄

The second day Maple and I dressed up as David and Michael! I even got the honor of doing his makeup to make the cosplay extra authentic. He gave me some of his amazing, homemade stickers as a "thank you"! He was hands down the best looking David cosplayer in the whole convention.

I got to get an autograph from Heather Langenkamp before doing a selfie with her. I was the last one to see her before she left for photo ops. She was an absolute delight! I talked about listening to her episode on the Dead Meat podcast and we had a bonding moment over that. When I posed with her, I did a peace sign and she copied the pose.

Then she said "that's such a coincidence because I wear THIS every day!" and she pulled out a necklace with a peace sign charm. She was just so delightful 😊

Billy was an absolute dream. He has the most warm, caring look in his eyes and was very interested when I talked about how The Lost Boys got me back into writing. I was getting a little emotional, and I could tell he was on standby if I needed some help.

I had a photo op with him later, but I paid an extra $10 for a selfie with him. My hand was trembling from my nervousness and he was kind enough to hold it steady so I could take the picture. He made sure I was comfortable the whole time I interacted with him. 🥰

Also, I picked out a picture of Paul and Dwayne to be signed as a way to honor Brooke. When Billy saw it he said "awww I love this pic! 🥺" I was fighting tears ngl.

Kiefer was an incredible guy!! I decided just to do a photo op and not an autograph because people were lining up at 3 IN THE DAMN MORNING and I wasn't about to do that lol. He loved the outfits that Ghoulie and Maple wore, and it was such a delight seeing his smile. He was so kind with me. Very welcoming and didn't hesitate to shake my hand or wrap an arm around me for our picture! I think he was still is a great mood after seeing Maples perfect cosplay lol

The last celeb I met was Jason, and I gotta say, I think he was my favorite. Jordyn wasn't exaggerating when she said he was so nice. He was by far the kindest person I met at the whole convention (and that's saying something considering everyone was a delight to meet). I felt like he truly cared about meeting every single fan and was genuinely listening with interest when I told him the story of how @michael-after-hours got his name from Michael Emerson.

When I tell you his face LIT UP when he saw my cosplay. He was so overjoyed and it made me even happier to be dressed as Michael. The joyful energy was just so infectious. 🥰

I'm so incredibly lucky to have met all of these wonderful icons in horror. They truly did care about their fans and made the whole experience extra special. I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I could.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

TAG LIST

@hypocriticaltypwriter @ria-coolgirl @fallingthruspace @silvermaplealder @britany1997 @leiasolo77 @starlahuskyz @vampirefilmlover @charlizekkelly @charlottieellis @ghoulgeousimmaculate @michael-after-hours @legal-lost-boy @unethicallysourced @auntvamp

[gumnut-logic]

Talk No.3 (Complete)

Alexander Sweetapple series | Talk No.1 | Talk No.2 | Talk No.3

Well, this one ended up much longer than expected at 3000 words.

Consider this a prelude to FishTank Week next week as it is FishTank by proxy :D It also answered one of the asks @idontknowreallywhy asked a while back. At the time I didn't know if Alex had a good sense of direction - apparently he does, in the dark, no less.

But anyway, lots of love and sap in this one. Get out the buckets for the fluff, you'll need them.

The usual warning for this series: This is a m/m fic, if that is not your thing, then this is not the fic for you. Oh, and I posted the very beginning last night because I'm an impatient twit, so the first few words may be familiar.

I hope you enjoy it.

-o-o-o-

“Hey, Apples, you okay there?”

Alex sighed. “Yeah.”

“You sure?”

To his surprise, Gordon placed a hand on his shoulder.

But Alex still didn’t turn around, eyes still occupied watching the dots of Thunderbirds One and Two disappearing into the pink of the retreating sunset.

“He will be okay.”

“I know.” He did know. He could possibly even calculate the percentage chance given enough data. Virgil was a very experienced emergency responder. He and his brother did this kind of thing every day.

And night, apparently.

They were standing on the balcony outside the comms room. A place where he had witnessed the family respond to a situation. Sharp, concise and efficient. Mr Tracy became Commander Tracy and orders flew around the room.

A brief kiss, an apologetic smile, and the man he loved disappeared into the wall.

Thunderbird One shook the building, and the moment she was clear, Alex ran out to see Thunderbird Two roar into the sky. It was bloody amazing.

And terrifying.

Gordon sighed beside him. “C’mon, Apples, I’ll help you stash dinner for later and then we can go for a walk.

Alex frowned at the resigned smile on Gordon’s face, but obediently turned to walk back in to clean up the remains of their dinner.

It turned out that Gordon was an expert at stashing food for later. He claimed it was due his squirrel ancestry, but Alex was bright enough to see that this was just what happened and happened a lot.

Honestly, Alex understood and agreed with all the reasons and logic in the equation. This is what Virgil did and he did it well. Somewhere out there someone was calling for help and International Rescue had to answer. That was how it was and he expected nothing less.

But that was the logical centre of his brain.

There was another part that ignored logic, that was invested so deeply in the man who was at risk…

Forget it. Just focus on something else.

He needed to get used to this. It was part of the package and if Virgil would be the hero, at the very least Alex could support him in every way he could.

That hand landed on his shoulder again, and Alex realised he had been standing in front of the refrigerator for an unaccounted length of time, a container of Virgil’s home cooked fettuccine carbonara in his hands.

Gordon lifted the container from his fingers and placed it in the fridge, closing the door quietly.

“C’mon, I’ve got something to show you.” That hand gently nudged him towards the patio door, and with nothing better to do, Alex followed Gordon out onto the pool deck.

The sun was almost gone, the Island draped in a faintly orange blue darkness. The wind was gentle, just teasing his hair, and the soundscape was pure ocean.

He drew in a deep breath. God, this place was beautiful.

Gordon was throwing on a pair of sandshoes he had apparently left out here. “Okay, Apples, it’s going to be dark. There is nothing on this island that can kill you…well, beyond Grandma’s cooking.” Gordon blinked, winced and stopped talking. A guilty look and he was peering up at the villa, listening. After a moment or two when he didn’t hear whatever it was he expected, he visibly relaxed. “But the cliffs can be treacherous. Watch your step and stay close.”

Alex found himself nodding as Gordon handed him a flashlight.

Without saying anything further, the aquanaut strode over to the edge of the deck, across the garden, and onto a gravel trail.

Alex hurried to follow.

It wasn’t long before the darkness enveloped everything. They became two bouncing lights traveling down a trail Alex could barely see.

“Don’t worry, we’re not going far.”

Alex focussed on Gordon’s back and the crunch of the gravel beneath their feet.

“You know, Virgil helped build this path.”

“He did?”

“Well, we all did, really. With the exception of a few castaway additions, we built most of the infrastructure on the Island. Of course, Dad had contractors in to build the villa, but only a very few people he trusted. Us eldest four were the lackeys and all of us have added our bits since.”

Tracy Island truly was a fascinating place. Virgil had taken him down to the beach, they had walked through the rainforests, and sat under the ancient pohutukawa trees that for some reason never stopped flowering and were always full of birds.

The odd thing about the Island was that despite it being an isolated and wild place, every now and again you’d be walking through that wilderness only to stumble across a piece of advanced technology just sitting there doing its thing. Nothing on this Island was what it seemed.

He was pretty sure Virgil hadn’t shown him everything and there was no way Alex expected him to. Hell, his boyfriend had just vanished into a wall, via a painting - a painting done by Virgil himself of the Mars Cornerstone mission on its launch pad. Alex had to admit that he had stared at it long enough at one point, marvelling at the detail and fanboying just a little.

He was getting better at that, really.

But yes, Tracy Island was far from what it seemed - a tropical paradise for a rich family riddled with the technology to support both them and the amazing work they did.

The trail led downhill gradually and Alex was forced to concentrate on where he put his feet rather than daydream about Virgil with his shirt off digging the damned thing.

Despite the darkness, Alex could roughly work out where they were headed. The villa itself was close to a compass pointing north and the path was turning gently around the edge of the caldera. As they moved closer towards the water, the trail dipped and turned in on itself, almost heading back to the house, but getting lower until Alex could hear the lapping of gentle waves over rock.

They had to be below the villa, maybe slightly to the east? It was totally dark with no sign of the house lights.

“Watch your step here, we are walking out onto a rock platform at the edge of the water.” Gordon reached out and gently gripped Alex’s upper arm as if he was a safety line or something.

Gordon was obviously as much a rescue operative as any of the Tracys, and Alex had to admit that that grip was reassuring.

After stepping over who knows how many rocks, Gordon finally brought them to a halt. He felt surrounded by water and there was a weird echo in the breeze as if there was something above or around them. Alex flicked his torch about only to find volcanic rock or water almost everywhere.

“Where are we?”

“Near where I launch Thunderbird Four, a little under the villa. Be aware that occasionally, just occasionally, there are bats down here.” Gordon sighed. “Virgil is not a fan.”

Alex blinked. “Of bats?”

“Nope, does not like them. I think one scared him once while he was doing maintenance high up on Two. Nearly fell off his ‘bird. He was not happy.”

“Oh.” Alex wasn’t sure of his own opinion of bats having never really encountered any. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Okay, now we get to turn off our flashlights.”

“What?”

“It’s fine. Just stay where you are and don’t fall into the ocean.”

A small part of Alex was wary. Being a geek of long standing, Alex had been subjected to the occasional jock’s practical joke. Trust wasn’t given easily because of it. But this was Gordon Tracy, Virgil’s brother, and honestly, if Alex was going to accidentally step into said ocean or brain himself, his company was the best it could be.

Besides, Alex could always turn the torch back on.

So when Gordon turned his off, Alex did the same.

Darkness enveloped them. His eyes were slow to adjust, afterimages of torchlight marring the blackness. His hearing compensated and the water bubbled and washed over rocks he couldn’t see.

Until he could.

Out of the pitch black, a soft blue glow emerged in the water, outlining each wave as it sputtered to shore. More than starlight or moon light, it was like the glow of many tiny insects in the water.

“Omigod, is that…”

Gordon exhaled beside him. “Yeah, bioluminescent algae. Only discovered this batch yesterday. Haven’t even had the chance to show Virgil.”

“Wow.” His voice was more breath than anything else. He crept slowly forward, only to realise Gordon still had his hand on Alex’s arm.

“Careful.”

“I just -“

“Yeah, I know.”

The both slowly knelt down on the hard rock, edging towards the glowing water. Alex reached out and touched the magical water.

Faint light danced around his fingers.

“Virgil loves this kind of thing, you know.” Gordon’s voice was quiet as their hands trailed through the water. “I can show you the path and maybe the two of you can come down here tomorrow night.”

“Will it still be here?”

Alex felt Gordon shrug. “Maybe. It does what it does. In any case, it is a good spot to share some time alone. Virg loves a good life sciences interlude.”

Alex frowned at Gordon, only then realising that he could just see the outline of the man’s face. “You have always been so kind to me, especially regarding me and Virgil. Encouraging, even.”

That ghostly face turned towards him. “Yeah, well, Virgil deserves a little happiness. I found the woman of my dreams not so long ago, and…I’m happy he’s found someone, too.”

Gordon was quiet for a moment before looking up. “I’m his wingman.” There was a forced snort of laughter. “It’s my job.” A grin that wasn’t as genuine as Alex had come to expect on his face. There was obviously something deeper at work here. “You do him good.” That hand on Alex’s arm squeezed gently. “I’ll support anything that does my bro good.”

The unsaid wafted through the air and Alex had the sudden feeling that out of all the brothers, Gordon was the last one he should ever want to piss off.

Alex swallowed. “I’ll do my best, you have my word.”

“That sounds like an oath, Apples.” The more familiar amusement was back in Gordon’s tone and Alex welcomed it.

“You can consider it one, if you like. Either way, that’s what I’m going to do.” He stared at his fingers and the swirl of glowing algae. “He’s out there, right now, saving lives. He’s a hero in every sense of the word.” He smiled. “You all are. It’s a lot to live up to, but I promise you, I will do my best.”

There was silence for a moment.

“I know you will.” It was said with such surety, Alex had to take it as a compliment, but at the same time it was very clear that Gordon, or perhaps the Tracys as a whole, had probably investigated him thoroughly.

Understandable, even if it was a little unsettling.

For a while after that there was just the sound of the Island and the ocean around it. The softly glowing algae was fascinating to watch and he lost himself in it.

“It never gets easier, by the way.”

Alex turned to find Gordon staring down at the water as much as he had been. “What doesn’t?”

“Being left behind.”

Alex looked away. “Oh.” He drew in a breath. “I can handle it.”

“Alex, being a member of this family is hard. I just want to say that if you need to talk, I have ears…and experience.”

Alex blinked, not entirely sure he wanted to show exactly what he was feeling. It was new, a mix of awe and terror. He was amongst Thunderbirds, but the view from the Island was very different from just being a fan. His heart was invested and he knew that under all that fantastic technology there were friends he cared for, loved.

He swallowed. “Thank you, Gordon. That means a lot.”

The aquanaut sat up and stretched, sitting cross-legged on the rock. “Yeah, well, it’s kinda great to have a new team member on bro watch. Though I must say, you can be as bad as each other. You love your late night engineering fests. Insomnia, much? Erica has all the stories.”

Alex sat up. “Erica?”

Gordon snorted and climbed to his feet. “Gotta do the groundwork on the guy after my big brother’s heart, don’t I?”

“What satellite surveillance not enough?”

“No, that’s John’s job. I prefer up close and personal.” He snickered.

“You know I’d feel threatened, except your nose is glowing quite comically.”

Alex scored as Gordon swiped at his nose…which incidentally wasn’t really glowing…except, oh, now it was, at least a little bit. Alex giggled.

“Ha, ha.”

Of course, that set him giggling more. “I’m sorry, Gordon.” He sobered a little. “Thank you for showing me all this, and for the talk. It means a lot. Really.”

Gordon grumbled.

“And I promise to not tell Erica all the stories Virgil is going to tell me about you.”

“What?”

“Well, I have to do my own surveillance don’t I? A little low on the tech side of things, but much more fun over lunch.”

Gordon stared at him for a solid moment. “Okay, bring it on.” And he was grinning fit to bust something. He reached out and patted Alex on the back. “You know, Apples, I think you might just survive this crazy.”

Alex found himself grinning almost as much.

-o-o-o-

They stayed out on that rock talking for a long time. Gordon was easy to talk to, loved to laugh, and knew all the goss – no wonder Erica liked him.

Every now and again, John would check in with an update. Everything seemed to be going well for the two eldest brothers and Alex was grateful to hear it.

But eventually they had to climb back up the path. By this time, the moon had risen and added its own light to the scene. Tracy Peak above was a dark, almost menacing, shadow, blocking out stars. But the energy in the air, the ocean, and the rock, all bathed in silver…god, it was just beautiful.

They made it back to the Villa and after a while Alex bade Gordon and Alan, who by that time had discovered they had been missing and was very put out, goodnight and climbed the stairs to the residential rooms.

He had his shower and put on his pyjamas, but he was restless. He dug out his tablet and looked up the engineering boards to see who was up and about. V.T. Green had posted earlier in the day and there was a massive discussion going on about his latest idea.

Alex sat down on his bed for a moment, then immediately stood up again.

“Damn it.”

Hugging his tablet to his chest, he crept out the door of the visitor’s suite and padded down the hall to Virgil’s rooms.

They had spent many an hour talking in Virgil’s living room. His couch, decked out in crocheted throw rugs in a rainbow of colours was the most comfy couch Alex had ever curled up on.

Went with the coffee, he guessed.

But tonight, he was missing Virgil and doing his best not to worry, so he did curl up on the comfiest couch and settled in to both read Green’s blog post and to wait for his hero to return.

God, so sappy.

But he didn’t care.

Green was again talking polymers and yes, while the concept wasn’t fully solid, it did tease at a bunch of ideas. Alex opened an app and began scribbling down notes.

-o-o-o-

“Alex, love.”

Something touched his cheek ever so gently.

“Love, you need to wake up.”

Fingers in his hair.

“Alex.”

He leant into the warmth at his cheek.

“God, I need to buy a longer couch.”

A gentle shake of his shoulder.

“Alex.”

One moment he was pleasantly snoozing, next his memory came online and… “Virgil!”

“Hey, hey, love.” And he was wrapped in the strongest arms in the world. “You fell asleep on my couch.” A fond sigh. “I need a longer couch.”

But Alex was too busy breathing in shower clean hair, soap, and Virgil to notice any inconvenient stiff limbs. “You’re back. Wha-what is the time?”

“Somewhere around 4am.” Virgil was stroking his hair.

“Four…god…” He pulled back and examined his emergency responder. “Are you okay?”

Virgil was in a loose t-shirt and pyjama pants and though he looked tired, he looked good.

A gentle smile. “Perfectly fine. Rescue went well, we saved all three people. Sorry it took so long, it was a challenging situat-“

He stopped talking because Alex placed a finger across his lips. “Never apologise for being the hero you are.”

Virgil stared at him, eyes a little wide…and then began kissing that finger.

Alex couldn’t help but laugh and then they were hugging and kissing, and whoa! His feet left the ground as he was swung into a pair of heavy lifting arms. “Virgil!”

“Shh, you’re tired, I’m tired, it’s so late it’s almost daylight. Our date time was stolen…again.” Virgil kicked the door to his bedroom open, revealing his massive bed. A couple more steps and Alex was being gently lowered onto the covers. Virgil crouched down in front of him. “Fall asleep with me?”

Alex’s heart was pumping far faster than any kind of sleep required, but…”Sure.” Virgil’s tired smile had Alex reaching out to brush a finger across his cheek. “C’mon, my sleepy hero, it’s nighty-night time.”

That smile widened just a little.

Covers were lifted and limbs moved. Alex wrapped himself around Virgil, kissing the nape of his neck as he felt the man slowly relax.

“You know this isn’t the first time you’ve fallen asleep in my arms, though I must say my couch has nothing on this.”

“Mmmhmm.” Virgil shifted a little. “Love you.”

Alex rested his cheek against warm skin and closed his eyes. Virgil had returned to him safe…this time. But regardless of all the coming times, the mere thought of a future with this wonderful man…he would take all the times he could get and cherish every one of them.

A soft sigh as he finally relaxed.

“Love you, too.”

-o-o-o-

[agendabymooner]

9 to 5 || spin-off (f1 drivers series) - cast + playlist

Summary: Lorelei Hester ‘Lester’ Alessandro is a bassist first and Daniel Ricciardo’s partner second. But it seems like another role is added to her resume as she begins her weekend in Baku as Toto Wolff’s children’s babysitter. The Wolff kids gather the attention of all as they wreak havoc in the paddock and the hospitalities.

Content warning (not updated): family-centric content, tooth-rotting fluff, brief use of explicit language, people trying not to swear in front of children, sickness, Toto scaring half the grid, Hearth sister!OFC x Max Verstappen relationship mentioned, Hearth sister!OFC x Charles Leclerc relationship mentioned.

Note: Chances are I'm going to be publishing these by scenarios? You'll see. I think. Enjoy knowing the original characters! xx

THE ORIGINAL FIVE

Lorelei Hester 'Lester' Alessandro - the italian paddock princess

daniel ricciardo's biggest fan (on-and-off the grid). less messy as of 2023. scared of toto wolff even if she's friends with his wife. also known as Zia Lori, Tante Lori and Aunt Lolo. nanny for the weekend.

Tilly Marie Ford Wolff (née Hearth) - lady boss

the wolff mother. probably gave birth to three toto wolffs. had stolen the hearts of the grid (might do it again by proxy). current situation: at home in london due to baby adelmo's unfortunate case of croup. thank god for toto, she didn't have to spend her weekend worrying about three kids under six.

Stevie Marlene Ford Hamilton (née Hearth) - ferrari's biggest threat

actually the person who keeps encouraging charles to go off in front of the camera since no one in the team would listen to her proposal to give the drivers a proper strategy. also known as Tie Stevie. current situation: cannot attend the baku race weekend due to her own work commitments, leaving toto no choice but watch the kids over by himself.

Sylvie Edson Ford Hearth - red bull's biggest non-driving menace

gives christian horner a run for his money whenever possible (has expressed her blatant dislike for him on tv but she still "respects" him to an extent; she likes toto better). max verstappen's lady macbeth. also known as Aunnie Vie (no 't' in auntie). current situation: cannot cause minor inconvenience in the red bull garage at the moment due to her photoshoot gigs and paperworks waiting for her in her red bull headquarters office.

Aimee Yael Edmundson Hearth - the more-private hearth sister

is on the lookout to make sure that lando norris and oscar piastri doesn't say anything that can jeopardize their own careers. the only sister who doesn't like to be in front of the camera. on toto's protection list. also known as Auntie A. current situation: won't be attending the baku race weekend due to some unknown reason. something about staying in monaco with charles' mother, pascale.

FEATURED CHARACTERS

toto wolff. daniel ricciardo. lando norris. max verstappen. charles leclerc. lewis hamilton. oscar piastri. mick schumacher. logan sargeant. carlos sainz jr. fernando alonso. alex albon. george russell. sergio perez. pierre gasly. esteban ocon. yuki tsunoda.

PLAYLIST (to bop to)

9 to 5 - dolly parton. love grows (where my rosemary goes) - edison lighthouse. the adults are talking - the strokes. honey, honey - abba. be my baby - the ronettes. isn't she lovely - stevie wonder. vienna - billy joel. i love rock 'n roll - joan jett & the blackhearts. put your records on - corinne bailey rae. walking on sunshine - katrina & the waves. smooth operator - sade. hey lover - the daughters of eve.

[triviareads]

Can you recommend any books where they get right into the sex?

Either historical or contemporary

Sure! I'm all for an instant gratification moment (and for the purpose of this ask I stuck to early sex scenes between the main couple because there's a decent amount of het romances out there that begin with the hero and another woman..... though predictably not many with the heroine having good sex with another man :/).

Contemporary:

Minx by Sophie Lark: There's some fabulous, very hot sex (and pet play) a few chapters in, after Blake agrees to take on Ramses as a client. And once the ball gets rolling, it really doesn't stop.... and only gets better from there.

Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez: Roxanne basically *mounts* Mateo (if there's one thing Angelina loves, it's a mounting moment) right after their agreement that she'll get her pregnant in exchange for money is finalized. It's very.... economical and Mateo hates it, but gets off on it. He's soooooo conflicted and I personally loved that.

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez: The other mounting moment sex scene; Alex hops on Jeremiah literally two minutes after arriving in the dead of the night at her family's bar. It's honestly made hotter because Angelina writes a (kinda hilarious) premature ejaculation coupled with Alex getting off after. It works and I'm all for it.

Sherwood by Sierra Simone: Such an underrated book imo; the prologue has our "Robin Hood" (she's a woman here) about to be deployed, and "Maid Marian" tries to dissuade her by eating her out. Very emotional, very hot.

Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey: An early face-sitting scene after she's cuffed him in her foyer. Brent puts his "middle-class mouth" to gooood use.

Scorching to the Touch by Ofelia Martinez: There's hate sex about two chapters in; Erica makes Friedrich eat her out in the bathroom of an event and when he whips out his dick and is all "what am I supposed to do with this?", she points to a stall. Honestly, a winner.

The Risk by Caitlin Crews: She's a ballerina pretending to be a stripper-escort who gets her fantasy of being "bought" fulfilled and she and her billionaire have sex pretty much right after.

Crashed Out by Tessa Bailey: Like a couple chapters in, Jasmine sees Sarge's dick and books it to her car and tries to get off, but then Sarge catches her and lends a helping hand all while asserting he's a Grown Man now.

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert: Jafar kills Jasmine's mob boss father in the beginning and within the next chapter, there's a CNC scene where he chasing her down while she pretends she doesn't want it.

Give Me More by Sara Cate: Sara immediately sets up the throuple by having the married couple, Hunter and Isabel, have anniversary sex while listening to their friend Drake have sex with two other women, with Drake also getting off while listening to Hunter and Isabel.

Historical:

The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe: A fabulous anonymous encounter with neither Preston nor Katherine realizing who the other person is (right after Preston rejected his arranged betrothal to Kat) and they're pretending to be Louis XV and Madame Pompadour while they get each other off at a French Ball.

Her Husband's Harlot by Grace Callaway: The book starts with Helena following her husband to a brothel disguised as a prostitute, and Nicholas fully doesn't recognize her when he (successfully) has sex with her for the first time.

Passion by Lisa Valdez: An erotic romance; the literal first lines describe Mark groping Passion during the Great Exhibition, and he has her "pinned to the wall like a butterfly" within the next few pages.

The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan: Charlotte is (allegedly) under the influence of an aphrodisiac when she mounts Kingston (can you tell I have a thing for this) in the library in the middle of the night, dry humps him, and runs away. Unironically one of my favorite Sophie Jordan sex scenes.

The Rake Gets Ravished by Sophie Jordan: The story begins with Mercy breaking into Silas's bedroom to retrieve the deed to her family home, and when Silas finds her, she seduces him and fucks him into such a deep sleep that when he awakes, all he's left with is an apology note and her *virgin blood* on the sheets.

[unofficial-book-of-quotes-tm]

Series 7 is done! My final thoughts as always under the keep reading.

Now, I'm going to level with you here. Series 7 has never been a favourite of mine, in fact, I used to dislike it a lot, so I put rewatching it for this blog off for quite some time. I actually can't recall how many times I've watched each series of Taskmaster at this point, but series 7 always kind of annoyed me, therefore I didn't particularly look forward to watching it. Now, let me tell you how surprised I was that I found it a lot of fun on this rewatch. I mean, it's still not in my top five, but I had a lot more fun with it than I expected to have and I'm not entirely sure why. For me, Rhod Gilbert and Kerry Godliman carried the show, and they were the contestants I enjoyed most when watching series 7.

I think Kerry is probably the perfect Taskmaster contestant. She's incredibly competitive and wants to win at all cost, but she also accepts Greg's ruling (with a little push back sometimes), doesn't throw a fucking tantrum whenever she feels treated unfairly, and doesn't overstep the line into annoying the shit out of me. And I have to agree with Greg here, her approach was rather simple most of the time (get the task, do the task, bosh) but I think that has a lot of charm, especially when contrasted with some of the overthinkers. Series 7 is one of those series where I don't care at all about Greg's scoring thus I don't mind Kerry winning the series by one point or what it was.

Now, Rhod. I honestly think he took the gig mainly to embarrass / annoy Greg, though his mission then seemed to change to either getting Alex to strip at every opportunity or to tying him up. There is something to be said about these two things and I don't know if it was a conscious decision of Rhod’s, but I’m absolutely here for it and refuse to analyse it closer.

Jessica Knappett is a bit of a wild card for me ‘cos there are moments when she's utterly hilarious and she made me laugh out loud a couple of times, but that was usually accidental on her part, though there are also a fair few moments when I despaired watching her. Overall, I did enjoy her.

I think similarly about Phil Wang, though I do have to say, what the fuck had he been thinking when picking his outfit?! I won’t complain about Phil repeating his haggling joke, just as I won't complain about Rhod basically recycling his prize task entry over and over again. I thought it was funny.

Now, on to my probably most controversial take yet; I don't like James Acaster. Before I get stoned to death, I'd like to say that I don't know a lot of the guy. I've seen him like once on The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, but I haven't watched his stand-up or listened to his podcast(s), etc, though to be fair I don't do that in general for any competitor. I just found him too… bratty (if that's the word) or too confrontational. Yes, him butting heads with Rhod is entertaining, but I think he lacked what I really appreciate about older comedians; The understanding of when to move on / let others have the joke. I know there are several ways of watching Taskmaster and everyone finds other contestants funnier or other bits of the show more important and that's all totally valid. I'm just some bloke on the internet, don’t let me tell you how you should watch / enjoy something, but personally, I find contestants who constantly seek Greg's approval and praise a bit irritating. I'm certain James is a lovely guy, but his comedy persona unfortunately doesn't work for me.

However, James’ persona allowed for really entertaining clashes with Rhod, which made the boys team a bit more fun to watch than the girls team, simply because they had conflict. But it was also nice to have a team be wholesome and just get shit done.

The prerecorded tasks in series 7 were amazing, but I do think they could've done better on the studio tasks. Some could've done with a little polish. But there were so many tasks, which I think I really would've enjoyed having a go at, chief amongst them the video game task and those where they had to figure something out guided by clues.

I don’t have to say much about Greg and Alex, only that after series 6, their interactions seemed to have cooled down in this series, but fortunately Rhod delivered. Watching Rhod watch Greg and Alex interact is fucking hilarious. That man looks like he knows something we don’t (I have no evidence to support any such claim). So, yeah, overall I enjoyed series 7 more than I expected I would, but it will never be a favourite of mine. Can’t wait to get to series 8 as I barely remember anything at all about this one. Thanks for sticking around! See you in series 8!

[macontheweb]

Hey Mac! Spotify recently threw a song by the National my way, which made me listen to a few more and man, this is good.

I know you like them too so I thought I'd come by and ask what your personal faves by them are 👀🙏

Hey Alex! Ooh I love that you're enjoying them so far. Thank you for giving me the space to talk your ear off about one of my favourite bands!! I feel like every time I go down the rabbit hole with The National I discover a few more faves, but I'll try to keep this manageable for a tumblr post lol.

I Need My Girl

The National's lead singer Matt Berninger called it "the most direct, earnest love songs we’ve ever written." It's so simple - a song about a man yearning for his wife - but it gets me every time. I know you love a moment of slow, sweet melancholy, so I think you'll like it too.

Mistaken For Strangers

This one reminds me of the friend who introduced me to The National. When he got drunk he would always point to his own jacket during the "showered and blue-blazered" line. In a song about losing friends, what a thing to remember one of the great friendships of my life while listening to it. </3

Day I Die

Speaking of that friend, I went to my first National gig with him. At the time, I didn't really know any other tracks apart from this one, Guilty Party and I Need My Girl, but I'd latched onto this song because it made me Feel Things about a situationship I'd been in a couple of years earlier. When they launched into this live, it was so electric. "Don't do this / I don't do this to you" still makes me want to scream.

Bloodbuzz Ohio

I'm a great lover of The National's lyrics. There might come a point where you're listening to them and you have to stop what you're doing because a line hits you in a place you never thought you'd be hit at like...three pm on a Wednesday. For me, one of those lyrics is from Bloodbuzz Ohio: ""I still owe money to the money to the money I owe / I never thought about love when I thought about home." Maybe my second favourite song they've ever written.

Slow Show

A song for the socially anxious - it's about being out somewhere and just wishing you were home with a person you loved and could feel truly comfortable with. Also, I have been known to make this song about my blorbos at every available opportunity.

Apartment Story

As much of a sweet little love song as The National has ever turned in, and a love letter to happy domesticity. Has a very 'us against the world' vibe.

Graceless

Hands down my favourite song. Its exploration of depression and meds is still unrivalled by anyone imho. I spent the worst parts of the COVID lockdowns blasting this in my living room, and when they performed it at my local gig, I cried buckets.

(Very) honourable mentions:

Guilty Party

England

This Is The Last Time

Afraid of Everyone

Brainy

Don't Swallow the Cap

About Today

Terrible Love

Phew, okay! I'm sure that's way more than you were asking for. Enjoy anyway, my friend ❤️

[realfactsnlogic]

Gaming Moments That Made Me Cry - Part 1: Heatwave

Subtitle: "How a video game caused me to get fired from a project I was working on. What horrible timing." Contains game spoilers up to Day: The Heatwave. Also contains discussions of interpersonal troubles and suicide.

It'll be almost a year since I decided to play Not For Broadcast. Well, actually, I didn't play it firsthand. I didn't have the game at the time. I was backseating a friend's playthrough (if you're reading this, shoutout to you!)

I haven't cried over a fictional character since...I don't remember on the top of my head. But I can say I didn't cry when Mufasa from The Lion King died. Call me heartless, yadda yadda. But this gaming moment is something I won't forget.

It's gonna get late night ramble-y so buckle up.

It happened in February 2023, a real rough time in my online life.

I looked over the content warnings before playing the game to begin with. Thoroughly. I understood it all, and said yes to playing it. What wasn't mentioned, however, was when these warnings would apply. I could tolerate topics discussing or depicting suicide. Or so I thought. Through the hard way, I learned that I'm better off with given a warning.

I have to admit, when we played through this broadcast day, I wasn't so invested in the stuff before Jeremy began to crack. When the situation became tense, as in: I heard yelling, loaded terminology, characters acting terrified -- all of my attention and both of my eyes were on the situation like how all of the cameras were on him. After this broadcast day, I knew: I had to pay even closer attention to the game.

As the tension grew, I knew something drastic was about to happen. Jeremy was holding the room hostage. I said some fucked up stuff on call, for example when I said that I'm okay if Jenny dies. Is it yandere behaviour? You can argue that. The thought I had at the time, I recall was this: "It's okay if other people around him die, but Jeremy? No. He has to be kept alive."

No hate to Boseman, I love that old man to death, but we have to keep his prized possession--I mean, most valued employee in one piece. So I listened to Jeremy and played the tape. Good thing I did. I later learned that if I didn't, he would have snapped at Alex/the player/us.

The moment Jeremy was laughing sadly, preparing to shoot himself, Jenny frantically urged Alex/the player/us to cut to the ads. I felt powerless. Helpless. I couldn't do shit because I'm not the one with the keyboard. My friend was. And thank all that is holy, for my friend knew what to do.

I could swear I heard Boseman say "Alex, what have you done?" The wiki says he would say it if I played the tape on some other break. I have to replicate those actions just to make sure. I digress.

The results screen popped up. I didn't notice at the time, but the silence that followed...it was...eerie. I don't remember what lead to it, but I won't forget what my friend said:

"Jeremy will be okay."

My friend didn't mean to make me upset. I understood that. National Nightly News' anchorman, Jeremy Robert Donaldson, the most trustworthy anchorman of the Territory, is a fictional character. I also understood that. What did I not understand? What made me cry? And why?

I do have the 'why', actually. As we were playing this part of the game the first time ever, I was...going through something rough with some friends.

My Heatwave Took Place in Feburary 2023

I was basically the Megan Wolfe in a situation that could be simile to the events in the Heatwave. I was somewhere else when something happened. Well, actually, I was isolating myself. I thought that if I did, if I took some time away from the people I used to talk to so much...maybe those uncomfortable emotions I had towards those people would go away. I spent months distracting myself, avoiding this conflict by keeping busy.

Post-fallout (referential pun intended; there's a broadcast day called The Fallout), I decided to change course. Just like Megan, who seemed to increase her distance from her co-anchor and Jenny. She began to act out, remember? Taking it out emotionally on the make-up artists...and so did I. I was my own make-up artist, whom I would mistreat, which in the end affected everyone else around me. I regret what I did at the time wholeheartedly, even today. I don't care what anyone else says.

Despite those months of my Silence (yet another reference!), I really did care about the Jeremy in my situation, but couldn't or wouldn't bring myself to express that. Maybe like Megan who was bending to Advance, I was bending to my fear of how my words would always be received. The Jenny, however, was closest to the Jeremy, and was able to get him to come to his senses, despite how helpless the Jenny felt at that moment.

Meanwhile, I, the Megan in the situation, was in deep, bliss ignorance of what was happening around me. If a room was to be read, I was illiterate. I didn't think it would happen, and when I learned what happened months after it happened, every night I would blame myself for not knowing, not being there for him even if my reason was rooted in some sort of self-preservation. A selfish reason. I was angry at myself for what I've done to my Jeremy and my Jenny to begin with. So many "If I hadn't (X), this wouldn't have happened..." thoughts. It stung. And I felt like I deserved all those stings.

It took me some time to stabilize my emotions. I appreciate my friend remembering what grounding is. In my throes of breakdowns I would always forget what my coping strategies would be. That's why you should practice, kids. Even if you aren't having a breakdown in that moment.

So how did this gaming moment get me fired?

Unfortunately, on the same night, I had a meeting for a project to go to. I said goodbye to my friend, went on the project's VC and loafed with the other attendants before the meeting can officially start. I took the typical "how are you" question literally (as a neurodivergent usually does). I shared about how I cried earlier. "Are you okay?" they asked. I don't remember what I brought up next. I don't think I talked about how I was crying over a game that I somehow could heavily relate to, despite making comparisons over just a thread.

Some days later, plus a few things I did to the parties involved, I was removed access to the project's assets. I was basically fired, the pink slip e-mail left unread until the situation's Jenny--the only party who responded to the apologies I tailored to fit individuals--responded angrily. It hurt, sure, but at least I learned my lesson(s). A toxic one would be "don't trust anyone anymore", but a healthier take would be "find people who can and will stick with you when it gets rough."

And to think I could never hold down a job for more than 3 months... I can't believe I'm writing this, on the night before I go on my college's internship program. I will be submitting myself to a daily monotony as how the National Nightly News, after the Donaldson situation would begin to sink deeper into nightly monotony.

Regardless, one thing's for certain: I don't regret playing that tape, Boseman. It will turn out right in the end. Channel One will be okay.

And so will I.

[daughterofhecata]

2, 3, 6 and 25 for Hugenay? (And maybe for Milo if you want (cause I'm obsessed 🙈))

[character ask game]

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

Victor: On one hand, I'm admittedly a sucker for the whole gentleman thief thing, but on the other hand, I also do love the tension that comes from the original episodes vs the german episodes/translations, because uh. he *does* make people almost crash their cars on more than one occasion. And also, "no violence" or not, he's still manipulative af and I do love that.

Milo: Almost everything??? I love how kind he can be and how appreciative of people (that moment in Time Bomb where he says to Alex "I think you're worth listening to. I always thought so" lives in my heart) and how protective he gets (both of Rick, esp in Murder Book, and also of Alex - that one scene in Survival of the Fittest is A Lot). And honestly, I may have my problems with Kellerman in some regards, but I will always be grateful that he decided some time in the fucking 80's to just. write a crime novel series prominently featuring a queer cop.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

Victor: I don't think have a least favourite thing? I'm probably supposed to mention the Brittany thing but, I genuinely think that was pretty fucked up but also very interesting. He can be absolutely awful and I love that.

Milo: that part in Over the Edge, idk if you remember, where he goes on a tangent about murders in the queer community/scene, that shit was uncomfortable as fuck. Also the newer books sometimes have him make weird digs at "PC culture" which. ugh.

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

Victor: Probably nothing. Nothing canonical at least. Fanon/head canon wise an interest in literature, I guess. (And a disinterest in romance, if we're reading that into his interactions with Vivienne in Mord unter Palmen xD)

Milo: Gay? 😄 Also, always make sure to tip at restaurants etc? (even if I can't afford the same level of tips) And *also* interest in literature, he did study it after all.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

Victor: Well. I heard Mr Claudius say "Hugenay kann. Der ist so raffiniert, dass er es kann" when I was approximately eight years old and I've been in love with him ever since. I *am* however making an effort to acknowledge his less gentlemanly sides lately.

Milo: Genuinely do not remember my first impression, I picked up one of the later books as a teen on a whim and it initially didn't leave a bigger lasting impression than other crime novels I liked, I didn't really think deeply about it. Nowadays, Milo is absolutely one of the most important fictional characters for me, because I sincerely don't know if there is *anything* like him, a cop in a mostly mid long running crime novel series who just so happens to be gay. 90% of the time it has no bearing on the story really, he just *is* gay. And that means a lot to me.