#michaela rates

[moviehealthcommunity]

Skincare (2024)

This is a Movie Health Community evaluation. It is intended to inform people of potential health hazards in movies and does not reflect the quality of the film itself. The information presented here has not been reviewed by any medical professionals.

Skincare has two scenes of extreme strobe lights, both taking place in a man's home; the first instance of this occurs when a woman stalks the man at night. The second shot of the film, as well as one of the final scenes that is teased in the second shot, are completely illuminated by strobing police lights.

There are some infrequent uses of shaking camera work.

Flashing Lights: 8/10. Motion Sickness: 4/10.

TRIGGER WARNING: A woman is sexually harassed in multiple ways throughout the film, including receiving graphically lewd pictures.

ADMIN BRANDON'S REVIEW: One-dimensional characters and a script with no nuance manage to rob this thriller of its thrills. While Lewis Pullman gives one of the best performances of his young career, it's not enough to make anyone in the movie relatable enough to root for. D.

Image ID: A promotional poster for Skincare

[bridgertonnteas]

So groups of fatphobic & homophobic people have been review bombing & giving bad ratings to Bridgerton S3 on RT & IMDB

I wish I was shocked honestly, but I'm not. that doesn't stop me from feeling disgusted by everything regarding this and disappointed that some people in the fandom are like that too It is honestly upsetting to see all that hate the cast and show are subjected to

So, I came here to ask something from Bridgerton fans who like the show and want to show support for the cast & the crew few things that won't take much time to do but will help greatly!!

1-Leave good supportive comments under the cast members insta posts comments, just leave nice supportive comments or even leave heart emojis

2- Leave extra supportive comments under Masali Baduza (Michaela), Hannah Dodd (Fran), Nicola Coughlan (Pen) & Luke Newton (Colin). Masali & Hannah were getting spammed by homophobic comments and Nic & Luke were getting from body shaming to appearance mocking comments. at the moment I have seen people on twitter see the bad comments and also asked people to leave nice comments which I do see now more than this morning, but it still would be really nice and helpful to leave a lot of nice supportive comments because the gross people won't stop and might try to leave nasty comments on every post of theirs for a while

3- If you could please report the bad comments on insta & bad tiktoks you see regarding this because there are ones that are violently homophobic or body shaming ones that have lots of likes which is disgusting but with more reports those videos could be removed

4-As for IMDB & RT ( Rotten Tomatoes) sites, if you could report the weird reviews that its purpose clearly body shaming, homophobia, racism, and appearance shaming, then report those reviews because I have personally seen & reported some body shaming and homophobic ones

5-If you could give higher ratings and write normal reviews on IMDB & RT, it would also be appreciated because the ratings before that were fine then in less than 4 hours the ratings for the episodes on imdb & the season on rt went down which means that the season is getting review and rating bombing by groups of homophobes sadly like it was planned ( some ppl on FB & tiktok openly talked about making fake accounts to leave bad rating on imdb)

[asgoodeasgold]

The anticipation for Department Q is building up!

Various recent articles...

18. “Department Q”

Ever since he hit Netflix, filmmaker Scott Frank’s career has finally ascended to where it should be: right at the top with productivity off the charts. The creator of the series “Godless,” “Monsieur Spade,” and, of course, the big one, “The Queen’s Gambit.” His latest and third series for Netflix is “Department Q,” another detective story. This one is based on the popular Danish book series about a former top-rated Edinburgh detective assigned to a new cold case while wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. Matthew Goode stars alongside Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald,��and Leah Byrne.

Premiere Date: TBD via Netflix, but it shot early 2024, so the wait may not be too long.

Sticking with Netflix’s UK output for 2025, we move onto Department Q, which is a killer team-up between Left Bank Pictures (known for Netflix’s The Crown) and Scott Frank, who has so far delivered two killer shows for Netflix in the form of The Queen’s Gambit and Godless. This next project is a new crime thriller based on the novel by Jussi Adler-Olsen.

Consisting of eight episodes, the series follows Carl, described as a former top-rated detective in Edinburgh assigned to a new cold case whilst wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. It’s a mix of a Nordic crime thriller alongside a Harlan Coben thriller and we’re here for it.

It was filmed in Scotland throughout the first half of 2024 and features some excellent talent, including Alexej Manvelov, Chloe Pirrie, Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, and Leah Byrne.

Department Q

It’s been a while since the heyday of the Scandi crime trend, but Department Q just might kickstart a revival. Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s book series of the same name, it’s an Edinburgh-set adaptation starring Matthew Goode and Kelly Macdonald as a troubled cold case detective and his therapist. But the juiciest detail? It’s made by the creators of The Queen’s Gambit. Date tbc, Netflix

22. “Department Q” (Netflix)

Celebrated screenwriter Scott Frank’s fourth mini-series following the western “Godless,” chess sensation “The Queen’s Gambit,” and 2024’s Clive Owen-led noir “Monsieur Spade”. The eight-episode crime thriller sounds like Nordic Noir meets ‘Slow Horses’ as it adapts Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen’s book series about a group of basement-dwelling misfit cops who solve impossible cold cases (this shifts the locale to Edinburgh).

[lgbtqmovierecs]

LGBTQ Series of the Day:

The Owl House

Description:

Luz Noceda lives a regular human life until she accidentally stumbles upon a portal to the Demon Realm. She arrives at the Boiling Isles and befriends the rebellious witch Eda Clawthorne and her adorable demon housemate King. Despite not having magical abilities, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice at the Owl House and ultimately finds a new family in an unlikely setting.

Title: The Owl House

Genre: Fantasy

Age Rating: 6+

Release Date: 2020-2023

Relationships: WLW (Subplot) NBLW (Subplot)

Representation: Bisexual, Lesbian, Non-Binary, Pansexual, Aromantic, Asexual, Gay, Genderqueer, Gender Non-Conforming

Episodes: 43

Running Time: 22 minutes (seasons 1-2), 46-55 minutes (season 3)

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Starring: Sarah-Nicole Robles, Wendie Malick, Alex Hirsch, Tati Gabrielle, Issac Ryan Brown, Mae Whitman, Cissy Jones, Zeno Robinson, Matthew Rhys, Michaela Dietz, Elizabeth Grullon, Fryda Wolff

Submitted by Anonymous

[hopepaigeturner]

Hope's Review of S3 : Kanthony & Francesca

Note: These are my opinions, that does not make them right, nor am I posturing that they are the only opinion. Very up for discussion with y’all as long as it’s respectful.

Note: I do not stand for hate against any actors/actresses or writers. Please, please, do not send hate to them.

As I said in my past posts:

I loved moments, far more than the writing.

Kanthony:

And this couple is the personification of the above sentence.

I adored every single scene with Kanthony. Anthony my-wife Bridgerton stole my heart. The kiss during the dance. Announcing the baby. Competitive couple goals. My heart melted with how they looked at each other, how intimate they were with one another. Whenever they came on my screen I squealed.

However…I really didn’t rate their arc this season. Do we remember the interview where Simone talked about how this season we were going to get Kate settling into her role as Viscountess? Where did that go?

They bopped in and out without much coherency. I feel as if the writers wanted them for that one scene with Colin re: marital advice in the middle of the season but didn’t have a clear idea for what other scenes they could do. And I do think it was more than just Johnny and Simone’s schedules.

Yes, it was nice for them to take a little extended honeymoon for themselves to have a child when last season was so full of tension and sacrifice. And it is heart swooning that Anthony wants to have the baby in India—but two different excuses to get them off screen? Why not just the one? The key with Kanthony is that they both know they cannot fully shirk their responsibilities—nor if they’re being honest would the pair wish to—but their love story was about finding someone else to share the burdens with. Having them pop off to leave Benedict with it all not once, but twice, seems a bit of a disservice to their characters.

Francesca & John:

I LOVED John and Francesca’s storyline. I loved their courtship; I liked their chemistry and their interactions. The song he got rewritten for her? Swoon.

I liked that Francesca taught Violet some lessons in love, I thought this was one of the more interesting and meatier storylines. I like that Bridgerton is showing us how valid different types of romances are.

I liked that both had to go out of their comfort zones for their love, they needed to be bold. John in asking Francesca to dance at the wedding breakfast, and Francesca standing up to the Queen.

However…the ending got things a bit muddled, especially in the last episode. Francesca and other characters kept pushing the idea that her marriage was her ‘getting it over and done with’, or that her marriage was a way to “escape the family” or have time to find herself. Combined with her reaction at the wedding, it made me doubt Francesca’s intentions with the romance. Was it really because she loved him?

A mina contribution around this is that I still don’t know who Francesca is. Unlike other characters, Francesca has not been built up for the last two seasons, tf it was so important that from the get-go we got a clear idea of Francesca’s motivations, her views, her personality. And we got some of it, but I felt like it got a bit muddled because they immediately got her together with John. I would have loved this season to be a season of us finding out who Francesca is before she is linked with another person.

However, I'm not really peeved or worried about all of this. Whether Francesca is a lesbian, or whether her marriage with John is one that does not have much sexual desire—does not negate her deep love for him. It's just in the next season/s the writers need to show the deep love. I would also find it refreshing to have a couple that deeply love each other without the need for sex. Especially in our very sex-driven culture.

On the topic of Francesca and John…

Franchaela

I was gobsmacked when I saw Michaela come in. I literally paused the show and had to take a moment. Afterwards, (while it did take me a minute to put aside my love for Michael Stirling and sigh a little mournfully for some of the storylines we won’t see), my brain then did a 180 and has now gone down a rabbit hole around this new dynamic/story. I just hope that the writers can do it justice.

Also, I think I saw a comment in an interview about how its really cool they’re going to show a ‘happy queer love story’ on Bridgerton. And all I was thinking is how When He Was Wicked is the most angstiest book in the entire season--but at least we’ll still get a HEA.

Also, I know a lot of people are annoyed about Francesca’s reaction to Michaela, and I think that can be taken multiple ways. I saw a post (apologies I can’t find it otherwise I would credit you) that pointed out that for non-book readers, they would have no idea the purpose/significance of Michaela without some obvious moment like we saw. They might have just assumed she would be a friend for Eloise. Personally, at the first watching I was a little disappointed because it piled on top of other moments in the episode that seemed to undermine Francesca and John’s relationship. But again, it will be very easy for the writers to show the love between John and Francesca in future season so I’m not too worried about this.

But do you know what we do get now…

We get the BPSC=, otherwise known as the Bridgerton Pining Society. Est. 1817.

President: Sophie Beckett.

Vic President: Michaela Stirling.

Honorary member: Benedict Bridgerton

I mean, did you see how fast Michaela's smile dropped upon learning that Francesca is a Kilmartin?

[grantmentis]

i don't really know much abt the ncaa but having kept up with the czech national team and minnesota a little, do you think mlýnková can get drafted (assuming she declares)? how does she fit in the upcoming pool of prospects?

oh 100%, depending on team drafting philosophy she can probably go first or second round. She's one of the only players in the senior/grad year (aka likely to declare for the draft) at over a point per game pace, plus she really set herself apart at womens worlds last year

I think this draft is going to be a little "weaker" than last year, and pretty forward heavy, assuming no one declares early. My top ten NCAA wise in no particular order would include Kaltounková, Mlýnková, O'Brien, Murphy, Eden, Winn, Huber, N. Gosling, Buglioni, Cherkowski. There are a lot of players who had breakout years this year but haven't been scoring at that rate the rest of college and so itll be a debate on if it's a legit breakout through development that shows they have pro league talent or nah, but Mlynková is a slam dunk for scouts, just depends on how high she goes but i cant see her at all falling out of the top ten.

I also think there will be a LOT less SDHL players making the jump this year. Elisa Holopainen and Sofie Lundin, who would have been top prospects had they declared, decided to extend. The other big thing to keep in mind is it's well speculated that frölunda and luleä pay most of their players and pay them decently, so it's hard to say if players like Petra Nieminen, Michelle Karvinen, Hanna Olsson, or Jenni Hiirikoski are intersted in making the jump. Viivi Vainikka is the one I think is most likely. There's a small handful in other leagues that may make the jump as well like Michaela Pejzlová and I could see some defenders trying with this being such a weak defense class like Čajanová an Rantala

[wildwren]

The Rest Unsung, Rated E

Read here

Francesca/Michaela; Colin/Penelope; Francesca/John; Penelope & Eloise; Michaela & John, additional combinations of platonic and familial dynamics

Modern AU, Musician AU, Established Polin, Slowburn Franchaela, Asexual Francesca x John

Chapters: 2/8

Summary: It's January, and Colin and Francesca are about to head out on a month-long tour for their musical duo - Fran writes the compositions, Colin pens the lyrics; she's the musical genius, he's the front man. They're not famous, just niche, and most of their fans are in Europe which always makes for a good adventure. When John, (Francesca's asexual romantic partner) decides to sit this one out, Fran's not worried. They still have Michaela, tour manager extraordinaire, along the ride. But Colin's decided to invite Penelope - a test to their newly-minted relationship which he desperately wants to go right. When another Bridgerton sibling shows up unexpectedly halfway through the tour, it changes the trajectory of everyone's plans and brings long-buried feelings to the surface. Through conflict and intimacy, each of them will have to discover: How do you know what you want? How do you say it? How do you live with the consequences of it having been said?

lesbophobes and aphobes this one isn't for you <333 everyone else i hope you enjoy!

[markantonys]

relationships: francesca & benedict, background francesca/michaela rating: T length: 3k, complete summary: A conversation on the swings reveals to Francesca that she and Benedict have something surprising in common.

[charms-cat]

Absolutely hating how they're implying that Francesca fell in love at first sight with Michaela and with John right there???????

I loved Fran and John's relationship bcs it was different, bcs I related more to them than the other three Bridgertons but now it looks like Fran's gonna be emotionally cheating on John when they could've literally not done that??

Would it really have killed the writers to just have one love story that was out of the norm? For at least one Bridgerton to not fall face first once they realised their love? We've had Daphne trying to make Simon jealous; Anthony and Kate's whole enemies-to-lovers plot; Colin and his lowkey mental break watching Penelope. Fran's love story was the first (and probs only, at this rate) where she and John understood each other immediately and quietly grew their love for each other.

(God forbid introverts/autistics being attracted to one another - no, seriously, why does one half always have to be wildin more than the other)

The teaser for Fran's relationship with Michaela is completely unnecessary at this point in time. Especially if we're still gonna have Benedict's and Eloise's seasons first! What, so she'll be thinking of someone else during what is practically her entire marriage with John?? Which might be, at best, 1 year or, at worse, 3 years. God forbid 4.

This season is Penelope and Colin's story. They were already setting up the foundation of Fran's story just by having her and John fall in love, so why did they already introduce her second love interest when we've just scraped the surface of her story with her first love interest (and her current spouse!) Why would they do my boy John like that?!?!?

[nostalgicmiscellaneous]

Things i wouldn't believe if i hadnt seen it...when i think the bridgerton fandom has reached the peak of fuckery i actually get to see that some Michael/francesca fans organized and are currently review bombing the audience score for S3 at Rotten Tomatoes because of Michaela...what does the actors for S3 have to do with your frustrations, you dumb fucks? I hate fandom culture. I know, for example, that Nicola checks it, so i actually went there and gave my sincere good review and ratings. If you like to make things honest, go there an leave yours. Only need an email.

[livsoulsecrets]

Francesca&Violet Fic - All lights turned off can be turned on

Written for @fandombingo WonderlandBingo prompts “Very few things indeed were really impossible” and “The more there is of mine, the less there is of yours”.

Written for @fandom-free-bingo Pride Edition prompts “Secret Smiles” and “You’re my everything”.

July Break 2024 Bingo prompt: “You deserve someone that makes you happy”.

Fandom: Bridgerton (TV).

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences.

Summary: Violet has an important conversation with Francesca about what Michaela means to her daughter.

“Do you not think it wicked?” Francesca asked, both fearful and hopeful as she awaited her mother’s answer.

“Do you?”

“No, Mama. It is… It is every bit what you told me love should be like, and somehow more.”

Read on AO3.

“And just when I thought Colin couldn’t possibly be any more of a moron, he fell off the horse and plummeted into the dirt!” Benedict exclaimed, gesticulating broadly with his hands.

Michaela threw her head back as her laugh roared. It was the most beautiful of sounds, as Francesca had long ago decided.

“I thought Anthony’s eyes would fall off his face from how wide they had become. He lectured us all the way home about how stupid we were to go out riding on our own,” her brother lamented, shaking his head in feigned disappointment.

“You are lucky I have learned to pick my battles, Benedict. Just hearing this sent my mind spinning, even if years too late,” her mother commented, sipping her tea.

Benedict shrugged. “Colin was in one piece, Mama.”

Then he smiled a mischievous grin and muttered to Michaela, “Mostly.”

Michaela laughed again, slapping his wrist. She turned her head to Francesca and threw her a softer version of her grin.

Having Michaela’s undivided attention never failed to render Francesca speechless. To be the one she sought in all rooms still felt like a distant dream.

She smiled back at her, a slight upturn of her lips that Michaela had learned to read over the years.

They could have stayed like that for the remainder of the afternoon if Benedict hadn’t stood up in a blur of color and motion.

“Oh, I must show Michaela the horse that nearly split Colin in half.” He exclaimed excitedly, “He is still in our stables.”

“It would be my pleasure,” she said, taking the arm Benedict offered her.

It warmed her heart to watch Michaela and Benedict’s vibrant personalities clash. Francesca had once worried they would be too similar to form a bond, but she was quickly proved wrong from the moment they met.

Benedict was also the only person in her family who knew the true nature of their relationship, and his unwavering support had given them much-needed strength.

She also knew her brother appreciated the camaraderie Michaela offered him. It was far easier to be at peace with oneself when surrounded by those with similar passions.

When they disappeared down the hall and their equally loud voices diminished, her mother set down her teacup and gestured for Francesca to scoot closer to her.

Now all alone, without Benedict and Michaela around, her mother seemed to wish to discuss something privately.

Violet smiled kindly at her and said, “It has been wonderful to have you back home these last few weeks, dear.”

Francesca returned the smile. “It has been good to be back as well.”

Her mother hesitated for a moment before speaking again. “I am glad you brought Michaela with you. I know how much she has supported you these last few years.”

The topic of John’s death was still one that haunted both Francesca and Michaela, and her mother was kind enough to dance around the subject, but Francesca understood the meaning of her words all the same.

“That much is true. I am incredibly lucky to have her in my life,” Francesca agreed in what she hoped was an amicable enough tone—one that didn’t betray all Michaela meant to her.

Francesca had never been very good at expressing her emotions, but her love for Michaela was so all-encompassing that she sometimes struggled with keeping it at bay.

“That I am sure of.”

Francesca drank some more tea just to find something to do with her hands.

“You have been happier lately,” her mom said, breaking the tense silence.

“Have I?” Francesca asked in return, noncommittally.

Her mother nodded. “And I believe Michaela is responsible for that, is she not?”

Francesca finished her cup in silence, the green tea becoming bitter as she forced it down her throat.

“I am not certain I understand, Mama,” she finally replied.

“I believe you do,” Violet retorted in the same tone she used with her children when they were young and foolishly trying to lie their way out of their lessons.

Eloise had always been better at wringing arguments together than her. Her sister might have been able to evade their mother’s questions and turn the conversation back around.

Back when Francesca and her siblings were younger, she had always been the first one to break when they were caught in a lie. A single disapproving look from her mother was more than enough to send her scurrying for forgiveness.

She felt awfully like that scared little child, desperate to be granted absolution.

“Mama.” Her voice wobbled, incapable of finishing her sentence.

Her mom shook her head, reaching for her hand and taking it to her lap.

Her voice was gentle when she said, “I know you love Michaela.”

Francesca chocked on a sob, her heart beating wildly as she tried not to allow panic to take over her whole being.

“I can also assure you that there is no rumor spreading. I have not heard this from anyone else,” her mom added. “But I am your mother, Francesca, and I have watched the two of you exchange secret smiles across countless rooms for weeks now.”

Her stomach dropped as shame overtook Francesca’s whole being. They had been so careful. Or at least she had thought so.

She couldn’t bring herself to stare into her mother’s eyes, terrified of what she would find in them.

Disgust? Pain? Disappointment?

“Mama, I do not know what to say. Forgive me for-”

“For what, my dear?” Violet interrupted her. “For love? Was I not the one who asked you to be open to it, shall it come your way? I could not possibly chastise you now for following my own counsel.”

Her mother reached out carefully to lift her chin. Finally, they locked eyes.

Francesca found none of the hate she had expected to see. Instead, her mother looked at her like she was still a precious gift Violet was grateful for having.

“I know you loved John dearly, as did I, as I am sure Michaela did too. Yet, throughout your courtship, I could tell you were content but not at complete peace with yourself. You told me Scotland and its quietness would help you find that peace. And I see it in you now, especially when you’re around Michaela. I cannot help but wonder if it was not the Scottish fields, but her, who helped you find it.”

Unbidden relief coursed through her veins now. She had been so desperate to hide her happiness, fearing what her mother would think of her for it.

She had almost convinced herself that her love for Michaela belonged in dark rooms, locked behind closed doors, undeserving of daylight and celebration.

To have her own mother prove her wrong went beyond her wildest dreams.

“Do you not think it wicked?” Francesca asked, both fearful and hopeful as she awaited her mother’s answer.

“Do you?”

“No, Mama. It is… It is every bit what you told me love should be like, and somehow more.”

“Then I can only be grateful you found a love that fits you so well. You deserve someone that makes you happy. What else can a mother wish for?”

For so long, there had been a barrier between them—a wall Francesca had built to protect herself and to preserve the peace she and Michaela had fought so hard to achieve.

To have it taken down so abruptly—by her mother of all people—seemed to release all the tension Francesca had been carrying around all at once.

“I am so scared, Mama,” she found herself confessing. “I have been scared for so long, and Michaela has been so incredibly patient, but I feel guilty at times. For loving her after losing John, for being with her and keeping it from you, for needing her so desperately when grief is still hanging heavily over both of us.”

“My brave girl,” Violet murmured, wiping away her tears. “I wish the world was a kinder place. I wish I could protect you from all this pain. I would take it for myself if I could. Even though I am unable to grant you that, I will tell you one thing: anyone you love will be loved by me tenfold. There’s no need for apologies between us.”

“I once believed my happiness and yours could not exist at once. I felt as if the more there was of mine, the less there could be of yours,” she confessed.

Violet brought Francesca’s hand to her lips to press a kiss against it. “I wish for nothing more than your happiness, my child. That itself is the whole goal of my life.”

“I have longed to hear that from you for so long, Mama, but I did not dare hope for it. It seemed impossible.”

“Very few things are indeed impossible,” Violet mused. “And my love for you could never be one of them.”

She pulled her mom into a tight hug, hiding her face in the crook of her neck. Francesca felt like a little kid again, climbing into Violet’s lap after a bad dream—the safety of her mother’s presence washing away all her fear.

Her mom held her just like she used to when Francesca was that scared little child. She pressed kisses to her forehead, humming reassurances softly.

“Thank you,” Francesca repeated again and again. The whirlwind of relief and love inside Francesca was so strong that it threatened to crack her open.

Her mom whispered, “You’re my everything, Francesca. You and your siblings. Don’t you ever forget that.”

Francesca held her mom so tight that it must have been painful, but Violet did not pull away.

Francesca could finally breathe. Her truth was out in the open, and her world had forever shifted, but not a single strand of fear touched her, for Violet loved her just as much as she did before.

And wasn’t that a miracle all on its own?

[jazzyjazzin]

Chapters: 2/3 Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Eloise Bridgerton/Cressida Cowper Characters: Eloise Bridgerton, Cressida Cowper, Michaela Stirling, Francesca Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Minor Francesca Bridgerton/Michaela Stirling, Mutual Pining, Regency Romance, Friends to Lovers, Fluff and Angst, Lesbian Eloise Bridgerton, Lesbian Cressida Cowper, Eloise wears pants in this, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Smut, Jealousy, First Time, Vaginal Fingering, Cressida has a bit of a praise kink I think, Toppish Eloise? but really Cressida just needs more experience so I'm not committed to that

Summary:

“You should try writing to her, even if you are not to send them. I find, when I have so many feelings that I am unsure what to do with them, it helps to release them creatively.”

“But you draw, and I’m not much of a writer honestly. Well… most of the time anyway.”

“There are all kinds of writers you know. You believe yourself to not be a writer because there are so many of them already around you, but the world is full of creativity, full of art, full of someone who will always be better at something than you Eloise. Besides, I’m not asking you to publish a book of poetry for a long-lost lover. I’m just saying, try an outlet for once that doesn’t involve smoking on a swing?”

At that she had laughed but she had gone to bed with Michaela’s advice singing in the back of her mind and then had spent many nights when she couldn’t sleep in Scotland doing exactly as she had suggested.

And now Eloise stared at the never-to-be recipient of dozens of letters that hide in her desk drawer that resides in her room at Aubrey Hall and she is none-the-wiser and oddly calm and beautiful for someone who has been stuck with sheep for the last year.

[ao3feed-kathony]

Boot Camp

read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/58692280 by CaroTheExplorer Penelope Featherington signs up for an intense summer boot camp to reinvent herself with the help of her personal trainer, Colin Bridgerton- the one person she neither expected nor wanted to spend six weeks with. or The Polin!Boot Camp fic based on the Wattpad story/movie you didn't ask for! Words: 2937, Chapters: 2/14, Language: English Fandoms: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Categories: F/F, F/M Characters: Colin Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington, Anthony Bridgerton, Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Francesca Bridgerton, Michaela Stirling, Eloise Bridgerton, Edwina Sheffield | Edwina Sharma Relationships: Colin Bridgerton/Penelope Featherington, Anthony Bridgerton/Kate Sheffield | Kate Sharma, Francesca Bridgerton/Michaela Stirling, Eloise Bridgerton & Penelope Featherington Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Modern Era, Alternate Universe - Summer Camp read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/58692280

[kikizubik]

Bridgerton season 3! (Spoilers)

I don't know why, but I enjoyed first part slightly more. It was more entertaining, I guess. What I was really sorry about, I didn't feel that much chemistry between Penelope and Colin. Which I don't understand why, because Nicola and Luke have good chemistry. The reason could be even no that much moments together because there were so many subplotlines which I enjoyed a lot, but I guess outshined the main couple. But I was happy for them in the end ,I've even been tearing up a little in their wedding moment...

Francesca and John are such a cute couple and fact they made Michael - Michaela is really interesting and I'm here for it.

I'm not surprised about Benedict. Even in the book he attanted some private parties....so...and after mentioning Mascaruque ball?! I was literally screaming?!

I was missing Benedict's and Eloise's moments. After first season there weren't many. Glad they had some in this season!

The Featherington development was so good part of this season, I was so glad, when Penelope's sister helped her in the ball to distract crowd with bugs! It was so lovely! Honestly a lot of moments with them was mesmerizing!

If I should rate how I love seasons...this season would be on second place. Kathony is just my fav.

[all-the-things-2020]

Late Night Talking - Chapter Seventeen

Summary: Dieter flies home after Emily’s accident.

Word Count: 3500+

Rating: R

Tag list: @rhoorl @avastrasposts @readingiskeepingmegoing @runningmom94 @gwendibleywrites @weho2kcmo

[Text message on Dieter’s phone]

APPLE: Apple Watch “Emily’s Watch” has detected a severe car crash. Emergency services have been notified.

[Transcript of cell phone conversation]

DOMINIC: Hey, Dieter, what’s …

DIETER: Dom, tell me Emily just left your place.

DOMINIC: It’s been about twenty minutes, maybe half an hour.

DIETER: Shit, shit, shit. You have to find her!

DOMINIC: Calm down, man. What happened?

DIETER: Her watch detected a crash. I tried to call her but she won’t answer. Fuck! I … I need to get out there. You need to find her.

DOMINIC: Okay, okay, take a deep breath. I’m gonna get you on the first flight I can find. I’ll text you details. And I’ll try to find out what’s going on with Emily. Just calm down and hang tight. It’s gonna be okay.

******************************************************************************

I was blacked out for a minute, maybe two. The airbags were slowly deflating, so it couldn’t have been very long. I heard people yelling and my phone ringing but I couldn’t find it. I felt groggy, like I’d woken up from an intense nap. 

“Ma’am! Ma’am! Are you alright?”

There was a man outside the car window. I nodded. “I — I think so,” I yelled through the glass.

”We called 911,” he said. “They’re on the way. I saw the whole thing. Can you unlock the door?”

I fumbled for the lock button and the man opened the door. Cool air rushed in. “I’m gonna unlatch your seatbelt, okay? I don’t want to move you before the paramedics come but in case the car catches fire or anything I want to be able to get you out quickly.”

I nodded again. My head hurt and things looked blurry. I realized my glasses were off. “My glasses …”

”We’ll find them,” the man said. “Just relax. Tell me if anything hurts really bad.”

”Are you a paramedic?”

He shook his head. “I was in Afghanistan,” he said simply.

”Cops and ambulance are on the way,” said a woman behind him. “The people in the Mercedes look like they’re okay, but the driver might have a broken wrist. She’s freaking out a little.”

The man squatted down in front of me. “This is my wife, Michaela,” he said. “She’s gonna stay with you until EMS or the cops get here, okay? I’m gonna go check on the other driver.”

Michaela smiled at me. “It’s gonna be okay,” she said. “Tommy knows what he’s doing. We’re gonna take care of you.”

My phone rang again and I turned to look for it but my neck was sore. 

“Leave it,” Michaela said. “They can call back.”

My watch was flashing a message about detecting a crash and notifying emergency services and contacts. “It might be my fiancé,” I said. “I think the watch …”

She nodded. “I’ll go around to the passenger door, see if I can open it and look for your phone.” I could hear sirens coming closer. The passenger door opened and I heard Michaela rummaging around. ”Found it. Hello. This is Michaela Foster.” She turned to me. “Are you Emily?” I nodded. “Yes, she’s okay. The cops are on the way. Okay. Okay. I’ll tell her.”

She handed me the phone. “That was Dominic,” she said carefully. “He said to tell you that Dieter is on his way but if you need anything in the meantime you can call him. Does that make sense to you?”

I nodded again. “Yeah, it does. Dieter’s my fiancé. Dominic is his — our — business manager. Dieter’s in Toronto. He’s working.” I felt myself start to shake and I knew I was about to start sobbing. The shock of the crash was wearing off and I could feel all the sore spots where the seat belt and airbags had restrained me. The sirens were getting close.

”It’s okay,” Michaela said. “Everybody is going to take care of you. The cops are here and I see the ambulance. You’re going to be fine.”

******************************************************

The police and EMT’s asked me a million questions, which I answered as best I could. Then I was strapped onto a gurney and loaded into the back of an ambulance. “You need to be checked for concussion,” the EMT said. “And they’ll do x-rays to check for any fractures, but I think you’re okay.” She nodded toward a second ambulance. “The other driver broke her wrist and one of her kids knocked out a tooth, but you were all really lucky.”

A second EMT climbed in with us as the driver shut the doors. “Yeah, you’re lucky you were in a Subie,” he said. “That car saved your life.”

Oh, shit. Dieter, I thought as the ambulance began to move. He must have freaked out when he got the notification. “Where’s my phone?”

”It’s safe,” the first EMT said. “We got your belongings and insurance info out of the car. We have them in a bag.”

”I need … I need to call my fiancé,” I said.

She shook her head. “Not until the doctors check you out. But the hospital can call him once you’re admitted, let him know what’s going on. Don’t worry.”

You don’t know Dieter, I thought. He must be going through hell right now. “But he’ll be so worried. His mother —-.” My voice caught in my throat. “His mom died in a car crash.”

The EMTs exchanged looks. “I’ll call him,” the man said. He rummaged in a bag and pulled out my phone. “Unlock it and pull him up in your Contacts.”  

I was shaking and he quickly took the phone back from me. “Now you just relax.” I closed my eyes, feeling a bit better, until I heard the EMT leave a voice message. “Guess his phone’s turned off or something,” he said. “Maybe he’s driving.”

Or maybe he’s … I couldn’t let myself finish the thought. No, he’s on his way. Dominic said so. 

***************************************

I was finally alone. After a multitude of tests (and a nurse assuring me that she’d gotten a hold of Dieter and he knew that I was okay), I was tucked into a bed in a private room, with the low beeping of monitors the only sound. I had been diagnosed with a slight concussion, for which they were keeping me overnight for observation “out of an abundance of caution.” I had been given a healthy dose of pain medication to soothe the pain from all the bruises and abrasions and help me sleep. I was feeling dozy but couldn’t drift off. The light in the hallway was too bright and I could hear the nurses at their desk just out of my line of sight. Every time they said “her” or “she” I was sure they were talking about me and my attention snapped toward them. 

“Still awake?” It was my nurse, Mina. She bustled into the room, glancing at the monitors and making a note on my chart.

”I hate hospitals,” I said. 

“Most people do,” she said. “But you need some rest. I’ll ask the doctor on duty if you can have a sleeping pill.”

”No, I want to be awake when my fiancé gets here.” I wasn’t sure when his flight was due or even which airport he was arriving at. I’d asked for my phone so I could call Dominic, but it, along with my engagement ring and the rest of my valuables, had been locked away for safekeeping. 

“You need to rest,” Mina said again. “If you’re asleep, he’ll understand. I’ll be right back.”

She returned about fifteen minutes later with a paper cup and a glass of water. “Take this,” she said. “It’s just Benadryl but it should make you drowsy enough to fall asleep.”

I took the pill but resolved to stay awake anyway. Dieter needed to see me — and I needed to see him.

******************************************

”Yeah, she’s fine.” I heard Dieter’s voice. He was close but not next to my bed. I forced my eyes open and saw him just outside the door of my room, silhouetted against the bright glare of the fluorescent lights. “She’s asleep right now but I talked to a doctor and the nurses. Tell the kids not to worry.”

”Was that Freddy?” I asked. My voice sounded weak and creaky. I needed water.

”Hey, you’re supposed to be asleep,” Dieter said, hurrying to the bed. He looked like hell. His hair was a mess and his face was haggard. And his eyes … I wanted to cry just looking at them. 

“I wanted to see you,” I said. 

He smiled and took my hand. “I’m here,” he said. “But you need to rest.”

“So do you. You look like crap.”

”I’ll survive,” he said, running his other hand through his hair, making it stand up even more. He ducked his head. “I … I had a drink on the plane. It was a charter flight … they had a full bar … I was just so worried about you.” He looked up, his eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry.”

”Don’t apologize,” I said, squeezing his hand. “Situations like this are exactly what stiff drinks were made for. You must have been so scared.”

He closed his eyes. “All I could think was ‘What have I done to make the universe pissed off enough to do this to me again?’ Win an Oscar, lose my mom … get engaged, lose …” His words choked to a halt.

“But that didn’t happen,” I said firmly. “I’m fine.”

He opened his eyes and let out a ragged breath. “I know,” he whispered. 

“You should go home, get some sleep,” I told him. 

He shook his head. “I’m staying right here, with you. We’ll go home together when they release you in the morning.” He pulled a chair up to my bedside and sat down, his hand still in mine. “Everything will be better in the morning.”

I wanted to stay awake, to look at him as long as I could, but the medications and the late hour were too much for me. I drifted back to sleep, but this time I was content. Dieter was here. Nothing else mattered.

***********************************************

Dieter’s house smelled stuffy when we stepped inside. He’d been gone for almost two months, and no one had been inside except for the cleaner who’d stopped by once a week to dust and run water in the taps to keep the pipes clear. 

“It always feels so lonely when I get back from a job,” Dieter said. “I feel bad for it. A house shouldn’t stand empty so much.”

”It’s not alive,” I said, but I knew what he meant. 

“Yeah, but I think it’ll be happier once you’ve moved in. I know I will be.” He winked.

I sighed as I sank onto the couch. “Well, that might not be as soon as I was planning. Now I have to deal with insurance and getting a new car and all that mess on top of packing and moving and leaving work.”

He sat next to me, sliding an arm around my shoulders. “Dom’s hiring a personal assistant to help you with all that,” he said. “She’ll be by sometime this afternoon.”

”That’s not necessary,” I said. 

“I think it is,” Dieter said. “And so does Dom. You need to rest and recover. Let someone else take care of all the piddly details.”

”There is no need to throw money at a problem I can handle myself,” I said.

Dieter shook his head. “That’s what money’s for, to make your life easier. I know you can take care of everything yourself, but you don’t have to.”

I was tired and didn’t feel like arguing. When the PA showed up, I could try to convince Dieter I didn’t need her. It would be different if I’d been badly injured, but the doctor said other than a headache from the concussion and soreness from the bruising, I shouldn’t have any issues. I was perfectly capable of handling my own business.

“You hungry?,” he asked. “That breakfast they served you at the hospital looked like crap. I’ll make you some eggs. You like eggs.” He hopped up and headed for the kitchen. “Shit. No food in the fridge. I guess the cleaner cleaned it out for me.” I heard cabinets opening and closing. “How about cereal? There’s brand new boxes of Cap’n Crunch and Lucky Charms. But no milk so it’ll have to be dry.” 

“Never mind,” I called out. “I’m not all that hungry.” I stifled a yawn.

Dieter came back into the living room with a box of cereal in each hand. “Mind if I have some?,” he said. “I’m starving.”

”Go right ahead.” He settled down on the couch and opened both boxes, alternating handfuls of each kind. “You know,” he said through a full mouth, “they ought to make Cap’n Crunch with marshmallows. It’s pretty good.” 

“You are so weird,” I said. 

He shoved some of the mixture into my mouth. “Cap’n Charming,” he said. “Or maybe Lucky Crunch? I could be the mascot.”

The cereal was incredibly sweet but it tasted like childhood, so I allowed him to feed me a little more. “You’re my Captain Charming,” I said. 

“After we eat, let’s take a nap,” he said. “You’ll make a perfect Sleeping Beauty.”

****************************************

I woke up on the bed alone. When I’d fallen asleep, Dieter had been wrapped around me like a baby sloth. I sat up slowly, feeling every bruise and pulled muscle. I could hear voices from the living room. A quick glance at the clock next to the bed confirmed it was after one o’clock. It must be the personal assistant.

”There she is!” Dieter said as I entered the room. His hair was still tangled from sleep.

A young woman with deep dark skin stood up from the couch. Her hair was clipped close to her head and she had large silver hoops in her ears. “Hello, Emily,” she said in a rich West African accent. “I am Oladele. I will be your personal assistant for a while.”

I shook her hand. I had planned to argue that I didn’t need any help, thank you very much, but there was something comforting about Oladele’s calm demeanor. She was much younger than me but she seemed so much more adult than I had ever felt.  “It’s nice to meet you. I appreciate the assistance.”

Oladele nodded. “There is nothing for you to worry about. I have everything in hand.” She consulted her phone. “I have already contacted your insurance company. A claims adjuster will appraise your car tomorrow although from the information on the police report it will likely be considered a total loss. I will press for them to pay you the full replacement cost of the vehicle, using the high end estimate in the Kelly Blue Book. I will also ask for the highest allowable rental car rate.”

Dieter raised his hand. “I’m heading back to Toronto in the morning,” he said. “She can use my car while I’m gone.”

I was stunned. Dieter loved his little red Audi and was reluctant even to let a valet park it. “Are you sure?” I asked. “I can get a rental …”

He shook his head. “Audrey’s just sitting in the garage. You should drive her. And when I get home we’ll go shopping for a new car for you.”

Oladele nodded firmly. “That’s settled, then. You have an off work order for the next week. I recommend you stay here for at least a few days before you go home, so it will be easier for us to meet. If you let me know what you need, I’ll order in some groceries so you won’t have to go out until you feel better.”

I wasn’t quite sure if my head was spinning because I was still groggy from my nap, or the lingering effects of the car crash, or simply because Oladele was amazingly efficient. In less than fifteen minutes, she had everything squared away and was putting her contact information in my phone.

”Call or text me if you need anything,” she said. “Mr. Carrillo hired me to be your assistant and that is what I am here to do: assist. You just concentrate on recovering. The groceries will be here in about an hour and I will stop by tomorrow around lunch time to update you on how things are going with the insurance company.”

“I like her,” Dieter said once she had left. “Maybe you should hire her permanently.”

”I don’t need an assistant,” I said. “It’s not like I have a million meetings and stuff like you do.” Dieter had an assistant, a young man named Joel who worked remotely, handling all the scheduling and phone calls and the rest of it from home. 

“Well, keep it in mind,” he said. “She’ll get snapped up by someone pretty fast.”

**********************************************************

We lounged around the house all day. Dieter ordered some lunch and it was delivered at almost the same time as the groceries. “I’ll put this stuff away while you get lunch set up,” he said. “Rest your brain.” The doctor had advised that I take it easy for a few days, both physically and mentally. 

After we ate, we snuggled on the couch and watched some television, and I ended up taking another short nap in Dieter’s arms. 

“What time does your plane leave tomorrow?” I asked when I woke up.

”Seven a.m.,” he said, making a face. “You don’t have to get up, though. I’ve got a car coming.”

“And you’re sure it’s okay for me to drive your car while you’re gone?”

”Yeah. Of course.” He sounded a bit hesitant.

”I can still get a rental …”

”No, no, you drive Audrey. See how you like her.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “I know I’m kind of weird about the car but … when I saw her on the lot, she spoke to me.”

”What did she say?”

”Dieter, I’m yours. Take me home.”

I laughed, which made my head hurt. “And does she still talk to you?”

”Oh, yeah,” he said. “She told me she likes you, and she wants you to drive her.”

”I’m glad she’s not the jealous type,” I said. “I thought maybe she would resent giving up her place as the most important female in your life.”

”Well, she was a little upset at first, but I think once we go car shopping and get her a nice little brother, she’ll be happy enough.”

**********************************************

”I know the doctor said to take it easy, and I don’t want to hurt you, but …”

”I know.” We were in bed and Dieter was gently kissing my face. “I think it should be okay.”

”Only if you’re sure,” he said. “It’s just — I thought I’d lost you and I need to feel you. Be close to you.”

”Me, too,” I said. “I want you, Dieter. I need you.” I kissed his lips. “Let’s just go slow. If anything hurts, I’ll tell you.”

“Slow and steady,” Dieter said, and he was true to his word. The only glitch was when he discovered at a crucial moment that there were no condoms in the nightstand.

”It’s okay,” I said. ”Keep going.”

”But ….” Dieter was a vocal advocate for safe sex.

”We’re getting married,” I said. “And we’re both clean. Besides, the odds of me getting pregnant at my age are pretty low. I think we can risk it this once.” I wanted him so badly.

”No,” he said. “I can’t … unless you’re okay with the possibility …”

We hadn’t talked about kids. At our age, it wasn’t really on our radar. Most people my age who had kids were a lot closer to being grandparents than to having another baby. 

“Are you? Okay with the possibility …” I knew Dieter had a complicated relationship with his parents, but he was such a doting uncle to Freddy’s kids.

”I don’t know,” he said. The mood was starting to turn pensive rather than passionate. “I mean … if it happened, I’d be okay with it. But I wasn’t planning on us trying …”

I cradled his face in my hands. “I don’t think this is the right time to have this discussion,” I said. “Right after I almost … got hurt badly. But we do need to talk about it.”

He nodded. “I agree. But after I’m back from Toronto. Fuck, I want you so badly right now, Em, but …”

“We have plenty of time ahead of us,” I said. “And there are other ways we can take care of our needs …” I let one hand slide down toward his nether regions and his eyes went wide.

”I’m glad I didn’t meet you until I was middle-aged,” he said, gasping a bit as my hand found its target. “‘Cause if we were teenagers I’d have you knocked up so fast …. Ahh!”

”Same, Dieter,” I said. “Same.”

[ithinkalotmaybetoomuch]

How do you solve a problem like Michaela? (815 words) by Krbear Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Bridgerton (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Francesca Bridgerton/John Stirling I, Francesca Bridgerton/Michaela Stirling Characters: Francesca Bridgerton, John Stirling I, Michaela Stirling, Eloise Bridgerton Summary: When Francesca marries John Stirling she feels she has everything figured out. So why is his cousin so maddeningly confusing?