#mission: impossible season 2

[cressida-jayoungr]

One Dress a Day Challenge

July: Green Redux (+ Blue Redux)

Mission: Impossible (s2e18, "The Emerald") / Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter

Appropriately for an episode about an emerald, Cinnamon wears a brilliant green dress to lure a target into a high-stakes poker game. Although this episode aired during the 1967-68 season, the dress has some interesting features that look forward to the 1970s. It is long and narrow, gathered at the neck, with double shoulder straps and a slit up the side. A long, sheer, patterned panel of cloth hangs from the back like a cape.

With the dress, she wears matching pumps and hair ribbon, but no jewelry. She starts the evening (briefly) with a diamond bracelet, but she quickly manages to lose that in the poker game--all part of the plan, of course.

[chalkrub]

saw some mangy dog on the outskirts of town

[whiskeycat991]

[fearandhatred]

love like theirs will NOT surely come my way actually

[kajaono]

Imagine if The Night Agent season 2 really bring back Rose

That would be the second big action show after Mission Impossible where women are valued as long term and equal partners and not only as replaceable love interests

[thebeautifulfantastic]

how unfortunate that i have two hyperfixations, several side interests, and a load of homework all clamoring at the same time for priority in my brain

[brionysea]

when it comes to the umbrella academy, a lot of people seem to think that the first half is great and the second half is terrible. personally, I think only the first *season* is great, or even good. here's why:

the mission statement at the end of season 1 is fixing viktor, but viktor isn't the only broken one, so you can infer that they're all going to have to fix *each other* - as a family, the one thing their abuser never let them be. and the world's burning down around them because of the most dramatic sibling confrontation to ever grace the earth, but they're holding hands and escaping together and surviving the impossible with the intent to move forward, even if that means momentarily moving backwards. it's a masterful allegory for finally growing up, accepting responsibility for your personal trauma and tragedy and how they shaped you, and the moment you take that power back by choosing to heal your inner child, only after being slapped in the face with the fact that if you don't, it *will* destroy everything you've ever built, ever cared about, and ever could.

and then the rest of the show forgets all of it. as it were, it goes in the *exact opposite direction.*

on the surface, the second season isn't *as* bad as the subsequent ones are. but season 3 and 4's faults can be traced back to season 2 by how it pivoted away from the serious subject matter that the story (not the plot - the *story*) was heavily baked in, leaning hard into the goofier elements instead, without ever understanding the contrast that those conflicting elements served to highlight. it made them both more powerful; the jokes were funnier because you were just devastated, and the trauma was more devastating because you were just in tears laughing. the emotional roller coaster is key to understanding these people, and you *have* to take the serious stuff seriously for it to work. at least half of the show doesn't, and as a result, the emotional moments feel hollow.

controversial opinion: as a character, luther is better in season 1 than he is anywhere else. he's more unlikable, but that's because he's implicitly there to show what *not* to do - even if he'd succeeded narratively by locking viktor up and saving the world, he still failed thematically by emulating their father and continuing the cycle of abuse - so luther's a character that's being very effectively used to add to the core theme of the story. he feels like a real, frustrating person, whose brain chemistry got messed up by years of abuse and isolation, all for the crime of thinking his father loved him and wanted the best for him. not like a made up guy on your screen doing silly stuff solely for your entertainment.

season 2 was also the start of the characters getting love interests instead of storylines, which season 1 never would have *dreamed* of; klaus and dave's tragic romance only served to further klaus's character arc, viktor's creepy boyfriend was actually manipulating him the whole time, five's fractured-psyche-mannequin was a narrative tool to let us see into the head of such an emotionally reticent character, and so on. the romance served the character, but fairly quickly into the show's progression, it felt like the character started serving the romance. five was immune to this curse for a long time due to aidan gallagher's age, which is why he's (for the most part) the best, most consistent character across the show, because they had to use their *imagination* for him and actually *write an arc* instead of falling back on tired romance tropes that any selection of characters could slot into to fill the dead space.

after season 1, the umbrella academy is entertaining, but it doesn't have anything to *say.* which is extremely disappointing when the show initially made such a strong case for what it wanted to be.

[bunny-1111]

Masterlist - requests are open.

updated daily

Harry potter:

Theodore Nott:

Post game destress (fluff + angst) 1.2k words Theo is angry about his team losing the game, and accidentally takes it out on his girlfriend.

Amortentia (fluff) 700 words Amortentia has its perks

Moving on is not for the weak (fluff + angst) 1.2k words Theo and reader breakup, and when Theo sees reader on a date and regrets everything

Migraines and get better kisses (fluff) 800 words Through an intense Quidditch match, Theo gets hurt and you comfort him

Dark Marks and Forbidden Hearts (original short) (fluff) 1.7k words Theo x Slytherin reader pairing during the uprising of the second wizarding war, you, your boyfriend and your friendship group are forced to become death eaters and follow in the legacy of your parents. You are faced with a challenge that you never would’ve imagined.

Whats become of us? (fluff + angst) 2k words the ups & downs of Teddy and your relationship, a party almost causes its end

Upon closer inspection (fluff) a deep dive into the magical Theodore Nott

Dry your tears (angst + fluff) (sad ish) 700 words Theodore and reader drift apart leading to an emotional breakup

Doctor Nott (fluff) Theodore takes care of sick reader

Forever is ours (fluff) Pressures of the war cause you to lash out; your boyfriend Theo is right there to remind you what you’re fighting for

Mission Impossible (fluff) 1k words Theodore attempts to ask you on a date until you finally give in

Beg for it (angst+fluff) 1.5k words Before break, you had trouble with Theodore. On the train ride back to Hogwarts, he reminds you of the consequences of your actions. Beg for it Part 2 0.9k Returning to Hogwarts after ignoring Theodore all summer long was so much worse than you imagine; Theodore was starving you of what you so desperately needed.

Mr fix it (fluff) 1.65k words. Theodore is protective over his wife and daughter as they accidentally take a fall into the lake under his supervision.

Blow out your candles (fluff+angst) 1.1k words You hate your birthday, your boyfriend Theodore tries to make it the best day for you, but only makes it worse, until...

Falling behind (fluff) 0.8k words Based on the lyrics of "Falling Behind" by Laufey, where the reader feels like everyone's in a relationship. Too blind to notice that Theodore's been waiting for her all along.

Theo wants to marry you (fluff)

Slytherin party, theos gf edition

One Step Ahead (angst, enemies to lovers) 1.2k words You and Theodore hate each other. Amidst exam season, was the tension and the teasing because of your rivalry or something else?

Theodore Nott Who Theodore Nott Who Part 2 Theodore Nott Who Part 3 (protective edition) Toxic Theo who

Dating Theo headcanons Dating Theo headcanons, Part 2

Dating Theo headcanons, Part 3

Dating Theo mood board

Dark Marks and Forbidden Hearts (Ongoing book on wattpad)

Dark Marks and Forbidden Heart, Theo Nott Fanfic, navigation

Slytherin Boys react:

how they reaction to you getting sloppy drunk at a party

How they would say I love you for the first time

How they would react to you crying

How they would hold/cuddle you

Slytherin boys + Pansy as poetry quotes

Slytherin Boys fan edits together

How they would react to you getting into a physical fight with another student

How they react to Snape catching them smoking a j

Slytherin boys and their romantic tropes

Draco Malfoy

Dating Draco Malfoy mood board

Matteo Riddle

Dating Metteo Riddle mood board

Matteo Riddle headcanons Headcanons Part 2

Us on repeat, Angst Matteo gets possessive after seeing reader at party after break up

Pansy Parksinson

Pansy Parkinson mood board

Tom Riddle

dating Tom Riddle mood board

Lorenzo Berkshire

coming soon

[life-is-more-than-just-a-game]

○ Thanos in a relationship ○

A/N: As I said, I became a fucking Simp for Thanos aka. Choi Su-Bong, so le me HAS TO write some sweet Thanos being in a relationship with you Headcanons! UwU

This will only be an exception, after all, this is actually a blog for Alice in Borderland, but … let's see. 😋

Characters: Thanos aka. Choi Su-Bong aka. #230

POV: gn!neutral

Warnings: Contains topics from Squid Game season 2- if you haven't watched yet, this writing can contain slight spoilers!

Bro is a flirty little brat, but boy, when it comes to you, he has everything he needed in life.

For him you are the most beautiful human he has ever met in his entire life- and he met lots of people based on who and what he is.

Unlike other flirting attempts, for example with Kang Mi-na or Se-mi, he was different when he was trying his luck with you.

He didn't make up some rap to impress you.

He didn't even just chat you up from behind or from the side, how he is it doing most of the time with other players.

Instead, he held back a little, but can't deny that he's been watching you very closely for a while.

He made it his mission to impress you, but instead you did it faster with him, leaving him downright speechless.

In other words: he fell fast but hard for you although you haven't done anything special.

But enough of the prehistory, let's get down to the essentials. 😋

Based on the fact that you're more than just a flirt for him, a relationship with Thanos would probably be something really nice.

I see him as someone who would be very protective over you. So, whenever you have to play another game, he will stand by your side, making ever and ever again sure you are with him and not with someone else.

It's okay if he puts his trust in other people, but you don't have to put your trust in anyone else but him, because who knows if they wouldn't want to betray you.

Thanos has been through a lot in his past life. He knows that he has done many things that are unforgivable and that many people condemn him for them. All the more reason for him to appreciate the fact that you are still giving him a chance to prove himself.

He appreciates YOU and your time you take for him.

It's hard to believe, but he is grateful that you exist and grateful for your mere presence.

From the outside, he may always seem like a strong and tough guy who loves to bully and manipulate other people.

The truth is, he just wants to find someone who will stay with him and never let him go.

He may seem scary to some, but deep down he is just as vulnerable as anyone else.

He hates the fact that he shows himself to be so “weak”, especially towards you, and that he makes himself vulnerable to you - and to outsiders.

Thanos just so afraid. Afraid of losing his life, but most afraid of losing something he loves the most once again- he is afraid of losing you. 😭

Please, give him as much hugs as possible.

Hug him before a game starts.

Hug him while you guys are playing when it's possible.

And for gods sake, hug him RIGHT AFTER a game!

This is when he is at his most sensitive and more affectionate than EVER!

In the common room, he would retreat with you to a corner where you two can just be alone for at least five minutes.

Sit between his legs on the floor, so he can hug you as tight as possible from behind, hiding his face in your neck or your shoulder.

Sit next to him, so he can put one arm around your shoulders while he looks for your hand with the other to just hold it silently.

Please, gift him a smile and tell him that everything will be okay and that you feel fine after the game and safe with him in your presence.

And don't let anyone come to you during this time, he will literally frighten them away if he has to. 💀

With the right person by his side, Thanos is a real softy.

He loves you.

More than himself and that's nearly impossible ...

Hold him.

Smile at him.

Talk with him.

Ruin his hair if you feel like it.

And most important:

Please NEVER deny any kisses from him, that would break him when it's the perfect bad time ...

He's just a boy looking for someone who loves him with all his mistakes and flaws like he will love the perfect one with all their good and bad sides ...

[tizeline]

1-I've fallen in love with your Tiz Sep AU, especially how you made Mikey the problem child with the hardest redemption arc out of the 4, because normally it's not Mikey who gets that role (Cause he'll always be a sweet kid no matter what dimension or universe or faction he's in<3), so I'm really interested to see how Sep Mikey and Sep Donnie finally reconcile and become closer<3<3<3<3

I'm glad you're enjoying the AU :D! And I'm still trying to figure out how the events of the movie is gonna go down in the AU, but so far this is what I've come up with (though keep in mind this is subject to change)

So it's during season 2 that all that drama between Mikey and... basically everyone else in his family gets really intense, but he does end up mostly reconciling with Leo, Raph and Draxum during the season 2 finale (don't know the details yet, just that it's gonna happen). With that character development, Mikey also grows more accepting towards humans, he still doesn't like them but he's also not trying to destroy them all so that's something!

But Mikey and Donnie just can't seem to get along, in the time leading up to the invasion they're just stuck in this constant state of animosity. Raph and Leo certainly try to mediate, but it's almost like Mikey and Donnie don't want to get along. It's kinda one of those situations where it doesn't really matter why two people started fighting, cuz now they're been fighting for so long and about so many things that it feels impossible to even try to make peace.

So then The Foot get the Key, which in the AU happens because Donnie and Mikey can't stop fighting for two fricking seconds and they screw up the mission. And then each of them blame the other for the mission going wrong, which just gets worse when Casey Jr shows up and warns them about the Krang and goddam these two are being annoying. STILL! Despite their less than ideal relationship, they have started genuinely care about each other, and they both feel guilty about losing the Key, so when Mikey sees an opportunity of getting the Key back he goes for it (like canon!Leo did). And when Donnie sees that Mikey is about to get fucking skewered by the Krang, he jumps in front of his little brother and shield him with his own body (like canon!Raph did).

The story from here on out is not as thought out, but needless to say Donnie gets captured and "krangified". I'm kinda thinking that instead of the Krang just making him a soldier like Raph was, they instead hook Donnie up to the Technodrome or something? And after being freed from the Krang's control, maybe Donnie can still take control of the Technodrome himself to pilot it back through the portal. Cuz ya know, they still need a way to send it back into the prison dimension and the other turtles can't connect to the TD because of their hard shells. I did have an idea of potentially making April pilot the thing lmao, but I also have a headcanon that the only reason Donnie could pilot the TD at all was because he has some Krang DNA in him (empyrean), which April obviously doesn't. So Donnie will still probably be the one to send the TD back into the prison dimension.

In the AU, I imagine that Leo and Raph are still kinda dealing with the whole leadership-issue throughout the invasion haha. It's not nearly as dramatic and hostile this time around, don't worry! But I love the idea of Leo and Raph becoming co-leaders, only problem is that they're still trying to figure out what exactly that looks like for them. It not a huge issue when they're doing small-scale missions, but with how intense and stressful the invasion is, they're kinda struggling figuring out how exactly their dynamic should look like.

But back to Mikey, he obviously feels guilty as fuck over Donnie sacrificing himself for him and he's not handling very well. Mikey having lost access to his mystic powers is also really getting to him considering how heavily he relies on them. Leo's drama with Casey Jr in the movie is in the AU replaced with Mikey's drama with Casey Jr. Mikey is initially pretty cold towards CJ just because he's human, when Donnie gets taken Mikey decides to direct his hurt and anger at CJ because... well... he's human! And he didn't properly warn them about the Krang! So obviously it's somehow his fault that Donnie got taken! Somehow! It's very weird for CJ to interact with pre-character-development-Mikey acting like a petty brat about the whole situation, he's hurt by it but also quickly just grows very annoyed at Mikey's hostility towards him. And then we get That One Scene where CJ yells at Leo to get his shit together, except of course this time it's him yelling at Mikey haha.

Anyway, then Mikey DOES get his shit together, and he manages to help Donnie break free of the Krang's control by giving this big heartfelt speech about how he's sorry about how he has been acting and he wants to befriend Donnie and become real brother, you get it. But Mikey still feels guilty about everything that has happened, and to add on to that he still kinda has main character syndrome lol. Point is when Raph, Leo and Donnie all get knocked out of the fight and it's only Mikey against Krang One, he pretty quickly decides to sacrifice himself if it means defeating the Krang. It goes down pretty similarly to how Leo did it in canon, Mikey can fly so he lures Krang One into the prison dimension and is able to restrain him there long enough with his chains to convince CJ to close the portal.

So then the question is - how the HELL does he get out of there??? Mikey opened up the portal in canon, which is gonna be hard for him to do in the AU if he's being beaten within an inch of his life by Krang One haha. But I do think I've figured it out, so Leo and Raph at this point in the story have unlocked their Hamato Ninpo but Mikey hasn't, because their Ninpo is fueled by like... the connection to their family, and Mikey doesn't feel very connected to his Hamato ancestry before this obviously. But what if this is the moment where he doesn finally unlock his Ninpo! After both Donnie and Mikey proved their dedication to each other through their sacrifices, Mikey finally feels connected to the Hamato family. The way I imagine this scene is that it's not just Mikey creating the portal, his brothers are reaching out to him with their Ninpo and Mikey is able to reach back, even while in different dimensions. They're able to establish a familiar connection and because of that a litteral connection is formed through the portal, and Mikey is brought home.

Lastly I wanna talk about Donnie, specifically the uh. Injury he gets from the Krang when he shields Mikey. I actually drew this really quick sketch of that moment a while back but I never posted it here so I might as well do it now! It's not super gory or anything, but Donnie's shoulder got a little but fucking impaled and also there's blood so I'm putting it underneath the read more thing

Haha remember when I said this this AU was gonna stay mostly silly goofy? Teehee!

Anyway, I can't really decide if I wanna make Donnie just lose his enitre arm after this because lol. Lmao. But the reason Donnie doesn't like die from blood loss right after this moment is because the Krang goop is sealing up the injury, both when he first gets captured and interrogated, as well as during the time when he's under Krang control. After he's freed, he's mostly only able to help in the fight by piloting the Technodrome up partway through the portal, maybe he's able to like act as support in the fight against Krang One by using his Ninpo? But yeah no he basically gets benched as soon as his brothers get him back because he's still quite injured.

But look on the bright side, Mikey and Donnie both being on bedrest after the invasion gives them PLENTY of time to bond! :D Like sure, they showed how far they're both willing to go for each other during the invasion, but they've still got a lot of bad blood to sort out afterwards and them both being stuck in medbay kinda forces them to deal with their problems haha. So yeah, while the invasion is the catalyst for them making peace, it's mostly during their recovery that they properly bond with each other. (Prepare for B-Team cuddles, it WILL happen!)

And you asked about specifially when Donnie loses his immunity towards Mikey's puppy dog eyes, and I'd imagine it's during their recovery. Not only because they're growing closer, but also because his baby brother is INJURED and SUFFERING and to Donnie's horror he quickly realizes that he is unable to say no to Mikey now haha XD

HOOBOY that's basically everything, I still have to figure out a lot of the details, but writing this all down made me realize that I've figured out way more of the plot than I initially thought, so that's nice!

[p0orbaby]

Main WOSO Masterlist

Works with smut indicated with *

Green With Envy

Velcro’s

My Eyes Are Up Here*

Honeymoon*

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

For a Good Time, Call… | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Epilogue

Overthinker

Body Heat

Divitiae | How the Other Half Live | Official Business | Meet Cute | Remember Cuddles in the Kitchen

Flu Season

Stay With Me | Twenty to One

Privacy*

Blood Sugar

Mission Impossible*

Far Too Gone for a Tuesday*

Long Live the Local

Sous Chef

Centre Court

It’s Generational, Baby!

Sinners* | Lust | Gluttony | Envy | Sloth | Greed | Wrath | Pride

More Than Friends

The Dog House

As We Plunge into the Ocean

Slow Motion Mountain Climber

In the Wake of a Hurricane

Finders Keepers

I’d Probably Still Adore You with Your Hands Around My Neck

Practice Makes Perfect

Bubble Wrap

Forty Winks Would Be Just Priceless

Hang Me Up To Dry

It Doesn’t Get Any Easier

Teddy Picker

Mud, Sweat and Tears

Forgive Me, Father, for I Have Sinned*

Life Was So Simple Then | Part 2

She’ll Know Me Crazy, Soothe Me Daily | I’d Rather Go Blind Than Let You Down

Dancing in the Dark

Just a Little Thing for You and I*

[startrekprodigyfan]

Incoming Rant.

I feel weird as a Star Trek fan because right now there’s more Star Trek than even when I was growing up… and yet… so much of it doesn’t feel like Star Trek to me.

Picard was awful all the way through. It’s bleak, it’s depressing, it’s inconsistent tonally, and it’s just flat out boring. It doesn’t add anything new to the universe and instead just mercilessly kills off many beloved characters for no reason. From Icheb, to Hue, to Q, and even to Bruce Maddox.

Section 31 is an interesting idea. A rogue mission impossible style agency within the federation doing covert missions? That’s fun… but this whole mirror universe Terran empire stuff has no appeal to me and the show looks nothing like Star Trek.

Discovery keeps doing the universe is in danger and spent so much time with the main character that we never got to know anyone else in the show. Then it just randomly jumps forward several hundreds of centuries. It’s so far removed from the Star Trek content I like, in both directions.

I’ve been wanting a Starfleet Academy show since I was a kid. Having a series follow cadets as they learn each week about different starship dynamics and regulations and protocols? That’s fun. I like that. But I do not want it set in the Discovery universe so far into the future. I always felt Starfleet Academy should be around the Wrath of Kahn era in between the old and the new Trek series.

Strange New Worlds is the closest we have to monster-of-the-week style classic Trek storytelling.. but due to streaming’s limited number of episodes we’ve barely surpassed Season 2 of TNG in terms of episode numbers after 3 years and a lot of the times the writing feels to just fall short of being good.

Both Prodigy and Lower Decks which both feel the most like Star Trek and focus the most on the ideals of classic Trek were cancelled and brought to an end far too soon. There’s so much more we can do with either series but the big-wigs don’t seem to care.

I’m convinced more than ever now that Star Trek flourishes when it’s animated and aimed at kids. I think the media landscape for adult oriented TV shows has moved so far into darkness and shocking content that doing Trek now doesn’t feel the same. The sense of joy and wonder at exploring space and sci-fi concepts is gone.

Everything has to be a universe ending storyline.

Everything has to be grim dark and depressing.

There’s no time to spend with any of the characters because we’ve gotta keep moving the plot forward because we only have 10 episodes to tell everything in.

Bigger budgets allow different looking tech and scenery, but they still want to be nostalgic for the past while not giving us the stuff we want.

I feel like getting Star Trek isn’t hard. Yet it’s weird how many of the people in charge don’t seem to get it at all.

[lurkingshan]

What are your favorite examples of deep unbridled yearning in a bl? I think my is I told the sunset about you the way they used the coconut smell to showcase one the leads feelings for the other was so unique and sensual. He starts out hating coconut and how it smells but slowly as he falls in love he becomes obsessed with it since it's the other MLs unique scent and he uses it on everything, so we get a scene of him inhaling a paper written by the MLs coconut pen and then another one just devouring a coconut like it's the best thing in earth. I don't think I have ever seen such a depiction of attraction/love/lust that's so different but also visceral and beautiful and it really stuck with me. It's very different but it's one of the rare romance things that I'll never forget akin to the hand flex from pride and prejudice.

So you want to talk about yearning.

*Lan Wangji has entered the chat*

There’s a lot of good yearning in the romance genre, and plenty of bls feature it. The example you gave from ITSAY is definitely one of the standouts in terms of how visceral it felt. I will never forget Teh shoving his whole face into that coconut, or all the super charged scenes where he and Oh-aew stare at and touch each other and keep testing boundaries until they break.

There are definitely other expressions of yearning that stick out for me for one reason or another, and not all in this same tone.

The Untamed

Let’s get this out of the way upfront, because no one can step to this man on yearning. He adopted a whole child and named him after his yearning for his lost love. What I love about the presentation of Lan Wangji's particular flavor of yearning is how steady and matter of fact it is. He is always yearning for Wei Wuxian and it's just a part of who he is, whether his love is alive or dead. And while I love that Teh is such a big mess of emotions, I also like this more understated flavor of yearning where nothing is ever said out loud but Lan Wangji's feelings are clear in how he chooses to live his life. He's the poster boy for "actions speak louder than words."

Eternal Yesterday

I'm not sure if you've seen this one, but it's one of the most poignant and devastating depictions of yearning I have ever seen. Mitsuru yearned for Koichi so hard that he kept his body alive for precious extra days and his memory alive forever. Brb gonna go cry.

Utsukushii Kare 2

This is probably one of the more unique expressions of the emotion (on brand for this series), since this sequel season has Kiyoi yearning for the man who is already his boyfriend to love him for real instead of idolizing and holding him from a distance. It's one of my favorite explorations of how lonely we can feel even while in a relationship.

I Cannot Reach You

This show wins for best visual effects to convey yearning, with a beautiful bokeh effect taking over the screen in moments when the characters were extra in their feelings over each other.

Unknown

Wei Yuan's yearning was more of the desperate and hopeless variety, especially in his teens years when he knew his feelings for his adoptive older brother were impossible. I liked that his feelings were expressed via caretaking; he didn't think he could have the relationship he really wanted with Wei Qian, so he made it his mission to take care of him and help shoulder his burdens instead.

I Feel You Linger in the Air

This story stands out in my memory for its dedication to anticipatory yearning. That is, knowing a separation is coming against your will and yearning desperately for the person who is still in front of you. Yai and Jom did not want to let each other go despite knowing they could not stay together, and that yearning was so strong it ultimately connected them through time.

Theory of Love

And on the comedic end of the spectrum, I absolutely cannot end this list without giving a shoutout to one of the funniest manifestations of yearning that has ever graced my screen. Every time his feelings for Khai got overwhelming, Third ran to the bathroom for a Sadness Shower, and if the water wasn't working he was happy to improvise (and now I am cackling).

[princessfantaghiro]

GALADRIEL'S GREATEST, MORTAL SIN.

Or the dirty truth. The dirtiest. 😇

Warning! This theory may not appeal to ROP viewers who consider our main character to be a flawless woman, "the holy Virgin Mary."

Because I'll be honest...Galadriel never was saint. She's not in "Rings of Power" either. She's a born rebel who has always loved to push the boundaries. "Touching the darkness" in every sense of the word.

ROP!Galadriel is a repentant sinner.

In season 2 she wants to redeem herself so fiercely from her mortal, biggest sin. [From season 1] She resist to be Sauron's queen, yes. In the end. But she didn't resist "the power over flesh", first...

That's why Galadriel's greatest sin is not killing the most orc "children of Adar", probably numbering in the thousands...

This is about something much worse. [tbh not in my shippers eyes!😈😇]

Galadriel's greatest, deadly sin is a true romance with the Lord of Darkness.

Haladriel Sex.

They did it.

She made love with Halbrand. [ in season 1]

The one who Galadriel saw as her fuc...ng Disney!Prince:

[Yes I know, we didn't see any sex scenes with them. Because Simon Tolkien said:"NO SEX SCENES CAUSE PURISTS!!!" And of course the creators and Charlie&Morffyd never will admit it officially, lol.]

So...WHERE IS THE PROOF?

Right under our Eye. Here:

This particular scene is [for me] ultimate proof they did it. For me, the symbolism and message behind the piercing with the crown is very clear...It's not only "blood/bonding"! She slept with the [Second] Devil before. He marked her as 'his", first by flesh [Halbrand in season 1], and then by spirit.[Annatar in season 2] When he gaved Galadriel some part of his Ainur powers and shared with his beloved Queen...

And this is a sign. Bloody mark of Cain.* [Sauron - in that case].The proof of Galadriel's greatest sin. She make love with the [Second] Devil. I mean...Not exactly!

She did it with her actual love, with Halbrand = repentant Sauron, the one Form of Sauron with the greatest amount of Light. [Knowing by us in ROP, until now.]

*The term "Cain's Mark" means a sin or burden weighing on the conscience (soul) of a given person. The feeling of guilt is so strong that a person cannot live with it calmly and forget about it. "Cain's Mark" - is the burning mark of a sinner.

Mark of Galadriel's mortal sin.

And her best friend Elrond knows about this sin:

"...the lost king who could ride you to victory. You gave him everything he wanted and then thanked him for it."

I can repeat it even louder. 😉

"YOU GAVE HIM EVERYTHING HE WANTED."

And Gil Galad knows, too.

This is her pain. This is her sin.

That she carries in her heart.

First, Galadriel wanted revenge for her brother's death. She wanted to complete the mission, to uncover the secret. To learn the answers. But above all to quench her thirst for blood. Instead, she touched the darkness. Figuratively and very literally.

Friends will not crucify her for this because she was tempted by a fallen maia Angel. Sex demon with 60,000 years of experience in the devil's school of seduction.

They forgive her.

Besides, Galadriel thinks for [and she had very good reason to] her husband is dead. She is alone, in celibate for +- 1000 years. Sauron, the sex demon was celibate for 3000 years. [Science! 😇]

[Valar!Prison in the cave after the murder of his "redhead Form".]

There was almost impossible for them two to resist the temptation. 🤷‍♀️

#sorry not sorry

[tgmsunmontue]

Season to Taste - 40/42 WIP

Explicit Hangster - Celebrity Chef Bradley and Naval Aviator Jake Seresin who have a relationship spanning the globe before they realize how tightly bound they are to one another.

PROLOGUE/1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (interlude) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 (interlude) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 (interlude) 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

(This jumps back to the hospital time wise, I think it’s obvious but stating it here for clarity)

CHAPTER FORTY – Iceman and Maverick Interlude

              Pete’s glad to be alive.

              That everyone is alive and the mission is a success on all fronts.

              Miracles on top of miracles.

              Though as he lies in the hospital bed back on the mainland he’s still trying to unpick exactly what happened from a personal point of view. Seresin’s ‘thanks for saving my life pops’ on the carrier had seemed a weird combination of sincere and wry. He doesn’t know what Bradley has told Jake about him. Because Seresin has been with Bradley since before he and Bradley reconciled…

              So he knows that Seresin doesn’t like him for some reason, and if it’s because of how he treated Bradley then he can deal with that. Understands it even... He’s used to people not liking him. However he’s never had reason to care before. He wants Seresin to like him. Well, he wants Bradley’s partner to like him, not look at him like he’d rather have left him to die.

              Okay. That’s maybe a bit too harsh.

              Because Seresin had saved his life as well, but he’d also said he was engaged to some guy called Leo. Or Leon. Or maybe Leonardo, he can’t really remember now, but it had definitely not been Bradley’s name that tripped from his lips so easily. He remembers that much. So either there are two Seresins that look identical and they both happen to be engaged to men. Which would be odd, but not impossible. Twins exist. He feels like Bradley would have mentioned that though. He needs to ask Ice. He’ll have made it his business to know.

              The other option it that Seresin is somehow engaged to two different men, which again… He’s not going to judge, he doesn’t have the full story. Maybe they all know about each other. He’s seen some shit in his life and as long as Bradley is happy that’s all he cares about. However if Bradley doesn’t know and Seresin is a two-timing asshole, well, Pete wouldn’t be averse to punching him. He’s pretty sure Ice would help.

              The third option, the one he thinks is the most likely, is that Seresin is suffering from a worse concussion than he’s letting on. That he’s forgotten the name of the man he’s engaged to. Pete himself has had plenty or practice making light of his injuries and faking it until he makes it. Seresin is likely the same and got the medical staff fooled. He just doesn’t know how to go about raising the matter. He’s still musing the issue when Ice steps into his room and he grins at him widely, signs I love you. It’s returned immediately but there’s an accompanying eye roll and displeased twist of lips.

              Uh oh.

              He licks his lips and wonders how bad it’s going to be. The fact that Ice cannot physically and verbally yell pains him sometimes; because he knows it always made Ice feel better, getting it all out and then deflating, his anger and cold fury spent. Now he mostly signs, saving talking for special occasions or moments when he just has to speak. Right in this moment, his jaw tense, Pete can tell Ice is probably wishing he could yell too.

              “I am so angry with you I cannot find words. Fortunately the anger is overwhelmed with the fact that you’re alive. But this was too close Mav.”

              He opens his mouth to say something, sorry would probably be a good start, even if he’s not really feeling it, but Ice holds up a hand indicating Pete is not allowed to interrupt him right now.

              “And then you BUZZED THE TOWER!” Ice signs, his arms flailing large and wide, hand slapping into the other for emphasis, and apparently this is his equivalent of yelling. “What were you thinking?”

              He’s not going to make his quip about not thinking, not only because it’s not true but he also hates that he’s the cause of Ice’s worry. The anger and frustration he can deal with, the worry is something else entirely.

              “That it would be my last flight on active duty…”

              As he suspected it stops Ice in his tracks, his sincerity and seriousness of his tone.

              “What?”

              Pete shrugs, and not quite every joint in his body aches, but it feels close to it.

              “Think I’m just going to stick to the mustang from now on…”

              “What do you mean?”

              “I still can’t cook but I could be the stay-at-home husband… retire.”

              “Pete…” Ice rasps out, and he looks terrified; Pete reaches out a hand, beckoning him closer. They’ve always had to be so careful, years of ingrained habit meaning that affection just doesn’t happen naturally in public. He laces his fingers with Ice’s, squeezes them as Ice lowers himself into the chair beside his bed.

              “I… I might feel differently in a couple of days. But I just… when I was flying I just had the thought that I was too old for that shit.”

              That earns him a huff of amusement and he grins, pleased with himself.

              “Still buzzed the tower…” Ice croaks out and Pete grins.

              “I might be getting older, but I’m not dead.”

…          …          …

              Tom has never dared bring up retirement, the fact that Pete has makes him feel so many conflicting emotions. He can’t imagine a Navy without Maverick in it, or Mav without flying, but the idea of him always being there when he comes home is an intoxicating one.

              “I’m worried Seresin has a more severe concussion than he’s letting on…” Pete is saying and he pulls himself back to listening to what Pete is saying and he frowns. He just saw Seresin and he’d seemed completely fine. He pulls his hand free so he can return to signing.

              “You a doctor now?” Pete gives him the finger, pulling a face and Ice snorts, glad he’s also feeling okay. So so glad.

              “Are there any other Seresins that Bradley could be engaged to?”

              Ice shakes his head, expression going serious and he looks at Mav carefully.

              “He didn’t say he was engaged to Bradley. He said he was engaged to some guy called Leon. You don’t think… he wouldn’t be engaged to two people do you?”

              Ice shakes his head, remembers something, a comment Slider made in passing, can’t remember what it is, but he’s certain he’s heard the name before. Then Pete is mumbling about not jumping to conclusions, which is laughable considering that’s Maverick’s fucking trademark. Except then he’s signing open mind and Tom rolls his eyes.

              “If it’s not that, then I think he might be suffering from a worse concussion. He’s forgotten Bradley’s name… Thinks he’s engaged to someone completely different. I didn’t want to say anything to him, confuse him any more than he already was.”

              “Have you considered that your concussion has made you forget who Bradley is engaged to?” Ice signs, glad Pete put in the effort to learn ASL. It also reassures him that even if Pete’s brain is a little shook, it’s not actually bad. Pete opens his mouth to protest then he narrows his eyes and Tom tries very hard to stop his lips from twitching in amusement.

              “You’re winding me up. Asshole. I’m literally lying in a hospital bed right now.”

              “I’m desensitized,” Tom signs, having to finger spell the last word. “Anyway, I just invited him to dinner tomorrow night,” Tom adds.

              “Who?”

              “Seresin,” Tom spells out.

              “Oh. Can I… can I invite the Daggers? To dinner?”

              He knows Pete is asking about more than just dinner. Inviting people into their home is a declaration of trust and show of vulnerability. Not one Pete often extends.

              “Of course.”

              “Great. I’ll talk to them.”

              “I’ll cook. Or Bradley can help me…”

              “Bradley is here? Bradley will take over the kitchen…” Pete mutters, but his words are beginning to slur. He’s still a little sore over the fact that Bradley won’t let him help in the kitchen. He’s been permitted to watch, sometimes help under very strict supervision. It’s been nice to see them relearn how to be around each other. Mav’s eyes are blinking slowly, like he’s going to fall back to sleep and he leans forward to press a kiss to Mav’s forehead.

              “Sleep…”

…          …          …

              He sleeps fitfully, keeps waking just to check that Pete is beside him. He is, sacked out in the spread-eagled way he always adopts whenever he’s not in a berth on a carrier or bunk. Like he has to make up for all the space he hasn’t had. He gets up finally, sets about making coffee and making some toast and eggs. Maverick was discharged with strict instructions to rest, which is always a tall order. Fortunately Mav’s body seems to be exhausted, so it probably gives him a couple of days at least before he has to begin either bribing or physically restraining him.

              He manages to rouse Maverick enough to get some food into him, and he’s awake and moving around for nearly two hours before he crashes and falls asleep on the sofa while Tom is making a shopping list; instructions from Bradley coming in thick and fast via his phone, including pictures of what things looks like and Tom just shakes his head. He forces Pete awake again and back to bed, before telling him he’s going to the grocery store. He doesn’t know if hosting a dinner is the best thing right now, considering how tired Mav is, but he knows if he tries and suggests they postpone it he’ll receive a withering I’m fine.

              He gets back, make sandwiches for lunch and takes some upstairs to find Mav awake and doing something on his phone. He frowns and puts down the plate on the bedside table.

              “No screens…”

              “I’ve got the brightness turned all the way down, it’s fine. No different from looking at you…”

              Tom isn’t quite sure how to take that, just shakes his head and takes the phone from his hand and replaces it with a sandwich.

              “Ah… there’ll be crumbs…”

              Tom doesn’t bother with replying, there have been far worse things in their bad than a few sandwich crumbs; when he glances back at Mav he realizes the thought must have shown on his face because Mav is grinning and he shakes his head with amusement. He’s received the full de-brief report now, and he plans to share it with Bradley. Seresin is likely going to have nightmares, and it’ll be good for Bradley to know why. Not that Bradley can do anything about them, but he still feels it’s a case of understanding what, exactly, they’ve just gone through. That’s still a few hours away though, and as he considers Pete lying in bed he make a decision and pulls his shirt off and undoes his belt, stripping down to his underwear.

              “Mmm… I know what you’re doing…”

              Tom grunts, slides against warm skin and closes his eyes.

              “I didn’t need an incentive to stay in bed, but thank for providing one anyway.”

              Tom grins.

…          …          …

              He wakes up to the sound of yelling and he blinks, listens closer. It’s one-sided yelling, so he suspects Tom is signing or writing… although even if he’s talking the volume is barely above a whisper anyway. It sounds like it’s Bradley. Well. Pete’s going to avoid an angry Bradley for as long as possible, he’s not an idiot. Ice has always been better at dealing with that side of him, quiet and calm whereas Pete would often yell back.

              It’s nearly five, and he feels so much better for having rested or slept all day. What he needs now is a shower and water, both of which he can get in the bathroom without going anywhere near the yelling. He starts the shower then fills the water glass beside the sink, throws back three glasses in quick succession. Rolls his neck and wonders if he should take a preemptive Tylenol for the low-grade headache. It’s not bad, but he also doesn’t want to have it distracting him from spending time with the Daggers. Plus if Ice sees him taking any painkillers later he’ll kick everyone out and insist he needs to rest. So now it is…

              He’s in the shower when he hears the tapping on the glass and he wipes away the steam and droplets to see Tom standing there, and he’s clearly been up longer.

              “Bradley is here…” Tom signs, and Pete grins. He wonders if he can tell Bradley what his sign name is, that Ice named him Baby Bird, because the initials match but they used to call him Little Goose until he asked them to stop.

              “I heard…” Pete says wryly and Ice snorts and rolls his eyes.

              “He checked on you, then I let him read the debrief report.”

              “What! Ice!”

              Tom raises an eyebrow, and he supposes of all the things they’ve done over the years this is far from the worst. Except it’s usually him leading Ice into trouble and him getting them out. For Ice to have done this… well. He’ll have his reasons and he looks completely unrepentant. Explains the yelling at least, and Pete wonders who exactly Bradley is madder with.

              “How angry is he?”

              “Very. He’s working through his anger on the vegetables…”

              “Oh. So I probably shouldn’t go in there.”

              “He’s holding a very sharp knife. Maybe leave him for a bit.”

              “Yeah. Good call.”

…          …          …

              He still hasn’t been brave enough to venture into the kitchen. Bradley has come out, wrapped him in a tight hug that made him wince, muttered under his breath in what Pete assumes was Italian and then gone back into the kitchen, closing the door very firmly behind him. Ice has gone in and out freely though, coming out with plates covered in little bite-sized bits of food, and the smells from the kitchen are making his stomach grumble. The kitchen door bangs open then and Bradley stands there glaring at him.

              “Mav! Don’t even think of it!” Bradley says, pointing the knife at him and Pete draws his hand back, shares a look with Tom who is laughing silently. Then the door is closed again and he quickly snatches a little thing off the plate and shoves it into his mouth. It’s sweet and tangy, fluffy but crisp pastry and he looks closer at the plate, wonders what it is he’s currently chewing on. It’s good. He expected it to be of course, but he wants more. A little mouthful isn’t enough. He’s reaching for another when the doorbell rings and Ice’s eyes go wide and he’s stepping toward his study.

              They realized that Mav is going to have to introduce the Dagger squad to Bradley, which is going to likely cause a bit of a stir, which he’s secretly looking forward to. And then Ice will step into the room, and Mav will introduce him as his partner, which he knows will also cause a stir. It’s the kind of chaotic energy he likes and he blows Ice a kiss and throws up the I love you sign just before he reaches the front door.

              He opens it to find most of them there, and they must have decided to carpool, or no one wanted to be first so they waited outside until they were a group. A team. He grins at them and waves them inside, offering them drinks and accepting their compliments on the smells, and he admits that he’s not the one cooking.

              “I didn’t plan this by the way, he wasn’t meant to be here, we were just going to do something simple on the grill but my godson was in town…”

              It’s not intentional, at least he doesn’t think so, but Bradley is pushing the door to the kitchen open, carrying another plate and he takes in the gathered aviators with an easy smile.

              “Everyone, this is my godson Bradley. Some of you might know him…”

              “Holy shit… Bradley Bradshaw.”

              “Your godson is Bradley Bradshaw?”

              “Just… you can just call him Bradley. Right? They can just call you Bradley?” Pete asks him and Bradley laughs, nods.

              “Yeah. Of course. Please do not full name me. Hi. It’s nice to meet you… any chance of maybe getting some names?”

              “Oh shit. Sorry… Uh. You want full names or…”

              “How about you sort out drinks while I go round and introduce myself.”

              Pete nods, because bottles of beer and glasses of wine and juice he can deal with, sorting them out as Bradley makes the rounds, shaking hands and smoothly accepting compliments and answering questions, and he supposes he’s grown into his fame. Wonders if he’s had training or it’s just all come to him naturally. It reminds him startingly of Carole, her friendly and easy-going nature before Goose died. The doorbell rings again and that’s now everyone except for Seresin, and he wonders what time Ice told him. Hopes it was the same time Pete told all the Daggers.

              “Mav… you never told us your godson was Bradley Bradshaw…”

              “I’m telling you now.”

              “This is so cool. Do you think he’d sign something for me? Of agree to a selfie?”

              “Just ask him. He’ll let you know…”

              “It’s a really nice place you’ve got here Mav.”

              “Thanks. Most of it is Tom’s taste. The garage and hangar are more my domain…”

              “Tom?”

              “You have a hangar?”

              “Yeah. Beautiful P51 in it as well.”

              There’s a cough then and Pete looks up to see Ice standing in the doorway, expression amused. Oops.

              “Ah. Tom. I believe most of you know my partner, Tom Kazansky.”

              Even Bradley seems to get a kick out of how every Dagger squad member seems to straighten up as if pulled by an invisible string, although something has spooked him and he’s pulling out his phone and heading back toward the kitchen, expression grim.

              “Talk about fucking bombshells,” Coyote says.

              “Wait… if this is also Admiral Kazansky’s house…”

              “Yeah. Where’s Hangman?” Phoenix asks, and she is the one who looks the least surprised about the whole Ice reveal.

              Then there’s the doorbell again and Pete opens it, knows Seresin has to be on the other side. Except it’s Violet, he’d forgotten Ice had mentioned she was coming as well. He accepts Violet’s hug and kiss to each cheek easily and then Hangman is there, right behind Violet, his expression tight, eyes scanning the room, giving a single nod to Ice.

              “Violet… what are you doing here?” Phoenix asks, and Pete wants to say that she’s invited. She’s like Bradley’s sister, although the one time he called her that she’d pulled a face and insisted she preferred being called his cousin.

              “I’m with him. He’s my cousin.”

              “Hangman is your cousin?”

              “Jake is my cousin… Hangman can be left at the door thanks…” Violet says, and for some reason Seresin is grinning, throwing a wink to Violet but he’s zeroed in on something, is taking steps toward the kitchen. Pete’s still trying to make sense of the whole cousin comment, because she’s Bradley’s cousin, how can she be Seresin’s cousin as well? Although not related by blood, so maybe it’s the same with Hangman? Hangman who has his hand on the door to the kitchen and Pete needs to warn him.

              “Ah, Lieutenant, I really wouldn’t go in there. My godson, Bradley, he gets really particular about who’s in the kitchen with him… and he’s already not in the best mood…”

              Seresin is looking at him like he’s the crazy one and Pete shoots a look to Ice, hand waving because some help right now would really be appreciated but Ice does nothing and then Seresin is stepping into the kitchen, someone is asking Phoenix how she knows Violet but Pete needs to see this, because he’s still not sure how Bradley and Seresin fit together. If they are actually together like Ice is convinced they are.

              “Hey…”

              “You,” Bradley says, and he’s pointing a large knife directly at the middle of Seresin’s chest and Pete steps into the kitchen quickly, needs to diffuse the situation immediately, shutting the door behind him.

              “You disobeyed direct orders,” Bradley starts.

              BANG as he slams a pan on the hob.

              “And I know it was to save Mav –”

              THUMP as he drops a large bag of flour on the bench.

              “But holy shit Jake…”

              CRASH as he grabs three glass bowls stacked within one another. None of them break.

              “Leo… baby…”

              Pete blinks. Because Bradley isn’t even put out by being called the wrong name, and maybe times have changed, but he’s pretty sure if he called Tom another man’s name he’d be out on his ass before he could even apologize or explain.

              “No! You don’t… fucking hell Jake!”

              Then Bradley is yelling, and it’s in Italian, Seresin is standing there and simply listening, like he can understand what Bradley is saying. Yelling. Huh. Maybe he does understand. Regardless, Bradley is spitting mad and Pete is reminded of him as a teenager, his inclination to lose his temper quickly, although he already seems to be losing steam in the face of Seresin’s calm acceptance.

              “I’m sorry baby… mi dispiace… ti amo…” Pete does a double take, because okay, Seresin not only understands Italian, but speaks it too. “Posa il coltello Leo amore mio… put down the knife.”

              Bradley looks at the knife with sudden realization and places it abruptly on the bench, then he’s reaching for Seresin and kissing him and Pete sucks his lips into his mouth, not sure quite what’s happened.

              “Uh…”

              Bradley and Seresin pull away from one another and both turn towards him.

              “Hmm. Maverick… And Admiral Kazansky. You kind of missed a chunk when you were telling me about them.”

              “What?” Bradley asks.

              “The fact that they’re together. A couple? Have been for decades?”

              “Uh… you said you knew!”

              “Leo! I knew about your relationship with them. Not their relationship to each other!”

              “Uh… fuck. Sorry…”

              “Mmm… you will be…”

              Pete frowns, because he still doesn’t understand why Seresin is calling Bradley a different name, and that Bradley doesn’t seem to mind. And he’d say something about the whole you will be but is fast realizing he maybe doesn’t want to know. Doesn’t need to know. Bradley is an adult.

…          …          …

              Tom cannot understand a single word of what was being yelled out just now, but Violet was standing there, nodding along, occasionally frowning and then nodding again. The other Daggers are standing around, looking a combination of confused, amused and uncomfortable.

              “Is… that’s Bradley yelling at…”

              “Maverick?”

              “No,” Violet corrects. “Jake. For being an idiot.”

              “How does he know Hangman?”

              “I mean… he just stepped into Bradley Bradshaw’s kitchen. That’s a pretty idiot move right there…”

              “Do you need to know Hangman to want to yell at him?”

              “Oh god, he probably just told Bradley Bradshaw his food was awful…”

              “Or that he likes his ketchup range and puts it on all his meals…”

              “Oh man, I would pay good money to watch Hangman sit down to a meal cooked by Bradley Bradshaw and just see him drown it in sauce…”

              “Hey. Hangman can actually eat a meal without adding sauce. I’ve seen him do it in Italy…” Lieutenant Avalone states.

              Interesting Tom thinks to himself, that they all think Hangman and Bradley don’t know each other. Yet Violet isn’t acting anyway out of the ordinary, for what he knows of her at least. And he notes that Lieutenant Trace is watching her more than anything or anyone else. Hmm.

              “Come on… I want you to come and meet my friends properly…”

              Now Seresin is tugging Bradley out from the kitchen, and Tom can’t think of any way to describe the look on Bradley’s face other than lovesick. Or simply deeply in love. Their fingers are laced together and Seresin is grinning and relaxed, despite clearly being yelled at for reasons Tom knows are in a folder on his desk. That’s fine, it helps them to remember there are people who love them waiting for them to come home safely.

              “So, I guess you’ve met my squad, but Javy… He’s special. He’s going to be my best man.”

              “Yeah. Coyote…” Bradley says, and he’s holding back a wide grin, clearly amused by something.

              “Yeah man… we met already… but… Uh…” Lieutenant Machado starts and Tom is amused.

              “Hangman?”

              “What?”

              “You want to tell us something?”

              “What?”

              “What are you introducing Bradley Bradshaw to us like you… know him?”

              “Uh. Because I do? I’m going to marry him as soon as we figure out a date.”

              “I thought you said his name was… Leo?” Lieutenant Machado says slowly, and Maverick is signing at him across the room See! See! I told you! LEO!

              Oh… now it’s coming back to him. Slider’s comment about how Seresin always referred to Bradley as Leo. Oh. This is brilliant. He ignores Maverick, which seems to make him confused. It’s kind of cute.

              “Leo. Bradley. Same person. I told you I was getting married. You agreed to be my best man already…”

              “Um. Yeah. Your fiancé is Leo…”

              “Yeah. And this is Leo.”

              “No. That’s fucking Bradley Bradshaw. We all know who he is…”

              Jake’s eyebrows go up and Bradley bites his bottom lip.

              “Because you just met him?”

              “What? No… he’s… like… famous.”

              “Hands up if you would have recognized him before Maverick introduced him…”

              Eleven hands get raised and Violet is leaning back, her arms crossed as she stares Bradley down and Tom watches with interest. He’s starting to understand Mav’s love of chaos and drama a little bit more right now. As long as he or Mav aren’t in the middle of it then it’s infinitely more amusing. No wonder Slider always wants to hear about Mav’s antics.

              “Famous…? How famous?” Seresin asks, and he’s turning toward Bradley with narrowed eyes and Tom cannot believe he’s getting to watch all this play out. Bradley is looking embarrassed.

              “Like… TV shows and recipe books and guest judging on other cooking shows and… like. Famous. We all know who he is,” Lieutenant Garcia says. “Seriously Hangman? You didn’t know you were engaged to someone famous?”

              “I don’t care about his fame,” Seresin states, a sentiment that Tom approves of whole heartedly. “Don’t think he’s going to forget about me in a hurry either…”

              “Non potrei mai dimenticarti. Tu sei il mio passato, il mio presente e il mio future…”

              Seresin flushes then, looking happy and pleased, Bradley pressing into his side and pressing a kiss against his cheek, all while Violet is rolling her eyes. Tom wonders if he should start learning Italian.

              “Giovane amore…”

              “What did he say?” Machado asks.

              “You sure you want to know?”

              “Uh…”

              “I could never forget you. You are my past, my present and my future. I love you,” Violet provides, without waiting for a further answer and there are several low whistles of appreciation, because yeah, damn. Bradley’s a romantic.

              He still doesn’t understand why Seresin calls him Leo though.

FORTY-ONE