#nate can and does get damn scary at points

[ghostlyarchaeologist]

"I don't think you're gonna do it. You didn't kill the man responsible for your son's death."

Leverage S04E18 The Last Dam Job.

[cloveroctobers]

j.r enemies to lovers trope plsss? with a lot of banter and like tension and it's like something just snaps and j.r and reader eventually get together 😩 there's like zero j.r fics that man is fine

A/N: it was hard for me to even imagine having that smiley beautiful man be a enemy (besides the whole downfall with his last ex but) to anyone but I’m always down for a challenge! Also it’s still spooky season for me until nov. 25th around these parts so ofc that was added here. after watching the best episode of the season so far tonight, I’m more inspired to write this little thing! There’s never enough JR in these episodes!

Prompt: 25. “Wanna hear a scary story?” + 27. “Show me your haul.”

JR x Reader — Oct./fall prompts

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“Wanna hear a scary story?” JR grunted from his spot, lounging in front of one of the many sofa’s in Keisha’s house.

A roll of your eyes was instant, you couldn’t help it as the cocoa skinned boy tried to keep this event going.

You weren’t even sure who’s idea this was, Halloween was still at least two weeks away but if there was any time to party, everybody was linking up. It so happened to be at Keisha’s house, which was usually one of the three options, off campus since her dad ventured off to a weekend getaway that she never seemed to want to partake in and honestly…you were 50% ready to back out.

“Not uh,” Simone sassed you on FaceTime, “you’ve been flaking on us to do whatever it is the last two times. Your ass is coming, even if I have to drag you and you know I’ll do it.”

Scoffing you stepped back into frame after digging in your wardrobe for some loungewear, “yeah, I’m only flaking because I need to keep these grades up after getting C’s on those last two pop quizzes in PSYCH.”

“Yet…weren’t you and Nate out at the dollar store or was it homegoods…the other day?”

Twisting your lips you glanced off to the side making Simone laugh at your expression.

She got you there, you couldn’t say a damn thing about it, and your best friend knew it.

“Whatever,” you huffed wrapping your frame in your Sherpa before you plopped down at your desk, “who’s gonna be there?”

“Does it matter?”

A deadpanned look was your face as you halted reaching for a gel pen, “you know it does because I might be down to catch my first charge with you know who.”

Simone laughed, “girl! I still can’t believe you dislike JR…it just doesn’t make sense. I mean I get it but y’all just need to get up underneath each other and call it a day.”

Gagging you held onto your neck mockingly, “I rather be buried alive with nothing but Shawn mendes wailing in my ears on repeat.”

“Oh, not Shawn mendes.”

“It’s just y/n? I thought someone was being strangled.” You heard Lando comment, his head brushing against Simone’s as he peered at her screen.

Waving at the new addition to the friend group you breathed out a small laugh, “thanks for your concern! Simone, if that thing is there you can count me out.”

“I mean ask yourself this question, why wouldn’t JR be there? He’s our friend?”

Pressing your chin into the palm of your hand you placed a sweet smile on your lips, “Really? I thought he that shall not be named would be condemned by a priest already.”

Lando shared a snort with Simone, the two mirroring a look that you didn’t particularly like.

“It’ll be my duty to keep you two far away from each other, I promise.” Lando spoke after a moment while Simone continued staring at him in surprise.

Letting out a long breath you replied, “I can’t believe I’m about to say this but lando…if I have your word for tomorrow night, then you’ll definitely get points in my friendship book.”

Lando raised his fist, glancing back at Simone who was fighting back a smile, “See? I think your friend likes me better than you now.”

Simone cackled, “good luck trying to keep that promise once JR is lit off that brown.” She snatched her phone back to focus on herself, “glad you decided to come around sis! You could use a night of freedom with your besties…minus one.” She corrected noticing your lips prying apart to argue.

You hated when any of your friends were right and you had a different perspective. Drunk JR was one of the reasons why you didn’t like him and he knew that. He also didn’t like how judgmental it made you seem, since he strongly believed his actions shouldn’t be held against him when he’s under the influence.

So why were you locked in one of Keisha’s extra rooms with this dude you didn’t like? He was lounging on his back, bourbon bottle cradled to his chest as he asked you this question.

It was probably 11:30pm and the music was still thriving, if you stood still long enough you could feel the bass vibrating against your bare feet. However you couldn’t stand still because you did not want to stay in this room with JR any longer. No matter how many knocks on the door and jingling the knob, you were not getting out of this lounge room? Any time soon.

“I’m living a scary story right now being in the same space as you, JR.” You muttered, spinning to press your back against the door.

JR chuckled, “the only jumpscare I see here is you, girl.”

“Excuse me?”

JR held his free hand out, “I’m only saying that ‘cause of that stank ass attitude you spreading around this room. You should be thrilled that you’re here with me, this bottle, and the music at our feet. That’s a good time if you ask me.”

The audacity of this man.

“Like I said, I’m experiencing a scary story right now and it’s getting worse the longer I’m looking at you.” You sent a middle finger to JR who laughed once more, his head lolling before he slowly pushed himself up to rest on his elbow.

And of course, he took a swing, wincing before he tapped against his chest as it slowly went down, his signature necklaces shifting as he did so.

“My mother told me since I was a kid that I should be in a museum…I’m a true work of art and it didn’t take me long to realize it my damn self,” JR was confident, “and some people are late bloomers so I know you’ll come to terms with my good looks soon.”

The wink he sent you made you shake your head.

“You’re unbelievable,” you hissed, “you can have these other girls here fooled and thinking you’re this special, one of a kind dude but I know what you are.”

“And what exactly is that, hm?” JR pressed, “it seems like you got it all figured out; better than I do, so go ahead and say it.”

“You’re an asshole or a asswipe,” you grinned, “I’ll let you pick which one you like best.”

“And you’re a real piece of work, you know that?” His brows were slightly furrowed.

“So I’ve been told.”

JR moved his body so that it was sitting back against the couch. He stared down at the bottle before taking another swing then he placed it to the side.

“…what’s your real issue with me, y/n?” JR breathed as he looked up and over at you through his lengthy lashes, “I think it’s time we just hash it out since we don’t know how long we’re gonna be stuck here for.”

“Don’t you have your phone?” You whined, not wanting to do this as you began massaging the nagging feeling that was beginning to start in between your brows.

JR hiccuped, covering it with his fist before he answered, “yeah…Damon’s got it. Can’t tell you why though. Where’s yours?”

“Dead.” You wiggled it in the air followed by some silence along with a nod of JR’s head.

“So…we doing this or what?” JR asked, “We’re in the same friend group with other mutual friends and we see a lot of each other so I’m taking—mostly everybody’s advice and attempting to get this over with.”

You crossed your arms at your spot from in front of the door, slowly sliding down to rest there.

So JR was talking to other people about you?

For what exactly?

“I think we should take a nap instead, you more so than me,” you mentioned, “and by the time we wake up, we’ll go back to staying out of each other’s way.”

JR blinked, “despite what your preconceptions of me are…I’m not drunk and can hold a decent conversation with you. It’s you that’s giving scared energy.”

Slits were in your eyes as he said this to you.

“Scared?” You repeated as JR met your eyes, followed by raised brows in response, “you cant even handle me.”

JR declared, “if I can handle this bottle all by myself with no chaser…I can most definitely handle your stank behind.”

Breathing out a small laugh you broke eye contact for a moment, knowing JR was probably smirking to himself that he got you to lower your walls for a few.

It was exhausting constantly beefing with someone. Yet you had your reasons and found yourself moving from the door to sit beside JR and snatching the bottle yourself. JR was impressed as you took the bourbon with a much too big of a shot and began coughing once you remembered to breathe.

JR reached out to pat your back as you held onto your neck.

“I forgot I’m not a bourbon girl,” you wheezed making JR laugh at you, reaching with his free hand to put the bottle to the side and out of your reach.

“Took it like a champ.”

“Better believe it,” you deeply inhaled before you got comfortable along the edge of the cushions.

JR cleared his throat, folding his hands in front of him as he thought about his next words carefully.

“I know what my issue with you is,” JR started, “we first met at one of my weak moments and it felt like you were still trying to make me be that all that time. Even when I tried to make a fresh start with you, realizing you were friends with everybody else it still felt like you were putting me beneath you and I’m not beneath anybody. I’m your equal.”

You received that like another shot of bourbon.

So you said, “And when you tried to gain a fresh start with me I was going through my own little moment. I was dismissive—

“And I didn’t possibly think something was going on—we didnt know each other to know that side of each other yet. I also assumed you had this permanent attitude, like you didn’t want to be bothered.” JR filled in, “and we already got one ice queen in the group, didn’t think we had two.”

Lightly laughing you knew what that meant, although JR and Thea seemed to get along quite well with her dating his baby brother. He still jokingly called her so when Thea was in fact being mean.

You added, “…Well you were boasting about your sneaky links recently so that also made me dislike you even more.”

“Why?” JR questioned, “I like to have fun.”

“Sure,” you shrugged, “it’s just irritating not only seeing but hearing about you when I’m trying to get my work done in class.”

JR rubbed at his goatee smiling to himself, “I know I do my thang but who was talking about me in class? Was it a girl named raven?”

A shove to his shoulder made JR’s reflexes slightly delayed as his ego kicked in a bit. He leaned on his fingertips to glance at you, who was shaking your head.

“What? A brotha can’t ask? I like to be organized.”

A look of disgust appeared on your features, “You’re sick!”

“Don’t be jealous baby.”

“Baby?!” You felt your head pushing away from your neck, which made the smile lines on JR’s cheek appear before he busted out laughing.

He carefully reached for your chin trying to push your head back, “relax…we don’t need you walking around here like the hunchback of notre dame, do we?”

Scoffing you plucked JR’s hand from your face.

“Keep your hands to yourself, asswipe. I don’t know where those hands have been.”

That only made the brown-skinned man more annoying as he decided to toss an arm across your shoulders. “I take pride in my hygiene, you don’t got to worry. But I like where they’re now.”

Daring a look to meet his dark pretty eyes with a slight sparkle in them, you met his gaze and you felt like your body was on fire. You would be lying if you said you didn’t think JR was physically attractive. You’ve seen him around on campus before you realized you had similar friends and of course at frat parties but seeing him on the step team, commanding a crowd kinda did something for you…yet the two of you did not mesh due to assumptions on both ends.

“If you think—

You started.

Instantly JR replied, “I don’t.”

Leaving you to be the first to insinuate a kiss that was almost bruising. JR was following your lead, arm still tossed over your shoulder, his fingertips caressing your jawline before resting on your throat as your lips fought against each other’s.

Somehow his body was on top of yours, trying to get as close as you should have been long ago. With his hand on your thigh and your thigh on his waist, he slipped his tongue into your mouth to get more of you. You almost forgot what breathing was like when JR carried his kisses over to your neck, taking in all of you and your scent. He raised up after placing open-mouth kisses against your melanin, taking in the sight of you panting.

He beamed at you, his white teeth shining as he did so. The hand that held onto your thigh slid down it and up your ribbed orange skirt making your breathing hitch.

“Need something else to taste?” You boldly asked, through half lidded eyes.

His pink tongue ran over his bottom lip as he massaged your upper skin, “I got you.”

The music drowned out the actions that took place between you and JR that night, thankfully.

“I’m glad we got to know each other better.” JR chuckled as you lay with your back to him.

Shushing the man over your shoulder, your hand reached out to the plastic bag underneath and through the couch. Sitting up now, you walked over JR, with his Jean jacket draped across your shoulders to peek beside the couch.

Laughing in disbelief, you picked up the bag and plopped down in front of JR who watched you in curiosity.

“What’s that?”

“This is what I was looking for when I came up here.” You wiggled the bag as JR got a glance of what’s in the bag, “Nate accidentally took one of my decoration bags and left it here…so she says.”

JR glanced off to the side with a smirk playing on his lips and he had a feeling you’d eventually catch on (if you haven’t) to their friend’s bright idea. “Show me your haul then.”

You actually bounced in your seat in excitement which JR found cute. His hand slid back to rest on your thigh while you leaned forward, gripping his goatee to place a kiss on his lips suddenly blabbing about the items.

With his cheek resting in the palm of his hand watching you adoringly, JR didn’t take you as a Halloween lover but he didn’t mind a good chase when it comes to you.

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Continue along with my fall anthology series here

[inkandpen22]

California Dreamin’ (2/?)

Pairing: Topper x Female!Reader

Word Count: 1k

Warnings: underage drinking, mild violence, drug use 

Part Summary: Y/N and Topper have lunch together and later attend the Cameron’s party. 

Masterlist

Y/N

After surfing for most of the morning, I've grown tired. The waves here are so different than in Malibu. I run out of the water onto the sand, tossing my hair to the side. I hadn't noticed Topper on the beach in the middle of a morning run until I return to my belongings. He slows to a stop once he reaches my stuff. 

"Morning," I greet with a warm smile. 

"I could see you down the beach. You're really good!" 

"Thanks! Years of practice." I giggle. 

He raises a brow. "What are you up to later?" 

"Well, there's the party at the Camerons since Ward and Rose are gone for the weekend. You're going right?" I ask. 

"I was thinking of making an appearance." He remarks wittily. "You free until then?" 

I shrug. "As a bird." 

"Would you want to get some coffee or something?" 

A faint blush forms on my cheeks. "Sounds good." 

____________________________________

Topper

Sitting at the small table outside of the cafe, I can't help but admire her as she talks about California. All changed out her bathing suit and into a cropped Boston band T-shirt and ripped up Daisy Dukes. Half of her hair is tossed up into a bun, the rest hanging loose in waves over her shoulders. She doesn't notice my absentmindedly listening as I analyze every inch of her, even her white Converse high tops, the laces so stretched that she can tie them around her ankles multiple times. 

The waitress interrupts my daze and takes our orders. 

"Regular black coffee and farmer's breakfast please," I request. 

"Lavender tea and granola acai bowl, please. Thank you so much." Y/N smiles, handing her menu to the girl. 

What the hell is acai anyway? Does anyone know? Because I don't. 

When her eyes meet mine, she giggles. "What? Are you gonna start calling me Granola Girl?" 

"I didn't even know how to pronounce acai until you said it," I admit. 

"You should try it! It's very good for you!" She encourages. 

I make a 'yuck' sound and cower. "Isn't it purple?" 

"Maybe... Don't let that scare you!" She giggles. "Branch out, Thorton." 

"Okay, I'll try it, but only because you're peer-pressuring me!" I laugh. 

After a few minutes, my coffee and her tea arrive. Almost immediately, she reaches for the bottle of honey on the table and squeezes some in. 

"Did you know it takes bees almost a month to produce honey?" She asks. "A little fun fact."  

I glance up from stirring my coffee right as she brings her honey-coated finger to her mouth and begins to suck on it. Her eyes meet mine innocently, not suspecting of my thoughts. Fuck me. 

I swallow hard and quickly return my focus to picking up my coffee. 

"Sarah mentioned a party happening at The Boneyard tomorrow. What's that?" She asks with furrowed brows. 

"It's uh... it's place on The Cut," I stammer, still caught off guard by the honey incident. 

She frowns as takes a sip from her tea. "Why is it called 'The Cut'?" 

"It's where Pogues live. It's just the less valuable part of the island," I do my best to describe. 

"Pogues?" 

"The people from The Cut." 

"Do you all from your neighborhood have a name?" 

"They call us Kooks." I shrug. 

"At least it's fair. Sounds rather West Side Story," she teases with a giggle.

The waitress appears with our food. My plate is rather basic, All-American breakfast. Y/N's is a symbol of the trendy West Coast. In summary, we fit our stereotypes. 

I'm hesitant to say what I'm thinking, but Y/N doesn't know the island as I do. She hasn't met any Pogues and should be careful. "You should stay away from Pogues. They have a tendency to steal and lie." I advise. 

Her face falters, apparently, they don't have stuff like where she's from. "Oh... wow... noted." 

"Yeah, I would stay close to Rafe or me tomorrow night," I suggest, genuinely concerned for her and partially for my own benefit. 

She smiles, taking a bite of her smoothie bowl. "Will do."

"Our friends will be there so you should be okay, but Pogues will be too. Tourons too."  

She laughs. "Is that what you call tourists?" 

I suppress a grin and drag my tongue across my lower lip. 

"So I'm a touron?" She questions with amusement. 

My eyes grow wide and impulsively, my hand travels across the table to land on hers. "No, no! Not you!" I then notice my hand resting on hers. Oh geez, I'm messing this up! "Oh.. uh.. sor-" 

Calmly, she glides her hand over, allowing our fingers to interlock. She brings them down to rest on her lap under the table. "You're fine, Topper!" She giggles. "You apologize too much. Relax. It's just me." 

A smile forms on my lips and I nod. She's right, it's her, she's not scary. She's kind and understanding, more relaxed than anyone I've ever met. 

"Here, try this." She scoops up some of her smoothie bowl, picking up some granola and fruit on top. She guides the spoon into my mouth and I try it. 

I nod, processing the experience. "Okay, I'm a fan." 

"I knew you would be," she grins, giving my hand a faint squeeze. 

The remainder of the meal, on the walk to the car, throughout the drive, and until I dropped her off, we hold hands. It felt so natural and right, as though our hands were made for each other. It was difficult to let go, to say the least. 

__________________________________________________

Well into the party at the Cameron's, Rafe challenges me to jump off the roof into their pool three stories below. Kelce gets him fired up, encouraging the challenge. Y/N and Sarah innocently stand nearby on the balcony, smoking a joint together. I would be lying if I said I haven't been watching Y/N all night. That yellow bikini should be illegal. 

"I'll do it if Y/N does!" I compromise. 

Rafe grins wickedly and I instantly regret what I said. He gets up from his spot on the couch and jogs over to the girls. He rests his hand on Y/N's lower back, dangerously close to her ass. I swallow hard, doing my best not to make a scene. As they talk and laugh, he glides his arm around her. The way she looks at him so intently, makes me wonder if it's solely friendly. Then again, Y/N has the ability to make everyone feel like they're the most important person in the world. 

"Oh, you're on!" I hear her tell him. 

Rafe takes her hand and brings her over. "She's down!" 

The next thing I know, Y/N and I are standing on the roof of the Cameron's house. 

"Scared?" I ask her as I peer down at the pool below. People stand with their heads tilted back, cheering for us to jump. 

She shrugs. "It's just like cliff jumping. I do it all the time back home." She slips her hand into mine. 

My eyes flicker down to our interlocked hands and an idea pops into my head. I tuck my arm behind her legs and scoop her up. 

She instantly flings her arms around my neck and squeals. "Topper!" 

"Ready?" I chuckle. 

"On three!" She giggles nervously. 

I nod and begin to count. "Okay! One! Two!" I jump and cheers ensue louder. 

Y/N screams and clings to me. Her face is hidden within the curve of my neck. Within seconds, the cool pool water consumes us. We break apart and I kick to the surface. When I pop out of the water and wipe my eyes, I find Y/N close by. She swims over to me, smiling brightly. I snake my arm around her and guide her legs around my waist. 

I point to her and announce to the cheering crowd. "This is the coolest girl in the OBX!" 

________________________________

Rafe

The party has died down, the sun threatening to rise in two to three hours. Topper and Kelce finish a game of pong outside and Sarah crashed a while ago. I watch dazed as Y/N takes another hit from the joint and hands it to me. She sits back onto the couch and leans into my side, resting her head on my shoulder as I take another hit. Once there's nothing left but ash, I set it down on the ashtray on the side table. I rest my now free hand on Y/N's knee as she rests against me.  

"So soft..." I mumble, rubbing my thumb over her skin. 

Y/N rises off my shoulder, resting her chin against it. I turn my head, meeting her red and dilated eyes. She smiles softly at me. 

I lift my other hand to caress her cheek. "So beautiful..." 

She stares into my eyes and I'm left wondering what's going on inside her head. My eyes flicker down to her lips and I want to kiss her. Following my instincts, I lean in. 

Shaking her head, she presses a hand to my chest and moves away. "Rafe, don't." 

I persist, scooting closer to her. "Why not? It's not like you're still with Nate," I chuckle. 

"We're friends..." She reminds me. 

I press against her shoulder to urge her down onto the couch. "We could be more." I lean in to kiss her again. 

Within seconds, Y/N's palm flies across my cheek with a smack. "Jesus Rafe! I said no!" 

I hiss, my hand covering up my cheek. 

Y/N takes the opportunity to slip out from under me. She storms off toward the staircase. I slam my fist against the back of the couch. Damn, that slap fucking hurt. She really knows how to hit! Suddenly, Topper and Kelce appear from outside, laughing and talking about the party. I pull out my vile of coke from my pocket, ready to release the pain in my face. 

"Where did Y/N go?" Topper chuckles as they plop down on the couch with me.  

"I don't know, bed? Who gives a fuck," I grumble, pouring myself a new line on the table. 

“What’s with the attitude?” Kelce questions. 

“Nothing, man. Just don’t care about her.” I hide behind a disdained expression. 

________________________________

Masterlist

Tags: @starkeythinker @bethii1 @thegunnerkelly @cc13723things@hockeybabe87 @jolomez @plutooryectors

[cassiebones]

my takeaways from 2x05

1. Rue's mom is right. Rue is a pretty terrible person. You can see sometimes that she wants to be better and that she's fucked up from trauma and the mental illnesses she's suffered since she was a little kid, but she actively plans out how she's going to lie to the people she claims to love. She has this cycle that she tends to go through: lie, ridicule, abuse, apologize, repeat.

She lies to everybody about everything she does, pretty much. She lies to her mom, her sister, her friends, you name it. She rarely shows that she feels guilt until her lies are caught. When she's caught, she lies more, then attacks and ridicules the people who are calling her out on her bullshit. She says horrible things to her sister, who just loves her unconditionally, the way a sister typically loves another sibling. She calls her mom a bad mom, which is...somewhat true? Like, somebody brought up a great point about why the hell she didn't confront Rue about the SUITCASE FULL OF DRUGS SHE FOUND IN HER TEEN DAUGHTER'S ROOM before FLUSHING THEM DOWN THE TOILET (it was Sarah Schauer, I just remembered). Like??? If she had kept the drugs, she could have brought them back to Laurie and paid off the balance that Rue had already ingested. But she royally fucked Rue over there instead of using common sense and calling the cops or something. idk. I know her mom loves her, but I agree with Sarah on this.

Point is, Rue is pretty damn toxic to the people around her. She fucks everybody over and hurls abuse at them when she doesn't get her way. As somebody with two addicted older siblings, I sympathize heavily with Gia, who just loves Rue and wants her to get better.

2. Maddy needs to get over Nate. Cassie is right; they are toxic. That doesn't excuse what Cassie did, because it is super fucked up that she slept with her best friend's ex, no matter how bad they are for each other. But Maddy and Nate are constantly saying they're broken up and then they somehow end up back together. Nate is a piece of absolute shit. He manipulates people and ruins lives. So does Maddy. Maddy, who yelled R*pe and then refused to tell the truth when Nate literally choked her and even blamed the boy Nate beat the crap out of based on her fake allegation. I understand that Cal fucked Nate up, but that doesn't give Nate a single fucking right to do what he did. And that doesn't give Maddy the right to do the shit that she does. She deserves better than Nate, but also she can fuck herself a little bit, too.

3. Cassie needs to get over Nate and stop treating her younger sister like shit. All Lexi does is care about other people on this goddamn show. She especially cares about her sister and Cassie treats her like garbage for asking simple, reasonable questions. Nate is never going to love her the way that he loves/obsesses over Maddy. I honestly don't think he's capable of love. It's more like he possesses Maddy and Cassie. He obsesses over them to a terrifying degree. You would think a girl would avoid the boy who choked out her best friend (and they all know it was Nate who did it) but I understand that her daddy issues and the need to be loved by somebody makes it difficult for her. Still, she definitely deserves better.

4. Laurie is fucking scary. I am genuinely terrified of Laurie and terrified FOR Rue. Her monotonous voice and sleepy way of speaking gives me the heebie jeebies for real. She is definitely planning some awful shit for Rue and I just pray poor Rue can get away from her or find some way to pay her back for the drugs in a way that doesn't involve her being trafficked. Either way, I just know we're going to see more of her.

5. Fezco has a limit and we saw it reached. He has put up with so much shit from Rue. He understands how addicts behave. He knows their desperation and that he can't take anything they say seriously. He knows because he's grown up with them because of who his grandmother is. But when you fuck with his grandma...all bets are off. Rue just learned this and I doubt she'll be able to make her way back into Fez's good graces after that.

6. Jules did the right thing. Let me tell you as the person who has had to make the decision to tell her parents about what her brothers were doing in the basement. As the person who has found unused needles in the laundry room because they fell out of pockets. The person who has found vials of white rocks behind the toilet...it's fucking hard to come forward. It's hard to be the snitch. It's hard to face your addicted love ones after you rat them out. It's hard to face their ire and their ridicule and their screaming after you "betray" them.

Jules was right to go to an adult about Rue's drug use. Because Rue was about to kill herself. Her mom or her sister or Jules would have been the one to find her and feel absolutely horrible about themselves if Jules didn't say anything, because all three of them would have dwelled on the fact that they could have done something to save them.

Because of who my brothers are, I know too many who have died of overdoses in my life. I know how that can fuck somebody up, especially somebody who KNEW what they were doing and could have done something to stop what they were doing but didn't.

People coming at Jules and calling her a snitch can fuck right off because, yeah, she's a snitch, but she's trying desperately to save the life of somebody she loves. Flushing the drugs was a bad way of doing it, for sure, but her intentions are good. I wish I had been as brave as Jules when I was 17.

[slashingdisneypasta]

Jack Bass x Younger!Reader || Oneshot

Title: Bass's.

Notes:

I have no idea when this is supposed to be set. Just go with it.

I have two things to say about Jack in this gif, though. 1. Does he not know how to carry a tray. And 2. I love this statement, here. Its like 'Bart's Dead, Chuck. I can barely contain my joy, Chuck. Its taking all my willpower, Chuck, to keep a monotonous expression. Also Chuck I am carrying a tray, do you see this?'

Plot: Bart Bass decides to be his creepy fucking self (Not that Jack is exponentially better in any way but whatever) towards you, Chuck's best friend- but thankfully, Jack accidentally walks in on the scene and gives you a get out of jail free card.

Good old 'lesser of two evils' shit. I love stuff like that.

Warnings: BART BASS being predatory, and a bit of age difference (You and Jack. I'm going by actors ages though so there's only a, like, 11 year age gap between him and Chuck which is not that bad if you ask me). Sexual references.

~~~

Chuck looks from his phone, that's flashing Blairs name, to you and your big, wide eyes and lips mouthing 'Don't you dare', then to his father quietly tapping away on his phone on the couch a few feet away... then back at his phone.

"Charles- " You hiss, prepared to threaten his very existence but he cuts you off first- slipping off the bar stool beside you and heading for the hallway.

"I'm going to go to the bathroom."

Why am I friends with him again!? You think, but stay quiet and hope that Bart doesn't realise that you're back there despite having said hello to you earlier when he came in. You think, if you stay quiet like a mouse, he will forget your existence and keep texting until Chuck gets back- although, who knows how long he and Blair can go on for.

Depends what its about, honestly. If its about revenge or espionage... well, the conversation could last quite some time.

Should I just leave?

The impulse to run away is a strong one, as you sit there with your cheeks heating up and you start to feel nauseated. You never liked Bart Bass, from the moment you met him. Before that, actually. You had heard Chuck talking about him to Nate before you even became friends with them, and none of what you heard was good. And then you did meet him, one day when Chuck invited you over to do a school project. Or 'school project' as he so obnoxiously put it. You really did end up just doing a school project, though. Hence your friendship nowadays. Bart was creepy towards you even then, at 16 with terribly died hair and the wrong eyeshadow.

You've been very careful since then to never be alone with him like this. You would talk to him at parties if you were forced to, say hello to him when Chuck had you at his place and the man walked by, but that is the extent of your communication with the creep. Always, always, someone would be around. Chuck, mostly. But also staff, or Nate, or random fundraiser ladies, or Jack who Chuck the bastard never left alone with all willy-nilly like this, unfortunately, or Lily, or literally anyone else possible on the earth.

You've even hidden away in the men's bathroom, which is disgusting no matter how expensive the restaurant, with Nate before to get away from this man when Chuck once ditched you both at a dinner with him. And that's the story of how you got your first kiss, too, and it was from Nate Archibald. Hell yes.

That's how much this man makes you want to grab your bag and flee.

But you don't. You stay glued to your seat, super still, listening only to the tap-tap-tapping noises that Bart makes and the bump-bump-bump noises your heart is making right into your throbbing ears.

Until it stops.

Not the bump-bump-bumping, oh no. The tapping. And, nightmarishly, it's replaced by a groan and footsteps coming towards your turned back.

"Y/N," As soon as he says your name, his hands fall on your your shoulders and you literally jump under his touch. Shit- Shit- Fuck- what's happening- "I've been meaning to speak with you recently but Chuck- ah. Well you know him. He refused to share with me your telephone number. But I knew you'd turn up here at some point, so not to worry."

"Uh... right." You cant even force yourself to be your normal, cheery, polite self in this position. You just want him to get. off. of. you.

"Did you want a drink?" He asks, in that possibly cheery (But only because its slightly louder then his usual husk level) but mostly still scary voice he uses to convey emotion, letting go of you thankfully and rounding to the other side of the bar. You shake your head, though. He raises his brows, picking out a scotch for himself. "You don't drink? Shocking, seeing as you're friends with my son."

Oh I drink. You think, giving him a shrug. Just not in situations like this one. Also, what must he think of Chuck? Jesus Christ. For sure, your boy likes debauchery but what's wrong with that?

"Well, I like that." Bart pauses before pouring his drink, to appreciate you. "Mature."

Damn it. It makes your skin absolutely crawl.

"So... " You take a deep breath, tucking your hair back behind your ears rather then ruffling it back like you usually would to get it out of your face- lest that be recognised as some kind of extremely subtle form of flirting. God, fear makes you think weird things. "What did you want to discuss?"

"Oh- Just, your future. Where are you going to school? Will you be sticking close to us?"

Us? US? No, I'll be far far away, from you.

You don't really want to tell Bart where you're going to be going to school, because in your fear addled brain you know that that will just lead to 'Which campus?', or 'Where will you be staying?' and you really don't want it to go there.

You're just taking another, shakier deep breath, when the front door of the apartment opens and shuts loudly and set of feet trample down the hallway towards you. Immediately total relief plashes over you and you wipe your face. Oh, thank god.

Jack Bass appears in the doorway to the living room, looking as put-together yet somehow simultaneously still totally relaxed, as always, and forces aa polite smile onto his handsome face. "Brother. Y/N? Its good to see you."

You have no idea. "Good to see you too Jack. Uh- Chuck's in the bathroom."

"Thanks. For that... enlightening, information, Y/N. I needed that." You cheeks flare up in embarrassment, but ultimately you just roll your eyes as Jack flashes you a subtle wink, and turns promptly to his - much, - older brother. "Bart."

The older brother in question looks less then pleased at his baby brothers appearance in his home. Right now. And he possibly isn't thrilled about that little wink, either. Like you two are in on some kind of joke together. "Jack... What are you doing here?"

"Simmer down, bro. Just visiting." Even you know that that excuse is weak, but anything that comes out Jack's own monotonous voice right now is blessed where you're concerned so you certainly don't say anything. Or make any faces, which would be more appropriate. "Y/N, I don't think Bart-man here's too happy about my presence." Hm, no. You'd have to agree with that observation- not that you've looked up at Bart since Jack came in. You wont risk it. Jack glides through the room with the practised grace of a man who's lived 3 quarters of his life in suits and the other, happier quarter in board shorts, and ends up right next to your chair, an arm resting on the bench in front of you.

If you weren't already so nervous about Bart, you would blush about Jack.

"At least tell me you're glad to see me."

You grin, which is less forced then you thought it would be prior to trying it. Damn, he's good. You think, realising he just swepped in here and made you comfortable in less then 50 words. "Always, 'Uncle Jack'."

"Oh," He groans, like it physically pained him to hear you tease him like that. A tiny smirk even slips through his usually emotionless - well, not emotionless. He has one standing colour, that being sly, - stone statue of a face. "'Uncle Jack'- Please, stop. I'm barely a decade older then you."

That's enough to make anything else possible, inappropriate. Unfortunately. "Hey, I said I'm glad to see you." You wink, a bit sly yourself. "Count your blessings."

His grin widens a bit, like the dangerously charming Cheshire cat-type that he is. Genes that Chuck inherited, clearly, if his track record with girls say anything at all, but that Bart obviously missed out on. "You've got a point."

"She's a remarkable young woman." Bart pipes up, making your stomach tie itself up in knots again, and you immediately revert your gaze to your lap. Remarkable young woman... you want to barf. "Who, I was actually having a conversation with before you burst in here, unannounced." He takes a slow sip of his drink, then mutters. "And uninvited."

"Well that's great." Jack straightens up, clapping his hands together and finally showing his teeth in a smile. They're really freaken white, compared to his skin, deeply tanned by the hot Australian sun. "A visit would be kinda uncomfortable without a conversation; I'll join. I can converse with the best of 'em, Bart. I assure you."

"It was private." The old man sneers, thinking that he's got the upper hand on Jack, and all you can do is hope to god that he's wrong.

Jack turns his head back to look at you, and you meet his gaze tentatively. Your eyes scream, 'Please don't leave me alone with that guy'. He promptly looks back to Bart. "Well Bart why don't we ask the lady in the room what she wants? We are gentlemen here aren't we?" Then Jack makes a face, all crumpled up and unsure, for a moment. "Err. Well actually... 'gentleman' might be a bold faced lie. We'll ask anyway. Y/N! Do you mind if I weigh in here?"

"Not at all." You say quickly, flashing a tiny, thankful smile. He gives you another wink- this time actually subtle. So Bart didn't see it. Your smile gets a little bit bigger, relaxing. He's got you.

"Great." You watch him pull out the stool beside you, that Chuck - who has still not returned from his phone call with Blair. You assume some, likely cruel vengeance must be involved. Possibly involving that Humphrey guy, - had vacated and settles down in it. He then sets his arms firmly on the bench and looks up attentively at Bart, not breaking eye contact with him. Boy these Bass's like their stare downs. "So?" He prompts, expectantly. And a little arrogantly- a Bass speciality that you truly don't mind at all. "What's on the agenda, today?"

Bart glares heatedly, back.

~

Throughout the awkward discussion between the three of you, which your good friend Chuck has yet to return to discover - at this point you're resigned to him having climbed out the window and scaled the building probably, - , Jack constantly, skilfully changes the subject for you whenever Bart rears to close to somewhere uncomfortable. He makes jokes that make you laugh, he nudges you with his elbow at times - but never touches you any more then that, although you honestly wouldn't mind it if he did, - and takes the attention off you a lot. At times you truly thought you saw steam come out of Bart's ears.

When finally Bart gives up and excuses himself, saying he as an early dinner with Lily, you feel exhausted and relieved. After the door swings shut behind him, you cover your face with your hands and deeply sigh.

"So, what was that about? You looked like a trapped mouse. I recognise that look, I invented that look." You pull back slightly from your hands and glance over at him, to see him thoughtful for a moment. "Well, not by making it. By... causing... it... Either way, it was not good." He shakes his head, taking a sip of his own drink - scotch, - that he made Bart pour for him; Raising his eyebrows at you for an explanation over the rim of the glass.

Jack's always been great, like this. Even when he was horrible, he was the lesser of two evils between him and Bart. Good for a laugh and quality eye candy in a pinch- and that counts for a hell of a lot when it comes to surviving Bart Bass and the Upper East Side. And he had the power and pull of an adult, but knew what the hell was going on like one of you.

So he always made you feel at ease.

You ruffle your hair back, and sigh, straightening your back finally from their hunched over position they live in when you're uncomfortable and pushing back your shoulders. "He was just, saying some weird stuff... and Chuck disappeared to talk to Blair." At that, Jack nods in total understanding. Like ah, yeah. Got ya. Finally, you shrug. "He just makes me really uncomfortable. No offence, but I hate your brother."

As you watch Jack's eyes don't even flicker; He's totally on board with what you've said. Then he finishes the rest of his scotch in one gulp. "Ahh- I hate him too."

"As do we all." Chuck's voice suddenly pops up, as he appears in the doorway like Jack had earlier. You have to practice some serious self control so as to not laugh, at Chuck so coincidentally turning up again at the perfect moment to proclaim his hatred for his father. Jack grins back at Chuck coldly, nodding. Yeah. "Anyway, Y/N, I apologise but I'll be having to abandon you. Blair's waiting for me at her, empty, apartment." He pauses for a moment for dramatic effect, in perfect Chuck Bass fashion, and you roll your eyes, grinning. Jack smirks. "But you're welcome to stick around a while and help yourself to the amenities All on my tab, of course. Good to see you again, Jack." Then he pockets his phone and heads toward the door. The second Bass of the day leaves the building.

"Bye, nephew!" Jack waives as the elevator doors close behind Chuck then swiftly turns around back to you, to which you raise your eyebrows. "So, what do we do now?"

"I dunno." Shrugging you grin and turn your stool to angle your legs towards Jack. "When Chuck says those magical words 'All on my tab'," Those words, oh; You speak them with just as much raw, breathy sexual arousal as the man himself would. As the words demand. 'All on my tab'. Good lord, sex if they were words. "I tend to take advantage."

"An easy girl to please; That's what I like to see." Your cheeks flame up at those words out of Jack's mouth as he turns to look down at the room service menu. Yes, Jack Bass has toed the line, between platonic and flirtatious since the very moment you met the man... but that seemed a little bit more then toeing the line.

And you get a far different reaction to him doing it then you do the other Bass brother.

You don't even really mind the implications of his words.

"You're staying back with me?" You ask, feeling hopeful at the idea.

"Yeah well, I cant in, uh, good conscience," He makes a bit of a show to you, of pressing his hand to his chest totally earnestly as those words 'good conscience' come out of his mouth. "leave you here unguarded in case Bart comes back, can I? Besides, the way you said 'All on my tab'- man, you could sell moonshine at an AA meeting with that voice."

"Ha," You laugh, rolling your eyes and shaking your head. "Well, thanks."

"Oh. Don't thank me. You're just using what uh, your mama gave you. I actually encourage you totally, to do that more often- "

"No!" You exclaim, sighing in exasperation; But there is still a smile on your face you cant seem to shake. "For not leaving, today. When you walked in. It would've sucked if you had, not that I would've blamed you at all."

"Hey, just call me your knight in shining armour." He doesn't look up from the menu, flicking through it. Then turns to you with one of those beach boy/politician, toothless grins of his. "Besides you were automatically, my favourite person in the apartment. I mean, anyone with... uhhh- different, appendages to what I have, instantly gets a one-way ticket access to my rare bouts of chivalry. Now come over here, pick out what you want off here."

You just gape at him and that comment, making him stifle a laugh and return to the menu himself.

Bass's.

[hacash]

ted lasso thoughts 2x08

hey, remember when everyone was worried that Ted Lasso Season 2 had too much fluff and not enough conflict? huh? everyone remember that?

everyone remember when we watched this because it was light and hopeful enough to get us through lockdown?

remember last episode when we thought all the dark forest would be about nate’s downward spiral and thought nothing else heavy could happen?

hell, remember when we first saw jamie tartt and thought there was no way we could sympathise with him as a character?

I’m not going to lie, the dark forest is dark and it is scary, but even in the midst of the trees there’s flickers of light. jamie’s entire storyline in this ep was building scene by scene - we could feel the tension growing, from that first screenshot of his phone saying “Dad” (not Dad, “Dad”, I mean fuck this show) right up to the moment when Tartt Senior bursts into the changing room. If Phil Dunster doesn’t get an Emmy nomination next year he will have been absolutely robbed - and then to put the icing on the cake, having Roy be the one to step up and hold him through the pain. I mean, damn.

A little underrated scene was Jamie and Higgins chatting: there’s no way in hell Jamie would have taken the time to so much as pass Higgins a word one season ago, let alone ask if he wanted the door to his closet-office closed. I particularly appreciated Higgins’ chat about his own father - it wasn’t straight-up ‘screw your dad if he’s a bad dad’, but neither was it a ‘you should always be there for your family no matter what’ message that children of abusive parents often get from well-meaning but ignorant bystanders, once again showing that Higgins picks up on more than not. Personally I’m waiting for Jamie to be invited around to the Higginses for Sunday lunch.

The shock on the entire Richmond team’s face through that scene. Oh man.

I never thought they’d have the audacity to kill off Sharon before the credits but whoa that still had me yelling at my screen while the theme song was still playing. I love how we’re seeing more of her as a character, not just a therapist. (And hearing her voicemails to Ted were something else.)

Ted. Oh Ted. I think a lot of us knew it was coming but still, that line hit more heavily than anything else in the episode. The bluntness of it coming out of nowhere - the fact that Ted is unsure whether or not that was what gave him his issues - the fact that we’re still scratching the surface... *weeps in football*

The Diamond Dogs exchanging vulnerabilities was such a precious moment. I’ve seen some say that they thought Nate’s expression was one of disgust at Ted’s revelation, and some that they thought it was relief at not being the only one struggling with mental health issues. For myself, I read it as shock - Nate’s always seen Ted on a pedestal, and the idea that your idol can suffer from the same weaknesses as you...well, that’s always a heavy moment. (Whatever it was, I’m sure it’ll come back to bite us in time.)

SAM ‘N REBECCA. It’s a testament to the two actors that even though everything in me feels iffy and odd and that this ain’t a good thing, their chemistry and acting is so good that you end up thinking ‘oh man, I wish this was workable for them’. Rebecca knows it’s not going to work, but comes up against Sam’s irrepressible youthful charm and hope, and after everything she’s been through...suddenly it’s so easy to understand why she’s sailing so close to the wind. But it’s almost definite that this ain’t gonna work out, and all we can do is hope like hell it ends as well as possible.

Seriously, look me in eye and tell me that if Toheeb Jimoh came up to you looking like he did all through that episode and asked to have dinner that you’d say no. I dare you.

Is Roy’s sister the doctor from the ER???? I really hope she is.

Roy taking on board everything he learned about being a good role model for Phoebe and comforting Jamie is just...just... *flails*

There wasn’t much to laugh at in this episode but my boy Colin never lets me down. That dumbbell scene had me cackling. Seriously, someone protect him. (I particularly loved the fact that we have Overprotective Boyfriend Isaac lambasting him for letting Colin nearly choke to death and then thirty seconds later does the exact same thing.)

THE HAIRCUTTING SCENE. There are no words other than cinematic masterpiece. I remember thinking at the beginning of this season that I wanted more for Isaac to do and to see him coming into his own as Captain and holy hell did I get my wish. Watching all the boys hoot and applaud and gush over Isaac’s effortless mastery of the clippers was the purest form of ‘boys will be boys’ I have ever seen or will ever see. (Until the next Richmond Himbos scene, ofc.)

And as a nice touch, watching Will take part and be included (holding the clippers’ tray ‘like a squire to a knight’) was lovely, particularly given the last episode.

The football match itself - it says a lot that this wasn’t even the focus, only as a tool to make our hearts break even more for Richmond FC - was hard to watch, particularly because it really felt like we were meant to feel like they just weren’t playing well? and I don’t quite understand why - I’ve already written about how Nate kinda had a point in this episode, that Roy and Ted dashing off for emergencies without telling anyone what they were is weird under any circumstance (let alone before such an important match) and possibly is a sign that while the team themselves are stronger than ever, everything is not quite well with the coaches of Richmond.

(seriously: ‘Sharon’s in the hospital and I’m going to make sure she’s ok’ ‘My niece has an emergency at school.’ Would that have been so hard? From a show that prioritises communication?)

And I really didn’t understand that little moment of Beard letting Nate - a junior coach, before a really important match - lead training. That, coupled with Beard being focused on as struggling to take the result, really intrigues me. It could be nothing, but so often this show drops little nuggets leading up to a big reveal, and the fact that the next episode looks to be Beard centric has me very interested, and more than a little anxious. As I am leading up to every episode of Ted Lasso these days, I suppose.

[crashdevlin]

Another Second Chance 18- Therapy

Another Second Chance Masterlist, Happily Ever Eventually Masterlist

Author’s Note: The final (hopefully) installment of the Happily Ever Eventually RPF series.

Summary: Y/n finds herself a new house and Misha is determined to make it a huge project.

Pairing: Jensen x Reader

Word count: 2993

Story Warnings: past cheating, mentions of FFM threesome, not much in this one

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“It’s pretty, right?” I ask, looking around the open concept of the first floor of this $350,000 house.

“Kitchen’s kinda outdated,” Jensen says, pointing at the fridge. “I mean, that fridge has gotta be from when you were in high school.”

“I could buy new appliances, Jay. Get a natural gas stove set up. Install some cabinet pulls, because I’m not a really big fan of this whole lack of elements.” I gesture at the cabinets. “Probably stain it a little darker to go against the flooring. But it’s pretty, right?”

Jay smiles. “Yeah. It’s pretty...and it’s about twice as big as the one you’ve been living in. Which is what you need.”

“Yeah. Walk-in closet in the master, too. It’ll be a good place to put the security hub.”

“Or you could put the security hub in the closet in the den and put your clothes in the master closet,” Jay suggests, grumpy old man in his tone. "And if you're gonna update the kitchen, you gotta update the bathrooms. Get one of those-"

"I am not getting an automatic toilet!" I laugh. "No one needs that!"

"Of course no one needs it but it's freakin' awesome!"

"Okay, Dean," I tease.

"Dean would agree with me. Automatic toilet, with the bidet and the-"

"Dean Winchester would break an automatic toilet and then complain that it's a damn computer which means he can't fix it without help."

Jay laughs. "He'd still think it was cool."

"He'd be down for the heated seat. I will give you that much."

He smiles as he looks around. "So...are we looking at your new digs or what?"

I bite my bottom lip and run my hand over the granite countertop. “Shouldn’t I ask Nova's opinion? It's gonna be her home, too."

"She's a teenager. As long as she's got her own room, I'm sure she's gonna be fine." He sets his hands on my shoulders and smiles. "But you can show her pictures or bring her by before you sit down with the realtor."

I nod and smile. "It's in the right school district and a bigger room for her and for Mav and the bonus room can be an office. I really think it's the place."

"Then get it," he encourages. "Get it, Baby Girl. We can make it perfect. I'm no stranger to a little reno."

"Please," I start, laughing. "A contractor did the work on your old place. Shush."

He looks a little offended. "I helped. I painted. I installed the sink in the half bath off the kitchen."

"Fine. You can stain these cabinets for me." I wink and step away from him. I'm gonna get this house. "Come on." I walk to the foyer where the realtor is waiting and I smile at him. "Can I put in an offer now or should I wait a few hours?" He smiles brighter than the sun.

"You can make an offer anytime, Miss."

Miss. Still young enough to get 'miss'. "Good. Let's do this."

~~~~~~~~~

"Four bedroom, 2 and a half bath, 3200 square feet with an office next to the master bed. It needs some updating and work...had a contractor quote me $60,000 but that's not bad...covers new appliances, too."

"I could come down and help," Misha offers. "You know, a lot of that stuff you can DIY and I can help with most of it."

"You don't have to do that, Meesh."

"Why would I let you spend that much money on something I could help you with for a fraction of the cost?"

"Misha, you really don’t-"

"I'm not letting you tell me 'no' on this. We'll get together some manpower and get this done for you."

He's really not going to let me say 'no'. "Okay. Well, it's going to be several weeks before the paperwork is finished and all that. I'll let you know when it's mine."

"Good. I'll start looking at HGTV.com." Damn it, Misha. Don't be so extra. "And send me pictures and a floorplan so I know what I'm working with."

"Yeah, okay." Really no point in arguing. It's Misha. If I don't send him pics and a copy of the floorplan, he'll just find the house and get them himself off the internet. "I'll send it to you after my appointment tomorrow, okay?"

"Sounds good. Talk to you then."

"Bye, Meesh." I hang up and sigh. He's gonna make it this whole thing, isn't he?

His house in Washington did come out amazing, though, so he does have some skills that will help in this. Eh, why not? Why not get together with my best friend and make my new home my own?

"So, I get to see this house eventually, right?" Nova says, walking into the living room.

I smile. "Come see all these pretty pictures I took and we can speculate on what craziness Misha is gonna come up with." I pat the couch next to me and she comes over. "This is the view from the street." I start showing her the pictures and she claims a room before I've even finished the digital tour.

"Oh, and you're gonna paint the exterior, right? Like, it's pretty but it's yellow. You're gonna fix that, right?"

"Oh, I'm sure Misha isn't going to let me move into another drab house. You weren’t here the first time he showed up at this house but he had opinions about all of it. I didn't let him talk me into reno last time but this time...I don’t know...maybe this will be the forever home so…"

"It's gotta be custom!" Nova exclaims.

"Exactly."

"Can I paint my walls custom? Or get custom wallpaper done? I know that a lot of people don't like wallpaper but I've seen a few places that got it right and-"

"Yeah, baby, of course. We'll figure out something awesome for your walls." I kiss her forehead. We'll do whatever she wants for her room.

"Yay!"

I love when she's happy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a while since I've been in Dr. McCauliffe's office. Life has been in the way...and I guess I didn’t want her to judge me for my involvement with Jensen...which is ridiculous because she's my therapist. She's not going to judge me.

"So." She taps her pen against her clipboard. "What's new?"

"Well...I have been dating Jensen again. I know you saw that in the news."

"I saw it on Mr. Collins' Instagram, actually," she says with a smile.

"Right. The video. Forgot about it for a minute. Um, yeah, like I said in the video and Jensen said in his...spark's still there, we're giving it another chance."

"How's that feel?"

I bite my bottom lip. "Scary as Hell, honestly. I mean, but it's good. I've done pretty good with boundaries and moving slowly. You know, before...we jumped in head first and everything was this intense passion right out of the gate but this time…" I shrug. "I don't know. Maybe we've grown up, or grown old, but…"

"Have you slept with him?" she asks and it's because she knows that sex was a big issue when I was with him before. Sex was all we were supposed to be in the beginning and sex ruined us in the end. I know why she's asking but there's this...well, it's a bit intrusive, isn't it? It seems like she's judging me for being sexually active and I know that's not what it is but my whole spine goes tense when she asks.

"Yes. We dated for about a month before we started getting physical again."

“And how has that been? I don’t need details, of course, but...emotionally, how has it been to be intimate with Jensen again?”

How to answer that?

Really, how am I supposed to answer that? It’s the best sex I’ve ever had, emotionally fullfilling in a romance-novel sort of way. It’s perfect but it does have its scary moments. “Well, we’ve only actually...slept together a couple times this time. His libido is a lot less than it was. I mean, he didn’t have sex the entire time we were broken up, can you believe that?”

Dr. McCauliffe adjusts her glasses and shrugs a little. “I do not. Five years is a long time to go without sex...but you seem to believe it. That’s what matters.”

I never even questioned it. Should I have? No, because he’s been so honest about everything else. “I went years and years without sex after Nate. I believe Jensen did the same after me. He had a lot going on. He was in recovery for alcoholism. He had to be a good father and work on his career and-”

“You just got very defensive, very quickly. Why is that?”

Fuck, I don’t know. I run my hand over my mouth and shrug. “I don’t know,” I respond honestly.

“Analyze it, Y/n. Why would you get so defensive over my disbelief in what Jensen told you?”

“Because I didn’t question it,” I answer after a moment. “Because he told me that the last time he had sex, real full-penetrative sex, was the time that broke us and I didn’t really question it. I took it at face value because we’ve been doing very good about honesty with each other and what if that’s stupid? What if I’m stupid because maybe he’s lying about it and keeping stuff from me and-”

“You said he’s been very good about honesty so far, right?”

I nod. “Yeah. He’s...he admitted to stuff that I never thought he’d admit to and he apologized for stuff and he’s been open about what happened and why. He’s even been honest about little things that he would have lied about before...like I told him about Will and he Googled him. Used to be, he’d keep that kind of thing to himself, never tell me, but he admitted it without even prompting.” I chew on my bottom lip as she starts scribbling on her notes. “I believe him. It might be stupid but I believe him.”

She sets her clipboard in her lap and smiles at me. “It’s not stupid...and he’s likely changed enough that honesty is important to him. You’ve told me that his recovery has changed him. Jared’s told me the same. Now, it’s a bit hard for me to believe that he’s changed so much in the last five years that he would have abstained from sex since the last time he was with you, but...I don’t know the man, do I? You do. Jared does. If you believe him, then don’t let me change your mind.”

“I believe him. You didn’t see the way he looked at me the first time we...‘Reverent’ is the best word for it.”

“What do you think that means for you?”

I scoot back, leaning against the back of the couch. “I think he’s finally got Danneel out of his head.”

“Do you?” she asks and I hate when she asks things I don’t want to answer. “Danneel was a major roadblock in your relationship before, wasn’t she?”

“You know she was. I was so focused on giving Jensen what he wanted...Danneel...that I couldn’t see that I was what he was supposed to be wanting. I wanted to be like her, couldn’t appreciate myself. I know this stuff, Doctor.” I shift on the couch and sigh. “I don’t wanna be Danneel and I don’t want Jensen to be with her. I want Jensen to be with me...I want him to want to be with only me.” I shrug. “Seems like that’s where we are. He doesn’t even talk to her anymore. I talked to her the other day and she didn’t even know why he doesn’t talk to her anymore.”

“You talked to Danneel again?”

“Yeah. We ran into each other at a shop while I was getting Nova a new dress. It...didn’t go well. Nova was very combative with Danneel. I ended up having to...be very honest with my daughter. She knows about everything now...even the night with Danneel.”

“Oh? How’d that talk go?”

“It was...it was good to get it off my chest, actually. It was like the conversation where I told her about, about why her father and I got divorced. It’s like...It was a hard conversation but it was an important one. I don’t have to...hide things anymore and that’s a blessing. She understands why I make the decisions I make now...she understands...the betrayal was a lot deeper than she even knew. She understands that now and...maybe it’ll make us closer, but at least she knows the truth now.”

“And she’s living with you now, right?” I nod. “How did that happen? Nathan doesn’t seem the type to just allow her to do what she wants.”

I snort. “He’s definitely not, but...he fucked up with Jenny, blew up his marriage. I’m actually surprised it took her this long to realize that he was cheating on her, but whatever. Um...Nova didn’t want to be there for the destruction of his way of life and she asked if she could come to Texas. I convinced him to let her come because she didn’t need to see the parade of his affairs that Jenny would bring up. I then used those women to convince him not to fight me on custody when I refiled. It was…” I scratch at my cheek. “It was a low move, but it’s exactly the kind of move he pulled on me, convincing the judge that I was too unstable to care for her. I don’t feel bad about it, especially since she wants to be here.”

“That’s a big change...on top of other big changes.”

“Yep...and there’s more coming. Because I need more room since Nova is living with me, there will be a new home in my future."

"A new home? That's exciting."

"It is. And I am more excited about it than I am scared so that says something."

"I remember how anxious you were about your first house. I remember all the security options you went through."

"Well, security had to be heavy. I had to think about Tom and his crazy-ass fans and the crazier of Jensen’s fans and the paps. There was that one photographer in Vancouver that climbed the balcony outside the condo to get pics of me and Jay, remember?" I shiver at the memory of looking out the French doors to see a man with his camera, snapping away. So intrusive. "I'm gonna have to put up a privacy fence and a coded gate at the new place, too...and, of course, all the security cameras."

"Sounds like a big project."

"Yeah. Definitely. Not even half of it, though. Misha wants to DIY everything."

"Misha isn't your husband, Y/n," Dr. McCauliffe reminds me and I laugh.

"I think he forgets that sometimes. But there's not a lot of use in arguing with him. He's...well, he's right a lot. Like, most of the time, I mean. So, I always cave to him."

"Do you want to do a big DIY project at this new house?"

"Not at first, I didn't but...I dunno. Might be fun. I've never gotten to do that kind of project and knowing Misha, he's gonna make it fun even if it is hard work."

"Well, as long as you can maintain your work as well as this project. How is that coming along?"

"Really good, actually. We started shooting not too long ago...and I hadn't even considered that this project might be detrimental to Midsummer. I'll have to make sure that Misha knows that Midsummer comes first."

"Well, it seems like you've got things under control."

"Yeah? I was afraid you'd tell me I was...going too fast or…"

"Do you think that? You were telling me that you'd done well with boundaries and keeping things-"

"Well, I have! I mean, Jensen was talking about moving in together already and I shut that down and decided to get a bigger place...my own bigger place."

"Jensen wanted to move in with you?" She writes down something on her notes. "And you said 'no'?"

"I said 'no'," I confirm. "I was really proud of myself, Doc. Nova was proud of me, too, actually. Which was...it was interesting and new. I don’t know that she's ever been proud of me for anything and I know that it's supposed to be the other way, where I'm proud of her and I am, of course but Nova being proud of me setting these boundaries and sticking to them...it gives me hope that she'll be able to do the same in her own life, you know?"

"There's nothing wrong with feeling happy that you made your daughter proud and there's nothing wrong with hoping she's going to make different mistakes than you. She's going to do well in life if you keep making the best choices for the both of you." She sets her clipboard on her desk and smiles. "I'm proud of you, too, by the way. Six years ago, you would have jumped at living with Jensen."

"Six years ago, I did."

We finish out our session with a promise to not go so long without seeing her next time. "Mental health is about the maintenance," she reminds me as she opens her office door and walks me to the reception desk. I agree and set an appointment for six weeks out. I call Misha as I start my car, intending to tell him that Midsummer comes before the house project. I haven't even gotten a 'hello' out of my mouth when he speaks.

"I saw the pictures you sent. I have so many ideas!"

~~~

The Kitchen Sink - @emoryhemsworth @flamencodiva @wasabiwitteks @rainbowkisses31 @rissbennett @mariekoukie6661 @officiallyunofficialperson @dolphincliffs @mrs-meghan-winchester @gayspacenerd @foxyjwls007 @ilovefanfic86 @marvelfansworld @f-yeahfandoms @wonderlandfandomkingdom @hhiggs @sev3nruby @hobby27 @paintballkid711 @divadinag @thewhiterabbit42 @fantasymyth-1 @queenoftheunderdark @cosicas-cuquis @superfanficnatural @letsby @supernatural-bellawinchester @onethirstyunicorn @swinchester27 @chalicia @screechingartisancashbailiff @death-unbecomes-you @dayasvalkyrie @paryl @wereallbrokenangels @the-american-witch @that-one-gay-girl @tatted-trina6 @sunshineandwings86 @lunarmoon8 @wheezyeds @vicmc624 @couldabeenamermaid @vulgar-library

[izzielizzie]

it's crazy that so many of the songs from Maisie Peter's last soundtrack fits a lot of the oou couples

yes!! a bunch of analyses below for natewyn, maeve/luis, cooper/kris, addy/keely, and phoebe and knox lol

Neck of the Woods:

Falling asleep in a hospital waiting room 'Stead of holding it over my head Baby, you held me instead

That's such a Maeve and Luis line. Maeve was so worried about her relationship with Luis, and after the bomb went off, all he did was hold her, be her safe place, so she could sleep.

I'm scared but I'm never alone And I'd swim to your call on my phone

Maeve hates beaches but Luis is so important to her that she's willing to overlook that (see: kayaking)

Millhouse

Cup of coffee spilling over, oh, cleaning all my cuts

When they cut class to get coffee, Phoebe definitely realized she had a crush on Knox

'Cause you deserve it and we're somewhat decent people Or at least trying to be

That's so Phoebe and Knox. Phoebe says she's trying to be a better person and Knox well... he already deserves the world.

Funeral

I want you to know that the past is past That everything changed when I heard you laugh

This screams Maeve and Luis. She had a hard childhood and he’s just a goofball and she absolutely adores that he’s so laidback, and she’s learning to let go of her past to be with him. 

And I can't blame you for things you haven't done yеt Even if I'm scared you will

Maeve spent the entire book hearing about how Luis cheated on the girls he dated, and she is secretly scared that he will do the same to her, but she’s caught in the limbo because he hasn’t actually done anything. It’s terrifying for her, but she’s also learning to love him.

I'd pin all of my hopes to your handlebars

Every time I hear this I think about Luis trying to convince Maeve to ride on the handlebars of his bike (after they start dating it’s basically the only mode of transportation she has)

Happy Hunting Ground

Now interlaced, for worse or for better My bird of a feather

Cooper and Kris have had their lives intertwined now, and they’re so lucky that they love each other. 

So don't take it for granted I love you, don't take advantage

Maeve really, really loves Luis, and she’s so scared that everything will implode, and the vulnerability is very obvious in the lines

So careful where your boots tread Oh, protect the love that you get

This entire song is about loving someone so badly you’re scared they’ll hurt you, and Bronwyn is handing Nate her heart, and even though he’s broken it before, she’s letting him know that she’ll still be here.

And we got way too much to lose here, don't you think so? It's too good, yeah, just to let it slip on by without a pause And we've been stacking up the boxes trying to reach for what we wanted 

This is so Phoebe and Knox. They’ve got so many hard things in their lives and their friendship and subsequent relationship is something they’ve both unconsciously agreed is worth preserving and fighting for.   

I Want You to Change (Because You Want to Change)

I'm not a movie hero, just a guy you say you love Lyin', you say it's fine, you're lyin' But how am I supposed to know that? I can't read that stuff

It feels like sometimes Bronwyn has a lot of expectations for Nate, and it can be overwhelming for him.

Tryin' doesn't mean it's better Doesn't mean you're magically the pеrson that I want from you Tryin' doesn't make you perfеct

I don’t really have a reason for this, but I get Cooper and Kris vibes. Cooper is trying to learn how to live in a world where he can be with Kris, but Kris is already there. It probably causes some tension between them, but they also love each other and know that it will work out. 

The Party

I know I'm a piece of work But I wanna make it work with you

Again, Maeve and Luis. Maeve has never willingly given someone control of her heart - even Bronwyn had to force her way into Maeve’s heart. So she’s really trying to love Luis and let him love her.

I'll take your chaos and your crooked in a heartbeat Heart beats louder, I'm gonna make you proud of me

This is so Addy and Keely. Keely would probably be annoyed with how chaotic Addy is, but she lover her either way, and Addy just wants Keely to love her and be proud of her.

People ask how long have I loved you, no comment 'Cause probably since I was seven and you were eight We didn't know each other, but baby, it was fate

There’s something appealing about the age of seven, because that was the year Maeve was diagnosed with cancer. The idea that there was some eight year old boy - a boy who loved to cook and play with his baby brothers - waiting to grow up and fall in love with the broken girl at his lunch table is so damn romantic to me. 

Your friends think I'm bad news and a part of you believes them I understand, I know how lucky I am

Luis loves Maeve, and people don’t think they’ll work well together, but he loves her. And he understands how lucky he is to be able to love her.

You mouthed, "Babe, you look beautiful" From across the room, grin in your eyes And I tell the group, "Look that's my guy"

The fact that Cooper can tell people that Kris is his boyfriend probably makes him so happy and bubbly and all kinds of excited and it’s just so cute to imagine him just pointing out Kris to people like Addy and Bronwyn who pretend they’ve never seen him because Cooper looks so happy

Glowing Review

This year's a plot twist 'Cause I'm not the sort to be certain a lot

I love the idea that over a year Keely and Addy start falling in love with each other and they’re just really surprised.

You are better than you know yourself I found you off the highest shelf

Maeve very clearly has a very poor view of herself, so Luis takes it upon himself to build her up every moment he gets. Also, Bronwyn does the same for Nate.

Baby nothing much has changed, I guess your buzzcut, it grew But I'm still the girl with the blush, giving a glowing review

Phoebe made some offhand comment about how hot Knox would be if he grew his hair out, and I can imagine her in the future just staring at him, wondering how she got so lucky to end up with someone like him. 

Maybe it's perfect, maybe it's incredibly flawed It doesn't matter I'm happy honey, I'm locking the door

Bronwyn and Nate’s relationship is flawed and broken and scary, but they really are each other’s homes. They really love each other.

Blood moons, skylarks My baby's out the ball park

Ballpark? Baseball? Maeve/Luis and Cooper/Kris??

Life without ya, I never wanna find out You're scared, me too I won't leave you

Again, Bronwyn and Nate’s relationship is so scary but they love each other so much

Lunar Years

I know something that you don't know Scathing down the landline, I still kind of love you And I'm four steps forward in my plimsolls But I still wanna stab any girl that wants to touch you

This feels like Bronwyn after she broke up with Nate. Like, she’s not his but she still feels like she is.

And no one wants to kiss a bad sport So I keep my head high, wave at all your family

Nate had so much respect for the Rojas that he took care of Maeve, even though he wasn’t Bronwyn’s boyfriend. And also this screams Cooper and Kris because Kris is so polite to the Clay family even though they hate him. Mostly.

You got good, I got better But I still care about you, and I think I'll care forevеr

Nate and Bronwyn still love each other, no matter how many times they break up

I know something that you don't know These days all our friends think you're kind of an arsehole

Were there moments where people hated Luis because of the way he treated girls and was now, in their mind, moving on to Maeve? Yes. 

And I'm glad we got to do All those perfect, ugly, almost priceless Lost and lovely lunar years together

This is kind of for all five couples. They had their struggles and things were impossible sometimes, but they got to do everything together. 

[what---i-dated-a]

Leverage Crew as haunted places? I'm feeling Parker for Winchester Mystery House. Nate's the only one I could see as a lighthouse.

Okay so anon, idk if you know this about me, but one of the (blessedly few) things I inherited from my dad is that I fucking love lighthouses. So this tickled me pink. I absolutely can see Nate as one, or a spirit occupying one. That special kind of aching loneliness, when you’ve abandoned yourself far from anybody else because it’s easier than being alone in a crowd. Also, lighthouse keepers tended to get into the sauce. This is so so on point.

I can totally see Parker as the Winchester Mystery house, if only because can you imagine how much fun she’d have with the nooks and crannies in a place like this? She’s the sort of haunting that’s more weird and unsettling than actually scary.

Sophie, possibly weirdly enough, I see as a cemetery. A monument to all the dead. Unmarked graves in places where there were too many deaths to tally, too many bodies to keep track of. Identities lost to time, remembered by a name and a set of dates, if even that. Wistful and mournful, but also a place of reverence and remembrance.

Eliot feels less like a haunting, and more like a liminal space. Somewhere in-between, a highway rest stop, where you’re not meant to stay long. Always on the move, a little unsettling. You can feel the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. You feel like you’re being watched. It’s not dangerous, exactly, but it could be.

Hardison... Hardison is hard for me, because it’s hard for me to divorce him from the concept of, you know, technology. But I think I have a fix in this case; Hardison’s like the social media account of a friend you lost. It’s weird, right? There’s so many Facebook accounts for dead people. I have two friends on FB who’re dead. One of them was just a family friend I wasn’t close to. But one of them I was really close to. I was just looking at Krystal’s page yesterday, seeing where her friends and husband have left messages to someone that’s never going to read them. I did it myself, on her birthday. I considered, for a minute during the drama of last year, making a new FB account, because I wanted a fresh slate. Part of why I decided against it was because getting all the photos off my current account would’ve taken forever, but mostly it was because she can’t add a new account. She’s gone. And even though it doesn’t mean a damn thing to her, I don’t want to not have her on my friends list.

Sorry that got really weird and introspective. But. uh. Hardison does kinda bring that out in me, anyway.

[leverage-ot3]

notable moments from The Top Hat Job

leverage 2.06

hardison bored with a tennis ball on his forehead rb if u agree

- - - - -

Hardison: Her name is Katie. Likes wild horses. Dislikes vanilla toothpaste.

Eliot: Please stop talking. (to Katie) Hey.

~ a few moments later ~

Eliot (to comm): Oh, I'm so in.

Hardison: Hey, uh, Eliot, what is that blocking your button cam? Oh, yeah, it's your ego

hardison lowkey always thinks it’s obnoxious when eliot flirts like that with people. (you love him, sweetie, you just don’t really know it yet)

- - - - -

Eliot: Hardison, we got a problem.

[Leverage HQ]

Hardison: What kind of problem?

[Security Station]

Eliot: They're MRI'ing my pizza, and their stance says "ex-CIA."

[Leverage HQ]

Hardison: You can tell somebody work for the CIA just from how they stand?

[Security Station]

Eliot: It's a very distinctive stance

- - - - -

Eliot: Hey, big boy. What are you, 240, 250?

(the guard swings at him and Eliot punches the guy in the crotch. The guy goes down)

ICONIC

- - - - -

Man: You know when I said you had pretty hair? I was lying.

Parker: Yeah, well, so was I when I said you didn't. Wait. Damn it!

(Parker kicks the man back and backflips off the railing. The man looks over the edge, but doesn’t see her. Parker is hanging onto steel girders under the side walk)

Man: What

SHUT UP MAN SHES GORGEOUS + lmfao parker you tried

ALSO GUYS parker flipping off the railing of the pier and “disappearing”? she’s a badass and I love her

- - - - -

Nate: So, pizza-Delivery guy was your big plan?

Hardison: You know what, man? It was recon. Okay? Information gathering has historically been a very safe and peaceful business. A-and it was a food company! It wasn't like they was making weapons.

Nate: Listen, I-I've worked insurance for companies like this. Anyone gets their hands on the company's food patents, it could cost them billions. And, by the way, they guard that stuff better than defense contractors

- - - - -

Parker (touches Eliot’s elbow): Does that hurt?

Eliot: Yeah

...

Eliot: No, I lived. All right? You sat behind (Parker pokes his elbow) a computer and acted like Kool Moe Dee.

...

Parker: Does that hurt?

Eliot: Yeah.

Parker: How about now? (pokes his elbow)

...

Eliot: Stop.

(Parker gets up to move away, then leans back to poke his elbow again)

Nate: Eliot. Guys. Eliot. What are you doing?

Eliot: She was poking me.

(Nate moves to look at Eliot’s elbow, trying to poke it)

Nate: Don't, man, hey!

and the parker poking eliot’s wounds saga continues

we love a chaotic ot3 scene

- - - - -

Hardison: Lillian Foods is the third-largest food company in the world. Last year, made $12 billion. This is the vice president of the frozen-Foods division, Erik Casten. Erik with a "k," Casten with a "c."

Nate: How is that relevant?

Parker: Oh. Eric with a "c" - nice and friendly, Erik with a "k" - Evil.

Sophie: I didn't know that.

Parker: Everybody knows that

ALSO

LETS TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE PARKER AND HARDISON SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER ON THE COUCH AND ELIOT SITTING RIGHT BEHIND AND BETWEEN BOTH OF THEM

WE LOVE TO SEE THE OT3 FRAMED TOGETHER

- - - - -

Hardison: According to Dr. Jameson, Erik with a "k" is trying to cover up salmonella found in the frozen dinners so his division doesn't have to pay out for that recall.

Eliot: That's why I grow my own food.

Sophie: How do you find the time?

Eliot: You make time. I only sleep 90 minutes a day.

- - - - -

Nate: All right, so what we have to do is we have to get a hold of Casten's report and make it public. It's on the servers. How do we get into the building?

Hardison: I'm so far ahead of you, man, it's scary.

[Flashback]

(a package is being delivered to the receptionist)

Hardison: Look, I can't hack their system from the outside, so I sent a Trojan phone. It's hacker 101.

(the package is delivered through inner office mail to a mail slot)

Hardison: What I did was messenger a Smartphone with an extended battery to an employee that's on vacation. Package sits in the mail room, it scans for wireless and Bluetooth access points.

[Leverage HQ]

Hardison: Unfortunately, even their internal servers are locked down like the CIA, so all I was able to get was employee e-Mails

- - - - -

Sophie: Well, anything useful there?

Hardison: Oh, yeah. You know what? Marie from Payroll has a crush on Steve from Accounts Receivable. (hits remote to show pics on screen) Look, that's Steve right there on his vacation in Florida from a month ago.

Parker: She likes him? Really?

Hardison: Oh, yeah. That man is a sexy man-beast right there.

I know he’s joking but I will take bi hardison to my grave

- - - - -

Parker: Ugh. I'm so glad I don't live in the real world.

eliot next to her: ...?

- - - - -

Hardison: Go ahead. Put your hand up.

Parker: I don't want to do it.

Hardison: Woman.

Parker: I really don't want to go. Don't make me go.

Hardison: Girl! Take one for the team.

Parker: Okay! Me! Me! Me! Me! Pick me!

Chronos: You. Come on up here.

(Hardison and Parker stand. Hardison shows Parker something on his phone)

Hardison: The box is an SASJ-6412. This is how it works, all right?

(Hardison nudges Parker up on the stage. Chronos looks her up and down)

Chronos: Well... What's your name?

Parker: Kara!

Hardison: Yeah, Kara! Love you! Love you!

Chronos: Silence!

Parker: Love you, too. Sorry.

Chronos: Well, Kara, are you ready to step into the box... of mystery?

(assistant gestures to the box)

Parker: Uh. I don't know.

Chronos: I assure you, it's perfectly safe.

Hardison: I love you. (to another man) That's my girl. That's my baby. Sexy. She been doing Pilates.

Chronos: Give Kara a round of applause.

(Parker gets into the box and Chronos closes her in)

Hardison: Sexy stuff! Go ahead, girl. Do what you do.

(Chronos takes out several swords. He hands one to his assistant and pushes the other into the box)

Parker: Ow! Hey! Ow!!

(Parker grabs the sword and pulls)

Hardison: Oh!

Parker: Let go!

(Chronos tries to pull the sword out but it won’t move)

Chronos: She, she's perfectly all right.

Parker: Let go! Ow!

(the sword breaks and Chronos is left fumbling)

Hardison: Hey, Kara! Damn all that "she's all right." (Hardison comes up on stage) Baby?

(Hardison pounds on the box. Parker begins crying. The assistant tries to look into the box through the holes on the side)

Hardison: Um, baby? Baby? Man, if you don't –

(Chronos picks up another sword just as Hardison gets the doors open)

Parker: Just kidding.

Hardison: Ha! Isn't she great? Isn't -- come on.

(the audience gives applause)

Hardison: Snoodles. (they rub noses) Oh. Love you. (moves away from the box) And thank you and you and you and you-

also, hardison reassuring parker that she will be okay? I’m soft

...

(Chronos pulls out a set of rings)

Chronos: Interlocking rings.

Hardison: Hey, man, you, you forgot one over here. Just...

(Hardison takes a ring and hooks it onto the two Chronos is holding. The audience cheers)

Hardison: Thank you! That's dope, man. I like that.

Chronos: Get off my stage!

(Chronos pulls the rings away from Hardison

Hardison: Oh, look, y'all, this –

(Hardison takes one of the swords and pretends to ram it into his stomach)

Hardison: It, it ain't real. That ain't even all that, man. That's –

(Chronos grabs Hardison)

Hardison: Get -- get off –

(Chronos punches Hardison)

Parker: Oh, my god! Baby, I'm here!

(Chronos runs off stage while Hardison holds his eye)

Parker: I'm, like, totally here for you right now! Somebody get on your cell phone!

Hardison: I love you!

Parker: Get a dentist! You.

Hardison: I love you

also CHAOTIC PARDISON

- - - - -

Sophie: It's a good job you're not claustrophobic, Eliot.

Eliot: I was when I was a kid. (to Nate) Take this damn thing.

Nate: Oh, all right.

Parker: Really? How'd you get over it?

Nate: Here, Parker. (hands her the hat and rabbit)

Eliot: I locked myself in a woodshed behind my house for a couple nights. After that, I was fine.

(Parker hands the hat and rabbit to Hardison)

Parker: That is so funny. I was scared of the dark and did exactly the same thing.

[Flashback]

(a young Parker lays in a trunk that is sitting in a hole)

Girl: You ready?

(Parker pulls the trunk closed and several children fill in the hole)

[Auditorium]

Eliot: That's not the same thing. What's wrong with you?

P A R K E R WHY + their differences in childhoods tho

- - - - -

they keep on handing off the bunny until hardison loses it in the hat

+

Eliot: Damn it, Hardison!

- - - - -

Sophie: So, massively, there will be no magic show.

Nate: Oh, no, there might be a magic show. No, absolutely. We might want to treat these people to the illusionist extraordinaire, right

eliot laughing and nodding at him in the background

- - - - -

Hardison: See, Sophie’s Smartphone is picking up the RFID signal from the big boss's I.D. All she had to do was cozy up next to him and...

Parker: You picked his pockets without actually stealing anything? Cool.

Hardison: It's what I do. A man. A phone. No limits.

(security guards walk by as the doors close)

Eliot: How about "a man. A phone. No action"?

(Parker laughs and hands Eliot a bag)

Eliot: Come on, man, you left that out there like a hanging curveball.

the ot3 being idiots I love it

+ eliot hoisting parker up and out of the elevator, domestic thievery hijinks

- - - - -

Casten: So, with that, and the open bar, in mind, I'd just like to say thanks, everybody. And let's give a warm welcome to (checks notes) Harry turner, illusionist extraordinaire!

Sophie: That’s you. You’re on.

Nate: Parker, I need my assistant now!

Sophie: Yeah. Yeah, speaking of that, how come Parker gets to be the assistant?

[Elevator]

Hardison: How come Nate gets to be the magician? I do card tricks, too. I do great card tricks.

[Auditorium]

Nate: Can we talk about this later?

Sophie: Yeah, exactly. That's what I was just saying!

[Elevator]

Eliot: Does anybody want to do my job? Huh? I get punched and kicked.

[Auditorium]

Sophie: I just think that if it was me, we'd be better off –

poor eliot lmfao

- - - - -

parker falling and having the time of her life + eliot clipping the rope to hardison’s belt + hardison flying to the top of the elevator because of the rope pulling him + him falling on his face when parker unclips = chaotic ot3

- - - - -

Hardison: All the employee phones in this building are hooked up to the internal Wi-Fi. You remember the Trojan phone? It works both ways. See, I can use the server to access his phone. And once I'm in, I can see through his phone's camera.

Eliot: You can do that?

Hardison: Oh, you'd be surprised at what I can do. (changes display on phone)

BLATANT FLIRTING OH MY G O D

- - - - -

eliot and hardison curled up together under the desk to hide from the guards? cute

- - - - -

Hardison: It's not optical. They're using active capacitance. See, what happens is, it measures the change in voltage across the micro ridges of the --

Eliot: Can you get in or not?

Hardison: You... (reaches in his bag and pulls out a gummy frog)

Eliot: Gummy frogs?

Hardison: Gummy frogs have the same resistance as human skin, about 20 milliohms. (runs frog along the reader) What'd I say? That's a low-Tech hack right there

ELIOT’S PROUD SMILE

also does hardison always carry that fingerprint printer around ???

- - - - -

Sophie (to Parker, flourishing her arms): See, you're supposed to do it like this.

Parker: Next time, you jump down the elevator shaft.

Sophie: Oh, stop it. Everybody knows you love that.

- - - - -

(Hardison’s computer shows the junction room doors being locked)

Hardison: Uh-oh. (gets up and heads for the door)

[Elevator]

Eliot: "Uh-oh"? What do you mean, "uh-oh"?

Price: This isn't funny any longer!

(elevator door opens)

Guard: Step out of the elevator.

Eliot: Oh, that "uh-oh." (crosses his arms)

that’s like the second time he’s said that in the past couple episodes

- - - - -

on today’s edition of non-weapon-things-eliot-uses-as-weapons, he uses the mystery box that the CEO is in to help beat up one of the guards

- - - - -

(Hardison is demonstrating card tricks to Parker)

Hardison: And your queen should be... (holds up a seven of clubs) this right here.

(Parker holds up her queen)

Parker: Stole it.

Hardison: Y-you can't do that

- - - - -

Eliot: I'm finishing off the kung pao.

DOMESTIC

+ eliot’s wearing hair charms/braids again 🥰

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

Mount Everest Ain't Got Shit On Us (Fezco x fem!reader, part 8.)

Description: You were always told that your life will be as you wish it to be if you’ll study enough. That it will pay off if you work hard. And some people were given you like the scary example of what will happen when you don’t obey. But sometimes it feels good to disobey.

A/N: x

Warnings: Nate being fucking Nate, man.

Word Count: 2.9 K

Read the rest here, babe:  PART 1  PART 2  PART 3  PART 4  PART 5  PART 6  PART 7

Masterlist and declaration: H E R E

Anything in your life does not come because you fucking want it to come. There is no way to go around things you need to go through. Some things need you to be patient.

Did Bill Gates or Steve Jobs have their fortune after the first night they dropped out of school? Did Leonardo DiCaprio win an Oscar for Titanic the movie? Did your teacher become a teacher just like that? Did your mom tell herself that her child a failure after the first time you fell off a bike?

If you answered no to all of the previous questions and you’re completely clueless about what they mean? That means that all of those people had a shit ton of patience. That's a thing you need to remember. You need to have patience before you can actually archive something. And relationships are a thing you need to be extremely patient about.

So saying that Fez was something like your boyfriend for the first two months was too much. He wasn't.

It had all the classifications of a relationship, yet you answered a simple 'no' when somebody asked if you're taken.

You thought about him intensely, sometimes you tend to daydream and you were definitely looking forward to every minute you could spend together, you were excited about every date in the evening, but you remained more friends-with-benefits than actually in a relationship.

Fez seemed to be a free-minded guy. So free-minded that

You liked each other. A lot. Kissing was just your every hang out classic. The whole party thing was still in the public subconsciousness, but other things have happened in the meantime. Some girl from juniors class was pregnant, another was beaten up by her very own dad. You and Fez weren't that important.

But because you've been patient, it paid off pretty well. One day, when you were hanging out at Fezco's shop with Kat and Ash, sipping some fresh, ice-cold soda on the counter of the shop, a big boy came inside.

He was big and his face was known to you. That was Nate Jacobs, Maddy's boyfriend and probably the most feared boy in the hood. He wasn't pleasant to be around at all from what you heard.

"Hey, the small one." - He came to the counter slowly, putting the soda down in front of Ash. Nate looked at you and grinned at you in a weird manner. - "This, some rolling paper and Marlboros. The red ones."

"Dat all?" - Ash asked with an unfriendly face. So everyone has heard about this guy, you noted.

"Yep. And who are you, hm?" - Nate leaned into the counter, looking you in the eyes. He noticed your skin - smooth, perfect and almost without hair on it. Your face was small and cute. Be would be able to have something with you if you would like to. And he was thinking about at the very moment.

Which wasn't the best choice if you ask me.

"I'm Y/N. Your classmate. We have... Spanish and bio together. Thanks for noticing." - You chuckled and sipped some soda. You looked him in the face just as his eyes slowly darkened. The atmosphere was slowly getting more and more uncomfortable.

"Yeah. I'll remember it the next time. Are you single or not? Just for research purposes, of course." - Nate had his predator look on and watched you sitting on the countertop with your knees crossed.

"Nate, if I were you, I wouldn't ask that stuff." - Kat tried to shake it off, but there was Nate's hand on your knee all of a sudden. Just as you shook it off with the disgusted face, the bell next to the door rang loudly. And the blood in your veins froze because it was Fezco the man himself.

You were supposed to go to the cinema together, that's why you were waiting for him in his shop.

"What da fuck man? What ya think ya doin' here?" - Fezco slowly approached you with a look of a murderer. He was looking Nathan up and down and you somehow felt that Fez is just seconds away from snapping. Which was something you thought you'll never be able to see?

That flattered you as anything Fez ever did before.

"I'm just talking here with Y/N. What's your deal? I'm shopping. I'm a daily customer." - Nate winked at you and put cash on the counter, taking all of the things.

"He tried somethin' on ya?" - Fez looked at you and you got off the counter, standing directly between him and Nate. You wiggled your head, saying no. But Fez turned his stare on Nate. - "Ya fuckin' tried somethin' on her? Huh?" - Fez was ready to strangle Nate at the very moment.

"Calm down, Fezco. You know that you shouldn't play with big, smart boys, right?" - Nate chuckled, ready to leave - but just as he was passing you and Fez, with you holding Fezco's chest with your palms, Fezco's palm tightened around Nate's wrist so much that Fez's knuckles became white.

"I'll tell ya just like dat. Ya try somethin' on ma girl, on Rue or her friends and I'll find ya and I'll kill ya. Ya understand?" - Fezco said slowly with a cold voice. Nate just breathed out loudly, looking from his wrist to Fezco's face, dead in the eye.

"We're having this conversation again?" - You looked from Nate Fez, moving your hands from his chest to his waist and hip to move him closer to you, so you weren't so unsure about Fezco fucking up Nate in an instance. - "You're an idiot who has two functioning brain cells. One of them makes you able to roll a joint and the second one makes your dick hard. You shouldn't be playing with boys who are better for the ladies than you are."

"Okay, Nate. I think it's time to leave." - Kat stood up from the corner and you felt as Fezco's body tensed under your hands.

"You should go. We don't want any problems here." - You gently grabbed Fezco's palm and took it out of Nate's wrist, gently and slowly entwining your fingers with his.

"You're both losers. Have it your way." - Nate chuckled and then finally left the shop. Fezco was watching him walking to his car, but you gazed into his eyes with a smile full of love.

"Hey, big guy." - You whispered to gain his attention. It worked only partially - you could feel the grip on your fingers is still tight.

"Hey." - He mumbled quietly, leaning forward to kiss you. The kisses were sweet. Fezco was a good kisser. Even though other boys kissed you, every time he kissed you, you were left with a slight 'aw' on your lips, wishing he would kiss you again immediately.

"Did you mean it? Huh?" - You teased him a bit, but you knew that he's lost in what you mean. - "Your girl. I am your girl? I think you forgot to tell me."

"I said dat?" - He wondered with a slight smile. You nodded, circling your elbows around the back of his neck tightly. - "Then dat's da true, I guess. I dunno."

"You don't know? Show me then, I'll tell you." - Your fingers slowly ghosted under his neck, grabbed the upper hem of his shirt and circled around it to lower his lips to yours.

You already acted girlfriend-boyfriend way around your friends like Rue or for example Ash, so you knew that the actions won't be too different - a lot of kissing, making Fez secretly come to your chilling Netflix nights to cuddle you a bit, some sweet texts ending with hearts, a lot of sweet stuff.

Fezco maybe wasn't the smartest, he truly wasn't, he was doing a lot of grammatic errors and sometimes you didn't even know what he was trying to say. But he always put you in the first place, even when he wasn't in the best mood or wasn't really feeling it, he never was mean or ugly to you.

Never fucking ever he said anything mean to you. He could just sometimes space out completely. That was really Fezco like, not being bad to others.

But this was about the official state of your love and romantic life. Until that moment you were simply single. Just you. But from that moment, it was you and him, now officially together. Everyone will know about you the next week, again. Everybody will talk about it the next two days again.

"Are ya ready for dat cinema, or what?" - The miss stopped all of a sudden, which made you open up your eyes again. You slowly looked around and saw that Kat and Ash ignored for at least the five last minutes.

"Yeah, I think we should go." - You walked in a dancing way to the counter, taking your bag and your soda from Ash.

"Y'all be watchin' everythin' while I'm gone, ya understand?" - Fez pointed his finger in Ashtray's direction and the small boy, still chewing on a piece of wood. Ash rolled his eyes and nodded. Fez was really the pain in the ass sometimes, especially when he was leaving his shop by your side and gave Ash the instructions.

"We should be on our way or we'll not make it on time. Come on. Ash can it himself." - You winked at Ash, taking Fezco's shoulder to your hand. - "Plus, he's got Kat here. They can make it until the closing hours, which is like... Two hours from now. Come." - You took his hand because you had the feeling that you actually can, and entwined fingers with him tightly. His blue eyes were still cautiously watching Ash, but this time, he was smiling at the little boy.

"See ya at home, pal." - Fezco nodded to Ash and winked at him as he leads you out of the store. You and Fez tried to talk a lot, but to you, you rarely talked about the important stuff.

You truly didn't know what to do about that - you refused to make him talk. That wasn't your style. You wanted him to talk about his secrets. Who was Ash? How did the two get together? What was at the back of his damn flat that you weren't allowed to go there? He still didn't tell you what he was doing for a living - yeah, he and Ash worked in a store, but you weren't exactly dumb and you knew that a little something isn't completely adding up.

There was a lot Fez didn't tell you not ever asked you about. He actually never asked you about your hometown, never acknowledged you had a sis or asked you about your family.

But you hoped that being different from that moment. That was something new for the both of you, you were nervous to figure it out. Or at least you hoped that he officially thinks about all of it the same way you did.

The evening was gone before you actually could enjoy it, just like everyone you could spend along Fezco. As always, he took you home in his car and parked a block away from your house. You sat in the car for the next five minutes in complete silence, because you already finished your rant about the movie ten minutes ago and Fez was only grinning on the ground in front of the car.

"Do you want to go already?" - You whispered and undid your seatbelt and took his hand in the dark, quiet car. His second hand was playing with a joint as he watched the lamps in front of the car.

"Ya know I don't wanna. Need to tho, baby." - He pressed his fingers around your hand holding his.

"I want to cuddle with you today. You know. To make it special at least a little bit, nothing too big but..." - You started in a quiet, somehow flat tone of your voice but Fezco somehow felt you're begging him in the most gentle way you could.

"It ain't much but it's all to ya, huh?" - You felt as his eyes watched the profile of your face with a gentle smile on your lips. You nodded. But Fezco chuckled in response. - "Think we don't have enough space up 'ere."

"Maybe we can try slight trespassing tonight?" - You felt more courageous than before. He was same in acts, but thoughts had suddenly and strangely deeper meaning for you. You wanted to touch him and kiss him, but you wanted to know him better as well.

One thing you've needed to say was... That you and your natures got along pretty well. You were capable of doing hundreds of jokes, smile the whole night. Those bullshit talks? You two were the ideal couple for that. But you were more afraid and curious about those deep, late-night conversations with him.

"Like..."

"Like you could crawl in through my window and just... Stay with me for a bit? Just for a while, or if you're not feeling this..." - You stuttered a bit and your cheeks reddened. Fezco could feel clearly as your palms got sweatier than before a few secs.

"Calm down, jeez. Okay then. If ya wanna, we'll cuddle. No prob." - He leaned down to kiss you and your heart jumped a bit with happiness.

"So, I'll go home now, greet my parents, lock my door and then see you at the window then?" - You started to get off the car with a bright smile. Fezco just nodded; you gave him more than enough time to have a joint outside the house.

That evening, your mom really wanted to talk. She was making those small-talks, laughing and asking you a million questions. You would love to sit there with her, but you were all nervous about Fez waiting outside for you, so you basically made a home run for it as soon as you could and as soon as you brushed your teeth and changed into some more comfortable home clothes - some tight shorts and the t-shirt he gave you.

Then you let him in, after reassuring that the door is locked.

"Hey, baby boy. You're waiting too long?" - You smiled at him and let him in, all careful and whispering. He crawled into your room without any bigger problem.

"Not too long." - He began to undress out of his hoodie and put his shoes down, watching as your body slowly disappeared under the blanket, inviting him next to you. Fezco smelled like weed, once again, just as you were used to. It felt natural to close your eyes, put your temple on his chest and hug his waist even when it was for the first time you were touching him when you two were... Alone.

"Ya smell so nice, baby. Need to smell ya more often." - Fezco hugged you firmly, shoving his nose right into the waves of your hair.

"I hope you will." - You giggled quietly. - "So, if you want us to be a couple?" - You got your head up and looked him to the face before you continued.

"Yeah. I guess so." - He closed his eyes while you drew some circles on his hips and ribs.

"I want to know you better. We'll start simply. Like... What do you even like? I know you just like the boy I like, but not here." - You pointed a finger at his heart. Your eyes appeared big and warm, which made him talk.

"Dat's what ya curious about? Alrite, I like when the weather is, ya know, a bit cold, but the wind is like all warm and shit. And to have my bros around. And spendin' some time with them. And I like dat chocolate candy with those nuts inside." - Fez whispered in his calming, deep voice. It radiated through his chest so much it made you close your eyes and drifting away. It also took a whole ass of time before he was finished. - "And I like ma girl a lot, but dat's kinda obvious."

"You're so sweet, baby." - You hummed in a half-asleep voice and hugged him tighter.

You didn't even notice when he left at eleven p.m., because he let you snuggle into his hoodie while he closed your window so you didn't feel cold at night.

It was a big step for Fez, even tho he was stoned, he felt that he's so nervous bevause of you. To pronounce you as his girlfriend was a thing he was really excited about, but also one which scared him to death. He knew that his responsibility around you will be enormous, just like the happiness you will be, and already have, bringing him. He wasn't meeting the best people and he saw how much it harmed Rue, and his girl couldn't end up the same.

You had a big heart of gold, mind much brighter than his, you were lovely and pure; so he felt the need to spare you from that dark side of him until he won't be able to hide it anymore. You deserved to be protected.

But at that moment, he just realized that you're a person he's glad to be around with. And that's what mattered in the end.

[siribear]

come find me after you visit valentine.

valentine’s, she thinks, can wait until the storm passes.

alice enters diamond city, into where the baseball field used to be. now, instead, there are more constructed buildings packed together in concentric circles half-circles, following the walls of the stands. more buildings are situated up where the seats used to be, connected by scrap metal bridges and stairs. 

diamond city, above all else, is loud. not even above the rain pounding against the pavement, traders call out for customers desperate enough to be shopping as it pours. the awnings over the merchant stands shelter customers from the rain.

she passes by piper talking to a little girl in a smaller red jacket and pink dress. in what looks like a garage sits a printing press and a stack of newspapers. piper pats the girl (daughter? sister?) on the head before going inside. leaving alice still in the rain.

‘hey lady, you just gonna stand there?’

alice sidesteps to place herself just under the awning of the garage. ‘sorry, just trying to catch my bearings.’

the little girl snorts. ‘ten caps for dripping near the papers, miss.’ alice rolls her eyes and obliges. ‘my sister mentioned you. new to town?’

sister, then. ‘something like that.’

‘here.’ the girl hands her a copy of the ‘newspaper.’ though it’s mostly just a sheaf of paper and not the old boston bugle. ‘newest copy of the publick occurrences.’

 ‘the synthetic truth. huh, thanks, kid.’

‘name’s nat. and that’ll be another ten caps.’

-

so alice stands, again, in the rain, the newspaper over her head. rain slides off the paper and onto her shoulders, but at least it keeps her head dry. she takes two steps toward the center of the city before someone stops her.

‘looking to get out of the rain?’

she turns and squints through the sheets of rain. it’s the same guard who escorted her to diamond city. he holds a leather jacket over his head. ‘yeah, this place is, uh.. bigger than i’m used to.’

‘you’re lookin’ for the dugout inn,’ he says, and leads her down an alley opposite piper’s house. up to her right is an old construction lift that leads up past another row of houses to a building that overlooks the city. ‘up there’s the upper stands.’ he points to the houses. ‘and then the mayor’s office.’

he stops outside the dugout inn, appropriately named. a couple of empty chairs and tables sit outside. ‘best booze in town. they serve food, too, but everyone eats at power noodles. everyone.’

‘uh-huh,’ she says, nodding. ‘thanks again, officer.’

‘i’m off the clock. name’s sam.’ he holds out a hand. one side of his jacket-umbrella falls against his face but he shakes it off.

she does the same. ‘alice. join me for a few drinks?’

‘nah, gotta get home to the wife. take care of yourself out there. and welcome to the great, green jewel.’

-

the dugout inn is quiet, at least compared to the rain and merchants barking outside. there’s a small sitting area fitted with couches and chairs, and a bar that doubles as reception. a few patrons mingle about, most dry, though some look like they just came in from the rain as well.

‘hello!’ the bartender calls with a wave. his accent is heavy and his smile wide. ‘come, come. buy a drink.’

‘actually, i was looking for a place to stay. and get out of these,’ alice says, pulling at her wet clothes.

‘hmm.’ his smile falls, and he grumbles with no real malice. ‘talk to my brother, yefim. he’ll sell you a room.’

‘thank you. i’ll be back down to drink in a bit,’ she says with a wink.

thankfully, she doesn’t have to look far. yefim looks exactly like his brother, though much less cheerful. when she asks him for a room, he looks her over. ‘10 caps a night.’

alice hands over the caps with a cheery smile. ‘not a problem. thanks,’ she says when he gives her a set of keys carved with the room number.

the room itself is small and sparse. better than the worst hotel she’s ever been in, but definitely not the best. at least there’s a bed. she opens the dresser in the corner to find a long sleeved flannel shirt and pair of blue jeans. she sniffs - they smell more like dresser drawer than anything else, probably long unused. she sets it on the bed.

through another door is a small bathroom, big enough for a sink and mirror, a toilet, and a shower. at that, she strips, peeling off her drenched clothes in a rush. the cold water makes her gasp, but soon it rises to lukewarm. she finds a bar of soap on a ledge and scrubs, watching the water at her feet turn a mix of red and brown.

after the shower, she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and stops to stare. she’s thinner than she remembers being, cheekbones prominent against the bruises under her eyes. her hair’s gotten longer, light blonde spilling over her shoulders in waves. it occurs to her that the last time she really looked at herself in the mirror was just before the bombs fell, when she and nate were getting ready -

alice grips the edge of the sink and closes her eyes against the memory, the ghosting of his fingers on her skin. with a gasp, she comes back to reality, feeling sick to her stomach. can’t think about it now, she tells herself.

she hangs up her wet clothes on the towel rack and changes into the flannel shirt and jeans. at least aired out a little, it doesn’t smell as strong, and the scented soap covers the rest. she leaves her bag in the room, takes a pouch of caps, and returns to the inn lobby.

by the time she gets there, it’s packed with more people. some huddle around the jukebox, others are packed together on the couches, sharing stories and drinks. alice finds a place at the bar. this time, when she’s offered a drink, she accepts. the alcohol burns on its way down, and the bartender laughs at the face she makes.

‘enjoying bobrov’s best?’ he says, turning his attention back to the other patrons.

someone takes the seat next to her and orders his own drink. she pays him no attention until he throws her a casual hey.

she recognizes him, the guard from earlier, with the sunglasses. she leans back and uses her arms to hold herself up against the bar. ‘hey yourself. don’t have to keep the city safe from scary reporters anymore?’

he laughs, takes a sip from his drink. ‘just the one. enjoying the city?’

she reaches behind her to take a sip from her own drink. it still burns, but she’s expecting it this time. ‘i’ve only seen this place, so far. but it’s... different, from the little town i’m used to, that’s for sure.’ different from the baseball field, too. it’s strange - the population that should be spread out across boston all crammed into fenway park.

‘town, huh? not from a vault?’ the guard spins in his seat and taps her pipboy with a knuckle.

‘oh.’ she lifts it up. ‘no. picked this up on my way here. the one wearing it... didn’t make it.’

‘poor bastard.’

they raise their glasses. she drinks claire away.

‘what about you? your accent is different.’

he grins; she raises an eyebrow. ‘you know how it is. ran away from home, traveled with some caravans, ended up here. thought i’d make something of myself.’

‘respectable, choosing to be a guard. seems just as easy to become a raider.’

his face is unreadable behind those damn sunglasses. ‘yeah. so, what do you need valentine for?’

‘hm. you’re full of questions, aren’t you?’

‘we like to know what kind of people are coming into the city,’ he says with a shrug. ‘can’t be too cautious, these days.’

‘i’m getting the feeling that’s true no matter where you go.’ she twirls a strand of hair between her fingers.

‘and valentine?’

‘you’ll have to buy me another drink for that one, officer,’ she says.

‘afraid that’s out of an officer’s pay, ma’am.’

she finishes off her drink. ‘too bad for you, then.’

a shout from the door draws the attention of the room, alice included. a man walks in, hand raised in a wave. ‘vadim! how’s it going?’

‘hawthorne!’ vadim returns, accent heavy on the h. he leans over the bar, forcing alice to shift to the side. in that short distraction, the guard sitting next to her has disappeared. ‘it has been too long, my friend.’

‘too long,’ hawthorne agrees, taking the offered cup. he doesn’t even flinch after taking a drink. ‘you would not believe the things i’ve been hearing out there, man.’

‘going to try to beat my mirelurk story?’

‘easy. try the minutemen coming back. i was going to make a few caps up north, but i guess things are turning around up there.’ alice shifts in her seat.

‘bah.’ glasses rattle when he slaps the bar. ‘rumors.’

‘well, how about - ’

‘wait, hawthorne?’ alice asks. hawthorne looks toward her. ‘i have a letter for you.’ at an eyebrow raise, she adds, ‘from lucy abernathy.’ she retrieves the letter from her room right across from the lobby.

‘lucy? good to know she’s doing well.’ he tucks the letter in the pocket of his jeans. ‘you part of a caravan?’

‘minuteman,’ she says with a wink. ‘not just rumors about us coming back, by the way. we’re set up in sanctuary and everything.’

‘told you.’

vadim groans. ‘fine. drink’s on me. for you, too, then.’

she holds up a hand. ‘i’m fine, thanks.’ scanning the shelves, she adds, ‘a nuka-cola instead?’

vadim passes her a bottle, along with the caps she paid for her earlier drink. the soda is cold, but flat, once she pops it open and drinks. she pockets the bottle cap. ‘any more rumors?’

‘have you heard about salem?’ hawthorne begins. alice picks up her nuka cola bottle and makes the short walk back to her room.

-

there are no dreams that night. there are memories of a familiar bar, dancing with nate, taking him back to her place, his hands on her slow and nervous. waking up to him sleeping next to her in the morning.

the memory fades. she wakes up alone.

[louu-7]

everything i don’t know

on wattpad

CHAPTER 5

When the man’s asking if someone would to give a talk, I finish my glass in one go and hurry and arrive in front of him to take the mic from his hand. I smile a little and turn towards everyone. I sigh a little before having a look at my Dad. He’s gonna get lose it, I see it on his face.

I fake a smile at him and try to think of what to say, I have to admit that I don’t even know what did I take the mic, but I won’t gonna put it down until I’ve said something.

“I hope everyone’s having a great night and,” A waiter pass just next to me so I take another glass. “I just wanted to raise a toast to love between pogues and kooks. Also I... well I wanted to say to anybody who’s maybe a little lost in life like me that, everything’s OK, just don’t listen to the orders that people give you, live your life the way you want even if some people just gonna turn their back on you, there always will be somebody to lean on. Whether it’s your parents, your siblings, just tell ‘em to fuck off. I smile. Thank you, and enjoy.”

I smile at Sarah as I shrug and raise my glass, and she does the same. Everyone’s raising their glass and I put down the mic. I hope my message to be clear for my parents, and also for others who could be like me, lost and alone, almost, because apparently we’re never alone.

Sarah’s staying with the pogues but I can see in her eyes that my message was crystal clear, and I’m happy about it. I quickly text her to know if I can come with them and she points to JJ by nodding before wincing. I whisper a little “OK” before coming back with my sister.

“Thara I don’t know if what you did was the right choice…”

“What, I only talk ‘bout love and union between pogues and kooks, that’s it.”

“No that’s not it, Mom and Dad aren’t dumb, you just should’ve talk to them ‘bout the fact that you feel alone-”

“No. You know as well as me that they never listen to me, and none of you are me, you can’t understand.” I grit my teeth and start to go when she firmly takes my wrist. “Almost everyone here got the message you tried to get across, the parents aren’t perfect but they don’t deserve to be fucked off by their daughter who doesn’t even understand what they’re doing for her.”

She spits at me while I’m taking off my wrist from her hand. “Because I deserve to be locked up in the house when you’re all outside doing your things, and being together, and always leave me?” I shout out and frown sadly. “I didn’t know that all of you hated me that much to always give up on me. Why are you all locking me up, uh?”

I start to have some tears in my eyes while a lump in my throat shows up. I have enough of orders, secrets and everything. No one knows here what my parents makes me enduring. What kind of parents ban to their kid not to get out, hang out or at least text some friends? Mine, apparently, but I’m tired of it, I want everything to change.

“We’re leaving. Come on girls, Isaac, let’s go.” Says me Dad walking to the house to leave.

My Mom, Alyssa and Isaac are following but I don’t wanna move. My body doesn’t want, and my brain too. I’m unable to move, I’m stuck.

“Thara, listen to me.”

“Orders, as usual. Aren’t you tired of this?” I ask bitterly. “What is your problem to understand that I don’t wanna live this way anymore.”

“Don’t make me a scene, we will talk about it at home. Hurry.”

“No. I’m not coming back home tonight. Maybe you’ll have the time to think about what you make me live since beginning of summer.”

“And where do you think you’re gonna go, young girl?” He smiles at me, skeptical. Everyone is watching us, like it was a fascinating spectacle. I’ve to admit that he’s got a point, I said that without knowing where am I gonna sleep… but there’s no way I’m going with them. “With me.”

My eyebrows are raising and I’m turning toward Sarah to smile. She’s coming next to me and take my hand before looking at my family. They all seem disappointed, and my father looks like he was ready to kill me. No joke, it’s scary.

“Yeah, Thara’s staying with us for the night. It’s not a problem, and I’ll take her home tomorrow in the afternoon.” Proposes Sarah’s Dad. This man isn’t a good man, everyone knows it even if I don’t personally know what happened, but he changed. A lot. He’s kind now, and he doesn’t seems to have been the bad guy.

“Well, do whatever you want, we’ll talk about everything tomorrow.”

“There’s nothing more to say but goodnight.” I reply with a cold tone and they leave. The music starts again, people stop looking at me after a moment and the party can continue in peace. I turn toward Sarah and smile, she’s the cutest. “Thank you, really, I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s nothing. And we’re gonna be able to do one of our girls night. But certainly with Kie.”

“The girl over there?

“Yeah, you’ll see, she’s amazing.”

“And she doesn’t seem to like me.”

“Because we have to talk about something, c’mon.” She keeps my hand in hers and we’re walking through everyone to rejoin the pogues. Why am I nervous? Maybe because they’re all looking at me like I was a monster. Or like I killed a hundred millions of people. Of course it’s not the case. “Guys, this is Thara, my best friend since years.”

Then she introduces them to me. There’s John B, tall with curly hair and a bandanna around his neck, JJ, the notorious JJ, the blond who obviously wanted to kill me with his eyes, Kiara, or Kie, a really cute girl with amazing brown hair, and Pope, the one who Nate beaten up at the beach.

“Hi, hum, good to meet you.” I try to smile but completely fail when I realize that they’re all looking at me with black looks. “OK, let’s move, we have something to talk about with you babe.”

“I have to admit that I don’t really feel like I’m welcome…”

“Because you’re not.” The blond grit his teeth and I bit my lip uncomfortably. “Guys please just… I don’t know, try to be cool.”

“I’m as cool as she’s been.”

“I don’t even know anyone of you, how do you want me to be cool or not with you? I didn’t do or say anything.” Nobody’s saying anything back and we arrive at the back of the garden and we sit on little chairs, in silence. This is kinda embarrassing, I feel like I’m sticking my nose in their things. It’s not a really comfy situation for me…

Sarah sigh before looking at me and shrug. “So, we hear some things that you apparently said on pogues. It was really harsh and they want you to excuse yourself.”

“What? Like what?”

“That we weren’t human but just dishes in ocean, thank you.” John B says ironically while looking at me.

“And I said that shit? I never said that in my life.”

“Yeah, and you also didn’t say that we were fucking dumb?” Asks Kiara before shrugging. “No, why would I say that I don’t even know you and you can ask my sister I always talk about pogues in a good way. I love the way you’re livin’, and you’re just… simple and fun, I don’t know how to explain, I… I could never say this kinda things I swear.”

“Bullshit.” JJ stands up to walk around and calm down. I sigh and look at Sarah. What the fuck is  this, I never said anything like this. “OK, you don’t like me, I got it. Now believe me or not I’m sick of kooks, they’re all hypocrites and fake. I should leave you all alone so you can think about it together, or criticize me, do whatever you want, but I don’t even know why would I say all that shit.”

I stand up at my turn, pass next to JJ who’s looking at me so badly that I think he could kill me and leave to come back to the party. Why would I say this? And if it’s not me who said it, then who is it who spread this damn rumors?

I’m taking a glass of champagne and decide to sit around a table and just stay here for a moment. Maybe they’ll understand that it’s not me. “Fuck…” I sigh and put down my glass to wipe my tear-stained face.

Why the hell am I crying… I keep on sniffing and silently crying for nothing for a moment. I have a family who doesn’t give a damn about me and no friends. And people who hates for things I never said in my whole shitty life. What a good changes… “Are you OK?” A quiet voice asks, with a concerned tone.

I look up and see Kiara in front of me so I frown and try to hide my tears by looking around before she sit next to me and call a waiter to get a champagne glass. “Yeah, I’m fine…”

“You know, I’m a kook too, and I understand what you said when you did your speech.”

“Wasn’t supposed to be a speech, rather a message.” My tears stop to run down my face. “For your parents apparently. What’s wrong with ‘em, they didn’t seem to be that harsh.”

“It’s complicated, I don’t wanna bother you with my family. They’re not worth it.” She takes a sip of champagne and shrug. “I believe you. About the thing that you didn’t say. I just wanted you to know.” She smiles and I do the same before standing.

“Thank you.” She starts walking and turns towards me while raising her eyebrows. “C’mon, I’m not leaving you alone.”

“No, they don’t like me and-”

“Girl c’mon, it’s JJ, he likes nobody.” I raise my eyebrows at my turn and she nods to insist. “I swear, moreover you’re a kook.”

“So you are.”

“Yeah but he knows me, don’t pay attention to him.” I’m hesitating for a moment and finally get up to follow her and come back to them. John B and Pope don’t seem to hate me. At least I don’t see it, but the blond is just completely against me. He sighs at the second where I sit next to Sarah and she frowns when she sees me.

“Are you crying? What’s wrong?”

“That’s OK don’t worry.”

“I believe you but I have a question.” John B says and shrugs. “Who said it?”

“I don’t know, someone who hates me. Even if no one knows me to be honest.”

“What? How can people don’t know you?” Pope asks, frowning and seeming interested. “It’s, you know, it’s my parents, let it go, it’s… crazy. They kind of… keep me inside of the house.”

“Then why were you at the beach when your fucking friend beaten him up?” JJ asks offensively. “Because I have some places where I can go, but just some days, it’s always have been when they want and how they want. And, Nate’s not my friend.”

We continue to talk together, about parents, about pogues, kooks, this fucking world where we live, how the Outer Banks is the paradise on Earth and what are we all gonna do later, like… jobs and everything. The blond don’t say a word about nothing, and maybe that’s better this way…

When we realize the lights in the garden are switching off and that there isn’t anyone no more, we all stand up and join the house. The boys leave and Kiara stay with us. It’s a true girl night which is gonna start now. We climb up the stairs to go to Sarah’s room, she lends a pajamas to me and we change while continue to talk.

I have to admit, Kiara is a really chill girl, and I think I already really like her. Once all changed, we take place in the blonde’s bed and talk while watching a surf movie. I’m obsessed with surf since years and I asked my parents hundred times to have classes, but they never agreed.

“Do you girls surf?” I question while putting some pop-corns in my mouth. “Of course we are,” Shouts out Kiara before Sarah tell her to keep it down and laugh. “We’re pogues, of course we surf.”

“Can I ask you a favor?” I look at both of her in turns and smile, trying to be convincing. They shrug and I finally grit. “Could you learn me how to surf? I swear I’ll be the best student but you have to teach me I would love to surf, I exclaim and they both tell me to keep quiet before we laugh.”

“I can ask if JJ wanna teach you and...” Kie frown while slowing down the speed of her voice and Sarah and I are trying to prevent ourselves from bursting into laughter. “My bad, sorry, the thing is...” She also tries not to laugh but fails and we all start to have a fit of giggles.

After a moment we manage to calm down and I’m finally laying on the bed, my legs on Sarah to piss her off gently. “Girls?”

“Yeah?”

“Why were we laughing?”

They don’t respond and when I look at them they are looking at each other, smiling and trying not to have another fit of giggles. I laugh and put my eyes on the TV to pay more attention to the movie. The story catch my eye and I can’t stop to listen to it, even when the girls are throwing pillows at me.

“Hey! Stop that, I’m trying to be serious and attentive!” We laugh and in amount of ten minutes the movie’s ending. “OK, what do we do now? Oh wait! I got a question for both of you.” They look at each other and look at me while I’m smiling. “If I understand correctly, you two are dating. John B.” I point at Sarah and she smiles to agree. “And you,” I point at Kiara. “with Pope. Yes I’d the time to notice it and I have to say that you guys are so cute.”

“What ‘bout you, is there a little something with someone?” Sarah asks with a crooked smile.

“Not really, you know, it’s a little delicate when your father is lockin’ you up… meet new people is impossible.”

“The truth is, that’s not that delicate, I mean, you met JJ.” Kiara shrugs and I raise my eyebrows while faking a smile. “Maybe, but there’s a problem. He doesn’t like me and I have to admit that I don’t like him either. Truly not…”

I wince and they laugh before I join them. Then we talk and it feels so good, I feel accepted by someone, and I have someone who understand me and wanna help me. They’re both so cute and adorable and Kiara is certainly one of the best meeting of my life.

“You’ll see he’s not that impossible, and he’s kinda cute.” Sarah says while observing my reaction. I instantly frown and open my eyes wild while a little smile appears on my face. She laughs and Kiara does the same. “What, I mean, OK, maybe he’s cute but he also wanna kill me. I’m not really into killers.

[remiofunova]

( mio imada, cisfemale, she/her, pokemon ) * &. i know it must be scary for you, rosa, after surviving the takeover. to turn into someone like remi mashiro, a twenty-two year-old weekday pm host at wwtf, right here in castle town. just remember that you are as bubbly as you are over-eager, and to be wary, be safe, be true to who you are : heroic through and through.

ahhh shit here we go again

ROSA

rosa was originally from aspertia city before she chose snivy and started on her pokemon journey

she was also on this path alongside her childhood friend hugh, to a certain extent, as he had his own ambitions

she ended up getting caught up in what was happening with team plasma and was more than happy to stop them and their plans to take over unova, all the while heading for the league

in fact, she helped just about anyone she came across as long as they weren’t the mean faction of team plasma

she was a very talented trainer and cared for her pokemon very deeply, which helped them progress so far in the league

i headcanon rosa as the champion of unova after defeating iris, but if we get a nate i’m more than willing to work something out if we have the same idea

REMI MASHIRO

remi remembers everything from her previous life and damn does she miss it. she misses her mum, her snivy, everyone.

that being said, she’s still as bubbly and energetic as ever and tries her best to make the most out of her current situation

she’s a radio has at wwtf and her show doesn’t have a specific schedule, but she mostly does things like promoting events going on around castle town, talking about the amazing things citizens have done, giving advice to people who call in, playing games with any guests she has on the show etc

she’s a friendly person so she probably knows a lot of people pls be her friend

she can be a bit overbearing at times with her positive can-do attitude to the point where she will sometimes step over the line a bit

she lets her positive emotions out without a problem, but she doesn’t like showing negative emotions all that much as she doesn’t like to worry people, and so all the sadness she feels about being so far from her real home is buried deep deep deeeeeeep deep down

anyway pls love her ahhhh

[distinctivelibrarians]

First: I love that you're writing fic again, I really missed your work! Second: no idea if you're up for this/want to think about this, but in one of the Leverage episodes we see Eliot reading a book (idk which episode, just, it seemed both such an Eliot thing and NOT an Eliot thing that it just stuck with me) and I was wondering about your headcanons for the Leverage (and/or Librarians) team's favorite books/authors?

Thank you so much! You cannot believe how hard it made me smile when I saw this - it made my day so much better, especially since writing’s been so much of a struggle lately! I can’t promise I’m going to be steady (’cause let’s not lie to ourselves like that) but with prompt month coming up, I’m hoping to get some more out soon that I hope you’ll like!

As for books! Big, big, big disclaimer: I suck with authors! And books! I’ve read a lot. But for the life of me, I can tell you only about...a third of them from memory. And authors are a crapshoot whether or not I remember them, outside of my favorites. That being said! This is going to go more “personality towards reading”, hope that’s okay ^^’

While it doesn’t super matter, we see Eliot reading both the Art of War (I believe. I’d have to double check, but I’m pretty sure that’s what he was reading in the Lonely Hearts Job?) and a home magazine in the Fairy Godparents Job. So for Eliot, he’s...he’s a sponge. He likes everything, will read everything - if there’s some sort of ambient knowledge he can get from something, he’s gonna do it. And I kind of want to attribute it to both his personality and his experience. Like, we know he likes to talk to people (even if the show really only focuses on the women), we know he likes to connect with people - he listens, learns what they like, what they do, etc. So it makes sense that he’d kind of just absorb everything he could - could be a common quirk later on that he could talk about, could give him an in to start chatting up someone interesting, and all that. As for experience - “You never know when you’re going to need to fight an alien”. Dude likes to be prepared even for the impossible. Him picking up as much unconnected information as he can would have to bleed over into somewhat less immediately useful quirks. Like reading whatever magazine happens to be on the table at the moment.

Nate - okay so. I love Nate, I do. But he was that kid in your college philosophy class that read all the classics (the Old White Men ones) and one (1) book on intro to ethics, and would Not. Shut. Up. Then someone punched him in the face (I’m betting Maggie), and he figured out that that’s not how you make people tolerate you, let alone like you. I don’t think he ever really moved out of the classics, but I do think he started picking up modern interpretations of them, as well as art history books that he never quite got into but powered through anyway. You know his favorites though? Children’s books. Simple, sweet, always have a happy ending, and you know he was the one reading them to Sam every night before he got sick. And he’d complain and moan about it to Maggie, but Maggie would call it on him everytime, and of course Sam loved it, to the point where if Nate was at work still, Maggie and Sam would call him up, and Nate would recite one of the simpler ones from memory. He still has Dr. Seuss stuck in his head some nights.

Parker....Parker’s a little harder because I don’t think she’d like reading. But she’d also kind of be like Eliot in the ‘you never know, so might as well store the info away’. So while I don’t think she’d go out and pick up a book - unless the title was funky, or the cover was particularly eye-catching - I do think if you handed one to her, she’d read it, and read it probably scary fast, and retain all that info. No matter what it was on. Of course, that’s before Peggy! After Peggy, after having a ‘normal’ friend (anyone who goes after someone with a cast iron pan’s not normal, but hey, relative), who introduces her to things like book clubs, I think Parker would get a kick out of, not the books, but the people. And interacting with those people through the books. She’s already read the book two weeks in advance, and she wants to see how much chaos she can cause, while also enjoying figuring out how what she’s feeling compares with how others feel about it. For Parker I really don’t think she’d ever really be ‘in’ to books, but I can see her becoming attached to the community that can come with them.

Sophie. No one knows if Sophie’s read a book in her life. Sure, she can quote the classics. She can make you pretty damn sure she inspired one or two of them. And if she’s high class British, she has to have some repertoire in there, right? Who knows. She knows, but you never will. (Spoiler: she does read, and she reads a lot. What does she read? Surprisingly - not harlequin romances (at least, not all the time). Instead - really, really overdone crime thrillers and the like. It’s fun, you know, to dive into a world where everything’s dramatic, everything’s done for a purpose, and to know that both, she could do it better, and that sometimes, things really are as straightforward and simple as those books make them out to be.) She also has some very closely guarded copies of annotated Shakespeare. Annotated by her of course. Hardison has seen them once and he’s not to speak of them ever.

And on to Hardison. Dude’s smart. Dude’s scary smart. If Eliot’s a sponge, Hardison is...yeah, there’s no actual way to end that metaphor, but whatever, whatever level Eliot’s on, Hardison’s way past that, at an oblique angle to Parker. But, and he’s admitted this, his attention span swings between “needs five things at once” to “what is time and where did it go, look at this new skill I picked up in 72 straight hours”. That is...not conducive to reading books. Trust me on this. At the same time though!! We know he’s read Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings in canon. So what that tells me? He read avidly as a kid, as a teenager, and then...probably lost both the attention span to do it, outside of Extreme Focus, as well as the need. This is the kid that at school was reading 800 page novels every other day. This was the kid who’s backpack was too damn heavy, not because of textbooks, but because of the books he packed on top of them. You know the school librarian knew him by name. And you know Nana made damn sure he had access to the city library the second she figured it out. Probably got him nice sets of his favorite books that he still has, even if they’re not tattered and beaten, because he’s reread them so many times. This is the kid that read everything that had to do with sci-fi, magic, monsters, grand heroes and terrifying villains. This is the kid that bounced between comic books by the dozen, and books for college students and up like it was nothing. As for the need - why read it when you can live it?

[tumblunni]

An underrated good part of Maddiman's characterization that makes him both more redeemable and more terrifying is how he genuinely does not seem to know that what he is doing is evil.

Like in yokai watch 3 he sounds genuinely confused that the three turtle yokai wouldnt want to be "improved" by being fused together. He genuinely cared about them and apparantly treated them quite well because they loved him too and didnt want to leave even though they didnt want to fuse together. And all it took to get him to stop was someone simply explaining why this was bad, which he was completely surprised by yet also instantly trusted and believed even though you were someone he'd only just met and had no reason to believe was trustworthy. Like he's just so goddamn nice and friendly like that??

Seriously its so interesting how his personality manages to be so ridiculously ludicrously cute and nice even when he's doing mad science doom! And i think its interesting cos it feels like they had to develop him this way in order to get him to become the complex character they wanted in yw2, when all the evidence seems to point to that not being planned at the time of yw1. Seripusly he acts so OOC when you look at it in retrospect! Justa generic scary doctor minion of mckraken, and clearly didnt have the backstory planned cos why would a human yokai join the anti human group? But this strange personality duality allows them to retroactively make it more in-character to this new character they made for him, without needing to retcon anything.

Like when you look back on it, you could kinda reinterpret his yw1 appearance through that lens? Maddiman is a nice dude but he gets easily obsessed with his experiments and seems to have a blind spot where he forgets that they dont seem so great to everyone else. Everyone would enjoy being my experiment, they could become super powerful and also part of important history in the field of science! Fwahahaha! And while i am doing the totally not evil thing of cutting out a child's heart to shove in my ultimate weapon and turning his discarded corpse into a yokai, i may as well mess around and do some ~ultimate theatrical hamminess~ to make it fun for the lil guy! *big innocent eyes* *"you are the villain of this story" flies right over his head, ignored*

I mean in yw2 he doesnt even seem to be mad at Nate/Katie over what happened last time, even though he does seem to remember them. (Saying "that boy/girl again" when talking about them defeating Hans) Instead he's just frightened that someone broke into his laboratory, and then annoyed that they ended up setting Hans on themselves cos of their own damn fault. Like he was never planning to attack you at all if you hadnt bumbled into that mistake! And in Medal Wars he literally just says "oh hello good morning" when you walk into his lab, and you initiate the fight with him instead of simply explaining 'hey maddiman whoops you accidentally caused a blackout, i see your experiment is over now so maybe you could unplug your machine and fix things?" Srsly like 90% of all maddiman related problems could probably be resolved with 'hey mr orb dad could you please not do the bad?" "Oh wait i was doing a bad? I had no idea, sorry!"

And its also really good how this is a character trait thats generally rather absurd and goofy, but also when you think about it it makes sense with his tragic backstory. "I'll do something extreme and ridiculous rather than the logical conclusion, with seemingly no awareness that this choice is foolish and self destructive, and also this could be resolved if i simply talked about my problems with someone who could set me straight" is played for drama in his past, and it becoming a recurring comedic character trait is a good way of making it sorta like..integrated into his personality, all realistic like.

I dunno i just feel like they put a lot of depth into this random joke/coverup for a retcon. And it makes him pretty unique! And also pretty versatile cos honestly in any future game they could probably put maddiman inthe role of ally or antagonist for any quest ever, and itd always make sense every time. He's left open for a lot of accidental misunderstandings even after he's turned good,just cos thats who he is. He's mr supergenius with absolutely zero common sense!

Also i feel like "dont worry, experimenting on people isnt bad!" is possibly an extension of how reckless and self destructive he was as a human. I mean we're told he worked so hard he lost his family, worked so hard He wore the same clothes for weeks, starved himself, never slept, literally drove himself to death because of this. Feels like "dont worry i can replace sleep with caffeine" was the first step in "dont worry i can replace my no longer beating heart with this supernatural IV drip" and "dont worry i can fix literally everything wrong with everyone whether they want me to or not"...

I dunno maybe im thinking too deep into this, but thats kinda my job as a Certified Grandpa Analyst (note: may or may not be a job that exists)