#not my fault ny eyes are this bad

[marinaiguess]

my dad took pics of us while we were swimming and in one of them I look so funny gsidveusv I'm squinting cuz I can't see shit without my glasses lmaooo

[kumkaniudaku]

Stay A While (BONUS)

Summary: A peak into the future.

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black!OC

Word Count: 1,865

Warnings: None. Fun fluff!

A/N: Sorry, y'all. I had some more left in the tank.

Chapters: One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

As a bright sun began to set over the Fayetteville horizon to transform the bright cerulean sky to one glowing with orange and purple hues, 22 young men huddled at the 50-yard line of Francis High School’s freshly lined football field. The wind lightly blew around them for a welcomed cool breeze while they ran through yet another play before their first playoff game of the season. 

“Defense, we in man coverage. Offense, run a Go. We need to tighten up this late-game execution. How you gon’ react under pressure? Show me somethin’ boys!” 

While the head coach rattled off instructions to the team, Terry stood nearby with his arms folded and eyes intently focused on the two wide receivers occupying the field. Cam and CT Wilson were tall and lean twin boys who reminded him of how he looked by senior year except they were sophomores with room to grow. He told them on day one that they were physical specimens with unreal speed and high IQ made for a few semesters at Clemson if they could focus through the head-spinning four years that made up their high school experience. He promised their father that he’d be there to guide them through it all save for a few months during Spring practices.

“Cam, you goin’ inside on this one. You remember the count,” he hollered out from the sideline. 

“Locked in!” 

Terry answered with a thumbs up and adjusted his stance for optimal comfort. The child-sized weight on his shoulders was starting to get heavy but he knew the tongue-lashing that awaited him if he dared to make a false move. 

“He goes too slow. Make him count fast so he won’t drop, Daddy.” 

The small voice from above made him look up for confirmation to find her already looking down at him with a scrunched nose and missing teeth that resembled her mother when she was that age. 

“You sure?” 

“Just watch.” 

Together, they watched the play unfold. Terry counted along in his head to time when the ball should leave the quarterback’s hand in comparison to where Cameron should’ve been on the field. Sure enough, he was a step slow causing the quarterback to throw the ball slightly ahead of him for a bobbled pass. 

“Hm,” he grunted more to himself than anyone else. “I’ll be damned. Aye, Cam, come here for a second!” 

Above him, perched on her throne, Nyla Naomi Richmond rested a smart tablet on her father’s head to watch film from the previous game like she always did. Her mahogany skin was shiny under the bright white LED lights illuminating the field from her mother’s overzealous lotioning before they left home. Per her request, Terry had braided half of her hair back to give way to a collection of moisturized zigzag coils for first-grade picture day. Glasses rested at the tip of her nose with a bright yellow strap to keep them attached to her face. She kept her attention focused on the tablet’s screen, even as Cam jogged toward her and her father on the sideline. 

“Yeah, Coach? I do something wrong.” 

“Too slow,” Nyla answered without looking up. “Speed up. You’re like a turtle out there. We gotta win, man!” 

Terry and Cameron chuckled together as Terry tapped the top of Cam’s helmet. 

“A little quicker on the count, man. If you get there when you’re supposed to, that’s a catch all day. Make ‘em beat you. Don’t beat yourself.” 

“Type shit. I got you, Coach.” 

“Hey! Don’t say bad words.” 

“My fault, Coach Ny. Can I do my pushups later?” 

“Yeah yeah yeah.” 

Cam laughed at her dismissal before accepting a fist bump from Terry and rejoining the field. Terry couldn’t contain his smile as he reached up to tickle his firstborn's sides for that high-pitched giggle he loved so much. 

“Be nice, MiMi. Remember the rule?” He craned his neck to look up at her for the lesson he’d been struggling to get through her head since she began joining practice. 

She sighed dramatically and frowned. “Be hard on the work, not the person. I know, I know.” 

“Be better next time, champ. We’re here to help, not hurt.” 

“Yes sir.” 

“Yes sir,” he repeated to mock her childish grumble. “You’re so mean like your mama. Gimme a kiss.” 

Like she always did, Nyla lifted her daddy’s cap to kiss the crown of his head before placing the hat backward atop her own head. 

From the day she first showed herself in a routine sonogram, Terry knew she’d be a firecracker. She refused to show her face to him and Patrice. She carefully concealed her features during an expensive 3D scan and almost hid her gender had they not caught her during an in-utero nap. 

She came into the world kicking and screaming at a long 24 inches and a head clean as a whistle just like her pops. With Patrice, she was the perfect baby. She slept all night, cooed and babbled when spoken to, and grew into a little girl who loved to cuddle into her mommy while they watched Pixar movies on the weekends. With Terry, she was a hell-raiser. Loud and rambunctious with a love for NFL games on Sunday afternoons and playful wrestling on the living room rug. 

Their smart girl had her hand in everything imaginable and, when they’d listen to other parents complain about the difficulty of raising young ones during playdates and birthday parties, they always came away feeling like they’d lucked out with Nyla. 

Across the way, Patrice stepped onto the newly refinished running track with the cheerleading team for warm-ups. Under her school t-shirt, her belly protruded enough to tell anyone looking hard enough that she was expecting. Behind her, she pulled a cooler meant to supply the football team with cold water and snacks for the next day. 

“Mrs. Richmond, you want me to help you? You always be actin’ like you Superwoman or somethin’.” her captain called out from behind her, jogging to catch up with Patrice’s long stride. 

Patrice waved her off. “Nuh-uh. Y’all start stretching. I need to drop this off personally.” 

“Uh-huh. You going to your little boyfriend. Being fast!” 

“I learned from you, Z.” 

“Not you in my business!” 

Patrice’s loud laughter created an echo in the stadium, becoming a bat signal for Terry and Nyla’s attention. 

“Hey, Mommy!” 

Nyla rushed to hop off Terry’s shoulders like he was a jungle gym, unconcerned with any harm she inflicted with her long legs as she shimmied down his body. He winced in pain until she was safely on the ground before lightly trotting behind her to greet his wife. 

Seven years of marriage hadn’t changed much of their love. They’d navigated the growing pains of newlywed life and parenthood to come out stronger on the other side. So much stronger that they’d neglected to follow through on contraceptives to keep their family of three from growing to a family of four. Their parents called a second pregnancy a blessing. And though they mostly felt the same, they also knew that baby number two was the result of too much booze and ignoring the cycle tracker during a kid-free night in Charlotte. 

Patrice braced herself for impact once Nyla got closer and wrapped her body around her legs. 

“Hey, baby,” she greeted, rubbing circles at the center of her back. “You look so pretty. Did you finish your homework?” 

“Mhm! I got 100 on my math test, too!” 

“Alriiight! That’s my smart bestie. Now you gotta pick a place for dinner this weekend.” 

“Can we get piz-”

“A place that is not buffet pizza again. Pick something else.��� Terry interjected, making Nyla groan. Dad’s word was final whether she liked it or not. His eyes flickered to Patrice’s still for extra confirmation. Mom’s word was final final. 

She offered a small smile while zhushing the back of Nyla’s hair. “Try something new, Naomi. Maybe chicken tenders this time?” 

Nyla accepted her parents’ redirection with another dramatic sigh that made Terry and Patrice stifle laughter. 

“I know, mama. It’s so hard being six years old. We can write a book about it tonight when we get home so you can help your little sister or brother when they get here.” 

“I hope it’s a girl. Boys are boring.”

Neither of them could muster a response before Nyla abandoned them to supervise the cheerleaders as they started to run through cheers. 

They waited in silence until she was out of earshot to face each other with equally broad smiles. 

Terry spoke up first as he reached down to take the cooler’s handle from Patrice’s hand. 

“Didn’t I tell you from the jump she’d be a second you?” 

“Oh no, she’s a second DeeDee. She might have my mom’s middle name but she is your mama through and through.”

“Touché.” Terry chuckled. That’s why the duo got along so well. They were twin flames in more ways than one. 

A lull in the conversation made Patrice subconsciously bring her hand up to her stomach for a soft rub. Terry looked on with a fond smile, proud of the way her wedding ring reflected the light back into the night sky like a star on the ground. 

He pushed the cooler to the side and grabbed her free hand to pull her into a side hug. He kissed her temple several times over, making Patrice giggle like a schoolgirl at the sensation. 

“We make a cute kid, don’t we?” 

Patrice hummed and closed her eyes for a brief second to feel the full press of his chest on her body and his arms squeezing a little tighter than before. “So cute. She talks too much, but that’s okay.” 

“Wonder where she gets that from?” 

“Her damn daddy.” 

The vibration from Terry’s deep baritone encased in laughter tingled against Patrice’s arm to cover her in warmth from head to toe. A whistle and call of his name from the field snapped both of them from their semi-private moment, making them reluctantly pull away. 

Terry leaned down to kiss the corner of her lips as a parting gift before slyly sneaking the tip of his tongue into her mouth. She playfully pushed him to save them from the embarrassment of taking it too far in public. 

“C’mon, MiMi, we not done yet.” Patrice watched Nylah quickly ditch her squad to meet her daddy’s outstretched arms for him to place her back on his shoulders and rejoin the team. He called back over his shoulder for her attention. “I love you, baby! Go get off your feet!” 

“Sit down, Mommy!” 

“Yeah, sit down, Mrs. Richmond!” 

Patrice wore a semi-serious scowl on her face and threw her hands up to stop the barrage of demands. 

“Woah, woah, woah! I am grown,” she hollered back to everyone in the area. She began the slow journey toward her team and clapped her hands. “Just for that, let me see that Hot To Go routine. If you mess up, you owe me a lap.” 

A collection of teenage girl groans made Patrice crack a smile.

Maybe Terry was right.

---

TAGS: @planetblaque @wvsspoppin @thatone-girly @avoidthings @slutsareteacherstoo @eilujion @amyhennessyhouse @yaachtynoboat711 @jenlovey @pinkpantheris @blowmymbackout @onherereading @hrlzy @becauseimswagman1 @thiccc-c @urfavblackbimbo @blackburnbook @ashanti-notthesinger @xo-goldengirl

[bedoballoons]

Awe thank you!! I hope you're having a great night/day as well!! I've never written anything like this before so I hope you enjoy it!! Thank you for your request!!

─⊰⁠⊹ฺ❄️𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟𝕤⊰⁠⊹ฺ❄️

{༻~Hes mine~༺}

CW: Fem! Reader! Readers friend tries to sleep with character, reader is described as normally being sweet and kind, cursing and slight simping on the characters part for their possessive girlfriend~

(Includes: Lyney, Tighnari, Xiao, Wanderer, and Freminet!)

𑁍༄Lyney:

"She doesn't have to know Lyney. It could just be our little secret~"

You felt your face heat up to your ears, anger spiking in your heart...you knew your best friend had their eyes on him for awhile now...but you never thought they'd actually try anything. You took a deep breath and threw open the door you'd been standing behind, making your friends almost jump out of their skin.

"Ah! H-hey bestie! How's it goin?"

You scowled at their voice, how dare they act like they hadn't been trying to get with Lyney just two seconds earlier. "How's it goin! IT WAS GOING REALLY NICE UNTIL YOU TRIED TO FUCK MY BOYFRIEND! HONESTLY ARE YOU SUCH A WHORE YOU HAVE TO TRY FOR EVERY GUY INCLUDING MINE?!?"

You stepped closer to them while Lyney shrunk back into the corner, his eyes wide with shock...and a light blush coating his cheeks. "Mon amou-"

"NOT RIGHT NOW LYNEY, IM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH THIS STUPID BITCH I USED TO CALL A FRIEND. ANSWER ME. DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO SLEEP WITH EVERY GUY YOU SEE? CANT KEEP IT IN YOUR FUCKING PANTS?"

"I...Im not a whore! You know if I had met him first, he would have picked me instead!"

"LEAVE RIGHT NOW. COME NEAR HIM AGAIN AND I WILL BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU! GET OUT OF NY FACE AND SUCK SOME OTHER GUYS DICK!" You pointed to the exit, glaring at them as they ran out. It took a couple minutes for the room to settle, your heart pounding in your ears...when suddenly it dawned on you that you'd just acted like that...in front of Lyney. You turned to look him, surprised to see he was staring right back at you with this glazed over look, "Lyney...sorry you had to-"

"Do not apologise mon amour, just now I'm forever yours~"

𑁍༄Tighnari:

"Tighnari, please. I promise I'll make it fun~"

You felt your heart sink, rage making your hands ball up into fists...you'd always been so nice to them, you considered them your best friend and the second your back was turned they stabbed you in it. You shook your head, pushing the door flat against the wall as the noise reverberated throughout the house, "Well, well, well, if iT ISNT THE ROYAL BACK STABBER THEMSELF. SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOUR LITTLE FLIRTING SESSION WITH MY BOYFRIEND! DID YOU REALLY THINK HED GO FOR YOU?!?"

You looked at them with a glint in your eyes that could send people scrambling for safety, unaware that Tighnari was right behind you...watching you with his tail wagging aggressively behind him.

"You weren't supposed to find out! It's not my fault you walked in! And yeah, he could have gone for me! Do you see how you're acting right now friend!"

"ME? ACTING UP? REALLY? YOU JUST FUCKING ASKED THE PERSON IM IN LOVE WITH, THE PERSON I TOLD YOU I LOVED, TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU! AND IM ACTING UP? NO FUCK YOU, YOURE A STUPID BITCH AND YOU NEED TO NEVER COME NEAR ME OR HIM AGAIN OR I SWEAR ILL MESS YOUR FACE UP SO BAD, EVEN HUMPTY THE FUCKING DUMPTY CAN'T PUT IT BACK TOGETHER!"

You felt tears well up in your eyes as they slowly walked away from you...all those memories down the drain...and Tighnari not far away probably considering you a horrible person by now. "Tigh-"

"I love you too."

"I- what..."

"I. Love. You. Too. More then I think I can really express..."

𑁍༄Xiao:

"Awe Xiao, don't just say no right away, I have so many things to offer. I can show you everything she couldn't even think of~"

You slumped against the wall, feeling like you were about to throw up...of all the things you expected to hear as you walked up to your date with your boyfriend...your best friend asking to sleep with him wasn't one of them. It was like being punched in the gut..., "Wow..didn't even wait to make sure I wasn't around huh..."

You could hear your friend gasp, their demeanor instantly changing, "I-i don't know what you're talking about. I w-wasn't doing anything. Isn't that right Xiao? It just sounded bad!" You pulled yourself away from the wall, your anger bubbling inside of you as you looked at Xiao. He seemed surprised for some reason and it only egged you on, "Well Xiao?"

"They were trying to get me to break my loyalty to you. I would never fall for such things though. My desires are for you only."

"Xiao!"

You smiled evilly at your friend as the shouted at him, "Well look at that. I only have a few things to say to you. TAKE YOUR HORNY ASS BACK TO THE WHORE HOUSE AND LOOK FOR SOME HOOKER LOW LIFE INSTEAD. HE'S MINE AND EVEN IF HE WASN'T, HE'D NEVER FALL FOR YOU UGLY SELF! GO! NOW!" If steam could shoot out of your ears it would have. You could forgive so many things, but that wasn't one of them.

"I...fine! I never liked you anyway!"

They ran out the door, leaving you feeling like you needed to punch the wall..., "How did I ever become friends with them....Xiao you oka- mph!" You blushed madly as he interrupted you with a kiss. His lips meeting yours as he pulled you close to him, you could feel his heart racing and the warmth radiating off of him. He wouldn't even let you pull away till you were gasping for air, "X-xiao?"

"I don't really understand this feeling...but I liked seeing you fight for me. It made me want to kiss you..."

𑁍༄Wanderer:

"I could turn you into my own little brat baby boy, don't you want that~"

It felt like a switch flipped in your mind as those words left your friends mouth...your normally nice sweet personality gone cold and bitter. To think you'd taken the chance to friend this person..."Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the only one who can call him that is me. In fact, pretty sure since he's MY boyfriend you shouldn't even be trying to fuck him. That just isn't who you are is it."

"I wasn't going to-"

"Wanderer, hush." You stared daggers at your ex friend as they backed towards the exit, their hands shaking with fear. "Trembling are you? IS IT CAUSE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN ME ANGRY? CAUSE HONESTLY, IVE NEVER FELT THIS MUCH RAGE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR FINDING A WAY TO PISS ME OFF THAT BADLY. FUCK YOU!"

"Look just calm down, he said no anyway alright. I was just kidding! If I wanted to fuck him I would have by now!"

"WOW. YES YOU WERE DEFINITELY JOKING, IS THAT WHY YOU WERE TRYING TO PRESS UP AGAINST HIM?! IM NOT A IDIOT BUT CLEARLY YOU ARE. NEVER. TOUCH HIM. AGAIN! FUCK OFF!"

They slipped outside, leaving you alone with your breathing uneven and your face bright red. You were never one for yelling or cursing and in seconds someone you called a friend changed that...

"That was hot."

Your eyes shot open as you spun around. Wanderer was leaning against the wall, smirking at you under the brim of his hat, "I never would have guess my girlfriend could get so nasty. I'll only say this once, but I like seeing you loose your shit. Kinda a turn on~"

𑁍༄Freminet:

"Don't worry, I like when guys are shy in bed and she will never find out~"

"I-i said no. Leave me alone."

You bit your lip, listening to the fear in Freminets voice...the flirty tone in your friends. It was like some type of twisted joke, the ones that make your skin crawl...not only were they hurting you even though your were their best friend, but going after a taken guy who wasn't the best at defending himself in social altercations...that was a whole different kind of low.

"You should probably take the hint. He said no. That means no. He's not a cheater and he doesn't want you." You revealed yourself from your hiding spot, taking satisfaction in the suprise painted on your friends features. Did they really think they were going to get away with it...did they really think he'd sleep with them?

"How long have you been there?!"

"Long enough to see who you really are and I hope I never have to again. Neither of us want anything to do with you now. Take fucking flirty words and advances and go find someone just as terrible as you to sleep with instead!" You threw their bag at them, standing in front of Freminet protectively as they glared at you.

"It's fine, I didn't really want him anyway! You two can keep eachother!"

You watched them leave, your body shaking with anger..."How fucking dare they..."

"A-are you okay?"

You looked at Freminet, shocked to see him staring back at you with a blush that matched your own...he couldn't look at you in the eye..."Yes I'm alright...are you?"

"I-im better then alright. I feel very w-warm. Thank you for defending me...but even if you hadn't shown up, I never would have been with them. I...I only like you."

"I only like you too Freminet."

ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚~Have a nice day!~*⁠.⁠✧

[kathlare]

shattered sparks

Lando Norris x Amelie Dayman

Summary: After winning Song of the Year at the VMAs, Amelie is caught in a whirlwind of mixed emotions.

Wordcount: 1.6 k

Warnings: kinda sad

full masterlist // request over here!

September 11th, 2024 - Elmont, NY

The VMA afterparty was in full swing, and the energy was electric. The room shimmered with glittering lights, designer gowns, and the buzz of celebrities celebrating their wins. Amelie, freshly crowned with the Song of the Year award for her track Espresso, had every reason to be ecstatic. Yet, as she swirled the drink in her hand and exchanged half-hearted smiles with congratulatory strangers, she couldn’t shake the heaviness in her chest.

Her phone buzzed again in her clutch. She already knew who it was. Lando’s name had flashed across her screen twice tonight, each time making her stomach twist. This time, it was a text.

Lan🧡: Congratulations, Ames. I’m proud of you.

Her thumb hovered over the screen, caught in a battle between ignoring him or giving in to her impulse to respond. But her anger still lingered, sharp and unyielding. Instead, she locked the phone and slipped it back into her bag, raising her glass for another sip of the champagne that had started to lose its sparkle.

—Hey,— her friend Minnie called over the thrum of the party, nudging her gently. —What’s up with you? You’ve been… off tonight.—

Amelie forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. —I’m fine. Just tired.—

Minnie raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. —Tired? Girl, you just won Song of the Year. You should be dancing on tables right now.—

Amelie let out a weak laugh, swirling her drink. —Yeah, I should, shouldn’t I?—

Minnie studied her for a moment before placing a steady hand on her shoulder. —Okay, what’s going on? And don’t say ‘nothing.’ I know you better than that.—

Amelie sighed, looking around the room at the blur of happy faces. —It’s just… Lando,— she admitted reluctantly. —We had a fight. A bad one.—

Minnie’s expression softened. —Ah. So, that’s why you’re practically glued to your phone, waiting for his texts?—

Amelie frowned, defensive. —I’m not...—

—You are,— Minnie cut her off gently. —And that’s okay. But, Ames, you’re allowed to enjoy this moment. Don’t let anyone, no matter how cute or British, take that away from you.—

Amelie nodded, but the words only felt like a temporary balm. Her fight with Lando still echoed in her mind—the sharp words, the accusations, and, worst of all, the way he had dismissed her feelings.

The memory made her stomach turn. His words had cut deep, and she hated how they made her feel—irrational, insecure, and small. She had lashed out in return, saying things she didn’t fully mean but couldn’t take back. Now, there was a crack between them, and she wasn’t sure how—or if—they could mend it.

Back in Monaco, Lando was pacing his living room, phone in hand. He had seen clips of her speech and her radiant smile as she accepted her award. It should have made him happy, proud. Instead, it left him feeling hollow. He couldn’t shake the thought that he should’ve been the first person she called to celebrate. But he knew he wasn’t, and it was his own fault.

—She ignored you again?— Pietra’s voice broke through his thoughts. She was perched on his couch, arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on him.

Lando ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. —Yeah. She hasn’t replied to anything. Not my calls, not my texts.—

—Well, can you blame her?— Pietra shot back, her tone unyielding. —You were a jerk, Lando.—

Lando stopped pacing, turning to face her. —I know, okay? I messed up. But I didn’t invite Magui. You did.—

Pietra rolled her eyes, unimpressed. —Don’t you dare pin this on me. Yes, I invited her, but you didn’t have to act so oblivious. Amelie found out from someone else, and that’s what hurt her. Not just Magui being there, but you not telling her.—

Max, who had been quietly sipping his drink in the corner, finally spoke up, nodding in agreement. —She’s right, mate. You should’ve just been honest. Amelie’s not mad about Magui; she’s mad because you made her feel like her feelings didn’t matter.—

Lando slumped onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. —I know I screwed up. I just… I didn’t think it was a big deal. Magui and I are nothing, and I didn’t want to make it into something by bringing it up.—

—But by not bringing it up, you made it worse,— Pietra said bluntly. —Lando, you’re in a relationship. You don’t get to pick and choose what’s ‘a big deal.’ If it’s a big deal to her, it should be a big deal to you.—

Her words hit hard, and Lando felt a lump rise in his throat. He hated how true they were, how much he’d failed to consider Amelie’s perspective.

—I just… I don’t know how to fix it,— he admitted, his voice cracking. —She won’t even talk to me.—

Pietra softened slightly, leaning forward. —Give her space, but don’t give up. She’s hurt, Lando, and she has every right to be. But if you love her, and I know you do, you’ll find a way to make it right.—

Lando nodded, swallowing hard. He wanted to believe Pietra was right, but the doubt lingered. What if he had pushed Amelie too far this time? What if she couldn’t forgive him?

As he sat in the quiet of his apartment, the weight of their fight pressing down on him, all he could do was hope that somehow, they could find their way back to each other.

Lando stayed seated on the couch long after Pietra and Max had left his apartment. The echoes of their words bounced in his head, cutting through the silence like a dull blade. He scrolled through the photos from the night, pausing on a picture of Amelie on stage, golden trophy in hand, her face alight with triumph.

She deserved to be happy, to feel celebrated. Instead, because of him, her night was overshadowed by their fight.

Running a hand down his face, Lando sighed heavily. He had never wanted this—never wanted to hurt her. But now, it felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, unsure if he could pull them back to solid ground or if the weight of their argument would tip them over.

He typed out another message, staring at the screen for what felt like an eternity before deleting it. Nothing he could say felt right.

--------------

liked by minnie.mills, schechoperez, and others

ameliedayman: 1 short step for Amelie 1 sweet leap for @vmas thank you to my dream of a team/ my entire talented

cast + crew for making this other worldly performance one i wish i could do over and over again. Really a night I’ll remember forever 💎💎👽✨

@brettalannelson @mssjo @edwinjcarranza

View all 2,866 comments

minnie.mills: You ate, left no crumbs, AND teleported us to another galaxy. Iconic. 👽✨

bestiesupport44: HOW does it feel to carry the whole industry on your back??

randomfan29: Okay but why is there no like from him?? 👀 → alienlovers69: @randomfan29 We NEED answers. Where is Lando??

loversofamelie56: If they broke up, she’s WAY out of his league anyway.

gracieabrams: Well deserved!!! The whole world is now just a little bit more obsessed with you 😍💎

alexwolffofficiall: Look at you now, rockstar! Song of the year, you’re making all of us proud 🔥🌟 → ameliedayman: @alexwolffofficial It’s just the beginning, babe!

dualipa: You really did that!! So proud of you, queen 👑🔥

taylorswift: THIS IS YOUR MOMENT. So proud of you! Keep shining, baby 💖🌟 → ameliedayman: @taylorswift Thank you SO much, you’re my ultimate inspiration 💖✨

fan_1234: No like from Lando? Hmmm… Are we sure everything’s cool? 🤔👀

pietrapilao: If I could take that trophy and make it mine, I would! But for now, I’ll just be proud of you 👑✨ → ameliedayman: @pietrapilao You could DEFINITELY take it if you wanted, queen 👑��

f1gossiper: Y’all... where’s the like from Lando? 👀 Is it time to address the rumors yet? 😂

joe_locke: Knew this was coming!! Song of the Year, and you didn’t even have to try. You’re built for this. 💥💖 → ameliedayman: @joe_locke You always know how to make me smile, thank you so much 💖💫

oliviarodrigo: Omg, you’re a literal QUEEN. So proud of you!! 👑🔥 → ameliedayman: @oliviarodrigo Thank you, love!

fanaccount1: So proud of you!! It’s YOUR world and we’re just living in it 🔥💎

f1fanatic23: So she wins Song of the Year, but Lando didn’t like the post? 🤔 I smell tea. 👀

maxfewtrell: A whole VMA win? Ok, you’re officially unstoppable now 🔥💥 → ameliedayman: @maxfewtrell Thanks, Max!

f1lovers69: Y’all see how she looked? And the performance? Straight FIRE. 🔥🔥🔥

[jeonscatalyst]

I still can't get over how sick Jimin was and how he powered through it, during AYS. They were in NY/CT for days, but we only saw 2 hours of their trip. They could have cut and let Jimin go to the doctor to get proper medicine, treatment and hydrated and then could resume filming and still have lots of footage to use, but he just powered through it. Going on walks and out on the boat,, etc, even as sick and dehydrated as he was, even running a fever and knowing he gets major motion sickness on top of it. He wanted to just soak up as much time with Jk as possible, even as sick as he was and keep filming to give Army something to watch while he was away. And his jealous hating fans can't even vote for his show cause Jk was there. Like? I know Jimin has side eyed these people and shaken his head in disappointment. How can you not be ashamed knowing you disappoint the man you claim to love, cause you can't respect his choices? I would bury my head in the sand knowing he is giving the biggest Boombastic side eye to me & die from embarrassment if I were them.

Hi anon,

There are so many things I admire about Jimin, and one of them is his endurance and resilience. Many others in his position would have chosen to cut things short, but Jimin didn’t. He didn’t even let his illness dampen the mood of the trip. And before some bitter person claims he was more interested in “feeding shippers” than taking care of his health…don’t.

Jungkook wasn’t lying when he said Jimin’s charm is his thoughtfulness and consideration. Jimin is thoughtful and selfless to a fault. I’m sure he did everything in his power to push through because he understood the importance of other people’s time. He likely didn’t want to ruin the experience for Jungkook, who clearly needed that time away from his demanding schedule to relax, do things he loved, and enjoy good food. That’s who Jimin is…someone who always puts others before himself, as Namjoon has said. So, it wasn’t surprising to see him power through, no matter how bad he felt.

I can’t even imagine myself in his position. At the slightest inconvenience, my whole demeanor would change. Even if I stayed to continue the trip, I’d probably make it far less enjoyable for everyone. But Jimin didn’t. He powered through with grace and made sure it was still a good experience for everyone involved. He truly is amazing.

As for solos, I’ve said this before…solos don’t actually love the people they claim are their faves. They certainly don’t respect them or their choices. Loving and respecting someone means accepting them and their decisions, even if you don’t fully understand or agree with them. Solos are selfish and self-centered, using the members to boost their own egos. They don’t love the members for who they are; they love what the members are and what they represent.This is why solos lose their minds when their faves make choices that don’t align with their personal expectations. How do you claim to love Jimin or Jungkook while disrespecting something they both love and clearly enjoyed? How can you claim to care for someone, yet tear down the choices that bring them happiness and fulfillment just because they don’t align with what you wanted for them?

Solos often operate under this misguided sense of “protection,” thinking they have the right to dictate what their faves should or shouldn’t do. Honestly, I can’t take people like that seriously.

[demon-shark]

Percy got Lost Pt 10

12-year-old Percy Jackson tries to leave Camp Half-blood before Mr. D decides whether or not to kill him. Only Percy gets so lost he ends up in a completely different universe where a man in green finds him.

Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence

[previous] [next]

Qingqiu did his best not to stare as Grover came into view, his fake legs missing and his hat hanging from one of his goat horns as winged shoes flew around his head. Percy, thankfully, asked  the question swirling around in his head, “What the hell are those?” Though Qingiqu did scold him about his language he waited for an answer, one he got from Grover “Oh, they’re a gift from Luke. They were a gift he got from his dad and he thought they might be useful on the quest.” Qingqiu wasn’t sure how he felt about the information, why was this Luke involving himself with their quest? Was that normal between demigods and he would expect a similar action later? Or was he the traitor trying to sabotage with a cursed item? Though it seemed the shoes worked fine. As he thought about it, Grover snatched the shoes out of the air before the group double wrapped Aunty Em’s head with bags. 

As they did, conversation started up again, “So we have Athena to thank for this monster?” Annabeth gave Percy an annoyed look at the comment, “You dad, actually. Don’t you remember? Medusa was Poseidon’s girlfriend. They decided to meet in my mother’s temple. That’s why Athena turned her into a monster. That’s why Athena turned her into a monster. Medusa and her two sisters who had helped her get into the temple, they became the three gorgons.” Qingqiu started glancing around at that, looking for signs of the other two sisters as Annabeth continued, “That’s why Medusa wanted to slice me up, but she wanted to preserve you as a nice statue. She’s still sweet on your dad. You probably reminded her of him.” Percy’s face turned a bright red, “Oh, so now it’s my fault we met Medusa.” Annabeth straightened and, doing a bad imitation of Percy, said, “It’s just a photo, Annabeth. What’s the harm?” Percy groaned, “Forget it, you’re impossible.” Annabeth was quick to snap back, “You’re insufferable.” Percy straightened up, saying, “You’re-” before he was cut off by Qingqiu giving a harsh, “Enough,” to the both of them. 

There was a moment of silence before Grover asked, “What are we going to do with the head?” It was only then that Qingqiu looked at it, if the head of the gorgon was so dangerous they couldn’t exactly carry it around. Besides he doubts they’d be able to explain away a decapitated head in this world where civilians can’t see monsters. He looked to Percy who usually had some idea, but paused when he saw the anger in the boy’s eyes. Not exactly aimed at Annabeth or the gorgon, though he was angry at them, but at something else. He could only assume Percy was angry with the gods in general at the moment and he couldn’t blame him. It was in that anger that Percy got up, “I’ll be back.” 

“Percy, what are you…” Annabeth didn’t finish the thought however as she watched Percy dig around the warehouse pulling out an address book, money from the register, packing slips, and a box. When he came back he packed up the head and silently wrote; 

The Gods

Mount Olympus

600th Floor, 

Empire State Building

New York, NY

With best wishes, 

Percy Jackson

This caused Qingqiu to be taken aback, the boy can read and write. Then why was he asking what everything said? Some kind of power trip? Grover got shifty as he read it, “They’re not going to like that. They’ll think you’re impertinent.” Percy ignored him however as he put some gold coins in a pouch. As soon as he closed it there was a strange bell sound that Qingqiu couldn’t find the source of. The package floated off the table before disappearing with a pop. “I am impertinent,” Percy finally said before looking at Annabeth, daring her to criticize. She didn’t, she just looked resigned to the ways of Percy as she said, “Come on, we need a new plan.” 

They ended up camping in the woods that night. It would have been more accurate to say marshes with the mud, not helped by the trash from parties past. With the threat of monsters overhead they didn’t dare light a campfire meaning they slept in damp muddy clothes. The only warmth and comfort came from the food and blankets they stole from Medusa’s lair before leaving. At first the preteens suggested sleeping in shifts, though Qingqiu was proud of them being cautious he shut it down. He didn’t have to sleep after all and they were clearly worn out. A heavy silence hung over the group, whether it was because they basically challenged the gods or because of the quest, Qingqiu wasn’t sure. 

It was only after Percy and Annabeth had fallen asleep that Grover broke the silence, “It makes me sad.” Qingqiu turned to Grover, an eyebrow raised to convey his confusion. “This makes me sad,” Grover said, motioning to the trash that surrounded them. He then pointed upwards as he continued, “And the sky. You can’t even see the stars. They’ve polluted the sky. This is a terrible time to be a satyr.” Assuming that a satyr must be whatever Grover was, Qingqiu pushed for some information, “I’m not familiar with your species.” Grover rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, “We’re supposed to be protectors of nature and servants of the gods.” Qingqiu looked back at the trash around them, the clear distress it caused the satyr making sense in context. Grover kept going, clearly needing to vent, “Humans are just clogging up the world so fast… ah, nevermind. It’s useless to lecture a human. At the rate things are going, I’lll never find Pan.” 

“Pan?” Qingqiu asked, wondering if this Pan person could cause Grover to turn traitor. Grover gave a small nod, “The great god Pan is the God of Wild Places. He disappeared two thousand years ago. A sailor off the coast of Ephesos heard a mysterious voice crying out from the shore, ‘Tell them that the great god Pan has died!’ When the humans heard the news, they believed it. They’ve been pillaging Pan’s kingdom ever since. But for the satyrs, Pan was our lord and master. He protected us and the wild places of the earth. We refuse to believe that he died. In every generation, the bravest satyrs pledge their lives to finding Pan. They search the earth, exploring all the wildest places, hoping to find where he is hidden, and wake him from his sleep. It’s why I asked to join this quest in the first place. So I can earn a searcher’s license, like my father and uncle, and succeed, becoming the first searcher to return alive.” 

Qingqiu furrowed his brow as he asked, “The first?” If a god was missing and in two thousand years those looking for him never returned, their foe must be extremely dangerous. That or the god was truly gone and the satyrs kept unknowingly traveling to their deaths. Grover fiddled with a stick in his hand, “No searcher has ever come back. Once they set out, they disappear. They’re never seen alive again.” Qingqiu looked the boy over, he didn’t seem scared of the idea like he would have expected. He just looked resigned to it, a fact he had long accepted. Despite that Qingqiu couldn’t help but ask, “You really believe he’s still out there?” Grover looked up at him, “I have to. Every searcher does. It’s the only thing that keeps us from despair when we look at what humans have done to the world. I have to believe Pan can still be awakened.” The pair fell back into silence, Grover falling asleep now that he’s let his upset off of his chest. Qingqiu stared at him silently. It was highly unlikely Grover would be the traitor, he has too much banking on this quest succeeding. 

But if it's not Grover, then who is it?

[valiantwombatpanda]

I purposely have bad bangs. it sounds weird, but I make it so my bangs look a little choppy, a little uneven, a little questionable.

I find comfort in the odd. I Iike having something just a little off about my appearance.

I was out drinking, and some girl bumped into me, spilling her drink on herself. No big deal, I apologized even when it wasn't my fault and my NY romance was with me, so he gently led me away. Later on, I go to use the restroom, and the girl is in there talking MAD shit about me. She makes eye contact and goes, "and her bangs are disgusting. My 4 year old could do better."

There it was. The EXACT reason I have bad bangs. At first, I was a little upset, a bit offended, and a bit tipsy, so my feelings were on a thin wire. How someone talks shit tells me so much about that person. Before I silently cried in the bathroom stall about this gorgeous girl dissing my appearance, it struck me that this girl knows nothing about me. Therefore, I should not care about her thoughts on my appearance. She can think I'm fat, skinny, my butt too small, shoulder too wide, or bangs too ugly... but in the end, that's all she'll ever have to say about me. She doesn't know me, so her opinion on my looks does not matter.

So yes, I purposely have bad bangs. Not a single one of my friends cares about my hair unless it looks insanely bad (at which point they will gently tell me.) It serves a nice reminder to my ed that I don't have to worry so much about the surface flaws or the opinion of others about my surface flaws. That if all they see me for are my bad bangs or my weight, they aren't true friends.

[kuroecchy]

the pic in the list are not mine, I just found the pics from pinterest.

fair warning the theme i chose for my october prompts are completly randome so I have nothing planned for any of them.

English is not my first language and no beta.

!WARNING!

child abuse

Past trauma

homophobic

minor character death

Day 4 - Childhood

It started in the morning. He felt like he had woken at the wrong side of the bed. He felt like he could explode at any time.

He tried to get his mind off it and went to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee. Only to find that the coffee maker is broken.

He sighed, He wished Stephen was here. His boyfriend makes the best coffee and tea the engineer had ever tasted.

He forgoes breakfast since Stephen is at Kamar-Taj and wouldn’t be back till later this evening.

He went down to his lab through the elevator. When the door opened, the face of Steve Grant Rogers was the one that greeted him.

Just great, he thought sarcastically. Still, he stepped into the elevator.

“Tony? You look terrible. Maybe you should rest some more.” The captain was showing genuine concern but Tony wasn’t really in the mood to be nice.

“I’m fine,” He said curtly, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m about to go mee Sam and Bucky to go on a run with them.” While he said that, his expression still shows concern about the shorter man’s wellbeing.

Tony hates it. Thankfully the elevator opened to his floor quickly so he could step out.

Stiffly he spoke, “Well, this is my stop. See you around, I guess.”

He then quickly left to enter his workshop.

His bad day didn’t seem to stop there, It followed him throughout the day. He kept accidentally messing things up and it caused the engineer to get even more irritated.

Time flew by ang the next he knew it was night time.

He’s tired, frustrated, angry, and hungry. He felt terrible and he knows he looks terrible too.

He was stopped from continuing by his AI informing him that both Stephen and Peter had returned and Stephen is making dinner.

So he decided to go greet them.

Upon arriving he was greeted with Peter’s over energetic-ness. The teen was saying this and that and this and that, there was nothing wrong with it, it was normal for him to do that.

Too bad today wasn’t the right time for it.

“- And then we can go and -”

“Peter, stop.” Tony cut through the endless babbling. Peter was confused. Did he do something wrong?

“Mr Stark I -"

“Peter, please, for the love of God. Stop talking.” Now the teen is really starting to panic, did he annoy Mr Stark?

Stephen, who had been listening from the kitchen frowned.

“But I-”

“Peter, Please. I’m tired.” Stephen moved towards where they are, he has a bad feeling about this, “If you’re gonna talk so much then just- Leave!”

It was too late. He had said it and there was no taking it back. The words had taken its effect, the teen’s eyes were starting to get red.

The spider child didn’t bother to say anything else and simply ran towards the nearest exit.

“Peter-!” his hand reached out, but it was too late, the teen had already left.

What the hell did he just say? How could he say something like that? My God, he felt sick-

His knees went weak and he fell to the floor, “Tony!”

He was just like his father. He’s just as horrible as his father. He-

His thoughts spirald even further.

“-ny. -ony! Tony! Breath, follow my breathing, it’s okay, you didn’t mean it.” He hugged the broken man in his arms closely and whispered soft things into his ears, reassuring the other.

“You were having a bad day, you were tired. I understand everyone gets tired. It’s okay.”

“it’s not… It's not okay. I’m just as fucked up as my father-”

“NO! Tony, believe me, you are not your father. He’s not you, you are one of the kindest men I've ever met."

It took a few minutes more to calm down. They had managed to move to the sofa and after a while Peter returned (JARVIS called him). Tony explained that it wasn’t the teen’s fault, he had simply been in a bad mood since this morning and it had simply blown up.

After that the spider shield went to bed first. Stephen then pulled Tony to their bedroom to rest as well.

While the sorcerer had reassured him that he wasn’t his father, Tony still couldn’t get it off his mind. Thanks to that it resulted in him not being able to sleep.

Good thing that Stephen anticipated this since he also didn’t sleep, instead, he spoke, “Do you wanna talk about it?”

The older man looked at the younger one, “m… Nah.. it's stupid anyways”

“Tony… It’s not stupid. I care about you.”

“Yeah, well. It’s not even supposed to be that big of a deal.”

The younger male pondered his options, “I… was - am still -scared of loving someone, especially if they’re a male.

“My sister - Donna - I loved her so much. But she died. And it was all because I couldn’t help her. Had I been able to do a simple respiration she would still be alive now

“I’m scared of failing to protect the person I love…

“My father hated me after that incident. He and ma never really cared about me. Donna was their pride and joy. So after that incident… He would beat me up just because he hated to see me.

“It got even worse after he found out I’m bisexual. He called me all sorts of things while hitting me and telling me that no one would ever love someone like me.”

His voice trembled with each word and it broke off in the end.

Two strong arms wrapped around the shaking sorcerer. He didn’t even notice he had been crying.

“I’m sorry Stephen. No one should ever experience that. You should never have had to experience that…” he trailed off for a bit.

Stephen had trusted him with this vulnerable side of him, the least he could do was return it.

“Ever since I was born my father never cared about me. I tried to gain my father’s attention, I thought that if I were to show him how smart I am he would love me…

“Turns out dad only saw the potential to use me. He showed me off to the media like some sort of trophy then sent me off to a boarding school when I was 4.

“When I came back my father didn’t change a bit. He was still only interested in finding rogers. At that point I didn’t care, I had started drinking and doing so many horrible things I…

“I finally got the attention I wanted from my father… He started to hate me. By the end of it, before he died we had been on horrible terms with each other.

“He took my mom with him…”

By the time Tony finished they were back to hugging each other.

They felt safe in each other’s arms. To just- ignore the whole world for that moment.

They fell asleep still wrapped in each other’s arms.

[a-personiftranslator]

more btiw incorrect quotes because i cant find my ipad (ft. natalia nielsen)

zerzura, to gudridarstrond: I promise the only reason I’m friends with her is that she told me she was the HIGH Kingdom of Andolont.

haraldr: how many children do you have? andolont: biologically, legally, or emotionally? because there IS a difference.

apisia: you know what? apisia: when i joined this friend group, i thought you guys would be dealing with my bullshit. *zerzura, gudridarstrond, and andolont continue screaming about mold water* apisia: not the other way around. zerzura: I DUNNO, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO DRINK THE MOLD WATER!

andolont: if i fall… haraldr: i’ll be there to catch you. rowmansland: *looks at hakensaqi* what if i fall? hakensaqi: then i’ll fall with you, never leaving your side. apisia: *watches these two interactions* apisia, to zerzura: and what if i fall? zerzura: i’ll be the one who pushed you.

haraldr: you drink too much, swear too much, and your morals are highly questionable. andolont: … haraldr: you are everything i’ve ever wanted in a wife.

apisia: we need a plan to beat the reptilians. zerzura: okay, listen up. first, we fill their shoes with wet cat food. apisia: zerzura: judge me all you want, i get results.

qiqiqtaq, wearing shades and a tank top: Rule one of destroying the world. qiqiqtaq: does finger guns You gotta look good while doing it.

ny norgrimark: I am ny norgrimark, I speak for the trees. Chop mine down and I snap your knees.

varholt: Dinosaurs aren't extinct. I mean, kuft-alum is walking in this room. kuft-alum: wheeze

Shapeshifter: transforms to look like Andolont Andolont: Okay, are you like BLIND? You look nothing like me. First off, I'm way taller. Secondly, I DO NOT look so sleep deprived and lastly, if you could drag a comb through that hair you're like a 7 on a good day and Haraldr tells me I'm a constant 10.

natalia: I see the red flags, I acknowledge that they're there, and then I completely ignore them.

gudridarstrond: I spy with my little eye something that begins with the letter “s”. ny norgrimark: looks over at apisia and zerzura ny norgrimark: Is it “sexual tension”?

fauchaïte: Isn't it amazing how I can feel so bad and still look so good?

natalia: I tried to write ‘I'm a functional adult’ but my phone changed it to ‘fictional adult’ and i feel like that’s more accurate.

Computer: Please enter a password. haraldr: types in andolont Computer: Your password is too weak. haraldr: How fucking DARE YOU-

ny norgrimark: Where's Haraldr? natalia: Don't worry, I'll find him. natalia, shouting: Andolont sucks! haraldr, distantly: Andolont is the best country ever! Fuck you! natalia: Found him.

zerzura: Fuck capitalism. It's a rigged system that keeps us poor and it isn't fair. You shouldn't need to work three jobs to afford basic necessities. apisia, playing Monopoly: Sorry, if you wanted to win you should have tried not being poor.

natalia: shoves her hand in the slot of a toaster andolont: … natalia: …I get confused sometimes. andolont: Me too.

andolont: I wasn’t that drunk. haraldr: You colored my face with a highlighter because you said I was important. andolont: BECAUSE YOU ARE!

natalia: I was put on this earth to do one thing. natalia: Luckily I forgot what it was so I can do whatever I want.

andolont: What is wrong with you? varholt: Many, many things… varholt: And most of them are your fucking fault.

andolont: I’m the sexiest bitch in this therapy waiting room.

[afteriwake]

Desert Race (1/?)

So this is a WIP I started...oh, fifteen years ago? But I ran across it and I definitely want to finish it (maybe for the 2024 round of WIPBB). It's a CSI/CSI: NY crossover with an eventual Nick/Lindsay ship. Enjoy!

Desert Race - It's on between the Vegas labs and the NYPD teams in the Law Enforcement Desert Relay, but unexpected sparks fly between Nick and Lindsay that puts a kink in both Sara and Danny's plans for winning the event.

READ CHAPTER 1

"Don't look at me." Catherine shook her head. "Last time I tried to do it, Grissom found a dead body. I don't want to risk it."

"Come on, Cath," Warrick said, smirking at her. "I heard that the LAPD team isn't holding grudges." In response, she balled up a piece of paper and threw it at him.

"Seriously, though," Sara said. "Someone from the lab has to do it."

"I would, but running and I just don't get along," Greg said. "Surfing would be one thing, but..."

"I already volunteered to be the driver of the poll vehicle," Nick said. "So I'm out."

Sara turned on Warrick, but he shook his head. "Just out of curiosity, is there any reason you want to win but don't want to have to run?" he asked.

"I just...I want to win."

"Then why don't you run?"

"Because if I do I can guarantee we'll lose."

"I don't know," Nick said. "I've seen you out jogging before. We may not place high, but I can assure you if you run we wouldn't lose."

"Besides, this year the only team we really have to worry about is the NYPD team," Catherine said. Everyone looked at her. "What? Just because I'm not participating doesn't mean I don't keep up with the competition."

"Why would we have to worry about them?" Sara asked.

"They've got some really fit runners. Must be all those chases through Manhattan," Catherine said. She turned to the laptop Greg was using in the break room. "Mind if I borrow that for a minute?"

"You break it, you buy me a new one," he said before moving out of the way.

Catherine sat down, tapped in a few keys and a website came up. She scrolled down a bit and stopped. "Okay, some of the teams who have already registered have a list of their participants and poll drivers. I went up against most of these guys, and they're good."

"Any of them you don't know?" Nick asked.

Catherine read through the list. "Just two, from the NYPD team. One's the poll driver, Detective Lindsay Monroe. The other's one of the runners... Detective Daniel Messer."

Nick's head snapped up. "Danny's running?" Everyone's eyes turned towards him. "What?"

"You know him?" Catherine asked. Then she shook her head. "Course you do. He's listed as Daniel, you called him Danny..."

"Knew him back in the college ball days. Didn't know he was a cop." He got off the table he'd been sitting on and walked over to the laptop, looking at the screen. He saw Danny's picture and grinned. "Yep, same guy."

"How well did you know him?" Greg asked.

"He and I tried out for the same minor league team. He got hurt so he dropped, but we hung out a bit. He wasn't a bad guy. A little cocky, but not bad." He shook his head, grinning. "A cop. Never would have seen that one coming."

Sara thought for a moment. "I think I feel my competitive edge coming on... Nick, if you'd help me train, I think I might just do this."

"You're on."

"Then I guess we have a complete team," Catherine said. "Good. I really didn't want to have to run this year..."

---

Danny tossed the baseball up in the air and caught it on the way back down. "Relax, Montana. It's not like we're going to Vegas to get married or something." He heard her choke on her coffee and he turned to look at her. "Okay, that probably wasn't the best time for me to say that..."

"Danny! Don't joke like that."

"What? Flack was ragging on you about it and you just grinned. I do it and I damn near kill you."

Lindsay just looked at him before shaking her head. "Danny, everyone's going to think that we planned this."

"Not my fault you were a last-minute replacement for Stella. We weren't expecting the case to get dragged out so long." He threw the baseball up again. "Got a surprise call from someone I met years ago when I played ball. He's a CSI in Vegas now." He caught it and looked at Lindsay. "Apparently, the Vegas team is making it their personal mission to beat us."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but I get the feeling he wasn't supposed to be calling me." Danny grinned. "Nick's a pretty nice guy, doing that. Gives me more incentive to train."

"His name's Nick?"

"Yeah. Nick Stokes." He looked at her. "You'd probably like him. He's a real easygoing guy."

"It'd be nice to meet someone easygoing in this whole mess." She got up and looked at the screen he was looking at. "So what are you looking at?"

"Info on Vegas. Trying to figure out places to go to eat and stuff."

"Ah," she replied. "That would be a good thing to know."

"See, Montana? I'm good for some things other than running my mouth off."

She grinned at him. "Messer...just shut up and find places to eat."

"Yes ma'am."

[whatsonmedia]

Music Monday: Ducci's Smooth Hits to LLOREN's 80s Pop!

Welcome to our latest music review roundup, where we delve into the latest releases that have caught our attention. From the bright and bouncy tunes of Michele Ducci to the anthemic 80s inspired pop banger by LLOREN, we've got a diverse mix of music to share with you. We also explore the intriguing soundtrack to the horror film 'All You Need Is Death' by Ian Lynch and the empowering new single from Rich Ruth. So, sit back, tune in, and discover your next favorite track! Michele Ducci releases bright and bouncy 'You Lay the Path by Walking on it'! Straight from the beginning the music is just smooth and moves steadily as it goes along. Michele's vocals are actually soft but do have that little bit of grittiness which gives it that age old feel. Overall I actually like this track. Can barely fault it  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/7spu7HV3Z2H0djbtmblGm6?si=1daae73359a64101 Watch  https://youtu.be/fWe75VATr1M?si=5Ra4P8sWV6jXYhzA Ian Lynch (Lankum / One Leg One Eye) Releases Soundtrack To Horror Film 'All You Need Is Death' via Invada Records -  I openly admit it, this one caught me entirely off guard, mainly because I didn't entirely make of it. A rhythmic mess or bizarre genius of weird creativity? You can choose  Listen to ‘Severed From The Light’ now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAI28xKsWic A psychedelic mess or 'welcome to the inside of my mind'? The entire album certainly has that classic movie soundtrack feel to it. Each track sets up its own atmosphere and vibes, eager to know what you're going to get next  Album RICH RUTH ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 'WATER STILL FLOWS' OUT JUNE 21 VIA THIRD MAN, NEW SINGLE “NO MUSCLE, NO MEMORY” + VIDEO OUT NOW For one reason or another I find this video somewhat empowering where feminism is concerned. I have seen music videos where sport is the main feature. For me it does have some promise and actually isn't that bad but could've done with a bit more  NEW SINGLE "NO MUSCLE, NO MEMORY" OUT NOW ALONGSIDE CINEMATIC, FORM-EXPLORING MUSIC VIDEO –  WATCH HERE https://youtu.be/CQTtB_U-hkQ Tour Dates  - 4/28: Fort Worth, TX - Tulips *  - 4/29: Oklahoma City, OK - Beer City Music Hall *  - 5/1: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live *  - 5/3: Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light  - 5/4: Asheville, NC - Eulogy  - 5/5: WinstonSalem, NC - The Ramkat *  - 5/8: Raleigh, NC - King's  - 5/9: Charleston, SC - Music Farm *  - 5/10: Savannah, GA - Victory North *  - 6/22: Nashville, TN - The Blue Room  - 6/25: Washington DC - Pearl Street Warehouse ^  - 6/26: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's ^  - 6/27: Woodstock, NY - Colony ^  - 6/28: Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool  - * w/ All Them Witches  - ^ w/ Mikaela Davis CONNECT WITH RICH RUTH: INSTAGRAM BANDCAMP YOUTUBE THIRDMANRECORDS.COM Stumbleine's 'Cinderhaze' shifts and pulls its emotional weight in cyclic waves What I enjoy about this song, as well as the lead vocals, is the buildup and how it happens. I absolutely love everything about the tune, the softness of the vocals, the hypnotic bump, bump, bump of the bass including the riffs. Overall a great tune, am looking forward to seeing an official video  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/3Up94FtB4ebgpBixXIkktj?si=f53d122cb7ff4531 Watch https://youtu.be/bV2Hs3HFJA4 LLOREN releases anthemic 80s inspired pop banger 'Like This'! Though it doesn't have the full 80's pop vibes there are definitely a few vibes there which you can hear. I've heard quite a lot of 80's music in my life so I can actually hear a bit of the era in Like This. Quite a good track though and Lloren's voice adds equal balance  Listen  https://open.spotify.com/track/60MNp0x8kd5no12bSrEETW?si=b63da7c7a67b45c8 FAQs - Where can I listen to these tracks? Links to listen to the tracks are provided in the review. They are available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. - Are there any music videos available for these tracks? Yes, some of the tracks have accompanying music videos. Links to watch these are also provided in the review. - Where can I find more information about these artists? You can find more information about these artists on their respective social media pages and music platforms like Bandcamp and YouTube. Links to these are provided in the review. For more music related update visit WhatsOn Read the full article

[stansthemans]

You know what, I’ve been thinking about this and I’m not done here yet. Let’s make this worse

More on Caryn’s commentary towards Stan. Not just that she’s kind of chubby, not just that she’s too loud and opinionated and what man is going to want to put up with all that. i think a lot the commentary would also involve Stan being involved in unladylike activities, mostly the boxing. Bc my fem Stan absolutely still does boxing. She has to. It’s the perfect excuse for the split lips and black eyes. Of course those are there, no need for anyone to ask questions or look twice. I think this would be the thing that her mother says that hurts Stan the most. Bc caryn knows why Stan has to keep it up. And it also sucks for her because it’s one of the only things that stan really does feel like she’s good at. In the ring, she can focus, she knows she’s talented and she works hard to hone her skills. She’s good at it, but it’s a thing that everyone judges her for being good at because this isn’t what a good girl would do.

And when they get caught, again, it’s so bad. Because its illegal its sick its wrong and possibly worst of all for Filbrick and caryn, it’s the potential loss of that meal ticket. Because if this got out, if people knew that ford had fucked his sister, what college would take him? What programs would have him? He wouldn’t be able to have a career bc no one would want to be involved with something like that. And Filbrick and Caryn can’t risk something like that happening. So the twins are discovered and they do everything they can to gaslight ford into blaming Stan. And the thing, it almost works. Yeah, i think ford is extra protective of fem Stan, but like i said before, that also carries over into feeling extra betrayed when shit breaks bad. And there’s just no way that Stan accidentally breaking the perpetual motion machine is the first and last straw. I don’t think it’s quite as intense when Stan is a girl vs an identical twin brother but ford’s desire to be his own person, to have his own accomplishments and interests that are in no way attached to someone else, to be seen as unique and special, that’s all there, and he doesn’t want to admit it, but Stan’s constant presence is smothering. You hear negative shit enough, it starts to cement in your mind, and ford is constantly hearing from others that Stan is riding on his coattails, that she’s useless and worthless without him looking out for her.

So when they’re caught, Filbrick and Caryn are quick to get them separated and very quick to start telling ford that it was all Stan’s fault, she seduced him somehow, she tricked him, she lies, he knows that she lies, this is nothing new. She’s so desperate to keep using him, because she knows as well as everyone else that she can’t make it out there on her own merits bc she has no merits. She needs ford, and what a perfect way to trap him. And ford is like wait no bc he’s the one who initiated the whole thing, and he knows the kinds of thoughts he’d been having about Stan for years, but still, those nasty little voices in his head, the ones that say that he deserves bigger and better things, things he really knows he can’t have if anyone knew about what he does with his sister, those voices make him wonder. Yeah, he was the one who kissed her first, but did she seduce him? Did she manipulate and slyly, subtly convince him that this was ok? Was she trying to trap him? She still talks about going off sailing all the time, and that’s a dream from childhood, right? That’s not actually something they’re really going to do, right? Stan doesn’t really still think that’s an actual option, right?

It almost works. It really almost works. I go back and forth on this, but it’s probably Shermie who drops the bomb. I headcanon an older Shermie, old enough that he’s not really close to the twins. By the time they’re really up and running around, he’s out of the house. He and his wife live close but not too close. Maybe somewhere in NY. So even when they’re teenagers, he’s distant. And it’s always a crapshoot on whose side he’s going to be on in the case of twins vs parents. But like the parents, i think he also regards Stan as a bit of a waste. Not as bad as them, but he’s definitely disappointed by her. I’m not sure if i want him to know the extent of the abuse she suffers, but he definitely knows how they talk to her, and he mostly agrees. So i don’t know if Filbrick and Caryn would let him know exactly why they’ve shipped his sister off to an asylum—because the fewer people who know, the less the shame—but he does know that’s where she is. And one day he says it in front of ford, and that snaps him out of everything else. All of those horrible thoughts of maybe she deserves to be sent away (they tell ford it’s to some distant aunt or something), they never should have done all this, those fly out the window, and ford loses his shit entirely. He’s a hair’s breadth away from burning the house and pawn shop down.

He finds her. He gets her out. He gets them away, but damn, it’s bad for a long time. Stan is traumatized from everything she goes through. The “therapy”, the drug cocktails. I don’t know if ford would fess up to how close he got to believing the things their parents said or if Stan would figure it out, but they also have to deal with that fall out. Ford bending over backwards, folding himself in a pretzel to try to make it up to her, and stan wants so badly to trust him again, but it’s broken. He let them take her away. He let them lock her up. Just her. He let them tell him that she didn’t love him, that she was using him, and he believed it. And yeah, it’s Stan and ford so of course she’s going to forgive him, but it’s a long, difficult road before they can be happy again.

What do you think would happen in fem!Stan aus if their parents find out her and Ford are having sex?

whoa boy. I mean. it would be Bad. I'm in the camp of Filbrick was an abusive dad, far more so to Stan than to Ford. With Stan, I lean towards it was physical as well as emotional and verbal. Ford didn't exactly have it easy with the weight of all filbrick's expectations placed on his shoulders, feeling like he had to be extra perfect bc of his birth defect and his intelligence, and this sense of responsibility for Stan, like anything Stan did was a reflection on him. I'm also not very forgiving to Caryn. I see a lot of people saying things like "she loved her boy" and I'm just not so sure. Especially with fem Stan, I think Caryn was critical about her looks and would she ever find a husband, and she let those criticisms be known. Stan never had to wonder if her parents didn't like her. They were clear on that front. Last born, totally unexpected, another mouth to feed, and worst of all: a girl.

I typically also think that the entire family hides the severity of what happens to Stan from Ford. it's the one cause they're all united on. I think filbrick and Caryn keep it secret as a means to control ford, because they think (know for a complete fact) that if ford knew, he would flip his lid and they would lose that potential meal ticket. they know that ford is choosing Stan over everything. Stan keeps it a secret because she's terrified that if ford knew, not only wold it break his heart, but he might try to fight for her, and she's so scared that filbrick would start hitting him too.

as for getting caught. yikes. I think they would place all the blame on Stan and the beating would very nearly kill her. it would just be terrible. typically with my version of the fem!stan au, I keep a lot of things very close to canon. She's even still named Stanley rather than constance bc I think doing that shows how little filbrick regarded her when she was born. their life plan was two boys and that's it (I headcanon older shermie). not only does Stan show up unwanted, but she also has the gall to be a girl. I usually still go with fem Stan being thrown out after the science fair incident, rather than other things I've seen like her running away. but for this, for them getting caught, it's the late 60s-ish. I think they might bring her to an asylum. maybe if it was something slightly less, like if she got knocked up but they didn't know it was bc of ford, maybe they would try to marry her off or ship her away to distant relatives. but this is so huge, I really think they'd have her committed. and ford, oh man, if ford knows that's what's happening, he'd go ballistic. ford is far, far more protective (and consequently, far more hurt and angry when betrayed) of fem Stan. that's not just his twin, not just the person he's in love with, it's his little sister, and despite the romantic/sexual feelings, that's been drilled into him his entire life. big brothers are supposed to take care of their little sisters, and ford is the big brother that really matters when it comes to Stan. they've always been so close. two halves of a whole, it doesn't work if they aren't together

yeah, I think he'd just lose his mind. literally clawing thru the dry wall. I think if they got caught, there wouldn't be a chance for the science fair shit to go down. ford would blow up at his parents, blow up at Shermie, and he would leave fire and brimstone in his wake trying to rescue Stan and get them as far away as possible to restart their lives. in some ways it's a happier ending for them, but man is it rough

[newagesispage]

                                                                   JANUARY 2025 

THE RIB PAGE 

It is a whole new year and a whole new fight to keep this America free! 

Here’s to justice for the other half. 

***** 

What can I say about the person who influenced me more than almost anyone? I can never put into words the effect this man had on my life. Jimmy Carter, our longest living President has died at 100. We should all aspire to be a Jimmy Carter. It is almost like he (or something) planned it this way. Despite all the health problems that he had, I think he got to go the way he wanted. President Carter got to vote for Harris like he wanted and then leave us before Trump takes over. Nobody with half a heart wants to live the chaotic carnage of the next 4 years. It’s a shame that Scary Clown 45 learned none of the lessons that Carter taught us. Today’s evangelicals did not learn anything from him either. The man had a unique relationship with God and he died on a Sunday which also seemed appropriate. The world is a better place because of our 39th President. Thank you for everything.  

***** 

Does anybody else feel like the world has gone nuts and it is all up to you? There is a lot of that going around. ** Listen to history. Don’t revoke the past. 

***** 

Chi Chi’s is coming back! ** Scrubs is coming back but we already have St. Denis! ** Party City has filed a second bankruptcy. 

***** 

Days alert: Doug Williams funeral sure brought a lot of old characters back to Salem. How great to see Marie Horton, Liz Chandler and Steve Olsen again, if only for a moment. Jennifer, Ciara, Lucas and Hope were a sight for sore eyes! The Dec. 2 episode was one of the best in a long time. They pulled out all the stops. I could go without Doug, the grandson but we will see where it goes. It was good to see Marlena in the Horton house. That does not happen very often. Bill Hayes will be so missed. ** Rachel was on Jimmy Kimmel. ** Wouldn’t Joy and Aaron be a cute couple?? ** More Clyde! 

***** 

Jasmin Lawrence is engaged to Eric Murphy. ** Selena Gomez is engaged to Benny Blanco. 

***** 

Kerry Washington got her star on the Hollywood Walk of fame. August Wilson is about to get one too! 

***** 

Portia and Ellen celebrated 20 years together. 

***** 

The Republicans are known for business, and yet the economy always seems to tank under the Republicans. - Donald Trump 

***** 

Re: his father: People who he starts to dislike, with merit or not, he just takes it way too far. - Don Jr. 

****** 

Sometimes I’ve wondered why some throw the word ‘intellectual’ around as a bad thing. Do the media and the right think we should all be cavemen? My parents were not rich and did not have degrees but they read and listened and wanted to know things. To them, it wasn’t just, “Me want $ and I will destroy all that I don’t understand.” All of my life, I thought smart was good. Now it seems that half the country just wants Trump to air grievances and sell them more crap so they don’t have to think. Why do so many want to be up this man’s ass? ** Gavin Newsom seems to be trying to Trump proof California.  

***** 

Is there a reason that men are buying into this “they are the problem” talking point? Before and after the election, I kept hearing that young men turned away from liberals because they are told that the countries problems are all their fault. That seems ridic since I can’t see them really believing that. It sounds like another excuse. 

***** 

Liza Minnelli has a biopic coming. 

***** 

Chinese hackers stole documents from the U.S. treasury. 

***** 

Fuck you Joe Biden – Megyn Kelly 

***** 

Fuck yourself in the face. - Elon Musk 

***** 

Beatles ‘64 is here using footage from the Maysles Brothers with help from Martin Scorsese. 

***** 

The NY film Critics awards noms included: The Brutalist, Adrien Brody, Carol Kane and Kieran Culkin. 

***** 

Yvette Nicole Brown married Anthony Davis. 

***** 

I don’t like that Biden kept telling us that he would not pardon his son, Hunter and then he did. But, I don’t see that he had much choice. Let him pardon away. It is not illegal like so much of what trump has done. These are unique times and people must be protected against these thugs. Trump pardoned family members too. In fact, Trump pardoned 142 folks. 

***** 

Hunter should absolutely go to prison for taking $2 billion dollars from Saudi Arabia and giving them classified info, as well as protecting them during their genocide on Yemen. Oh wait, that was Jared Kushner. -Kyle Kulin 

***** 

It is an outrage that Luigi Mangione seems to have killed Insurance CEO Brian Thompson in cold blood. It is equally outrageous that some have called the suspect a hero. What about the victim’s family? And why are people sending the dude $? Really? It is understandable that disgruntled insurance customers have horror stories. I don’t understand why so many do not want health care for all, while at the same time, they bitch and moan about insurance companies. At least we should have a central database for info so we are not filling out the same paperwork over and over. Single pay system!!  In any event, we should not be holding this wealthy murderer up as an example and as a sex symbol. He is so gross. C’mon people. As usual, this country loves the villain. People swooned over the Nightstalker and Bundy too. With Manson’s knowledge of the Bible, he would probably be voted right into the Senate or something now. 

***** 

The Golden Globe noms are out. I will be routing for Wallace and Gromit: Vengence most foul! Other noms include Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, A Real Pain, Conclave, Jessie Eisenberg, Angelina Jolie, Pamela Anderson, Tilda Swinton, Cynthia Erivo, Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Strong, Hacks, Only Murders in the building, Abbott Elementary, Donald Glover, Kathy Bates, Keri Russell, Jean Smart, Jodie Foster, Steve Martin, Martin Short,  Ali Wong and Jessie Plemons. 

***** 

The Library of congress has added the 2024 entrants to the National recording registry. They include Abba: Dancing Queen, Blondie: Parallel Lines, The Notorious B.I.G.: Ready to die, Green Day: Dookie, The Chicks: Wide Open Spaces, Gene Autry: Rudolph, the Red nosed reindeer, The Cars, Juan Gabriel, Amor Eterno, Patti Page: Tennessee Waltz, Kronos Quartet: Pieces of Africa, Bobby McFerrin: Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Johnny Mathis: Chances Are and Bill Withers: Ain’t no Sunshine. 

***** 

This South Korea thing was probably good for Trump to see. Impeachment is here for Yoon Suk Yeol. He might see how wrong Marshall law could go for him. We won’t stand for it either. And now the South Korean court is looking to arrest President Yoon. 

***** 

I so love Ronnie Chieng and Jon Stewart but they cut people off. They seem to be trying so hard to be funny that they don’t let others talk. C’mon, do better! 

***** 

Francesca Eastwood will not be charged with domestic violence. 

***** 

All My Love with Chris Martin and Dick Van Dyke is incredible!! Dick turned 99 on Dec. 13 after he had to evacuate his home during the wildfires. 

***** 

My spirit is broken. - Flavor Flav : Blame it on Fuckin’ NBC! 

***** 

A 7.0 earthquake hit Northern California. 

***** 

So, anime porn is the hottest porn right now? ** Florida says that one must use an I.D. every time now with Pornhub. 

***** 

Thank you, Night Court for your guest stars like Andy Daly and Joe lo Truglio. 

***** 

Bill Maher says it may be time to shut down his show because he does not want to talk about Trump for 4 more years. I think he is right. It’s time to shut it down. 

***** 

You got to piss off somebody. It’s not good weed if you don’t choke a little bit. - Chris Rock 

***** 

Sexual assault news: Jay-Z was accused of raping a 13 year old girl. ** Blake Lively has sued Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment. 

***** 

Werner Herzog has a book to be reckoned with: Every Man for himself and God against all. 

***** 

Jared Leto will play Skeletor! 

***** 

Nothing will kill a great employee faster than watching you tolerate a bad one. 

***** 

Lara Trump has removed her name to be considered to take Rubio’s Sente seat. 

***** 

Sonic 3 opened with $62 mil. 

***** 

Tension has dissipated but things are still topsy turvy in America. When the votes are broken down, Harris lost by about 12 votes per precinct. I wonder if the new administration will go back to stoning people. Will women be allowed to wear pants? Will women have bank accounts or own property? I hope we have all enjoyed our freedoms these last few months. Everything could change for many in this country. If you don’t own a rebel flag or if you are poor or if you have a pussy, it could all be over. It feels like the time of Stalin. Watch what you say because overly sensitive Trump may take offense and have you shot.  Are we looking at Pottersville: the Country? ** Some are saying that Biden should be out there making speeches et al with his little time left. He has plenty to do behind the scenes. Let Trump have all the oxygen in the room. He won and he is still out there bitching like we knew he would. Let him and his co-Pres Musk talk and talk util some of these citizens that voted them in, start to get it. 

***** 

The difference between Trump and Jim Jones is that Trump would charge you for the Kool (flavor)- aid. - Left action 

***** 

Have you seen this doc about the ‘douche of the decade, Joe Francis?’ It’s almost like Trump and Epstein and Weinstein are like all the same person 

***** 

The same Republicans who whined about former AG, US Senator and VP Kamala Harris being an, “unqualified DEI hire,” are totally fine with Trump picking his friends, family, Fox hosts, tv Doctors and top donors for advisors, ambassadorships, Department heads and cabinet posts. - Jo from Jerz  

***** 

Obesity rates are down!! ** Drug use is down. There has been a 17% decline in OD deaths. ** Murder hornets are gone. 

***** 

The top 5 grossing films of 2024 are all sequels. UGH!! 

***** 

Russia has been executing many Ukranian prisoners. ** Word is that North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses as they are unprotected by Russian forces. 

***** 

The Matt Gaetz ethics report found substantial evidence of statutory rape, illicit drug use and participating in prostitution. 

***** 

Trump’s crypto has partnered with a platform linked to mid-east militants, Hamas and Hezbollah. ** Will Project 2025 be our new constitution? 

***** 

Sometimes I wonder if Colbert cares more about the intro to bits than he does the actual bit. 

***** 

Trigger a MAGA: Tell them M&M’s started printing W’s on their candy for “woke.” - Left action 

***** 

Why did nobody say anything about the way that Trump was telling Kristen Welker how to do her job? What kind of a job will Trump do? There are so many things he has talked about doing like eliminating the IRS direct file. No more free tax prep? Will he set free the Jan. 6 criminals? Will the families of those hurt or killed in the melee sue the Scary Clown administration? As far as Ukraine and the economy are concerned, Biden has that headed in the right direction. ** Word is that Trump says foreign companies will get to bypass regulations if they invest a billion in the U.S. Looks like small American companies are fucked. 

***** 

Biden commuted sentences for all but 3 Federal death row inmates. 

***** 

ABC news and George Stephanopoulos will pay $15 mil to Trump for defamation. The lawsuit was dismissed and the $ will go to the Presidential foundation and museum. It all comes down to the term, “liable for rape.” ** And now he is suing pollsters in Iowa. We all knew that even with a win, he can’t be happy. He just keeps on bitching and getting off on dragging everyone into court. There aren’t as many headlines about him anymore unless he’s accompanied by his side piece President Musk. Estimates are that Musk spent about a quarter of a billion to make Trump President. It sounds like true love. 

***** 

Abortions and paganism are on the rise. 

***** 

Trump sandwich: White bread full of baloney with Russian dressing and a small pickle. - FB 

***** 

Matthew Gray Gubler is coming back for an episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution in season 3. 

***** 

4 episodes of Malcolm in the middle are coming with Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz. 

***** 

Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema voted against Biden’s National Labor regulator board nom.  

***** 

It would seem that we need some restructuring in the secret service. The bi partisan assassination investigation seems to be stone walled by some in secret service. 

***** 

Jenna Bush Hager claims that NBC told her to stop saying, “ya’ll.” 

***** 

Why do people always want to remake classics? Remake bad movies and make them better!! 

***** 

The Hollywood Critics Association named Resident Alien the best cable series!!!!!!! What a fabulous show!! 

***** 

R.I.P. Bob Bryar, Claudene Wilson, James Abrahams, Cody Longo, victims of the Alaskan fishing vessel, Marshall Brickman, Lance Morrow, Motorcycle Mary Mcgee, Brian Thompson, Marvin Laird, Earl Holliman, Paul Maslansky, Mark Withers, Kreskin, Rickey Henderson, Alfa Anderson, David Mallett, Arlene Croce, Lorraine O’Grady, Diane Delano, Art Evans, Woody Fraser, cyclone Chido victims, Embraer jet victims, Aaron Brown, Richard Perry, Birt the Crocodile, Rocky Colavito, Maryland shooting victims, Nikki Giovanni, Abundant life school shooting victims, Zakir Hussain, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, Olivia Hussey, Dayle Haddon, South Korean plane crash victims, Greg Gumbel, Charles Shyer,  Thomas Francis O’Brien, Angela Alvarez, Louis Nelson, Michael Cole, Thom Christopher, Geoffrey Deuel, Linda Lavin, Angus Macinnes, Wayne Northrop, New Orleans terrorist victims and Jimmy Carter. 

[blueprint-han]

Honestly I can't believe I'm saying this but, if you have no fucking care about your children's mental health and can't control your tongue when you're in a bad mood to the point where you lash out on innocent children, please never ever have children.

[blakelywintersfield]

‎

[bluejayblueskies]

Please say more abt how Martin fits the closed off trait I'm begging 👁👁

Okay, so I got a bit carried away with this and it got quite lengthy....

I've put a TLDR above the cut and the details, transcripts, and general discussion below the cut!

.

TLDR: Martin is at his core a closed-off character who keeps his vulnerable feelings hidden and close to his chest. He instead focuses on caring for others and considering their feelings above his own, particularly in the case of Jon, who he cares for (sometimes to the point of self-sacrifice) throughout the podcast. His arc with the Lonely in season four and his interactions with Jon in season five demonstrate this lack of emotional vulnerability, and it's really only during the moments he spends by himself that we get significant insight into Martin's emotional state and inner thoughts.

.

Martin, to me, is a character who is very used to hiding how he feels. He tends to care for others at the expense of himself, has low self-esteem, and has a predilection towards the Lonely, all of which go hand-in-hand with somebody who is very used to hiding their emotions--particularly the negative ones--because they either think they're not important or that they're inconvenient and inappropriate for the situation. On a textual level, that's probably due to growing up with a sick (and likely unsupportive) mother who he had to take care of, where there was 'no time' for his emotions to get in the way or for him to prioritize himself in any way, shape, or form.

Martin is self-destructive, dislikes moments of emotional vulnerability, and (I would argue) genuinely struggles when he doesn't have somebody else to prioritize over himself. (His mother at first, but as the series goes on, Jon settles comfortably into this role for him.) Additionally, the biggest way that we, the audience, know anything about Martin's emotional state is when he's alone and self-reflecting (such as in MAG 170 and 186 or when talking to the tapes) or when he's forced to talk about something vulnerable (such as when Jon confronted him about his CV).

We don't get much insight into Martin's character between seasons one and three (at least not as much as we get in four and five), but I find myself drawn to this bit in MAG 118, when Martin is talking to Elias:

MARTIN

So what? I don’t get to be angry? I don’t get to burn things? Just, just run around, making tea, while everyone else gets to actually have feelings?

I think two things are important to note here. The first is that Elias is surprised (or least intrigued) that Martin is acting in this way--specifically, acting on his emotions in such a dramatic way. (And given that Martin is doing this as a distraction, rather than actually acting out because of his own emotions, maybe he's right to be surprised.) The second is that this line very much implies that Martin doesn't talk about how he's feeling, not like 'everyone else' does. He doesn't talk about it, doesn't act on it--just 'runs around, making tea.' And when Melanie comes back in after Elias is done, Martin immediately focuses on the plan and whether it succeeded, ignoring Melanie when she asks if he's okay or not. He closes himself off, and as far as we know, doesn't talk about it at all after that.

And then Jon goes into his coma, and we reach season four.

Martin is incredibly closed-off during season four. He's self-isolating, self-sacrificial, and approaching a state of genuine emotional numbness by the time he's cast into the Lonely. There's a lot to unpack there, but I'm going to focus on a few main things, many of which can be drawn from this bit in MAG 158:

MARTIN

It’s not him! It’s not anybody. It’s just me. Always has been. I…

When I first came to you, I thought I had lost everything. Jon was dead, my mother was dead, the job I had put everything into trapped me into spreading evil and I… I really didn’t care what happened to me. I told myself I was trying to protect the others, but… honestly we didn’t even like each other. Maybe I just thought joining up with you would be a good way to get killed.

And then… Jon came back, and… and suddenly I had a reason I had to keep your attention on me. Make you feel in control so you didn’t take it out on him. And if that meant drifting further away, so what? I’d already grieved for him. And if it meant now saving him, it was worth it.

When you started talking about the Extinction, though… you had me actually, then, for a while. But then – (laughs sardonically) then, you tried to make me the hero. Tried to sell me on the idea that I was the only one who could stop it. And that I’ve never sat right with me. I mean, I mean, look – look at me, I’m not exactly a – a chosen one. But by then I was in too deep. So I played along. Waited to see what your end game was, and here we are.

Funny. Looks like I was right the first time. It’s probably still a good way to get killed?

This monologue is a big insight into Martin's thought process during this season, and I'm mostly going to focus on two parts: the self-sacrifice and the prioritization of Jon.

Self-sacrifice

There's quite a bit of discussion about Jon's self-sacrificial tendencies, but less so about Martin's, both in this season and in season five. In my opinion, Jon's self-sacrificial tendencies originate from (among other things) survivor's guilt from his traumatic childhood experience with Mr. Spider, his increasing belief that he's less than human, and the fact that he prioritizes the lives of others over his own. Martin's self-sacrificial tendencies, while very similar, come from the fact that he thinks he only has worth if he can help and care for someone else and the fact that he doesn't think he's important enough to live. (For example, he says in MAG 158 that he's 'not exactly a chosen one' and says in MAG 198 that he's 'not important enough to kill.')

It's a subtle difference between these two things, and I would argue that while Jon's tendencies are more rooted in the 'help' (ie, 'I want to help other people and I will sacrifice myself to do it'), Martin's tendencies are more rooted in the 'hurt' (ie, 'I will sacrifice myself and other people will be helped in the process'). There is, of course, overlap, and it's not a black-and-white distinction between the two, but ultimately, I think Martin is so used to prioritizing others' emotions and needs above his own that when he's left mostly alone as he is at the end of season three, with the only person left to hold onto being in a coma (possibly forever), he falls back into the same patterns of self-destruction and closed-offness, only without the 'help' to go along with the 'hurt' because there is nobody left to help (especially after his mother dies). Ultimately, he joins up with Peter because he thinks it 'would be a good way to get killed.'

Prioritization of Jon

But then Jon wakes up from his coma, and now Martin has justification for his self-sacrifice again, because he can protect Jon by continuing to work with Peter!

... Maybe.

Jon isn't harmed by Peter during season four, sure, but he does climb into the coffin and visits Ny-Ålesund and is tracked down by Julia and Trevor and struggles emotionally and morally with his own humanity and is hurt, in a way, by the distance Martin puts between them. And I hesitate to place blame for the apocalypse on anybody but Jonah, but if we're going to argue in-canon that Jon was responsible for the apocalypse (he wasn't, but that's not the point of this post), then Martin contributed to that blame and responsibility because it was his actions and decisions that ultimately drew Jon into the Lonely and resulted in him getting the 14th and final mark. (Again, I don't think Jon or Martin are at fault for the apocalypse, but if we were to blame Jon, we could blame Martin as well.) It was only after getting that mark that Jonah was able to use Jon to end the world, something that was hugely hurtful for Jon. So did Martin really protect Jon at all by staying away from him and continuing to work with Peter? Or was that just a convenient excuse to keep self-destructing?

Jon and Martin, in my opinion, had very similar arcs in season four. Martin was sinking further into the Lonely and Jon was sinking further into the Eye. We hear a lot more about Jon's emotional struggle with this given that he's the POV character, sure, but Jon also talks about this with other people. He talks about it to Helen (MAG 152):

JON

…

When does it stop?

HELEN

(impatient) What?

JON

The guilt. The misery. All the others I’ve met, they’ve been – cold, cruel. They’ve enjoyed what they do. When does the Eye (inhale) make me monstrous?

And to Daisy (MAG 136):

JON

My – (large sigh) My memories of the coma are not clear, but I know I made a choice; I made a choice to become… something else. Because I was afraid to die. But ever since then, I – I don’t know if I made the right decision; I’m stronger now, tougher, I can – (he cuts himself off) If I do die, now, or get sealed away somewhere forever? I don’t know if that’s a bad thing. And I don’t want to lose anyone else, so if I can maybe – stop that happening, and the only danger is to me, I – I’ll do it in a heartbeat; worst case scenario, the universe loses another monster.

But all we really get from Martin are the things he tells the tapes when he's alone and the monologue he gives in MAG 158. It makes sense that he wouldn't be as open, yes, given the nature of the Lonely, but I can't help but think of (MAG 154):

JON

The Lonely’s really got you, hasn’t it?

MARTIN

(no hesitation) You know, I think it always did.

Jon was always curious and hungry for knowledge; the Eye amplified it. Martin was always closed-off and isolated; the Lonely amplified that as well.

But then Jon pulls Martin out of the Lonely, they flee to the safehouse, and three weeks later, the apocalypse begins. Martin isn't as consumed by the Lonely as he was in season four, he's with Jon--the person he loves--for extended periods of time, and they're in an extremely stressful situation that's sure to be incredibly emotionally charged. There's a lot to be said about Jon's emotional vulnerability during season five and how Martin both pressures him for it and rejects it in different ways, but for the purposes of this post, I won't go too far into detail about the motivations behind how Jon is feeling and acting.

I will say, however, that in season five, Martin still continues to place a lot of focus on asking Jon how he's feeling, encouraging (or pressuring) him to share, and getting frustrated when Jon can't or doesn't (MAG 167):

MARTIN

Okay, so how exactly would you describe your current emotional state regarding all of this?

JON

I –

MARTIN

(overlapping) Go on, I’m all ears.

JON

I feel…

MARTIN

(go on) Mhm.

JON

(sigh) I feel… sad.

[Brief pause.] MARTIN

(flat) Sad.

JON

Very sad.

MARTIN

(*very* flat) Very sad.

[He sighs slightly as he says it. Their bags jangle.]

A few moments prior to this, Martin expresses displeasure that Jon is Knowing things about him, specifically pointing out his emotions (MAG 167):

MARTIN

It’s just – it’s weird knowing that you can know literally everything I think and feel. E-Especially since you’re not exactly the most open of people – emotionally, I mean.

I think Martin is making an effort to open up more to Jon. But I still think it's difficult for him to talk about how he feels so openly, and while he is completely in the right for not wanting Jon to Know things about him without his permission, I think it's interesting that the focus is on his feelings and that he brings up how Jon isn't emotionally open immediately after. It scares Martin to think that Jon could know, at any given moment, how he's feeling, and I think it's partially because he's not used to that level of vulnerability. He turns the focus on Jon, away from himself, and doesn't really make an effort to talk about how he's feeling about all of this, instead prioritizing Jon's feelings and mental state like he's grown comfortable with.

And when Martin bottles up his emotions--of which there are a lot, in such a stressful environment, they can explode out in hurtful ways:

MARTIN

(overlapping) I know! I know, okay, I just – (bracing exhale) Look, I j,just – don’t want to get burned, all right? It’s, it’s like my least favorite pain ever.

JON

Is that – a joke?

MARTIN

(a bit faster, a bit shaky) No, no, okay? I, I legitimately hate burns, alright? They’re, they’re awful, and they scar horribly, and they just – it – it just makes me sick; I, I hate it. Hate it!

I don't think Martin really thought about what he was saying when he told Jon, who has a large burn scar on his hand, that burn scars make him sick, and I don't think he meant it maliciously. But he'd spent the greater portion of the conversation talking around the fact that he didn't like burns and that was why he didn't want to go into the building, and so when it finally ended up coming out, it did so in an explosion of emotion rather than a conscious decision to share. Martin doesn't have a good handle on his emotions, and he doesn't have a good handle on sharing them.

(Is it too much for me to say that Martin was more emotionally vulnerable with himself in MAG 170 than he was with Jon when Jon finally found him?)

Throughout season five, Martin asks Jon questions, he expresses frustrations with Jon, he shows discomfort or fear at times, but for as much as Martin feels frustrated that Jon isn't talking about how he feels about their situation, Martin really isn't doing so either. The most he talks about his feelings is in MAG 170 and MAG 186, when he's by himself, and I remember MAG 186 in particular because before that, we really didn't know what Martin was thinking about for the majority of the season! And in this episode, we find out a lot of very important things about Martin's character. Like (MAG 186):

ALSO MARTIN

Look, I know what you know. Maybe I’m just a bit more… open about it.

Also-Martin acknowledges that Martin often doesn't say what he means and hides what he really feels, telling him that it's 'hard to be vulnerable,' and Martin is initially very resistant to the idea. And then, when Also-Martin suggests that Martin wants to stay so that he can be 'quietly sad,' we get (MAG 186):

MARTIN

We could talk to Jon about it.

ALSO MARTIN

We could. But we both know that loved ones make the worst therapists. They’re too wrapped up in trying to stop you hurting to actually help. But hey, we know all about that, am I right?

MARTIN

There’s nothing wrong with comforting people.

ALSO MARTIN

A cup of tea isn’t a resolution. At best it’s a… a plaster. At worst… a muzzle.

This is very interesting to me, because for all that Martin tries to help other people, he also believes that comfort doesn't always help and that you can't be your loved one's 'therapist.' I think this gives a lot of insight into why Martin doesn't share his emotions with the people he cares about, especially Jon; he doesn't want to put Jon in the position where he'll become his 'therapist,' and he doesn't necessarily think Jon can help. So instead, Martin just chooses not to be vulnerable at all, because he doesn't want to burden the people he cares about. But, when it's just him (MAG 186):

ALSO MARTIN

Don’t lie. You don’t need to. Not here. It’s just us.

He doesn't feel like he needs to pull his emotional punches. He can't accidentally hurt somebody or put them in an awkward position; it's just himself. But what's said to himself remains with himself, and (at least on tape), he doesn't discuss any of this with Jon. Not even the bit about, if it came down to it, Martin would have rather had Jon smite him than continue to rule over a domain. He goes right back to being closed-off around Jon, but now we, the audience, know what lies underneath, and how little of it reaches the surface.

In fact, the thing Martin's probably most vocal about is how Jon's feelings about himself bother him (MAG 199):

MARTIN

I guess that’s why it really bothers me, you know? I try, but I can’t actually imagine ever making a decision that I knew meant losing you.

And it… It hurts to know you can.

And I think he has a tendency to use anger and frustration to cover up hurt, shying away from the admission that something Jon's done has hurt him (an incredibly vulnerable thing) and instead relying on the less-vulnerable and more external anger to cover it. This is more speculation than true analysis, but I think that's a lot of what's happening in MAG 200, when he discovers that Jon has already assumed the position of the pupil and has, in Martin's eyes, broken his promise.

.

TLDR: Martin is at his core a closed-off character who keeps his vulnerable feelings hidden and close to his chest. He instead focuses on caring for others and considering their feelings above his own, particularly in the case of Jon, who he cares for (sometimes to the point of self-sacrifice) throughout the podcast. His arc with the Lonely in season four and his interactions with Jon in season five demonstrate this lack of emotional vulnerability, and it's really only during the moments he spends by himself that we get significant insight into Martin's emotional state and inner thoughts.