#quesera

[thesassywitchofthenortheast]

Aside from each other, obviously, who is your favourite character for Tim and Lucy to each interact with? (So basically, your favourite non-Chenford relationship for each of them — platonic, professional, or otherwise.) And, who is the one character you wish they would each interact with more?

Hello my friend! Thank you for the question! 💕

For Tim, that’s easy - Angela. I fucking adore their friendship. The teasing, the love between them. It’s like watching siblings interact. I so badly want to see more of Angela supporting Tim through this little dark patch and also maybe slapping him for breaking up with Lucy 😂😂

For Lucy, I’d say either Nyla or Tamara. I love the big sister/mentor relationship she has with Nyla. And then of course Lucy and Tam are just the best. It’s a similar sibling type relationship but it’s so so sweet. I loved that Halloween episode where they snuck in the walls of their apartment to catch a bad guy together.

I really want them to both interact with Grey more. Not even just as their boss but as a friend. He’s so supportive of both and clearly cares for both and we don’t get to see that enough. Not outside of work that is — we’ve seen it with Nolan a couple times but not with Lucy and Tim.

Id also love to see Tim hanging out with James and Wes more. He needs more friends and I fucking loved that scene of them in 6.02, where he got to vent and get advice with the guys.

And in that same regard, our Lucy needs a girls night.

[samuelmederos]

Representación de la vida rural de una quesera en el municipio de Arucas, Gran Canaria.

Imagen disponible en: Quesera

[daletraeng]

Check out the lyrics for the song “Que Sera” by Miley Cyrus

[mothernatureminerals]

Stunning ethically sourced Que Sera crystals from Brazil! Available in a large crystal sphere and crystal tower!

Shop my crystal website: Mothernatureminerals.com 🛍

[silverskull]

What is your favourite fic you've written? And what's your favourite line you've ever written? (Don't have to be from the same piece)

Sarah, I love you. Have I told you that publically recently? BECAUSE I DO. Thank you for asking such a lovely question. 💖

I write what I want to see, so, in a sense, all of my fics are my favourites (except the notion of anyone being fully, unequivocally dead). Not, like, in that they're amazingly written, but insofar as the ideas are appealing. Like you, I'm sure, there are elements I'd love to see on-screen from all my fics (mostly domesticity and kissing, tbh, along with hearing characters' internal thoughts), although certain things come up again and again.

I think one of my own favourite fics is I'll Always Be. It takes the Lucy UC trope (which I love), and makes both Lucy and Tim deal with it in fast-forward. It was written for Chenford Week 2023, so it's not very long (an exact 3,800, which I know you understand!), but it covers a lot of ground that I'd love to see the characters explore.

As for my favourite line... Despite its dark subject matter, I think my most poetic fic to date was Evergreen (also written for Chenford Week 2023, and that scoundrel trope wheel). This was an MCD fic, and it is NOT something I ever want to see. That said, it was one of the most moving fics I ever wrote. The words just flowed and the imagery was right there in front of me. I could almost touch it. There are so many lines that I loved, and I feel like they all belong to The Muse, because how did that come out of my head???

In light of my current WiP, I decided on this line as one of my favourites:

Their house grew dim, dust gathering in the corners and on the statues. The plants died out, withered bouquets first, then his fern, and at last, her tiny little succulents. The air grew stale, the rooms unlived in and unloved. No candles lit to drive away the small ghosts that clung to the furniture and the dark recesses of the hallway. It was a tomb, a mausoleum to her memory, haunted each day by his living shadow.

THANK YOU, MS QUESARA.

[mundoagrocba]

Grupo Sensaciones Queseras logró su primera exportación a Brasil

Grupo Sensaciones Queseras logró su primera exportación a Brasil

Del envío participaron tres de las cinco empresas que integran el grupo y además, de manera externa al grupo, participó la firma NOAL S.A. Las empresas lograron la colocación de productos “diferenciados” con gran valor agregado.Queso azul, brie, camembert y sardo. Luego de tres años de arduo trabajo, el grupo exportador “Sensaciones Queseras” logró su primeraexportación consolidada de quesos con…

[chenfordsource]

Thank you all for your participation in Chenford Week 2023! Seeing the turnout this year was genuinely incredible; the love for our favorite ship led to nearly 300 creations, including fanfics, gifsets, edits, and fanvideos and playlists. 

With so many creations, there was no way for everyone to keep up throughout the week, so we put together a master list of all the Chenford Week 2023 content.

The list is organized by day and content type; we hope it helps navigate the amazing content created for the event. If we’re missing your entry or any links don’t work, please let us know. 

Thank you all for your incredible Chenford Week work this year!

Fics:

Day 1 (Inspired by Canon Day)

Ohio Laundry Room by silverskull

What Tim Needs by aleclightwoodgirl

Ghost of You by girlintotv

More than ever by rissachenford

Chenford Cam Watchers by Angel_Butterfly10FrDeGSMTLC

Watching by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

watching my heart (go round and around) by jennahbennah

We could build a house away from here(I just wanna get warm with you) by niamsagram

Unless it is (Lucy's POV) by TheChandom

fight the frost (of the morning blue) by fromiftowhen

Up is down, down is up by ImperiumWife

Never Underestimate a Bradford by gemma_chenfordfan

you know the greatest films of all time were never made by quesera

A Little Mystery to Figure Out by westwingwolf

Always find you by thatfandomwriter

Your string of lights are still bright to me by Lxvechenford

safe in your arms by Ellitheria

Palms by L56895

Daddy Cop - Arrest me but make it sexy by AllMyTomorrows

Daddy Cop by Lucychenford

It's a Daily Struggle by mom2kmt

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 1 by elementsofemily1193

let's build a life by itsgrangerweasley

the best thing that's ever been mine by BimadaBomily

i'll make it through if i stick to you (cover your body in superglue) by lucychens

Event Horizon by TheRogue16

My Favorite Line was "Can I Call You Sometime?" by TheAwkwardAnglophile

We Need To Talk by PBenjamin012215

no safer place than with you by madneyfiles

Forever Looks Like This by ameliagiovanna0

Day 2 (TV Tropes Day)

Glad You Exist by aleclightwoodgirl

Bear it all by myrandomfandomramblings

Not our parents by thatfandomwriter

The Night Before - an Epilogue by mom2kmt

'Til Death Do Us Part by girlintotv

when you're by my side by chenfordspiral

Fluff 'n' Stuff by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

Bedtime Stories by Tiger_Lily24

I Won't Say No by firstdegreefangirl

Evergreen by silverskull

maybe we'll discover (what we should have known all along) by jennahbennah

find the one you can't live without by HeyItsEm

Just when I thought our chance had passed (You go and save the best for last) by niamsagram

i had a feeling so peculiar (this pain wouldn't be for evermore) by quesera

I always look after you by Lxvechenford

Woke up in love by TheChandom

Not Our Bed. It's Mine. by Angel_Butterfly10FrDeGSMTLC

Looks Like She's In Love by westwingwolf

Burning For You by meghansarchive

Breathe Again by RogueTwelve

Haunted by liaromancewriter

and i can't sleep at night (every time i close my eyes, i'm torn between two lives) by BimadaBomily

The Weak Link by Ellitheria

Mid-Wilshire Family Barbecue by AllMyTomorrows

Breaking up was Easy in the 90s (Tim's POV) by WannaBeBold

Here Comes the Sun by achegaby

I'll Take care of you by rissachenford

When I Taste Tequila by ImperiumWife

Surprise! by LondonRih

looking at you (with pride in my eyes) by TheRogue16

I miss you, I'm sorry by Lucychenford

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 2 by elementsofemily1193

i met you on the rooftop, shining with the moonlight by lucychens

My One and Only by PBenjamin012215

This Is It by ameliagiovanna0

A Hell of a View by RogueTwelve

roadtrips & lifetimes by paldogangsaan

Day 3 (Something's Missing Day)

The Babysmitter by westwingwolf

I Think Kojo Had a Nice Day by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

Missing Piece by thatfandomwriter

Lucy's internal monologue during the 5x02 ending by myrandomfandomramblings

man of honor by paldogangsaan

i can go anywhere i want (just not home) by quesera

Angela Lopez, Detective by gemma_chenfordfan

run into the night (like the sun won't ever come up) by chenfordspiral

You Left Them Like That? by Angel_Butterfly10FrDeGSMTLC

One Of These Days by silverskull

Unexpected Turn of Events by aleclightwoodgirl

I Want You to Say (that you want me to stay) by firstdegreefangirl

I only talk to God when I need a favor (But I'll pay for all I've done, just please don't let me lose her) by niamsagram

you OWE me, baby by Ellitheria

You think I'm pretty? by AllMyTomorrows

Drunk in Love by Spindos

Slow Sweet Nothings by BimadaBomily

Silence Runs Deep by MrsHannahLongbottom

True Crime by Lucychenford

The Story Of Us by girlintotv

you're barely waking (and i'm tangled up in you) by jennahbennah

Fly me to the Moon by achegaby

Lost and Found by ImperiumWife

Finally! by PBenjamin012215

Secret Love by WannaBeBold

Anchor by TheRogue16

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 3 by elementsofemily1193

Trapped by liaromancewriter

make it feel like there's nothing left but you and i by lucychens

Channel 9 (Missing Chenford Moments part 2) by TheChandom

When I Taste Tequila by ameliagiovanna0

Day 4 (Happy Hawley-Day)

The Best Bling Store by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

Just some fall things by thatfandomwriter

If We Took A Holiday by westwingwolf

one minute to midnight (let's start the new year right) by BimadaBomily

you keep his shirt (he keeps his word) by chenfordspiral

And, somehow, I know that you and I would've found each other (We would of been Timeless) by niamsagram

Wedding Day Jitters by ImperiumWife

One Last Secret by silverskull

The Cold Really Bothered Tim Anyway by Bluenet13

I Love You, But No. by Angel_Butterfly10FrDeGSMTLC

Our Secretly Perfect Holidays by girlintotv & thatfandomwriter

How did you know? by AllMyTomorrows

Speechless by Lucychenford

Snow on the Beach by myrandomfandomramblings

I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For by achegaby

And It's Like the Fog Has Lifted by TheAwkwardAnglophile

in paper rings, in picture frames, and all my dreams by quesera

Time For Me To Come Home For Christmas. by PBenjamin012215

Unless it is (Tim’s POV) by TheChandom

Underneath the mistletoe by aleclightwoodgirl

what do I do with this (with a love that won't sit still) by TheRogue16

when my heart finds christmas (i hope it finds you too) by jennahbennah

three words that became hard to say (i and love and you) by lucychens

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 4 by elementsofemily1193

I can't lose when I'm with you by Tiger_Lily24

Day 5 (Love Languages Day)

Love Language by thatfandomwriter

i'm just like 'hey, are you okay?' by BimadaBomily

Words of Affirmation by aleclightwoodgirl

I Will Serve. I Will Be of Service. by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

I Swear That I Am Up to No Good by Bluenet13

I'm Glad You're Here by firstdegreefangirl

you know what it was (he is in love) by quesera

We keep this love in a photograph; We made these memories for ourselves by niamsagram

Keeping you Close by Lucychenford

Tomorrow is Another Day by HeyItsEm

Centrifugal Motion by silverskull

i think of you (and it's alright) by jennahbennah

Give Me All Your Love Now by westwingwolf

I love that its not hard ( to be in a place where laughing's easy) by achegaby

i already know that there ain't no stoppin' your plans and those slow hands by lucychens

Hands by AllMyTomorrows

no chance, no way, I won't say (I'm in love) by TheRogue16

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 5 by elementsofemily1193

Just Like Tim by TheChandom

Goodnight by Angel_Butterfly10FrDeGSMTLC

Day 6 (Get Creative Day)

hope that it's hopeless by magnoliamica

Sunshine bar by thatfandomwriter

How To Train Your Dragon by Chry5alis

The Inheritance Clause by Torreshalstead

I Just Want You To Know Who I Am by girlintotv

i will take care of you (the very best that i can) by BimadaBomily

Take Two by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

You Move Me by westwingwolf

Forget and Forgive by silverskull

Call It Magic (When I'm With You) by TheAwkwardAnglophile

all this chemistry has got me falling (i'm definitely high) by chenfordspiral

Lost Love by PBenjamin012215

The Bradfords by Lucychenford

The Letter by firstdegreefangirl

We Got to Quit Meeting Like This by aleclightwoodgirl

you'll find the real thing instead (she'll patch up the tapestry that i shred) by jennahbennah

There you see her Sitting there across the way (You wanna kiss the girl) by niamsagram

I'm hers, she's mine by TheChandom

come, you spirit that tend on mortal thoughts by TheRogue16

Green by liaromancewriter

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 6 by elementsofemily1193

groupchat fights by paldogangsaan

take me out to the ball game by lucychens

Day 7 (Free Day)

Nightmares by thatfandomwriter

Mosaic by fuzzy_wuzzy_wuzza_writer

Something just like this by littlesnafu

Tell the truth (I look better under you) by moonycpd

Can you use these tears? (to put out the fires in my soul) by achegaby

Meeting the Family by Lucychenford

I'll Always Be by silverskull

The Night The Lights Went Out in California by westwingwolf

A Late-Night Party by LondonRih

finish what you started (push until you feel i'm about to break) by BimadaBomily

I will ease your mind by TheChandom

Breaking up was Easy in the 90s (Lucy's POV) by WannaBeBold

baby i would die for you by itsgrangerweasley

Happy Birthday by aleclightwoodgirl

ghosts in the eyes (of all the boys you sent away) by jennahbennah

Time rolls by, the clock don't stop by niamsagram

a post is worth a thousand words; a like is a worth a thousand speeches by TheRogue16

My Hero by navywife97

Seven Days of Storytelling: Day 7 by elementsofemily1193

New Years Day by chens_luv

About Last Night by Solo Ojo Jojo

Gifs & Gifsets:

Day 1 (Inspired by Canon Day)

Favorite s5 moment/Inspired by a season five song by livelovecaliforniadreams

Favorite season 5 moments by lightsparkss

Favorite s5 moments by leavingubehind

S5 moments vs. past seasons by westwingwolf

5x01 inspired gifset by firstdegreefangirl

Favorite s5 moments by chenslucy

Favourite s5 moments as Netflix highlights by timlucys

Day 2 (TV Tropes Day)

Season 5 tropes by leavingubehind

Season 5 tropes (Everyone Knows) by westwingwolf

Favorite Season 5 parallels/callbacks by livelovecaliforniadreams

2x11/5x05 parallel (inspired by sick/injured & hurt/comfort tropes) by chenslucy

Chenford + non-sexual forms of intimacy (dating edition) by timlucys

Day 3 (Something's Missing Day)

Chenford + Tumblr hashtags by leavingubehind

Missing kid AU by westwingwolf

Underrated moment: 5x12 by livelovecaliforniadreams

Underrated moment: 5x17 by chenford-fan

Incorrect dialogue: 5x02 by sgtbradfords

The Vow AU by timlucys

Day 4 (Happy Hawley-Day)

"I Can See You" - Taylor Swift by livelovecaliforniadreams

Relationship milestones/firsts: S5 edition by westwingwolf

"God Gave Me A Girl" - Russell Dickerson by firstdegreefangirl

"Love You a Little Bit" - Tanner Adell by sgtbradfords

"I Can See You" - Taylor Swift by timlucys

Relationship milestones/firsts: 5x16 by chenford-fan

Day 5 (Love Languages Day)

100 ways to say I love you by leavingubehind

The original love languages by livelovecaliforniadreams

Love language: Physical touch by westwingwolf

The original love languages by myrandomfandomramblings

Love language: Acts of service by chenford-fan

It's all about the hands by queseraone

10 untranslatable words that describe love better than you ever thought by timlucys

Day 6 (Get Creative Day)

Chenford + after work hangs by livelovecaliforniadreams

Chenford + Wade Grey by westwingwolf

Chenford + phone calls by myrandomfandomramblings

Chenford + beige/neutral color theme by chenslucy

Bumble dating app AU by chenlucys

Chenford + Lucy's apartment by chenford-fan

V.E. Schwab dedication by sgtbradfords

Chenford + otp prompts by leavingubehind

Chenford + written by Alexi Hawley by timlucys

Day 7 (Free Day)

Chenford Google Search by livelovecaliforniadreams

Chenford + Lucy's apartment by westwingwolf

Get creative - angst edition by onlyhereforangst

Chenford + domestic moments by chenford-fan

"Religiously" - Bailey Zimmerman by firstdegreefangirl

The way he looks at her vs. the way she looks at him by chenslucy

Melissa & Eric appreciation by timlucys

Other:

Day 1 (Inspired by Canon Day)

Fanart - Favorite s5 moment: 5x10 by myrandomfandomramblings

Picspam - Favorite s5 moments by buckleybrvdford

Picspam - Favorite s5 moment: 5x01 by theflyindutchwoman

Picspam - Favorite s5 moment: 5x16 by chenfordspiral

Scrapbook Page - Favorite s5 moment: 5x10 by thesassywitchofthenortheast

Fanvideo - "GOOD" by Erin McCarley by lovelylavenderrose

Day 2 (TV Tropes Day)

Picspam - Trope: Battle Couple (Couples that fight together) by theflyindutchwoman

Picspam - 2x11/5x05 parallel by buckleybrvdford

Fanvideo - "Mr Brightside" (Trope: Jealousy) by lovelylavenderrose

Day 3 (Something's Missing Day)

Graphic - Missing moment: the morning after by theflyindutchwoman

Fanart - Missing moment: 5x18 sushi date by CauseRSisEpic

Graphic - Missing moment: Everyone reacting to Chenford dating by buckleybrvdford

Graphic - "Missing" Kojo Poster by mom2kmt

Day 4 (Happy Hawley-Day)

Graphic - Relationship milestones/firsts: Tim and Lucy's first (and second first) date and their first (real) kiss by theflyindutchwoman

Picspam - Relationship milestones/firsts: First time by buckleybrvdford

Moodboard - Tim and Lucy's wedding day by queseraone

Day 5 (Love Languages Day)

Graphic - Love language: Physical touch by theflyindutchwoman

Picspam - Love language: Giving/receiving gifts in 5x16 by buckleybrvdford

Picspam - Hands, hugs, or kisses (or all three!) by chenfordspiral

Picspam - Love language: Taking pictures and making videos by theflyindutchwoman

Day 6 (Get Creative Day)

Graphic - Chenford + Kojo (a peek at Kojo's Instagram account) social media AU by queseraone

Picspam - Chenford + parking garage/lot by theflyindutchwoman

Picspam - Chenford + undercover by chenfordsbee

Graphic - Chenford + S5 texts by wanna-be-bold

Day 7 (Free Day)

Graphic - Chenford + Meleric appreciation by theflyindutchwoman

Playlist - Out of the Shade: A Chenford Playlist by tinderbox210

Picspam - Relationship milestones/firsts by chenfordspiral

Handlettering - "I can't lose you the way I lost her" by theawkwardanglophile

Graphic - How far Chenford has come in 5 seasons by myrandomfandomramblings​

[whatsup-pf]

Just wanted to put some of my favorite pictures from the Atarashii Gakko! show. I love these ladies, and it was my first time watching them live. They were just as good live as watching their videos online. My sister surprised me with getting the VIP package, so we got the meet and greet. I was also happy that I got the VIP pass that Rin autographed, she's my favorite of the group. And it made me happy to be in front of her when the group sang Quesera Sera at the end of the show.

[hachikos-archive]

A guide to Atarashii Gakko!

Atarashii Gakko is a Japanese girl group formed in 2015. In 2017, they signed with Victor entertainment for a Japanese debut, with the song Dokubana. They made their worldwide debut in January 2021 with 88rising with their song NAINAINAI. There are four members, Mizyu (24), Rin (21), Suzuka (21) and Kanon (21).

Mizyu is not only the oldest, but she is also the leader. She was born in Tokyo, is 4'11 and is a Capricorn. Her role is kawaii-but-fierce. When she was a child she was a model, she was also in not only a dance group called ABC under DSK, but she was also a Kyary Kid ( backup dancer for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu)!

Next is Rin. She is 5', a Virgo and she was born in Saitama. Her role is funky. She was a 1st generation model at DSK, and she was a junior model at DANSTREET in 2014. Mizyu and Kanon think she will be the first member to get married, and apparently she cooks rice when she is in a bad mood.

Third is Suzuka. She is the tallest member by 14cm, she stands at 5'6. She is a Sagittarius, and was born in Osaka. Her role is wildcard. She has two older sisters. One of them, Sakika, was a founding member and vocalist in GIRLFRIEND (disbanded in 2021). Her other sister Momoka works on the media team for the website TABI LABO. All three sisters have attended Caless Vocal and Dance School Osaka.

Lastly is Kanon. She is the youngest member, she is a Capricorn, like Mizyu. She is 5' and was born in Gunma. Her role is graceful. Her highest score was 100% and her lowest ever score was 60%! She goes to meet with her friends when she is in a bad mood. She can also run 50m in 8 seconds.

They have two albums, Maenarawanai (2018) and Wakage Ga Itaru (2019). They also have 18 singles: Dokubana (2017), Kimiwaina'17 (2017), Koinosyadanki feat H ZETTRIO (2018), Saisyu Jinrui(2018), Ookami No Uta (2018), Mayoeba Toutoshi (2018), Koi Geba (2019), OTONABLUE (2020), Quesera sera (2020), KOIBUMI (2020), NAINAINAI (2021), Freaks (2021), Pineapple Kyrptonite (2021), SNACKTIME (2021), Free your mind (2022), WOO! GO! (2022), HANAKO (2022) and their latest The Edge (2023). My favorite songs right now are Koi Geba, WOO! GO!, OTONABLUE, Fantastico and NAINAINAI!

I hope you have enjoyed this guide!

[napoleonic-sexyman-tournament]

José Antonio Paez

a. The Centaur of the Plains. Cowboy guerilla. Among many other exploits, defeated over 1000 Spanish cavalry with 150 guys in the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio. They were set up with cavalry on both sides and infantry and heavy guns in the middle, aiming to envelop his forces and prevent his usual hit-and-run tactics. This was working, so he ordered his best commander to turn around and charge the infantry again, getting the Spanish cavalry to converge on that comtingent rather than the main force. That contingent then got out just before the Spanish right and left wings of the cavalry crashed into them, with the result that the Spanish cavalry on both sides ran into each other, just like in a movie. Seeing the chaos in the Spanish cavalry, Paez ordered all his men to turn around and charge this vastly-larger force. The cavalry, thinking they were under attack from an enture army (because Paez’s horsemen had ridden around kicking up dust before the battle, making their numbers look larger), broke and fled. Paez’s cavalry then charged the Spanish infantry, who broken and ran. The Spanush lost over 500 men; Paez lost 2, plus 6 injured. The Spanish general later insisted he had been attacked by at least 700 men. Paez also captured a small Spanish naval flotilla with a cavalry charge across a river, one of the few defeats of a naval force by cavalry in history.

Diego de la Vega (El Zorro)

a. „Zorro es un personaje creado en 1919 por Johnston McCulley. Es considerado uno de los primeros héroes de ficción de la cultura moderna. El personaje ha aparecido en numerosos libros, películas, teleseries y otros medios de comunicación.”

[samuelmederos]

Pastor y Quesera en una representación de oficios rurales en Gran Canaria.

Imagen disponible en: Pastor y Quesera

[historynerdj2]

History memes #19

For those interested in the context

[silverskull]

Forget and Forgive

Chenford Week 2023 Day 6: Get Creative Day Chenford + Why Lucy didn't tell Tim about the detective's exam (5x19)

Disclaimer - this was originally going to be my free day fic, but I much prefer the other one I wrote, so I'm leaving it for the end. This fic fought me a bit, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow a bit more. But it will also be the end of ChenfordWeek and I don't know how I'm gonna cope...

(Also! If you're looking for Tim's Metro plot from this epsiode, I highly recommend checking out quesera's I had a feeling so peculiar to fill in the gaps!)

Full fic below the cut, or here on AO3.

.

.

Nyla had the uncanny stealth of a snow leopard.

“You thinking of taking the detectives exam?”

Lucy nearly leapt out of her chair, her hand jerking the mouse so fast that she accidentally closed all her tabs.

She was sitting at a desk in the bullpen, ostensibly creating suspect profiles for a case she was working with Aaron, but then her email had dinged, luring her in with the subject line, and she’d ended up blithely tripping down a rabbit hole of test questions and interview advice and completely forgetting where she was. She turned to Nyla with a sheepish smile.

“I mean, I guess. I know it’s a bit far ahead of me yet - when I’m not even P3-”

“Don’t knock yourself down, Chen.” Nyla grabbed a nearby chair with her foot, dropping into it and rolling over to Lucy. “There’s plenty less-eligible candidates than you applying. Why not give them a run for their money?” She grinned, still cat-like, and Lucy felt a small shiver of pride.

“You really think I should do it?” she asked, turning to the monitor and clicking open her email again.

“What does it matter what I think? You’re damn capable, and there’s no one here with experience like yours. You know what you bring to the table.” Nyla swivelled from side to side in her chair, her face serene, but a bite to her words. She was analysing Lucy, gaging her response with a steady eye. It gave Lucy courage. She nodded firmly and clicked the ‘Reply’ button.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” The form was just an expression of interest. If she wasn’t qualified, she’d find out soon enough. Besides, she knew she was a good cop. Tim Bradford, of all people, had admitted as much.

“I know what I bring to the table.”

She’d muttered the last words under her breath, and she was soon lost in the details of the form, missing Nyla’s satisfied nod as she slid out of the chair and went on her way.

Lucy couldn’t wait to tell Tim.

***

“Chen! Hey, Chen!”

Lucy spun in place, not recognising the voice in the corridor at first.

Tim had just left for another meeting with his squad, squeezing her arm gently as they parted ways, and her mind was still daydreaming of the meal he’d promised her if they caught the guy - sushi at the marina, followed by ice-cream and cotton candy on the pier. It felt as if that candy had coated her brain, sugar-pink strands hazing her focus, and it took a second for her to recognise Carradine, waving for her attention from the other end of the hall.

“Oh, Detective! Sorry, I was… I…” She raised her coffee cup in greeting, coming up with no more plausible excuse in the moment. “I needed my caffeine hit. Sorry.”

Carradine snorted, shaking his own empty tumbler in his fist. “The price of the job, I’m afraid.” He gestured for her to follow him back into the break-room, making a beeline for the coffee maker. “This new machine is the business though. Pure rocket fuel.”

There was a moment of silence while the machine whirred and hissed into life, coffee-scented steam wafting enticingly through the room. Lucy shifted on her feet, waiting impatiently while Carradine sniffed and sipped his drink slowly, closing his eyes and savouring the first mouthful.

“So, ah… Is there something I can do for you, sir?” she asked, reluctant to intrude on his peace, but anxious to know what he wanted.

“Ah, yes, right.” Carradine twisted the lid tightly onto his mug, snapping the cover closed and looking at Lucy appraisingly. “You applied to be considered for the detective’s exam.”

She responded slowly, her eyes glancing nervously around the room. “I did, yes, sir.”

Carradine nodded thoughtfully, inspecting the top of his mug before he answered.

“You’ve got an impressive UC portfolio under your belt. Bradford gave you the highest marks I’ve ever seen from one of his rookies. Grey is forever singing your praises.” He looked back up at her suddenly, his gaze steady. “I think you should go for it. Consider this your tap.”

He nodded once more, then strode briskly past her and out of the room.

Lucy blinked, momentarily surprised, and then a slow smile spread across her face.

Tim was going to be impressed.

***

“Hey!” Angela’s voice was singsong, and she skipped merrily past the line of waiting customers to join Lucy at the front of the burrito queue. Lucy rolled her eyes, about to apologise to the people behind her, but Nyla appeared too, glaring any critics into silent submission before they even began.

“I was gonna order for them anyway,” Lucy offered to the man behind her, to assuage her own guilt.

“Never mind that - I just heard the news!” Angela interrupted, smiling conspiratorially.

“The news?” Lucy asked, her mind still focused on the grumpy line of customers behind them and thinking of a case she’d worked recently to intercept an all out brawl when a superstore checkout line had been too slow to move.

“The news, Chen, the news!” Nyla muttered, waggling her eyebrows at Lucy.

“Oh. Oh!” Lucy suddenly twigged, her neck getting hot with all the attention focused on her. “Right, the detective’s exam. I mean - that’s what you meant, right?”

“Duh.” Angela stuck out her tongue, pushing Lucy to the side as Nyla called out their order to the assistant at the window. “Carradine mentioned it to us at our morning meeting. Look at you, girl, getting all grown up and professional.” She grinned mischievously, and Lucy felt herself blush.

“Well, it’s just an expression of interest. Doesn’t mean anything yet.”

“Nu-uh.” Nyla was finished ordering and pulled both women to the second window of the truck. “It’s far more than that, don’t downplay this. Carradine gave you the tap.” Nyla smiled, and somehow Lucy could read pride in it.

“I mean, yeah. But there are still a lot of hurdles. I’ve got to talk to Tim, I need the backing of some active detectives, and there’s still the actual exam-”

“Pshhh.” Angela made a shushing gesture with her hand, tapping Lucy lightly on the shoulder. “Tim would promote you himself if he could, you’re gonna ace the exam, and you’ve got two top-notch, kickass, girl-power detectives on your side right here.” She stabbed her thumbs at herself and Nyla, exchanging a smirk with her partner and waiting for Lucy to respond.

“Are you… Are you serious?” Lucy asked after a moment, pleasantly surprised at the offer. “You’d back me, both of you?”

“Course we would. I mean, you already practically work for us and your track record speaks for itself.” Nyla paused for a moment, looking Lucy up and down while Angela collected their three burritos. “Besides, what are friends for?”

Nyla and Angela grinned at her, and Lucy felt a rush of love for both women overcome her, dipping her head and following as they walked in companionable silence to a picnic bench for their lunch.

He’d probably deny it, but Lucy could already see Tim’s proud smile in her mind’s eye, his shoulders straightening smugly as he lapped up their compliments to her, his fingers tapping gently against her thigh to let her know he heard.

***

“Officer Chen!”

Grey’s voice was never loud, but it soared above the chatter in the bullpen, drawing Lucy’s attention immediately. He was standing at his door, beckoning her over with one finger. Lucy dropped her files into the nearest tray, hurrying around the maze of desks and into the Watch Commander’s office. She stood to attention, waiting in front of his desk with her hands behind her back while Grey rustled at some papers in a shelf at the back of the room.

“Sir?”

Grey didn’t turn around, pulling out a sheaf of papers and dropping them on his desk.

“I hear you got the tap from Carradine.”

Lucy swallowed, nodding once, even though he couldn’t see her.

“Yes sir. I know I have a ways to go yet, but I think-”

“I think it’s the right move,” Grey interrupted, turning around at last and looking her in the eye. “You’re a damn good cop, Chen, but you’re meant for bigger things than patrol.”

Lucy felt a swell of pride within her, and she bit her lip to keep from smiling too obviously.

“Thank you, sir. I’ve learned from the best.” She returned his gaze, feeling suddenly overwhelmed and unusually lost for words.

“You have. That’s true.” Grey gave a small smile as he dropped into his chair, lacing his fingers across his chest. “But it doesn’t diminish what you’ve accomplished by yourself. You’re one of the finest officers in this station. Keep putting in the work like you have done, and you’ll reap the rewards you deserve.”

Lucy nodded mutely, too overcome to respond in words.

“In the meantime,” Grey unclasped his hands, leaning forward and shoving the little pile of books and papers he’d gathered across the desk to her. “Some reading material. Study up, and you’ll be ready for anything the exam throws at you.”

She stepped forward, gathering the papers into her arms and searching for the right words.

“Thank you, sir. It means so much to hear you say that. I won’t let you down.” She pulled the books tightly against her chest, stepping back and meeting Grey’s eyes again.

“I know you won’t, Lucy. The detectives don’t know how lucky they are to get you.”

She couldn’t help it - Lucy beamed.

Grey gave a small smile, nodding and dismissing her with a wave of his hand, and Lucy hurried out of his office, excited to get stuck into her research.

Tim was going to laugh. 

If she already knew all there was to know for the Sergeant’s exam, what could the Detective’s exam possibly throw at her? Well, she’d show him. 

It had frequently taken all her self-control not to turn his audiobooks into something far more racy, all those years ago. Wait until he saw what she could do with - she glanced down at the top two research journals on Grey’s pile: ‘Seduction of the Shadows’ and ‘A Lust for Larceny’.

Oh boy.

***

“Hey you!”

Lucy almost missed Nolan, her head bent and her tongue poked out as she struggled with the wrapper on her protein bar. She stopped in front of him, smiling. “Hey! How are you?”

“I’m good, I’m good. I was looking for you.” Nolan was back in his own regular clothes, heading from the locker room to the parking lot outside. “I heard the big news.”

Lucy dropped the protein bar to her side, pride and pity warring for prominence on her face.

“Yeah, I’m… The detective’s exam. I think it’s time.” She reached out, tapping his arm gently. “But look, I know it’s what you really wanted, and I-”

“Lucy, stop.” Nolan cut her off, smiling as he dropped his bag onto the edge of the planter nearby. “Yeah, sure, back in the day, it’s what I thought would be right for me. But that was all ego talking. Being a TO?” He paused in unzipping his bag, gazing absentmindedly into the distance. “It’s what I chose. It’s what I want now. I could have gone anywhere with that golden ticket, but the FTO programme… I love being able to give back. To be out there on the streets. Helping ordinary folk, and helping cops.”

He seemed to realise he’d gone off on a soliloquy when he looked back at Lucy and she was smiling fondly - patiently - as she waited for him to remember why he’d stopped her.

“But anyway, look - the point is, you’re gonna make an excellent detective. I have no doubt.” He smiled at her, pulling a bundle of books from his rucksack and handing them to her.

Lucy took them, turning them around so she could read the titles. “What are these?”

Nolan zipped up his bag again, tapping the top book on the pile. “I bought them back when I thought I still wanted to be a detective. Study material for the exam. They’re yours now.”

“Nolan…” Lucy was pleased, but she knew the price of revision books, and to take them without protest felt wrong.

“I don’t wanna hear it. Go kick ass in the exam. I know you will.” Nolan shifted his bag back onto his shoulder, smiling and reaching out to squeeze her hand once before he left, and Lucy felt another small surge of pride. 

Whatever Tim thought of Grey’s reading material, he was definitely not going to have time for Nolan’s books. She could hear his dismissive tone in her head already, tossing each title onto the rug as she passed them to him, and insisting that she already knew far more than Nolan could ever teach her.

Maybe. But a few extra hours curled up on the couch together sounded really good about now, and she was sure Tim wouldn’t actually care who’d supplied the books when it was her voice reading to him.

***

“What's all this?” Tim’s tired eyes peered over her paperwork scattered across the counter, his coffee mug abandoned as he trailed his fingers slowly along her arm.

“What? I'm studying for the detective's exam!” She slapped him gently on his good shoulder, half amused, half worried that his exhaustion was getting the better of him and he was now forgetting even basic facts about her life. 

“Since when?” His question was genuine, his confusion apparent, and she had the sudden sinking realisation that she’d missed seeing him so much, she’d only imagined talking to him about her plan.

“I didn't tell you?” Her mind flashed back to study sessions on the couch, lunches grilling Angela and Nyla, chatting to Carradine in the corridors of the station - Tim hadn’t actually been there for any of it.

“I... no, I don't think so.” He covered well, but she could hear the upset in his voice and she hurried to give him an explanation.

“If I'm gonna work undercover, the best move is to become a detective in some division, like intelligence or narcotics, right?”

“Right. So you got the tap?” His lips quirked up, his eyes brightening, and he tightened his grip on her hand in his lap.

“Harper and Lopez are backing me.” She felt her own smile broaden as he nodded confidently, and she continued on, “All I have to do is score in the top 12, which-” 

“Which you will.” He cut her off, and her momentary apprehension disappeared at the utter confidence in his expression and in his voice. He leaned forward and she gave a soft sigh, melting into his kiss contentedly, his skin still sleep-warm and his beard scratchy against her lips. He kissed her again, squeezing her hand tightly in his own and Lucy kept her eyes closed, memorising this feeling of being close to him; of being supported by him; of being loved by him.

It would change their lives, without question, but that was the nature of their job, and neither of them had gotten into this life - this career; this relationship - without expecting change.

***

By the end of the day, reality had come crashing in, cold and hard and riddled with bullets; Juarez with her formative years thrown into chaos and Tim under investigation by IA. A simple exam or a disgruntled interviewer didn’t seem like such a big deal any more, and Lucy was just happy to catch up with Tim in the corridor of the station, linking her arm into the crook of his elbow and running through the post-shooting playbook with him as her worried mind replayed his last words at the abduction house: Suspect down. Send an RA.

He brushed her off, reminded her that it wasn’t his first time, but she needed him to know that it was different now. It was different because he had her. His life affected her, just as much as hers affected his, and she wanted to be there, by his side, to work through whatever he needed to deal with.

At last, Tim seemed to get it, stopping to gently clasp her arm and thank her for her concern. 

And when he switched the topic back to her exam, offered to study with her, she couldn’t help remembering her daydreams - curled up on the couch, or in bed, reading her books to him with indecent inflections - and it seemed like it might be the perfect distraction to take him out of his own head.

Their future was never certain - he’d said as much himself - but in this moment, on this night, she could look forward with hope.

And as long as they had each other? 

Anything was possible.

[aria-ashryver]

6. do you have a favorite quote?

20. favorite skincare products? (Reverse Uno! lol)

25. what inspires you?

:)

6. do you have a favorite quote?

oooh not a quote per se, (and generally I can't settle on a favourite anything lol) but let me share a poem from Chris Tse in his anthology, How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes.

This one is my fav at the moment. I read the whole anthology in one sitting a few years ago and cannot praise it highly enough. [TW: racism, murder] - it discusses racism; murder; the way POC names are reduced to no more than representations of acts of violence done to them; the simultaneous glorification and spectacle of white murderers whose names and lives are remembered in the media for the atrocities they commit, while the voices of those they enact that violence upon are forgotten and buried.

It's so so so well written!! (also really looking forward to getting my hands on his queer anthology, He So Masc, which I haven't read yet, but I'll probably find my next favourite poem in ✨)

20. favorite skincare products?

My skin is super sensitive (she's just like me omg), so I really love things that don't have fragrance, are super hydrating, and work to restore the skin's moisture barrier. KLAIRs as a whole is just *chef's kiss*, I freaking 💖love💖 that brand! But here are some of my personal favs

Cleanser

Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash

Toner

KLAIRs - Supple Preparation Unscented Facial Toner

NEOGEN - Real Ferment Micro Toner

SIMPLE - Micellar Cleansing Water

Serum

THE ORDINARY - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (actual godsend)

KLAIRS - Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop (another godsend)

THE PLANT BASE - Quesera Ceramide

NEOGEN - H2 Dermadeca Serum Spray

Moisturiser

SIMPLE - Hydrating Light Moisturiser w Vit B5+E

MISSHA - Super Aqua Cell Renew Essential Moisturiser (WHY is it so expensive though 😭)

KLAIRS - Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask (love love love)

Sunscreen

NEUTROGENA - Ultra Sheer Face Lotion SPF50+

I'm still looking for a good sunscreen tbh, the sun is brutal in NZ and I'm white, so... 😬 lmao

25. what inspires you?

omg, everything and anything!! I'm taking this in a "what inspires you in terms of your art/writing" kind of way - most recently, music is inspiring me tons, especially watching the MVs for DPR Ian's songs. He is such a talented artist, and the way he explores mental health through the visual imagery in his self-directed videos is just on another level of artistry. Dude is so cool. Everything he creates is so vulnerable and real while being so pretty, I love it!

[oceanic-vampire]

shuffle your favorite playlist and post the first five songs that come up. then copy/paste this ask to your favorite mutuals <3

oh !!!

i don't actually have a playlist i use my liked songs like a heathen /j

not the vnc opening LMAO

[sleepyeugene]

6 Random Songs From "On Repeat" Playlist:

because i was tagged by @syoddeye 🙏🏼

I’ve started listening to a lot of japanese pop, these are my current favs:

Quesera Sera - ATARASHI GAKKO!!

ルージュの伝言 (Lipstick Message) - Yumi Arai

These two have always been consistent favs of mine:

Mr. Brightside - The Killers

Charcoal Baby - Blood Orange

These two have weird titles and completely different vibes but they’re: *chefs kiss*:

Le Perv - Carpenter Brut

Pitch the Baby - Cocteau Twins

i’m gonna tag @kokuryu42 and @sassywitchprincess <3