#see any macriley?

[losersimonriley]

every way that matters

(Ghost/Soap, marriage proposals, first kiss, in that order actually)

“MacRiley.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ravish!”

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ.”

The longer he thinks on it (the longer Johnny goes on listing horrid mash-ups of their surnames,) the more convinced he becomes that they should just keep their own as is. It would make the streamlining process a hell of a lot easier (as easy as it can be for a dead man with a high-clearance-only military file to get legally married. Ghost’s paperwork will be a nightmare no matter if his name is changed or not.) Plus it would mean no unnecessary confusement in the field.

Johnny is quick to veto that idea.

“Where’s the romance in that, ye numpty? C��mon. What sounds better, John Riley or Simon MacTavish?”

Ghost actually full body snorts at that one. “They both sound dead weird.”

“Och, ye wound me. There’s no other choice then. Plain ol’ Riley-MacTavish it is. Simon Rhys Riley-MacTavish,” Johnny says his name with such softness that it hurts.

And that one…that one might work. Bit of a mouthful but nobody besides an officiant is ever going to be saying his full name anyway. And Johnny, apparently.

An officiant. With the highest of clearances. At their wedding. Their make-believe wedding.

This is all, of course, a joke. They’re meant to be having a laugh on watch duty while Garrick and Price sleep their dedicated four hours. Simon had maybe forgotten himself and delved a little too deep into the idea. Maybe he forgot this wasn’t a real conversation. Easy to do with electric blue eyes lit by a full moon and a perfect mouth spouting random, sleep deprived nuggets like “What if we got married?”

“Sure. That’s the one,” he says, regretting every single one of his life choices that led him to this moment. They need to stop. Now.

“That’s the one,” Johnny repeats.

Despite it all, his own jaws keep fucking flapping. Soap tends to have that effect on him. Curious, that.

“When I was a little brat,” he’s already second-guessing the confession about to escape his lips, “I used to think I’d make the perfect husband one day. Cause my old man showed me everything not to be.”

He tries to ignore the sharp inhale that Johnny attempts to mask with a clearing of his throat.

“You would be. Anyone would be lucky to have ye, Simon. I’d certainly be beside myself,” he says that last part in a mutter, looking off into the dark of the forest.

“Right,” he whispers, sarcasm dripping from the word. He hopes they leave it at that. He thinks they have left it at that, peaceful silence promising until Soap picks it up again within minutes.

“If it weren’t for the military, the task force, would ye marry me?”

“Maybe if you asked nicely.”

“Simon. I’m serious.”

He glances up and, yes, that is Soap’s serious face. He’s staring at him so intently it might burn a hole straight through the hard shell mask and into his skull. Fuck. Fucking hell. What is this? The fuck is going on here?

“I—Johnny, we aren’t…we aren’t together,” he can’t help but ease into it as if he’s breaking the truth to Soap. And yet he phrases it as a question instead of the statement it’s meant to be.

“Ye didnae answer the question proper.”

“You didn’t ask proper,” he quips, agitation rising in his voice. Why can’t Soap just stop this? Can he not see how much it’s hurting him? He’s usually so good about reading him.

Johnny grins evilly and plucks a blade of grass from the ground, quickly tying it off. “Need ye to stand up for a sec.”

“What,” he deadpans.

“Up.”

He stands, ever the obedient dog for John fucking MacTavish.

And John fucking MacTavish stays sat on the ground, switching his position to a kneel right in front of him.

He’s going to throw up.

This isn’t happening. This cannot be happening. He’s in a dream and he’ll wake up screaming and sweating and shaking any second.

“It’s not funny anymore, Soap,” he croaks.

It hurts.

“I’m not laughin’,'' he holds the blade of grass up, haphazardly knotted into a tiny circle. “Simon Rhys Riley, would ye do me the absolute fucking honor of being my husband in all ways except legal? Sir.”

It’s so stupid. It’s pretend—he knows that, but he’s sinking to his knees anyway. “This would make me your fiancé. Not husband.”

“That a yes then?”

Johnny is serious and his smile is blinding. Not for the first time, he’s bloody thankful for having his mask on around this ridiculous man. He’s sure his entire face could rival a tomato.

Maybe it’s not a real proposal but, Simon realizes, it’s real to them. Maybe not so far as a promise, but a wish. A what if.

“We’ll wait a bit, let it marinate. Maybe this’ll turn to gold, aye?” Johnny makes to slip the…ring…onto his finger but hesitates, motioning to the glove covering Simon’s hand. “Can I?”

He nods once and the skelly glove is far too gently pulled off and replaced with another far too gentle glide of grass up his ring finger. It’s the perfect fit. It doesn’t rip, doesn’t fall off when Johnny moves his hand back into his glove. It’s as if that stupid blade of grass was meant for him.

What a stupid thought. A stupid thought for a stupid, lovesick ghost.

They blink at each other, both seeming to be in a daze of their own when something possesses Simon—something unhinged and desperate and absolutely necessary in this moment.

He yanks the mask completely off before surging forward and kissing hard enough to hurt both of their noses and quick enough to leave them both aching for more. Johnny whines pitifully and follows his lips when he pulls back.

“Think we’ve done this all backwards, LT,” Johnny breathes into his mouth, hands coming up to pet his face.

This is everything. Everything. Backwards, frontwards, sideways, he doesn’t give a fuck because Johnny is everything.

“You started it, Sergeant.”

***

Six months and six thousand kisses later, Johnny presents him with a gunmetal black ring. Fucker had it planned from the start.

Engraved on the outside:

Riley-MacTavish

And the inside:

In every way that matters.

[skyeward-otp]

FICS I WANT TO MAKE A LOT OF PROGRESS ON/FINISH IN 2023

MacRiley Celeb AU

MacGyver/MacRiley s5 rewrite

Bellarke HS AU

GMW/Lucaya s3 rewrite

Skyeward Inhumans AU fic

Clintasha MCU AU

Bridgerton/Kathony Celeb AU

Doctor Who/DoctorxRose canon divergence

Miraculous/Adrinette canon divergence

We’ll see how this goes.

A few of these are close to being done, just need to cross that finish line and then make sure they’re exactly how I want and come up with titles before posting. Other ones have quite a ways to go.

Maybe I should find a cheerleader/motivator to check on me periodically to see how I’m doing. Not everyday, that’s a bit excessive, but every so often just check in and see if I’ve made progress on any of these fics. Not sure, though.

Hopefully I’ll make some good progress on longer/multi-chaptered fics this year.

[beseeingyou]

murdoc. pronouns. faggot. commie. blessed! :)

20, jewish, pagan, indigenous american 🪶

xenic, shifter, otherkin, syshost, autistic

i do and say whatever i want. i spread joy.

no dni, no byf, i just block if i see fit.

ao3 twt discord server

wow, you really wanna know more? ok.

summary: i kin murdoc. i am in love with macgyver. i will be annoying about how i love him, and also annoying about cassian, and also annoying about myself (murdoc!) my fav ships are macdoc and macriley. (yes, if i can't have him, then riley deserves him for sure! not to say i'd give him over willingly, lol.) i don't like desi or macdesi. dni if you are conservative, radfem, hate my favs.

i'm here to make friends !! 𓌹（ ´ཀ` ）𓌺 more

BYF i may need tone indicators.　i don't like desi.　i'm a macdoctor before i'm a macrilist, ok? /lh　i love my comfort characters so don't shit on them.　i'm also vampire kin, so if that's a trigger, feel free to block!　i rb and post nsfw but i will always tag it correctly!　i sometimes use emoticons and complicated formatting, but if you request it, i'll be happy to provide whatever translations or simplifications you need.

DNI ship incest or minor/adult.　kin amber or nicholas helman. 🖕🏼　hardcore macdesi shippers.　hate mac, riley, jack, bozer, cassian, or murdoc. OBVIOUSLY.　BASIC CRITERIA — anti #free palestine, #blm or #landback. transphobic, transmed, don't believe in neopronouns or xenogenders. any radfems at all; idc if you're "trans-inclusive."

TAGS TO MUTE #🦇.txt posts by me　#vent venting, ranting, etc (infrequent)　#politics important politics related posts　#not safe for wendy my n$fw tag, i tag it this way so that tumblr doesn't get me for it.

[angus-macintosh-gyver]

Is it just me or did parts of S5E05 look a lot like MacRiley dates? I mean...

Mac picks up Riley for their date in Jack's car (who is still very much alive) because even though she already likes him, Mac wants to impress her.

He lets her drive because she’s always wanted to drive this car and fuck heteronormative relationships.

He takes her to Chucky Cheese because they have so many good memories there, why not make some more there? Also he knows they’re going to have fun playing skeeball and eating greasy pizza.

And they do. They have a fantastic time. 

It becomes one of many, many dates.

Angus MacGyver and Riley Davis’ Date | MacGyver Season 5 Episode 5

AMG s5 gif series Part 6/?

[angus-macintosh-gyver]

@woodox-earthtaurus Not really? At least, I got hang of it pretty fast.

I think the MacGyver discord is pretty easy. You go in (after creating an account), read/agree to the rules, introduce yourself and troll through the channels.

You can talk as much or as little as you want. If you prefer just to read through the writing prompts, fanfic recommendations or our theories without joining in, that's fine!! If you want to join in with your own theories and questions, that's welcomed too!!

So... Guess what?

There's finally a MacGyver Discord server!

It's small so far, but it's growing!

https://discord.gg/5xVt9uaSmX

[dancinginthesliverglow]

@febuwhump Day 7: Poisoning

Fandom: MacGyver (TV) 2016

Riley gets poisoned, and half the team is out of commission. Jack is gone, and Mac can’t lose Riley too. He just can’t, he’ll break. He teams up with Murdoc to find the cure for Riley.

AO3 Warnings/Potential Triggers: Graphic depictions of violence, poisoning, character on the brink of death (but they don't die), mention of dead character, explosions, shooting.

If you enjoyed it, please consider liking and/or reblogging. Also let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!! :)

[refinedbuffoonery]

Looking Through A Window (18)

macriley married undercover au

masterlist.

The two major scenes in this chapter—the phone call and the thunderstorm—have been sitting at the bottom of my draft document for forever. I wrote them independently, then spent an eternity looking for the right place to put them. So I did the only logical thing and put them together to make a full chapter of hurt/comfort. Enjoy.

*****

A storm rolls in the following morning, and they push back the plan by a day. Explosions don’t work well in the pouring rain. 

When he calls Conrad to inform him of the plan, the older man is pissed about the change in weather. Honestly, part of Mac is too. He’d rather not go through with this plan at all, but since Matty didn’t give him the option not to, Mac would rather get it over with sooner rather than later. 

His body jitters with that nauseating sort of anticipation. 

The rain lightens a bit by early afternoon, so Mac decides it’s as good of time as any to take Harley for her walk. Hopefully they won’t get too wet. 

Harley eyes the wet stairs suspiciously. 

It’s still sprinkling, so Mac puts his hood up and urges her forward. 

The sky is a uniform shade of dark gray, a blanket of menacing clouds that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The air is warm and thick with the sweet, earthy smell of rain—water mixing with volatile plant oils and ozone. 

Mac and Harley cross the street to take a lap through the park. It’s quiet without the usual weekend commotion of kids playing and families partying. He passes a woman also taking advantage of the lull in the rain to walk her dog, but no one else. Just some ducks in the pond, enjoying a nice bath. 

Harley makes a beeline for the wet grass, sniffing and rolling in it before Mac can stop her. 

When the rain picks up again, Mac breaks into a jog, but his clothes are quickly soaked anyway. 

They return to the apartment complex just in time to see Carrie Ann unloading groceries from her car. Clutching her bags tightly, she sprints from her car to her door. 

“Want some help?” Mac calls. Carrie Ann’s head whips around, clearly not expecting anyone else to be out here, but she smiles when she sees him. 

“Oh, yes. Be a dear and get the rest, will you?” She ducks into her apartment, leaving the door open. 

Her trunk is still open, and Mac grabs the last three bags of groceries before shutting it. He has to block Harley with his foot to keep her from jumping into the car. Meeting Carrie Ann at her door, she looks him up and down with that all-too discerning stare of hers. 

She says, “You’re going to catch a cold walking around in the rain like that.” Her statement is scientifically untrue, but Mac simply assures her he’ll be fine. 

“My wife will warm me up,” he adds, just to please her. 

Carrie Ann grins back at him. “I’m sure she will.” Then, after a brief pause, she asks, “Speaking of your wife, is Genevieve pregnant yet?” 

“Not yet.” 

Mac feels a little guilty knowing that she’ll keep asking, and the answer will still be no. He doesn’t plan on knocking Riley up any time soon, that’s for sure. 

He must be making a face, because Carrie Ann rests a hand on his shoulder and gently says, “It’ll happen. Just you wait. You’re going to be a wonderful father, James.” 

Her words are meant to be reassuring, but they feel like a knife to the stomach. Pairing discussions of fatherhood with the use of his own father’s name as an alias is too much to handle. He wants to punch whoever built this cover identity. Carrie Ann’s words only serve as a reminder that James MacGyver turned out to be a shitty dad, all things considered. They made amends in the end, but that doesn’t take back all the years Mac needed him, and he wasn’t there. 

And how does Carrie Ann know he’d be a good father anyway? It’s not like he had a role model. Plenty of father figures—his grandpa, Bozer’s dad, even Jack—but not the one that really mattered. 

His father left after his mother died. If his wife died, would Mac do the same to his own child?

He left before, once, when he ran away to Nigeria. Proof enough that he’s capable of leaving without looking back.

Nausea stirs his stomach at the thought. 

Despite that, Mac manages to smile and say, “Thank you.” 

“Come by for a pep talk any time, young man. And tell Gen I say hi.” 

“Will do.” He makes it three steps down the walkway before Carrie Ann is calling his name, having forgotten to say something. 

“One more thing. Put a pillow under her hips. It’ll make everything better, trust me.” 

Mac’s cheeks heat, turning what must be a brilliant shade of red. He does know to do that. 

Carrie Ann’s laughter follows him all the way to his own apartment. 

Once his face has returned to its normal color, Mac opens the door but doesn’t go inside. Blocks Harley too. Riley’s name—her real name—catching in his throat, Mac calls out, “Hey, can you please bring us a couple towels?” Oddly, there’s no response, but Mac spies two towels hanging off the arm of the couch that definitely weren’t there when he left. He smiles, silently thanking her. 

“Sit,” he tells Harley. “Stay.” She whines, but obeys as he darts inside to grab the towels. Hopefully the apartment won’t smell too much like wet dog. 

When he finally lets Harley go inside, she goes straight to the kitchen in search of any crumbs that may have fallen while she was out. 

The bedroom door is half-shut, but Mac doesn’t think anything of it until he hears the telltale sniff of Riley crying. He pauses, keeping out of sight. 

Part of him knows he should leave—give her some privacy. But a bigger part of him wants to know what’s wrong. So, he stays, listening. 

Whatever it is, maybe he can fix it. 

“I don’t know why I’m here,” she says, clearly on the phone. “This op doesn’t need me. Everything I’ve done, I could’ve done from the war room. Matty should’ve sent you, not me.” 

Harley pushes past him, opening the door wider and exposing Mac’s hiding place. For the second time in the last five minutes, his cheeks burn—not in a good way—as Riley stares him down. He sees the plea to stay away in her eyes and takes a step back. 

To his surprise, she puts her phone on speaker, letting him listen from a distance. 

It’s Desi on the other end of the line, and she’s already mid-rant. “—bullshit. Sure Matty sent you instead of me because we all know Mac and I would’ve killed each other by now, but that’s not the point. Your skills are the ones this op needs, and I’m not talking about fancy computer stuff.

“You have this way with people, Riley. From what I can tell, this op is just as much about social warfare as it is anything else, and I’m definitely not the person for that. You can charm anyone, but you’re not a people pleaser. Don’t you get how hard that is? People trust you. People confide in you. Which is exactly what you need to dismantle a terrorist organization from the inside.” 

Confident and no-nonsense—a classic Desiree Nguyen pep-talk. 

“Thanks.” Riley sighs. “I know I’ve been doing this for years, but I still feel out of my element when my job is more James Bond than Nerd In The Van.” 

Mac never knew she felt that way. Right from the start, she fit in so well, was so good at her job, that he never questioned how she felt. Now he thinks maybe he should have. 

“Fuck that. Your job is to be Riley, who is brave, kind, and, more often than not, the smartest person in the room.” 

Picking at her nails, a sign that she’s uncomfortable, Riley says, “You sure that isn’t Mac?” 

“Mac is a dumbass who happens to be good at math and science, and you can tell him I said that.” 

Riley bites her lip as she looks at him, clearly trying very hard not to laugh at his expense. Still, amusement and agreement shine in her eyes. “Oh I will,” she promises. 

“Good. And seduce him while you’re at it. All this dancing around each other is getting ridiculous.” 

Riley’s eyes widen and she scrambles to take her phone off speaker. Mac’s face burns even hotter. It’s moments like these when he almost misses the days when Desi resented him for his feelings for Riley. Now she gets entirely too much joy over torturing him. 

“Speaking of Mac, he just walked in the door,” Riley half-lies. “I’ve got to go. Thanks for the pep-talk.” 

Despite not being able to see or hear her, Mac can picture the wicked smirk on Desi’s face clear as day. She taunts, “Go get 'em, tiger.” 

Riley, on the other hand, looks like she wants to die as she hangs up on their friend. But she quickly banishes that expression, and in a stunning display of pretending the last few minutes didn’t happen, she teases, “Enjoy the rain?” Mac rolls his eyes. 

“Totally.” 

She pushes past him, heading for the laundry room. But after what he just overheard, Mac isn’t about to let her off that easily. 

“Are you really that uncomfortable with field work?” He can’t explain why, exactly, but her answer to the question is important. Really important. 

“No,” she says, moving clothes from the washer to the dryer. “Well, sometimes.” 

“I had no idea.”

Her back is to him, and suddenly Mac wants nothing more than to turn Riley around and hold her.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but the things we see and do are terrifying if I let myself think about them for too long.” Mac can’t disagree; she has a point. But that doesn’t answer his question. 

He rephrases, “Are you uncomfortable on this op? With me?” Has he been wrong about everything? Has she been miserable this whole time and he’s just too stupid to notice?

Finally, she faces him.

It’s both a blessing and a curse that she can read him so well; she always knows exactly what sort of conclusions his brain jumped to. “Of course not,” Riley reassures. “I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else. I had a moment of weakness, that’s all.” She sighs. “Honestly, I’ve felt kind of useless this week watching you build the bombs.” 

“Nonsense.” A part of him aches, learning she feels this way. “You’ve helped so much more than I can explain.”

What he can’t say is that just her presence is enough. Staying with him, grounding him, reminding him that he’s not alone in this. That she makes him stronger. Braver.

And maybe even a little less careless with his own life.

There’s a protest waiting on her tongue—Mac can tell—but she quietly accepts the praise. He continues, “I, on the other hand, keep making our apartment smell like wet dog, which is clearly the worse offense.” Riley laughs at that. 

“I’ll be sure to make a note in your file.” 

Mac feigns outrage. “You wouldn’t.” 

Riley smirks. Try me. 

Without a shadow of a doubt, Mac knows that she absolutely would.

*****

Mac jolts awake sometime between the bright flash of light and the loud boom echoing through the apartment, rattling everything from the windows to his bones. Automatically reaching for either of his bedmates, he hears Harley’s frightened whine and the low timbre of Riley's sleep-rough voice as she tries to comfort her. 

Another flash of lightning reveals Riley sitting up, clutching Harley tightly to her chest. "It's okay, honey," she murmurs. "I've got you." Quivering in her spot between Riley's legs, Harley whines again, flinching as the next peal of thunder rolls through. Afterward she licks Riley's face, and Mac's heart melts at the scene. 

Through his sleep-heavy eyes and the bedroom window, Mac watches a bolt of lightning hit the ground somewhere in the distance. Its accompanying thunderclap comes almost immediately, loud enough to make Mac flinch. "I'm awake," he groans. 

He can't see very well in the dark between flashes, so Mac can only imagine Riley's worried expression when she says, "She’s not handling it well."

He's awake enough now to haul himself upright, sitting beside Riley so he can comfort them both. One hand goes to Harley's favorite spot below her left ear, the other rubs Riley's back before pulling her close. Breathing slowly, Mac focuses on grounding sensations—rain pouring steadily outside, the feel of Riley's skin beneath his palm. He has empathy for Harley; thunderstorms are hard for him too. 

Shaking, Harley climbs out of Riley’s lap and into Mac’s. It breaks his heart to see their brave dog like this, whimpering and terrified. Arms around her and squeezing tightly, Mac tucks her furry head under his chin. “How much did I sleep through?” he asks. Maybe he’s lucky this time, and he slept through part of the storm. 

The next peal of thunder is too similar to the sounds of the Sandbox. Mac flinches. 

“Only the first two,” Riley says, rubbing his calf with a cold foot. “Sorry.” 

He swears. Whimpering, Harley licks Mac's face, and in a low, hopefully reassuring voice, he murmurs, “It's okay, Harley. We've got you. You're safe with us.” 

It’s easier, somehow, to ignore the memories each thunderclap dredges up when he’s occupied with reassuring Harley. His mind stays focused on the present issue instead of spiraling into the past. 

When Riley falls back against the pillows, he’s faced with yet another issue. With her hair fanned out and her lips slightly parted as she watches him, all Mac can think is that she is the most beautiful being he has ever laid eyes on. And the most kissable. 

There’s nothing really stopping him from leaning down and pressing his lips to hers—only that implicit promise of finding the right time. As much as he wants it to be, Mac knows this isn’t it. Confessions are easier in the dark, when one doesn’t have to be seen with damning words falling from their lips, but a truth of this magnitude deserves to be shared in the light of day. 

That and the fact that Riley’s night vision is so shitty that if he did lean in for a kiss, she’d never see him coming. No doubt her self-defense training would kick in right before he made contact, and Mac would more likely find himself with a split lip than a kissed one. All by accident, of course. 

The next peal of thunder is softer, the storm moving further away. 

A few more minutes pass, and Harley calms as the sound of distant thunder fades behind the heavy rain. Extricating herself from Mac’s arms, she jumps off the bed and wanders into the other room. Mac misses having someone to hold the second she’s gone. 

He flops back down beside Riley, close enough that their shoulders touch. He’s debating how to go about asking her to cuddle when she asks, “What are you hearing, instead of thunder?” 

Grateful she waited until that part of the storm passed before asking, Mac replies, “Gunshots. Explosions. Specific moments from the Sandbox, before I got used to those sounds.” Even now, all those years removed, it’s the best explanation he can bring himself to give her. 

“Why is it so much worse in the quiet?” Her voice is thin, and Mac gets the feeling they’re not just talking about him anymore. 

For her sake, he pretends that they are. “Adrenaline muffles things. It’s harder to think about all the past times those sounds meant imminent death when I’m actively trying not to die. There’s no room for it.” He sighs. “But when I’m safe. . . there’s entirely too much room.” 

She laughs bitterly. “Government jobs really know how to fuck you up.” 

As much as he believes in his job, it’s impossible not to agree with that. 

Nudging her with his knee, Mac asks, “What are you hearing?” 

“Just thunder.” 

There’s a weight to her two-word answer, one that tells him there’s a lot more to it, but he’ll have to coax the explanation out of her. Mac gets it, gets her. He’s not the most forthright person either. He tries, “What are you seeing?” 

Her silence tells him that is the right question. A brush of her fingers across the back of his hand tells him to wait, that she’s working on an answer.

“The lightning is what gets me. I catch myself holding my breath between strikes, waiting to see where the next one will hit. I have this constant feeling that the next one will be it, the next bolt will strike our roof. And just like that, we’ll go from thinking we’re safe to being trapped in a burning building.” 

Always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Mac understands that better than most. 

Sometimes he wishes he didn’t. 

“I wouldn’t mind being trapped in a burning building with you,” he jokes, attempting to lighten the mood. “Actually,” he reconsiders, “I have been trapped in a burning building with you. More than once.” And he’d like to forget all of them. 

She doesn’t laugh. In fact, she’s so quiet that Mac wonders if she fell asleep until she breaks the rain-soaked silence with a single, desperate word. “Mac?” 

“Yes.” Not a question. A statement. An answer. Whatever she needs, he’ll give. 

Riley curls into him, and he draws her in close, rubbing her back. “I’m so tired, Mac.” His own words, mirroring the first heart-to-heart they had in this apartment. One of many. 

“I know, Riles.” 

For a while, they just lay there listening to the rain. When Mac’s mind starts to drift, it’s brought back by the weight of Riley’s head on his chest. He’s grown accustomed to the sweet scent of her shampoo, now finding it more soothing than arousing. There are times when it feels like his skin is burning by just being in proximity to her, but lately there are just as many times when skin-on-skin contact with her is steadying and helps him think more clearly. Such is the control Riley has over the state of Mac’s neurons. 

When Harley re-enters the bedroom, she pauses in the doorway and simply stares at them, head cocked slightly left. Then without further adieu she pounces on the bed and lays behind Riley. It’s like she took one look at Riley’s exposed back and decided that wouldn’t do at all. Now she’s keeping watch as the barrier between them and the door. 

Mac’s eyes close, resting, even though he’s far from sleep. 

“I’ve started thinking about what I would do if I quit field work,” Riley says randomly.  

He’s surprised enough that his grip goes slack, and when Riley’s whole body tenses and starts to pull away, he knows she’d bolt from his arms entirely if she wasn’t trapped between him and Harley. “Don’t leave,” Mac whispers, rubbing her shoulder in a way he hopes is reassuring. 

She doesn’t relax. In fact, she sits up entirely. “It’s not a done deal yet. I’m—” Riley misunderstood him; that’s not what he meant.

“No,” Mac corrects, “lay back down. Let me keep holding you.” 

“Oh,” she breathes, sounding a little stunned. Mac racks his brain to figure out what he must’ve done to cause that particular reaction, that doubt. So he can scold himself for it later. Riley settles back into his side, and together they take a few deep breaths to release some of the tension that permanently lives in their bodies. 

Brushing a curl behind her ear, Mac asks, “What would you do?” 

Yet another deep breath. Then Riley explains, “I think I’d like to help girls like me—the old me. Give them a place to use their skills for good before they end up with rap sheets. Like Matty did for me.” A lump forms in Mac’s throat just thinking about not having her as a teammate anymore. Somehow realizing that, Riley reassures him, “That being said, I won’t quit field work until you do. We’re in this together.” 

“Just don’t make me have to explain to Jack how I got you killed. In this life or the next.” 

“No promises,” she taunts. Mac groans. 

In a rare moment of bravery, Mac hooks Riley’s leg over his hip, bringing her even closer. It’s his favorite way to cuddle; he likes how easily two bodies fit together this way. She nuzzles her face into his neck, and Mac decides this is how he’d like to fall asleep every night. He presses a kiss to her forehead.

I love you, Mac says in his mind. Because he doesn’t dare say it out loud.

Tomorrow night, they won’t get any sleep at all, no matter how efficiently they plant the bombs. Nor does Mac expect them to sleep well any night afterward; he has a feeling blowing up the capitol will only accelerate the Patriots’ plans. So just for tonight, he banishes those thoughts from his mind and focuses on the comforting weight of Riley above him. 

He needs to tell her how he feels, soon, before this op takes that opportunity away from him.

.

~ Tag List ~  Want to be added? Send me an ask.

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[angus-macintosh-gyver]

You can SEE her internal monologue like #why did I fall for this dumbass #why this dumbass #couldnt it have been someone else with less dumb? #but nooo I'm already emotionally invested #and therefore stuck with him #ugh #mac you beautiful dumbass GET IT TOGETHER

then why mac, didn’t you do the dishes after dinner?. i thought it was riley’s turn.

[creationandpeace]

A late Christmas

A day late so the title fits but I hope you like this little Macriley Christmas 

“I thought this would finally be the year we didn’t have to work on Christmas.” Mac complained as they sat on the jet headed to New York. “I’m sorry you’re stuck with me.”

“Mac I offered, I wasn’t going to let you work alone on Christmas.” She told him, taking a seat across from him placing her hands on his knees. “Now stop feeling guilty.”  

Matty gave the team the choice on who went on the mission, and Mac volunteered without a second thought. He didn’t have an immediate family to spend Christmas with and he didn’t want Riley, Desi or Bozer to miss out on time with theirs. He planned on going on the mission alone, but Riley volunteered even when he told her he’d be fine alone she refused. “You were supposed to see your family and spend your time with them.”

“Mac you are family.” She announced eyeing him.

“I meant your immediate family.” He sighed hanging his head.

“Hey look at me.” She gently demanded. “The past six years, I’ve spent almost every day with you, you are immediate family. Besides, the suns not even up yet, we might make home in enough time to have some of Bozer’s pastrami.”

He chuckled. “I’m hoping we don’t.” He told her as they prepared to land.

“It’s snowing.” Riley said excitedly as they made their way out the jet. “There’s nothing like a snowy Christmas in New York.”

Mac just gave her a small smile.

She took ahold of his shoulders stopping him in his tracks. “Come on Mac, we’re in New York on Christmas and it’s snowing. Don’t be a grinch.” She winked.

“Fine.” He chuckled letting her excitement rub off on him. “It is beautiful over here.”

“That’s the spirit.” She announced linking her arm around his. “Now let’s kick this mission’s ass.”

They finished their mission in under two hours, but the jet wasn’t ready for take-off so they had an extra hour to roam around. They ended up going to a village filled with little shops most were closed but there was one store that was open, a jewelry store and Riley wanted to see if she could find a bracelet for her mom. When Riley was taken to the other side of the store, Mac decided to roam around on his own it wasn’t looking to buy anything until his eyes landed on a necklace that he found would be the perfect gift for Riley. He looked back at her to see if she was paying him any attention, but she was too distracted with the jeweler, so Mac took his chance. “Would I be able to see that necklace?”

“First Christmas together?” The man asked looking back at Riley.

He shook his head. “I’ve honestly lost count at this point.” Mac chuckled.

“Wouldn’t you think a ring would be more suitable then?” The man questioned.

He looked back at the man puzzled before registering the nature of his question. “Oh. No.” Mac blushed. “She’s not. We’re not. She’s my best friend.”

“Right.” The man mumbled. “So, we’re sticking with the necklace then?”

“Uh-” He stuttered. “Yes. Yes.”

“Great.” He hummed grabbing a velvet box from below the counter. “I give it a couple of years before I see you back here looking for a ring for that same girl.”

Mac just looked back at him wide-eyed and speechless.

“I’ve been working here a long-time son, and I’ve seen married couples that don’t even look at each other the way you two do.” He expressed handing him over a small bag. “I hope you two have a Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you, Merry Christmas.” Mac stated shyly.

“Mac.” Riley called waving him over.

“What do you think?” She asked showing him the bracelet.

“I think it beautiful; she’ll love it.” He said giving her a small smile.

By the time they made it back home, it was close to nine they didn’t make it in time for Bozer’s pastrami which both Riley and Mac were thankful for, but the team waited for them to open presents. “We made it just in time.” Riley celebrated as she followed Mac into the kitchen to grab some more hot chocolate.  

“Yeah, I guess we did.” He nodded leaning against the counter.

“I got you something, while we were in New York.” She stated excitedly.

“Riles you already got me something.” He told her.

“It’s nothing, I just saw it in one of the airport shops and thought of you.” She expressed passing him a bag she was holding behind her back.

Once he saw what was in the bag, he let out a small chuckle. “I deserve this one.” He admitted pulling out a stuffed animal baby grinch.

“At least you weren’t being a total grinch just a baby one.” She joked looking up at him.

“Thanks.” He grinned. “I actually got you something too, while we were in New York.”

“Really when?” She questioned the only time they weren’t together the entire trip was when Mac went to use the bathroom and that’s when she bought him the baby grinch.

He grabbed the small velvet box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“What is this?” She asked through a smile as she opened the box. “Mac.” She gasped when she noticed a sliver snowflake necklace with little diamonds on them.

“Just something to remember our snowy work-filled Christmas in New York.” He chuckled.

“Its beautiful.” She stated astonished by his gesture. “Can you help me put it on?”

“Sure.” He hummed gently grabbing the necklace from the box.

“What do you think?” She beamed turning around so he could see it.

“Its perfect.” He voiced grinning from ear to ear.

“Thank you, Mac.” She stated jumping into his arms and hugging him tightly. “I love it.”

“You’re welcome.” He said squeezing her.

“Look who is standing under the mistletoe.” Bozer announced for everyone to hear, all eyes falling on Mac and Riley. “It’s a Christmas tradition or you’ll have bad luck for the rest of the new year.”

“Boze c’mon.” Mac protested.

“I don’t make the rules.” Bozer argued hoping his two best friends would finally give in to their feelings for each other.

Riley took Mac by the chin and turned his face kissing his cheek. “Merry Christmas Mac.” She sang before she headed back to the living room. Leaving Mac smiling to himself like a child on Christmas morning.

[just-a-fangirl13]

Thoughts & Theories about MacGyver 5x10 [MacRiley]

HOLY SHIT! 

This episode was absolutely INSANE. Im writing out my thoughts once and for all because I need to stop thinking about everything that happened (I highly doubt I will be able to but here's to trying)

SPOILERS FOR 5x10 OFCOURSE

Straight off the bat, I was screaming *internally* and yelling at Mac when he showed the diamond to Bozer. I suspected it yesterday when we got the snippet of Murdoc saying the words DIAMOND and RING with extra emphasis..(everyone on twitter said I was jumping to conclusions.. I thought so too honestly) But damn I did NOT expect them to actually do that!

Now here's why I am not mad about it anymore. [this is my interpretation you are free to disagree]

Firstly, when Mac told Bozer he was going to propose he didnt say I’m doing it because I love Desi or I want to spend the rest of our lives together or because she’s the one (doesn't mean he doesnt care for her ofcourse)

He said “Ever since I lost my dad & Jack, I have been thinking about the bigger picture and a commitment to make things work is exactly what Desi and I need right now. A grand romantic gesture.” He wanted to propose for stability so he could finally be on the same page with her. They never really defined their relationship before and this was a way for Mac to final bring it together. A grand romantic gesture is usually something people use to win their partners back which is what Mac was trying to do I guess. It almost sounds like he has to do it so he doesn't lose her again 

(ill get to my second reason in the end)

Then ofcourse Bozer tells Riley about it so she can be prepared. Bozer is such a good friend. He is supportive of Mac AND wants to protect Riley. I love him for it! He really is doing everything to be the best friend he can to both of them. (Leannas death was so painful and I just want to hug him but thankfully Riley had that covered.)

Next we get the BIG REVEAL. The moment all of us had been waiting for. 

The moment that SHOOK Angus MacGyver and CHANGED EVERYTHING!

Rileys Feelings!

“You want me to say it out loud? Fine. Yes I had feelings for Mac. There I said it. and yeah watching him and Desi together was breaking my heart so I moved out of his house. I should have said something to him a long time ago but I didn’t and now its over. ”

I had the opposite of a HEART ATTACK! (my heart rate was through THE ROOF!)

I have to say they really really outdid themselves on this reveal. 

SIDE NOTE: If anyone comes for Riley and tries to call her a slut or a home wrecker? You will have me to deal with. Even after Murdoc played the clip of her confession she still tried to deny it and brush it off so it wouldn't complicate things for Mac and Desi. If Riley had wanted, she could have easily told Mac this to his face while he was dating Desi and then let things happen from there but she DIDNT. She kept that secret buried so deep she herself was in denial.

(also if anyone calls Mac a player or anything like that.. I will end you. He is doing his best to deal with everything that has happened to him and people keep giving him shit for it....)

Anyways, we see Mac’s expression & he is just confused and shocked and clearly not trying to think about it because it changed EVERYTHING for him. 

[Murdoc saying I THINK IM ON TEAM RILEY was a HUGE HIGHLIGHT for me! I love him so damn much!]

Desi took it really well too actually. If they keep going down this road of growth and maturity for her I think I could actually like her again. (Russ too when he apologised to Bozer) 

She didnt throw a hissy fit or say I knew it or look at Riley like she was the villain. She focused on the mission & I respect her for that.

(Riley does say, “the next thing you are going to hear on that recording-” and then gets cut off by Desi.. If this will come into play at some point later on or if it was just her trying to explain herself, remains to be seen.)

Then after the climax, we finally hear Riley say the words to Mac in real time and we get our FIRST MacRiley hug of the season! 

At this point I thought they would agree to be friends and make the friendzone thing clear BUT NOPE. (you have no idea how happy I am about it not going down like that!)

I was also a puddle on the floor. SO

“Mac look-”

“You don’t have to say anything if you dont want to. Really.”

“I want to. Last year in Germany. I realised I was starting to have feelings for you. Real feelings. I didnt want to make anything weird between you and Desi. I didnt want to mess up our work or our friendship so I decided to bury it. Until the feelings passed.”

“Emotions aren’t a science. You can’t control them.”

Gosh they are so perfect together! The way they look at each other and the HUG! OH MY GOD THE HUG! Its just perfection.

Now we also see this from Desi’s POV. Again no anger or jealousy from her. I think it was an understanding. She realised that she and Mac were never going to work.. maybe a little pain but honestly everything that went down with her and Mac was her fault too. The lack of trust and understanding was always a problem for them. Sure, things were going well but she didnt seem like she was ready for a commitment if im being honest. If Mac had proposed I think Desi would have said no.(again nothing wrong with that) 

She didnt want to label their relationship..they haven't said the words I love you to each other and I dont think they even live together. It really was way too sudden.(these are just things im assuming people define how well a relationship is going by.. I have no experience.)

Then ofcourse we have what im calling the goodbye scene. Its the break up before the break up in my opinion.

Desi tells Mac that they should pretend the last 24 hours never happened (that might actually include Mac wanting to propose but make of it what you will..) and that they should have a clean slate. But its very clear from Mac’s face and Desi sees it too that he isnt 100% onboard with it. He cant forget about it.

Which is when Desi says “Look Mac just do whatever you feel is right” and Mac looks confused.

She then gives him a goodbye kiss. 

Look if you have ever watched any show/movie before where the characters are saying goodbye to each other or breaking each others hearts...THERE IS ALWAYS A KISS ON THE CHEEK. A final farewell of sorts. 

That is what it seemed like to me. It was Desi telling Mac to do what he has to. Even if it inevitably leads to their break up.

Again real emotional maturity from Desi here!

Then we get the scene, Monica Macer (the show runner) tweeted about back in December.

Mac knocking on someones door. If im being honest? I thought it was Desi’s place and he was going to propose...

BUT it turned out to be Riley’s.

Mac clearly hasn't stopped thinking about what happened. I wouldnt either if my best friend who has put her life on the line for me and trusts me 100%, now has feelings for me? That would turn my world upside down too.

especially if I had feelings for her that I buried so deep that I never acknowledged them.

Also this is my scenario for how their first kiss goes down just FYI.. (Mac showing up at Rileys doorstep and finally confessing his feelings and kissing her *probably won't happen that way now though, but I still love it*)

Mac hesitates for a second before finally knocking on her door.

“Mac? Everything okay?”

“I can’t pretend like the last 24 hours didnt just happen. They did. So I gotta ask. Did it work?”

“Did what work?”

“Hiding your emotions and letting it pass. Did they go away?”

and I proceeded to pass out. My brain just checked out...

Now initially in all my freaking out I thought Mac was asking Riley about his feelings. If HE buried them deep enough would he still be able to move on with Desi but then I rewatched it and I realised he was asking RILEY if her feelings were still there, if there was still a possibility of something ever happening. 

She never told him its all good now! my feelings are gone and it was a long time ago. She told him she buried it but he needed to know if a future with Riley was something tangible. 

BASICALLY ANGUS MACGYVER ASKED RILEY DAVIS IF SHE WAS STILL IN LOVE WITH HIM. *I think I need to go to a hospital now*

So this was my second reason for not being annoyed about the proposal. The writers used it to show what a huge impact it would have on Mac. How much Rileys feelings would actually mean to him. the GAME CHANGER it would be.

A friend of mine said it was kinda funny and a little jarring but I liked it. (I could have done without the proposal) But I understand why they did it. They couldnt have Mac and Desi break up the same day Riley’s feelings came out because then people would hate Mac. They had to make him want to take the next step with Desi but then drop a bomb on him, that would make him question everything.

Again this is what I took away from it.

BUT GOSH WAS THIS EPISODE AMAZING!

I do get that some people are not happy with this and some said it was too sudden *not like we’ve been waiting since season 1 or anything* but I think after 5x11 things will slow down again. Mac may break up with Desi only at the end of the season when he finally comes to terms with his feelings. (Some people are still cautious and I get it but after everything that just happened I find it hard to believe that Mac and Riley won't end up together after all.. not to mention the leaked script conversation between Mac and Riley from 5x15)

Now I dont know how the final scene ends.. they definitely dont get called away for their solo mission immediately after because Mac’s cheek injury is relatively healed in this stills, which means Riley does answer Mac’s question. She may try to avoid it or deflect but he is standing right there so...who knows.

Next weeks episode is a MacRIley solo mission and lets just say things definitely are heating up a bit..*wink wink*

YUP IM HYPED. 

BRING ON THE SEXUAL TENSION AND THE ANGST!

[macandriley]

5x06 - A Very MacRiley Analysis

Obligatory post to answer the age-old question: What do you see in MacRiley?

I’d like to start this off by saying, like a lot of you, I had very minimal hopes for this episode. I really didn’t expect anything to happen on the MacRiley front—especially not something that would significantly impact that storyline. 

But...I do enjoy being wrong.

Full transparency: this is not an episode review. If it were, I’d have to talk about the glaring plot inconsistencies and strange timeline. And I feel like I’ve already talked myself hoarse over that. 

So, without further adieu, let’s get into the long-winded analysis. 

The Cold Open

Absolutely irrelevant to the overall story and to this analysis. I just really like the way Mac says, “Riley, take the wheel,” and I thought it deserved an honorable mention.

“2020 Is Gonna Be Awesome”

Here, we cut to quarantine shenanigans. It’s cute. Fun. To see Riley and Bozer interacting like siblings again after so long just felt right.

Now, this is the pandemic, so of course conversations of toilet paper shortages arise. So Mac, in true MacGyver fashion, throws out some fun alternatives like newspaper and pine needles. And Riley shoots them all down, as she should. 

Because in the immortal words of Desi in 5x04, “Ew.”

This is when Bozer mentions that they could use the cardboard from Riley’s moving boxes. A seemingly innocent suggestion on the surface. If you don’t pay much attention to it, it goes right by without any fuss. 

However, at this point in canon, here’s what we know:

Bozer knows about Riley’s feelings for Mac

Riley has verbally told him that the reason she’s moving out is because of MacDesi. (Though her exact reasoning might’ve been intentionally misleading on her part)

So what does this mean? Well, to put it simply, Bozer is encouraging her to embrace living with Mac. To unpack her bags and stick around a while. A suggestion that Riley seems to ignore, as she says she’s dead set on getting out of there the second the pandemic allows.

Of course, the second she mentions moving, Mac picks back up with his beautiful Fauci song. Could it be that Himbo Barbie doesn’t like talking about Riley leaving? That’s open for interpretation.

Bonus points: Mac (incorrectly) blames Riley for not doing the dishes and it’s just adorably domestic. 

Getting Fed

Again, this scene is insignificant. The OG trio sit down to dinner, with Desi and Matty on video chat. It’s cute. 

But there is definitely something to be said for the way Riley looked at Mac when he mentioned having a private chat with Desi. My heart really went out to her there, because it must seem to her like she’s constantly being overlooked. 

After dinner, Riley and Bozer share a brief conversation. She expresses a disinterest in discussing her feelings, and reaffirms her choice to move out.

But Bozer reminds her that she’s only moving out so she “doesn’t have to watch Mac and Desi together,” and that “At this moment, it doesn’t seem like they are.”

This scene is important for two reasons: 

Bozer is clearly more supportive of MacRiley, which makes him honorary ship captain (as far as I’m concerned). 

it reaffirms the fact that her feelings are still very real, no matter how hard the lady doth protest.

Kitchen Floor Confessional

You all know this one from promo. After a tense conversation with Bozer, Mac heads inside to do the dishes. Riley, being the helpful person she is, offers to lend a hand. 

One thing leads to another, and the two wind up sitting on the floor by the sink, side by side. Just talking. The conversation comes to an end when Riley, who looks as though she wants to say something else, decides against it. (This “something else”, of course, would have been her confession). 

Cue the somewhat longing, emotionally charged staring from both parties. 

At this point, Mac says he’s going to go for a jog and abruptly leaves Riley alone in the kitchen. It’s clear by the look on her face that she feels, in some way, rejected. And the viewer is, at least for now, left to ponder why Mac seemed to cut the moment off so strangely. 

Though one could hypothesize that, just like Riley’s being packed and ready to go, Mac’s running has a little more to do with the emotional distancing than physical. 

The Parking Lot

Here we see Mac run off to speak to Desi. A scene I will not discuss at length, because the idea of playing footsie makes me cringe in the deepest recesses of my soul.

A little ways away, Bozer asks Riley if she told Mac about her feelings. She tells him she didn’t and that she’s glad, because she doesn’t want to be the thing that comes between them and their “happiness” (happiness is in quotes here because it seems like “anger” and “annoyance” are more common for them).

The dialogue in and of itself is not what I want to focus on here though. It’s the way the scene is framed.

Outside of the close-up shots for MacDesi’s conversation, much of the camera angles are from Riley’s perspective. Distant. Detached. The standpoint of an outsider looking in—of a girl watching the man she cares about being happy with someone else. 

The camerawork here makes this more of a Riley-centric moment than a MacDesi one.

Which is important because, from a narrative standpoint, there is no reason to frame it that way unless her emotions are going to be focal later on. This entire exchange implies that, in some way, Riley’s feelings are, were, and will be important to the plot. 

Yay for directorial story telling. 

A Moment

What to say about this scene? 

Mac has a heart to heart with Bozer and promises to be more present in his life. Bozer thanks him and begs him to finally clean the damn kitchen.

And agreeing, Mac turns away to do just that. Only, he stops himself short and tells Bozer he has one more thing he’d like to discuss.

The quote went as follows: “Kay, so...in the kitchen here a couple nights ago with Riley, there was a, uh...I don’t know, a moment.”

As I’m sure every MacRiley knows, him acknowledging that scene as a legitimate moment between them was incredibly unexpected. They’ve arguably had “moments” before, but only Riley ever seemed to notice them. Mac never mentioned having feelings, or even seemed like he might be aware of them.

This scene is the first time we’ve ever had direct confirmation that he feels—at least, in some capacity—the same way. 

To make it even better, this scene happens directly after MacDesi’s footsie match in the parking lot. Which means that, even when he’s got positive momentum with Desi, he’s still got Riley on his mind. 

Side note: I personally think this explains his behavior in 5x03. He doesn’t see Riley reciprocating, and he’s probably incredibly worried about screwing up all their history—an issue he doesn’t have with Desi, since they didn’t have much of a friendship first. 

So he throws himself back into that in an attempt to smother his feelings. Will it work? Only time will tell.

Ending

After cleaning up the kitchen, Mac picks up the piece of glass he’d left on the floor and, surprise surprise, finally gets an idea for his ventilator. Some fans say this is Riley’s influence, which I can honestly see. 

Especially given the quote Mac says at the end:

“When the world feels like it’s so turned upside down that it’s impossible to fix, it helps to look at things from a different angle. Because no matter how broken something appears—whether its your grumpy neighbor, your terrified best friend, your estranged girlfriend, or a shard of glass—that broken thing could inspire something new...Maybe even something better than before.”

I believe this is a direct foreshadow to MacRiley. Somehow, his fractured relationship with Desi will make him see what he COULD have with Riley. This “new angle” might even help him see that he’s better off as friends with Desi (something new), and that he might be happier in a relationship with Riley (something better).

And if you still don’t buy that, well...the scene transition seems pretty damning. 

There was absolutely no reason the camera couldn’t have faded to Bozer. Or to a shot of all three of them. This feels incredibly intentional, no?

In Conclusion

“Codex Adrenaline” and “Quarantine Cabin Fever” are cop-outs. Riley still likes Mac. Mac now likes Riley. And we are 100% going to see more development on that front. So is this a win?

I think so.

But I wanna hear from y’all. What did you like about this episode? What did you hate? Do you feel like they’re leading up to something bigger for MacRiley?

I’d love to hear y’alls thoughts. 

[cassiejohnson5]

It’s @macandriley’s 21st birthday so that calls for a MacRiley edit with a T-Swift song. Ash I’m so incredibly grateful to have you in my life and to be able to call you one of my best friends. I can’t wait to see what 21 has in store for you! I love you so much! Thank you for always being one of my biggest supporters in everything that I do. Just remember I’ll always be here no matter what. I’m so thankful that MacGyver and MacRiley brought you into my life. Enjoy your day, Ash!

I’m not an editor by any means but I needed to do something for your special day! ❤️

[emachinescat]

Being traumatized doesn't make you weak: A closer look at MacGyver 5x12

I shared a truncated version of this on Twitter but wanted to share it here, too.  I am rankled because of the toxicity around the last episode, and the show in general.  Here are some thoughts on the matter:

I am astounded at the amount of people accusing Mac of being a wimp or a “pussy” (derogatory word, by the way) or of having no self-respect because he is staying with Desi after what she told him in 5x12.  People are acting like he’s pitiful, weak, and less of a man because he chose to further explore his relationship with Desi instead of leaving her.

BUT HERE’S THE THING.

Mac isn’t settling with being a rebound.  He is trying to explore how he and Desi work, and if they are compatible in a living situation.  He’s testing the waters, trying to help discover if Desi truly is using him as an emotional stand-in, and if they can become something more.

(On that note, no, I do not think at all that Desi should have lied to him, and I do not like the idea of him being an emotional stand-in, but at least the fact that she is worried that’s what he is to her shows that she doesn’t want to treat him like that.  It doesn’t make it right, and I do think this is another nail in the coffin of their relationship, but I don’t think it makes her the horrible person some people are trying to paint her as.  Anyway.)

Also, it is not OOC for Mac to ask Desi to move in after the open door conversation with Riley, and the writers have absolutely not abandoned that conversation.  There will absolutely be another reckoning.  In this situation, Mac is actually doing something kind of smart (at least smarter than proposing): He is backing off from the idea of marriage and is trying to feel out their compatibility.  He’s no longer jumping headfirst into a lifetime commitment.  Yes, moving in together is a huge step, but it isn’t marriage.  And that is progress.

And then there’s this: People who complain about the ways Mac has changed as a character seem to forget the hard truth that loss, pain, and change, well, change you.  Mac has lost and suffered so much.  Of course he’s going to be more subdued, rash, moody, and clingy!  This guy already had abandonment issues.  In the space of a few years, he has found his absent dad, lost him again, found and lost his aunt, had his morals tested by discovering his mom’s part in Codex, lost Jack, and has had several teammates and friends leave, die, or betray him.

I can tell you from personal experience that people who suffer from abandonment and losses often do not make healthy relationship choices.  They are so afraid that they are going to lose someone else that, as soon as they find someone who is willing to stick by them, they cling on stubbornly, regardless of the quality of the relationship.

It doesn’t surprise or anger me at all that Mac stays in a toxic relationship.  It doesn’t make me think any less of him as a character.  I actually really appreciate seeing him struggle with the same issues I have because it makes me and my pain feel seen and real and valid.

People who have lost so much or feel abandoned aren’t weak.  They are terrified of being left again.  So with all that Mac has lost, it would actually be OOC if he didn’t cling to Desi like he is.  I do fully believe, though, that Riley is going to slowly help him regain his sense of self and his confidence, and help him realize that he doesn’t have to settle with someone who stays.  He can find (much like I did, with my husband), someone who stays AND makes him feel safe, wanted, valid, and happy.

Mac’s character arc is honestly one of the most realistic and well-handled aspects of the show.  He has shifted from being a relatively stereotypical male action hero to a real person with actual repercussions for the pain he’s been through, and I am living for it.

Please, even if you aren’t a fan of his character arc, MacDesi, or where the show is going, don’t perpetuate the idea that a sensitive, hurting, or traumatized individual is weak or stupid (I saw one post call Mac and idiot and then immediately explain that he’s an idiot because he has no self-confidence).  It’s such a damaging and hurtful mindset to people who deal with these issues, and it’s so, so toxic.

Personally, at the end of the day, even though I do ship MacRiley, if Desi’s character were to develop and both she and Mac were to learn what an emotion is and how to communicate it, as long as Riley too was happy, I wouldn’t be devestated if Mac and Desi ended up together.  Because honestly, I’m not watching the show for the ships.  I’m watching it for the amazing characters, actors, stories, and MacGyverisms!

Though, let's be real, it's VERY obvious from the writing, interviews, acting, and common tropes (another post on that coming soon) that MacRiley is going to be end game, so please y'all, push for season 6 so we can see that happen!

Finally, please consider this: Although we love MacGyver so much, it still is, at the end of the day, a work of fiction. This hatred, negativity, and toxicity is so unnecessary and damaging. I hope that we can learn to at least agree on one thing - that we love this show, and don't want it to end. <3

Thanks for listening to my rant. The chaotic, toxic state of this fandom has been weighing heavily on me for months now, but the posts I saw today accusing a traumatized person with abandonment issues of being weak were the last straw.

Actually, one final thing - there are people saying that MacRiley is never going to happen and that Riley has been relegated to a background character with Desi at the forefront, more important, because 5x12 focused more on her. I think these people have very selective memories, considering that Desi was barely in 5x11 at all, and that Riley was one of the two main focuses of that episode! This has less to do with the rest of my rant, but it bothered me too, and I wanted to address it. Thanks for sticking around this long!

[angus-macintosh-gyver]

So, @ Macriley fans, how are we feeling about s5e06??

I for one, am very happy about the fact that Bozer is one of us. I mean, the guy was 100% trying to get Riley to confess. 

Also Mac telling Bozer that he had a moment of “cabin fever”???? I really don’t want this to be a love triangle or love V thing but if that’s what it takes :/

Anywho, I wanna hear what are your thoughts on this episode??

[mytruepairings]

Something i absolutely adore about macriley is how they've adapted to each other. Like from the get go Riley had Mac's respect and by s2 he trusted her to handle anything thrown her way. And with Riley being such an independent person that means a lot. But also when he overheard Billy and Riley split he didnt get emotional himself (which is exactly why Riley was avoiding telling Bozer). He just let Riley do whatever she needed and just comforted her (he also got her to laugh which is great). He's also been quietly looking out for her too - especially when Jack was being a bit too overprotective. Mac stood up against one of his best friends for Riley's sake!

Riley on the other hand has adapted to Mac's more unorthodox ways and just lets him be him whithout judgement (which is commendable when someone wakes u up at 6:03 lol). She even went so far as to get insurance with all her phones after meeting him bc she just knows he's gonna ask for it eventually. No fuss about it tho bc her phones covered and Mac gets to do what he needs. Like not even Bozer or Jack adapted like that. She just knows how his brain runs and can center him when it starts spinning too much (he doesnt even say anything half the time but she can still tell). And her complete trust in him is just the cherry on top.

I cant even explain how much all that makes me adore them. But i think that closeness is why neither of them felt anything but friendship until after they were apart for that year and a half. Riley obviously realized it first and i think it started when Mac comforted her about Billy but didnt realize until they started working together again. Im just excited to see how Mac's awareness is gonna play out bc apparently he's a bit dense when it comes to relationships lol (i also think he's scared to admit what he's feeling bc this is Riles and losing her would be one of the worst things that could happen to him and his track record with relationships isnt the best..)

I really do think macriley will happen tho bc there's no way the writers would tease Riley's feeling like this unless something was actually gonna happen. Like from a logical standpoint that just doesnt make any sense it would be such a dumb subplot with no real substance if it all just ended with them both just moving on even after Mac's canonically felt somethin too.

[dancinginthesliverglow]

@febuwhump Day 10: "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Fandom: MacGyver (TV) 2016

My take of the scene where Desi complains about 'not being in the loop' when Mac left to infiltrate codex (S5E01). Riley informs Desi that she didn't know either. She just knew that she trusted Mac.

AO3 Warnings/Potential Triggers: Character conflict (verbal, nothing physical) & abusive character

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