#silicon valley ff

[fruchtfliege]

JARRICH FF FOR THE HUNGRY 🎉🎉

MORE THAN ONE'S FAIR SHARE (5K)

click here to read it :3

Sharing Jared’s flat has done wonders for Richard. He doesn’t have those big, dark bags under his eyes anymore, he eats three meals a day, and he’s smiling all the time. Sometimes, it takes getting down on your luck to really get back up. He doesn’t even know why he insisted on staying at Elrich’s for so long. Honestly, he hasn’t been this good in years… until Jared brings home one of his dates one night.

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Jared Dunn/Richard Hendricks

Characters: Jared Dunn, Richard Hendricks, Monica Hall, Bertram Gilfoyle, Dinesh Chugtai, Nelson Bighetti, Jian Yang (Silicon Valley)

Additional Tags: Domesticity, Sharing an apartment, Jared is a sweetheart as always, Oblivious Jared, Oblivious Richard, just two dumbasses in love, Sharing a Bed, Jealous Richard, Richard takes control of his life like a very unsure kid on a tricycle

[daja-the-hypnokitten]

Jukebox reviews part 53! For context, see my post “A Project” under  this same tag. If you want to see a full list of his EMCSA stories,  they can be found here, sorted alphabetically.And if you want to see some of his drabbles, check out his blog at @jukeboxemcsa​ 

This will be a longer review post than the rest, as there were 535 stories and I’ve been posting in sets of 10. This one has the last 15, and is the final one unless and until I decide to start going by year (so do the rest of 2021,say). This has been a fun project, and best of all I’ve taken ideas whole cloth or in patchwork to use with my partners, and gotten a better sense of what I want in my mind control fiction. Seriously, though, I can’t recommend Jukebox’s work enough - whatever you’re into, I’m sure you’ll find *something* to like in his stories.

(The next story after this one, “Never Have I Ever”, was the first story Jukebox cross-posted to Readonlymind.com, hence the cut-off)

 Language Barrier (Jukebox)

 date uploaded   date updated     Tags

10/10/2020                                   mc mf md

Well, I've been hypnotized in a language I didn't understand before - also French, as it happens - and it can be really fun. That said, I wish I knew enough French to figure out what he's saying, but alas, I took Spanish instead. And it doesn't really matter; if anything, the lack of understanding adds to the story a little. It's a good story, too! Though the ending is a little bit meh to me, being mostly purely about sex. 8/10 spirals 

 Rabbit Hole (Jukebox)

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10/17/2020                                   mc mf md ma

Oh hi there tumblr, that sounds so very like you. (in the best of ways). Tumblr's good for rabbit holes like that, and gosh, Jukebox has a way of making a (somewhat condensed) process feel entirely too real. I'm fairly sure I've seen a few of the names/users/files/etc he's referencing or was inspired by. (Brain Blaster? Yeah, I know a file with a similar alliterative name that gets reblogged around now and again). This is just a fun story, really, especially for those of us who remember the days of Hypnotumblr pre-tumblr porn ban. 9/10 spirals 

 Kiss on the Neck

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10/31/2020                                   mc ff ft

*shudders* nope, sorry, I don't like things against my neck, I have to be extremely particular about what sorts of turtlenecks I wear, and usually I go for mock turtlenecks, so the tactile imagery early in this one literally made me shudder. Especially for Silicon Valley, where it doesn't even get that cold!! Turtlenecks are for below-freezing weather, not Bay Area weather, c'mon! That all said, it's a good image, the contrast inherent to the style, and used quite well. 9/10 spirals 

 Under My Skin

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10/31/2020                                   mc ff sf

Another horror-style story, not so much erotic, and so not to my taste. Kinda zombie-like only not quite, and in a way that's unsettling. Not my style. 

 You Don’t Have to Worry

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11/7/2020                                     mc mf md

Oh, well, that sums up one of the many draws of hypnokink, clearly. Being blank, no thoughts meaning no worries, just ... all of it. Yeah, unsurprisingly, Jukebox gets it. And makes puts it on the page so well. The unethical nature of it is naturally a little bleh, but easy to look past in the context of the story. He just gets it. 10/10 spirals 

 Familiar Taste of Poison

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11/14/2020                                   mc mf md

Why would you ruin a perfectly good cup of cocoa with something bitter? Seriously, put it in coffee, that's bitter enough she'd never notice anyway. Or I guess you could do Mexican hot cooca, that has more bitterness to it, but not that much ... ok, ok, I'll stop being passionate about my hot cocoa now. That aside, the making her trust him only to betray her ... it rubs me wrong. But then, if you've been reading my reviews, you know betrayal is a turn off, so there's that. And it's a little villain monologue-y for me. 6/10 spirals 

 Me Time

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11/21/2020                                   mc ma

Hee, I enjoy this. Especially because I'm tentatively planning to use rose scent to bespell one of my girlfriends at some point here. So the use of rose in this story? yes, it jumps out at me. And seeing her just relax into it, like she knew and was inviting what's to come, even as she's so clearly forgotten? Oh yes, consensual amnesia for shenanigans is a personal favourite. I could do without the water, but otherwise? This is right up my alley. 9/10 spirals 

 Worth the Wait (Jukebox)

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11/28/2020                                   mc mf md

Eee, Rosita and Mateo are back! This is a sequel to Plain Gold Ring, and it's just as sweet and cute as the last. Also the use of "noptepus" makes me grin, it's such a cute bit. I'm glad they're talking it out and being smart about it, and also that they're clearly happy together. Even if Rosita feels like she's been waiting rather too long for it. Patience is rewarded, though. 10/10 spirals 

 Catch Your Shadow

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12/5/2020                                     mc mf md

This is really good, right up until the horror influences peak out towards the end. Which makes sense for a JB story, seeing as how he's a horror fan, but for me it kinda pulls the rug out from under me? Still, it's a good story, even if the actual mind control part is a little abrupt, and of course it's all magic, that's the basic premise from the beginning. 8/10 spirals 

 Absent Minded Me

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12/12/2020                                   mc

Another induction, and using pleasure to train amnesia. It's a solid approach, though one I'm not really qualified to evaluate the efficacy of? I'm one of those folk who did spontaneous amnesia from the jump until I was actively trained out of it, and amnesia suggestions come naturally for me. But hey, if you're trying to practice, maybe give this a read and let yourself go with it? 9/10 spirals 

 Boy Inside the Man

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12/19/2020                                   mc mm rb

There's probably something to discuss between the Girls(tm) coming off as gentle and caretakers (right up until they take control) and the Boys being so aggressive. The Girls(Tm) playing on underlying cultural associations to be disarming, maybe, and Revolution Technology betraying their own assumptions and biases? IDK, but every story with the Boys just makes me like them less and want more stories with the Girls(tm) more. Personal preference, I suppose. either way, I don't like the aggression here, even if Tommy seems to have enjoyed himself. 7/10 spirals 

 Jailbreak

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12/26/2020                                   mc mf ff md fd ma cb

Ok, but *why* was it? How was it? Jukebox, that ending is NOT FAIR. At ALL. Who is only one of the important questions. That all said, this is another Liberty Legion story, so I naturally really enjoy it, especially seeing even one of the strongest of the team pushed to her limits. But it does leave me with more questions than answers. 9/10 spirals 

 Zoinks!

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1/2/2021                                       mc mf ff md

Of course a story with this title is a Scooby Doo parody. There was never any choice in the matter, was there? And as someone who's entirely too fond of rendering my redheaded girlfriend helpless with a gold (ok, brass, but STILL) coin, I'm fond of this story. The end isn't my cup of tea, exactly, (betrayal never is) but the rest is wonderful. 8/10 spirals 

 Desire Brings Me Back

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1/9/2021                                       mc ff

Oh, I enjoy Staysa's delivery rather a lot here. The rest of it isn't .... it's a bit "magic drug does whatever the author needs it to" for my personal tastes, and the "bisexuality to be used in spywork but never acknoweldeged" hits a little too close to home, with how society fetishizes but also demonizes queer identities. I prefer escapism to seeing these things reflected in my stories, as a personal preference, so that's a bit of a turnoff for me. Seeing Clarice's attempts at rationalizations, even as she knows that they are rationalizations, are fun though. 7/10 spirals 

 Queen Lullabye

 date uploaded   date updated     Tags

1/16/2021                                     mc ff

And the last review of the current stage of this project! After this, Jukebox started posting to ROM as well as the EMCSA, and that's my arbitary cutoff (because I needed A cutoff). And what a story it is, a story of a Fae Queen of sleep and slumber and dreaming. Such a story to read right before going to a hypnocon with my Fae-like girlfriend. Not that either of us would do the sex thing in this story, but the "you may pay in service"  line might just happen? Thanks for the inspiration, Jukebox! And while there's a fair bit of sex in this one, it's all in service of the control so it doesn't bother me as it does sometimes. 10/10 spirals

[shady-swan-jones]

Schrödinger's cat

Summary: "First you say ‘I like you’ as if I haven’t spent the last three years watching you being a mean sarcastic asshole and not caring about anyone’s feelings. Then you add ‘not like that’, disappear, and proceed to never mention it again. And go to extreme lengths to avoid me. So, for fuck’s sake, Gilfoyle, what is your deal?”

Monica is furious. Gilfoyle falls back on science and philosophy as a way to address his feelings. Naturally.

On Ao3

Notes: Did I disappear for months and came back, writing for the first time, for a fandom consisting of, like, three people? Yes and yes. Silicon Valley has the kind of witty dialogue I aspire to and the lack of romantic relationships leaves everything to our hands. Let’s make it our own, stallions!  

Thanks to @alethiometry for doing editing work and encouraging me.

Gilfoyle’s ‘Drink Coffee Hail Satan’ mug was staring at Monica, mocking her from his workspace. A week had passed since the same mug and a very surprised Monica witnessed Gilfoyle's awkward (one might say cute) attempts at courtship. Seriously, Monica thought, who says I like you anymore? What are we, five? Of course, she didn’t tell him that, due to her mind suddenly melting. The command couldn’t be processed, and fried her memory. She couldn’t even think about what this confession meant.

But now, a week later, it’s all she’s thinking about.

Because she has her own, less childish version of ‘I like you, too' but the damn man hasn't given her any chance to utter two consecutive words in his presence. He's rushing through doors when he sees her, remains glued to his work station to such a degree that he should be worried for his bladder, and, unlike that time they drank the last drops of his treasured Pappy van Winkle, he doesn't seek her out.

It's not easy avoiding someone in open offices, Monica thinks, but the Prince of Darkness is trying his damn best.

While she is staring at the mug, hoping it holds the answer to the universe, or at least to the conundrum messing up her personal life, its grumpy-faced owner comes to view. His step visibly falters when he sees her, but he continues his way over with a stroll that seems almost feline. She would appreciate his moves much more if she saw him heading anywhere else but away from her recently.

The mug gives her an idea, a plan of attack. She’s not come this far in venture capitalism without meticulously planning her every move. If she were to wait until Gilfoyle approached her, the new internet would be ancient by then. So, mug in hand, she passes the sleep-deprived faces of the programmers and heads to the kitchen wordlessly, forcing Gilfoyle to follow her there.

Inside, she marvels at the counter, which is spotless, and the pantry, neatly organised, alphabetised, the food separated by dietetic preferences (Jared is not to be messed with) when Gilfoyle enters the room. Judging by the expression on his face, there were errors in his code or something equally enraging.

“First you drink my bourbon, then you take my mug. I didn't realise we were engaging in a ‘communist Russia’ role playing scenario. I accept payment in the form of more coffee.” He motions with his head to the coffeemaker. “Or bitcoin.”

Monica levels him with her practised “you know exactly what you did” stare and taps her fingers lightly on the back of the chair next to her.

“What?”

“You are physically capable of talking to me again. Thank god!” She doesn’t even bother to mask the irony in her voice; he deserves the mocking, after all.

“That sounds overdramatic,” he responds flatly, a tiny smile threatening to break out from behind his beard.

“So is changing direction every time you see me coming.” She smiles triumphantly at his bewildered face. “What, you didn’t think I’d notice? We work together, asshole.” She feels her agitation rising. “Or at least I’m trying to work with you, but you’re making it so hard.”

“What is your point, Monica?” he asks.

“What do you think?” Her hands make gestures, seemingly having a mind of their own. ”You. Acting all weird and shit around me. At work. When we’re supposed to work together on this Atwood account. I tried to do it with Dinesh, but guess what, he doesn’t know shit about the faulty subroutine. And he kept talking to me about his Tesla, like we don’t live in Silicon Valley and it’s a rarity to be a posh manchild around here.”

Gilfoyle smirks and tries to speak, probably to insult Dinesh in an equally dark and creative way, but she doesn’t let him.

“Your weirdness is getting on my nerves. Big time. First you say ‘I like you’ as if I haven’t spent the last three years watching you being a mean sarcastic asshole and not caring about anyone’s feelings. Then you add ‘not like that’, disappear, and proceed to never mention it again. And go to extreme lengths to avoid me. So, for fuck’s sake, Gilfoyle, what is your deal?”

The initial shock has left his face and he laughs humorlessly. His eyes cast down. He sighs. “It’s time to open the box then,” he murmurs. “There is but a simple reason I didn’t wait for your answer. Or asked you afterwards.” He pauses, gathering courage and hoping that Hooli launches another attack against them, so he can leave this conversation before he says something so profoundly embarrassing that it would make Dinesh shit his pants with laughter and give him lifelong pissing material. Alas, nothing interrupts this tense silence. At her expectant stare he caves.

“Schrodinger’s cat.”

“What?”

“-and to think I used it against Jared. How ironic that it’s come to bite me in the ass.”

‘Gilfoyle! What does it have to do with anything? And I swear to god, if you try to explain it to me as if I don’t know high school physics I’m gonna kill you.” She pauses. If she expects honesty from him, she should give him a token. ”Okay, I know about it from The Big Bang Theory. Early seasons, before it went to shit. Same thing. What does it have to do with your weird… weirdness around me?”

“Cause it’s better now that I don’t know if you’re into me, Monica! If I ask, you’ll answer-”

“That’s how questions work!”

“-And possibly shoot me down. Hard, if the way you’re looking at me right now is anything to go by. Whatever impression I’ve given you, I actually care about what you think of me.”

“Since when?”

“The fuck do I know? I just do. A scary amount.” He continues, uncharacteristically serious. “So I let our thing be in both theoretical states of existence and non-existence cause I’m not damn ready to kill the cat yet.”

“Aren’t cats sacred for you? Satan’s pet and all that?”

“Yes. Plus they mind their own business and that’s something I respect. But that’s not…” he pauses. “Okay. Let’s open the box. Make it quick.”

“Ask me, then,” she says defiantly.

“That would be awkward. Are you confusing me with Dick?”

“You said it, Gilfoyle. You have to open the box. Ask me. In this century. We both have work to do.”

“Technically, I don’t. I completed the code check early so my only task now is to rub it in Dinesh’s face.”

She stares at him dead in the eyes, reminding him of the time he had a very interesting question about her annulled marriage. He’s not going to back down this time.

“If we could somehow ignore the fact that we work together 15 hours a day and that anything more than a friendship would jeopardize our jobs, would you like to have a beer with me? Or food. Anything that doesn’t involve work or the guys or anyone else except me and you.”

The intensity of his words should scare her, it would be too much coming from anyone else, but Gilfoyle’s decisiveness is welcome.

“Even if I wanted one of your weird russian beers?” she asks, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile.

He takes a moment to fake-think about it. “That could be arranged.” A small smile breaks from behind his beard and his eyes radiate this calm sense of happiness he has when completing a particularly challenging subroutine. And they are focused solely on hers.

“Good” is all the affirmation he needs to slowly move closer to her, searching her face. He seems to find whatever he’s looking for and takes a final step to bring their torsos to almost touching. She angles her face up to his, relishing the novelty which somehow feels familiar.

“There’s only one problem.” She bites her lip and worry flows through his body like an electric shock. (Attraction flows too, because, come on, it’s Monica. But mainly worry.)

“I fucking knew it. It was too good. What’s wrong?” she finds stressed looks cute on Gilfoyle. “Did Dinesh tell you anything? Is this why he’s been so smug lately?” The layers of stress give way to concern, as he brings his hand to the side of her face and cradles her head.

“I am not a cat person.” Her smile is blinding, like it wasn’t mere seconds ago that she almost gave him a heart attack.

“Well, you kept this cat alive.” He closes the last centimeters until their noses touch and his lips find hers, the contact making him instantly aware of how much he’s craved this moment.

As her lips slide to his her hands find his chest, he marvels at how he hadn’t imagined a kiss between them for a long time but these last months the thought of it hunts his dreams. It’s everything he didn’t know he needed and he gets lost in the sensation. His hands move to her neck, angling her head to deepen the kiss. Every breath he takes brings a taste of her in his mouth and he feels warmer than the seven depths of hell. Monica fights him for control (unlike business, now she fights dirty) nipping at his lips and testing his resolve in this very public, glass covered kitchen.

The brief thoughts of privacy and coworkers leaves his mind as her hands explore his chest and anchor to his beat up flannel. Her touch is firm but exploratory, both realising that it’s one of these moments where time gets suspended, a little bling in the space-time continuum allowing them to relish this careless affection.

He chases her lips, his scruff tingling her lightly and they forget momentarily about Pied Piper, the New Internet, coin prices and remaining funding. There is no Jared making rules for office behaviour or Richard in the verge of his monthly crisis or Dinesh trying to be as annoying as a human can be. There is just them, the hum of promise surrounding them and the air clear of their worries.

Her nails join at the back of his neck and he can’t remember the last time a simple touch carried so much promise. He rests his forehead on hers and they close their eyes in silent agreement that they will figure this thing out.

Minutes after, as he makes two bowls of cereal with Monica hugging him from behind and alternating between trash talking his cooking skills, kissing and biting the juncture of shoulder to get him to make a mess, one thing is clear. He’s never been more grateful that she bullied him to open that damn box and peer inside. Hopefully into his future.

Please consider commenting if you enjoyed. It’s gonna make a difference on whether I write again or not. The Atwood account is a ‘Handmaiden’s Tale’ reference. 

tagging people @alethiometry @businessboyjared @batgirl-stephanie-brown @evilwtch @vanderhaus @babybighetti @camewiththeframe @goodstoriesneverend @collectibleclam @jd0608  @programasaurusrex @curlyricho @marvelalpha @iolanthereylo in case you’re interested

[unamusedcyclone]

Last song: Tenacious D's cover of "... Baby One More Time" from Kungfu Panda 4.

Current watching: Delicious in Dungeon. I saw a lot of people talking about how great it is and just went "Sure okay." I otherwise binge watch things. I also watch any comedy special that comes across my eyes on Youtube. (And then rewatch every special Daniel Sloss does. Though now I'm thinking about rewatching Kanan Gill's stuff. And Katherine Ryan.)

Current reading: So I decided to try to read Discworld in order but The Color of Magic is kicking my butt. (I think the concept is neat and I wanted to read something with Rincewind, but I don't think I'm in the headspace. I want Lords and Ladies, so I may switch over to that.) I also need to finish The Poppy War trilogy. I also have Love Bites by natalieironside waiting on me. A few books of theory and a couple books on the history of Southern India. Lord knows if a manga catches my interest I'll drop everything to read that.

Three ships: I'm not a big shipper. Most ships get the "They are certainly standing next to each other" treatment from me. Though, I suppose I like Bob/Linda (from Bob's Burgers), Falin/Marcille, and Vimes/Sibyl.

Favorite colors: Purple. Robin's egg blue.

Currently consuming: An English muffin with chamomile tea.

First ship: I don't think I had one. I have very distinct memories of seeing ship wars as a kid and being forever turned off from the endeavor. (And some series.) EDIT: HOW DID I FORGET ELEVEN/RIVER?!

Birthplace: California. Legit Silicon Valley.

Current location: One of the flattest places ever: Texas. (I came here and was deeply disturbed by the lack of hills.)

Relationship status: Perma-single, baby!

Last movie: I have absolutely watched movies between it and now, but Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi is the only thing coming to mind. I have a few movies on the list (incredibly excited for Late Night with the Devil), but that was the last one I remember.

Currently working on: I have IT homework to do. I started a few YYH fics (a long fic and a few short fics) and I have some original fiction I'm working on. Also I'm working on remembering to cook from time to time and leave the house. Just to generally be better.

TAG FOLKS: @dabilove27, @tv-writes-ff

Tag people you want to get to know better

Thanks for the tag @here-be-bec !

Last song : Le Chemin from La Femme

Current watching : Hawaii 5-0 during meals

Three ships : heh man I don't know, The doctor and River, destiel and the ineffable husbands ? they're all awesome and have so much things to say and analyse about them, but there's a lot of other ships that are fun too.

Favorite color : yes

Currently consuming : nothing (or energy if it counts)

First ship : whatever is the current biggest source of serotonin (not one in particular at the moment)

Birthplace : France

Current location : my bed

Relationship status : single, as things should be

Last movie : Lalaland I think

Currently working on : the WIP i talked about in the Last line challenge (since I've just finish an other fic in between :D)

I would love to know your answers @cocotter @feral-enfeild-with-wifi @commanderfoxdeservesbetter @stardustloki if you want to ^^

[beebsaroni]

as i've grown older, i've become more open to all ships while i read/watch things and i think that's really neat because i can read MORE fanfiction.

[retrauxpunk]

last i checked, my silicon valley rewatch podcast had a small but active set of listeners ... whom I have all betrayed by not uploading anything since JANUARY while still having ‘new episodes every Friday’ plastered across my site tagline like a dirty liar

anyway the point of this post is that if anyone’s interested, i’m gonna return to recording episodes in mid-late june, once we’ve moved house ... because that’s happening.

and if no-one is interested, i’m gonna do it anyway because a few weeks ago i paid several hundreds of pounds to renew my web hosting plan (which includes this podcast) so i really must make the most of it lest i suffer a similarly foolish fate to the one resulting from the Squarespace Debacle

[sunshinexlollipops]

So I’m just on lunch checking my email and I see this beauty sitting in my inbox—

If you’re a dude who googles and is ready to love, Chameleonfx is interested. 😤

[mdccanon]

Doctor Doom fancast. Go.

Javier Bardem

Sorry for taking so damn long. Based off the casting of John Krasinski, I am looking for an older man who looks like an older man. None of these baby-faced 40-somethings. I don't want a Victor who looks like a Silicone Valley CEO, I want a European man who looks like he could run a nation.

Plus, with the Krasinski's age (43) and the existence of the Illuminati, I'd expect the Fantastic Four to be in their "3rd Era". I do NOT want an origin story. I want the Future Foundation at bare minimum. (Namor's actor, Tenoch Huerta, is also 41. I'm really... really... appreciating these older actors.)

Franklin and Valerie should be teenagers (considering that all the other pre-Young Avengers are) and there should a history between Reed and Victor HOPEFULLY complicated enough that they have been enemies and allies. With Valerie already there, HOPEFULLY, she should already be studying magic.

Also, it is a stretch, but with Future Foundation, I'd kill to see other members as researchers (classics are Storm, Black Panther, and Spider-Man). Of course they wouldn't have them be FF, but it would be hilarious if Victor was a partner and he wasn't the antagonist at all.

[nitekrawlerz]

Idk why I’m making this but here’s a list of things I love and obsess over (or have obsessed over) and any of these things can pop up on my feed at any time at all.

(Ps, hyper-fixations are something I wish I didn’t have and could stick to just one thing)

Bands / musicians: (in no particular order!)

Foo Fighters, (anything Dave Grohl touches, but also all associated FF acts) Weezer, Nirvana, Greta Van Fleet, Pierce the Veil, rush, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, (anything Chris Cornell actually) Ghost, Foster the People, Panic! At the disco (only for Ryan Ross and Dallon Weekes. Brendon urie can CHOKE) My Chemical Romance (and anything associated with them) Subvision, Pearl Jam, K.Flay, the young veins, the brobecks, (old) Blink-182, the academy is…/William Beckett, Rage against the machine, Beach Bunny, the cars, David Bowie. (There’s probably more in this category)

TV Shows: (in no particular order!)

It’s always sunny in Philadelphia, From Cradle to Stage, Barry, Silicon Valley, Freaks and Geeks, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99 (haven’t finished yet), NTSF:SD:SUV::, Party Down, Criminal Minds, Bobs Burgers, Ozark, Arrested Development, Good Girls, Documentary Now!, The Office, Community, The Good Place (haven’t finished yet), Dollface, The Mick, Rick & Morty, Solar Opposites, My Name is Earl, Raising Hope, Only Murders in the Building, (old) SNL, Hannibal (haven’t finished), unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, (probably more in this category)

Movies: (in no particular order!) (Mostly comfort films)

Skeleton Twins, Band of Robbers, MallRats, anything Jay and Silent Bob, Stealing Harvard, IT ch2, horrible bosses 1&2, Identity Thief, the family fang, knocked up, Palm Springs, The To-Do List, Hot Rod, AdventureLand, Almost Famous, 68 Kill, Juno, Paul, pop star: never stop never stopping, Pacific Rim 1&2, Office Christmas Party, Silence of the lambs, moonrise kingdom (probably more in this category)

Actors/actresses: (in no particular order!)

Bill Hader, Martin Starr, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day (all the sunny boys tbh), Adam Scott, Keanu Reeves, Paget Brewster, Robert Downey JR, Andy Samberg, Aubrey Plaza, Julia Garner, Jason Lee, Zach Woods, Stephanie Beatriz, Matthew Gray Gubler, Linda Cardellini, Harley Quinn Smith, Mae Whitman, Lizzy Caplan, Alia Shawkat, Kristen Bell, Elliott Page, (there’s more but I’m drawing a blank)

I don’t apologize if any of these pop up in my page

[kendochick-moor]

Hello! I’ve recently come across your forest fire series and I was wondering if you will ever continue it? I’m sorry if you already addressed this.

Hi Anon, Thank you for asking kindly. I’ll tackle FF in time but it’s on hiatus atm. FF is one of my more demanding fics to write (meaning I need to set aside 8-10 uninterrupted hours at a time to work on it), so it, unfortunately, can’t reside too close to the top of the To Do list during the quarantine (since I’m around my kids 24/7). If/when I can rent a dedicated writing studio again, it will be much easier to focus and update it. I’ve been looking for 2 years now; office space is not cheap in Canada’s Silicon Valley, though. I have even tried renting my own apartment over the last two years to have my own writing/isolation space; unfortunately, I keep getting sniped. We’ll see what 2021/2022 bring!

[phantomstatistician]

Saturday Status Update

REQUESTS: CLOSED

The wait time for a request is: 40 working days

Upcoming charts (if the sample size is large enough):

Silicon Valley - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Saint Seiya - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Avatar: the Last Airbender - 10 most popular ships (AO3), 10 most popular characters (AO3)

Sailor Moon - Crossovers, Sailor Star Maker

Homestuck - Damara Megido (no pairing)

Twilight - Jasper, Crossovers

Game of Thrones - Jeoffrey

Undertale - Chara

Golden Kamuy - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Supernatural - Castiel or Dean

Danganronpa - Hajime Hinata, Nagito Komaeda

Digimon - Mimi

Persona 5 - 10 most popular characters (AO3)

Animal Crossing New Horizons - 10 most popular villagers

Super Smash Brothers - Master Hand

Mario - 10 most popular characters (FF)

South Park - Kenny

Ace Attorney - Franziska

Detroit Become Human - Marcus, Chloe

Death Note - Ryuk

RTAH RPF - 10 most popular ships (AO3) (excluding Ryan)

Star Wars - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

He-Man - Skeletor

Danny Phantom - Ember

Big Bang Theory - 10 most popular characters (AO3), 10 most popular ships (AO3)

BFDI (BFB) - Leafy

Agatha Christie's Poirot - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Metal Gear Solid - Kazuhira Miller

Hermitcraft - Grian

Final Fantasy X - Rikku (no pairing; romance genre; include OCs)

Animaniacs - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Final Fantasy VII - Sephiroth

Magnificent Seven (TV series) - 10 most popular ships (AO3)

Have a more elaborate request?  Or want to jump the queue?  Buy me a Kofi!

[pcttrailsidereader]

I’m Leaving California . . .

If you are, like me, saddened by the out-migration of Californians to Texas, Idaho, Colorado and countless other states . . . Dave’s story will hook you.  You must read to the end.

By Dave Baugher

I'm leaving California…

This should not surprise you for those that know me, but I've been planning this for numerous years.  You might have heard that other folks are leaving California, our neighbors, businesses, and tons of investment dollars. They were driven out by worsening wildfires, power outages, the skyrocketing cost of living, and the political culture. 

In 2019, the costs to rent a 26-foot U-Haul truck out of San Francisco headed to Las Vegas cost as high as $2,085 for four days; to rent the same truck going in the opposite direction is only a fraction of that cost - $132.  Census Bureau data from July 2016 to July 2017 show that California had a net loss of 138,000 people.  Where did they go?  Here is a hint; Texas had a net population gain of 79,000, Arizona 63,000, and Nevada more than 38,000. 

Are you dreaming of greener pastures? You're not alone.  A recent survey indicates that 53 percent of Californians are considering moving out of the state.  Millennials are even more likely to flee the Golden State – 63 percent say they want to leave. A poll conducted late 2019 by the University of California at Berkely found more than half of California voters have given 'serious' or 'some' consideration to leaving due to the high cost of living, heavy taxation, or political philosophy.

According to recent polls, folks are leaving California, say they consider leaving due to the high cost of housing, heavy taxation, or political culture.  Disparities in income are extreme in California, which houses millionaires in Silicon Valley and Hollywood, while the rest of the state increasingly a service company.  Scott Fuller, who runs a real estate relocation business, says his business is booming as locals flee for a new life elsewhere.  He says Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Idaho are the top four states his clients are buying in. "For a lot of people, (California's) losing its luster.  For the average person who maybe came out here for the weather, I think they're saying the trade-ff is just not worth it any longer," Fuller reports. 

In the past few years, California companies – like Toyota Motor North America, Charles Schwab, and even our own Jamba Juice announced corporate moves to other states.  A record 1,800 companies relocated or "disinvestment events" occurred in 2016 alone. Since 2018, due to hostile anti-business laws or regulations, it is estimated 275,000 jobs and $76.7 billion in capital funds were diverted out of California. 

But for me?  Leaving California?  You bet, on July 7th, 2019, I crossed the California/Oregon border in the Siskiyou Mountains after hiking 1,694 miles from the Mexican border along the Pacific Crest Trail.  The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (or PCT) is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. The trail's southern terminus is on the U.S. border with Mexico, near the little town of Campo, California. The northern terminus is on the Canada–U.S. border on Manning Park's edge in British Columbia. 

 The trail is 2,659 miles long (I've read this equates to 5.3 million steps), and the trail crosses the three Pacific Coast States; California, Oregon, and Washington. Through its wanderings, the PCT crosses into Oregon from California in the Sysakyou mountains and Oregon into Washington at the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, Oregon.

 As the PCT traverses these States, it goes thru, along, or over:

37 Wilderness Areas

7 National Parks

25 National Forests

5 State Parks

4 National Monuments

48 Federal Wilderness Areas

57 Major Mountain Passes

19 Major Canyons

California is behind me!  Yeah! I'm looking forward to checking out the verdant green forests, towns, and friendly folks of our neighbor to the north in 2020.

Leaving California?  Yep.  Oregon, here I come…

[okimargarvez]

While I was walking with my dog, this afternoon, I saw, like it was real, two scenes/videos/scenarios in my mind, about the finale.

Note: this would have been super brief, but... 🤗. Sorry. This turns out my first ff writing directly in English. Be very kind. 🙏

The announcement

What Luke really thought when Penelope told them she had a job offer in the Silicon Valley: I should be happy for you, I pretended I was, but it's not so. Don't misunderstand, I'm happy for you but I can't just do that. I'm dying inside, I'm crying inside. I don't want to lose you. I don't know what I'll do. Ask you to stay for me, even if I would tell you what I feel, it would be selfish. I already did it once, I don't want to repeat the same mistake. You learned me what it means really love someone. Be happy for her happiness even if it's not including you.

The farewell scene

They have dancing all night long together. He tried to stay closer to her as far as possible. But now he knows it's the time. Luke struggles to smile and jokes, but he is not really good. Penelope does the same, avoiding him for a while, greeting the others and leaves him as the last. Maybe she might try to run away, but he can't let her go without saying anything, at least just 'goodbye', even if he doesn't want to be a goodbye.

"Hey", Luke says, softly, walking toward her. She stops and looks at him. Tears in her eyes. But she doesn't want to cry.

"Hey", she replies, shrugging, a bit shy.

"Did you try to leave without saying goodbye?", he asks, adding only in his head 'to leave me' . He smiles; a little, sweet smile on his lips. She understands he is not okay. This doesn't help her.

"No!", she denies, with too much emphasis. "I... Just... It's weird", she stuttering. Her voice cracks.

"I know", he says, whispering. He blinks twice, trying to get away the tears. This is really happening; Garcia is really leaving. It's the first time that he considers it consciously. He lived in the denial side, but now their time is up.

"Hey, you know this is not a real goodbye?“, she asks, but his eyes escape hers. He just nods. She remembers for a moment the way Luke held her during the slow dance, how much happy he seemed. She takes another step forward. "Luke?"

"I'm sorry", he replies, still not looking at her. "I didn't want to...", but he changes his mind. "It's just... It will be so weird to not see your face on the screen, explaining the case on the jet, and... To not hear your voice making joke about the bizarre tastes of people", he gesticulates, nervous. His face turns red.

"Huh, yeah, it will be weird even for me", she whispers.

Luke chuckles. "I can imagine, nobody to call Newbie...", their eyes meet. He turns serious. He seems so anxious. Too much. "Will you call somebody else that way?", he asks.

She looks directly at him. "You will be my only Newbie forever". They stare at each other in silence. The first tear slides along her cheek. Luke reaches out to catch it and drying her face.

She moves her hand until is above his. Their fingers intertwine. They look at each other for a few seconds. Luke opens his arms and she throws herself into them. He tightly hugs her, stroking her back; she leans her head on his shoulder. She is broken. They stay in this position for long time.

Penelope detaches herself. "I will miss you so much...", she confesses. Tears don't let her see man's expression.

"I already miss you", he replies. He takes her glasses off her nose and dries her eyes with his thumbs. She looks at him, confused. "I didn't want to tell you this", he starts, chuckling, embarrassed. Penelope just keeps looking at him. "I don't want you think I'm... But I was", she can't understand what he means. "Selfish", he then explains. "I don't want you to go away. I don't want to lose you. I can't even think about...", he swallows. "I want to be just happy for you. You deserve it. Happiness. When I think to this word, I see you. You. You are happiness. You make people feel good, like what you did for Elizabeth", he sighs. Penelope seems scared.

"Luke, what you...", he gently shuts up her.

"Let me finish and I will not bother you anymore", he whispers, without looking at her. She, though, pulls him closer again.

"No, wait", she obliges him to raise his head. "You don't bother me. You know that I love you, don't you?", she asks. He freezes.

"As family?“, he replies, trembling.

"Yes, as family", but he doesn't seem happy.

He sighs. "Yeah, that's exactly the problem. It's not enough. I want... I would like more", he explains. His eyes are closed.

"What do you want?", Penelope is afraid to be disappointed, but she must know.

"You", Luke answers, no hesitation. Her eyes are now wide open. "I love you not just as family. I'm in love with you", he can't look at her, he is too scared too see rejection in her face. "I know that this is the worst moment to do this, but...", his word are cut off by her hand on his lips.

"You are... Since when? Why didn't you tell me earlier?", she has too many questions, but then she notices the tears at the corner of his eyes. "Luke. What's wrong? I love you too", she says. It seems he is barely breathing. "As family and something more. You know, I hoped that one of you would tell me to not accept the offer, to stay. I don't know what I am without the BAU", she sobs; she is crying again.

"The BAU is almost nothing without you; but you could be whatever you want. You will bring with you the shinines. And this place will be a little darker", he corrects her, shrugging. Like it was nothing.

"No!", she shakes her head. "It's not just for me. Each of us makes the BAU what it is. Even you, Newbie", they laugh together, but there is still a bit of melancholy in the air. "You have contributed", she say, more serious. "You know, don't you?", he nods.

"Yes", then, silence.

"So... I think I should go", she says, swallowing. But Penelope hopes that he will stop her. "It's so late... I have to do a lot of things, tomorrow. You know...", her voice trembles; she can't add anything. She turns, to not let him see that she needs to cry. To really cry.

His hand on her shoulder. "Do you remember I told you I wanted to be the someone you want to go to when you are crying?“, he asks her.

"You didn't exactly say that. You didn't say that you want to be...", she answers. Luke makes her turn again toward him.

"Then, I tell you now: I want to be the someone. And you are crying, and I'm here, now", he smiles at her. He's got a point.

"Yeah, you are. But tomorrow? And the day after, and the day after that?", she asks, serious.

"You would like that I beg you to stay here, at the BAU?", he replies. She doesn't answer. "No, I won't. I don't think this is still your place. I noticed the effect the last cases have been on you. A shadow in your eyes. No, I think you shouldn't stay", he concludes. She is almost shocked.

Penelope pushes him away. "So why tell me this?", now she is angry and sad. "You are in love with me but you don't want to stay with me!“, she shouts.

"No!", he replies with the same tone. "I never said that. I think that with your heart and your sensitivity you can't handle this situation for long... And with that story about the Russian stalker...", he pauses and rises his eyes on her. He notices the way she is looking at him. So full of love.

She stands up on her toes. Luke places both hands on her shoulders. They look at each other for a while. They smile in sync. Since the first time, they walked in parallel, without meeting each other; finally their lines match.

He deepens the kiss, pulling her as close as possible. She runs her finger in his hair.

"And now?", she asks. "How can I leave knowing that you love me and the taste of your lips?“, she doesn't expect a real answer. But Luke has a surprise for her.

"What if I go with you?", he replies. Penelope examines him, searching traces of a joke. Nothing. "I'm serious. I don't think I would like a long distance relationship. And that job is perfect for you. I can find something, I'm not so bad", he says, chuckling.

Her eyes are wide open. "I don't want you to change your life for me!", Penelope says, new tears on her cheeks. He has tasted the savor of salt in her mouth.

"You already changed my life. Too late for crying over split milk", Luke blinks.

"Be serious, just once!“, she replies.

"I'm fucking serious. I was used to change place, works... You know. I'm good, here. I love our gang, our family. But I love you more", Penelope tries to avoid him. "It's up on you. Do you want me in your life a little longer?", he asks.

It seems like something else. "Luke...", she threatens him with her eyes.

He reads her mind. "Hey, this is not a proposal. I can do better. Trust me", he winks. But they both know this is a serious matter that they could face later. If there will be a future for them.

A light of one of the windows in the house turns on. A voice from above. "Hey, you two! Get a room!“, they blush, looking at each other and bursting out laugh.

"We got busted. Tomorrow the whole world will know about us", she says, starting walk outside the garden. Finally, thinks Rossi, watching them and shaking his head.

"Yeah, and what's the problem? You're ashamed of me?“, he asks.

"No! But... Nothing. I need to sleep. It's almost 3 a.m. I need my bed", she yawns.

"Roxy misses you", he replies, instead, opening the door and helping her to get in the car.

Penelope rolls her eyes. "Just hugs. No more touch", she clarifies to him.

"I'm good with that", he turns on the engine but looks at her one last time before starting.

She shakes a little her head and laughs. "Oh, Newbie".

[shady-swan-jones]

Silicon Valley fics

Monica & Gilfoyle ~ A fic list

Schrödinger's cat by me

"First you say ‘I like you’ as if I haven’t spent the last three years watching you being a mean sarcastic asshole and not caring about anyone’s feelings. Then you add ‘not like that’, disappear, and proceed to never mention it again. And go to extreme lengths to avoid me. So, for fuck’s sake, Gilfoyle, what is your deal?”-/-Monica is furious. Gilfoyle falls back on science and philosophy as a way to address his feelings. Naturally.

Purgatory by Cole88

Gilfoyle has convinced himself that he is content. Monica disagrees. Sort of.

National Anthem by violet_saturn aka @batgirl-stephanie-brown​

Pied Piper's CFO and Systems Architect haven't interacted much since their victory over the 51% attack. Will Pied Piper's first 4th of July party change things?

Lead Us Not Into Temptation by @alethiometry​

In a way, the left-hand path has been calling to Monica her whole life. She's long since grown accustomed to ignoring it—except for the fact that Gilfoyle's still a thorn at her side. He's fucking with her, day in and day out. And maybe, she thinks, just maybe, she'll fuck with him right back.

After all, what's the worst that could happen?

...'Til Sunbeams Find You by @alethiometry​

Maybe it's just a residual Catholic guilt thing, though she's not set foot in a church since her wedding day, and not since high school before that. But it’s a hard habit to shake, and the fact of the matter is, she’s never seen Gilfoyle like this before: rattled, skittish, almost terrified. She wants it to go away—wants to help make it go away, get him back to normal. Which, for Gilfoyle, is dry and sardonic at best, but she wouldn’t have him any other way.

Lucky by @alethiometry​

Monica's ex-husband shows up at Pied Piper trying to get her back, and Gilfoyle is not happy about it.

Forward Motion by @alethiometry​

Monica wants to introduce Gilfoyle to her parents.

Movie Night by @alethiometry​

Monica and Gilfoyle are enjoying a quiet night in, when Monica stumbles into some interesting information.

What Happens in Melee by @alethiometry​

Just because Gilfoyle’s confiding in Dinesh doesn't mean he can't also make it as uncomfortable as possible.

forget all about equality by rulebreakingmoth

Monica and Gilfoyle embark on...something.

You Are So Pretty by @businessboyjared

I don't have a clever summary for this. They fuck, okay?

Meinertzhagen: Redux by @alethiometry

It's Saturday morning, and Richard regrets waking up early.

TBC

This list gets updated every time a fic gets published, let’s get this fandom going!. Did I forget any fics? Which is your favourite? Send your recs here

tagging people @alethiometry @businessboyjared @batgirl-stephanie-brown @evilwtch @vanderhaus @babybighetti @camewiththeframe @goodstoriesneverend @collectibleclam @jd0608  @curlyricho @marvelalpha  @dineshgilfoyle @onequartercanadian @kiss-my-piss who might be interested

[alaris-sunspell]

Mun favorites

Favorite color: Purple

Last song I listened to: Ease My Mind by Skrillex

Favorite song: The Path by HIM

Favorite musician: Picking just one is difficult!  HIM, Hozier and Muse are some favorites though.

Last movie I watched: El Camino

Last tv show I watched: Silicon Valley

Favorite OC: Of my own characters, that’d be Saeil or S’aeil (FF version) For others... I could never choose just one! Ralei @joraleimoonstalker Iloam @ourcollectivefantasy Kaito @akaruta-kaito Haesphoros @the-uncounted-star Sellarion @sellarion Khidell @kid-sparrow Aritriel @knife-and-pomegranate And ten million others!

Sweet, spicy, or savory: Spicy, definitely!

Sparkling water, tea, or coffee: Tea Tagged by: @knife-and-pomegranate Tagging: @smith-hadeon @malvalen-ooc @kaelenar @desolatedangel

[soulvomit]

~uWu~ "millennial" posts where millennials get trapped by technology change and systemic issues but the same people, when older people have the same problem, just blame it on them being old and out of touch

Not here for it sorry

We are all experiencing the same culture change and the same systemic problems

Millennials aren't the only people in the job market, and aren't the only people who use GPS, or who have to deal with social media at this point. And they're not the only people who date and deal with online dating culture.

Believe me, the rest of us got the message 10 years ago or more that we have to keep up just to eat. If we are on the job market we deal with digital shit, if we have small businesses we have to personally deal with social media just like you. Some of us switched to those "millennial jobs" (social media manager) etc when our traditional jobs phased out. We didn't all become managers or Silicon Valley entrepreneurs or professionals. Lots of us have only ever made lateral moves and lots of us have to deal with digital interfaces or many of our once-paying jobs now being done for free. Many of us are back on the market or reskilling because interns do most of the clerical work now, and then we get the same "work for experience" expectations because we had to start over. Many of us went from being able to network into our jobs, which were for higher pay and for smaller companies, to the whole app and hiring process now being heavily automated and impersonal, for a large company that pays less. And many of us are forced into lower wage service jobs when our jobs are eliminated or taken over by unpaid workers.

It's not like you turn 40 and suddenly your problems are solved. That's a fantasy and it'd be better for you too to disabuse yourself of that notion.

I won't say "millennials killed it" but ffs we all live in the same world we have no control over and only a tiny fraction of us don't have these problems