#the christian kane-verse

[abubblingcandle]

Almost Paradise S2E7

I fucking cackled when this happened

Bonus Reaction

[geeky-nightphilosopher]

I find it very interesting what episodes you figure out where Eliot, Parker, and Hardison learned to trust each other vs. them believing in each other.

For Hardison The Nigerian Job is where he first started to trust Eliot. But I'd say that The Second David Job is where Hardison believed in Eliot. There's no distinct episode where I think Hardison started trusting Parker, but I do believe that The Stork Job is where Hardison believed in Parker.

For Parker she started to trust Hardison in The Stork Job, and believed in him in The Queen's Gambit job. She trusted Eliot in The Snow Job, and believed in him in The Big Bang Job.

For Eliot he trusted Hardison in The Second David Job, and believed in him The Iceman Job. Eliot trusted in Parker in The Two Horse Job, and believed in her in The Runway Job.

I hope that all makes sense. 😬

[lindseymcdonaldseyelashes]

me: (like 5 of 168 episodes into the Dean Devlin/Christian Kane-verse, viewing at a rate it'll take three years to get through) Ooh, I hope CK is in The Librarians reboot!

[ao3feed-j2]

Waiting For Rainbows

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/xcsl8TZ

by SamandDean76

Misha had a rough childhood that was derailed when as a 13-year-old Omega he was brutally gang-raped. After being left pregnant from the assault, he was taken to the Dallas Omega House where his life began again. There he met Jensen, an Omega beaten in a vain attempt to find his true mate Alpha. They form a rare Omega Bond and keep each other safe as best they can.

But now Misha has finally found his own true mate Alpha and he is pregnant once more. But as the pregnancy progresses, all of the pain and trauma from his broken childhood resurfaces. With the love and support of Jensen, Jared, and Christian he strives to find a path forward. To break free of all that haunts him, and to be prepared to welcome the new life he carries.

Jensen and Jared receive amazing news, only to have their lives shattered through no fault of their own. Can they put themselves back together? Will they finally find their rainbow?

Words: 6407, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of I Am Yours & You Are Mine Verse

Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) RPF

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Rape/Non-Con

Categories: M/M

Characters: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Christian Kane, Timothy Omundson, Rachel Miner, Kim Rhodes, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Chad Lindberg, Chad Michael Murray, Jim Beaver, Samantha Smith, Sherri Padalecki, Gerald Padalecki, Donna Ackles, Alan Ackles, Christian Kane's Mother, Christian Kane's Father, Original Child Character(s)

Relationships: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins/Christian Kane

Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha Jared Padalecki, Omega Jensen Ackles, Omega Misha Collins, Alpha Christian Kane, Rape Aftermath, Rape Recovery, Mpreg, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Jensen is 10 years older than Jared, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt Misha Collins, Hurt Jensen Ackles, Protective Jared Padalecki, Protective Christian Kane, Knotting, A/B/O, Alternate Universe, Self-Lubrication, Anal Sex, None Of The Bad Is Between Jared And Jensen, Miscarriage, Mental Health Issues, Caring, loving, Rainbows, Dealing With Real Life Issues, Conquering Them, Trauma bond, Omega Bond, Adoption, Rape Rememberances From The First Story In The Series, Nothing Graphic in this one, Eventual Happy Ending

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/xcsl8TZ

[soughthope]

Mobile Muse List

The activity of each muse will vary depending on my mood. I get obsessed. I'm human. You get it 💕

Canon Characters

Dean Winchester, 26 - ??, Jensen Ackles

Jo Harvelle, 24 - ??, Alona Tal

Meg Masters, ageless, Rachel Miner

Rowena Macleod, 300+, Ruth Connell

Steve Harrington, 19, Joe Keery

Max Mayfield, 15, Sadie Sink

Eddie Munson, 20, Joseph Quinn

Jim Hopper, 47, David Harbour

Dustin Henderson, 15, Gaten Matarazzo

Alex Chen, 21, Lana Condor

Chloe Price, 19, Emma Mackey

Kate Marsh, 18, Eliza Scanlen

Courtney Wagner, 18, Malese Jow

JJ Maybank, 19, Rudy Pankow

Rafe Cameron, 21, Drew Starkey

Wheezie Cameron, 14, Ciara Bravo

Pamela Isley, 28, Bridgit Regan

Bruce Wayne, 30, Robert Pattinson

Kara Danvers, 27, Melissa Benoist

Tony Stark, 35, Robert Downey Jr

Peter Parker, 21, Tom Holland

Frank Castle, 33, Jon Bernthal

Cassandra, 21, Adelaide Kane or Emma Appleton

Elsa, 25, Ginny Gardner

Peter Pan, Ageless, Robbie Kay

Fawn, Ageless, Emma Stone

Korra, 23, K. Devery Jacobs

Zuko, 25, Ryan Potter

Adora, 23, Florence Pugh

Catra, 23, Lulu Antariksa

Noah Flynn, 23, Jacob Elordi

Maya Hart, 15 - 20s, Sabrina Carpenter

Joel Miller, 40, Pedro Pascal

Nathan Scott, 20s, Felix Mallard

Noah Foster, 19 - 20s, John Karna

Emma Duval, 19 - 20s, Willa Fitzgerald

Billy Loomis, 19 - 20s, Skeet Ulrich - AU

Jakob Toretto, Verse dependent,

Letty Ortiz, Verse dependent, Michelle Rodriguez

Suki, 20s, Devon Aoki & Hayley Kiyoko

Bella Swan, 18 - 20s, Diana Silvers

Emmett Cullen, ageless, Cody Christian

Leah Clearwater, 20s, Julia Jones

Billy Hope, 30, Jake Gyllenhaal

Rick Grimes, 30s, Andrew Lincoln

Glenn Rhee, late 20s, Steven Yuen

Rosita Espinosa, 29, Christian Serratos

Penelope Featherington, 18, Nicola Coughlan

Anthony Bridgerton, 31, Jonathan Bailey

Simon Bassett, 29, Regé-Jean Page

Stiles Stilinski, 19 - 20s, Dylan Obrien

Scott McCall, 19 - 20s, Tyler Posey

Liam Dunbar, 20, Dylan Sprayberry

Stu Macher, 20 - ??, Matthew Lillard

Fezco, 20, Angus Cloud

OC Characters

Allison Roe, 17 - 27, Leighton Meester - one tree hill

Joshua Scott, 15 - 21, Peyton Meyer - one tree hill

Grace Scott, 18 - 20, Sara Weisglass - one tree hill

Princess Bean, 15, Georgie Henley - Fandomless

Tessa Cameron, 23, Madison Bailey - Fandomless

Finnegan Cunningham, 30, Sam Heughan - Fandomless

Noah Wolffe, 23, Nick Robinson - Incredibles universe

Lexi Oneill, 25, India Isley - Fandomless

[moreapples]

“A Letter Written by God”

“Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.” - 2 Corinthians 3:3

~~~~~

“A Letter Written by God”

By Jennifer Kane

You, beloved, are a letter written by God,

Crafted with purpose, formed from above.

Though ink stains may mark the fragile page,

His words endure, untouched by age.

Not penned with ink that time could fade,

But inscribed by the Spirit, in holy cascade.

Not on cold stone where truth can divide,

But on living flesh, where His love abides.

You are an eternal epistle of grace,

A glimpse of Jesus in each embrace.

With hope in each line and faith in each part,

A story of mercy, etched deep in your heart.

You are a letter: a message to share,

A testimony of love, beyond mere prayer.

Written within, not on paper or stone,

Known and read by all, wherever you roam.

His hand, unseen, has woven each line,

A testament of love, transcendent, divine.

Your life speaks His promise—unseen yet clear,

A letter of Christ for all to draw near.

~~~~~

Imagine a letter, not written with a pen but by the Spirit of the living God, on a surface more precious than paper: our hearts. Paul, in this verse, uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate the profound connection between believers and Christ. The Christians in Corinth were like living letters, written by Christ Himself, communicating His love, grace, and transformation to the world.

Paul’s role as a “pen” shows us that God works through His people. While Paul contributed to their faith journey, he was only the instrument, and it was Jesus who did the writing. When God uses us in the lives of others, we are also His “pen,” creating lasting impact through words of truth, encouragement, and love. This isn’t written in ink but in the indelible mark of the Holy Spirit, inscribed deeply in hearts.

This passage also recalls the Old Testament’s vision of the New Covenant. Jeremiah and Ezekiel spoke of a time when God’s law would be inscribed on hearts of flesh rather than stone (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26). Through the Spirit, we’ve been given hearts that can respond to God, that are moldable and open to transformation.

Consider this: what is God writing on your heart today? And what letter are you “writing” in the lives of others? Reflect on how you can allow God to use you to bring His love and truth into someone else’s life.

Ask God to reveal any areas where you may have hardened your heart, and invite Him to soften it with His Spirit.

Let others see the love of Christ in you — through your kindness, words, and actions. You are His living letter, a witness to His transformative power.

Ask God to use you, as He did Paul, to touch others. Trust that He can reach hearts and lives through you, not by your power but by His Spirit.

—

Heavenly Father, thank You for writing Your love and truth on my heart. Make me a willing instrument in Your hand, reflecting Your grace and love to others. Soften my heart where it has grown hardened, and inscribe Your Word deep within me. May my life be a letter of Christ that others can read and see Your power and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[citysank]

FACECLAIM CHANGE

Karter Kane Younger / DBD verse

Alex Pettyfer ----> Cody Christian

[tahelms85]

When you're 37 years old and can now appreciate the subtlety in Christian Kane's Devlin-verse characters. I used to think they were incredibly alike, but they're really world's apart.

[sxmthingwicked]

FEMALE MUSES.

1.Fay Cromwell.

Fc; Jessica Chastain.

Age: 25-33.

Birthday: May 11th.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Coroner.

Sexuality: Heterosexual.

Verse: Ghost!Regency Era! Fay.

2.Kenza Ashita.

Fc; Karen Fukuhara

Age: 25-30

Birthday: June 14th.

Birthplace: Japan.

Occupation: TBD

Sexuality: Pansexual.

Verse: Yokai!Demon! Kenza.

3.Joy Nazaryan.

Fc; Angela Sarafyan.

Age:28-34.

Birthday: July 4th.

Birthplace: Armenia.

Occupation: Artist, Author.

Sexuality: TBD.

Verse: Witch!Joy.

4.Stephanie “Stevie” Mathers.

Fc; Deborah Ann Woll.

Age: 25

Birthday: January 15nth.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Journalist.

Sexuality: Heterosexual.

Verse: TBD.

5.Billie Scout.

Fc; Suki Waterhouse.

Age: 25.

Birthday: November 13th.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Musician.

Sexuality: Bisexual.

Verse:Siren!Billie.

6.Constance Flynn.

Fc; Emma Mackey.

Age: 24-29.

Birthday: September 2nd.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Lawyer.

Sexuality: TBD.

Verse:TBD.

7.Harper St. James.

Fc; Millie Alcock.

Age:20-24.

Birthday: December 7nth.

Birthplace: TBD

Occupation: Student, artist.

Sexuality: Demisexual.

Verse:Vampire! Harper.

8.Clarice Copeland.

Fc; Brianne Howey.

Age:30-35.

Birthday: February 14nth.

Birthplace: USA

Occupation: Buisnesswoman.

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Verse:Vampire! Clarice

9.Josephine Clark.

Fc; Jennifer Connolley

Age:30-35

Birthday: August 22nd.

Birthplace: USA

Occupation: Ranch owner.

Sexuality: Heterosexual.

Verse: TBD

10.Teresa Delgado.

Fc; Christian Serratos.

Age: 25-29.

Birthday: April 1st.

Birthplace: Italy.

Occupation: Accountant.

Sexuality: Asexual.

Verse: Survivor! Teresa.

11.Cassandra Cooper.

Fc; Katie Douglas.

Age: 24

Birthday: April 18nth.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: TBD

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Verse: TBD.

12. Phoebe Griffin.

Fc; Meghann Fahy

Age: 30-35.

Birthday: April 11nth.

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Model.

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Verse: TBD.

MALE MUSES.

1.Ezekiel Crane.

Fc; Isaiah Mustafa

Age: 30-40

Birthday: June 6th

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Construction Worker.

Sexuality:

Verse:

2.Rowan Adler.

Fc; Boyd Holbrook.

Age:30-35

Birthday: December 31st 

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Detective

Sexuality: Heterosexual.

Verse: Gangster! Rowan.

3.Fernando Lopez.

Fc; Santiago Cabrera

Age:37-44

Birthday: April 15nth

Birthplace: Chile.

Occupation: Hitman.

Sexuality: Hetersexual.

Verse:

4.Santiago “Santi” Oliviera. 

Fc; Diego Luna

Age: 37-44

Birthday: January 9nth

Birthplace: Mexico.

Occupation: Lawyer.

Sexuality: TBD.

5.Leonardo Herrera.

Fc; Pedro Pascal

Age: 40-45

Birthday: December 29nth

Birthplace: Chile.

Occupation: Mercenary.

Sexuality: TBD

Verse: TBD.

6.Sean Lancaster.

Fc; Kit Harington.

Age: 29-33

Birthday: November 11nth

Birthplace: UK.

Occupation: English Teacher.

Sexuality: Pansexual.

Verse: Immortal/Warrior! Sean.

7.Damien Kane.

Fc; Pablo Schreiber.

Age: 34

Birthday: October 4th

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Lawyer.

Sexuality: TBD.

Verse: Death!Damien.

8.Hudson Cassidy.

Fc; Daniel Gillies.

Age: 32

Birthday: August 6th

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: TBD.

Sexuality: Heterosexual.

Verse: Archangel Michael! Hudson.

9.Abraham Barlow.

Fc; Charles Michael Davis

Age:29.

Birthday: July 21nd

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Hunter, Real Estate Agent. 

Sexuality: Bisexual.

Verse: Werewolf! Abraham.

10.Desmond Khatri.

Fc; Avan Jogia

Age: 27-30.

Birthday: June 22nd

Birthplace: India.

Occupation: Police man.

Sexuality:

Verse: Criminal! Desmond. 

11.Alexander Nilsson.

Fc; Madds Mikelson

Age: 40-45.

Birthday: September 15nth

Birthplace: Denmark.

Occupation:

Sexuality: Demisexual.

Verse: Demon! Alexander.

12. Elijah Pierce.

Fc; LaRoyce Hawkins.

Age: 25-30.

Birthday: March 22nd

Birthplace: USA.

Occupation: Police officer.

Sexuality: TBD.

Verse: TBD.

[rynnaaurelius]

Okay, this might be a long shot. . .

And I know it's 1AM where I am, but that's the fanfiction witching hour, baby.

So, I'm doing research for the Magician 'verse, and I'm putting my money where my mouth is, with my "Zia is Coptic Christian" headcanon because. . .look, I love TKC, but good fucking god.

Zia is a mess and I'm trying hard to give her a consistent personality and history congruent with her background and some of the writing I'm doing is about to get a bit more Zia-centric. Something that's rapidly becoming relevant is my headcanon that Zia's Coptic (For. . .things. Multiple things), and I'm trying to define that in a way that works for her character while. Uh. Remaining consistent with reality?

I'm a white as hell agnostic who's religious experiences include some ill-fated-exposure-via-extended-family Eastern Orthodoxy (We don't talk about it), childhood-exposure Lutheran Christianity, and that one summer I spent with my Jewish cousins. So. Help?

Anyway, if anyone who follows me is Coptic and willing to give me a shove in the right direction, and/or has an idea of resources for me to look at in an attempt to not completely fuck this up in my research attempts, please message me or hit me up in the ask inbox, I'll love you forever.

[aceofwhump]

Say I don't suppose you've ever watched The Librarians TV series have you? I know you probably get show recs all the time and in terms of whumpy drama it tends to fall on the "our heroes win the day through delightful yet somewhat questionable skills of pure nerdy intelligence because magic is real and generally family friendly in visual depiction if not implications". But you had a recent question about found family and imo no show does heartwarming found family better than The Librarians outside of Leverage. (Oh and Coincidentally... Christian Kane who plays Eliot on Leverage also plays a cool smart punchy dude on this show too just with shorter hair 😉)

Also (spoilers) the first two episode series intro story features The Main Librarian character getting stabbed with a magical sword and having to run around for like a whole episode slowly dieing from a sword wound which literally can't be healed because of magic 😋

(More spoilers: he gets better tho no worries. Physically at least. As a person he's both my favorite character and somewhat of an incurable disaster man who probably couldn't order food on the phone without accidentally causing a deadly kitchen fire)

*Gasps* I FORGOT ABOUT THE LIBRARIANS!! How could I remember Leverage but not the other fantastic Dean Devlin found family show. The Dean Devlin verse is great. I loved the Librarians both the movies and the tv show. And I always laugh at seeing Christian Kane going from Leverage to Librarians and then Noah Wyle going from Librarians to Leverage lol. Dean Devlin verse.

Anyway, yes I have seen the Librarians and I love it! It's very found family and i love the magic and silliness of it all. Such a great show. I really love the movies that came out before it too. Noah Wyle is the best. I love me the absent minded, energetic puppy, smarty pants trope. And I remember bawling my eyes out during the pilot episode because of Excalibur. I cried over a sword!! Flynn's long term friend! And of course looooooved the whump Flynn went through with that impossible to heal wound. So good.

[necer0s]

Fact: When creating aliases for the Leverage team, Hardison likes to use names that either relate to the con or reference a fandom he’s into. (Notable examples include Willie Riker in a sci-fi themed episode and a recurring alias of Tom Baker.)

Fact: During the Studio Job, Eliot’s alias is named Kenneth Crane, a clear spoonerism reference to actor Christian Kane, who plays Eliot and is the actual singer of the song featured in that episode.

Conclusion: In the Leverage-verse, Christian Kane and Eliot both exist, and Hardison is as big a fan of Christian Kane as he is of Star Trek and Doctor Who.

[lindseymcdonaldseyelashes]

Why are all of the Christian Kane characters in the Dean Devlin-verse so horny?

[ao3feed-j2]

Waiting For Rainbows

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/7382UcI

by SamandDean76

Misha had a rough childhood that was derailed when as a 13-year-old Omega he was brutally gang-raped. After being left pregnant from the assault, he was taken to the Dallas Omega House where his life began again. There he met Jensen, an Omega beaten in a vain attempt to find his true mate Alpha. They form a rare Omega Bond and keep each other safe as best they can.

But now Misha has finally found his own true mate Alpha and he is pregnant once more. But as the pregnancy progresses, all of the pain and trauma from his broken childhood resurfaces. With the love and support of Jensen, Jared, and Christian he strives to find a path forward. To break free of all that haunts him, and to be prepared to welcome the new life he carries.

Jensen and Jared receive amazing news, only to have their lives shattered through no fault of their own. Can they put themselves back together? Will they finally find their rainbow?

Words: 6407, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of I Am Yours & You Are Mine Verse

Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) RPF

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Rape/Non-Con

Categories: M/M

Characters: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Christian Kane, Timothy Omundson, Rachel Miner, Kim Rhodes, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Chad Lindberg, Chad Michael Murray, Jim Beaver, Samantha Smith, Sherri Padalecki, Gerald Padalecki, Donna Ackles, Alan Ackles, Christian Kane's Mother, Christian Kane's Father, Original Child Character(s)

Relationships: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins/Christian Kane

Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Alpha Jared Padalecki, Omega Jensen Ackles, Omega Misha Collins, Alpha Christian Kane, Rape Aftermath, Rape Recovery, Mpreg, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Jensen is 10 years older than Jared, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Hurt Misha Collins, Hurt Jensen Ackles, Protective Jared Padalecki, Protective Christian Kane, Knotting, A/B/O, Alternate Universe, Self-Lubrication, Anal Sex, None Of The Bad Is Between Jared And Jensen, Miscarriage, Mental Health Issues, Caring, loving, Rainbows, Dealing With Real Life Issues, Conquering Them, Trauma bond, Omega Bond, Adoption, Rape Rememberances From The First Story In The Series, Nothing Graphic in this one

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/7382UcI

[fraks]

LEVERAGE REDEMPTION 1x09 THE BUCKET JOB

- levar burton 🥰🥰🥰

- harry family backstory. poor dude. i just want to give him a hug. i know he was a bad guy and did bad things, but speaking as someone who doesn't have a bad guy for a father, but who still has a bad father, let me tell you, i'd take harry wilson over my sperm donor any day.

- sophie's red dress is AMAZING.

- the little crowns!! 🥰 my thief familyyyy

- c'mon just it do do it & houdini — THESE MORONS

- @cminerva and i have been losing our minds over our ship in kimonos for weeks now, and OUR DELIGHT HAS NOT WANED.

- beth riesgraf did hell of a job directing this ep. 😍

- "THERE'S MY DIRECTOR." listen. LISTEN. she's claimed him as "their" mr. wilson for months, whereas he has studiously avoided using her name at all, and now "my director", aaaaaah. it's almost an endearment, but not quite, and yet it's perfect for sophie. THIS SHIP IS GONNA KILL ME.

- THE SAFEWORDS. these people are ridiculous. pickle? peanut butter? winnebago???? also lmao breanna, are you really trying to tell sophie freaking devereaux what a safeword is? really?

- that blue outfit looks really good on sophie. 👀 and her explanation of that part of the grift? 😍😍😍! she loves grifting so much. the real otp of this entire 'verse is sophie/grifting.

- "you can't have this for your reel." SOPHIE PLEASE. remember serbia? i am just saying.

- HARRY WITH THE EYEPATCH. filed under: things i didn't know i wanted until they happened. and eliot's reaction is [chef's kiss].

- "the librarian is actually a spy??" ONLY THIS SHOW I STG. no other show could pull this off.

- "holding out on us again, mr. wilson." sophie is so disappointed. y u do this, harry? i don't blame her for benching him, but. :(

- CAN WE STOP TORTURING ELIOT PLEASE?

- parker bringing sophie a dress (while making an interesting noise) that SHE picked out, and it looks so freaking good on sophie omg.

- speaking of things that look good: soph + harry, together. ON A FAKE DATE. stupid riz lady interrupting my ship's holiday party.

- sophie has never looked better imho, but when she and riz lady go toe to toe? 🥵 she's so calm and in control and god it's hot.

- wow harry was an AWFUL person. "the choices i made cost me my marriage. cost me my daughter." HARRY DARLING.

- LET 🙌🏻 ELIOT 🙌🏻 BE 🙌🏻 HAPPY. 🙌🏻

- harry tasering people? parker has rubbed off on him and i love it.

- SOPHIE GOT EVERYONE PRESENTS!!!! AND HARRY LOOKS AT HER LIKE SHE HUNG THE MOON!!!!!! AND MY HEART DOES WEIRD THINGS IN MY CHEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

- hardison sending the kid to parker(+eliot) as a gift makes absolutely no sense???

- WHY ARE YOU LYING TO SOPHIE, BREANNA? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE INFO FROM THE FLOPPY? i call this as setup for s2—i say breanna "i have to be able to do everything" casey is keeping the info to herself so she can go after the bad guys implicated on the disc on her own. s1 is clearly harry's season, but maybe s2 will be breanna's?

- I SAID LET ELIOT BE HAPPY!! i know christian kane doesn't believe eliot deserves redemption, but he at the very least deserves SOME measure of happiness gdi. [shakes fist]

[november-rising]

(Note)Books of Love

I watched this week’s Motherland: Fort Salem and Taylor Hickerson’s version of Book of Love hit me.  https://youtu.be/JcDAYyl9Y2Q. 

I’ve been in a low headspace and this song sparked something. This is a R-O-U-G-H draft. It’s in the same verse of It’s Just So Simple and it’s not a sequel. This will be edited and filled out further later. NOTE: I hear Bucky’s singing voice as a softer - more timid Eliot Spencer/Christian Kane voice.

I hope you enjoy.

Even in the afternoon, it was sticky out, the heat was an affront to his very being. He despised the cold for too many reasons. But damn. This heat was pushing all around him. 

There was the barely there breath of the kitchen oscillating fan that Ms. Grace kept on through the summer, throughout her cooking lessons with Bucky. Apparently, his knife skills were worth something - sometimes. 

Then there was the prize, the low hum of the window AC unit in her living room; it was so reminiscent of Sam’s nephews’ in-home COVID school room.The perspiring sweet tea that was more sweet and ice than tea and lemon was placed in front of his new friend, Ms. Grace. 

This was it.

Another peaceful day. Uneventful, boring even…

So many months and weeks. So many uneventful and boring weeks and months.  And he was safe. Bucky was safe.

Louisiana became home to this Brooklyn boy. It fit him - he was allowed to fit into this strip of land, sea and wood. The docks, the people, the weeping willows drifting leisurely.

That’s how it started a week prior. Out on the veranda with Ms. Grace’s twin grandchildren she fostered along the way, Denise and Denziel murmured, humming along to the chords of their guitars. 

Bucky smirked at the two while old memories (good old memories) flooded him with panging joy and a buzz through all limbs. 

And that’s what it was like before Bucky got the courage to approach the siblings during their creative session. 

The fan on it’s worn extension cord length stirred enough of a breeze that enticed everyone inside, pushing the AC unit air as best it could. 

“Any new songs, cuz?”  Another day. Another query. 

Could Bucky be ready?

After eating Ms. Grace’s lunch of Gullah cuisine (Bucky added this term to his new notebook. The notebook Steve started for this whole new world), Bucky smiled. Her family allowed him to learn and be accepted into their haphazard family; Bucky felt embraced. 

“Boy, just because we like you don’t mean you get to do whatever.”

“Ms. Grace, if I do whatever, without your permission, you can whip me good and hard.”

“Deal.”

Dishes cleaned and sorted, Bucky stood in the entryway of the living room. “What you got?”

Bucky entered the small, bright room, sitting across from the two young adults. He appreciated these two. These three…

Everyone. 

He appreciated everyone and he would never be able to fully convey what this town means to him. These people were the world to him. That one person is the world to him.

Denise smirked. “You listened to everything we sent.”

“Of course.” And some songs  were vulgar beyond recompense but he wouldn’t say anything about that. 

“And?” they said in unison.

Without missing a beat, Bucky went to his rucksack, pulling out notebooks, scattering them across the wood floor. 

The room went silent.

Denise smiled. “You think you can do this?”

Bucky’s fingers brushed against worn bounds, stark book fronts, and wrinkled leather.  These were his life. This was it. This was everything laid out. Scrawled in confusion, paper taunt with cheap yet faded ink. Marred with blood and deception 

Tilting his head up, Bucky responded,  “Yes.”

___

The party had wound down as few folks meandered around the bonfire. 

Warm, creaking and crickets.

Hypnotic and still. So very still. 

Sam was there.

Of course he was.

Sam was as constant as those notebooks. He was…

Bucky watched as Denziel chatted with others and Denise strummed on her guitar. 

The fire hues danced and melted. 

Orange, yellow, red, smoke. 

Orange, yellow, red, smoke. 

Orange, yellow, red, smoke. 

Looking across the fire, he was met with Sam’s eyes. A twinkle. 

Bucky was scared. He was genuinely scared.

Ms. Grace taught him so much. Her grandkids pushed his fearful ass into practicing guitar and singing. 

Rebecca used to say he could hold a tune. He had to do her justice. Bucky would make her proud. 

“You ready to wrap up? You do still wanna go on that early morning run?”

Bucky’s eyes snapped up. So enthralled in the chords dancing in his head, Bucky didn’t sense Sam’s voice reaching across, coming so close. “Can you wait a few more minutes?”

Sam ducked his head before looked back at Bucky. “I got a few minutes to spare.”

This was dumb.

Sam’s smile was enough.

If this was as good as Buck got, it was more than he deserved. “Thanks,”

Denziel strode by, patting his arm, “You ready?”

The rest blurred for him. Bucky rose, took the guitar, made the adjustments the twins taught him, and took a deep breath. There was no preamble. There was no introduction or pomp and circumstance.

This, right now, was the reason why Bucky decided to try. 

With his sleeves rolled up as best they could, Bucky started to play the guitar.

___

Simplistic. 

Earnest.  

Thrumming with life. 

Easy and open. 

Vulnerable.

Sam was enthralled. 

Bucky may have started and stopped once to play in front of the community and…

Chestnut strands illuminated to orange, yellow, red and smoke.

This was not hesitation.

“The book of love is long and boring

No one can lift the damn thing

It’s full of charts and facts and figures

And instructions for dancing

But I

I love it when you read to me

And you 

You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it

In fact that where’s music comes from

Some of it’s just transcendental

Some of it’s just really dumb

But

I love it when you sing to me”

Sam couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to look away as Bucky leaned back over the guitar, crooning gently.

Ms. Grace, suddenly poised in the fold out chair next to him, nudged Sam. “Open it.” 

A rucksack was by Sam’s feet. He knew that was James’.  “Ma’am. Where did you get this?”

Sam knew. He had to play the game. He had to see what Bucky wanted him to see.

His books. Worn bounds, stark book fronts, and wrinkled leather. These were his life.

Sam loved reading.