#the naked rain ep

[spilladabalia]

This Picture - Naked Rain (UK, 1989)

[jobean12-blog]

Angel of the Morning

Pairing: Joel Miller x reader 

Word Count: 658

Summary: You wake Joel up in the best way 

Author’s Note: So I rewatched ep 1 of TLOU and I was like NO! It’s SO sad (and so good) but I thought, it’s his birthday, this is how it SHOULD have gone lol 😏thank you all so much for reading! Much love always! ❤️❤️❤️Divider by the lovely @firefly-graphics thank you Daisy! 🥰

Warnings: it’s raining, it’s soft and sweet but it’s his birthday so a present is in order...o-r-a-l (m r-e-c) 

Joel Miller Masterlist

Your eyes blink open to the distant rumble of thunder and the soft pitter patter of raindrops against the roof. As your sight adjusts you realize the room is dim, the morning sunshine hidden behind the gray blanket of clouds outside your window.

Joel tightens his grip around your waist, mumbling something incoherent as he nuzzles his chin into your shoulder and pulls your back closer to his warm chest.

“Morning,” you whisper.

His breathing is steady as his fingers instinctively trace the curve of your hip.

You feel the soft press of his lips against your skin before he mumbles, “mornin’ darlin’.”

The rain starts to fall more heavily, a steady drumming at the window and you snuggle into his embrace.

“Is that rain I hear?” he asks.

“Mm,” you reply, turning so you’re on your back.

He shifts until his head is resting on your chest and he has you pinned to the bed beneath his arm. Your fingers fall into his hair and you lightly scrape them over his scalp, much to his contentment. With deliberate movements you trail your fingertips along his jaw and press them against his beard before working your way to the nape of his neck.

His satisfied hum rumbles through you and the hand that rests over your stomach starts to inch lower but before he gets too far you slip from his grasp and push him onto his back.

“Hey now,” he grumbles as he reaches for you.

With a coy smirk pulling at your lips you settle your thighs on either side of his waist and delicately drag your fingers down his stomach, stopping to pay extra attention to the dark trail of hair below his belly button.

He sucks in a breath and smooths his hands along your naked thighs, gripping your waist tightly when your fingers dip into the waistband of his boxers.

“You look like an angel,” he whispers.

Your expression says otherwise as you lift yourself and tug his boxers down, sitting in the same position while you lean forward and press soft kisses to his chest and stomach.

Every sweep of your lips has his muscles flexing and he drops his hands from your waist and runs them through his hair, the dark strands a wild mess against the pillow.

As your lips move lower he lets out a low groan and you can feel his thighs tense beneath you. You dip your head and tease him with your tongue, watching through lowered lashes as he grabs the pillow and grips it tightly, his eyes trained on you.

“Fuck,” he murmurs as you take him into your mouth.

His hips jerk upward as you swirl your tongue, sucking down more of him and following with the pump of your hand.

“Oh fuck,” he breathes, releasing the pillow and pressing his hands to face.

His continued curses are muffled by his palms and when you slide all the way up his length and tease his tip he uncovers his face and your name falls from his lips in a desperate plea.

Every muscle in his body is pulled tight and his breathing ragged as you swallow him down again then slowly slide back up, only to do it over and over, all the while squeezing tightly with your hand in the wake of your tongue.

Long fingers clench the sheets as he thrusts his hips and watches as he disappears into your mouth.

“Fuck darlin’,” he groans before he swells and spills his release down your throat.

You taste every last drop, sucking your way back to the tip then trailing soft kisses over his stomach and chest.

He’s still breathing heavily, his skin hot beneath your touch. When you reach his shoulder you nuzzle your face into his neck and breathe him in. He wraps you in his arms, letting out a sigh and murmuring, “fuck darlin’, I love you.”

“Happy birthday Joel.”

@hiddles-rose @justkinsey @laineyreads @lorilane33 @beccablogsthings @kmc1989 @hallecarey1 @pedritosdarling @littleseasiren​ @blackwidownat2814​

[incorrectquoteswwdits]

I know we have the Masterpost but an Anon has also sent me this really detailed summary of the episodes!!!

Spoilers follow! WILL spoil you on the background and things that we were missing/any gaps in Episode 1 or 2. Big thanks to Anon! Thanks for typing this out!

@azirafuck if you’d like to add this to the masterpost feel free!

“Spoiler that I haven't seen mentioned yet and you might be interested in: The reason Crowley and Aziraphale are involved in Nina and Maggie's love life is because Aziraphale lies to Michael, Uriel, and Saraqael.

Long babbling explanation with lots of background on Maggie/Nina:

Aziraphale is Maggie's landlord because her record shop used to be part of Aziraphale's bookshop and he still owns that part of the building. Maggie is super behind on rent but Aziraphale doesn't care and has to convince her to let him forgive her debt in exchange for an £8 record. They seem to be pretty friendly and she special orders records for him. She is infatuated with Nina but they barely know each other.

Early in the day of ep 1, Maggie goes to Nina's for a coffee, they talk briefly about the record shop (Nina thinks it's dumb because no one buys records anymore). They're interrupted by the naked man in the street.

Gabriel goes to the bookshop and talks with Aziraphale. Aziraphale invites Crowley to the coffee shop to try and tell him (insert the sneak peek).

Crowley doesn't want to be involved and doesn't want Aziraphale to be involved. He tries to convince Aziraphale to just drop Gabriel off somewhere and when Aziraphale says no he gets mad and storms out. (Other sneak peek) He smokes it the street and then shoots out lighting that cuts power and cell service in Nina's shop.

Meanwhile, Maggie has gone back to the shop to gift Nina a Nina Simone record, but Nina just says she doesn't have anything to play it on. Nina also at this point mentions she has an overbearing partner at home who will be upset if she's home late so she's trying to hurry Maggie out. But when the power goes out Nina's security system automatically engages and locks them in. They're stuck in there a few hours, Nina pulls out some wine and Maggie admits that she's never really drank or partied, wasn't ever wild as a teenager, etc. Eventually Crowley comes back, they're able to get his attention, and he fixes the power. Nina's partner has sent her many texts and voicemails angry and anxious that she's late.

That night, Aziraphale and Crowley perform a miracle to hide Gabriel that they think is small and unnoticeable (if we each do half a miracle neither side will notice) but it ends up being massive and heaven notices.

The next day, Gabriel, despite not being able to remember anything, starts singing Everyday. Aziraphale doesn't know the song so he goes to Maggie to ask her about it. She starts gushing to him about how embarrassed she is for trying to give Nina the record and everything she admit the night before and how in love she is but it's stupid because Nina has a partner anyway. Aziraphale kind of brushes it off, saying they will discuss later because he needs to know about the song. She gives him the record and tells him about the pub. (She keeps sending them records for their juke box, they keep sending them back because they all just end up playing Everyday)

Almost immediately after, Michael, Uriel, and Saraqael show up at the bookshop to question him about the miracle. He lies and says the miracle was to make Nina and Maggie fall in love. Michael says they're going to send someone to check on that. Aziraphale tells Crowley and they decide that they need to make Maggie and Nina actually fall in love before heaven finds out about the lie. Crowley says they need to catch them in the rain so they get wet and huddle under an awning and Aziraphale says they need to throw a grand ball like in a Jane Austen novel. (They seem to settle on trying both, but neither happens in ep 1 or 2)”

(MY NOTES: AHHH??? NINA AND MAGGIE??? MAGGIE IN LOVE WITH NINA WITHOUT HER EVEN KNOWING HER?!! NINA ALREDY HAS A PARTNER?!! A BALL OMG WE ARE GOING TO SEE A GRAND BALL IN THAT EPISODE PLANNED FOR N AND M, BUT CROWLEY AND AZIRAPHALE WILL JUST LOOK AT EACH OTHER I STG

[novaksupremacy]

The Veiled Law of Affection- Chapter 5

The Veiled Law of Affection Chapter 5

Word Count: 6317

By PKJ @novaksupremacy

chapter follows the events of S5E20 "Lowdown", angst, smut, lots more angst, SVU talk, HIV scare. sorry it took so long! chapter 6 wont take as long because I'm off Wednesday. That will focus on one of my favorite Casey eps, "Poisoned". <3

Read Part 4

Olivia woke up to the sound of water running from the next room. She stumbled sleepily into the doorway to find Casey standing under the hot water of her stone tiled full walk-in shower. The ADA was leaning with one arm against the wall, staring at the drain as the hot water soothed her aching shoulders. The brunette tossed off her pajamas and snuck in behind her, wrapping her arms around the redhead's waist. "Hey Counselor" she whispered in her ear.

           "Mmmm, hey yourself Detective" she reached behind her to Olivia's neck and leaned back, pulling their bodied flush. "I was trying not to wake you." She turned her head to meet her lover's soft, tired lips.

           "What are you doing up? Let alone in the shower?" the detective whispered tenderly.

She turned to face Liv, "Are you complaining about being wet and naked with me?" She giggled, draping her arms over the brunette’s shoulders. "I couldn't sleep so I went to the gym." She placed a languid kiss on her collar bone before moving to the other, "I was hoping to climb back in bed before you woke up." 

"Is everything okay?" She furrowed her brow in concern.

"Everything is fine, sometimes I just can't sleep. I promise." She kissed her girlfriend deeply and leaned her back against the opposite wall, running her delicate, long fingers up her thigh settling at Liv's center. She rolled the detective’s small bundle of nerves under the pads of her fingers in slow circles, kissing down Liv's throat, leaving a trail, down between her breasts, down her stomach, letting out low moans with each kiss she placed. She gently replaced her fingers that were torturing her detective with the light pressure of her tongue.

       "Case," the brunette braced her arms on the shower walls as her breath hitched.

        The redhead now on her knees, hot water beating against her back, lifted Liv's legs over her shoulders supporting her weight.

       "I thought you already got your workout in tonight" Liv chuckled, sighing again as Casey hit her clit just right. She ran her hands through her girlfriend’s wet curls. She groaned as her cellphone started ringing on the vanity, “Shit!” The brunette stuck her hand out of the shower grabbing at her phone and flipping it open, cocking her head to the side as to not get it wet. “Beh-Benson,” she stuttered as Casey took this opportunity push her tongue down with more pressure. “Uh-huh, uh-huh, YES!” She threw her head back against the tile shower, trying not to moan. Casey was relentless. “I’ll be there soon.” It was clearly noticeable that her breathing was staggered as she spoke. She hung up the phone and tossed it back to the counter, “Casey, baby, I have to go.” She panted, gently tapping her lover’s arm.

            Casey groaned and lowered Liv gently so that she was standing again and wiped the corners of her mouth, disappointed she didn’t get to finish what she started. “To be continued?”

            Liv smirked, “Absolutely,” she helped the redhead to her feet. “I���m sure it won’t be long until they’re calling you in too. Please try to sleep until then.” She pulled Casey’s damp, naked body tight to hers and kissed her passionately.

            Casey melted into her, jelly in her arms, “Please be careful, okay?”

            “Promise. I’ll see you soon. If they let me get a few minutes shut eye by the time you get there just come sneak up there and cuddle with me. I’ll miss you by then.”

     “I miss you now.”

     “Me too.”

******

            Elliot met Liv as she pulled up to the crime scene, the rain had finally tapered off, but he wasn’t taking off his cap just in case it picked back up.

            “Any ID?” the brunette cop leaned into the car where the victim was found. She studied the condom on the console.

            “Wallet and credit cards are missing, but the car’s registered to a Jeffrey York. West Side Address.”

            Liv popped her head up in shock and turned towards the coroner’s van. “Hold on!” she shouted. “Let me see the body?”

            The MEs unzipped the body bag and as the detective’s face contorted in shock. “He’s an Assistant DA in the Bronx.”

            “You know him?” Elliot asked.

            “I dated him.” She answered softly.

            Liv stopped at the bodega on the corner and picked up an extra-large black coffee for Cragen before heading into the precinct, “I thought you could use this.” She handed him the cup as she and Elliot walked into his office, their eyes bleary with exhaustion.

            “I had to wake the Bronx District Attorney at 2AM, that one his ADAs was found dead in his car, on a known prostitution stroll. Please tell me we are not jumping to conclusions.” Cragen said, sternly as he stood up.

            “Hookers cut or stab, they don’t strangle. What hooker do you know with upper body strength like that?”

            “A man could.” Elliot offered up.

            “Look,” Liv stressed her point, “Jeff York wasn’t the kind of guy for street sex, and definitely not transvestites as the evidence is suggesting.”

            “Look,” Elliot looked down, “everyone’s got secrets, you know? You think you know someone…” he spoke lightly.

            “I knew Jeff.” She retorted.

            Elliot sighed, “So what was he doing down there?”

            Cragen leaned against the desk staring at the crime board, “York’s an ADA. We have to consider the possibility he was set up.” He ruminated.

            “Sometimes its just how it looks,” Fin added pulling some papers off the fax, “Prints match a guy—Kevin Brown. AKA Keisha Brown.”

            Cragen looked at his watch, “Go check it out, Fin you go check out the case files for the last three years the DA is sending over. Let’s figure this out and give him some answers.”

            “You never mentioned him,” Elliot asked as they recanvased the crime scene.

            “It was 5 years ago. He was a nice guy. Just—no chemistry.”

*******

            “His partner Andy Abbott seems to think it was a guy they put away recently.” Stabler filled everyone in as he walked across the squad room, “but his alibi clears him.”

            “The DA wants to keep a lid on this, they think Jeff was having some money issues, go down to lab and see if Warner has anything.” The captain handed Liv a stack of papers as she and her partner headed back to the morgue.

            “He didn’t have sex before he died,” Warner stated, throwing some slides up on the backlight. “Also, the DNA from the semen found in the condom didn’t match Jeff York.”

            “The operative word being men.” Liv stated, a hint of surprise still lingered on her voice.

            “No wonder you and Jeff didn’t have any Chemistry, he was gay.” Elliot shrugged his shoulders.

*******

            Casey walked in carrying a copy of The New York Ledger and caught up with Cragen, “Murdered DA in Gay Sex Slay. The papers are already loving this. Branch wants facts to counter the bad press.”

            The captain threw up his hands as they walked towards the bullpen, “All we know was Jeff York was gay and had sex in his car with another man.”

            “What about the prostitute angle?” the redhead inquired.

            “DNA didn’t match.”

            Casey didn’t have enough caffeine for this, “Well, what did happen?” she pointed towards the crime board.

            Liv walked over from the coffee machine, she had to do a double take and try to keep her cool, Casey was wearing the black suit she liked with the plunging neckline. She had to keep her eyes forward. “Well, we know what didn’t happen. The wallet was stolen, credit cards unused.”

            “So, what’s the motive to kill him?” The redhead pressed for answers.

            “This is a well-known lover’s lane,” Elliot pointed at the map, “maybe he picked up a guy for a good time.”

            The boss stood with arms crossed, “maybe it was an accident? Jeff liked it rough, and something went wrong. Maybe our mystery man just freaked?”

            “Guys, I gotta tell you that Jeff seemed pretty vanilla to me.” Liv interjected.

            “Sounds like there’s a lot you didn’t know about Jeff.” Cragen said with a sigh.

“I’m sure people would be surprised to realize they don’t know all about you,” the redhead offered up, then realized what she said and cleared her throat, “or any of us. Everyone has secrets.”

            “Why don’t you two go see what you can gather up at Jeff’s apartment. Maybe it’ll give us some insight." The captain gave his orders.

            The brunette’s jaw got tense. She knew they what they were all thinking, that she was naïve. She exited towards the back of the squad room.

           Liv walked quickly to her locker to grab some mints and deodorant. She was crawling in her own skin both from being awake since last night and the fact that she had been intimate with the vic. It was years ago when she was even less comfortable with herself than now. She still had a tough time owning up to who she was, how being honest could affect her life, her career, but she never lied about it. Jeff did.

“You okay? She heard a familiar rasp from behind her.

“Yeah, fine.” She looked towards her girlfriend, her eyes welling up with tears.

“I’m sorry about what I said, I wasn’t trying to throw you to the wolves, I wasn’t thinking.” She shifted her feet, looking down at the vinyl tile of precinct floor. “I won’t lie either, it’s not easy hearing you get so worked up over someone else.” She choked, “Olivia, I’m sor…”

      “It’s fine Casey, it’s not you, I know you didn’t mean it. I gotta go.” She kissed her cheek and threw her jacket on walking out to meet Elliot.

      “Everything okay?” Elliot looked at her with a face normally reserved for the victim’s families and his teenage daughters.

        “Everything’s fine.” Liv mumbled, “Let’s go.”

********

                “All that’s in this book is dinners with coworkers and case notes.” The brunette said flipping through the pages of the day planner.

                Her partner held up a stack of papers, “This guy has got an awful lot of medical bills.”

                “The night he died, he had drinks with Andy Abbott. I wonder why Andy conveniently left that out.”

                “There’s like ten thousand dollars’ worth of bills here. All marked paid in cash.” Stabler started going through the cabinets.

                “He had insurance through the DA’s office,” Liv stated, “Why pay cash?”

                Elliot pulled out a container full of pills and studied them, “I’m guessing he didn’t use it to pay for this. Its AZT.”

                Olivia stared at the bottle. Her face dropped, and her heart sank below her stomach. “He was HIV-positive.”

                The brunette felt as if she was going to throw up her breakfast. She could feel her face tingling and her body starting to sweat even though it was cold outside.

                “You okay?” the other detective checked in. “Cause if you slept with Jeff—”

                “I’m gonna get tested,” she exhaled. She definitely didn’t want to talk about this, she needed to think.

                “You don’t want that on the record, we can find a clinic. Look, I can go with you if you want?”

                “No, I’ll be fine.” Liv assured him. The last thing she needed was him worrying about her.

                “What about Casey?”

                “Oh god, Casey.” She really was gonna be sick now.          

“I’m gonna tell her as soon as I see her in person again. I can’t tell her that over the phone. Not that I may have offered her a death sentence.” Her voice got quiet.

                  Elliot leaned up against the sedan next to Liv and folded his arms. “I meant,” he sighed, “that if you didn’t want me to go, you two are close and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind going with you. Although you pretty much just confirmed my suspicions at this point.”

          The brunette couldn’t form words she just looked at him, her lip jutted, tears forming.

            “Hey, it’s okay, I’m sorry if you felt like you couldn’t talk to me. I’d never judge you, Olivia. For what it’s worth I like Casey, and I see a change in you. It’s like a weight was lifted. I know she’s not Al-“

         “She doesn’t have to be.” She cut him off. “She doesn’t have to be anyone. She’s just Casey. My Casey- and now she may never speak to me again.”

*****

                The arrived at the Abbott household just as they were getting ready to leave for dinner.

                “What can I do for you detectives?” Andy asked as his wife went to grab the door for the babysitter.

                “Why didn’t you tell us you had drinks with Jeff before he died? Or that he went to dinner after?” Liv asked, her tone bordered on accusatory.

                “It must have slipped my mind when you told me the news. We always had drinks after work. I don’t know anything about a dinner, he didn’t talk much about his personal life.”

                “Oh,” Elliot nodded, under the ruse of understanding, “So you didn’t know Jeff York was gay?”

                Andy’s face dropped, “Are, are you sure? He didn’t give me that vibe. Okay we need to be going, I’m sorry. I left him at the bar and went to my poker game. If you’ll excuse me.”

******

                “Why would Andy Abbott kill Jeff York.” Cragen asked, closing the door to his office behind himself, the two detectives, and Casey. “Is there any evidence to prove Abbott was also gay?”

                “Wife and kids don’t mean he’s straight.” Liv added.

                “Semen on the condom is gonna match.” Elliot said assuredly.

                “We don’t have enough evidence for a DNA sample. Even if all of the elements of the murder came from different cases Andy tried, its circumstantial at best.” Casey added in, stressing the need for more information before proceeding.

                Cragen picked up the receiver as the phone rang, holding up his forefinger as to motion to everyone to hold on for just a minute. “Elliot, go enlist Andy’s “help” so he doesn’t catch on that we’re looking at him and Olivia, Warner needs to see you at the morgue." They all left the office with their assigned tasks. Benson’s head, still in a fog, trying to make sense of today.

                “Hey,” Casey smiled weakly, hurrying after Liv as she headed to the ME, “I hate the way things were this morning when you left the station. I don’t want us to ever leave each other like that. Anything could happen.” She caressed her lover’s arm as they walked. “We’ve already lived through one hostage situation.”

                “You’re right, I’m sorry. It wasn’t about you, but I do need to talk to you.” She stopped and ducked into a dark corner.

                “You okay?” the redhead stopped and ducked in too. The worry was starting to peak through on her face.

Liv took her hands and looked at her deep, in her big hazel green eyes. “I don’t know yet.”

“Baby did I do something? Is this about earlier?”

The brunette shook her head no, a tear falling from her eye onto Casey’s hand. As soon as it hit, the ADA tilted her head to keep eye contact and caringly wiped her girlfriend’s tears.

“Baby what’s going on?” The redhead was trembling now.

“Jeff York.”

“What, were you secretly married? Did you love him? Did…Olivia did you kill him?” she dropped her voice to a barely registering as a hush in case someone was listening.

“What?! No, Casey. We were intimate. It only happened once about five years ago but it means I may have been exposed, which means I may have exposed you.”

Casey took a step back. “Oh.”

“You have to know I would’ve never, if I knew.” Liv started to cry. “I would’ve never taken you home or even let you get close. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around this. I’m so sorry.”

Casey was silent for a minute trying to gather her thoughts and get air flow back into her lungs. She took her forefinger and thumb to bring the brunettes eyes back to her.

“Hey, hey. Shhh. I know that. I know of an anonymous clinic on the Lower East Side that a friend of mine works at. Off the record. We can go get tested.”

The detective looked at her lover confused, “You? You don’t hate me?”

“You didn’t do this on purpose babe. How could you have known, you said it was years ago. We’d never even met. Am I scared? Yes of course, but so are you. Have you been carrying this around all day? You must be terrified.” She ran her hands up and down Liv’s arms in an attempt to comfort her. “We can’t un-ring the bell, but whatever happens, we’ll face it together. Okay?” Her puppy dog eyes welling up, her anxiety was through the roof, but she knew in her bones how much this was tearing Olivia apart too. She leaned forward, kissing her sweetly, running the back of her hand along Liv’s cheek.

The brunette cleared her throat, “Warner’s waiting on me.”

“Come stop by my office after, okay?”

******

Warner shut the door behind them before she spoke, “I tested Jeff York’s blood. High viral load. When did you say you dated?”

“Um,” Liv stuttered, “about five years ago, just once, and we used protection.”

“Effective but not always perfect. It only takes one time.” Melinda stated as she went grab some gloves and equipment off her desk. “Come on lets test you.”

“I’m going to go, I just haven’t had time yet.”

“Olivia,” Warner dejected sternly, “How many rape victims have you told to get tested?”

“All of them?”

“Would you ever suggest that they wait?”

The brunette started tearing up again, her nerves bubbling over. She shook her head.

“I’ll do it myself, no paperwork. Sit down and roll up your sleeve.”

Liv moved slowly towards the chair by the ME’s desk and sat down, the panic setting in.

She walked out rolling down her sleeve so no one in the squad would see the bandage from the blood draw. She ran into Huang on her way back to the bullpen.

“You doing okay?” he leaned over and asked her discreetly.

“I guess. Can I ask you your thoughts?”

He nodded.

“Could Jeff have even been positive back then?” she could feel her shoulders tensing up.

“Yes, but your risk of exposure is very low.”

“How could I have missed this,” Liv ran her hand through her hair, shaking her head.

Huang took her by the elbow and pulled her to the side. “Liv, you’re not the first woman to ever sleep with a closeted man.”

She was starting to choke up again, she was tired of crying today. “Maybe he didn’t know?”

    “Sexuality is extremely complicated, and it doesn’t mean he wasn’t attracted to you, but you probably know that better than most. You wouldn’t disclose to every man you slept with that you also enjoy the company of other women simply because you’ve gone on a few dates? For men that telling comes with a higher risk of judgement. A higher risk of fear from their peers, their insurance companies, their families. Gay women are branded manly, unladylike. Gay men are labeled virus carriers. All we can do is try to change the conversation.” Wong spoke softly leaning against the wall next to the vending machines.

        “This case certainly isn’t going to help our cause.” She frowned. “Also how did you…"

       “Liv,” he smiled. “I’m an FBI agent and a psychiatrist. They should pull my license if I wasn’t able to see your body language change every time a certain redhead walks in the room.”

          She grinned and reached out for his arm, squeezing lightly, as if to say, “thank you.” She headed back off into the squad room.

                Andy had just stormed out after learning they were leaning on him for the case. Fin, Cragen, and Liv all stood studying the facts they had gathered and all of the linked connections they had connected back to both Abbott and York.

                “Here’s what I don’t get,” Cragen pointed at all of the photos up on the board, “Why are they all protecting Andy?”

                Fin nodded, “Maybe all these cats got something to hide.”

                “Like what?” the brunette turned towards him.

                “I think they on the down low.” Fin shifted his eyes between Liv and Cragen.

                “Down what?” the captain asked.

                “The down low. Black men having sex with other men.” Fin explained the concept and then put both his hands up, “Don’t look at me, I just know stuff.”

******

                “He’s good,” Casey said with exasperation as her and Fin watched Abbott through the interview glass. “I know that football player told you what he witnessed but this story might actually work.”

                “The jury will see right through him.” Fin stated, trying to be assuring.

                “Will they,” the redhead grimaced. “Handsome, family man gets drunk with a colleague, falls in bed with them and lands in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

                “You of all people know that sometimes, despite where we think our heads at, or where our friends or coworker’s heads are at, we fall into things sometimes. I bet before you started Sex Crimes you didn’t think you’d be falling into the bed you have.”

“The difference being I’m not ashamed of who sleeps in my bed,” Casey stopped him.

“That’s not what I meant. I just meant, we all make it a point not to screw around with coworkers, makes for a messy work environment. But hey, sometimes, shit happens. Sometimes it just is what it is.”

                Casey nodded in acknowledgment that she understood he meant no ill intentions with his words.

“McGovern told me no issues, he’ll testify for you. By the way, I like ya hair girl, gives you a little- spice.”

The redhead blushed a little and followed him out as they headed to McGovern’s apartment, she had to admit she wasn’t completely confident with her new cut yet and Fin always knew how to make her feel more like herself again.

*****

                “I am NOT testifying,” McGovern protested.

                Casey shot Fin a look and then turned her attention towards the football player. “You’d be testifying before the grand jury. Those proceedings are kept secret.”

                He scoffed, “I’ve been in the limelight long enough to know things like that have a way of getting out.”

                “You got no choice,” Fin raised his voice, “she’ll subpoena you and I’ll haul your ass in.”

                “And now I’ll see your ass out.” McGovern slammed the door behind them.

                “Well, there goes our case.” Casey griped.

                Fin offered her a sympathetic look, “What’s it gonna take to bring it back?”

                “Proof Andy and Jeff were lovers.”

                “How we gonna do that, Andy’s on the down low and Jeff sure aint talking.” Fin whispered as they were still in earshot of the former NFL’s office.

                “Maybe Jeff will talk to Warner,” Casey asserted as they walked out to the street.

*****

                Liv was standing by Warner’s door waiting for Casey when she walked up. “Thought you might want some company putting the case back together, Fin told me what happened.”

                “I would love that,” the redhead was honestly relieved to see her girlfriend waiting for her, a solace in a long and stressful day.

                They walked in and found Warner already going over the evidence. “The dead can speak!” she proclaimed. “I tested York’s blood and then I tested the DNA sample we got from Abbott, he was also positive and the strands match.”

                “So, one of them gave it to the other?” Liv asked.

                “Very likely,” Warner stated shaking her head.

                “Enough to convince a jury?”

                “Suggestive, but not conclusive.”

                “How suggestive?” Casey inquired. “99%, 95?”

                Warner frowned, “I can’t give you a number I’m sorry.”

                Casey hung her head, “That’s not enough for a jury.” She walked out, feeling the sting of defeat again.

                Warner turned her attention towards Olivia. She leaned in close, “You’re negative.” She put her hand on Liv’s shoulder and nodded.

Liv nodded back and then made her way towards the door. Olivia walked out of the MEs office, the tears of relief free falling. What she wasn’t expecting was for Casey to still be standing right outside. She reached out and grabbed Liv’s wrist as she started to walk past and pulled her tight to her body.

“Hey.” She pushed the detective’s hair away from her face and planted an enthusiastic kiss on her.

Liv knew it wasn’t a clever idea to be kissing right there in the hallway, but she couldn’t help but let herself get lost in Casey’s touch. “Negative,” she whispered in the redhead’s ear and then kissing the side of her head.

The ADA smiled big and nibbled on her own lip. “I heard.” She kissed the crook where the neck and shoulder met. “Negative.” She whispered back. Liv started to pull away, but Casey tugged back so they were still facing each other.

“Case, we’re gonna get caught.” The brunette chuckled.

“Just one more thing.” She ran her thumbs over Liv’s palms soothingly. “I can still go get tested if you want. I want you to feel safe with me.”

The detective quirked her brow, “That many suitors, Novak?”

Casey’s face was flush, she shook her head vehemently, “No, no. Definitely not. I was just trying to make sure were comfortable. I want you to trust me.” Her expression changed, more deadpan, honest. “It’s just you Olivia.”

As they got back to the squad room, Andy’s wife was there ready to ambush them. She started going off about how she couldn’t fathom how they could think Andy killed their friend.

“We have evidence Mrs. Abbott. Credible evidence.” Liv said calmly trying to deescalate.

“More lies!” the distraught woman shouted. “Don’t lie to me again!”

“She’s telling you the truth,” Casey interjected, the compelling need to defend Olivia took over. “Your husband was having an affair with Jeff York.”

“You are sick,” Mrs. Abbott looked at the ADA in disgust, “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have to,” Casey shot back, “but for your own sake, get an HIV test. Jeff York had AIDS.”

Abbott’s wife pushed passed them, tears of rage forming, and stormed out of the precinct.

“Should you have done that?” Liv asked concerned Casey may have just have bit off more than she could chew and put her job in jeopardy.

“She needed to know” she answered back quietly. “It wasn’t easy for you, but you made sure to check in the minute you even thought you had exposed me. They have kids, they’re married. If she doesn’t have it, she'll get it. She needed to know.”

*****

                “Casey this is a censure. Please tell me you didn’t do this?” Mary looked at the paperwork the redhead handed her as she walked into her office without a word.

“I had to warn her, her life was at risk!”

“You’ll be lucky if you get out of this with your skin,” Judge Clark scolded.

Casey nodded, shaking her head in defeat, “I’m screwed.” she said softly, trying not to give in to the urge to cry.

“You bet your sweet ass you are.” Mary shot back.

“I know how scared she was.”

“You know.” Mary looked at the young ADA quizzingly, “Casey how could you possibly know what that woman was feeling?”

“Because this morning, I was facing the same exact fear.”

“What? You were exposed? Did you sleep with Jeff York too?” Mary quipped, looking up from her desk.

“No,” the redhead took a slow, drawn-out breath, “but Olivia did.”

“Well, what does that have to do with you? I know you two are close, but her status doesn’t. Oh…” she paused, “Oh I see.” She cocked her head at Casey and sighed empathetically, “I always thought you were inclined to…I never wanted to ask. So, everything is okay now, right? The two of you are fine?”

                Casey choked back a sob, both from relief and stress leaving the body at the same time. She shook her head yes.

                Mary looked up at her “You were acting in this woman’s best interest, right? You wanted to help her? Or was it because you had something else in mind?”

******

                The young ADA found herself knocking on the Abbott’s door shortly after her visit with Mary.

When Mrs. Abbott saw it was her standing there, she snapped at Casey. “You shouldn’t have come here, I won’t discuss the case with you.” It was clear she had been crying all day since she left the station.

“Please hear me out,” Casey pleaded, “I’m here to apologize.”

Maryellen Abbott stepped outside.

“I was wrong,” Casey stated, “It wasn’t my place to tell you. I keep asking myself why and all I can say is, if I was in your position I hope someone would tell me.” She tried to show compassion while keeping the personal details discreet.

“You ruined my life,” Maryellen sobbed.

The counselor shook her head, “I didn’t expose you to HIV. Andy did.”

“How am I supposed to tell my girls what their father did? How am I supposed to tell them—that I’m HIV positive.”

The redheads face dropped, “I’m sorry.”

“What am I going to do?”

******

                “You’ve gone too far now Casey,” Abbott’s lawyer shouted as she and Mrs. Abbott entered the jail together. “You’ll be disbarred.”

                “I asked her to be here.” Maryellen stopped him. She sat down and took Andy’s hand. “I will love you till the day I die, and by the grace of God I will live long enough to see our girls grow up. I forgive you for what you did. But I cannot forgive you if you let us all be destroyed. A trial will drag us all through the mud. Please, be a man and admit what I’ve done.”

                Andy’s tears were streaming down his face, “I’m so sorry.”

                “I know.”

                Casey spoke softly, “Man One, seven and a half to fifteen. He allocutes and only the plea and the sentence go on the record. We seal the rest forever.”

                His lawyer agreed, “and we’ll forget about the disciplinary committee.”

                “Done.”

******

Casey tossed her coat and her briefcase over the couch. Exhaustion wasn’t even the word. She left   the door unlocked knowing Liv probably wasn’t far behind her. She stepped out of her heels and started tossing her clothes off until they were strewn from her couch to the bathroom door. She turned the shower on and sighed deeply as she adjusted the temperature before stepping in.

“This seems familiar,” Oliva beamed, arms crossed against the door frame, admiring every inch of her girlfriend’s athletic body. Every muscle, every freckle, every curve. “I almost half expected to find you in here with someone else the way your clothes are thrown all over the apartment.” The brunette giggled.

The redhead smirked, “I had to make sure you’d know where to find me.”

“Oh, is that why the door was unsafely unlocked while you’re in here. I could’ve been a burglar you know.”

Casey laughed playfully, “You’ve already stolen my heart Detective, what else were you going to steal? My coffee maker? You already drink all my coffee.” She was laughing pretty heartily now.

“That’s how it is?” The brunette throwing her clothes off and getting into the shower. “Hmm? Is that how it is, Counselor?”

Casey’s laugh was low and throaty as she came face to face with her detective, an intimate grin spreading across her face. “Yeah, you gonna do something about it?”

Liv pulled her tight, before she barely had time to finish her question, and kissed her hard. Her hands feeling down her body, pulling at her skin, she wanted her closer. She bit down on the ADAs lip and pulled it towards her as a moan escaped Casey’s throat.

“Fuck,” the redhead whispered. She tried to take control and get her girlfriend back in the same position she had her the night before last.

“Uh-uh,” Liv moaned into Casey’s kiss, “You can finish later. I need to have you, now.” She said low, almost a growl and flipped her lover around pushing her firmly but gently against the wall. She slid her knee between the redhead’s legs and leaned her weight against her. She took Casey by the wrists and brought them up above her head, pinning them to the tile making Casey inhale sharply.

“Mmm, fuck.”  she moaned quietly against Liv’s ear. “Don’t tease Detective. You’ve got me, now have your way with me.” She ground herself against the brunette’s thigh, craving contact with her girlfriend’s body. The young ADA wanted nothing more than to run the tips of her fingers over every inch of Olivia’s skin and the fact that she couldn’t was driving her crazy.

Liv kissed and suckled down every pulse point on the redhead’s neck, pushing her thigh more aggressively against Casey’s core. She grinned against her lover’s skin as she dropped her wrists and swiftly grabbed her by the thighs lifting her off the ground.

 Casey’s back was still pressed against the cool tile, her legs now wrapped around Liv. Her hands held on to her lover’s neck. Her jaw went slack as she cried out. “Touch me. Please touch me,” her hips jutting forward against the detective's body. “I need to feel you.”

Liv steadied herself making sure she had a firm hold on her girlfriend and slid one hand down to Casey’s heat, exploring her folds and dragging her fingers up and down as the redhead’s arousal started to leak out, the brunette’s hand covered in her slick. She slid one finger in gently and then another and slowly began to pump.

“Mmmm that’s my Detective.” Casey mewled rolling her hips. “Fuck baby.”

The brunette loved being Casey’s detective, she loved that Casey wanted her, the way she looked at her- drove Liv insane. She moaned as she pressed her head against the redhead's shoulder, pumping harder, causing the counselor to bounce up and down against her hand. Casey held Liv’s head tight to the dip in her shoulder with one hand as she used the other to drag her nails across the cop’s shoulder blade.

“Case,” Liv whispered and then cried out as her lover broke skin. “Mmm that’s it, let it go baby.”

She slipped a third finger into the redhead’s heat and continued persistently pumping, making sure to curl them at just the right angle to drive the redhead wild. Casey’s breasts bouncing against Liv was sending her reeling. The friction of her lover’s hardened nipples grazing against her own was turning her on a lot more than she realized. The ADA was whimpering as she bobbed up and down, moaning for Liv.

“Don’t stop. Mmm make me cum.” She needed that release, and she needed it from only Olivia.

  She rolled her hips faster to keep up with how the detective was ravaging her. Her breathing was ragged, and she could feel her arousal building to its peak. Her body rising and falling hard against Liv’s hand.

“Come on Daddy, do it for me?” the brunette gave a pleaded whisper against the skin of her lover’s neck.

Casey’s breathing got really shallow, panting quickly, ending in a cry of ecstasy as she tightened around her girlfriend’s fingers, humming with bliss as she came down off her orgasm. Her body quivered as Liv tried to put her down, her knees were weak. Liv enjoyed the taste of cleaning Casey off her fingers as she eyed her lover. She watched how her body was still trembling from what she had done to her and at that moment, she was proud of herself.

“You are— very good at that Detective,” still out of breath, the redhead gave a sultry laugh. “I may have to up my workout routine to keep up.” She pulled Liv back to her and kissed her gently. “What was that you said earlier? That I could finish later?” she flashed a devilish smile and turned the brunette so her back was facing the wall and got down on her knees. “You’re in for it because now I’ve worked up an appetite.” She ran her tongue along Liv’s core slowly and laid a soft kiss on her clit causing her to shiver. “That’s it baby. Good girl.”

Later on, while lying in bed, Casey was reviewing case notes, her head against Liv’s chest. Liv was stroking her hair and watching television.

“By the way,” she kissed the top her head, “I didn’t even get to tell you yet that I love your haircut.”

Casey put down her notes and turned her head towards her girlfriend, she was smiling from ear to ear, “You do?”

“Yeah baby, I do, but no matter how you cut your hair I’m always gonna think of you as the most beautiful woman to ever cross my path.”

She put her hand on Liv’s heart, and she could feel its pace pick up, “I,” she started staring up into the brunette’s eyes, “love,” she paused again, “having you here.”

Liv’s heart shot into her throat, she wanted to say it, she wanted to show Casey they didn’t have to be afraid to say it, why couldn’t she make the words come out?

“I love being here with you too. I sleep better when I hold you.”  They closed their eyes and settled into a comfortable position but just as they were about to drift off Liv’s phone started ringing.

She startled awake and picked it up, accidentally stirring Casey. “Benson” she answered in hushed tones. As she did Casey’s phone also started ringing.

“Novak.” She answered sleepily.

They hung up and exchanged looks of exhaustion.

“Well at least we got to shower.”

Read Part 6

[katyawriteswhump]

the freak in the penthouse part 6.2

E-rated (for sexual content), accidental millionaire eddie/sex-worker steve.

On tumblr: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3.1 Part 3.2 Part 4.1 Part 4.2 Part 5.1 Part 5.2 Part 6.1 or search #thefreakinthepenthouse :)

On AO3

6.2 more than words

It was always tricky to focus on anything other than naked Steve in the luxurious walk-in wet room. Nevertheless, Steve seemed quieter than usual. Eddie found himself distracted in different ways from usual.

Okay, his first distraction was still Steve’s shiny body. He dripped with suds from the soap Eddie lathered across his chest, before teasingly wandering it lower. They were, in fact, similar in height and built, with Eddie maybe a fraction of an inch taller. Steve was maybe more trimly muscular. Yet sometimes, Steve seemed strangely… brittle?  

Nah. Not the right word. Eddie couldn’t quite nail it, and it was probably all in his ‘freakin’-the-shit-out-today’ head.

More palpably, the bright strip-lights revealed the deep shadows around Steve’s eyes, shouty as bruises. When Steve slid his wet palm to grasp Eddie’s semi, Steve yawned.

Eddie brushed Steve’s hand away, noting that, despite Eddie’s games with the soap, Steve was totally not turned on right now. “You all right, Babe? You look beat.” 

“I know what’ll pep me up.” Steve smiled tightly, turned away. He braced his hands to the tiles and spread his legs.

Eddie stroked Steve’s shoulder, eased him back around. He peeled wet hair from Steve’s puzzled face, and kissed him, deep and slow, amid the water and steam. The rumble of Eddie’s personal apocalypse grew deafening, and it wasn’t even about the money issues anymore. Dustin would sort that.

Levelling with Steve, whatever that meant, felt more important. And Eddie grew more tongue-tied than ever.

When they’d gotten out of the shower, Steve tied a towel around his waist and said, “What do you wanna do?”

This was the part where they usually ordered room service and got smashed. “Table-top pool?” suggested Eddie.

 “You hate that!” Steve threw his hands in the air, and his towel slipped beneath his hips. “I always wipe the floor with you.”

“Today could be different, Stevie.”

“Fat chance.”

The ruse worked. Steve drank beer, munched pretzels and potted endless silly balls. Meanwhile, Eddie reclined on his beanbag, chain-smoked Marlboro Lights, and necked Diet Coke. He kept his head clear, while he shared with Steve everything that happened before he’d buried himself in the penthouse.

It’d begun when he’d hired a studio, some session musos, and recorded several songs that he’d performed with Corroded Coffin. He tried to get Gareth and the guys on board. However, their lives had moved on after Eddie, in Gareth’s words, “Blew them off for yer egghead friends and to live the fucking high life.”

“I taped an EP, persuaded a few indie stores and Tower Records to stock it. It was a honking great floperooza, and then, while I was merrily licking my wounds, one of the music rags reviewed it.” Eddie sighed out a cloud of smoke. “They slammed it as the worst kind of rich-kid vanity record. You know, when I penned those songs, I hadn’t a dime to my name. So yeah, I bled, dude, and now I can’t seem to stop picking that scab.”

“It sucks. Anybody would bleed.” Steve lined up his last red. Instead of potting, he began to cough, dumping the cue down and doubling over. Eddie rushed forward, placing a hand on his  back.

“Stevie? You okay?”

Steve elbowed Eddie off, took a slurp of the Coke Eddie offered him. 

“Fucking pretzel got stuck,” wheezed Steve. “Rain check?” He dashed for the washroom, grabbing his uniform pants on the way. Eddie stubbed out his cigarette—probably a good call, before they both choked their lungs out, pretzels or otherwise.

Steve shortly returned, still shirtless and wearing his hotpants. He ruthlessly potted his final red: “Bam! Champ wins again. Your turn to break, Loser.”

They reset the table, and Eddie’s breakoff shot was typically disastrous. A ball shot up and landed in an enormous potted palm, which let Steve into the game. Eddie picked his nails ragged and continued his story.

“After that journo shot me down, I holed myself away in this dump, which was insane. I detest everything about this kind of forced-conformity shithole. I should give the dough to a homeless shelter. Instead, I can’t bring myself to leave the fortress of corporate evil! Which is beyond insane, and you know what I hate the most? I’m whining about it to you, like the woooorst kiiiind of entitled brat.”

Steve missed what looked like a screamingly easy shot, at least for him. “You don’t have to be poor to be down on yourself.”

Steve passed Eddie the cue and Eddie put it aside. He didn’t know what he was gonna say, only that he had to say something. Steve merely looked confused again, so Eddie grasped his hips, tugging him close.

“Listen to me, Stevie. Hiding myself away in a tarnished-ivory tower wasn’t the answer. Till you came along to rescue me.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” Steve flashed an apparently delighted grin, flung his arms around Eddie’s shoulders. “Your hair’s not that long, Rapunzel.”

Eddie went in for the kill: “I like you, Steve. I literally never said that to anybody before, and—”

“Yeah, I can tell that.” Steve’s bitchy tone didn’t reach his wide eyes.

“Ah shit, this place has turned me soft. Look, I mean it from the top of my greasy rocker head to the tips of my dainty metal toesies—I really like you. Look, I can’t hang here forever…”

…BUT I DON’T WANT THIS THING BETWEEN US TO END.

Eddie wanted to holler it so loud the chandelier would crash from the ceiling and wake the dead in Dallas. Instead, he found himself saying:

“...and I know it sounds dumb, but I wanna help you, like you’ve helped me, and—” 

“Zip it, Eds.” Steve pressed his fingertips to Eddie’s lips and rattled out a dry laugh. “Yeah, I know what it looks like, me peddling my ass and all, but the truth is, I don’t have to do this anymore. You were an exception.” He quirked a half-smile: “Tonight’s about you breaking free, not me. C’mon, man—let's party.”

....

Chapter 7 on tumblr

Chapter 7 on AO3

Thank you for reading. Likes, reblogs and comments much appreciated and will feed the bunnies🐰💕🐰💕🐰💕🐰💕 writing this sort of fic can be lonely, and I appreciate it very much!

On tumblr: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3.1 Part 3.2 Part 4.1 Part 4.2 Part 5.1 Part 5.2 Part 6.1 Part 7or search #thefreakinthepenthouse :)

On AO3 All my ST stuff on AO3

[vladdyissues]

"Torrent of Terror" ep. is really dumb about Vlad's evil plan but it's also such a HUGE fan service of pompous pep. I mean, they literally went for a date! There are 2 things I'm wondering:

1. How can Vortex problem be re-setted to Vlad stay evil genius, not become a dumb villain?

2. If Danny being only 15 was asking for a foot massage from Vlad in a public place (yea, people left the game centre after an "artificial rain inside", but it's still public place!), what things would he ask for being older? or dating Vlad? I have some smutty thoughts but it isn't me! It's that perverted little badger!

Hnnnn Torrent of Terror and Eye for an Eye are some of the main reasons I voted for Season 3 in that "Which DP Season Is Your Fave" poll that was circulating a while back. So much food for us Pompeppers.

But yeah, Vlad's evil plan was pretty dumb. Here's my response to your first point:

⛔ Vlad going public with his magic weather device that looks like a vintage barn thermometer

✅ Vlad becoming a cult leader by secretly manipulating the weather and therefore obtaining the adoration and respect (and control) of the entire world by solving their climate crises one by one. Hail Vlad, the savior of earth!

And for your second point:

"You never gave me that foot massage, you know."

Vlad lifted his lips from Danny's neck, his eyebrows knitting with confusion. "Foot massage?"

Grinning secretively, Danny pressed his back against Vlad's chest—and his rear against the burgeoning erection in Vlad's pants. "Back when you were mayor. Vortex. I accidentally got the weather tied to my emotions."

"Oh. Oh, that's right. Heavens, Daniel, that was ten years ago."

"I know. Hard to believe it's been that long, huh."

"Mm."

Danny reached behind and urged Vlad to keep rocking against him. Vlad, however, remained preoccupied with the memory.

"You were a devious little brat, humiliating me like that."

"You deserved it."

"Hm, perhaps. You were going to make me massage your feet, but there was something else. Something more to it. A costume?"

Danny grinned. "Yeah. Not much of one."

"Oh. Good Lord, I remember now. It was a loincloth. You wanted me to put on a loincloth and massage your feet and call you 'master'." He narrowed his eyes at the side of Danny's face, smiling fondly. "Quite the fantasy. Are you sure you didn't have a crush on me then, little badger?"

"Oh, I was toast by that point. I guess seeing you naked did something to my brain."

"And just when did you see me naked, young man?"

"Come on, the Regal Hotel? When we were pranking each other and I turned the walls invisible, and the local news crew caught you on camera?"

"Oh. That."

Danny laughed. "I think you need some Centrum Silver, old man. Your memory's starting to slip."

"My memory's fine, Daniel. I just can't think straight with you grinding on me like this."

"Kind of ironic to be thinking straight now, huh?"

Stifling a chuckle, Vlad slid his hands down Danny's waist to grasp his hips. "I never got my revenge for that weekend, you know," he whispered in Danny's ear.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" Danny asked, eyebrow arching with interest.

"Oh, it's definitely a threat." He rolled Danny over and began phasing away clothing while Danny laughed and pretended to resist. They scrabbled and grunted, wrestling for dominance, before Danny finally allowed Vlad to pin his wrists. Vlad sneered down at him. "How else did you plan to extort me that day, little badger?"

Danny's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, after my foot massage, I was gonna have you bake a bunch of my favorite cookies, then I was gonna get in your jacuzzi with a bottle of your most expensive wine and make you feed me cookies and refill my glass until I passed out or fell asleep."

"It's a good thing Vortex showed up before then."

"Why? You would've killed me?"

"No. I'd be out an eight-hundred-dollar bottle of Dom Pérignon"—Vlad's mouth twitched coyly—"and likely have a restraining order preventing me from coming within five hundred yards of a minor."

"God, you're such a creep," Danny said, but his eyes—and another part of him, farther down—disclosed his naked excitement.

Vlad basked in the insult as if it were sunshine. "What would you demand of me now?"

"Now?" Danny pursed his lips. "Well, it's a different situation."

"Naturally. But if I had to appease you, if you were under the influence of some terrible, destructive power, how should I keep you happy?"

"I dunno. Blowjobs on demand?"

"You can do better than that."

A minute passed before the pensive frown lifted from Danny's face. "Okay, a bath. A fancy bath. You'd have to wash every inch of me and rinse me and shampoo my hair and condition it, all in a huge tub with loads of bubbles and nice scented oils and stuff."

"Very good. Please continue."

"And then I'd have you dry me off and rub lotion on me and powder me, then dress me in a silk robe and feed me chocolate-covered strawberries."

"Is that all?"

"No." Danny smirked, his eyes drifting downward. "You would have to keep me satisfied. All I'd have to do is snap my fingers and you'd get on your knees for me, at any time. I could fuck you whenever I wanted, anywhere I wanted. Over your desk. In the kitchen, the shower. And I'd always get to come first. In fact, you wouldn't be able to come at all unless I gave you permission."

"That's very wicked of you."

"Hey, I learned it from the best."

They shared a brief chuckle before Vlad spoke again. "I was going to let you choose your punishment, but I'm afraid that's too generous. I think I'll just torture you."

"Oh, please," Danny scoffed. "You're too impatient for tor—" He choked on the rest of his words as Vlad's hand went intangible, sinking through Danny's erection and into his belly. "Oh—ohh." He felt Vlad's energy move inside him, spectral fingers curving downward until they wrapped around his prostate. "Oh, God, you're serious."

Laughter rumbled in Vlad's chest. He gave the gland a gentle squeeze, and a moan escaped Danny's lips.

"An eye for an eye, little badger. Though I think you'll enjoy this much more than a foot massage." He leaned down and sealed his mouth to Danny's. His arm, intangible to his elbow, glowed in vague blue-white outlines as it moved, slowly and rhythmically, his buried hand beginning the process of milking Danny's prostate from every imaginable angle.

"You're evil," Danny gasped.

"And yet you love me."

"I can't help it."

Vlad smiled. "Shh, now. No more talking."

And apart from the pleasure-stricken cries that came much later, Danny didn't say another coherent word for the rest of the night.

[silviakundera]

silvia's drama watching queue for 2024: a somewhat random assortment of stuff that was rec'd and for some reason feels it might scratch an itch

in progress - started & I swear I'm gonna finish

* Empresses in the Palace - I'M DOING IT BABYYYYY. 9 episodes down. Yes, the emperor looks like your grandpa and so far has the personality of stale toast. But as long as I don't imagine him naked (no, grandpa, no! it's time for your nap!) then it has this vibe of those Masterpiece Theatre productions I watched as a preteen and I already am recognizing tons of famous tropes (some elements of Job of Imperial Concubine already 3x funnier). Also I appreciate a horror story with a high body count and we have 3 victims already 👌

* Derailment - Modern cdrama that I know is great. I'm 3 ep in, just gotta be in the right mood

* Legend of Fei - Wuxia; got distracted halfway through last year but love the 2 lead actors. Not their best work but still.

* Fireworks of my Heart - what if china did a modern Persuasion adaption but he's a fireman and she's a nurse, basically. kinda. idk man, it has those same vibes for me. I like both lead actors (yes I'm on the YY Can Act Sometimes, When He Feels Like It defense squad. fight me). I'm like 1/3 of the way thru, need to be in that melancholy romantic wallow mood. But mmm I do love second chance + pining.

* Secret Romantic Guesthouse - a wild kdrama appears! Historical drama about saving your inn from debtors by finding a missing royal & turning him over to be murdered. you know, just girlboss things. 💁 Some mystery, some romance. I like the FL. Not much slapstick humor or people screaming at each other so far, which will make me tap out. 4 episodes in and it's quite watchable. I'll probably finish.

not started

* The Left Ear because why not? teens being realistically messy 👌

* Go Ahead - so this may sound strange but I've been holding back on this one a long time, until my work hours were less insane & I can focus. Universally beloved, one of the top cdramas. I'll sink my teeth into this Modern in 2024.

* The Blessed Girl cause it sounds like my jam

* Fake It Till You Make It - modern romance that I've seen rave reviews for. Pretty confident I'll love it.

* Gone with the Rain cause dangermousie's posts seduced me. Costume drama.

* West out of Yeman/Parallel World - multi-verse modern with a lil sci fi? I love multiverse and time travel \o/

* Wonderland of Love - historical romance with generals and some court intrigue, a happy ending. On paper, my kind of stuff. But will I make it thru 40 ep depends on how much I vibe with the otp

Maybe

Choice Husband (12 eps romantic comedy, then turns into blood and manipulation? sounds intriguing)

Moonlight - modern workplace drama, editor/author. Reviews are mixed but I have affection for how cdrama scriptwriters will obsessively research a topic in the style of an AO3 fic writer. I expect to learn more than I ever wanted to know about the toils of being an editor.

Marry My Husband - I don't watch many kdramas but I turn up for tropey reborn every time. If they deliver on the promise of a ridiculous but entertaining romance revenge then I'm there.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

My weekly roundup CW 21

I try to write down my thoughts after watching stuff to create a little weekly ranking in relation to the previous week on my, most of the times, quiet sundays (and because I love lists!). These are just my personal opinions and preferences based on the feeling I got watching the episodes.

And yes, this will contain spoilers!

But first, the perfect appearance this week:

☼ 1. The Day I Loved You (Ep 9)

I just started the series this week and I should have waited until it was completely released. Now I'm sitting here having to wait for it to continue. I am in love with the series. And episode 9 was…rough. When reality catches up with you, it usually does so with a sledgehammer. Nikko may have already accepted the idea of being in a wheelchair at some point in the past, even embraced the idea, but when reality hits you, you still feel hopeless, desperate and pissed off for a moment. I thought Justin and Eli's rapprochement was particularly well done. Justin is just a wonderful friend and knows that Eli makes Nikko happy and nothing else he wishes for his best friend. Even if it hurts to be just the best friend. I can't wait for the last episode! I guess it will leave me in more tears than this week's episode.

The most painful moment this week:

↓ 2. Love Mate (Ep 7+8 Final)

The finale in this sweet first-I-stalk-you-then-you-love-me-series has come. It hurts to say goodbye to them, but I'm all the happier with the ending. Of course the ex played a role again. Of course grumpy-guy had to retreat into himself once more to realize that the ex is just an asshole and shouldn't rule grumpy-guy's life. And luckily sunshine-guy didn't give up, but went to grumpy-guy and showed him that he's not alone and that he won't leave his side just because things got a little difficult. And then he walks down the stairs in that suit and I'm about as ecstatic as grumpy-guy! Yeah, he definitely should have put that suit on earlier! The two are only sweet together and I have them quite firmly in my heart!

Most mesmerised boy this week:

↓ 3. La Pluie (Ep 5)

Okay, the slow burn is back, which is fine. The first meeting with the father, however, I would have imagined a little later in the story and not on the second date…Nevertheless, the episode was very entertaining! I mean, Saengtai's bitchface towards his work colleague, the fact that the jacket so absolutely did not protect from the rain or even when Patts bursts into the room while Saengtai is naked, were all very exhilarating moments that enrich the series so much. What I don't understand is the whole interaction between Saengtai and Lomfon. Well, Lomfon has a crush on Saengtai, but why does Saengtai act like he's also head over heels in love and can't get a sound out when they see each other? I'm so confused.

Best bitchface of the week:

☼ 4. Be My Favorite (Ep 1)

Most valid question this week:

That was a ride. I liked Kris' somewhat stiff manner in Sotus, but here…wow! He's a bit of a comedian. In all seriousness, I thought the first episode was promising and I think that's what surprises me the most. The pairing would probably be one of the last I'd think of when talking about chemistry, but they do their thing well. And even though I can't see them falling for each other yet, because Kawi is after all very much in love with the woman Pisaeng will later marry in the other reality, I'm still excited. And yes, I could laugh heartily several times. The two have a really good, comedic chemistry.

Dumbest hero of the week:

↑ 5. Step by Step (Ep 6)

Pat is starting to understand that he likes Jeng after all. A little bit of progress is allowed in episode 6, but the episode was also really sweet. So many opportunities to flirt and if either of them would have had more courage, there would have been moments for kisses, but I think Jeng understands that Pat is a bit insecure and just needs more time. Nevertheless, this week was again a feast for the eyes, with all the loving looks from Jeng. The good guy got it so bad! I wish Pat wouldn't give Put another chance, but considering the history of the two and the fact that Pat is a people pleaser, it makes it really easy for Put to find the right words and wrap Pat around his finger. I'm not accusing him of anything bad here, and if he really wants to change, good for him…but I'm still Team Jeng….

And the best costume choice goes to, no for real...what is that?

☼ 6. The Luminous Solution (Ep 1)

There's so much going on here. Two storylines that run side by side and they're both good. This week we first got to know everyone and their problems. We have the couple that has been together for what feels like forever and their flame is slowly dying and a little more communication could work wonders here. At the moment I have the feeling that our doctor doesn't really want to be at home, while Thana is longing for more togetherness with his partner, especially since he just lost his job and his mother needs his help. And then we get to meet Mai and Ryou, and we're already set up for Enemies to Lovers, and for Ryou's best friend to have a crush on him and cause extra tension. And then of course the cafe that can grant wishes, but at a price and the whole time I was wondering why in the hell's name, doesn't she tell him the terms beforehand? That is already so a bit unfair….

↓ 7. My Story (Ep 7)

Phew…The episode was enervating. It was clear that Zeke does not make it to the performance, even if I have not understood to this day, what exactly was the school event and why they have always mixed cocktails with only alcohol and than danced at the end…What? Fifth's confession was very sweet and should actually show Zeke how important the whole shit is to him. Trust isn't one of those things that Fifth gives away freely and shit man, you lost that trust for now. Yeah, I'm sitting here being pissed at a fictional character for hurting another fictional character. But said other fictional character has conquered my heart and must be protected at all costs! And the end of the episode never happened…The birthday party takes place and after that is the end…

↓ 8. Our Dining Table (Ep 8)

Oh the embarrassment after the first kiss, even if it was only on the cheek. I knew it, that there was no lip contact. Anyway…I feel sorry for Minoru. I felt for him throughout the episode. And at the end, the idea of going back to how it was before…Nah, not happening! Even if they really wanted to. If there are feelings involved that go beyond friendship, it's hard to go back to the point before, when it was still unspoken. And further, I'm Minoru's father's biggest fan! The guy is empathetic and loving and non-judgmental and I love him!

→ 9. Naked Dining (Ep 7)

Okay, another week for Futa to slowly realize that he likes Mahiro. And also slowly admits it to himself. The story of the hot-pot master was a nice addition to the show. And honestly, the last scene of Futa lying in bed with the hot-pot master's words ringing in his ears and turning to Mahiro to just really look at him was very sweet. Not so cute was the preview…Honestly, what the fuck? I know there are five more episodes to come, but nope! I do not want!

↓ 10. The Promise (Ep 10 Final)

The Final. I think after the first 4 to 5 episodes I would have given the series 10/10 stars. Even after episode 7 it would have still been in a very good range. But then came episodes 9 and 10 and too much squeezed in drama at the end. It just made the series seem unrealistic, too contrived. It just killed the feeling that I had at the beginning. I can understand Phu though, because I am one of those people who always tries to please others and always says she is ok and everything is fine. And maybe that's also the reason why he annoyed me so much in the end. Because this quality in myself is so annoying. But instead of the two of them talking to each other, because Nan and his fears of loss, which is also way too real for me, Phu shuts his feelings away first and Nan jumps to conclusions in a huff. And that frustrates me. In the end it went well, but still it made for unnecessary drama that I didn't need. And what was that crap plane crash about? I thought for a moment that Nan would come in and yell "surprise", fortunately not. Yes, I was disappointed with the second half. Why did I continue watching? Because it was too good to drop.

↓ 11. Our Skyy 2

Puh…Nope…So the first episode was still totally ok. I also think that Cher's apartment is much more comfortable than Gun's apartment. Good decision to move there, who needs space when you have love. But seriously. Why not look for a new apartment together that you can make cozy together and where the gamer friend isn't squatting right next to the bed at the PC while the CEO partner is trying to sleep. Yes, the two are cute together, but phew…I didn't get the complete point of the second episode. So in general I did, but Cher as a boss didn't work at all. Even Gun was never like that as a boss…Well, I feared it last week and was confirmed. Certainly not the strongest episodes.

Honorable Mention

Sparks Camp Well, the show doesn't make the cut, but it gets an honorable mention. I mean, 10 queer guys trying to find their Spark here. Of course I'm going to watch it! And it's got everything, the nerdy, the athletic, the influencer, the introvert and the extrovert. The comments from the contestants are the best! It remains to be seen which contestants will spark and if drama will arise. Initial bonds have already been forged in a game that included oiling up.

Until then, see you next week!

[rainmustfallts4]

Rain Must Fall (Commentary Ed.) ◇ Episode 23: a new boyfriend

⊶⊰Information & Index⊱⊷⊶⊰Ep. 1⊱⊷⊶⊰Chronological Tag⊱⊷

─────────────⊶⊰◇⊱⊷─────────────

She’s been working hard and her grades are improving c: I want to get her to an A at least once during this challenge. (I learned later that it was a requirement for one of the teen aspirations, so this was a good move. Good job, past me!)

Also, I’d like to say that I’m running into storage issues on WordPress. I’ve went through and changed ALL the pictures from the original resolution of 1920 to 900 and the newest ones will be 800. I’ve cut down from 100% storage to 40% but I’m still quite worried about this because I don’t know what I’ll do when it fills up again…

Anyway, I won’t be editing the already posted popups because I’ll have to go through and find the original image and replace them. The newest posted ones will be edited, though!

I completely forgot about the reward traits lol so when I remembered, I was able to grab these two. That way, she earns skills faster both in the morning and at night. I’m not sure about midday? I doubt it’s constant throughout the day but this is good enough c:

Why is she sitting on the ground? Why is she surrounded by school staff? This feels wrong lol

I CALLED IT! What the fuck is wrong with this guy? He’s a teacher getting naked at school during school hours! Creep!

I mean, I like the whole ability to shower in the rain for rags to riches, but jesus. At school, man? Come on.

I made her go outside and yell at him!

After school, she sent Kiyoshi a happy text and he replied, asking if she wanted to head to the park. Of course she said yes.

I did not think I would fall in love with these two as much as I have. I love them!

She asked him if he wanted to be her boyfriend. I was worried because, despite their maxed romance, the sims is unpredictable.

He said yes! I felt so relieved. I genuinely want him to be her first husband ❤

Of course, she also asked him to prom and he agreed.

Her hunger was fading fast so she headed over to grab some food from the nearby stand.

She was surprised by how good it was because she’s never really liked sushi. I guess she’s just been eating non-authentic up until this point!

She worked on her logic skill while she was there.

We still have a LONG way to go, but she’s making decent progress. Though, I sometimes feel like we’re not making any progress at all lol

[ghostaddictgremlin]

Kamen Rider Gaim

Ep 26

WHY MAI. WHY YOU GO YAPPING. Accidentally ratting out Kouta to Micchi

Ohhhh Micchi, you're such a little bitch, I love you

HOW MANY DO YOU CARRY IN YOUR POCKETS MICCHI???

Peko, my beloved

I like that Micchi's cute hair cut gets more and more emo

Oh shit oh fuck, bro just got unhinged unlocked I fear

I am so normal about Dr. Stylish. Like wdym? I am not giggling over him? That would be ridiculous?

"You really are a shrewd bastard." That's so true. No one could've prepared me for how much I love Micchi

Micchi, king of eye rolling now

OH GOD, THE LOOK IN MICCHI'S EYES IS JUST DEAD

HE JUST FUCKING EXPLODED HER OVER A RIVER😂😂😂

Kaito you PISS ME OFF

Just Micchi casually trying to kill Kouta

Just Micchi casually killing Kouta

Ep 27

I DID NOT EXPECT A SHOWER SCENE WHAT THE FUCK. NAKED MELON MAN

I love a man with a god complex

Or... does he have a god kink?

Tbf...... in suit that's me about melon man too

HE YEETED HIM

Ep 28

Micchi is not having a good time

My poor baby😂😂😂 melon man be like: I found this out!!!

And the rest sitting there like: ohhh wooow good job. We never knew!

Oop, he forgot to emote as well😂

This scene is so funny, this is irony on its best level

Every time I see Kaito I could punch through the screen

I LOVE THIS MAN SO MUCH. WHY IS HE SUCH A CUTIE PATOOTIE. I NEED HIM RESPECTFULLY

Betrayal the show

Sid just became a loser. I love that. Pathetic man.

Melon man... I need you to think. For even one sec

I mean yeah... it makes sense, it is good. But the fact that they cornered him into a dark alley to gangbang him to death is so amusing to me. Also where is Micchi?

MELON MAN I CAN'T DO THIS. DON'T PUT YOUR HOPES IN MICCHI😂😂😭

He just fucking died. I don't believe he is dead. But he just fucking died.

Not Kaito throwing a fucking box😂😭

BETRAYAL THE SHOW

Ep 29

Omf Micchi you little bitch. Me when he tries to kill him and after that chills with him <3

Kaito be like: Don't worry, Micchi, I won't tell Kouta about your betrayal. I will just very intensely look at you when I hint betrayal.

Micchi, you little fucking bitch, I love you

Ep 30*

WASSERROHRBRUCHGASSE*²

I know. I know they're Japanese. It means they may not be good at reading English.... but Kouta calling Micchi over like: help bro I am illiterate

Why is the puppy related to the robot??😭😭

Why is it so normal to just pick up a random robot?😭😭

HS XJABZIJQJS HUUUUUUUUUH??????? WTF HAPPENED TO DR. STYLISH???????

Why is he so much worse as Hakaider😭

Don't lay babygirl on the ground laughing, I am begging you

DID HE JUST PUT HIS BRAIN BACK INTO HIS HEAD?!?!?!?

WHAT WAS THAT FEVER DREAM?!?!?

*I was not prepared for the fever dream this episode was

*² this is an important note and it translates to burst pipe alley. That's what I dubbed the one faithful alley in Build and every heavy rain scene, I've just been screaming WASSERROHRBRUCHGASSE

[milli0n-dollar-fool]

spoilers

since mr gaiman said we could maybe write our notes as we watch each episode i’m going to start doing that because i need to understand what happened the whole season LMAO im so distracted by ep*s*d* s*x

Episode 1 – The Arrival

The thing Crowley is holding looks like the thing he used to stop time

His hair is GORGEOUS

He’s so bubbly and wholesome

Aziraphale didn’t know he was helping to make the stars

This is why Crowley wanted so badly to go to the stars with Aziraphale last season

Crowley sort of refers to Aziraphale as kind of below him? Like rank-wise (note Aziraphale is a cherub?)

Aziraphale looked so hopeful introducing himself to Crowley then he doesn’t even tell him his name LMAO

HIS EXCITED SQUEAL

Is this how he wanted to watch the world go in season 1? From space with Aziraphale?

Not aziraphale thinking Crowley was referring to him with the “look at you, you’re gorgeous”

“and I think you’ve done an excellent job” shoot me now

So this is what Crowley is like with a will to live (JOKING)

“stars everywhere” didn’t he say that in the “what are they putting in bananas these days”

Help the music sliding down when aziraphale breaks the news I didn’t notice that before

Crowley’s face

‘call it a nebula’ HE’S SO PROUD OF IT

‘if I was the one running it all’ *immediately looks around nervously*

‘how much trouble can I get into just for asking a few questions’ honey you’ve got a big storm coming

THE STARS RAINING AND THE WING AHHHHHH

Love David tennant getting his name before Michael sheen in the credits

We didn’t see the blimps or raining rabbits in this season – s3?

Switched little sign thingies

THE SIGN CROWLEY WROTE ABOUT CLOSING TIMES AHH

“hello Maggie” HIS VOICE IS SO GENTLE

“what if I were to take these Shostakovich records without paying for him” HE SAYS IT SO MISCHIEVIOUSLY  

Also I love some of shostakovich’s pieces

“I’m very good at forgiveness, it’s one of my favourite things” PARALLEL TO “I FORGIVE YOU” RAHHH

I like how you can see crowleys eyes behind his sunglasses

“frozen peas” he’s not letting down his man aziraphale

She has her order memorized AHRIOAA

Head empty no thoughts goob intro

HELP ME THE BARE HUG SQUEEZE I WOULD RATHER DIE

STOP LOOKING UP AND DOWN AZIRAPHALE

‘near one particular person’ ‘no certainly not’ bffr

Was the something terrible thing heaven hunting him down

His smirk at “his royal smugness is in trouble that’s so sad” AHHHH

“you’re funny. I love you” hello?

The fly in the box heh

Aww his face after ‘what box’

I will die for Muriel  

TONE OF VOICE

“go back a long time’ ok

‘because there’s a naked man there?’ JEALOUSSSS

“is it something I can help you with?’ JEALOUSSSS

So like we were right about Crowley eating/drinking really fast

“purely selfish action’ not very angelic of you

I wonder what the rest of his keys are for

HIM PUTTING HIS GLASSES ON THE HORSE LMAO

“ask him properly” I jumped

“I am dusting” HE JUMPED LMAO

Dartmoor sherlock reference I see you

Arguing 25 minutes into the show I see

‘precious, peaceful, fragile’ man

‘if you refuse to help me you’re at liberty to go’ paralleling ep*s*d* s*x is gut wrenching  

“no, I would love you to help me” im crying he really is picking up the pace

How long was that blue car out there for  

Ngl him smiting everywhere was kinda

“you’re misunderstanding me uriel” “im understanding you very well. You think somebody should be giving orders and that someone is you” PARALLEL TO THE END

I unironically love Michael

Crowley looks so tired in his Bentley :(

For a sec I thought we were going to get traitor traitor Crowley  

The way he sprawls lmao

Beelzebub trying to find the man theyre down bad for lmao

The way they converse comfortably instead of Crowley being afraid of Beelzebub  

Aww Maggie being sheltered :(

GOOD OLD FASHIONED LOVER BOY

“theres only room for one of us in this lane and it’s not you” crying

I love how nina remembers people based off their coffee order – That’s Mr Six Shots of Expresso

“my bad” aww

The way he was listing when he did the I was wrong dance WHAT HAPPENED

Were those the years of the flashbacks I’ll check later (1650, 1793, 1941)

I love the dance I need the backstory

“very nice” rolling

“together” im crying

Parenting is going well

‘it would barely move the dials’ okay

They look so determined

Their smiles when they thought they did the miracle right aww

And theres the end of the episode folks what do we think

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (22-28 Oct 2023)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🙂 The Golden Spoon (Jessa Maxwell, author; full voice cast narration) - a perfectly cromulent book: totally predictable to anyone who's read more than 1 mystery but still entertaining in both characters and plot. Gerald, my autistic king, you were definitely my fave. [I did like the idea of having a different voice narrator for each character, since the chapter POVs switch, but the narrator for Stella sounded like the Tiktok automated voice about 90% of the time. I could tell I was going to get annoyed with that & with the way audio draws things out when I can read text so much faster and it became clear the plot was going to be so predictable, so I switched over to reading text ~35%.]

🙂 The Sleeping Beauty Curse (who_la_hoop) - 152K, drarry, accidental soulbond

😍 i come back to the place you are (pizzabones) - 211K, steddie canon-divergent post s4, extremely satisfying slow burn, loved the dual POV structure with eddie in a coma for the first 10 months the fic covers

💖💖 +79K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

soldier keep on marching on (waiting on that morning sun) (songofswiftsunrise) - LOTR: gen, 4k - lovely 'Boromir Lives' AU, inspired by emily martin's incredible art

Pursued by Bear (Zenaidamacrouras1) - MCU: shrunkyclunks, 19K - reread, forever fave, inspired by that tweet about the UFC & Shakespeare conventions occurring in the same hotel

A Tricky Bit of Spellwork (AidaRonan) - OFMD: gen, 1K - legit the only way I'll accept Izzy not being dead is this

Ready for Love (idiopathicsmile) - Singin' in the Rain: Cosmo/Don/Kathy, 13K - the Singin' in the Rain OT3 fic I didn't know I needed

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Mock The Week - s21, e2

The Graham Norton Show - s31, e3 (Laura Linney, Dawn French, London Hughes and Adrian Edmondson)

Taskmaster - s16, e5

QI - series J, ep 12; series T, ep 1-2, 4

Shakespeare & Hathaway - s1, e1

Murdoch Mysteries - s15, e18-24; s16, e1-5

Dirty Laundry - s3, e4

D20: Burrow's End - "Last Bast" (s20, e4)

D20: Adventuring Party - "The Bast of Us" (s15, e4)

Our Flag Means Death - s2, e8

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

⭐ Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford - Oil and Blood: The Osage Murders

Shedunnit - Spooky Sleuthing

Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals - Teaser 11: Shirley Jackson

⭐ Decoder Ring - The Fast Decline of the Slow Dance

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

⭐ Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Auto-Tone

⭐ Song Exploder - Kesha "Eat The Acid"

⭐ Hit Parade - This Ain’t No Party?! Edition

Re: Dracula - October 24: Not Yet Reported

Into It - Britney Was Always Trying to Tell Us Who She Was

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Venturing Into the Twilight Zone with Susan Casey

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Frasier

Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals - Teaser 12: Bram Stoker

Ed Zitron's 15 Minutes In Hell - Episode 12 - Kari Byron

Simply Reflecting - Are We Back?

Re: Dracula - October 25: To His Doom

Vibe Check - I Put A Spell On You

Shedunnit - Bonus: A Haunting in Venice Review

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Great Plains Dinosaur Museum

⭐ Decoder Ring - When Art Pranksters Invaded Melrose Place

Switched on Pop - Chartbreakers: Mitski tops the TikTok chart

⭐ Today, Explained - Why does the US always side with Israel?

Ologies with Alie Ward - Teratology (MONSTERS) with W. Scott Poole

Re: Dracula - October 26: Continue Our Watching

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Art of the Heist with Noah Charney

99% Invisible #557 - Model Village

Off Menu - Ep 211: Steve Coogan

Into It - We Will Never Recover From What Justin Did to Britney or: the End of 'Into It'

Dear Prudence - I’m Making Bitchy Comments to A Dog! Help!

What Next: TBD - Self-Driving Cars Crash Into Reality

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Naked Attraction And What's Making Us Happy

Endless Thread - Endless Dread: Campfire Chills

Re: Dracula - October 28: Awful Straits

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford - Killers of the Flower Moon: Osage Chief Jim Gray In Conversation

Overinvested - Ep. 287: The Exorcist

Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me! - Bernie Taupin

Hit Parade - The Bridge: Down at the Rock n’ Roll Club

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Land (1975-2002) [Patti Smith] {2002}

Presenting Talking Heads

Presenting Blondie

Mania [Ramones] {1988}

Nightmare City Punk

[bourbon-ontherocks]

asdjzekhkjerhf 304 was?? hysterical???? I hadn’t laughed like that in front a show in a long time, I was literally cry-laughing during the online team meeting. gilles’ face 💀💀💀 I could rewatch the ep rn just for this… franchement, merci chloé for sharing your germs with everyone, so worth it 🙏 btw céline complètement croclove de la petiote while adam is trying to keep a semblance of health & safety measures in the workplace, ICONIC. (so many germs-related reaction gifs to make. "LES GESTES BARRIÈRE !")

let’s not forget daphné’s power trip and her gender equality crusade, is it me or did she wink when they told céline the murderer was a woman? je l’adore 😭😂

gilles, vraiment, friend of the year 🥲 because daphné might just eviscerate him when she finds out he lied to her 🥲 ("vous allez tellement bien ensemble" je l’ai mal pris pour lui mdrrr) and it’s cute how jealous he was of timothée, lol!

timothée is way too sweet, actually. like, we know he’s not really meant as a love interest for morgane, but it’s too bad we don’t even get a chance to believe in their relationship (as opposed to morgane & ludo for example) though I’m glad he’s around, tbh, because "ma sirène" is my new favorite term of endearment 🤣🤣

OMG anon, I'm so happy for you that you enjoyed this episode!!! I'm not particularly fond of it myself so I'm glad you gave me more reasons to like it!!

I must say the flu epidemic was extremely fun, I knew from the start that it was obviously bound to happen when Ludo said that Chloé had a fever, and watching that trainwreck was like witnessing a car crash lol 😂 I agree that in that regard, the Zoom meeting was particularly delightful 😍 Also Adam x his steam inhaler is my new ship (really though, between the absence of Beardie, the inhaler, and the thermometer stuff, he was peak sexiness in this ep 🤣)

Céline babytalking Chloé felt kinda weird to me, she never really struck me as a kids person (even when she talks about how she basically never sees her son in season 2, like... she doesn't look devastated so much, you know?) but for some random reason she seems to be obsessed with Morgane's children this season (cf. when her first concern when Morgane was attacked at home was, actually, the kids that weren't even there).

But -- ah, why am I even trying to understand the characters this season? Characterization who? lol. Où avais-je la tête 😅

I 100% agreed that Daphné winked about the murderer being a woman, and she was definitely proud. I love her so much, but this woman is deranged 😂 Also the way she went borderline scary when asking Gilles about who was Timothée's conquest made me laugh so much!! The poor man, torn between his loyalty (and scare) towards Morgane and his scare (and loyalty) towards Daphné lololol!! Their fake dating idea was genius and Daphné's réaction was priceless ("maintenant que tu me le dis c'est évident" looooooool). But also wait until you find out how it all resolves because I have a feeling that you won't get disappointed 😈

Also what do you mean Gilles was jealous of Timothée?

Timothée is boring (imo) and borderline creepy, and I must say I cringed at "ma sirène" but also agreed that it was kinda hilarious. What did you think of the pseudo-romantic scene (grand gesture, rain, champagne metaphor, heart-shaped fade to black, etc) in the end? I might have vomited in my mouth a little 😆

But I have to admit I really enjoyed Morgane trying and spectacularly failing at hiding Timothée from Ludo AND Gilles lol (also Gilles who genuinely thought Timothée was just being rude for wandering naked in Morgane's house... someone protects this man at all cost 🤣)

(also the way Ludo was super chill with his ex's sex life, this man is a GEM 🥰)

Obviously this analysis wouldn't be whole without its crumbs of angst, so I'll leave you with the fact that Morgane's break-up speech was embarrassingly bad because she's usually never the one who leaves. 😢

[invisiblegarters]

Hidden Agenda Ep 6

Man why did pretty boys never show up at my place with flower pillows and breakfast when I was in college? Shows always make me feel like I screwed up somewhere during my college experiences, lol. Why are there no shows about people working two jobs while going to college full time and spending most of their time when not working in the library?

Oh yeah, because those shows would be boring.

The sunflower thing again. Is that gonna be a motif with these two if they keep starring in shows together? Just drag the sunflowers along for the ride?

Thai dramas have conditioned me to expect that whenever a BL boy goes out into the rain with no umbrella he will get sick.

And now everyone has ditched the debate meeting leaving only Joke and Zo. This show is just a treasure trove of tropes. I love it. It's just trope after trope after trope.

Aw Joke's cute. "come out and play with me!" But I am Zo. Free time is for studying. Then again this is not real life, this is BL world. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Oooh, an arcade. I haven't been to an arcade in years. I always liked Skee Ball the best. I used to sit at those games and just play and play and get handfuls of tickets.

Game montage!

I know that Wave doesn't like Joke for reasons but he's not wrong. Dude is being a bit rude all over the place. And he needs to learn that he can't just do that kind of thing.

What the hell does Nita have a stalker? That is so creepy. And of course Zo sees them hugging. Because this BL never met a trope it didn't like. Again, not complaining.

At least Zo is confronting the thing directly, but it's not really Joke's place to tell him about Nita's stalker problems.

AAAAH so creepy.

Well good for Joke for helping her out, but um? Report him? Can't they do that?

No Joke you are rushing him a bit, lol.

"I had a hunch." Pfft. Was it the times he stared at you and tried to arm wrestle you for your books or the random let's go to the library so I can read you a "romantic" myth that gave it away Nita?

Nita popping in with facts again. I knew I liked this girl. I mean, let Zo figure out his feelings if that's what he needs to do, but she's not wrong that keeping someone waiting and waiting and waiting can turn into cruelty. After a certain point you have to accept that if you're willing to keep someone waiting for you forever your feelings in return are probably not that strong, and it's kinder to let them know and let them find someone else.

Pffft Joke, any chance to get half naked with Zo. I approve.

Oh just make out about it already.

No kisses for me. Sigh.

Zo honey he's shirtles and he's gonna stay that way.

See, when Top says he wants to hold Mew I think it's a line. When Joke says he wants to hold Zo I think he means it. Difference in your regularly scheduled BL vs. what Only Friends is doing right there. And there's a place for both! As there should be.

Joke really is a romantic.

Why does no one ever turn their damn lights off this annoys me so much. Is that normal or is it a "we need the lighting to film this" thing? I do not think that I could sleep with the lights on like that. And all I can think of is the electric bill.

Cute, as always. And we're finally taking some steps forward, so that's nice. I continue to enjoy myself.

[eitmonline]

EITM Playlist 8/28/24

Zach Bryan, Noeline Hoffman - Purple Gas | 6:11

Victoria Monét, USHER - SOS (Sex On Sight) | 6:27

Avril Lavigne - Sk8er Boi | 6:33

Bruce Springsteen - She Don’t Love Me Now | 7:15

Bishop Briggs - Mona Lisa On A Mattress | 7:45

k.d. lang - Constant Craving | 7:57

Anberlin - Seven | 8:03

Gary Clark Jr. - Habits | 8:34

The Warning - Hell You Call A Dream | 9:05

The Killers - Bright Lights | 9:32

LFO - Summer Girls | 9:41

Amyl And The Sniffers - Chewing Gum | 9:49

Jimi Hendrix - Wild Thing (Live) | 10:46

Band Of Horses - Laredo | 11:00

[steely-eyedmissileman]

The Vampire Diaries, Ep. 2x10

The Sacrifice

the titles are so boring on this show, especially compared to season seven/eight of supernatural. be more interesting, tvd!

we begin with an absolute classic of the vampire genre: young woman sleeping in room while strange man sneaks around. in an interesting twist on the form, this man is not a vampire. he is witch dad. elena shouldn't go back to sleep because that door is ominously open. luckily, she does not. even more luckily, she goes out into the hallway and ht is there!!!! shirtless!!!! this is somewhat distracting, for me differently than elena. ht is supremely awkward, ending the encounter with the words: 'well... i'm naked. so i'm gonna go.' he then flees. it was very funny.

then, we go to the tomb. katherine is trying desperately to be sexy, but she is so tired and malnourished that it is just funny. she wants out of the tomb now because she's bored. sorry that safety is so boring to you, katherine. 'i'm starving and dirty and bored.'

elena doesn't want the brothers to destroy the moonstone. does elena not want to be saved? she certainly doesn't want her friends to hurt themselves trying to save her. she is more concerned with their lives than her own.

bonnie meets up with her new love interest. he explains that witches can channel each other to make themselves stronger. they do magic. and, in keeping with teh tradition of vampires shows, magic is sex. to quote my notes: 'sex magic is sex magic is sex!' the two of them are now connected through their accessories. jeremy comes up to ruin the moment. go away, jeremy.

elena walks in on rose who is clearly expecting to have more sex with damon.

we hear only happy when it rains! i love this song! unfortunately, this is not garbage, but some disappointing cover.

caroline sees matt. he is awkward. she is awkward too, but only after he sets the awkward tone. caroline then tells tyler that she's going to help him with his first full moon.

jeremy is being insensitive to bonnie's grandma dying. he wants to go into the tomb to get the moonstone instead of sending the brothers in.

elena convinces rose to take her to go see the grad school vampire. unfortunately for my heart, we already know that the grad school vampire will not be seen in this episode. they find the dead grad school vamp and wonder who killed him because they don't know that elijah isn't dead. rose insists that she can open the curtains because of the tempered glass windows. that's not what tempered glass means. we meet a new person at grad school vamp's place. she was hoping to be turned into a vampire.

next up, we have a note that reads 'bonnie more nosebleed,' which is an amusing enough combination of words i needed to share it verbatim. to explain, bonnie does another spell to stop katherine and her nose begins to bleed, as it always does when she overextends herself.

tyler and caroline have a surprisingly insightful conversation about dating. tyler: 'matt's bumming pretty hard.' caroline: 'i know. it's better this way.' tyler: 'i get it.' caroline: 'you do?' tyler: 'yeah. you can't be honest with him. it's not really fair to be with someone and not really let them know who you are. i get it.' who expected this level of emotional awareness from tyler? certainly not me. i used to call him fuck face, for goodness sake (my friend who has watched more of this show has implied that i will one day go back to calling him fuck face). caroline can't be honest with matt. she misses him, but she can't be herself with him. caroline is strong enough to know that both she and matt deserve better than a relationship that she can't fully participate in.

tyler and caroline are going into the lockwood basement. last time caroline was here she almost saw her mom die. this is a big moment for her, psychologically. they find a notebook. this is exciting! i love notebooks! unfortunately/fortunately this notebook belongs to nawm.

damon reveals that he has ht's stake gun in his car. my girlfriend makes us watch that moment twice so she can make a joke she thinks is appropriately funny. she says 'so that's what they're calling it now.' i'm sorry that i forgot the first attempt.

elena sends a message towards klaus: 'the doppelgänger is alive and she's ready to surrender.' elena is on a suicide mission. to quote rose, 'so this whole charade is some suicide mission so that you could sacrifice yourself and save everyone else?' pretty much.

jeremy goes into the tomb to take the moonstone from katherine. he's doing pretty well until he falls at the final hurdle. he throws the moonstone out of the tomb, but he is now katherine's prisoner.

rose calls damon and tells him to get his butt over to her and elena.

elijah scrys elena. elena sees him in the window.

tyler and caroline are watching the video of nawm's first transformation. i have one major question: why is he so wet? the transformation is painful and upsetting, very different from teen wolf. tyler does not want to transform, which is fair enough.

damon has come to save elena. but, 'you're not listening to me, damon. i don't want to be saved.' she is framing it as a sacrifice, in order to save everyone she loves. i think there's something else there, though. elena has lost her faith that her life can be good. she has lost her ability to believe in a better life, one where she isn't constantly in danger and doesn't have to sacrifice her relationships to keep people safe.

meanwhile, bonnie, even with help from her new love interest, is not able to open the tomb. stefan goes in and throws jeremy out so he is not continually suffering (he can't die because of his ring).

caroline wants to help tyler with his first full moon, and he is suspicious of her motives. caroline reveals her terrible time at her transformation. she doesn't want him to be alone, the way she was. their conversation is cut short by the surprise arrival of matt who wants to talk to caroline. and then tyler comes to the door. which is awkward.

elijah has arrived to see elena. he pulls the other vampires' hearts out (which is totally damon's move). he then runs away. why???? does he not want klaus to get elena?

bonnie is mad at jeremy for going into the tomb. jeremy is mad at bonnie for trying to open the tomb. bonnie says, 'i didn't have a choice.' jeremy says, 'neither did i.' then we make a lot of progress toward jeremy confessing his feelings, which i don't want. in my notes, i wrote 'no kissing not allowed.'

damon and elena return home and jeremy has to tell them what happened to stefan. they run to the tomb. damon won't let elena go into the tomb. stefan won't show himself until she leaves. he comes to talk to damon, who promises to find a way to save stefan. damon says, 'you martyr yourself in a tomb and i get partnered with a semi-competent witch. wonderful.' damon then promises to protect elena.

katherine says that extracting that promise from damon will be the biggest mistake of stefan's life.