#this is actually keeley's ship of all time and i am so ready for it

[twobrokenwyngs]

no but i just have to keep talking about it actually

because i am convinced that the keeley/jack stuff is intentional. she's broken up with roy. them getting back together now isn't feasible, because their circumstances haven't changed, and aren't going to change. and they keep throwing these suspicious red herrings in there, like keeley thoughtfully observing roy from across the room, or going on that soft little tangent about how jamie is different than he used to be. but getting back together with jamie would be a narrative step backwards for her. roy and jamie are the usual suspects, but they don't make sense.

and then... in comes jack. they have a literal meetcute. immediately, keeley is stricken into wide-eyed staring, breathless flirting, nervous giggling and rambling. they keep finding each other across the room, gravitating into each others' space, shooting each other these tentative smiles. keeley watches her while biting her fucking lip, for god's sake. it's being written like a romance. all the beats are there. THIS is the fresh start keeley's been looking for.

i'm telling you. if they don't kiss by the end of the season, i'm buying everyone here a round of drinks.

[vole-mon-amour]

3x12, Jamie edition, part 2.

Roy seeing Jamie and Keeley hugging, asking him out for a bear, letting Jamie fist bump him and suggesting he does this, being excited about spending time with Jamie. When early in the show Roy full on walked away from fist bumping and Jamie had to fist bump himself.

THE GROWTHHHH. I'm so happy for Jamie, honestly. I'm pretty sure Roy's posted was on Jamie's wall way before Keeley's one got there, so to be best friends with your childhood hero/crush... Good for you, Jamie. Good! for! you!

The different ways these two drink. I'm having Thoughts. Also, what are those dog tags, Jamie?

"Worth the wait." I'M HAVING THOUGHTS.

Fucking FINALLY. Tell him he's the best boy. Also, can't get over the looks Jamie always gives him. The never-ending puppy eyes with "Oh? Oh, for real? Ohhh my."

When will they finally kiss?

Older man, lmaoooo. Oh, Jamie. You wonderful, wonderful boy. The daddy kink can easily be a part of it.

Hey, you know how it looks like? "To you dying then." Look at them go.

Friendship? FRIENDSHIP? (stops myself from writing a fanfic right here and now) Oh, you are SO dating.

Roy, what are you, five? No, but for Real? Keeley deserves SO much better. He's insecure af, he tries to push Jamie away from her, he's crushing Jamie under this passive aggressive "She's mine, so don't even think about it."

If anything, if I were to choose from the inside of this triangle, it's Roy and Jamie for me. They WORK. It would fix so much if they kissed and explored each other's bodies. All that "All I need is Keeley & you stay away from here" would disappear.

However, if we're talking het ships (which I dislike but ok), it's Jamie and Keeley for me. I'd love Keeley with someone new. I'd LOVE to, with boys being together. But between Roy and Jamie. Jamie is SUCH a much bigger man than Roy. Jamie has done all the work since s1. No one held his hand, he's done all the work himself. He never ever hit on Keeley again despite all his love for her. He's been respectful of her wishes and never pushed himself on her or on Roy with "She's mine." If anything, he went with "I respect you and your relationship with Keeley" & stayed out of the way.

All Roy canonically does is pushing herself on her and on Jamie about her. Both Keeley and Jamie deserve better than an insecure man that can't get his head out of his ass. It's like one hookup, he went kind of normal, then he's back to his old ways again. Like???

I genuinely think you should have some gay sex. That would fix you a bit, Roy. I'm sure of it. Jfc. Is it me or is Roy incredibly weird this ep? What's with "She's a woman"??? What's that misogyny? You can't talk with a woman without thinking you're back on track to dating her? Keeley told you 'No" numerous of times.

Like, I'll tag it as anti Roy x Keeley, but I genuinely think shippers also should see it. Roy is regressing so fucking fast. You call this the man Keeley deserves? I don't fucking see it. "I don't want to be just friends." Well, she's not ready, why are you pushing so hard? Asshole.

See??? "I'm so insecure, but I'm pushing myself on her so hard, it's happening, we're getting back together, step aside!"

I want to beat Roy with a stick. Like, at actual tree stick, with leaves and all, so he'd understood what he's doing, that idiot.

Anyway, Jamie is such a sweet boy, immediately asking if they're official or not. He gets it.

You tell him, Jamie. Does this change anything for me in terms Roy x Jamie? No. Lol. But omg, I am still so anti Roy x Keeley, you guys. He should learn how to be alone and how to be a decent human being and how to treat people with respect.

I see only one child here & it's you, not Jamie. Grow up. No, tbf, they're both acting like kids, "I was with her first" — "I was with her last." But Roy is.... *deep sigh* My reaction to him is basically Jamie smacking lips and raising his eyebrows. Seriously, grow the hell up.

No but I think she should sit together, all three of them and talk. They don't actually consider what the woman in question wants. Maybe she wants neither of you. In the meantime, Roy and Jamie should kiss. They're going nowhere this way.

"She made that for me." I see hints of Roy getting physical & I swear to god, if he ever touches Jamie in the wrong way, just with one fucking finger, I am so fighting Roy. I can almost see Jamie waiting for the punch and for the need to defend himself. Jamie comes first, everything else comes second. Unless you're gonna kiss him and love him & cherish him, FUCK OFF.

Overall, even with how much I ship OT3, I'm tired of when it's presented like an actual triangle/two people running after one. This is seriously going nowhere & considering this might be our episode EVER, I dislike that very much. And them bickering like children? You guys should fix it.

Like, I had a feeling Roy might try to pull off something like this since he saw Jamie and Keeley hugging and got jealous but omg. *rolls eyes* Be a bigger man for once, will you, before calling Jamie a child?

P.S.:

This sounds SO much like a Phil's interview where he said that he wanted things with Keeley to go Jamie's way. Bc he feels all Jamie's victories and losses the same way Jamie feels.

[damelucyjo]

Possibly my favourite episode of the season. But could that be because it feels like they just remembered this show is really about Rebecca Welton and is just named after her boyfriend?? Not at all!!

Let’s go!!

Episode 10 - International Break

Woah! What a way for reveal Nate left West Ham! 🫢

Shut up, George!! You’re just bitter you were shut at your job and it’s showing now

Ted! We want to spend every weekend with you! Please never leave

Is this really how they find out who got chosen?? Seems like something they’d personally get told first. I think the boys knew, but the coaches didn’t!! Hmm

‘Wait, hold on. Bumbercatch, you’re Swiss?’ ‘Yeah. Look at me’ this boy really is a man of mystery!! 😂

Poor Sam 🙁

But God love Jamie though! He’s come so far!! 🥰🥰

‘I am not your bro. We are now enemies, and soon, you will be my bitch’ woah, Mexico Dani is a whole other breed of dog, huh!! I’ll stick with Richmond puppy Dani, thanks 😂

YYEEEAAAHHHH!!

We love a convo that sounds like it’s about periods but is actually about wine 🫡

MADELINE KAHN REFERENCE!!! 😍😍 this alone could make this episode my favourite!!

Totally tracks though that Ted doesn’t like gossip

As much as I always want scenes of Ted & Rebecca alone, that reveal to Trent was brilliant. And of course he’s good at girl talk 😂

Please, they way Rebecca reacts to Ted is such married behaviour. AND TRENT IS SEEING IT ALL FIRST HAND!! I’m so excited

Oh, Ted. You’re cute. You knew exactly what they meant. You just wanted to make your wife smile. It’s okay, we get it 🥰

AND AGAIN WITH THE DEVIL BIT. Boy…

I’ll continue to say it; Nate & Jade are cute!

Fully expected her to flip them all off, not gonna lie

Omg I totally saw this coming, and yet it’s still heartbreaking 🥺

Keeley’s not stupid. She knows it’s not the board, Barbra

JUNO TEMPLE!!! 😢😢😢 (first time I got teary this episode)

Scary Mexico Dani 🤘🏼 You just know Cristo had a blast with this episode!! (Peep the guy in the back with the huge smile😂)

Slutty Ted in red with his arms out 🥵

‘It’s hard to see the ball when your eyes are full if tears’ fucking savage 😂

The Wunder Turd. Nice

Fuck Jane though

I think Trent’s next book should just be about Beard. That is an interesting man, for sure! Like, why do you need so many axes, my guy?!

Well that was awkward… but also a little sweet 🫣

‘The creepy old man that lives in the sewers’ Renee, you’ll always be famous to us

Okay, I could go on and on about this, but I think this is a great, subtle way to begin showing Rupert falling apart.

‘When they used to play by candlelight’ YES, REBECCA! FUCK THAT OLD MAN UP!! 😂

‘Some people just are t ready when they get their shot’ That is not at all what happened, Rupert

Oop she knows that’s bullshit, too

HAPPY UNCLE DAY, ROY!! 🎉��

Okay, I love Roy’s sister. And also the subtle call back to her actually being the doctor that treated Sharon last season 👍🏼 Nice

Of course that’s the order of Phoebe’s favourite holidays. Uncle Roy is number 1! (&2😉)

Uh oh, secrets out boys! 😂😂

How fucking cute though that Jamie gets a call (probably from Phoebe herself) inviting him to this party and he actually turns up with a really thoughtful gift 🥹 THE GROWTH IN THIS BOY IS GORGEOUS!!

Omg Eloide’s face journey in this scene is perfection. Phoebe has been grossly underused this show!

Also the cutest fucking present. She’s knows your inside is so bright and colourful, Roy! You shouldn’t hide it!

‘Your sister is fit’ ‘I will cut your eyes out’ 😂 okay, but like… I would 100% be behind these two being brother-in-laws, just saying 😂

SAM RICHARDSON!!! 😍 always a blast when he shows up!

And you just know from Toheeb himself that these scenes are a struggle to get through once Sam gets on a roll

But poor Sam, though. Edwin is such a dick

Poor Nate, too. He’s so lost right now 🥺

Yeah, Lloyd, shut up (which is what she meant to say)

Seeing her signs blocked off 🥺🥺 heartbreaking

Since when does her lady ship enter a room like that?? 😂 but I’m glad it means we get to see more physical comedy from Jeremy 👍🏼 Always a bonus!

So her order is Keeley, Ted, Sassy, Leslie and never her mother 😂 I love that actually

‘I hate to break it to you, Rebecca, but those children are dead’ made me laugh just as much as it did the first time! 😂

We love a protective Papa Higgins in this house 🥰 but boy seems traumatised by that story 😂

Oh don’t suck your tie, Leslie 🤦🏻‍♀️

So that photo has shown up on both Keeley & Ted’s phone, but whose did she take it on?? 🤔

That is a bullshit text, Jack. Absolutely no excuse. I knew I was right to not trust you from the start! 😡

‘Everything? Fuck no’ another great call back

Also hell yeah to a Keeley & Mae scene!! (Do have some thoughts about what I’ve seen some people say about this scene, though…)

Whether she’s drunk or making a joke, Keeley actually going with Mae’s full name being Maybe is genius!😂

I really need a Mae in my life. I feel like I could actually get my life in order after a conversation with this woman

Everyone not knowing what to do or how to react to him wearing this t-shirt is brilliant

(Also Red Right Hand playing over this is maybe the last little push I need to finally start Peaky Blinders once this show is done)

Beard trying to get Ted’s attention- amazing. But what was he doing on his phone that he was so focused on??

‘Okay, now I’m worried. Are you alive? Text ‘no’ if dead’ living for silly, real Rebecca! 🥰

The boys all getting together to watch all the games is beautiful 🥹 they’re all so supportive!!

Also genius work casting Colin & Ryan as the commentators for this match 👌🏼

Savage Dani!!

What are you decorating, Rebecca, that you have a ‘decorating made easy’ pdf on your laptop?? 🤔

📢 THE ARMY MAN IS BACK!! 📢

Yo, Rupert is really struggling atm, huh!

Yes I gasped when he threw it on the floor, but had no doubt he’d bake back for it!

Rebecca is a gif sender. Of course she is

Rebecca has anxiety confirmed?? 🤔

Okay this scene with little Rebecca is absolutely gorgeous!! And did make me tear up a little, not gonna lie.

(As I’ve also said, I choose to believe Paul taught her to do that when she was little)

That is going to become his new favourite t-shirt, I can see it already. Something will eventually happen to it and he’s going to be devastated!!

Again, who the fuck is Leann?! Your name is Ruth, woman! 😂 it’s times like this that fanfic really screws with you 😂

‘I teach kids. I don’t mind cleaning up a mess’ tell him like it is, RuthLeann 😂

Aannndd it’s all falling into place finally. Took your time, Roy!!

‘I like clothes that tell the truth’ BARBARA!! You juicy minx 😂 I love you, please never leave!!

I’ve absolutely loved watching these two together 🥹

She’s so awkward, maybe a little bit autistic 🤷🏻‍♀️ makes sense!

Rupert’s being nice. Makes me feel weird…

‘How could I resist the chance of having a bunch of old men speak directly to my chest?’ Don’t try so hard, man. She’s not that funny!!

His assistant is called Bread. A play on Beard perhaps?? 🤔

Okay, what has he said about Rebecca to get a reaction from her like that??

Also this is deliciously awkward. I hope it comes out that Nathan told everyone he was sleeping with his assistant, as well as others, and that’s why he left. And that Bex left him too. You must suffer

Your ex-wife is also not stupid. She knows exactly what happened with your old assistant.

He introduced her as an owner, not his ex. HE’S TRYING SO HARD!!

I’ve had this exact exchange with many an older gentleman in my time. This is too real 🤢

This man and his obsession with Chicago-style hot dogs knows no bounds! 😂

Okay, these baby pictures are cute

Sam pulling the most out of a tiny little thing is wonderful 😂 wonder how long that actually went on for??

‘An untried dream’. Eww.

So Keeley does know how to text back! 🫢

I love how they bring things in from the actors themselves, assuming this really is Nick playing

‘Is this a fucking joke?’ FUCK THEM UP, GIRLIE!!

And Sam’s face 😂

They really just said let’s surround Hannah with kids this episode, huh 😂

Love her talking to a bunch of old men like they’re children, too

Jamie wearing 24 for Sam 🥹🥹🥹 yes, I have to pause until the tears go away

Roy, your handwriting is atrocious

How dare this show make me have a feeling towards Rupert 😡

I agree with you, Edwin, what a lovely speech indeed. Rebecca, you have come so far from the bitter ex-wife who just wanted to destroy something your ex-husband loved. You truly care and love the sport and your boys now and it’s delicious to witness 🥰🥰🥰

Omg that reveal with amazing!! (Although I will say, on my first watch I though initially the food on Tony’s head was because he’d been punched 🫣😂)

Those giggles were purely Hannah & Tony

Nick is absolutely killing in this season. This scene is a great showcase of exactly how these types of families are. It’s beautiful to witness

Also shoutout to the actor playing his dad. He’s done an amazing job too!!

I’m feeling so many emotions watching this scene. Tony is showcasing beautifully exactly how charming Rupert can be. Reminiscing about old times, getting food out of her hair. Doing his ‘Rupert act’ that likely always works for him. But not with her. Not anymore. She’s the strong one now and he’s lost 🥹 Good for you, Rebecca!

She has to look now, Roy, because nobody can read your handwriting 😂

Brett & Juno kill me. His letter is just beautiful and made me tear up every time I’ve listened to it 🥹 AND HE TOLD HER HE STILL LOVES HER!! 🥰

‘Sincerely yours, Roy Kent. XOXO’ 😂😂 never change, please

They really are beautiful and I can’t wait to see them coming back together!

Keeley opening that door and screaming at Rebecca was *chefs kiss* 😂 Juno Temple, comedy queen!

And I want what they have!! I love how she can share her good news, ask for a hug, then tell her she’s cross with her friend. And her friend completely understands. It’s wonderful

Again, being accountable for you actions. Rebecca doesn’t even have to say anything to her

I’ve seen people against Rebecca funding KJPR, but I think it makes perfect sense. Rebecca has the money and she wants to do something within her means to help her friend reach her full potential. Why wouldn’t she help?!

Keely’s disgust is all of us 😂

Baby girl is finally at the top of her mountain! Now just needs her lightening 😉

I love that the salute has become Rebecca & Roy’s thing 🥰

Wilk is shocked! Bit what a beautiful gesture!

Barbara left Jack and wants to stay with Keeley, as she should! I’ve said from the beginning she knew what Jack was like, but I think the difference is she actually likes Keeley…

I THINK THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP 🩷🎉🥰

Puppy Dani is back!!

Roy wears a colour other than black (or charcoal heather grey) and Beard learns he can share bits of himself with people. Yes, we’re coming to an end, guys…

She didn’t get rid of the painting!!

Also doesn’t need saying, but how fucking gorgeous is Hannah in this scene! That dress & colour on her are delightful. She’s so fucking soft now!!

She didn’t open the biscuits right away! 👀 and she shuffled closer to Ted 👀 is this it, girls? Is it happening?? I’m not ready! What do I do?!! 🫠

The little smile after she says so no longer cares about beating Rupert 🫣 He’s so proud of her!!

The heart eyes 😍 Ted, she is still your boss! She’s not your wife yet!!

OMFG!! 😂😂 how many times do you think she had to do that before she could do it without laughing?? 😂

‘As long as none of that tree piss gets in my mouth, I’m actually okay with it’ Okay, Ted. We get it!!

Well that episode was absolutely beautiful! On so many fronts!!

I do have more thoughts about a few points which I may elaborate on at some point, but I do feel like it’s showing we’re on the home stretch now 😢

Looks like we’re getting Mumma Lasso next episode, too!! 🫣 Kinda vibrating with excitement, but at the same time telling myself not to expect too much! But she’s in Richmond so it’s only right to assume there’d be a scene between her & Rebecca, right??

Only 2 more left babes!! 🫡

[chainofclovers]

Ted Lasso 2x8 thoughts

I am so lucky that the creators of Ted Lasso decided to make this entire show specifically for me. #blessed

If last week felt like a bit of breathing room (albeit tense, poignant, character-progressing breathing room) with distinct narrative lines, this week’s episode was a chaotic yet tightly-written swirl of pain and hope and sadness! No neat subject headers for this one, y’all. Just my brain and heart in the inadequate form of a bulleted list. It is the medium available to me at this time.

I am going to remember the moment when Ted calls Sharon and tells her his father killed himself for the rest of my life.

(I could say a bunch of stuff about his face and what he says and how he tries to hide his tears from Beard right after and how insanely much I adore this character and ahhhhhhhh but I’m just going to leave that scene there in our collective memories.)

Jamie. JAMIE. Higgins has given some great advice about love on this show, but his musings about his up-and-down relationship with his own father were not helpful in the context of Jamie’s dad, who is an abusive piece of shit. I really adore that all of the main AFC Richmond staff members are realistically a bit hit-or-miss with their advice and life philosophies (some are mostly miss this season, of course).

And I am completely in awe of the moment when Jamie punches his father. The way he just stands there after Beard kicks his dad out of the locker room. The way you can hear a pin drop. And Roy—Roy who is learning in so many areas of his life about his influence on people, learning that the things he needs aren’t necessarily the same as the things other people need—is the one to cross the room and hug him. Hold him, really, with the tenderness Ted used when he hugged Rebecca outside the gala in 1x4. God.

I’ve thought a lot about how s1 was about giving people a soft place to land. There’s always an angel there when you need one. There’s always an opportunity to be kind. If you look for someone, you find them. If you look for the good in someone, you find the good. And as everyone works through their individual journeys in s2, that can’t always be the case anymore. But there are still so many moments of angels on this show, and it’s not about chance and serendipity and fate [not that it was about that in s1] but about the effort it takes to become someone who can be there for someone else. Or who can be there for yourself. I’m so proud of Jamie for physically fighting back against his father. I’m so proud of Roy for being the one who recognized what Jamie needed.

I have every feeling in the world about how Ted is almost totally frozen both times (s1 and s2) he witnesses Jamie’s father abusing him. In s1, he was still there for Jamie after, and I have every reason to believe he’ll be there for Jamie after this incident as well, but that frozen stance HURTS. He’s in so deep with his pain about his own father that it’s like he physically cannot snap out of it to act in the moment. It seems entirely outside of his control, and it breaks my heart, because Ted wants so badly to be a good father, a good coach, a good friend, a good partner, a good patient. He’s there for people in all kinds of ways, even in his current less-than-capable state. He takes care of Sharon post-concussion and even gets her a new bike! During the disastrous match at Wembley his coaching is ineffectual and everything is chaos but he’s the last one standing on the pitch! But this really awful thing keeps happening to Jamie and Ted is just…frozen in the face of it. Like one of those nightmares where you’re running in place.

The frozen-in-place nightmare also kind of applies to the way the total separation between Ted and Rebecca feels, too. I have never for a moment doubted the writers’ intentions in setting these characters up as soulmates on parallel journeys, and I’m actually really digging (on a story level) how disconnected they are right now. It is IMPRESSIVE that their absence in each other’s lives feels like such a glaring loss, one we cannot forget even as there are so many other things happening onscreen. It is 100% not just shipper goggles making me process information about Ted while thinking about Rebecca and information about Rebecca while thinking about Ted. I know there are a lot of really angry and frustrated people in the fandom right now (both T/R shippers and T/R antis and non-shipping fans who don’t get why s2 is different from s1) and while I understand being frustrated by choices characters make, and frustrated by the feelings the show makes us feel that we just want to feel more of or less of, I continue to agree with pretty much every narrative choice happening right now.

Agreeing with the narrative like this?! This is such a unique experience for me as a viewer—to feel like I’m on a ride that is at once absolutely wild and incredibly sensible and well-crafted, and to feel simultaneously completely invested and anticipatory and speculative but also totally willing to trust where it goes. I long for Ted and Beard to really talk. I long for Ted and Rebecca to stop missing each other. I long for Roy to have a serious conversation with Ted about what’s happening with him. I long for Keeley to find a vocation, something that drives her beyond her projects. I long for so many things! But I wouldn’t long for them if this show was less good. If the show was less good, I wouldn’t have a wish list a mile long because I wouldn’t be so attuned to the details and potential lurking in every scene. THIS IS SUCH A GOOD SHOW, I CANNOT HANDLE IT, I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

(To that end, a great deal of the Ted Lasso tag and so many Twitter reactions reactions to the show feel super stressful right now and I am kind of just trying not to look?! I love this fandom so much because of the amazing conversations that happen and because of brilliant fic and because there are some awesome people I never would have encountered were it not for this show. That little bubble is wonderful and I’d stay in this fandom no matter what in order to keep experiencing those things. But fans’ catastrophic reactions to every little thing that happens, every little choice a character makes that isn’t the “perfect” choice? The takeaway that the writers—on this show of all shows—wake up in the morning ready for another day of torturing shippers rather than another day of writing a beautiful story they genuinely want to write? I do not enjoy those parts at all. I would like to opt out of those parts. I’m having such a magical experience watching this show and talking about this show and listening about this show and writing about this show with a variety of people who feel all kinds of ways. I truly wish I could somehow transfer the energy of this experience onto all the people who are hating it right now. I don’t mind at all that people are having vastly different reactions to this show and are sharing their honest feelings, including the really angry ones (I can appreciate something and disagree with it!), and I get that sometimes the language of fannish reactions is intentionally, ironically hyperbolic. But there feels like this very serious trend of people legitimately thinking writers on this show are targeting shippers and have lost respect for their characters, and I just feel like an alien from another planet when I see that stuff. I guess I just feel like people make art because they want their art to be visible to other people and to themselves, but that doesn’t typically involve specifically catering to or torturing a subset of that audience?)

I am more fascinated by Sharon Fieldstone than ever before. I have been running through every single action with her and Ted so many times. The confirmation that she’s living in club-provided housing (that could not look more different from Ted’s club-provided flat). Ted clearly noticing the many bottles. Sharon’s face while she tries to casually recycle them. (Sharon could legitimately have a more problematic relationship with alcohol than Ted does, and I find that extremely interesting and am very curious to find out what happens there.) Sharon leaving him voice notes while she’s concussed, probably because she’d been thinking about him shortly before the accident. The way Ted calls her and does all the funny voices and it’s not frustrating like all the times he uses his silliness and allusions to deflect during their prior conversations because this time, those behaviors are just a part of him showing care for another person. The way they stretch each other, and Ted is still wrong about the things he’s been wrong about, but they both grow all the same.

While it is pretty much impossible for me to imagine that this show would include an actual romantic relationship between Ted and Sharon (it would be beyond unethical even if they could write it well, and Sharon in particular is so professional and committed to her work, and it would erase so much of the powerful message about the importance of seeking therapy from a professional who is not your friend or partner, and I would totally hate it), watching this episode was the first moment I had this queasy little feeling that it’s possible that Ted could end up developing really complicated feelings about Sharon since, at this point, he’s been honest with her about things he’s hardly spoken about before and you can really form an attachment to people you feel safe with in a new way. (I mean, I’m sure Michelle knows what happened with Ted’s father, but I’m not even certain if Beard does.) He’s so broken right now, and Sharon is such a great person and so different from anyone else in his life (even though Rebecca is also different, and Beard is also different, and Roy is also different, and so on), that I could see things getting really fuzzy for him. I continue to have faith in the way the storylines on this show are handled. I’m just. Putting this here.

(In saying that, though, I also wanna make it really clear that I don’t just automatically assume anytime a new female character is introduced that they’re going to end up becoming a romantic complication. Like, Phoebe is allowed to have a teacher who is an attractive woman and AFC Richmond is allowed to have a sports psychologist who is an attractive woman and Keeley is allowed to talk to Jamie Tartt without it threatening what she has with Roy and all these people can exist as human beings without the introduction of romantic drama.)

Isaac gives every player one haircut per season, OH MY GOD. The JOY during the haircut scene. YES.

KEELEY AND REBECCA. Their text thread. The affirming video call right before Rebecca goes into the restaurant. The way Keeley sits all snuggled up against Rebecca in her office.

I was pretty thoroughly spoiled for the Sam and Rebecca plot through 2x8, and I was bracing for something far more problematic and tortured than what happens in this episode. The words I would use to describe their scenes: awkward, cute, cringy, and understandable. There are a million reasons why this relationship isn’t sustainable, but I felt completely understanding of both their choices here. This show has a lot of thesis statements, but I keep going back to the idea from 2x1 that there are people who enter your life to help you get to the next point, and I think it’s entirely possible that Sam and Rebecca will mutually be that for each other.

I find comparisons between Rupert and Rebecca super upsetting. There are absolutely meaningful things to say about the irony of ending up in a situation with an uncomfortable resemblance to certain taboo elements of an ex’s situation. But that ex is abusive and manipulative and cruel and Rebecca has exhibited NONE of those behaviors, and it makes me really sad to think that people feel that the writers on this show have betrayed Rebecca in giving her this storyline.

As always, I reserve the right to keep blathering about this show. I’ve had a headache for a couple of days, but my head is also so full of 2x8 thoughts that I couldn’t keep them in even if the circumstances for writing this were not ideal. I kind of hate that I’ve included frustrated fandom thoughts within the analysis of what I felt was an absolutely gorgeous, complicated, heartbreaking, near-perfect episode of television, but if ya can’t be a little dramatic on your own tumblr while you’re feeling raw and under the weather, where can ya?

[writingformadderton]

The Book of You and I - Part 5

Ship: Madderton

Word Count: 2,827

Summary: Richard and Taron get along better again after their talk and spend more time with each other. While Richard enjoys the time and introduces Taron to things he liked, Taron starts feeling safe around Richard.

Additional Tags: soft, friendship, fluff, interviews

Dedicated to @taron-eggmcmuffin❤️

Part 4  Part 6

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Rich and T stay silent most of the drive back to Taron’s apartment. Richard feels kind of relieved now that Taron knows they used to be a couple and got into the crash together. Taron is glad he finally told him, but his thoughts are racing about how they continue from this point. He liked Rich a lot and he was a real beauty. But he had to get to know him on a whole different level from now on before he could ever consider being with him. Taron doesn’t know if that will ever be the case again because he’s changed. Richard knows it as well. But it gives them a bit of comfort now that they both are on the same page.

“Dexter said we have to finish the interviews we did a couple of weeks ago.” Taron says to break the silence and looks over at him. “I hope the dick from the last time hasn’t published anything so far.”

Rich chuckles softly and nods. “That’s easy to find out.” he stops at a red light and takes out his phone, looking up Taron’s name. He scrolls through some Rocketman cast articles, some about the crash and Taron being back to work. “Nothing here. Probably got cut off by his boss.” he says and smirks a bit.

“Why is it that I don’t believe that?” Taron asks and watches him suspiciously. “You really think his boss stopped him after sending him there with such questions?”

“You never know who kicked his ass.” Richard says and focuses on the street again.

“Richard.” Taron says warningly and Rich looks at him shortly with a grin. It was him. Oh shit. “How did you convince him not do it?”

“I told him more or less nicely to fuck off and not make a story out of this or I would publish how he preys on someone who lost his memory. Which could cost him his job if I put enough pressure on the media about it.” Richard says and shrugs his shoulders. “Imagine people like Elton posting it with his name.” both of them laugh at that thought.

“But I was so mad at you! Why did you still-?” he stops and watches him curiously.

“You had the right to be mad at Dex and me. I told you I wanna protect you and honestly, this asshole needed a kick in the butt.” he states and chuckles a bit.

Taron’s face softens as he looks at him and he smiles a bit. “Thank you.”

“Sure thing.” he says. “How exactly do you wanna handle the interviews that are coming up now?”

“I won’t give any interviews on my own for a long time, I guess.” he says and plays with his hands nervously. “I think they would take advantage of that again.”

“Yeah, probably. Maybe you can team up with Bryce.” Rich suggests, recognizing how well they got along.

“Mm.” T hums and looks out of the window. “Actually, I think it would be better if we did it. Because they’ll still try to find out stuff about us.”

“If that’s what you want, sure.” Richard parks the car and looks over at him. “I’m really sorry that I lied to you. I know it’s not fair. I never wanted to play with your feelings. Just thought it may be easier for you to cope with my presence.”

“You’re an idiot, you know that?” Taron giggles and shakes his head. “I don’t know how I used to be, but now I prefer living with the harsh truth over some happy illusions.”

“Got it.” Rich says.

“I still let you drive me home today, right? Because now I know how and with whom it happened.” Taron shrugs his shoulders and yawns a bit. “I need some sleep.” he unbuckles and opens the door. When he closes the door, he signals Rich to let down the window and leans down. “Just be ready for me going on your nerves. You’re my Google about the past.”

“You’re such a dumbass sometimes.” Rich laughs.

“I know. Night, Richie. Get home safe.” he says with a soft smile and takes his keys out of his pocket.

“Night.”

Taron takes a cold shower and puts on sweatpants, but keeps the dark blue sweater on. He’d love to talk to his mum, but it’s almost 1am now. Looking back on today, he lies down and stares at the ceiling. “My life is such a fucking mess.” he mumbles to himself and slips under the blanket. He looks at his bed that’s way too big for himself and suddenly it makes sense. “How the fuck did I end up with Richard fucking Madden?!” he asks himself and buries his face in his hands.

Richard gets home and hops in the shower quickly. Today was way too long, but it was a big step for him and Taron. He’s glad that Taron agreed on talking about it and they had Dex to mediate the conversation in a healthy way. Rich chuckles when he realizes that Dexter left them some space when Taron started crying in his arms.

***********************

Three days later, Richard picks him up again and they drive together to the place where they have to give the interviews. “Okay, what do we talk about and what not?” Rich asks and looks at T.

“We don’t talk about us as a couple, because we aren’t at the moment, right?” Richard nods quickly, thinking about it the same way. “I mean we can say we had some difficulties in the beginning because it was difficult for you to act like you don’t know everything about me already and me getting to know you.”

“You know about the accident and that I was with you. Let’s say we had a very deep connection before the crash and that’s enough for them to know.” Richard suggests and Taron agrees.

T leans back in the seat and looks down at his hands. “Did you recognize how calm I am driving with you?” he asks and looks at Rich.

“Yeah. You’re sitting still and you stopped tapping your fingers nervously.” he says and looks at him shortly. “Is that a permanent thing or -?”

“Definitely not. Cabs and driving with Bryce still make me feel uncomfortable.” Taron laughs nervously and glances at Richard, who’s driving calmly. The only reason they got into this car crash must have been the woman because Richard was the calmest driver he knows. “Must be your driving style. I feel safe when you’re driving.”

Richard lets out a chocked sound and his body tenses. He sets the blinking light and stops at the side of the road. Sinking his head onto the steering wheel, he takes a deep breath.

“Are you okay?” Taron asks slightly confused and sees how pale Richard becomes. “Did I say something wrong?”

“I feel safe when you’re driving is what you said to me two minutes before the crash.” Rich moans.

“Oh shit. I’m sorry.” T says hastily and hesitantly fondles over his hair calmingly.

Rich sits up and shakes his head. “It’s okay.” he breathes out and looks at him with a weak smile. “Just caught me off guard.” he drives back on the road again and continues driving.

“Did you ever have trouble with driving before?” Taron asks curiously. He never seen Richard in such a state.

“Not the driving itself no.” Richard thinks for a moment. “It’s more mentally like in the form of nightmares. I was supposed to have shot a scene a while ago, but yea.”

“Supposed to?”

“Mm. I’m working on this series where I’m playing the bodyguard of a politician and one day their car is under attack. My costars suit was white and covered in blood, just like your shirt. And our driver got shot and sank down, which reminded me of you fainting. Anyways, I panicked and we haven’t tried it again since.” Rich explains and his grip around the steering wheel gets tighter.

“That sounds like shit. I’m sorry, Rich.” Taron says and rubs his arm shortly.

“It’s okay. Keeley took good care of me. I think you two would get along well easily. Again.” he says, knowing they did before the accident, and parks the car in front of the building.

“I’d love to meet her.” T admits.

The pair make their way into the building. Rich and T greet the first interviewer and sit down next to each other. It’s a friendly looking woman who’s in a good mood. “Hey guys. How are you feeling today?”

“Pretty good.” Taron says and smiles brightly at her.

“That’s lovely to hear! I’m sorry if this is too personal but how are you dealing with the new circumstances?”

“It’s okay. I mean it’s strange to not know dear friends anymore or in the beginning when I found out I had two younger sisters. That was like mind blowing.” he giggles a bit and Rich smirks at him. “But somehow I’m glad I don’t have to remember the car crash and how I felt after I hit my head.”

“Nothing you’d like to remember.” Rich agrees.

“Did you two meet before the start of shooting Rocketman? And how was it actually to start over after this long and genuine friendship?”

They look at each other shortly before Taron starts speaking. “It has been really complicated for both of us. He visited me the day after the accident and I couldn’t remember him. So I kicked him out.” Taron laughs weakly and looks at Richard.

“He told me he needed some space, which was what I gave him. Well three months later, we met again but he couldn’t remember our first encounter after the accident.” Richard tells her and looks at T as if to make sure that was okay to say.

“The first month is kind of a blur.” he laughs and looks back at the interviewer. “But after some discussions, we got along quite well.”

“Discussions. Were you two arguing on set?” she asks curiously.

“We’d love to give you some scandal, but there’s non to give you.” Richard says with a smile.

“At least non we’re discussing in public.” Taron says and both laugh.

She smirks a bit while looking down at her questions. “How is time between shoots? You’ve got an amazing cast of people like Jamie Bell and Bryce Dallas Howard next to you.”

“We all get along really well and it’s always fun. Even though during breaks, Rich is the one who likes to chat with others.” Taron answers.

“Yeah. Taron has to stay focused otherwise he’ll get distracted when we start again.” Richard chuckles a bit thinking about it.

“I don’t like noise off camera. I’m so easy to distract, it’s unreal.” T laughs and rubs his face shortly.

“You’ve always been that way.”

“Yeah?” T asks curiously and looks at Richard again.

“Yeah. You could do the best take of the scene so far, but if you heard a noise it was all ruined.” Richard tells him chuckling.

“Learning new things about myself every day.” Taron says and grins into the camera.

“So you seem to have a wonderful cast and team to support you through this.” she smiles at T, who nods.

“Yeah. In the beginning I needed my mum, so I spent a month back home in Wales. Then Dex reached out to me and he helped me a lot considering my start into acting again. I also had some help from some friends where I got a bit star struck again.” Taron blushes a bit while grinning. “I mean one day Colin Firth calls you to ask how you are and the next day you talk to Hugh Jackman. Crazy honestly.” He laughs and looks at Richard again, who watches him listening. “I actually was very nervous about meeting Rich. I didn’t know we were so close for years before. Dex gave me a crash course in things like actors, names, movies and series I should definitely know if I don’t wanna look like an idiot.”

Richard giggles softly and his blue eyes shine brightly. “I wonder what he told you about me.”

“I actually don’t know anything anymore besides Game of Thrones, Robb Stark and piercing blue eyes.” he admits chuckling and shrugs his shoulders. Rich lets out a laugh and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, Richard has to suffer from my nosy ass wanting to know stuff about the past.”

“Well it’s understandable that you wanna know more. No one starts his life, being 29, without knowing how he got there.” The Scottish says, shrugging his shoulders. “The most important thing between us at the moment is honesty and a huge amount of trust on Taron’s side.”

“Would trust you with my life, Richie.” T says softly.

“And it’s a lot to take in especially because I was driving. So it was hard to talk about at first. Me and Dex had to take our time.” Rich answers and they look at each other for a moment. And lie to you.

“That’s called a deep bond, guys.” Their interviewer says with a wide smile on her lips.

“Deep bonding, it is.” Taron chuckles.

“So nice to talk to you guys. Have a great day!” She says and shakes both of their hands.

They leave the room and Richard closes the door looking at Taron. “So?”

“I liked her. She was nice.” he says and smiles a bit. “It was actually fun.”

“Yea.” Rich chuckles and they walk into the backroom. “We have twenty minutes until the next one. Wanna get some coffee?”

And so they find themselves in a coffeeshop a few minutes away from where they had to give interviews. T looks at the large menu and lets out a loud breath. “Oh god I hate it!”

“Huh?” Richard asks confused.

“I don’t know what I liked and what I disliked, so I hate ordering stuff.” he says and giggles a bit.

It’s their turn now and Richard orders something for himself and Taron. He hands the cup to T and pays. “You loved that one.”

“Okay then.” Taron says and opens the cup to blow in air, trying to cool it down a bit. He takes a tiny gulp, trying not to burn himself and he loves the taste. It’s a rather sweet coffee with a hint of vanilla. “Oh my god that’s what I needed.” he moans and takes another gulp. “This should be forbidden. It’s way too good.” Taron mumbles and looks at Richard, who chokes on his own coffee trying to hold back his laughter. “Oh fuck off, Rich! That’s the first coffee I’ve had since I could think clear again and doesn’t taste like shit.”

“It’s the only one you like.” Richard explains him and giggles seeing Taron’s happy eyes.

“Don’t laugh at me.” he pouts and wraps both hands around the cup, enjoying the warmth it gives off.

“Okay I’ll show you something else, but you’ll have to close your eyes.” Richard says and grins at him.

“Stop walking! I won’t close my eyes while I walk with a cup of coffee.” he protests giggling and closes his eyes. He feels Richard’s fingers parting his lips and he gives in laughing. “What are you-?” then Richard pushes something into his mouth and Taron recognizes it as a cookie. It tastes like chocolate and is soft and a bit warm. “You wanna kill me?” he moans and opens his eyes again, chewing on it. Richard just chuckles as he continues walking and Taron follows him quickly. “I think I’m gonna let you choose my food from now on. I wanna know all the tasty shit I loved.”

“That could take a while.” Richard says and gets a confused look from T. “You’re a foodie and you loved a lot. I’m considering not showing you something because you dreamt about that shit.”

“I did what?!” Taron’s eyes widen as he looks at him, and it looks adorable.

“You dreamt about fried chicken that you had on one of your press tours once. Then you woke me up and got on my nerves until I got you some at 3am.”

“Sure I wasn’t pregnant?” he asks teasingly.

“A hundred percent, T.” Rich just laughs and shakes his head at that thought. “Oh god if you were pregnant, you’d be crying non-stop.”

“Why?”

“You’re a quick crier, not only when you’re upset. Someone says something nice or you see something cute and you start crying.” Rich tells him and thinks back at all the times he made Taron cry with simply telling him how amazing he really was.

“Jesus.” T breathes out and looks at him. “Do I really cry that fast?”

“I’ll show you that another time.” Rich promises. Not today, he wouldn’t be able to stay distant then.

 @multicoloredchicken @sarahegerton96 @primaba11erina @maddertonmyheart @madderton-obsessed