#this was like my brand in another fandom I'm bringing it back

[dramaticdads]

This took me hours

[hgejfmw-hgejhsf]

Thoughts from just another fandom writer

I am not a popular writer in my fandom. You may see that sentence and think, wow, what's about to come next, but just stay with me for a bit. I promise there's a point.

I am not a popular writer in my fandom. You won't see my name splashed across Twitter when a new update posts with the expectation that people are going to flock to my page. People don't recognize my fics by just a name. And none of my fics are ever going to be considered one of THE fics within the fandom.

Do I get sad about that sometimes? Sure. I'm only human. Do I write a fic and think that the amount of pride I have in it and in myself might mean that this is the one that people will recommend to all of their friends because they just HAVE to read it? Also yes. I think we all want that when we put a piece of ourselves out into the world in our art. And that certainly holds true for me, as someone whose huge, generous, ridiculous, indestructible heart is on the outside of her body.

But I also have an incredible group of humans who do loyally read my works, all of them (despite the ridiculous number I've published in just 7 months' time) and leave incredibly kind and thoughtful comments that bring me to tears every time. My writing, from just July until now, when I published a fic for the first time in 10 years because I couldn't fathom going another day without allowing these characters into my mind and heart through the typing of my fingers, has grown immensely, and I want more than anything for it to continue to improve as time goes on.

Which is why I scroll through the feed every day, searching for new works to read by new and old authors alike. Just today, I read a work by someone who was publishing their very first fic, who set it as a New Year's resolution for themselves. And I left a comment for them to see the next time they're online.

It cost me absolutely nothing to hit the kudos button and make a comment. And I hope that, like me, a kind word will go a long way towards encouraging that author to keep writing. To keep sharing their soul with us as a fandom. To keep loving it the way that I love it.

I'm writing this to encourage all of you, regardless of the number of subscribers, hits, kudos, or comments you have, or how many rec lists you've made, or where you are in your writing journey, to always remember that there was once a time when you were a brand new writer, too, and I urge you to remember how much something like a comment meant to you in your journey. I'll leave y'all with one of my favorite song lyrics to further emphasize my point:

When you get where you're goin Don't forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind

[ofstarsandvibranium]

My Sweetheart: Part 1

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

Summary: You purchase a vintage sweetheart bracelet from an antique store and with it, comes the spirit of the woman who owned it. Through her, you go on an interesting journey to find out what happened to her old lover.

A/N: I’m obsessed with sweetheart bracelets and I hope to purchase one some day. This idea came to mine while I was looking at some online. Also, look, I’m writing for Bucky again! uuuhhh i guess this is a mini series.

You'd been eyeing the bracelet for a month now. Ever since you came across the little antique shop in Brooklyn, you've been coming twice a week just to make sure the bracelet was still there. It was a gold stretch bracelet. In the middle, the charm was heart shaped and had a cute but simple design of a flower etched into it. It was $150 and you're somewhat surprised it doesn't cost more. Looks like it's in great condition, looks practically brand new. Nonetheless, you needed to save up for it. Living in New York wasn't cheap.

After you visited the shop for the fourth time in a row, the shop owner, Stan, said he'd keep it on hold for you since he knows you plan to buy it.

"No rush, sweetheart. I know you're good for it."

"How? You barely know me?" you can't help but ask the old man.

He shrugs, "I just know."

"Well thank you, so much. I really appreciate it. I get paid again in two weeks. After I pay bills, I should have enough for it."

He gives you a wave, "I'll see you in two weeks then."

___________________

Once your paycheck was deposited, you paid your bills in an instant. With the rest, you practically skipped to Brooklyn, ready to buy the bracelet.

You enter the store with a big smile towards Stan, "I'm ready."

He claps his hands together, "Congrats!" he goes to the back and brings out the bracelet. You gently pick it up and slide it over your wrist. It fits perfectly. It's not heavy. It's just...perfect.

You pay Stan in cash and you give the old man a hug, "Seriously, thank you so much for holding this for me. I just-I don't know what it is about this bracelet. It's so beautiful, like it was calling me."

"Probably because it was calling you. It's special, just like you."

You give him a wave as you exit the store. You watch your new bracelet gleaming in the New York sun. It's gorgeous.

_______________

At the end of the day, you get ready for bed. You take off the sweetheart bracelet and place it on your nightstand. You slip into bed and as your head hits the pillow, the sink in your bathroom turns on.

You shoot up, turning to the bathroom with wide eyes. You turn on the light and see your bathroom door wide open. You grab the pocket knife you have on your night stand, armed and ready in case an intruder some how snuck into your apartment without you noticing.

Once you approach your bathroom, you turn on your light and see no one. You look down at your sink and twist the handle that controls running water. The water stops for a millisecond before it's on again.

"What the-" you turn it off again and it turns on again. You leave it on, watching in confusion and slight fear. As the water grows hotter, steam starts to form.

That's when you jump back, wide eyed and suddenly frozen.

FIND JAMIE.

"Okay. Um, I don't know who Jamie is, whoever you are. But can I know who you are?"

DOT.

"Dot who?"

You wait for the steam from the water to cover the message. A minute goes by and then another, "Uh, hello? Dot?" You slowly reach out for the sink handle, turning the water off. It stays off.

You slowly shake your head, "I must be really sleepy," you head back to your bed. After turning off the light, you pull the covers over your head and fall asleep.

When you wake up in the morning, you're a little groggy, but well rested. You look towards your bathroom and suddenly remember the events before you went to sleep.

Surely, that was all just a dream right? Just a really weird dream.

You shake your head and slip the bracelet onto your wrist, proceeding to get ready.

_________________

"It's not a ring..yet, anyways," he smiles as his girl admires the bracelet on her wrist, a sign of his love and adoration for her.

"It's so beautiful," she looks up from the bracelet, "You really shouldn't have spent your money on me like this, Jamie."

He shrugs, "I don't care. I just...I wanted to give you something to remember me by. Just in case, you know?"

She shakes her head at what he was insinuating, "You're coming back to me. I'll write to you...I'll wait for you."

"I wouldn't be mad if you don't though," he gives her an understanding look.

She shakes her head again, "I'm waiting for you, Jamie. You don't have to worry."

"I love you, Dolores Millard."

"I love you too, James Buchanan Barnes. You come back to me, okay?"

"I'll do my best," he mumbles as he seals his promise with a kiss.

[violetmuses]

Versus - A. Aretas (Part II) ❤️‍🩹

Title: Versus - A. Aretas (Part II) ❤️‍🩹

Fandom: “Bad Boys” Film Universe

Character: Armando Aretas

Pairing: Armando Aretas + Female Reader

Main Storyline: Following the death of Isabel Aretas, Armando crosses paths with you again.

Versus - Part I 🖤

Tag List: @nelo0wesker @yassbishimvintage @nobodygetsza @peaxhygirl @superstar-t20 @adoresmiles @klssngss @deja-r @hyper-trash-panda @amethyst-loves-bucky 🏷

=======

2024

Unexpected knocking rattled against the front door of your home this evening and you scrambled to cover up, not relaxing yet.

Your RING camera signaled two famous men who stood on the porch right now:

Your own comrade from the Miami Police Department, Detective Mike Lowrey, joined his longtime partner and best friend Marcus Burnett.

“What the hell, Mike?” Opening their entrance, you welcomed both friends inside and shut the front door. There's just no other choice.

“I'm really sorry for bothering you like this, but it's an emergency.” Mike hardly sat down.

Intelligence agencies whispered that late Miami Captain Conrad Howard muddled with the cartel for years.

Who knows what could happen if garbage ruined Cap’s legacy now?

“What happened? I've heard some things about Captain…” You trailed.

“Marcus and I can prove that Cap is innocent, but…” Mike paused when your RING Camera signaled again.

You didn't recognize the stranger who joined this doorstep, at least not yet.

Wearing this Bud Light shirt, the man chose one trucker hat which veiled his eyes. Jeans covered both legs and boots or sneakers walked along.

“Mike, do you know who's waiting at the door right now?” You questioned Lowrey just in case.

“Shit!” Mike cursed as an immediate response tonight.

Even Marcus stopped playing around and cringed silently for once.

“What's going on?” You arched your brow toward Mike, puzzled.

“That's Arman…” Mike hardly finished speaking before you exposed one of your firearms upon realization.

“We need Armando for the case, all right?” Mike wanted control. “Put your gun down.”

“Mike…” You wouldn't listen. “Bring him in here. I dare you!”

“We need him and he's my son.” Mike revealed brand-new info this time around.

“Your…” Your voice whispered as Mike disarmed you regardless.

“Let Armando through.” Mike eased. “We can't solve this case without his help.”

“Fine.” You accepted reality.

After closing both eyes, you walk back to this front door and view the presence of your enemy: Armando Aretas.

Tension burns in that living room when you shut the door again and silence nearly drowns all four of you.

_____

“AMMO couldn't help?” You offered that question to Mike while everyone looked through files.

“Dorn referred us near you.” Mike acknowledged one of the department's tech geniuses. “Armando can identify whoever framed Cap.”

“Just promise me something. ” You continued working.

"Yeah?" Mike asked you.

“When the team finds this monster, kill him.” You don't make eye contact with Lowrey. “No more dark headlines."

“Deal.” Mike nodded toward you just when Armando pulled another flash drive.

The silent trade is quick and you load material on this computer once more.

“It's him.” Armando observed this grayscale picture of one man with bright hair, confirming.

“You sure?” Mike glanced toward his son and checked.

“That's who ordered the hit.” Aretas spoke up again.

“James McGrath: Former Army Ranger turned DEA agent. Tortured before joining the cartel himself.” You detailed highlights of McGrath’s own criminal history.

“That's it. We got a name.” Mike took charge while speaking to Armando and Marcus. “Let's reconvene in the morning with a plan and get outta here.”

“Plenty of room.” You say, shutting down work for good.

______

“Thank you.” By morning, Mike, Marcus and Armando would leave your home while sporting tactical uniforms.

“Of course.” You nodded to Mike and Marcus, but Armando paused at the front door, looking in your direction.

“I'm sorr…” Both of you struggled with the much-needed apology.

This mutual grudge needed to fade out because life called so much more than pain.

Watching Armando leave, your heart shattered.

[ladysarai]

@inception30daychallenge day 1: my favorite thing about the movie

I think my FAVORITE thing about Inception is how MUCH there is to it, as a movie. You can watch it a zillion times and get something new from it every time, and you can read one person's take and be impressed and amazed because you didn't even think of that take!

But what REALLY makes me sit up and pay attention to a piece of media is Characters, and Relationships. I love how MUCH the cast did with so very little... I want to know EVERYTHING about Arthur's relationships with Mal and Dom, (okay, ESPECIALLY Mal) just because of the way he calls Mal "lovely" and because of the way he PUTS UP with Dom and follows him around and has obviously been loyal through So Much Shit and then the way he SMILES in the end. Cobb himself is a hot mess, and given only the context of the movie, you have to wonder why anyone would put up with the things he puts Arthur through, so there has to be a history there, right?? And OF COURSE I'm here for Arthur and Eames and their shared history, whatever that may be (they're married okay). The fact that in the paper script, Arthur and Eames could have been played so differently by two other actors is... It's a little awe inspiring, and just makes you really appreciate what actors can bring to their roles.

I love that every single time I watch it, there is something new to notice, some new nuance to pick up on, a new piece of canon that can be used to spin out headcanon or fic from. And I absolutely ADORE that so much is open-ended and there's no real WRONG interpretation; I think that's what's given the fandom such lasting power over the years. We're give so little actual canon that very little fanon is actually contradicted. It's kind of beautiful that way.

On a personal note... When I say that I'm new to the Inception fandom, I mean BRAND NEW... like as of April of this year new. Which is not to say I didn't see the movie when it came out in 2010, because I did! I watched it more than once! But here's the thing... You ever have those experiences where OTHER PEOPLE ruin a thing for you before you give it a chance yourself?

That's what happened with me and Inception. I thought "hey, fun movie" and left it at that. Largely because my younger brother was in this weird "I'm a Movie Connoisseur/Expert and My Opinion is the One That Counts" stage and as someone with self-proclaimed "man crush" on Leo, he was All About Cobb, who is easily my LEAST favorite character. He was also All About arguing for the "it's all a dream" theory over the ending, which I think beautifully demonstrates the main difference between us: I am an optimist and prefer happy endings. So he would Not Shut Up about this movie and how GROUNDBREAKING it was and how the pessimistic viewing of the ending was the Only True Way to watch the movie. (May I say how much I fucking love that this has generally been disproved in the last 14 years? Because I have serious Schadenfreude over that.)

(I was also RPing in a panfandom LJ game at the time with people who were obsessed with playing characters played by Certain Actors and our game wound up with an Arthur and an Ariadne and I think they shipped them but it was full of ~drama~ and I wanted nothing to do with it so I kept my Barbies on my corner of the game and avoided theirs.)

ANYWAY, this is a very convoluted and long-winded way to get to my point. Which is that I largely forgot about Inception for the last 13 years-ish. Then I was rereading some old fanfics in March and because I liked an author, I went to see what other fandoms they'd written for. And somehow I fell into Inception and discovered Arthur/Eames, and HOW THE FUCK DID I MISS THAT????? After a few weeks of reading fic, I decided to watch the movie again and, well. Then I was watching it every other day for several weeks.

Moderation? What's that?

So another favorite thing about this movie is that I got back into fandom for the first time in... god. Almost ten years???? Because of it. Which is a little miraculous by itself.

[janus-cadet]

Another tarot card! Third more, and I'll be done with the Major Arcana! Tonight, we have another card for the Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog's fandom, figuring Penny as The Star!

Here she is! Cute, uh?

First of all, I choose this card for the fact that the Star figure's is linked to the water she spills on the ground; and in the only song Penny has, there's this lyrics, you know, that I quite love-

And every day a rain brings water / Flowing to things growing in the ground

And every drop of rain / Will keep you growing / Seeds you're sowing / In the ground

Yeah, that's why there is a flower growing in the water. Penny is a character really associated with the hope she brings to other, and her wants to help as much as she can. It's a card for someone who has endured many challenges (like she had, as it's suggested in her lyrics, and much more strongly in the comics), and hold a new sense of self by taking strenght in them. It's a card all about faith; your heart is full of hope, as you realize that your dream can come true. It's Penny's character arc in the show : being so hopeful at the way things seem to upgrade, and so hopeful about what her new relationship can bring to her and the city. It also means that you are making a significant change in your life, transforming yourself ; after all, it's also a brand new day for you.

It's a card for a generous spirit, and I think we can all agree that no one is more generous and kind, in that show, than Penny herself.

But all of that was for the Upright Star ; what about the Reversed ? Well, I decide to take it as the sign that the Star is gone, as, well, it happened in the show.

(I'm still not over it thank you very much, she deserved better)

What happen then is the complete opposite of what Penny brings. With her gone, the card means that you have lost your faith and hope; you are facing a downfall like you could not have foreseen, and are questionning everything that led you here. It does not mean it's too late to find your way. You just now have to choose, between letting yourself crumble, or stand firm in the convictions that led you there. If you watched the musical, I believe you know who I'm refering too.

And that's all for that card! She's the second one of the Dr. Horrible's serie ; I might do another one for Hammer, who knows. You can find the first one in the link underneath those words; Dr. Horrible, as The Chariot.

[reflections-in-a-critical-eye]

Right, I'm back. I didn't post anything yesterday because I thought it's best not to rush. But it was indeed fascinating to see reactions in real time to the photo. Yes, I'm talking about the photo posted on IG of JM, JK and another person.

I think I must have read opinions that varied on a entire spectrum and expressed quite vehemently. It's safe to say everyone has really strong opinions and you either condemn it or you're totally fine with it, as long as you pick a side and don't question anything. In sitautions such as these, the tendency to add just a touch of conspiracy is right there. And it gets a pass when there's a lack of information, a language barrier, etc.

I too have my own questions and observations, to which I don't necesarily need an answer, but I'll just write them down.

1. I couldn't help but think of how deep the level of social media stalking is in this fandom. I looked up the account immediately as I saw a screenshot because initially there was confusion about the source. That guy made no previous photo uploads of either JM or JK. At a first glance, there is nothing to connect him to them. And still he had fan accounts following him, before it all blew up and he gained a lot more. My question is, how did that happen? Are there people who look up Jimin's followers list and they try to figure out if there's someone from an inner circle? In all those 50 million people? Do they check some select few accounts daily to see if there's a possibility of a post? The logistics of this are giving me a headache. Or maybe there's some obvious, easier answer and I don't know it.

2. Considering that the account is public, it's not like the photo is leaked. I don't know exactly the nature of the relationship that man has/had with JM & JK and I do not wish to make any speculation with regards to his intentions.

3. I think the outrage was mostly caused by jikookers bringing back to the surface that old photo under the heart arch. Which indeed paints a certain picture, but it's also not the most incriminatory thing out there. I don't think there's any real actual danger, considering that it was supposedly taken from Jungkook's dad Kakao talk. If that's true then it means the dad was ok with showing it.

3. What I personally believe should not have happened was to circulate that photo so easily on social media. People knew about it for a long time, even before someone posted it on I-Jikook twitter. But in cases like these, the photos will always be revealed. They will leave the group chats and out into the wild usually for a petty reason. Because at the end of the day, that's the issue. It has nothing to do with giving a shit about the people in the photo, it's about winning a shipping argument, about screaming "we won". Win what exactly???? It shows who is in it for the fantasy. No single argument could work for them. Replying on and on about deleting doesn't matter.

4. Maybe my last point, but this situation has revealed some things which were already known, but maybe not really articulated specifically all the time. As people not only part of the fandom, but also using social media 24/7, our ideas about privacy and what we should have access to when it comes to public figures has certainly been influenced by the current landscape. In the case of JM & JK particularly, they have been sharing pieces of themselves for more than a decade. It was the BH strategy, the BTS brand. It worked wonders because look at the huge fandom it gathered and the relationship that was built between idol and fan. Hell, Jungkook is doubling down heavy on it with his livestreams. How can anyone really expect a mass of people to really stop and think about privacy? We ourselves as regular people curate our social media image and we voice our opinions and share the places we go to, who are our friends, what parties we attended, when we get into a relationship. Every mundane or special occassion is posted for public consumption. I'm not saying this as some excuse that would justify sharing what looks like a private photo. What I'm saying is that it's to be expected in a way. As harsh as it is, but we live in this reality where the line between the public and private sphere is getting more invisible day by day.

What I think it's scary is that if there's a situation in which an actual compromising photo would somehow be leaked and which can be in the detriment of the people in it for various reasons, so called fans would still share it as proof. Because it doesn't matter for them. It's the high of finding it, of screaming about it on social media, without thinking for more than a second about possible implications. Everything needs to be done fast, regardless of consequences because people need to feed themselves with gossip and leaks.

I'm really just rambling here and not making too much sense. Anyway, I think we should always take a step back and really assess the situation and not scream about it, regardless of our position. Not everything is a threat, or privacy violation or putting people in danger, but it doesn't mean that it needs to be treated lightly as if it's no big deal (which usually comes from people who care more about their own safisfaction and feeling like a "winner").

[ncisfranchise-source]

When Mark Harmon departed NCIS after 19 seasons in 2021, it felt like the final time that fans would see his legendary character Leroy Jethro Gibbs grace their television screens ever again. However, just three years later, Harmon is officially bringing the special agent back in a brand new way.

NCIS writers and executive producers David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal tell Entertainment Weekly that Harmon reached out one year ago about a project that he’d been working on with his son, Sean. The idea would go on to become NCIS: Origins, a prequel series that chronicles Gibbs’ first days at NIS Camp Pendleton — the precursor to NCIS — under team leader Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid). Harmon, who serves as an executive producer on the series alongside his son, also lends his voice as its narrator. 

“One of the biggest jobs in creating NCIS: Origins was just going back to the original show and seeing what the timeline is, and how do we fit into that, and honor all of the things that have already been said and done in the original show,” Monreal, who serves as co-showrunner with North, explains over the phone from set. “So it's like this giant puzzle that we're working with.” 

Another piece was finding an actor who could fill Harmon’s historic shoes. That is, until Austin Stowell entered the room. “We just knew when Austin came in that he was Gibbs,” he recalls. “He embodied it. His talent is limitless — his dedication to the role, studying Mark, studying the show — he has a similar leadership quality that Mark had on set that bleeds into Gibbs the character.”

Stowell, whose credits include Bridge of Spies and The Hating Game, remembers the exact date (January 8th!) that he first learned about NCIS: Origins. After an initial reading, the 39-year-old was jetted out to Los Angeles for an audition with Monreal, North, and Mark and Sean Harmon all in attendance. “At the end of the audition, after some direction from Mark, he said, ‘There you go. If I were you, I would just walk out of the room right now,’” Stowell recalls. “So I just walked out of the room. I went back to Vermont and went back about my life.” 

When North and Monreal called Stowell to tell him he'd landed the role one month later, the actor nearly didn't pick up. “Where I live is off the grid a bit,” Stowell explains. “I walked back into the house, just got back on to service again, and there was a phone call coming through. So, truly, two minutes before then, I wouldn't have gotten the call. And it was David and Gina and they were telling me that, essentially, my life was about to change.” (The trio are aware that Stowell almost missing the call because he was in nature might just be the most Gibbs thing ever. “We laughed so hard about that,” North says.)

After learning he'd landed the role, Stowell began pouring himself into it both mentally and physically, learning everything he could about the Marines and adapting his fitness program. He’s also been “doing my due diligence to the fandom” by catching up on as many NCIS episodes as he can, often fitting them in while at the gym or cooking.

“When I first met David and Gina, they asked if I was going to be ready for such a big commitment like this and I told them, ‘You always have all of me,’” the actor confesses. “I just want to give everything to this. I know what it means to the fans. I know what Gibbs represents to a whole lot of people out there. I know what the show represents to a whole lot of people out there, and I don't want to let them down. I'm giving everything I can to give them something new and fresh, but also something tried and true at the same time.” 

It helps that the Gibbs viewers meet in NCIS: Origins has yet to fully embody the no-nonsense special agent from the original series. “The Gibbs that we find in our show — it's not the guy that the fans are used to,” Stowell explains. “This is someone who's going through a lot of pain, going through a time in his life where he doesn't even know if he wants to stick around, quite honestly. He suffered a tremendous tragedy just four months before we pick up this show and there's a lot of newness in his life. There's lots of firsts going on right now.” 

NCIS fans will recall that it was revealed in the third season that Gibbs’ wife, Shannon, and daughter, Kelly, were both murdered prior to the events of the show. He is very much still reeling from the immense loss of his family on NCIS: Origins. “I think this is totally fair to say that our show is a bit darker, a bit more introspective, than the Mothership,” Stowell says, referring to the original series. “It's a more raw look at these characters. Gets much more personal.” 

Along the way, Gibbs will get to know his fellow agents — from golden boy Benjamin "Randy" Randolf (Caleb Martin Foote) to Vera Strickland (Diany Rodriguez), Franks' first partner who previously appeared in a 2013 episode of NCIS. And, speaking of Franks, Gibbs' bond with the brusque team leader, played by Muse Watson on NCIS, will also be examined. “The dynamic between Gibbs and Franks is complicated,” North says. “It's one that's cloaked in secrecy to the other team [members], but it's also very much a father-son relationship.” 

Together, Monreal says the team will explore a new case each week, with a larger case that "really gets under a team's skin in a deeper way" looming across the season. However, given the technological restraints of the ‘90s, they'll have to use some inventive methods to track down their suspects — and utilize a few pay phones, CB radios, microfiche machines, and pagers, too.

"A show like this, you're so used to going down to, say, Abby's lab or Kasie’s lab, seeing her fingers dance on a keyboard and pull up DNA, and you find your suspect. We don't have any of that," North says. "That's really solved by investigation skills and thinking things through. We're using the emotion of the characters to really reveal who our characters are in the process of working these whodunnit cases.” 

While Stowell isn't trying to do an impression of Gibbs, he's aware there's a lot he can learn from Harmon about the character. “He's lived this for 20 years, and he has this helpful knowledge about the character and about how he approaches certain things,” he says. “There are certain behaviors, and certain... call them lines in the sand, that are strong within Gibbs. And so I wanted to make sure I was paying respect to the man and to the character.”

He adds that he has frequent conversations with Harmon, Monreal, and North on how to best showcase Gibbs’ evolution throughout the season. “We talked about Gibbs Sense, like Spidey Sense,” he teases. “He isn't fully formed. And again, that's a big part of what I loved about this opportunity is that I get to go on that journey with the audience [and see] how Gibbs becomes Gibbs.” 

And, even more than Gibbs, Monreal hopes that the show's found family dynamic will entice both new and longtime fans of the franchise. “I think what makes the original NCIS so watchable and so beloved is that it's really about a family, and we've tried to do that here,” she says. “We've created a family with our agents, and I hope that those family bonds shine through for our audience, and they want to come spend time with our family every week.”

NCIS: Origins premieres on Monday, Oct. 14, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, on CBS.

[magentagalaxies]

one of my favorite things about the kids in the hall tumblr fandom is how sometimes people will bring back posts from deactivated blogs or blogs that haven't posted since 2015 and we'll still be sharing them around like they're brand new. like this is a phenomenon that feels very unique to tumblr as a website (posts have a much longer "shelf life" than other social media websites, with most social media you are conditioned to only interact with posts made within the last week at the most, but tumblr just generally circulates older posts much longer without any pressure to make them time sensitive) and unique to kids in the hall as a fandom (media that's existed since the late 1980s/early 1990s so we're for the most part quoting the same sketches and enjoying the same behind the scenes photos as someone would a decade ago, but unlike a larger fandom based on a pre-internet piece of media the amount of content is so sparse that older content won't get buried under newer posts)

idk i just always find it very cool when i see a reblog where the OP was a KITH blog that was mostly active from 2011-2014 and if i have an hour to kill i end up just scrolling through the entire blog and reblogging anything that is still of interest a decade later. i often wonder where these people are at now, if they're still posting about KITH on other sites, if they even remember being a KITH blogger back in the day. even tho the KITH tumblr community is small these types of blogs make it feel bigger somehow, as though i'm finding another friend who shares a similar interest who's currently away, but that's okay i'll leave a couple replies about reboot thoughts and the buddy cole documentary for when they get back, and in the mean time their contributions to fandom get to be enjoyed by this entire new generation of fans

[velarisvalkyrie]

HOFAS Spoilers: What I Liked vs What I Didn't

Disclaimer: I just need someone to process this with. Usually, I enjoy my entertainment quietly and don't feel the need to make public posts but I need someone to process this book with lol. Anything you disagree with me about is 100% okay!!! I'm not one to argue or put down opinions in fandoms. I'm just curious if anyone else is sharing similiar feelings as me.

What I Did Enjoy:

Bryce flicking peas down to the beasts below her holding cell. It was so on brand of her and funny to me.

Bryce having to explain what a cell phone was.

Nesta and Azriel's friendship. I know this is a CC book and I won't dwell too much on the ACOTAR crossover. However, Nesta and Azriel's friendship has always been one of my favorites and there were sooo many cute moments between them. That hug after she uses the mask??? That hug and him stroking her hair broke something in me then hit the repair button.

Bryce really snatched Az's favorite kitchen knife and jumped in a crystal coffin back home. Iconic.

Hunt, Baxian and Ruhn holding onto their brotherhood in the dungeons through humor. Trying to keep one another from breaking. Acknowledging one another in the darkest of times they endured together. They really tried so hard to keep each other from losing all hope.

Hunt thinking of Bryce to keep moving onward. Thinking of how she brought him so much joy. Calling her his mate and his wife and his princess (I love terms of endearment so personally stuff like this sends me melting).

Hunt calling Bryce his best friend :c

Lidia saving the boys like the badass that she is and doing it with a well thought out plan coordinated with Dec and Flynn and all those lovely sprites.

Confirmation that Lidia is related to Aelin. I sobbed. I already expected it but when I got to that chapter of the book I started sobbing uncontrolllably. Aelin would be so proud of Lidia for working to bring the Asteri down by any means necessary and protecting who she loves and cares for so deeply.

Sprites. No explanation needed.

I really liked Flynn this book!!! I saw a side of him that I did not get to see much of in HOEAB or HOSAB. Flynn was really considerate, protective, and remained mindful of circumstances and adapted to them.

Dec deserves several awards for his hacking skills.

Hunt's Daddies lol what a fascinating concept of Hunt also essentially being "Made" and coming from Hel

JESIBA 😭 Jesiba and her love for Bryce and her respect and just - I cried so much because Jesiba always knew what Bryce needed. She was tough love and really kept Bryce moving forward after Danika died. So for Jesiba to step up and finally be at peace while also saving Bryce was so emotional to me.

Ruhn and Lidia finally having that beer together.

Baxian in a panic cuz flying horses lol

Bryce getting to see her real life JJ - I would also be thrilled to see flying horses.

What I Did Not Enjoy:

Tharion's entire storyline irritated me. I'm sorry to Tharion fans but I just could not find it in myself to connect to his storyline in this book. His inability to make a decision and face the consequences had me grinding my teeth especially if his actions put other people in danger.

Bryce vs Nesta and Azriel. While I love all three of these characters, I did not love all of them together when it became very apparent nothing good was coming from their meeting. Both sides were valid in not fully trusting one another but it really felt as though Bryce was written as the excuse to expose Az and Nesta to new information. Like it all felt very strange.

Ithan and Sigrid. Why introduce Sigrid at all only for her to be killed so quickly??? She was built up to be this key role that would change everything for the wolf shifters but ends up dead by the end of Part 1. Also Ithan didn't truly have a well rounded character arc to me. It was very much: Ithan makes poorly thought out choice. Ithan doesn't like the outcome. Ithan feels heavy guilt. Ithan tries to fix it. Ithan makes a larger mess. Ithan makes poorly thought out choice - like it was the same loop until somehow he is the new Prime ????? How is he going to make wise choices and assert leadership over an entire pack when he can't even do so for himself.

Bryce dismissing Hunt's trauma. I understand a lot was going on and she needed him focused but like Hunt, Baxian and Ruhn were put through a lot of pain. The physical torture was brutal. The mental exhaustion of trying not to let your mind shatter from such torment had to be hard. Trying to keep your emotions from getting the best of you. And yet Bryce wanted him to just move on and do what she needed asap. She could have at least told him that she knows he is hurting and she wants to provide her support and proper attention when they are in the right circumstances that she can offer it. When they aren't being chased down or fighting enemies or surrounded by their friends.

Everyone moving on way too quickly from Hunt, Baxian and Ruhn being in those dungeons. They siffered a lot and everyone moved on so fast as if they weren't carrying some heavy shit on their shoulders and in their thoughts.

Characters thinking about sex so often amongst all the stress, battle, and life altering decision making. Like ? We are in a very important part of this journey. A huge battle is on the rise and lives are at risks and somehow all of you are thinking this much about being with your partners? That is so unrealistic. There is a time and place for that type of intimacy and connection with your special person and SJM wrote those moments in the strangest circumstances and places that it became annoying.

Bryce and her attitude toward the Fae. I was very disappointed im the way Bryce generalized all of the Fae and was considering not doing anything for them after defeating the Asteri. It took away from some of her potential character growth and as much as she hates the Fae she is half Fae herself and there are others like her who need someone in their corner. Her whole conversation with Flynn's sister where she goes on and on about how awful Fae are and they don't deserve to be united really turned me off. I know Bryce had terrible experiences but to generalize everyone because of those experiences and consider doing nothing when she could start the chain reaction toward positive change for the Fae who want to do better and be better was a turn off. I found myself not liking her a lot through the story which is sad cuz I liked Bryce in the previous 2 books so much but in HOFAS she kept disappointing me with some of her thoughts and emotions. It was like she was stunting her own character growth.

Lidia having kids. Why? Why does everyone need children? I don't say that hatefully either! Personally, I love children and I also support anyone's choice to have kids or not to have kids. However, there was no real reason to throw in twins to Lidia's storyline. I don't see how that progresses the plot and it almost felt like writing that she is a mother is a security blanket to make others feel more comfortable with the choices she made when she was The Hind. I'll be so honest, if Lidia just flat out admitted she always intended to be a double agent or she just realized how bad the system was I would have accepted that. Having this plot twist of having twins had me tilting my head.

Did anyone else feel like Lidia became more withdrawn and started leaning into stereotypical traits? Am I the only one who felt like her character in HOFAS was vastly different than how we saw her as Daybright in HOSAB?

Autumn King. I didn't need him to have redemption but it is strange to have scattered a few hints in HOEAB and in HOSAB and even in HOFAS that perhaps the Autumn King cared about his kids at some level and that he had some regrets with Bryce and Ember only for him to be the absolute worst. Personally, just keep him a consistent villian. I already didn't like him for how he abused Ruhn and Bryce, but there were small moments where SJM had me thinking: ... maybe this is an act? Maybe he cares and thinks he is preparing them for the way they may be treated by enemies in the only way he knows how? No! Nope! He was just as awful as I initially thought.

Tharion's marriage. Sooooooo out of nowhere. I couldn't even root for them because the whole time I was thinking about how Tharion had the River Queen, Ocean Queen and Viper Queen all wanting his ass handed to them on a silver tray, fins and all. Like ??? And you just married this girl without considering your enemies might hear the news and snatch her up as a way to play on your guilt, hero complex, and impulse. Like I'll root for this couple when Tharion is less foolish.

[golbrocklovely]

Ignoring the rest of the fandom, are you gonna do an analysis of the parts of the video you found interesting? Because that would be super interesting to read/hear as usually you give very good analysis of things and I'd be super interested to hear what parts interested you the most.

these might be a bit out of place compared to the podcast, but here are some parts that stuck out to me.

also omg this became so long so... grab a snack or something lol

i think it was really telling, and also interesting, to hear about sam's dad and how involved he was with snc and their careers early on. first off, his dad retiring at 47 is crazy, so clearly he was business savvy man and i'm glad to hear how much he helped the boys in the beginning and made sure to really help navigate them. the telling part to all of this is the fact that one of my assumption for the longest time was that colby's family (not his mom, but everyone else - especially his dad) were not as supportive. and this was kinda proof of it. i think they both have relatively conservative families, but colby's is clearly more conservative than sam's. bc if you saw your son being passionate about something and instead of being supportive, you kinda shoot him down - even tho he is finding success and making money from it - you come across like a bad parent in my eyes. it's one thing to be concerned, of course. but it's another thing to be discouraging.

i always had a feeling his family wasn't supportive, given the fact he never even mentions his family besides his mom and occasionally his brother, but this really nailed it on the head for me. it really brings me back to when snc hit some high number of subs, like 6 mil or more, and colby's dad texted him something like "6 mil. that's cool." or something extremely vague like that. and i'm like…… you wanna try to sound a little enthused there, pops??? lol

them, in general, talking about the bts-business stuff was honestly really intriguing to me. bc i've always wondered what happens on the back end of their content, since they never really talk about it. hearing them have adsense taken away from them bc they signed to a shady mcm is so surprising bc they have never mentioned that before. and it honestly makes me wonder if that was why they started their separate channels. i think they had mentioned years ago that they made their personal channels bc they wanted to make content that was outside the snc brand or that just wouldn't have fit on there, so i wonder if part of that was due to not having as much adsense for so long and just needing another avenue to gain money.

i think something else that i thought was cool to hear about was the beginning stages of their confidence journey back when they were in hs. it's an interesting conversation to be had that they (and probably many other guys) grew their social confidence thru disturbing the peace or getting girls' numbers and things of that nature but then comparing that to how girls gain confidence. bc i was the same way as them growing - i was shy, introverted, and socially awkward. and i just feel like all of those things that they claimed to do: the pranks, the "go game", things of that nature, that wouldn't have led me to being more confident. that would have just made me feel foolish, or even less social. but that's also, i think, just my general demeanor anyway. i wish they would have went a little more in depth when asked "why were you so introverted" or however the interviewer put it. bc that would have been a really interesting conversation. too bad they didn't stay on that too long.

like @xplrvibes mentioned, the anxiety conversation really just showed the difference between sam who has situational/occasional anxiety vs colby who (most likely, but i'm no doctor) has an anxiety disorder. to say your most confident was at 15 and you have to continue to stretch your social muscles…. that's not how """"normal"""" ppl work. but i get colby truly. it makes sense why he is a bit of a recluse sometimes or likes his alone time. i think this also weirdly shows that colby, while introverted/a loner naturally, can make friends easily vs sam, who likes to be around others, interestingly can't make friends all too well. or at least comes across awkwardly (by his own admission).

i liked their in depth talk about the killing best friend prank bc they haven't talked about it in years. i vividly remember when that happened and i was so shocked by the idea of it that i didn't watch it and it was before i was even a fan of them. still to this day haven't seen the whole thing. but it was nice to hear sam admit that he was in on it, even tho i know in years past he said the same thing. but so many ppl still believe he wasn't… idk. i personally think he was. plus he literally admitted he taught himself to cry (which… sounds very sociopathic, but i digress lol).

i saw a couple ppl freak out on them for saying that "if we did the following fat ppl vine now, it probably wouldn't be as much of an issue" which… is literally not what they said, but is what ppl claim they were saying. but i get what snc actually meant, which is that if they were starting out again, today, at the age they were all the way back in the day - no one would care about them the same way they have in the past. the pr stunts that they have done over the years that surprisingly worked would most likely not now. i think in a way they would get lost in the shuffle of other content creators. but part of that also is bc of what trends now vs what used to be new and exciting back then. but it is worth noting how many times things have worked out for snc in the end. xplr gods might actually be on their side after all lol

even tho i know snc have kinda done it et nauseum at this point, i do find the topic of the conjuring house interesting. especially since they made this whole spectacle about it bts to friends and really wanted other ppl's opinions on it and what they captured. and i think that, regardless of how you feel about snc or cody and satori, shows that snc really do believe what happened there and were extremely moved by it. that was obvious on camera as well, but i think it's sweet in a way how excited they were and still are about what they experienced there, whether it was technically real or not. i wish there was a way they could talk about it without debunkers losing their minds.

okay so there is a part where snc are talking about the devil's rocking chair, and colby let's slip that he felt like there was a voice telling him to stay in the chair longer…….. and i just need everyone to know that i hate when colby doesn't say that shit while it's happen and instead holds onto it for years and then casually says "oh yeah btw". like???? his empathic nature towards spirits and whatnot is so fascinating to me and i direly need to to explore that more, especially when snc have made it known that they want to work with less equipment/be more open.

the one thing i will fault these two guys interviewing snc for is when they got onto the topic of colby's cancer, colby alluded to there being some underlying trauma when it came to his cancer. that going thru chemo was fine during, but has caused trauma down the line. and like, i would love to know what he means by that. bc a lot of the time, when he talks about this, he alludes to there being something right under the surface, but no one ever presses him on it. of course, i get why some wouldn't do that, but i am genuinely curious. especially since colby always leads with "guys, it surprisingly wasn't that bad. and i'm doing a-okay now" which… hey that's great, but feels not quite right. i pray that colby took time to just, idk, cry or freak out or get angry - SOME FORM of emotion that wasn't just calm, cool, collected. it's great he was optimistic and kept his head up the whole time. that's fantastic. but i worry he's not allowing himself to feel everything fully. and you know, maybe a podcast isn't the place to do that on, sure; but i hope he's done it on his own time.

i think the final thing i want to say that i found interesting is the discussion they had about productivity. imma be honest, i'm very concerned in the long run as to how things are gonna work out for them. bc you have colby who clearly wants a break and needs one at some point, and then you have sam who feels like shit if he's NOT working. that at one point he felt like it was his purpose to work and without working, he didn't have one. and i get they have found a "balance" or so they say on that, but i just feel like in the long run if sam doesn't calm the fuck down on working constantly, he's gonna burn the both of them out. also everything he was talking about when it came to productivity and having that tied to how he feels about himself and whatnot… he sounded like he was about to have a break down or something. he sounded neurotic, and honestly i'm concerned for sam. also measuring every action you do in whether it's productive or not or HOW it's product and to what… dear god, just go to therapy. holy shit.

okay. i think that was everything. sorry this was super long, but hopefully that makes up for me taking like two days to respond lol

[super-unpredictable98]

Prank Wars | Back to 15 (De Volta aos 15)

Word count: 1,7k

Pairing: Fabrício X OC

Warning: Strong language, mention of (fake) blood

A/n: Hello everyone! As many of you know, this blog is going through a transition period. As the end of The Eighth Child nears (hopefully very soon with the last chapter), I'm starting to write for other fandoms I care about. A reimagining of Hard Candy is in the works with another AU and other fics are also coming for my second blog (my David Tennant blog lol). This is one of the fandoms I'll be working with from now on and I encourage you all to watch Back to 15 on Netflix if you haven't yet. Thank you so much to @jozstankovich for writing this fun piece with me and being my fandom buddy once again. Oh and I know Halloween is gone, but I was only able to get around to it now, so I hope you all enjoy it!

[Masterlist]

"Okay, Carol, Anita... GO!" Lydia said, closing her eyes tightly as she stood next to the shower in a pink dress and brand new ginger hair.

"Are you sure?" Carol asked, hesitantly. "This dress will never be the same."

"It'll be way cooler, just go!" Bruna growled.  

Anita and Carol then started pouring two buckets of fake blood on Lydia while she laughed a little and tried to get it all over herself.

"Here," Camila chuckled, placing a cheap plastic crown on her head. "Prom queen."

"Knock knock! You guys in there?" Fabrício called, pushing open the door to República das Imperatrizes and stepping inside. "Lyds, are you ready?" he exclaimed, checking his phone before slipping it in the back pocket of his faux leather pants.

"She's ready!" Camila came out of the bathroom giggling with fake blood on her fingers.

"Hey, baby!" Lydia came out leaving a trail behind her (which Rafa would most definitely make her clean in the morning). Her eyes were still closed, but when she opened them, she grimaced at the sight of her boyfriend's costume. "What are you wearing?"

"What am I wearing? What are you wearing?" Fabrício scoffed, his brows knitting in confusion. "I thought you were supposed to be that chick with the huge--" he trailed off, making off a huge boob motion with his hands.

"I said Carrie and Tommy!" Lydia laughed. "Oh please tell me you didn't actually dye your hair black," she came closer and started analyzing his look.

He wore black faux leather pants and a white wifebeater, big chain, double grommet belt, sunglasses, black hair, dangling earrings, and some drawn on tattoos. "Tommy Ross! Not Tommy Lee!" She laughed harder.

"How was I supposed to know?" Fabrício exclaimed, frowning petulantly, jerking his chin away from Lydia's amused gaze. "And yeah! It's only semi-permanent though," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

"It's fine, the girls are getting ready, we should get to República Tcheca if we don't wanna miss the party," Lydia chuckled. "Did you bring the car? This blood doesn't stain, it's mostly dry."

"It better not, or you're cleaning it up on your own," he huffed, though he smirked at her. "It's kinda scary how hot you look covered in blood," he chuckled, taking her hand to head outside.

"You look pretty hot yourself," Lydia stood by the door, waiting for him to open for her. "We shouldn't drink too much tonight, I'd like to remember what we do."

"Aw, alright, just enough for a little buzz," he agreed, pulling open the door for her. As she settled in her seat, he slipped in as well, making the short drive back to República Tcheca.

"Just a couple beers then," she grabbed his arm, laying on his shoulder while he drove. "You know, I really didn't think about the practicality of having some alone fun after the party with this bloody costume."

Fabrício smirked, glancing down at Lyds. “I don’t mind getting a little dirty,” he teased, pulling into the drive and parking.

"I have to admit this costume looks a million times better on you than the one I had in mind," Lydia stole a kiss from him. "Let's go inside."

"See, I knew what I was doing," he teased, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they headed into the midst of the party.

As soon as the door opened, the music surrounded them and Fabrício nodded to his friends, grinning.

"You want something to drink?" He asked Lyds, leaning in so she could hear him over the music.

"Make a caipirinha for me, babe?" She smiled, waving at the other boys in the fraternity. "I'm going to your room, okay?"

"Comin' right up," Fabrício said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before heading to the kitchen. Grabbing a red plastic cup, he made Lydia's cocktail, smirking as he added an extra special ingredient.

"She's gunna kill you, you know that right?" Joel said, watching him slip the little rubber rat into the cup, his brows climbing.

"Yeah, but it'll be worth it," Fabrício laughed, pouring himself a beer from the keg's spigot.

"You say that now..." Joel murmured, shaking his head, but Fabrício was already on his way to his bedroom with the drinks.

Lydia was waiting, trying to find the sexiest pose she could be in when he walked through the door. She kept moving around in his bed until she heard the door opening and settled on one of the poses.

"Hey, sweetie," she smiled, taking the cup. She initially didn't notice anything strange, but when she started drinking, she felt the creature hit her lips. When she pulled away to look, she screamed and threw the whole thing away.

Fabrício nearly fell over laughing. "Oh, I got you good!" he exclaimed.

"GO FUCK YOURSELF! Dickhead, you're such an asshole! How old are you? Five?" She gave him a shove to get out of the room.

"Whoa! Whoa, Lyds wait!" He exclaimed, hurrying after her. "It was just a fake rat! It wasn't real!" He cried.

"I know, but you know I'm scared of rats!" She cried as she marched back to his car. "Go back inside, I wanna be on my own!"

"Oh c'mon, it was just a stupid Halloween prank," Fabrício groaned.  "Lemme make it up to you," he said, pleading her with his eyes, his hands clasped together in front of him.

"How do you wanna do that?" Lydia folded her arms, tapping her foot on the pavement and trying to resist his cute puppy face.

Damn it... when he was like that, he looked exactly like he did as a little boy and he was the most adorable little boy in the history of Minas Gerais.

"I have my ways," he murmured, moving in closer, a hopeful grin tugging at his lips.

"Stop looking at me like that, you don't have the baby fat to make me melt anymore," she teased. "Without those round cheeks, you're no longer cute!" She lied.

Fabrício only pouted deeper, slipping closer, knowing she was lying. "You sure about that?" He teased.

"Hmmm yeah," she turned her face away in a petulant manner. "You were way cuter with that baby fat."

"Oh, I see how it is," he chuckled, holding his hands up. "I guess I'll just go back inside then, and leave you here all alone," he sighed, hoping she wouldn't actually let him walk away.

"No, wait!" Lydia groaned. "You are still cute..." she mumbled.

"Aha!" Fabrício laughed, pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry about the stupid fake rat, okay? I didn't think you'd get this upset," he murmured, kissing her forehead and then her cheek and then the tip of her nose.

"Alright, this time, I'm gonna forgive you... if you make me another drink, a proper one," she smiled.

"Deal!" He replied, grinning widely before leading her back toward the house, his arm wrapped around her waist. "Wanna watch me make it this time?"

"Nah, I trust you," she kissed him quickly before rushing to his room. She had a plan to get him back. She used his old laptop and the printer every guy in the fraternity used to print their essays. She got a picture of the girl from The Ring with a black background and stuck it to the outside of his window, just in the corner, as if she was watching.

"One caipirinha for you, babe!" Fabrício exclaimed, holding up two cups as he pushed the door open with his shoulder, finding Lydia waiting for him on the bed.

"Thank you, sweetie," she took the cup. "Hmm you're the best bartender ever. Are you sure you wanna stay in law school?"

"Course, I can't make as much bartending. Just means you get my talents all to yourself," he said, plopping down next to her on the bed and taking a sip of his own drink.

"You should think of bartending part-time though, now that Cabra told me you quit the copy room again!" Lydia laughed, lying against the window.

"Ugh, he told you that?" Fabrício groaned. "Yeah, maybe it wouldn't hurt," he murmured, looking up at his girlfriend and frowning, noticing something dark on the window behind her.

"He did, it's the fifth time this month, your dad won't keep sending you money if you- what?" She asked, faking concern when she noticed the look on his face.

"Uh, I dunno, it's probably nothing," he said, shaking his head.

"Really? You looked like you've seen a ghost," she chuckled, still pretending to be wary.

When Lydia shifted slightly, tilting her head in concern, Fabrício gaze shifted fully to the window and he jerked back with a shout, nearly falling backwards off the bed, his heart leaping into his throat.

"What?" Lydia tried not to laugh, taking him in her arms. "What's wrong?"

"Don't see that?" He exclaimed, scrambling to his feet, his eyes wide as he stared at the window, his fear suddenly dropping off as he realized what it was. "Is that Samara?" he asked, frowning as he squinted at the photo taped to the window.

"Happy Halloween, my love," Lydia kissed his cheek.

"Okay, that's fair," he chuckled, turning to catch her lips.

"I just had to get you back cause there's caipirinha all over my dress along with the blood, but... you're a cutie," she said in between kisses.

"Nah, you're the cute one," he murmured, his hand squeezing her hip.

"Hmm I love how soft you are when we're alone..." she chuckled softly. "So so soft and whipped."

He groaned, pulling back to shake his head softly at her. "Yeah yeah, only for you," he sighed, grinning at her.

"Maybe before we get our private fun time... we could... get some of the others? I know for a fact your sister is terrified of spiders, we could steal one from the decorations, and slip it in her hair," Lydia laughed.

"Oooo, you're truly evil, I'm impressed," Fabrício chuckled, a mischievous grin stretching across his face. "Let's do it!"

[arcielee]

Interview With a Writer

I know I usually do Ewanverse or HotD, but I fell in love with this story. Thank you @bhxrdy for indulging me and answering my questions. 💜 As always, Interview With a Writer is my ongoing series of the talented souls on Tumblr and ao3, and their brilliant writing!

Dividers by @saradika

Name: bhxrdy

Story: timeless

Paring: modern Finan x original female character

Warnings: Explicit/18+, be mindful of chapter warnings!

So, when did you start writing?

I started really writing, like 10 years ago now - right into 2013. I had discovered and gotten very into (I'm shy to say) k-pop, and at the time, social media was new to me. I had joined a couple of forums here and there, but really got into the thick of it once I joined Twitter and Tumblr. It was also then - for the 1st time - that I found out about fanfiction, which was an unfamiliar concept to me.

Its a bit blurry, but I remember I started reading a few stories here and there about my fave group at the time and - I don't remember the specifics but - I had eventually started coming up with wild scenarios, small ideas here and there, that I wanted to put down on paper.

Writing in general was relatively new to me (a few years before, when I was in high school, I was writing "poems" and other notes in a massive emo-like notebook - all because of a boy of course), so the idea of creating something substantial, like the fics I had read so far, was a bit terrifying but also kind of exciting because I stumbled on something brand new to me and was dying to be part of it along with some new online friends I had made (which I unfortunately lost touch with over the years).

Within the span of 2013-2015, I wrote 28 stories (on a 3rd party site) - a mix of one shots and multi-chaptered fics, which includes 2 unfinished stories - which were left to die by 2017-2018. I had finished school and started working, which totally changed my routine. The lack of interactions in the fandom didn't help either as by then, it was pretty much dying from the band's moving on and eventually disbanding. The stories are still there, my account is still there, as I don't have the heart to take it down. I've spent so much time on them, and loved every genre I wrote. I either went fluffly fluff or super angst and dark, all of them fun to write.

After that I moved away from the fandom as well and just the k-pop scene in general. I took a hiatus from writing altogether too - the will of it had died so I mostly focused on editing. And then, I started back again in 2020, wrote a couple of stuff on Tumblr (for the 1st time) until I stopped again a few months later. The inspiration stopped and I just couldn't bring myself to write anymore. So I moved away.

And then this year, TLK happened and I just had the inspiration back on the tip of my fingers, just swirling in my brain and was dying to write it down, so I gave it another shot and wrote my first Finan fanfic. It was very rusty getting back into it after so long but I'm glad I did because I got to meet amazing people which I'm grateful for.

I have a tendency of daydreaming a lot, I can easily get lost it my own head. Finding out I could actually just write them down, liberating everything I held up and see them face to face vs. just thinking about them, became a whole new ball game.

Where did the plot for timeless come from?

It hit me out of nowhere and happened when I was re-watching The Originals (TVD spin off). I'm not sure how, but it physically/literally stopped me in my tracks (mind you I wasn't doing anything special, just going to the kitchen to get a snack) as if I was hit on the head with it, like, "Yes! omg! shit! this is it!!"

I immediately picked up my phone and started typing random thoughts and notes down for the story. It was very rough, just generalized ideas of what could happen. Some of those ideas did change trajectory from where they started, but I'm hoping they were good changes and worth the story telling 😊

Watching The Originals helped with the inspiration. I knew Finan was always meant to be cursed, I just had to figure out the best way to present it. I also drew inspiration from other witch shows like Charmed, A Discovery of Witches, and BTVS. I love anything related to the supernatural and witchcraft, so it was fun coming up with the initial layout of the story.

At the beginning, I debated if it should be a one-shot or multi-chapter based on how much I had come up with. I was 99% sure I would stick with the one-shot, but eventually the 1% took over and I just went from there...the lines took a life of their own.

Explain your interpretation of Finan. What drives him? Why is he the way he is in timeless?

I was mostly trying to stay true to how his character was built on the show and transport that in writing within the concept of the story (I'm sure I've strayed, but hopefully that's alright).

When we first meet Finan, he's infiltrated modern day life as if he was part of that world, always. Then he meets a woman on a random night and everything changes for him.

Thinking of it this way, the man has been by himself for a thousand years - the life he knew, his family, his friends - everything from his past has disappeared and he is all alone, and so he was just at this point in his existence where he was done with everything, partly discouraged from being immortal, partly begrudgingly accepting of his fate as a man who will never die.

But then he meets Rebecca, a woman who has no inkling whatsoever of who Finan is, i.e. their meet up was random passing of time in the(ir) universe. Once they meet, his life alters. She was the light at the end of a tunnel, she was a beacon of hope. Meeting her, befriending her - he found purpose again. He was ready to fight again, to live like a normal man again.

Throughout the story, I tried to focus on this aspect specifically - on the basis that he is hopeful to become a free man again. And though, there is conflict within himself, to the point he was ready to give up again, I'd like to think that Rebecca was simply someone he needed in his life. Not because of what she could do for him, but because of who she was, as a character, as a person to him. She put her life on hold for him and in return, the universe gave them something that everyone wants - to love and be loved and not be so alone in the world.

Finan, having been alone for a century, found his drive through Rebecca - through her presence, always standing by his side and fighting for him. Them falling in love was an added bonus.

Do you feel Rebecca/Bex complement Finan in this?

I would like to think that she does, because she gave him a new spark into his life, allowing him to feel truly alive again - which was something he had been deprived off since his original lifetime (i.e. since the TLK era).

With Bex's stubbornness driving him insane at times, I think it also helped him on the hope aspect - she was willing to go to the ends of the earth for him, for someone she had just met all because she wanted to make things right, to help him (a stranger, when they met) find peace. She wasn't reluctant about it nor did he even ask for help (he was the apprehensive/suspicious one). And I believe, at the end of the day, it all came down to how they felt about each other from the night they met. They unintentionally nurtured a connection they created until it became so immense, they ended up wearing it naturally, like a second skin.

Not only was she his anchor to the world of the living, Bex had become the part of him that died a long time ago. This makes me believe - in a some kind of weird way - that she was his soulmate. That, despite the heaviness of the curse, Finan was meant to cross path with her, that the(ir) universe gave him a break in the form of a kind-hearted and stubborn as a mule witch. A woman who would end up gifting him a second chance, and the opportunity to experience the good aspect of life again (as well as love).

Where did the dreams and the curse lore come from?

The dreams part of the story was inspired by The Originals, as there is the concept of the “other side” where non-resting souls are (the cemetery/graveyard scene description was inspired by the one they have on the show) - so I leveraged it and made it so Bex was forced into contact with another witch while sleeping instead of through a spell (as she had no reason to contact the dead while awake).

For the curse, I knew what I wanted out of it as it was already part of the original draft when I first came up with this story idea. I knew where it was taking me and how I would want it built - the reasoning behind it though was a bit if the tough part which I had also integrated into the storyline with Bex losing her shit over it.

Any chance of a sequel? Or do have anything else you are working on next?

So, unfortunately no sequel. But it does not mean I haven't thought of an epilogue - or kind of. Just random scenes with Bex of what life is after the ending that randomly play out in my head. I don't think I'll want to write them mostly because I want to keep the ending as is.

I'm working through a few other stories at the moment. The priority ones are for Osferth (a one-chaptered drabble for your 1k celebration, and a multi-chaptered fic which will also tap into the supernatural concept), which I am hoping to get started - officially - very soon!

I have some others dangling as well, which should eventually come soon as well - this includes Finan, Sihtric and Aemond.

Do you have a personal favorite story you'd like to share?

There are so many to choose from! We Were Something, Don't You Think? by Maggie (@inthedayswhenlandswerefew), as well as Comet Donati and Have You No Idea That You’re In Deep?

Some other favorites include Wolf-Heart by @gemini-mama, Crimes of Passion by @itbmojojoejo, Sanctuary by @st-eve-barnes, and Winterwood by @lonnson

There is also a myriad of Finan x Aisling (OFC) fics by @persephones-journey which are heart-wrenching and good.

And Fire in Her Eyes by @emilyhufflepufftlk is another amazing one for Finan fans.

[violetmuses]

Wounds (Part II) - M. Lowrey ❤️‍🩹

Title: Wounds (Part II) - M. Lowrey ❤️‍🩹

Fandom: “Bad Boys” Film Universe

Character: Mike Lowrey

Main Storyline: One planned assignment reveals the impossible for Detective Mike Lowrey. @nelo0wesker @yassbishimvintage @amethyst-loves-bucky

=====

1997

“What now? If this plan works, I can't bum rush like SWAT and take the kid with me.” Mike offered true bewilderment while still addressing Captain Howard.

“I'll handle our next blueprint. Just get your things and go home. Marcus has the day off.” Captain seems more peaceful than usual given the situation.

“All right, thanks, Cap. I'm out.” Mike bids farewell to gather belongings and exits the precinct.

_____

Mike kept tossing and turning while he slept in this beautiful home, genuinely puzzled when looking through dreams of the next chapter.

Fatherhood?

While the secret affair with Isabel Aretas pulled his heart, Mike continued standing with reality now.

Even Detective Marcus Burnett, Mike's longtime partner and best friend, could never know what's truly going on. There's far too much at stake.

Here we go. Mike thought, just trying to move forward.

****

“Rough night, man? I know the coffee tastes like shit!” Detective Marcus Burnett laughed toward his partner while entering the precinct.

“Slept with your mama, dumbass.” Mike picked up banter and kept himself aware.

“Whatever.” Marcus rolled his eyes. “Had a little time off with my family. Theresa said hello.”

“Hey…” Mike soon joked back with his own voice this morning.

“Don't start that foolishness again. It's my wife. I've already told you.” Marcus defended himself.

“Do some work, please?” Mike just went on. “I'm not in the mood.”

“Aight, I'll go away now.” Marcus lifted both of his hands. “Damn. Who pissed in your cereal this morning?”

Moving on, Mike attempted to concentrate on work from this cubicle.

And yet, the quiet memory of 2:55 PM lingered past his thoughts.

_____

Sure enough, Mike wanted to plan everything in his head.

If Marcus just stayed occupied here, Lowrey could sneak out and still try to pick up Armando Aretas from school, not bringing up suspicions later.

Seconds later, his pager beeps.

Captain Howard needs something.

Uh-oh.

Thankfully alone, Mike leaves his desk and joins Captain once more.

______

“It's official. I just sent out this covert team to arrest Benito and Isabel.” Captain Howard revealed.

“Are you serious?” Mike whispered.

“Yes. You've earned full custody of Armando right now.” Cap wouldn't smile, but realized the truth.

“Thank you so much.” Mike offered immense gratitude. “Honestly.”

“Now go get your son. I'll cover Marcus.” Captain Howard passed Mike keys to this brand-new truck.

Smiling, Mike understood this plan and leaves, thankful beyond words.

______

Another bright day set around Miami. Mike rolled into the parking lot once more and noted this backseat.

As Mike recalled details, Theresa showed him how to fasten car seats during the name-swap heroin case in 1995.

Reaching this school, Lowrey noticed how vibrant the hallways stand. Bulletin boards lined art from the youth. Mike's heart warmed all over again.

“Oh, hello. We've been looking for you, Detective.” This teacher emerged from one classroom.

“Hey, today is very unexpected, but thank you so much.” Mike calmed his voice for obvious reasons. “Please know that I'm not around to bother anyone. Just here to pick up my son.”

“Armando just woke up from nap time, but he's not hyper like other children.” The teacher explained more.

“Thank you for letting me know.” Mike nodded before entering the classroom.

______

Another aid helped Armando gather his small backpack and Mike kneels to meet his son's eye level.

“Hey, man. Ready to go?” Mike genuinely smiled this time around.

"Mi papa?" Armando's tiny voice almost breaks Mike's heart through native Spanish.

“Si.” Mike nodded, lifting Armando when his son raised both arms.

Young Armando Aretas rested his head on Mike's clothed shoulder to leave this building with new happiness.

No matter what happens next, Mike promised to stay around.

[amethystina]

Oh gosh, sorry to hear you’ve been getting lots of critiques recently. Even when it’s valid and solicited criticism can be rough, and the out of the blue stuff is always worse :/ And I say that as someone who works in the arts for a living.

I wish I had something better to say than that every artist you admire has likely felt the same way at one point or another, as even the best of the best of the best get complaints, but I don’t, so know at least that you’re in good company. (In theatre we actually have a saying that the day you can truly call yourself a professional is the day you get your first really bad review, so I always take comfort in the universality of the experience, even if it super fucking sucks lol)

I know I could also tell you that your writing is phenomenal and for every person who has a complaint there’s a bunch more who are having the BEST time (myself included xD), but I also know that doesn’t fix it when someone’s made you doubt yourself. For the record though, I will say it. Your writing IS phenomenal, and it DOES bring both me and others quite a lot of joy. I get very excited every time I see you’ve updated (either fic that I’m reading xD), and I find it genuinely a bonus that this particular story is so long. Because it means that the experience of reading it for the first time doesn’t have to be over yet.

I’m VERY much rambling now, but try and be kind to yourself is I guess at the heart of what I’m saying. Take care of yourself, take your time, and come back to things when you’re ready. You’re allowed to feel hurt, or doubtful, or whatever, and if time is what you need to take care of yourself, then you should take it <3.

To be honest, I would be genuinely surprised if I was somehow able to avoid getting criticism. It's just a natural part of posting online, it would seem, no matter one's skill level or the fandom.

And, usually, I can handle it pretty well. It just so happens that everything piled up on the same day and that got a little overwhelming. It honestly felt a bit like the universe was ganging up on me for no apparent reason xD

Thank you so much for your kind words, though 💜 It's true that there are no immediate fixes to the kind of doubts that arise from unsolicited criticism, but it certainly helps to know that there are people who enjoy what I do. Because, in the long run, it's not about writing the most perfect, flawless fic, but rather sharing the joy and excitement I feel over the stories that I write. So thank you so much for taking the time to tell me 💜

And yeah, I'm doing my best to rest right now, partly because I did end up getting sick. So I've mostly been drawing highly questionable Strangers From Hell fanart and, earlier today, I hyper-fixated for hours and randomly did a playlist for Who Holds the Devil. Which is VERY unexpected since I don't really connect music to my writing?

I blame @sofapup17 who made a wonderful playlist for my Strangers From Hell fanfic, which I've been looping while drawing the aforementioned fanart xD (and I also stole three songs from it to my own playlist ;D ) And that of course made me wonder if I could do one, too. Turns out that I can! It's hella long but, uh, that's both on-brand and appropriate considering the fanfic, I guess? I honestly didn't expect to find as much music as I did.

So yeah. While I'm not writing on Who Holds the Devil right now, I'm keeping busy with other creative projects. There never seems to be a shortage of those, somehow x'D

Thank you again for your kind words. The fact that so many people are willing to take time out of their day to cheer me up is so incredibly humbling. Thank you 💜

[kimtaegis]

„Because I feel like I'm getting less and less interested in anything and everything he's doing and it's making me so frustrated because I did like him as a person and his music as well.” „because I feel like I still like him,” But go off anon I guess. People like you are the reason why I left twitter because you make such a big deal about loving every member no matter what. I do love all of them. But I still have opinions and I can’t like everything. I’m open to what they are doing, I’m open to new music, photoshoots, brand deals, you name it. But I don’t have to and I can’t like everything all the time. And sorry if me voicing my frustration about something that has been bothering me for months and asking if anyone else feels the same way personally offended you. „I still don't think anon is army” well if that makes you sleep better then okay. But you know what, I’m going to tell you something: you are not obligated to like everything. Forcing yourself to say „omg it’s a hit” to every single song they release just so you can be called a true army is not how being a fan should be. Guess what, even if people tweet about every single release and how they love it and it’s a hit and all that, 50% of those people could secretly dislike that song. Because we have opinions. And maybe you didn’t have bad intentions but you really came across as someone who just blindly supports everything they do and you force yourself to like everything. And the fandom has shifted so much and everyone acts like if you don’t like absolutely everything they do then you can’t even like them because you’re not a fan. Believe me, if I could, I’d simply snap my fingers and go back to feeling the same way I felt a few months ago, but I can’t. And that’s what’s frustrating because he hasn’t done anything bad for me to like him less. But thanks for basically stating I’m not a fan just because my interest levels are not the same.

Thank you annie for your answer, and I'm sorry for even bringing this up. I didn't want to turn this into a discourse. I won’t send another ask again.

I hope it’s okay if I don’t go further into anything you said since it was mostly directed at the other person, and let me just end this by saying something about you and me: you don’t have to ever apologise to me for speaking up about what worries you, okay? with hindsight I maybe should’ve just not answered their message and spare you having to read it as well, I don’t know… I was upset too and wanted to make some things clear from my side. I understood what you wanted to express and I’m sorry I let this go as far as you having to justify your feelings to some other stranger.

lastly, because I don’t want any of you to get my text post wrong – you can ALWAYS come here and talk to me about your thoughts and feelings, okay? I said it before but I love that my blog can be this space for you, I happily try to comfort and help you in any way I can, I really do. I’m just not immune to the ‘heaviness’ some of these topics bring with them, and now that I’m much busier with work and my own priorities (have to) shift, it can get more difficult and exhausting than usual to try to find the time, headspace and right words to reply the way I want to you. I hope you can understand that when you talk to me about these kind of things, I start to worry (about you), too, and sometimes it can get overwhelming. just as for everyone else probably, a little light or silly or sweet conversation in between all those heavy topics would do me some good, especially these days. that’s all I wanted to express, really