#thomas barrow for all your flaws youre wonderful

[glittergelpensherlock]

Their flaws make them beautiful.

Mary and Thomas are so alike as lonely souls who try to be honest with themselves and go against social conventions. It makes them bitter people under cold facades, constantly lashing out only to be more misunderstood. They have so much to offer to the world but have always met with disappointments. Their existential angst is real and that's why I love them.

Only wish more people could see their true selves.

They are two of the most human characters.

[gokinjeespot]

off the rack #1316

Monday, March 8, 2021

 Coming up on a year since the pandemic started. I hope you're all healthy and safe. I am hopeful that vaccines will be deployed widely and help us all feel less anxious. I am fortunate enough to be one of those people who is happy as a bug snug in a rug while self isolating. I do really miss my dear friends and family but hugs can wait until we're all vaccinated.

 My thanks to Doug for lending me these comic books to read.

 Batman Annual #5 - James Tynion IV (writer) James Stokoe (art) Clayton Cowles (letters). It's the origin of Clownhunter and it's not very original. If I had to pay $4.99 US I would have passed on this and lived with leaving a hole in my Batman collection. If you're not familiar with this new vigilante, he's an Asian teenager named Bao who decides he's going to kill the Joker and all of the villain's sycophants. The reason he becomes Clownhunter (and killer) is very mundane. I wish they could have come up with a new motivator. Maybe the philosophical discussion about what to do about the Joker might interest some fans but I found this story quite tedious. I also didn't like the way Bao and his parents were portrayed. Did they really have an Asian saying "Ah, so"? Yes they did on page 8. Shades of Charlie Chan, Batman. I was not offended, just disappointed.

 Batman/Catwoman #3 - Tom King (writer) Clay Mann (art) Tomeu Morey (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). I was thrilled to see the town of Port Orange, Florida mentioned on the first page. My pal Al lives there. It's also where Selina finally catches up with the Joker and does what Batman never did. I love this Black Label book taking familiar characters and treating them in a new and interesting way. Here's a future where Selina has survived her husband Bruce's death and their daughter Helena is the new Batwoman. Now I wait to see how mother and daughter deal with the Angel of Death.

 And now, more Future State books.

 Future State: Robin Eternal #2 - Meghan Fitzmartin (writer) Eddy Barrows (pencils) Eber Ferreira (inks) Adriano Lucas (colours) Pat Brosseau (letters). The consequence of Tim Drake/Robin being dunked in Lazarus resin is that now he's immortal. Whoop-dee-doo. Not only is this a boring Robin beats up bad guys issue but the art lacked any logical perspective. This issue takes place on a train but you would think it's in a huge building based on the art. I know it's comic books but I hate when one doesn't make visual sense. I think that's just laziness.

 Future State: Kara Zor-El Superwoman #1 & #2 - Marguerite Bennett (writer) Marguerite Sauvage (art) Wes Abbott (letters). This 2-issue fairy tale was not meant for old farts like me and Doug. With it's soft pastel colours these books should have included glitter and bubblegum flavoured lip gloss. Maybe young tween girls will like this. The moral of this story is "no one is born wise".

 Future State: Dark Detective #3 - Mariko Tamaki (writer) Dan Mora (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) Aditya Bidikar (letters). There are not one but two Batmans in this issue. You've got Bruce in his new capeless costume but here he's wearing a trench coat to give that fluttering effect, and then there's the new guy in the Bat suit, cape and all. The "uh-oh" point of the story hits here when the bad guys discover where Bruce is hiding out. The Matthew Rosenberg (writer) Carmine Di Giandomenico (art) Antonio Fabela (colours) & AndWorld Design (letters) Grifter story concludes here too with a double cross and a whole lot more of Helena/Huntress. This is my favourite Future State book so far.

 Future State: Superman of Metropolis #1 & #2 - Sean Lewis (writer) John Timms (art) Gabe Eltaeb (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). If you're wondering how a grown up Jonathan Kent takes over for his dad as Metropolis's protector then these two $5.99 US books will satisfy your curiosity. The villain of the story is an evolved Brainiac who is a big multi-mouthed ball now. Metropolis is shrunk ala the bottle city of Kandor, the citizens go nuts but Jon returns things back to normal in the end with the help of Kara/Supergirl. I don't know why Kara's a girl in this story and a woman elsewhere. Each issue has two back-ups so you get your money's worth. One features Mister Miracle and the other the Guardian. They are both dealing with bad things inside the bottled Metropolis. You won't miss much if you don't read them. The Mister Miracle story "The Metropolis Menagerie" is done my Brandon Easton (writer) Valentine De Landro (art) Marissa Louise (colours) Dave Sharpe (letters). The Guardian story is brought to you by Sean Lewis (writer) Cully Hamner & Michael Avon Oeming (art) Laura Martin (colours) AndWorld Design (letters). This one got me excited because a villain wants to throw Jimmy Olsen off of the Daily Planet building.

 Future State: Catwoman #2 - Ram V (writer) Otto Schmidt (art) Tom Napolitano (letters). Read this to find out if Catwoman saves the lives of the people on the train. You will also find out if Bruce is freed from the bad guys. Talia Al-Ghul appearing is the deus ex machina in this story. I like the new Cheshire and Onomatopoeia is always fun.

 Future State: Superman: Worlds of War #2 - Phillip Kennedy Johnson (writer) Mikel Janin (art) Jordie Bellaire (colours) & Dave Sharpe (letters). In "The Many Deaths of Superman" the Man of Steel fights in the arena of Warworld where Mongul resurrects him after every death match. It's the typical brutal battle scenes and super villain gloating. What's more compelling is an old newspaper story that Clark Kent wrote that inspired a young woman who travels to Smallville. I was totally confused by the three back-up stories featuring Mister Miracle, Midnighter and the Black Racer because they were not very good. I am a completist and have to finish what I start. I could have stopped reading after the $3.99 US main story in this bloated $7.99 US comic book  but my obsessive compulsive nature wouldn't let me. It's a character flaw I wish I could change.

 Future State: The Next Batman #1 - John Ridley (writer) Nick Derington (art) Tamra Bonvillain (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). All the teasers for this book hyped the fact that this Batman is black. You won't get the secret identity in this first issue but there are a bunch of likely candidates. Lucas Fox is a possibility but it's confusing because he's a bad guy in another Future State book. This is another $7.99 US book with back-ups. These are more coherent than the ones in Future State: Superman: Worlds of War.

Future State: Outsiders by Brandon Thomas (writer) Sumit Kumar (pencils) Sumit Kumar & Raul Fernandez (inks) Jordie Bellaire (colours) & Steve Wands (letters) gathers together some old Batman associates helping Gotham City citizens escape persecution by the Magistrates outside Gotham City's borders. Get it? It was nice seeing Katana in action.

Future State: Arkham Knights by Paul Jenkins (writer) Jack Herbert (art) Gabe Eltaeb (colours) & Rob Leigh (letters) gathers together some of Batman's rogues gallery to fight the oppressive Magistrate. Two-Face, Mr. Zsasz, Dr. Phosphorus, Killer Croc and other ex-inmates of Arkham Asylum are being lead by an armoured Astrid Arkham. It's super villains being super heroes.

 Future State: The Next Batman #2 - John Ridley (writer) Nick Derington (breakdowns) Laura Braga (art) Arif Prianto (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). We learn the secret identity of the new caped Batman in this issue. It's Lucas Fox's brother. He has a brother? This also has three new back-up stories.

"Batgirls" is by Vita Ayala (writer) Aneke (art) Trish Mulvihill (colours) & Becca Carey (letters). Batgirl/Orphan Cassandra Cain gets locked up in the Magistrate Detention Facility where both good guys/white hats and bad guys/black coats are incarcerated. She got caught on purpose because her mission is to find Oracle and Batman and free them. She gets help from Spoiler who is queen of the inmates. In this reality Cass is way more articulate than she used to be. I didn't like that. I also didn't like that in the other Future State stories the Magistrate foot soldiers have a shoot to kill order for any masks that they encounter. Why are all of these masks alive? Anyways, this part ends with the white hats and black coats forming an alliance so Cass can get on with her mission.

"Gotham City Sirens: Ladies' Night Out" is by Paula Sevenbergen (writer) Rob Haynes (breakdowns) Emanuela Lupacchino (pencils) Wade von Grawbadger (inks) John Kalisz (colours) Becca Carey (letters). Catwoman and Poison Ivy spring a domestic droid named Dee Dee (get it?) from servitude and they have a night on the town at a bar. The bar is run by Sam Bradley and both super heroes and villains can imbibe in peace. Fans of Sex and the City may like this. Not a lot of drama until the last page when the joint is raided by Magistrate goons and major characters are shot.

 Future State: The Next Batman #3 - John Ridley (writer) Nick Derington (breakdowns) Laura Braga (art) Arif Prianto (colours) Clayton Cowles (letters). This is the "uh-oh" moment in the story where the hero is felled by the villain. A wounded Batman is attacked by the murderer he's trying to bring to justice. I saw that coming.

I like the change with Black Lightning in the Outsiders back-up.

I like the art in the Arkham Knights back-up even though the dialogue is eye roll inducing.

 Future State: The Next Batman #4 - Jace/Batman lives, as if that was in any doubt. This story would have been a lot more interesting if Bruce/Batman was really dead. Even if the Future State line of comics dies out this Next Batman is a cop out. The Batgirls story ends with Cassandra/Orphan saving Barbara/Oracle and the Resistance gaining ground on the Magistrates. The Gotham City Sirens story ends with Catwoman and Poison Ivy helping the Resistance get an advantage in their war with the Cybers thanks to Dee Dee.

 I admit that I was sucked in by the hype for this mini. The Next Batman being black intrigued me. The story itself was meh and I would not have missed anything by not reading it. I was not engaged as a mature reader but I think someone in their teens might like all the stories in these four issues.

[twoteaspoonsofsuga]

An Open Book (Thommy Fanfic) Chapter 20

AN: Thankyou so so much for being patient with me, honestly I got so busy. But enough with that. Andrews says farewell, Thomas and Jimmy prepare for Thomas' short sentence and they get a call from Bloomsbury House. Previous Chapter, Next Chapter, A03.

Thomas was pulled into a crowd of his friends and colleuages as soon as he was allowed to leave the room. Never in his life had he felt surrounded by so much love. Maybe the world had finally decided that his suffering was enough…maybe all that hurt, all the agony and chill and lonely nights were done for him? The only downside to the multitude of embraces, was the fact he and Jimmy were separated throughout. That was until…Andrew asked for a quiet word. The others chattered nearby as Andrew took them to the side. “Well…it seems our time together has come to an end.” Thomas felt a little tug of his heartstrings. Andrew Hopkins had become a pillar of strength in both of their lives and both men had become quite accustomed to having him around. “Will…are we not to see you again?” Thomas murmured brows knitted together. Andrew chuckled merrily. “I should hope not! There’s never a nice reason to see lawyer.” Jimmy and Thomas caught eyes and Andrew read the melancholy gaze. “His Lordship has my details. If you wish to see me outside the courtroom, that might be nice.” Jimmy smirked. “Aye that would be dandy.”

“Speak of the devil…” Hopkins nodded his curly auburn head towards the oncoming Earl whom held out his hand for the lawyer. “Mr Hopkins, I must say, I’m quite impressed with your performance and I’d like to personally thank you for service today. What you did for Thomas and James was extraordinary.” Andrew shook the elder’s hand. “It was my pleasure your Lordship … I had quite a lot of fun The Earl stared at him with an odd expression worrying the lines of his face. “Fun you say?” Andrew beamed. “Yes, I think so, when you take the danger out of the equation, the drama of it all is quite entertaining don’t you think?” he tilted his head toward the boys. “And of course, it feels quite gratifying to free two innocent men.” The Earl looked dubious about the last statement. “Yes…well, James, Barrow, when you are finished I’d like to treat you both to lunch, you and the rest of our little party. Mr Hopkins, you are of course welcome to join us if you wish?” Hopkin’s nodded. And Thomas spoke graciously, bowing his head in respect. “Thank you so much M’lord. You have been entirely too kind to us.” Jimmy agreed. “I think so too M’lord, most men wouldn’t keep us on. Not with the trouble we caused.” The Earl pondered that statement briefly. “But it wasn’t you who caused anything, was it? Not really. I’ll give you both ten minutes to breathe.” They thanked him as he bowed away. Thomas spoke…breathless and out of the earshot of the Earl. “I still can’t believe I only got three days…” “I find it not at all surprising…” Jimmy frowned at Hopkin’s. “What’re you on… you know full well he’s committed Buggery before…” “Well that’s all a matter of opinion. Buggery is defined as an act against nature…unnatural sexual acts that cause moral offence or harm. Would either of you define what goes on between you as such a wicked thing?” Thomas smiled and Jimmy chuckled. “Well there we go. You’re truly innocent.” “But still…” Thomas shook his head. “What kind of judge would be so lenient in a case that were involving a Duke of all things?” “Common ground.” Hopkins smirked, he eyes wondering absentmindedly to the sky. Thomas guffawed at the notion. “What could he possibly have in common with two men like us?” “He is…as I expect you both are, being men of service, quite good with his hands. There’s a start.” Jimmy’s eyes widened and Thomas’ fluttered comically, it made Andrew giggle. “He was my History of Law lecturer at University. What can I say, I’m attracted to intellect.” “So what yer saying is we cheated the system?” “No Mr Barrow, the system cheated itself.” Andrew sighed. “If the law wishes to confine us to secrecy and shame then it must expect thing like this. If me and your judge were allowed to make public our rendezvous then we would have never been put on the same case. But so, it goes the system…unsurprisingly and luckily is flawed.” “We can’t thank yer enough…” Jimmy shook his head. “I don’t want thank you. I want you…when the time comes…to stand up with the rest of us and to have the strength to do so. I want you to be an example that homosexual love is just as complicated and flawed and natural as the love between man and woman. I want you to be the proof that it can last.” “Well…” Jimmy glanced fleetingly to Thomas. “I dunno about that…but we can try our best.” “And that’s all I ask. Now! I’m ravenous. Let’s take his Lordship up on that offer!” / The Downton group invaded the nearest tea room, the Earl had bought sandwiches. Fruit, cakes and tea for the lot of them. They all chatted, hall boys and lady’s maids, butler and housemaids. Lords, ladies and scullery maids. Jimmy and Thomas however took a quiet seat by the window, where the warm tea clouded the glass and Thomas drew tiny sketches along the pane. “So…three days…” Jimmy murmured stirring sugar until it dissolved. “What will you do with yourself?” Thomas shrugged. “If I can, take my sketchbook, draw a while and make it good for once.” Jimmy tapped the spoon lightly on the edge of the cup to get rid of the access. “They’re always good… you just happen t’be daftly self-critical.” Thomas shyly turned his eyes down, lashes dark against pale skin. “I’ll miss you…” he admitted to his untouched sandwich. Jimmy’s eyes found him again and an impish smile appeared on his lips. “What’ve I said about you and your sappiness.” Thomas shrugged, sheepish as he stirred his tea. “Sorry.” There was a comfortable silence before Jimmy spoke again. “I’ll miss you too…” he mumbled. Thomas moved his eyes back up to him. “Yeah?” “Yeah. Quite a bit I’d wager, three days or not.” Thomas raised his teacup. “You know, if I could kiss you right now I would.” “Maybe we should refrain, given the current situation and all.” Thomas laughed. “Maybe, yeah… / The atmosphere at Downton was so different for them that evening. With the servants still milling about and doing their jobs but Thomas and Jimmy given time to simply relax. People would come through, casually patting their shoulders or shooting them encouraging smiles. It was so strange to Thomas. By the time dinner had finished the lot were sat around playing cards, Jimmy tinkling on the piano, something jolly and Carson had come back into the room with a rather smug expression on his face. “James? Barrow? A call for you. From a Mr Leonard Woolf.” There was a titillating pause and then the two scrambled up Thomas winning the race to the phone with Jimmy slowed by his injury. He made him sit as he answered the call. “Hello, Mr Woolf?” A thick upper-class accent filtered through the receiver. “Good evening…is this Mr Barrow or Mr Kent?” “Mr Barrow, sir. Mr Kent is in the room too.” “Ahh, good. Very sorry for the lateness of our reply, it is quite hard to get all of us together, I hope you don’t mind?” “Not at all, sir.” “My you are used to servitude.” He chuckled. “Call me Leonard, I can’t do with Sir.” “As you wish.” “Your accent is quite pleasant, I know Virginia would love it. Which brings me to my point. We would like to invite you and Mr Kent to dine with us and some of our members next Friday night. I understand you will be free by then. We would love to see and hear more about your works. They are both sets, quite spectacular. “Lord…thank you.” “Not at all. I trust this is your acceptance?” Thomas gave a soft laugh and shot Jimmy an astonished gaze. “Yes, of course we’d love to.” “We shall see you then.” “Yes…good evening.” “Good evening to you, Thomas, was it?” “Yes. Thomas.” “Good evening Thomas.” Thomas put down the phone and was stunned into silence. He gripped the edge of the desk as if he would collapse. “Good god Thomas! What did he say?!” Jimmy finally blurted. “We…he…” he swallowed. “They want us to dine with em. Next Friday night. He…he likes my voice, our accents, he feels Mrs Woolf might like us.” He stumbled over to Jimmy and cradled his face. “Jimmy, they wanna talk about our stuff.” Jimmy beamed ear to ear, the smile lifting and illuminating his face. “Well…you do have a nice voice.” Thomas laughed and kissed him, because bugger getting caught. / There was a short celebration with their co-workers, they allowed themselves a glass of wine but very soon the two were ready for sleep. They bid goodnight and thanked the room before Thomas helped Jimmy to his room. He left him there to get changed while he returned to his own room to retrieve his own bed clothes. As he returned however he found Jimmy stood, leaning against the wall, and staring into the night sky. A map of stars lain endlessly before him, before them… through the glass. Then he turned, naked as the day he was born and whispered a soft. “You okay…you look hot?” He managed to close the door and wedge the wood underneath before he breathlessly dropped to his knees. “Thomas?!” Jimmy whispered. “What…” But Thomas was crawling toward Jimmy, then he straightened up and pressed his forehead into his tummy, just above the near healed wound. And Jimmy was confounded by him, but let his hands slide into the raven hair and break it free from the pomade. “Mm that’s better, I like you less formal.” Thomas looked up at him, eyes shining like silver. “I like you like this.” “Naked?” “And all mine.” Jimmy’s eyes seemed the shake like two puddles. “Take off your clothes. Come to bed.” Thomas did as he was told he stripped as Jimmy settled down on the pillows. He pulled off his shirt, pulled down his trousers and made for the bed. “Wait…” Jimmy whispered. Thomas halted for him, hovering by the bed uneasy. “Take of the glove…” A smile grew on Thomas’ face. He unlaced the glove and pulled it off. Jimmy opened his arms and Thomas crawled into them. He kissed Jimmy, with a complete and all-consuming devotion. Jimmy took in a shaky breath at it. The emotion behind it was breath-taking. “Thomas…” “I love you…” “I know. I know I love you as well. Lie back.” Thomas did as was told. And he rolled onto his back, staring up at Jimmy…the brightest star in the sky. Jimmy rolled on top his hands soothing his cheeks. He pressed delicate kisses to his mouth, his chin, his cheeks. And he reached back, gripping Thomas and stroking him, his hand fast, eyes steady, blown dark. “Let me sit on it…” Thomas closed his eyes. Trying desperately to contain himself. “Yeah…y-yeah. Oh lord above Jimmy…I’m yours, do what you want.” “You might regret saying that one day.” Stoke, stroke, stroke. “Uuugh…fuck how could I ever…” Thomas panicked just a little when Jimmy gripped him and lifted his hips. “W-wait. Fuck I need t’stretch y- “ Jimmy placed a finger over his pout. “Feel.” He pressed the tip there, thumb running over the underside of the head. He was open…something slippery was lubricating him. “When did you…” “I got the horn…waiting for you. I needed you so bad Thomas.” The underbutler imagined it, Jimmy all spread out in this bed and pushing those nimble fingers into himself, the anticipation making him tremble where he lay. “You think I aint never done it before?”  Jimmy asked him with a quirked brow. “Good fucking god.” Thomas’s eyes rolled back and Jimmy took his cue and let the head stretch him further. He gasped and quickly entwined their fingers. And Thomas panted under him, his whole body bowing for Jimmy. When they could finally fit no more he just sat, resting in Thomas’ lap. Thomas watched him through lidded eyes. Watched it all pass over his face, his curls fall into those pretty eyes. He watched him be celestial. He was heaven sent. And when he started to roll his ass experimentally. Thomas thought he would die. From it all. From happiness. From love. Was it even possible to feel like this and be living? But then again. He had never felt more aware that he was living, everything pulsing and tingling and tender to the touch. He cradled Jimmy’s hips and fucked up into him sharply. Jimmy for his part, holding himself open and letting it happen. “Oh lord…shit don’t stop that…” His thighs trembled as Thomas fucked into him and his lips were parted in some sort of silent scream. His own cock bouncing hard and untouched between his legs. They were embarrassingly near already, if they could bring themselves to embarrassed about it. And when Thomas shifted his hips, he hit just the right spot. Jimmy fell forward like an angel tossed from heaven, having to bite the elder’s shoulder to muffle his scream of ecstasy. The underbutler was making soft whiny little noises as he neared his climax and suddenly…Jimmy was gone. He came hard, so fucking hard and completely untouched. His cock twitching white ropes over Thomas’ abdomen. And Thomas was clamped down upon, the sight before him, so stunning he could help but break too. Cum flooded Jimmy and Jimmy blushed beet red when he thought how good it felt…to have Thomas split inside him. For some reason, the underbutler was babbling apologies to Jimmy as he rested in the crook of neck. Jimmy shushed him and pulled him up into a kiss. “It’s okay love…deep breaths.” Thomas did. He took long deep breaths and wrapped Jimmy in his entire body. He didn’t let go till morning. / Breathe my angel, breathe me in, take me with you before our life begins. Three short days, our lives are our own, three more days and you’ll never be alone.